Improved extractor for an aerosol-generating device

Abstract

An elongated aerosol-generating device may accommodate an aerosol-generating article and includes a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article and an extractor for extracting the aerosol-forming article accommodated within the aerosol-generating device. The heater is configured to extend longitudinally relative to the elongated aerosol-generating device and penetrate the internal portion of the aerosol-generating article. The extractor is movably coupled to the aerosol-generating device between a first position, which is an operating position defined by the heater in contact with the aerosol-generating article, and a second position, which is an extraction position defined by the heater separated from the aerosol-generating article. The extractor includes a cavity for accommodating the aerosol-generating article, and a first aperture is defined through the end-wall of the cavity to allow the heater to penetrate the cavity when the extractor moves between the second position and the first position. The extractor further defines an air-flow channel that allows air flow into the cavity, and the inlet of the air-flow channel is located radially outward of the first aperture. Preferably, the inlet is defined through the side wall of the extractor. The extractor design allows debris and residue from the aerosol-generating article to be collected within the extractor, which can be cleaned more easily than the rest of the device.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This specification relates to an elongated aerosol-generating device for use with an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may be received by the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device includes an extractor to assist in the removal of the aerosol-generating article after consumption. Background Technology

[0002] A number of prior art documents disclose aerosol-generating devices, for example, including heated smoking systems and electric heated smoking systems. One advantage of these systems is that they significantly reduce sidestream smoke while enabling the smoker to selectively stop and resume smoking. An example of a heated smoking system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,144,962, which includes a flavor-generating medium in contact with a heater in one embodiment. When the flavor-generating medium is depleted, both the medium and the heater are replaced. An aerosol-generating device in which the substrate can be replaced without the need to remove the heating element is preferred. The problem to be solved

[0003] WO2013 / 076098 discloses an aerosol-generating device having a heater that can be inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article and an extractor that facilitates the removal of the aerosol-generating article after use. Although the extractor of WO2013 / 076098 is successful in maintaining the integrity of the aerosol-generating article during removal, a problem has been identified. Loose fragments of the aerosol-generating substrate and other debris derived from the aerosol-generating article tend to detach from the extractor and accumulate within the aerosol-generating device. This can adversely affect the air flow path that allows air to pass through the aerosol-forming substrate, as it is difficult to efficiently clean the device area around the heater base. means of solving the problem

[0004] The present disclosure relates to an elongated aerosol-generating device capable of receiving an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device is an elongated aerosol-generating device capable of receiving an aerosol-generating article, comprising: a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article, which extends longitudinally with respect to the elongated aerosol-generating device and is configured to penetrate the internal portion of the aerosol-generating article; An extractor capable of sliding between a first position, which is an operating position defined by a heater in contact with an aerosol-generating article, and a second position, which is an extraction position defined by a heater separated from the aerosol-generating article, and capable of sliding within an aerosol-generating device, comprising an extractor for extracting an aerosol-forming article received within an aerosol-generating device, wherein the extractor may be removed from the aerosol-generating device for cleaning, and the extractor comprises a cavity for receiving the aerosol-generating article, wherein a first aperture is formed to pass through the end-wall of the cavity so that the heater may pass through the cavity when the extractor is moved between the second position and the first position, and the extractor further forms an air-flow channel allowing air flow into the cavity, wherein the inlet of the air-flow channel is located radially outside the first aperture, and the first aperture and the air-flow channel are arranged to retain fragments from the aerosol-generating article within the extractor when the aerosol-generating article is extracted. Effects of the invention

[0005] In the present disclosure, the first aperture for accommodating the heater is not the location of the air inlet into the extractor. The air inlet is spaced radially outward from the first aperture. Preferably, the air inlet is defined within the sidewall of the extractor or through the side of the endwall of the extractor. For example, the inlet of the air-flow channel may be defined in the radially outermost portion of the endwall. At least a portion of the air-flow channel may extend radially within the endwall, that is, between the inner and outer surfaces of the endwall. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a conventional aerosol-generating device, in particular a heater, an extractor, and an air-flow path into the device, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional aerosol-generating device as exemplified in FIG. 1, illustrating the location where tobacco fragments and residues typically accumulate within the device; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an extractor for use in an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a side view of the extractor of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in particular illustrating a heater, an extractor, and an air-flow path into the device; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the aerosol-generating device illustrated in FIG. 5, showing the location where tobacco fragments and residues typically accumulate within the device; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 5 when combined with an aerosol-generating article; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article of FIG. 7, equipped with extractors arranged at extraction positions; FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a part of an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the aerosol-generating device is coupled with an aerosol-generating article at an operating position; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the aerosol-generating device and aerosol-generating article of FIG. 9 equipped with an extractor at the extraction location. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0007] When in use, the user inhales the end of an aerosol-generating article contained within a cavity. The aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate heated by a heater. Air is drawn into the cavity through an air-flow channel and flows across the aerosol-forming substrate. Volatile components released from the heated aerosol-forming substrate condense along with the air-flow, thereby forming an inhalable aerosol.

