WO2024089009A1

WO2024089009A1 - Aerosol generating device comprising a cover

Info

Publication number: WO2024089009A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/079583
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marijn LENEMAN; Herman Peter HIJMA; Ernst Hupkes
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2022-10-26
Filing date: 2023-10-24
Publication date: 2024-05-02

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol generating device, comprising: a housing; an aerosol generation chamber configured to receive an aerosol generating article through an opening of the chamber; a cover comprising a channel and at least one side wall forming the channel, the cover being configured to be in a closed position covering the opening, or in an open position exposing the opening; and a cavity for receiving the cover, the cavity being arranged between the housing and the aerosol generating chamber and the surface of the cavity defining a cylinder or sphere determining the rotation of the cover, the surface of the cavity comprising one or more sealing surfaces configured to form a sealing connection against the cover, the one or more sealing surfaces preferably comprising a rubber material, wherein in the closed position, the at least one side wall is positioned on the opening of the chamber such that the article cannot be received through the channel into the chamber; in the open position, the channel is positioned on the opening of the chamber such that the article can be received through the channel into the chamber; and the cover is configured to be brought from the open position into the closed position and vice versa by rotating the cover.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING A COVER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising a cover that can be brought from an open position to a closed position and vice versa by rotating the cover.

BACKGROUND

An aerosol generating device, or E-cigarette, is now a mainstream product to simulate a traditional tobacco cigarette. There are many types of aerosol generating devices, one of them having an operation method which is to heat a tobacco product to generate an aerosol without causing the tobacco to burn. These so-called heat-not-burn (HNB) devices are increasingly popular. Heat-not-burn devices are generally equipped with an opening for inserting an aerosol generating article, which gives access to a heating system for heating the aerosol generating article. These openings for allowing to insert the aerosol generating article are generally sealed off by a lid, often in a sliding arrangement. These sliders are components that move across the opening for inserting the aerosol generating article and are stacked on top of a device. Not only are the sliders often bulky, they also allow dirt to get caught in the gaps between the slider arrangement and the body of the device, accumulate and fall into the HNB device.

To address the issue of the bulky cover, some spherical shaped covers have been suggested in the prior art. However, these covers focus mainly on the issue of avoiding the bulky structure of the sliding cover and do not address the issue of dirt accumulating at the cover and falling into the opening and into the chamber where the aerosol is formed.

For example, from CN 110916237 A, a spherical shaped cover is known that can be brought from an open position to a closed position and vice versa by rotating the cover. The device does not address the issue of preventing dirt from falling into the cavity, let alone providing a structure that prevents the dirt from falling into the aerosol generating chamber. In fact, the cover is formed in a way that dirt can easily aggregate at the cover and fall into the inside of the device.

Similarly, CN 210809286 U describes another spherical shaped cover that can be brought from the open position to the closed position by a rotational movement of the cover. The device of that application does also not address the issue of dirt falling into the cavity and is also arranged in a way that dirt can easily aggregate at the edges of the cover and fall into the device.

It is thus desired to provide a cover for opening and closing the device that avoids the aggregation of dirt and prevents dirt and unwanted objects from falling into the device unintentionally, and in particular, from falling into the aerosol generating chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device with a cover that solves some or all of the above problems.

A 1st embodiment of the invention is directed to an aerosol generating device comprising a housing; an aerosol generation chamber configured to receive an aerosol generating article through an opening of the chamber; a cover comprising a channel and at least one side wall forming the channel, the cover being configured to be in a closed position covering the opening, or in an open position exposing the opening; and a cavity for receiving the cover, the cavity being arranged between the housing and the aerosol generating chamber and the surface of the cavity defining a cylinder or sphere determining the rotation of the cover, the surface of the cavity comprising one or more sealing surfaces configured to form a sealing connection against the cover, the one or more sealing surfaces preferably comprising a rubber material, wherein in the closed position, the at least one side wall is positioned on the opening of the chamber such that the article cannot be received through the channel into the chamber; in the open position, the channel is positioned on the opening of the chamber such that the article can be received through the channel into the chamber; and the cover is configured to be brought from the open position into the closed position and vice versa by rotating the cover.

