Packaging for a non-combustible aerosol provision system

Abstract

A package for a non-combustible aerosol provision system having a heating element for heating an aerosol generating material, the package comprising means for removing the heating element from the non-combustible aerosol provision system for disposal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to packaging for non-combustible aerosol provision systems and methods of use thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] There is a trend towards increasing the recyclability and sustainability of consumer goods to reduce the damage to the environment. Manufacturers and suppliers can also benefit from recycling as manufacturing costs can be reduced by reusing recycled components.

[0003] There are often difficulties in engaging consumers in recycling, particularly where the recycling behaviour places an additional burden on them, such as sorting their waste into different recyclable categories. SUMMARY

[0004] According to some embodiments described herein, in a first aspect, there is provided packaging for a non-combustible aerosol provision system having a heating element for heating aerosol generating material, the packaging comprising means for removing the heating element from the non-combustible aerosol provision system for disposal.

[0005] According to some embodiments described herein, in a second aspect, there is provided a method of arranging a heating element of a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the method comprising:

[0006] providing packaging having means for removing the heating element from the non-combustible aerosol provision system; and

[0007] removing the heating element from the non-combustible aerosol provision system for disposal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an article comprising a heating element for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision apparatus;

[0009] Figure 2 is a detailed view of a heating element for an aerosol provision system;

[0010] Figure 3 is a detailed view of a heating element for an aerosol provision system;

[0011] Figure 4 is a detailed view of a heating element for an aerosol provision system;

[0012] Figure 5 is a detailed view of a heating element for an aerosol provision system;

[0013] Figure 6 is a detailed view of a heating element for an aerosol provision system;

[0014] Figure 7 is a detailed view of a heating element for an aerosol provision system;

[0015] Figure 8 is a package for an aerosol provision system;

[0016] Figure 9 is a package for an aerosol provision system comprising a disposal compartment;

[0017] Figure 10 is a detailed view of a heating element removal device;

[0018] Figure 11 is a detailed view of a heating element removal device;

[0019] Figure 12 is a tool for removing a heating element from an aerosol provision system;

[0020] Figure 13 is a tool for removing a heating element from an aerosol provision system; and

[0021] Figure 14 is a tool for removing a heating element from an aerosol provision system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] According to the present disclosure, a“non-combustible” aerosol provision system is a system in which, in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to a user, a constituent aerosol generating material of the aerosol provision system (or a component thereof) does not combust or burn.

[0023] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, for example a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0024] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not essential.

[0025] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0026] In some implementations, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is a mixing system that uses a combination of aerosol-generating materials to generate aerosols, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials can be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine.

[0027] In some implementations, the mixing system includes a liquid or gel aerosol generating material and a solid aerosol generating material. The solid aerosol generating material may include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0028] Typically, a non-flammable aerosol supply system may include non-flammable aerosol supply equipment and consumables used in conjunction with the non-flammable aerosol supply equipment.

[0029] In some embodiments, this disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating materials and configured for use with non-flammable aerosol supply equipment. Throughout this disclosure, these consumables are sometimes referred to as articles.

[0030] Figure 1 Article 1 is shown, and in some embodiments, article 1 forms part of a non-flammable sol supply system including article 1 and a non-flammable sol supply device.

[0031] Article 1 includes a rod-shaped aerosol generating section 2 surrounded by a wrapper 3. A heating element 4 extends axially within the aerosol generating section 2. In some embodiments, the heating element 4 is a sensor. In this embodiment, the heating element 4 is a ferrous material configured to be heated by induction. The heating element 4 can be heated by an induction heater, for example, when article 1 is inserted into a non-flammable aerosol supply system. Thus, the heating element 4 is configured to heat the aerosol generating section 2 when article 1 is used with a non-flammable aerosol supply system. Heat from the heating element 4 is transferred from the heating element to the aerosol generating material 5 of the aerosol generating section 2 to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

[0032] Figure 1 The product also includes a cooling pipe 6, a filter plug 7, and a nozzle tube 8, all of which are coaxially aligned with the aerosol generation section 2 and attached thereto by a series of overlapping packaging materials 9, 10, and 11. This type of product 1 is typically discarded after use. Environmental benefits exist if consumer participation in recycling can be encouraged.