[0008] In the aerosol-generating device disclosed in WO2013 / 076098, air flows into the extractor cavity through the same aperture that allows the heater to penetrate into the cavity. The air flow path within the device causes the air to reach the lower side of the cavity end-wall, from where it flows into the cavity along the side of the heater through the aperture. The need for air to flow through the cavity requires that the aperture be dimensioned so that there is a gap sufficient to allow the desired air flow once the heater is in place. After repeated use, debris from continuous aerosol-generating articles falls through the aperture and is collected around the heater base and within the device's air flow path. This debris can be adhesive and can accumulate to block or obstruct the air flow path through the device, thereby interfering with the consumer experience. It is difficult to clean the debris accumulated within the device to the outside of the extractor cavity.

[0009] In the present disclosure, the first aperture for accommodating the heater is not the location of the air inlet into the extractor. The air inlet is spaced radially outward from the first aperture. Preferably, the air inlet is defined within the sidewall of the extractor or through the side of the endwall of the extractor. For example, the inlet of the air-flow channel may be defined in the radially outermost portion of the endwall. At least a portion of the air-flow channel may extend radially within the endwall, that is, between the inner and outer surfaces of the endwall.

[0010] Preferably, the air-flow path passing through the extractor contains air flowing radially toward the heater for at least a portion of the air-flow path. Therefore, debris falling through the first aperture will not block the air-flow path. Although debris may block the air-flow path internally, it is preferable to allow any such debris to be easily removed by removing the extractor from the device and washing it, for example, with water.

[0011] Preferably, the first aperture is dimensioned to allow a gap of 0.5 mm or less with respect to the heater. A gap of 0.5 mm or less allows a portion of the heater to pass through the aperture to enter the cavity and penetrate the aerosol-forming article inside the cavity, but helps prevent the escape of particles of the aerosol-forming material or other debris from the cavity. It may be desirable for the first aperture to have the same dimensions as the cross-sectional dimensions of the heater so that the aperture is scraped as the heater passes in and out of the cavity. This can further prevent the escape of debris from the cavity through the first aperture.

[0012] The air flow path from the air-flow channel inlet can be combined with the first aperture.

[0013] The extractor is preferably designed so that, when the aerosol-generating article is extracted, particles of the aerosol-forming substrate or other debris that may be derived from the aerosol-generating article are captured or retained within the extractor portion of the aerosol-generating device. Thus, the extractor can be removed from the device and cleaned regularly to maintain the consumer experience.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the outer face of the end-wall may come into contact with a part or face of the aerosol-generating device when the extractor is in the first position, so that fragments from the aerosol-generating article cannot accumulate within the aerosol-generating device. That is, there is no gap between the extractor and the rest of the aerosol-generating device for fragments to fall into. This can help ensure that any fragments are retained within the extractor.

[0015] The extractor may include a first air-flow channel and a second air-flow channel, and inlets to the first and second air-flow channels are located on opposite sides of the extractor. There may be more than two air-flow channels.

[0016] Air can flow into the cavity through an outlet from an air-flow channel defined on the inner surface of the end-wall. Air can flow into the cavity through an outlet from an air-flow channel coupled with the first aperture, so that the air flow into the cavity is directed across the heater or near the heater.

[0017] The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol generating system comprising an elongated aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article as described above, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate that emits an inhalable aerosol when heated by a heater. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenized tobacco sheet.

[0018] When an aerosol-forming article is received within the cavity of an extractor, the extractor can position the aerosol-forming material in contact with a heater.

[0019] As used in the present invention, the term 'positioning' relates to the movement of an aerosol-generating article or an aerosol-forming substrate relative to a heater of an aerosol-generating device. Accordingly, it can be said that the extractor can move the aerosol-forming substrate relative to the heater to facilitate the removal of the aerosol-forming substrate from the aerosol-generating device.

