WO2025172410A1 - Aerosol generating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating apparatus, comprising: a shell which includes a slot; and, a component received in the slot, wherein the shell and the component together form one or more coupling arrangements which couple the shell and the component, wherein each coupling arrangement comprises: a barbed connector including a connector abutment surface; and, a corresponding recess bounded by a recess abutment surface, wherein the connector abutment surface is configured to engage with the recess abutment surface to inhibit removal of the component from the slot.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATING APPARATUS

This application claims priority from EP24157774.1 filed 15 February 2024, the contents and elements of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating apparatus.

BACKGROUND

A typical aerosol generating apparatus may comprise a power supply, an aerosol generating unit that is driven by the power supply, an aerosol precursor, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit to generate an aerosol, and a delivery system for delivery of the aerosol to a user. A shell of the aerosol generating apparatus receives a component of the aerosol generating apparatus. A shell of the aerosol generating apparatus may need to be coupled to the component carried therein. In spite of the effort already invested in the development of aerosol generating apparatuses/systems further improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an aerosol generating apparatus, the aerosol generating apparatus comprising: a shell which includes a slot; and, a component received in the slot, wherein the shell and the component together form one or more coupling arrangements which couple the shell and the component, wherein each coupling arrangement comprises: a barbed connector including a connector abutment surface; and, a corresponding recess bounded by a recess abutment surface, wherein the connector abutment surface is configured to engage with the recess abutment surface to inhibit removal from the slot.

Advantageously, the barbed connector may provide for improved retention of the component within the slot of the shell when attempting to remove the component from the slot. This may prevent or dissuade a user from disassembling the apparatus and may indicate to the user that the apparatus is of high manufacturing quality. Additionally, or alternatively, the barbed connector may enable facilitated insertion of the component into the slot during assembly of the aerosol generating apparatus.

Inhibiting removal from the slot may comprise inhibiting removal along an apparatus axis of the aerosol generating apparatus. Thus, the aerosol generating apparatus may have an apparatus axis.

In this way, the barbed connector may provide for improved retention of the component within the slot of the shell when attempting to remove the component from the slot along the apparatus axis.

Inhibiting removal may comprise preventing removal.

The barbed connector may be received in, or engaged with, the corresponding recess.

The recess abutment surface may at least partially define the recess.

Any feature described with reference to a barbed connector is applicable also to examples where a plurality of barbed connectors is provided, and may be applicable to some or all of the barbed connectors. Likewise, any feature described with reference to a recess is applicable also to some or all of the recesses where a plurality of recesses is provided.

The barbed connector may include a ramp surface extending from the connector abutment surface, the ramp surface configured to facilitate insertion of the component into the slot. As such, the barbed connector may facilitate insertion of the component into the slot and inhibit removal of the component from the slot, where insertion and removal may be in opposite directions which may be parallel to the apparatus axis. In particular, the barbed connector may enable facilitated insertion of the component into the slot during assembly of the aerosol generating apparatus.

In some examples, the connector abutment surface may be transverse to the apparatus axis. For example, a normal of the connector abutment surface may be parallel to the apparatus axis. In some examples a portion of the connector abutment surface is transverse to the apparatus axis while in other examples the whole connector abutment surface is transverse to the apparatus axis. Similarly, the recess abutment surface may be transverse to the apparatus axis. For example, a normal of the recess abutment surface may be parallel to the apparatus axis. In some examples a portion of the recess abutment surface is transverse to the apparatus axis while in other examples the whole recess abutment surface is transverse to the apparatus axis.

In some examples, the connector abutment surface may face the corresponding recess abutment surface.

In this way, the connector abutment surface may be configured to engage with the corresponding recess abutment surface to effectively inhibit removal along the apparatus axis of the component from the slot. In some examples, the connector abutment surface may be configured to engage with the recess abutment surface to inhibit removal along the apparatus axis of the component from the slot in at least a removal direction. The removal direction may be parallel to the apparatus axis.

In some examples, the connector abutment surface may be engaged with the corresponding recess abutment surface. Advantageously, snug engagement of the barbed connector with the corresponding recess may be provided. In some examples, each connector abutment surface may be (e.g., negligibly) spaced apart from the corresponding recess abutment surface, and a removal force exerted along the apparatus axis on the component relative to the shell may act to bring the connector surface into engagement with the recess abutment surface.

In some examples, a shape of each recess may be complementary to a shape of the corresponding barbed connector.

In this way, snug engagement of the barbed connector with the corresponding recess may be provided. In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus may be elongate. The apparatus axis may correspond to a longitudinal axis of the elongate aerosol generating apparatus. The apparatus axis may correspond to a central axis of the aerosol generating apparatus.

In some examples, there may be a plurality of coupling arrangements. As such, there may be a plurality of barbed connectors and a corresponding a plurality of recesses. Advantageously, this may enable a retention force across multiple coupling arrangements. The effect of a removal force attempting to remove the component from the shell may thus be distributed and, for each coupling arrangement, reduced.

The connector abutment surfaces of the plurality of barbed connectors may face in the same direction. Similarly, the recess abutment surfaces of the plurality of recesses may face in the same direction. The direction in which the connector abutment surfaces face and the direction in which the recess abutment surfaces face may be opposite directions, which may be parallel to the apparatus axis.

In some examples, the plurality of barbed connectors may include barbed connectors which are spaced about the component and/or the shell, e.g. circumferentially spaced with respect to the apparatus axis. The plurality of recesses may include recesses which are spaced about the component and/or the shell, e.g. circumferentially spaced with respect to the apparatus axis.

In some examples, the plurality of barbed connectors may include barbed connectors which are at the same position along the apparatus axis. These barbed connectors may be intersected by a plane perpendicular to the apparatus axis, and/or may be aligned along a circumferential line about the apparatus axis. In some examples, the plurality of recesses may include recesses which are at the same position along the apparatus axis. These recesses may be intersected by a plane perpendicular to the apparatus axis, and/or may be aligned along a circumferential line about the apparatus axis. In some examples, the plurality of barbed connectors may include barbed connectors which are at different positions along the apparatus axis. The plurality of recesses may include recesses which are at different positions along the apparatus axis.

Such arrangements of recesses and barbed connectors may provide an effective retention of the component within the slot.

The plurality of barbed connectors may include two barbed connectors on opposite sides of the apparatus. The plurality of recesses may include two recesses on opposite sides of the apparatus, for example two opposing recesses. The two opposing recesses may face one another.

In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus may further comprise one or more flexible tabs. Any feature described with reference to a flexible tab is applicable also to some or all of the one or more flexible tabs.

The flexible tab may have a fixed support end (or ‘first end’) and a pivotable end (or ‘second end’) opposite the support end. The pivotable end may include, or be attached to, a respective one of the barbed connectors. The pivotable end may be pivotable relative to the support end to thereby pivot the barbed connector attached to the pivotable end. The support end may be fixedly attached to the shell or the component.

In this way, the barbed connector may be moveable by flexing the flexible tab. As such, the insertion of the component into the slot during assembly of the aerosol generating apparatus may be made more convenient.

