WO2025012729A1

WO2025012729A1 - Aerosol-generating device for spherical consumable

Info

Publication number: WO2025012729A1
Application number: PCT/IB2024/056358
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rui Nuno Rodrigues Alves BATISTA; Lucia JIMENEZ-YANGUAS PRINI; Hau Man CHENG
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2023-07-10
Filing date: 2024-06-28
Publication date: 2025-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-10

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device including an elongated body extending from a distal end to a proximal end and a power supply disposed in the elongated body. The proximal end includes an aerosol-generating article receptacle defining a first portion of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape. An inductor is electrically coupled to the power supply and disposed along the aerosol-generating article receptacle. The aerosol-generating device further includes a mouthpiece element extending from a coupling end to an air outlet end. The coupling end is configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the elongated body. An airflow channel extends from the coupling end to the air outlet end.

Description

AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE FOR SPHERICAL CONSUMABLE

The present disclosure relates to, among other things, an aerosol-generating device for a spherical or ellipsoid shaped consumable. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an inductive heating aerosol-generating device configured to receive a spherical or ellipsoid shaped aerosol-generating article, and systems and methods of using the same.

Aerosol-generating devices are typically configured to release an aerosol by heating a solid, a liquid, or an amorphous form of an aerosol-forming substrate. An exemplary aerosol-generating device includes an elongated main body with a power unit, a control unit, and a heating chamber wherein an aerosol-generating article is introduced. The heating chamber typically includes a heating arrangement, such as, a thermal resistive arrangement, or an induction heating arrangement, for example.

Aerosol-generating articles generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate without requiring combustion of the aerosol-generating substrate are known. Such articles are often designated as “heat-not-burn” aerosol-generating articles, since an aerosol-generating substrate is heated to a relatively low temperature to induce the formation of an aerosol but prevent the combustion of material contained within the aerosol-generating substrate. These aerosol-generating articles are combined with an aerosol-generating device to form an aerosolgenerating system.

Efforts at improving aerosol-generating systems have been aimed at maximizing active ingredient yield and energy efficiency. In general, once the aerosol-generating substrate close to the heating element (of the heating arrangement) has released the desired aerosol, the dry aerosol-generating substrate becomes worse in transferring heat to the aerosol-generating substrate sections further away from the heating element. Thus, the heating element needs to be raised to a higher temperature for heating the aerosol-generating substrate sections farther to the desired temperature, which results in reduced energy efficiency.

To achieve a more uniform heating of aerosol-generating articles, designs have favored a planar geometry for the susceptors, combined with cylindrical geometries for the substrate and inductor. Such arrangements can achieve a more uniform heating of the aerosol-generating substrate contained in the aerosol-generating articles. While these designs have shown promise, there is still a need to further increase efficiency by exploring different component geometries of the aerosol-generating article. It is desirable to have an aerosol-generating device with improved heating uniformity of aerosol-generating articles. It would also be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device with improved energy efficiency. It would also be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device that can utilize aerosol-generating articles that are not planar but are spherical or ellipsoid shaped. It would also be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device that provides increased user satisfaction and effortless operation.

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device for a spherical or ellipsoid shaped consumable. In particular, the present invention relates to an inductive heating aerosolgenerating device configured to receive a spherical or ellipsoid shaped aerosol-generating article, and systems and methods of using the same.

The present invention provides an aerosol-generating device including an elongated body extending from a distal end to a proximal end and a power supply disposed in the elongated body. The proximal end includes an aerosol-generating article receptacle defining a first portion of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape. An inductor is electrically coupled to the power supply and disposed along the aerosol-generating article receptacle. The aerosol-generating device further includes a mouthpiece element extending from a coupling end to an air outlet end. The coupling end is configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the elongated body. An airflow channel extends from the coupling end to the air outlet end.

The mouthpiece element may include a second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle defining a second portion of a spherical shape or ellipsoid shape. A second inductor electrically coupled to the power supply and may be disposed along the second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle. The first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle and the second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle may cooperate to form a spherical or ellipsoid shape when the mouthpiece element is coupled to the elongated body.

An aerosol-generating device having a spherical or ellipsoid shaped receptacle for receiving a spherical or ellipsoid shaped aerosol-generating article advantageously provides increased user satisfaction and effortless operation of the aerosol-generating device. The consumable loading and unloading procedure is simplified by providing the aerosol-generating device spherical or ellipsoidal receptacle that receives a similar aerosol-generating article.

An aerosol-generating device having a spherical or ellipsoid shaped receptacle with an inductor along the aerosol-generating article receptacle advantageously provides improved heating performance and heat distribution along the aerosol-generating article receptacle. The inductor provides more uniform heat distribution to a received aerosol-generating article, reducing the potential for overheating and uneven release of aerosol. The present invention provides an aerosol-generating system including the aerosolgenerating device described herein, and an aerosol-generating article having a spherical or ellipsoidal shape and sized to closely be received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

The aerosol-generating article may include an aerosol-generating substrate and susceptor particles distributed throughout the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article may include an aerosol-generating substrate and a centrally positioned susceptor core within the aerosol-generating substrate. Alternatively, or in addition, the aerosol-generating device further includes a susceptor forming at least a part of a wall of the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

The present invention provides a method of using an aerosol-generating system described herein. The method includes inserting an aerosol-generating article having a spherical or ellipsoidal shape into the aerosol-generating article receptacle of the aerosol-generating device, coupling the mouthpiece element to the proximal end of the elongated body, activating the inductor to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating article, and puffing on the mouthpiece element to draw the aerosol from the aerosol-generating article to an air outlet end of the mouthpiece element.

