WO2024046880A1 - Appareil de génération d'aérosol - Google Patents

Appareil de génération d'aérosol Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024046880A1
WO2024046880A1 PCT/EP2023/073304 EP2023073304W WO2024046880A1 WO 2024046880 A1 WO2024046880 A1 WO 2024046880A1 EP 2023073304 W EP2023073304 W EP 2023073304W WO 2024046880 A1 WO2024046880 A1 WO 2024046880A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cap
consumable holder
consumable
aerosol generating
generating apparatus
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2023/073304
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Joseph PEMBERTON
Andrew Robert WALLACE
Original Assignee
Imperial Tobacco Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Imperial Tobacco Limited filed Critical Imperial Tobacco Limited
Publication of WO2024046880A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024046880A1/fr

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Classifications

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

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating apparatus.
  • a typical aerosol generating apparatus may comprise a power supply, an aerosol generating unit that is driven by the power supply, an aerosol precursor, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit to generate an aerosol, and a delivery system for delivery of the aerosol to a user.
  • a drawback with known aerosol generating apparatuses is incorrect or inexact positioning of a consumable with respect to a heating element of the apparatus, leading to a deteriorated aerosol generation function.
  • an aerosol generating apparatus comprising a body, a heating element connected to the body, and a cap.
  • the cap is slidably mounted to the body to be slidable along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus.
  • the apparatus further comprises a consumable holder.
  • the consumable holder defines a consumable receiving cavity for receiving and positioning a consumable relative to the heating element, the heating element being locatable within the consumable receiving cavity.
  • the consumable holder is movable with respect to each of the body and the cap.
  • Providing a consumable holder that is movable with respect to each of the body and the cap may enable improved positioning of a consumable by the consumable holder with respect to the heating element. For example, this may enable the consumable holder to adapt to a misalignment between the cap and body and/or between the consumable holder and the heating element to maintain better consumable positioning with the apparatus.
  • a potential benefit may be understood by way of a counter example in which the consumable holder is rigidly fixed to the cap (i.e. the consumable holder is not movable with respect to the cap) and the heating element is rigidly fixed to the body (i.e. the heating element is not movable with respect to the body). If the cap, which is slidably mounted to the body, becomes misaligned to the body, the consumable holder can then become misaligned to the heating element leading to incorrect or inexact positioning of a consumable with respect to the heating element of the apparatus.
  • Providing a consumable holder that is movable with respect to each of the cap and the body may enable, for example, the consumable holder to move or slide longitudinally with the cap but be aligned transversely with the heater by the body to improve positioning with respect to the heating element. This may therefore improve the manufacturability and/or longevity of the apparatus.
  • the heating element may be elongate, and the consumable holder may be configured to centre the consumable relative to a longitudinal axis of the heating element. Centring a consumable with respect to an elongate heater can ensure improved heat distribution into the consumable thus permitting consistent aerosol generation. An apparatus of this type that provides improved transverse alignment of the consumable holder with respect to the heating element can therefore further provide improved centring of the consumable with respect to an elongate heater
  • the heating element may extend from a first end of the body along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a guide extending from the first end of the body along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus and generally surrounding the heating element.
  • the guide may surround a part of the consumable holder and may be configured to limit transverse movement of the consumable holder. In this sense, limit may mean that the guide reduces I constrains the total range of lateral movement of the consumable holder, for example, compared to a situation where the guide was not present.
  • the heating element and/or the guide may be rigidly attached to the body.
  • the body, heating element and guide may be rigidly attached to each other, the cap may be slidably attached to the body, and the consumable holder may be movable with respect to each of the cap and the body.
  • the consumable holder may by slidably received in the guide, and may be substantially prevented from moving transversely with respect to body, heating element, or guide.
  • the consumable holder may contact with an inner surface of the guide, and may thereby be held at a particular transverse position with respect to the heating element.
  • the consumable holder may be able to move longitudinally with the cap, but may be restricted from moving laterally even if the cap does so. This can therefore ensure improved positioning of the consumable holder and, consequently, the received consumable with respect to the heating element by enabling the apparatus to correct for a misalignment between the cap and the body.
  • the consumable holder may thereby be constrained by the guide to be substantially only longitudinally movable with respect to the body.
  • the consumable holder may comprise a projection extending outwardly to form part of an external surface of the consumable holder for engaging with the guide.
