WO2024200643A1

WO2024200643A1 - Aerosol generating device comprising a gripping part and associated aerosol generating assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2024200643A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/058473
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik SNIJDER
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2023-03-30
Filing date: 2024-03-28
Publication date: 2024-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-30

Abstract

The present invention concerns an aerosol generating device comprising: - a device body (40) extending along a device axis (Y); - a heating chamber (60); - a mouthpiece (43) mounted on the device body (40) to cover at least partially a chamber opening (69) and defining an internal surface facing the device body (40) and the chamber opening (69), the mouthpiece (43) further defining a gripping part (48) configured to grip an external surface of an aerosol generating article; - a seal (95) arranged between the internal surface of the mouthpiece (43) and an open end of the heating chamber (60); - a pressure exerting means (51) arranged to cause pressure on the seal (95) according to the device axis (Y).

Description

Aerosol generating device comprising a gripping part and associated aerosol generating assembly

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an aerosol generating device. The present invention also concerns an aerosol generating assembly comprising the aerosol generating device.

Particularly, the aerosol generating device according to the invention is configured to operate with an aerosol generating article, for example a flat-shaped tobacco article, which comprises for example a solid substrate able to form aerosol when being heated. Thus, such type of aerosol generating devices, also known as heat-not-burn devices, is adapted to heat, rather than burn, the substrate by conduction, convection and/or radiation, to generate aerosol for inhalation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporisers) has grown rapidly in the past few years as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm vaporizable substances as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generation device or heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type generate aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 350°C. Heating an aerosol substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user but not the toxic and carcinogenic byproducts of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the tobacco or other vaporizable material does not typically comprise the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant for the user and so the substrate does not therefore require the sugars and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and/or vapour more palatable for the user. Tobacco articles, usable with such type of aerosol generating devices can take various forms. Some of them can present an elongated stick or any other suitable shape, like for example a flat shape. Generally, such a tobacco article is received at least partially in a heating chamber of the device which comprises one or several heaters to heat the tobacco article.

When received at least partially in the heating chamber, the aerosol generating article is configured to generate aerosol which is delivered to the user via the mouthpiece. In some devices, aerosol can leak from openings other than the opening defined in the mouthpiece. This issue conducts to a poor user’s experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the invention is to propose an aerosol generating device preventing or minimising aerosol leakages. The user’s experience can thus be considerably improved.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising:

- a device body extending along a device axis;

- a heating chamber arranged in the device body and comprising an open end defining a chamber opening suitable for insertion of an aerosol generating article at least partially in an internal volume of the heating chamber;

- a mouthpiece mounted on the device body to cover at least partially the chamber opening, the mouthpiece defining an internal surface facing the device body and the chamber opening, the mouthpiece further defining a gripping part configured to grip an external surface of the aerosol generating article;

- a seal arranged between the internal surface of the mouthpiece and the open end of the heating chamber;

- a pressure exerting means arranged to cause pressure on the seal according to the device axis.

Provided with these features, leakage between the mouthpiece and the heating chamber can be minimized since the seal is sandwiched between these two elements by the pressure exerting means. The seal can be made from any suitable material, for example from a flexible material ensuring thus a better sealing between the mouthpiece and the device body. Additionally, the mouthpiece provided with the gripping part can be used to handle easily the aerosol generating article before a vaping session. For example, the aerosol generating device can be gripped by the gripping part to be inserted inside the heating chamber. Thus, the aerosol generating article can be positioned more accurately in the heating chamber that minimizes leakage risks.

Accordingly, the seal sandwiched between the mouthpiece and the heating chamber as well as the mouthpiece provided with the gripping part contribute to minimize leakages from the heating chamber that improves considerably the user’s experience.

Additionally, after the vaping session, the aerosol generating article can be easily extracted from the heating chamber using the grapping portion. This is possible even immediately after the vaping session when the aerosol generating article is still hot. This feature also improves considerably the user’s experience.

According to some embodiments, the open end of the heating chamber comprises a flange delimiting the chamber opening.

Thanks to these features, the seal can be easily positioned between the mouthpiece and the flange of the heating chamber. Additionally, the flange increases the contact surface with the seal that further reduces leakage risks.

According to some embodiments, the flange defines a substantially flat surface in contact with the seal, said flat surface extending substantially perpendicularly to the device axis.