The flexible tab may extend parallel to the apparatus axis. For example, the flexible tab may extend from its support end to its pivotable end in a direction parallel to the apparatus axis. For example, an inner surface or an outer surface of the tab may extend parallel to the apparatus axis. The inner surface of the tab may face inwards and/or the outer surface of the tab may face outwards. Inwards may refer to a direction towards the apparatus axis, e.g. a central axis of the aerosol generating apparatus. Outwards may refer to a direction opposite to the inwards direction. For example, a normal of the flexible tab may extend transversely, such as radially, with respect to the apparatus axis. The normal may correspond to a line that is perpendicular to an inner surface or an outer surface of the tab.

The pivotable end may be moveable transversely relative to the apparatus axis. Transverse movement is understood to refer to movement in a direction transverse relative to the apparatus axis, for example radially or circumferentially.

The pivotable end may be configured to urge the barbed connector into the corresponding recess. For example, the pivotable end maybe configured to urge the barbed connector transversely into the corresponding recess.

In this way, a more secure engagement of the barbed connector and the corresponding recess, and/or the connector abutment surface and the corresponding recess abutment surface may be achieved.

In some examples, the or each coupling arrangement may include the barbed connector as part of the component and the recess as part of the of the shell. The component may comprise the barbed connector. For example, the component may comprise the flexible tab. The component may comprise an outer surface including the barbed connector. The, or each coupling arrangement may include the recess as part of the shell. The shell may comprise an inner surface defining the recess. The inner surface of the shell may include the recess abutment surface.

In this way, the manufacture of the aerosol generating apparatus may be made convenient. A formation process of the component may enable the barbed connectors to be readily formed as part of the component. For example, the component may be formed by injection moulding. A formation process of the shell may enable the recesses to be readily formed. For example, the shell may be formed by deep drawing and machining.

In some examples, where the recess is defined by the inner surface of the shell, the recess may extend through only a portion of the thickness of the shell. As such, the recess may not correspond to a through- hole.

Advantageously, the recess extending through only a portion of the thickness of the shell may reduce a number of split lines, or breaks, in an outer surface of the shell resulting in a visually and haptically pleasing aerosol generating apparatus. For example, an outer surface of the shell may be unbroken at an engagement location. An engagement location may refer to a location where a barbed connector is engaged with a corresponding recess, and/or to a location where the shell sleeves a portion of the component. An outer surface of the shell may be smooth, continuous and/or interrupted.

In some examples, a depth of the recess may be at least 50% of the thickness of the shell and may be up to 95% of the thickness of the shell. The thickness of the shell may be measured in a direction perpendicular to the apparatus axis.

In this way, a strong yet concealed engagement between the barbed connector and the corresponding recess may be achieved, and a smooth outer surface of the shell may be provided. A thickness of the shell may be at least 0.5 mm and no more than 1 .5 mm. More specifically, a thickness of the shell may be at least 0.7 mm and no more than 1 mm, for example 0.8 mm.

In some examples, a depth of the recess may be at least 0.2 mm and no more than 0.8 mm. More specifically, a depth of the recess may be at least 0.4 mm and no more than 0.7 mm, for example 0.5 mm or 0.65 mm. Correspondingly, a thickness of the barbed connector may be at least 0.2 mm and no more than 0.8 mm. More specifically, a thickness of the barbed connector may be at least 0.4 mm and no more than 0.7 mm, for example 0.5 mm or 0.65 mm.

In some examples, the component may comprise a base end (or ‘first end’) and an upper end (or ‘second end’). The base end and the upper end may correspond to opposite ends of the component. The upper end may correspond to an upper end face of the component and/or the base end may correspond to a base end face of the component. The upper end may face out of or away from the slot. The upper end may face in the removal direction. The base end may be located within the slot. The base end may face into the slot. The base end may face away from an insertion aperture of the shell, wherein the component may be received into the slot through the insertion aperture. The component may be received into the slot via the base end of the component. For example, during assembly, the component may be inserted into the slot via the base end of the component.

The connector abutment surface may face in generally the same direction as the upper end of the component. The connector abutment surface may be parallel to at least a portion of the upper end of the component. The upper end of the component and/or the connector abutment surface may face in generally the removal direction. The recess abutment surface may face in generally the same direction, and/or may be parallel to the base end of the component.

In this way, the barbed connector may enable a retention force to be provided when a removal force is exerted along the apparatus axis on the component relative to the shell acting to pull the component out of the slot.

In some examples, the ramp surface of each barbed connector may extend from the recess abutment surface towards the base end of the component. The ramp may extend inwards from the recess abutment surface.

In this way, the barbed connector may enable facilitated insertion of the component into the slot during assembly of the aerosol generating apparatus when the component is inserted into the slot via the base end of the component.

In some examples, the component may comprise a component lip. Similarly, the shell may comprise a shell lip. The shell lip (or ‘flange’) may project in a direction perpendicular to the apparatus axis. In some examples, the shell lip may fully extend around the apparatus axis. In other examples, the shell lip may partly extend around the apparatus axis, and in such examples multiple shell lips may be provided.

The shell lip may be configured to engage with the component lip to inhibit or limit insertion, e.g. along the apparatus axis of the component, into the slot beyond a depth defined by the shell lip. Additionally, or alternatively, the upper end of the component may be configured to engage with the shell lip to inhibit insertion along the apparatus axis of the component into the slot beyond a given depth. Advantageously then, the component may be prevented from being pushed too far into the shell. Accordingly, assembly of the aerosol generating apparatus may be made convenient.

In some examples, the depth defined by the shell lip may be that at which the barbed connector is received in the corresponding recess, and/or at which the connector abutment surfaces engages with the corresponding recess abutment surface. Thus, the shell lip may be configured to engage with the component lip, or the upper end of the component, to inhibit separation of the connector abutment surface from the corresponding recess abutment surface along an insertion direction, which may be opposite to the removal direction.

In some examples, the component lip may be positioned between the upper end of the component and the barbed connector.

In this way, the component may be inserted into the slot such that the barbed connector is received in the corresponding recess, and such that the component is inhibited from being pushed farther into the slot.

In some examples, when the component includes the flexible tab, the flexible tab may be orientated with the support end closer to the base end of the component and the pivotable end farther from the base end. Such a flexible tab may be referred to as a first-type flexible tab.

Advantageously, when a removal force acting to pull the component out of the slot is applied, a retaining force caused by the connector abutment surface engaging with the corresponding recess abutment surface may act to move the barbed connector further into the recess. In this way, a stronger engagement of the barbed connector with the corresponding recess may be provided.

In some examples, when the component includes the flexible tab, the flexible tab may be orientated with the support end further from the base end of the component and the pivotable end closer to the base end. Such a flexible tab may be referred to as a second-type flexible tab.

When providing the first-type flexible tab and the second-type flexible tab in combination, retention of the component in the slot may be further improved. In particular, a force in a non-axial direction and attempting to pull the component from the slot may urge relative rotation of the component and the shell about a rotation axis perpendicular to the apparatus axis. The apparatus may better resist such relative rotation where the coupling arrangements include the first-type flexible tab and the second-type flexible tab.

In some examples, the flexible tab may be defined by one or more slits in the component. For example, the flexible tab may be formed between two slits. In some examples, the one or more slits defining the second-type flexible tab may extend (all the way) to the base end of the component, or may extend from the base end of the component towards the upper end of the component. The second-type flexible tab may extend to the base end of the component.