[0033] The heating element 4 can be made of any material suitable for induction heating. In this embodiment, the heating element is made of an ferrous material (such as steel). For recycling, this material must be separated from the aerosol generation section 2.

[0034] This invention provides packaging 12 for a non-flammable aerosol supply system. Packaging 12 includes means 13 for removing heating elements from the non-flammable aerosol supply system for individual disposal or recycling. (See reference...) Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the described embodiment, package 12 is configured to receive article 1 from a non-flammable aerosol supply system, substantially as follows: Figure 1 As shown. However, it should be understood that the packaging 12 can take any form, such as any conventional form of packaging 12 generally used for aerosol supply systems. The key requirement is that the packaging 12 is provided with means 13 for removing the heating element of the aerosol supply system, and the packaging 12 is configured for such an aerosol supply system.

[0035] exist Figure 8 In this embodiment, the package 12 takes the form of a conventional hinged-lid package 14, such as the type of package 14 widely used in the tobacco industry for rod-shaped articles. The package 14 includes a box-shaped base portion 15, a box-shaped lid portion 16, and an inner frame 17 extending from the base portion 15 to engage the lid portion 16 when closed. Both the lid portion 16 and the base portion 15 include a front plate and a rear plate 17, 18, 17', 18' separated by side plates 19, 20, 19', 20'. The base portion 15 also includes a base plate 21 extending across the respective lower edges of the front plate, rear plate, and side plates 17, 18, 19, 20. The lid portion 16 also includes a top plate 22 extending across the respective upper edges of the front plate, rear plate, and side plates 17', 18', 19', 20'. The cover 16 is hinged to the point where the lower edge of the back plate 18' of the cover 16 coincides with the upper edge of the back plate 18 of the base 15. The package 14 can be formed in a conventional manner from a folded blank of cardboard.

[0036] Figure 8 The diagram schematically illustrates a device 13 for removing the heating element 4 from the article 1 in the package 14. In this embodiment, the device 13 is arranged on the inner surface 23 of the top plate 22 of the cover 16. It should be understood that the device 13 is not limited to any particular form, but is defined solely by its function of removing the heating element 4 from the non-flammable aerosol supply system.

[0037] In one embodiment where the heating element 4 is made of a ferromagnetic material, the device is a magnet 24. Figure 7In this embodiment, the user can press the aerosol-generating section 2 of the used product 1 onto the inner surface 23 of the top plate 22, above the magnet 24. When the product is removed from the magnet 24, the heating element 4 is pulled out of the aerosol-generating section 2 by its attraction to the magnet 24. The user can then pick out the heating element 4 from the magnet 24 and dispose of the heating element 4 and product 1 separately.

[0038] The magnet 24 can be applied to the top plate 22 of the package 14 by adhesive, or it can be integrated into the top plate 22 by, for example, sandwiching the magnet 24 between the top plate 22 and the cardboard layer 25. Figure 10 As shown. Figure 10 This is a cross-section, where different layers are shown as spaced apart for easy reference. (For construction purposes...) Figure 10 In one embodiment, a magnet 24 is first applied to a cardboard blank (not shown) for forming the package 14; then a cardboard layer 25 is applied over the magnet 24 and adhered to the blank by an adhesive 26. The package 14 can then be formed from the blank by folding it in a conventional manner.

[0039] It should be understood that, despite Figure 8 In this embodiment, a device 13 for removing the heating element 4 is applied to the inner surface 23 of the top plate 22, wherein the device is a magnet 24, which can be easily applied to any other plate of the package 14 in the same manner as described above. Furthermore, the user does not need to apply the article 1 to the side of the plate to which the magnet 23 is attached, because the magnetic field will extend through the plate. Therefore, in Figure 8 In one embodiment, the user can also apply the article 1 to the outer surface of the top plate 22 to achieve a similar effect.