[0020] As used in the present invention, the term 'aerosol-generating device' relates to a device that generates an aerosol by interacting with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-forming substrate is a part of an aerosol-generating article, for example, a part of a smoking article. The aerosol-generating device may include one or more components used to generate an aerosol by supplying energy from a power supply unit to the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the aerosol-generating device may be a heated aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may be an electric heated aerosol-generating device or a gas heated aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled directly into the user's lungs through the user's mouth by interacting with the aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may be a holder for an aerosol-generating article.

[0021] As used herein, the term 'aerosol-forming substrate' relates to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. These volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. For convenience, the aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article or a smoking article.

[0022] As used herein, the terms 'aerosol generating article' and 'smoking article' refer to articles comprising an aerosol-forming material capable of releasing volatile compounds capable of forming aerosols. For example, an aerosol generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled directly into the user's lungs through the user's mouth. An aerosol generating article may be disposable. The term 'smoking article' is generally used as follows.

[0023] Preferably, the smoking article is a heated smoking article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate intended to be heated rather than burned to release volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol formed by heating the aerosol-forming substrate may contain a few known hazardous components produced by the combustion or thermal degradation of the aerosol-forming substrate. The smoking article may be a tobacco stick, or may include one.

[0024] In one embodiment, the extractor positions a smoking article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate at a first position and a second position, the first position being an operating position defined by a heater in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate, and the second position being an extraction position defined by the aerosol-forming substrate being separated from the heater. Accordingly, the extractor can be movably coupled to an aerosol-generating device and can be moved between a first position where the aerosol-forming substrate is in contact with the heater of the aerosol-generating device and a second position where the aerosol-forming substrate is separated from the heater. Preferably, the extractor remains coupled to the aerosol-generating device when it is at the first position, the second position, and any intermediate point between the first position and the second position. The extractor can be removablely coupled to the aerosol-generating device, in which case the extractor is not at the first position or the second position when the extractor is removed from the device.

[0025] The extractor can slide between the first position and the second position.

[0026] The first position of the extractor is an operating position in which a heater can heat the aerosol-forming material of the smoking article to form an aerosol. As is known to those skilled in the art, an aerosol is a suspension of solid particles or liquid droplets, or both solid particles and liquid droplets, within a gas such as air. The second position of the extractor is an extraction position that facilitates the removal of the smoking article from the aerosol-generating device. The upstream and downstream ends of the aerosol-generating article are defined for the airflow when the user takes a puff. Typically, incoming air enters the aerosol-generating article at the upstream end, combines with the aerosol, and carries the aerosol in the airflow toward the user's mouth at the downstream end.

[0027] The extractor enables the integrity of the aerosol-forming material to be substantially maintained when the smoking article is removed from the aerosol-generating device.

[0028] The aerosol-generating device may further include a stopper to prevent the extractor from sliding out of the aerosol-generating device when the extractor is moved to a second position. The stopper may be arranged to cooperate with a stopper receiving means, for example, a recess or depression for receiving the stopper. The stopper may be provided on the extractor. The stopper receiving means may be provided on other parts of the aerosol-generating device.

[0029] The aerosol-generating device may further include guide pins for guiding the extractor when the extractor is moved between a first position and a second position. The guide pins substantially prevent the extractor from rotating relative to the aerosol-generating device. The guide pins may be arranged to cooperate with a slot or a groove. The guide pins may be provided, for example, on the extractor. The slot or groove may be provided on other parts of the aerosol-generating device.

[0030] The extractor may include an insulating material to provide insulation from the heat of the heater.

[0031] The aerosol-generating device may be an electric heating smoking system comprising an electric heater. In other embodiments, the aerosol-generating device may be a heater smoking system comprising a gas burner or some heat source other than electricity. The term "electric heater" refers to one or more electric heating elements. The electric heater may include an internal electric heating element for at least partially inserting into the aerosol-forming substrate of the smoking article. The "internal heating element" is suitable for insertion into the aerosol-forming material. The present invention is particularly advantageous when used with an internal heating element, because in such cases, the aerosol-forming substrate adheres to the heating element and thus tends to be destroyed when the aerosol-forming substrate is separated from the heating element.

[0032] The electric heater may include a single heating element. Alternatively, the electric heater may include more than one heating element. The heating element or the heating elements may be appropriately arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate most effectively.

