WO2023148131A1

WO2023148131A1 - Heat-not-burn aerosol generating device with controlled flavour

Info

Publication number: WO2023148131A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/052222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Layth Sliman BOUCHUIGUIR; Pier Paolo MONTICONE
Original assignee: Jt International S.A.
Priority date: 2022-02-01
Filing date: 2023-01-31
Publication date: 2023-08-10

Abstract

The invention concerns a heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11) configured to operate with a tobacco article (12), the tobacco article (12) comprising a tobacco portion (14) and a flavour module (24) containing a flavour. The aerosol generating device (11) comprises: - a reception cavity configured to receive the tobacco article (12) together with the flavour module (24); - a releasing module (40) configured to interact with the flavour module (24) when the tobacco article (12) is received in the reception cavity, to release the flavour in the tobacco portion (14); and - a control module configured to acquire a programmed event and to actuate the releasing module (40) according to the programmed event.

Description

Heat-not-burn aerosol generating device with controlled flavour

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a heat-not-burn aerosol generating device.

The present invention also concerns an aerosol generating assembly comprising such an aerosol generating device and a tobacco article.

Particularly, the aerosol generating assembly comprises an aerosol generating device configured to operate with the tobacco article which comprises a tobacco substrate able to form aerosol when being heated. Thus, such type of aerosol generating assemblies, known as heat-not-burn assemblies, are adapted to heat, rather than burn, the substrate by conduction, convection and/or radiation, to generate aerosol for inhalation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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 vaporizable 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 aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 350°C. Heating an aerosol substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user but not the toxic and carcinogenic byproducts of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the tobacco or other vaporizable 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. It is also known to add some flavouring substance into the tobacco article in order to give to the generated aerosol a pleasant flavour for the user. The flavouring substance may for example be Ethylvanillin (vanilla), menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil) or similar.

However, the control of the flavour is very limited for the user. Indeed, the user cannot control if he/she wants or not flavour and if he/she wants flavour, when the flavour should be released. Generally, if the user wants to vape an aerosol without flavour, he/she has to change the article which can be tedious for the user. And inversely, after a non flavoured vaping session, if the user wants to have some flavour, he/she has to change again the article. Moreover, it is not possible to mix different flavours according to the user’s wishes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to provide an aerosol generating device enabling an easy and convenient flavour while providing an improved perceived sensation of the vaped aerosol for the user.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a heat-not-burn aerosol generating device configured to operate with a tobacco article, the tobacco article comprising a tobacco portion and a flavour module containing a flavour; the aerosol generating device comprising:

- a reception cavity configured to receive the tobacco article together with the flavour module;

- a releasing module configured to interact with the flavour module when the tobacco article is received in the reception cavity, to release the flavour into the tobacco article; and

- a control module configured to acquire a programmed event and to actuate the releasing module according to the programmed event.

Thanks to these features, the aerosol generating device is able to release the flavour in a programmed way thanks to the control module. The control module is configured to control the releasing module and to activate it according to the programmed event, in order to provide a way for the user to vape additional flavours without having to activate the flavour module manually through the device. Therefore, the user may decide when he/she wants to release the flavour, The user may, for instance, vape firstly a raw tobacco taste before the programmed event and when the programmed event occurs, the control module actuates the releasing module and the flavour module releases the flavour in the aerosol so that the user may vape flavoured aerosol after the programmed event without changing the article or activating manually the flavour module. The invention enables therefore an easy and convenient flavour release for the user.

According to some embodiments, the programmed event corresponds to at least one of the elements chosen from the group comprising:

- a number of puffs elapsed from the beginning of a vaping session;

- a time elapsed from the beginning of a vaping session;

- dropping of the initial aerosol flavour;

- achieving a predetermined heating temperature;

- consuming a predetermined amount of energy; and

- a special action, order or response to a notification, performed by the user.

