WO2025202129A1 - Aerosol-generating device with curved inner wall - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol-generating device (10) for use with an aerosol-generating article (20). The aerosol-generating device (10) comprises a housing (11) defining a cavity (14) configured to receive an aerosol-generating article (20), the housing being moveable between an open position in which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the housing, and a closed position in which the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the housing. The aerosol-generating device comprises a heater assembly (310) configured to heat the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article (20) is arranged in the cavity (14). The cavity (14) is at least partly defined by a curved concave inner wall (210) of the housing configured to receive at least part of the aerosol-generating article (20). The cavity (14) for receiving the article is a substantially enclosed space. The curved concave inner wall (210) has a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre in a first direction.

Description

AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH CURVED INNER WALL

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device for use with an aerosolgenerating article. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a housing and a heater assembly configured to heat an aerosol-generating article. The housing comprises a cavity at least partly defined by a curved concave inner wall of the housing. The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article configured to be used with the aerosol-generating device.

Aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate, such as a tobacco containing substrate, is heated rather than combusted are known in the art. In heated aerosolgenerating articles, the aerosol is generated by heating the aerosol-generating substrate.

One type of aerosol-generating system is an electrically operated smoking system. Known handheld electrically operated smoking systems typically comprise an aerosol-generating device comprising a rechargeable battery, control electronics and an electric heater for heating an aerosol-generating article designed specifically for use with the aerosol-generating device. In some examples, the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco rod or a tobacco plug, and the heater contained within the aerosol-generating device is inserted into or located around the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the aerosol-generating device.

A heating element may be provided in an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such a device may heat the aerosol-generating substrate contained in the aerosol-generating article without burning the aerosol-generating substrate. In doing so, the aerosol-generating substrate may generate an aerosol which may be delivered to a user.

Such aerosol-generating articles may take the form of a conventional cigarette. Where this is the case, the aerosol-generating substrate may be wrapped in cigarette paper. This approach may be appropriate where the aerosol-generating substrate comprises strands or spaghettis of material, for example strands of cast leaf tobacco or strands of shredded tobacco.

However, this approach may not effectively retain other forms of aerosol-generating substrate, such as granulated or powdered aerosol-generating substrate. Such aerosolgenerating articles may be prone to leakage of the aerosol-generating substrates during storage, handling and use thereof. Leakage of the aerosol-generating substrates may be exacerbated by high environmental temperatures and humidities. Loss of aerosol-generating substrates through leakage may disadvantageously reduce the lifespan of the aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-generating substrate. Leakage of aerosol-generating substrates may negatively impact the overall performance of the aerosol-generating article. For example, leakage of aerosol-generating substrates may negatively impact the consistency of the inhalable aerosol generated by an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating article. In order to provide an aerosol-generating article in which loss or leaking of the aerosolgenerating substrate is reduced or prevented even when the aerosol-generating article is heated to the temperatures required to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate, an aerosol-generating article comprising a container may be provided. Such an aerosol-generating article may be able to retain different forms of aerosol-generating substrate, such as granulated or powdered aerosol-generating substrate. Such an aerosol-generating article comprising a container may be readily handled and manipulated by a consumer when it is being used in combination with a suitable aerosol-generating device. However, aerosol-generating devices of the prior art may not be suitable for heating aerosol-generating articles comprising a container. For example, inserting a heating element into an aerosol-generating article comprising a container may disadvantageously cause the aerosol-generating substrate to leak out of the container. In addition, existing heaters configured to externally heat aerosol-generating articles may not provide efficient heating sufficient to generate a consistent aerosol from an aerosol-generating article comprising a container.

There is a need to provide an aerosol-generating device which is suitable for use with an aerosol-generating article, such as an aerosol-generating article comprising a container.

There is a need to provide an aerosol-generating device in which aerosol-generating substrate of an aerosol-generating article is evenly distributed when disposed in the aerosolgenerating device.

There is a need to provide an aerosol-generating device which is able to provide a more consistent aerosol delivery over the course of an experience by a user.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may be for use with an aerosol-generating article. The aerosolgenerating device may comprise a housing. The housing may define a cavity. The cavity may be configured to receive an aerosol-generating article. The housing may be moveable between an open position and a closed position. The open position may be configured such that the aerosolgenerating article can be inserted into the housing. The open position may be configured such that the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the cavity of the housing. The closed position may be configured such that the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the housing. The closed position may be configured such that the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the cavity of the housing. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heater assembly. The heater assembly may be configured to heat the aerosol-generating article. The heater assembly may be configured to heat the aerosol-generating article when the aerosolgenerating article is arranged in the cavity. The cavity may be at least partly defined by a curved concave inner wall of the housing. The curved concave inner wall of the housing may be configured to receive at least part of the aerosol-generating article. The cavity may be a substantially enclosed space. The curved concave inner wall may have a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre in a first direction.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating device for use with an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device comprises a housing defining a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article. The housing is moveable between an open position in which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the housing, and a closed position in which the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the housing. The aerosol-generating device comprises a heater assembly configured to heat the aerosolgenerating article when the aerosol-generating article is arranged in the cavity. The cavity is at least partly defined by a curved concave inner wall of the housing. The curved concave inner wall of the housing is configured to receive at least part of the aerosol-generating article. The cavity is a substantially enclosed space. The curved concave inner wall has a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre in a first direction.

By having a curved concave inner wall, the cavity of the device can receive an aerosolgenerating article and provide an improved aerosol. The curved concave inner wall can provide a volume to accommodate the aerosol-generating article. The curved concave inner wall allows for aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article to be reliably and uniformly distributed within the cavity, which causes more reliable heating and airflow through the aerosolgenerating article. Resulting aerosol properties are more uniform across different aerosolgenerating devices and systems, due to a reduction in variations in substrate distribution, due to the curved concave inner wall.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating substrate” denotes a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating, which can condense to form an aerosol.