Advantageously, the present invention may allow for increased aerosol-generation efficiency. Utilizing the spherical or ellipsoid shaped receptacle and aerosol-generating article provides an increased surface area for heating and aerosol-generation. The spherical or ellipsoid shape of the aerosol-generating article and receptacle optimizes surface area in comparison to a planar or cylindrical shape, which can result in a higher rate of aerosol release. The overall concentric and coaxial alignment of the heating element and the spherical or ellipsoid aerosolgenerating article leads to an efficient heating of the aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosolgenerating article. The present invention may allow for reduced material usage. Using a spherical or ellipsoid shape may allow for the use of less material to achieve the same amount of aerosol release, as the spherical or ellipsoid shaped aerosol-generating article uses the aerosolgenerating material more efficiently.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, “have”, “having”, “include”, “including”, “comprise”, “comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understood that “consisting essentially of”, “consisting of”, and the like are subsumed in “comprising,” and the like. The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

Any direction referred to herein such as “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, upper”, “lower”, and other directions or orientations are described herein for clarity and brevity but are not intended to be limiting of an actual device or system. Devices and systems described herein may be used in a number of directions and orientations.

As used herein, “downstream” and “proximal” mean the mouthpiece end of the aerosolgenerating device. “Downstream” and “proximal” mean the end of the aerosol-generating device intended to be contacted by the mouth of a user. “Upstream” and “distal” mean the opposite end of the aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, “tobacco” means plant material, such as leaves, stems, or other portions of any of several plants belonging to the genus Nicotiana, such as of the species N. tabacum. Preferably, tobacco includes leaves, stems or leaves and stems.

As used herein, a “controller” is one or more hardware devices, one or more software or firmware programs, or one or more hardware devices and software or firmware programs that manages or directs flow of data between two or more entities. The controller may include a memory, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) state machine, a digital signal processor, a gate array, a microprocessor, or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. A controller may include memory that contains instructions that cause one or more components of the circuitry to carry out a function of the controller. Functions attributable to a controller in this disclosure may be embodied as one or more of software, firmware, and hardware. The controller may include a microprocessor. The operation of one or more controller of a system may be coordinated by an overarching system controller.

The term “aerosol” is used here to refer to a suspension of solid particles or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets in a gas. The gas may be air. The solid particles or liquid droplets may comprise one or more volatile flavor compounds. Aerosol may be visible or invisible. Aerosol may include substances that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature. Aerosol may include substances that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature, in combination with solid particles or in combination with liquid droplets or in combination with both solid particles and liquid droplets. The aerosol preferably comprises nicotine. The term “aerosol-generating device” is used here to refer to any device configured to be used or utilized with an aerosol-generating article that releases volatile compounds to form an aerosol that may be inhaled by a user. The aerosol-generating device may be interfaced with the aerosol generating article comprising the aerosol-forming substrate.

The term “aerosol-generating article” is used herein to refer to a disposable product capable of including (for example, holding, containing, having, or storing) aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-generating article may be capable of removably interfacing, or docking, or mating with an aerosol-generating device. This allows the aerosol-generating device to generate aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

An aerosol-generating device including an elongated body extending from a distal end to a proximal end and a power supply disposed in the elongated body. The proximal end includes an aerosol-generating article receptacle defining a first portion of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape or cavity. An inductor is electrically coupled to the power supply and disposed along the aerosolgenerating article receptacle. The aerosol-generating device further includes a mouthpiece element extending from a coupling end to an air outlet end. The coupling end is configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the elongated body. An airflow channel extends from the coupling end to the air outlet end.

The mouthpiece element may include a second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle defining a second portion of a spherical shape or ellipsoid shape. A second inductor electrically coupled to the power supply may be disposed along the second portion of the aerosolgenerating article receptacle. The first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle and the second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle may cooperate to form a spherical or ellipsoid shape when the mouthpiece element is coupled to the elongated body.

The mouthpiece element may be separated (a disengaged position) from the elongated body and replaceably coupled to the proximal end of the elongated body. The mouthpiece element may be uncoupled from the elongated body so that the consumer may insert an aerosolgenerating article in the exposed aerosol-generating article receptacle on the elongated body. Once the aerosol-generating article is received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle, the mouthpiece element may be coupled or attached to the elongated body at the proximal end of the elongated body.

Once the mouthpiece element is engaged (an engaged position) or coupled to the elongated body at the proximal end of the elongated body the mouthpiece element may snap into place or slide onto the proximal end of the elongated body a lateral distance. The aerosol-generating device includes a power supply for the heating element. The power supply may be a battery, such as a lithium iron phosphate battery, within the device. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging via a charging port, for example, and may have a capacity that allows for the storage of enough energy for the consumption of one or more aerosolgenerating articles. For example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to allow for the continuous generation of aerosol for a period of around six minutes, corresponding to the typical time taken to smoke a conventional cigarette, or for a period that is a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to allow for a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the inductor heating element.

The aerosol-generating article receptacle defines a first portion of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape or cavity configured to mate with or snugly fit with a replaceable aerosol-generating article. The first portion of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape or cavity may define a hemisphere or half of a sphere-shaped cavity.

The inductor may be disposed along the first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle and defining a portion of the spherical or ellipsoidal shape or cavity. The inductor may define a spherical cap. The inductor may define a spherical segment. The inductor may define a hemisphere. The inductor may be defined by a spiral coil. The inductor element on the first portion of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape or cavity may be flush along at least a portion of the outer surface of the first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

A susceptor element is coupled with the induction heating element to generate heat from the susceptor element. The susceptor element may be disposed on the surface or form a portion of the surface of the first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle. The susceptor element may be disposed on or within an aerosol-generating article received in the aerosolgenerating article receptacle.

