WO2021099423A1

WO2021099423A1 - Aerosol generation device

Info

Publication number: WO2021099423A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/082592
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tony Reevell
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2019-11-18
Filing date: 2020-11-18
Publication date: 2021-05-27
Also published as: EP4061159A1

Abstract

An aerosol generation device (200) for heating a consumable (300) comprising a columnar portion of aerosol substrate (310). The device comprises: a body (210) comprising a heating chamber for heating the columnar portion, the heating chamber comprising a first side wall (212), a first end wall (214) and a penetrative heater (216) protruding from the first end wall into the heating chamber, wherein the penetrative heater is arranged such that, when a consumable is inserted into the heating chamber, the penetrative heater penetrates into the columnar portion of aerosol substrate; an inner chamber (230) adapted to be removably inserted into the heating chamber and adapted to receive the consumable, the inner chamber comprising a second side wall (232) and a second end wall (234) connected to the second side wall; wherein the second end wall comprises an aperture adapted to fit around the penetrative heater; and a cap (220) adapted to hold the inner chamber in the heating chamber.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to aerosol generation devices for heating a consumable to generate an aerosol for a user to inhale. The consumable may comprise tobacco or other suitable aerosol substrate materials.

BACKGROUND

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporisers) has grown rapidly in the past few years as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm aerosolisable substances as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generation device or heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable aerosolisable material to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 350°C. Heating an aerosol substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases an aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user but not the toxic and carcinogenic by- products of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the tobacco or other aerosolisable material does not typically comprise the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant for the user and so the substrate does not therefore require the sugars and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and/or vapour more palatable for the user.

Figs. 1A and 1B schematically show an aerosol generation device 100 that illustrates a technical problem considered by the inventors. The aerosol generation device 100 comprises a body 110 comprising a heating chamber 112 for heating a consumable 300. The heating chamber 112 comprises a penetrative heater 116 arranged to penetrate into an aerosol substrate 310 of the consumable 300.

The aerosol generation device 100 also comprises a cap 120 adapted to receive the consumable. The cap 120 comprises an aperture 126 which allows the penetrative heater 116 to pass through the cap 120 and penetrate the consumable.

This configuration allows the cap to be used as a retractor for separating the consumable 300 from the penetrative heater 116.

However, there is a problem in that the consumable 300 may leave debris in the aerosol generation device when the consumable is removed. For example, the aerosol substrate 310 may comprise a dried or powdered material held tightly or loosely in a wrapper. This dried or powdered material may leak out of an end of the consumable 300. In particular, the penetrative heater 116 may reduce the structural integrity of the aerosol substrate 310 within the consumable, and increase the likelihood that debris is left when the consumable is removed. Such debris may remain in the cap 120 or may pass through the aperture 126 into the heating chamber 112.

Any debris left by consumables must be removed. Otherwise the cap and coating chamber may become increasingly coated with stuck debris, reducing the heating efficiency of the aerosol generation device, and/or reducing the amount of aerosol which the device can generate from a consumable. Furthermore, even with diligent cleaning, some stuck debris will eventually build up, limiting the lifetime of the aerosol generation device.

It is therefore desirable to provide means for easily keeping the aerosol generation device clean. SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an aerosol generation device for heating a consumable comprising a columnar portion of aerosol substrate, the device comprising: a body comprising a heating chamber for heating the columnar portion, the heating chamber comprising a first side wall, a first end wall and a penetrative heater protruding from the first end wall into the heating chamber, wherein the penetrative heater is arranged such that, when a consumable is inserted into the heating chamber, the penetrative heater penetrates into the columnar portion of aerosol substrate; an inner chamber adapted to be removably inserted into the heating chamber and adapted to receive the consumable, the inner chamber comprising a second side wall and a second end wall connected to the second side wall; wherein the second end wall comprises an aperture adapted to fit around the penetrative heater; and a cap adapted to hold the inner chamber in the heating chamber.

Optionally, the second end wall and the second side wall are adapted to spread heat from the penetrative heater.

Optionally, the second side wall and the second end wall comprise a material with a thermal conductivity of at least 25 W/m.K.

Optionally, the second side wall and/or the second end wall comprises a metallic material or graphite.

