EP4602953A1

EP4602953A1 - Cap device for an aerosol generating apparatus and aerosol generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4602953A1
Application number: EP24157780.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
Original assignee: Imperial Tobacco Ltd Great Britain
Current assignee: Imperial Tobacco Group Ltd
Priority date: 2024-02-15
Filing date: 2024-02-15
Publication date: 2025-08-20
Also published as: WO2025172413A1

Abstract

The invention refers to a cap device (80) for an aerosol generating unit (4), comprising a cover (82) having an aperture (90) therein for providing access for a consumable (70) to a heating chamber (94) of the aerosol generating unit (4), a door (84) movably attached to the cover (82), the door (84) being movable between a closed position in which the door (84) blocks the aperture (90) and an open position in which the door (84) unblocks the aperture (90), wherein the cover (82) has a top surface (82a) which forms an outwardly-facing depression having a raised rim (88), the aperture (90) being located in the top surface (82a), and wherein the door (84) is completely below the level of the rim (88) in the closed position.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cap device for an aerosol generating apparatus, an aerosol generating unit including the cap device, and an aerosol generating apparatus including the aerosol generating unit.

BACKGROUND

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 that some type of door or flap is helpful for preventing dust and dirt entering a heating chamber of the aerosol generating apparatus. However, the door or flap may protrude from the aerosol generating apparatus so that the door or flap gets caught which may break the door or flap.
In spite of the effort already invested in the development of aerosol generating apparatuses/systems further improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a cap device for an aerosol generating unit that comprises a cover having an aperture therein for providing access for a consumable to a heating chamber of the aerosol generating unit.
In some examples, the cap device further includes a door movably attached to the cover. The door is movable between a closed position in which the door blocks the aperture and an open position in which the door unblocks the aperture. Optionally, the cover includes a top surface which forms an outwardly-facing depression having a raised rim, wherein the aperture is located in the top surface, e.g. at a bottom of the depression. Further optionally, the door is completely below the level of the rim in the open position and/or the closed position.
In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides aerosol generating unit for generating an aerosol from consumable including a precursor. The aerosol generating unit comprises a heating chamber for receiving the consumable and the cap device as described herein. Optionally, the cap device is arranged such that the aperture provides access to the heating chamber for the consumable.
In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides aerosol generating apparatus which comprises a device body and the aerosol generating unit as described herein.
In this way, the depression in the top surface and/or the raised rim shields or protects the door so that the door is less likely to get caught, for example by clothes of the user or by objects when moving the aerosol generating apparatus. For example, the depression may form a cavity and/or shield the door in a half space if the door is arranged within the depression, for example in the open position and/or the closed position. In this way, the depression in the top surface and/or the raised rim provide some sort of protection for the door so that the door is less likely to break and/or has a longer lifetime.
Further, the concave shape of the depression in the cover may act as a guide (e.g. a funnel) for guiding the consumable towards the aperture. Thus, insertion of the consumable into the aperture may be simplified by moving the consumable along the concave shape of the depression (e.g. from the rim towards the aperture).
The top surface having the aperture may be considered the surface of the aerosol generating unit or the aerosol generating apparatus that is closest and/or adjacent to the mouth of the user when the user makes a puff. The aperture may be considered an open end or opening of a passage within the aerosol generating apparatus/unit or cap device. The passage may connect the top surface with the heating chamber. A consumable (e.g. a tobacco stick) may be inserted into the aperture and passage for reaching the heating chamber. The consumable may protrude from the top surface if correctly inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus. The mouth and/or the lips of the user may not contact the top surface and/or the door when the user makes a puff because the lips of the user may only contact the consumable.
The heating chamber may house as an elongate heating element. The elongate heating element may penetrate the consumable when the consumable is inserted into the aperture/passage.
In some examples, the device body is an elongate body having a longitudinal axis which coincides with or is coaxial to an axis of the heating element.
In some examples, the aerosol generating unit is a drawer unit that is movable between an extended position in which it extends from the device body to provide cleaning access to the heating chamber and the heating element, and a stowed position in which the heating chamber and the heating element are inaccessible within the device body.
The top surface of the cover and the aperture may be exposed or accessible both in the extended position and in the stowed position. The extended position may be taken for cleaning the heating element. For example, the aerosol generating unit may include one or more windows which provide access to the heating chamber and/or the heating element in the extended position. The stowed position may be taken for consuming the consumable, e.g. for heating the consumable using the heating element. In the stowed position, the heating chamber, the heating element, and/or the windows may be blocked by a housing of the device body. The aerosol generating unit may be linearly moved (e.g. along the longitudinal axis of the body of the device body) when moving the aerosol generating unit between the extended and stowed positions. As the aperture may be exposed or accessible in the stowed position, it is possible to insert the consumable into the heating chamber for heating the consumable.
The door can be moved relative to the top surface for either providing access to the aperture in the open position (e.g. unblocking the aperture) or preventing access to the aperture in the closed position (e.g. blocking the aperture). So, the consumable may only be inserted into the aperture/passage in the open position of the door whereas this is not possible in the closed position of the door. In the closed position of the door, the door may cover or overlap with the aperture. Optionally, the door may sealingly close the aperture in the closed position.