The flat surface in contact with the seal is particularly advantageous since it optimizes the contact surface with the seal. The seal can form example also have a flat surface to maximize the contact with the seal. Additionally, since the pressure means exert pressure on the seal according to the device axis, the seal can be better compressed by the flat surface that further reduces leakage risks.

According to some other embodiments, the flange defines a contact surface with the seal having any other suitable shape. For example, the contact surface can have a convex or concave shape and the seal can form a complementary shape to this shape of the contact surface. For example, the contact surface of the flange can form a rounded shape to maximize the contact with the seal.

According to some embodiments, the internal surface of the mouthpiece comprises an annular rib abutting against the seal according to the device axis.

Thanks these features, the seal can be further compressed ensuring thus a better contact with both mouthpiece and the device body. Thus, the sealing properties of the seal can be increased and flow leakages further minimized.

According to some embodiments, the seal comprises two opposite surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly to the device axis.

Thanks to these features, the seal can ensure a better contact with both mouthpiece and heating chamber, increasing thus its sealing properties. Additionally, since the pressure exerted by the pressure exerting means is directed according to the device axis, these features can ensure a better compression of the seal and as a consequence, a better contact with both mouthpiece and device body to increase its sealing properties.

According to some embodiments, the pressure exerting means is configured to exert pressure on the mouthpiece to abut it against the device body and/or the heating chamber.

Thanks to these features, the pressure is exerted on the mouthpiece which is in contact with the seal. Thus, the seal can be compressed by the mouthpiece to ensure better sealing properties and minimize flow leakages.

According to some embodiments, the pressure exerting means is configured to engage the mouthpiece with an internal surface delimiting the internal volume of the heating chamber.

Thank to these features, the pressure can be exerted by the mouthpiece on the device body or heating chamber when the mouthpiece is mounted on the device body and at least a part of it is received in the heating chamber. Since this position of the mouthpiece corresponds to its operational configuration, no further action is required to trigger the pressure exerting means. In other words, in this case, the pressure exerting means is activated automatically when the mouthpiece is mounted on the device body and the device is ready to generate aerosol.

According to some embodiments, the gripping part of the mouthpiece is configured to penetrate the internal volume of the heating chamber.

Thanks to these features, the gripping part can be positioned inside the heating chamber when the mouthpiece is in its operation state. Thus, the aerosol generating article can be positioned accurately inside the heating chamber that further minimizes leakage risks. Additionally, using these feature, the aerosol generating article can be easily extracted from the heating chamber after a vaping session.

According to some embodiments, an air gap is formed between a portion of the gripping part of the mouthpiece and an internal surface delimiting the internal volume of the heating chamber.

The air gap minimizes heat transfer from the heating chamber to the mouthpiece. In this way, during the operation of the device, the surface temperature of the mouthpiece can remain relatively low avoiding thus burning risks for the user.

According to some embodiments, the pressure exerting means comprises at least one protruding element and at least one recess configured to receive said protruding element, said protruding element and recess being arranged on the gripping part of the mouthpiece and on an internal surface delimiting the internal volume of the heating chamber.

Thanks to these features, the pressure exerting means may be simply formed by the mouthpiece and the heating chamber, without using additional means. In some embodiments, only one protruding element and only one corresponding recess are provided. According to other embodiments, at least two protruding element arranged for example on opposite walls of the gripping part and at least two recesses arranged on opposite walls of the heating chamber are provided. In this last case, the mouthpiece may be more firmly engaged with the heating chamber and an increased pressure on the seal may be formed. According to some embodiments, the gripping part of the mouthpiece is configured to grip the external surface of the aerosol generating article while extraction the gripping part from the heating chamber.

Thanks to these features, the aerosol generating article can be easily extracted from the heating chamber.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating article comprises a solid tobacco substrate.

According to some embodiments, the pressure exerting means comprises at least one magnet configured to create an attraction force between the mouthpiece and the device body and/or the heating chamber.

Provided with these features, the mouthpiece can be easily mounted on the device body. Additionally, the pressure exerting means does not need to be activated and operates as soon as the mouthpiece is mounted on the device.

According to some embodiments, the pressure exerting means can comprise at least one magnet configured to create an attraction force between the mouthpiece and the device body and/or the heating chamber, as well as at least one protruding element and at least one recess, as defined above.