A controller may be disposed within the elongated body and electrically coupled to the power supply and the inductor. A switch may be arranged on the main housing of the elongated body and be configured to control the power supplied to a controller or control unit. The switch may be an on/off element. The controller may automatically deactivate the inductor when the aerosol-generating device is not in the engaged position.

The mouthpiece element may include a second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle. The second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle may define a second portion of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape or cavity. In the engaged position, the first and second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle mate with each other and form a full spherical or full ellipsoidal cavity. This full spherical or ellipsoidal cavity mates with or snugly fits the replaceable aerosol-generating article.

The first portion and second portions of the of the aerosol-generating article receptacle forming the full spherical or ellipsoidal aerosol-generating article receptacle or cavity may cooperate to from a hermetic seal. Hermeticity of the full aerosol-generating article receptacle or cavity may be ensured by providing an airtight seal along the periphery of each hemisphere. A hermetic seal element may separate and provide an airtight seal between the first portion and second portions of the of the aerosol-generating article receptacle forming the full spherical or ellipsoidal aerosol-generating article receptacle or cavity. The hermetic seal element may be formed of silicone rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), neoprene, or butyl rubber. Thus, airflow enters the full aerosol-generating article receptacle or cavity only via the air inlet and leaves the full aerosol-generating article receptacle or cavity only via the air flow channel connecting the full aerosol-generating article receptacle or cavity to the air outlet of the mouthpiece element.

The second portion may include a second inductor electrically coupled to the power supply and disposed along the second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle. The second inductor may define a portion of the spherical or ellipsoidal shape or cavity. The second inductor may define a spherical cap. The second inductor may define a spherical segment. The second inductor may define a hemisphere. The second inductor may be defined by a spiral coil. A second inductor on the second portion of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape or cavity may be flush along at least a portion of the outer surface of the second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

A susceptor element is coupled with the induction heating element to generate heat from the susceptor element. The susceptor element may be disposed on the surface or form a portion of the surface of the second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle. The susceptor element may be disposed on or within an aerosol-generating article received in the aerosolgenerating article receptacle.

The aerosol-generating article receptacle is defined on the proximal end of the elongated body. The aerosol-generating article receptacle may be defined on a fixed element of the proximal end of the elongated body. The aerosol-generating article receptacle may be defined on a movable element of the proximal end of the elongated body. The aerosol-generating article receptacle may be defined on an element that pivots about a pivot axis.

The aerosol-generating article receptacle may be defined on a pivot unit that cooperates with the mouthpiece element and pivots about a pivot axis between an open position and closed position as the mouthpiece element is moved from the disengaged position to the engaged position. The mouthpiece element may be enabled to be displaced from a disengaged position into an engaged position in which the mouthpiece element and the proximal end of the elongated body enclose the pivot unit therebetween.

The pivot unit has a pivot axis that may extend though the aerosol-generating article receptacle. The pivot axis may extend orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The pivot unit may have a V-shape and integrate a hook-shaped concave section (defining the first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle) centered along its longitudinal axis. The pivot axis may be orthogonal to the pivot unit longitudinal axis.

The pivot unit is rotatable relative to the elongated body between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the disengaged position, the pivot unit is tilted such that the concave section (defining the first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle) orientates towards an open end of the proximal end of the elongated body or access aperture formed by the open space between the proximal end of the elongated body and the coupling end of the mouthpiece element. In the engaged position, the longitudinal axis of the pivot unit has a straight orientation relative to the elongated body. In other terms, in the engaged position, the longitudinal axis of the pivot unit aligns with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body.

The pivot unit may be rotatably mounted to the proximal end of the elongated body by mounting pins projecting from the sides of the pivot unit. Alternatively, the pivot unit may be supported in a floating manner, and thus loosely within the proximal end of the elongated body, via a supporting surface of the inner walls of the proximal end of the elongated body.

The pivot unit may rotate about the pivot axis at least about 10 degrees, or at least about 20 degrees, or at least about 25 degrees, or at least about 30 degrees. The pivot unit may rotate about the pivot axis in a range from about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees. The pivot unit may rotate about the pivot axis in a range from about 10 degrees to about 75 degrees. The pivot unit may rotate about the pivot axis in a range from about 20 degrees to about 60 degrees. The pivot unit may rotate about the pivot axis in a range from about 25 degrees to about 55 degrees.

In the disengaged position, the pivot unit may be pre-tensioned against the surface of the proximal end of the elongated body by a bias element, where it is held towards its tilted orientation. The bias element may be between the pivot unit and the proximal end of the elongated body, the bias element biasing the pivot unit towards the open position. The bias element is preferably a spring. At an end, the bias element contacts a corner of the proximal end of the elongated body. At an opposite end, the bias element contacts an angled edge of the pivot unit. The bias element may be any kind of suitable compression or torsion element such as, for example, a wire spring, a helical spring, or a spiral spring.

The mouthpiece element coupling end may include an engagement extension that contacts the pivot unit and drives the pivot unit from the open position to the closed position as the mouthpiece element moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position. The engagement extension may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and the mouthpiece element. The engagement extension may include a detent element on a free end of the engagement extension. The detent element securing the pivot unit in the engaged or closed position.