  • Providing a projection extending outwardly on the external surface of the consumable holder for engaging with the guide may enable, for example, reduced material usage in the consumable holder, since a wall of the consumable receiving cavity may be made thinner than if the projection was not present. In other words, since only the projection (and not the wall) needs to extend to a position to engage with the guide, the transverse extent of the wall may be reduced.
  • Provision of a projection may also reduce a frictional force between the guide and the consumable holder by reducing a contact surface area between the guide and the consumable holder.
  • Provision of a projection may also enable increased freedom of movement of the guide, for example increased freedom of rotational movement, by reducing a length of the contact surface along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus between the guide and the consumable holder.
  • the consumable holder may comprise a plurality of projections arranged circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the consumable holder and extending outwardly to form part of an external surface of the consumable holder for engaging with the guide. This may enable a more uniform engagement between the consumable holder and the guide about the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus.
  • each of the plurality of projections may be equally spaced circumferentially about the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder. In other words, each of the plurality of projections may be located equidistantly between its nearest neighbouring projections about the consumable holder. This may further enable or enhance a uniformity of engagement between the consumable holder and the guide about the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus.
  • each respective projection may include a ridge.
  • a ridge is a projection having a length in one direction that is greater than a width in a perpendicular direction.
  • each respective ridge may be a longitudinally extending rib along the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder and extending outwardly from an external surface of the consumable holder.
  • the ridge may be a circumferentially extending rib extending outwardly from an external surface of the consumable holder. Configuring the projection(s) to include a ridge may enable a particular configuration of the engagement between the consumable holder and the guide.
  • each respective projection may include a bump, such as a nodule or mound.
  • a bump may be a projection having length in one direction that is approximately equal to a width in a perpendicular direction. Configuring the projection(s) to include a bump may enable a particular configuration of the engagement between the consumable holder and the guide.
  • each projection may be located at a lower end of the consumable holder proximate the body.
  • the lower or base end of the consumable holder is the end along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus that is proximate the body of the aerosol generating apparatus.
  • the base end of the consumable holder may have the greatest freedom of movement.
  • a projection at the base end of the consumable holder may therefore form an outermost extent of the range of movement of the consumable holder.
  • the projection may form a leading edge for the movement of the consumable holder.
  • a projection located at the base end of the consumable holder forms the first point of contact between the consumable holder and the guide when the consumable holder engages with the guide.
  • the consumable holder may be movably mounted to the cap via a connection providing at least one degree of freedom of movement of the consumable holder with respect to the cap.
  • the consumable holder may thus be able to move generally with the cap when the cap is slid longitudinally with respect to the body of the aerosol generating apparatus, while still enabling improved consumable positioning with respect to the heater element.
  • an aerosol generating apparatus having a body, heating element and guide rigidly attached to each other, a cap slidably attached to the body, and a consumable holder movably attached to the cap such that the consumable holder has freedom to move with respect to each of the cap and the body.
  • the consumable holder may be constrained by the guide to be substantially only longitudinally movable with respect to the body, and may be movably attached to the cap to be substantially only transversely movable and/or rotationally movable (e.g. pivotable) with respect to the cap.
  • the consumable holder may be able to move with the cap, but with freedom to move with respect to the cap.
  • a range of motion of the consumable holder with respect to the body may be greater than a range of motion of the consumable holder with respect to the cap.
  • the consumable holder may have a non-zero range of motion within the reference frame of the cap.
  • the consumable holder may be able to move (rotate or translate) with respect to this fixed point and fixed orientation.
  • This non-zero range of motion may instead be referred to as one or more degrees of freedom of movement.
  • a degree of freedom of movement means that the consumable holder is able to translate along a translational axis, or rotate about a rotational axis, with respect to the cap.
  • the connection between the cap and the consumable holder may not be rigid, but may instead enable the consumable holder to translate or to rotate with respect to the cap.
  • One degree of freedom of movement means the ability to move along or about one axis.
  • one degree of translational freedom means that the consumable holder can translate one- dimensionally along one axis with respect to the cap (e.g. up and down).
  • Two degrees of translational freedom means that the consumable holder can translate along two axes with respect to the cap (e.g. up/down and left/right).
  • Three degrees of translational freedom means that the consumable holder can translate along three axes with respect to the cap (e.g. up/down, left/right and forward/back).