According to some embodiments, the heating chamber forms a flat shape. In this case, the aerosol generating article also forms a flat shape.

By “flat shape” of the heating chamber or of the aerosol generating article, it is understood that it extends between two first parallel longitudinal planes and two second parallel longitudinal planes perpendicular to the first parallel longitudinal planes, the distance between the second parallel longitudinal planes being at least 3 times, advantageously 5 times and preferably 10 times, greater than the distance between the first parallel longitudinal planes.

Thanks to these features, the heating chamber is adapted to receive an aerosol generating article having a flat shape. The flat shape of the heating chamber is particularly advantageous to ensure a fast preheating phase of the aerosol generating article. Thus, the article can be ready to generate vapor only a few seconds (for example 5 s or 15 s or 20 s) after activating the heating chamber.

According to some embodiments, the heating chamber further comprises a thermal insulator arranged between a heating zone and a mounting zone.

Such thermal insulator can for example be arranged on an external surface of the heating chamber. Its shape, size and dimensions can be adapted to different respective examples of arrangement of the heating and mounting zones. This thermal insulator can be formed by vacuum or an air chamber, a sheet(s), powders, etc., and can comprise various materials such superwool, aerogel, etc.

In some embodiments, a thermal insulator can be provided between the heating chamber and an internal surface of walls forming the device body. This thermal insulator can be formed by vacuum or an air chamber, a sheet(s), powders, etc., and can comprise various materials such superwool, aerogel, etc.

The present invention also relates to an aerosol generating assembly comprising:

- an aerosol generating device as defined above;

- an aerosol generating article configured to operate with the aerosol generating device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting example and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating assembly, the aerosol generating assembly comprising an aerosol generating device according to a first embodiment of the invention and an aerosol generating article usable with the aerosol generating device;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating article of Figure 1 ; - Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating assembly of Figure 1 according to plane III;

- Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating assembly of Figure 1 according to plane IV;

- Figure 5 is a schematic view of an airflow channel extending inside the aerosol generating assembly of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 6 is a schematic view of a heating surface arranged inside the aerosol generating device of Figure 1 ; and

- Figures 7 and 8 show schematically pressure exerting means of an aerosol generating device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

The expression “substantially equal to” is understood hereinafter as an equality at plus or minus 10% and preferably at plus or minus 5%.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generating device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of a heater element explained in further detail below. The device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating the heater element for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapour to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.

As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of vaporizable material as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. Aerosol may include one or more components of the vaporizable material.

As used herein, the term “vaporizable material” or “precursor” may refer to a smokable material which may for example comprise nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol former. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and/or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol formers include: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also comprise at least one of a gelling agent, a binding agent, a stabilizing agent, and a humectant.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 shows an aerosol generating assembly 10 comprising an aerosol generating device 1 1 according to a first embodiment and an aerosol generating article 12, also called tobacco article 12. The aerosol generating device 11 is intended to operate with the tobacco article 12 which is shown in more detail in Figure 2.

In the example of this Figure 2, the tobacco article 12 is a flat-shaped tobacco article presenting for example a flat-shaped cuboid extending along an article axis X and having external dimensions LxWxD. In a typical example, the length L of the article 12 according to the article axis X equals substantially to 33 mm while its width W and depth D are substantially equal respectively to 12 mm and 1 ,2 mm. According to different examples, the values L, W and D can be selected within a range of +/- 40%, for example. The depth D of the tobacco article 12 is formed by a pair of parallel walls 13A, 13B, called hereinafter narrow walls 13A, 13B, and the width W of the tobacco article 12 is formed by a pair of parallel walls 14A, 14B, called hereinafter wide walls 14A, 14B. In some embodiments, the edges between the wide and narrow walls 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B can be rounded. According to other embodiments of the invention, the tobacco article 12 can have any other suitable flat shape and/or external dimensions. According to still other embodiments, the tobacco article 12 can present any other suitable shape, as for example a stick shape, having substantially circular or oval cross-section.