The above arrangement provides a rotatable cover that forms sealing connections with the surface of the cavity it is situated in. These sealing connections prevent dirt from entering into the inside of the device, such as the cavity or the chamber, which could be harmful for the device and/or produce an unwanted smoking experience.

According to a 2nd embodiment, in the preceding embodiment, the outer surface of the cover defines a cylinder or sphere corresponding to the cylinder or sphere defined by the cavity.

By rotating a cylinder or sphere in a cylinder- or sphere-shaped cavity, it is ensured that the cover stays in contact with the sealing surfaces during rotation of the cover in the cavity. For example, if a sphere-shaped cover is rotated in a sphere-shaped cavity, the cover and the cavity form the sealing connections always at the same position, irrespective of the orientation of the cover.

According to a 3rd embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the cover is configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the cavity, preferably extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the chamber extends.

The above arrangement makes sure that when the cover is rotated around the axis of rotation of the cavity, rotating the cover causes the cover to move from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

According to a 4th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the cover contacts the surface of the cavity only at the sealing surfaces.

The above arrangement reduces the rotation resistance caused by the sealing surfaces contacting the cover. It is thus easier to rotate the cover from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

According to a 5th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, in the closed position, the at least one side wall is configured to form a substantially flush continuation of an outside surface of the housing.

In this manner, it is prevented that dirt aggregates at the edges of the cover, which could fall into the cavity and the chamber, if the cover is rotated.

According to a 6th embodiment, in the preceding embodiment, the at least one side wall comprises a substantially flat side wall portion configured to form the substantially flush continuation of the outside surface of the housing. The above arrangement enables the cover to form the substantially flush continuation of the outside surface of the housing. For example, if the at least one side wall had a sphere-shape, dirt could aggregate at the edges of the cover and fall into the cavity, when the cover is rotated. The substantially flat side wall portion prevents this.

According to a 7th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, in the closed position, the at least one side wall is configured to engage with the side walls connecting the chamber with the cavity.

If the cover engages with the side walls connecting the chamber with the cavity, it is prevented that dirt falls into the chamber, once it has managed to enter the cavity, which could lead to an unpleasant smoking experience.

According to an 8th embodiment, in the preceding embodiment, the at least one side wall comprises a substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion configured to engage with the side walls connecting the chamber with the cavity.

The spherical dome-shaped side wall portion is particularly well suited to stay in contact with the spherical-/ cylindrical-shaped cavity, when the cover is rotated. For example, the portion of the at least one side wall that is orientated towards the chamber may have this substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion, which improves the connection as described for the previous embodiment.

According to a 9th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the sealing surfaces are arranged in an area of the cavity adjacent to the chamber such that the cover and the side walls of the chamber are sealed against each other.

By arranging the sealing surfaces adjacent to the opening of the housing, a sealing contact is formed at the opening of the housing, such that dirt cannot enter the cavity. In particular, through the cylinder-/sphere-shaped cover and cavity, the sealing connection at the opening of the housing is formed in the open position and the closed position. Similarly, the chamber and the cover form the sealing connection at the opening of the chamber in the open position and the closed position.

According to a 10th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the housing comprises an opening connected to the cavity and configured such that in the open position, the aerosol generating article is received by the chamber through the opening of the housing, and in the closed position, the at least one side wall is positioned on the opening of the housing such that the article cannot be received through the opening of the housing.

With the above, in the open position, the at least one side wall is rotated in a position such that the aerosol generating article is received through the opening in the housing through the channel of the cover into the chamber, where the aerosol is formed. In the closed position the cover is rotated such that the at least one side wall is brought into a position where the at least one side wall closes/blocks the opening of the housing.

According to an nth embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the sealing surfaces are arranged in an area of the cavity adjacent to the opening of the housing such that the cover and the housing adjacent to the opening are sealed against each other.

According to a 12th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the channel has a tapered shape and the circumference of the channel decreases towards the chamber when the cover is in the open position.

