WO2024017794A1

WO2024017794A1 - Aerosol-generating device with cover

Info

Publication number: WO2024017794A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/069671
Authority: WO
Inventors: Silvia CAPO; Yiu Chi CHEUNG; Stéphane ESSADE; Philip Naylor; Efe SENYILMAZ
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2022-07-20
Filing date: 2023-07-14
Publication date: 2024-01-25

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device (10) for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article (80) comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device comprises a housing (12) defining a cavity (32) for receiving an aerosol-generating article through a first opening (34). The aerosol-generating device comprises a heater (22) for heating the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol- generating device also comprises a cover (100) movable between an open position and a closed position, and a cover actuator comprising a rotatable portion (102), wherein the cover actuator is configured such that the rotatable portion is rotatable to move the cover between the open position and the closed position.

Description

AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH COVER

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article and a cover. The present invention also relates to a method of using the aerosol-generating device.

Aerosol-generating devices configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco containing substrate, are known in the art. Typically, an inhalable aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-forming substrate or material, which may be located within, around or downstream of the heat source. An aerosol-forming substrate may be a liquid substrate contained in a reservoir. An aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid substrate. An aerosolforming substrate may be a component part of a separate aerosol-generating article configured to engage with an aerosol-generating device to form an aerosol. During consumption, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and entrained in air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer.

In some systems, an aerosol-generating device is configured to receive an aerosolgenerating article comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate, for example a substrate comprising homogenised tobacco. In these systems, the device typically comprises a cavity in which the aerosol-generating article is received.

It would be desirable to provide an improved aerosol-generating device. In particular, it would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with improved usability and with reduced need for cleaning.

In one aspect, there is provided an aerosol-generating device. The aerosolgenerating device may be suitable for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing. The housing may define a cavity. The cavity may be for receiving an aerosolgenerating article through a first opening. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cover. The cover may be movable between an open position and a closed position. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cover actuator. The cover actuator may comprise a rotatable portion. The cover actuator may be configured such that the rotatable portion is rotatable to move the cover between the open position and the closed position. Preferably, the cover may be configured such that an aerosol-generating article cannot be received in the cavity when the cover is in the closed position. The cover may be configured such that an aerosol-generating article can be received in the cavity when the cover is in the open position. In other words, the cover, in the closed position, may close the cavity. When the cover is in the open position, the cavity may be open.

The first opening may be an opening of the cavity defined by the device housing. Preferably, the cover may be adjacent to the first opening. So, the cover, in the closed position, may close the first opening. The cover, in the open position, may allow an aerosolgenerating article to be received through the first opening.

The aerosol-generating device may be receivable in the cavity in a longitudinal direction.

The cover may advantageously protect the cavity from ingress of dust and dirt when in the closed position. The cover may be placed in the closed position between usage sessions and only placed in the open position when an aerosol-generating article is to be received in the cavity. In this way, dust and dirt may be prevented from entering the cavity between usage sessions. Preventing dust and dirt from entering the cavity between usage sessions may reduce or minimise the need to clean the cavity.

The rotatable portion may advantageously be a portion of the device which the user can easily manipulate in order to move the cover between the open and closed positions. The cover actuator comprising a rotatable portion may advantageously be made simply and take up a relatively small amount of space within the device. For example, a simple and space efficient mechanical connection between the rotatable portion and the cover may be used to convert rotational motion of the rotatable portion into movement of the cover. This may be particularly advantageous because it is typical for aerosol-generating devices to be low cost and portable.

The rotatable portion may be rotatable in a first direction to move the cover from the open position to the closed position. The rotatable portion may be rotatable in a second direction to move the cover from the closed position to the open position. The first direction may be opposite to the second direction. The first direction may be one of: clockwise or anticlockwise; and the second direction may be the other one of: clockwise or anti-clockwise.

The rotatable portion may be rotatable about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the longitudinal axis. The axis of rotation may be aligned with the longitudinal axis.

The rotatable portion may be rotatable by less than 720, 540, 360, 270, 180, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100 or 90 degrees to move the cover between the open position and the closed position. The rotatable portion may be rotatable by more than 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 110, 120 degrees to move the cover between the open position and the closed position.

Preferably, the rotatable portion may be rotatable by between 10 and 360, 20 and 360, 30 and 360, 40 and 360, 50 and 360, 60 and 360, 70 and 360, 80 and 360, 90 and 360 or 10 and 180, 20 and 180, 30 and 180, 40 and 180, 50 and 180, 60 and 180, 70 and 180, 80 and 180, 90 and 180 degrees to move the cover between the open position and the closed position.

The rotatable portion may be located around the first opening at a first end of the device. Such a rotatable portion may advantageously be close to the cover.

The rotatable portion may be in the shape of disc or a ring.

A second opening may be defined in the rotatable portion. An aerosol-generating article may be receivable in the cavity through the second opening. The first and second openings may be positioned such that the aerosol-generating article may pass through the second opening and then the first opening when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the cavity.

When the rotatable portion is in the shape of a ring, the second opening may be defined through the centre of the ring.

The second opening may be concentric with the opening.

The cover may comprise one or more moveable elements. Preferably, the cover comprises a plurality of moveable elements. A cover comprising a plurality of moveable elements may advantageously have a reduced footprint compared to a cover comprising a single moveable element. This may allow the device to be more compact or may allow the cover to make up a smaller proportion of the volume of the aerosol-generating device.

The or each moveable element may be moveable between a first position in which the cover is in the open position and a second position in which the cover is in the closed position.

The cover actuator may be configured such that rotation of the rotatable portion moves the or each moveable element between the first position and the second position.

A first portion of the or each moveable element may comprise a first connection. A second portion of the or each moveable element may comprise a second connection.

The cover actuator may comprise a stationary portion. The rotatable portion may be rotatable relative to the stationary portion.

The first connection of the or each moveable element may be connected to the rotatable portion. The first connection may be a rotatable connection. The first connection may additionally comprise an actuation arm connected to the rotatable portion at a first end and connected to the moveable element at a second end opposite to the first end.