[0033] An electric heater may include an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as molybdenum disilide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composite materials of ceramic and metallic materials. Such composite materials may include doped ceramics or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped silver ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-, titanium-, zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, and iron-containing alloys, and superalloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetal®, and iron-manganese-aluminum alloys. In composite materials, depending on the required external physicochemical properties and energy transfer kinetics, the electrical resistive material may optionally be embedded in an insulating material, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material, or vice versa. Alternatively, the electric heater may include an infrared heating element, a photon source, or an induction heating element.

[0034] The electric heater may take any suitable form. For example, the electric heater may take the form of a heating blade. Alternatively, the electric heater may take the form of a casing or substrate having different electronically conductive parts, or an electrically resistant metal tube. Alternatively, one or more heating needles or rods extending through the center of an aerosol-forming substrate may also be as previously described. Alternatively, the electric heater may be a disc (end) heater, or a combination of a heating needle or rod and a disc heater. Other alternatives include a heating wire or filament, such as a Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten, or alloy wire or a heating plate. Optionally, the heating element may be deposited within or on a rigid carrier material.

[0035] An electric heater may include a heat sink or heat reservoir comprising a material capable of absorbing and storing heat and then releasing heat over time to an aerosol-forming substrate. The heat sink may be formed of any suitable material, such as a suitable metal or ceramic material. In one embodiment, the material is a material having a high heat capacity (sensible heat storage material) or capable of absorbing and subsequently releasing heat through a reversible process, such as a high-temperature phase change. Suitable heat-sensible storage materials include silica gel, alumina, carbon, glass mat, glass fiber, minerals, metals or alloys such as aluminum, silver or lead, and cellulose materials such as paper. Other suitable materials that release heat through a reversible phase change include paraffin, sodium acetate, naphthalene, wax, polyethylene oxide, metals, metal salts, mixtures or alloys of eutectic salts.

[0036] The heat sink or heat reservoir may be arranged to be in direct contact with the aerosol-forming substrate and to directly transfer the stored heat to the substrate. Alternatively, the heat stored in the heat sink or heat reservoir may be transferred to the aerosol-forming substrate by a heat conductor such as a metal tube.

[0037] An electric heater can heat an aerosol-forming substrate by conduction. The electric heater can be in at least partial contact with the substrate, or with a carrier on which the substrate is deposited. Alternatively, heat from the electric heater can be conducted to the substrate by a thermally conductive element.

[0038] Alternatively, an electric heater can transfer heat to the incoming ambient air drawn in through the electric heating smoking system during use, which in turn heats the aerosol-forming substrate by convection. The atmosphere may also be heated before passing through the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0039] In one embodiment, electric energy is supplied to the electric heater until the heating elements or elements of the electric heater reach a temperature of approximately 250 to 440. Any suitable temperature sensor and control circuit may be used to control the heating of the heating elements or elements to reach a temperature of approximately 250 to 440. This contrasts with conventional cigarettes, where the combustion of the cigarette and cigarette wrapper can reach 800.

[0040] In one embodiment, the extractor includes a gripping means for gripping the smoking article when the smoking article is received within the extractor.

[0041] The gripping means can ensure that the smoking item is positioned correctly so that the heater can heat the aerosol-forming substrate of the smoking item upon the user's puff. Additionally, the gripping means ensures that the smoking item does not fall from the aerosol-generating device when the smoking system is oriented away from the vertical or away from the operating orientation. The gripping means may be arranged to grip the smoking item when the smoking item is received within the extractor, regardless of whether the extractor is in the first or second position. Alternatively, the gripping means may be arranged to grip the smoking item when the smoking item is received within the extractor only when the sliding container is in the first position.

[0042] As described above, the removal of a smoking article from an aerosol-generating device can be achieved in two steps. In the first step, the smoking article and the extractor are moved relative to the components of the aerosol-generating device, preferably by sliding. In the second step, the smoking article, now separate from the heater, can be removed from the extractor. A gripping means, if present, can be arranged to release the smoking article during the second step.

[0043] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device further includes a moving means for moving an extractor between a first position and a second position.

[0044] The means of movement may include an electric means of movement. The extractor may automatically move between a first position and a second position when a user applies force to the smoking item to remove the smoking item from the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, the extractor may automatically move between the first position and a second position when a user operates a switch. Alternatively, a means of movement may not be provided, and the extractor may be manually moved between the first position and a second position by a user.