As used herein, the term “aerosol” denotes a dispersion of solid particles, or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets, in a gas. The aerosol may be visible or invisible. The aerosol may include vapours of substances that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature as well as solid particles, or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” denotes an article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. An aerosol-generating article may be disposable. The aerosol-generating article may be configured to be used with an aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” denotes a device that interacts with an aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol. In some examples, the aerosolgenerating device heats the aerosol-generating substrate to facilitate release of volatile compounds from the substrate. As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating system” refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article.

As used herein, the term “flexible” is used to describe the ability of a material to bend easily without breaking.

As used herein, the term “cellulosic material” refers to a material which is made from or is a derivative of cellulose.

As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device in relation to the direction in which the air or aerosol is transported through the aerosol-generating device during use.

As used herein, the term “planar” refers to a feature generally formed in a single Euclidean plane and not wrapped around or otherwise conformed to fit a curved or other non-planar shape. A planar surface may extend in two dimensions in a single Euclidean plane. A planar object may extend in two dimensions in a single Euclidean plane substantially more than in a third dimension perpendicular to the plane. More specifically, a planar object may extend in a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension at least two, five or ten times further than the object extends in a third dimension perpendicular to the first and second dimensions.

As used herein, the term “longitudinal” refers to a direction that is aligned with an airflow path through an aerosol generating article within an aerosol-generating device. The longitudinal direction may be a direction that is aligned with an aerosol outlet of the device. If the aerosolgenerating device is elongate, having a length larger than a width or depth, the longitudinal direction may be along the length of the aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, the term “transverse” refers to a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

As used herein, the term “lateral” refers to a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction.

As used herein, the term “removably attachable” refers to an attachment which can be reversed without damage to the components attached to each other.

The cavity may be a space within the housing configured to receive an aerosol-generating article. The cavity may be defined in a single component, or may be between two or more components. The cavity may be a substantially enclosed space. The cavity may be a substantially enclosed space except for any apertures configured to permit airflow through the cavity. The cavity may be a substantially enclosed space except for any apertures configured to permit airflow through aerosol-generating article.

The curved concave inner wall may define a recess. The recess may be a part of the cavity. The recess may form at least 50% of the cavity. The recess may form at least 60% of the cavity. The recess may form at least 70% of the cavity. The recess may form at least 80% of the cavity. The recess may form at least 90% of the cavity. The recess may be defined by or formed in a single component.

The curved concave inner wall may form at least 50% of the cavity. The curved concave inner wall may form at least 60% of the cavity. The curved concave inner wall may form at least 70% of the cavity. The curved concave inner wall may form at least 80% of the cavity. The curved concave inner wall may form at least 90% of the cavity. The curved concave inner wall may be defined by or formed in a single component.

The curved concave inner wall may have at least a portion having a zero Gaussian curvature. The curved concave inner wall may have a zero Gaussian curvature. A skilled person will appreciate that the term “Gaussian curvature” is an intrinsic invariant of a surface under isometric transformations. Gaussian curvature is the product of the two principal curvatures of the surface. A surface with a positive Gaussian Curvature is a spherical surface, with a negative Gaussian Curvature is a hyperbolic surface (saddle shaped), and with a zero Gaussian Curvature is called a developable surface. A developable surface can be flattened by purely bending transformations (isometric transformations) without stretching or compression. A 2D plane can be transformed to a curved surface with isometric transformations (bending only) provided that the Gaussian Curvature of the surface does not change during the transformation. As an example, a flat sheet that has a zero Gaussian Curvature still has a zero Gaussian curvature after it is rolled into cylinder. If the Gaussian Curvature of a surface changes during its deformation, it must be accompanied with stretching, leading to distortion of the distance between material points on the surface. Such transformation would occur when forming a sphere shell from a flat sheet. For a non-stretchable sheet, this would not be possible without crumpling of the sheet, which could introduce irreversible crease to the sheet. If the sheet is a stretchable sheet, the sheet may stretch instead of crumpling, though the shell would require at least a point of singularity where the material points must be distorted.

By having a zero Gaussian curvature, the curved concave inner wall of the cavity provides an aerosol-generating device which can receive an aerosol-generating article without stretching the aerosol-generating article, and while permitting the aerosol-generating article to fill the aerosol-generating cavity. This provides a particularly suitable aerosol, and improved user experience.

The curved concave inner wall may have a portion having a zero Gaussian curvature. The curved concave inner wall may be entirely formed of a shape having a zero Gaussian curvature.

The curved concave inner wall may be a developable surface. The curved concave inner wall may have a least a portion which is a developable surface. The curved concave inner wall may have a shape configured to receive an aerosol-forming article such that at least part of an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article does not stretch as the aerosol-generating article is pushed into the curved concave inner wall. The curved concave inner wall may have a shape configured to receive an aerosol-forming article such that a majority of an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article does not stretch as the aerosolgenerating article is pushed into the curved concave inner wall. The curved concave inner wall may have a shape configured to receive an aerosol-forming article such a surface of the aerosolgenerating article which contacts the curved concave inner wall does not stretch as the aerosolgenerating article is pushed into the curved concave inner wall. The curved concave inner wall may have a shape configured to receive an aerosol-forming article such a surface of the aerosolgenerating article which contacts the curved concave inner wall does not stretch as the aerosolgenerating article bends into the curved concave inner wall. The curved concave inner wall may have a shape configured to receive an aerosol-forming article such that an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article does not stretch as the aerosol-generating article is pushed into the curved concave inner wall. The curved concave inner wall may have a shape configured to receive a substantially planar aerosol-forming article such that an outer surface of the aerosolgenerating article does not stretch as the aerosol-generating article is pushed into the curved concave inner wall. The curved concave inner wall may be rigid. The curved concave inner wall may comprise or consist of a rigid material. The curved concave inner wall may be less malleable or flexible than the aerosol-generating article that the curved concave inner wall is configured to receive.