During the coupling or engagement motion of the mouthpiece element moving onto or toward the elongated body, the engagement extension is driven axially across an insertion path alongside a lateral wall of the proximal end of the elongated body, and against a curved bottom edge of the pivot unit (when present). The engagement extension exerts a compressive force on the pivot unit that overcomes the compressive force of the bias element, thereby compressing the bias element and acting as a lever by pushing the pivot unit towards its engaged state (into a straight orientation). After reaching the end of the insertion, the detent element of the engagement extension cooperates with a receiving groove formed at the proximal end of the elongated body to produce a snap-fit engagement. After reaching the end of the insertion or the engaged position, the distal end of the pivoting unit may rest within a mating portion defined between the sidewall of the engagement extension and the sidewall of the airflow channel in the mouthpiece element.

The elongated body or the mouthpiece element define an air inlet channel into the aerosolgenerating article receptacle. Upon engagement, a gap between the pivot unit and a slanted edge defines an air inlet that enables air to travel into the aerosol-generating article receptacle and within a received aerosol-generating article and then this air travels to the airflow channel of the mouthpiece element and out the air outlet of the mouthpiece element.

Aerosol-generating systems include the aerosol-generating device described herein and an aerosol-generating article having a spherical or ellipsoidal shape and size to be closely received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle. The aerosol-generating article includes an aerosolforming substrate that releases aerosol upon heating.

The aerosol-generating article is in a solid state. A solid state may be defined as a state in which a material is not fluid but retains its boundaries without support. In the solid state, the material retains its shape or substantially returns to its shape after elastic deformation. In particular, the shape of the aerosol-generating article remains firm and stable even upon handling by a user for consumption with an aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating article may have a longest dimension being less than twice the shortest dimension of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a convex shape, in particular a spherical shape or an ellipsoid shape. An ellipsoid shape is a quasi- spherical shape, such as an egg shape.

The longest dimension of the aerosol-generating article may be greater than about 7 millimeters, and in particular less than about 21 millimeters. The longest dimension of the aerosolgenerating article may be in a range from about 7 to about 16 millimeters. The particle size of the aerosol-generating article may advantageously allow a manipulation of a single aerosolgenerating article for consumption. The size of the aerosol-generating article may enable the desired amount of aerosol delivery to a consumer. In particular, the aerosol-generating article may deliver in between 5 to 20 puffs, preferably 10 to 13 puffs, more preferably 11 to 12 puffs, when consumed with an aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco and an aerosol former. The aerosolforming substrate may further comprise at least one of an, a blend of tobacco leaf, cellulose fibers, tobacco fibers and a binder. The blend of tobacco leaf may comprise at least one of the tobacco types among bright tobacco, dark tobacco, and aromatic tobacco. The blend of tobacco leaf may have particle size comprised between 100 to 380 mesh particles, in particular between 170 to 320 mesh particles. The binder may comprise or be made of natural pectins, such as fruit, namely citrus, or tobacco pectins; guar gums, land locust bean gums, such as hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl thereof; starches, such as modified or derivatized starches; alginate; methyl, ethyl, ethylhydroxymethyl and carboxymethyl, celluloses; dextran; and xanthan gum. In a preferred embodiment, the binder in the first compound is made of guar. The aerosol former may be glycerine; monohydric alcohols like menthol, polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyls of those. The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise a humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol or triethylene glycol.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise about 15% to about 45% by weight, or about 20% to about 35% by weight, tobacco, or blend of tobacco leaf. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least about 5% by weight aerosol former, or at least about 10% by weight aerosol former. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise less than about 35% by weight aerosol former, or less than about 30% by weight aerosol former. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise about 1% to about 10% by weight, or about 1% to about 5% by weight, binder. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise about 1 % to about 15% by weight, or about 3% to about 7% by weight, cellulose fibers. The aerosol-forming substrate may have a moisture content of about 5% to about 35% by weight, or about 10% to about 25% by weight.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least a flavor substance. The flavor substance may be at least partially absorbed into the aerosol-forming substrate. The flavor substance may comprise at least one flavoring component. The flavor substance may be natural, for example natural menthol. Alternatively, the flavor substance may be artificially based, for example synthetic menthol. The flavor substance may comprise essential oil. The flavor substance may comprise at least one of an organic botanical glycerite, an organic botanical extract and a botanical essential oil. The flavor substance may comprise allyl 10 hexanoate, benzyl alcohol, citral, ethanol, itsea cubeba oils, lemon oil, lime oil, L-menthol, menthol, mint such as peppermint or spearmint, orange oils sweet, orange oil terpeneless, orange oil terpenes, tangerine oils terpene-free, tobacco flavor, or a combination thereof.

The aerosol-generating article may include an aerosol-forming substrate and be free of susceptor. In this embodiment, the aerosol-generating article is heated by conduction from susceptor forming a portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

The aerosol-generating article may include an aerosol-forming substrate and susceptor particles distributed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate. The susceptor particles may be uniformly distributed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may comprise about 10% to about 40% susceptor particles by weight. The aerosol-generating article may comprise about 15% to about 30% susceptor particles by weight.

The aerosol-generating article may include an aerosol-forming substrate and a centrally located susceptor within the aerosol-forming substrate. The centrally located susceptor may define from about 10% to about 50% of the total volume of the aerosol-generating article.

The susceptor particles or susceptor may be conductive pieces that can convert electromagnetic energy into heat. When located in an alternating electromagnetic field, eddy currents are induced, and hysteresis losses (if the susceptor is magnetic) occur in the susceptor causing heating of the susceptor.

