WO2021110749A1 - Dispositif de génération d'aérosol ayant un support comprenant des éléments de mise en prise - Google Patents

Dispositif de génération d'aérosol ayant un support comprenant des éléments de mise en prise Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021110749A1
WO2021110749A1 PCT/EP2020/084272 EP2020084272W WO2021110749A1 WO 2021110749 A1 WO2021110749 A1 WO 2021110749A1 EP 2020084272 W EP2020084272 W EP 2020084272W WO 2021110749 A1 WO2021110749 A1 WO 2021110749A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
holder
engagement elements
aerosol
substrate carrier
generation device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2020/084272
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Tony Reevell
Original Assignee
Jt International Sa
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jt International Sa filed Critical Jt International Sa
Priority to JP2022530684A priority Critical patent/JP2023504615A/ja
Priority to EP20812386.9A priority patent/EP4069014A1/fr
Priority to CN202080083585.1A priority patent/CN114745981A/zh
Publication of WO2021110749A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021110749A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a holder for an aerosol generation device, the holder having engagement elements for cooperating with an aerosol substrate, and to an aerosol generation device incorporating the holder.
  • the disclosure is particularly applicable to a portable aerosol generation device, which may be self-contained and low temperature. Such devices may heat, rather than burn, tobacco or other suitable materials by conduction, convection, and/or radiation, to generate an aerosol for inhalation.
  • reduced-risk or modified-risk devices also known as vaporisers
  • vaporisers have 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 100°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 less or no carcinogenic by-products of combustion and burning.
  • Aerosol generation devices of this type are portable devices and so energy consumption is an important design consideration.
  • the present invention aims to address issues with existing devices and to provide an improved aerosol generation device and heating chamber therefor. Summary of the Disclosure
  • a holder insertable into an aerosol generation device which aerosol generation device is arranged for heating an aerosol substrate carried by a substrate carrier to generate an aerosol
  • the holder being arranged for receiving the aerosol substrate carried by the substrate carrier and the holder comprising: a rim defining an opening, the rim extending around a central axis at a first radial distance from the central axis, along which central axis the substrate carrier is insertable through the opening into the holder; and at least two engagement elements, each of the engagement elements having an elongate portion extending generally parallel to the central axis between a first end joined to the rim and a second end distal from the rim; each engagement element not having any electrical heating element for supplying heat to the aerosol substrate and each elongate portion being located a second radial distance from the central axis, wherein the second radial distance is smaller than the first radial distance.
  • This arrangement allows for compression of the aerosol substrate by the engagement elements, while separating the compression from the heating. This may be useful for providing a removable holder, and also for retrofitting aerosol generation devices with compression means such as the engagement elements, provided on a replacement holder. Compression of the aerosol substrate may eliminate air gaps in the aerosol substrate to improve heat conduction through the aerosol substrate.
  • each engagement element has a supporting portion extending towards the central axis from the second end of the elongate portion to provide a platform for limiting insertion of the substrate carrier along the central axis.
  • the supporting portions of at least two engagement elements extend to meet one another.
  • the supporting portions of all of the engagement elements extend to meet one another.
  • the supporting portions of the engagement elements extend towards each other but do not meet, in other cases they meet, touch and even join together at the central axis.
  • each of the engagement elements is a rod.
  • the engagement elements are evenly spaced around the rim.
  • the engagement elements are spaced apart from one another by an air gap.
  • the engagement elements are parallel to the central axis towards their second ends.
  • the engagement elements bow inwardly in an arc having a closest approach to the central axis.
  • the air gap is larger than the thickness of the engagement elements.
  • the holder further comprises a tubular side wall extending around the at least two engagement elements, the tubular side wall defining a heating chamber.
  • the elongate elements are spaced apart from an inner surface of the tubular side wall.
  • the inner surface of the tubular side wall may be spaced away from the central axis by a third radial distance, wherein the second radial distance is smaller than the third radial distance.
  • the holder further comprises a base located further from the rim than the second end of the elongate portion of the engagement elements.
  • the base may have an internal surface located further from the rim than the second end of the elongate portion of the engagement elements.
  • the base is joined to the tubular side wall.
  • the base closes the tubular side wall, for example to prevent air flow into the heating chamber defined by the tubular side wall, in the region of the second end of the elongate portion of the engagement elements.
  • the side wall and/or base is a mesh or has one or more apertures.
  • the base is spaced away from the supporting portions.
  • a surface of each of the engagement elements facing the central axis has a convex profile transverse to the central axis, preferably wherein the convex profile is an arc of a circle.
  • the first end of the elongate portion of each engagement element has a portion sloping towards the second end of the elongate portion and towards the central axis.
  • the engagement elements have this shape.
  • the engagement elements comprise a material having a higher thermal transfer coefficient than the material of the rim.
  • the engagement elements are metal.
  • the engagement elements are made of stainless steel or copper.
  • the rim is made of heat resistant plastic, preferably Polyether Ether Ketone, PEEK.
  • an aerosol generation device comprising the holder described above retained in a recess in the aerosol generation device.
  • the aerosol generation device may further comprise: an electrical power source; a heater arranged to supply heat to the holder; and control circuitry configured to control the supply of electrical power from the electrical power source to the heater.
  • the holder is removable from the aerosol generation device. More specifically, the holder may be removable, e.g., replaceably removable, from the heater.
  • the heater is permanently fixed in the aerosol generation device.
  • the heater is affixed to the tubular side wall.
  • the heater is not in conductive thermal contact with the engagement elements.
  • an aerosol generation device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol substrate carried by a substrate carrier, the aerosol generation device comprising: a holder for accommodating the substrate carrier; and a heater arranged to supply heat to the aerosol substrate when the substrate carrier is accommodated in the holder, wherein the holder is located between the heater and the aerosol substrate when the substrate carrier is accommodated in the holder and the holder comprises: a rim defining an opening, the rim extending around a central axis at a first radial distance from the central axis, along which central axis the substrate carrier is insertable through the opening into the holder; and at least two engagement elements, each of the engagement elements having an elongate portion extending generally parallel to the central axis between a first end joined to the rim and a second end distal from the rim, each elongate portion being located a second radial distance from the central axis, wherein the second radial distance is smaller than the first radial distance
  • the fourth aspect may include the various optional features of the holder of the first aspect or include the substrate carrier of the second aspect.
  • an aerosol generation device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol substrate carried by a substrate carrier, the aerosol generation device comprising: a heater arranged to supply heat to the aerosol substrate when the substrate carrier is accommodated in the aerosol generation device; a holder having a rim defining an opening, the rim extending around a central axis, along which central axis the substrate carrier is insertable through the opening into the holder to accommodate the substrate carrier in the aerosol generation device and wherein the holder further comprises at least two rod-shaped engagement elements for holding the substrate carrier spaced apart from the heater, the engagement elements extending from the rim in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis.
