WO2024132788A1

WO2024132788A1 - Aerosol generation system

Info

Publication number: WO2024132788A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/085627
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alec WRIGHT; Damian DICKSON; Tilen CEGLAR; Jaakko MCEVOY
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2022-12-21
Filing date: 2023-12-13
Publication date: 2024-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-21

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generation system, comprising: a consumable unit made of a material that is capable of absorbing and retaining an aerosol-forming substrate, and an aerosol generation device comprising an aerosol generating unit, wherein the consumable unit is independent of other components of the aerosol generation device such that it is capable of being separable from the other components of the device to enable the replaceability of the consumable unit, and the consumable unit acts as a reservoir that exclusively provides the aerosol-forming substrate to the user.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATION SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to an aerosol generation system. More specifically, this present disclosure relates to an aerosol generation device with a consumable unit that is removable from the device.

Background

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk tobacco products have grown rapidly in recent years as an alternative to the use of traditional tobacco products. An aerosol generation device of this kind generally comprises a battery-powered vapor generation unit which produces the aerosol that is inhaled.

One such type of aerosol generation device comprises a membrane which is caused to oscillate by a vibration generator in order to nebulize an aerosol-forming fluid. Such devices having a membrane and oscillation generator are disclosed, for example, in EP 0615470 Al and US 2006207591 Al.

The vapor generation units of these types present many advantages, in particular, in size and power consumption. Unlike conventional resistive heating devices that vaporise the aerosol the user can inhale, these types of aerosol-generating devices eject aerosols into the user’s mouth.

However, such an aerosol generation device also results in a specific design of the consumable unit for the aerosol-forming fluid can be efficiently transported to the membrane. Such consumable units had the disadvantage that they have a larger than usual diameter leading to more foreign objects, harder to clean, and that all fluid may not be transported.

Additionally, replaceable cartridges are bulky and include materials that may not be easily recycled, thus not environmentally friendly. Therefore it is necessary to develop a way to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an aerosol generation device and a consumable unit, which solves some or all of the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided with an aerosol generation system, comprising: a consumable unit made of a material that is capable of absorbing and retaining an aerosol-forming substrate, and an aerosol generation device comprising an aerosol generating unit, wherein the consumable unit is independent of other components of the aerosol generation device such that it is capable of being separable from the other components of the device to enable the replaceability of the consumable unit, and the consumable unit acts as a reservoir that exclusively provides the aerosol-forming substrate to the user.

This arrangement provides an aerosol generation system with a consumable unit that does not contain plastic, is easy to exchange, and an aerosol generation device that is simple in structure and easy to operate.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, according to the first aspect, the consumable unit is at least partially in contact with the aerosol generating unit when in use.

This arrangement ensures that the consumable can always be transported to the aerosol generating unit.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, according to the first or the second aspects, the consumable unit is shaped such that it covers the entirety of the aerosol generating unit.

With this arrangement, the aerosol can be generated more efficiently.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the aerosol generation device further comprises a holding element configured to removably hold the consumable unit (2), wherein holding element is provided such that the consumable unit can be replaced after dismantling the holding element from the aerosol generation device, or replaced from the outside without dismantling the device.

This makes the exchange of the consumable unit easier. In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the device comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is capable of being at least partially detached from the other parts of the device to allow a gap to be formed to enable the consumable unit to be accessible from outside of the aerosol generation device.

This arrangement facilitates the prevention of accidental activation of the device and helps to prevent leakage.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the device comprises a connecting means provided between the first section and the second section, where the connecting means enables the first section to be, at least connected, partially connected or detached, with the second section.

This makes the attaching and detaching of the device more easily and prevents the loss of the first or second sections of the device when exchanging the consumable unit.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the aerosol generating unit is provided at a side of the first section that is configured to connect with the other part of the device.

In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, according to any one of the above aspects, the device comprises a holding element configured to hold the consumable unit, wherein the holding element is provided on either the first section or the second section, or provided on a third section between the first section and second section.

In a nineth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the above aspects, the consumable unit has a cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generation device, preferably substantially a disk shape or a cylindrical shape.