The susceptor may be one of paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, or ferrimagnetic material. The susceptor may comprise metal. The susceptor may comprise one of aluminium, iron, nickel, copper, bronze, cobalt, plain-carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, martensitic stainless steel, or austenitic stainless steel. The susceptor may comprise Inconel alloys (austenite nickel-chromium- based superalloys). The susceptor may comprise transition metals such as for example Fe, Co, Ni, or metalloids components such as for example B, C, Si, P, Al. The susceptor may comprise mu-metal or permalloy. The susceptor may comprise or be made of a carbon material. The susceptor may comprise or be made of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, ceramics such as for example zirconia. The susceptor material may be heated to a temperature in excess of 250 degrees Celsius.

An induction arrangement (utilizing one or more induction elements or inductors) may be configured to produce an alternating magnetic field that induces eddy currents within the susceptor of the aerosol-generating article or susceptor adjacent to the aerosol-generating article. These eddy currents in turn generate heat, which vaporizes the volatile compounds contained in the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

A method of using the aerosol-generating system includes inserting an aerosol-generating article having a spherical or ellipsoidal shape into the aerosol-generating article receptacle of the aerosol-generating device and coupling the mouthpiece element to the proximal end of the elongated body. Then the use activates the heating element to generate aerosol from the aerosolgenerating article. The consumer may then puff on the mouthpiece element to draw the generated aerosol from the aerosol-generating article to the air outlet of the mouthpiece element.

The aerosol-generating article receptacle may be fixed or pivot from an open position to a closed position as the mouthpiece element coupled with the proximal end of the elongated body into the engaged position. The mouthpiece element may slide onto the proximal end of the elongated body in a direction parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The aerosolgenerating article receptacle may pivot about a pivot axis, and the pivot axis may be orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The mouthpiece element slides onto the proximal end of the elongated body, and the aerosol-generating article receptacle may pivot simultaneously.

A consumer may deactivate the heating element and move the mouthpiece element from the engaged position to the disengaged position, optionally decoupling or removing the mouthpiece element from the proximal end of the elongated body. Then the consumer removes the aerosol-generating article from the aerosol-generating article receptacle. The consumer may deactivate the heating element my pressing on a switch electrically coupled to the controller.

The aerosol-generating device may automatically deactivate the heating element. The heating element may be automatically deactivated when the aerosol-generating device is moved from the engaged position. The heating element may be automatically deactivated when sliding the mouthpiece element from the engaged position to the disengaged position or decoupling or removing the mouthpiece element from the proximal end of the elongated body. Once in the disengaged position the consumer may remove the aerosol-generating article from the aerosolgenerating article receptacle and optionally replace the spent aerosol-generating article with a new aerosol-generating article.

Below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example or embodiment described herein.

Example Ex1 : An aerosol-generating device comprising: an elongated body extending from a distal end to a proximal end, a power supply disposed in the elongated body, the proximal end comprising an aerosol-generating article receptacle defining a first portion of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape, and an inductor electrically coupled to the power supply and disposed along the aerosol-generating article receptacle; and a mouthpiece element extending from a coupling end to an air outlet end, the coupling end configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the elongated body, an airflow channel extends from the coupling end to the air outlet end.

Example Ex2: The aerosol-generating device according to Ex1 , wherein the mouthpiece element comprises a second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle defining a second portion of a spherical shape or ellipsoid shape.

Example Ex3: The aerosol-generating device according to Ex2, further comprising a second inductor electrically coupled to the power supply and disposed along the second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

Example Ex4: The aerosol-generating device according to Ex2 or Ex3, wherein the first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle and the second portion of the aerosolgenerating article receptacle cooperate to form a spherical or ellipsoid shape when the mouthpiece element is coupled to the elongated body.

Example Ex5: The aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example, wherein the elongated body comprises a controller electrically coupled to the power supply and the inductor.

Example Ex6: The aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example, wherein the elongated body or the mouthpiece element define an air inlet channel into the aerosolgenerating article receptacle. Example Ex7: The aerosol-generating device according to Ex1 , wherein the inductor is flush along at least a portion of the outer surface of the first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

Example Ex8: The aerosol-generating device according to Ex2, wherein the second inductor is flush along at least a portion of the outer surface of the second portion of the aerosolgenerating article receptacle.

Example Ex9: The aerosol-generating device according to Ex7, wherein the inductor is a spiral coil.

Example Ex10: The aerosol-generating device according to Ex8, wherein the second inductor is a spiral coil.

Example Ex11 : The aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example, wherein the aerosol-generating article receptacle comprises a hermetic seal element

Example Ex12: An aerosol-generating system comprising: the aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example; and an aerosol-generating article having a spherical or ellipsoidal shape and sized to closely received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

Example Ex13: The aerosol-generating system according to Ex12, wherein the aerosolgenerating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate and susceptor particles distributed throughout the aerosol-generating substrate.

Example Ex14: The aerosol-generating system according to Ex12, wherein the aerosolgenerating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate and a centrally positioned susceptor core within the aerosol-generating substrate.