The tobacco article 12 comprises a tobacco portion 15 and a mouthpiece portion 16 arranged along the article axis X. The tobacco portion 15 may for example be slightly longer than the mouthpiece portion 16. For example, the length L2 of the tobacco portion 15 according to the article axis X may be substantially equal to 18 mm. The width W2 of the tobacco portion 15 is substantially equal to the width W of the tobacco article 12. The length L3 of the mouthpiece portion 16 according to the article axis X may be substantially equal to 15 mm. As in the previous case, the values L2 and L3 can be selected within a range of +/- 40%, for example. The tobacco portion 15 defines an abutting end 18 of the article 12 and the mouthpiece portion 16 defines a mouth end 20 of the article 12. The tobacco portion 15 and the mouthpiece portion 16 may be fixed one to the other by a wrapper 21 extending around the substrate axis X. The wrapper 21 forms the narrow and wide walls 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B of the tobacco article 12. In some embodiments, the wrapper 21 is formed from a same wrapping sheet. In some other embodiments, the wrapper 21 is formed by separate wrapping sheets wrapping separately the portions 15, 16 and fixed one to the other by any other suitable mean. The wrapper 21 may, for example, comprise paper and/or non-woven fabric and/or aluminium foil. The wrapper 21 may be porous or air impermeable and forms a plurality of airflow channels extending inside the article 12 between the abutting end 18 and the mouth end 20.

The mouthpiece portion 16 comprises a core 27 intended to act for example as a cooler to cool slightly the vapour before it is inhaled by the user. The core 27 may comprise for this purpose for example corrugated paper. The core 27 may be formed through an extrusion and/or rolling process into a stable shape. Advantageously, the core 27 is arranged inside the mouthpiece portion 16 to be entirely in contact with the internal surface of the wrapper 21 delimiting this mouthpiece portion 16. Additionally or alternatively, the core 27 acts as a filter.

The tobacco portion 15 comprises a vaporizable material and is intended to be heated by a heating chamber, as it will be explained in further detail below. Referring again to Figure 1 , the aerosol generating device 1 1 comprises a device body 40 extending along a device axis Y between an open end 41 and a closed end 42. The aerosol generating device 1 1 further comprises a mouthpiece 43 mounted on the open end 41 of the device body 40. The mouthpiece 43 and the device body 40 form advantageously two different pieces. Particularly, the mouthpiece 43 is designed to be fixed on a support 44 defined by the open end 41 of the device body 40, as it is shown in Figure 3. The support 44 defines for example a wall extending perpendicularly to the device axis Y and defining in its centre an opening to the heating chamber as it will be explained in further detail below. The support 44 may particularly extend inwardly from lateral walls forming the device body 40.

Referring to Figure 3, the mouthpiece 43 comprises a contact part 46, a support part 47 and a gripping part 48. These parts 46 to 48 are arranged successively according to the device axis Y and define a central hole 49 extending through each of these parts 46 to 48. The contact part 46 and the gripping part 48 protrudes from different sides of the support part 47, according to the device axis Y.

The support part 47 of the mouthpiece 43 forms for example a collar covering partially the open end 41 of the device body 40. The collar defines an external surface extending for example substantially perpendicularly to the device axis Y and an internal surface opposite to the external surface and facing the open end 41 of the device body 40. The support part 47 is designed to be exert pressure on the support 44 of the device body 40 using any suitable pressure exerting means 51. In the example of Figure 3, the pressure exerting means 51 comprises a first magnetic element arranged at the periphery of the support 44 and a second magnetic element arranged for example on the internal surface of the support part 47 of the mouthpiece 43. At least one of the first and the second magnetic elements comprises for example a permanent magnet whereas the other element comprises a permanent magnet of opposed polarity and/or a ferromagnetic material. It is clear that the pressure exerting means 51 can have any other appropriate structure suitable to abut the mouthpiece 43 against to the device body 40. Instead of the magnetic elements, any other means able to be engaged one with the other, can be arranged at the periphery of the support 44 and the internal surface of the support part 47 of the mouthpiece 43. Additionally, the pressure exerting means 51 can have a different structure and arrangement in respect with the device body 40. An example of such a structure will be explained below in relation with a second embodiment of the invention. The contact part 46 of the mouthpiece 43 is designed to be in contact with the user’s lips and/or mouth. For this purpose, it can form an appropriate ergonomic shape. Advantageously, the contact part 46 has a narrowing shape from the support part 47 toward its top surface, along the device axis Y. For example, the contact part 46 can have a shape of truncated cone. On its top surface, the contact part 46 forms an air outlet extending the central hole 49 and adapted to deliver aerosol formed in the heating chamber as it will be explained in further detail below. Advantageously, as it can be seen in Figure 3, a thermal break 53 is formed between the contact part 46 and the support part 47 of the mouthpiece 43. The thermal break 53 is formed for example by a groove extending around the central hole 49 and formed in a connection zone between the support part 47 and the contact part 46 of the mouthpiece 43. The thermal break 53 minimizes the contact area and/or connection part between the contact part 46 and the support part 47 of the mouthpiece 43.

