RU2825301C2 - Assembly for use in a device for heating aerosolized material and system containing such assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: device for heating an aerosolized material.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to an assembly for use in conjunction with a device for heating an aerosolized material in order to vaporize at least one component of the aerosolized material and to a system containing such a device for heating an aerosolized material in order to vaporize at least one component of the aerosolized material. An assembly for use in a device for heating an aerosolized material comprises: a structure forming an opening through which an aerosolized material can be inserted into the device in a removable manner; a cover connected to said structure and movable between an open position in which access to the hole is not restricted and a closed position in which access to the hole is restricted; and a locking device that, in use, is configured to hold the lid in at least one of an open position and a closed position when the lid is in the open position or the closed position until an external force is applied to release the locking device.

EFFECT: provision of improved heating elements for use in conjunction with a device for heating an aerosolized material.

28 cl, 22 dwg

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The present invention relates to assemblies for use in conjunction with a device for heating an aerosolized material for the purpose of evaporating at least one component of the aerosolized material and to systems comprising such a device for heating an aerosolized material for the purpose of evaporating at least one component of the aerosolized material.

State of the art

Smoking products such as cigarettes, cigars, etc., use the process of burning tobacco to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to create alternative means in which the inhalable environment is generated without the use of a combustion process. Examples of such products are heating-type devices, in which the components are released by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be tobacco or other, non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine.

Document EP 3003073 A2 describes examples of devices intended for storing and transporting electronic cigarettes. Containers according to EP 3003073 A2 protect electronic cigarettes during transport, storage and handling by the user.

Document WO 2018072680 A1 describes a cigarette case for electronic cigarettes.

Document US 9089166 B1 describes a container for storing electronic cigarettes and accessories.

Document WO 2016149942 A1 describes a cigarette case for electronic cigarettes.

Document US 2014216961 A1 describes a cigarette case for electronic cigarettes.

Disclosure of the essence of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a unit is disclosed for use in a device for heating an aerosolizable material for the purpose of evaporating at least one component of the aerosolizable material to generate an inhalable aerosol, comprising: a structure defining an opening through which the aerosolizable material can be inserted into the device with the possibility of removal; a lid connected to the structure and configured to move between an open position in which access to the opening is not restricted, and a closed position in which access to the opening is restricted; and a locking device that, in use, is configured to hold the lid in at least one position of the open position and the closed position, when the lid is in the open position or the closed position, until an external force is applied to release the locking device.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the locking device comprises a first part in the structure and a second, separate part in the lid, wherein the first part is designed with the possibility of interacting with the second part to hold the lid in an open position or a closed position when the lid is in an open position or a closed position.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the locking device is further configured to shift the lid to an open or closed position when the lid is between an open position or a closed position and an intermediate position located between the open and closed positions.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the assembly additionally comprises at least one guide for guiding the movement of the cover relative to the structure.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the guide comprises at least one element of the male element and the female element, intended to engage with a corresponding other element of the male element and the female element.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the locking device is a mechanical locking device.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the mechanical locking device comprises a cam comprising a cam element located in the cover or in the structure, and at least one follower element located in the other element of the cover and the structure.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the lid forms a cam element comprising one or more stoppers, wherein at least one follower element is configured to engage with one or more stoppers when the lid is in an open position or a closed position, to hold the lid in the corresponding open or closed position.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the assembly is designed in such a way that at least one follower element is pressed against the cam element.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, at least one follower element is pressed against the cam element by means of a spring.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the surface of the cam element is designed to engage with at least one follower element to press in at least one follower element when the lid is between the open and closed positions.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the assembly comprises a spring retainer containing a pressurized element movably held in a socket and pressed against a cam element, wherein at least one follower element is a pressurized element.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the pressing element is designed to roll relative to the cam element when the cover moves relative to the structure.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the pressed element has a spherical or cylindrical shape.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, one or more stoppers include at least two stoppers located on opposite edges of the lid in the direction of movement of the lid.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the fixing device is a magnetic fixing device.

In one of the possible embodiments of the invention, the magnetic locking device comprises at least one fixed magnet located in the structure and at least one lid magnet located in the lid, wherein said locking device is designed with the possibility of holding the lid with the help of magnets in one of the positions, namely, in the open position or in the second position, when the lid is in one of the positions, namely, in the open or closed position.

In one possible embodiment, the magnetic locking device is configured to: hold the lid with magnets in the open position when the lid is in the open position; and hold the lid with magnets in the closed position when the lid is in the closed position.

In one of the possible embodiments, at least one cap magnet has first and second magnetic poles, and at least one stationary magnet has first and second magnetic poles, wherein: the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet have opposite polarity; the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet are oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cap; and the first pole of the cap magnet and the first pole of the stationary magnet face substantially in opposite directions and have the same polarity.

In one of the possible embodiments, at least one cap magnet has first and second magnetic poles, and at least one stationary magnet has first and second magnetic poles, wherein: the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet have opposite polarity; the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet are oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the cap; and the first pole of the cap magnet and the first pole of the stationary magnet face substantially in opposite directions and have the same polarity.

In one possible embodiment, at least one lid magnet and at least one fixed magnet have essentially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, each having a longer edge in the direction of movement; wherein the centroid of at least one lid magnet is located at equal distances in the direction of movement from the ends of the lid; and wherein the centroid of at least one fixed magnet is located at equal distances in the direction of movement from the open and closed positions.

In one possible embodiment, the lid has a lower surface located near the upper surface of the structure, wherein: at least one lid magnet is located in a corresponding groove made in the lower surface of the lid so that at least one lid magnet is hidden during use; and at least one fixed magnet is located under the upper surface of the structure so that at least one fixed magnet is not visible during use.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the cover has a shape that is substantially flat and elongated in the direction of movement.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the size of the cover in the direction parallel to the sliding direction is preferably from 14 to 15 mm, in the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement is preferably from 11 to 12 mm, and the thickness of the cover is preferably from 1 to 2 mm.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the structure comprises a recessed portion, the shape and dimensions of which correspond to the shape and dimensions of the lid, wherein said recessed portion is designed with the possibility of receiving the lid during use and moving the lid between open and closed positions.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the surface of the recessed portion, such as its upper surface, further comprises an opening located near the end of the recessed portion corresponding to the closed position.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) is used as the material of the structure and the lid.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the aerosolizable material is tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco and/or gel and/or amorphous solid.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a system is disclosed comprising a heating device configured to heat an aerosolizable material in order to evaporate at least one component of the aerosolizable material, and a unit according to the first aspect of the present invention for use together with the heating device comprising at least one heating element located in the housing of the heating device and configured to heat the aerosolizable material during use.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the aerosolizable material is tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco and/or a gel and/or an amorphous solid.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given solely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a device intended for heating an aerosolized material for the purpose of evaporating at least one component of the aerosolized material, with a consumable product inserted into it containing the aerosolized material;

Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of an example of the device shown in Fig. 1, with a consumable inserted;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view on the right of an example of the device shown in Fig. 1, with a consumable inserted;

Fig. 4 is a schematic view from the left of an example of the device shown in Fig. 1, with a consumable inserted;

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view along plane A–A (see Fig. 4) of an example of the device shown in Fig. 1, with an inserted consumable;

Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view of an example of the device shown in Fig. 1, without a consumable;

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a lid assembly for use in a device for heating an aerosolized material, wherein the lid assembly comprises a locking device, and the lid is shown in an open position;

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of an example of the lid assembly shown in Fig. 7, with the lid shown in the closed position;

Fig. 9 is a schematic, exploded view of an example of the lid assembly shown in Fig. 7, wherein the lid assembly contains a mechanical locking device;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of an example of a lid assembly for use in a device for heating an aerosolized material, with the lid shown in a closed position;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view along plane T-T of an example of the lid assembly shown in Fig. 10, which comprises a mechanical locking device, with the lid shown in the open position;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of an example of the lid assembly shown in Fig. 11, with the lid shown in the closed position;

Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a lid assembly for use in a device for heating an aerosolized material, wherein the lid assembly comprises a magnetic locking device, and the lid is shown in the open position;

Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view of an example of the lid assembly shown in Fig. 13, with the lid shown in the closed position;

Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view of an example of the lid assembly shown in Fig. 13, viewed from below;

Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view of the top panel structure of the example of the lid assembly shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the cover of the example of the cover assembly shown in Fig. 13, viewed from below;

Fig. 18 is a schematic perspective view of the cover of the cover assembly shown in Fig. 13, viewed from below, wherein the cover comprises an assembly consisting of cover magnets and a guide;

Fig. 19 is a schematic sectional view along plane T-T of an example of the lid assembly shown in Fig. 10 in the closed position, wherein the lid assembly comprises a magnetic locking device;

Fig. 20 is a schematic sectional view along the U-U plane of an example of the lid assembly shown in Fig. 10 in the closed position, wherein the lid assembly comprises a magnetic locking device;

Fig. 21 is a simplified schematic representation of an example of the lid assembly shown in Fig. 19, a sectional view, in the closed position;

Fig. 22 is a flattened schematic representation of an example of the lid assembly shown in Fig. 13, a plan view, with the lid shown in the closed position, in an intermediate position, and in the open position.