  • Different combinations of translational degrees of freedom are possible, and the preceding examples are not to be taken as limiting.
  • One degree of rotational freedom means that the consumable holder can rotate about one rotational axis with respect to the cap (e.g. such that the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder may tilt left/right with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cap).
  • Two degrees of rotational freedom means that the consumable holder can rotate about two rotational axes with respect to the cap (e.g. such that the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder may tilt left/right and forwards/back with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cap).
  • Three degrees of rotational freedom means that the consumable holder can rotate about three rotational axes with respect to the cap (e.g.
  • the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder may tilt left/right and forwards/back with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cap, and such that the consumable holder may rotate about the longitudinal axis of the cap).
  • Different combinations of rotational degrees of freedom are possible, and the preceding examples are not to be taken as limiting.
  • the degree of freedom of movement may be a rotational degree of freedom of movement of the consumable holder with respect to the cap.
  • the consumable holder may be able to rotate or have some freedom to rotate about a rotational axis with respect to the cap, for example about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cap.
  • the rotational degree of freedom of movement may enable the consumable holder to tilt with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus.
  • the rotation axis may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus. This may enable the consumable holder to rotate such that a longitudinal axis of the consumable holder is not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cap.
  • the consumable holder may be able to rotate such that the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder is aligned at an angle of 10 degrees or less compared to the longitudinal axis of the cap, or an angle of 8 degrees or less compared to the longitudinal axis of the cap, or an angle of 6 degrees or less compared to the longitudinal axis of the cap, or an angle of 4 degrees or less compared to the longitudinal axis of the cap, or an angle of 2 degrees or less compared to the longitudinal axis of the cap.
  • the movable connection may comprise two fasteners, which may be located on opposite sides of the consumable holder.
  • One of the two fasteners may form a pivot point for the rotational movement. This may provide a particular range of movement for improved consumable positioning.
  • the degree of freedom of movement may be a translational degree of freedom of movement of the consumable holder with respect to the cap.
  • the degree of freedom of movement may enable a movement or translation of the consumable holder along an axis with respect to the cap, for example along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus.
  • the translational degree of freedom of movement may enable the consumable holder to move along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus. This may enable, for example, the consumable holder to adapt to debris build-up about a base of the heater element.
  • the consumable holder may be locatable at a lower end of the cap (i.e. closer to the body of the aerosol generating apparatus), but may be movable or in an upward direction (i.e. away from the body of the aerosol generating apparatus) and may be able to be pushed in the upward direction by debris build-up about a base of the heater element. Meanwhile a movement (e.g. sliding) of the cap may not be affected, unlike a situation where the consumable holder and cap are rigidly connected together.
  • the consumable holder may have both a rotational degree of freedom and a translational degree of freedom, and may thus be able to translate along at least one axis and be able to rotate about at least one axis (with the translational axis and the rotational axis not necessarily being coincident).
  • the consumable holder may be able to translate in an up/down direction along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus, and pivot or rotate about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
  • the connection may comprise a clip.
  • a clip may be a movable or a fixed projection located at a distance from a clamping surface, such that a part of the consumable holder may be held between the clip and the clamping surface. This may be configured to loosely clamp the consumable holder to the cap, enabling freedom of movement about the connection.
  • connection may comprise a screw.
  • the consumable holder may comprise an open bore for receiving the screw, such that the screw may pass through the consumable holder and into a bore of the cap.
  • the bores and screw may be configured such that the screw only loosely holds the consumable holder to the cap.
  • the bore of the cap may be a blind bore, and a length of the screw may be greater than a combined depth of the open bore and the blind bore. In this way, the screw may be tightened while still providing a loose or movable connection between the consumable holder and the cap.
  • the screw may instead be only partially tightened, or may not be fully tightened, meaning that the screw does not rigidly hold the consumable holder to the cap, providing the freedom of movement.
  • the screw may comprise a head and a shaft extending from a lower surface of the head.
  • the screw may be arranged to hold a portion of the consumable holder between the lower surface of the head and an inner surface of the cap, and a distance between the lower surface and the inner surface of the cap may be greater than a thickness of the portion of the consumable holder (e.g. the length of the open bore).
  • the consumable holder may have freedom to move along the shaft of the screw.
