Aerosol generation system

Abstract

An aerosol generating system is disclosed, the aerosol generating system comprising: a consumable (1) comprising a rod-shaped portion (11) comprising an aerosol generating substrate; a heating chamber (21) comprising a first end (212), a second end (213), and a sidewall extending around the heating chamber between the first end and the second end, the heating chamber being configured for receiving the rod-shaped portion of the consumable; and a heater (22) configured for delivering heat from the sidewall to the heating chamber, wherein: the width of the chamber is greater than the width of the rod-shaped portion, the consumable comprises a resilient portion (12) around a length axis of the rod-shaped portion, the heating chamber further comprises a plurality of inward projections (211) extending from the sidewall and distributed around the inner circumference of the heating chamber, and the projections are configured to engage with and apply pressure to the resilient portion to position the consumable within the chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating system in which an aerosol-generating substrate is heated to form an aerosol. The disclosure is particularly applicable to a portable aerosol-generating device that can be self-contained and cryogenic. Such a device can heat tobacco or other suitable aerosol substrate material by conduction, convection, and / or radiation, rather than by ignition, to generate an aerosol for inhalation. Background Art

[0002] Over the past few years, there has been a rapid increase in the popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporizers) to help habitual smokers who want to quit traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and cigarettes. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm an aerosolizable substance, as opposed to burning tobacco in traditional tobacco products.

[0003] A commonly used device with reduced or modified risk is a heated substrate aerosol-generating device, or heat-not-burn device. This type of device generates an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol substrate, typically comprising moist tobacco leaves or other suitable aerosolizable material, to a temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 350°C. Heating, but not burning or igniting, the aerosol substrate releases an aerosol that includes the components sought by the user but without the toxic, carcinogenic byproducts of combustion and ignition. Furthermore, the aerosol generated by heating tobacco or other aerosolizable material typically does not include the burnt or bitter taste that combustion and ignition can produce, which may be unpleasant to the user. Therefore, the substrate does not require sugars and other additives that are often added to such materials to make the smoke and / or vapor more palatable to the user.

[0004] In such devices, the aerosol substrate is typically provided in the form of a consumable containing a limited amount of aerosol-generating substrate and capable of generating a limited amount of aerosol.For a given amount of substrate, it is desirable to increase the aerosol production. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an aerosol generating system, comprising: a consumable, comprising a rod-shaped portion containing an aerosol-generating matrix; a heating chamber, comprising a first end, a second end, and a side wall extending around the heating chamber between the first end and the second end, the heating chamber being configured to receive the rod-shaped portion of the consumable; and a heater, configured to deliver heat to the heating chamber through the side wall, wherein: the width of the chamber is greater than the width of the rod-shaped portion, the consumable comprises an elastic portion surrounding the length axis of the rod-shaped portion, the heating chamber further comprises a plurality of inward protrusions extending from the side wall and distributed around the inner circumference of the heating chamber, and the protrusions are configured to engage with the elastic portion and apply pressure to it to position the consumable within the chamber.

[0006] By providing a cavity having a width greater than the width of the shaft portion, the consumable product may be more easily inserted into the cavity.

[0007] However, the heater cannot heat the heating chamber completely evenly. Therefore, leaving the consumable loose in the wider chamber may reduce the heating efficiency and aerosol generation efficiency. By providing an inward protrusion configured to engage with the consumable, the consumable can be retained in a preferred position for heating.

[0008] Furthermore, by configuring the protrusion to apply pressure to the resilient portion, this prevents the consumable from deforming, disengaging from the protrusion, and moving from a preferred position.

[0009] Furthermore, by applying pressure to the resilient portion about the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped portion, the protrusion simultaneously applies pressure to at least a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate. This compression of the substrate improves the efficiency of aerosol generation.

[0010] The size of the protrusions can be determined so that the space between the protrusions in the cavity is smaller than the width of the elastic portion.Thereby, the elastic portion is compression-fitted between the protrusions.

[0011] Optionally, the projections are arranged symmetrically about the length axis to assist in positioning the consumable in the centre of the chamber.

[0012] Positioning the consumable in the center of the chamber is suitable for embodiments in which the heaters are symmetrically arranged around the sidewalls to improve the efficiency of heat delivery to the heating chamber. Positioning the consumable in the center of the chamber also makes the system more intuitive to use because the user inserts the consumable into the chamber in the same manner regardless of the orientation of the heating chamber about its longitudinal axis.

[0013] Optionally, a first end of the heating chamber is open to receive the rod-shaped portion, and a second end of the heating chamber is closed.

[0014] Where the heating chamber is open at one end only, the protrusion has a second advantage of providing a space between the consumable and the side wall of the heating chamber which can be used as an air inlet so that a user or a pump can draw air into one end of the consumable and extract the generated aerosol from the other end of the consumable.

[0015] Optionally, the consumable exhibits a strain rate of less than 10% when the resilient portion is compressed perpendicular to the length axis of the rod shape with a force of 0.4N.

[0016] More preferably, the consumable exhibits a strain rate of between 1% and 8% when the resilient portion is compressed perpendicularly to the length axis of the rod shape by a force of 0.4N.

[0017] Optionally, the consumable exhibits a strain rate of less than 15% when the resilient portion is compressed perpendicular to the length axis of the rod shape with a force of 8N.

[0018] More preferably, the consumable exhibits a strain rate between 5% and 14% when the resilient portion is compressed perpendicularly to the length axis of the rod shape by a force of 8N.

