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WO2024231178A1 - Dispositif de génération d'aérosol et système de génération d'aérosol - Google Patents

Dispositif de génération d'aérosol et système de génération d'aérosol Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024231178A1
WO2024231178A1 PCT/EP2024/061892 EP2024061892W WO2024231178A1 WO 2024231178 A1 WO2024231178 A1 WO 2024231178A1 EP 2024061892 W EP2024061892 W EP 2024061892W WO 2024231178 A1 WO2024231178 A1 WO 2024231178A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
aerosol generating
chamber
heating
generating substrate
chamber walls
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/EP2024/061892
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English (en)
Inventor
Tilen CELGAR
Jaakko MCEVOY
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
JT International SA
Original Assignee
JT International SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by JT International SA filed Critical JT International SA
Publication of WO2024231178A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024231178A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.
  • Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating substrate.
  • the present disclosure is particularly applicable to a portable (hand-held) aerosol generating device, which may be self-contained and low temperature. Such devices heat, rather than bum, an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation.
  • reduced-risk or modified-risk devices also known as vaporisers
  • Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm, rather than bum, an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.
  • a commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is a heated substrate aerosol generating device, or so-called heat-not-bum device.
  • Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol generating substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporisable material, for example comprised in an aerosol generating article, to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 350°C, in a heating chamber. Heating an aerosol generating substrate to a temperature within this range, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating substrate, generates a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.
  • Aerosol generating substrates usable with aerosol generating devices can take various forms, for example an elongate cylindrical stick or a flat-shaped cuboid.
  • the form of an aerosol generating substrate is often a trade-off between convenience, aesthetics, and efficiency in heating.
  • In order to maximise heating efficiency and thereby maximise the energy efficiency of an aerosol generating device there is a need to maximise heat transfer from a heater of the aerosol generating device to the aerosol generating substrate, and the present disclosure seeks to address this need.
  • an aerosol generating device comprising a heating chamber for receiving an aerosol generating substrate, the heating chamber comprising: a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, at least one of the proximal end and the distal end being an open end arranged to receive an aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis; first and second chamber walls movable relative to each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis to vary a spacing between the first and second chamber walls; and a heater in contact with an external surface of at least one of the first and second chamber walls.
  • the aerosol generating device is adapted to heat the aerosol generating substrate, without burning the aerosol generating substrate, to volatise at least one component of the aerosol generating substrate and thereby generate a vapour which may cool and condense to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device.
  • vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature
  • an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas.
  • aerosol and ‘vapour’ may be used interchangeably in this specification, in particular with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user.
  • the size of an aerosol generating substrate may vary due to manufacturing tolerances and/or due to shrinkage or expansion during heating.
  • variable spacing between the first and second chamber walls ensures that the heating chamber can adapt to the size of an aerosol generating substrate, to thereby ensure that there is good contact and, hence, a reduced thermal contact resistance, between the first and second chamber walls and the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the first and second chamber walls may be movable towards and away from each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, for example between a resting position and a deflected position. This movement varies the spacing between the first and second chamber walls. There may be a first spacing between the first and second chamber walls when the first and second chamber walls are in the resting position. There may be a second spacing between the first and second chamber walls when the first and second chamber walls are in the deflected position. The second spacing may be greater than the first spacing.
  • the aerosol generating substrate pushes apart the first and second chamber walls when it is inserted into the heating chamber.
  • the first and second chamber walls are configured to move from the resting position to the deflected position upon insertion of an aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber via the open end. This in turn ensures that there is good contact between the first and second chamber walls and the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the aerosol generating substrate has a major dimension (e.g., a thickness) which is greater than the first spacing between the first and second chamber walls when the first and second chamber walls are in the resting position.
  • the first and second chamber walls may be configured to adopt the resting position when there is no aerosol generating substrate positioned in the heating chamber.
  • the first and second chamber walls may be configured to move from the resting position to the deflected position upon insertion of an aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber via the open end.