  • Movable connection of the consumable holder to the cap is not limited to the above examples, and may be achieved by different connection methods that are within the understanding of the person skilled in the art.
  • connection may comprise a clip arranged at a first side of the cap and a screw arranged at a second side of the cap.
  • the cap may further comprise a trap door for covering an aperture, the aperture being for inserting a consumable into the consumable holder.
  • the trap door may be arranged to pivot inwardly about a hinge.
  • the hinge may be located at the first side of the cap.
  • the trap door may comprise transversely extending hinge pins which are locatable within corresponding sockets of the cap.
  • the sockets may be formed collectively by the consumable holder and the cap at a joining interface between the consumable holder and the cap. Since the screw may provide a greater freedom or amount of movement between the consumable holder and the cap than the clip, locating the sockets of the hinge at the first side of the cap may provide a more stable and robust connection between the trap door and the cap.
  • a method of manufacturing an aerosol generating apparatus of the first aspect comprises the steps of providing a body; providing a consumable holder; providing a cap; and mounting the cap to the body to enclose the consumable holder between the cap and the body.
  • the method may further comprise the step of mounting the consumable holder to the cap via a movable connection providing at least one degree of freedom of movement of the consumable holder relative to the cap.
  • the movable connection may comprise a screw
  • the consumable holder may comprise an open bore for receiving the screw
  • the cap may comprise a blind bore for receiving the screw
  • a length of the screw may be greater than a combined depth of the open bore and the blind bore.
  • the method may comprise tightening the screw against an end of the blind bore.
  • Fig. 1 is a block system diagram showing an example aerosol generating apparatus.
  • Fig. 2 is a block system diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 , where the aerosol generating apparatus is configured to generate aerosol from a solid precursor.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a further example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional image of the cap of an aerosol generating apparatus of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional image of the body and consumable holder of an aerosol generating apparatus of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 7 is a top-down view of a consumable holder within a guide of a body of an aerosol generating apparatus of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the cap of an aerosol generating apparatus of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 9 is a schematic of the consumable holder of an aerosol generating apparatus of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 10 is a schematic of the cap of an aerosol generating apparatus of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a manufacturing process for an aerosol generating apparatus of the present disclosure.
  • an "aerosol generating apparatus” may be an apparatus configured to deliver an aerosol to a user for inhalation by the user.
  • the apparatus may additionally/alternatively be referred to as a “smoking substitute apparatus”, if it is intended to be used instead of a conventional combustible smoking article.
  • a combustible “smoking article” may refer to a cigarette, cigar, pipe, or other article, that produces smoke (an aerosol comprising solid particulates and gas) via heating above the thermal decomposition temperature (typically by combustion and/or pyrolysis).
  • An aerosol generated by the apparatus may comprise an aerosol with particle sizes of 0.2 - 7 microns, or less than 10 microns, or less than 7 microns. This particle size may be achieved by control of one or more of: heater temperature; cooling rate as the vapour condenses to an aerosol; flow properties including turbulence and velocity.
  • the generation of aerosol by the aerosol generating apparatus may be controlled by an input device.
  • the input device may be configured to be user-activated, and may for example include or take the form of an actuator (e.g. actuation button) and/or an airflow sensor.
  • Each occurrence of the aerosol generating apparatus being caused to generate aerosol for a period of time may be referred to as an “activation” of the aerosol generating apparatus.
  • the aerosol generating apparatus may be arranged to allow an amount of aerosol delivered to a user to be varied per activation (as opposed to delivering a fixed dose of aerosol), e.g. by activating an aerosol generating unit of the apparatus for a variable amount of time, e.g. based on the strength/duration of a draw of a user through a flow path of the apparatus (to replicate an effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article).
  • the aerosol generating apparatus may be portable.
  • the term "portable” may refer to the apparatus being for use when held by a user.
  • an "aerosol generating system” may be a system that includes an aerosol generating apparatus and optionally other circuitry/components associated with the function of the apparatus, e.g. one or more external devices and/or one or more external components (here “external” is intended to mean external to the aerosol generating apparatus).
  • an “external device” and “external component” may include one or more of a: a charging device, a mobile device (which may be connected to the aerosol generating apparatus, e.g. via a wireless or wired connection); a networked-based computer (e.g. a remote server); a cloud-based computer; any other server system.
  • An example aerosol generating system may be a system for managing an aerosol generating apparatus.