Thus, the base end of the component may be discontinuous. As such, sides of the base end of the component may be squeezable inwards during assembly of the aerosol generating apparatus such as to compress the base end, e.g. reduce a diameter of the base end of the component. For example, squeezing the second-type flexible tabs inwards may reduce a diameter of the base end of the component. In this way, insertion of the component into the slot may be facilitated. Additionally, or alternatively, a tighter fit of the component with the shell may be enabled.

The one or more slits defining the first-type flexible tab extend part of the way to the base of the component. For example, the one or more slits defining the first-type flexible tab may extends towards the upper end of the component from a location between the base end and the upper end.

As mentioned above, the one or more barbed connectors may correspond to a plurality of barbed connectors. Similarly, the one or more flexible tabs may correspond to a plurality of flexible tabs. In such examples, the component may include one or more first-type flexible tabs and/or one or more second type flexible tabs.

Any feature described with reference to a first-type flexible tab is applicable also to some or all of the one or more first-type flexible tabs. Similarly, any feature described with reference to a second-type flexible tab is applicable also to some or all of the one or more second-type flexible tabs.

As an example, the component may include two first-type flexible tabs, which may oppose one another, and/or two second-type flexible tabs, which may oppose one another.

In some examples, a cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the component may be complementary to a cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the shell. For example, a transverse cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the component may be complementary to a transverse cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the shell. In some examples, the transverse cross- sectional shape of the outer surface of the component may be complementary to the transverse cross- sectional shape of the inner surface of the shell at an engagement location of the aerosol generating apparatus. It will be appreciated that a transverse cross-sectional shape may refer to the shape of a cross-section in a plane transverse to an apparatus axis of the aerosol generating apparatus. A normal of the plane may be parallel to the apparatus axis.

Thus, the outer surface of the component may abut the inner surface of the shell circumferentially with respect to the apparatus axis of the aerosol generating apparatus.

In this way, the shell may inhibit transverse movement of the component relative to the shell.

In some examples, a transverse cross-sectional shape of the component may be generally obround. An obround shape may include a pair of flat (or ‘straight’) sides and a pair of curved sides. The flat sides may be longer; the curved sides may be shorter. A transverse cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the component may be generally obround. In some examples, a transverse cross-sectional shape of the shell may be generally obround. For example, a transverse cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the shell, and/or of the slot, may be generally obround. In some examples, the transverse cross-sectional shape of the component and/or the transverse cross-sectional shape of the shell may be generally obround at an engagement location. In some examples, a cross-section of the component transverse to the apparatus axis is generally obround and a cross-section of the shell transverse to the apparatus axis is generally obround.

Such a shape of the shell and/or the component may inhibit rotation or twisting, for example about the apparatus axis, of the shell relative to the component and vice versa. In some examples, the component may include a barbed connector on a longer and/or flat side of the generally obround shape. The component may include two barbed connectors, one on each of the longer and/or flat sides of the generally obround shape. Correspondingly, in some examples, the shell may include a recess on a longer and/or flat side of the generally obround shape. The shell may include two recesses, one on each longer and/or flat sides of the generally obround shape. The two recesses may oppose one another.

Advantageously, such an arrangement of recesses and barbed connectors may provide a more effective engagement of the component with the shell. For example, a retention force may be applied more evenly across the aerosol generating apparatus.

In some examples, the component may include a first flexible tab on a longer and/or flat side of the generally obround shape. The component may include a second flexible tab on a shorter and/or curved side of the generally obround shape. The component may include two first flexible tabs, one on each of the longer and/or flat sides of the generally obround shape. The component may include two second flexible tabs, one on each of the shorter and/or curved sides of the generally obround shape. Each of the first flexible tabs and/or second flexible tabs may correspond to one of the one or more flexible tabs. Advantageously, a first flexible tab may be more convenient to manufacture. Additionally, or alternatively, having flexible tabs on multiple sides, such as opposing sides, of the generally obround shape may mean that a retention force can be more evenly distributed around the perimeter of the generally obround shape.

Any feature described with reference to a first flexible tab is applicable also to some or all of the one or more first flexible tabs. Similarly, any feature described with reference to a second flexible tab is applicable also to some or all of the one or more second flexible tabs.

In some examples, a first distance between a first pivotable end and a first support end of) the first flexible tab may be smaller than a second distance between a second pivotable end and a second support end of the second flexible tab.

Advantageously, the smaller first distance may provide that the first flexible tab(s) may more strongly urge the corresponding barbed connector into its respective recess. Additionally, or alternatively, the longer second distance may provide that the pushing inwards of the second flexible tab(s) during assembly of the aerosol generating apparatus is facilitated. In general, it may require less force to push a flexible tab inward when it is on a longer and/or flat side of the generally obround shape than when it is on a shorter and/or curved side of the generally obround shape. Thus, the first and second distances may balance requirements of the strength of the urging of the flexible tab and the ease of pushing the flexible tab inwards during assembly of the aerosol generating apparatus.

In some examples, the first flexible tab may correspond to a first-type flexible tab. For example, the component may include two first-type flexible tabs, one on each of the longer and/or flat sides of the generally obround shape.

In this way, the longer and/or flat sides may provide the stronger engagement of the barbed connector(s) with the corresponding recess(es), as discussed above with reference to the first-type flexible tabs. This may enable the surface area of the barbed connectors which provide the stronger engagement to be larger, for example.

In some examples, the second flexible tab may correspond to a second-type flexible tab. For example, the component may include two second-type flexible tabs, one on each of the shorter and/or curved sides of the generally obround shape.

In this way, the shorter and/or curved sides may provide that the base end of the component may be squeezable inwards, as discussed above with reference to the second-type flexible tabs.

In some examples, the shell may include a first recess on a longer and/or flat side of the generally obround shape. The shell may include a second recess on a shorter and/or curved side of the generally obround shape. The shell may include two first recesses, one on each of the longer and/or flat sides of the generally obround shape. The shell may include two second recesses, one on each of the shorter and/or curved sides of the generally obround shape. Each of the first recesses and/or second recesses may correspond to one of the one or more flexible tabs.

In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus may correspond to a heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol generating apparatus.

In some examples, the aerosol generating apparatus may include a device body. The aerosol generating apparatus may further comprise a cap configured to engage with the device body. The cap may be moveable with respect to the device body. For example, the cap may be moveable with respect to the device body along the apparatus axis, or the longitudinal axis, of the aerosol generating apparatus.

The device body may comprise one or more internal parts, one or more of which may correspond to the component. For example, the device body may comprise a power supply, electrical circuitry, a heating element, and/or a device body chassis. The device body chassis may be configured to support the heating element, for example. The device body chassis may be coupled to the cap, for example to an internal part of the cap, such as a cap chassis. The device body may further comprise a device body shell, which may correspond to the shell. Each of the internal parts of the device body may be at least partially housed by the device body shell and/or received within a slot of the device body shell.

The cap may comprise a consumable-receiving aperture configured to receive a consumable therethrough. The cap may comprise one or more internal parts, one or more of which may correspond to the component. For example, the cap may comprise a cap chassis configured to house and/or couple with one or more internal parts of the cap, such as a rotatable door. The cap chassis may be coupled to the main body, for example to the device body chassis. The cap may further comprise a cap shell, which may correspond to the shell. Each of the internal parts of the cap may be at least partially housed by the cap shell and/or received within a slot of the cap shell.