  • the first and second chamber walls may be configured to adopt and maintain the deflected position when an aerosol generating substrate is initially positioned in the heating chamber, prior to heating of the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the act of inserting an aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber causes movement of the first and second chamber walls from the resting position to the deflected position due to contact with the aerosol generating substrate, thereby ensuring that there is good contact between the first and second chamber walls and the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the first and second chamber walls may be configured to move to the resting position upon removal of an aerosol generating substrate from the heating chamber via the open end.
  • no additional action is needed by a user to return the first and second chamber walls to the initial, resting, position.
  • the simple act of removing an aerosol generating substrate for example which may be depleted and which may no longer release sufficient volatile components to generate an aerosol with the desired characteristics, ensures that the heating chamber is ready to accept another aerosol generating substrate.
  • the first chamber wall may have a first heating surface and the second chamber wall may have a second heating surface.
  • the first and second heating surfaces may be arranged opposite each other and facing each other.
  • the relative movement between the first and second chamber walls may vary a spacing between the first and second heating surfaces. There may be a first spacing between the first and second heating surfaces when the first and second chamber walls are in the resting position. There may be a second spacing between the first and second heating surfaces when the first and second chamber walls are in the deflected position. The second spacing may be greater than the first spacing.
  • the first and second heating surfaces contact the aerosol generating substrate to transfer heat, by conduction, to the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the first and second heating surfaces may be substantially planar.
  • the first and second heating surfaces may be substantially parallel to each other.
  • the heating chamber may be configured to receive a substantially planar aerosol generating substrate.
  • the heating chamber may be configured to receive an aerosol generating substrate having a flat cuboid shape between the first and second substantially planar heating surfaces.
  • the heating chamber may have a cuboid shape and, accordingly, the aerosol generating device may have a compact shape and form.
  • the heater may be a substantially planar heater.
  • the substantially planar heater may be a thin film heater.
  • the heater may be a polyimide film heater.
  • the heating chamber may comprise a first heater, e.g., a first substantially planar heater, in contact with an external surface of the first chamber wall and a second heater, e.g., a second substantially planar heater, in contact with an external surface of the second chamber wall.
  • the use of two heaters may be preferred for a better control of the temperature adjustment during use.
  • the heating chamber may include a single heater that is wrapped around the heating chamber in contact with an external surface of the first chamber wall and an external surface of the second chamber wall. The use of a single heater, e.g., a thin film heater, wrapped around the heating chamber may reduce the complexity and cost of the heating assembly.
  • the aerosol generating device may include a power source, e.g., one or more batteries, and a controller.
  • the heater e.g., the first substantially planar heater and/or the second substantially planar heater, may be configured to generate heat using electrical resistive heating.
  • the power source and the controller may be connected to the heater, e.g., the first substantially planar heater and/or the second substantially planar heater.
  • the heater e.g., the first substantially planar heater and/or the second substantially planar heater, may be configured to generate heat by inductive heating.
  • the heater may comprise an inductively heatable susceptor and the aerosol generating device may comprise a resonant transmitter, e.g., an induction coil, arranged to generate an alternating electromagnetic field for inductively heating the inductively heatable susceptor.
  • the alternating electromagnetic field penetrates the inductively heatable susceptor, thereby heating the susceptor through the Joule effect due to the generation of electrical eddy currents within the susceptor and also due to magnetic hysteresis losses in implementations in which the susceptor comprises a ferromagnetic material.
  • the generated heat is transferred from the inductively heatable susceptor, for example by conduction, to the aerosol generating substrate to thereby generate a vapour which may cool and condense to form an inhalable aerosol.
  • the susceptor acts as a resonant receiver and may, thus, comprise an inductively heatable susceptor material.
  • the susceptor material may comprise a ferromagnetic material including, but not limited to, cobalt, iron, nickel, zinc, manganese, and any combinations thereof.
  • the susceptor material may comprise other materials, including, for example, other metal materials such as aluminium, stainless steel, carbon steel, as well as ceramic materials such as silicon carbide, carbonaceous materials, and any combinations of any of the materials described above.