[0019] These parameters provide a consumable that is sufficiently stable to remain engaged with the protrusion in a preferred position for heating. However, if the consumable is too stable, it may be difficult to insert the consumable at all.

[0020] Optionally, the rod-shaped portion comprises a wrapping surrounding the matrix, and the elastic portion comprises a portion of the wrapping.

[0021] By providing an at least partially elastic wrapping, the consumable may better maintain its shape while within the heating chamber, thereby improving air flow through the consumable and aerosol generation.

[0022] Optionally, the wrapper comprises cellulose paper. In the alternative, the wrapper comprises cellulose paper having an aluminium foil layer.

[0023] Optionally, the substrate comprises tobacco.

[0024] Optionally, the substrate comprises randomly oriented tobacco shreds comprising tobacco powder and an aerosol former.The tobacco shreds may be obtained by cutting tobacco sheets obtained by paper forming, extrusion or casting.

[0025] It has been found that randomly orientating tobacco shreds provides a more stable or more uniformly stable rod-shaped portion than is the case when the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a gathered tobacco sheet.

[0026] Optionally, the matrix density is 0.3 mg / mm 3 Up to 0.6 mg / mm 3 between.

[0027] The inventors have found that increasing the substrate density (measured as mass per unit volume within the wrapper) increases the robustness of the rod portion, especially when the substrate comprises randomly oriented tobacco shreds, while too great a density can result in inefficient aerosol production.

[0028] Optionally, based on the total weight of the substrate, the substrate comprises between 60wt.% and 85wt.% tobacco leaf and between 8wt.% and 20wt.% aerosol former and between 5wt.% and 15wt.% filler.

[0029] Optionally, the substrate is a compressed tobacco substrate having a soft granular texture or is a mousse.

[0030] Optionally, the heater is configured to heat the interior of the heating chamber to at least 190°C.

[0031] More preferably, the heater is configured to heat the interior of the heating chamber to between 230°C and 260°C.

[0032] Optionally, wherein the heater is configured to maintain the interior of the heating chamber at least preferably above 190°C, most preferably above 200°C, during the entire puffing sequence time.

[0033] When the substrate comprises tobacco, the aerosol is a nicotine aerosol. The inventors have found that the above specified tobacco density range, form of the tobacco, and heating profile significantly improve the amount of nicotine that can be produced from a given amount of substrate when pressure is applied to the substrate via the protrusion extending from the side wall of the heating chamber.

[0034] Optionally, the protrusion is a rib extending along the side wall, such that when the rod portion is received in the heating chamber, the rib extends parallel to the length axis of the rod portion.

[0035] Optionally, the substrate is arranged in a predetermined section of the rod portion extending along the length axis, and the length of the rib is at least 50% of the length of the predetermined section.

[0036] More preferably, the length of the rib is between 60% and 70% of the length of the predetermined section.

[0037] The consumable typically comprises further sections in addition to the substrate section. For example, the consumable can comprise an air chamber or one or more filter sections. These sections need not be effectively heated by the heater. On the other hand, the predetermined section comprising the substrate is preferably subjected to pressure along its length to improve heating efficiency and aerosol production efficiency. By having the rib extend along a substantial portion of the predetermined section, aerosol production efficiency can be significantly improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a schematic cross-section of the aerosol generating system in a plane including a length axis;

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the aerosol generating device;

[0040] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-section of the heating chamber in a plane including a length axis;

[0041] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-section of the aerosol generating system perpendicular to the length axis;

[0042] Figures 5A and 5B provide schematic illustrations of strain measurements of the consumable;

[0043] Figures 6 to 8 is a schematic cross-section of the further aerosol generating system perpendicular to the length axis;

[0044] Figure 9 is an example temperature profile of the heating chamber when generating aerosol. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Figure 1A is a schematic cross-section of an aerosol generating system embodying the present application.

[0046] Referring to Figure 1A , the consumable 1 is located within the aerosol generating device 2 to generate aerosol.

[0047] The consumable 1 comprises a rod portion 11, an elastic portion 12 surrounding a length axis of the rod portion 11, and a filter 14.

[0048] The rod portion 11 contains an aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating substrate is a material that generates aerosol when heated. The aerosol can be allowed to dissipate passively from the aerosol generating system, but is preferably drawn out of the consumable 1 by an air flow through the filter 14.

[0049] The aerosol generating substrate can for example comprise tobacco or nicotine. The substrate can be a solid block, or can be a loose material packed in a wrapper 13. Preferably, the substrate comprises randomly oriented tobacco shreds containing tobacco powder and an aerosol former. Suitable aerosol formers include: polyols such as sorbitol, glycerol and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; non-polyols such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerol or vegetable glycerol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent can be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0050] The tobacco shreds can be obtained by, for example, mixing tobacco powder and an aerosol former, drying the mixture into a sheet, and cutting the sheet. The matrix density is preferably 0.3 mg / mm 3 Up to 0.6 mg / mm 3 between.

[0051] The matrix density indicates the mass of matrix per volume unit in the rod-shaped portion. For randomly oriented tobacco shreds, the matrix density can be controlled by adjusting the density of the tobacco sheet during production and by adjusting the filling rate of the shreds in the rod-shaped portion. For example, a tobacco sheet with a density of 0.45 mg / mm 3 The density of the wire is 75% filled, which provides 0.337mg / mm 3 matrix density.

[0052] The tobacco sheet may be a paper reconstituted tobacco sheet, an extruded tobacco sheet or a cast tobacco sheet.

