WO2025129649A1

WO2025129649A1 - Aerosol-generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2025129649A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/141062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Baofeng Xie; Yuanqiu XIE; Fuwen LIN
Original assignee: Fontem Beijing Technology Solutions Ltd; IMPERIAL TOBACCO Ltd; Imperial Tobacco Ltd Great Britain
Current assignee: Fontem Beijing Technology Solutions Ltd; IMPERIAL TOBACCO Ltd; Imperial Tobacco Group Ltd
Priority date: 2023-12-22
Filing date: 2023-12-22
Publication date: 2025-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-22

Abstract

An aerosol-generating apparatus comprising: a body including: an air inlet, an aerosol-generating unit and an airflow sensor; wherein the airflow sensor is configured to detect airflow along a flow path fluidly connected to the air inlet such that the aerosol-generating unit is activatable in response to detected airflow; and a blocking element moveable relative to the body between: a blocking configuration wherein the air inlet is blocked preventing airflow to the airflow sensor such that the aerosol-generating unit is inoperable; and a use configuration wherein the air inlet is at least partially unblocked allowing airflow to the airflow sensor such that the aerosol-generating unit is operable; the aerosol-generating apparatus further comprising: a locking element configured to selectively lock the blocking element in the blocking configuration; and a resilient element sandwiched between the blocking element and the body, wherein the resilient element comprises: a biasing portion configured to urge the locking element to adopt a locked configuration where the blocking element is locked in the blocking configuration; and a sealing portion configured to form a seal between the blocking element and the body around the air inlet in the blocking configuration. A method of locking an aerosol-generating apparatus is also provided.

Description

AEROSOL-GENERATING APPARATUS

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating apparatus and to a method of locking an aerosol-generating apparatus.

BACKGROUND

A typical aerosol-generating apparatus may comprise a power supply e.g. a battery, 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 including a mouthpiece for delivery of the aerosol to a user.

A drawback with known aerosol-generating apparatuses is that they can be used by anyone regardless of their age. This can be especially problematic when the aerosol-generating unit is automatically activated by an airflow sensor meaning that a child could inadvertently activate the apparatus simply by inhaling on the mouthpiece. Hence, there is a need for aerosol-generating apparatuses that can be configured to prevent accidental activation.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect the present disclosure provides an aerosol-generating apparatus comprising:

a body including: an air inlet, an aerosol-generating unit and an airflow sensor; wherein the airflow sensor is configured to detect airflow along a flow path fluidly connected to the air inlet such that the aerosol-generating unit is activatable in response to detected airflow; and

a blocking element moveable relative to the body between:

a blocking configuration wherein the air inlet is blocked preventing airflow to the airflow sensor such that the aerosol-generating unit is inoperable; and

a use configuration wherein the air inlet is at least partially unblocked allowing airflow to the airflow sensor such that the aerosol-generating unit is operable;

the aerosol-generating apparatus further comprising:

a locking element configured to selectively lock the blocking element in the blocking configuration; and

a resilient element sandwiched between the blocking element and the body, wherein the resilient element comprises:

a biasing portion configured to urge the locking element to adopt a locked configuration where the blocking element is locked in the blocking configuration; and

a sealing portion configured to form a seal between the blocking element and the body around the air inlet in the blocking configuration.

In this way, the aerosol-generating unit can be made inoperable by moving the blocking element to and locking it in the blocking configuration thereby preventing accidental activation of the aerosol-generating unit. When a user wishes to use the apparatus, they can simply unlock and move the blocking element to the use configuration such that airflow can reach the airflow sensor thereby allowing the aerosol-generating unit to be activated by the airflow sensor. By providing a resilient element that not only biases the locking element into its locked configuration but only seals around the air inlet in the blocking configuration, it ensures that no air can leak into the flow path in blocking configuration and compromise the inoperability of the aerosol-generating unit.

The following optional features may be provided in any combination in any aspect of the disclosure.

The body may be elongate such that it has a longitudinal axis (e.g. defining a length dimension of the body) . Thus, the body may have width and depth dimensions each perpendicular to the length dimension and also perpendicular to one another.

The blocking element may be located on an outer surface of the body. Thus, the blocking element may be user-accessible such that a user can manually move the blocking element between the blocking and use configurations. In this way, the blocking element is manually moveable by a user thus facilitating ease, simplicity and robustness of use.