  • the various optional features of the first aspect may be applied to the holder of the fifth aspect.
  • the fifth aspect may include the substrate carrier.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol generation device according to a first embodiment the disclosure, shown with a substrate carrier comprising aerosol substrate being loaded into the aerosol generation device.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view from a side of the aerosol generation device of Figure 1 , shown with the substrate carrier comprising aerosol substrate being loaded into the aerosol generation device.
  • Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the aerosol generation device of Figure 1 , shown with the substrate carrier comprising aerosol substrate loaded into the aerosol generation device.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view from the side of the aerosol generation device of Figure 1 , shown with the substrate carrier comprising aerosol substrate loaded into the aerosol generation device.
  • Figure 5A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a holder according to the first embodiment being inserted into a recess in the aerosol generation device.
  • Figure 5B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a holder according to the first embodiment inserted in a recess in the aerosol generation device and a substrate carrier comprising aerosol substrate inserted in the holder.
  • Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a holder according to the first embodiment, the holder having a supporting portion.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a holder according to a second embodiment similar to the first embodiment, but having no supporting portion.
  • Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a holder according to a third embodiment similar to the first embodiment, but having supporting portions which do not meet at a central axis.
  • Figure 9A shows a schematic perspective view of a holder according to a fourth embodiment, having engagement elements with a curved profile.
  • Figure 9B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the holder of the fourth embodiment.
  • Figure 10A shows a schematic perspective view of a holder according to a fifth embodiment, having engagement elements with a portion at a first end which slopes towards the second end of the engagement elements and towards a central axis of the holder.
  • Figure 10B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the holder of the fifth embodiment.
  • Figure 11A shows a schematic perspective view of a holder according to a sixth embodiment, having a side wall around the engagement elements.
  • Figure 11 B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the holder of the sixth embodiment having a supporting portion and a base connected to the side wall beneath the supporting portion.
  • Figure 11C shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a variant of the holder of the sixth embodiment having no supporting portion and a base connected to the side wall beneath the lower end of the engagement elements.
  • Figure 11D shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a variant of the holder of the sixth embodiment having a supporting portion and no base connected to the side wall.
  • Figure 12A shows a schematic perspective view of a holder according to a seventh embodiment, having a side wall around the engagement elements, and engagement elements which penetrate through the rim of the side wall.
  • Figure 12B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the holder of the seventh embodiment having a supporting portion and a base beneath the supporting portion.
  • Figure 12C shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a variant of the holder of the seventh embodiment having no supporting portion and a base connected to the side wall and wherein the engagement elements penetrate through the base.
  • Figure 12D shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a variant of the holder of the seventh embodiment having no supporting portion and a base beneath the lower end of the engagement elements.
  • an aerosol generation device 100 comprises an outer casing 102 housing various components of the aerosol generation device 100.
  • the outer casing 102 has a roughly pebble shape, but it will be appreciated that any shape is possible, so long as it is sized to fit the components described in the various embodiments set out herein.
  • a first end 104 of the aerosol generation device 100 is described for convenience as a bottom, base or lower end of the aerosol generation device 100.
  • a second end 106 of the aerosol generation device 100 is described as the top or upper end of the aerosol generation device 100.
  • the user typically orients the aerosol generation device 100 with the first end 104 downward and/or in a distal position with respect to the user’s mouth and the second end 106 upward and/or in a proximate position with respect to the user’s mouth.
  • the aerosol generation device 100 has a recess located towards the second end 106 of the aerosol generation device 100.
  • the recess is delimited by a recess base 113 and a recess side wall 116 extending between the recess base 113 and an open end of the recess.
  • the recess side wall 116 and the recess base 113 are connected to one another. That is, the recess is cup-shaped.
  • the recess side wall 116 is tubular. More specifically, it is cylindrical.
  • the recess side wall 116 has other suitable shapes, such as a tube with an elliptical or polygonal cross section.
  • the recess side wall 116 is tapered.
  • the recess is closed, e.g. sealed in an air-tight manner to the recess side wall 116 so as to ensure that the recess does not expose the interior of the outer casing 102 to the outside world. This can help to protect the interior of the aerosol generation device 100 from damage due to dirt or water entering the interior.
  • the recess is open towards the second end 106 of the aerosol generation device 100. Nested inside the recess is a holder 109.
  • the holder 109 is arranged to receive an aerosol substrate 128 carried by a substrate carrier 114, also known as a “consumable”, through an opening 110 defined by a rim 107, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 and 5B.
  • the substrate carrier 114 comprises a pre-packaged aerosol substrate 128, such as tobacco or another suitable aerosolisable material provided together with an aerosol collection region 130. Both the aerosol substrate 128 and the aerosol collection region 130 are wrapped in an outer layer 132, and abut one another part way along the substrate carrier 114 at a boundary.
  • the aerosol substrate 128 is heatable to generate an aerosol for inhalation and is located towards the first end 134 (or “tip”) of the substrate carrier 114.
  • the aerosol substrate 128 extends across the entire width of the substrate carrier 114 within the outer layer 132. In other embodiments the recess is arranged to receive the aerosol substrate 128 in other forms, such as loose shredded material or solid material packaged in other ways.
  • the holder 109 is shown separately from the aerosol generation device 100 in Figure 6. It can be seen that the rim 107 extends around a central axis C at a first radial distance Ri from the central axis C. The central axis C also defines a direction along which the substrate carrier 114 is insertable through the opening 110 into the holder 109, as described in detail below.
  • the rim 107 has a plurality of engagement elements 140 in the form of rods, joined at their first ends 142a to the rim 107 to hold the engagement elements 140 in position relative to one another, and to help reduce damage (e.g. bending) of the engagement elements 140. In some cases, the engagement elements 140 are not rod-shaped, but may be flattened bars, or other cross-sections.
  • the engagement elements 140 may not even have a constant cross-section along their length, but this may vary along their length for example to provide a textured surface for gripping or to provide a specific compression profile.
  • Each engagement element 140 has an elongate portion 144 extending generally parallel to the central axis C, extending from the rim 107 to a second end 142b, distal to the rim.
  • the engagement elements 140 are evenly spaced around the rim 107, in the sense that the gap between adjacent engagement elements 140 is always the same, although in some examples this spacing may vary.
  • the elongate portions 144 are arranged to contact and compress the aerosol substrate 128 when the substrate carrier 114 is inserted into the holder 109.