The curved concave inner wall may have a semicylindrical shape. The semicylindrical shape may be a substantially circular semicylindrical shape. The semicylindrical shape may be a substantially elliptical semicylindrical shape.

The curved concave inner wall may have a semicylindrical shape which extends in an airflow direction through the aerosol-generating device. The semicylindrical shape may extend along an airflow direction through the cavity. The semicylindrical shape may extend towards a downstream end of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may have a mouthpiece end, and the semicylindrical shape may extend towards the mouthpiece end of the aerosol-generating device. The semicylindrical shape may extend along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating device.

The curved concave inner wall may have a substantially symmetrical shape. The curved concave inner wall may have a substantially symmetrical shape about a longitudinal plane of the aerosol-generating device.

The curved concave inner wall may have a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre in a first direction, preferably at least 2 millimetres, more preferably at least 2.5 millimetres. The curved concave inner wall may have a radius of curvature of at most 10 millimetres in a first direction, preferably at most 8 millimetres, more preferably at most 6 millimetres. The curved concave inner wall may have a radius of curvature of between 2 millimetres and 6 millimetres, preferably between 5 millimetres and 6 millimetres. The first direction may be a transverse direction of the aerosol-generating device.

The curved concave inner wall may have a plurality of portions, at least two of the portions having a different radius of curvature to each other.

The curved concave inner wall may comprise a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The second portion may be between the first portion and the third portion. The first portion may have substantially the same radius of curvature as the third portion. The first portion and the third portion may be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the housing. The first portion and the third portion may be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the cap. The first portion may have a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre. The third portion may have a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre. The second portion may have a radius of curvature of less than the first and second portions. The second portion may have a radius of curvature of zero.

The curved concave inner wall may have a radius of curvature of zero in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. The second direction may substantially be an airflow direction through the aerosol-generating device. The second direction may substantially be an airflow direction through the cavity. The second direction may be a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating device.

The curved concave inner wall may have a curved cross-sectional shape in a first plane. The first plane may be arranged such that an airflow direction is substantially normal to the first plane. The first plane may extend in a lateral direction of the aerosol-generating device. The first plane may extend in a transverse direction of the aerosol-generating device.

The curved concave inner wall may have a constant curved cross-sectional shape from an upstream end of the curved concave inner wall to a downstream end of the curved concave inner wall. The curved concave inner wall may have a constant curved cross-sectional shape from an upstream end of the cavity to a downstream end of the cavity.

The curved concave inner wall may have a straight cross-sectional shape in a second plane, the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane. The second plane may extend in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating device. The second plane may extend in an airflow direction of the aerosol-generating device. The second plane may extend in a lateral direction of the aerosol-generating device.

The housing may comprise a cap. The cap may be a lid. The cap may be removably attachable to the aerosol-generating device. The housing may comprise a base. The base may be a substantially planar base. The base may be a planar base. The base may comprise a substantially planar portion. The substantially planar portion may be a majority of the volume of the base.

The cap may be removably attachable to the base. The cap or base (or cap and base) may be moveable between an open position in which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the housing, and a closed position in which the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the housing. In the open position, the cap may be further away from the base than in the closed position. In the open position, the cap may be displaced away from the base. In the open position, the cap may be separated from the base by a distance large enough for an aerosol-generating article to be inserted between the cap and the base. In the closed position, the cap may be attached to the base. The cap and the base may be configured so that there is a straight airflow path through the cap and the base.

The cap and the base may together substantially define the cavity. In the closed position, the cap and the base may define the cavity. The cap may comprise the curved concave inner wall. The cap and the base may be configured to fit together so as to define the cavity as a substantially enclosed space. The cap and the base may be configured to fit together so as to define the cavity as a substantially enclosed space with the exception of one or more air inlet apertures or air outlet apertures.

The cap may comprise at least one cap arm configured to extend towards the base when the housing is in the closed position. The cap may comprise a plurality of cap arms configured to extend towards the base when the housing is in the closed position. The cap may comprise at least two cap arms configured to extend towards the base when the housing is in the closed position. The curved concave inner wall may be arranged between the at least two cap arms. The at least two cap arms may extend along the cap in a longitudinal direction of the cap. The at least two cap arms may extend along a substantial part of the cap in a longitudinal direction of the cap. The at least two cap arms may extend along a majority of the length the cap in a longitudinal direction of the cap. The at least two cap arms may extend entirely along a length of the cap in a longitudinal direction of the cap. The at least two cap arms may be substantially the same shape, size or material as each other. The at least two cap arms may be arranged so that the cap is symmetrical along a plane between the at least two cap arms.

The at least two cap arms may be clamping arms. The at least two cap arms may be configured to clamp the aerosol-generating article between the cap and the base when the cap and base are in the closed position. The at least two cap arms may be configured to clamp an edge of the aerosol-generating article. The at least two cap arms may be configured to extend into the aerosol-generating article. The at least two cap arms may be configured to clamp a portion of the aerosol-generating article between the cap and the base, such that a developable surface of the aerosol-generating article is left between the cap arms to extend into the curved concave inner wall.