Example Ex15: The aerosol-generating system according to Ex12, wherein the aerosolgenerating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate, and wherein the device further comprises a susceptor forming at least a part of a wall of the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

Example Ex16: A method of using the aerosol-generating system of Ex12, the method comprising: inserting an aerosol-generating article having a spherical or ellipsoidal shape into the aerosol-generating article receptacle of the aerosol-generating device; coupling the mouthpiece element to the proximal end of the elongated body; activating the inductor to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating article; and puffing on the mouthpiece element to draw the aerosol from the aerosol-generating article to the an air outlet end of the mouthpiece element. Example Ex17: The method according to Ex16, further comprising: deactivating the inductor; removing the mouthpiece element from the proximal end of the elongated body; and removing the aerosol-generating article from the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of an illustrative aerosol-generating device in the disengaged position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 in the disengaged position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 in the engaged position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 in the engaged position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 in the disengaged position and receiving an aerosol-generating article;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 in the disengaged position and receiving an aerosol-generating article;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 in the disengaged position and an aerosol-generating article received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle of the aerosol-generating device;

FIG. 8 illustrates a closeup schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 sliding from the disengaged position toward the engaged position;

FIG. 9 illustrates a closeup schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 sliding into the engaged position with an aerosol-generating article received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle of the aerosol-generating device;

FIG. 10 illustrates a closeup schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 in the engaged position and operating to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating article received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle;

FIG. 11 is a perspective top view of an illustrative pivot unit;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative pivot unit of FIG. 11 taken along lines A-A; FIGs. 13A-13D are perspective views of an aerosol-generating article and different configurations of an associated heating element;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of an illustrative aerosol-generating article;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of another illustrative aerosolgenerating article;

FIGs. 16A-16B are perspective views of an aerosol-generating article and different configurations of an associated heating element and first and second portions of a spherical or ellipsoid shape or cavity; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of using the aerosol-generating system described herein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of an illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 in the disengaged position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the illustrative aerosolgenerating device 100 of FIG. 1 in the disengaged position. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram cross- sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 in the engaged position. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 in the engaged position. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 in the disengaged position and receiving an aerosol-generating article 160. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 in the disengaged position and receiving an aerosol-generating article 160. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 in the disengaged position and an aerosol-generating article 160 received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130 of the aerosol-generating device 100. FIG. 8 illustrates a closeup schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 sliding from the disengaged position toward the engaged position. FIG. 9 illustrates a closeup schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 sliding into the engaged position with an aerosol-generating article 160 received in the aerosolgenerating article receptacle 130 of the aerosol-generating device 100. FIG. 10 illustrates a closeup schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 in the engaged position and operating to generate an aerosol 169 from the aerosolgenerating article 160 received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 illustrate an aerosol-generating device 100 having an elongated body 110 extending from a distal end 112 to a proximal end 114 and a power supply 120 disposed in the elongated body 110. The proximal end 114 includes an aerosol-generating article receptacle 130 defining a first portion 132 of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape or cavity. An inductor 140 is electrically coupled to the power supply 120 and disposed along the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130. A mouthpiece element 150 extends from a coupling end 152 to an air outlet end 154. The coupling end 152 is configured to be coupled to the proximal end 114 of the elongated body 110. An airflow channel 155 extends from the coupling end 152 to the air outlet end 154. The mouthpiece element 150 is slidably coupled to the elongated body 110 between an engaged position (see FIG. 3) and a disengaged position (see FIG. 1). An access aperture 105 to the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130 is defined in the disengaged position, and the access aperture 105 is closed in the engaged position. The elongated body 110 extends from a distal end 112 to a proximal end 114 along a longitudinal axis L .

The aerosol-generating device 100 is illustrated as having a generally elongated rectangular shape, however the aerosol-generating device 100 may have a cylindrical shape or other shape. A total length of the aerosol-generating device 100 illustrated is from about 90 mm to about 160 mm, or from about 100 mm to about 140 mm. A width of the aerosol-generating device 100 illustrated is from about 12 mm to about 28 mm, or from about 14 mm to about 21 mm. A height of the aerosol-generating device 100 illustrated is from about 9 mm to about 23 mm, or from about 11 mm to about 18 mm.

A lateral distance L is illustrated and denotes the distance between an engaged position (see FIG. 3) and a disengaged position (see FIG. 1) of the mouthpiece element 150 relative to the elongated body 110. An access lateral distance L’ is illustrated in FIG. 1 and shows the lateral distance defined by the access aperture 105.

The illustrated lateral distance L is from about 11 mm to about 27 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 24 mm. The illustrated lateral distance L’ is from about 9 mm to about 25 mm, or from about 8 mm to about 22 mm.

The mouthpiece element 150 may include a second portion 134 of the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130 defining a second portion of a spherical or ellipsoid shape or cavity. A second inductor 142 may be electrically coupled to the power supply 120 and disposed along the second portion 132 of the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130. The first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle 132 and the second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle 134 may cooperate to form a full spherical or ellipsoid shape or cavity when the mouthpiece element 150 is in the engaged position with the elongated body 110.

The aerosol-generating article receptacle 132, 134 full spherical or ellipsoid shape or cavity illustrated has a largest lateral dimension D from about 4 mm to about 21 mm, or from about 6.5 mm to about 16.5 mm. The aerosol-generating article receptacle 132, 134 full spherical or ellipsoid shape or cavity is sized to intimately mate with an aerosol-generating article 160.

The aerosol-generating article receptacle 130 may be defined on a pivot unit 180 that cooperates with the slidable mouthpiece element 150 and pivots about a pivot axis between an open position and closed position as the mouthpiece element 150 is moved from the disengaged position to the engaged position. The pivot axis may extend though the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130.

The mouthpiece element 150 coupling end 152 may include an engagement extension 151 that contacts the pivot unit 180 and drives the pivot unit 180 from the open position to the closed position as the mouthpiece element 150 moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

The engagement extension 151 may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the elongated body 110 and the mouthpiece element 150. The engagement extension 151 may include a detent element 153 on a free end of the engagement extension 151. The detent element 153 secures the pivot unit 180 in the closed position.