The second connection of the or each moveable element may be connected to the stationary portion. The second connection may be a rotatable connection.

The first and second connections may be configured such that rotation of the rotatable portion relative to the stationary portion may cause the or each moveable element to move between the first position and the second position. The first and second connections of the or each of the moveable elements may be offset relative to each other such that rotation of the rotatable portion relative to the stationary portion causes the or each of the moveable elements to actuate around a pivot.

The stationary portion may be a portion of the device housing. Alternatively, the cover actuator may comprise a base plate forming the stationary portion.

The rotating portion may comprise or be mechanically connected to an actuation plate. The connection between the or each moveable element and the rotatable portion may be a connection to the actuation plate.

The cover may comprise at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 moveable elements.

The cover may comprise less than 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7 or 6 moveable elements.

In the closed position, the plurality of moveable elements may form a continuous surface.

In the closed position, the plurality of moveable elements may be in contact with one another. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of moveable elements overlap with one another.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device comprises an iris mechanism. The iris mechanism may comprise the cover which may comprise a plurality of moveable elements. This iris mechanism may further comprise the cover actuator. An iris mechanism advantageously has a small footprint, compact and robust.

The device housing may comprise a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion may define a chamber that defines the cavity. The first housing portion may define the first opening.

The first opening may be positioned at a first end of the first housing portion. The rotatable portion may be attached to or adjacent to the first end of the first housing portion.

The first housing portion may comprise a second end opposite the first end and at least one sidewall may extend between the first end and the second end. The heater may be positioned within the first housing portion.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a main power supply. The main power supply may be positioned within the second housing portion. The aerosol-generating device may comprise an auxiliary power supply. The auxiliary power supply may be positioned within the second housing portion.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise first control circuitry positioned within the first housing portion. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating device may comprise second control circuitry. The second control circuitry may be positioned within the first housing portion.

The second housing portion may be configured for removable attachment to the first housing portion.

Advantageously, a second housing portion that is detachable from a first housing portion may facilitate use of a single first housing portion with multiple different second housing portions. For example, when the main power supply is fully discharged, the user may replace the second housing portion with a further housing portion containing a different, fully charged power supply. Advantageously, this may allow a user to continue using the aerosol-generating device without waiting for the power supply to recharge. In another example, the user may select the second housing portion from a range of housing portions having different sizes and comprising power supplies having different storage capacities. Advantageously, this may allow a user to select a preferred compromise between the power supply storage capacity and the physical size of the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, a user may detach the first housing portion from the second housing portion during usage sessions and reconnect the first housing portion to the second housing portion between usage sessions. It may be more comfortable for the user to hold the first housing portion during a usage session than to hold the first and second housing portions attached together.

The main power supply and the auxiliary power supply may both be portable power supplies such as rechargeable batteries.

The capacity of the main power supply may be greater than the auxiliary power supply. The capacity of the main power supply may be sufficient for a plurality of usage sessions, for example, greater than 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 usage session. Each usage session may comprise at least 5, 6, 7 or individual puffs.

The capacity of the auxiliary power supply may be sufficient for only a single usage session or even less than one usage session.

The first control circuitry may be configured to supply power to the heater of the first housing portion to heat the received aerosol-generating article while the first housing portion is detached from the second housing portion. Power may be supplied from the auxiliary power supply.

During a usage session, a user may insert an aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the first housing portion. The user may detach the first housing portion from the second housing portion and use only the first housing portion. The first housing portion may be significantly smaller and lighter than the combined first and second housing portion. So, the detachable first and second housings may advantageously improve a user’s experience during a main phase of a usage session. For example, it may be more comfortable to simply hold the first housing portion during use.

The second control circuitry may be configured to supply power from the main power supply to the auxiliary power supply when the first housing portion is removably attached to the second housing portion. This may be to charge the auxiliary power supply. This may advantageously mean that between usage sessions, the smaller capacity auxiliary power supply is charged by the larger capacity main power supply ready for the next usage session.

A usage session may comprise a pre-heating phase and a main heating phase. The pre-heating phase may have higher power requirements than the main heating phase. This may be because, in the pre-heating phase, the heater is required to rapidly heat up to a temperature that is high enough to release aerosol from the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the second control circuitry may be configured to supply power from the main power supply to the heater of the first housing portion when the first housing portion is removably attached to the second housing portion. The second control circuitry may be configured to supply power from the main power supply to the heater of the first housing portion during a pre-heating phase of a usage session. In this way, the larger capacity main power supply can be used during the power intensive pre-heating phase.

At the end of the preheating phase, which may be when the heater has reached a predetermined temperature and/or after a predetermined time, the second control circuity may stop supplying power from the main power supply to the heater. The first control circuitry may then begin suppling power from the auxiliary power supply to the heater. The first control circuitry may be configured to supply power from the auxiliary supply to the heater throughout a main usage phase of a usage session. A user may thus advantageously detach the first housing portion from the second housing portion. In this way, the auxiliary power supply may have a very small capacity. The capacity of the auxiliary power supply need only be large to supply enough energy to the heater for the main phase of the usage session.

Preferably, the housing comprises an interface for attaching the second housing portion to the first housing portion.

The interface may be configured to retain the second housing portion in releasable attachment with the first housing portion by at least one of an interference fit and a magnetic connection. Advantageously, an interference fit may provide a simple and cost-effective arrangement for attaching the second housing portion to the first housing portion. The cover may be located on the first housing portion. The rotatable portion may be located on the first housing portion.

The first housing portion may have a cylindrical shape.

An outer surface of the rotatable portion may have a cylindrical shape. A diameter of the cylindrical shape of the outer surface of the rotatable portion may be substantially the same as the diameter of the first housing portion. The cylindrical shape of the outer surface of the rotatable portion may be concentric with the cylindrical shape of the first housing portion.

The second housing portion sidewall may have a semi-circular concave shape. The second housing portion may comprise a sidewall having a concave shape. When the second housing portion is configured for removable attachment to the first housing portion, the side wall of the second housing portion may be arranged to engage the first housing portion when the second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a feedback device arranged to provide feedback to a user. The feedback device preferably comprises a visual feedback device.

