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WO2025078265A1 - Article de génération d'aérosol et système de génération d'aérosol - Google Patents

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

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Publication number
WO2025078265A1
WO2025078265A1 PCT/EP2024/077869 EP2024077869W WO2025078265A1 WO 2025078265 A1 WO2025078265 A1 WO 2025078265A1 EP 2024077869 W EP2024077869 W EP 2024077869W WO 2025078265 A1 WO2025078265 A1 WO 2025078265A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
aerosol generating
discrete
generating substrate
substrate segments
heater
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/EP2024/077869
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English (en)
Inventor
Ernst Hupkes
Menno Bijlsma
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 WO2025078265A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025078265A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
    • A24D1/20—Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
    • 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
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
    • A24F40/485—Valves; Apertures
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating article.
  • the aerosol generating article is for use with an aerosol generating device for heating the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.
  • the present disclosure is particularly applicable to aerosol generating articles for use with 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.
  • Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article.
  • 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 the 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 the 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 articles 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 article is often a trade-off between convenience, aesthetics, and efficiency in heating.
  • the entirety of the aerosol generating substrate is heated during each user inhalation (or ‘puff) to generate an inhalable aerosol, but this is inefficient and may lead to the generation of an aerosol that has inconsistent qualities (e.g., sensory qualities, nicotine content) between user inhalations (or ‘puffs’), for example as the aerosol generating substrate becomes depleted.
  • the present disclosure seeks to address this shortcoming.
  • the aerosol generating article is for use with an aerosol generating device for sequentially and individually heating the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (i.e., one at a time), without burning the aerosol generating substrate segments, to volatise at least one component of each aerosol generating substrate segment and thereby generate a heated vapour which may cool and condense to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device.
  • the aerosol generating device is a hand-held, portable, device.
  • Each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may comprise a metered- dose of an aerosol generating substrate corresponding to a single inhalation or puff.
  • the metered-dose may correspond to a dose of aerosol generating substrate to be delivered to a user during a single inhalation or puff.
  • the metered-dose of aerosol generating substrate includes a component or components required to generate an aerosol.
  • the metered-dose may comprise a predetermined amount of tobacco or nicotine or a flavourant or a combination of these.
  • the metered-dose may also comprise an aerosol former.
  • 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 CaCCti.
  • 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.
  • aerosol formers 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.
  • each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may release volatile compounds.
  • the volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavour compounds such as tobacco flavouring.
  • the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may be substantially planar.
  • the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may be disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article.
  • the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may be disposed around an inner surface of a frustoconical substrate support. Such an arrangement may facilitate manufacture of the aerosol generating article and/or may facilitate contact between the aerosol generating substrate segments and a heater of an aerosol generating device.
  • Such an arrangement may permit the use of a plurality of the aerosol generating articles with an aerosol generating device, for example in a stacked or nested arrangement, thereby increasing the total number of puffs that are available to a user.
  • Such an arrangement may also facilitate storage and/or packaging of a plurality of the aerosol generating articles, for example in a stacked or nested arrangement.
  • the aerosol generating article may include an independent airflow path associated with each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments.
  • a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment Upon heating of a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment by a heater of an aerosol generating device, the heated aerosol is delivered directly to a user for inhalation along its own independent, dedicated, airflow path, for example via an outlet of the aerosol generating device, without passing over any of the other discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. This helps to ensure that the aerosol generated when individual discrete aerosol substrate segments are individually and sequentially heated has consistent qualities (e.g., sensory qualities, nicotine content).
  • Such an arrangement may allow the structure of the aerosol generating article to be simplified because the heater is a component part of the aerosol generating device. Such an arrangement may also provide improved manufacturability of the aerosol generating article.
  • the heater may be an electrical resistive heater. The use of an electrical resistive heater may be particularly convenient for providing sequential heating of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments.
  • the aerosol generating article may comprise a plurality of discrete heater elements. Each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements may be associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. Each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements may contact a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. Each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements may be substantially planar.