  • the holder 109 is arranged such that when a substrate carrier 114 is correctly inserted into the holder 107, the engagement elements 140 align with the aerosol substrate 128 to enable this compression.
  • each elongate portion 144 is located a second radial distance R from the central axis C, with the second radial distance R 2 being smaller than the first radial distance Ri. More specifically, each elongate portion 144 has at least a part of its length, which part is for contacting the substrate carrier 114, located no more than the second radial distance R 2 from the central axis C.
  • the substrate carrier 114 also has a radial extent R 4 from its own central axis (not shown, but which coincides with the central axis C of the holder 109 in Figures 5A, 5B and 6). Since the substrate carrier 114 is cylindrical in this embodiment, the width of the substrate carrier is equal to twice this radial extent R 4 , e.g. 2R 4 . This radial extent R 4 is smaller than the first radial distance Ri, to allow the substrate carrier 114 to fit through the opening, yet larger than the second radial distance R , so as to result in the compression described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the second radial distance R 2 is less than half the width of the substrate carrier 114.
  • the radial extent R 4 of the substrate carrier 114 varies depending upon the circumferential position being considered (i.e. the angle around the central axis of the substrate carrier 114).
  • the first and second radial distances Ri and R 2 may also need to vary in a complimentary way in order to both accommodate insertion of the substrate carrier 114 through the opening 110 and provide the desired compression.
  • the desired effects may only be achieved when the substrate carrier 114 is inserted into the holder at one or more specific orientations, it will be understood that suitable non-cylindrical designs are achievable (e.g. based on an oval or square cross-section.
  • Figure 5B shows the relationship between the first and second radial distances Ri, R 2 and the radial extent R 4 , with the radial extent R 4 shown in an uncompressed part of the substrate carrier 114, and the portions of the substrate carrier 114 aligned with the engagement elements 140 (and which are therefore compressed) are shown having a smaller width to represent this compression. Note that Figure 5B is not necessarily shown to scale, but is presented to emphasise the compression effect.
  • the engagement elements 140 have no electrical heating elements for supplying heat to the holder 109 located on or within the engagement elements 140. Any heat sources for heating the holder 109 are located on the aerosol generation device 100, specifically in this embodiment on the recess side wall 116. In other words, the engagement elements 140 are free from heating elements on or within the engagement elements 140. That is to say that heat is not supplied from the engagement elements 140, but from elsewhere. This means that heat is not generated by elements on, within or directly touching the engagement elements 140. Such an arrangement allows the holder 109 to be easily removable from the aerosol generation device 100, since no connections need be made between heat sources located on the removable holder 109 and a power supply.
  • the holder 109 being provided as a separate element can allow for a holder 109 which is repeatedly removable, for example to ensure that the substrate carrier 114 is correctly seated in the holder.
  • the holder 109 can be fit onto a substrate carrier 114 (and correct alignment visually verified) prior to inserting both the holder 109 and the substrate carrier 114 into the recess. This arrangement also allows easy cleaning of the holder 109 once it has been removed from the recess.
  • the holder 109 can be supplied as a separate element for retrofitting to an aerosol generation device 100 which was manufactured without engagement elements 140, in order to provide that device 100 with engagement elements 140.
  • a removable holder 109 may be arranged to clip into place in the aerosol generation device 100, to hold it in place, either permanently in retrofitting situations, or releasably (via clips, latches, etc. - not shown) to allow repeated removal and insertion.
  • This arrangement can also help remove the substrate carrier 114 after use without damaging it, as the substrate carrier 114 can be removed at the same time as the holder 109, while retained in the holder 109. This in turn reduces the likelihood that the substrate carrier will disintegrate and leave debris in the recess, thereby reducing the need for cleaning the recess.
  • an advantage in separating the heating and the compression functions is to enable a more flexible adaptation to different substrate carriers 114 and/or aerosol generation devices 100.
  • the engagement elements 140 are aligned with the aerosol substrate 128 when the substrate carrier 114 is correctly inserted into the holder 109.
  • the second end 142b of each engagement element 140 bends to extend towards the central axis C, forming a supporting portion 148.
  • the supporting portions 148 of each engagement element 140 meet at the central axis C. Correct alignment between the engagement elements 140 and the substrate carrier 114 can be ensured as the supporting portion 148 prevents over-insertion of the substrate carrier 114 along the central axis C by providing a platform to contact the tip 134 of the substrate carrier 114, thereby aligning the aerosol substrate 128 with the engagement elements 140.
  • the recess base 113 can also help to prevent over-insertion of the substrate carrier 114.
  • an element such as the supporting portion 148 or the recess base 113 acts to prevent over-insertion of the substrate carrier 114, a user can ensure correct insertion by pushing the substrate carrier 114 into the holder 109 and feeling for the increase in resistance when the tip 134 contacts the supporting portion 148.
  • the supporting portions 148 of the engagement elements 140 meet, touch and join together at the central axis C.
  • the substrate carrier 114 is generally cylindrical, and the rim 107 has a generally circular opening 110.
  • the engagement elements are arranged so that their innermost surfaces (those parts which contact the substrate carrier 114) lie generally in a circular arrangement. That is to say, the shape of the opening 110, the contact surfaces of the engagement elements 140 and the substrate carrier 114 all correspond to one another. It will be appreciated that in all embodiments, there is a general principle that the shapes and sizes of the opening 110 and the engagement elements 140 are chosen to allow the substrate carrier 114 to fit through the opening 110, and to allow contact and compression between the engagement elements 140 and the substrate carrier 114. In other words, the invention is not limited to any particular shape of substrate carrier 114 and holder 109, but any desired shape can be chosen for these elements subject to the above considerations.
  • Ri, R and R 4 have a simple interpretation when the opening 110, substrate carrier 114 and engagement elements 140 have circular/cylindrical geometry. Specifically, Ri is the radius of the circular opening 110, R 4 is the radial dimension of the cylinder representing the substrate carrier 114 and R 2 is the radial dimension of the portions of the engagement elements 140 which contact the substrate carrier.
  • Ri, R 2 and R 4 instead represent a characteristic dimension respectively of the opening 110, engagement elements 140 and substrate carrier 114.
  • the characteristic dimension may be a straight edge of a polygon, for example the largest or smallest such edge, a major or minor axis of an ellipse, etc.
  • the interaction between Ri and R 4 is such that the opening 110 is sized and shaped to allow the substrate carrier 114 to pass through the opening 110.
  • the opening 110 may be used to encourage a user to (visually or by feeling) correctly align the substrate carrier 114 for insertion, for example by aligning a flat face of the substrate carrier 114 with a linear edge of the opening 110 or by aligning a major axis of an elliptical cross-section of the substrate carrier 114 with a major axis of the opening 110.