  • the susceptor material may comprise other conductive materials including metals such as copper, alloys of conductive materials, or other materials with one or more conductive materials embedded therein.
  • the proximity of the susceptor to the resonant transmitter e.g., induction coil
  • the distribution of the magnetic field e.g., the electrical resistivity of the inductively heatable susceptor, skin effects or depth, hysteresis losses, magnetic susceptibility, and magnetic permeability.
  • the first chamber wall may have opposite first and second longitudinal edges that may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber.
  • the second chamber wall may have opposite first and second longitudinal edges that may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber.
  • the first and second chamber walls may be connected via the respective first longitudinal edges and the second longitudinal edges.
  • the heating chamber may include a flexible connection, for example an elastic connection, between the connected first longitudinal edges of the first and second chamber walls and/or between the connected second longitudinal edges of the first and second chamber walls. This flexible connection permits the relative movement between the first and second chamber walls and, thus, allows the spacing between the first and second chamber walls to be varied, for example upon insertion of an aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber.
  • the flexible connection is an integral flexible connection, in the sense that it is formed by, e.g., a specific shaping or deformation at the longitudinal edges of the first and second chamber walls rather than by a separate (distinct) connecting element that connects the longitudinal edges of the first and second chamber walls.
  • the flexible connection may be biased to a relaxed configuration.
  • the flexible connection may be configured to transition from the relaxed configuration to a loaded configuration upon insertion of an aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber via the open end. Thus, no additional action is needed by a user other than insertion of the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the flexible connection may be configured to apply a compression force, via the first and second chamber walls, to an aerosol generating substrate positioned in the heating chamber when the flexible connection is in the loaded configuration. By biasing the flexible connection to a relaxed configuration, the first and second chamber walls are moved to the resting position when there is no aerosol generating substrate in the heating chamber.
  • first and second chamber walls are urged towards the resting position when an aerosol generating substrate is positioned in the heating chamber, thus applying the compression force, via the first and second chamber walls, to an aerosol generating substrate positioned in the heating chamber.
  • This advantageously ensures that good contact and a consistent compression force are maintained between the first and second chamber walls and the aerosol generating substrate, even if there is some shrinkage or expansion of the aerosol generating substrate during heating.
  • the compression force, and hence the contact pressure between the first and second chamber walls and the aerosol generating substrate does not need to be substantial.
  • the thermal contact resistance between the first and second heating surfaces and the aerosol generating substrate is not linearly proportional to the contact pressure and normally decreases exponentially as the contact pressure increases.
  • the contact pressure significantly influences the thermal contact resistance at low values, which means that a relatively low contact pressure (and, thus, compression force) is sufficient to ensure that the thermal contact resistance is minimised.
  • the compression force, and hence contact pressure is proportional to the distance by which the first and second chamber walls are displaced from the resting position to the deflected position upon insertion of an aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber, it will be understood that the distance by which the first and second chamber walls are displaced does not need to be substantial. This may allow the design of the flexible connection to be simplified.
  • a displacement of the first and second chamber walls which increases the spacing between them (and more particularly between the first and second heating surfaces) by up to 2 mm may be sufficient.
  • a displacement of the first and second chamber walls which increases the spacing between them (and more particularly between the first and second heating surfaces) by 0. 1 mm to 0.3 mm may be sufficient.
  • an aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding paragraphs; and an aerosol generating substrate positioned in the heating chamber; wherein the first and second chamber walls apply a compression force to the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the application of a compression force, via the first and second chamber walls, to the aerosol generating substrate ensures that good contact and a consistent compression force are maintained between the first and second chamber walls and the aerosol generating substrate, for example even if there is some shrinkage or expansion of the aerosol generating substrate during heating.
  • the first chamber wall may have a first heating surface.
  • the second chamber wall may have a second heating surface.
  • the first and second chamber walls may be movable towards and away from each other between a resting position and a deflected position.
  • the aerosol generating substrate has a thickness which is greater than the spacing between first and second heating surfaces when the first and second chamber walls are in the resting position.