The gripping part 48 is designed to hold at least a part of the tobacco article 12 inside the heating chamber 60, as it is shown in Figure 3. Particularly, the gripping part 48 is designed to receive in the central hole 49 at least a part of the mouthpiece portion 16 of the tobacco article 12, as it is shown in Figure 3. For this purpose, at least inside the gripping part 48, the cross-section of the central hole 49 is complementary to the external shape of the mouthpiece portion 16 of the tobacco article 12. Particularly, in case of a flat-shape tobacco article 12, the central hole 49 has also a flat shape, advantageously a rectangular flat shape. Advantageously, as it is shown in Figure 3, the gripping part 48 forms an air gap with walls of the heating chamber 60. For this purpose, the heating chamber 60 may define an enlarged section adjacent to an open end of the chamber 60. Particularly, this enlarged section has an enlarged cross-sectional shape in comparison with the cross-sectional shape of the part of the heating chamber 60 receiving the tobacco portion 15 of the tobacco article 12, i.e. in comparison with the part of the heating chamber 60 adjacent to its closed end.

The device body 40 delimits an internal space of the device 1 1 receiving various elements designed to carry out different functionalities of the device 1 1 . This internal space can for example receive a battery for powering the device 11 , a controller for controlling the operation of the device 11 , a heating chamber 60 for heating the tobacco portion 15 of the tobacco article 12, etc. Among these elements, only the heating chamber 60 will be explained in further detail in reference to Figures 3 to 6. Particularly, as it is shown in Figure 4, the heating chamber 60 defines a mounting zone 61 adapted to attach the heating chamber 60 to the device body 40 and a heating zone 62 adapted to heat the tobacco portion 15 of the tobacco article 12. Additionally, as it is shown in Figures 3 to 5, the mounting zone 61 is also adapted to receive at least partially the mouthpiece portion 16 of the tobacco article 12. In the preferred example, the heating chamber 60 has a flat shape. Particularly, as the tobacco article 12, the heating chamber 60 may also form a substantially cuboid shape extending along the device axis Y and comprising a pair of parallel narrow walls 63A, 63B (shown in Figure 4) extending along the device axis Y, a pair of parallel wide walls 64A, 64B (partially shown in Figure 3) extending also along the device axis Y and a bottom wall 68 adjacent to each of said walls and extending perpendicularly to the device axis Y. The walls 63A, 63B, 64A, 64B, 68 delimit an internal volume of the heating chamber 60.

The bottom wall 68 forms thus a closed end of the chamber 60. The heating zone 62 of the heating chamber 60 is adjacent to the closed end of the heating chamber 60. Opposite to the bottom wall 58, the heating chamber 60 defines an open end configured to receive the tobacco article 12 via a chamber opening 69 so as the corresponding wide walls 14A, 14B of the tobacco article 12 face the corresponding wide walls 64A, 64B of the heating chamber 60, the corresponding narrow walls 13A, 13B of the tobacco article 12 face the corresponding narrow walls 63A, 63B of the heating chamber 60 and the abutting end 18 of the tobacco article 12 abuts against the bottom wall 68 or at least a rib extending from this bottom wall 68. Alternatively, the abutting end 18 faces the bottom wall 68 without being in contact with it. The flat-shaped heating chamber 60 is thus configured to receive the tobacco article 12 so as the narrow wall 13A (respectively 13B) of the tobacco article 12 faces the narrow wall 63B (respectively 63A) of the heating chamber 60, and the wide wall 14A (respectively 14B) of the tobacco article 12 faces the wide wall 64B (respectively 64A) of the heating chamber 60. The facing wide walls 14A, 14B, 64A, 64B and the facing narrow walls 13A, 13B, 63A, 63B can be at least partially in contact one with the other or spaced one from the other. In the preferred example, the facing narrow walls 13A, 13B, 63A, 63B form a gap between them suitable for conducting an airflow, as it will be explained in further detail below. The mounting zone 61 of the heating chamber 60 is adjacent to the open end of the heating chamber 60.