In some examples, the component may correspond to a chassis, such as the device body chassis or the cap chassis.

In some examples, shell may correspond to an external shell, which may correspond to an outermost, or exposed part of the aerosol generating apparatus. The outer surface of the external shell may correspond to a user-interface surface which is configured to be touched and/or held by a user. In some examples, the shell may house, and/or the slot may receive, the entire component. For example, a shell of the cap may house an entire cap chassis.

In some examples, the shell may house, and/or the slot may receive, only a portion of the component. For example, a shell of the device body may house only a portion of the device body chassis. Another portion of the device body chassis may extend into the cap, and may be coupled to the cap chassis.

A removal force may be applied to the shell relative to the component by a user applying a removal force to the cap relative to the device body. For example, the removal force may be applied to the shell of the cap relative to the cap chassis when the cap chassis is coupled to the device body by applying a removal force to the shell of the cap relative to the device body. Similarly, a removal force may be applied to the shell of the device body relative to the device body chassis when the device body chassis is coupled to the cap chassis by applying a removal force to the shell of the device body relative to the cap.

In some examples, the shell may correspond to an integrally formed element. The shell may have been formed by deep drawing, for example. The one or more recesses may have been formed by machining. Advantageously, the shell corresponding to an integrally formed element may result in a more visually and haptically pleasing aerosol generating apparatus. For example, the shell corresponding to an integrally formed element may reduce a number of split lines, or breaks, in an outer surface of the shell. In some examples, the shell may be formed of a rigid material.

In this way, an effective retention force may be provided by the one or more coupling arrangements. The shell may be formed of a material which can be deep drawn.

As an example, the shell may be formed of a metal, e.g., aluminium.

In some examples, the component may correspond to an integrally formed element. The component may have been formed by injection moulding, for example.

In this way, the barbed connectors may be less prone to breakage. For example, the barbed-connectors may be less likely to snap off an outer surface of the component.

In some examples, the component may be formed of a material which can be injection moulded. For example, the component may be formed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an aerosol generating apparatus, the aerosol generating apparatus being according to the first aspect.

The method may comprise forming a primary form of the shell by deep drawing; and forming one or more of the recesses by machining the primary form of the shell.

Advantageously then, the one or more recesses may be formed, even when the shell is formed by a process such as deep drawing, which may not allow the formation of the recesses.

In some examples, one or more of the recesses may be formed using a slot cutter.

In some examples, the method may comprise forming the component by injection moulding.

In this way, the component, which may include the one or barbed connectors, may correspond to an integrally formed element. Advantageously then, the barbed connector(s) may be less prone to breakage. For example, the barbed connector(s) may be less likely to snap off an outer surface of the component. The preceding summary is provided for purposes of summarizing some examples to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the above-described features should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Moreover, the above and/or proceeding examples may be combined in any suitable combination to provide further examples, except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following text and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of examples in reference to the appended drawings in which like numerals denote like elements.

Fig. 1 is a block system diagram showing an example aerosol generating apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a block system diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 , where the aerosol generating apparatus is configured to generate aerosol from a liquid precursor.

Figs. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a block system diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 , where the aerosol generating apparatus is configured to generate aerosol from a solid precursor.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6A is a perspective side view of an example of a component.

Fig. 6B is a perspective side view of an example of a shell.

Fig. 7 is a side view of an example of a shell.

Fig. 8A is a perspective side view of an example of a component.

Fig. 8B is a perspective side view of an example of a shell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Before describing several examples implementing the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited by specific construction details or process steps set forth in the following description and accompanying drawings. Rather, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein could be embodied differently and/or be practiced or carried out in various alternative ways.

Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, and known techniques and procedures may be performed according to conventional methods well known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references that may be cited and discussed in the present specification.

Any patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications mentioned in the specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. All examples implementing the present disclosure can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While particular examples have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the systems, apparatus, and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the inventive concept(s). All such similar substitutions and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the inventive concept(s) as defined by the appended claims.

The use of the term “a” or “an” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” as well as “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” As such, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the,” as well as all singular terms, include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Likewise, plural terms shall include the singular unless otherwise required by context.

The use of the term “or” in the present disclosure (including the claims) is used to mean an inclusive “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or unless the alternatives are mutually exclusive. For example, a condition “A or B” is satisfied by any of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising, “having,” “including,” or “containing” (and any forms thereof, such as “comprise” and “comprises,” “have” and “has,” “includes” and “include,” or “contains” and “contain,” respectively) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated as incompatible, or the physics or otherwise of the embodiments, examples, or claims prevent such a combination, the features of examples disclosed herein, and of the claims, may be integrated together in any suitable arrangement, especially ones where there is a beneficial effect in doing so. This is not limited to only any specified benefit, and instead may arise from an “ex post facto” benefit. This is to say that the combination of features is not limited by the described forms, particularly the form (e.g. numbering) of example(s), embodiment(s), or dependency of claim(s). Moreover, this also applies to the phrase “in one embodiment,” “according to an embodiment,” and the like, which are merely a stylistic form of wording and are not to be construed as limiting the following features to a separate embodiment to all other instances of the same or similar wording. This is to say, a reference to ‘an,’ ‘one,’ or ‘some’ embodiment(s) may be a reference to any one or more, and/or all embodiments, or combination(s) thereof, disclosed. Also, similarly, the reference to “the” embodiment may not be limited to the immediately preceding embodiment. Further, all references to one or more embodiments or examples are to be construed as non-limiting to the claims.

The present disclosure may be better understood in view of the following explanations, wherein the terms used that are separated by “or” may be used interchangeably:

As used herein, an "aerosol generating apparatus" (or “electronic(e)-cigarette ’) may be an apparatus configured to deliver an aerosol to a user for inhalation by the user. The apparatus may additionally/alternatively be referred to as a “smoking substitute apparatus”, if it is intended to be used instead of a conventional combustible smoking article. As used herein a combustible “smoking article” may refer to a cigarette, cigar, pipe or other article, that produces smoke (an aerosol comprising solid particulates and gas) via heating above the thermal decomposition temperature (typically by combustion and/or pyrolysis). An aerosol generated by the apparatus may comprise an aerosol with particle sizes of 0.2 - 7 microns, or less than 10 microns, or less than 7 microns. This particle size may be achieved by control of one or more of: heater temperature; cooling rate as the vapour condenses to an aerosol; flow properties including turbulence and velocity. The generation of aerosol by the aerosol generating apparatus may be controlled by an input device. The input device may be configured to be user-activated, and may for example include or take the form of an actuator (e.g. actuation button) and/or an airflow sensor.

Each occurrence of the aerosol generating apparatus being caused to generate aerosol for a period of time (which may be variable) may be referred to as an “activation” of the aerosol generating apparatus. The aerosol generating apparatus may be arranged to allow an amount of aerosol delivered to a user to be varied per activation (as opposed to delivering a fixed dose of aerosol), e.g. by activating an aerosol generating unit of the apparatus for a variable amount of time, e.g. based on the strength/duration of a draw of a user through a flow path of the apparatus (to replicate an effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article).