The tapered shape of the channel facilitates inserting the aerosol generating article into the device and the chamber. In particular, the tapered shape reduces the aerosol generating article and the cover from jamming during insertion of the article into the channel, when the cover has not fully reached the open position.

According to a 13th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the at least one side wall comprises a recessed portion and/ or a protruding portion configured to be accessed by a user, preferably in the closed position, wherein the cover is further configured to be brought from the open position into the closed position and vice versa by applying a pushing or pulling force at the recessed portion and/or the protruding portion, for example by means of a fingernail.

According to a 14th embodiment, in any one of the preceding embodiments, the cover is configured to transition between the open position and the closed position by means of a force applied to the cover by the finger of a user to a rotation handle, by a pushing or pulling motion directly applied by a finger of the user, or by a motor.

Preferred embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1: is a side view of the aerosol generating device in an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 2a: is side view of the aerosol generating device, wherein the cover is in a closed position;

Figure 2b: is side view of the aerosol generating device, wherein the cover is in an intermediate position;

Figure 2c: is side view of the aerosol generating device, wherein the cover is in an opened position;

Figure 3: is a side view of the aerosol generating device without a housing;

Figure 4a: is an outside view of the aerosol generating device showing a rotation handle in an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 4b: is an outside view of the aerosol generating device showing the rotation handle in another exemplary embodiment;

Figure 5a: is a side view of the aerosol generating device;

Figure 5b: is a side view of the aerosol generating device with an opening mechanism in a further exemplary embodiment;

Figure 6: is an angled side view of the aerosol generating device with a motor in yet another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DSCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a side view of an aerosol generating device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The aerosol generating device 100 comprises a housing 110, an aerosol generation chamber 120 for receiving an aerosol generating article 200 and a cavity 140 arranged between the aerosol generation chamber 120 and an opening 111 of the housing 110. The aerosol generating device too further comprises a cover 130 that is arranged inside the cavity 140. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the aerosol generation chamber 120 has a cylindrical shape configured to receive aerosol generating articles 200 with a substantially cigarette-like shape. However, the aerosol generation chamber 120 is not restricted to cylindrical shapes, as angular shapes are possible as well. In some embodiments, the aerosol generation chamber 120 comprises a heating element (not shown), wherein the heating element is arranged inside the aerosol generation chamber 120, adjacent to the aerosol generation chamber 120 and/or in close proximity of the aerosol generation chamber 120. The aerosol generation chamber 120 comprises an opening 121 at one end of the preferably cylindrical aerosol generation chamber 120, wherein the opening 121 is arranged at the end of the aerosol generation chamber 120 adjacent or at least closest to the cavity 140.

The cover 130 is arranged inside the cavity 140 and comprises a channel 134 that is formed by at least one side wall, wherein the channel 134 preferably has a tapered shape. The cover 130 is configured to be rotated from a closed position, covering the opening 121 of the aerosol generating chamber 120, to an open position exposing the opening 121, and vice versa. Preferably, the cover 130 has a substantially cylindrical or substantially spherical shape. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the cover 130 has a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein the at least one side wall comprises a substantially flat side wall portion 132 and a substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion 133, opposite to the substantially flat side wall portion 132. In this embodiment, the substantially flat side wall portion 132 and the substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion 133 form the channel 134. However, the at least one side wall may also be shaped in any other suitable way such that the at least one side wall can be rotated from the closed position to the opened position, and vice versa. For example, the at least one side wall may also comprise multiple substantially flat side wall portions 132 or multiple substantially half dome-shaped side wall portions 133. The cover 130 may also have a substantially conical shape or substantially cuboid shape. In other examples, the cover 130 may comprise one side wall, preferably comprising the substantially flat side wall portion 132. In these embodiments, the channel 134 is not enclosed by the at least one side wall but adjacent to the at least one side wall.

The at least one side wall is configured such that in the closed position, the at least one side wall is positioned on the opening of the chamber 121 such that the article 200 cannot be received through the channel 134 into the chamber. For example, the at least one side wall may be configured to engage with/ contact side walls of the aerosol generating chamber 120 in the closed position, preferably at a position where the aerosol generation chamber 120 connects to the cavity 140. Preferably, the at least one side wall is configured such that in the closed position, the substantially flat side wall portion 132 engages with/contacts the housing 110 and the substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion 133 engages with/contacts the side walls of the aerosol generating chamber 120.