  • the contact surfaces of the engagement elements 140 are located so as to form a shape corresponding to (but smaller than) that of the substrate carrier 114.
  • a heater 124 is mounted on an external surface of the recess side wall 116. That is to say, the heater 124 is mounted on a surface of the recess side wall 116 facing away from an interior volume of the recess. In other words, the heater 124 is permanently fixed in the aerosol generation device 100. This can help to protect the heater 124 from damage as the substrate carrier 114 and holder 109 are inserted into the recess, while still being arranged to supply heat from the heater 124 to the holder 109.
  • the heater 124 is usually electrically powered.
  • the first embodiment can be thought of as disclosing an aerosol generation device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol substrate 128 carried by a substrate carrier 114.
  • the aerosol generation device 100 has a holder 109 for accommodating the substrate carrier 114 and a heater 124 arranged to supply heat to the aerosol substrate 128 when the substrate carrier 114 is accommodated in the holder 109.
  • the holder 109 is located between the heater 124 and the aerosol substrate 128 when the substrate carrier 114 is accommodated in the holder 109.
  • the holder 109 further comprises a rim 107 defining an opening 110.
  • the rim 107 extends around a central axis C at a first radial distance Ri from the central axis C.
  • the substrate carrier 114 is insertable through the opening 110 into the holder 109 along the central axis C.
  • the holder has at least two engagement elements 140 (in this case there are eight engagement elements 140), each of the engagement elements 140 having an elongate portion 144 extending generally parallel to the central axis C between a first end 142a joined to the rim 107 and a second end 142b distal from the rim 107.
  • Each elongate portion 144 is located a second radial distance R from the central axis C.
  • the second radial distance R 2 is smaller than the first radial distance Ri.
  • an aerosol generation device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol substrate 128 carried by a substrate carrier 114.
  • the aerosol generation device 100 comprises a heater 124 arranged to supply heat to the aerosol substrate 128 when the substrate carrier 114 is accommodated in the aerosol generation device 100.
  • the substrate carrier 114 is insertable through the opening 110 (e.g. along the central axis C), into the holder 109 to accommodate the substrate carrier 114 in the aerosol generation device 100.
  • the holder 109 has at least two rod-shaped engagement elements 140 (in this case there are eight engagement elements 140) for holding the substrate carrier 114 spaced apart from the heater 124.
  • the engagement elements 140 extend from the rim 107 in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis C.
  • the engagement elements 140 each have a portion for contacting and compressing the substrate carrier 114 as described elsewhere herein.
  • the portions for contacting and compressing the substrate carrier 114 provide a reduced or restricted cross-sectional area for receiving the substrate carrier 114 (i.e. smaller than the opening 110 which allows the substrate carrier 114 to pass through uncompressed and undamaged), thereby ensuring that compression occurs when the substrate carrier 114 is inserted.
  • the aerosol generation device 100 is electrically powered. That is, the aerosol generation device 100 is arranged to heat the aerosol substrate 128 using electrical power.
  • the heater 124 is a film heater comprising an electrically conductive (e.g. metal) track layered on a flexible, electrically insulating backing material (such as polyimide).
  • the aerosol generation device 100 has an electrical power source 120, e.g. a battery.
  • the electrical power source 120 is coupled to control circuitry 122.
  • the control circuitry 122 is in turn coupled to the heater 124.
  • a user operates the aerosol generation device 100 using control means (not shown), arranged to cause coupling and uncoupling of the electrical power source 120 to the heater 124 via the control circuitry 122.
  • the recess side wall 116 is held spaced apart from an inner surface of the outer casing 102 to inhibit heat flow to the outer casing 102.
  • the recess may be surrounded by insulation, for example a fibrous or foam material, such as cotton wool, aerogel or gas or in other examples vacuum insulation may be provided.
  • the holder 109 has eight engagement elements 140 provided around, and connected to, the rim 107 for holding a substrate carrier 114 in a central position within the holder 109.
  • Other numbers of engagement elements 140 could be used, for example two or more, although fewer than four engagement elements 140 can sometimes result in poor centring of the substrate carrier 114 within the holder 109.
  • the engagement elements 140 provide and maintain a controlled gap for the air flow path (arrows B) between the inner surface of the recess side wall 116 (between adjacent engagement elements 140) and the substrate carrier 114.
  • the aerosol generation device 100 works by convective heating in which air in the air gap between the inner surface of the recess side wall 116 and the outer surface of a substrate carrier 114 is heated and drawn through the substrate carrier 114.
  • Arrows B illustrate the air flow paths into the recess. Air is heated by the heater 124 as it passes over the portions of the recess side wall 116 corresponding to the location of the heater 124. The air flows down the side of the substrate carrier 114 (in front of and behind the engagement elements 140). The recess base 113 prevents further downward air flow, meaning that air enters the tip 134.
  • Arrows A represent the air flow path through the aerosol substrate 114 and out of the second end 136 (the top) of the substrate carrier 114. By comparing with Figure 6, it can be seen that the wedge-shaped gaps between the supporting portions 148 of adjacent engagement elements 140 allow air to flow into the tip 134 of substrate carrier 114.
  • the space bounded by adjacent engagement elements 140, the side wall 116, and the outer layer 132 of the substrate carrier 114 defines the area available for air flow.
  • the size, number and spacing of the engagement elements 140 can be adjusted to give a satisfying draw resistance, which is neither too low nor too high.
  • the engagement elements 140 can also be made thicker (i.e.
  • the user When a user wishes to use the aerosol generation device 100, the user first loads the aerosol generation device 100 with the substrate carrier 114 by inserting the substrate carrier 114 into the holder 109.
  • the substrate carrier 114 is inserted into the holder 109 oriented such that the first end or tip 134 of the substrate carrier 114 enters the holder 109 first, so that the aerosol substrate 128 is located adjacent to the supporting portion 148 with the tip 134 contacting the supporting portion 148.
  • the aerosol generation device 100 In use, when the user switches the aerosol generation device 100 on, electrical power from the electrical power source 120 is supplied to the heater 124 via (and under the control of) the control circuitry 122.
  • the heater 124 causes the recess side wall 116 to heat up, and in turn for air inside the recess to be heated. This causes a degree of heating of the parts of the substrate carrier 114 inside the recess by conduction.
  • a user draws air through the substrate carrier 114 (arrows A)
  • the heated air passes over and heats the aerosol substrate 128, causing aerosol and/or vapour to be released.
  • the user can continue to inhale aerosol all the time that the aerosol substrate 128 continues to produce the aerosol, e.g. all the time that the aerosol substrate 128 has vaporisable components left to vaporise into a suitable aerosol.