[0045] During operation, a smoking article containing an aerosol-forming material may be completely contained within an aerosol-generating device. In this case, the user may smoke through the mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, during operation, a smoking article containing an aerosol-forming material may be partially contained within an aerosol-generating device. In this case, the user may smoke the smoking article directly.

[0046] The above smoking article may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The above smoking article may be substantially slender and long. The above smoking article may have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to this length. The above aerosol-forming substrate may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The above aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially slender and long. The above aerosol-forming substrate may also have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to this length. The aerosol-forming substrate may be accommodated within the extractor of the aerosol-generating device such that the length of the aerosol-forming substrate is substantially parallel to the direction of air flow of the aerosol-generating device.

[0047] The smoking article may have a total length of approximately 30 mm to approximately 100 mm. The smoking article may have an outer diameter of approximately 5 mm to approximately 12 mm, for example, about 7 mm. The smoking article may include a filter plug. The filter plug may be positioned at the downstream end of the smoking article. The filter plug may be a cellulose acetate filter plug. In one embodiment, the filter plug has a length of approximately 7 mm, but may have a length of approximately 5 mm to approximately 10 mm.

[0048] In one embodiment, the smoking article has a total length of approximately 45 mm. The smoking article may have an outer diameter of approximately 7.2 mm. Additionally, the aerosol-forming substrate may have a length of approximately 10 mm. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may have a length of approximately 12 mm. Additionally, the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate may be between approximately 5 mm and approximately 12 mm. The smoking article may include an outer paper wrapper. Additionally, the smoking article may include a separator between the aerosol-forming substrate and the filter plug. The separator may be approximately 18 mm, but may be in the range of approximately 5 mm to approximately 25 mm.

[0049] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds released from the substrate upon heating. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise an aerosol-forming agent. Examples of suitable aerosol-forming agents are glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0050] Where the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more of powders, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghetti, strips, or sheets containing, for example, one or more of herb leaves, tobacco leaves, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, and expanded tobacco. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be in a loose form or may be provided in a suitable container or cartridge. Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds that are released upon heating of the substrate. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may also contain capsules containing, for example, the additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds, and these capsules may melt during heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0051] Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The carrier may take the form of powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghetti, strips, or sheets. Alternatively, the carrier may be a tubular carrier having a thin layer of solid substrate deposited on its inner surface, on its outer surface, or on both its inner and outer surfaces. Such a tubular carrier may be formed from, for example, paper, paper-like materials, non-woven carbon fiber mats, low-mass open-mesh metal screens, or perforated metal foil or any other thermally stable polymer matrix.

[0052] The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be applied to the surface of a carrier in the form of, for example, a sheet, foam, gel, or slurry. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be applied to the entire surface of the carrier, or alternatively, may be applied in a pattern to provide non-uniform flavor delivery during use.

[0053] Although reference has been made above to a solid aerosol-forming substrate, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other forms of aerosol-forming substrates may be included in other embodiments of the present invention. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may be a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. If a liquid aerosol-forming substrate is provided, the aerosol generator preferably includes means for holding the liquid. For example, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be held in a container. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be absorbed into a porous carrier material. The porous carrier material may consist of any suitable absorbent plug or body, for example, foamed metal or plastic material, polypropylene, tyrylene, nylon fibers, or ceramic. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be held in the porous carrier material prior to use of the aerosol generator, or alternatively, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be released into the porous carrier material during or immediately before use. For example, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as a capsule. The shell of the above capsule melts upon heating and releases the liquid aerosol-forming substrate into the porous carrier material. The capsule may optionally contain a solid along with the liquid.

[0054] Alternatively, the carrier may be a nonwoven fabric or fiber bundle in which tobacco components are incorporated. The nonwoven fabric or fiber bundle may include, for example, carbon fibers, natural cellulose fibers, or cellulose derivative fibers.

[0055] If the aerosol-generating device is an electric heating smoking system, the electric heating smoking system may further include a power source for supplying power to an electric heater. The power source may be any suitable power source, for example, a DC voltage source. In one embodiment, the power source is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power source may be a nickel-metal hybrid battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, for example, a lithium-cobalt, lithium-iron-phosphate, or lithium-polymer battery.

[0056] The electric heating smoking system may further include an electronic circuit arranged to be connected to a power source and an electric heater. If more than one heating element is provided, an electronic circuit may be provided that enables the heating element to be independently controlled. The electronic circuit may also be programmable.