The blocking element may be slideable (e.g. in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body) relative to the body between the blocking configuration and the use configuration. Thus, the blocking element may slide in the width or depth dimension of the body.

The body may include a guide channel to guide the blocking element (e.g. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) between the blocking and use configurations. Thus, the guide channel may be elongate and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (i.e. in the width or depth dimensions of the body) . The guide channel may extend through the body from the outer surface to an inner surface. The guide channel may be located adjacent the air inlet such that the blocking element can slide within the guide channel to selectively block the air inlet.

The blocking element may be elongate such that it has a longitudinal axis (e.g. the blocking element may slide in a direction aligned with its longitudinal axis) . The blocking element may be orientated relative to the body such that the longitudinal axis of the blocking element is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body (e.g. the elongate blocking element is aligned with the width or depth dimension of the body) .

The blocking element may include an actuation surface that is outwardly-facing (e.g. away from the outer surface of the body) . The actuation surface may be accessible and engageable by a user (i.e. facing outwardly away from the body) such that a user can manually move the blocking element between the blocking configuration and the use configuration.

The blocking element (e.g. the actuation surface) may include one or more tactile elements (e.g. to aid movement of the blocking element) . In this way, movement of the blocking element between the blocking configuration and the use configuration by a user may be facilitated (e.g. due to increased friction) . The one or more tactile elements may include at least one ridge or projection. The ridge (s) may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blocking element (e.g. the ridge may extend across the actuation surface in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) . Thus, the ridge (s) may extend in the width or depth dimension of the body.

The blocking element may be at least partially (e.g. fully) recessed into the body. Thus, the body may include a body recess (e.g. in the outer surface of the body) . The body recess may be located in a base portion of the body (e.g. axially opposed to a mouthpiece portion of the body) . The blocking element may be at least partially (e.g. fully) located in the body recess. In this way, apparatus ergonomics may be improved. The air inlet may extend through the body within the recess such that the blocking element can slide within the recess between the blocking and use configurations.

The body recess may be sized and shaped to accommodate the blocking element e.g. to allow it to move between the blocking and use configurations. When the blocking element is slideable (e.g. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the width or depth dimension) , the body recess may have a greater length in the sliding direction than the blocking element to allow the blocking element to slide between the blocking and use configurations.

In some examples, the body recess is elongate and includes a first end distal a second end. The first end of the body recess may be a first stop against which a first end of the blocking element abuts in the use configuration. The second end of the body recess may be a second stop against which a second end of the blocking element abuts in the blocking configuration. The first and second ends of the body recess may be sized and shape to match the respective first and second ends of the blocking element. Thus, stability of the blocking element as it is moved by a user may be improved.

The body recess may be sized and shaped such that the recess guides the sliding movement of the blocking element between the blocking and use configurations. For example, the recess may have a width (perpendicular to the length) that substantially matches the width of the blocking element. Thus, the blocking element may be held in a fixed orientation relative to the body by the body recess. Thus, stability of motion between the blocking and use configurations may be improved.

The blocking element may be fully recessed in the body recess (e.g. the blocking element (including any tactile elements on the actuation surface) may not protrude beyond an opening of the body recess) . In this way, user experience may be improved e.g. as the likelihood of a user accidently transitioning the blocking element between configuration may be reduced (e.g. as the blocking element is fully recessed within the body recess) .

The base of the body may be removable. The blocking element may be located on or recessed within the removeable base. Thus, the air inlet may be located through the removable base. The body recess may be located in the removeable base of the body. In these ways, assembly of the aerosol-generating apparatus may be facilitated.

The airflow sensor may be located on a flow path between the air inlet and the aerosol-generating unit. Thus, in terms of airflow through the apparatus when in use, the airflow sensor may be downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the aerosol-generating unit. For completeness, the mouthpiece portion of the body is downstream of the aerosol-generating unit. Thus, inhalation on the mouthpiece may draw air through the air inlet, past the airflow sensor, through the aerosol-generating unit and out the mouthpiece. The airflow sensor may comprise a pressure sensor e.g. a microphone (e.g. to detect pressure changes caused by changing airflow through the apparatus) .

The blocking element may include a recess facing the body. The blocking element may include a base and a wall upstanding from the base on an inward surface opposing the actuation surface. The wall may extend around a perimeter of the base. Thus, the wall and base may define the recess in the blocking element.