Thanks to these features, the control module is able to control the releasing module according to the programmed event. In particular, the programmed event may be a number of puffs or a time elapsed from the beginning of a vaping session, defining when the control module will release the flavour for the user. The programmed event may be a dropping of the initial flavour of the aerosol to provide the release of new flavour to compensate this drop of flavor and improve the perceived sensation of the vaped aerosol for the user. The same flavour may be used or a different flavour. The programmed event may also be a special action, order or response to a notification, performed by the user, as for example a reduction of the puffing frequency by the user showing a possible decrease of the initial aerosol flavour or a predetermined gesture from the user as for example shaking, tapping, wiping the device, etc. The programmed event may also correspond to achieving a predetermined heating temperature of the heater or of the vaporizable material or consuming a predetermined amount of energy. In the first case, the device may comprise a temperature sensor arranged in the neighborhood of the tobacco article or of the heater and the control module is able to analyze measurements issued from the sensor. A current or voltage control may also be used to control the temperature. In the second case, the control module or any other component is able to determine the amount of received energy from the battery and when this amount achieves for example a predetermined threshold, conclude that a programmed event has occurred.

According to some embodiments, the device further comprises an external communication module (e.g. wireless module such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, RFID etc.) , the external communication module being configured to receive the programmed event from an external electronic system and to transmit the programmed event to the control module. Thanks to these features, the user may program the programmed event from the external electronic system, as a smartphone for example, through a dedicated application. The programmed event is then sent to the device and received from the external communication module. The programmed event is transmitted to the control module, which may actuate the releasing module according to this programmed event.

According to some embodiments, the device is able to switch between a manual configuration in which the releasing module is configured to be actuated by a user and an automated configuration in which the releasing module is configured to be actuated by the control module.

According to some embodiments, the control module is configured to apply a machine learning method during the manual configuration to learn the programmed event by analysing user behavior.

Thanks to these features, the user may use the device during a first phase in which the device is in the manual configuration. During this first phase, the user may actuate the releasing module manually through a dedicated button for example and the control module analyses the user behavior, notably by applying a machine learning method. The control module is then able to determine a programmed event thanks to this analysis, for example, when the user predominantly actuates the releasing module, for example by determining the average number of puffs elapsed until the release of the new flavour by the user. During a second phase, the user may use the device in the automated configuration. The control module controls then the releasing module and actuate it according to the programmed event.

According to some embodiments, the releasing module is configured to exert a mechanical action on the flavour module to release the flavour, the releasing module further comprising a motor configured to actuate the releasing module when actuated by the control module.

Thanks to these features, the control module is able to actuate the motor of the releasing module, the releasing module being able in consequence to mechanically crush the flavour module to release the flavour. According to some embodiments, the releasing module comprises a pinching system configured to pinch externally a portion of the tobacco article to crush the flavour module.

Thanks to these features, the releasing module comprises for example a pincher with two arms actuated by the motor and able to exert pressure on two opposite sides of the flavour module in order to crush it.

According to some embodiments, the releasing module comprises a piercing system configured to pierce the flavour module.

Thanks to these features, the releasing module comprises for example an endless linear screw actuated by the motor and able to exert pressure on the flavour module in order to pierce it.

According to some embodiments, the flavour module comprises a melting or softening system adapted to melt or soften the flavour module to obtain the release of the flavour.

Thanks to these features, the device may comprise a resistive heating portion, which is positioned close to the flavour module and when activated specifically melt the melting or softening system to release the flavour.

According to some embodiments, the flavour module comprises a heat-sensitive element, the releasing module comprising a coil configured to interact with the heatsensitive element of the flavour module by electromagnetic induction.

Thanks to these features, the control module is able to actuate the coil of the releasing module, the releasing module being able in consequence to generate an electromagnetic field and interact with the heat-sensitive element of the flavour module, notably a susceptor, by electromagnetic induction to release the flavour.