The cavity 140 comprises a surface 141 which defines a cylinder or sphere that determines the rotation of the cover 130. In fact, the cover 130 is configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the cavity 140, preferably extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the chamber 120 extends (indicated by the “x” in the center of the cavity 140 in Fig. 1).

For example, if the outside surface of the cover 130 defines a substantially cuboid shape, the cuboid shaped cover 130 is arranged inside the cavity 140 such that when the cover 130 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the rotating cuboid shaped cover describes a cylindrical volume.

The cavity 140 further comprises one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143 that are configured to form a sealing connection against the cover 130, wherein the one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143 preferably comprise a rubber material. The one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143 may be arranged such that the one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143 protrude from the surface 141 of the cavity 140 such that the cover 130 engages with the surface 141 of the cavity 140 only at the one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143 may comprise a first sealing surface 142 and a second sealing surface 143, wherein the first sealing surface 142 is arranged in an area of the cavity 140 relatively close to the opening of the housing 111 and the second sealing surface 143 is arranged in an area of the cavity relatively close to the opening of the aerosol generating chamber 121. For example, in the closed position the at least one side wall of the cover 130 may engage with the opening of the housing 111 and the opening of the aerosol generating chamber 121 by means of the one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143. However, the one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143 may also be arranged such that during rotation of the cover 130 the cover 130 contacts the one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143 as well as portions of the side surface of the cavity 140 that are not part of the one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143- A user intending to consume an aerosol obtained by heating the aerosol generating article 200 inserts the article 200 through the opening 111 of the housing 100, through the channel 134, through the opening 121 into the chamber 120, where it is heated to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating article 200 is preferably a substantially cigarette-shaped tobacco article, preferably a heat-not-burn tobacco article. However, the tobacco material may also be heated such that it burns. In other embodiments, the tobacco article is a capsule comprising a compartment for receiving an aerosol generating liquid configured to generate an aerosol when heated. In such embodiments, the heating element may either be arranged in the aerosol generating device 100 or in the capsule comprising the compartment.

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show the aerosol generating device too in a side view, according to an exemplary embodiment. In each of the Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, the cover 130 of the device too is arranged in a different position. That is, Fig. 2a shows the cover 130 in the closed position, Fig. 2b shows the cover 130 in an intermediate position, and Fig. 2c shows the cover in the open position. The aerosol generating device too in this embodiment comprises the housing 110 with an opening 111, the aerosol generation chamber 120 with the opening 121, the cavity 140 between the housing 110 and the chamber 120 as well as the cover 130 arranged in the cavity 140, wherein the cover comprises the substantially flat side wall portion 132 and the substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion 133. In this embodiment, the cavity 140 comprises the first sealing surface 142 in relative proximity to the opening of the housing 111 and the second sealing surface 143 in relative proximity to the opening of the aerosol generation chamber 121, wherein the cover 130 contacts the surface 141 of the cavity only by means of the sealing surfaces 142, 143.

As described with reference to Fig. 1, in the closed position (Fig. 2a) the at least one side wall of the cover is arranged such that the aerosol generating article 200 cannot be received through the channel 134 into the aerosol generation chamber 120. The substantially flat side wall portion 132 engages with the housing 110 by means of the first sealing surface 142, and the substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion 133 engages with the aerosol generation chamber 120 by means of the second sealing surface 143. In this manner, a sealing contact is formed between the cover 130 and the housing 110 as well as between the cover 130 and the chamber 120. The sealing contact prevents particles to unintentionally enter the aerosol generating device too and in particular the aerosol generating chamber 120. For example, the sealing contact prevents dirt from falling into the cavity 140 and in particular into the aerosol IO generating chamber 120, when the device is not used. Moreover, the sealing contact also prevents particles, such as tobacco residue or other aerosol generating substances to unintentionally escape from the aerosol generating device 100 and in particular from the aerosol generating chamber 120.