The aerosol generating apparatus may be portable. As used herein, the term "portable" may refer to the apparatus being for use when held by a user.

As used herein, an "aerosol" may include a suspension of precursor, including as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. An aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. An aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor. As used herein, a “precursor” may include one or more of a: liquid; solid; gel; loose leaf material; other substance. The precursor may be processed by an aerosol generating unit of an aerosol generating apparatus to generate an aerosol. The precursor may include one or more of: an active component; a carrier; a flavouring. The active component may include one or more of nicotine; caffeine; a cannabidiol oil; a non-pharmaceutical formulation, e.g. a formulation which is not for treatment of a disease or physiological malfunction of the human body. The active component may be carried by the carrier, which may be a liquid, including propylene glycol and/or glycerine. The term “flavouring” may refer to a component that provides a taste and/or a smell to the user. The flavouring may include one or more of: Ethylvanillin (vanilla); menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil); or other. The precursor may include a substrate, e.g. reconstituted tobacco to carry one or more of the active component; a carrier; a flavouring.

As used herein, a "storage portion" may be a portion of the apparatus adapted to store the precursor. It may be implemented as fluid-holding reservoir or carrier for solid material depending on the implementation of the precursor as defined above.

As used herein, a "flow path" may refer to a path or enclosed passageway through an aerosol generating apparatus, e.g. for delivery of an aerosol to a user. The flow path may be arranged to receive aerosol from an aerosol generating unit. When referring to the flow path, upstream and downstream may be defined in respect of a direction of flow in the flow path, e.g. with an outlet being downstream of an inlet.

As used herein, a "delivery system" may be a system operative to deliver an aerosol to a user. The delivery system may include a mouthpiece and a flow path.

As used herein, a "flow" may refer to a flow in a flow path. A flow may include aerosol generated from the precursor. The flow may include air, which may be induced into the flow path via a puff by a user.

As used herein, a “puff” (or "inhale" or “draw”) by a user may refer to expansion of lungs and/or oral cavity of a user to create a pressure reduction that induces flow through the flow path.

As used herein, an "aerosol generating unit" may refer to a device configured to generate an aerosol from a precursor. The aerosol generating unit may include a unit to generate a vapour directly from the precursor (e.g. a heating system or other system) or an aerosol directly from the precursor (e.g. an atomiser including an ultrasonic system, a flow expansion system operative to carry droplets of the precursor in the flow without using electrical energy or other system). A plurality of aerosol generating units to generate a plurality of aerosols (for example, from a plurality of different aerosol precursors) may be present in an aerosol generating apparatus.

As used herein, a “heating system” may refer to an arrangement of at least one heating element, which is operable to aerosolise a precursor once heated. The at least one heating element may be electrically resistive to produce heat from the flow of electrical current therethrough. The at least one heating element may be arranged as a susceptor to produce heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. The heating system may be configured to heat a precursor to below 300 or 350 degrees C, including without combustion.

As used herein, a "consumable" may refer to a unit that includes a precursor. The consumable may include an aerosol generating unit, e.g. it may be arranged as a cartomizer. The consumable may include a mouthpiece. The consumable may include an information carrying medium. With liquid or gel implementations of the precursor, e.g. an e-liquid, the consumable may be referred to as a “capsule” or a “pod” or an “e-liquid consumable”. The capsule/pod may include a storage portion, e.g. a reservoir or tank, for storage of the precursor. With solid material implementations of the precursor, e.g. tobacco or reconstituted tobacco formulation, the consumable may be referred to as a “stick” or “package” or “heat- not-burn consumable”. In a heat-not-burn consumable, the mouthpiece may be implemented as a filter and the consumable may be arranged to carry the precursor. The consumable may be implemented as a dosage or pre-portioned amount of material, including a loose-leaf product.

As used herein, an "information carrying medium" may include one or more arrangements for storage of information on any suitable medium. Examples include: a computer readable medium; a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder; codes encoding information, such as optical (e.g. a bar code or QR code) or mechanically read codes (e.g. a configuration of the absence or presents of cutouts to encode a bit, through which pins or a reader may be inserted).

As used herein “heat-not-burn” (or “HNB” or “heated precursor”) may refer to the heating of a precursor, typically tobacco, without combustion, or without substantial combustion (i.e. localised combustion may be experienced of limited portions of the precursor, including of less than 5% of the total volume).

Referring to Fig. 1 , an example aerosol generating apparatus 1 includes a power supply 2, for supply of electrical energy. The apparatus 1 includes an aerosol generating unit 4 that is driven by the power supply 2. The power supply 2 may include an electric power supply in the form of a battery and/or an electrical connection to an external power source. The apparatus 1 includes a precursor s, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit 4 to generate an aerosol. The apparatus 2 includes a delivery system 8 for delivery of the aerosol to a user.

Electrical circuitry (not shown in Fig. 1) may be implemented to control the interoperability of the power supply 4 and aerosol generating unit 6.

In variant examples, which are not illustrated, the power supply 2 may be omitted since, e.g. an aerosol generating unit implemented as an atomiser with flow expansion may not require a power supply.

Fig. 2 shows an implementation of the apparatus 1 of Fig. 1 , where the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is configured to generate aerosol from a liquid precursor.

In this example, the apparatus 1 includes a device body 10 and a consumable 30. The device body 10 includes a device body shell housing internal parts of the device body 10. Similarly, the consumable 30 includes a shell housing internal parts of the consumable 30.

In this example, the body 10 includes the power supply 4. The body may additionally include any one or more of electrical circuitry 12, a memory 14, a wireless interface 16, one or more other components 18. Components such as the power supply 4, the electrical circuitry 12, the memory 14 and the wireless interface 16 may correspond to internal parts of the device body 10.

The electrical circuitry 12 may include a processing resource for controlling one or more operations of the body 10 and consumable 30, e.g. based on instructions stored in the memory 14.

The wireless interface 16 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with an external (e.g. mobile) device, e.g. via Bluetooth.

The other component(s) 18 may include one or more user interface devices configured to convey information to a user and/or a charging port, for example (see e.g. Fig. 3).

The consumable 30 includes a storage portion implemented here as a tank 32 which stores the liquid precursor 6 (e.g. e-liquid). The consumable 30 also includes a heating system 34, one or more air inlets 36, and a mouthpiece 38. The consumable 30 may include one or more other components 40. Components such as the tank 32, and the heating system 34 may correspond to internal parts of the consumable 30.

The body 10 and consumable 30 may each include a respective electrical interface (not shown) to provide an electrical connection between one or more components of the body 10 with one or more components of the consumable 30. In this way, electrical power can be supplied to components (e.g. the heating system 34) of the consumable 30, without the consumable 30 needing to have its own power supply.

In use, a user may activate the aerosol generating apparatus 1 when inhaling through the mouthpiece 38, i.e. when performing a puff. The puff, performed by the user, may initiate a flow through a flow path in the consumable 30 which extends from the air inlet(s) 34 to the mouthpiece 38 via a region in proximity to the heating system 34.