The inductor element 140 on the first portion 132 of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape or cavity may be flush along at least a portion of the outer surface of the first portion 132 of the aerosolgenerating article receptacle 130. A second inductor 142 on the second portion 134 of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape or cavity may be flush along at least a portion of the outer surface of the second portion 134 of the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130.

The inductors 140, 142 may be an induction coil configured to generate heat in one or more susceptors. The induction coil may be a spiral coil. One or more susceptors are configured to generate heat when inductively coupled to the induction heating element. The one or more susceptors may be in or on a spherical or ellipsoidal aerosol-generating article. The one or more susceptors may form part of a wall of the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130.

A controller 125 may be disposed within the elongated body 110 and electrically coupled to the power supply 120 and the inductor 140, 142. A switch 170 may be arranged on the main housing of the elongated body 110 and be configured to control the power supplied to a controller or control unit 125. The switch 170 may be an on/off element. The controller 125 may automatically deactivate the inductor 140, 142 when the aerosol-generating device 100 is not in the engaged position.

The power supply 120 may be a battery, such as a lithium iron phosphate battery, within the device. The power supply may require recharging via a charging port 121. In the disengaged position, the pivot unit 180 may be pre-tensioned against the surface of the proximal end 114 of the elongated body 110 by a bias element 136, where it is held towards its tilted orientation. The bias element 136 may contact a planar surface of the pivot unit 180 and a corner of the proximal end 114 of the elongated body 110. The bias element 136 biasing the pivot unit 180 towards the open position. The bias element 136 is preferably a spring.

In the engaged position, the elongated body 110 or the mouthpiece element 150 cooperate to define an air inlet 107 into the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130. Upon engagement, a gap between the pivot unit 180 and a slanted edge defines an air inlet 107 that enables air to travel into the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130 and within a received aerosol-generating article and then this air travels to the airflow channel 155 of the mouthpiece element 150 and out the air outlet 156 of the mouthpiece element 150.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 in the disengaged position and receiving an aerosol-generating article 160. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 in the disengaged position and receiving an aerosol-generating article 160. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 in the disengaged position and an aerosol-generating article 160 received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130 of the aerosol-generating device 160.

FIG. 8 illustrates a closeup schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 sliding from the disengaged position toward the engaged position. The direction arrow DL indicates the direction of the movement of the mouthpiece element 150 towards the elongated body 110. The direction arrow D_L is illustrated as being parallel with the longitudinal axis LA. This reduced lateral distance is illustrated as L”. The mouthpiece element 150 is moved toward the elongated body 110 and the engagement extension 151 is driven axially across an insertion path alongside a lateral wall of the proximal end 114 of the elongated body 110, and against a curved bottom edge of the pivot unit 180. The engagement extension 151 exerts a compressive force on the pivot unit 180 that overcomes the compressive force of the bias element 136, thereby compressing the bias element 136 and acting as a lever by pushing the pivot unit 180 towards its engaged state (into a straight orientation).

FIG. 9 illustrates a closeup schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 sliding into the engaged position with an aerosolgenerating article 160 received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130 of the aerosolgenerating device 100. After reaching the end of the insertion, the detent element 153 of the engagement extension 151 cooperates with a receiving groove 155 formed at the proximal end 114 of the elongated body 110 to produce a snap-fit engagement. After reaching the end of the insertion or the engaged position, the distal end 182 of the pivoting unit 180 may rest within a mating portion 184 defined between the sidewall of the engagement extension 151 and the sidewall of the airflow channel 155 in the mouthpiece element 150.

FIG. 10 illustrates a closeup schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 in the engaged position and operating to generate an aerosol 169 from the aerosol-generating article 160 received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130. Upon engagement, a gap between the pivot unit 180 and a slanted edge defines an air inlet 107 that enables air to travel into the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130 and within a received aerosol-generating article 160 and then this air travels to the airflow channel 155 of the mouthpiece element 150 and out the air outlet 156 of the mouthpiece element 150.

When the user draws though the mouthpiece element 150 air outlet 156, air is first drawn from the air inlet 107 into the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130 and within the aerosolgenerating article 160 received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130. Then, the airflow entrains the released particles from the heated tobacco material. This mixture produces an aerosol 169 that converges into the airflow channel 155, where it travels upwards into the airflow channel 155to experience a venturi effect that expands its volume. This volumetric expansion further homogenizes and cools down the aerosol 169. The aerosol 169 is then accelerated by the constricted end of the airflow channel 155, which leads to the air outlet 156 that discharges the aerosol 169 into the user’s mouth. After consumption of the active ingredients in the aerosolgenerating article 160, a user may proceed to exchange the used aerosol-generating article 160 by simply disengaging the mouthpiece element 150, removing the used aerosol-generating article 160, and then inserting a new aerosol-generating article 160.

FIG. 11 is a perspective top view of an illustrative pivot unit 180. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of the illustrative pivot unit 180 of FIG. 11 taken along lines A-A. The pivot unit 180 may be rotatably mounted to the proximal end 114 of the elongated body 110 by mounting pins 185 projecting from the sides of the pivot unit 180. The mating pins 185 coincide with the pivot axis PA of the pivot unit 180.

The pivot unit 180 has a pivot axis PA that extends though the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130. The pivot axis PA may extend orthogonal to the longitudinal axis LA of the elongated body 110. The pivot unit 180 may have a V-shape and integrate a hook-shaped concave section (defining the first portion 132 of the aerosol-generating article receptacle) centered along its longitudinal axis (along the line A-A). The pivot axis PA may be orthogonal to the pivot unit 180 longitudinal axis (along the line A-A). The inductor 140 is disposed along the aerosol-generating article receptacle 132. An air inlet surface 107 is defined on the pivot unit 180.