Implementation of the invention

As used herein, the term "aerosolizable material" is used to refer to materials that provide vaporized components when heated, typically in the form of a vapor or aerosol. The aerosolizable material may be a non-tobacco material or a tobacco-containing material. The aerosolizable material may, for example, include one or more of tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco, and tobacco substitutes. The aerosolizable material may be used in the form of ground tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted aerosolizable material, liquid, gel, amorphous solid, gel-like sheet, powder, agglomerates, and the like. In addition, the aerosolizable material may include other non-tobacco containing products, which, depending on the type of product, may or may not contain nicotine. The aerosolizable material may contain one or more humectants, such as glycerin or propylene glycol. In the present description, the term "aerosol-forming material" may also be used along with the term "aerosolizable material".

As noted above, the aerosolizable material may be an "amorphous solid," also referred to as a "solid" (i.e., a non-fibrous solid) or a "dried gel." An amorphous solid is a solid material capable of holding within it a certain amount of a fluid, such as a liquid. In some cases, the aerosolizable material comprises from about 50 wt.%, 60 wt.%, or 70 wt.% of an amorphous solid to about 90 wt.%, 95 wt.%, or 100 wt.% of an amorphous solid. In some cases, the aerosolizable material consists of an amorphous solid.

The term "sheet" as used herein is used to denote an element whose length and width are significantly greater than its thickness. A sheet may be, for example, a strip.

As used herein, the term "heatable material" refers to a material that can be heated by passing an alternating magnetic field through it, such as when an aerosolized material is heated by an inductive heating device.

Other methods of heating the heated material include resistive heating, which uses electrically resistive heating elements that heat up when an electric current passes through them and transfer heat to the heated material through thermal conductivity.

As used in this description, the term "centroid" refers to the geometric center of a three-dimensional body.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The device 1 is designed to heat an aerosolizable material to vaporize at least one component of the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user. In this embodiment, the aerosolizable material is tobacco and the device 1 is a tobacco heating device (also known as a "tobacco heating device" or "non-combustion heating device"). The device 1 is a portable device that serves to inhale the aerosolizable material by a user of the device.

The device 1 comprises a first end 3 and a second end 5 opposite the first end 3. The first end 3 is sometimes called the "mouthpiece end" or the "near end" of the device 1. The second end 5 is sometimes called the "distant end" of the device 1. The device 1 comprises an on/off button 7, which generally allows the device 1 to be turned on or off at the user's discretion.

In general terms, the device 1 is designed to generate an aerosol, which the user inhales, by heating the aerosol-forming material. In use, the user inserts the article 21 into the device 1 and switches on the device 1, for example, using the button 7, so that the device 1 begins to heat the aerosol-forming material. The user then inhales through the mouthpiece 21b of the article 21, located near the first end 3 of the device 1, in order to inhale the aerosol generated by the device 1. When the user inhales through the article 21, the flow of the generated aerosol flows through the device 1 along the flow path to the near end 3 of the device 1.

In some cases, this results in the formation of steam, which then at least partially condenses to form an aerosol inhaled by the user before exiting the device 1.

In this regard, firstly, it should be noted that, in general, vapor is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical temperature, which means, for example, that vapor can condense and turn into a liquid when the pressure increases without decreasing the temperature. On the other hand, an aerosol in general is a colloidal system containing finely dispersed solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in air or some other gas. A "colloidal system" is a substance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles are suspended in the volume of another substance.

For convenience, the term "aerosol" as used herein shall be understood to mean an aerosol, a vapor, or a combination of an aerosol and a vapor.

The device 1 comprises a housing 9 intended to accommodate and protect various internal components of the device 1. The housing 9 is thus an outer casing serving to accommodate the internal components. In the embodiment shown, the housing 9 comprises a sleeve 11 enclosing the perimeter of the device 1 and closed by an upper panel structure 17 at a first end 3, which typically forms the "top" of the device 1, and a lower panel 19 at a second end 5 (see Figs. 2-5), which typically forms the "bottom" of the device 1.

The sleeve 11 includes a first sleeve 11a and a second sleeve 11b. The first sleeve 11a is located in the upper part of the device 1 and extends from the first end 3. The second sleeve 11b is located in the lower part of the device 1 and extends from the second end 3. Both the first sleeve 11a and the second sleeve 11b encircle the perimeter of the device 1. In other words, the device 1 has a longitudinal axis extending along the Y axis, while the first sleeve 11a and the second sleeve 11b surround the internal components in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis.

In this embodiment of the invention, the first sleeve 11a and the second sleeve 11b are detachably connected to each other. In this embodiment of the invention, the connection of the first sleeve 11a to the second sleeve 11b is carried out using a snap-fit connection containing grooves and recesses.

In some embodiments of the invention, the upper panel structure 17 and/or the lower panel 19 may be releasably connected to the corresponding first and second sleeves 11a, 11b to provide easy access to the interior of the device 1. In some embodiments of the invention, the sleeve 11 may be "permanently" connected to the upper panel structure 17 and/or the lower panel 19, for example, to prevent user access to the interior of the device 1. In one possible embodiment of the invention, the panels 17 and 19 are made of plastic, such as glass-filled nylon, molded by injection molding, and the sleeve 11 is made of aluminum, although other materials and technologies may also be used.

The upper panel structure 17 of the device 1 has an opening 20 at the mouthpiece end 3 of the device 1, through which, during use, the user inserts into the device 1 and removes from the device 1 a consumable article 21 containing an aerosolizable material. In this embodiment of the invention, the consumable article 21 functions as a mouthpiece, and the user places it between the lips. In other embodiments of the invention, an external mouthpiece may be provided, through which at least one volatile component of the aerosolizable material passes when the user takes a puff. When using an external mouthpiece, the aerosolizable material is not provided in it.

The opening 20 in this embodiment of the invention is opened and closed by a cover 4. In this embodiment of the invention, the cover 4 can move between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the open position it provides the possibility of inserting a consumable product 21 into the device 1. The cover 4 is designed with the possibility of movement in two directions along the X axis.

At the second end 5 of the device, a connector 6 is located. The connector 6 serves to connect a cable and connect the power source 27 (see Fig. 6) of the device 1 to an external electrical network for charging it. The connector 6 extends along the Z axis from the front side of the device 1 to the back side of the device 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the connector 6 is located on the right side of the device 1 at the second end 5 of the device 1. Preferably, the device 1 can stand on the second end 5 during charging or connection for data transmission via the connector 6. In the considered embodiment of the invention, the connector 6 is a USB connector.

As shown in Fig. 2, the first sleeve 11a has a surface at the first end 3 of the device 1 which is beveled. This beveled surface forms a first angle α relative to the surface of the second sleeve 11b at the second end 5. In this embodiment of the invention, the surface of the second sleeve 11b at the second end 5 is substantially parallel to the X axis. Thus, as shown in the drawing, the consumable product 21 can be inserted through the opening 20 (see Fig. 1) in the near part of the first end 3. At the connection point 11c, where the first sleeve 11a and the second sleeve 11b are connected, a second angle β relative to the X axis is formed. As shown in the drawing, the second angle β is greater than the first angle α.

Fig. 3 and 4 show, respectively, a right view and a left view of the device 1. Here, the consumable product 21 is shown as being located in the center in the transverse direction. This is due to the fact that the opening 20, through which the consumable product 21 is inserted, is located in the middle of the device along the Z axis and is offset from the center along the X axis.

Fig. 5 and 6 show a schematic sectional view along plane A–A (see Fig. 4) of the device shown in Fig. 1, with the consumable inserted and the product removed, respectively.