  • the proximal end of the heating chamber may be the open end and may have a flared or tapered opening. This may facilitate insertion of the aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber when the first and second chamber walls are in the resting position.
  • the first and second heating surfaces may be substantially planar and the aerosol generating substrate may be a flat-shaped cuboid, for example as defined above.
  • the aerosol generating device may, thus, have a compact shape and form.
  • the flat-shaped cuboid aerosol generating substrate may include a tapered or bevelled transverse leading edge at a distal end of the aerosol generating substrate. This may facilitate insertion of the aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber when the first and second chamber walls are in the resting position.
  • the aerosol generating substrate may comprise any type of solid or semi-solid material.
  • Example types of aerosol generating solids include powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, particles, gel, strips, loose leaves, cut filler, porous material, foam material or sheets.
  • the aerosol generating substrate may comprise plant derived material and in particular, may comprise tobacco. It may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco, for example including tobacco and any one or more of cellulose fibres, tobacco stalk fibres and inorganic fillers such as CaCCh.
  • the reconstituted tobacco may comprise tobacco sheets of any kind (paper-like sheets, cast tobacco sheets, corrugated sheets, etc.) in full sheets being crimped, folded and/or rolled or sheet fragments, and in an orientated gathered form (e.g., parallel arrangement or weaved pattern of substantially identical sheet fragments) or in randomly arranged form (e.g., sheet fragments of various sizes and shapes in bulk mixed form as tobacco cut filler).
  • tobacco sheets of any kind paper-like sheets, cast tobacco sheets, corrugated sheets, etc.
  • orientated gathered form e.g., parallel arrangement or weaved pattern of substantially identical sheet fragments
  • randomly arranged form e.g., sheet fragments of various sizes and shapes in bulk mixed form as tobacco cut filler
  • the aerosol generating device may be referred to as a “heated tobacco device”, a “heat-not-bum tobacco device”, a “device for vaporising tobacco products”, a “T-vapour” device and the like, with this being interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects.
  • the aerosol generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-former.
  • aerosolformers include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol.
  • the aerosol-former may include other alcohols, such as ethanol, 1,3-propanediol, or may include water.
  • the aerosol generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-former content of between approximately 5% and approximately 50% on a dry weight basis of the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the aerosol generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-former content of between approximately 10% and approximately 20% on a dry weight basis of the aerosol generating substrate, and possibly approximately 15% on a dry weight basis of the aerosol generating substrate.
  • the aerosol generating substrate may release volatile compounds.
  • the volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavour compounds such as tobacco flavouring.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an aerosol generating device
  • Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a substantially planar aerosol generating substrate for use with the aerosol generating device of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of the aerosol generating device of Figure 1, showing in particular a heating chamber with the substantially planar aerosol generating substrate of Figure 2 positioned in the heating chamber;
  • Figures 4a to 4c are diagrammatic illustrations showing the movement of first and second chamber walls of the heating chamber from a resting position ( Figure 4a) to a deflected position ( Figure 4c) during insertion of an aerosol generating substrate into the heating chamber via an open end; and
  • Figures 5a to 5f are diagrammatic illustrations of different examples of a flexible connection between first and second chamber walls of the heating chamber.
  • Figures 1 to 3 show an aerosol generating system 10 comprising an aerosol generating device 12 and an aerosol generating substrate 14.
  • the aerosol generating substrate 14 is substantially planar or flat-shaped, meaning that its effective thickness is much smaller than the other dimensions.
  • the aerosol generating device 12 is intended to operate with the aerosol generating substrate 14 which is shown in more detail in Figure 2, and in particular to heat or warm the aerosol generating substrate 14 to generate a vapour containing one or more volatile components.
  • the vapour may typically cool and condense to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device 12.
  • the aerosol generating device 12 comprises a device body 16 extending along a device axis Y.
  • the device body 16 comprises a mouthpiece 18 and a housing 20 arranged successively along the device axis Y.