FIGs. 13A-13D are perspective views of an aerosol-generating article 160 and different configurations of an associated inductor 140. A single inductor 140 is illustrated, but it is understood that two or more inductors may be arranged about the aerosol-generating article 160. Different coil winding structures may provide a characteristic electromagnetic profile that can be chosen according to the individual requirements for electric and magnetic field potentials. In principle, the electromagnetic interaction between a spherical coil configuration 140 and a core susceptor within an aerosol-generating article 160 is given by Maxwells equations and may be framed over different complex mathematical models.

FIG. 13A illustrates an inductor 140 having a spherical cap configuration. FIG. 13B illustrates an inductor 140 having another spherical segment configuration. FIG. 13C illustrates an inductor 140 having a spherical segment configuration. FIG. 13D illustrates an inductor 140 having a further spherical segment configuration.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of an illustrative aerosol-generating article 160. The aerosol-generating article 160 may include an aerosol-forming substrate 162 and a centrally positioned susceptor core 164 within the aerosol-forming substrate 160.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram cross-sectional view of another illustrative aerosolgenerating article 160. The aerosol-generating article 160 may include an aerosol-forming substrate 162 and susceptor particles 164 distributed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate 162.

FIGs. 16A-16B are perspective views of an aerosol-generating article 160 and different configurations of an associated inductor(s) 140, 142 and first and second portions 132, 134 of a spherical or ellipsoid shape or cavity. An induction arrangement in a spherical configuration is formed by the first coil or heating element 140 and a second coil or heating element 142 with a number of turns of wire wounded around a spherical form. The first coil or inductor 140 is arranged within the walls of the bottom-hemisphere 132 of the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130, and a second coil inductor 140 is arranged within the walls of the top-hemisphere 134 of the aerosol-generating article receptacle 130. Alignment of the top-hemisphere 134 and the bottomhemisphere 132 follows upon engagement of the mouthpiece element 150 with the elongated body 110 and leads to an alignment of the first coil or inductor 140 with the second coil or inductor 142 resulting in coaxial alignment. The induction arrangement is configured to produce an alternating magnetic field that induces eddy currents within the core susceptor 164 of the aerosol-generating article 160. These eddy currents in turn generate heat, which vaporizes the volatile compounds contained in the aerosol-generating article 160. A thermal insulator may be arranged across the surface of each of the bottom-hemisphere 132 and the top-hemisphere 134. For example, a surface coating adapted for thermal insulation may be applied to the concave section of the top-hemisphere 134 and the bottom-hemisphere 132 to prevent heat losses and to protect the rest of the aerosolgenerating device components.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method 200 of using the aerosolgenerating system described herein.

A method of using an aerosol-generating system 200 includes (202) inserting an aerosolgenerating article having a spherical or ellipsoidal shape into the aerosol-generating article receptacle of the aerosol-generating device and (204) coupling the mouthpiece element to the proximal end of the elongated body. Then (206) activating the inductor to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating article and (208) puffing on the mouthpiece element to draw the generated aerosol from the aerosol-generating article to the air outlet end of the mouthpiece element.

The method may further include (210) deactivating the inductor, (212) removing the mouthpiece element from the proximal end of the elongated body, and (214) removing the aerosol-generating article from the aerosol-generating article receptacle. In some cases, the inductor is automatically deactivated by sliding the mouthpiece element from the engaged position.

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 2% of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device comprising: an elongated body extending from a distal end to a proximal end, a power supply disposed in the elongated body, the proximal end comprising an aerosol-generating article receptacle defining a first portion of a spherical or ellipsoidal shape, and an inductor electrically coupled to the power supply and disposed along the aerosol-generating article receptacle; and a mouthpiece element extending from a coupling end to an air outlet end, the coupling end configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the elongated body, an airflow channel extends from the coupling end to the air outlet end.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece element comprises a second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle defining a second portion of a spherical shape or ellipsoid shape.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, further comprising a second inductor electrically coupled to the power supply and disposed along the second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle and the second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle cooperate to form a spherical or ellipsoid shape when the mouthpiece element is coupled to the elongated body.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongated body or the mouthpiece element define an air inlet channel into the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the inductor is flush along at least a portion of an outer surface of the first portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

7. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the second inductor is flush along at least a portion of an outer surface of the second portion of the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

8. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 6, wherein the inductor is a spiral coil.

9. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 7, wherein the second inductor is a spiral coil.

10. An aerosol-generating system comprising: the aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim; and an aerosol-generating article having a spherical or ellipsoidal shape and sized to closely received in the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

11. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 10, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate and susceptor particles distributed throughout the aerosol-generating substrate.

12. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 10, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate and a centrally positioned susceptor core within the aerosol-generating substrate.

13. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 10, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate, and wherein the device further comprises a susceptor forming at least a part of a wall of the aerosol-generating article receptacle.

14. A method of using the aerosol-generating system of claim 10, the method comprising: inserting an aerosol-generating article having a spherical or ellipsoidal shape into the aerosol-generating article receptacle of the aerosol-generating device; coupling the mouthpiece element to the proximal end of the elongated body; activating the inductor to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating article; and puffing on the mouthpiece element to draw the aerosol from the aerosol-generating article to the an air outlet end of the mouthpiece element.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: deactivating the inductor; removing the mouthpiece element from the proximal end of the elongated body; and removing the aerosol-generating article from the aerosol-generating article receptacle.