According to some embodiments, the coil is configured to heat the heat-sensitive element of the flavour module to melt at least partially the flavour module.

Thanks to these features, the coil is configured to heat the heat-sensitive element through the electromagnetic induction, the heated susceptor melting at least partially the flavour module. According to some embodiments, the coil is configured to heat the heat-sensitive element of the flavour module to crush the flavour module by changing its shape.

Thanks to these features, the coil is configured to heat the susceptor through the electromagnetic induction, the heated susceptor changing its shape and in consequence breaking the flavour module from the inside.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises at least a heating module, distinct from the releasing module, the or each heating module being configured to heat the tobacco portion of the tobacco article when the tobacco article is received in the reception cavity.

Thanks to these features, the control module is able to control the heating module independently from the releasing module.

The heating module is configured to heat the tobacco portion in order to generate aerosol, which flows in the article towards the mouth end.

For example, each heating module may comprise a thin film heater, extending along substantially the total length of the tobacco portion or only along a part of this length, or an inductive coil configured to supply electromagnetic energy to an inductive heating element (e.g., susceptor) placed inside the tobacco portion of the article.

In some modes, the heating module is arranged in a downstream section of the reception cavity and the releasing module is arranged in an upstream section of the reception cavity. Hence, as the releasing module is located upstream, the release module can be kept distant from heat generated by the heating module.

The invention also concerns an aerosol generating assembly comprising:

- a tobacco article comprising a tobacco portion and a flavour module containing a flavour;

- a heat-not-burn aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims and configured to operate with the tobacco article. According to some embodiments, the flavour module comprises a heat-sensitive deformable element, the heat-sensitive deformable element comprising Shape Memory Alloy (SPA).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting example and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an aerosol generating assembly according to the invention comprising a tobacco article and a heat-not-burn aerosol generating device;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the aerosol generating assembly of Figure 1 according to a first embodiment;

Figure 3 is a transversal sectional view of the aerosol generating assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the aerosol generating assembly of Figure 1 according to a second embodiment;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the aerosol generating assembly of Figure 1 according to a third embodiment; and

Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the aerosol generating assembly of Figure 1 according to a fourth embodiment.

Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generating device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of a heater element explained in further detail below. The device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating the heater element for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapour to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.

As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of vaporizable material as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. Aerosol may include one or more components of the vaporizable material.

As used herein, the term “vaporizable material” or “precursor” may refer to a smokable material which may for example comprise nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol former. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and/or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol formers include: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also comprise at least one of a gelling agent, a binding agent, a stabilizing agent, and a humectant.

DESCRIPTION OF A FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows an aerosol generating assembly 10 comprising an aerosol generating device 1 1 and a tobacco article 12. The aerosol generating device 1 1 is intended to operate with the tobacco article 12 in order to produce aerosol. The tobacco article 12 presents here for example a cylindrical shape extending along an article axis X. In a variant, the tobacco article 12 may present a flat cuboid shape.

In a typical example, the length L of the article 12 according to the article axis X is comprised between 10 and 80 mm, and is for example substantially equal to 60 mm. According to different examples, the value L may be selected within a range of +/- 40%, for example.

The tobacco article 12 comprises a tobacco portion 14 and a non-tobacco portion 16 arranged along the article axis X. The tobacco portion 14 may for example be slightly less longer than the non-tobacco portion 16. The tobacco portion 14 defines an abutting end 20 of the article 12 and the non-tobacco portion 16 defines a mouth end 22 of the article 12. The tobacco portion 14 and the non-tobacco portion 16 may be fixed one to the other by a wrapper.

The tobacco portion 14 is intended to be heated by the device 11 , as it will be explained in further detail below. The tobacco portion 14 comprises a vaporizable material as defined above.