As shown in Fig. 6, the housing 9 contains a heating device 23, a control unit 25 and a power source 27 placed or secured therein. In this embodiment of the invention, the control unit 25 is part of the electronics compartment and contains two printed circuit boards (PCB) 25a, 25b. In this embodiment of the invention, the control unit 25 and the power source 27 are located in the transverse direction next to the heating device 23 (i.e. next to it, when viewed from the end), and the control unit 25 is located under the power source 27. This arrangement is preferable, since it allows the creation of a device 1 that is compact in the transverse direction corresponding to the direction along the X axis.

In this embodiment of the invention, the control unit 25 includes a controller, such as a microprocessor device, configured to and serving to control the process of heating the aerosolized material in the consumable product 21, as will be shown in more detail below.

The power source 27 in this embodiment of the invention is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments of the invention, a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a combination of a battery and a capacitor, or a connection to the electrical network may be used. Examples of suitable batteries are, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), an alkaline battery, etc. The battery 27 is electrically connected to the heating device 23 for supplying, when necessary and under the control of the control unit 25, electric power for heating the aerosolized material (i.e., as was indicated above, for evaporating the aerosolized material without burning it).

The advantage of arranging the power source 27 transversely next to the heating device 23 is that a physically large power source 27 can be used without making the device 1 as a whole unreasonably long. It is understood that a physically large power source 27 typically has a larger capacity (i.e., the total amount of electrical energy that it can provide, often measured in ampere-hours, etc.), and therefore the battery life in the device 1 will be longer.

In one possible embodiment, the heating device 23 is generally made in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube containing an internal hollow heating chamber 29, into which the consumable article 21 containing the aerosolizable material is placed for heating during smoking. In general, the heating chamber 29 is a heating zone into which the consumable article 21 is inserted. Various configurations of the heating device 23 are possible. In some embodiments of the invention, the heating device 23 may contain a single heating element or may contain several heating elements located along the longitudinal axis of the heating device 23. The heating element or each of the heating elements may be annular or tubular, or at least partially annular or partially tubular along its circumference. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the heating element or each of the heating elements may be a thin-film heating element. In another possible embodiment of the invention, the heating element or each of the heating elements may be made of ceramic materials. Examples of suitable ceramic materials are aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride and silicon nitride ceramics, which can be used in laminated and sintered form. Other types of heating devices can also be used, such as induction heating devices, infrared heating elements that produce heat by infrared radiation, or resistive heating elements, such as resistive electrical windings.

In this embodiment of the invention, the heating device 23 is supported by a stainless steel support tube 75 and includes a heater 71. In one possible embodiment of the invention, the heater 71 may comprise a substrate in which at least one conductive element is formed. The substrate may be in the form of a sheet and may comprise, for example, a plastic layer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a polyimide layer is used as the sheet material. The conductive element(s) may be printed or otherwise applied to the substrate layer. The conductive element(s) may be enclosed in the substrate or coated with it.

The support tube 75 is a heating element that transfers heat to the consumable product 21. Thus, the support tube 75 is made of a heated material. In this embodiment of the invention, stainless steel is used as the heated material. In other embodiments of the invention, other metallic materials can be used as the heated material. For example, a metal or a metal alloy can be used as the heated material. One or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, unalloyed carbon steel, low-carbon steel, ferritic stainless steel, molybdenum, silicon carbide, copper and bronze can be used as the heated material.

The dimensions of the heating device 23 are selected such that when the consumable 21 is inserted into the device 1, it contains practically all of the aerosolized material, so that when the device is used, practically all of the aerosolized material is heated.

In some embodiments of the invention, the heating element or each of the heating elements may be designed such that certain areas of the aerosolized material may be heated individually, such as in turn, or simultaneously, as desired by the user.

In the embodiment under consideration, the heating device 23 is surrounded by a vacuum region 31 at least along a portion of its length. The vacuum region 31 helps to reduce the amount of heat transferred from the heating device 23 to the external environment. This helps to reduce the power required for the heating device 23, since it reduces heat losses in general. The vacuum region 31 also helps to keep the external surface of the device 1 cold during operation of the heating device 23. In some embodiments of the invention, the vacuum region 31 can be surrounded by a double-walled sleeve, the air from the region between the walls of which has been evacuated to create a low-pressure region in order to minimize heat transfer due to conduction and/or convection. In other embodiments of the invention, another insulating device can be used, for example, using thermal insulation materials, including, for example, a suitable foam insulation material, in addition to or instead of the vacuum region.

The housing 9 may additionally contain various internal support structures 37 (best seen in Fig. 6) serving to secure all internal components, as well as the heating device 23.

The device 1 further comprises a sleeve 33 extending around and continuing from the opening 20 into the housing 9, and an expansion element 35 located between the sleeve 33 and one end of the vacuum region 31. The expansion element 35 is a funnel that forms an expansion chamber 40 at the mouthpiece end 3 of the device 1. The sleeve 33 functions as a holding element for holding the consumable article 21 (as best shown in Fig. 5). In this embodiment of the invention, the holder is made reversibly removable from the device 1.

One end of the expansion element 35 is connected to the first sleeve 11a and supported by it, and the other end of the expansion element 35 is connected to one end of the cassette 51 and supported by this end. Between the expansion element 35 and the first sleeve 11a, a first sealing element 55 is located, shown in the form of a sealing ring, and between the expansion element 35 and the cassette 51, a second sealing element 57 is located, also shown in the form of a sealing ring. Each sealing ring is made of silicone, however, other elastic materials can also be used to create a seal. The first and second sealing elements 55, 57 prevent gas from penetrating into the surrounding components of the device 1. Sealing elements are also provided at the far end to prevent liquid from entering and exiting at the far end.

As best shown in Fig. 6, the sleeve 33, the expansion element 35 and the vacuum region 31/heating device 23 are arranged coaxially, so that, as best seen in Fig. 5, when the consumable product 21 is inserted into the device 1, the consumable product 21 passes through the sleeve 33 and the expansion element 35 into the heating chamber 29.

As indicated above, in this embodiment of the invention, the heating device 23 is generally made in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube. The heating chamber 29 formed by this tube is hydraulically connected to the opening 20 at the mouth end 3 of the device 1 through the expansion chamber 40.

In this embodiment of the invention, the expansion element 35 is a tubular element comprising a first open end adjacent to the opening 20 and a second open end adjacent to the heating chamber 29. This tubular element comprises a first section that extends from the first open end to approximately half the length of the tubular element, and a second section that extends from approximately half the length of the tubular element to the second open end. The first section comprises an expanding portion that expands as it moves away from the second section. Thus, the internal diameter of the first section expands outward as it approaches the first open end. The internal diameter of the second section is substantially constant.

As can be best seen in Fig. 6, in this embodiment of the invention, the expansion element 35 is located in the housing 9 between the sleeve 33 and the vacuum region 31/heating device 23. More specifically, at the second open end, the expansion element 35 is located between the end portion of the support tube 75 of the heating device 23 and the inside of the vacuum region 31, so that the second open end of the expansion element 35 engages with the support tube 75 and the inside of the vacuum region 31. At the first open end, the sleeve 33 enters the expansion element 35, so that the tabs 59 of the sleeve 33 enter the expansion chamber 40. Thus, the inner diameter of the first section of the expansion element 35 is larger than the outer diameter of the tabs when the consumable article 21 is inserted into the device 1 (see Fig. 5) and when the consumable article 21 is absent.

As can be best seen in Fig. 5, the inner diameter of the first section of the expansion element 35 is larger than the outer diameter of the consumable product 21. Thus, when the consumable product 21 is inserted into the device 1, there is an air gap 36 between the expansion element 35 and the consumable product 21 over at least a portion of the length of the expansion element 35. In this region, the air gap 36 extends along the entire circumference of the consumable product 21.

As best shown in Fig. 6, the sleeve 33 comprises a plurality of tabs 59. In the embodiment of the invention under consideration, there are four tabs 59, only three of which are visible in Fig. 6. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the number of tabs 59 may be both greater and less than four. The tabs 59 are arranged at equal distances from each other along the inner surface of the sleeve 33 in the circumferential direction and, when the device 1 is assembled, are located in the expansion chamber 40. In this embodiment of the invention, when installed in the device 1, the tabs 59 are uniformly distributed along the periphery of the opening 20. In one of the possible embodiments of the invention, there are four tabs 59, and in other embodiments of the invention, the number of legs 59 may be both greater and less than four. Each of the tabs 59 extends along the Y axis and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expansion chamber 40 and enters the opening 20. In addition, the tops 59a of the tabs 59 deviate radially in the direction of the expansion element 35, so that the tops 59a are deviated at a certain angle from each other. The top 59a of each tab 59 facilitates the passage of the consumable product 21 in order to avoid damage to it when inserting it into the device 1 and/or removing it from the device 1. Together, the tabs 59 form a gripping section that grips the consumable product 21 in order to correctly position and hold the part of the consumable product 21 located in the expansion chamber 40 when the consumable product 21 is inserted into the device 1. The tabs 59 gently squeeze the consumable product 21 between themselves in the area or areas with which they contact.