[0053] In one example, the substrate comprises between 60 wt.% and 85 wt.%, preferably between 70 wt.% and 80 wt.% of tobacco leaves and between 8 wt.% and 20 wt.%, preferably between 10 wt.% and 18 wt.% of an aerosol former, based on the total weight of the substrate. The substrate may further comprise a filler, such as cellulose pulp. The substrate may comprise between 2 wt.% and 20 wt.%, preferably between 5 wt.% and 15 wt.% of a filler. The substrate may further comprise a flavor component. The flavor may be added to the substrate as shredded shreds.

[0054] The elastic portion 12 is a portion of the consumable that resists deformation when external pressure is applied (in other words, a force is required to deform the elastic portion 12, and the elastic portion 12 relaxes to a default shape when the force is no longer applied). The elastic portion 12 can take the form of a reinforced section of a wrapper 13, wherein the wrapper is thicker or made of a different material (such as cardboard or metal) than the main body of the wrapper. In some cases, the wrapper may include a first layer extending along the length axis and a second layer located only at the elastic portion 12. Alternatively, the elastic properties of the elastic portion 12 can be provided by the rod-shaped portion 11. For example, randomly oriented tobacco shreds can be packaged in the wrapper to provide an elastic material. In some embodiments, the elastic portion 12 can be a complex structure including some internal voids and can have some initial yield or relaxation, wherein the portion deforms inelastically and then exhibits elasticity when compressed beyond the initial yield.

[0055] The wrapper 13 may, for example, comprise paper, a combination of paper and aluminum foil, cardboard, or any material suitable for storing the aerosol-generating substrate and allowing the substrate to be heated in the heating chamber. For example, the wrapper may be a sheet having an air permeability of 0-50 CU and a basis weight of 25-80 g / m 2 , paper with a thickness of 30-80 μm (with or without 20-30 μm thick aluminum foil). In a preferred example, the paper has a thickness of 35 to 50 g / m 2 and a thickness between 40 and 60 μm. In embodiments where the substrate is self-supporting, for example where the substrate is a compressed tobacco substrate with a soft granular texture (such as described in co-pending applications EP 19209350.8 entitled "Crushed Tobacco Substrate" or EP 19209346.6 entitled "Hot-pressed Tobacco Substrate"), the wrapper 13 may be omitted. The substrate may also be a mousse comprising tobacco material, an aerosol former, a foam stabilizer, a foam former, such as described in WO 2016122375 or WO 2020002607.

[0056] The aerosol-generating device 2 includes a heating chamber 21 and a heater 22 .

[0057] The heating chamber 21 is a tubular structure with a hollow interior, in which the consumable 1 or the rod-shaped portion 11 of the consumable 1 can be received. Specifically, the heating chamber includes a side wall extending between a first end 212 and a second end 213. The first end 212 is open or can be opened during use to allow the rod-shaped portion 11 to be inserted. Figure 1A As shown, the second end 213 may be open to provide an air inlet for air to flow through the consumables. Alternatively, the second end 213 may be closed to improve the heating efficiency of the heating chamber 21.

[0058] Heating chamber 21 can be formed from ceramic or metal. For example, heating chamber 21 can be formed by bending or stamping metal. In a preferred method, heating chamber 21 is formed by deep drawing, which includes: forming a metal disc blank into an initial metal cup, annealing under vacuum or inert gas; and deep drawing the initial metal cup into an elongated tubular cup with a reduced tubular wall thickness, as described in co-pending patent application EP 19196023.6 entitled "Heating Chamber."

[0059] The heater 22 can be any heater suitable for delivering heat through the side walls of the heating chamber 21 to the interior hollow of the heating chamber. For example, the heater 22 can be a planar heater attached to a flexible support and wrapped around the side walls of the heating chamber 21. Such a planar heater can be in the form of a resistive track driven by electricity, and the support can be one or more plastic or polymer (e.g., polyimide, fluoropolymer such as PTFE, or polyetheretherketone (PEEK)) sheets. Alternatively, other types of heaters can be used, such as heaters that provide heat through a chemical reaction such as the combustion of a fuel. The heating chamber can be further surrounded by an insulator such as a vacuum tube, insulating fibers and / or aerogel.

[0060] Although Figure 1A The heater 22 is shown outside the heating chamber 21, but in some embodiments, the heater 22 can be arranged inside the heating chamber 21. This will allow insulating materials to be used for the side walls of the heating chamber 21. For example, one or more blade-type or pin-type heaters 22 can be designed to fit into one or more gaps in the rod-shaped portion 11 of the consumable 1.

[0061] like Figure 1A As shown, the heating chamber 21 has a greater width than the shaft-shaped portion 11 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft-shaped portion 11. The gap formed between the heating chamber and the shaft-shaped portion allows sufficient air to flow from the open first end 212 or the second end 213 to the shaft-shaped portion to extract aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate. This also means that the end of the shaft-shaped portion 11 can be more easily inserted into the heating chamber 21, without the need for precise alignment before or during insertion.

[0062] However, in order to effectively heat the rod-shaped portion 11 to generate an aerosol, the expected temperature distribution within the heating chamber 21 must be considered, and the rod-shaped portion 11 must be precisely positioned within the heating chamber 21 to more effectively utilize this heat distribution. In order to position the consumable within the chamber 21, a plurality of inward protrusions 211 are configured to extend from the sidewalls of the heating chamber 21.