  • the mouthpiece 18 has an outlet 19.
  • the mouthpiece 18 and the housing 20 form two different pieces.
  • the mouthpiece 18 is designed to be removably attached to the housing 20, e.g., fixed on or received in an insertion opening formed at one of the ends of the housing 20.
  • the aerosol generating substrate 14 can be inserted inside the device 12 when the mouthpiece 18 is removed from the housing 20.
  • the mouthpiece 18 may be displaceable (such as, but not limited to, slidable and/or rotatable) relative to the housing 20 from a closed position to an open position in which the aerosol generating substrate 14 can be inserted inside the device 12.
  • the mouthpiece 18 and the housing 20 could form one unique piece, i.e., the mouthpiece 18 is not removable from the housing 20.
  • the aerosol generating substrate 14 can be inserted into the device 12 through, e.g., the outlet 19.
  • the housing 20 delimits an internal space of the aerosol generating device 12 receiving various elements designed to carry out different functionalities of the device 12.
  • This internal space can for example receive a power source, such as a battery (e.g., a rechargeable battery which may be replaceable), for powering the device 12, a controller comprising electronic circuitry for controlling the operation of the device 12, and a heating chamber 22 for receiving the aerosol generating substrate 14.
  • the housing 20 may further comprise an air flow path and/or air inlet for introduction of air into the heating chamber 22.
  • the heating chamber 22 is adapted to receive the aerosol generating substrate 14.
  • the heating chamber 22 may form a substantially cuboid shape extending along the device axis Y, complementary to the shape of the aerosol generating substrate 14.
  • the heating chamber 22 has a proximal end 24, a distal end 26, and longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends 24, 26.
  • the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 22 corresponds to the device axis Y.
  • the heating chamber 22 comprises first and second chamber walls 28, 30 extending along the device axis Y.
  • the heating chamber 22 defines an opening 36 at the proximal end 24.
  • the proximal end 24 is, thus, an open end 38 of the heating chamber 22 configured to receive the aerosol generating substrate 14 into the heating chamber 22 in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis (or device axis Y).
  • the aerosol generating device 12 comprises at least one heater 40.
  • the aerosol generating device 12 comprises two heaters 40, for example a first planar heater 40a and a second planar heater 40b, although in other (non-illustrated) examples, the heater 40 may comprise a single heater that extends (e.g., is wrapped) around the heating chamber 22.
  • the heater 40 may be arranged in contact with an external surface 28a, 30a of the corresponding first and second chamber walls 28, 30.
  • the heater 40 may be substantially planar, and may comprise a thin film heater, such as a polyimide film heater extending along substantially the total area of the external surfaces 28a, 30a or along only a part of the external surfaces 28a, 30a. In this last case, this part may form a width substantially equal to a width of the aerosol generating substrate 14.
  • the heater 40 is preferably a resistive heater that is powered by the power source and controlled by the controller of the aerosol generating device 12.
  • the aerosol generating device 12 may comprise a single heater 40 attached to just one of the external surfaces 28a, 30a of one of the first and second chamber walls 28, 30.
  • the chamber walls 28, 30 are typically made of thin conductive material, preferably metal, such as stainless steel to allow heat to be conducted from the external surfaces 28a, 30a to substantially planar first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b.
  • the chamber walls 28, 30 may, for example, have a thickness between 25 pm and 200 pm, and possibly between 50 pm and 100 pm.
  • the first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b are arranged opposite each other and facing each other, and thus at least partly define the internal volume of the heating chamber 22.
  • the aerosol generating substrate 14 is intended to be heated by the heater(s) 40.
  • the aerosol generating substrate 14 is, for example, a flat-shaped cuboid extending along a substrate axis X and having external dimensions La x Wa x Da.
  • the length La of the aerosol generating substrate 14 according to the article axis X may be in the range from 20 to 45 mm, preferably from 25 to 40 mm, more preferably from 28 to 36 mm, for example 33 mm
  • the width Wa may be in the range from 8 to 18 mm, preferably from 10 to 16 mm, more preferably from 10 to 14 mm, for example 12 mm
  • the thickness Da may be in the range from 1 to 5 mm, preferably from 1 to 3 mm, more preferably from 1 to 2 mm, for example 1.4 mm.