The aerosol-generating apparatus includes a locking element configured to selectively lock (e.g. by a user) the blocking element at least in the blocking configuration and preferably also in the use configuration. Thus, in each of the blocking and use configurations the locking element may be moveable (e.g. in an axial direction) between a locked and unlocked configuration. Thus, combined movement of the locking element and blocking element may result in four configurations of the apparatus; a locked blocking configuration, an unlocked blocking configuration, an unlocked use configuration, and a locked use configuration. The locking element must be in an unlocked configuration to at least move the blocking element from the blocking configuration to the use configuration.

The locking element may be attached to or retained by the blocking element (e.g. the locking element may move with the blocking element) . The locking element may include a stem for mounting the locking element to the blocking element. The stem may be elongate (e.g. substantially cylindrical) . The stem may be threaded to facilitate engagement with the blocking element. The locking element may include an enlarged head. The head may be located at one end of the stem.

The blocking element may include a mount for receiving (the stem of) the locking element. The mount may include a bore e.g. a threaded bore for receiving (the stem of) the locking element. The locking element (e.g. the head of the locking element) may releasably engage with the body to lock the blocking element in the blocking configuration (i.e. in the locked configurations of the locking element, the locking element may be releasably engaged with the body) .

The locking element is biased to adopt the locked configuration (e.g. in the absence of user input, the locking element may naturally adopt its locked configuration) at least in the blocking configuration. Thus, in the above example, the locking element may be biased to engage with the body such that user input is required to disengage the locking element from the body (i.e. transition the locking element to its unlocked configuration) .

The locking element may be axially movable (e.g. in the length dimension of the body) between its locked and unlocked configurations i.e. the locking element (e.g. the head of the locking element) may be moved out of engagement with the body by axial movement. The locking element may be disengaged by axial movement into a chamber defined within the body.

The body may include a first locking recess. In the locked blocking configuration, the locking element (e.g. the head of the locking element) may be seated in the first locking recess (e.g. preventing sliding movement of the blocking element to the use configuration) . The body may also include a second locking recess. In the locked use configuration, the locking element (e.g. the head of the locking element) may be seated in the second locking recess (e.g. preventing sliding movement of the blocking element to the blocking configuration) . Thus, to move the blocking element between the blocking and use configurations, a user must first eject the locking element from the respective recess (e.g. by axial movement of the locking element) thereby transitioning the locking element from its locked to unlocked configuration.

The locking recesses may be located at either end of the guide channel. Thus, the stem of the locking element may move laterally (e.g. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the width or depth dimension) in the guide channel as the blocking element is moved between the blocking and use configurations.

The locking recesses may be located on an inner surface of body (i.e. internal to the body e.g. in the chamber defined by the body) . Thus, the locking element (e.g. the stem) may extend into the chamber within the body. The locking element may extend through an opening (e.g. the guide channel) in the body such that the locking element (e.g. the head) can move between and engage with the body (e.g. locking recesses) .

The aerosol-generating apparatus includes a resilient element sandwiched between the blocking element and the body. Thus, the resilient element may exert an expansive force between the body and the blocking element thus urging the locking element (e.g. the head) into engagement with the body to lock the blocking element in at least blocking configuration. In other words, the resilient element may bias the blocking element away from the body.

The resilient element may be attached to or retained by the blocking element (e.g. the resilient element may be moveable with the blocking element) .

The resilient element may be located in the recess of the blocking element (e.g. the resilient element may be retained between the outer surface of the body and the base of the blocking element) . In this way, the resilient element may be better secured within the blocking element as it is moved between the blocking and use configurations.

The resilient element may be at least partly formed of a resiliently deformable material (e.g. rubber, silicone) .

The resilient element comprises a biasing portion configured to urge the locking element to adopt the locked configuration at least when the blocking element is locked in the blocking configuration.

The biasing portion of the resilient element may circumscribe the mount of the blocking element (and thus the stem of the locking element) . The biasing portion may comprise an annular portion configured to engage with the mount of the blocking element and a support supporting the annular portion.

The support of the biasing portion may abut the blocking element (on the inward surface of the blocking element) e.g. may abut the base of the blocking element. The support may extend away from the blocking element/base so as to support the annular portion e.g. outside of the recess such that the annular portion extends above the wall of the blocking element. The support may be a dome e.g. a hollow dome, the base of which may abut the blocking element.