In the open position, the door may not cover/overlap or are only partially cover/overlap with the aperture so that access is provided to the aperture and/or the aperture is unblocked. The consumable may be inserted into the aperture in the open position of the door which may not be possible in the closed position of the door. For example, in the closed position, the door may be aligned with the top surface for providing a smooth and/or continuous surface. In another example, a peripheral or circumferential portion of the door may contact the top surface so that the door rests on the top surface in the closed position.
The cap device may be removably or permanently attached to the aerosol generating unit. The cap device may consist of the cover, the door, and any means for attaching the door to the cover. The cover may provide a housing for the aerosol generating unit. The cover may be a unitary component covering the aerosol generating unit. For example, the cover may include one or more cut-outs which correspond to respective windows of the aerosol generating unit. Alternatively, the cover may only be provided at a single surface of the aerosol generating unit, e.g. providing a top surface of the aerosol generating unit.
The top surface may be an outer or exposed surface that is accessible to a user of the aerosol generating unit. As such, the depression faces outwardly. The depression may be exposed and/or accessible to the user.
In some examples, the top surface is smoothly curved from the aperture to the rim.
For providing the depression and the raised rim, the top surface may be partially or completely curved and/or has a concave shape. The top surface may be free of any steps or edges. In other words, the top surface may be a smooth surface. The absence of any steps or edges of the top surface may simplify the cleaning of the top surface since there are no corners in which dirt or other type of residue can accumulate. The top surface may be described - in mathematical terms - as a continuous function which is commonly understood as a function such that a continuous variation (that is a change without jump) of the argument induces a continuous variation of the value of the function. This means that there are no abrupt changes in value, known as discontinuities, in the top surface.
The top surface may include flat or non-curved areas, for example around the aperture. Nevertheless, the top surface may be curved in two dimensions to form a concave shape. The aperture may be arranged in the middle or centre of the top surface and/or at the lowest point of the concave shape if a point of the raised rim of the top surface defines the highest point of the top surface.
In some examples, the aperture is located at the centre and/or the bottom of the top surface.
The top surface may be symmetrical in one or two dimensions, wherein, optionally, the aperture is in the centre of symmetry. The raised rim may surround the top surface and/or may form an edge to a side surface of the aerosol generating apparatus. The raised rim in a top view and/or the aerosol generating apparatus/unit in a cross-sectional view may have an oval, circular, rectangular, rectangular with rounded corners or other geometrical shape. The raised rim may be considered a peripheral rim, e.g. of the top surface. The raised rim may separate the top surface from other surface of the cover.
The raised rim may lie within a flat (non-curved) plane. A distance between this plane (i.e. the plane defined by the raised rim) and the aperture may be considered the depth of the depression. More generally, the depth of the depression may be considered the distance between a plane defined by the raised rim and any point on the top surface which is furthest away from the plane defined by the raised rim.
In some examples, the door is below the level of the rim in both the open position and the closed position. In this way, the raised rim and/or the depression protect the door in both the open position and the closed position.
In some examples, the door includes a first surface that is flush with the top surface in the closed position. In this way, in the closed position, there is a smooth or continuous surface provided by the top surface and the first surface of the door. This provides a smooth appearance and reduces the risk that the door gets caught because there are no edges or corners between the door and the top surface in the closed position.
The door may include a first surface which is exposed in the closed position and a second surface which may be opposite to the first surface. For example, the door may have a flat shape, e.g. like a disc or plate. The first surface and the second surface may extend along each other or may extend parallel to each other. The door may have a constant thickness. The first surface may be considered an upper surface of the door in the closed position and the second surface may be considered the lower surface in the closed position. The second surface may not be exposed or visible in the closed position and/or the open position. In the closed position, the second surface may face the passage while the first surface faces away from the passage.
In some examples, the door is rotatable about a first rotation axis, which is substantially parallel to a plane of the door, to move between the open position and the closed position. In this way, the door can be moved in and out of the top surface when bringing the door from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.
Optionally, the first rotation axis is parallel to a plane defined by the door (e.g. in the closed position) and/or to an area of the top surface. The first rotation axis may extend between the first surface and the second surface. The first rotation axis may extend through the cover (e.g. below the top surface) and/or may protrude from a peripheral side surface of the aperture. The first rotation axis may lie within a plane defined by the aperture. The rotation of the door from the closed position to the open position and vice versa may be a movement perpendicular to the plane defined by the aperture. In this example, the first rotation axis may be flush with the cover and/or the aperture. The door may be configured as a trap door in the cover.
In another example, the first rotation axis is below the second surface in the closed position. Thus, the first rotation axis is not arranged between the first surface and the second surface as in the example described above, but on one side of the door. The rotation axis may lie in a plane parallel to a plane defined by the aperture, for example below the cover and/or the plane defined by the aperture. For example, the rotation axis is spaced away from the top surface and/or within the aerosol generating apparatus/u nit.
The door may include one or more axles. The centreline of the one or more axles coincides with the first rotation axis. For example, the door may include a single axis which may be attached to and/or protruding from the second surface. Further, the single axle may protrude from opposing side surfaces of the door. The parts of the single axle that protrude from the side surface of the door may be pivotally hinged with the cap device for providing rotational movement of the door relative the top surface.