This arrangement reduces the size of the device and makes the device more portable.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the above aspects, the diskshaped material has a diameter of at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 7 mm, and most preferably at least 9 mm, and at most 25 mm, preferably at most 20 mm, more preferably at most 15 mm, and most preferably at most 11 mm; and the disk-shaped material has a thickness of at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.5 mm, more preferably at least 1 mm, and most preferably at least 1.5 mm, and at most 15 mm, preferably at most 10 mm, more preferably at most 5 mm, and most preferably at most 2.5 mm.

A consumable which the above-mentioned nature and these size configurations, the consumable unit maybe able to hold approximal 0.12 ml of water-based e-liquid.

In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, according to the above aspects, the material is porous and has wicking property.

With the highly absorbing nature, more consumables can be retained in one consumable unit. Excepting the aerosol-forming substrate itself, as the cotton is the only component of the consumable unit, this is an improvement from a sustainability point of view.

In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the above aspects, the aerosol generating unit comprises a thermal or non-thermal aerosolizing element.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the above aspects, the aerosol generating unit comprises a vibration unit configured to vibrate so as to form droplets from the aerosol-forming substrate.

In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, according to the above aspects, at least a part of the vibration unit is permeable.

In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure relates to a consumable unit package, comprising at least one consumable unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the consumable unit package is a sealed package, preferably a blister pack containing multiple consumable units.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1: is a schematic view of an embodiment of an aerosol generation system of this invention, comprising an aerosol generation device and a consumable unit;

Figure 2: is an enlarged schematic view of the aerosol generation system of Figure

1, in which the aerosol generation device is in its disassembled state,

Figure 3a: is a schematic cross-section view of an embodiment of an aerosol generation system of this invention in its closed state, Figure 3b: is a schematic cross-section view of the aerosol generation system of

Figure 3a in its open state,

Figure 3c: is a schematic cross-section view of the aerosol generation system of

Figure 3a in its dissembled state for changing a consumable unit, and

Figure 3d: is a schematic cross-section view of the aerosol generation system of

Figure 3a in its closed state.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding and brevity, certain features shown in the drawings have not been described in detail, and certain features have been omitted entirely for ease of understanding. As used herein, the term “aerosol generation device”, “E-cigarette”, or “electronic cigarette” may include an electronic cigarette system configured to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for smoking. All the oriental terms, such as “up”, “down”, “upper” “down” “above”, “below”, etc., refers to the relative position of the components of the aerosol generation device 1 in its use position. Use position shall mean the position in which is put the aerosol generation device 1 when ready for use or being used, namely the position in which outlet 17 of device 1 is the upward direction.

[Overview of aerosol generation system]

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an aerosol generation system having the aerosol generation device 1 and the consumable unit 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the aerosol generation device 1 is portable having a generally longitudinally shaped in the longitudinal direction L, and having a substantially circular or elongated cross-section in the transverse direction T. However, other shapes of the device and at different cross-sections are possible.

In the embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal direction L is parallel to the inhalation direction, and the transversal direction T is perpendicular to the inhalation direction. [Aerosol generation device]

The aerosol generation device 1 comprises a main casing which forms a housing, having a first section n (the upper section in figure i) and a second section 12 (the lower section).

During use, the first section is closer to the mouth end of the user than the second section. The first section is arranged with outlet 17, from which the user can inhale the aerosol generated from the aerosol generation device 1.

The aerosol generation device 1 also comprises a power storage and/or supply unit, such as a battery, which is adapted to supply power to the electronic components of aerosol generation device 1. In the preferred embodiment, the power supply is provided in the second section 12. The aerosol generation device 1 further includes a controller unit, such as a printed circuit board. The battery is, at least, electronically connected to the printed circuit board of the aerosol generation device 1. The printed circuit board controls the various elements of aerosol generation device 1 for the functioning of the device.

Figure 2 shows the aerosol generation system of Figure 1, in which the aerosol generation device is in its disassembled state. As shown in Figures 1 & 2, the first section further comprises an aerosol-generating unit 18 (shown in dotted lines). Depending on the technology implemented to aerosolize the fluid, the aerosolgenerating unit 18 may comprise a surface capable of oscillating or vibrating. For instance, the oscillation/vibration generating assembly may have a permeable member which can be vibrated using a vibration generator (not shown). The vibration generator may be ultrasonic acoustic waves or vibrations caused by vibrating the permeable member and configured to drive the permeable member to vibrate ultrasonically. Preferably, the permeable member has a circular shape. The vibration generator may be placed at specific positions around the membrane. In some embodiments, it may have a ring shape. Preferably, the permeable member is a mesh (a perforated metal disc) or a permeable membrane.