The tabs 59 may be made of an elastic material (or their elasticity may be provided in some other way), so that they are slightly deformed (for example, compressed) to improve the grip of the consumable product when it is inserted into the device 1, but then restore their original shape when the consumable product 21 is removed from the device 1, since the tabs 59 are deflected to the initial position shown in Fig. 6. In this way, the tabs 59 can reversibly move from the first position, which is their initial position, to the second position, which is the deformed position shown in Fig. 5, as a result of which the consumable product 21 is captured. In this embodiment of the invention, the tabs 59 are made in one piece with the main part of the sleeve 33. However, in some embodiments of the invention, the tabs 59 can be made in the form of separate components that are attached to the body of the sleeve 33. The internal diameter of the space between the tabs 59 in the first, initial position can be, for example, from 4.8 to 5 mm, preferably 4.9 mm. The tabs 59 occupy space in the opening 20, so that the open space in the opening 20 at the locations of the tabs 59 is smaller than the open space in the opening 20 where the tabs 59 are not present.

The expansion element 35 may be made of plastic, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). PEEK has a relatively high melting point compared to most other thermoplastics and is highly resistant to thermal degradation.

As can be seen from Fig. 6, in this embodiment of the invention, the heating chamber 29 communicates with a region 38 of reduced internal diameter located near the distal end 5. This region 38 defines a cleaning chamber 39 formed by a cleaning tube 41. The cleaning tube 41 is a hollow tube that forms an end stop for the consumable product 21 that has passed through the opening at the mouth end 3 (see Fig. 5). The cleaning tube 41 serves to support and fix the heating device 23.

The device 1 may further comprise a cover 61 located at the far end 5 of the device 1, which opens and closes an opening in the bottom panel 19 to provide access to the heating chamber 29, so that the heating chamber 29 can be cleaned. The cover 61 rotates on a hinge 63. Access through the cover 61 partially allows the user to clean the inside of the heating device 23 and the heating chamber 29 at the far end 5. When the cover 61 is open, a through opening is opened, passing through the entire device 1 from the opening 20 located at the mouthpiece end 3 to the opening located at one end of the cleaning chamber, located at the far end 5 of the device 1. Thus, the user can easily clean virtually the entire inner surface of the hollow heating chamber 29. For this, the user can access the heating chamber 29 from any end of the device 1, at his choice. For this purpose, the user may use one or more different cleaning devices, such as a classic pipe cleaner, a brush, and other similar devices.

As shown in Fig. 6, the upper panel structure 17 as a whole forms the first end 3 of the body 9 of the device 1. The upper panel structure 17 serves as a support for the bushing 33, which defines an insertion point in the form of an opening 20, through which the consumable 21 is inserted (with the possibility of extraction) into the device 1 during its use.

The sleeve 33 extends along the perimeter of the opening 20 and extends from the opening 20 into the housing 9. In this embodiment of the invention, the sleeve 33 is an element separate from the upper panel structure 17 and is attached to the upper panel structure 17 using a special connection, such as a bayonet connection. In other embodiments of the invention, the sleeve 33 can be connected to the upper panel structure 17 using adhesive or screws. In other embodiments of the invention, the sleeve 33 can be made integral with the upper panel structure 17 of the housing 9, so that the sleeve 33 and the upper panel structure 17 form a single part.

As can be seen better in Fig. 5 and 6, the open spaces between adjacent pairs of tabs 59 of the sleeve 33 and the consumable product 21 form ventilation channels 20a around the outer surface of the consumable product 21. These ventilation channels 20a allow hot steam coming out of the consumable product 21 to leave the device 1, and also allow cooling air to enter the device 1 around the consumable product 21. In this embodiment of the invention, there are four ventilation channels located along the periphery of the consumable product 21, which provide ventilation of the device 1. In other embodiments of the invention, a greater or lesser number of such ventilation channels 20a may be provided.

Referring again to Fig. 5, it is seen that in this embodiment of the invention, the consumable article 21 is made in the form of a cylindrical rod, which has or contains an aerosolizable material 21a, located in the rear part of the consumable article 21, which is located inside the heating device 23, when the consumable article 21 is inserted into the device 1. The front end of the consumable article 21 projects from the device 1 and performs the function of a mouthpiece 21b, which is an assembly containing one or more filters for filtering the aerosol and/or a cooling element 21c, designed to cool the aerosol. The filter/cooling element 21c is separated from the aerosolizable material 21a by a space 21d and is at a distance 21e from the top of the mouthpiece assembly 21b. The consumable article 21 is wrapped around the periphery with an outer layer (not shown). In this embodiment of the invention, the outer layer of the consumable article 21 is permeable so that some of the heated volatile components of the aerosolized material 21a can escape from the consumable article 21.

During operation, the heating device 23 heats the consumable product 21 in order to evaporate at least one component of the aerosolized material 21a.

The main flow path for the heated volatile components passes in the axial direction from the aerosolized material 21a, through the consumable article 21, through the cavity 21d, through the filter/cooling element 21c and through another cavity 21e before entering the user's mouth through the open end of the mouthpiece assembly. However, some of the volatile components may exit the consumable article 21 through the permeable outer shell and enter the space 36 surrounding the consumable article 21 in the expansion chamber 40.

It is undesirable for the user to inhale these volatile components coming from the consumable article 21 into the expansion chamber 40, since these components have not passed through the filter/cooling element 21c and, thus, are unfiltered and uncooled.

Preferably, the volume of air surrounding the consumable article 21 in the expansion chamber 40 causes at least some of these volatile components, leaving the consumable article 21 through its outer layer, to cool and condense on the inner wall of the expansion chamber 40, preventing the possibility of their inhalation by the user.

This cooling effect can be enhanced by cold air supplied from outside the device 1 into the space 36 around the consumable article 21 in the expansion chamber 40 through the ventilation channels 20a, which allows the fluid to enter the device and exit it. The first ventilation channel is formed between a pair of a plurality of adjacent tabs 59 of the sleeve 33 to provide ventilation around the surface of the consumable article 21 at the insertion point. The second ventilation channel is formed between a second pair of adjacent tabs 59, so that at least one heated volatile component can exit the consumable article 21 at a second location. Thus, ventilation along the outer side of the consumable article 21 at the insertion point is provided through the first and second ventilation channels. In addition, the heated volatile components exiting the consumable article 21 through its outer shell do not condense on the inner wall of the expansion chamber 40 and can safely exit the device 1 through the ventilation channels 20a without being inhaled by the user. Both the expansion chamber 40 and the ventilation contribute to a decrease in temperature and a reduction in the water vapor content of the heated volatile components from the aerosolized material.

The device 1 is equipped with a thermal inner shell 13 located near the first end 3 of the device 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the inner shell 13 is connected to the first sleeve 11a. The thermal inner shell 13 performs the function of a heat dissipator, which helps to distribute heat and protect the first sleeve 11a from thermal stress by distributing the internal heat generated during the use of the device 1 over a larger area. The thermal inner shell 13 is made of a metal material, such as aluminum, to ensure low weight and sufficient heat distribution in the region of the near end 3. This helps to avoid the occurrence of local hot spots on the first sleeve 11a and increases its service life. The inner shell 13 ensures heat distribution due to thermal conductivity. The inner shell 13 is not intended for insulation or reflection of heat by radiation.

As shown in Fig. 6, the support tube 75 is surrounded on the outside by a heater 71. In the considered embodiment of the invention, the heater 71 is a thin-film heater containing polyimide and electrically conductive elements. The heater 71 can contain a plurality of heating regions, which are controlled separately and/or simultaneously. In the considered embodiment of the invention, the heater 71 is made in the form of a single heater. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the heater 71 can be made in the form of a plurality of heaters located along the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 29. In some embodiments of the invention, a plurality of temperature sensors can be used to determine the temperature of the heater 71 and/or the support tube. In this embodiment of the invention, the support tube 75 is made of stainless steel for transferring heat from the heater 71 to the consumable article 21, when the consumable article 21 is inserted into the heating zone (the heating zone is determined by the thermal conductivity region of the support tube 75). In other embodiments of the invention, the support tube 75 may be made of some other material, provided that this material ensures thermal conductivity of the support tube 75. In other embodiments of the invention, other heating elements 75 may also be used. For example, the heating element may be made in the form of a current collector heated by induction. In this embodiment of the invention, the support tube 75 functions as an elongated base, which, when used, serves to support the article 21 containing the aerosolized material.