The door may include two axles forming a single centre axis which coincides with the first rotation axis. The two axles may each protrude from opposing side surfaces of the door and/or may be pivotally hinged with the cap device for providing rotational movement of the door relative to the top surface.
The examples above relate to embodiments in which the axle defining the first rotation axis is attached to the door. However, it is also possible that a single or more rotation axles protrude from the cap device (e.g. into the aperture and/or the passage) and the door includes one or more recesses so that the door is pivotally hinged on the one or more axles fixed to the cap device.
In some examples, to move from the closed position to the open position, a first portion of the door to one side of the first rotation axis is rotated below the top surface towards the heating chamber, and a second portion of the door to the other side of the first rotation axis is rotated to protrude from the top surface and/or the cover. In this way, the door may be opened (e.g. brought from the closed position to the open position) by pressing the door into the aperture and/or the passage (e.g. using the consumable). So, the door can be opened in a simple manner. Further, the door does not protrude from the depression and/or beyond the raised rim in both the open position and the closed position which minimises the risk that the door gets caught. Further, by pressing on the second portion in the open position, the door can be rotated into the closed position. Thus, the second portion may provide a lever for closing the door.
Optionally, the movement of the door from the open position towards to closed position (and/or vice versa) includes a rotation of by 70° to 110°, optionally by 80° to 100°, further optionally by approximately 90°. The cap device may include fixing means for removably fixing the door to the open position and/or the closed position. For example, friction fit is provided for holding the door in the closed position and/or the open position. Further, the fixing means may include one or more magnets for holding the door in the open position and/or the closed position. The fixing means may be configured in that the force provided by the fixing means is sufficiently high to hold the door in the closed position but also sufficiently low such that the user can open the door (i.e. overcome the force provided by the fixing means to hold the door in the closed position) by pushing the consumable against the door.
In some examples, the door may be biased towards the closed position. In this way, the door blocks the aperture unless the door is pushed open. This may be done by inserting the consumable into the aperture. In this example, the consumable holds the door in the open position against the biasing force. This example eliminates the need to open the door in a separate step. Rather, the insertion of the consumable simultaneously opens the door, and the removal of the consumable closes the door.
Optionally, the axle may be spring-loaded for biasing the door towards the closed position. Thus, the user may push the consumable against the door to open it, and door closes automatically when consumable is removed.
The first rotation axis may virtually divide the door into the first portion and the second portion. Optionally, in the closed position, the first portion covers the aperture. Further optionally, in the open position, the second portion protrudes from the top surface and/or the second portion is completely below the raised rim.
The first portion and the second portion may be flush with the top surface in the closed position. In the open position, the first portion may extend approximately parallel to the passage, for example extends perpendicularly to the plane defined by the aperture. Similarly, the second portion may extend perpendicularly to the plane defined by the aperture in the closed position. Due to the orientation of the rotation axis, the second portion protrudes from the top surface and/or the aperture in the open position. However, a length of the second portion measured perpendicular to the rotation axis from the rotation axis to a point furthest way from the rotation axis is smaller than the depth of the depression (e.g. a distance from the aperture to the raised rim along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating unit/apparatus). In this way, the edge of the second portion of the door furthest away from the rotation axis does not protrude beyond the raised rim of the top surface in the open position. Thus, if a straight object is slid along the raised rim, this straight object does not abut against the door (e.g. the second portion of the door) in the open position.
The open position may be that position the door can possibly take at which the edge of the second portion is furthest away from the aperture and/or the area of the top surface around the aperture. Thus, with this example, it is possible that the door does not protrude from the depression (e.g. from the plane defined by the raised rim of the top surface) in any position of the door. In other words, in this example, the door is completely within the depression in both the open position and the closed position.
In some examples, the door has a second surface which overlies a region of the top surface in the closed position. Optionally, the second surface is shaped to conform to the shape of the region of the top surface to provide a form fit of the door in the closed position and/or the open position. In this way, the curvature of the top surface not only shields the door but also provides a form fit for holding the door in the open position and/or the closed position.
Optionally, the second surface is in contact with or faces the top surface in the closed position. Further optionally, the second surface includes a curvature aligned to the curvature of the top surface in the closed position so that the curvatures of the second surface and of the top surface provide a form fit of the door closed position and/or the open position.
In this example, in the closed position, the second surface of the door is in contact with, adjacent to, and/or faces the top surface, for example an area, such as a ring, around the aperture. This means that the first surface of the door is not flush with the top surface in the closed position. Rather, the door covers the aperture and/or overlaps with the top surface around the aperture. So, the size of the door may be larger than the size of the aperture. For example, for a circular aperture, the diameter of the door is greater than the diameter of the aperture. Further, the door may be in contact with the top surface over the entire circumference around the aperture. Thus, the door may completely enclose the aperture.