The feedback device may comprise a display. The display may comprise an annular outer lighting area. The display may comprise an inner lighting area. The annular outer lighting area may partially or wholly surround the inner lighting area.

Control electronics may be coupled to the feedback device. The first control circuitry may comprise the control electronics.

The control electronics may be configured to selectively illuminate one of the outer and inner lighting areas to generate a first predetermined light emission. The first predetermined light emission may convey first data indicative of a state of the aerosolgenerating device.

The control electronics may be configured selectively illuminate the other of the outer and inner lighting areas to generate a second predetermined light emission. The second predetermined light emission may convey second data indicative of a state of the aerosolgenerating device.

The first data and the second data may be different from one another.

As used herein, the term “predetermined light emission” is an emission of light characterised in terms of one or more parameters of the light emission. By way of example, the one or more parameters may include any of: a luminance level of the light emission, a spatial variation in luminance level of the light emission over one or both of the outer and inner lighting arrays, a colour of the light emission, a spatial variation in colour of the light emission over one or both of the outer and inner lighting arrays, a proportion of one or both of the outer and inner lighting arrays which is activated to generate the light emission. The one or more parameters may also include a variation with time of any of the parameters described in the previous sentence.

The coupling of the control electronics to the outer and inner lighting areas as described above allows each lighting area to provide a user with data in a visual format indicative of a state of the device. The use of outer and inner lighting areas facilitates each lighting area separately conveying different data to a user.

Preferably, the first and second data may be indicative of any two of: a) a power source of the aerosol-generating device containing sufficient energy to complete a single usage session; b) a power source of the aerosol-generating device containing sufficient energy to complete two or more usage sessions; c) a power source of the aerosol-generating device containing a level of energy below a predetermined threshold level of energy; d) selection or activation of one of a first predetermined thermal profile and a second predetermined thermal profile, in which each of the first and second predetermined thermal profiles define a heating profile for heating of the aerosol-forming substrate by an electrical heating arrangement over the usage session, the first and second predetermined thermal profiles being different to each other; e) the aerosol-generating device being in one of a pause mode state or a reactivation state; f) selection or activation of a change in operational state of the aerosolgenerating device; g) progression through the usage session; and h) progression through a pre-heating phase in which an electrical heating arrangement is heated to a predetermined target temperature to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. In this manner, the outer and inner lighting arrays facilitate conveying to a user data in a visual format relating to two different states of the device.

The outer lighting area may circumscribe at least 50%, or preferably at least 60%, or preferably at least 70%, or preferably at least 80%, or preferably at least 90%, or preferably all of the perimeter of the inner lighting area. Having the outer lighting area partially or wholly circumscribing the inner lighting area is beneficial in enabling the outer lighting array to convey data to a user indicative of changes over time in the state of the aerosol-generating device. For example, the outer lighting array may facilitate conveying data to a user indicative of progression through the pre-heating phase or of progression through the usage session.

Preferably, the first data may relate to a state of progression of an operational phase of the aerosol-generating device, and the second data may relate to a different state of the aerosol-generating device. The first predetermined light emission may be a predetermined phase progression light emission, and the second predetermined light emission may be a predetermined state light emission. The control electronics may be configured to: i) selectively activate one of the outer and inner lighting arrays to generate the predetermined phase progression light emission indicative of and in response to progression of the operational phase of the aerosol-generating device; and ii) selectively activate the other of the outer and inner lighting areas to generate the predetermined state light emission indicative of and in response to the different state of the aerosol-generating device. By way of example, the operational phase of the aerosol-generating device may conveniently be the pre-heating phase, or may be the usage session.

With progression through the operational phase, the control electronics may increase or decrease any one or more of: a luminance of the lighting array generating the predetermined phase progression light emission, and a proportion of the lighting array which is activated to generate the predetermined phase progression light emission.

Preferably, the control electronics may be configured to: i) selectively activate the outer lighting area to generate the predetermined phase progression light emission; and ii) selectively activate the inner lighting area to generate the predetermined state light emission. As the outer lighting area partially or wholly surrounds the inner lighting area, the geometry of the outer lighting area makes it particularly suitable for conveying data to a user indicative of progression through an operational phase of the aerosol-generating device, in the form of the predetermined phase progression light emission.

The control electronics may be configured to generate the predetermined phase progression light emission and the predetermined state light emission simultaneously.

The outer lighting area and the inner lighting area may form part of a common lighting array. The common lighting array may comprise a plurality of lighting elements. The control electronics may be configured to control a first subset of the plurality of lighting elements of the common lighting array so as to generate the first light emission. The control electronics may be configured to control a second subset of the plurality of lighting elements of the common lighting array so as to generate the second light emission.

The inner lighting area may comprise a single lighting element. The single lighting element may be centrally positioned in the inner lighting area.

The inner lighting area comprises a group of lighting elements, the group of lighting elements arranged in a circular pattern about a centre of the inner lighting area.

The housing may define a first window overlying one or both of the inner and outer lighting areas. The first window may overly the outer lighting area. The first window may have annular shape. The first window may be transparent, semi-transparent, translucent, semiopaque or semi-translucent. The housing may define a second window overlying the inner lighting area. The second window may be transparent, semi-transparent, translucent, or semi-translucent. The second window may have a circular shape.

The aerosol-generating device may extend longitudinally between first and second ends, wherein the display may be provided on a lateral surface defining one of the first and second ends. When the device comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the display may be provided on the second housing portion.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a user input device, wherein the user input device is integrated with the feedback device. The user input device may be positioned on the housing with the visual feedback device. The user input device may have an annular shape. The user input device may be positioned between the outer lighting area and the inner light area. The user input device may be positioned concentrically with the outer lighting area and the inner lighting area. The user input device may comprise at least one of a light sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and a resistive touch sensor.

The device may comprise one or more buttons. The one or more buttons may be positioned on the second housing portion, preferably on a sidewall of the second housing portion. The one or more buttons may be accessible from outside of the second housing.