In the preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating unit 18 is provided on the lower part of the first section 11. However, it may also be provided in other positions depending on how the aerosol-generable fluid substrate is provided. The vibration assembly can be controlled by an activation signal that causes the permeable member to vibrate, which causes an aerosol-generable fluid substrate to be nebulized. In particular, when the fluid is provided on a first/lower surface of the permeable member, it is nebulized such that aerosol is generated and ejected from a second/upper surface of the permeable member on the rear side of the first/lower surface. Preferably, the surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the airflow direction of the aerosol, i.e., the surface is along the transversal direction T and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L shown in the figures. The vibration generator may be any means which can generate vibrations, such as ultrasonic acoustic vibrator, or a piezoelectric element to which an electric activation signal can be supplied to cause vibration. The activation signal can be provided from the printed circuit board.

Alternately, the aerosol generating unit 18 can also be a conventional heating element configured to vaporize the aerosol generating substrate.

The aerosol generation device i further comprises a consumable container or a holding element 13 configured to contain/hold the consumable unit 2. The consumable unit is provided with the first section 11, or the second section 12. The holding element 13 is arranged such that the consumable unit 2 is close to the permeable member of the aerosol generating unit 18 when it is assembled. That is, when the upper section and the lower section are connected, the consumable unit 2 is close to, or in contact with, the permeable member or other vibration surfaces. In the present embodiment, the holding element 13, may have at least an opening such that when consumable unit 2 can be placed in it. The opening is provided such that when the consumable unit 2 is placed, the surface of the consumable unit 2 is, at least partially, in contact with the permeable member of the aerosol generating unit 18, when in use.

The opening of the holding element 13 has preferably the same size as or a larger size than the surface of the consumable unit 2, such that when it is placed in the holding element 13, the surface of the consumable unit 2 is fully exposed on the upper surface. In the present invention, when the consumable unit 2 is positioned in the holding element, it is positioned such that the consumable unit 2 is in contact with the first/lower surface of the permeable member so that fluid is transported more efficiently.

The holding element 13 has a size and shape such that it is capable of holding the consumable unit 2. In the preferred embodiment, the holding element 13 has a depth (in the transversal direction) that is substantially equal to, preferably lesser than, the thickness of the consumable unit 2. Furthermore, the diameter of the opening is also such that it can fully accommodate the consumable unit 2.

For instance, the diameter of the opening is preferably at least 4 mm, preferably at least 6 mm, more preferably at least 8 mm, and most preferably at least 10 mm, and at most 26 mm, preferably at most 22 mm, more preferably at most 16 mm, and most preferably at most 12 mm. The depth of the internal space of the holding element 13 is preferably at least 0.05 mm, preferably at least 0.4 mm, more preferably at least 0.8 mm, and most preferably at least 1.2 mm, and at most 15 mm, preferably at most 10 mm, more preferably at most 5 mm, and most preferably at most 2.5 mm.

In the preferred embodiment, the holding element 13 is removable. The component is provided in one of the first sections or the second section or in between the first section 11 and the second section 12 of the aerosol generation device. The holding element 13 can be detached from the aerosol generation device 1 (such as when the consumable unit 2 needs to be changed).

In another embodiment, the holding element 13 can also be permanently installed on either the first section 11 or the second section 12 of the aerosol generation device 1.

In the present embodiment, the holding element 13 is a single piece, such as a tray. The holding element maybe made from rigid materials, such as plastic or metal. The holding element may have the same cross-sectional shape of the housing, for example, a circular shape or the shape of the section of the housing on which the holding element is positioned.

The aerosol generation device 1 is arranged in a way such that the consumable unit 2 is replaceable after the detaching of the first and second sections 11, 12 from each other. Specifically, with the dismentaling of the first and second sections 11, 12, a space can be formed between the sections and above the holding element 13. In one of the preferred embodiment, the user can replace the consumable unit 2 directly through the space. In another preferred embodiment, the user can remove the holding element 13 from the space, and then replace the consumable unit 2. The process of replacing the consumable unit 2 is explained in detail below.