  • Such a system may include, for example, a mobile device, a network server, as well as the aerosol generating apparatus.
  • an "aerosol” may include a suspension of precursor, including as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air.
  • An aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour.
  • An aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor.
  • a “precursor” may include one or more of a: liquid; solid; gel; loose leaf material; other substance.
  • the precursor may be processed by an aerosol generating unit of an aerosol generating apparatus to generate an aerosol.
  • the precursor may include one or more of: an active component; a carrier; a flavouring.
  • the active component may include one or more of nicotine; caffeine; a cannabidiol oil; a nonpharmaceutical formulation, e.g. a formulation which is not for treatment of a disease or physiological malfunction of the human body.
  • the active component may be carried by the carrier, which may be a liquid, including propylene glycol and/or glycerine.
  • flavouring may refer to a component that provides a taste and/or a smell to the user.
  • the flavouring may include one or more of: Ethylvanillin (vanilla); menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil); or other.
  • the precursor may include a substrate, e.g. reconstituted tobacco to carry one or more of the active component; a carrier; a flavouring.
  • a "storage portion” may be a portion of the apparatus adapted to store the precursor. It may be implemented as fluid-holding reservoir or carrier for solid material depending on the implementation of the precursor as defined above.
  • a "flow path" may refer to a path or enclosed passageway through an aerosol generating apparatus, e.g. for delivery of an aerosol to a user.
  • the flow path may be arranged to receive aerosol from an aerosol generating unit.
  • upstream and downstream may be defined in respect of a direction of flow in the flow path, e.g. with an outlet being downstream of an inlet.
  • a "delivery system” may be a system operative to deliver an aerosol to a user.
  • the delivery system may include a mouthpiece and a flow path.
  • a "flow" may refer to a flow in a flow path.
  • a flow may include aerosol generated from the precursor.
  • the flow may include air, which may be induced into the flow path via a puff by a user.
  • a “puff” (or “inhale” or “draw”) by a user may refer to expansion of lungs and/or oral cavity of a user to create a pressure reduction that induces flow through the flow path.
  • an "aerosol generating unit” may refer to a device configured to generate an aerosol from a precursor.
  • the aerosol generating unit may include a unit to generate a vapour directly from the precursor (e.g. a heating system or other system) or an aerosol directly from the precursor (e.g. an atomiser including an ultrasonic system, a flow expansion system operative to carry droplets of the precursor in the flow without using electrical energy or other system).
  • a plurality of aerosol generating units to generate a plurality of aerosols may be present in an aerosol generating apparatus.
  • a “heating system” may refer to an arrangement of at least one heating element, which is operable to aerosolise a precursor once heated.
  • the at least one heating element may be electrically resistive to produce heat from the flow of electrical current therethrough.
  • the at least one heating element may be arranged as a susceptor to produce heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field.
  • the heating system may be configured to heat a precursor to below 300 or 350 degrees C, including without combustion.
  • a "consumable” may refer to a unit that includes a precursor.
  • the consumable may include an aerosol generating unit, e.g. it may be arranged as a cartomizer.
  • the consumable may include a mouthpiece.
  • the consumable may include an information carrying medium.
  • liquid or gel implementations of the precursor e.g. an e-liquid
  • the consumable may be referred to as a “capsule” or a “pod” or an “e-liquid consumable”.
  • the capsule/pod may include a storage portion, e.g. a reservoir or tank, for storage of the precursor.
  • solid material implementations of the precursor e.g.
  • the consumable may be referred to as a “stick” or “package” or “heat-not- burn consumable”.
  • the mouthpiece may be implemented as a filter and the consumable may be arranged to carry the precursor.
  • the consumable may be implemented as a dosage or pre-portioned amount of material, including a loose-leaf product.
  • an "information carrying medium” may include one or more arrangements for storage of information on any suitable medium. Examples include: a computer readable medium; a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder; codes encoding information, such as optical (e.g. a bar code or QR code) or mechanically read codes (e.g. a configuration of the absence or presents of cut-outs to encode a bit, through which pins or a reader may be inserted).
  • RFID Radio Frequency Identification
  • heat-not-burn may refer to the heating of a precursor, typically tobacco, without combustion, or without substantial combustion (i.e. localised combustion may be experienced of limited portions of the precursor, including of less than 5% of the total volume).