At least one of the one or more buttons may be operable to select, activate, change, pause or deactivate an operating mode of the aerosol-generating device, the button coupled to the control circuitry of the aerosol-generating device such that the first or second predetermined light emission is indicative of the operating mode that is selected, activated, changed, paused or deactivated by operation of the button.

In which the operating mode comprises one or more of a pre-heating mode, a pause mode, a normal mode or a boost mode. In the boost mode, the first or second or both first and second control circuitry may be configured to supply a higher power to the heater than in the normal mode. Alternatively or additionally, the first or second or both the first and second control circuitry may be configured to heat the heater to a higher target temperature in the boost mode than in the normal mode.

The one or more buttons may comprise or consist of a first button and a second button. The first button may be larger than the second button.

The heater may preferably be a susceptor element. In this case, the aerosolgenerating device may additionally comprise an inductor coil. The susceptor element and the inductor coil may be located in the first housing portion.

The susceptor element may be configured to be heatable by an alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coils. In use, electrical power supplied to an inductor coil (for example, by the main or auxiliary power source of the device) may result in the inductor coil inducing eddy currents in a susceptor element. These eddy currents, in turn, result in the susceptor element generating heat. The electrical power is supplied to the inductor coil as an alternating magnetic field. The alternating current may have any suitable frequency. The alternating current may preferably be a high frequency alternating current. The alternating current may have a frequency between 100 kilohertz (kHz) and 30 megahertz (MHz). When an aerosol-forming substrate is received in the chamber, the heat generated by the susceptor element may heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature sufficient to cause aerosol to evolve from the substrate. The susceptor element may be formed of a material having an ability to absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it into heat. By way of example and without limitation, the susceptor element may be formed of a ferromagnetic material, such as a steel.

Possible materials for the susceptor elements include graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steels, niobium, aluminium and virtually any other conductive elements. Advantageously the susceptor element is a ferrite element. The material and the geometry for the susceptor element can be chosen to provide a desired electrical resistance and heat generation. The susceptor element may comprise, for example, a mesh, flat spiral coil, fibres or a fabric.

Preferably, the susceptor element comprises iron. Preferably, the susceptor element is in the shape of tube. The tubular susceptor may comprise iron with a coating. The coating may comprise iron and phosphorous.

The tubular susceptor may have a diameter and a length that is smaller than the diameter and length of the cavity. The tubular susceptor may be positioned within the cavity. The tubular susceptor may be configured such that at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article received in the cavity is received in the tubular susceptor.

The inductor coil may surround the cavity. The inductor coil may extend along a portion of the cavity in which the susceptor element is received. The number of turns per unit length of the inductor coil may change along the length of the inductor coil, preferably in the longitudinal direction. The number of turns per unit length of the inductor coil may be lower in a portion of the inductor furthest from the first opening.

The device may additionally comprise a susceptor holder.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure there is provided an aerosolgenerating system. The aerosol-generating system comprise an aerosol-generating device according to the first aspect. The aerosol-generating system further comprises an aerosolgenerating article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that, when heated, releases volatile compounds that can form an aerosol.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plug of tobacco. The tobacco plug may comprise one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets containing one or more of: tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco, extruded tobacco and expanded tobacco. Optionally, the tobacco plug may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds, to be released upon heating of the tobacco plug. Optionally, the tobacco plug may also contain capsules that, for example, include the additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds. Such capsules may melt during heating of the tobacco plug. Alternatively, or in addition, such capsules may be crushed prior to, during, or after heating of the tobacco plug.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a mouthpiece positioned downstream of the tobacco plug. The mouthpiece may be located at a downstream end of the aerosolgenerating article. The mouthpiece may comprise a cellulose acetate filter plug.

The aerosol-generating may article extend over a length of between 65 millimetres and 85 millimetres. Preferably, the aerosol-generating may extend over a length of 75 millimetres.

The aerosol-generating article may have a diameter of between 5 and 8 millimetres. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article may have a diameter of 6.7 millimetres.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of using the aerosol-generating device of the first aspect. The method may comprise rotating the rotatable portion to move the cover between the open position and the closed position.

The method may comprise inserting an aerosol-generating article in the cavity.

The method may comprise at least one of: rotating the rotatable portion to move the cover from the closed position to the open position and then inserting an aerosol-generating article; and removing an aerosol-generating article inserted in the cavity and then rotating the rotatable portion to move the cover from the open position to the closed position.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non- exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

EX1. An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device comprising: a housing defining a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article through a first opening, a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article, a cover movable between an open position and a closed position, and a cover actuator comprising a rotatable portion, wherein the cover actuator is configured such that the rotatable portion is rotatable to move the cover between the open position and the closed position.

EX2. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX1 , wherein the cover is configured such that an aerosol-generating article cannot be received in the cavity when the cover is in the closed position.

EX3. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX1 or EX2, wherein the cover is configured such that an aerosol-generating article can be received in the cavity when the cover is in the open position.

EX4. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX1 to EX3, wherein the cover is adjacent to the first opening.

EX5. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable in a first direction to move the cover from the open position to the closed position.

EX6. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable in a second direction to move the cover from the closed position to the open position.

EX7. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

EX8. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the first direction is one of: clockwise or anti-clockwise; and wherein the second direction is the other one of: clockwise or anti-clockwise.

EX9. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating article is receivable in the cavity in a longitudinal direction and wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the longitudinal axis.

EX10. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX9, wherein the axis of rotation is aligned with the longitudinal axis.

EX11. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable by less than 720, 540, 360, 270, 180, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100 or 90 degrees to move the cover between the open position and the closed position. EX12. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable by more than 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 110, 120 degrees to move the cover between the open position and the closed position.

EX13. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable by between 10 and 360, 20 and 360, 30 and 360, 40 and 360, 50 and 360, 60 and 360, 70 and 360, 80 and 360, 90 and 360 or 10 and 180, 20 and 180, 30 and 180, 40 and 180, 50 and 180, 60 and 180, 70 and 180, 80 and 180, 90 and 180 degrees.

EX14. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the rotatable portion is around the first opening at a first end of the device, preferably the first end of the device is the end nearest the mouth-end of the device.