The second surface of the door may have a curvature in two dimensions that is aligned with or conforms to the curvature of the top surface around the aperture. For example, in the area of contact of the door with the top surface in the closed position, the curvature of the second surface is identical to the curvature of the top surface so that the top surface and the second surface extend parallel to each other in the area of contact and/or in the area of overlap. The curvature of the second surface may differ from the plane defined by the aperture in the area of the aperture in the closed position. For example, the second surface may be bulged in the area corresponding to the aperture so that the second surface protrudes into the aperture in the closed position.
The second surface may have a convex shape which is aligned to or conforms to the concave shape of the top surface. The first surface may extend parallel to the second surface or may have a curvature that is different to the curvature of the second surface. For example, the first surface is flat, e.g. a curvature of zero.
Due to the alignment of the curvature of the second surface to the curvature of top surface and the top surface forms the depression, the curvatures of the top surface and the curvature of the second surface provide a positive locking or formfitting which holds the door in the closed position. Sliding the door over a top surface may result in a movement perpendicular to top surface due to the concave shape of the top surface in connection with the convex shape of the second surface. This formfitting may provide a holding force in one or two dimensions, e.g. in each dimension of the curvatures of the top surface.
Further, the interplay between the concave shape of the top surface and a convex shape of the second surface may also provide a positive locking or formfitting which holds the door in the open position. For example, one of the two dimensions of curvature of the top surface is a curvature in a direction approximately parallel to a section of the raised rim of the top surface over which the door is positioned in the open position. This curvature provides a holding force for the door in one dimension, e.g. along a direction of curvature.
In some examples, the door is rotatable over the top surface about a second rotation axis perpendicular to a plane of the door to move between the open position and the closed position. Optionally, the movement of the door from the open position towards the closed position (and/or vice versa) is a rotation by the door over the top surface, for example by 170° to 190°, optionally approximately 180°. In this way, the door is slid by a rotational movement along the top surface. This can provide a simple mechanism for opening and closing the door because the door is accessible both in the open and the closed position.
In this example, the door is rotatable around a second rotation axis which may be considered perpendicular to the first rotation axis of the example described above. The second rotation axis may be perpendicular to the plane defined by the aperture and/or to the top surface. The aperture may be accessible by a rotation of the door of less than 180° when starting from the closed position. However, due to the concave shape of the top surface, this is may not be a stable position because the curvatures of the top surface and of the second surface may generate a force that pushes to door towards in the open position or the closed position. The open position may therefore depend on the curvature or shape of the top surface.
In some examples, the door is biased against the top surface in the closed position and/or the open position. Optionally, an area of the top surface is shaped to conform to the second surface to provide a form fit of the door in the open position for providing a bi-stable configuration. Further optionally, the curvature of the top surface and the curvature of the second surface result in that the rotation between the closed position and the open position causes a movement of the door against the biasing force. In this way, the biasing force in combination with the shapes of the top surface and the second surface providing means for holding the door in the open position and/or the closed position.
The curvature of the top surface and the curvature of the second surface may result in that the rotation from the closed position to the open position (and/or vice versa) causes a movement of the door against the biasing force. Thus, the combination of the curvatures of the top surface and the second surface and the biasing force provide a bi-stable configuration which - in the absence of friction force - would provide only two stable configurations corresponding to the open position and the closed position.
This idea may also be described as follows: the top surface and the second surface can be shaped such that, after initiating rotation of the door from the open position towards the closed position, the bias of the door towards the top surface produces a camming action which completes the rotation of the door to the closed position. Further, the top surface and the second surface can be shaped such that, after initiating rotation of the door from the closed position towards the open position, the bias of the door towards the top surface produces a camming action which completes the rotation of the door to the open position.
The biasing force may be provided by a spring or spring element that presses the second surface against the top surface.
In some examples, the door includes a spring-loaded axle that biases the door towards the top surface. Optionally, the axle extends along the second rotation axis to rotatably attach the door to the cover and/or the door is movable in a direction of the second rotation axis against the biasing force.
The axle may protrude (perpendicularly) from the second surface and/or may be fixedly attached to the door. The cap device may include means for rotatably supporting the axle so that the door can rotate around the second rotation axis which is defined by a centre axis of the axle.
In some embodiments, the axle is (linearly) movable in a direction of a second rotation axis defined by the axle and a spring element biases the axle along the second rotation axis. In this way, the door is (linearly) movable along the second rotation axis and rotatable around the second rotation axis.
The spring element may be engaged and/or in contact with the axle for pressing the door against the top surface. When the door is moved from the closed position to the open position, a force is generated against the biasing force of the spring element. Further, when the door is in the open position, the spring element is more compressed compared to the closed position. So, the movement of the door from the open position to the closed position includes a linear movement along the second rotation axis towards the top surface. Conversely, the movement of the door from the closed position to the open position includes a linear movement along the second rotation axis away from the top surface.