The resilient element further comprises a sealing portion configured to form a seal between the blocking element and the body around the air inlet in the blocking configuration. In the blocking configuration, the sealing portion abuts the body around the air inlet to seal the air inlet. Thus, the sealing portion may be compressed between the blocking element (e.g. the inward surface of the blocking element) and the body (i.e. the outer surface of the body) in the blocking configuration. The outer surface of the body around the air inlet may be planar. In this way, obtaining an air-tight seal to prevent airflow through the air inlet may be facilitated.

The sealing portion may comprise a planar portion configured to engage with the body and overlie the air inlet in the blocking configuration. The planar portion may be circular (e.g. with a greater diameter than a diameter of the air inlet) .

The sealing portion may comprise a support supporting the planar portion. The support may abut the blocking element (on the inward surface of the blocking element) e.g. may abut the base of the blocking element. The support may extend away from the blocking element/base e.g. so as to support the planar portion outside of the recess such that the planar portion extends above the wall of the blocking element.

The support portion may be domed e.g. the support portion may comprise a hollow dome. The base of the domed support (e.g. the hollow domed support) may abut the blocking element.

The bases of the supports of the biasing portion and sealing portion may be connected. For example, the resilient element may further comprise a connection portion connecting the biasing portion and sealing portion. The connection portion may be substantially planar and may abut the blocking element (e.g. the base of the blocking element. The biasing and sealing portions (and the connection portion where present) may be integrally formed.

The resilient element may further comprise a balancing portion. The biasing portion may be interposed between the balancing portion and the sealing portion. The balancing portion may have an upper portion (which may be planar) abutting the body. It may have a support which may have any one or more of the features described for the support portions of the sealing/biasing portions. Thus, the support of the balancing portion may be domed.

The bases of the supports of the biasing portion and balancing portion may be connected. For example, the resilient element may further comprise a second connection portion connecting the biasing portion and balancing portion. The second connection portion may be substantially planar and may abut the base of the blocking element. The biasing and balancing portions (and the second connection portion where present) may be integrally formed.

The sealing, biasing and balancing portion may be integrally formed.

The sealing portion and balancing portion of the resilient element may be substantially identical and may be symmetrically arranged either side of the biasing portion of the resilient element. In this way, the expansive force exerted by the resilient element may be better distributed over the blocking element thereby improving stability and user experience.

In a second aspect the present disclosure provides a method of locking an aerosol-generating apparatus according to the first aspect,

the method comprising moving the blocking element from:

a use configuration wherein the air inlet is at least partially unblocked allowing airflow to the airflow sensor such that the aerosol-generating unit is operable; to

a blocking configuration wherein the air inlet is blocked by the sealing portion of the resilient element preventing airflow to the airflow sensor such that the aerosol-generating unit is inoperable.

The blocking element may be slideable relative to the body. Thus, the method may include sliding the blocking element from the use configuration to the blocking configuration. The body may be elongate and include a longitudinal axis. Thus, the blocking element may be slideable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body.

The method may include locking the blocking element in the blocking configuration using the locking element with the biasing portion of the resilient element urging the locking element into the locked configuration.

The locking element may be configured to selectively engage with the body to lock the blocking element in the blocking configuration. Thus, the method may include moving the locking element (e.g. from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration) to engage with the body to lock the blocking element in the blocking configuration.

The locking element may be moveable in an axial direction of the body. The axial direction may be parallel to the longitudinal axis. Thus, the method may include moving the locking element in the axial direction to engage the locking element with the body to lock the blocking element in the blocking configuration.

The locking element may be attached to the blocking element. Thus, the blocking element may also be moveable in the axial direction of the body to engage the locking element with the body. Thus, the method may include moving the blocking element in the axial direction to engage the locking element with the body to lock the blocking element in the blocking configuration.

Thus, the method may include a first step of, in the use configuration, (axially) moving the blocking element (in a first direction) from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration (e.g. to disengage from the body) . Thus, the method may include a second step of (laterally) moving the blocking element from the use configuration to the blocking configuration. Thus, the method may include a third step of, in the blocking configuration, (axially) moving the blocking element (in a second direction) from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration (e.g. to engage with the body) .

The body may include a first locking recess. Thus, the method may include moving the locking element to engage with the first locking recess to lock the blocking element in the blocking configuration. The body may include a second locking recess.