[0057] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating device further includes a sensor that detects airflow indicating that a user is taking a puff, enabling puff-based activation of the electric heater or improved energy management of the electric heater. The sensor may be any of: a mechanical device, an electromechanical device, an optical device, an optical-mechanical device, and a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)-based sensor. In that embodiment, the sensor may be connected to a power source, and the system is arranged to activate the electric heater when the sensor detects that the user is taking a puff. In an alternative embodiment, the system further includes a manually operable switch that enables the user to initiate a puff or to enable a long-term smoking experience.

[0058] Now, specific embodiments will be described merely as examples with reference to the attached drawings:

[0059] FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a prior art aerosol-generating device comprising, for example, an extractor of the type disclosed in WO 2013 / 076098. The device (1) comprises a heater blade (10) mounted by a heater support (20) and protruding outward from the heater support (20). The device (1) further comprises an extractor (30) slidably mounted to be movable relative to the heater (10). The extractor (30) has a cavity (35) for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The proximal end of the cavity is open to receive the aerosol-generating article. The distal end of the cavity (36) terminates at an end-wall (37) that serves to support the distal end of the aerosol-generating article received within the cavity (35). The aperture (38), defined by the thickness of the end-wall (37) of the extractor (30), allows the heater blade (10) to penetrate into the cavity (35).

[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates an extractor in a first, or operating position relative to a heater blade. In this position, an aerosol-generating article contained within a cavity (35) may be penetrated by a heater blade (10), thereby causing the heater blade (10) to heat the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article. An air flow path (40) is defined by a channel extending between the outer wall of the aerosol-generating device (50) and the side wall (31) of the extractor. The arrows in FIG. 1 illustrate the air flow path as it passes along the channel between the side wall (50) of the device and the side wall (31) of the extractor, changing the direction of flow between the heater support (20) and the distal end-wall (37) of the extractor, and then finally changing the direction of flow back into the cavity (35) through the aperture (38) of the end-wall. This air flow passes in close proximity to the heater and is thus heated, which can contribute to the formation of an aerosol.

[0061] The aerosol-generating article is preferably a smoking article, including tobacco. As a continuous aerosol-generating article is consumed, fragments of the aerosol-forming material and other debris and residues derived from the aerosol-forming material adhere to and accumulate on the heater blade. Some of these debris and residues pass through the aperture (38) from the distal end-wall (37) of the extractor and are collected in the gap (21) defined between the heater support (20) and the distal end-wall (37) of the extractor. This gap exists to allow air flow into the aperture (38) and consequently into the cavity.

[0062] Tests were performed to determine the level of material-induced debris and residue collected from the device through repeated use. FIG. 2 illustrates the typical accumulation state of such residue that occurs after about 40 aerosol-generating items have been consumed using the device. As can be seen from the schematic diagram in FIG. 2, some debris and residue (61) adhere to the heater blade (10), while other debris and residue (62) accumulate in the gap (21) between the heater support and the extractor and within the aperture (38) defined inside the extractor. In addition to contributing to the formation of undesirable aerosol products and odors, these residues and debris also affect the airflow into the device and thus influence the formation of aerosols over time. Because debris and residue (61, 62) form on the blade and accumulate around the blade base, it becomes difficult to effectively clean the debris. The debris and residue have high adhesion and resist light mechanical brushing. Stronger mechanical brushing is undesirable because it is prone to damaging the heater blade (10). The debris (62) accumulates mainly on the base of the heater blade (10), and since this part of the heater blade tends not to be heated or to a lower temperature than the operating end of the heater blade, it is difficult to remove using pyrolysis. That is, because this part of the heater blade needs to be kept at a low temperature, it is difficult to remove the debris and residue accumulated around the base of the heater blade by heating the heater blade to a high temperature to pyrolyze the residue and debris. In addition, the part of the device that collects the debris is part of an aerosol-generating device containing electronic devices. Therefore, it is difficult to clean this part of the device without the risk of damage to the electronic devices.

[0063] FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4 are, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of an extractor (130) for an aerosol-generating device. The extractor is a substantially tubular structure having a tubular side wall (131) that defines a cavity (not shown) for receiving an aerosol-generating article, and the distal end of the cavity terminates at an end wall (137). A slot-shaped aperture (138) is formed through the end wall (137) to allow a heater blade to penetrate the cavity of the extractor (130). The outer surface of the end wall (137) is designed to be level with the corresponding surface of the heater support without leaving a gap. The extractor (130) includes an orientation ring (153) comprising a plurality of orientation lugs (151). The orientation lug is coupled with a corresponding groove on a part of the aerosol-generating device to properly orient the extractor (130) and aperture (138) to be coupled with the heater blade.