[0063] When the rod portion 11 is located in the chamber 21 , the protrusion 211 engages with and applies pressure to the elastic portion 12 , thereby securely positioning the consumables in a position within the chamber 21 where they can be heated more efficiently.

[0064] For example, when the heater 22 is configured to provide heat symmetrically across the sidewalls of the chamber 21 (e.g., the heater extends around the entire chamber 21 or includes symmetrically arranged heater portions), the protrusions 211 can be similarly configured symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (i.e., around the longitudinal axis on the inner periphery of the heating chamber 21) to assist in positioning the consumable in the center of the heating chamber. In this context, "at the center" means substantially near the center with respect to the width of the chamber 21.

[0065] like Figure 1A As shown, the projection 211 may take the form of a rib extending along the side wall, parallel to the length axis of the rod portion 11. The rib may taper towards the first end 212 of the heating chamber 21 to guide the consumable into a preferred position for heating.

[0066] One advantage of the ribs extending along the side wall is that the resilient portion 12 can be easily aligned with the protrusion 211 along the length axis of the rod portion 11 without requiring the user to precisely position the consumable product 1 along the length axis.

[0067] As an alternative, Figure 1B As shown, the protrusion 211 need not extend along the sidewall, parallel to the length axis of the rod-shaped portion 11. Instead, the resilient portion 12 can extend along the main portion of the rod-shaped portion 11, so that there is a wide range of positions along the length axis for the protrusion 211 to engage with the resilient portion 12. Such a shorter protrusion 211 can be thin enough to bend in the direction of the length axis, instead of tapering the ribs, to guide the consumables to a preferred position.

[0068] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of an aerosol-generating device 2 having a heating chamber 21 and a heater 22 as described above.

[0069] The aerosol-generating device 2 of this example is a self-contained, portable device having a power supply 24 and a controller 23 for controlling at least the heater 22. Preferably, the power supply and controller are an electrical power supply and an electronic controller, but in some embodiments the controller may be as simple as a physical switch and, in the case of a fuel-burning heater, the power supply may be a fuel supply.

[0070] In the preferred embodiment where the controller 23 is an electronic controller, the apparatus 2 may also include one or more thermistors for determining the temperature of the heater 22 or heating chamber 21 .

[0071] The controller 23 may be configured to control the heater 22 so as to heat the interior of the heating chamber according to a predetermined temperature profile.

[0072] Preferably, in the case that the aerosol generating substrate comprises tobacco, the heater 22 is controlled to heat the interior of the heating chamber 21 to at least 190°C, and more preferably between 230°C and 260°C, to generate the aerosol.

[0073] Additionally, the heater 22 is preferably controlled to maintain the interior of the heating chamber at at least 190°C, preferably above 200°C, for a predetermined puffing sequence time, during which time sufficient aerosol can be generated for a user to inhale a puff of aerosol. The puffing sequence time depends on the particular aerosol generating substrate, and can be configured by testing the aerosol composition generated at different puffing sequence times, but has been found to be suitable in certain cases to be at least four minutes. In other embodiments, instead of setting a predetermined puffing sequence time, the length of time for which the temperature is maintained can additionally or alternatively be based on a predetermined number of puffs of aerosol to be inhaled by a user. Puffing can be detected by, for example, detecting a drop in temperature, when ambient air is being drawn into the heating chamber to replace the heated aerosol-rich air.

[0074] As Figure 2 shown, the device 2 also preferably comprises a flip lid 25 to keep the heating chamber 21 closed and protected when not in use. The flip lid 25 can be, for example, a sliding flip lid constrained by a guide rail to move between a closed position and an open position.

[0075] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-section of a heating chamber 21 in a particular embodiment of an aerosol generating system. Also partially shown is a consumable 1 located in a heating position in the heating chamber 21.

[0076] As Figure 3 shown, the protrusions 211 can correspond to notches 214 on the outer surface of the heating chamber 21. In this case, no material needs to be added to the side wall to form the protrusions 211, but rather the protrusions 211 can be formed by deforming the side wall. As the wall at the notches is thinner, heat can be transferred more efficiently to the consumable at the notches by conduction, in addition to by convection through the gaps formed between the notches or past the notches.

[0077] In this particular embodiment, the second end 213 of the heating chamber 21 is closed, and arrows F1, F2, and F3 are used to illustrate the air flow that draws the aerosol from the consumable. Air enters the heating chamber 21 at the first end 212, where the consumable 1 is spaced apart from the sidewalls of the heating chamber 21. This space is defined by a protrusion 211, which positions the consumable 1 within the chamber 21. Therefore, an additional benefit of the protrusion 211 is that it supports an air flow channel for drawing air through the consumable 1. After passing along the air flow channel supported by the protrusion 211, the air flows into the consumable 1 at the end adjacent to the second end 213 of the heating chamber 21. The air then flows through the rod-shaped portion 11, which includes the aerosol-generating substrate, and picks up the generated aerosol, flowing out of the consumable along arrow F3. The consumable 1 may include a space 15 for cooling the air and may include a filter 14. This space can advantageously be formed by a hollow paper tube. The filter 14 can advantageously be formed into two sections: one of which can be a hollow filter section and the other a flat filter section. These sections can be individually wrapped using a roll assembly and combined using a shared roll assembly to form the filter. The paper tube, filter, and rod-shaped portion can be combined using a single or double layer of tipping paper. The air holes can be formed, for example, by passing a laser through the wrapping, preferably through the paper tube and tipping paper near the filter (e.g., at a distance of 1-2 mm).