EX15. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, the rotatable portion is in the shape of disc or a ring.

EX15a. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the rotatable portion comprises a raised portion or an indented portion.

EX15b. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX15a, wherein the raised portion or the indented portion extends in the longitudinal axis of the first housing portion.

EX15c. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX15a or EX15b, wherein the raised portion or the indented portion is located on an exterior side wall of the rotatable portion.

EX15d. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX15a, EX15b or EX15c, wherein the raised portion or the indented portion extends from a bottom edge to a top edge of the rotatable portion.

EX16. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein a second opening is defined in the rotatable portion.

EX17. An aerosol-generating device according to examples EX16, wherein an aerosolgenerating article is receivable in the cavity through the second opening.

EX18. An aerosol-generating device according to examples EX16 or EX17, wherein the second opening is concentric with the first opening.

EX19. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the cover comprises one or more moveable elements.

EX20. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX19, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of moveable elements. EX21. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX19 or EX20, wherein the or each moveable element is moveable between a first position in which the cover is in the open position and a second position in which the cover is in the closed position.

EX22. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX19 to EX21 , wherein the cover actuator is configured such that rotation of the rotatable portion moves the or each moveable element between the first position and the second position.

EX23. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX22, wherein a first portion of the or each moveable element comprises a first connection and second portion of the or each moveable element comprises a second connection.

EX24. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX23, wherein the cover actuator comprises a stationary portion and the rotatable portion is rotatable relative to the stationary portion.

EX25. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX24, wherein the first connection of the or each moveable element is connected to the rotatable portion.

EX26. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX25, wherein the first connection is a rotatable connection.

EX27. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX24 to EX26, wherein the first connection additionally comprises an actuation arm connected to the rotatable portion at a first end and connected to the moveable element at a second end opposite to the first end.

EX28. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX24 to EX27, wherein the second connection of the or each moveable element is connected to the stationary portion.

EX29. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX28, wherein the second connection is a rotatable connection.

EX30. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the cover comprises at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 moveable elements.

EX31. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the cover comprises less than 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7 or 6 moveable elements.

EX32. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, comprising an iris mechanism.

EX33. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX32, wherein the iris mechanism comprises the cover.

EX34. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX33, wherein the iris mechanism further comprises the cover actuator. EX35. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the device housing comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion. EX36. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX35, wherein the first housing portion defines a chamber that defines the cavity.

EX37. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX35 or EX36, wherein the first housing portion defines the first opening.

EX38. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX37, wherein the first opening is positioned at a first end of the first housing portion.

EX39. An aerosol-generating device according to EX38, wherein the rotatable portion is attached to or adjacent to the first end of the first housing portion.

EX40. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX38 or EX39, wherein the first housing portion comprises a second end opposite the first end and at least one sidewall extending between the first end and the second end.

EX41. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX35 to EX40, wherein the heater is positioned within the first housing portion.

EX42. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX35 to EX41, comprising positioned within the second housing portion.

EX43. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX35 to EX42, comprising an auxiliary power supply positioned within the second housing portion.

EX44. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX35 to EX43, comprising first control circuitry positioned within the first housing portion.

EX45. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX35 to EX44, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises second control circuitry positioned within the first housing portion.

EX46. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX35 to EX45, wherein the second housing portion is configured for removable attachment to the first housing portion.

EX47. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX46, wherein the housing comprises an interface for attaching the second housing portion to the first housing portion.

EX48. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX47, wherein the interface is configured to retain the second housing portion in releasable attachment with the first housing portion by at least one of an interference fit and a magnetic connection.

EX49. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX35 to EX48, wherein the cover is located on the first housing portion.

EX50. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX35 to EX49, wherein the rotatable portion is located on the first housing portion. EX51. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX35 to EX50, wherein the first housing portion has a cylindrical shape.

EX52. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX51 , wherein an outer surface of the rotatable portion has a cylindrical shape.

EX53. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX52, wherein a diameter of the cylindrical shape of the outer surface of the rotatable portion is substantially the same as the diameter of the first housing portion.

EX54. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX35 to EX53, wherein the second housing portion sidewall has a semi-circular concave shape.

EX55. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, further comprising a feedback device arranged to provide feedback to a user, preferably a visual feedback device.

EX56. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX55, wherein the feedback device comprises a display.

EX57. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX56, wherein the display comprises an annular outer lighting area.

EX58. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX57, wherein the display comprises an inner lighting area.

EX59. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX58, wherein the annular outer lighting area partially or wholly surrounds the inner lighting area.

EX60. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX58 or EX59, comprising control electronics coupled to the feedback device.

EX61. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX60, wherein the control electronics are configured to selectively illuminate one of the outer and inner lighting areas to generate a first predetermined light emission.

EX62. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX61 , wherein the first predetermined light emission conveys first data indicative of a state of the aerosol-generating device.

EX63. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX60 or EX61 , wherein the control electronics is configured to selectively illuminate the other of the outer and inner lighting areas to generate a second predetermined light emission.

EX64. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX63, wherein the second predetermined light emission may convey second data indicative of a state of the aerosolgenerating device, wherein the first data and the second data may be different from one another. EX65. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX35 to EX64, wherein the device comprises one or more buttons.

EX66. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX65, wherein the device comprises a first button and second button.

EX67. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX66, wherein the first button is bigger than the second button.

EX68. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX65 to EX67, wherein the one or more buttons are positioned on the second housing portion, preferably on a sidewall of the second housing portion.

EX69. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the examples EX65 to EX68, wherein at least one of the one or more buttons may be operable to select, activate, change, pause or deactivate an operating mode of the aerosol-generating device, the button coupled to the control circuitry of the aerosol-generating device such that the first or second predetermined light emission is indicative of the operating mode that is selected, activated, changed, paused or deactivated by operation of the button.

EX70. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the heater is a susceptor element.

EX71. An aerosol-generating device according to examples EX70, comprising an inductor coil.

EX72. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX71 , wherein the susceptor element and the inductor coil are located in the first housing portion.

EX73. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX70 to EX72, wherein the susceptor element comprises iron.