  • Each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements may comprise a resistive heater element, for example a resistive heater track.
  • Each one of the plurality of resistive heater elements may include a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact.
  • Each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements may comprise an inductively heatable susceptor.
  • the inductively heatable susceptor may comprise a ferromagnetic material including, but not limited to, cobalt, iron, nickel, zinc, manganese, and any combinations thereof.
  • the inductively heatable susceptor 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 inductively heatable susceptor 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 inductively heatable susceptor may generate heat through the Joule effect due to eddy currents flowing in the susceptor and, in the case of a ferromagnetic material, by magnetic hysteresis losses.
  • Each of the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may be heatable independently and sequentially by its associated discrete heater element.
  • an aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating device comprising a power source and a controller; and an aerosol generating article as defined above arranged externally on the aerosol generating device.
  • the aerosol generating device is a hand-held, portable, device that individually and sequentially heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments of the aerosol generating article, without burning the aerosol generating substrate segments, to volatise at least one component of each aerosol generating substrate segment and thereby generate a heated vapour which may cool and condense to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating system.
  • the heater may comprise an array of discrete heater elements.
  • the discrete heater elements may be arranged circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. Each one of the discrete heater elements may be associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments.
  • the aerosol generating article can remain static when positioned on the aerosol generating device because each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments is positioned adjacent to a dedicated heater element which is configured to heat one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments.
  • the controller may be configured to individually and sequentially activate each heater element in the array (e.g., by supplying electrical power from the power source to the heater element) in response to a user inhalation or puff to individually and sequentially heat the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments.
  • the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments can be individually and sequentially heated in a consistent manner to provide a metered-dose of an aerosol generating substrate, e.g., corresponding to a single inhalation or puff.
  • consistent manner it is meant that the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments are heated in the same way, e.g., by supplying the same electrical power to each heater element for the same time duration.
  • the aerosol that is generated and inhaled by a user during each puff or inhalation has consistent qualities (e.g., sensory qualities, nicotine content).
  • the controller may be configured to individually and sequentially activate each of the discrete heater elements to individually and sequentially heat each of the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments by its associated discrete heater element. Since each of the discrete heater elements is activated only once to heat its associated discrete aerosol generating substrate segment, the robustness and cost of the heater elements can be reduced as compared to examples in which the one or more heater elements form part of the aerosol generating device and must, therefore, be reused with multiple aerosol generating articles. In the latter case, the heater elements must typically be sufficiently robust to operate for a period of circa. 1 to 2 years at circa. 100 to 200 puffs per day.
  • Figure 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the fourth example of the aerosol generating system of Figure 12 after assembly, with one aerosol generating article arranged externally on the aerosol generating device;
  • Figure 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the fourth example of the aerosol generating system of Figure 12 after assembly, with three nested aerosol generating articles arranged externally on the aerosol generating device;
  • Figure 15 is a diagrammatic sectional view of part of the aerosol generating system shown in Figure 14.
  • Figure 16 is a diagrammatic plan view of a resistive heater track and a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment that form part of an aerosol generating article of the aerosol generating system of Figures 11 to 15.
  • the aerosol generating system 1 comprises an aerosol generating article 10 and an aerosol generating device 12.
  • the aerosol generating article 10 is a consumable and comprises a substantially frustoconical substrate support 14.
  • the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 has an inner surface 16 and an outer surface 18 and may comprise a plastics material.
  • the aerosol generating article 10 further comprises a plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 which are disposed circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 10, and in the illustrated example around the inner surface 16 of the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14.
  • the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 can include a plurality of circumferentially spaced partitions 22 on the inner surface 16, and each pair of circumferentially adjacent partitions 22 defines a space for accommodating a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.
  • Each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 is substantially planar and has an exposed inner surface 24 that faces inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 10.
  • the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 are disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 10 due to the geometry of the frustoconical substrate support 14. More particularly, the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 are disposed on the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 so that they slope or taper inwardly from a first end 10a (in use, distal end) of the aerosol generating article 10 towards a second end 10b (in use, proximal end) of the aerosol generating article 10.