In this embodiment of the invention, the heater 71 is located outside the support tube 75. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the heater 71 can be located inside the support tube 75. In the considered embodiment of the invention, the heater 71 includes a part that extends outside the support tube 75, here called the tail part 73 of the heater. The tail part 73 of the heater extends beyond the boundaries of the heating chamber 29 and serves to electrically connect the heater to the control unit 25. In this embodiment of the invention, the tail part 73 of the heater is physically connected to the PCB 25a. Electric current to the heater 71 can be supplied from the power source 27 through the control unit 25 and the tail part 73 of the heater.

Since a connection is required between the heating chamber 29 and the control unit 25, it may be difficult to prevent air (or any other fluid) from flowing between the heating chamber 29 and the electronics compartment. In this embodiment of the invention, a gasket 15 is used to prevent such a flow, as shown in Fig. 6. The gasket 15 comprises a first seal 15a and a second seal 15b. The gasket 15 surrounds the tail 73 of the heater and is clamped between the lower part 53 and the cassette 51. In the considered embodiment of the invention, four fasteners 43 are used to ensure sufficient pressing force between the lower part 53 and the cassette 51 and to seal the access to/from the chamber 29 at this point. Screws tightened to a certain torque are used as fasteners 43. In other embodiments of the invention, other fasteners 43, such as bolts, may be used.

Fig. 7-9 shows an example of a lid assembly 80 intended for use in the device 1. The assembly 80 comprises an upper panel structure 17 of the device 1 and a lid 4. The upper panel structure 17 has an opening 22 for inserting a sleeve 33, which together form at least part of an opening 20 through which a consumable product 21 can be removably inserted into the device 1. The lid 4 can move between a first, open position in which access to the opening 20 is not restricted, as shown in Fig. 7, and a second, closed position in which access to the opening 20 is completely blocked, as shown in Fig. 8. In the open position, the cover 4 is located on the first edge 83 of the upper panel structure 17. In the closed position, the cover 4 is located on the second edge 84 of the upper panel structure 17. The opening 22 is located on the second edge 84 of the upper panel structure 17. In this embodiment of the invention, the opening 20 is completely closed when the cover 4 is in the closed position. In other embodiments of the invention, the cover 4 in the closed position may partially close the opening 20.

The upper panel structure 17 comprises a recessed portion 81 in which the lid 4 is placed and which allows the lid 4 to move between the open and closed positions. The recessed portion 81 may protect the lid 4 from damage. In this embodiment of the invention, a panel 82 may also be located in the upper panel structure 17, forming an upper surface of the upper panel structure 17. The panel 82, as best shown in Fig. 9, has an opening 22a forming at least a part of the opening 20. In some embodiments of the invention, the panel 82 may be a low-resistance surface along which the lid 4 can slide. This thus reduces the likelihood of the lid 4 scratching the panel 82 during use. The shape of the panel 82 corresponds to the shape of the recessed portion 81, and the panel 82 is attached to the upper panel structure 17 by a layer 50 of adhesive. In other embodiments of the invention, the shape of the panel 82 may not correspond to the shape of the recessed portion 81, and/or the adhesive layer 50 may be absent, and the panel 82 may be attached to the upper panel structure by other suitable means. In other embodiments of the invention, the upper panel structure 17 may not be designed to accommodate the panel 82, and the panel 82 may be absent. In such an embodiment of the invention, the recessed portion 81 forms an upper surface of the upper panel structure 17, on which or over which the lid 4 can slide. The lid 4 has a substantially elongated shape in the direction of movement of the lid. The surface of the lid facing the upper panel 82 or the recessed portion 81 is substantially flat. In other embodiments of the invention, the lid 4 may not have an elongated shape, and the surface facing the panel 82 or the recessed portion 81 may not be flat.

A plurality of tabs are arranged around the perimeter of the opening 22, projecting into the device 1 from the lower side of the upper panel structure 17. In this embodiment of the invention, these tabs are part of a bayonet connection serving to removably retain the sleeve 33 in the opening 22. In some embodiments of the invention, these tabs may also assist in securing the upper panel structure 17 to the first sleeve 11a. In some embodiments of the invention, the upper panel structure 17 may be removably secured to the first sleeve 11a and/or to another part of the device 1 using appropriate fixing means, such as clamps. In other embodiments of the invention, the upper panel structure 17 may be secured to the device 1 using other appropriate means, such as adhesive or screws. In some embodiments of the invention, the upper panel structure 17 may be non-removable. The device 1 may comprise a gasket (not shown) for creating a seal between the upper panel structure 17 and the interior of the device 1.

In the embodiment of the invention under consideration, the cover 4 is supported above the panel 82 in the recessed portion 81 by means of a guide at least partially formed by the male element 24 connected to the cover 4 and the corresponding female portion 18 in the structure. This guide serves to guide the movement of the cover relative to the structure. Thus, when the cover 4 is moved, the male element 24 slides along and inside the female portion 18. The female portion 18 can form boundaries that limit the movement of the cover. In the embodiment of the invention under consideration, the male element 24 is initially a separate element from the cover 4, is inserted through the female portion 18 and is connected to the cover 4. Thus, the male element 24 can be removed so that it is convenient to remove the cover 4 without the risk of damaging it. The male element 24 interacts with the opening 26 and is retained in the opening 26 formed on the tongue 28 extending from the cover 4. In other embodiments of the invention, the male element 24 can be connected to the cover 4 in other ways: for example, by mating a male connecting element protruding from the cover 4 with a female connecting part of the male element 24. As an alternative, the male element 24 can be made not in the form of a separate element, but in the form of a tongue, a tooth or a similar male element on the cover 4. The male element 24 and/or the female part 18 can comprise low-resistance surfaces that allow the cover 4 to slide smoothly inside the upper panel structure 17 and reduce the risk of pinching or other damage to the cover during operation. In other embodiments of the invention, the movement of the cover 4 relative to the upper panel structure 17 may be guided in other ways: for example, by creating a female element in the cover 4 and a corresponding male guide element in the upper panel structure 17. In other embodiments of the invention, the cover 4 may not be supported above the panel 82, but may slide or roll along the panel 82 or the recessed portion 81.

Fig. 9 also shows a spring lock 45 of a mechanical locking device, described in detail below with reference to Figs. 10-12. The spring lock 45 is located in the upper panel structure 17 and projects from it through an opening 46 in the panel 82. The spring lock 45 is located in the upper panel structure 17 by being placed in an opening or recess 47 of the upper panel structure 17, but in other embodiments of the invention it can be located in the upper panel structure 17 or attached to it in any other way. In the embodiment of the invention under consideration, containing a mechanical locking device, the surface of the cover 4, located near the panel 82, forms a linear cam element 42, interacting with a spring lock 45 in the linear cam device for locking, holding or fixing the cover 4 in the open position, when the cover 4 is in the open position, and also for locking, holding or fixing the cover 4 in the closed position, when the cover 4 is in the closed position. The linear cam element 42 can be formed from the cover 4 itself or can be a separate element located in the cover 4 or on it. The spring lock contains a pressed element 48, which is a follower element of the linear cam device. Thus, the mechanical locking device comprises a first part located in the upper panel structure 17, in the form of a spring lock 45 or a pressed-in element 48, and a second part formed or located in/on the cover 4 in the form of a linear cam element. The first part is designed with the possibility of interacting with the second part due to the reciprocating movement of the cover 4 when moving between the open and closed positions under the influence of an external force. In other words, there is a certain interaction between the first part of the locking device located in the upper panel structure 17 and the second part of the locking device located in the cover 4, in which the first and second parts interact to lock, hold or fix the cover 4 in the open and/or closed position.