Activation of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 may be initiated, for example, by an airflow sensor in the body 10 which detects airflow in the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (e.g. caused by a user inhaling through the mouthpiece), or by actuation of an actuator included in the body 10. Upon activation, the electrical circuitry 12 (e.g. under control of the processing resource) may supply electrical energy from the power supply 2 to the heating system 34 which may cause the heating system 32 to heat liquid precursor s drawn from the tank to produce an aerosol which is carried by the flow out of the mouthpiece 38.

In some examples, the heating system 34 may include a heating filament and a wick, wherein a first portion of the wick extends into the tank 32 in order to draw liquid precursor 6 out from the tank 32, wherein the heating filament coils around a second portion of the wick located outside the tank 32. The heating filament may be configured to heat up liquid precursor 6 drawn out of the tank 32 by the wick to produce the aerosol.

In this example, the aerosol generating unit 4 is provided by the above-described heating system 34 and the delivery system 8 is provided by the above-described flow path and mouthpiece 38.

In variant embodiments (not shown), any one or more of the precursor 6, heating system 34, air inlet(s) 36 and mouthpiece 38, may be included in the body 10. For example, the mouthpiece 36 may be included in the body 10 with the precursor 6 and heating system 32 arranged as a separable cartomizer. Figs. 3A and 3B show an example implementation of the aerosol generating device 1 of Fig. 2. In this example, the consumable 30 is implemented as a capsule/pod, which is shown in Fig. 3A as being physically coupled to the body 10, and is shown in Fig. 3B as being decoupled from the body 10.

In this example, the body 10 and the consumable 30 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumable 30 into an aperture in a top end 11 the body 10, with the consumable 30 being retained in the aperture via an interference fit.

In other examples (not shown), the body 10 and the consumable 30 could be physically coupled together in other ways, e.g. by screwing one onto the other, through a bayonet fitting, or through a snap engagement mechanism, for example.

The body 10 also includes a charging port (not shown) at a bottom end 13 of the body 10.

The body 10 also includes a user interface device configured to convey information to a user. Here, the user interface device is implemented as a light 15, which may e.g. be configured to illuminate when the apparatus 1 is activated. Other user interface devices are possible, e.g. to convey information haptically or audibly to a user.

In this example, the consumable 30 has an opaque cap 31 , a translucent tank 32 and a translucent window 33. When the consumable 30 is physically coupled to the body 10 as shown in Fig. 3A, only the cap 31 and window 33 can be seen, with the tank 32 being obscured from view by the body 10. The body 10 includes a slot 15 to accommodate the window 33. The window 33 is configured to allow the amount of liquid precursor 6 in the tank 32 to be visually assessed, even when the consumable 30 is physically coupled to the body 10. Fig. 4 shows an implementation of the apparatus 1 of Fig. 1 , where the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is configured to generate aerosol by a-heat not-burn process.

In this example, the apparatus 1 includes a device body 50 and a consumable 70. The device body 50 includes an device body shell housing internal parts of the device body 50.

In this example, the body 50 includes the power supply 4 and a heating system 52. The heating system 54 includes at least one heating element 54. The body may additionally include any one or more of electrical circuitry 56, a memory 58, a wireless interface 60, one or more other components 62. Components such as the power supply 4, the heating system 52, the electrical circuitry 56, the memory 58 and the wireless interface 60 may correspond to internal parts of the device body 10.

The electrical circuitry 56 may include a processing resource for controlling one or more operations of the body 50, e.g. based on instructions stored in the memory 58.

The wireless interface 60 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with an external (e.g. mobile) device, e.g. via Bluetooth.

The other component(s) 62 may include an actuator, one or more user interface devices configured to convey information to a user and/or a charging port, for example (see e.g. Fig. 5).

The body 50 is configured to engage with the consumable 70 such that the at least one heating element 54 of the heating system 52 penetrates into the solid precursor 6 of the consumable. In use, a user may activate the aerosol generating apparatus 1 to cause the heating system 52 of the body 50 to cause the at least one heating element 54 to heat the solid precursor 6 of the consumable (without combusting it) by conductive heat transfer, to generate an aerosol which is inhaled by the user.

Fig. 5 shows an example implementation of the aerosol generating device 1 of Fig. 4.

In this example, the body 50 is coupled to a cap 51 . In use the cap 51 is engaged at a top end 53 of the body 50. The cap 51 includes an cap shell housing internal parts of the cap 51.

Although not apparent from Fig. 5, the cap 51 is moveable relative to the body 50. In particular, the cap 51 is slidable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the body 50.

As depicted in Fig. 5, the consumable 70 is implemented as a stick, which is engaged with the body 50 by inserting the stick into an aperture at a top end 53 of the cap 51 , which causes the at least one heating element 54 of the heating system 52 to penetrate into the solid precursor 6.

The consumable 70 includes the solid precursor 6 proximal to the body 50, and a filter distal to the body 50. The filter serves as the mouthpiece of the consumable 70 and thus the apparatus 1 as a whole. The solid precursor 6 may be a reconstituted tobacco formulation.

In this example, the at least one heating element 54 is a rod-shaped element with a circular transverse profile. Other heating element shapes are possible, e.g. the at least one heating element may be bladeshaped (with a rectangular transverse profile) or tube-shaped (e.g. with a hollow transverse profile).

The body 50 also includes an actuator 55 on an outer surface of the body 50. In this example, the actuator 55 has the form of a button.

The body 50 also includes a user interface device configured to convey information to a user. Here, the user interface device is implemented as a plurality of lights 57, which may e.g. be configured to illuminate when the apparatus 1 is activated and/or to indicate a charging state of the power supply 4. Other user interface devices are possible, e.g. to convey information haptically or audibly to a user.

The body may also include an airflow sensor which detects airflow in the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (e.g. caused by a user inhaling through the consumable 70). This may be used to count puffs, for example.

In this example, the consumable 70 includes a flow path which transmits aerosol generated by the at least one heating element 54 to the mouthpiece of the consumable.

In this example, the aerosol generating unit 4 is provided by the above-described heating system 52 and the delivery system 8 is provided by the above-described flow path and mouthpiece of the consumable 70.

An aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises a component 100 and a shell 102.

An example of a component 100 is shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 6B shows an example of a shell 102, which includes a slot 104 configured to receive the component 100.

In the cases of Figs. 6A and 6B, the aerosol generating apparatus is an elongate HNB aerosol generating apparatus, which may correspond to the HNB device discussed above with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. The shell 102 and the component 100 are respectively a shell 102 and a component 100 of a device body of the HNB aerosol generating apparatus, which may correspond to the device body discussed above with reference to Fig. 5. A longitudinal axis 106 of the device body (which corresponds to a longitudinal axis 106 of the component 100 and/or the shell 102) corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating apparatus.

As can be seen in Figs. 6A and 6B, an outer surface of a portion of the component 100 and an inner surface of a portion of the shell 102 configured to sleeve the portion of the component 100 each have a generally obround transverse cross-sectional shape. Such a shape may inhibit the component 100 from rotating relative to the shell 102.

The component 100 of the aerosol generating apparatus is a device body chassis 100, which supports a heating element 108. The device body chassis 100 includes an upper end 110 which is configured to face out of the slot 104 of the shell 102, and a base end 112 which is configured to face into the slot 104 of the shell 102. During assembly of the aerosol generating apparatus, the component 100 is inserted into the slot 104 via the base end 112.