The aerosol generation device 1 further comprises an attachment mechanism configured to maintain the holding element 13 attached with the other section(s) of the aerosol generation device 1. Furthermore, a locking mechanism is additionally provided. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment mechanism also functions as a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism, for example, a press fit mechanism, attaches the consumable 2 with the aerosol generating unit 18.

The aerosol generation device 1 further comprises an unlocking mechanism configured to allow releasing of the holding element 13. The unlocking mechanism allows the detachment such that the holding element 13 can be detached from the housing or any one of the first section 11 or the second section 12. In addition, in some embodiment, device 1 further comprises a connecting mechanism 16 provided between the first section 11 and the second section 12, where the connecting mechanism 16 enables the first section 11 to be in a connected, partially connected or disconnected state, with the second section 12. In the present embodiment, the connecting mechanism 16 connects the first section 11 with the second section 12.

In the preferred embodiment, the connecting mechanism is provided such that it engages with either the first section 11 or the second section. The connecting mechanism is provided such that even in a disconnected state, the first section 11 and the second section 12 are still held to each other without being completely detached from each other. For instance, as shown in figures 1 & 2, the connecting mechanism 16 is hinged with the first section 11 and/or the second section 12. Therefore, the first section 11 and second 12 can freely move with respect to each other in a detached state of the holding element 13. This enables an easier exchange of the consumable unit 2.

In the present embodiment, the user may press the activation element 15, which may be an individual unit or a part of the unlocking mechanism. The pressing of the activation element 15 activates the unlocking mechanism to detach the holding element 13 and the first section 11 and/or second section 12. Alternatively, or additionally, another mechanism may be provided which allows activating the unlocking mechanism, such as a simple pull mechanism where pulling the first section 11 away from the second section 12 will result in the detachment of the holding element to release the pressure.

In a preferred embodiment, a detecting unit may be arranged in the aerosol generation device 1 to detect if the first section 11 is pulled away from the second section 12 to avoid accidental opening. On detecting an opening, the control circuitry switches off the aerosol generation device 1, or at least the aerosol generating unit 18, to prevent any potential damage due to accidental opening. IO

[Consumable unit]

In order to make the consumable unit compact, consumable unit 2 of the present embodiment is configured to contain and entirely retain the consumable. The consumable unit primarily consists of a material that is capable of absorbing and retaining an aerosol-forming substrate as a sponge. In the preferred embodiment, the material is preferably a recyclable material and, more preferably, biodegradable.

When in use, the aerosol generating substrate is transported to/supplied on the lower surface of the permeable element through the capillary action. Aerosol is then generated through the upper surface of the permeable element during the vibration of the element caused by the vibration generator.

In the present invention, the material could be a single material, or a combination of materials, for example, cotton, gauze, glass fiber, paper fiber, a mix of these materials and/or any other known porous materials that have capillary properties, and other preferred properties such as absorbing and high retaining capability of the aerosol generating fluid within the material.

According to the present invention, the aerosol-generable material and aerosol-forming substrate may be designated to any material that can be aerosolized in the air to form an aerosol. The aerosol generating substrate may, for example, be in liquid form (called e-liquid) or in a semi-liquid form. The aerosol-generable material thus comprises or consists of an aerosol generation liquid, gel, paste or wax or the like, or any combination of these. E-liquid includes an aerosol former liquid such as water, propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine or glycerol (VG), or a mixture of PG and VG, and the aerosol former liquid is preferably mixed with nicotine or tobacco.

As shown in Figures 1 & 2, in the present embodiment, the consumable unit 2 is a cotton pad made of cotton, which has a circular shape along the transversal direction and having a certain thickness in the longitudinal direction. That is, the consumable unit 2 is preferably a disk-shaped or a cylindrical shaped unit. The area of the surface of the consumable unit 2, which is in contact with the permeable member of the aerosol generating unit 18 is preferably equal to, and more preferably bigger than, the area of the surface of the permeable member of the aerosol generating unit 18. Such an area of the surface of the consumable unit 2 ensures efficient transport of the aerosol-forming substrate as it covers the entirety of the surface of the permeable member of the aerosol generating unit 18 when the consumable unit 2 is placed in the holding element 13. Preferably, the thickness of the consumable unit 2, in a dry state, is equal to/more than the depth of the internal space of the holding element 13 in a transverse direction. Such a size of the consumable unit 2 allows it is at least partially in contact with the permeable member when in use. Specifically, the consumable unit 2 has a diameter of at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 7 mm, and most preferably at least 9 mm, and at most 25 mm, preferably at most 20 mm, more preferably at most 15 mm, and most preferably at most 11 mm; and the consumable unit 2 has a thickness of at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.5 mm, more preferably at least 1 mm, and most preferably at least 1.5 mm, and at most 15 mm, preferably at most 10 mm, more preferably at most 5 mm, and most preferably at most 2.5 mm. Accordingly, the consumable unit 2 may reserve at least 0.3, preferably at least 0.5 ml, more preferably at least 0.7 ml, even more preferably at least 0.9 ml, and most preferably at least 0.12 ml of aerosol generating substrate, and at most 1 ml, preferably at most 0.5 ml, more preferably at most 0.2 ml, even more preferably at most o. 17 ml, and most preferably at most 0.15 ml of aerosol generating substrate.