By arranging the cover 130 as shown in Fig. 2a, the substantially flat side wall portion 132 of the cover 130 forms a substantially flush continuation of the housing 110. This prevents dirt from accumulating at the edges of the cover 130 adjacent to the housing 110. This prevents dirt from falling into the cavity 140, when the cover 130 is moved from the closed position to the open position. Providing the substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion 133 opposite to the substantially flat side wall portion 132 improves the stability of the cover 130 in the cavity 140 and enables the sealing contact between the cover 130 and the side walls of the chamber 120.

Figure 2b shows the cover during rotation from the closed position to the open position. Any arrangements of the cover between the open position and the closed position are referenced to in this application as an intermediate position. As can be seen in Fig. 2b, it is preferred to arrange the one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143 in a way such that the cover 130 remains in contact with the one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143 even in the intermediate position. For example, by extending the protruding portions of the sealing surfaces 142, 143 from the edge of the cavity (from the respective areas close to the opening 111 and 121) towards a portion of the surface of the cavity 141 that is further away from the edge of the cavity 140, it is ensured that the cover 130 stays in contact with the one or more sealing surfaces 142, 143 during the full rotation from the closed position to the open position. This makes sure that the rotation is smooth, and jamming of the cover 130 is prevented. Having the side of the cover 130 closest the chamber 120 comprise the substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion 133 increases the contact area with the cavity 140 during the rotation of the cover 130, which improves the sealing connection.

If the channel 134 has a tapered shape, inserting the aerosol generating article 200 is facilitated, even if the cover 130 has not fully reached the open position. The tapered shape of the channel 134 facilitates the insertion of the aerosol generating article 200 into the channel 134. In particular, the tapered shape reduces the aerosol generating article 200 and the cover 130 from jamming during insertion of the aerosol generating article 200 into the channel 134, when the cover 130 has not fully reached the open position. Figure 2c shows the cover 130 in the open position. In this position, the channel 134 is positioned on the opening of the chamber 121 such that the article 200 can be received by the chamber 120 through the channel 134. Preferably, the at least one side wall of the cover 130 is arranged such that in the open position, portions of the at least one side wall protrude from the opening of the housing in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the aerosol generating article 200. This prevents dirt from falling into the channel 134 and thereby into the chamber 120 when the cover 130 is in the open position. Moreover, in the open position, the substantially flat side wall portion 132 and the substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion 133 form sealing contacts with the chamber 120 and the housing 110 by means of the first sealing surface 142 and the second sealing surface 143. This prevents particles, such as dirt, from entering the cavity 140, when the cover 130 is in the open position.

With reference to Fig. 3, the sealing contacts by means of the sealing surfaces 142, 143 are described in more detail. For a better understanding of the sealing contacts, the housing 110 is not shown. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the side walls of the chamber 120 apply upward pressure (towards the cavity 140) against the second sealing surface 143. This pressure continues through the sealing surfaces towards the cover 130 such that the sealing contact is formed. Since the chamber 120 of Fig. 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape, the side walls of the chamber 120 apply a circular pressure in the direction of the cavity 140. This makes sure that in the open position, the sealing contact is formed between the substantially flat side wall portion 132 and the side walls of the chamber 120 and between the substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion 133 and the side walls of the chamber 120. In this example, the cover 130 is made from a rigid material, such that the upward pressure from the chamber 120 is further translated to the first sealing surface 142, such that the sealing contact is formed in a similar way with respect to the cover 130 and the housing 110.

To improve the sealing contact between the cover 130 and the chamber 120, it is preferred to embed the side walls of the chamber 120 inside the sealing surfaces of the cavity 140, as shown in Fig. 3.

To improve the sealing contact between the cover 130 and the housing 110, it is preferred to provide the first sealing surface 142 with a first portion and a second portion protruding from the first portion in a direction opposite to the inserting direction of the aerosol generating article 200. When provided with the first portion and the second portion, a surface of the housing too adjacent to/forming the opening in is in contact with the second portion, and the surface of the housing no directed towards the inside of the aerosol generating device 100 is in contact with the first portion. This improves the sealing contact between the cover 130 and the housing no, as the contact area between the cover 130 and the housing 110 increases.