  • Each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 comprises a metered-dose of an aerosol generating substrate and, thus, delivers a metered-dose of aerosol generating substrate to a user when heated.
  • each metered-dose corresponds to a single inhalation or puff.
  • each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 delivers a metered-dose of an aerosol generating substrate to a user during a single inhalation or puff.
  • Each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 includes a component or components required to generate an aerosol.
  • each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 comprises a predetermined amount of tobacco or nicotine or a flavourant, or a combination of these.
  • Each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 typically also comprises an aerosol former, for example glycerine or propylene glycol. Upon being heated, each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 releases one or more volatile compounds in a metered dose.
  • an aerosol former for example glycerine or propylene glycol.
  • the aerosol generating device 12 comprises a cylindrical hollow housing 26 having a substantially circular cross section.
  • the housing 26 is typically formed of a rigid, thermally insulating plastics material such as poly ether ether ketone (PEEK).
  • PEEK poly ether ether ketone
  • the aerosol generating device 12 comprises a proximal portion 28 and a distal portion 30, and the proximal portion 28 and distal portion 30 are separated by a shoulder 32.
  • the aerosol generating device 12 has a distal end 12a and a proximal end 12b (or mouth end) and, in the illustrated example, the housing 26 tapers inwardly in the longitudinal direction from the shoulder 32 towards the distal end 12a. In other (non-illustrated) examples, the housing 26 could taper in the opposite longitudinal direction or could have a constant diameter in the longitudinal direction.
  • the proximal portion 28 comprises a heater 34 that is configured to heat the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20.
  • the heater 34 comprises an array of discrete electrically resistive heater elements 36 that are arranged circumferentially and uniformly around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 12, and more particularly around a substantially frustoconical heater support 35.
  • Each of the heater elements 36 is elongate and the heater elements 36 are disposed lengthwise at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 12 on the substantially frustoconical heater support 35.
  • the heater elements 36 slope or taper inwardly away from the shoulder 32 towards a proximal end 12b (or mouth end) of the aerosol generating device 12.
  • the angle at which the heater elements 36 are disposed is substantially the same as the angle at which the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 are disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 10.
  • the substantially frustoconical heater support 35 can include a plurality of circumferentially spaced partitions 37, and each pair of circumferentially adjacent partitions 37 defines a space for accommodating one of the discrete heater elements 36.
  • the number of heater elements 36 corresponds to the number of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 of the aerosol generating article 10.
  • the aerosol generating device 12 includes twenty heater elements 36 and the aerosol generating article 10 likewise includes twenty discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. This is merely exemplary, and it will be understood that any suitable number of heater elements 36 and discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 may be provided, as long as the same number of each is provided.
  • the aerosol generating device 12 further comprises a mouthpiece 38 at the proximal end 12b for engagement by a user’s lips to enable a user to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosol generating system 1.
  • the mouthpiece 38 includes a channel 40 through which heated vapour may flow from the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 via an outlet end 43 and into the mouth of a user drawing on the mouthpiece 38. The heated vapour may cool and condense to form an aerosol as it flows through the channel 40.
  • the aerosol generating article 10 is arranged externally on the aerosol generating device 12. More particularly, the aerosol generating article 10 is arranged externally on the proximal portion 28 of the aerosol generating device 12 so that the exposed inner surface 24 of each discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 contacts a corresponding one of the heater elements 36, and so that each one of the partitions 22 formed on the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 is aligned with a corresponding one of the partitions 37 formed on the substantially frustoconical heater support 35.
  • the number of heater elements 36 corresponds to the number of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20.
  • each of the discrete heater elements 36 is associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 when the aerosol generating article 10 is arranged on the aerosol generating device 12.
  • the aerosol generating device 12 includes a power source 6, such as a battery, and a controller 8 comprising electric circuitry.
  • the power source 6 and controller 8 may be located in the distal portion 30 of the aerosol generating device 12, in the hollow housing 26 as shown schematically in Figure 1.