  • the control circuitry 122 adjusts the electrical power supplied to the heater 124 to ensure that the temperature inside the recess does not exceed a threshold level, for example temperatures at which the aerosol substrate 128 will begin to burn.
  • Figures 5A and 5B show enlarged views of the holder 109 being inserted into the recess. As can be seen, the holder 109 fits neatly into the recess, and aligns with the recess side wall 116.
  • Figures 5A and 5B show the substrate carrier 114 being inserted into the holder 109 only after the holder 109 has been inserted into the recess, as noted above, in some examples the substrate carrier 114 may be fit into the holder 109 and both parts inserted together into the recess.
  • the rim 107 can also be used to limit how far the holder 109 can be inserted into the recess, for example by allowing an interaction between the rim 107 and the upper edge of the recess side wall 116. This can result in a gap between the supporting portion 148 and the inner surface of the recess base 113, which can in turn be used to increase the volume of heated air in the recess for heating the aerosol substrate.
  • FIG 5A no heater is shown to emphasise the insertion procedure of the holder 109 into the recess.
  • the heater 124 is shown as being located adjacent to only part of the aerosol substrate 128, towards the lower end of the recess. In other cases, the heater 124 may located in a different location, for example nearer to the upper end of the recess, or the heater 124 may be larger, covering all or substantially all of the outer surface of the recess side wall 116 (or corresponding to all or substantially all of the aerosol substrate 114).
  • the heater 124 may be provided with a heat transmission layer (e.g. a layer of copper or gold or other high thermal conductivity material) to spread the heat over a larger area of the recess side wall 116 than the footprint of the heater, if more of the recess side wall 116 is to be heated.
  • a heat transmission layer e.g. a layer of copper or gold or other high thermal conductivity material
  • the rim 107 may comprise any material that is able to withstand repeated heating to temperatures of approximately 200°C, by virtue of the heater 124. Suitable materials include ceramics such as a machineable glass ceramic, and other suitable materials such as high temperature plastics. In some cases polymers such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) having an upper working temperature up to 250°C may be used.
  • the engagement elements 140 may be made of any suitably durable material for compressing the aerosol substrate such as stainless steels in the 300 series, which have also been approved for medical use. In general metals are suitable materials, since they are strong, malleable and easy to shape and form.
  • metal refers to elemental (i.e. pure) metals as well as alloys of more than one metal or metals with other elements, e.g. carbon.
  • the fit between the holder 109 and the recess side wall 116 is close enough that an appreciable amount of heat is also conducted from the heater 124 to the engagement elements 140.
  • heating of the aerosol substrate 128 is a balance between conductive and convective heating.
  • the balance can be shifted towards conductive heat transfer by increasing the contact area between the engagement elements 140 and the recess side wall 116 (which in turn reduces the air gap and reduces convective heating).
  • conductive heat flow can be promoted by including a heat conductive layer (made of a high thermal conductivity layer such as copper, gold, etc.) to improve the thermal transfer from the recess side wall 116 to the engagement elements 140.
  • the heat conductive layer may be softer than the recess side wall 116 and/or the engagement elements 140, so that the heat conducting layer deforms slightly and improves the contact between the recess side wall 116 and the engagement elements 140.
  • the thermal engagement elements 140 may be made of a material having a higher thermal transfer coefficient than the material of the rim 107. This can help the engagement elements 140 conduct heat to the substrate carrier 114 while impeding heat flow out of the recess via the rim 107.
  • the heater 124 is not in conductive thermal contact with the engagement elements 140.
  • the engagement elements 140 may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the recess side wall 116, resulting in the transfer of heat from the heater 124 to the aerosol substrate 128 being largely convective.
  • the holder 109 of any of the following embodiments may replace the holder 109 shown in the aerosol generation device 100 in Figures 1 to 4, whereby the operation of the aerosol generation device is broadly the same as set out above. While each following embodiment of the holder 109 is shown without a substrate carrier 114 inserted, to emphasise the differences between the embodiments. Nevertheless, the disclosure extends to the holders 109 including the substrate carrier 114 inserted into the holder 109.
  • an aerosol generation device 100 is identical to the aerosol generation device 100 of the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, except where explained below, and the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar features.
  • the lower ends 142b of the engagement elements 140 do not bend around and extend towards the central axis C. Instead, there is no supporting portion 148. This means that no parts of the engagement elements 140 block air flow into the tip 134 of the substrate carrier 114, thus improving air flow into the substrate carrier 114 and through the aerosol substrate 128.
  • the engagement elements 140 are stiff enough to resist deformation in response to a substrate carrier 114 being inserted into the holder, and thereby to provide the compression described above.
  • the substrate carrier 114 Since there are no supporting portions 148, there is nothing to prevent further insertion of the substrate carrier 114 once it has been inserted the correct distance into the holder 109 (i.e. to align the aerosol substrate 128 with the engagement elements 140). In some examples, over-insertion of the substrate carrier 114 is prevented by the recess base 113, in the sense that when the holder 109 is mounted in the recess, the substrate carrier 114 cannot be inserted further than desired as it is blocked from further motion by the recess base 113.
  • over-insertion is prevented by the interaction of the upper end 142a of the engagement elements 140 and the boundary between the aerosol substrate 128 and the aerosol collection region 130. More specifically, because the aerosol collection region 130 is harder, more rigid or less compressible than the aerosol substrate 128, the user can feel the difference in resistance as the force required to continue inserting the substrate carrier increases when the upper end 142a of the engagement elements 140 aligns with this boundary.
  • the rim 107 is arranged to rest on the upper edge of the recess side wall 116 (the end of the recess side wall 116 closest to the outer casing 102) in such a way that the engagement elements 140 do not extend all the way to the recess base 113.
  • a holder 109 according to a third embodiment is identical to the holder 109 of the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, except where explained below, and the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar features.
  • the arrangement in the third embodiment is very similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 6, but in Figure 8 the supporting portions 148 of the engagement elements 140 do not meet and join together.
  • the engagement elements 140 are stiff enough to resist deformation in response to a substrate carrier 114 being inserted into the holder, and thereby to provide the compression described above.
  • the third embodiment balances some of the effects in the first and second embodiments.
  • the substrate carrier 114 is prevented from over-insertion into the holder 109 by the supporting portions blocking further motion and the thickness of the supporting portions 148 holds the tip 134 of the substrate carrier 114 spaced away from the recess base 113, as in the first embodiment.
  • the supporting portions 148 of the engagement elements 140 do not meet at the central axis, more area of the tip 134 of the substrate carrier 114 is exposed than in the first embodiment, so the third embodiment features improved air flow into the substrate carrier 114 compared with the first embodiment.