[0064] An air inlet (170) of an air-flow channel (171) is defined within the side wall (131) of the extractor (130). The air-flow channel (171) allows air flow into the cavity. The arrangement of the air-flow channel (171) can be seen more clearly in the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0065] The aerosol-generating device (100) of FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view. The device (100) includes a heater blade (110) mounted by a heater support (120) and extending from it. The device (100) further includes an extractor (130) of the type shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The extractor defines a cavity (135) for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The cavity is defined by a side wall (131) and an end wall (137). An aperture (138) is defined through the end wall (137) to allow passage of the heater (110) into the cavity (135). The outer surface (139) of the end wall (137) is flat and abuts the flat surface (129) of the heater support (120). There is substantially no gap between the outer surface (139) or end-wall (137) and the surface (129) of the heater support (120). The air-flow channel (171) is defined as a channel extending radially within the thickness of the end-wall (137). The inlet (170) of the air-flow channel (171) is defined in the side wall (131) of the extractor. The air-flow channel (171) extends radially inward toward the heater blade aperture. The air-flow channel (171) combines with the aperture (138) to allow air to flow into the cavity (135) of the extractor (130). The air flow path is illustrated by an arrow in FIG. 5. The arrow illustrates that the air flow path (140) is defined between the outer wall (150) of the device (100) and the side wall (131) of the extractor. Next, the air flow path exits into the cavity (135) of the extractor through the aperture (138) by extending the heater (110) along the air flow channel (171) defined within the end-wall (137) of the extractor through the air flow inlet (170) defined in the side wall (131) of the extractor.

[0066] FIG. 6 illustrates the typical accumulation of residue after use. Residue (161, 162) may form extensively within the air-flow channel (171). Since most of the debris and residue (162) is retained within the extractor (130), it is easy to keep the device clean. For example, the extractor (130) can be removed from the device (100) and washed with running water to remove the debris and residue. This provides a convenient method to keep the internal parts of the device clean. Additionally, the aperture (138) through which the heater blade (110) extends can be strictly dimensioned for at least a portion of the aperture so that only the heater blade (110) passes through the aperture. The aperture can be dimensioned so that the heater blade physically engages with the extractor when passing through the aperture (138). Accordingly, the aperture can be dimensioned so that when the extractor moves from the operating position to the extraction position, the heater blade is scraped or wiped, thereby cleaning debris and residue from the blade and debris and residue remaining inside the extractor.

[0067] Accordingly, it is possible to configure the device so that debris and residue are substantially retained within the extractor by moving the air-flow inlet (170) to a position radially outside the aperture (138). This keeps the heater blade and the device relatively clean. The debris and residue within the extractor can be easily and conveniently cleaned by washing the extractor. The present invention makes maintaining the cleanliness of the device much simpler and thus improves the user experience of the device.

[0068] Now, a method of operating the device (100) will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and FIGS. 8. FIG. 7 illustrates the aerosol-generating device (100) of FIGS. 5 and FIGS. 6 combined with an aerosol-generating article (190). The aerosol-generating article (190) has a proximal, or oral, end (191) that a user can inhale during use to obtain an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article (190) further comprises an aerosol-forming substrate (192) positioned toward the distal end of the article (190). In FIG. 7, the aerosol-generating article (190) is depicted as being received within the cavity (135) of an extractor (130). The extractor is in a first position or operating position through which the aerosol-generating article (190) is penetrated by a heater (110). The heater is operated to heat the aerosol-generating article. When a user inhales the proximal end of an aerosol-generating article, air is drawn into the aerosol-generating device and passes through an aerosol-forming substrate (192). Volatile components released from the aerosol-forming substrate are carried within the airflow and condense to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0069] Once the user consumes the aerosol-generating material (190), the extractor (130) moves to its second extraction position. In this position, the end wall (137) of the extractor engages with the aerosol-generating material and pulls the aerosol-generating material away from the heater blade (110). Thus, the aerosol-generating material can be easily removed from the cavity. Fragments, such as tobacco fragments, are retained within the extractor.

[0070] After the aerosol-generating device has been used several times, the accumulation of debris and residue within the extractor may begin and affect the airflow within the extractor. At this point, the entire extractor (130) is removed from the aerosol-generating device and cleaned by washing with water.