In the embodiment under consideration, the pressing element 48 in the spring lock 45 is a follower of a linear cam device. In other embodiments of the invention, the spring lock 45 may be absent, and the follower may be formed by another component, such as a flexible element, a ball or a spring-loaded roller. In other embodiments of the invention, the lid may rotate, move linearly or perform a combination of these movements to move between the open and closed positions. In such a case, a device of some other type, such as a disc cam, may be used as a cam device. In other embodiments of the invention, the lid may be held in the open or closed position by another holding means. Several cam devices may be used. For example, there may be more than one follower and/or more than one cam element.

Fig. 10 shows a plan view of the unit 80 with the lid 4 in the closed position. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the unit 80 shown in Fig. 10 may instead comprise a magnetic locking device, described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 13-22. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the enclosing element 18 is used as a guide, but in other embodiments of the invention this may not be the case, and the unit 80 may comprise any other guide. Figs. 11 and 12 show a sectional view along the T-T plane of the unit 80 comprising a mechanical locking device. The pressing element 48 of the spring lock is movably retained in the seat 49 and is pressed against the linear cam element 42. Thus, during use, the pressing element 48 is pressed and pressed against the linear cam element 42. The spring lock 45 may comprise a pressing element (not shown), such as a spring, for example, a coil spring, or any other suitable flexible element or springy material, located in the seat 49 and serving to press the pressing element 48 against the linear cam element 42. In some embodiments of the invention, a separate pressing element may be absent, while the pressing element 48 may be an elastic element, for example, made of an elastic material. Thus, during use, the pressing element 48 may be deformed. The pressing element 48 may be made of metal, plastic, rubber or any other suitable material. In other embodiments of the invention, the socket 49 may be absent, and the pressed element 48 may be located in/on the upper panel structure 17. For example, the pressed element 48 may be located in a groove or cavity formed in the upper panel structure 17.

The linear cam element 42 of the lid 4 comprises two flat surfaces inclined in different directions relative to the plane of movement of the lid 4. Each of the flat surfaces comprises a stopper 44a, 44b configured to engage with the pressing element 48 when, in use, the lid 4 is in the open or closed position, respectively, to hold the lid 4 in the open or closed position until an external force is applied to release the locking device. In Fig. 11, the lid 4 is shown in the open position, in which the pressing element 48 is pressed against the linear cam element 42 so that it engages with the stopper 44a. In Fig. 12, the lid 4 is shown in the closed position, in which the pressing element 48 is pressed against the linear cam element 42 so that it engages with the stopper 44b. Thus, as shown in Fig. 11 and 12, the cover 4 is held in place by means of a linear cam device.

When, upon application of an external force, the cover 4 is displaced from the open or closed position and, accordingly, is located between the open and closed positions, the pressing element 48 is pressed by the corresponding one of the inclined flat surfaces of the linear cam element. For example, when the cover 4 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the pressing element 48 is pressed by the inclined flat surface located on the left side of the cover. Since the said surface is inclined, it is not perpendicular to the direction of the force applied by the pressing element of the spring retainer 45. Therefore, the resulting force applied to the linear cam element 42 by the pressing element 48 will have a component directed in the direction of movement of the cover 4. Thus, when the cover 4 is between the open position and an intermediate position located between the open position and the closed position, the cover 4 will be pressed to move towards the open position. Similarly, when the cover 4 is between the closed position and the intermediate position, it will be pressed towards the closed position.

When the cover 4 is in an intermediate position (not shown), the pressing element 48 will touch the point at which the two inclined surfaces of the linear cam element 42 intersect, and the cover 4 will be in a position of unstable equilibrium. In this position, the cover 4 does not move, and the resulting force acting on the cover 4 will be perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cover 4. After a slight push of the cover 4 from the intermediate position towards the open position, the cover 4 will move towards the open position. After a slight push of the cover 4 from the intermediate position towards the closed position, the cover 4 will move towards the closed position. In other embodiments of the invention, the linear cam element 42 may comprise one or more flat surfaces of the same orientation. In some embodiments of the invention, one or more flat surfaces may be parallel to the plane of movement of the cover, so that no pressing force acts on the cover 4. In other embodiments of the invention, one or more flat surfaces may be inclined in one direction relative to the plane of movement of the lid, so that the lid 4 is pressed in only one direction, for example, towards the open position or towards the closed position.

In the example under consideration, the pressing element 48 has a spherical shape. In use, the pressing element rolls on the linear cam element 42, ensuring smooth movement of the lid 4. In other embodiments of the invention, the pressing element 48 may have any other shape, for example, the shape of a cylinder. In other embodiments of the invention, the pressing element 48 may not roll, and the linear cam element 42 may instead slide on the pressing element 48. In the example under consideration, the stoppers 44a, 44b have a shape corresponding to the shape of the pressing element 48, which is done to ensure a secure retention of the lid 4. However, in other embodiments of the invention this may not be the case, and the stopper may have any other suitable shape. The spring retainer 45 in the present embodiment of the invention is located in the center of the upper panel structure 17, corresponding to the intermediate position, and the stoppers 44a, 44b are located on the opposite edges of the cover 4 in the direction of movement. In other embodiments of the invention, the spring retainer 45 can be offset relative to the center of the device, and/or several spring retainers 45 or follower elements can be provided. The stoppers 44a, 44b can be located on the opposite sides of the cover 4 in the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement. The linear cam element 42 can comprise more than two stoppers 44a, 44b or only one stopper 44a, 44b. For example, two spring locks 45 may be provided in the upper panel structure 17 and one stopper 44a, 44b in the linear cam element 42. Alternatively, one or more spring locks 45 may be located in the cover 4, and the linear cam element may be located in/on the upper panel structure 17.

Another possible embodiment of the present invention, including a magnetic locking device, is described below with reference to Figs. 13-22. As shown in Figs. 13-15, the upper panel structure 17 of the assembly 80 further comprises a pair of magnets 85. The magnets 85 are located under the upper surface of the upper panel structure 17, as can be best seen in Fig. 15, so as to be hidden inside the device 1 when in use. In this embodiment of the invention, the magnets 85 are held by projections 95 on the lower surface of the upper panel structure 17. In other embodiments of the invention, the magnets 85 may be located in housings or recesses and/or may be glued to the lower surface of the upper panel structure 17. In other embodiments of the invention, one or more magnets 85 may be provided. When in use, the magnets 85 are stationary relative to the upper panel structure 17 and interact with a corresponding pair of magnets 87 (see Fig. 20) located inside the cover 4 to form a magnetic fixing device. In Figs. 13–15, the magnets 87 of the cover are not visible. The "fixed" magnets 85 have the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, wherein the centroids of both fixed magnets 85 are at equal distances in the direction of movement from the edges of the structure 17 formed by the recess 81. In some embodiments of the invention, the fixed magnets 85 may not have the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, but any other shape, for example, cylindrical. In some embodiments of the invention, the centroids of the magnets 85 may not be located at the same distance in the direction of movement from the edges of the assembly 17 formed by the recess 81.

The magnetic locking device in this embodiment of the invention is designed to hold the lid 4 by magnetic attraction force in at least one of the positions, namely: in the open position or in the closed position - when the lid 4 is moved to the first edge 83 or to the second edge 84, respectively. In some embodiments of the invention, the magnetic locking device can be designed to hold the lid 4 in the open position when the lid 4 is moved to the first edge 83 and to hold the lid 4 in the closed position when the lid 4 is moved to the second edge 84. Such holding prevents the possibility of accidental opening or closing of the lid 4, for example, during transportation. The user can be sure that if the lid 4 is in the open or closed position, it will remain in this position until it is displaced by the user's hand. The magnetic locking device is described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 20-22.

Fig. 16 shows the upper panel structure 17 (the cover 4, the panel 82, which can serve as a protective layer, and the fixed magnets 85 are removed). In one of the possible embodiments of the invention, the cover 4 is connected to the upper panel structure 17 and can slide along it with the help of a guide element, at least partially formed by the male element 86. The male element 86 is fastened to the upper panel structure 17 with the help of a screw 89. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the male element passes through the opening 94 in the upper panel structure 17 (as well as through the corresponding opening 94a in the panel 82) and is fixed with the screw 89, which engages with the internal thread of the male element 86, resting against the lower surface of the upper panel structure 17. The screw 89 is visible in the image from below of the upper panel structure 17, shown in Fig. 15. In this embodiment of the invention, the male element 86 is located substantially in the center of the upper surface of the upper panel structure 17. In other embodiments of the invention, the male element 86 may be offset relative to the center of the upper surface. The upper part of the male element 86 is made in the form of a protrusion made with the possibility of engaging with the corresponding female element 88a on the lower surface of the cover 4 to form a guide device serving to guide the movement of the cover 4.