In some examples, the cap device comprises a shaft protruding from the top surface. Optionally, the door is rotatably attached to the shaft. In this way, a different mechanism for rotatably attaching the door to the examples described above is provided.
In this example, the way of attaching the door to the top surface is inversed. The door no longer includes an axle but means for rotatably attaching the door to the shaft which it is fixedly attached to the cap device. The above optional features, characteristics, and/or embodiments analogously apply to this example.
In some examples, the shaft is movable in a direction of extension of the shaft and the spring element biases the shaft along the direction of extension. In this way, a similar effect as described above can be achieved. The above optional features, characteristics, and/or embodiments analogously apply to this example.
In some examples, the door is completely below the rim only in the closed position. In this way, the top surface shields the door in the closed position so that the door does not get caught in the closed position.
For example, a thickness of the door (e.g. a maximum distance between the first surface and the second surface) may be smaller than the depth of the depression. In the closed position, the entire first surface may be arranged below the plane defined by the raised rim of the top surface, e.g. between the top surface and its raised rim.
In some examples, in the open position, the door protrudes outside the depression beyond the rim In this way, the user may close the aperture in a simple manner by sliding a finger along the raised rim for pressing against the portion of the door that protrudes from the top surface in a sideway direction.
Optionally, the cap device includes a side surface inclined to the top surface. Optionally, in the open position, the door protrudes from the side surface. The side surface of the cap device and the top surface form the raised rim along the line where these two surfaces contact each other. In the open position, the door protrudes over the raised rim so that a user can easily contact the door. Due to the biasing force of the door in combination with the curvatures of the top surface and the second surface, a slight push or actuation of the door may be sufficient for bringing the door to the closed position because, after overcoming the force holding the door in the open position, the rest of the closing movement may be provided by the biasing force. For example, the door may only need to be rotated by 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, 70°, 80°, or 90° while the remaining rotation is provided by the biasing force in combination with the curvatures of the top surface and the second surface. So, for closing the door from the open position, it may be sufficient to rotate the door over that way which protrudes from the raised rim. Thus, it may be possible that the door can be closed by only sliding a finger along the side surface of the cap device so that the door is only engaged as long as it protrudes beyond the raised rim. This may simplify the closure of the door.
In some examples, the aerosol generating unit includes an elongate heating element defining a heating axis. Optionally, a centre axis of the aperture coincides with the heating axis. In this way, the elongate heating element penetrates the consumable when the consumable is inserted into the aperture.
The cap device may be an integral part of the aerosol generating apparatus so that the cap device is a unitary component with the aerosol generating unit. The aerosol generating unit may be movably arranged relative to the aerosol generating apparatus. For example, the aerosol generating unit may be moved along a direction of extension of the aerosol generating apparatus. For example, in a first position of the aerosol generating unit, the heating chamber may be accessible, e.g. for cleaning the heating chamber. In a second position of the aerosol generating unit, the heating chamber may not be accessible, for example for preventing that users are exposed to the heat generated by the heating element.
Alternatively, the cap device may be removably attached to the aerosol generating unit. For example, the cap device may be completely removed from the aerosol generating apparatus, e.g. for cleaning the heating chamber.
In a fourth aspect, this disclosure provides a method of inserting a consumable into the aerosol generating apparatus or the aerosol generating unit, wherein the method includes moving the door from the closed to the open position to unblock the aperture, and inserting the consumable through the aperture into the heating chamber.
Optionally, the method includes that the consumable is pushed against the door to move it from the closed to the open position in case the door is movable around the first rotation axis. Further optionally, the method includes moving a tip of the consumable along the depression in a direction from the raised rim towards the aperture, and/or overcoming the force provided by the biasing means for biasing the door towards the closed position and/or a force for holding the door in the closed position (e.g. a force provided by the fixing means).
In this way, the depression can guide the tip of the consumable towards the aperture as the aperture can be positioned in the centre of the depression (e.g. on the lowest point/area of the depression). Once the tip of the consumable has reached the aperture, the consumable can be used to open the door. Thus, the insertion of the consumable into the heating chamber is simplified. For example, the door does not need to be opened in a separate step. Rather, the depression and the "trap door" provide a single movement for inserting the consumable and opening the door.
Alternatively, the method includes that a user moves the door from the closed to the open position before presenting the consumable to the aperture for insertion therethrough in case the door is movable around the second rotation axis. Optionally, the user moves the door from the open to the closed position by sliding a finger (e.g. a digit) along the raised rim or the side surface.
In a fifth aspect, this disclosure provides procedure for generating an aerosol including: performing the method as described above, using the aerosol generating apparatus to generate an aerosol from the inserted consumable, and extracting the used consumable through the aperture to remove it from the heating chamber, the bias on the door moving the door to the closed position as the consumable exits the aperture.
The preceding summary is provided for purposes of summarizing some examples to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the above-described features should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Moreover, the above and/or proceeding examples may be combined in any suitable combination to provide further examples, except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following text and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of examples in reference to the appended drawings in which like numerals denote like elements.