The mouth end 22 of the non-tobacco portion 16 is intended to be put in the user’s mouth when the user wants to puff. A part of the non-tobacco portion 16 is intended to be inserted in the device 1 1 . The non-tobacco portion 16 forms a cooling and/or filtering portion. The non-tobacco portion 16 is intended to act for example as a cooler and/or as a filter to cool the vapour and/or to filter it, before it is inhaled by the user. The non-tobacco portion 16 may contain filtering material such as paper and/or cellulose acetate fibre.

In reference to Figures 2 to 6, the non-tobacco portion 16 comprises at least a flavour module 24. The flavour module 24 is for example a capsule in which a filling such as liquid including a flavouring material is encased in a shell. The flavour module 24 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. The flavour module 24, in particular the shell, is designed to be crushed or melted in order to discharge the flavouring material in the article 12. As it will be explained below, the flavour module 24 enables to provide the user with flavour in the vaped aerosol.

The aerosol generating device 1 1 comprises a housing 30 along a device axis Y. The housing 30 delimits an internal space of the device 1 1 receiving various elements designed to carry out different functionalities of the device 1 1 . The housing 30 may further comprise an air flow path and/or inlet for introduction of air within the tobacco article 12. In particular, the device 1 1 comprises a power supply 32, a control module 34, a reception cavity 36 for receiving the tobacco article 12 and at least a heater 38, also called heating module. The device 11 further comprises a releasing module 40 configured to interact with the flavour module 24, as it will be explained below. In some embodiments, the device 1 1 may further comprise an external communication module 42.

The reception cavity 36 presents a complementary shape to that of the article 12, in particular presents a cylindrical sidewall. Each heater 38 is arranged in contact with the sidewall. Each heater 38 may comprise a thin film heater extending along substantially the total length of the tobacco portion 14 along the article axis X or only along a part of this length. Each heater 38 is powered by the power supply 32 and controlled by the control module 34. The sidewalls of the receiving cavity 36 are preferably made of thin conductive material, preferably metal, such as stainless steel. The heater 38 is configured to heat the tobacco portion 14 in order to generate aerosol, which flows in the article towards the mouth end 22. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the heater 38 comprises an inductive coil configured to supply electromagnetic energy to an inductive heating element (e.g., susceptor) placed inside the tobacco portion of the article.

The power supply 32 comprises a battery, for example a rechargeable lithium-ion battery known in the art. The power supply 32 is configured to provide electrical power to the control module 34, the heater 38 and to the releasing module 40. The control module 34 is configured to control for example a voltage provided by the power supply 32 to the heater 38.

The external communication module 42 is configured to communicate with an external electronic system, such as a user communication device, through an antenna. The antenna is able to implement a passive communication with the tag. Advantageously, the antenna is able to communicate with the external electronic system via an NFC protocol (Near-Field Communication protocol), an RFID protocol (Radio-frequency identification protocol), a Bluetooth protocol or any other available protocol. The releasing module 40 is configured to interact with the flavour module 24 when the tobacco article 12 is received in the reception cavity 36, to release the flavour in the tobacco portion 14.

The releasing module 40 is distinct from the or each heater 38.

Advantageously, as visible on Figure 2, the heater 38 is arranged in a downstream section of the reception cavity 36, compared to the releasing module 40, which is arranged in an upstream section of the reception cavity 36.

In particular, as represented on Figure 2, the releasing module 40 is here configured to exert a mechanical action on the flavour module 24 to release the flavour. The releasing module 40 comprises a pinching system configured to pinch externally a portion of the tobacco article 12 to crush the flavour module 24. The releasing module 40 further comprising a motor 44 configured to actuate the pinching system. The pinching system is for example a pincher with two arms actuated by the motor 44. The pinching system is able to switch from an open position, represented on Figure 3, in which the two arms are away from each other with the flavour module 24 between them, to a pinching position in which the two arms are brought together and pinch the flavour module 24. The flavour module 24 is then crushed by the exerted pressure and release the flavour in the tobacco portion 14.