The cap may comprise a cap extension. The cap extension may extend from the cap in a transverse direction. The cap may comprise a plurality of cap extensions. The cap may comprise at least two cap extensions. The at least two cap extensions may extend away from each other. The at least two cap extensions may partially define an upper surface of the cap. The at least two cap extensions may partially define a planar upper surface of the cap. The cap may be configured such that the at least two cap extensions are aligned with the base when the cap and the base are in a closed position. The cap may be configured such that the at least two cap extensions are in contact with the base when the cap and the base are in a closed position. The cap may be configured such that the at least two cap extensions abut the base when the cap and the base are in a closed position. The at least two cap extensions may comprise attachment means for attachment to the base.

The base may be configured to receive the aerosol-generating article when the housing is in an open position. The base may comprise the heater assembly.

The base may comprise a planar portion. The planar portion may comprise the heater assembly. The heater assembly may extend across a planar portion of the base. The base may comprise at least one base arm configured to extend from the planar portion towards the cap when the housing is in the closed position. The base may comprise a plurality of base arms configured to extend towards the cap when the housing is in the closed position. The base may comprise at least two base arms configured to extend towards the cap when the housing is in the closed position.

The at least two base arms may extend along the base in a longitudinal direction of the base. The at least two base arms may extend along a substantial part of the base in a longitudinal direction of the base. The at least two base arms may extend along a majority of the length the base in a longitudinal direction of the base. The at least two base arms may extend entirely along a length of the base in a longitudinal direction of the base. The at least two base arms may be substantially the same shape, size or material as each other. The at least two base arms may be arranged so that the base is symmetrical along a plane between the at least two base arms.

When the cap and base are in a closed position, the curved concave inner wall may be arranged at least partially between the at least two base arms. When the cap and base are in a closed position, the curved concave inner wall may be arranged substantially between the at least two base arms. When the cap and base are in a closed position, the at least two cap arms may be arranged between the at least two base arms. When the cap and base are in a closed position, the at least two cap arms may be in contact with the at least two base arms. The at least two base arms may be retaining arms. The at least two base arms may be configured to retain at least part of the aerosol-generating article. The at least two base arms may be configured to extend to an extension of the cap when the cap and base are in the closed position. The at least two base arms may comprise a first base arm and a second base arm. A first base arm may contact a first extension of the cap when the cap and base are in the closed position. The first base arm may be fixedly attached to the first extension when the cap and base are in the closed position. A second base arm may contact a second extension of the cap when the cap and base are in the closed position. The second base arm may be fixedly attached to the second extension when the cap and base are in the closed position.

The cap may be configured to be at least partly received in the base when the cap and the base are in a closed position. The cap may be configured to be moveable into the base until the base arms abut the cap. The cap may be configured to be moveable into the base until the at least two base arms abut the cap extensions.

The cap arms may be dimensioned so that in the closed position, the cap arms do not extend entirely up to the planar portion. The cap arms may be dimensioned so that in the closed position, the cap arms are spaced from the planar portion. The cap arms may be dimensioned so that in the closed position, aerosol-generating substrate can be clamped between the cap arms and the planar portion.

The or each cap arm may comprise a cap arm extension. The cap arm extension may have a smaller dimension in a transverse direction than its respective cap arm. The cap arm extension may extend towards the base. The cap arm extension may extend towards the planar portion of the base. The cap arm extension may be dimensioned so that in the closed position, the cap arm extension extends from the cap arm up to the base. The cap arm extension may be dimensioned so that in the closed position, the cap arm extension extends from the cap arm up to the planar portion of the base. The cap arm extension may be aligned with a cap arm from which the cap arm extension extends. The cap arm extension may be aligned with a base arm when the cap and base are in a closed position. The or each cap arm extension may be configured to clamp a rigid base of the aerosol-generating article. The or each cap arm extension may clamp a part of the aerosol-generating article between the cap and the base, avoiding the formation of air gaps and providing an airtight heating cavity to provide improved heat conduction.

The recess may have a recess height in a lateral direction of the housing. The recess height may be from an innermost point of the curved concave inner wall to a point most distant from the innermost point of the curved concave inner wall in the lateral direction. Where the end cap comprises at least one arm, the recess height may be considered the lateral distance between the innermost point of the curved concave inner wall and the end of the at least one arm most distant from the innermost point of the curved concave inner wall in the lateral direction. Where the end cap does not comprises at least one arm, the recess height may be from a base of the recess to an apex of the recess. If the curved concave inner wall defines a semicylindrical shape, the recess height may be a radius of the curved concave inner wall. The recess height may be a radial dimension of the curved concave inner wall along a lateral axis about which the curved concave inner wall is substantially symmetrical.

The recess may have a recess height of at least 0.5 millimetres. The recess may have a recess height of at least 2 millimetres. The recess may have a recess height of at most 5 millimetres. The recess may have a recess height of at most 4 millimetres. The recess may have a recess height of between 0.5 millimetres and 5 millimetres. The recess may have a recess height of between 1 millimetre and 5 millimetres. The recess may have a recess height of between 2 millimetres and 4 millimetres.

The base may comprise the heater assembly. The heater assembly may be fixedly attached to the base. The heater assembly may extend along the base. The heater assembly may be disposed on a side of the base facing the cap. The heater assembly may be disposed on a side of the base facing the aerosol-generating article. The heater assembly may be disposed closer to the cavity than the base. The heater assembly may comprise a heater plate.