Figures 4a and 4b show exemplary opening mechanisms for rotating the cover 130 of the aerosol generation device 100 from the closed position to the open position. In the embodiments shown in Fig. 4a and 4b, a rotating handle 151 is arranged at different positions of an outside surface (a surface of the housing pointing in a direction opposite to the inside area of the housing) of the housing 110. The rotation handle 151 is in electric or mechanical connection with the cover 130, such that rotating the rotating handle 151 causes the cover to rotate from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa.

When the rotating handle 151 is arranged as shown in Fig. 4a, rotating the rotating handle 151 in the direction R causes the cover 130 to rotate in the direction R’. Accordingly, rotating the rotating handle 151 in a direction opposite to the direction R causes the cover 130 to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction R’. In this example, the cavity 140 and the cover 130 are arranged such that rotating the cover 130 in the direction R’ or the direction opposite to the direction R’ causes the cover 130 to move from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa. This is achieved by arranging the cover 130 and the cavity 140 such that rotating the cover in the direction R’ or the direction opposite to the direction R’ results in a pitch movement (tilting forward or backward) of the cover 130 in the longitudinal direction of the channel 134.

When the rotating handle 151 is arranged as shown in Fig. 4b, rotating the rotating handle 151 in the direction Q causes the cover 130 to rotate in the direction Q’. Accordingly, rotating the rotating handle 151 in a direction opposite to the direction Q causes the cover 130 to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction Q’. In this example, the cavity 140 and the cover 130 are arranged such that rotating the cover 130 in the direction Q’ or the direction opposite to the direction Q’ causes the cover 130 to move from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa. This is achieved by arranging the cover 130 and the cavity 140 such that rotating the cover in the direction Q’ or the direction opposite to the direction Q’ results in a pitch movement of the cover 130 in the longitudinal direction of the channel 134.

Figures 5a and 5b show another exemplary opening mechanism. In the embodiment of Fig. 5a, a user may apply a pushing or pulling force to the outside surface of the cover 130 (the surface of the cover arranged on a side opposite to the direction of insertion of the aerosol generating article 200). In the example shown in Fig. 5a, the outside surface of the cover 130 is the outside surface of the substantially flat side wall portion 132 of the at least one side wall of the cover 130.

In the embodiment shown in Fig 5b, the at least one side wall portion 132 comprises a recessed portion 153 and a protruding portion 152, configured to receive a pushing or pulling force by the user, for example by means of a fingernail. That is, the user can insert their fingernail into the recessed portion and apply pressure to the protruding portion 152 to cause the cover 130 to rotate from the closed position to the open position and vice versa. By arranging the recessed portion 153 and the protruding portion 152 as shown in Fig. 5b, dirt accumulated in the recessed portion cannot enter the cavity 140 if the cover 130 is moved to the open position from the closed position, as the rotation of the cover 130 causes the recessed portion to perform an outward movement, such that the dirt cannot fall into the cavity 140. Moreover, in the open position, the recessed portion 153 and the protruding portion 152 are arranged such that dirt accumulated in the recessed portion is positioned on top of the protruding portion 152 (in a direction opposite to the inserting direction of the aerosol generating article 200). This prevents dirt from falling into the cavity 140, when the cover 130 is in the open position.

Figure 6 shows the aerosol generating device from an angled side view in the closed position. In this exemplary embodiment, the cavity 140 is formed inside a cuboidshaped enclosure and comprises the first sealing surface 142 close to the opening of the housing 111 and the second sealing surface 143 close to the chamber 120. In this embodiment, the substantially flat side wall portion 132 forms the flush continuation of the housing 110. The aerosol generating device 100, according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, comprises a motor 154. The motor 154 is arranged in proximity of the cover 130 and the cavity 140 and configured to rotate the cover 130 from the closed position to the open position and vice versa. A user may activate the motor 154 by pressing a button arranged on the aerosol generating device 100, or remotely, by means of a wireless transmission, such as Bluetooth®. For example, the user may activate the motor 154 using an electronic device comprising a wireless transmitter/ transceiver that transmits an activation signal to a receiver/transceiver in communication with the motor 154, wherein the motor 154 causes the rotation of the cover 130 based on the activation signal. LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS USED too aerosol generating device