  • an example aerosol generating apparatus 1 includes a power supply 2, for supply of electrical energy.
  • the apparatus 1 includes an aerosol generating unit 4 that is driven by the power supply 2.
  • the power supply 2 may include an electric power supply in the form of a battery and/or an electrical connection to an external power source.
  • the apparatus 1 includes a precursor 6, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit 4 to generate an aerosol.
  • the apparatus 2 includes a delivery system 8 for delivery of the aerosol to a user. Electrical circuitry (not shown in figure 1) may be implemented to control the interoperability of the power supply 4 and aerosol generating unit 6.
  • the power supply 2 may be omitted since, e.g. an aerosol generating unit implemented as an atomiser with flow expansion may not require a power supply.
  • Fig. 2 shows an implementation of the apparatus 1 of Fig. 1 , where the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is configured to generate aerosol by a-heat not-burn process.
  • the apparatus 1 includes a device body 100 and a consumable 70.
  • the body 100 includes the power supply 4 and a heating system 52.
  • the heating system 52 includes at least one heating element 110.
  • the body may additionally include any one or more of electrical circuitry 56, a memory 58, a wireless interface 60, one or more other components 62.
  • the electrical circuitry 56 may include a processing resource for controlling one or more operations of the body 100, e.g. based on instructions stored in the memory 58.
  • the wireless interface 60 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with an external (e.g. mobile) device, e.g. via Bluetooth.
  • an external (e.g. mobile) device e.g. via Bluetooth.
  • the other component(s) 62 may include an actuator, one or more user interface devices configured to convey information to a user and/or a charging port, for example (see e.g. Fig. 3).
  • the body 100 is configured to engage with the consumable 70 such that the at least one heating element 110 of the heating system 52 penetrates into the solid precursor 6 of the consumable.
  • a user may activate the aerosol generating apparatus 1 to cause the heating system 52 of the body 100 to cause the at least one heating element 110 to heat the solid precursor 6 of the consumable (without combusting it) by conductive heat transfer, to generate an aerosol which is inhaled by the user.
  • Fig. 3 shows an example implementation of the aerosol generating device 1 of Fig. 2.
  • the consumable 70 is implemented as a stick, which is engaged with the body 100 by inserting the stick into an aperture at a top end 53 of the body 100, which causes the at least one heating element 110 of the heating system 52 to penetrate into the solid precursor 6.
  • the consumable 70 includes the solid precursor 6 proximal to the body 100, and a filter distal to the body 100.
  • the filter serves as the mouthpiece of the consumable 70 and thus the apparatus 1 as a whole.
  • the solid precursor 6 may be a reconstituted tobacco formulation.
  • the at least one heating element 110 is a rod-shaped element with a circular transverse profile.
  • Other heating element shapes are possible, e.g. the at least one heating element may be bladeshaped (with a rectangular transverse profile) or tube-shaped (e.g. with a hollow transverse profile).
  • the body 100 includes a cap 200. In use the cap 200 is engaged at a top end 53 of the body 100. Although not apparent from Fig. 3, the cap 200 is moveable relative to the body 100. In particular, the cap 200 is slidable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the body 100.
  • the body 100 also includes an actuator 55 on an outer surface of the body 100.
  • the actuator 55 has the form of a button.
  • the body 100 also includes a user interface device configured to convey information to a user.
  • the user interface device is implemented as a plurality of lights 57, which may e.g. be configured to illuminate when the apparatus 1 is activated and/or to indicate a charging state of the power supply 4.
  • Other user interface devices are possible, e.g. to convey information haptically or audibly to a user.
  • the body may also include an airflow sensor which detects airflow in the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (e.g. caused by a user inhaling through the consumable 70). This may be used to count puffs, for example.
  • an airflow sensor which detects airflow in the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (e.g. caused by a user inhaling through the consumable 70). This may be used to count puffs, for example.
  • the consumable 70 includes a flow path which transmits aerosol generated by the at least one heating element 110 to the mouthpiece of the consumable.
  • the aerosol generating unit 4 is provided by the above-described heating system 52 and the delivery system 8 is provided by the above-described flow path and mouthpiece of the consumable 70.
  • an aerosol generating system which may be implemented in any of the preceding examples, comprises a body 100 and a cap 200.
  • the cap 200 is slidably mounted to the body 100 to be slidable along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating system 1.