The heater assembly may be configured to contact the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is arranged in the cavity.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power source such as a battery. In use, the power source may provide power to the heater assembly. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to control power from the power supply to the heater assembly.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating system may comprise a housing. The housing may define a cavity. The cavity may be configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. The housing may be moveable between an open position and a closed position. The open position may be configured so that the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the housing. The closed position may be configured so that the aerosolgenerating article can be contained within the housing. The aerosol-generating system may comprise a heater assembly. The heater assembly may be configured to heat the aerosolgenerating article. The heater assembly may be configured to heat the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is arranged in the cavity. The cavity may be at least partly defined by a curved concave inner wall of the housing. The curved concave inner wall of the housing may be configured to receive at least part of the aerosol-generating article. According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosolgenerating substrate. The aerosol-generating system comprises a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating article, the housing being moveable between an open position in which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the housing, and a closed position in which the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the housing. The aerosol-generating system comprises a heater assembly configured to heat the aerosolgenerating article when the aerosol-generating article is arranged in the cavity. The cavity is at least partly defined by a curved concave inner wall of the housing configured to receive at least part of the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a container containing a granular aerosolgenerating substrate.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a flexible container containing an aerosolgenerating substrate.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a container. The container may have a flexible casing. The container may have a base. The base may be a rigid base. The base may be less flexible than the flexible casing. The flexible casing and rigid base may encapsulate the aerosol-generating substrate. The base of the aerosol-generating article may be in contact with the heater assembly when the aerosol-generating article is in the housing of the device.

The aerosol-generating article may be any aerosol-generating article. The aerosolgenerating article may comprise a container. The container may comprise a first wall and a second wall. The first wall may be substantially planar, or may have a substantially planar portion. The second wall may be substantially planar, or may have a substantially planar portion. The first wall and second wall may together defining a substrate compartment. An aerosol-generating substrate may be provided in the substrate compartment. The container may be a pouch. The container may have a closed shell shape. The container may comprise a flexible material. The container may comprise a soft shell.

The first wall may comprise a different material to the second wall. The first wall may comprise a flexible cellulosic material. The second wall may have a higher stiffness than the first wall. Alternatively, the first wall may have a higher stiffness than the second wall. At least a portion of the first wall may be porous. As used herein, the term “cellulosic material” refers to a material which is made from or is a derivative of cellulose. The first wall may comprise any cellulosic material. The first wall may comprise a non-woven material. As used herein, the term “non-woven” refers to a manufactured sheet, web or batt of directionally or randomly orientated fibres, bonded by friction, and/or cohesion and/or adhesion, excluding products which are woven, knitted, tufted, stitch-bonded incorporating binding yarns or filaments, or felted by wet-milling, whether or not additionally needled. The fibres may be of natural or man-made origin.

The first wall may comprise a moulded paper material.

The second wall may be non-porous. The second wall may comprise a substantially planar material. The second wall may comprise a paper material.

The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise at least one alkaloid. As used herein, the term “alkaloid compound” is used to describe any one of a class of naturally occurring organic compounds that contain one or more basic nitrogen atoms. Generally, an alkaloid contains at least one nitrogen atom in an amine-type structure. This or another nitrogen atom in the molecule of the alkaloid compound can be active as a base in acid-base reactions. Most alkaloid compounds have one or more of their nitrogen atoms as part of a cyclic system, such as for example a heterocylic ring. In nature, alkaloid compounds are found primarily in plants, and are especially common in certain families of flowering plants. However, some alkaloid compounds are found in animal species and fungi. In the context of the present disclosure, the term “alkaloid compounds” is used to describe both naturally derived alkaloid compounds and synthetically manufactured alkaloid compounds. Suitable alkaloid compounds for use in an aerosol-generating element include, but are not limited to, nicotine and anatabine. In preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises nicotine or anatabine. In particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises nicotine. As used herein, the term “nicotine” is used to describe nicotine, a nicotine base or a nicotine salt. In embodiments in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a nicotine base or a nicotine salt, the amounts of nicotine recited herein are the amount of free base nicotine or amount of protonated nicotine, respectively. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise natural nicotine or synthetic nicotine. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more monoprotic nicotine salts. As used herein, the term “monoprotic nicotine salt” is used to describe a nicotine salt of a monoprotic acid. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise nicotine.

The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-former. The aerosolgenerating substrate may contain any amount of aerosol-former. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise at least 50 weight percent, at least 60 weight percent, or at least 70 weight percent aerosol-former. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise about 80 weight percent aerosol-former. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a polyhydric alcohol. The polyhydric alcohol acts as the aerosol-former for the aerosol-generating substrate. Polyhydric alcohols suitable for use in the aerosol-generating substrate include, but are not limited to, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol, and glycerin. Preferably, in an aerosolgenerating substrate the polyhydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, and combinations thereof. In particularly preferred embodiments the polyhydric alcohol is glycerin.

The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise granules. The granules may have any diameter. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise granules with a diameter of greater than or equal to 100 micrometres, greater than or equal to 250 micrometres, or greater than or equal to 500 micrometres. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise granules with a diameter of less than or equal to 5 millimetres, less than or equal to 4 millimetres, or less than or equal to 3 millimetres. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise granules with a diameter of between 500 micrometres and 3 millimetres. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise granules with a diameter of about 1.5 millimetres.

The substrate compartment may contain any mass of aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the substrate compartment may contain at least 80 milligrams of aerosol-generating substrate, at least 85 milligrams of aerosol-generating substrate, or at least 90 milligrams of aerosol-generating substrate. The substrate compartment may contain at no more than 300 milligrams of aerosol-generating substrate, no more than 250 milligrams of aerosol-generating substrate, or no more than 200 milligrams of aerosol-generating substrate. The substrate compartment may contain between 80 milligrams and 300 milligrams of aerosol-generating substrate, between 85 milligrams and 250 milligrams of aerosol-generating substrate, and between 100 milligrams and 200 milligrams of aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating article may have a length of at least 5 millimetres. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a length of at least 10 millimetres. The aerosol-generating article may have a length of at most 20 millimetres. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a length of at most 18 millimetres. The aerosol-generating article may have a length of between 11 millimetres and 17 millimetres. The length of the aerosol-generating article may be measured in an airflow direction through the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating article may have a width of at least 5 millimetres. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a width of at least 7 millimetres. More preferably, the aerosolgenerating article has a width of at least 9 millimetres. The aerosol-generating article may have a width of at most 20 millimetres. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a width of at most 16 millimetres.