Optionally, the inner chamber is configured to retain debris from the consumable and adapted to be removed from the heating chamber for cleaning. Optionally, the cap is adapted to engage with the body. Optionally, the cap comprises an inhibitor portion adapted to prevent the inner chamber from moving while the cap is engaged with the body.

Optionally, the cap comprises an opening adapted to receive the consumable and to allow the consumable to be inserted into and removed from the heating chamber.

Optionally, the cap further comprises an outer tubular portion arranged to fit over at least part of the body in the holding position of the inner chamber.

Optionally, the cap comprises an inner tubular portion arranged to abut against the inner chamber in position in the heating chamber. Optionally, the inner chamber comprises a flange adapted to remain outside the heating chamber.

Optionally, a thermal conductivity of the flange is substantially lower than a thermal conductivity of the second side wall and the second end wall.

Optionally, the aerosol generation device further comprises a side heater arranged to supply heat into the heating chamber through the first side wall.

Optionally, the second side wall and the second end wall are adapted to reflect heat within the heating chamber.

Optionally, respective inner surfaces of the second side wall and the second end wall comprise a heat reflective layer or a heat reflective coating. Optionally, the first side wall and first end wall comprise a heat resistant material, such as PEEK.

Optionally, the heating chamber comprises a tubular insulation.

Optionally, the body or the inner chamber comprises an attachment part for releasably attaching the inner chamber to the body. Optionally, the cap or the inner chamber comprises an attachment part for releasably attaching the inner chamber to the cap.

Optionally, the cap or the inner chamber are attached by a friction fit or screw fit connection.

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a chamber adapted to be inserted as an inner chamber into a heating chamber of an aerosol generation device and adapted to receive a consumable, the chamber comprising a side wall and an end wall, wherein the second end wall comprises an aperture adapted to fit around a penetrative heater of the heating chamber, and the second end wall and the second side wall are adapted to spread heat from the penetrative heater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described by reference to the following figures.

Figs. 1A and 1 B schematically show an aerosol generation device illustrating a problem considered by the inventors;

Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic cross-sections of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment;

Figs. 3A and 3B are schematic cross-sections of the aerosol generation device when a consumable is inserted or removed;

Figs. 4A to 4C schematically show a process for removing debris from an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment;

Figs. 5A and 5B schematically illustrate alternative inner chambers according to embodiments;

Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-section of an aerosol generation device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figs. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate cross-sections of an aerosol generation device 200 for heating a consumable 300 comprising a columnar portion of aerosol substrate 310, according to an embodiment. Fig. 2A is an exploded view of components of the device 200 which are separable by a user of the device. Fig. 2B is an assembled view of the device 200 ready to receive a consumable.

The aerosol generation device 200 comprises a body 210, a cap 220 and an inner chamber 230.

The body 210 comprises a heating chamber for heating the columnar portion. The heating chamber comprises a first side wall 212 and a first end wall 214. In this embodiment, the first side wall and the first end wall define an elongate chamber for receiving the columnar portion of aerosol substrate. For example, the chamber may be cylindrical or may have a polygon cross-section. The first end wall may be flat, or may have an approximately concave or convex shape. The heating chamber further comprises a penetrative heater 216 protruding from the first end wall 214 into the heating chamber. More specifically, the penetrative heater 216 is arranged such that, when a consumable 300 is inserted into the heating chamber, the penetrative heater 216 penetrates into the columnar portion of aerosol substrate 310. In this embodiment, the heating chamber further comprises a tubular insulation 218 surrounding the first side wall 212 and the first end wall 214. The tubular insulation 218 reduces heat leakage from the heating chamber, and improves the efficiency of the heating chamber. Additionally, if the body 210 comprises heat sensitive components, the tubular insulation 218 helps to protect these while achieving a temperature in the heating chamber required for aerosol generation.

The body 210 may also contain means for controlling heating in the heating chamber. For example, the body 210 may contain an electrical power supply and control circuitry. These may be examples of heat sensitive components. The inner chamber 230 is adapted to be removably inserted into the heating chamber, such that the inner chamber can be separate, as shown in Fig. 2A, or in the heating chamber, as shown in Fig. 2B. The inner chamber 230 is also adapted to receive the consumable.