[0071] The aerosol-generating article (190) is preferably a smoking article, and the aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate comprising homogenized tobacco. In a preferred embodiment, the smoking article has an elongated cylindrical shape and comprises an aerosol-forming substrate and filter plugs arranged sequentially and coaxially. The aerosol-forming substrate and filter plugs are covered with an outer paper wrapper. Other components may be included in the smoking article.

[0072] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate additional embodiments of an aerosol-generating device (200) combined with an aerosol-generating article (190). As previously described, the aerosol-generating device comprises an extractor (230). The extractor has a cavity (235) defined by a side wall (231) for receiving the aerosol-generating article (190). The distal end of the cavity (235) terminates at an end wall (237). An aperture (238) is defined through the end wall to allow passage of a heater blade. When the extractor (230) is in its operating position, the outer surface (239) of the end wall (237) abuts the surface (229) of the heater blade support. There is substantially no gap between the extractor and the heater support. An air flow inlet (270) is defined through the side wall (231) of the extractor (230). When in use, air passes into the cavity (235) through the air inlet (270).

[0073] The difference between the embodiment of FIG. 9 and the embodiment of FIG. 5 is that the air-flow inlets are defined through the sides of the extractor, and air flows directly into the cavity through these inlets. Although there may be grooves within the end-walls to send airflow toward the heater blades, there are no radially extending channels defined in the end-walls themselves in this embodiment.

[0074] FIG. 10 illustrates the device (200) of FIG. 9 in which the extractor (230) moves toward the second extraction position. Explanation of the symbols

[0075] 1: Device 10: Heater blade 20: Heater support 21: Gap 30: Extractor 31: Sidewall 35: Joint 37: End-wall 38: Aperture 40: Yudong-ro 50: Side wall 61,62: Residue 100: Aerosol-generating device 110: Heater blade 120: Support 129: Face 130: Extractor 131: Sidewall 135: Joint 137: End-wall 138: Aperture 139: Exterior surface 140: Air flow path 150: Exterior wall 151: Rug 153: Orientation ring 161,162: Residue 170: Air inlet 171: Air-flow channel 190: Aerosol-generating items 191: End 192: Aerosol-forming material 200: Aerosol-generating device 229: Surface of the support 230: Extractor 231: Sidewall 235: Joint 237: End-wall 239: Exterior surface 270: Air flow inlet

Claims

Claim 1 As an elongated aerosol-generating device capable of accommodating an aerosol-generating article: a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article, which is configured to extend longitudinally with respect to the elongated aerosol-generating device and penetrate the internal portion of the aerosol-generating article; An elongated aerosol-generating device comprising: an extractor movably coupled to an aerosol-generating device between a first position, which is an operating position defined by a heater in contact with an aerosol-generating article, and a second position, which is an extraction position defined by a heater separated from the aerosol-generating article, for extracting an aerosol-forming article contained within the aerosol-generating device; wherein the extractor comprises a cavity for containing the aerosol-generating article, and a first aperture is formed to pass through the end-wall of the cavity so that the heater can pass through the cavity when the extractor is moved between the second position and the first position, and the extractor further forms an air-flow channel that allows air flow into the cavity, wherein the inlet of the air-flow channel is located radially outside the first aperture, and the outer surface of the end-wall is in contact with a part of the aerosol-generating device when the extractor is in the first position so that fragments from the aerosol-generating article cannot accumulate within the aerosol-generating device. Claim 2 An elongated aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first aperture has dimensions allowing a gap of 0.5 mm or less with respect to the heater. Claim 3 An elongated aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet of the air-flow channel is formed in the side wall of the cavity. Claim 4 An elongated aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet of the air-flow channel is formed in the radially outermost portion of the end-wall. Claim 5 An elongated aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the air-flow channel extends radially within the end-wall. Claim 6 An elongated aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first aperture and air-flow channel are arranged to retain fragments from an aerosol-generating article within an extractor when the aerosol-generating article is extracted. Claim 7 An elongated aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extractor can be removed from the aerosol-generating device for cleaning. Claim 8 An elongated aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a first air-flow channel and a second air-flow channel, wherein an inlet for the first air-flow channel and an inlet for the second air-flow channel are located on opposite sides of the extractor. Claim 9 An aerosol generating system comprising an elongated aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate that emits an inhalable aerosol when heated by a heater. Claim 10 In claim 9, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises an aerosol generating system comprising a homogenized tobacco sheet.

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