In a third aspect, there is provided a resilient element for an aerosol generating apparatus, the resilient element comprising:

a hollow domed biasing portion for resiliently biasing a blocking member away from a body of the aerosol generating apparatus; and

a hollow domed sealing portion for sealing an air inlet on the body of the aerosol generating apparatus,

wherein the biasing portion and sealing portion are integrally formed.

The resilient element may further comprise a hollow domed balancing portion integrally formed with the biasing and sealing portions, wherein the biasing portion is interposed between the sealing and balancing portions.

The resilient element of the third aspect may have any one or more of the features described with respect to the resilient element included in the first aspect.

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. 6 is a perspective view of an aerosol-generating apparatus 100 according to the first aspect.

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the aerosol-generating apparatus 100 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side section view of the cap assembly 140 of the aerosol-generating apparatus 100 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective section view of the cap assembly 140 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the cap 112 of the cap assembly 140 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the blocking element 120 of the cap assembly 140 of Fig. 8.

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 to 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 generating system" may be a system that includes an aerosol generating apparatus and optionally other circuitry/components associated with the function of the apparatus, e.g. one or more external devices and/or one or more external components (here “external” is intended to mean external to the aerosol generating apparatus) .

As used herein, an “external device” and “external component” may include one or more of a: a charging device, a mobile device (which may be connected to the aerosol generating apparatus, e.g. via a wireless or wired connection) ; a networked-based computer (e.g. a remote server) ; a cloud-based computer; any other server system.

An example aerosol generating system may be a system for managing an aerosol generating apparatus. Such a system may include, for example, a mobile device, a network server, as well as the aerosol generating apparatus.

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, and 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 cut-outs 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 6, 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 figure 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.

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.

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.

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 6 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 apparatus 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.

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.

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 apparatus 1 of Fig. 4.

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 body 50, 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 blade-shaped (with a rectangular transverse profile) or tube-shaped (e.g. with a hollow transverse profile) .

In this example, the body 50 includes a cap 51. In use the cap 51 is engaged at a top end 53 of the body 50. 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.

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.

Referring to Fig. 6, an aerosol-generating apparatus 100 comprises a body 110 and a blocking element 120. The body 110 is elongate and has a longitudinal axis 101 which also defines a length dimension of the body 110. The body 110 includes a mouthpiece 105 offset from the longitudinal axis 101 at a top end 106 and a removeable cover 112 at a base end 107. The blocking element 120 is fully recessed within a body recess 114 located in an outer surface of the removeable cover 112 of the body 110. Thus, the blocking element 120 does not protrude beyond an opening to the body recess 114. The body 110 has a substantially elliptical cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 101.

Referring to Fig. 7, a width dimension 102 of the body 110 is perpendicular to a depth dimension 103 of the body 110. Both the width dimension 102 and the depth dimension 103 are perpendicular to the length dimension defined by the longitudinal axis 101 in Fig. 6. The blocking element 120 has an outwardly-facing actuation surface 125 which includes an elongate ridge 122 that is parallel to the depth dimension 103. The actuation surface 125 is substantially parallel to both the width dimension 102 and the depth dimension 103 and the elongate ridge 122 is located at the midpoint of the actuation surface 125 in the width dimension 102.

The body recess 114 is defined by a base recess surface and a side recess surface. The base recess surface and the side recess surface are part of the outer surface of the body 110. The body 110 includes an air inlet 116 through the base recess surface which is fluidly connected to an inlet of an aerosol-generating unit housed within the body 110. An outlet of the aerosol-generating unit is fluidly connected to the mouthpiece 105 such that a user of the apparatus can inhale aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating unit. An airflow sensor is located on the flow path between the air inlet 116 and the aerosol-generating unit such that the airflow sensor can activate the aerosol-generating unit when it detects airflow from user inhalation.

To prevent accidental activation of the aerosol-generating unit, the blocking element 120 is slideable within the body recess 114 between a blocking configuration where the air inlet 116 is blocked and a use configuration where the air inlet 116 is at least partially unblocked. Thus, in the blocking configuration, air cannot pass through the air inlet 116 meaning that there can be no airflow for the airflow sensor to detect such that the aerosol-generating unit is inoperable. Conversely, in the use configuration, air can pass through the air inlet 116 meaning that there can be airflow for the airflow sensor to detect such that the aerosol-generating unit is operable by a user inhaling on the mouthpiece.