The aerosol-generating article may have a height of at least 2 millimetres. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a height of at least 4 millimetres. The aerosol-generating article may have a height of at most 10 millimetres. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a height of at most 7 millimetres. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a height of at most 6 millimetres. The aerosol-generating article may be configured to extend into the recess defined by the curved concave inner wall. The aerosol-generating article may be configured to deform into the recess defined by the curved concave inner wall. The aerosol-generating device may cause the aerosol-generating article to change shape as the aerosol-generating device moves from an open position to a closed position. The aerosol-generating device may cause the aerosol-generating article to deform into the recess defined by the curved concave inner wall. The aerosol-generating device may cause at least part of the aerosol-generating article to bend into the recess defined by the curved concave inner wall. When the aerosol-generating device is in a closed position, the aerosol-generating article may conform to the curved concave inner wall of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating article may be configured to substantially fill the recess when the aerosol-generating article is received in the housing, and when the housing is in the closed position. The aerosol-generating article may be configured to substantially fill the cavity when the aerosol-generating article is received in the housing, and when the housing is in the closed position. The aerosol-generating device may be configured such that closing the housing causes the aerosol-generating article to deform into the recess.

The aerosol-generating article may have a substantially planar portion or wall. The substantially planar portion or wall may be configured to extend into the curved concave inner wall of the aerosol-generating device when the device is in a closed position. The aerosolgenerating article may have a portion having a greater radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of the curved concave inner wall. The portion of the aerosol-generating article having a greater radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of the curved concave inner wall may be configured to extend into the curved concave inner wall of the aerosol-generating device when the device is in a closed position.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a container configured to conform to the curved concave inner wall of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a container configured to bend to conform to the curved concave inner wall of the aerosol-generating device. The container may fill the recess defined by the curved concave inner wall. Any aerosol-generating substrate within the container may be substantially evenly distributed within the recess. In an aerosol-generating article having a flexible casing and a base, the flexible casing may be configured to conform to the curved concave inner wall of the aerosolgenerating device.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Ex1. An aerosol-generating device for use with an aerosol-generating article, the aerosolgenerating device comprising: a housing defining a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article, the housing being moveable between an open position in which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the housing, and a closed position in which the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the housing; a heater assembly configured to heat the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is arranged in the cavity; wherein the cavity is at least partly defined by a curved concave inner wall of the housing configured to receive at least part of the aerosol-generating article.

Ex1.1 An aerosol-generating device according to Ex1 , wherein the cavity for receiving the article is a substantially enclosed space.

Ex1.2 An aerosol-generating device according to Ex1 , wherein the cavity for receiving the article is a substantially enclosed space except for any aperture configured to permit airflow through the cavity.

Ex1.3 An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex1.2, wherein the curved concave inner wall has a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre in a first direction.

Ex2. An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex 1.3, wherein the curved concave inner wall has at least a portion having a zero Gaussian curvature.

Ex2.1 An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex 2, wherein the curved concave inner wall has a zero Gaussian curvature.

Ex2.2 An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex 2.1 , wherein the curved concave inner wall has at least a potion which is a developable surface.

Ex3. An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex 2.2, wherein the curved concave inner wall is a developable surface.

Ex4. An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex3, wherein the curved concave inner wall has a curved cross-sectional shape in a first plane. Ex5. An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex4, wherein the curved concave inner wall has a straight cross-sectional shape in a second plane, the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane.

Ex6. An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex5, wherein the curved concave inner wall has a semicylindrical shape.

Ex 6.1 An aerosol-generating device according to Ex6, wherein the semicylindrical shape is a substantially circular semicylindrical shape.

Ex 6.2 An aerosol-generating device according to Ex6, wherein the semicylindrical shape is a substantially elliptical semicylindrical shape.

Ex 6.3 An aerosol-generating device according to Ex6.2, wherein the substantially elliptical semicylindrical shape has a width at an opening to the curved concave inner wall, and a height in a radial direction of the semicylindrical shape, wherein the width is measured perpendicularly to the height and the width is greater than the height.

Ex7. An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex6.3, wherein the curved concave inner wall has a substantially symmetrical shape.

Ex8. An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex7, wherein the curved concave inner wall has a radius of curvature of between 2 millimetres and 6 millimetres in a first direction.

Ex9. An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex8, wherein the curved concave inner wall has a radius of curvature of zero in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

Ex9.1 . An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex9, wherein the curved concave inner wall forms at least 50% of the cavity.

Ex9.2. An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex9.1 , wherein the curved concave inner wall extends in an airflow direction through the aerosol-generating device.

Ex10. An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex9.2, wherein the housing comprises a cap and a base, the cap being removably attachable to the base, the cap being moveable between an open position in which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the housing, and a closed position in which the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the housing.

Ex11 . An aerosol-generating device according to Ex10, wherein the cap and the base together substantially define the cavity, and wherein the cap comprises the curved concave inner wall.

Ex12. An aerosol-generating device according to Ex10 or Ex11 , wherein the base comprises the heater assembly.

Ex12.1 An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex10 to Ex12, wherein the cap comprises at least two cap arms configured to extend towards the base when the housing is in the closed position.