[0078] Alternatively, in the case where the consumable 1 is not configured for the user to inhale the aerosol directly from the consumable, the consumable 1 may include only the rod-shaped portion 11, and the aerosol-carrying air at the arrow F3 may be further drawn through the structure of the aerosol generating device 2 to a reusable or semi-disposable mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device 2 that is separate from the consumable 1.

[0079] Preferably, the heating chamber 21 further comprises a platform 215 at the second end 213 extending into the interior volume of the heating chamber 21. The longer width of the platform is preferably less than the width of the consumable. The platform 215 facilitates air flow by supporting the consumable 1 at least partially separated from the second end 213, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 shown.

[0080] like Figure 3 As shown, in addition to engaging with the elastic portion 12, the protrusion 211 can also partially compress the shaft portion 11. The shaft portion need not be elastic along the entire contact area with the protrusion. Compressing the aerosol-generating substrate in the shaft portion 11 has an improved aerosol generation effect for a given temperature profile. Therefore, an additional benefit of the protrusion 211 is improved aerosol generation.

[0081] The length L1 of the shaft portion 11 can be compared to the length L2 of the rib 211 (i.e., the length of the protrusion 211 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion 11). For visual convenience, one end of the rib 211 is aligned with one end of the shaft portion 11 (as indicated by the transverse dashed line 19), but this is generally not necessary. The length L2 is preferably at least 50% of L1 (or, if not the entire length L1 of the shaft portion 11, the length of the predetermined section containing the aerosol-generating substrate), more preferably between 60% and 70%, in order to significantly enhance aerosol generation by compressing the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0082] Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 Schematic cross section of the aerosol generating system shown in FIG in a plane passing through the protrusion 211 and perpendicular to the length axis of the rod-shaped portion 11. This plane corresponds to Figure 3 The dotted line X1 in .

[0083] like Figure 4 As shown, four protrusions 211 are symmetrically distributed around the inner circumference of the circular heating chamber 21. The heater 22 is arranged to surround the exterior of the heating chamber 21 and to supply heat symmetrically toward the center of the heating chamber 21. In this case, the elastic portion 12 of the consumable 1 is positioned in the center of the heating chamber 21 by the protrusions 211. Furthermore, although the elastic portion 12 is rounded when uncompressed, it partially deforms when positioned in the heating chamber 21. This is because the space between the ends of the protrusions 211 is smaller than the width of the elastic portion 12 when uncompressed.

[0084] The protrusion 211 has a rounded profile that can be formed, for example, when the side wall of the heating chamber 21 is bent to form the protrusion 211. (For simplicity, the following are omitted.) Figure 3 Corresponding recesses 214 are shown on the outer surface of the heating chamber 21).

[0085] Constructed corresponding to Figure 3 and Figure 4 A specific example of the shape of the heating chamber and consumables shown in . Figure 3 , the rod-shaped portion 11 has a length L1 of 20 mm, and a distance L2 between the platform 213 and the proximal end of the rib 211 along the length axis is 8 mm. Figure 4 In a specific example, the rod-shaped portion has a width of 7.0 mm and the heating chamber has a maximum inner diameter of 7.6 mm and four rounded protrusions with a maximum radial length of 0.4 mm (measured from the inner surface of the chamber).

[0086] As described above, the elastic portion 12 is a portion of the consumable that resists deformation when an external pressure is applied. This resistance to deformation can be measured by comparing the strain on the elastic portion 12 under a given applied force. Figures 5A and 5B provide schematic illustrations of strain measurements on a consumable.

[0087] FIG5A illustrates a test apparatus 3 for applying a predetermined force to an object between two surfaces 31 and 32. Test apparatus 3 may be, for example, a fixture or a press. As shown in FIG5B , an actuator 33 applies a predetermined force to one surface 31 and moves the surface 31 until the force is balanced by the stress in the object.

[0088] 5A and 5B , the elastic portion 12 initially has a width W1 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped portion 11. When a sample of a 10 mm rod-shaped portion including the elastic portion 12 is subjected to a predetermined force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped portion 11 at a speed of 50 mm / min in the testing apparatus 3, the elastic portion 12 has a width W2 and exhibits a strain rate equal to (W1-W2) / W1.

[0089] Preferably, for the system according to the invention, the elastic portion 12 exhibits a strain rate (expressed in %) of less than 10%, and more preferably between 1% and 8%, when compressed by an applied force of 0.4 N in the configuration shown in FIG. 5B .

[0090] Additionally or alternatively, when compressed by an applied force of 8 N in the configuration shown in FIG. 5B , the elastic portion 12 preferably exhibits a strain rate lower than 15%, and more preferably between 5% and 14%.

[0091] For example, when a first consumable having a paper wrapper and a rod-shaped portion of reconstituted tobacco shreds with a matrix density of approximately 0.3 was compressed with an applied force of 0.4 N and 8 N, respectively, the strain rates were approximately 6% and 12%, respectively. When a second consumable having a paper and aluminum wrapper and a rod-shaped portion of randomly oriented reconstituted tobacco shreds with a matrix density of approximately 0.3 was compressed with an applied force of 0.4 N and 8 N, respectively, the strain rates were approximately 2.5% and 5.5%, respectively. In comparison, when a third consumable having a paper wrapper and a rod-shaped portion of a gathered sheet of reconstituted tobacco with a matrix density of approximately 0.65 was compressed with an applied force of 0.4 N and 8 N, respectively, the strain rates were approximately 10% and 15%, respectively. The third consumable exhibited a lower ability to position itself in the center of the heating chamber and had a higher risk of misalignment.