  • some but not all of the supporting portions 148 of the engagement elements 140 may meet with (and in some cases even join to) other supporting portions 148 near the central axis C.
  • a holder 109 according to a fourth embodiment is identical to the holder 109 of the second embodiment described with reference to Figure 7, except where explained below, and the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar features.
  • the arrangement in the fourth embodiment is very similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 7, but in Figures 9A and 9B the elongate portions 144 of the engagement elements 140 are not straight, but curve inwardly towards the central axis C.
  • each engagement element 140 is connected to the rim 107 in the same manner as described above.
  • the rim 107 has an opening 110 of radius Ri.
  • the engagement elements 140 extend inwardly from the inner surface of the rim 107 to a second radial distance R as before. However from here, instead of extending parallel to the central axis towards their second ends 142b, the engagement elements 140 bow inwardly in an arc having a closest approach to the central axis C, denoted here as R’2. This shape of engagement element 140 can provide increased compression towards the central part of the aerosol substrate 128.
  • the closest approach radius R’ 2 may be located away from the middle of the elongate portion 144, for example towards the upper 142a or lower 142b end of the engagement element 140.
  • a surface of each of the engagement elements 140 facing the central axis C has a convex profile transverse to the central axis C.
  • the convex profile shown is an arc of a circle, but other curves are also possible.
  • the closest approach R’ 2 may be reached in a linear manner, in the sense that the elongate portions 144 may be straight, but not extend parallel to the central axis C.
  • the lower ends 142b are more susceptible than other parts to being forced outward by the substrate carrier 114 when it is inserted, as the lower ends 142b are further from their fixation points in the rim 107 and thus are able to deviate further from their default positions.
  • Arranging the engagement elements 140 to extend in a non-parallel direction to the central axis C can be useful to ensure that the lower ends 142b of the engagement elements 140 are closest to the central axis C to compensate for their distance from the rim 107.
  • the tip 134 may be advantageous to help hold any loose material in place so that it does not fall out and dirty the recess.
  • over-compression of the tip 134 can create more loose material, exacerbating the situation.
  • portions of the aerosol substrate 128 closest to the boundary between the aerosol substrate 128 and the aerosol collection region 130 may be protected from compression by the aerosol collection region 130, so may require a narrower space (smaller R’ 2 ) to achieve the desired level of compression. For these reasons it may be desirable to provide different amounts of compression along the length of the aerosol substrate 128.
  • the engagement elements 140 may be a smooth curve in the sense that the whole length of each engagement element 140 is a smooth curve, and there is no initial portion inwardly extending to a radius R prior to the curved portion beginning.
  • the engagement elements 140 may not have a curved profile, but may be more angular and/or result in a spiked profile.
  • engagement elements 140 may be curved as shown, or each (or one or more subsets) of the engagement elements 140 may have different R’ 2 values, representing a different curvature.
  • Some examples of the fourth embodiment may features engagement elements 140 having more complex curvature, for example to provide multiple parts of the elongate portion 144 having a close approach to the central axis C.
  • each local closest part of the engagement elements 140 can be the same distance R’ 2 from the central axis C.
  • each local closest part of the engagement elements 140 can be located a different distance from the central axis C (R’ 2 , R” 2 , R’” 2 , etc.). This can provide additional compression in parts where it is particularly advantageous, for example the tip 134 and the midpoint of the aerosol substrate 128, and reduced compression (or indeed no compression at all may be provided at other points, if desired.
  • each of the engagement elements 140 may correspond to a different one of the above variants (or indeed the engagement elements 140 shown in Figure 7).
  • a holder 109 according to a fifth embodiment is identical to the holder 109 of the second embodiment described with reference to Figure 7, except where explained below, and the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar features.
  • the arrangement in the fourth embodiment is very similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 7, but in Figures 10A and 10B the upper ends 142a of the engagement elements 140 slope obliquely from the rim 107 in a direction towards the central axis C and towards the second end 142b of the engagement elements 140.
  • the upper ends 142a shown in the Figures slope in a straight line, but could have a curved profile in other examples.
  • the upper ends 142a of the engagement elements 140 having this shape helps to guide the substrate carrier 114 towards alignment with the central axis C as the substrate carrier 114 is inserted into the holder 109, as the upper ends 142a act somewhat like a funnel. This may be particularly useful when the holder 109 is mounted in the recess, so a user may not be able to clearly observe the insertion process.
  • the form of the holder 109 can help to adapt (e.g. retrofit) a recess designed with a large (e.g. wide) substrate carrier 114 in mind to receive and heat smaller (specifically, thinner) substrate carrier 114.
  • a holder 109 according to a sixth embodiment is identical to the holder 109 of the first embodiment described with reference to Figure 6, except where explained below, and the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar features.
  • the arrangement in the sixth embodiment is very similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 6, but in Figure 11 A the holder includes a tubular side wall 126 located around (at a greater radial distance from the central axis C than) the engagement elements 140.
  • a base 112 is provided at the lower end of the tubular side wall 126, beneath (further from the rim 107 than) the lower ends 142b (and the supporting portions 148) of the engagement elements 140.
  • the tubular side wall 126 encloses the engagement elements 140 and defines a heating chamber 108. It can be seen that the base 112 also helps to define the heating chamber 108 by closing the lower end of the tubular side wall 126.
  • Figure 11A shows the holder 109 from a perspective view, while Figures 11 B to 11 D show cross- sectional views of variants of the internal structure.
  • a side wall 126 and a base 112 enclosing the engagement elements 140 can help to protect the engagement elements 140 (and the substrate carrier 114 when inserted into the holder 109) from damage.
  • this protective effect also prevents the engagement elements 140 from bowing outward when a substrate carrier 114 is inserted into the holder as there is a limit to how far the engagement elements 140 can bow outwardly before the side wall 126 prevents further motion. This may be particularly advantageous in cases such as that shown in Figure 11C where there is no supporting portion 148 which can help retain the lower ends 142b of the engagement elements 140 at the distance R 2 from the central axis.
  • the provision of the side wall 126 and the base 112 can be thought of as providing a self-contained heating chamber 108, having much of the same features of the combination of the holder 109 and the recess described above.
  • An advantage of providing the holder 109 as a self-contained unit is that the requirements of the recess in the aerosol generation device 100 are less stringent.
  • the recess can be any size or shape, and the side wall 126 can provided at a size to interface closely with the recess side wall 116 to transfer heat from the heater 124 to the interior of the heating chamber 108.
  • the engagement elements 140 can be spaced away from the inner surface of the side wall 126 by any distance, so as to grip and compress a substrate carrier 114 of any size.