Ex12.2 An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex10 to Ex12.1 , wherein the base comprises at least two base arms configured to extend towards the cap when the housing is in the closed position.

Ex13. An aerosol-generating device according to any of Ex1 to Ex12.2, wherein the heater assembly is configured to contact the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is arranged in the cavity.

Ex14. An aerosol-generating system comprising: an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate; a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating article, the housing being moveable between an open position in which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the housing, and a closed position in which the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the housing; a heater assembly configured to heat the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is arranged in the cavity; wherein the cavity is at least partly defined by a curved concave inner wall of the housing configured to receive at least part of the aerosol-generating article.

Ex14.1 . An aerosol-generating system according to Ex14, wherein the cavity for receiving the article is a substantially enclosed space. Ex14.2. An aerosol-generating system according to Ex14 or Ex14.1 , wherein the curved concave inner wall has a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre in a first direction.

Ex15. An aerosol-generating system according to any of Ex 14 to 14.2, wherein the aerosolgenerating article comprises a container containing a granular aerosol-generating substrate.

Ex16. An aerosol-generating system according to any of Ex14 to Ex15, wherein the aerosolgenerating article comprises a flexible container containing an aerosol-generating substrate.

Ex17. An aerosol-generating system according to any of Ex14 to Ex16, wherein the aerosolgenerating article comprises a container having a flexible casing and a rigid base, the flexible casing and rigid base encapsulating the aerosol-generating substrate.

Ex18. An aerosol-generating system according to Ex17, wherein the rigid base of the aerosolgenerating article is in contact with the heater assembly when the aerosol-generating article is received in the cavity of the housing.

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

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an aerosol-generating device and aerosol-generating article of the present disclosure, with the aerosol-generating device (a) in an open position, and (b) in a closed position;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a cap of an aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure; and

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an aerosol-generating device and aerosol-generating article of the present disclosure, with the aerosol-generating device in a closed position.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device 10. The aerosolgenerating device 10 is intended for use with an aerosol-generating article (not shown in figure 1). The device 10 comprises a device housing 11. The device housing 11 comprises a first device housing portion 12 and a second device housing portion 13. The second device housing portion 13 is movable relative to the first device housing portion 12. The device housing 11 comprises a cavity 14 for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The cavity 14 for receiving an aerosolgenerating article is a substantially enclosed space.

The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a planar wall 15. The planar wall 15 and a wall of the second device housing portion 13 surrounding the cavity 14 define a heating chamber.

The device housing 11 comprises a heater assembly 310 configured to heat an aerosolgenerating article when it is received in the cavity 14.

The device housing 11 comprises a device air inlet (not shown). The device housing 11 comprises a pressure sensor 17 for detecting airflow through the aerosol-generating device 10. In particular, the first device housing portion 12 comprises the pressure sensor 17. However, it will be appreciated that the pressure sensor may alternatively be located in the second device housing portion 13.

The cavity 14 comprises one or more air inlets and one or more aerosol outlets (not shown in figure 1).

A mouthpiece 18 is provided at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating device 10. The mouthpiece 18 comprises a device aerosol outlet (not shown). The first device housing portion 12 and a second device housing portion 13 are moveable between an open position (not shown) and a closed position (as shown in figure 1). When moving from an open position to a closed position, the device housing 11 is configured so that the first device housing portion 12 and the second device housing portion 13 can move towards each other in a longitudinal direction 201 of the aerosol-generating device 10, and subsequently move towards each other in a lateral direction 203 of the aerosol-generating device 10.

An aerosol-generating article 20 for use with an aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure is shown in figure 2. The aerosol-generating article 20 comprises a container 25. The container 25 comprises a first wall 21 and a second wall 22 which together define a substrate compartment 23. An aerosol-generating substrate 24 is provided in the substrate compartment.

In the example shown in figure 2, the first wall 21 is formed from a non-woven cotton material. The first wall 21 comprises between 85 weight percent and 90 weight percent cellulose, between 7 weight percent and 16 weight percent hemicellulose, and between 1 weight percent and 3 weight percent lignin. The first wall 21 is porous.

The second wall 22 comprises paper. The second wall 22 has a grammage of about 35 gsm. The second wall 22 is non-porous.

The second wall 22 is substantially planar. The second wall 22 has a higher stiffness than the first wall 21. In this way, the first wall 21 may generally form a bag shape which is closed by the second wall 22.

An aerosol-generating substrate 24 is provided in the substrate compartment 23. The aerosol-generating substrate 24 comprises granules of homogenised tobacco material, and an aerosol-former. The aerosol-former comprises glycerine. The substrate compartment 23 contains about 150 milligrams of aerosol-generating substrate 24.

The aerosol-generating article 20 is configured for insertion into an aerosol-generating device 100 such that the second wall 22 is oriented towards or aligned with a planar base 300 of the aerosol-generating device 100.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section through a first embodiment of an aerosol-generating device 100 and aerosol-generating article 20 with the aerosol-generating device (a) in an open position, and (b) in a closed position.

The aerosol-generating device 100 comprises a housing 11. The housing 11 comprises a cap 200 and a base 300. The cap 200 of figure 3 is a part of the second device housing portion 13 of the aerosol-generating device 10 of figure 1. The base 300 of figure 3 is a part of the first device housing portion 12 of the aerosol-generating device 10 of figure 1.

As can be seen in figure 3, in the open position, the aerosol-generating article 20 can be received in the base 300. In the closed position, the aerosol-generating article is contained within the device housing 11 between the cap 200 and the base 300.

The cap 200 comprises a curved concave inner wall 210. The curved concave inner wall 210 has a semi cylindrical shape. The curved concave inner wall 210 has a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre. The curved concave inner wall 210 defines a recess having a recess width 206. The recess has a recess depth in a longitudinal direction 201.