Fig. 17-18 shows the lower surface of the lid 4. On the lower surface of the lid 4 a plurality of recesses 88, 90 are formed. The elongated central recess 88 forms a female element 88a, adapted to engage with the male element 86 to form a guide device. In this embodiment of the invention, the male element 86 comprises a projection, the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the female element 88a for limiting the movement of the lid 4 along the Y axis. In other embodiments of the invention, a similar effect can be obtained by creating a recess in the male element 86 and a projection of a corresponding shape in the female element 88a or on the lid 4. In some embodiments of the invention, the female element 88a can be formed around the male element, so that the female element 88a is retained in the elongated recess 88 of the lid 4 without using an adhesive or other retaining means. In other embodiments of the invention, the enclosing element 88a may be absent, and the male element 86 may engage directly with the recess 88, which has a shape that allows such engagement.

Fig. 18 shows a male element 86 engaged with a cover 4 by means of a female element 88a. The male element 86 can move along the female element 88a along the X-axis, thereby allowing the cover 4 and the upper panel structure 17 to move relative to each other along the X-axis. In some embodiments of the invention, the female element 88a can be located in the upper panel structure 17, and the male element 86 can be located in the cover 4. In some embodiments of the invention, more than one male element 86 and more than one female element 88a can be provided. In some embodiments of the invention, the guide device can be formed by engaging one or more projections on the cover 4 with one or more corresponding recesses in the upper panel structure 17, or vice versa. In this embodiment, when using the invention, the cover 4 closes the guide device, thereby preventing the possibility of damage to the covered element 86 or its catching on external objects.

The cover additionally comprises two recesses 90 for mounting two magnets 87 in them. As was indicated above, the cover magnets 87 in the magnetic fixing device are designed with the possibility of interacting with the fixed magnets 85. The cover magnets 87 have the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the centroids of both cover magnets 87 are at the same distances in the direction of movement from the edges of the cover 4. In some embodiments of the invention, the cover magnets 87 may not have the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, but any other shape, for example, cylindrical. In some embodiments of the invention, the centroids of the cover magnets 87 may not be located at the same distances in the direction of movement from the edges of the cover 4.

As shown in Fig. 17 and 18, the cover 4 further comprises four projections 91 for mounting the cover 4 on the upper surface of the upper panel structure 17. In some embodiments of the invention, the tops of the projections 91 may have low friction resistance so that the cover 4 does not scratch the upper surface of the upper panel structure 17 during use.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view along the T-T plane (see Fig. 10) of the lid assembly 80 containing the magnetic locking device, and Fig. 20 is a sectional view along the U-U plane (see Fig. 10) of the lid assembly 80 containing the magnetic locking device. The assembly 80 shown in Figs. 19 and 20 does not include the female guide member 18 shown in Fig. 10. Instead, as noted above, the assembly 80 shown in Figs. 19 and 20 includes a male member 86 that engages with a female member 88a to guide the movement of the lid 4. In this embodiment of the invention, the male member 86 passes through the opening 94 of the upper panel structure 17 (and the opening 94a in the panel 82). Then the male element 86 can be attached to the upper panel structure 17 by means of a screw 89. The male element 86 enters an elongated recess in the cover 4. In this embodiment of the invention, the male element 86 abuts the first edge of the cover 4 to hold the cover 4 in the closed position, overcoming the magnetic attraction force created by the magnetic locking device. The male element 86 abuts the second edge of the cover 4, opposite the first edge, to hold the cover 4 in the open position, overcoming the magnetic attraction force created by the magnetic locking device.

The magnetic locking device will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 20-22. Fig. 20 shows a fixed magnet 85 located inside the upper panel structure 17 and a lid magnet 87 located inside the lid 4. Fig. 21 is a diagram (side view) of the device shown in Fig. 20, showing the lid 4, the lid magnet 87, the upper panel structure 17, the fixed magnet 85, the upper surface 82 and the opening 20. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixed magnet 85 and the lid magnet 87 are polarized substantially vertically. This means that each magnet has a first magnetic pole P1 and a second magnetic pole P2, wherein each magnetic pole is oriented substantially vertically, as shown in Fig. 21. The polarity of the first magnetic pole P1 is opposite to the polarity of the second magnetic pole P2. The first magnetic pole P1 of the magnet 87 of the lid faces the first magnetic pole P1 of the fixed magnet 85. Thus, when the lid 4 is in the closed position, as shown in Fig. 21, the force 92 resulting from the repulsion of the like poles P1 located opposite each other holds the lid 4 in the closed position. Similarly, when the lid 4 is in the open position, the force 93 resulting from the repulsion of the like poles P1 located opposite each other holds the lid 4 in the open position.

In other embodiments of the invention, the fixed magnet 85 and the lid magnet 87 can be polarized in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement. Thus, the first magnetic pole P1 and the second magnetic pole P2 are oriented substantially horizontally. The magnets are arranged in such a way that when the lid 4 is in the closed position, the first magnetic pole P1 of the lid magnet 87 faces the first magnetic pole P1 of the fixed magnet 85, and when the lid 4 is in the open position, the second magnetic pole P2 of the lid magnet 87 faces the second magnetic pole P2 of the fixed magnet 85. Thus, the lid 4 can be held in the open position or in the closed position by a magnetic force 92 or 93 arising as a result of the repulsion between the like poles located opposite each other in each position, respectively.

Fig. 22 shows a diagram (top view) of a preferred embodiment of a magnetic locking device. Fig. 22 shows a cover 4, a pair of cover magnets 87, an upper panel structure 17 and a pair of fixed magnets 85. Initially, the cover 4 is in a closed position, in which a force 92 arising as a result of the repulsion of the like poles located opposite each other, as indicated above, holds the cover 4 in a closed position. In this embodiment of the invention, the magnetic locking device biases the cover 4 toward the closed position, when the cover 4 is between the closed position and the intermediate position IP (see Fig. 21); and biases the cover 4 toward the open position, when the cover 4 is between the open position and the intermediate position IP. When the cover 4 is in the intermediate position IP, a resulting force in the sliding direction does not arise, and the cover 4 does not shift. In some embodiments of the invention, the intermediate position IP is in the center of the upper panel structure 17, so that when the cover 4 is in the intermediate position IP, the magnets 85 are located in a straight line with the magnets 87. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate position IP is offset from the center, so that the magnets 85 are not in a straight line with the magnets 87, as shown in Fig. 21.

As can be seen from Fig. 22, when moving the cover 4 from the open position to the intermediate position IP, the user overcomes resistance. If the cover 4 moves beyond the intermediate position IP to the open position, the user no longer experiences resistance, since the cover 4 is not shifted to the open position by the magnetic force 93. If, instead, the user begins to move the cover 4 from the closed position to the intermediate position IP, but releases the cover 4 before it reaches the intermediate position IP, the magnetic force 92 will shift the cover 4 back to the closed position. The same effects will occur when moving the cover 4 from the open position to the intermediate position IP and/or to the closed position. Thus, the magnetic locking device helps to prevent accidental opening or closing of the cover 4, for example during transportation.

In each of the embodiments of the invention described above for the magnetic locking device, the biasing force is generated as a result of repulsion between the same poles of the fixed magnets 85 and the corresponding magnets 87 of the lid. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown here, the biasing force is generated as a result of attraction between the opposite poles of the fixed magnets 85 and the corresponding magnets 87 of the lid. In such an embodiment of the invention, one or more fixed magnets 85 may be provided, located on the first edge 83 of the upper panel structure 17, and one or more fixed magnets 85 located on the second edge 84 of the upper panel structure 17. The poles of the fixed magnets 85 located on the first edge 83 and on the second edge 84 may be designed with the possibility of creating an attractive force due to interaction with the corresponding opposite poles of one or more magnets 87 of the lid, located in the center of the lid 4. In this case, as was indicated above, the displacement of the lid 4 to the open position or to the closed position occurs as a result of the action of the attractive force.

In another possible embodiment of the invention, the fixed magnets 85 located on the first edge 83 interact with one or more lid magnets 87 located on the first edge 83 of the lid 4, and the fixed magnets 85 located on the second edge 84 interact with one or more lid magnets 87 located on the second edge 84 of the lid 4. In such an embodiment of the invention, the fixed magnets 86 of the first edge 83 are configured to attract the lid magnets 87 of the first edge 83, and the fixed magnets 86 of the second edge 84 are configured to attract the lid magnets 87 of the second edge 84 in order to shift the lid 4 to the open position and to the closed position, respectively, as indicated above.