EX74. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX70 to EX73, wherein the susceptor element comprising a coating.

EX75. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX74, wherein the coating comprise at least one of, preferably both of, iron and phosphorous.

EX76. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX70 to EX75, wherein the susceptor element is in the shape of tube.

EX77. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX70 to EX76, wherein the tubular susceptor element is configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. EX78. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX77, wherein the tubular susceptor element is positioned within the cavity.

EX79. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX71 to EX78, wherein the inductor coil surrounds the cavity. EX80. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX79, wherein the inductor coil extends along a portion of the cavity in which the susceptor element is received.

EX81. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX80, wherein the number of turns per unit length of the inductor coil changes along the length of the inductor coil, preferably in the longitudinal direction.

EX82. An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples and an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

EX83. An aerosol-generating system according to example EX82, wherein the aerosolforming substrate comprises a plug of tobacco.

EX84. An aerosol-generating system according to example EX82 or EX83, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a mouthpiece positioned downstream of the tobacco plug.

EX85. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of examples EX82 to EX84, wherein the aerosol-generating article extends over a length of between 65 millimetres and 85 millimetres.

EX86. An aerosol-generating system according to example EX85, wherein the aerosolgenerating article extends over a length of 75 millimetres.

EX87. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of examples EX82 to EX86, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a diameter of between 5 and 8 millimetres.

EX88. An aerosol-generating device according to example EX87, wherein the aerosolgenerating article has a diameter of 6.7 millimetres.

EX89. A method of using the aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples EX1 to EX81 , the method comprising rotating the rotatable portion to move the cover between the open position and the closed position.

EX90. A method according to example EX89, comprising the step of inserting an aerosolgenerating article in the cavity.

EX91. A method according to example EX89 or EX90, wherein the method comprises at least one of: rotating the rotatable portion to move the cover from the closed position to the open position and then inserting an aerosol-generating article; and removing an aerosol-generating article inserted in the cavity and then rotating the rotatable portion to move the cover from the open position to the closed position.

Features described in relation to one example or embodiment may also be applicable to other aspects and embodiments. For example, features described in relation to aerosolgenerating devices described above may also be used in conjunction with methods of using aerosol-generating devices described above.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention with the closure member in the open position and with an aerosol-generating article received in the cavity;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 2 with the closure member in the closed position;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 , the aerosolgenerating device comprising a first housing portion and second housing portion;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 , showing the first housing portion being detached from the second housing portion;

Figure 5 shows a close-up perspective view of a cover and a portion of a cover actuator of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 1 separately from the rest of the device and with the cover in an open position; and

Figure 6 shows the cover of Figure 5 with the cover nearly in the closed position.

Figures 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an aerosol-generating device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a housing 12 comprising a first housing portion 14 and second housing portion 16. The second housing portion 16 is configured for removable attachment to the first housing portion 14. A first electrical contact 52 is positioned on the first housing portion 14 and a second electrical contact 62 is positioned on the second housing portion 16. The first electrical contact 52 and the second electrical contact 62 are arranged to contact each other when the second housing portion 16 is attached to the first housing portion 14.

The aerosol-generating device 10 also comprises a charging circuit 19 and a main power supply 20 positioned within the second housing portion 16. The main power supply 20 is an electrical power supply comprising a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion battery or similar. A charging electrical contact 49, which is in the form of a LISB-C connector, is included at an end of the second housing portion 16 and is configured to receive a supply of power from an external device. The charging circuit 19 is configured to control the supply of power received from an external device for recharging the main power supply 20.

The first housing portion 14 defines a chamber 32 in the form of a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article 80 and a first opening 34 positioned at an end of the cavity. The first opening 34 is positioned at a first end of the first housing portion 14. When an aerosol-generating article 80 is received within the cavity, the aerosol-generating article 80 and the aerosol-generating device 10 together form an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating device 10 further comprises a heater in the form of a tubular susceptor element 22 and an inductor coil 23. The tubular susceptor element 22 is formed of a ferrous material with a nickel coating. The susceptor element 22 is positioned within the chamber 32 and is supported and held in position within the chamber 32 by susceptor holder 35. The inductor coil 23 surrounds the chamber 32. The susceptor element 22 and inductor coil 23 are located in the first housing portion 14.

The aerosol-generating device further comprises a first controller 18 positioned within the first housing portion 14 and an auxiliary power supply 30.

The aerosol-generating device comprises a second controller 38 positioned within the second housing portion 14.

First and second buttons 27,28 are positioned on a sidewall of the second housing portion 14. The first button 27 is larger than the second button 28.

The aerosol-generating device 10 further comprises a cover 100 and a cover actuator comprising a rotatable portion 102.

The cover 100 is moveable between an open position and a closed position. In Figure 1 , the cover 100 is shown in the open position. In the open position, the chamber 32 is open and an aerosol-generating article 80 is receivable in the chamber 32 through the first opening 34. In Figure 2, the cover 100 is shown in the closed position. In the closed position, the cover 100 closes the chamber 32. This prevents the ingress of dust and dirt into the chamber. It is not possible for an aerosol-generating article 80 to be received in the chamber 32 through the first opening 34 when the cover 100 is in the closed position.

The aerosol-generating article 80 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 82 in the form of a solid tobacco-containing substrate. The aerosol-generating article 80 further comprises a mouth end 84 protruding out of the cavity 34.

The rotatable portion 102 is ring shaped and comprises a second opening 104 which is concentric with the first opening 34. When an aerosol-generating article 80 is received within the cavity, the article is received through the second opening 104 and then the first opening 34. The aerosol-generating article 80 is receivable in the chamber 34 along a longitudinal axis represented by broken line 101 in Figure 1.