  • the controller 8 is configured to supply electrical power from the power source 6 to the heater elements 36 to heat the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. More particularly, the controller 8 is configured to supply electrical power from the power source 6 individually and sequentially to the heater elements 36.
  • the controller 8 is configured to detect airflow through the aerosol generating device 12. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, an airflow through the aerosol generating device 12 is indicative of a user inhalation or ‘puff.
  • ambient air is also drawn into the air inlet 44 of the airflow path 42 in which the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 is to be heated by activation of the corresponding heater element 36.
  • This may require the flow controller 48, e.g., piezoelectric valve 49, (if present) in that airflow path 42 to move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the closed configuration to the open configuration, for example as described above.
  • the flow controller 48 e.g., piezoelectric valve 49
  • the ambient air is drawn through the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.
  • the vapour generated by heating the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 is entrained in the airflow through the airflow path 42.
  • the entrained vapour flows out of the air outlet 46 and into the channel 40 of the mouthpiece 38, towards an outlet at the proximal (or downstream) outlet end 43 of the mouthpiece 38.
  • the vapour may cool and condense to form an aerosol which is delivered to the user for inhalation.
  • the aerosol that is inhaled by the user during a single puff corresponds to a metered-dose of the aerosol generating substrate.
  • a typical puff duration may be around 2-3 seconds.
  • the controller 8 terminates the supply of electrical power from the power source 6 to the heater element 36.
  • the flow controller 48 (if present) may also move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the open configuration to the closed configuration. In some examples, the flow controller 48 (if present) may remain in the open configuration.
  • the controller 8 supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to a second one of the heater elements 36.
  • the flow controller 48 (if present) in the airflow path 42 may also move from the closed configuration to the open configuration as described above.
  • the heater element 36 heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is positioned adjacent to the heater element 36 in the manner described above, until the end of the puff is detected by the puff detector and the supply of electrical power to the heater element 36 is terminated by the controller 8.
  • the flow controller 48 (if present) in the airflow path 42 may also move from the open configuration to the closed configuration as described above.
  • This process may be repeated when further puffs are detected until the controller 8 detects that all of the heater elements 36 have been activated, thus indicating that all of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been heated and that the aerosol generating article 10 is fully depleted and needs to be replaced with an unused aerosol generating article 10 (i.e., an aerosol generating article in which none of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been previously heated).
  • the aerosol generating system 3 comprises an aerosol generating article 10 and an aerosol generating device 50.
  • the aerosol generating article 10 is as described above.
  • the aerosol generating device 50 is similar to the aerosol generating device 12 described above, and corresponding components are identified using the same reference numerals.
  • the controller 8 is configured to supply electrical power from the power source 6 to the heater element 36 to heat the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is positioned adjacent to the heater element 36. More particularly, the controller 8 is configured to detect airflow through the aerosol generating device 50, such airflow being indicative of a user inhalation or ‘puff as described above.
  • the aerosol generating device 50 may, for example, include a puff detector (not shown), such as an airflow sensor or microphone, for this purpose.
  • the controller 8 is configured to activate the heater element 36 in response to a detected user inhalation or puff to heat the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is positioned adjacent to the heater element 36.
  • ambient air is also drawn into the air inlet 44 of the airflow path 42.
  • This may require the flow controller 48, e.g., piezoelectric valve 49, (if present) in the airflow path 42 to move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the closed configuration to the open configuration, for example as described above.
  • the flow controller 48 e.g., piezoelectric valve 49
  • the ambient air flows along the airflow path 42 from the air inlet 44 towards the air outlet 46, the ambient air is drawn through the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.
  • the vapour generated by heating the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 is entrained in the airflow through the airflow path 42.
  • the entrained vapour flows out of the air outlet 46 and into the channel 40 of the mouthpiece 38, towards an outlet at the proximal (or downstream) outlet end 43 of the mouthpiece 38.
  • the vapour may cool and condense to form an aerosol which is delivered to the user for inhalation.
  • the aerosol that is inhaled by the user during a single puff corresponds to a metered-dose of the aerosol generating substrate.