  • the length of the side wall 126 can be selected to fit neatly into the recess and to press against the recess base 113 and hold the rim 107 a desired distance from the recess base 113, for example to align the engagement elements 140 with the heater 124.
  • the base 112 acts to catch any loose material which falls out of the substrate carrier, so that the holder 109 can be removed and cleaned (where the holder 109 is removable). Even where the holder 109 is not removable (e.g. in a permanently fixed, retrofitting scenario), the presence of a base 112 reduces requirements on the recess into which the holder 109 is fitted, in that the recess base 113 need not fully seal the recess, as the base 112 and sidewall 126 in combination prevent ingress of loose material, moisture, etc. into the interior of the aerosol generation device 100.
  • the base 112 is joined to the lower end of the side wall 126.
  • the base 112 closes the tubular side wall 126, in the sense that the air flow out of the lower end of the side wall 126 is blocked by the base 112. This can help direct air which flows down the inner surface of the side wall 126 into the tip 134 of the substrate carrier 114, furthering the advantage of providing a self-contained heating chamber 108.
  • the base 112 can prevent air flow into the heating chamber 108 defined by the tubular side wall 126, in the region of the second end 142a of the elongate portion 144 of the engagement elements 140. This ensures that air flowing into the tip 134 has been heated by the heater, so providing greater control over the heating of the aerosol substrate 128.
  • the side wall 126 and/or the base 112 is formed from a mesh or has one or more apertures. These can allow air heated by the heater 124 to flow into the heating chamber 108 and improve the convective heating of the aerosol generation device 100 overall, without relying on conduction through the side wall 126.
  • the use of mesh materials and/or apertures reduce the amount of material forming the side wall 126 and the base 112, meaning that it takes less energy to heat the holder 109 and thereby improves the efficiency of the aerosol generation device 100.
  • FIGS 11 B and 11C show holders 109 corresponding respectively to the holders 109 of Figures 6 and 7, but with a side wall 126 and a base 112 enclosing the engagement elements 140.
  • the base 112 is spaced away from the lower end 142b of the engagement elements 140 (and from the supporting portions 148 in Figure 11B). This provides space to collect any loose material which falls out of the tip 134 of the substrate carrier 114 without blocking the air flow path into that tip 134. It also provides a reservoir of heated air beneath the tip 134 to allow larger volumes of air to be drawn through the substrate carrier 114.
  • the lower end 142b and/or the supporting portion 148 may contact the base 112, or even be located in a recess in the base 112 or joined to the base 112.
  • the side wall 126 has an internal surface located a third radial distance R 3 from the central axis. R 3 is larger than R2, but can be larger, smaller than, or equal to Ri.
  • R 3 is larger than R2, but can be larger, smaller than, or equal to Ri.
  • the engagement elements 140 are shown spaced away from the side wall 126, in some examples, the engagement elements 140 may be in contact with (and even joined to) the side wall 126. In such cases, the contact between the side wall 126 and the engagement elements 140 is close enough that an appreciable amount of heat is also conducted from the heater 124 through the side wall 126 to the engagement elements 140. In these cases, heating of the aerosol substrate 128 is a balance between conductive and convective heating.
  • the balance can be shifted towards conductive heat transfer by increasing the contact area between the engagement elements 140 and the side wall 126 (which in turn reduces the air gap and reduces convective heating).
  • conductive heat transfer can be improved by including a heat conductive layer (e.g. high thermal conductivity materials such as copper, gold, etc.) to improve the thermal transfer from the side wall 126 to the engagement elements 140
  • the heat conducting layer may be softer than the side wall 126 and/or the engagement elements 140 so that the heat conducting layer deforms slightly to improve the contact between the side wall 126 and the engagement elements 140.
  • Figure 11 D shows a further variant of the sixth embodiment in which there is a side wall 126 but no base 112.
  • the side wall 126 can provide protection to the engagement elements 140 as described above.
  • the absence of a base 112 can help light into the heating chamber 108 while a user is fitting the holder 109 to the substrate carrier 114 outside of the device, which in turn helps a user visually check that the substrate carrier 114 is correctly mounted in the holder 109.
  • a base 112 may be provided joined to the lower ends 142b of the engagement elements 140 while no side wall 126 is present.
  • a holder 109 according to a seventh embodiment is identical to the holder 109 of the first embodiment described with reference to Figure 6 and also has similarities to Figures 11A to 11D, except where explained below, and the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar features.
  • the arrangement in the seventh embodiment is very similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 6, but in Figure 12A the holder includes a tubular side wall 126 located around (at a greater radial distance from the central axis C than) the engagement elements 140.
  • a base 112 is provided at the lower end of the tubular side wall 126, beneath (further from the rim 107 than) the lower ends 142b (and the supporting portions 148) of the engagement elements 140.
  • the tubular side wall 126 encloses the engagement elements 140 and defines a heating chamber 108. It can be seen that the base 112 also helps to define the heating chamber 108 by closing the lower end of the tubular side wall 126.
  • Figure 12A shows the holder 109 from a perspective view, while Figures 12B to 12D show cross-sectional views of variants of the internal structure.
  • a separate rim 107 is not provided, but instead the upper end of the side wall 126 fulfils the role of the rim 107 because the upper end 142a of each engagement element 140 is mounted in the upper end of the side wall 126.
  • the upper end of the side wall 126 is referred to in the seventh embodiment as the rim 107.
  • the upper ends 142a of the engagement elements 140 are attached to the rim by passing through an aperture in the rim 107.
  • the engagement elements 140 may be simply joined to the rim 107 by welding or soldering, or may fit into recesses in the side wall 126 which do not penetrate all the way through the side wall.
  • Figure 12B operates in essentially the same manner as Figure 11 B except for the differences highlighted above, and therefore will not be described in further detail.
  • Figure 12C shows a variant in which the lower ends 142b of the engagement elements 140 extend through the base 112 and protrude outwardly from the outer surface of the base. This can provide stability to the engagement elements 140 by providing an anchoring point on the base 112, which provides additional stiffness to the engagement elements 140 allowing them to be made thinner without sacrificing the desired compression effect. This can help to compensate for situations in which the engagement elements 140 do not have supporting portions 148 which join to other supporting portions 148, thereby allowing the engagement elements to be forced away from the central axis C when the substrate carrier 114 is inserted into the holder 109.
  • the base 112 provides the role of the supporting portion 148, in that it prevents the substrate carrier 114 being inserted further than intended.
  • a similar effect is seen in other embodiments in which the lower ends 142b of the engagement elements are connected (e.g. soldered, welded, etc.) to the internal surface of the base 112, or are held in place in recesses which do not extend through the whole thickness of the base 112.