The device 1 1 is able to switch between a manual configuration in which the releasing module 40 is configured to be actuated by a user and an automated configuration in which the releasing module 40 is configured to be actuated by the control module 34. To that end, the device 11 further comprises a button 46 designed to be actuated by the user. The button 40 is for example a press button or a sliding button. The button 46 enables to switch the device 1 1 in the desired configuration: manual configuration or automated configuration.

In the manual configuration, the releasing module 40 is configured to be actuated by the user, for example through a cog 48, which appears as a rolling button on the device 1 1 . The cog 48 is exposed to the outside of the device 1 1 . The user may turn the cog 48 to actuate the arms of the pinching system to pinch the flavour module 24 and release the flavour.

In the automated configuration, the releasing module 40 is configured to be actuated by the control module 34. In particular, the control module 40 is configured to acquire a programmed event and to actuate the releasing module 40 according to the programmed event. The programmed event corresponds notably to: a number of puffs elapsed from the beginning of a vaping session; a time elapsed from the beginning of a vaping session; a dropping of the initial aerosol flavour; or a special action order or response to a notification, performed by the user. In particular, the programmed event may be a number of puffs or a time elapsed from the beginning of a vaping session, defining when the control module 34 will release the flavour for the user. The programmed event may be a dropping of the initial aerosol flavour contained to provide a release of new flavour to the user to compensate this drop of flavour along time and improve the perceived sensation of the vaped aerosol for the user. The same flavour may be used or a different flavour. The programmed event may also be a special action, order or response to a notification, performed by the user as for example a reduction of the puffing frequency by the user showing a possible decrease of the flavour or a predetermined gesture from the user as for example shaking, tapping, or wiping the device. The programmed event may also correspond to achieving a predetermined heating temperature of the heater of the vaporizable material. The programmed event may also correspond to the consumption of a predetermined amount of energy. This enables a flavour release at an optimal temperature and improves the user vaping experience. In the first case, the device 1 1 may comprise a temperature sensor arranged in the neighborhood of the tobacco article 12 and the control module 34 is able to analyze measurements issued from the sensor. In the second case, the control module 34 or any other component is able to determine the amount of received energy from the battery 32 and when this amount achieves for example a predetermined threshold, conclude that a programmed event has occurred.

Advantageously, the control module 34 may be configured to control the heater 38 independently from the releasing module 40.

The external communication module 42 is configured to receive the programmed event from an external electronic system and to transmit the programmed event to the control module 34. The user may program the programmed event from the external electronic system through a dedicated application. The external electronic system sends then the programmed event to the device 1 1. The external communication module 42 is configured to receive the programmed event and to transmit it to the control module 34, which may actuate the releasing module 40 according to this programmed event. In a variant or in complement, the control module 34 is configured to apply a machine learning method during the manual configuration to learn the programmed event by analysing user behavior. In particular, the user may use the device 1 1 during a first phase in which the device 11 is in the manual configuration. During this first phase, the user may actuate the releasing module 40 manually through the cog 48. The control module 34 is configured to analyse the user behavior through the machine learning method. After a sufficient number of user behavior analysis, the control module 34 is then able to determine a programmed event, for example when the user predominantly actuates the releasing module, for example by determining the average number of puffs elapsed until the release of the flavour by the user. During a second phase, the user may use the device 1 1 in the automated configuration by actuating the button 46. The control module 34 is able to control the releasing module 40 and to actuate it according to the determined programmed event.

As an example, the user is introducing a new tobacco article 12 in the device 11 . The user switches the device 1 1 in the manual configuration with the button 46. During the different vaping sessions, the user activates the releasing module 40 through the cog 48 after approximatively ten puffs. The control module 34 is then able to determine as a programmed event that the flavour should be released after four puffs. The user then switches the device 11 in the automated configuration. When the user is puffing, the control module 34 is controlling the releasing module 40 according to the programmed event. Here, the control module 34 actuates the releasing module 40 through the motor 44 after four puffs to release the flavour in the article 12. The released flavour therefore provide therefore a boost of flavour or compensate a drop of flavour from the aerosol. For example, the tobacco may be flavoured with e.g. liquid flavour and when the flavour starts decreasing the flavour module 24 is broken. The same flavour may be used or a different flavour.