  • a typical puff duration may be around 2-3 seconds.
  • the controller 8 terminates the supply of electrical power from the power source 6 to the heater element 36.
  • the flow controller 48 (if present) may also move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the open configuration to the closed configuration. In some examples, the flow controller 48 (if present) may remain in the open configuration.
  • the aerosol generating article 10 is then rotated on the proximal portion 28 (as shown by the arrow R in Figures 7 and 8) to move the heated discrete aerosol generating segment 20 away from the heater element 36 and to move a circumferentially adjacent, unheated, discrete aerosol generating segment 20 into circumferential alignment with the heater element 36.
  • the controller 8 again supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to the heater element 36.
  • the flow controller 48 (if present) in the airflow path 42 may also move from the closed configuration to the open configuration as described above.
  • the heater element 36 heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is positioned adjacent to the heater element 36 in the manner described above, until the end of the puff is detected by the puff detector and the supply of electrical power to the heater element 36 is terminated by the controller 8.
  • the flow controller 48 (if present) in the airflow path 42 may also move from the open configuration to the closed configuration as described above.
  • step 106 may be repeated until the controller 8 detects that all of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been heated, e.g., based on the number of activations of the heater element 36 during a session or since positioning of the aerosol generating article 10 on the proximal portion 28 of the aerosol generating device 50, thus indicating that all of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been heated and that the aerosol generating article 10 is fully depleted and needs to be replaced with an unused aerosol generating article 10 (i.e., an aerosol generating article in which none of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been previously heated).
  • an unused aerosol generating article 10 i.e., an aerosol generating article in which none of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been previously heated.
  • the rotation of the aerosol generating article 10 may be indexed by a predetermined angular amount to ensure accurate sequential alignment of each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 with the heater element 36.
  • the rotation may be performed manually, e.g., by a user, after each puff has taken place.
  • the aerosol generating device 50 may include a rotator (not shown), e.g., a motor, to rotate the aerosol generating article 10 by a predetermined angular amount (i.e., to provide indexed rotation) after each puff has taken place to position a previously unheated one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 adjacent to the heater element 36.
  • the heater element 36 is substantially planar and has a substantially planar and continuous heater surface 33 which contacts the exposed inner surface 24 of a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.
  • the heater element 36 has a substantially convex profile and, thus, has a substantially curved and continuous heater surface 33 which contacts the exposed inner surface 24 of a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.
  • the contact between the curved and continuous heater surface 33 and the exposed inner surface 24 of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 may cause a slight deformation and/or compression of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 (this is exaggerated in Figure 10B).
  • a heater element 36 with this curved profile may facilitate airflow through the airflow path 42, from the air inlet 44 to the air outlet 46, and may in particular allow vapour to be more easily entrained in the air that flows through void space around the heater element 36 that is created as a result its curved profile.
  • the heater element 36 has a ribbed profile and, thus, has a plurality of heater surface portions 33a, 33b, 33c which contact the exposed inner surface 24 of a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.
  • the heater element 36 may define a plurality of airflow passages 33d which may facilitate airflow through the airflow path 42, from the air inlet 44 to the air outlet 46, and may in particular allow vapour to be more easily entrained in the air that flows through the airflow passages 33d.
  • the aerosol generating system 4 comprises an aerosol generating article 70 and an aerosol generating device 72.
  • the aerosol generating system 4 is similar to the aerosol generating system 1, 2 described above, and corresponding components are identified using the same reference numerals.
  • the aerosol generating article 70 comprises a substantially frustoconical substrate support 14.
  • the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 has an inner surface 16 and an outer surface 18 and may comprise a plastics material.
  • the aerosol generating article 70 comprises a plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 which are disposed circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 70 and in the illustrated example around the inner surface 16 of the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 (in the same manner shown in Figure 2).
  • the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 can include a plurality of circumferentially spaced partitions 22 (as seen in Figure 2) on the inner surface 16, and each pair of circumferentially adjacent partitions 22 defines a space for accommodating a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.