As shown in Fig. 6A, the device body chassis 100 includes a first flexible tab 114a on a longer, flat side of the generally obround shape and a second flexible tab 114b on a shorter, curved side of the generally obround shape. Each flexible tab 114a/b is defined by slits 116 in the device body chassis 100, and includes a fixed support end and a pivotable end opposite the support end. Each flexible tab 1 14a/b extends from its support end to its pivotable end in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 106. The pivotable end of each tab includes a barbed connector 118a/b. As such, the barbed connectors 118a/b are moveable by flexing the flexible tabs 114a/b. The flexible tabs 114a/b are each configured to urge their barbed connector 118a/b transversely into a corresponding recess 120a/b in the shell 102 (as will be described in further detail below with reference to Fig. 6B). As such, during assembly, the pivotable tabs 118a/b may be pushed inwards, such that the insertion of the device body chassis 100 into the slot 104 in the shell 102 may be facilitated. Then, the flexible tabs 114a/b may relax and urge the barbed connectors 118a/b into the recesses 120a/b of the shell 102 to provide a secure engagement of the device body chassis 100 with the shell 102.

The barbed connectors 118a/b each have a barbed shape. In more detail, each barbed connector 118a/b includes a connector abutment surface 122a/b configured to engage with a corresponding recess abutment surface which partially defines the corresponding recess 120a/b of the shell 102 (as will be described in further detail below with reference to Fig. 6B). Each connector abutment surface 122a/b is transverse to the longitudinal axis 106 and faces in the same direction as the upper end 110 of the device body chassis 100. Each barbed connector 118a/b also includes a ramp surface 124a/b extending inwards from the connector abutment surface 122a/b towards the base end 112 of the device body chassis 100.

Advantageously then, the barbed connectors 118a/b enable facilitated insertion of the device body chassis 100 into the slot 104 of the shell 102 during assembly of the aerosol generating apparatus, while enabling an effective retention force of the device body chassis 100 within the shell 102 in the assembled aerosol generating apparatus when a removal force acting to pull the device body chassis 100 out of the shell 102 is applied to the aerosol generating apparatus.

The device body chassis 100 also includes a lip 126 between the upper end 110 of the device body chassis 100 and the barbed connectors 118a/b. The lip 126 is configured to engage with a corresponding lip of the shell 102 (as will be described in further detail below with reference to Fig. 6B) to prevent the device body chassis 100 being pushed into the slot 104 beyond the depth at which the barbed connectors 118a/b engage with the corresponding recesses 120a/b in the shell 102.

As shown in Fig. 6A, the first flexible tab 114a is a first-type flexible tab, which has its support end closer to the base end of the device body chassis 100 than its pivotable end. In this way, when a removal force acting to pull the device body chassis 100 out of the slot 104 is applied along the longitudinal axis 106, a retention force caused by the connector abutment surface 122a of the first-type flexible tab engaging with the corresponding recess abutment surface of the shell 102 acts to move the barbed connector 118a outwards and further into the recess 120a. In this way, the first-type flexible tab provides a strong engagement of the barbed connector 1 18a with the corresponding recess 120a.

In contrast, the second flexible tab 114b is a second-type flexible tab, which has its support end further from the base end of the device body chassis 100 than its pivotable end. The slits 116 defining the second type-flexible tab 114b extend to the base end of the device body chassis 100. Thus, the base end 112 of the device body chassis 100 is discontinuous, and pushing the second-type flexible tab 114b inwards reduces a diameter of the base end of the device body chassis 100. In addition, these slits 116 may enable the longer, straight sides of the base end of the device body chassis 100 to be squeezable inwards. In this way, insertion of the device body chassis 100 into the slot 104 in the shell 102 may be facilitated, and a tighter fit of the device body chassis 100 with the shell 102 may be enabled.

In addition, a first distance between the pivotable end and the support end of the first flexible tab 1 14a is smaller than a second distance between the pivotable end and the support end of the second flexible tab 114b. Advantageously, these distances may balance requirements of the strength of the urging carried out by the flexible tab 114a/b, and the ease of pushing the flexible tab 114a/b inwards during assembly. A flexible tab on a curved side of a shape may generally be more difficult to push in than a flexible tab on a straight side of a shape.

The configuration of the first and second flexible tabs 114a/b is such that the barbed connectors 118a/b of these tabs are at different longitudinal positions to one another, as well as being circumferentially spaced from one another.

Although in Figure 6A the flexible tabs 114a/b can only be seen on two sides of the device body chassis 100, the device body chassis 100 includes further flexible tabs 114a/b on the other two sides of the device body chassis 100. There is another first flexible tab 1 14a on the opposite side of the device body chassis 100 to the visible first flexible tab 114a. The first flexible tabs 114a are the same length as one another, and their barbed connectors 118a/b are at the same position along the longitudinal axis 106. In addition, there is another second flexible tab 114b on the opposite side of the device body chassis 100 to the visible second flexible tab 114b. The second 1 14b flexible tabs are the same length as one another, and their barbed connectors 118a/b are at the same position along the longitudinal axis 106. Fig. 7 shows a side view of the device body chassis 100 in which the two second flexible tabs 114b, and one of the first flexible tabs 114acan be seen. Slits 116 defining the flexible tabs 114a/b can also be seen in Fig. 7.

Fig. 6B shows a transparent perspective view of the shell 102 of the device body, which includes a slot 104 for receiving the component 100. As can be seen in Fig. 6B, the shell 102 comprises an inner surface which defines a plurality of recesses 120a/b, each recess 120a/b being configured to engage with a respective one of the barbed connectors 1 18a/b shown in Fig. 6A. Each recess 120a/b is bounded by a recess abutment surface (only just visible in Fig. 6B) which is transverse to the longitudinal axis 106 and configured to face and engage with a corresponding connector abutment surface 122a/b. Thus, similarly to the barbed connectors 118a/b, the recesses 120a/b are distributed circumferentially with respect to the longitudinal axis 106 of the device body. There is a pair of opposing recesses 120b on the shorter curved sides of the shell 102, and a pair of opposing recesses 120a on the longer sides of the shell 102.

Due to the engagement of the barbed connectors 118a/b with the recesses 120a/b, the device body shell 102 may be inhibited from being pulled apart from the device body chassis 100. The recess abutment surfaces are configured to engage with the connector abutment surfaces 122a/b to inhibit the device body chassis 100 being pulled out of the slot 104. Thus, the shell 102 and the device body chassis 100 together form a plurality of coupling arrangements which couple the shell 102 and the device body chassis 100, each coupling arrangement comprising a barbed connector 118a/b and a corresponding recess 120a/b.

In summary then, when the device body chassis 100 is inserted into the shell 102 during assembly of the aerosol generating apparatus, the flexible arms of the device body chassis 100 are pushed inwards by the barbed connectors 118a/b engaging with the inner surface of the shell 102. The ramp surfaces 124a/b of the barbed connectors 118a/b facilitate this process. Due to the ramp surfaces 124a/b, the barbed connectors 118a/b gradually engage with the inner surface of the housing. When the barbed connectors 1 18a/b are each aligned with a corresponding recess 120a/b, the flexible tabs 114a/b relax and move the barbed connectors 118a/b into the recesses 120a/b. At this point, the lips 126 of the device body chassis 100 and the shell 102 engage with one another to prevent the device body chassis 100 being pushed further into the shell 102. Due to the engagement of the barbed connectors 118a/b with the corresponding recesses 120a/b, the device body chassis 100 is inhibited from being pulled out of the shell 102 when a removal force is applied the device body chassis 100 relative to the shell 102 along the longitudinal axis 106.