The blocking element 120 is elongate in the width dimension 102 and stadium-shaped in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 101. The body recess 114 is also elongate in the width dimension 102 and stadium-shaped in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 101 to accommodate the blocking element 120. To allow for sliding of the blocking element 120, the body recess 114 has a greater dimension in the width dimension 102 than the blocking element 120. To retain the blocking element 120 in a fixed orientation as it slides relative to the body 110, the body recess 114 and the blocking element 120 have substantially the same dimension in the depth dimension 103. Thus, the side surface of the body recess abuts a side surface 128 of the blocking element 120.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective cross-section through the blocking element 120. The outwardly-facing actuation surface 125 together with a body-facing inward surface 126 collectively define a base 121 of the blocking element 120. Thus, the actuation surface 125 and the inward surface 126 oppose one another on either sides of the base 121. The blocking element 120 includes a wall 124 upstanding from a perimeter of the base 121 on the body-facing side. Thus, the wall 124 encircles the inward surface 126 of the blocking element 120. The blocking element 120 includes a cylindrical pillar 123 upstanding from the base 121 and having a cylindrical bore. An inner side surface 127 of the wall 124 and the inward surface 126 of the base 121 collectively define a recess in the blocking element 120.

Referring to Fig. 9, the aerosol-generating apparatus 100 also includes a locking element 130 and a resilient element in the form of a resilient element 140. The locking element 130 is a screw with a threaded stem 132 and enlarged head 134 at one end of the stem 132. The threaded stem 132 is engaged with the cylindrical bore of the blocking element 120 such that the locking element 130 is attached to the blocking element 120. The head 134 includes a screwdriver-engagement portion such that a screwdriver can be used to engage the stem 132 within the cylindrical bore.

The resilient element 140 is made from silicone and is located in the recess of the blocking element 120 defined by the base 121 and the wall 124. The resilient element 140 includes three geometrically similar hollow domes arranged in a line and upstanding from the base 121 of the blocking element 120. A sealing portion dome 142, a biasing portion dome 144 and a balancing portion dome 146 each include a circular upper planar portion to engage the outer surface 111 of the body 110. The sealing portion dome 142 and balancing portion dome 146 stabilise the blocking element 120. The biasing portion dome 144 includes a hole through its planar portion (i.e. is an annular portion) to receive the cylindrical pillar 123. Thus, the stem 132 of the locking element 130 and the circular upper portion of the biasing portion dome 144 are concentric. The domes extend above the wall 124 of the blocking element 120 such that deformation of the domes allow linear movement of the blocking element 120 in the length dimension of the body 110. The head 134 of the locking element 130 retains the resilient element 140 in the recess of the blocking element 120.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective cross-section through the removeable cover 112 of the body 110. The removeable cover 112 includes a planar outer surface 111 that opposes a planar inner surface 113. The air inlet 116 is located through the removeable cover 112 such that it connects the outer surface 111 to the inner surface 113. The removeable cover 112 includes a guide channel 115 extending in the width dimension 102 of the body 110. The guide channel 115 is stadium-shaped and also connects the outer surface 111 to the inner surface 113. The dimension of the guide channel 115 in the depth dimension 103 is substantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical pillar 123.

The inner surface 113 of the removeable cover 112 also includes a first locking recess 118 and a second locking recess 119 respectively located at opposite ends of the guide channel 115 such that the guide channel 115 intersects the locking recesses. The locking recesses only extend partway into the body 110 in the length dimension from the inner surface 113 such that the head 134 of the locking element 130 can be seated and retained in each locking recess. Thus, each locking recess has a circular cross-section in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis 101 of the body 110 to accommodate the cylindrical head 134 of the locking element 130.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective cross-section through the removable cap 112, blocking element 120, locking element 130 and resilient element 140. The locking element 130 extends through the guide channel 115 into the body 110. The resilient element 140 is located between the inward surface 126 of the blocking element 120 and the outer surface 111 of the removeable cover 112. Thus, the resilient element 140 imparts an expansive force between the body 110 and blocking element 120 urging the head 134 of the locking element 130 into the locking recesses. Thus, the assembly including the blocking element 120, locking element 130 and resilient element 140 is moveable between four configurations: locked use configuration (shown in Fig. 11) , unlocked use configuration, unlocked blocking configuration and locked blocking configuration.