  • a heating element 110 is connected to the body 100, and the cap 200 is slidable between a first position wherein heating element 110 is enclosed within the cap 200 and a second position wherein the heating element 110 is at least partially exposed in a gap between the cap 200 and the body 100 (see Fig. 4).
  • the cap 200 defines an internal volume which contains a consumable holder 300.
  • the consumable holder 300 defines a cavity 302 for receiving a consumable (e.g. a heat-not-burn consumable).
  • the heating element 110 is elongate, and extends from the body 100 and into this cavity of the consumable holder 300. This is illustrated in Fig. 5, which shows a cross-section through the body 100 and cap 200 to illustrate the location of the consumable holder 300.
  • the consumable holder 300 is located within the internal volume, and the consumable holder 300 is movable with respect to each of the body 100 and the cap 200.
  • the consumable holder 300 is movably mounted or connected to the cap 200 via a clip 210 and a screw 212.
  • the clip 210 and the screw 212 are configured to enable the consumable holder 300 to move with respect to the cap 200.
  • the clip 210 may act as a pivot point for the movement, such that the consumable holder 300 is able to pivot or tilt with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus 1.
  • the screw 212 is loosely fastened so as not to rigidly fix the consumable holder 300 in place within the cap 200 (i.e. so as not to rigidly clamp the consumable holder 300 to the cap 200).
  • the screw may have a head 214 and a shaft 216 extending from a lower surface of the head 214, and may be arranged to hold a portion of the consumable holder 300 within a gap between the lower surface of the head 214 and an inner surface of the cap 200.
  • the screw 212 may be arranged such that a distance between the lower surface of the head 214 and the inner surface of the cap 200 is greater than a thickness of the portion of the consumable holder 300.
  • the screw 212 may be is insertable into a blind screw bore 218 of the cap 200 through an open screw bore 318 of the consumable holder 300.
  • the blind screw bore 218 may have a depth that is less than a length of the screw, such that when the screw 212 is tightened, it does not tightly clamp the consumable holder 300 to the inner surface of the cap 200.
  • the screw 212 may not be fully tightened so as to leave a gap between the lower surface of the head 214 of the screw 212 and the inner surface of the cap 200. In either case, the distance between the lower surface of the head 214 and an inner surface of the cap may be greater than the thickness of the held portion of the consumable holder 300 (e.g. the length of the open screw bore 318).
  • the clip 210 and screw 212 may also be configured to enable a translational movement of the consumable holder 300 along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (i.e. an up and down direction in Fig. 5).
  • Fig. 6 illustrates the body 100 and consumable holder 300, but with the cap 200 removed.
  • the guide 120 has the form of a frame which extends longitudinally from the end of the body 100 to surround the heating element 110.
  • the frame includes one or more openings or windows 122 to enable access to the heating element 110 through the frame.
  • the windows 122 may be omitted, and the guide 120 may have the form of a wall which surrounds the heating element 110.
  • the consumable holder 300 is located and slidably received within a space within the frame, with the heating element 110 being located within the consumable receiving cavity 302 of the consumable holder 300.
  • the consumable holder 300 may engage with an inner surface of the guide 120 so as to constrain lateral and/or transverse movement of the consumable holder 300.
  • the guide 120 therefore acts upon the consumable holder 300 to position the consumable holder in a transverse direction with respect to the heating element 110 (for example to centre the consumable holder with respect to the heating element 110). In this way, an effect on the consumable holder 300 of a misalignment of the cap 200 with respect to the body 100 is reduced.
  • the width or transverse extent of the consumable holder is less than the width or transverse extent of the space within the guide 120 such that the consumable holder can move transversely and/or rotate or pivot within the space defined by the guide 120.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a top-down view of the consumable holder 300 within the guide 120 of the body 100.
  • This shows projections 310a, 310b, 310c, 31 Od, which extend from and form part of the external surface of the consumable holder 300.
  • the projections 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d are bumps or nodules on the external surface of the consumable holder 300.
  • the projections may instead be longitudinally extending ribs on the external surface of the consumable holder, or may be a rib extending circumferentially about the consumable holder 300, for example, about a base end of the consumable holder 300.
  • the cap 200 further comprises a trap door 220 which covers an aperture 222, the aperture 222 being for receiving a consumable into the consumable holder 300.