[0092] Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of an alternative aerosol generating system in which the heating chamber 21 has three protrusions 211 instead of four as in the above example. Figure 4Instead of the rounded protrusion 211 shown, the protrusion of this alternative has straight sides. Depending on the technology used to manufacture the heating chamber 21, such straight sides may be simpler to produce than curved sides. Figure 6 As shown, the positioning element is still able to engage with the resilient portion 12 and position the consumable product within the chamber. Figure 4 As in the example of FIG, the elastic portion 12 is compressed where it engages with and bulges between the protrusions 211. However, in this case, the deformation is less localized and spreads around the surface of the elastic portion 12. More generally, the heating chamber 21 may have any number of protrusions 211 extending from the sidewalls and distributed around the inner circumference of the heating chamber 21, and in addition to employing a method such as Figure 1A and Figure 1B In addition to the different shapes shown parallel to the length axis, the cross section of each protrusion 211 perpendicular to the length axis can also have any surface shape.

[0093] Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of an alternative aerosol generating system in which the heating chamber 21 and the resilient portion 12 are not rounded but are approximately square. In polygonal heating chambers or heating chambers having partly curved and partly flat side walls in general, the advantages of the protrusions 211 described above also apply, as the consumable can be positioned to be subjected to pressure to obtain improved heating efficiency, improved aerosol generation and air flow through the consumable. Likewise, the resilient portion 12 need not be circular in cross-section when not compressed and may take any shape that can be positioned using a suitably sized and positioned protrusion 211. Figure 7 In the example of , the elastic portion 12 is rectangular when uncompressed and has four sides that are compressed at the locations where they engage with the protrusions 211 and protrude between the protrusions 211, but the protrusions are also limited by the rectangular corners formed in the elastic portion (for example, the corners formed in the wrap).

[0094] Figure 8is a schematic illustration of an alternative aerosol-generating system in which the heater 22 is arranged on a specific side of a rectangular heating chamber 21. In this asymmetric configuration of the heater 22, positioning the resilient portion 12 in the center of the heating chamber 21 does not result in the most efficient heating of the aerosol-generating substrate, and the rod-shaped portion 11 is preferably positioned against a specific side of the heating chamber 21. In this case, only two protrusions 211 are included, and these two protrusions are arranged to extend inwardly from the side of the heating chamber 21 opposite the specific side on which the heater 22 is arranged. In addition, since the protrusions 211 only need to apply pressure in parallel toward the specific side, the protrusions can have a simple rectangular cross-section. More generally, it will be appreciated that, based on the position of the heater 22 and the shape of the chamber 21, the protrusions 211 may preferably be distributed differently around the inner circumference of the heating chamber 21, depending on the desired temperature distribution.

[0095] from Figure 8 It can also be seen that in this case the position of the elastic portion 12 between the two remaining sides of the heating chamber 21 is not important, since the heater 22 extends on a specific side. In this case, the rod-shaped portion 11 can be allowed to move freely within the chamber without being unnecessarily positioned by an additional protrusion 211 between the two remaining sides.

[0096] Figure 9 is an example temperature curve of the heating chamber when generating aerosol, where the y-axis shows the heating temperature (degrees Celsius) and the x-axis shows time (arbitrary units). The heating temperature can be measured at the heater 22 or the heating chamber, for example, using a temperature sensor or using the thermistor characteristics of the heater 22.

[0097] In this example, the aerosol generation period includes a temperature increase phase t1, during which the heating temperature is increased to at least the aerosol generation temperature T2. The length of the temperature increase phase t1 may be predetermined, or may be until the aerosol generation temperature T2 is reached. In another example, the temperature increase phase t1 may continue until feedback from the temperature sensor 13 indicates that the aerosol generation temperature T2 has been reached. The aerosol generation temperature T2 is selected based on the type of aerosol generating substrate and is the temperature at which aerosol is generated by heating the aerosol generating substrate. Figure 3 As shown, the temperature of the heater is raised in some manner above the aerosol generation temperature T2, and the aerosol generation temperature is the lower limit of aerosol generation. In the example where the aerosol generating substrate includes tobacco and an aerosol former, 190°C has been found to be suitable as the value of T2, and aerosol generation is improved by further heating the aerosol generating substrate to between 230°C and 260°C.

[0098] Then, temperature maintenance phase t2 occurs, in which the heating temperature is maintained. Although the temperature is shown as flat, it may change near the desired temperature. For example, the pulse width modulation (PWM) control of the heater can be used to maintain the temperature. During this time, aerosol can be extracted from the aerosol generation substrate by one or more puffs. In an example in which the aerosol generation substrate includes tobacco and an aerosol-forming agent, it has been found that 4 minutes 10 seconds is a suitable example length of t2.

[0099] Finally, a temperature reduction phase t3 occurs, during which the heating temperature is allowed to decrease below the aerosol generation temperature T2. Typically, the heater is not powered during the temperature reduction phase, but controlling the cooling rate can be advantageous, for example, in cleaning the heating chamber after use. The duration of the temperature reduction phase t3 is generally unrestricted, and in some cases, the temperature reduction phase can be interrupted by the start of the next aerosol generation period. However, in some embodiments, a minimum duration t3 can be set, such as 20 seconds.