Such a size of the consumable unit would ensure that adequate aerosol forming substrate is provided similar to that of a conventional vapor device.

[Consumable unit package]

Considering the properties of the consumable unit 2, a consumable unit package is provided to house the consumable unit 2. Preferably, the consumable unit 2 is sealed in the consumable unit package in an air-tight way. This arrangement can prevent liquid leak from the consumable unit 2. In order to take out the consumable unit 2 from the consumable unit package, the user can open the consumable unit package by, for example, tearing apart the consumable unit package. In a preferred embodiment, the consumable unit package is a blister pack. With this arrangement, multiple consumable unit 2 can be contained in a single consumable unit package and would be easy for transport and prepare.

[Process of exchanging consumable units in the device]

Hereinafter, together with Figures 3a to 3d, the process of the exchanging (or replacing) the consumable unit 2 is explained.

When the consumable 2 in the consumable unit 2 is depleted, i.e., the consumable unit 2 is almost dry (or if the consumable unit 2 is empty), the user can initiate replacing the consumable unit 2 with a new and unused consumable unit 2, which has absorbed and retains aerosol generating substrate within.

In an optional initial step, the aerosol generation device i may comprise a sensor configured to detect if the aerosol generating substrate in the consumable unit 2 has been depleted (or if there is no aerosol generating substrate in the consumable unit 2). In such a case, the aerosol generation device 1 may indicate such a state by an audio/visual or haptic means or by transmission to external means.

In a first step, the user detaches the first section 11 (or, in other configurations, the second section 12) from the rest of the device 1. More specifically, the user utilizes the unlocking mechanism, such as pressing the activation element 15 or detecting the pull action to release the holding element 13 and the aerosol generating unit 18 from the first section 11.

In the second step, the user moves the first section 11 away from the second section to detach the sections. Optionally, the connecting mechanism 16 connects the first section 11 with the second section 12, holding the section, which still provides a gap between the sections. This gap formed between the sections, allows access the holding element 13, and in effect, allows accessing the consumable unit 2 within the holding element from the outside of the aerosol generation device 1. In other words, the holding element 13, together with the consumable unit 2 (or the empty internal space of the holding element 13 is exposed to the outside. The aerosol generation device 1 is then transferred from the closed state in Figure 3a, in which the first section 11 is firmly attached to the holding element 13 and the consumable unit 2 is in contact with the aerosol generating unit 18, to the open state in Figure 3b, in which the first section is pulled up and is in a position above the holding element 13, the pressure between the first section 11 and the holding element 13 is released, and the aerosol generating unit 18 is away from and not in contact with the consumable unit 2.

Optionally, in the third step, the consumable unit 2 can be removed from the aerosol generation device 1, for example, horizontally, while the holding element remains or at least partially retained within the housing. In other words, the consumable unit 2 can be interchanged on the tray, similar to how a SIM card is exchanged in a mobile phone. The user can thus easily replace the consumable unit 2. As shown in Figure 3c, the aerosol generation device 1 is then transferred from the open state to a disassembled state, in which the holding element 13 is detached from the first section 11 and the second section 12. In the fourth step, the user may replace the used consumable unit 2 with a new consumable unit 2, as shown in Figure 3c.

Optionally, in the fifth step, the user places the holding element 13 back in the appropriate position within the aerosol generation device 1, which in the preferred embodiment is on the second section 12 of the aerosol generation device 1. Preferably, a guide may be arranged on the upper end of the second section 12, which is configured to guide the holding element 13 to the right position.