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 aerosol generating 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 aerosol generating apparatus of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an upper portion of an example implementation of the aerosol generating apparatus of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a top portion of the aerosol generating apparatus of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an upper portion of an example implementation of the aerosol generating apparatus of Fig. 2.
Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a top portion of the aerosol generating apparatus of Fig. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Before describing several examples implementing the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited by specific construction details or process steps set forth in the following description and accompanying drawings. Rather, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein could be embodied differently and/or be practiced or carried out in various alternative ways.
Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and known techniques and procedures may be performed according to conventional methods well known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references that may be cited and discussed in the present specification.
Any patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications mentioned in the specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
All examples implementing the present disclosure can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While particular examples have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the systems, apparatus, and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the inventive concept(s). All such similar substitutions and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the inventive concept(s) as defined by the appended claims.
The use of the term "a" or "an" in the claims and/or the specification may mean "one," as well as "one or more," "at least one," and "one or more than one." As such, the terms "a," "an," and "the," as well as all singular terms, include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Likewise, plural terms shall include the singular unless otherwise required by context.
The use of the term "or" in the present disclosure (including the claims) is used to mean an inclusive "and/or" unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or unless the alternatives are mutually exclusive. For example, a condition "A or B" is satisfied by any of the following: A is true (or present), and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
As used in this specification and claim(s), the words "comprising, "having," "including," or "containing" (and any forms thereof, such as "comprise" and "comprises," "have" and "has," "includes" and "include," or "contains" and "contain," respectively) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
Unless otherwise explicitly stated as incompatible, or the physics or otherwise of the embodiments, examples, or claims prevent such a combination, the features of examples disclosed herein, and of the claims, may be integrated together in any suitable arrangement, especially ones where there is a beneficial effect in doing so. This is not limited to only any specified benefit, and instead may arise from an "ex post facto" benefit. This is to say that the combination of features is not limited by the described forms, particularly the form (e.g. numbering) of example(s), embodiment(s), or dependency of claim(s). Moreover, this also applies to the phrase "in one embodiment," "according to an embodiment," and the like, which are merely a stylistic form of wording and are not to be construed as limiting the following features to a separate embodiment to all other instances of the same or similar wording. This is to say, a reference to 'an,' 'one,' or 'some' embodiment(s) may be a reference to any one or more, and/or all embodiments, or combination(s) thereof, disclosed. Also, similarly, the reference to "the" embodiment may not be limited to the immediately preceding embodiment. Further, all references to one or more embodiments or examples are to be construed as non-limiting to the claims.
The present disclosure may be better understood in view of the following explanations, wherein the terms used that are separated by "or" may be used interchangeably:
As used herein, an "aerosol generating apparatus" (or "electronic(e)-cigarette") 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. As used herein 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 (which may be variable) 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. As used herein, the term "portable" may refer to the apparatus being for use when held by a user.
As used herein, 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).
As used herein, 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.
As used herein, 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.
As used herein, 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 non-pharmaceutical 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. The term "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.
As used herein, 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.
As used herein, 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. When referring to the flow path, 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.
As used herein, 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.
As used herein, 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.
As used herein, 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.
As used herein, 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 (for example, from a plurality of different aerosol precursors) may be present in an aerosol generating apparatus.
As used herein, 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.
As used herein, 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. With 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. With solid material implementations of the precursor, e.g. tobacco or reconstituted tobacco formulation, the consumable may be referred to as a "stick" or "package" or "heat-not-burn consumable". In a 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.
As used herein "heat-not-burn" (or "HNB" or "heated precursor") 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).
Referring to Fig. 1, an example aerosol generating apparatus 1 includes a power supply 2, for supply of electrical energy. The aerosol generating 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 aerosol generating apparatus 1 includes a precursor 6, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit 4 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating apparatus 1 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 2 and aerosol generating unit 4.
In variant examples, which are not illustrated, 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 aerosol generating apparatus 1 of Fig. 1, where the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is configured to generate aerosol by a-heat not-burn process.
In this example, the apparatus 1 includes a device body 50 and a consumable 70.
In this example, the device body 50 includes the power supply 2 and a heating system 52. The heating system 52 includes at least one heating element 54. The device body 50 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 device body 50, 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.
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 device body 50 is configured to engage with the consumable 70 such that the at least one heating element 54 of the heating system 52 penetrates into the solid precursor 6 of the consumable 70. In use, a user may activate the aerosol generating apparatus 1 to cause the heating system 52 of the body 50 to cause the at least one heating element 54 to heat the solid precursor 6 of the consumable 70 (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. As depicted in Fig. 3, the consumable 70 is implemented as a stick, which is engaged with the body 50 by inserting the stick into an aperture at a top end 53 of the body 50, which causes the at least one heating element 54 of the heating system 52 to penetrate into the solid precursor 6.
The consumable 70 includes the solid precursor 6 proximal to the body 50, and a filter distal to the body 50. The filter serves as the mouthpiece of the consumable 70 and thus the aerosol generating apparatus 1 as a whole. The solid precursor 6 may be a reconstituted tobacco formulation.
In this example, the at least one heating element 54 is a rod-shaped element with a circular transverse profile. Other heating element shapes are possible, e.g. the at least one heating element 54 may be blade-shaped (with a rectangular transverse profile) or tube-shaped (e.g. with a hollow transverse profile).
In this example, the device body 50 includes a cap device 80. In use, the cap device 80 is engaged at a top end 53 of the body 50. Although not apparent from Fig. 3, the cap device 80 is moveable relative to the body 50. In particular, the cap device 80 device is slidable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the device body 50.