[0100] In one example, it was found that such a temperature profile (particularly by continuing to heat the aerosol-generating substrate to between 230°C and 260°C during the vaporization period) combined with the pressure applied by the protrusions can increase nicotine delivery from the tobacco substrate by 50%, in one case increasing nicotine delivery from 0.462 mg per rod-shaped portion to 0.708 mg per rod-shaped portion. At the same time, when the aerosol former is vegetable glycerin, it was found that glycerin delivery increased from 2.843 mg per rod-shaped portion to 4.718 mg per rod-shaped portion, thereby significantly increasing the amount of aerosol generated.

[0101] The tobacco rod was inserted into a Borgwaldt automatic smoking machine in an environment with a room temperature of 22°C, a relative humidity of 60%, a wind speed of 0.2m / s and the Canadian Ministry of Health's vigorous smoking method (puff volume of 55cc / 2sec, puff time of 2sec, puff interval of 30sec, and 8 puffs). The air dilution perforation was not closed. The mouth end of the tobacco rod was set in the automatic smoking machine and the device was turned on. When the preheating was detected to be complete by the signal (vibration) of the device, the first puff operation was performed. Thereafter, puff operations were performed at intervals of 30 seconds. A Cambridge filter (Borgwaldt, 400 filter 44mm) was used to collect particulate components in mainstream smoke. For the particulate components, the amount of TPM (particulate components: total specific substances) was calculated based on the weight change of the Cambridge filter. After shaking and extracting with 10mL of isopropanol for 20 minutes, the levels of water, nicotine and glycerol were measured using GC-FID / TCD (6890N, Agilent).

[0102] exist Figure 1AIn some embodiments, the consumable 1 comprises a filter 14 which can be used by a user as a mouthpiece to inhale the generated aerosol. However, in other embodiments, the consumable can not be designed for direct inhalation of the aerosol by a user. For example, the consumable 1 can be entirely enclosed within a device 2 which generates the aerosol and provides it through a separate outlet or mouthpiece.

[0103] In some embodiments, the length axis of the consumable 1 as a whole can be different from the length axis of the rod portion 11 which is inserted into the heating chamber 21. For example, the consumable 1 can comprise additional features which are not designed to fit into the heating chamber 21. In this case, the length axis of the rod portion 11 is the axis in relation to the identification resilient portion 12.

[0104] The term "heater" is understood to mean any device for outputting thermal energy sufficient to form an aerosol from an aerosol substrate. The transfer of thermal energy from the heater 54 to the aerosol substrate can be conductive, convective, radiative, or any combination of these. As non-limiting examples, a conductive heater can directly contact and press the aerosol substrate, or these heaters can contact a separate component (e.g. a heating chamber) which itself causes the aerosol substrate to warm by conduction, convection and / or radiation.

[0105] The heater can be electrically powered, combustion driven, or driven in any other suitable manner. Electrically powered heaters can include resistive track elements (optionally including insulating wrapping), induction heating systems (e.g. including electromagnets and high frequency oscillators), and the like. The heater 54 can be arranged around the exterior of the aerosol substrate, it can partially or completely penetrate into the aerosol substrate, or any combination of these. For example, in addition to the heaters of the above-described embodiments, the aerosol generating device can have a blade heater which extends into the aerosol substrate in the heating chamber.

[0106] The term "temperature sensor" is used to describe an element capable of determining the absolute or relative temperature of a portion of the aerosol generating device 2. This can include thermocouples, thermopiles, thermistors, and the like. The temperature sensor can be provided as part of another component, or it can be a separate component. In some examples, more than one temperature sensor can be provided, for example to monitor the heating of different portions of the aerosol generating device 2 in order to determine, for example, a heat profile. Alternatively, in some examples, no temperature sensor is included; this would be possible, for example, where a heat profile has been reliably established and the temperature can be assumed based on the operation of the heater 22.

[0107] Aerosol generation matrix comprises tobacco of for example drying or baking form, has for seasoning or produces smoother or other more pleasant experience additional component in some cases.In some examples, matrix such as tobacco can be processed with vaporizer.Vaporizer can improve and produce steam from matrix.For example, vaporizer can comprise polyols such as glycerol or ethylene glycol such as propylene glycol.In some cases, matrix may not contain tobacco or even contain nicotine, but may contain natural or artificial extraction composition, for seasoning, volatilization, improve smoothness and / or provide other pleasant effects.Matrix can be set to be the material of solid or paste type in shredded shape, pill, powder, granular, strip or sheet form, alternatively its combination form.In addition, aerosol matrix can comprise liquid or gel.

[0108] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating device 2 may be referred to as a "heated tobacco device," a "heat-but-do-not-burn tobacco device," a "device for vaporizing tobacco products," or the like, and this is to be interpreted as being suitable for devices that achieve these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices designed to vaporize any aerosol substrate.

[0109] The aerosol generating device 2 can be arranged to receive the aerosol matrix in the pre-packaged matrix carrier. The matrix carrier can be substantially similar to a cigarette, with a tubular area, and this tubular area has the aerosol matrix arranged in an appropriate manner. In some designs, a filter, a vapor collection area, a cooling area and other structures can also be included. The outer layer (such as foil) of paper or other flexible planar materials can also be provided, for example, to hold the aerosol matrix in place, to be further similar to a cigarette etc. The matrix carrier can be assembled in the heating chamber 11, or can be longer than the heating chamber 11, so that when the aerosol generating device 2 is provided with the matrix carrier, the flip cover 25 remains open. In such an embodiment, aerosol can be directly provided from the matrix carrier, which is used as the mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device.