More specifically, the inner chamber comprises a second side wall 232 and a second end wall 234. The second side wall 232 is sized to fit within the first side wall 212 of the heating chamber and to contain the columnar portion 310 of the consumable 300. Like the first side wall, the second side wall may, for example, have a cylindrical shape or a polygon cross section. Similarly, the second end wall 234 is sized to fit within the heating chamber.

Additionally, the second end wall 234 comprises an aperture 236 adapted to fit around the penetrative heater 216. This allows the penetrative heater 116 to pass through the inner chamber 230 and penetrate the consumable.

In this embodiment, the second end wall 234 and the second side wall 232 are adapted to spread heat from the penetrative heater 216. For example, the second side wall 232 and the second end wall 234 may be made of a thermally conductive material, for example a metallic material such as copper or aluminium, and the aperture 236 may be adapted to fit closely around the penetrative heater 216 such that heat from the penetrative heater 216 is conducted through the second side wall 232 and the second end wall 234. With this arrangement, the consumable is heated both internally, directly from the penetrative heater 216, and externally, from the inner chamber 230. Surfaces which heat the consumable are typically the most difficult to clean, for example due to curing effects on debris from the consumable 300. As a result, this embodiment emphasises the advantage of an inner chamber 230 which can be cleaned and replaced independently from the body 210 or the cap 230.

Additionally, in this embodiment, the inner chamber 230 comprises a flange 238 adapted to remain outside the heating chamber. In this embodiment the flange has an outer diameter which is wider than the heating chamber, such that the flange does not fit into the heating chamber. The flange 238 has the benefit of making it easier to grip and remove the inner chamber 230 from the heating chamber. Furthermore, the flange 238 provides a surface against which the inhibitor portion can abut.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flange 238 has a substantially lower thermal conductivity than the second side wall 232 and the second end wall 234. For example, in embodiments where the second side wall 232 and the second end wall 234 comprise a metallic material, the flange 238 may comprise e.g. rubber, heat resistant plastic or cork. This lower thermal conductivity improves safety by preventing a user from burning their hand when removing an inner chamber 230 from the device, even if the device has recently been used to heat a consumable. Additionally, using a flange 238 with low thermal conductivity means that the material for the cap 220 can be more freely chosen without needing to tolerate high temperatures. Alternatively, the entire inner chamber 230 may be constructed from a single material, for simplicity of manufacturing.

The cap 220 is adapted to hold the inner chamber in the heating chamber.

For example, in this embodiment, the cap 220 comprises an inhibitor portion adapted to prevent the inner chamber 230 from moving while the cap is engaged with the body 210.

In this embodiment, the cap 220 comprises an opening 228 adapted to receive the consumable 300 and to allow the consumable to be inserted into and removed from the heating chamber, as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B. Specifically, in this embodiment, the cap 220 comprises an outer tubular portion 222 and an inner tubular portion 224, as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B. The cap 220 may optionally further comprise a lid (not shown) for closing the opening 228, in order to keep the heating chamber clean when not in use.

The outer tubular portion 222 is arranged to fit over at least part of the body when in a position to hold the inner chamber 230. In other words, the outer tubular portion 222 is arranged to fit around part of the body 210. This provides a surface for the cap 220 to engage with the body 210, and increases the mechanical security of the aerosol generation device by making it more difficult to accidentally detach the cap 220.

The inner tubular portion 224 is arranged to abut against the inner chamber 230, more particularly against flange 238, when the device is assembled as shown in Fig. 2B, with the inner chamber 230 in position in the heating chamber. In other words, the inner tubular portion 224 is arranged to both provide a tube through which the consumable may be inserted into and removed from the heating chamber, and to provide the inhibitor portion described above.

Figs. 4A to 4C schematically show a process for removing debris from the above-described aerosol generation device.

As shown in Fig. 4A, after a consumable 300 has been used in the aerosol generation device 200 and then removed from the device, some debris 4 may be left behind in the device. This debris may, for example, be powder residue or dried leaf residue of the aerosol substrate. Because the consumable 300 has been received in the inner chamber 230 within the heating chamber, the debris 4 rests in the inner chamber.