The device body 50 also includes an actuator 55 on an outer surface of the body 50. In this example, the actuator 55 has the form of a button.
The device body 50 also includes a user interface device configured to convey information to a user. Here, 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 2. Other user interface devices are possible, e.g. to convey information haptically or audibly to a user.
The device body 50 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.
In this example, the consumable 70 includes a flow path which transmits aerosol generated by the at least one heating element 54 to the mouthpiece of the consumable 70.
In this example, 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.
Figs. 4 and 5 show an example implementation of the aerosol generating device 1 of Fig. 2. The aerosol generating device 1 of Figs. 4 and 5 include the same optional features, characteristics, and/or characteristics as the aerosol generating device 1 of Figs. 2 and/or 3 except for the following differences.
The aerosol generating apparatus 1 includes a cap device 80 which provides the top end 53. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the cap device 80 is permanently fixed to the rest of the aerosol generating apparatus 1, thus forming a unitary component with the aerosol generating apparatus 1. More particularly, the cap device 80 is part of the aerosol generating unit 4 which forms a drawer unit and also includes a heating chamber 94 containing a heating element 54. The drawer unit can be extended from the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (forming an extended position as shown in Figs. 4 and 6) to provide access to the heating chamber 94 and heating element 54, e.g. for cleaning purposes. In normal use, however, the drawer unit is retracted into the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (forming a stowed position shown in Fig. 3), such that the heating chamber 94 and heating element 54 are enclosed within a housing 64 of the aerosol generating apparatus 1.
The aerosol generating unit 4 can include two windows on opposing sides thereof for providing access to the heating element 54 in the extended position.
The cap device 80 includes a cover 82 having a top surface 82a and a door 84. The top surface 82 is curved in two dimensions so that the top surface 82 forms a half-open cavity or outwardly-facing depression in which a door 84 is arranged. The top surface 82 forms a concave top end 53 of the cap device 80 which is different to the example of Fig. 3 which has a convex top end 53.
A raised rim 88 of the top surface 82 separates the top surface 82 from a side surface 86 of the cap device 80 and/or the aerosol generating apparatus 1. The raised rim 88 may define a straight plane indicated by the dashed-broken line in Fig. 5.
As visible in Figs. 4 and 5, the top surface 82 is curved in such a way that no edges or spikes are present. Thus, the top surface 82 is smoothly curved.
An aperture 90 is arranged in the top surface 82. The aperture 90 may be an open end of a passage 92 which connects the aperture 90 with the heating chamber 94. The consumable 70 (not shown in Figs. 4 and 5) may be inserted through the aperture 90 and the passage 92. A centre axis of the passage 92 and/or of the aperture 90 may coincide with a centre axis as defined by the heating element 54. Thus, the heating element 54 penetrates the consumable 70 when the consumable 70 is inserted into the passage 92.
The passage 92 may form a part of the delivery system 8 in combination with the consumable 70 as described above.
The aperture 90 can be opened and closed by the door 84. In an open position of the door 84 (see Fig. 4 and solid lines in Fig. 5), the aperture 90 is accessible for inserting the consumable 70. In a closed position of the door 84 (see dashed lines in Fig. 5), the door 84 blocks the aperture 90. The door 84 may be flush with the top surface 82 in the closed position. For example, a first surface 84a of the door 84 may be flush with the top surface 82 in the closed position. A second surface 84b may face the passage 92 in the closed position.
The cap device 80 may include fixing means (not shown in Figs. 4 and 5) which hold the door 84 in the open position and/or the closed position.
The door 84 may include an axle 96 which is rotatably supported by the cap device 80. The axle 96 provides a first rotation axis that is perpendicular to the cross-sectional view of Fig. 5. For example, the first axis of rotation is perpendicular to a plane defined by the aperture 90.
The axle 96 virtually divides the door 84 in a first portion and a second portion. The first portion covers the aperture 90 in the closed position while the second portion protrudes from the top surface 82 in the open position (see Fig. 5).
The raised rim 88 defines a plane which is indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 5. A distance d between the plane defined by the raised rim 88 and the lowest point of the top surface 82 (e.g. a point furthest away from the plane) corresponds to a depth of the depression. A length of the second portion may be considered as the distance between the axle 96 and the point on the second portion that is furthest away from the axle 96. The length of the second portion may be smaller than the distance d so that the door 84 does not protrude from the depression both in the open position and in the closed position.
Figs. 6 and 7 show an example implementation of the aerosol generating device 1 of Fig. 2. The aerosol generating device 1 of Figs. 6 and 7 include the same optional features, characteristics, and/or characteristics as the aerosol generating device 1 of Figs. 4 or 5 except for the following differences. Again, the cap device 80 is part of the aerosol generating unit 4 which forms a drawer unit and also includes the heating chamber 94 containing the heating element 54. In Fig. 6 the drawer unit is shown extended from the aerosol generating apparatus 1.
Fig. 6 and the dashed lines of Fig. 7 show the open position of the door 84. It is immediately apparent that the door 84 of the example of Figs. 6 and 7 protrudes from the raised rim 88 in the open position unlike the example of Figs. 4 and 5. Further, in the closed position, the door 84 protrudes from the top surface 82 and, therefore, is not flush with the top surface 82 as with the example of Figs. 4 and 5.
The second surface 84b is in contact with the top surface 82 in the closed position. The door 84 overlaps with the aperture 90 so that the second surface 84b contacts an area of the top surface 82 around the aperture 90 in the closed position. To this end, the curvature of the second surface 84b is aligned with the curvature of the top surface 82. For example, an area of the second surface 84b that is in contact with the top surface 82 of the closed position extends parallel to the top surface 82.
In the closed position, the first surface 84a is offset to the top surface 82 in the closed position and, therefore, not flush with the top surface 82. In the open position, the door 84 protrudes from the depression in a direction along the axle 96 as well as perpendicular thereto. For example, the second surface 84b contacts the raised rim 88 in the closed position.
The axle 96 provides a second rotation axis which is inclined to the top surface 82, for example by 90°. Further, a spring element 98 provides a biasing force that pushes the door 84 towards the top surface 82. The spring element 98 may include one or more springs that can be arranged between a flange of the axle 96 and the top surface 82. The axle 96 may be rotatably supported by the cap device 80 so that the door 84 is rotatable around the second rotation axis. A rotation by 180° brings the door 84 from the closed position to the open position.
The curvature of the top surface 82 and the curvature of the second surface 84b provide a form fitting so that the combination of the curvatures with the biasing force of the spring element 98 holds the door 84 in the closed position. Further, the curvature of top surface 82 and the curvature of the second surface 84b induce a linear movement of the door 84 along the direction of the second rotation axis when the door 84 is moved from the closed position to the open position. So, as visible in Fig. 7, the door 84 protrudes from the raised rim 88 in a direction along the second rotation axis.
In the open position, the curvature of the top surface 82 and the curvature of the second surface 84b in combination with the biasing force of the spring element 98 also provide a form fitting which holds the door 84 in the open position (as visible in Fig. 6).
So, the curvature of the top surface 82 and the curvature of the second surface 84b in combination with the biasing force may provide two stable positions of the door 84, i.e. the open position and the closed position. This may simplify the closing of the door 84 as the door 84 does not need to be rotated by the full 180° but significantly less, e.g. by 90°. The remaining rotation of the door 84 is effected by the biasing force in combination with the curvature of the top surface 82 and the curvature of the second surface 84b. So, the door 84 may only be rotated as long as the door 84 protrudes from the side surface 86. This can simplify the closing of the door 84 because the door 84 can be closed by solely moving a finger along the side surface 86.