The cover actuator is configured such that rotation of the rotatable portion 102 causes the cover 100 to move between a closed position and an open position. In particular, the rotatable portion 102 is rotatable about an axis of rotation that corresponds to the longitudinal axis 101. The rotatable portion 102 is rotatable about 90 degrees between a first position in which the cover is in the closed position and a second position in which the cover is the open position. Rotation of the rotatable portion 102 from the first position moves the cover from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa. The rotatable portion 102 may comprise a raised portion or an indented portion. This is shown as a raised portion 103 in Figures 1 and 2. The raised portion or the indented portion may assist the user in gripping the rotatable portion 102 with their finger(s). The raised portion or the indented portion may extend in the longitudinal axis of the first housing portion 14. The raised portion or the indented portion may be located on an exterior side wall of the rotatable portion 102. The raised portion or the indented portion may extend from a bottom edge to a top edge of the rotatable portion, preferably in the longitudinal direction of the first housing portion 14.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the aerosol-generating device 10. Figure 3 shows that the first housing portion 14 defines a cylindrical shape. An aerosol-generating article 80 is partially received in the chamber 32 of Figure 2 with a mouthpiece end 102 of the aerosolgenerating article 80 protruding out of the chamber. As the aerosol-generating article 80 is received in the chamber 32, the cover 100 is in the open position.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the aerosol-generating device 10 in which the first housing portion 14 has been detached from the second housing portion 16. A sidewall 17 second housing portion 16 defines a semi-circular concave shape 110. The diameter of the semi-circular concave shape 110 is very slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindrical first housing portion 14. As such, the first housing portion 14 can be received in the semicircular concave shape 110 to engage the first housing portion 14 with the second housing portion 16.

An interface between the first housing portion 14 and the second housing portion 16 (not shown) can be used to releasably attached the two portions together. The interface relies on an interference fit or magnetic connection.

Both the main power supply 20 and the auxiliary power supply 30 take the form of rechargeable batteries. The main power supply 20 has a much larger capacity for storing electrical energy than the auxiliary power supply 30. In particular, the main power supply 20 stores enough energy for a plurality of usage sessions whereas the auxiliary power supply 30 stores enough energy for the main heating phase of a single usage session.

The second controller 38 is configured to initiate a usage session when a user presses the first button 27. The second housing portion 16 should be attached to the first housing portion 14 when the user initiates the usage session.

The second controller 38 is configured to control a supply of power from the main power supply 20. Following initiation of a usage session, the second controller 38 is configured to control a supply of power from the main power supply to the inductor coil 23 as a high frequency varying current via the first electrical contact 52 and the second electrical contact 62. During use, the power supplied to the inductor coil of the inductor generates a varying magnetic field that inductively heats the tubular susceptor element 22. A usage session is split into an initial pre-heating phase which is then followed by a main heating phase. The second controller 38 is configured to control power to the inductor coil 23 during the pre-heating phase. The pre-heating phase has high power requirements as the susceptor element 22 (and received aerosol-generating article 80) is required to rapidly increase to a target temperature in which aerosol is generated during the pre-heating phase.

The second controller 38 is configured to end the pre-heating phase either after a predetermined time period or when it is detected that the susceptor element has reached a predetermined temperature. At the end of the pre-heating phase, the second controller 38 is configured to stop supplying power from the main power supply 20 to the inductor coil 23. The main heating phase then begins.

The first controller 18 is configured to start supplying power from the auxiliary power supply 30 to the inductor coil 22 during the main heating phase.

The user is then able to detach the first housing portion 14 from the second housing portion 16 and to use the first housing portion 14 separately the second housing portion 16, relying on the power from the auxiliary power supply 30 in order to continue to supply a varying current to the susceptor element 22 and so maintain the temperature of the susceptor element 22 at a target operation temperature.

The susceptor element 22 will heat the aerosol-forming substrate 82 contained in the aerosol-generating article 80 received in the chamber 34. This will generate a vapour. The vapour condenses to form an aerosol which a user can inhale by drawing on the mouth end 84 of the aerosol-generating article 80 in a puff.

The advantage of providing a main and auxiliary power supply 20,30 in this way is that the auxiliary power supply 30 can be a small and lightweight battery. This means that the first housing portion 14 (containing the auxiliary power supply 30) can be made small and lightweight.

When the device 10 is not in use, the second controller 38 is configured to control a supply of power from the main power supply 20 in order to charge the auxiliary power supply 30. In this way, the auxiliary power supply 30 is charged ready for the next usage session.

A more detailed view of the cover 100 and part of the actuation mechanism is shown in Figures 5 and 6 and separately from the rest of the device 10. In Figure 5, the cover 100 is in the open position. In Figure 6, the cover 100 is in an intermediate position between the open position and closed position.

As can be seen in these figures, the cover 100 and actuation mechanism together form an iris mechanism. The actuation mechanism comprises a base plate ring 112 and an actuation ring 114. The cover 100 comprises four moveable elements 116. The moveable elements 116 are actuatable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the moveable elements 116 is connected to the base plate ring 112 and the actuating plate ring 114. The connection of each of the moveable elements 116 to the base plate ring is via pins formed in the base plate ring 112. Each pin is connected to a moveable element 116 at connection 306 on the respective moveable element 116. The moveable elements can rotate about connection 306.

The connection of the moveable elements 116 to the actuation ring 114 is via a connection arm 302. Each connection arm is connected to a moveable element at connection 304 at one end of the connection arm 302. The other end of the connection arm 302 is connected to the actuation ring 114 via a pin in the actuation ring 114. Each moveable element 116 can rotate about connection 304 and each actuating arm 302 can rotate about actuation point 305.

The actuation ring 112 is rotatable relative to the base plate ring 114. Rotation of the actuation ring 112 actuates the moveable elements 116. This actuation is possible because each of the connections 304, 305 and 306 allows for rotation about the connection and because of the offset of the points of connection. Therefore, when the actuation ring 114 rotates, the moveable elements 116 are actuated from the open position, shown in Figure 5, to the nearly closed position shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6 shows the moveable elements in a nearly closed position where the moveable elements have not completed reached the closed position shown in Figure 1. When the moveable elements 116 are in the closed position, each of the moveable elements 116 comes into contact with one another to form a continuous surface which closes the chamber 32.