Firstly, as shown in Fig. 4B, the cap 220 is removed in order to release the inner chamber 230.

Next, as shown in Fig. 4C, the inner chamber 230 is removed from the heating chamber. This may be achieved by a user gripping the flange 238. When the inner chamber 230 is removed, the debris 4 is carried with it.

Since the inner chamber 230 is a relatively small part without a deep channel as in the cap 120 of Fig. 1 , the inner chamber 230 may be easily cleaned to its corners.

Furthermore, as described above, the body 210 may contain control circuitry. By enabling separation of the inner chamber 230 from the body 210, it becomes possible to use additional cleaning mechanisms, such as water, for removing the debris 4 from where it is most likely to be in the device 200. Figs. 5A and 5B schematically illustrate alternative inner chambers 230 which may be used in the above-described embodiment. As mentioned above, the aperture 236 is adapted to fit around the penetrative heater 216. Accordingly, embodiments using different shapes of penetrative heater 216 also use corresponding different shapes of aperture 236.

As shown in Fig. 5A, the aperture 236 may be circular. This shape of aperture 236 is suitable for a circular penetrative heater 216. The circular penetrative heater 216 could, for example, end in a point as illustrated in the figures, or could have a punch-shaped tip or a crown-shaped tip.

As shown in Fig. 5B, the aperture 236 could instead be a relatively long and thin rectangle 236’. This shape is suitable for a blade-shaped penetrative heater 216.

These are just two examples, and, in general any shape of penetrative heater 216 and corresponding shape of the aperture 236 may be used.

As a variant of the above described embodiments, two or more of the body 210, the cap 220 and the inner chamber 230 may be adapted to attach to each other. This has the advantage of securing the device 200 when it is used by a user for generating an aerosol from a consumable.

For example, the body 210 or the inner chamber 230 may comprise an attachment part for releasably attaching the inner chamber to the body. The attachment part may, for example, take the form of a friction fit surface, a screw fit surface, a releasable resilient clip or a manually-engaged fastener. Furthermore, the first side wall 212 or the penetrative heater 216 may comprise a protrusion or recess for engaging with a complementary feature on the second side wall 232 or the aperture 236 of the inner chamber 230.

More preferably, the cap 220 or the inner chamber 230 comprises an attachment part for releasably attaching the inner chamber to the cap. This may similarly be achieved by a friction fit, a screw fit, a releasable resilient attachment, or a manually-engaged fastener. By releasably attaching the inner chamber to the cap, it becomes possible to use the cap 220 as a handle to remove the inner chamber 230, in the same way that the previous device of Fig. 1 is operated. Once the cap 220 and inner chamber 230 have been separated from the body 210 after a consumable has been used and debris 4 has been left, the inner chamber 230 can be separated from the cap 220 for easy cleaning, or for replacing the inner chamber 230 with a new, clean inner chamber.

Additionally, in order to hold the inner chamber 230 in the inner chamber, the cap 220 and the body 210 may be adapted to releasably attach to each other, for example, the cap 220 and the body 210 may have complementary features for rotationally interlocking with each other. More specifically, the cap 220 and the body 210 may be adapted to form a screw fit.

In other embodiments, the body 210, the inner chamber 230 and the cap 220 may not be attached to each other, and the device 200 may rely on gravity and being held with the correct orientation, in order to remain assembled as shown in Fig. 2B.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a further embodiment of an aerosol generation device 200.

The aerosol generation device 200 of Fig. 6 is largely similar to the aerosol generation device 200 of Fig. 2B, and differs only in that it additionally comprises a side heater 217 arranged to supply heat into the heating chamber through the first side wall 212.

The side heater 217 may extend across the whole of the first side wall, from the end to end of the heater chamber and all the way around the heater chamber, or may extend across one or more parts of the first side wall.

In order for the side heater 217 to heat the consumable 300, heat must pass through or around the inner chamber 230.

In order for heat to pass through the inner chamber 230, the inner chamber preferably comprises a metallic material and the second side wall 232 is adapted to conform closely against the first side wall 212. Air may flow around the consumable within the inner chamber 230 or may enter through the bottom of the heating chamber. The inner chamber 230 may be provided with axially arranged inward protrusions to support air flow between the inner chamber 230 and the consumable 300.