  • the values La, Wa and Da can be selected within a range of +/- 40%, for example.
  • the aerosol generating substrate 14 may have any other suitable flat shape and/or external dimensions.
  • the aerosol generating substrate 14 When positioned in the heating chamber 22, the aerosol generating substrate 14 remains flat-shaped.
  • the aerosol generating substrate 14 typically comprises an aerosol generating material such as tobacco.
  • the aerosol generating substrate 14 may be circumscribed by a wrapper 42 extending around the article axis X.
  • the wrapper 42 may, for example, comprise paper and/or non-woven fabric and/or aluminium foil.
  • the wrapper 42 may be porous or air impermeable.
  • the major surfaces (the upper and lower surfaces in Figure 2) of the aerosol generating substrate 14 face and contact the corresponding first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b of the first and second chamber walls 28, 30.
  • a distal end of the aerosol generating substrate 14 is typically positioned at the distal end 26 of the heating chamber 22.
  • the first chamber wall 28 has first and second longitudinal edges 28c, 28d which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 22 (and hence the device axis Y).
  • the second chamber wall 30 also has first and second longitudinal edges 30c, 30d which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 22 (and hence the device axis Y).
  • the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 are connected via the respective first longitudinal edges 28c, 30c and the second longitudinal edges 28d, 30d as best seen in Figure 3.
  • the heating chamber 22 includes an integral flexible connection 44, for example an elastic connection, between the connected first longitudinal edges 28c, 30c of the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 and between the connected second longitudinal edges 28d, 30d of the first and second chamber walls 28, 30.
  • integral flexible connections 44 permit the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 to move relative to each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (and hence the device axis Y) to vary a spacing S between the first and second chamber walls 28, 30, and in particular between the first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b.
  • two flexible connections 44 are shown in the illustrated example, a single flexible connection 44 could be provided between the first longitudinal edges 28c, 30c of the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 or between the second longitudinal edges 28d, 30d of the first and second chamber walls 28, 30.
  • the other of the first longitudinal edges 28c, 30c of the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 and the second longitudinal edges 28d, 30d of the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 could be connected by a rigid connection, such as a side wall.
  • the flexible connection 44 is biased to a relaxed configuration. This is the configuration shown in Figure 4a when there is no aerosol generating substrate 14 positioned in the heating chamber 22. In this relaxed configuration, the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 are in a resting position in which there is a first spacing between the first and second chamber walls 28, 30, and more particularly in which there is a first spacing SI between the first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b.
  • the flexible connection 44 is configured to transition from the relaxed configuration to a loaded configuration when an aerosol generating substrate 14 is inserted into the heating chamber 22 via the open end 38 as shown in Figure 4b. This is the configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4c.
  • the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 have been pushed apart by the aerosol generating substrate 14 and are in a deflected position in which there is a second spacing between the first and second chamber walls 28, 30, and more particularly in which there is a second spacing S2 between the first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b.
  • the second spacing S2 is greater than the first spacing SI.
  • the aerosol generating substrate 14 has a thickness Da which is greater than the spacing SI between first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b when the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 are in the initial resting position.
  • the heating chamber 22 may have a flared or tapered opening 36 as shown in Figures 4a and 4b to facilitate insertion of the aerosol generating substrate 14 into the heating chamber 22.
  • the transverse leading edge at the distal end of the aerosol generating substrate 14 could be tapered or bevelled to facilitate its insertion into the heating chamber 22.
  • a displacement of the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 which increases the spacing between them (and more particularly between the first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b) by up to 1 mm, and more typically up to 0.5 mm, may be sufficient to achieve a good contact between the first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b and the aerosol generating substrate 14 whilst at the same time allowing a user to insert the aerosol generating substrate 14 into the heating chamber 22 without failure of the aerosol generating substrate 14, e.g., due to collapse or crushing during insertion due to high compressive forces.