In the sixth step, the user pushes down the first section 11 again until the first section 11 is attached to the holding element 13. Preferably, with the locking mechanism, the holding element 13 is firmly attached to the first section 11 and second section 12, and the user may sense a click when the first section is locked in position.

In the seventh step, the user may start consuming the aerosol generating substrate from the consumable unit 2 and start to inhale the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating unit 18.

In this way, the embodiment of the present invention allows easy replacement of the consumable unit 2.

It is noted that the above embodiments and examples may be combined with further aspects as described herein, and details of the embodiments and examples may also be omitted, as will be understood by the skilled person. The scope of protection is determined by the claims and is not limited by the embodiments and examples disclosed in the above figures.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations of the described examples and embodiments are possible in light of the above teaching. The disclosed examples and embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration only. Other embodiments may include some or all of the features disclosed herein. Therefore, it is the intent to cover all such modifications and alternate embodiments as may come within the true scope of this invention. List of reference signs

1 Aerosol generation device

2 Consumable unit n First section of the Aerosol generation device

12 Second section of the Aerosol generation device

13 Holding element

15 Activation element

16 Connecting mechanism

17 Outlet

18 Aerosol generating unit

Claims

Claims for PCT application

1. An aerosol generation system, comprising: a consumable unit (2) made of a material that is capable of absorbing and retaining an aerosol-forming substrate, and, an aerosol generation device (1) comprising an aerosol generating unit (18), wherein the aerosol generating unit (18) comprises a vibration unit configured to vibrate so as to form droplets from the aerosol-forming substrate; and wherein the consumable unit (2) is independent of other components of the aerosol generation device (1) such that it is capable of being separable from the other components of the aerosol generation device (1) to enable replaceability of the consumable unit (2), and the consumable unit (2) acts as a reservoir that exclusively provides the aerosol-forming substrate to the user.

2. The aerosol generation system according to claim 1, wherein the consumable unit (2) is at least partially in contact with the aerosol generating unit (18) when in use.

3. The aerosol generation system according to claim 2, wherein the consumable unit (2) is shaped such that it covers the entirety of the aerosol generating unit (18).

4. The aerosol generation system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a holding element (13) configured to removably hold the consumable unit (2), wherein holding element (13) is provided such that the consumable unit (2) can be replaced after dismantling the holding element from the aerosol generation device (1), or replaced from the outside without dismantling the device.

5. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first section (11) and a second section (12), wherein the first section (11) is capable of being at least partially detached from the other parts of the device (1) to allow a gap to be formed to enable the consumable unit (2) to be accessible from outside of the aerosol generation device (1).

6. The aerosol generation system according to claim 5, further comprises a connecting means (16) provided between the first section (11) and the second section (12), where the connecting means (16) enables the first section (11) to be, at least connected, partially connected or detached, with the second section (12).

7. The aerosol generation system according to claims 5 or 6, wherein the aerosol generating unit (18) is provided at a side of the first section (11) that is configured to connect with other part of the device (1).

8. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a holding element (13) configured to hold the consumable unit (2), wherein the holding element (13) is provided on either the first section (11) or the second section (12), or provided on a third section between the first section (11) and second section (12).

9. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the consumable unit (2) has a cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generation device (1), preferably substantially a disk shape or a cylindrical shape.

10. The aerosol generation system of claim 9, wherein the disk shaped consumable unit (2) has a diameter of at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 7 mm, and most preferably at least 9 mm, and at most 25 mm, preferably at most 20 mm, more preferably at most 15 mm, and most preferably at most 11 mm; and the disk shaped consumable unit (2) has a thickness of at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.5 mm, more preferably at least 1 mm, and most preferably at least 1.5 mm, and at most 15 mm, preferably at most 10 mm, more preferably at most 5 mm, and most preferably at most 2.5 mm.

11. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material is porous and has wicking property.

12. The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generating unit (18) is a mesh vibrator.

13- The aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the consumable unit is provided below the aerosol generating unit (18).

14. The aerosol generation system according to claim 13, wherein at least a part of the vibration unit is permeable.

15. A consumable unit package, comprising at least one consumable unit (2) for use in the aerosol generation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the consumable unit package is a sealed package, preferably a blister pack, containing one or more consumable units (2).