On the other hand, if heat passes around the inner chamber 230, the second side wall 232 may be provided with one or more additional apertures aligned with the side heater 217 to allow heat to pass from the first side wall 212 to the consumable 300.

In embodiments where a side heater 217 is not present, the second side wall 232 and the second end wall 234 of the inner chamber 230 are adapted to reflect heat within the heating chamber, to reduce an amount of heat from the penetrative heater 216 that reaches and/or is lost through the first side wall 212.

For example, inner surfaces of the second side wall 232 and second end wall 234 may comprise a heat reflective coating or heat reflective layer comprising, for example, a metal.

In order to further reduce heat which passes out of the heating chamber, the first side wall 212 and first end wall 214 may comprise a heat resistant material. Herein, a heat resistant material is a material with low thermal conductivity and high heat capacity. For example, the heat resistant material may be a plastic, such as PEEK.

Additionally, an outer surface of the second side wall 232 and second end wall 234 may comprise the heat resistant material.

Many other modifications of the above-described aerosol generation devices are possible within the scope of the attached claims. Example modifications are described below.

In the above-described embodiments, the body 210 comprises tubular insulation. However, in other embodiments, the tubular insulation 218 may be omitted. For example, in some embodiments, it may be sufficient to keep heat sensitive components at a distance from the heating chamber.

In the above-described embodiments, the second side wall 232 and second end wall 234 are adapted to spread heat. However, in other embodiments, such heat spreading properties may be omitted from the inner chamber 230. For example, the inner chamber 230 may be constructed from a thermal insulator such as a plastic or a ceramic.

In the above-described embodiments, the cap 220 comprises an inhibitor portion adapted to prevent the inner chamber 230 from moving. However, in other embodiments, the cap 220 may prevent the inner chamber 230 from leaving the heating chamber without entirely preventing movement of the inner chamber 230. For example, the cap 220 may have a stop means configured to delimit an end of a range of motion of the inner chamber 230. The inner chamber 230 may be configured to hold the consumable 300 tightly such that when the consumable 300 is removed, the inner chamber 230 moves with the consumable 300, along the range of motion, until the columnar portion of aerosol substrate 310 is partly or completely free from the penetrative heater 216. As the consumable is removed further, the inner chamber 230 is stopped by the stop means, and the consumable 300 moves out of the inner chamber 230. By holding the consumable 300 tightly as it is partly or fully freed from the penetrative heater 216, the amount of debris left by a consumable may be reduced.

In the above-described embodiments, the cap comprises an opening 228. However, other embodiments do not have such an opening 228. For example, the cap 220 may comprise a mouthpiece and a filter, and the cap 220 and the body 210 may be adapted to entirely enclose the consumable 300 within the device 200. In such embodiments, rather than expecting a user to remove the consumable 300 from the heating chamber, the device may comprise an actuator for inserting the consumable 300 into the heating chamber and/or removing the consumable from the heating chamber. In alternative embodiments, one or both of the inner and outer tubular portions 222, 224 may be omitted. For example, the inner tubular portion may be omitted in a case where the outer tubular portion is arranged to act as a stop means, or where the cap 220 is a shorter structure which only extends to cover one end of the body 210. Similarly, the outer tubular portion may be omitted if the cap 220 is configured to attach to an end of the body 210 without extending around the body 210. Furthermore, the cap 220 may be a solid element extending between an inner surface and an outer surface, such that there is no inner or outer portion.

In the above-described embodiments, the inner chamber 230 comprises a flange 238. In alternative embodiments, this may be omitted. For example, in the above-described alternative where the inner chamber 230 is configured to hold the consumable tightly along a range of motion, this may itself be sufficient to achieve the flange’s benefit of making it easier to remove the inner chamber 230 from the heating chamber, such that the flange 238 is redundant and may be omitted. Additionally, the inner chamber 230 may be adapted to fit loosely in the heating chamber. Accordingly, when the cap 220 (which holds the inner chamber in the heating chamber) is removed, the inner chamber may be simply able to fall out when the aerosol generation device 200 is turned such that an open end of the heating chamber faces downwards.