  • the trap door 220 is configured to pivot inwardly into the cap 200, such that a consumable may be pushed into the aperture 222 and push the trap door 220 aside.
  • the trap door 220 pivots about a hinge, the hinge being formed by a notch 320 in the consumable holder 300 and a corresponding notch 226 in the cap 200, the notches being arranged to receive a hinge pin 224 of the trap door 220. This is illustrated in Fig. 8.
  • the consumable holder 300 is movably attached to the cap 200 via a screw 212, the screw being attached on an opposite side of the cap 200 and consumable holder 300 to the notch 320 and hinge.
  • the side of the cap 200 that include the notch may further include a clip 210 by which the consumable holder 300 may be movably mounted to the cap 200.
  • the configuration of the notch 320 in the consumable holder is further illustrated in Fig. 9, while the configuration of the notch 226 of the cap 200 is further illustrated in Fig. 10.
  • Fig. 11 illustrates a method of manufacturing an aerosol generating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.
  • the method comprises the steps of providing (S1010) a body 100; providing (S1020) a cap 200; providing (S1030) a consumable holder 300, and mounting (S1060) the cap 200 to the body 100 to enclose the consumable holder 300 therebetween.
  • the method may further comprise the optional steps of mounting (S1040) the consumable holder 300 within the cap 200, and movably connecting (S1050) the consumable holder 300 to the cap 200 via a screw 212.
  • mounting (S1040) the consumable holder 300 within the cap 200 may include locating the consumable holder 300 to be held in place by a clip 210 so as to hold the consumable holder 300 in the correct position to receive the screw 212.
  • Connecting (S1050) the consumable holder 300 to the cap 200 via a screw 212 may include not fully tightening the screw 212, such that the consumable holder 300 has the ability to move with respect to the cap 200, or may include tightening a screw 212 configured to not tightly or rigidly clamp the consumable holder 300 to the cap 200 even when fully tight.
  • the cap to the body may involve inserting the consumable holder 300 into the guide 120 such that the heating element 110 protrudes into the consumable receiving cavity 302 of the consumable holder 300.
  • the consumable holder 300 may be enclosed within a space defined by the body 100 and the cap 200 of the aerosol generating apparatus 1.

Landscapes

  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

La présente divulgation concerne un appareil de génération d'aérosol (1) comprenant un corps (100), un élément chauffant (110) relié au corps (100), un capuchon (200) monté en coulissement sur le corps (100) de sorte à pouvoir coulisser le long d'un axe longitudinal de l'appareil de génération d'aérosol (1) ; et un support de consommable (300). Le support de consommable (300) délimite une cavité de réception de consommable pour recevoir et positionner un consommable (70) par rapport à l'élément chauffant (110), l'élément chauffant (110) pouvant être situé à l'intérieur de la cavité de réception de consommable. Le support de consommable (300) est mobile par rapport au corps (100) et au capuchon (200).
PCT/EP2023/073304 2022-08-31 2023-08-24 Appareil de génération d'aérosol WO2024046880A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22193286.6 2022-08-31
EP22193286 2022-08-31

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WO2024046880A1 true WO2024046880A1 (fr) 2024-03-07

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013076098A2 (fr) * 2011-11-21 2013-05-30 Philip Morris Products S.A. Extracteur pour un dispositif de génération d'aérosol
WO2019178834A1 (fr) * 2018-03-23 2019-09-26 绿烟实业（深圳）有限公司 Dispositif à fumée sans combustion ayant un extracteur
WO2019224120A1 (fr) * 2018-05-25 2019-11-28 Jt International Sa Dispositif de génération de vapeur et couvercle
WO2021099423A1 (fr) * 2019-11-18 2021-05-27 Jt International Sa Dispositif de génération d'aérosol

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013076098A2 (fr) * 2011-11-21 2013-05-30 Philip Morris Products S.A. Extracteur pour un dispositif de génération d'aérosol
WO2019178834A1 (fr) * 2018-03-23 2019-09-26 绿烟实业（深圳）有限公司 Dispositif à fumée sans combustion ayant un extracteur
WO2019224120A1 (fr) * 2018-05-25 2019-11-28 Jt International Sa Dispositif de génération de vapeur et couvercle
WO2021099423A1 (fr) * 2019-11-18 2021-05-27 Jt International Sa Dispositif de génération d'aérosol

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