The curved concave inner wall 210 is configured to receive a part of the aerosolgenerating article 20. The curved concave inner wall 210 has a zero Gaussian curvature. The curved concave inner wall 210 is a developable surface.

The cap 200 comprises a first cap arm 250 and a second cap arm 260. The first cap arm 250 and second cap arm 260 extend along a length of the cap 200 in a longitudinal direction 201 , for example as shown in figure 4. The curved concave inner wall 210 and the first cap arm 250 and the second cap arm 260 defines a recess having a recess height 205.

As shown in figure 3 (b), the first and second cap arms 250, 260 are configured to clamp the aerosol-generating article between the cap 200 and the base 300 when the cap and base are in the closed position.

The cap 200 comprises a first cap extension 241 and a second cap extension 242. The first and second cap extensions 241 , 242 extend away from each other in a transverse direction 202. As shown in figure 3 (b), the first and second cap extensions 241 , 242 are in contact with the base 300 when the cap 200 and the base 300 are in a closed position.

The base 300 comprises a heater assembly 310. The base 300 comprises a planar portion 320. The base 300 comprises a first base arm 350 and a second base arm 360. The first base arm 350 and the second base arm 360 extend towards the cap 200 when the housing 11 is in the closed position. The first base arm 350 and the second base arm 360 extend along the base in the longitudinal direction 201. As shown in figure 3 (b), the first and second base arms 350, 360 are configured to retain at least part of the aerosol-generating article when the housing 11 is in a closed position.

As the cap 200 of figure 3 (a) is moved towards the base 300 of figure 3 (a), the first base arm 250 and the second base arm 260 extend into the aerosol-generating article 20. The first base arm 250 clamps a first portion 27 of the aerosol-generating article between the first base arm 250 and the base 300. The second base arm 260 clamps a second portion 28 of the aerosolgenerating article between the second base arm 260 and the base 300. An inner portion 29 of the aerosol-generating article is free to move into the recess defined by the curved concave inner wall 210, until the inner portion 29 contacts the curved concave inner wall 210. In the closed position of figure 3 (b), the inner portion 29 entirely fills the recess and conforms to the curved concave inner wall 210. The curved concave inner wall 210 provides a recess shape into which the inner portion 29 can easily conform. Given that the curved concave inner wall 210 has a zero Gaussian curvature, and is a developable surface, the inner portion 29 can conform to the shape of the curved concave inner wall 210 without stretching.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the cap 200. The cap 200 of figure 4 differs from the cap 200 of figure 3 in that the curved concave wall 210 of the cap 200 of figure 4 comprises a first portion 211 , a second portion 212 and a third portion 213. The first portion 211 has a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre. The third portion 213 has a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre. The second portion 212 has a radius of curvature of zero. The curved concave inner wall 210 of figure 4, in the same way as the curved concave inner wall 210 of figure 3, provides a recess shape into which the inner portion 29 of the aerosol-generating article 20 can easily conform. Given that the curved concave inner wall 210 of figure 4 has a zero Gaussian curvature, and defines the shape of a developable surface, the inner portion 29 can conform to the shape of the curved concave inner wall 210 without stretching.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of an aerosol-generating device 100 and aerosolgenerating article 20 with the aerosol-generating device in a closed position. The aerosolgenerating device of figure 5 is as described in relation to figures 3 and 4, with the exception that it comprises a first cap arm extension 270 and a second cap arm extension 280. The first cap arm extension 270 and the second cap arm extension 280 contact the base 300 when the housing 11 is in a closed position. The first cap arm extension 270 and the second cap arm extension 280 surround the aerosol-generating article 20 when the housing 11 is in a closed position.

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 10% of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device for use with an aerosol-generating article, the aerosolgenerating device comprising: a housing defining a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article, the housing being moveable between an open position in which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the housing, and a closed position in which the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the housing; a heater assembly configured to heat the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is arranged in the cavity; wherein the cavity is at least partly defined by a curved concave inner wall of the housing configured to receive at least part of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the cavity for receiving the article is a substantially enclosed space, and wherein the curved concave inner wall has a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre in a first direction.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the curved concave inner wall has at least a portion having a zero Gaussian curvature.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the curved concave inner wall is a developable surface.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the curved concave inner wall has a semicylindrical shape.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the curved concave inner wall has a substantially symmetrical shape.

6. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the curved concave inner wall forms at least 50% of the cavity.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the curved concave inner wall has a radius of curvature of zero in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

8. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a cap and a base, the cap being removably attachable to the base, the cap being moveable between an open position in which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the housing, and a closed position in which the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the housing.

9. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, wherein the cap and the base together substantially define the cavity, and wherein the cap comprises the curved concave inner wall.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the base comprises the heater assembly.

11. An aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heater assembly is configured to contact the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is arranged in the cavity.

12. An aerosol-generating system comprising: an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate; a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating article, the housing being moveable between an open position in which the aerosol-generating article can be inserted into the housing, and a closed position in which the aerosol-generating article can be contained within the housing; a heater assembly configured to heat the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is arranged in the cavity; wherein the cavity is at least partly defined by a curved concave inner wall of the housing configured to receive at least part of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the cavity for receiving the article is a substantially enclosed space, and wherein the curved concave inner wall has a radius of curvature of at least 1 millimetre in a first direction.

13. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 12, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a container containing a granular aerosol-generating substrate.

14. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the aerosolgenerating article comprises a flexible container containing an aerosol-generating substrate.

15. An aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the aerosolgenerating article comprises a container having a flexible casing and a rigid base, the flexible casing and rigid base encapsulating the aerosol-generating substrate.