Claims

A cap device for an aerosol generating unit (4), comprising
a cover (82) having an aperture (90) therein for providing access for a consumable (70) to a heating chamber (94) of the aerosol generating unit (4),

a door (84) movably attached to the cover (82), the door (84) being movable between a closed position in which the door (84) blocks the aperture (90) and an open position in which the door (84) unblocks the aperture (90),

wherein the cover (82) has a top surface (82a) which forms an outwardly-facing depression having a raised rim (88), the aperture (90) being located in the top surface (82a), and

wherein the door (84) is completely below a level of the rim (88) in the closed position.
The cap device of claim 1, wherein the door (84) includes a first surface (84a) that is flush with the cover (82) in the closed position.
The cap device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the door (84) is also below the level of the rim (88) in the open position.
The cap device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the door (84) is rotatable about a first rotation axis, which is substantially parallel to a plane of the door (84), to move between the open position and the closed position,
wherein optionally the movement of the door (84) between the open position and the closed position is a rotation by 80° to 100°, optionally 90°.
The cap device of claim 4, wherein the cap device (80) further includes fixing means for removably fixing the door to the open position and/or the closed position, and/or
wherein the door (84) is biased towards the closed position.
The cap device of claims 4 or 5, wherein, to move from the closed position to the open position, a first portion of the door to one side of the first rotation axis is rotated below the top surface (82a) towards the heating chamber (94), and a second portion of the door to the other side of the first rotation axis is rotated to protrude from the top surface (82a).
The cap device of claim 1, wherein the door (84) has a second surface (84b) which overlies a region of the top surface (82a) in the closed position,
wherein the second surface (84b) is shaped to conform to the shape of the region of the top surface (82a) to provide a form fit of the door (84) in the closed position.
The cap device of claim 1 or 7, wherein the door (84) is rotatable over the top surface (82a) about a second rotation axis perpendicular to a plane of the door (84) to move between the open position and the closed position,
wherein optionally the movement of the door (84) between the open position and the closed position is a rotation by 160° to 200°, optionally by 180°.
The cap device of claim 7 or 8, wherein the door (84) is biased against the top surface (82a) in the closed position and the open position,
wherein an area of the top surface (82a) is shaped to conform to the second surface (84b) to provide a form fit of the door (84) in the open position, and

wherein, for providing a bi-stable configuration, the curvature of the top surface (82a) and the curvature of the second surface (84b) result in that the rotation between the closed position and the open position causes a movement of the door (84) against the biasing force.
The cap device of claim 9, wherein the door (84) includes a spring-loaded axle (96) that biases the door (84) towards the top surface (82), the axle (96) extending along the second rotation axis to rotatably attach the door to the cover (82) and the door being movable in a direction of the second rotation axis against the biasing force.
The cap device of any one of the claims 7 to 10, wherein, in the open position, the door (84) protrudes outside the depression beyond the rim (88).
An aerosol generating unit for generating an aerosol from consumable (70) including a precursor (6), comprising
a heating chamber (94) for receiving the consumable (70), and

the cap device (80) of any preceding claim arranged such that the aperture (90) provides access to the heating chamber (94) for the consumable (70).
The aerosol generating unit of claim 12, wherein the heating chamber (94) contains an elongate heating element (54) defining a heating axis, and
wherein a centre axis of the aperture (90) is coaxial to the heating axis.
A method of inserting a consumable (70) into the aerosol generating unit (4) of claim 12 or 13 when depending on any one of the claims 4 to 6, wherein the method includes
moving the door from the closed position to the open position to unblock the aperture (90) by pushing the consumable against the door (84), and

inserting the consumable (70) through the aperture (90) into the heating chamber (94).
The method of claim 14, wherein the step of pushing the consumable against the door (84) includes
moving a tip of the consumable (70) along the depression in a direction from the raised rim (88) towards the aperture (90), and/or

overcoming a biasing force biasing the door (84) towards the closed position and/or a force for holding the door (84) in the closed position.