As another example, the user is programming through the dedicated application on his/her smartphone that the flavour should be released when the user shakes several times the device 1 1 as an activation gesture. This programed event is sent through the external communication module 42 to the control module 34. The device 11 is then directly in the automated configuration. When the user is vaping, the control module 34 is controlling the movement of the device 11 , for example through an accelerometer, and when the user does the activation gesture, here shaking the device 11 , the control module 34 actuates the releasing module 40 to release the flavour in the tobacco portion 14. DESCRIPTION OF A SECOND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Figure 4 shows an aerosol generating assembly 10 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The aerosol generating assembly 10 according to the second embodiment is similar to the aerosol generating assembly 10 according to the first embodiment explained above except the features described below.

As visible on Figure 4, the releasing module 40 comprises here a piercing system configured to pierce the flavour module 24.

The releasing module 40 comprises for example an endless linear screw actuated by the motor 44 or a pusher actuated by solenoid. The releasing module 40 is able to switch from a retracted position in which the endless linear screw is away from the flavour module to a deployed position in which the endless linear screw exerts pressure on the flavour module 24 in order to pierce it, as represented in Figure 4.

DESCRIPTION OF A THIRD EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Figure 5 shows an aerosol generating assembly 10 according to a third embodiment of the invention.

The aerosol generating assembly 10 according to the third embodiment is similar to the aerosol generating assembly 10 according to the first embodiment explained above except the features described below

As visible on Figure 5, the flavour module 24 comprises here a heat-sensitive element 50, in particular a susceptor. A susceptor is a material used for its ability to absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it into heat.

The releasing module 40 comprises a coil configured to interact with the heat-sensitive element 50 of the flavour module 24 by electromagnetic induction. In particular, the coil is configured to heat the heat-sensitive element 50 of the flavour module 24 to melt at least partially the flavour module 24 in order to release the flavour in the tobacco portion 14. The control module 34 is therefore configured to actuate the coil by circulating an electric current through the coil. The coil creates an electromagnetic field and the heatsensitive element 50 heats in response. The flavour module 24, in particular the shell, melts under the heat and releases the flavour, in particular the flavour filling in the article.

DESCRIPTION OF A FOURTH EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Figure 6 shows an aerosol generating assembly 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

The aerosol generating assembly 10 according to the fourth embodiment is similar to the aerosol generating assembly 10 according to the third embodiment explained above except the features described below

As visible on Figure 6, the flavour module 24 comprises a heat-sensitive deformable element 50 formed of shape-memory alloy (SMA). A shape-memory alloy an alloy that can be deformed when cold but returns to its pre-deformed (or "remembered") shape when heated.

The releasing module 40 comprises a coil configured to interact with the deformable element 50 of the flavour module 24 e.g. by electromagnetic induction. In particular, the coil may be configured to heat a susceptor of the flavour module 24 to crush the flavour module 24 by changing its shape.

The control module 34 is therefore configured to actuate the coil by circulating an electric current through the coil. The coil creates an electromagnetic field and the deformable element 50 heats in response and returns to its pre-deformed shape. The flavour module 24 is crushed by the deformation of the deformable element 50 and releases the flavour in the tobacco portion 14. For example, the deformable element 50 presents a retracted shape when cold and a deployed shape when heated. In a variant, the heatsensitive element could be heated by an external heater of the device e.g. a thin film heater.