The narrow walls 63A, 63B and/or the wide walls 64A, 64B are shaped to form the enlarged section of the heating chamber 60 as explained above. For this purpose, the narrow walls 63A, 63B and/or the wide walls 64A, 64B can extend substantially parallel between them with a first distance d1 (respectfully D1 ) through the heating zone 62 of the heating chamber 60, then form a shoulder section enlarging this distance d1 (respectfully D1 ) to a distance d2 (respectfully D2) and then extend parallel between them with the distance d2 (respectfully D2) through the mounting zone 61 of the heating chamber 60. Thus, the enlarged section can substantially correspond to the mounting zone 61 of the heating chamber 60.

The heating chamber 60 together with the device body 40 and the mouthpiece 43 defines an airflow channel 70 passing through the device 1 1 and the tobacco article 12 between one or several air inlets 71 until an air outlet 72 extending the central hole 49 as explained above. Particularly, as it is shown in Figure 5, the airflow channel 70 comprises an upstream part extending between the air inlets 71 and the closed end of the heating chamber 60, and a downstream part extending between the closed end of the heating chamber 60 and the air outlet 72. The downstream part extends advantageously through both tobacco and mouthpiece portions 15, 16 of the tobacco article 12. It can also extend through the central hole 49 formed by the mouthpiece 43. The upstream part extends advantageously through the mouthpiece 43 and then inside the heating chamber 60, advantageously through the mounting zone 61 and the gaps formed between the facing narrow walls 13A, 13B, 63A, 63B, before achieving the closed end of the heating chamber 60. At the closed end, the upstream part of the airflow channel turns at substantially 180° to join the downstream part. According to other embodiments, the upstream part of the airflow channel 70 passes entirely outside the heating chamber 60 and joins the downstream part for example through holes formed at the closed end of the heating chamber 60.

As it is shown in Figure 5, the air inlets 71 can be formed on the external surface of the support part 47 of the mouthpiece 43. Particularly, these air inlets 71 can be formed by holes extending through the support part 47 of the mouthpiece 43 and opening to the enlarged section of the heating chamber 60. For this purpose, the holes inside the support part 47 can for example be inclined in respect with the device axis Y. Advantageously, the support part 47 defines two holes forming the air inlets 71 on different sides of the contact part 46 having an elongated shape.

Advantageously, the mounting zone 61 forms the unique attaching zone of the heating chamber 60 to the device body 40. For this purpose, the mounting zone 61 comprises a pair of protruding parts 80A, 80B extending outwardly from the narrow walls 63A, 63B of the heating chamber 60 as it is shown in Figure 4. Each protruding part 80A, 80B is configured to be engaged with a pin 82A, 82B fixed to the device body 40. Particularly, each pin 82A, 82B can extend perpendicularly to the device axis Y, for example perpendicularly to a plane parallel to the wide walls 64A, 64B of the heating chamber 60. Each protruding part 80A, 80B can form a mounting ear defining a lateral opening configured to receive the corresponding pin 82A, 82B to attach the heating chamber 60. Thus, each mounting ear extends partially around the corresponding pin 82A, 82B, for example according to an angle comprised between 180° and 270°.

According to some embodiments, the heating chamber 60 further comprises a thermal insulator arranged between the heating zone 62 and the mounting zone 61 for example on the external surface of the walls 63A, 63B, 64A, 64B delimiting the heating chamber 60. Such thermal insulator can for example comprise superwool or aerogel. Alternatively, this thermal insulator can be formed by vacuum or an air chamber, a sheet(s), powders, etc.

Referring to Figure 6, the heating chamber 60 further comprises at least one heating surface 90 forming at least partially one of the wide walls 64A, 64B of the heating chamber 60. Preferably, the heating chamber 60 comprised two heating surfaces 90 (only one is visible in Figure 6) forming at least partially the opposite wide walls 64A, 64B of the heating chamber 60. Particularly, each heating surface 90 is designed to be in contact with or face the tobacco portion 15 of the tobacco article 12, in the heating zone 62 of the heating chamber 60. Advantageously, each heating surface 90 extends according to the whole area of the heating zone 62 in projection on a plane parallel to each of the wide walls 64A, 64B. In other words, the length of each heating surface 90 according to the device axis Y is at least equal to length L2 of the tobacco portion 15 and the width of each heating surface 90 is at least equal to the width W2 of the tobacco portion 15.