110 housing

111 opening of the housing 120 aerosol generating chamber

121 opening of the chamber

130 cover

132 substantially flat side wall portion

133 substantially spherical dome-shaped side wall portion 134 channel

140 cavity

141 surface of the cavity

142 first sealing surface

143 second sealing surface 151 rotation handle

152 protruding portion

153 recessed portion

154 motor

200 aerosol generating article

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (loo), comprising: a housing (no); an aerosol generation chamber (120) configured to receive an aerosol generating article (200) through an opening of the chamber (121); a cover (130) comprising a channel (134) and at least one side wall (132, 133) forming the channel (134), the cover (130) being configured to be in a closed position covering the opening (121), or in an open position exposing the opening (121); and a cavity (140) for receiving the cover (130), the cavity (140) being arranged between the housing (110) and the aerosol generating chamber (120) and the surface of the cavity (141) defining a cylinder or sphere determining the rotation of the cover (130), the surface of the cavity (141) comprising one or more sealing surfaces (142, 143) configured to form a sealing connection against the cover (130), the one or more sealing surfaces (142, 143) preferably comprising a rubber material, wherein in the closed position, the at least one side wall (132, 133) is positioned on the opening of the chamber (121) such that the article (200) cannot be received through the channel (134) into the chamber (120); in the open position, the channel (134) is positioned on the opening of the chamber (121) such that the article (200) can be received through the channel (134) into the chamber (121); and the cover (130) is configured to be brought from the open position into the closed position and vice versa by rotating the cover (130).

2. The aerosol generating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the outer surface of the cover (130) defines a cylinder or sphere corresponding to the cylinder or sphere defined by the cavity (140).

3. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (130) is configured to rotate around an axis of rotation of the cavity (140), preferably extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the chamber (120) extends.

4. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (130) contacts the surface of the cavity (141) only at the one or more sealing surfaces (142, 143).

5. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the closed position, the at least one side wall is configured to form a substantially flush continuation of an outside surface of the housing (110).

6. The aerosol generating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one side wall comprises a substantially flat side wall portion (132) configured to form the substantially flush continuation of the outside surface of the housing (110).

7. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the closed position, the at least one side wall (132, 133) is configured to engage with the side walls connecting the chamber (120) with the cavity (140).

8. The aerosol generating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one side wall comprises a substantially spherical dome shaped side wall portion (133) configured to engage with the side walls connecting the chamber (120) with the cavity (140).

9. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more sealing surfaces (142, 143) are arranged in an area of the cavity (140) adjacent to the chamber (120) such that the cover (130) and the side walls of the chamber (120) are sealed against each other.

10. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (110) comprises an opening (111) connected to the cavity (140) and configured such that in the open position, the aerosol generating article is received by the chamber (120) through the opening of the housing (110), and in the closed position, the at least one side wall is positioned on the opening of the housing such that the article cannot be received through the opening of the housing (no). n. The aerosol generating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the one or more sealing surfaces (142, 143) are arranged in an area of the cavity (140) adjacent to the opening of the housing (111) such that the cover (130) and the housing (110) adjacent to the opening (111) are sealed against each other.

12. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel (134) has a tapered shape, and the circumference of the channel (134) decreases towards the chamber (120) when the cover (130) is in the open position.

13. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one side wall comprises a recessed portion (153) and/or a protruding portion (152) configured to be accessed by a user, preferably in the closed position, wherein the cover (130) is further configured to be brought from the open position into the closed position and vice verso by applying a pushing or pulling force at the recessed portion (153) and/or the protruding portion (152), for example by means of a fingernail.

14. The aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (130) is configured to transition between the open position and the closed position by means of a force applied to the cover (130) by the finger of a user to a rotation handle (151), by a pushing or pulling motion directly applied by a finger of the user, or by a motor (154).