The diameter of the base plate ring 112 corresponds to the diameter of the cavity 120 (the cavity is cylindrical). The base plate ring 112 is also concentric to the cavity 120. Therefore, when the moveable elements 116 are in the open position, the cavity 120 is accessible such that an aerosol-generating device can be received by the charger 100 in the cavity 120. In the closed position, the moveable elements 116 are positioned to close the cavity 120 by facing the cavity 120. Closing the cavity protects the cavity 120 from dust and dirt of the surroundings and prevents users from altering the position of an aerosol-generating device received within the cavity.

The actuation ring 114 is connected to the rotatable portion 102 such the rotation of the rotatable portion is translated to rotation of the actuation ring 112. In this way, the rotatable portion may be used to move the cover between the closed position and the open position. The connection between the actuation ring 114 and the rotatable portion is not shown in the drawings.

In some embodiments, there is no base plate ring 112 and actuation ring 114. Instead, each of the moveable elements 116 can be connected directly to the rotatable portion 102. Each of the moveable elements 116 can be connected directly to the first housing portion 114. The direct connections are rotatable connections. As the rotatable portion 102 is rotatable relative to the first housing portion 114, appropriately placed connections between the moveable elements and the first housing portion 114 and rotatable portion 102 allows for the moveable elements to be moved between an open position and a closed position.

In some embodiments, there are no actuation arms 302. If there are no actuation arms 302, the moveable elements 116 may overlap in the closed position of the cover 100.

Although in this example four moveable elements 116 are shown, it will be appreciated that one or more moveable element 116 could be used, sized and shaped to cover the opening.

An outer lighting area 61 and an inner lighting area 62 are incorporated into the second housing portion 16 of the aerosol-generating device 10 (see Figures 3 and 4). The outer lighting area 61 extends around an arc of 360 degrees to define a closed annulus surrounding the inner lighting area 62. The inner lighting area 62 is generally circular in shape. Each of the outer and inner lighting arrays 61 , 62 has a respective display window which forms part of the exterior surface of the housing 20 and is transparent to light.

The second controller 38 is coupled to the outer and inner lighting areas 61 , 62 and configured to: i) selectively illuminate the outer lighting area 61 to generate a first predetermined light emission conveying first data indicative of a state of the aerosolgenerating device; and ii) selectively illuminate the inner lighting area 62 to generate a second predetermined light emission conveying second data indicative of a state of the aerosol-generating device. The first data and the second data are different from one another. Specifically, the first data relates to a state of progression of usage session of the aerosolgenerating device, the second data relates to a state of the aerosol-generating device.

The first data is conveyed by progressively lighting the outer lighting area 61 around the annulus as the usage session progresses. In particular, the outer lighting area 61 is lit by a plurality of LEDs positioned around the outer lighting area. The second controller 38 progressively activates sequential LEDs to indicate a proportion of the duration of the usage session has passed throughout a usage session. In another example, the second controller 38 can be configured to increase the brightness of the outer lighting area 61 throughout a usage session. The second data is conveyed by the inner lighting area 62 being illuminated with different colours. In one example, the second controller is configured to illuminate the inner light area 62 with blue light during the pre-heating phase. The second controller is configured to illuminate the inner light area 62 with green light during the main heating phase. A user may use the change in colour from blue to green as an indicator to separate the first housing portion 14 from the second housing portion 16 and continue their usage session by puffing on the aerosol-generating article 80 received in the chamber 32 of the first housing portion 14.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device comprises buttons 27, 28. The second controller 38 is connected the first button 27 and the second button 28. It has already been described how, on detecting a press of button 27, the second controller 38 is configured to initiate a pre-heating phase. If, instead of or in addition to the second controller 38 detecting a press of button 27, the second controller 38 detects a press of button 28, the second controller 38 is configured to initiate a boost mode. In the boost mode, the power supplied to the inductor coil by both the main power supply 20 and the auxiliary power supply 30 is increased relative to a normal heating mode. The temperature reached by the susceptor element 22 during both of the pre-heating phase and the main heating phase is higher in the boost mode than in a normal mode. As such, in the boost mode, an increased amount of aerosol is generated. Thus, a user may select the boost mode if they want a different experience to the normal experience.

In the boost mode, the second controller 38 is configured to illuminate the inner light area 62 with red light in the main heating phase to indicate to the user that boost mode has been selected.

Claims

1 . An aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device comprising: a housing defining a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article through a first opening, a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article, a cover movable between an open position in which an aerosol-generating article can be received in the cavity and a closed position in which an aerosol-generating article cannot be received in the cavity, and a cover actuator comprising a rotatable portion, wherein the cover actuator is configured such that the rotatable portion is rotatable to move the cover between the open position and the closed position.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable in a first direction to move the cover from the open position to the closed position.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable in a second direction to move the cover from the closed position to the open position, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover comprises one or more moveable elements.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an iris mechanism, the iris mechanism comprising the cover.

6. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-generating article is receivable in the cavity in a longitudinal direction and wherein the rotatable portion is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the longitudinal axis.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a second opening is defined in the rotatable portion, wherein an aerosol-generating article is receivable in the cavity through the second opening.

8. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a visual feedback device comprising an annular outer lighting area and an inner lighting area; wherein the annular outer lighting area partially or wholly surrounds the inner lighting area.

9. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, comprising control electronics coupled to the visual feedback device, the control electronics configured to selectively illuminate one of the outer and inner lighting areas to generate a first predetermined light emission that conveys first data indicative of a state of the aerosol-generating device and to selectively illuminate the other of the outer and inner lighting areas to generate a second predetermined light emission that conveys second data indicative of a state of the aerosolgenerating device, wherein the first data and the second data may be different from one another.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device housing comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion.

11. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, wherein the second housing portion is configured for removable attachment to the first housing portion.

12. An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims and an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

13. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 12, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a plug of tobacco.

14. A method of using the aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , the method comprising rotating the rotatable portion to move the cover between the open position and the closed position.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the method comprises at least one of: rotating the rotatable portion to move the cover from the closed position to the open position and then inserting an aerosol-generating article into the cavity; and removing an aerosol-generating article inserted in the cavity and then rotating the rotatable portion to move the cover from the open position to the closed position.