The or each heating surface 90 can be formed by a plate forming the corresponding wide wall 64A, 64B of the heating chamber 60. According to another embodiment, the or each heating surface 90 is formed by a flexible film attached for example to a plate forming the corresponding wall 64A, 64B of the heating chamber 60. According to still another embodiment, the or each heating surface 90 is formed by a long strip of flexible heater comprising two separate track patterns and wound around the heating chamber 90.

Each heating surface 90 comprises a pair of contacts 92 connected to the battery of the device and heating circuits 94 extending between the contacts along the whole heating surface 90. The aerosol generating device 11 further comprises a seal 95 arranged between the mounting zone 61 of the heating chamber 60 and the mouthpiece 43. The seal 95 can have an oval or rectangular shape and extend along the periphery of the opening formed by the opened end of the heating chamber 60. In each its cross-section, the seal 95 forms advantageously a rectangular shape. This means that the seal 95 forms two opposite substantially flat surfaces which are substantially perpendicular to the device axis Y. According to other embodiments, the seal 95 can form any other suitable cross-sectional shape to be engaged in an optimal way between the mouthpiece 43 and the heating chamber 60. The seal 95 is formed from a flexible material such as resin, silicone, etc.

As it is shown in the zoomed part of Figure 5, the seal 95 is advantageously arranged between a rib 96 extending from the internal surface of the support part 47 of the mouthpiece 43 and a protrusion 97 extending outwardly from the walls 63A, 63B, 64A, 64B and delimiting the chamber opening 69. This protrusion 97 forms thus a flange at the open end of the heating chamber 60 and can include or pass throught the protruding parts 80A, 80B explained above. The flange forms for example a substantially flat surface substantially perpendicular to the device axis Y. The rib 96 is advantageously directed according to the device axis Y and extends for example from the whole periphery of internal surface of the support part 47 of the mouthpiece.

The pressure exerting fixing means 51 exerts pressure to the seal 95 to fixe securely the heating chamber 60 inside the device body 40.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

The second embodiment of the invention will now be explained in view of Figures 7 and 8. The aerosol generating device according to the second embodiment is substantially similar to one of the first embodiment and differs from this last only by the pressure exerting means. In Figures 7 and 8, the same numerical references are used for similar elements of both embodiments.

Particularly, the pressure exerting means 151 of the aerosol generating device 1 1 according to the second embodiment is arranged partially on the mouthpiece 43 and partially in the heating chamber 60. In other words, according to the second embodiment, the pressure exerting means 151 is configured to engage the mouthpiece 43 with an internal surface 65 (shown in Figure 8) delimiting the internal volume of the heating chamber 60.

For this purpose, the pressure exerting means 151 comprises at least one protruding element 153A, 153B arranged on the gripping part 48 of the mouthpiece 43 and at least one recess 154A, 154B arranged on the internal surface 65 of the heating chamber 60 and configured to be engaged with the corresponding protruding element 153A, 153B. The or each protruding element 153A, 153B presents a dent protruding from an external surface of the gripping part 48 and the or each recess 154A, 154B presents a recess formed in the internal surface 65 and configured to receive the corresponding protruding element 153A, 153B when the mouthpiece 43 is mounted on the device body 40. The or each recess 154A, 154B is formed in the enlarged section of the heating chamber 60 which is configured to receive the gripping part 48 of the mouthpiece 43 as explained above.

In the example of Figures 7 and 8, two protruding elements 153A, 153B are arranged on the gripping part 48 and two recesses 154A, 154B are arranged on the internal surface 65 of the heating chamber 60. Particularly, the recesses 154A, 154B are advantageously arranged on opposite wide walls 64A, 64B of the heating chamber 60. Accordingly, the protruding elements 153A, 153B are arranged on opposite wide walls of the gripping part 48, i.e. walls of the gripping part 48 facing the wide walls 64A, 64B of the heating chamber 60.