In this embodiment of the invention, polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) is used as the material of the lid 4 and the upper panel structure 17. In other embodiments of the invention, other than PC/ABS, such as glass-filled nylon, may be used as the material of the lid 4 and the upper panel structure 17. In some embodiments of the invention, the size of the lid 4 in the direction parallel to the sliding direction is preferably 14 to 15 mm; the size of the lid 4 in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction is preferably 11 to 12 mm; and the thickness of the lid 4 is preferably 1 to 2 mm.

In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material is tobacco. However, in other embodiments, the aerosolizable material may be comprised of tobacco, comprised essentially entirely of tobacco, comprised of tobacco and an aerosolizable material other than tobacco, comprised of an aerosolizable material other than tobacco, or may not comprise tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may comprise a vaporizing or aerosolizing agent or a humectant such as glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

In some embodiments of the invention, the aerosolizable material is a non-liquid aerosolizable material, and the disclosed device is a device for heating the non-liquid aerosolizable material to evaporate at least one component of the aerosolizable material.

When all or substantially all/all of the vaporizable component(s) of the aerosolizable material in the consumable article is/are/are consumed, the user may remove the article from the device 1 and discard it. The user may subsequently reuse the device 1 using another article 21. However, in some other appropriate embodiments of the invention, the article may not be consumable, and in such cases, after the vaporizable component(s) of the aerosolizable material is/are consumed, the device and article may be discarded.

In the embodiments of the invention discussed here, the consumable product 21 comprises a mouthpiece assembly 21b. However, it should be borne in mind that in other embodiments of the invention, the device described herein may comprise a mouthpiece. For example, the device 1 may comprise a mouthpiece formed integrally with the device, or in other embodiments of the invention, the device may comprise a mouthpiece detachably connected to the device 1. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the device 1 may be configured to receive an aerosolizable material for heating. The aerosolizable material may be contained in a consumable product that does not comprise a mouthpiece. The user may draw through the mouthpiece of the device 1 to draw in the aerosol generated by the device by heating the aerosolizable material.

In some embodiments of the invention, the article 21 is sold, supplied or otherwise provided separately from the device 1 with which the article 21 is used. However, in some other embodiments of the invention, the device 1 and one or more articles 21 may be supplied together as a system, such as in the form of a kit or unit, possibly with additional components such as cleaning accessories.

In order to solve various existing problems and advance the state of the art, the present application discusses, as examples, various possible embodiments of the present invention, which provide improved heating elements for use in conjunction with a device for heating an aerosolizable material, methods for forming a heating element for use in conjunction with a device for heating an aerosolizable material for evaporating at least one component of the aerosolizable material, as well as systems including a device for heating an aerosolizable material for evaporating at least one component of the aerosolizable material and a heating element heated by such a device. The advantages and features of the present invention relate only to the discussed embodiments of the invention and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are discussed only for the purpose of facilitating the understanding and demonstration of the claimed and otherwise discussed features. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and/or other aspects of the present invention in no way limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the claims below or limitations on equivalents of these claims, and that other embodiments of the invention may be used and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims and/or the nature of the invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of or consist as a whole of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, operations, means, etc. The present invention may include other inventions not currently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims (43)

1. An assembly for use in a device for heating an aerosolizable material to evaporate at least one component of the aerosolizable material to generate an inhalable aerosol, comprising: a structure that forms an opening through which the aerosolized material can be inserted into the device with the possibility of removal; a cover connected to said structure and configured to move between an open position in which access to the opening is not restricted and a closed position in which access to the opening is restricted; and a locking device which, when used, is configured to hold the lid in at least one position of an open position and a closed position, when the lid is in an open position or a closed position, until an external force is applied to release the locking device. 2. The assembly according to claim 1, in which the locking device comprises a first part in the structure and a second, separate part in the lid, wherein the first part is configured to interact with the second part to hold the lid in an open position or a closed position when the lid is in an open position or a closed position. 3. The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, in which the locking device is further configured to bias the cover toward an open position or a closed position when the cover is between the open position or the closed position and an intermediate position that is between the open and closed positions. 4. An assembly according to any one of paragraphs 1–3, which additionally comprises at least one guide for guiding the movement of the cover relative to the structure. 5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein the guide comprises at least one element of the male element and the female element, intended to engage with the corresponding other element of the male and female elements of the structure. 6. An assembly according to any one of paragraphs 1-5, in which the locking device is a mechanical locking device. 7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the mechanical locking device comprises a cam, wherein the cam comprises a cam element located in the cover or in the structure, and at least one follower element located in the other element of the cover and the structure. 8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the cover forms a cam element, wherein the cam element comprises one or more stops, and wherein at least one follower element is configured to engage with one or more stops when the cover is in an open or closed position to hold the cover in the corresponding open or closed position. 9. The unit according to paragraph 7 or 8, which is designed so that at least one follower element is pressed against the cam element. 10. The assembly according to claim 9, in which at least one follower element is pressed against the cam element by means of a spring. 11. An assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the surface of the cam member is configured to engage with at least one follower member to press in at least one follower member when the lid is between the open and closed positions. 12. An assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 11, which comprises a spring retainer, wherein the spring retainer comprises a pressing element movably retained in the socket and pressed against the cam element, wherein at least one follower element is a pressing element. 13. The unit according to claim 12, in which the pressed element is designed with the possibility of rolling relative to the cam element when the cover moves relative to the structure. 14. The assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the pressed element has a spherical or cylindrical shape. 15. An assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the one or more stoppers include at least two stoppers located on opposite edges of the lid in the direction of movement of the lid. 16. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking device is a magnetic locking device. 17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the magnetic locking device comprises at least one fixed magnet located in the structure and at least one lid magnet located in the lid, wherein said locking device is configured to hold the lid with magnets in an open position or in a closed position when the lid is in an open or closed position. 18. The unit according to item 16 or 17, in which the magnetic fixing device is designed with the possibility of: holding the lid open with magnets when the lid is in the open position; holding the lid with magnets in the closed position when the lid is in the closed position. 19. The assembly according to claim 17 or 18, wherein at least one cover magnet has first and second magnetic poles and at least one stationary magnet has first and second magnetic poles, wherein: the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet have opposite polarity; the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet are oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cover; the first pole of the cover magnet and the first pole of the fixed magnet face essentially opposite directions and have the same polarity. 20. An assembly according to any one of claims 17-19, wherein at least one cover magnet has first and second magnetic poles and at least one stationary magnet has first and second magnetic poles, wherein: the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet have opposite polarity; the first and second magnetic poles of each magnet are oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the cover; and the first pole of the cover magnet and the first pole of the fixed magnet face essentially opposite directions and have the same polarity. 21. An assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein at least one cover magnet and at least one stationary magnet have essentially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, each of them having a longer edge in the direction of movement; wherein the centroid of at least one magnet of the cover is located at equal distances in the direction of movement from the edges of the cover; wherein the centroid of at least one fixed magnet is located at equal distances in the direction of movement from the open and closed positions. 22. An assembly according to any one of paragraphs 17-21, in which the cover has a lower surface located near the upper surface of the structure, and: at least one magnet of the lid is located in a corresponding recess made in the lower surface of the lid so that it is not visible during use; at least one fixed magnet is located under the top surface of the structure so that it is not visible during use. 23. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the cover is substantially flat and elongated in the direction of movement. 24. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the size of the cover in the direction parallel to the sliding direction is preferably from 14 to 15 mm, in the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement is preferably from 11 to 12 mm, and the thickness is preferably from 1 to 2 mm. 25. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein said structure comprises a recessed portion, the shape and dimensions of which correspond to the shape and dimensions of the lid, and said recessed portion is designed to receive the lid during use and to allow movement of the lid between open and closed positions. 26. The assembly according to claim 25, wherein the surface of the recessed portion further comprises an opening, wherein said opening is located near the end of the recessed portion corresponding to the closed position. 27. An assembly according to any one of paragraphs 1-26, in which the material of the structure and the cover is polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS). 28. A system comprising a heating device configured to heat an aerosolized material to evaporate at least one component of the aerosolized material, and an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 27 for use with the heating device, wherein the heating device comprises at least one heating element located in a housing of the heating device, wherein the heating element is configured to heat the aerosolized material during use.