In the locked use configuration (shown in Fig. 11) , the air inlet 116 is unblocked such that air can flow through the air inlet 116 to the airflow sensor such that the aerosol-generating unit is operable via user inhalation on the mouthpiece. The head 134 of the locking element 130 is located in the first locking recess 118 such that sliding movement of the blocking element 120 in the width dimension to the blocking configuration is prevented. A user may transition the blocking element 120 to the unlocked use configuration by applying a force to the actuation surface 125 of the blocking element 120 such that the domes of the resilient element 140 deform resulting in movement of the blocking element 120 in the length dimension towards the body 110. This results in the head 134 of the locking element 130 being ejected from the first locking recess 118 such that the blocking element 120 is free to slide in the width dimension 102.

With the head 134 ejected from the first locking recess 118, the blocking element 120 (and consequently, the locking element 130 and resilient element 140) can be moved in the width dimension via a sliding motion to adopt the unlocked blocking configuration. A user can impart the sliding motion via the elongate ridge 122 on the actuation surface 125 of the blocking element 120. Due to the sliding movement of the blocking element 120, the upper planar portion of the sealing portion dome 142 of the resilient element 140 abuts the outer surface 111 surrounding the air inlet 116 such that the air inlet 116 is blocked and the aerosol-generating unit is inoperable. A user may transition to the locked blocking configuration by removing the force from the actuation surface 125 of the blocking element 120 such the resilient element 140 expands and urges the head 134 of the locking element 130 into the second locking recess 119 thus preventing sliding movement of the blocking element 120 in the width dimension 102 back to the use configuration.

Claims

An aerosol-generating apparatus comprising:

a body including: an air inlet, an aerosol-generating unit and an airflow sensor; wherein the airflow sensor is configured to detect airflow along a flow path fluidly connected to the air inlet such that the aerosol-generating unit is activatable in response to detected airflow; and

a blocking element moveable relative to the body between:

a blocking configuration wherein the air inlet is blocked preventing airflow to the airflow sensor such that the aerosol-generating unit is inoperable; and

a use configuration wherein the air inlet is at least partially unblocked allowing airflow to the airflow sensor such that the aerosol-generating unit is operable;

the aerosol-generating apparatus further comprising:

a locking element configured to selectively lock the blocking element in the blocking configuration; and

a resilient element sandwiched between the blocking element and the body, wherein the resilient element comprises:

a biasing portion configured to urge the locking element to adopt a locked configuration where the blocking element is locked in the blocking configuration; and

a sealing portion configured to form a seal between the blocking element and the body around the air inlet in the blocking configuration.
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the resilient element is at least partly formed of a resiliently deformable plastics material.
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein the biasing portion comprises an annular portion circumscribing the locking element and a support supporting the annular portion.
The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the sealing portion comprises a planar portion configured to form the seal around the air inlet and a support supporting the planar portion.
The apparatus of claim 3 or 4 wherein the support of the biasing portion and/or the support of the sealing portion is a hollow domed support having a base mounted on the blocking element.
The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the sealing portion and biasing portion of the resilient element are integrally formed.
The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the resilient element further comprises a balancing portion, the biasing portion interposed between the sealing portion and the balancing portion.
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the balancing portion is identical to the sealing portion and the sealing portion and balancing portions are symmetrically arranged relative to the biasing portion.
The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the balancing element is integrally formed with the biasing portion and sealing portion.
The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the resilient element biases the blocking element away from the body.
The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the blocking element is recessed into a removable base of the body.
The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the blocking element comprises a recess defined by a base and upstanding wall of the blocking element, wherein the resilient element abuts the base of the blocking element.
A method of locking an aerosol-generating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising moving the blocking element from:

a use configuration wherein the air inlet is at least partially unblocked allowing airflow to the airflow sensor such that the aerosol-generating unit is operable; to

a blocking configuration wherein the air inlet is blocked by the sealing portion of the resilient element preventing airflow to the airflow sensor such that the aerosol-generating unit is inoperable.
A resilient element for an aerosol generating apparatus, the resilient element comprising:

a hollow domed biasing portion for resiliently biasing a blocking member away from a body of the aerosol generating apparatus; and

a hollow domed sealing portion for sealing an air inlet on the body of the aerosol generating apparatus,

wherein the biasing portion and sealing portion are integrally formed.
A resilient element according to claim 14 further comprising a hollow domed balancing portion integrally formed with the biasing and sealing portions, wherein the biasing portion is interposed between the sealing and balancing portions.