  • a displacement of the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 which increases the spacing between them (and more particularly between the first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b) by 0.025 mm to 0.3 mm may be sufficient to achieve a good contact between the first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b and the aerosol generating substrate 14 whilst at the same time allowing insertion of the aerosol generating substrate 14 with relative ease.
  • the flexible connection 44 Due to the characteristics of the flexible connection 44, it is configured to apply a compression force F, via the first and second chamber walls 28, 30, to an aerosol generating substrate 14 positioned in the heating chamber 22 when the flexible connection 44 is in the loaded configuration.
  • This compression force F is shown diagrammatically by the arrows in Figure 4c.
  • the flexible connection 44 when the flexible connection 44 is in the loaded configuration, it is biased to return to the relaxed configuration and, thus, to urge the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 to move to the resting position.
  • the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 are free to return to the resting position in which there is a first spacing SI between the first and second heating surfaces 28b, 30b.
  • the aerosol generating substrate 14 typically prevents the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 from returning to the resting position and, thus, a compression force F is applied to the major surfaces of the aerosol generating substrate 14.
  • AS S2 - SI
  • the distance AS by which the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 are deflected does not need to be substantial (no more than 1 mm, and typically no more than 0.5 mm).
  • the integrally formed flexible connection 44 can be formed in any suitable manner provided that it adopts a relaxed configuration when it is unbiased (due to the absence of an aerosol generating substrate 14 in the heating chamber 22) and a loaded configuration when it is biased (due to the presence of an aerosol generating substrate 14 in the heating chamber 22).
  • the flexible connection 44 is formed by a structural feature or deformation at the first longitudinal edges 28c, 30c and/or the second longitudinal edges 28d, 30d which urges the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 to the resting position when there is no aerosol generating substrate 14 present in the heating chamber 22.
  • the flexible connection 44 is generally V-shaped and projects inwardly into the interior volume of the heating chamber 22.
  • the V-shaped flexible connection 44 has three sharp edges.
  • the V-shaped flexible connection 44 has three rounded edges.
  • the use of sharp edges or rounded edges may allow the stiffness of the flexible connection 44 to be controlled, e.g., the V-shaped flexible connection 44 with rounded edges may have a lower stiffness than the V-shaped flexible connection 44 with sharp edges.
  • the use of rounded edges may also reduce the stress concentration along the edges of the V-shaped flexible connection 44.
  • the flexible connection 44 has a first portion that proj ects outwardly away from the heating chamber 22 and a second portion that projects inwardly into the interior volume of the heating chamber 22.
  • the flexible connection 44 has three rounded edges.
  • a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognise that the shape of the flexible connection 44 illustrated in Figure 5c and, e.g., the radii of curvature of the rounded edges, can be adjusted to achieve an optimal stiffness of the flexible connection 44.
  • the flexible connection 44 is formed by a continuous change of thickness of the first and second chamber walls 28, 30, resulting in a semi-annular flexible connection 44 with varying thickness that projects outwardly away from the heating chamber 22.
  • the thickness variation can be selected to achieve an optimal stiffness of the flexible connection 44.
  • the flexible connection 44 can include one or more regions, e.g., edges, where there is a discrete change of thickness to provide for an optimal, and in particular reduced, stiffness of the flexible connection 44.
  • the flexible connection 44 is generally V- shaped and projects outwardly away from the heating chamber 22. As can be clearly seen, the outermost edge of the flexible connection 44 has a reduced thickness which tends to reduce the stiffness of the flexible connection 44 at this point and thereby reduce the overall stiffness of the flexible connection 44.
  • the flexible connection 44 is generally V- shaped and projects inwardly into the interior volume of the heating chamber 22.
  • the V-shaped flexible connection 44 has rounded edges and is, thus, similar to the V-shaped flexible connection 44 described above with reference to Figure 5b.