Additionally, it should be noted that, although the body 210, cap 220 and inner chamber 230 are described as parts of an aerosol generation device, these parts are separable (as described above), and each of the body 210, cap 220 and inner chamber 230 may occur individually. For example, an inner chamber 230 as described above may be distributed on its own as a spare part for the aerosol generation device 200. As explained further above, by enabling replacement of just the inner chamber 230, the lifetime of the aerosol generation device may be extended while only replacing a minimal part which is most at risk of deterioration due to debris remaining in the device.

In particular, the present invention also provides a chamber 230 adapted to be inserted as an inner chamber into a heating chamber of an aerosol generation device 200. The chamber is also adapted to receive a consumable 300. The chamber 230 comprises a side wall 232 and an end wall 234. The end wall 234 comprises an aperture 236 adapted to fit around a penetrative heater 216 of the heating chamber. The end wall 234 and the side wall 232 are adapted to spread heat from the penetrative heater 216 to the consumable 300.

It will be appreciated from the description above that many features of the described embodiment perform independent functions with independent benefits. Therefore the inclusion or omission of each of these independent features from embodiments of the invention defined in the claims can be independently chosen.

The term “heater” should be understood to mean any device for outputting thermal energy sufficient to form an aerosol from the aerosol substrate. The transfer of heat energy from the penetrative heater 216 or the side heater 217 to the aerosol substrate may be conductive, convective, radiative or any combination of these means.

Heaters may be electrically powered, powered by combustion, or by any other suitable means. Electrically powered heaters may include resistive track elements (optionally including insulating packaging), induction heating systems (e.g. including an electromagnet and high frequency oscillator), etc.

The aerosol generation device may have control circuitry having a single user operable button to trigger the aerosol generation device to turn on. This keeps the control simple and reduces the chances that a user will misuse the aerosol generation device or fail to control the aerosol generation device correctly. In some cases, however, the input controls available to a user may be more complex than this, for example to control the temperature, e.g. within pre-set limits, to change the flavour balance of the vapour, or to switch between power saving or quick heating modes, for example.

Aerosol substrate includes tobacco, for example in dried or cured form, in some cases with additional ingredients for flavouring or producing a smoother or otherwise more pleasurable experience. In some examples, the aerosol substrate such as tobacco may be treated with a vaporising agent. The vaporising agent may improve the generation of vapour from the aerosol substrate. The vaporising agent may include, for example, a polyol such as glycerol, or a glycol such as propylene glycol. In some cases, the aerosol substrate may contain no tobacco, or even no nicotine, but instead may contain naturally or artificially derived ingredients for flavouring, volatilisation, improving smoothness, and/or providing other pleasurable effects. The aerosol substrate may be provided as a solid or paste type material in shredded, pelletised, powdered, granulated, strip or sheet form, optionally a combination of these. Some examples may include both solid and liquid/gel parts.

The aerosol generation device could equally be referred to as a “heated tobacco device”, a “heat-not-burn tobacco device”, a “device for vaporising tobacco products”, and the like, with this being interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices which are designed to vaporise any aerosol substrate.

The consumable may be a pre-packaged substrate carrier. The substrate carrier may broadly resemble a cigarette, having a tubular region with an aerosol substrate arranged in a suitable manner. Filters, vapour collection regions, cooling regions, and other structure may also be included in some designs. An outer layer of paper or other flexible planar material such as foil may also be provided, for example to hold the aerosol substrate in place, to further the resemblance of a cigarette, etc. The substrate carrier may fit within the heating chamber or may be longer than the heating chamber. In such embodiments, the aerosol may be provided directly from the substrate carrier which acts as a mouthpiece for the aerosol generation device.

As used herein, the term “volatile” means a substance capable of readily changing from the solid or liquid state to the gaseous state. As a non-limiting example, a volatile substance may be one which has a boiling or sublimation temperature close to room temperature at ambient pressure. Accordingly “volatilize” or “volatilise” shall be construed as meaning to render (a material) volatile and/or to cause to evaporate or disperse in vapour.