  • any of the arrangements set out in the first to fifth embodiments may be provided with either a side wall 126 or a base 112 or both, as discussed in respect of the sixth and seventh embodiments.
  • each embodiment can be either permanently fixable in the recess of the aerosol generation device 100 (for retrofitting), or it can be a repeatedly removable example.
  • engagement elements 140 for compressing the aerosol substrate 114 discussed in the fourth embodiment may also be provided in any of the other embodiments, with their associated advantages.
  • holders 109 following the teaching set out above having any number of engagement elements 140 from two upwards may be provided and be dimensioned to be compatible with any appropriate recess.
  • Each holder 109 may be provided with a rim 107 of the form shown in the first to sixth embodiments, or with the engagement elements 140 coupled directly to a side wall 126 as in the seventh embodiment.
  • Figures 6 to 12D show the holder 109 separated from the aerosol generation device 100 and the corresponding recess. This is to highlight that the advantageous features described for the arrangement of each embodiments of the holder 109 are independent of the other features of the aerosol generation device 100. In particular, the holder 109 finds many uses, not all of which are tied to the aerosol generation device 100 described herein.
  • the thickness of the engagement elements 140 can be chosen to achieve the desired effect and need not be in keeping with the relative dimensions shown in the Figures. Indeed, different engagement elements 140 (and supporting portions 148) can have different thicknesses if desired.
  • each engagement element 140 extends towards the central axis C (R ) can be different for each engagement element 140.
  • the distance which each supporting portion 148 extends toward the central axis C can be different for each supporting portion 148. While each embodiment shows the upper end 142a of each engagement element 140 joining to the rim 107 at the same height (i.e. distance from the opening 110), in some embodiments, this height may not be the same for each engagement element 140.
  • the term “heater” should be understood to mean any device for outputting thermal energy sufficient to form an aerosol from the aerosol substrate 128.
  • the transfer of heat energy from the heater 124 to the aerosol substrate 128 may be conductive, convective, radiative or any combination of these means.
  • conductive heaters may directly contact and press the aerosol substrate 128, or they may contact a separate component which itself causes heating of the aerosol substrate 128 by conduction, convection, and/or radiation.
  • Convective heating may include heating a liquid or gas which consequently transfers heat energy (directly or indirectly) to the aerosol substrate.
  • Radiative heating includes, but is not limited to, transferring energy to an aerosol substrate 128 by emitting electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, infrared, microwave or radio parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Radiation emitted in this way may be absorbed directly by the aerosol substrate 128 to cause heating, or the radiation may be absorbed by another material such as a susceptor or a fluorescent material which results in radiation being re-emitted with a different wavelength or spectral weighting. In some cases, the radiation may be absorbed by a material which then transfers the heat to the aerosol substrate 128 by any combination of conduction, convection and/or radiation.
  • 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 heater 128 may be arranged around the outside of the aerosol substrate 128, it may penetrate part way or fully into the aerosol substrate 128, or any combination of these.
  • temperature sensor is used to describe an element which is capable of determining an absolute or relative temperature of a part of the aerosol generation device 100. This can include thermocouples, thermopiles, thermistors and the like.
  • the temperature sensor may be provided as part of another component, or it may be a separate component. In some examples, more than one temperature sensor may be provided, for example to monitor heating of different parts of the aerosol generation device 100, e.g. to determine thermal profiles.
  • aerosol substrate 128 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.
  • the aerosol substrate 128 such as tobacco may be treated with a vaporising agent.
  • the vaporising agent may improve the generation of aerosol from the aerosol substrate.
  • the vaporising agent may include, for example, a polyol such as glycerol, or a glycol such as propylene glycol.
  • 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 128 may be provided as a solid or paste type material in shredded, pelletised, powdered, granulated, strip or sheet form, optionally a combination of these. Equally, the aerosol substrate 128 may be a liquid or gel. Indeed, some examples may include both solid and liquid/gel parts.
  • the aerosol generation device 100 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 embodiments of the aerosol generation device 100 are described as being arranged to receive the aerosol substrate 128 in a pre-packaged substrate carrier 114.
  • the substrate carrier 114 may broadly resemble a cigarette, having a tubular region with an aerosol substrate arranged in a suitable manner. Filters, aerosol 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.
  • fluid shall be construed as generically describing non-solid materials of the type that are capable of flowing, including, but not limited to, liquids, pastes, gels, powders and the like. “Fluidized materials” shall be construed accordingly as materials which are inherently, or have been modified to behave as, fluids. Fluidization may include, but is not limited to, powdering, dissolving in a solvent, gelling, thickening, thinning and the like.
  • volatile means a substance capable of readily changing from the solid or liquid state to the gaseous state.
  • 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.
  • vapour 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.
  • vaporise 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).
  • the term “atomise” 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.
  • 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.

Abstract

Un support (109) peut être inséré dans un dispositif de génération d'aérosol (100) conçu pour chauffer un substrat d'aérosol (128) porté par un support de substrat (114) pour générer un aérosol. Le support (109) est conçu, lorsqu'il est inséré dans le dispositif de génération d'aérosol (100), pour recevoir le substrat d'aérosol (128) porté par le support de substrat (114). Le support (109) présente un rebord (107) définissant une ouverture (110), le rebord (107) s'étendant autour d'un axe central (C) à une première distance radiale (R1) à partir de l'axe central (C), le support de substrat (114) pouvant être inséré le long dudit axe central (C) à travers l'ouverture (110) dans le support (109). Le support comprend en outre au moins deux éléments de mise en prise (140), chacun des éléments de mise en prise (140) ayant une partie allongée (144) s'étendant généralement parallèlement à l'axe central (C) entre une première extrémité (142a) jointe au rebord (107) et une seconde extrémité (142b) distale par rapport au rebord (107). Chaque élément de mise en prise (140) n'a pas d'élément de chauffage électrique pour fournir de la chaleur au substrat d'aérosol (128) et chaque partie allongée (144) est située à une seconde distance radiale (R2) de l'axe central (C), la deuxième distance radiale (R2) étant inférieure à la première distance radiale (R1).
PCT/EP2020/084272 2019-12-03 2020-12-02 Dispositif de génération d'aérosol ayant un support comprenant des éléments de mise en prise WO2021110749A1 (fr)

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JP2022530684A JP2023504615A (ja) 2019-12-03 2020-12-02 係合要素を含むホルダを有するエアロゾル発生デバイス
EP20812386.9A EP4069014A1 (fr) 2019-12-03 2020-12-02 Dispositif de génération d'aérosol ayant un support comprenant des éléments de mise en prise
CN202080083585.1A CN114745981A (zh) 2019-12-03 2020-12-02 具有包括接合元件的固持器的气溶胶产生装置

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