Figure 8 shows different stages of the mouthpiece 43 insertion/extraction provided with the pressure exerting means 151. Particularly, at stage A, the mouthpiece 43 is being inserted inside the heating chamber 60. In this case, the mouthpiece portion 16 of the tobacco article 12 is gripped by the gripping part 48 of the mouthpiece 43 and during insertion inside the heating chamber 60 is slightly compressed before the protruding parts 153A, 153B are engaged with the corresponding recesses 154A, 154B. At stage B, the mouthpiece 43 is mounted and the protruding elements 153A, 153B are engaged with the corresponding recesses 154A, 154B. In this position, the mouthpiece 43 exerts pressure on the seal 95 which is at least slightly compressed to increase its anti-leakage properties. At stage C, the mouthpiece 43 is being extracted together with the tobacco article 12 from the heating chamber 60. In this case, as at stage A, the gripping part 48 of the mouthpiece 43 is slightly compressed by the walls of the heating chamber 60 to grip firmly the tobacco article 12 and extract it from the heating chamber 60. OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In some other embodiments, the first and the second embodiments can be combined and several different types of the pressure exerting means can be used. Additionally, in an example of the first embodiment, the gripping part of the mouthpiece can also be provided with protruding elements as explained in relation with the second embodiment. In this last case, the protruding elements can for example be provided without the corresponding recesses to ensure a better gripping capacity of the tobacco article.

Claims

1 . An aerosol generating device (11 ) comprising:

- a device body (40) extending along a device axis (Y);

- a heating chamber (60) arranged in the device body (40) and comprising an open end defining a chamber opening (69) suitable for insertion of an aerosol generating article (12) at least partially in an internal volume of the heating chamber (69);

- a mouthpiece (43) mounted on the device body (40) to cover at least partially the chamber opening (69), the mouthpiece defining an internal surface facing the device body (40) and the chamber opening (69), the mouthpiece (43) further defining a gripping part (48) configured to grip an external surface of the aerosol generating article (12) in use;

- a seal (95) arranged between the internal surface of the mouthpiece (43) and the open end of the heating chamber (60), transversally to the device axis (Y);

- a pressure exerting means (51 ; 151 ) arranged to cause pressure on the seal (95) according to the device axis (Y).

2. The aerosol generating device (1 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the open end of the heating chamber (60) comprises a flange (97) delimiting the chamber opening (69).

3. The aerosol generating device (11 ) according to claim 2, wherein the flange (97) defines a substantially flat surface in contact with the seal (95), said flat surface extending substantially perpendicularly to the device axis (Y).

4. The aerosol generating device (11 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal surface of the mouthpiece (43) comprises an annular rib (96) abutting against the seal (95) according to the device axis (Y).

5. The aerosol generating device (11 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal (95) comprises two opposite surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly to the device axis (Y).

6. The aerosol generating device (11 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure exerting means (51 ; 151 ) is configured to exert pressure on the mouthpiece to abut it against the device body and/or the heating chamber.

7. The aerosol generating device (11 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure exerting means (151 ) is configured to engage the mouthpiece (43) with an internal surface (65) delimiting the internal volume of the heating chamber (60).

8. The aerosol generating device (11 ) according to any one the preceding claims, wherein the gripping part (48) of the mouthpiece (43) is configured to penetrate the internal volume of the heating chamber (60).

9. The aerosol generating device (1 1 ) according to claim 8, wherein an air gap is formed between a portion of the gripping part (48) of the mouthpiece (43) and an internal surface (65) delimiting the internal volume of the heating chamber (60).

10. The aerosol generating device (1 1 ) according to any one of claim 8 or 9, wherein the pressure exerting means (151 ) comprises at least one protruding element (153A, 153B) and at least one recess (154A, 154B) configured to receive said protruding element (153A, 153B), said protruding element (153A, 153B) and recess (154A, 154B) being arranged on the gripping part (48) of the mouthpiece (60) and on an internal surface (65) delimiting the internal volume of the heating chamber (60).

11 . The aerosol generating device (1 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping part (48) of the mouthpiece (45) is configured to grip the external surface of the aerosol generating article (12) while insertion and/or extraction the gripping part (48) into/from the heating chamber (60).

12. The aerosol generating device (1 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating chamber (60) forms a flat shape.

13. The aerosol generating device (1 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generating article (12) comprises a solid tobacco substrate.

14. The aerosol generating device (1 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure exerting means (51 ) comprises at least one magnet configured to create an attraction force between the mouthpiece (43) and the device body (40) and/or the heating chamber (60).

15. An aerosol generating assembly (10) comprising: - an aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of the preceding claims;

- an aerosol generating article (12) configured to operate with the aerosol generating device (11).