  • the aerosol generating article 70 comprises a plurality of discrete heater elements 74.
  • Each one of the heater elements 74 is associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. More particularly, the heater elements 74 are arranged circumferentially around the inner surface 16 of the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 in the spaces between the partitions 22, between the inner surface 16 and the aerosol generating substrate segments 20. As best seen in Figure 16, each heater element 74 may comprise a resistive heater track 75 of any suitable shape.
  • Each heater element 74 includes a first electrical contact 76 and a second electrical contact 78.
  • the aerosol generating device 72 includes a common electrical contact 82 which extends around an outer surface of the mouthpiece 38.
  • the aerosol generating device 72 also includes a plurality of discrete electrical contacts 80 which are spaced circumferentially around an inner surface 84 of a skirt portion 86 of the hollow housing 26 of the aerosol generating device 72.
  • Each of the discrete electrical contacts 80 is electrically isolated from all of the other discrete electrical contacts 80.
  • the discrete electrical contacts 80 are spring-loaded electrical contacts.
  • three separate longitudinally-spaced rows 88a-c of discrete electrical contacts 80 are provided, but it is sufficient that at least one row of discrete electrical contacts 80 is provided to enable use of the aerosol generating device 72 with an aerosol generating article 70 as described above.
  • the aerosol generating article 70 is arranged externally on the aerosol generating device 72 by a user during use of the aerosol generating system 4. More particularly, the aerosol generating article 70 is arranged externally on the proximal portion 28 of the aerosol generating device 72 so that the first electrical contact 76 of each heater element 74 contacts one of the discrete electrical contacts 80 of the aerosol generating device 72 and so that the second electrical contact 78 of each heater element 74 contacts the common electrical contact 82 of the aerosol generating device 72. As noted above, the discrete electrical contacts 80 may be spring-loaded to ensure that there is good contact between the discrete electrical contacts 80 and the first electrical contacts 76 of the heater elements 74. If desired, more than one aerosol generating article 70 can be arranged externally on the aerosol generating device 72 (as best seen in Figure 15) dependent upon the number of longitudinally-spaced rows 88 of discrete heater elements 80 that are provided.
  • the controller 8 is configured to detect the initiation of use of the aerosol generating device 72 in response to a user input, such as a button press, to switch the aerosol generating device 72 from an off mode into a standby mode.
  • a user input such as a button press
  • the controller 8 detects the user’s puff (e.g., based on the signal received from the puff detector) and supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to a first one of the heater elements 74.
  • the controller 8 supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to the first heater element 74 via the discrete electrical contact 80 that is in contact with the first electrical contact 76 of the first heater element 74 and the common electrical contact 82 that is in contact with the second electrical contact 78 of the first heater element 74.
  • the first heater element 74 heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is in contact with the first heater element 74 and the heating of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 releases one or more volatile compounds to form a vapour.
  • ambient air is also drawn into the air inlet 44 of the airflow path 42 of the heated discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.
  • This may require a flow controller 48, e.g., piezoelectric valve 49, if present in that airflow path 42 (see Figure 4) to move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
  • the ambient air flows along the airflow path 42 from the air inlet 44 towards the air outlet 46, the ambient air is drawn through the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.
  • the vapour generated by heating the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 is entrained in the airflow through the airflow path 42.
  • the entrained vapour flows out of the air outlet 46 and into the channel 40 of the mouthpiece 38, towards an outlet at the proximal (or downstream) outlet end 43 of the mouthpiece 38.
  • the vapour flows through the channel 40, it may cool and condense to form an aerosol which is delivered to the user for inhalation.
  • the aerosol that is inhaled by the user during a single puff corresponds to a metered-dose of the aerosol generating substrate.
  • a typical puff duration may be around 2-3 seconds.
  • the controller 8 terminates the supply of electrical power from the power source 6 to the first heater element 74.
  • the flow controller 48 (if present) may also move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the open configuration to the closed configuration. In some examples, the flow controller 48 (if present) may remain in the open configuration.
  • the controller 8 supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to a second one of the heater elements 74.
