Aerosol Generating Device Having Vapour-Cooling Passageway

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol generating device, comprising an inhalation outlet; a chamber for holding a material, the material capable of generating a vapour when heated; a heater for heating material held in the chamber; an air inlet connected by an air inlet passage to the chamber; a vapour-cooling module providing a fluidic connection between the chamber and inhalation outlet, the module configured to cool a vapour passing there through. In use, suction at the inhalation outlet causes air to enter the chamber via the air inlet, thereby transporting the vapour generated in the chamber through the vapour-cooling module to the inhalation outlet, such that the temperature of the vapour exiting the device through the inhalation outlet is substantially lower than the temperature of the vapour generated in the chamber. The aerosol generating device thereby provides a means whereby a vapour generated in the chamber is substantially cooled during transport from the chamber through the mouthpiece to the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16 / 063,492, which is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT / EP2016 / 080604, filed Dec. 12, 2016, which claims priority to Great Britain Application No. 1522368.8 filed Dec. 18, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device for heating a material to release an inhalable vapour.[0003]Aerosol generating devices such as electronic cigarettes which generate a vapour from a liquid are relatively well known and are becoming increasingly popular. Another type of aerosol generating device uses controlled-temperature heating whereby a smokable material, such as tobacco, is heated sufficiently to release a vapour but without increasing the heating temperature to a level at which the material burns. Such devices therefore have the advantage of gene...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention introduces a controlled temperature aerosol generating device that produces a cool vapor to the user without burning the material. The device minimizes the effects of condensation, unlike prior art devices where temperature reduction is dependent on the concentration of the vapor. The invention also provides a modular cooling component that improves the collection of condensation droplets and can be easily cleaned or replaced, reducing the negative effects of condensation.

Problems solved by technology

There are however several on-going problems with such conventional devices.

One issue associated with such devices is that the generated vapour exits the device at an elevated temperature meaning inhalation of the vapour can be sub-optimal.

Although some prior art devices provide an air inlet, through which ambient air may mix with and thereby cool the generated vapour, such a configuration means the generated vapour is heavily diluted which may not be satisfactory to the user.

Furthermore the cooling effects of introducing ambient air into the chamber may not be sufficient to cool the vapour to an optimal temperature for inhalation.

One difficulty associated with cooling the generated vapour is that this is liable to produce condensation within the internal passageways of the device.

If the condensation is left within the device, after continued use this may result in the increased degradation of the internal components of the device or have a detrimental effect on flavour or hygiene.

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