[0110] As used herein, the term "fluid" should be understood to broadly refer to non-solid materials capable of flowing, including but not limited to liquids, pastes, gels, powders, and the like. "Fluidized material" should accordingly be interpreted as a material that is inherently fluid, or a material that has been modified to behave as a fluid. Fluidization may include, but is not limited to, powderization, dissolution in a solvent, gelation, thickening, and dilution.

[0111] As used herein, the term "volatile" refers to a substance that can readily change from a solid or liquid state to a gaseous state. As a non-limiting example, a volatile substance may be a substance that has a boiling or sublimation temperature close to room temperature at ambient pressure. Thus, "volatilize" or "volatilise" should be interpreted as meaning to volatilize (a material) and / or to cause it to evaporate or disperse in a vapor.

[0112] As used herein, the term "vapour" or "vapor" means: (i) the form to which a liquid naturally transforms when subjected to sufficient heat; or (ii) liquid / moisture particles suspended in the atmosphere and visible as clouds of steam / fume; or (iii) a fluid that fills space like a gas but liquefies under pressure alone below its critical temperature.

[0113] Consistent with this definition, the terms "vaporize" or "vaporize" refer to: (i) to change or cause to change into a vapor; and (ii) the condition where a particle changes physical state (ie, from a liquid or solid to a gas).

[0114] As used herein, the term "atomize" shall mean: (i) reducing (a substance, especially a liquid) into very small particles or droplets; and (ii) maintaining the particles in the same physical state (liquid or solid) as before atomization.

[0115] As used herein, the term "aerosol" shall refer to a system of particles dispersed in air or a gas (such as mist, dust cloud or smoke). Therefore, the term "aerosolize" or "aerosolize" refers to making and / or dispersing into an aerosol. It should be noted that the meaning of aerosol / aerosolization is consistent with each of volatilization, atomization and vaporization defined above. For the avoidance of doubt, aerosol is used to consistently describe a mist or droplet comprising atomized, volatilized or vaporized particles. Aerosol also includes a mist or droplet comprising any combination of atomized, volatilized or vaporized particles.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating system comprising: a consumable comprising a rod-shaped portion comprising an aerosol-generating substrate; a heating chamber comprising a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending around the heating chamber between the first end and the second end, the heating chamber being configured to receive the rod-shaped portion of the consumable; as well as a heater configured to deliver heat from the sidewall to the heating chamber, wherein: The width of the cavity is greater than the width of the rod-shaped portion, The consumable includes a resilient portion surrounding the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped portion, The heating chamber further includes a plurality of inward protrusions extending from the side wall and distributed around the inner periphery of the heating chamber, and The protrusions are configured to engage with and apply pressure to the resilient portion to position the consumable within the chamber, Wherein, when the elastic portion is compressed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rod shape of the rod-shaped portion by a force of 0.4N, the consumable exhibits a strain rate lower than 10%.

2. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein The protrusions are configured symmetrically about the length axis to assist in positioning the consumable in the center of the chamber.

3. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The first end of the heating chamber is open to receive the rod-shaped portion, and the second end of the heating chamber is closed.

4. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein When the elastic portion is compressed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rod shape of the rod-shaped portion by a force of 8 N, the consumable exhibits a strain rate lower than 15%.

5. An aerosol generating system according to claim 4, wherein When the elastic portion is compressed perpendicularly to the length axis of the rod shape by a force of 0.4 N, the consumable exhibits a strain rate between 1% and 8%.

6. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein: The rod-shaped portion comprises a wrapping surrounding the matrix, and the elastic portion comprises a portion of the wrapping.

7. An aerosol generating system according to claim 6, wherein: The wrapper comprises cellulose paper.

8. An aerosol generating system according to claim 7, wherein: The wrapper comprises cellulose paper with an aluminum foil layer.

9. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein: The substrate comprises tobacco.

10. An aerosol generating system according to claim 9, wherein The matrix comprises randomly oriented tobacco shreds containing tobacco powder and an aerosol former.

11. An aerosol generating system according to claim 10, wherein: The tobacco shreds have a strength of 0.3 mg / mm 3 and 0.6 mg / mm 3 The matrix density between .

12. An aerosol generating system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein The substrate comprises between 60 wt.% and 85 wt.% tobacco leaf, and between 8 wt.% and 20 wt.% aerosol former, and between 5 wt.% and 15 wt.% filler, based on the total weight of the substrate.

13. An aerosol generating system according to claim 9, wherein: The substrate is a compressed tobacco substrate with a soft granular texture, or a mousse.

14. An aerosol generating system according to claim 9, wherein: The heater is configured to heat the interior of the heating chamber to at least 190°C.

15. An aerosol generating system according to claim 14, wherein The heater is configured to heat the interior of the heating chamber to between 230°C and 260°C.

16. An aerosol generating system according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein The heater is configured to maintain the interior of the heating chamber at at least 190° C. for a predetermined puff sequence time.

17. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein: The projections are ribs which extend along the side wall parallel to the length axis of the rod-shaped portion when the rod-shaped portion is received in the heating chamber.

18. An aerosol generating system according to claim 17, wherein The matrix is ​​arranged in a predetermined section of the rod-shaped portion extending along the length axis, and the length of the ribs is at least 50% of the length of the predetermined section.

19. An aerosol generating system according to claim 18, wherein The length of the ribs is between 60% and 70% of the length of the predetermined section.

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