  • the controller 8 supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to the second heater element 74 via the discrete electrical contact 80 that is in contact with the first electrical contact 76 of the second heater element 74 and the common electrical contact 82 that is in contact with the second electrical contact 78 of the second heater element 74.
  • the second heater element 74 heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is in contact with the second heater element 74 and the heating of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 releases one or more volatile compounds to form a vapour.
  • the flow controller 48 (if present) in the airflow path 42 may also move from the closed configuration to the open configuration as described above.
  • This process may be repeated when further puffs are detected until the controller 8 detects that all of the heater elements 74 of a particular aerosol generating article 70 have been activated, thus indicating that all of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been heated and that the aerosol generating article 70 is fully depleted and needs to be replaced with an unused aerosol generating article 70 (i.e., an aerosol generating article in which none of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been previously heated).
  • the aerosol generating system 70 comprises a plurality of nested aerosol generating articles 70 as shown in Figure 15, the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 of each aerosol generating article 70 can be heated before replacement of the aerosol generating articles 70 is needed.
  • the aerosol generating system 4 may provide an improved user experience by reducing the frequency with which used aerosol generating articles 70 need to be removed and replaced.

Landscapes

  • Resistance Heating (AREA)

Abstract

Un article de génération d'aérosol (10, 70) comprend une pluralité de segments de substrat de génération d'aérosol (20) distincts disposés de manière circonférentielle autour d'un axe longitudinal de l'article de génération d'aérosol (10, 70) et ayant une surface exposée (24) qui fait face vers l'intérieur vers l'axe longitudinal. La pluralité de segments de substrat de génération d'aérosol (20) distincts peuvent être chauffés individuellement et séquentiellement, et chacun des segments de substrat de génération d'aérosol (20) distincts comprend une dose mesurée d'un substrat de génération d'aérosol, correspondant par exemple à une seule inhalation ou bouffée. Un système de génération d'aérosol (1, 2, 3, 4) comprenant l'article de génération d'aérosol (10, 70) en combinaison avec un dispositif de génération d'aérosol (12, 50, 60, 72) comprenant une source d'alimentation (6) et un dispositif de commande (8) est également décrit.
PCT/EP2024/077869 2023-10-12 2024-10-03 Article de génération d'aérosol et système de génération d'aérosol Pending WO2025078265A1 (fr)

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EP23203134 2023-10-12
EP23203134.4 2023-10-12

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WO2025078265A1 true WO2025078265A1 (fr) 2025-04-17

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0488488B1 (fr) * 1990-11-19 1994-07-13 Philip Morris Products Inc. Article pour délivrer un arôme
US20180271171A1 (en) * 2011-09-06 2018-09-27 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Heating smokable material
US20190133188A1 (en) * 2016-04-29 2019-05-09 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Article, apparatus and method of heating a smokable material
US20200008471A1 (en) * 2016-05-31 2020-01-09 Philip Morris Products S.A. Electrically operated aerosol-generating system with a tubular aerosol-generating article and a retaining feature
US20210401047A1 (en) * 2018-11-13 2021-12-30 Philip Morris Products S.A. Heater array
US20220143338A1 (en) * 2016-01-11 2022-05-12 Syqe Medical Ltd. Source material cartridge

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0488488B1 (fr) * 1990-11-19 1994-07-13 Philip Morris Products Inc. Article pour délivrer un arôme
US20180271171A1 (en) * 2011-09-06 2018-09-27 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Heating smokable material
US20220143338A1 (en) * 2016-01-11 2022-05-12 Syqe Medical Ltd. Source material cartridge
US20190133188A1 (en) * 2016-04-29 2019-05-09 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Article, apparatus and method of heating a smokable material
US20200008471A1 (en) * 2016-05-31 2020-01-09 Philip Morris Products S.A. Electrically operated aerosol-generating system with a tubular aerosol-generating article and a retaining feature
US20210401047A1 (en) * 2018-11-13 2021-12-30 Philip Morris Products S.A. Heater array

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