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments may be carried out in various ways, notably by combining the previous embodiments. For example, in a not shown embodiment, the flavour module 24 comprises a melting or softening system adapted to melt or soften the flavour module 24 to obtain the release of the flavour. In particular, the device 11 may comprise a resistive heating portion, which is positioned close to the flavour module 24 and when activated specifically melt or soften the flavour melting or softening system to release the flavour. The melting or softening system is for example a thinner zone of the shell or a zone made of a heat sensitive material in the flavour module 24. In this case, the flavour module 24 is devoid of any susceptor. For example, the article 12 may comprise several flavour modules 24. The device 11 then comprises several releasing module 40, each releasing module 40 cooperating with one of the flavour modules 24. The control module 34 is configured to actuate each releasing module 40 independently from the others. It is therefore possible to provide several flavour over time the vaping session.

Claims

1. A heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (1 1 ) configured to operate with a tobacco article (12), the tobacco article (12) comprising a tobacco portion (14) and a flavour module (24) containing a flavour; the aerosol generating device (11 ) comprising:

- a reception cavity (36) configured to receive the tobacco article (12) together with the flavour module (24);

- a releasing module (40) configured to interact with the flavour module (24) when the tobacco article (12) is received in the reception cavity (36), to release the flavour into the tobacco article (12); and

- a control module (34) configured to acquire a programmed event and to actuate the releasing module (40) according to the programmed event.

2. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the programmed event corresponds to at least one of the elements chosen from the group comprising:

- a number of puffs elapsed from the beginning of a vaping session;

- an time elapsed from the beginning of a vaping session;

- dropping of the tobacco flavour;

- achieving a predetermined heating temperature;

- consuming a predetermined amount of energy;

- a special action, order or response to a notification, performed by the user.

3. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (1 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol generating device (1 1 ) further comprises an external communication module (42), the external communication module (42) being configured to receive the programmed event from an external electronic system and to transmit the programmed event to the control module (34).

4. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generating device (11 ) is able to switch between a manual configuration in which the releasing module (40) is configured to be actuated by a user and an automated configuration in which the releasing module (40) is configured to be actuated by the control module (34).

5. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11 ) according to claim 4, wherein the control module (34) is configured to apply a machine learning method during the manual configuration to learn the programmed event by analysing user behavior.

6. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the releasing module (40) is configured to exert a mechanical action on the flavour module (24) to release the flavour, the releasing module (40) further comprising a motor (44) configured to actuate the releasing module (40) when actuated by the control module (34).

7. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11 ) according to claim 6, wherein the releasing module (40) comprises a pinching system configured to pinch externally a portion of the tobacco article (12) to crush the flavour module (24).

8. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11 ) according to 6, wherein the releasing module (40) comprises a piercing system configured to pierce the flavour module (24).

9. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flavour module (24) comprises a melting or softening system adapted to melt or soften the flavour module (24) to obtain the release of the flavour.

10. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the flavour module (24) comprises a heat-sensitive element (50), the releasing module (40) comprising a coil configured to interact with the heat-sensitive element (50) of the flavour module (24) by electromagnetic induction.

11. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (1 1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the coil is configured to heat the heat-sensitive element (50) of the flavour module (24) to melt at least partially the flavour module (24).

12. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (1 1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the coil is configured to heat the heat-sensitive element (50) of the flavour module (24) to crush the flavour module (24) by changing its shape.

13. The heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generating device (11) further comprises at least a heating module (38), distinct from the releasing module (40), the or each heating module (38) being configured to heat the tobacco portion (14) of the tobacco article (12) when the tobacco article (12) is received in the reception cavity (36).

14. An aerosol generating assembly (10) comprising :

- a tobacco article (12) comprising a tobacco portion (14) and a flavour module (24) containing a flavour; - a heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11 ) according to any one of the preceding claims and configured to operate with the tobacco article (12).

15. The aerosol generating assembly (10) according to claim 14, wherein the flavour module (24) comprises a heat-sensitive deformable element (50), the heat-sensitive deformable element (50) comprising shape-memory alloy.