The recesses 120a/b do not correspond to through-holes. Rather, each recess 120a/b extends through only a portion of the thickness of the shell 102. In this way, the outer surface of the shell 102 may be unbroken at each engagement location (i.e., at each location where a recess 120a/b receives a corresponding barbed connector 118a/b).

The shell 102 is formed of a rigid material which can be deep drawn, such as aluminium. The recesses 120a/b may be formed by machining, for example by using a slot cutter.

The device body chassis 100 is formed by injection moulding. Preferably, the device body chassis 100 is formed of PEEK (polyether ether ketone).

Another example of a component 200 is shown in Fig. 8A. An example of a shell 202 which includes a slot 204 configured to receive such a component 200 is shown in Fig. 8B.

Features of the component and the shell which are equivalent to those described with reference to Figs. 6A and 6B are not discussed again.

The shell 202 and the component 200 of Figs. 8A and 8B are respectively a shell 202 and a component 200 of a cap of an HNB apparatus, which may correspond to the cap discussed above with reference to Fig. 4. A longitudinal axis 106 of the cap (which corresponds to a longitudinal axis 106 of the component and/or the shell) corresponds to the longitudinal axis 106 of the aerosol generating apparatus.

The component 200 of the aerosol generating apparatus is a cap chassis 200, which couples to other internal parts of the apparatus, and which may cover or contain at least some other internal parts of the apparatus, such as a rotatable door (not shown in the figures). The shell 202 is a cap shell 202 is configured to fully house the cap chassis 200, such that the cap chassis 200 is fully received in the slot 204 of the shell 202.

The cap chassis 200 includes an upper end 210 which is configured to face out of the slot 204 of the shell 202, and a base end 212 which is configured to face away from an insertion aperture 211 of the shell 202 through which the cap chassis 200 is received. During assembly, the cap chassis 200 is inserted into the slot 204 through the insertion aperture 211 via the base end 210.

As shown in Fig. 8A, an outer surface of the cap chassis 200 includes a barbed connector 218 on a longer, flat side of its generally obround shape. The barbed connector 218 includes a connector abutment surface 222 facing in the same direction as the upper end 210 of the cap chassis 200, and a ramp surface 224 extending inwards from the connector abutment surface 222 towards the base end In addition, the upper end 210 of the cap chassis 200 is configured to engage with a lip 226 of the shell 202 to prevent the cap chassis 200 being pushed into the slot 204 beyond a depth at which the barbed connector 218 engages with a corresponding recess 220 in the shell 202.

Although in Figure 8A the barbed connector 218 can only be seen on one side of the cap chassis 200, the cap chassis 200 includes a further barbed connector 218 on the opposite side of the cap chassis 200 to the visible barbed connector 218. The barbed connectors 218 are at the same position along the longitudinal axis 106 as one another.

Fig. 8B shows a transparent perspective view of the shell 202 of the cap, which includes a slot 204 for receiving the cap chassis 200. As can be seen in Fig. 8B, the shell 202 comprises an inner surface which defines two recesses 220, each recess 220 being configured to engage with a respective one of the barbed connectors 218. Each recess 220 is bounded by a recess abutment surface (only just visible in Fig. 8B) which is transverse to the longitudinal axis 106 and configured to face and engage with a corresponding connector abutment surface 222. Thus, similarly to the barbed connectors 218, the recesses 222 are distributed circumferentially with respect to the longitudinal axis 106 of the cap. There is a pair of opposing recesses 222 on the longer, flat sides of the component.

Due to the engagement of the barbed connectors 218 with the recesses 222, the cap shell 202 may be inhibited from being pulled apart from the cap chassis 200. The recess abutment surfaces are configured to engage with the connector abutment surfaces 222 to inhibit the cap chassis 200 being pulled out of the slot 204. Thus, the shell 202 and the cap chassis 200 together form a plurality of coupling arrangements which couple the shell 202 and the cap chassis 200, each coupling arrangement comprising a barbed connector 218 and a corresponding recess 220.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating apparatus, comprising: a shell (102, 202) which includes a slot (104, 204); and, a component (100, 200) received in the slot, wherein the shell and the component together form one or more coupling arrangements which couple the shell and the component, wherein each coupling arrangement comprises: a barbed connector (118a/b, 218) including a connector abutment surface (122a/b, 222); and, a corresponding recess (120a/b, 220) bounded by a recess abutment surface, wherein the connector abutment surface is configured to engage with the recess abutment surface to inhibit removal of the component from the slot.

2. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each barbed connector has a ramp surface (124, 224) extending from the connector abutment surface, the ramp surface configured to facilitate insertion of the component into the slot.

3. An aerosol generating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises one or more flexible tabs (114a/b), each flexible tab having a fixed support end and a pivotable end opposite the support end, the pivotable end attached to a respective one of the barbed connectors and being configured to urge the barbed connector into the corresponding recess.

4. An aerosol generating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the component comprises the one or more barbed connectors, and wherein the shell comprises an inner surface defining the one or more recesses.

5. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the component comprises a base end (112, 212) facing into the slot and an upper end (1 10, 210) facing out of or away from the slot, and wherein each connector abutment surface faces in the same direction as the upper end of the component.

6. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the ramp of each barbed connector extends from the recess abutment surface towards the base end of the component.

7. An aerosol generating apparatus according to either of claims 5 or 6, when dependent upon claim 3, wherein the one or more flexible tabs includes a first-type flexible tab (114a), the first-type flexible tab being orientated with the support end closer to the base end of the component than the pivotable end.

8. An aerosol generating apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, when dependent upon claim 3, wherein the one or more flexible tabs includes a second-type flexible tab (1 14b), the second-type flexible tab being orientated with the support end further from the base end of the component than the pivotable end.

9. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each flexible tab is defined by slits (116) in the component.

10. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the slits defining the second-type flexible tab extend from the base end towards the upper end of the component; and optionally the slits defining the first-type flexible tab extend towards the upper end of the component from a location between the base end and the upper end.

11. An aerosol generating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, when dependent upon claim 8, wherein the second-type flexible tab extends to the base end of the component.

12. An aerosol generating apparatus to any of the preceding claims, wherein a cross-section of the component is generally obround and a cross-section of the shell is generally obround.

13. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 12, when dependent upon claim 5, wherein the one or more barbed connectors includes: a first flexible tab (114a) on a straight side of the generally obround shape; and, a second flexible tab (114b) on a curved side of the generally obround shape, and wherein a first distance between a first pivotable end and a first support end of the first flexible tab is smaller than a second distance between the second pivotable end and the second support end of the second flexible tab.

14. An aerosol generating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the component comprises a component lip (126); and, the shell comprises a shell lip configured to engage with the component lip configured to limit insertion into the slot.

15. An aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the shell lip is configured to limit insertion beyond a depth at which each connector abutment surface engages with the corresponding recess abutment surface.