As used herein, the term “vapour” (or “vapor”) means: (i) the form into which liquids are naturally converted by the action of a sufficient degree of heat; or (ii) particles of liquid/moisture that are suspended in the atmosphere and visible as clouds of steam/smoke; or (iii) a fluid that fills a space like a gas but, being below its critical temperature, can be liquefied by pressure alone.

Consistently with this definition the term “vaporise” (or “vaporize”) means: (i) to change, or cause the change into vapour; and (ii) where the particles change physical state (i.e. from liquid or solid into the gaseous state).

As used herein, the term “atomise” (or “atomize”) shall mean: (i) to turn (a substance, especially a liquid) into very small particles or droplets; and (ii) where the particles remain in the same physical state (liquid or solid) as they were prior to atomization. As used herein, the term “aerosol” shall mean a system of particles dispersed in the air or in a gas, such as mist, fog, or smoke. Accordingly the term “aerosolise” (or “aerosolize”) means to make into an aerosol and/or to disperse as an aerosol. Note that the meaning of aerosol/aerosolise is consistent with each of volatilise, atomise and vaporise as defined above. For the avoidance of doubt, aerosol is used to consistently describe mists or droplets comprising atomised, volatilised or vaporised particles. Aerosol also includes mists or droplets comprising any combination of atomised, volatilised or vaporised particles.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation device for heating a consumable comprising a columnar portion of aerosol substrate, the device comprising: a body comprising a heating chamber for heating the columnar portion, the heating chamber comprising a first side wall, a first end wall and a penetrative heater protruding from the first end wall into the heating chamber, wherein the penetrative heater is arranged such that, when a consumable is inserted into the heating chamber, the penetrative heater penetrates into the columnar portion of aerosol substrate; an inner chamber adapted to be removably inserted into the heating chamber and adapted to receive the consumable, the inner chamber comprising a second side wall and a second end wall connected to the second side wall; wherein the second end wall comprises an aperture adapted to fit around the penetrative heater; and a cap adapted to hold the inner chamber in the heating chamber.

2. An aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the second end wall and the second side wall are adapted to spread heat from the penetrative heater.

3. An aerosol device according to claim 2, wherein the second side wall and the second end wall comprise a material with a thermal conductivity of at least 25 W/m.K.

4. An aerosol generation device according to claim 3, wherein the second side wall and/or the second end wall comprises a metallic material or graphite.

5. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap comprises an inhibitor portion adapted to prevent the inner chamber from moving while the cap is engaged with the body.

6. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap comprises an opening adapted to receive the consumable and to allow the consumable to be inserted into and removed from the heating chamber.

7. An aerosol generation device according to claim 6, wherein the cap further comprises an outer tubular portion arranged to fit over at least part of the body in the holding position of the inner chamber.

8. An aerosol generation device according to claim 7, wherein the cap comprises an inner tubular portion arranged to abut against the inner chamber in position in the heating chamber.

9. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner chamber comprises a flange adapted to remain outside the heating chamber.

10. An aerosol generation device according to claim 9, wherein a thermal conductivity of the flange is substantially lower than a thermal conductivity of the second side wall and the second end wall.

11. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a side heater arranged to supply heat into the heating chamber through the first side wall.

12. An aerosol generation device according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second side wall and the second end wall are adapted to reflect heat within the heating chamber.

13. An aerosol generation device according to claim 12, wherein respective inner surfaces of the second side wall and the second end wall comprise a heat reflective layer or a heat reflective coating.

14. An aerosol generation device according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the first side wall and first end wall comprise a heat resistant material.

15. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating chamber comprises a tubular insulation.

16. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body or the inner chamber comprises an attachment part for releasably attaching the inner chamber to the body.

17. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap or the inner chamber comprises an attachment part for releasably attaching the inner chamber to the cap.

18. An aerosol generation device according to claim 17, wherein the cap or the inner chamber are attached by a friction fit or screw fit connection.

19. A chamber adapted to be inserted as an inner chamber into a heating chamber of an aerosol generation device and adapted to receive a consumable, the chamber comprising a side wall and an end wall, wherein the second end wall comprises an aperture adapted to fit around a penetrative heater of the heating chamber, and the second end wall and the second side wall are adapted to spread heat from the penetrative heater.