  • the two outermost edges of the flexible connection 44 have a reduced thickness which tends to reduce the stiffness of the flexible connection 44 at these points and thereby reduce the overall stiffness of the flexible connection 44.
  • the flexible connection 44 urges the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 to the resting position, in particular so that the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 apply a compression force F to an aerosol generating substrate 14 when inserted into the heating chamber 22 via the open end 38 and so that the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 return to the resting position when there is no aerosol generating substrate 14 present in the heating chamber 22.
  • the preferred shape and geometry may also be selected to optimise the airflow through the aerosol generating device 12 when an aerosol generating substrate 14 is positioned in the heating chamber 22, for example taking into account the increase or decrease in the cross-sectional area of the interior volume of the heating chamber 22 as the first and second chamber walls 28, 30 move from the resting position to the deflected position.

Landscapes

  • Resistance Heating (AREA)

Abstract

Un dispositif de génération d'aérosol (12) comprend une chambre de chauffage (22) destinée à recevoir un substrat de génération d'aérosol (14). La chambre de chauffage (22) comprend une extrémité proximale (24), une extrémité distale (26) et un axe longitudinal s'étendant entre les extrémités proximale et distale (24, 26). L'extrémité proximale (24) et/ou l'extrémité distale (26) est une extrémité ouverte (38) conçue pour recevoir un substrat de génération d'aérosol (14) dans la chambre de chauffage (22) dans une direction longitudinale le long de l'axe longitudinal. La chambre de chauffage (22) comprend des première et seconde parois de chambre (28, 30) mobiles l'une vers l'autre et à l'opposé l'une de l'autre dans une direction sensiblement orthogonale à l'axe longitudinal entre une position de repos et une position déviée pour faire varier un espacement entre les première et seconde parois de chambre (28, 30), et un dispositif de chauffage (40) en contact avec une surface externe (28a, 30a) d'au moins une paroi parmi les première et seconde parois de chambre (28, 30). Il y a un premier espacement entre les première et seconde parois de chambre (28, 30) dans la position de repos et un second espacement entre les première et seconde parois de chambre (28, 30) dans la position déviée qui est supérieur au premier espacement. Les première et seconde parois de chambre (28, 30) sont conçues pour se déplacer de la position de repos à la position déviée lors de l'insertion d'un substrat de génération d'aérosol (14) dans la chambre de chauffage (22) par l'extrémité ouverte (38).
PCT/EP2024/061892 2023-05-10 2024-04-30 Dispositif de génération d'aérosol et système de génération d'aérosol Pending WO2024231178A1 (fr)

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EP23172476.6 2023-05-10
EP23172476 2023-05-10

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2534211A (en) * 2015-01-19 2016-07-20 Ngip Res Ltd Aerosol-generating article
WO2022167287A1 (fr) * 2021-02-02 2022-08-11 Jt International Sa Dispositif de génération d'aérosol
US20220304376A1 (en) * 2016-04-27 2022-09-29 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol generating device with securing means
WO2022223628A1 (fr) * 2021-04-20 2022-10-27 Jt International S.A. Dispositif de génération d'aérosol comprenant un contenant expansible
WO2023031244A1 (fr) * 2021-08-31 2023-03-09 Jt International S.A. Dispositif de génération d'aérosol comprenant une chambre de chauffage plate et ensemble générateur d'aérosol associé

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2534211A (en) * 2015-01-19 2016-07-20 Ngip Res Ltd Aerosol-generating article
US20220304376A1 (en) * 2016-04-27 2022-09-29 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol generating device with securing means
WO2022167287A1 (fr) * 2021-02-02 2022-08-11 Jt International Sa Dispositif de génération d'aérosol
WO2022223628A1 (fr) * 2021-04-20 2022-10-27 Jt International S.A. Dispositif de génération d'aérosol comprenant un contenant expansible
WO2023031244A1 (fr) * 2021-08-31 2023-03-09 Jt International S.A. Dispositif de génération d'aérosol comprenant une chambre de chauffage plate et ensemble générateur d'aérosol associé

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