[0040] Figures 2 to 7 It shows Figure 1 The heating element 4 of the article 1 shown can take various forms. Each figure shows a cross-section of the aerosol generation section 2 in the longitudinal direction and a third-angle projection of that cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction. It should be understood that the preferred configuration of the device 13 for removing the heating element 4 will depend primarily on the form of the heating element 4. For example, in another embodiment, the device 13 includes a hook 27. The heating element 4 includes a ring 28 or a hole 29 (such as...). Figure 2 and Figure 5 In the case of heating element 4), hook 27 is preferred. This is because hook 27 can be used to engage the inner edge of the ring or holes 28, 29 to pull the heating element out from the aerosol generation section 2.

[0041] exist Figure 8In some embodiments, where the device is a hook 27, the hook 27 may be integrated into the top plate 22 of the package 14 or may be removably attached to the top plate 22. However, it should be understood that the hook 27 may be integrated into or removably attached to any plate of the package 14, as will be explained below.

[0042] Hook 27 can be integrated into the board of packaging 14, so that it stands upright from the board, as... Figure 11 As shown – in this case, top plate 22. In the example embodiment, hook 27 is formed from a single line having a straight section 28 and a hook-shaped end 29. The straight section 28 is sandwiched between plate 22 and a covering cardboard layer 30 bonded to plate 22. For construction Figure 11 In one embodiment, hook 27 is first applied to a cardboard blank (not shown) for forming package 14; then a cardboard layer 30 is applied over the straight section 28 of hook 27 and adhered to the blank by adhesive 31. Package 14 can then be formed from the blank by folding it in a conventional manner.

[0043] exist Figure 8 In some embodiments, device 13 may alternatively include a tool 32 removably attached to the inner surface 23 of the top plate 22 of package 14. Tool 32 may take the form of... Figures 12 to 14 Any embodiment of the form. It should be understood that, Figures 12 to 14 The tool 32 does not need to be attached to the inner surface 23 of the top plate 22 of the package 14, but can be removably attached to any other plate of the package as needed.

[0044] In one embodiment, tool 32 takes the form of hook 33, such as Figure 12 As shown. Hook 33 is formed from a single line and includes a hook-shaped end 34 and a loop-shaped end 35 separated by a straight section 36. The loop-shaped end 35 serves as a handle. Tool 32 can be removably attached to the packaging by repeatedly applying adhesive. The user can remove tool 32 when needed and then replace tool 32 at the same location by pressing it into the adhesive. The hook-shaped end 34 of tool 32 can be used for engagement. Figure 2 and Figure 5 The ring 28 or hole 29 of the heating element 4.

[0045] Figure 13The tool 32 takes the form of a pair of pliers or tweezers 37. In other words, the tool 32 includes two flexible arms 38 attached to the proximal end 39 of the tool 32. The arms 38 are cantilevered relative to the proximal end 39, such that the distal ends 40 of the arms 38 can be pressed together to achieve a gripping action. In use, the distal ends 40 of the arms 38 can be inserted into the aerosol generating section 2 of the article 1, such that the ends 40 of the arms 38 cover the ends of the heating element 4. The user can then press the arms 38 together to grasp the heating element 4 and pull to remove the heating element 4 from the article 1. Figure 13 Tools can be used to remove Figures 2 to 7 Any of the heating elements shown, but most suitable Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The heating elements are unlikely to be shaped to fit onto the aerosol-generating material in aerosol-generating section 2. Specifically, Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The heating element has a constant cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generation section. This means that when pulled in the longitudinal direction, Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The heating element 4 does not cause the aerosol-generating material to shift within the aerosol-generating section 2 and can be removed with relatively little force. Specifically, Figure 6 A cylindrical heating element 40 is shown, extending centrally along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generation section 2. Figure 7 In one embodiment, the tubular heating element 41 extends along the longitudinal axis. Figure 6 and Figure 7 All embodiments can be used Figure 13 The tools are easy and simple to remove. Figure 3 In one embodiment, the heating element 4 includes three cylindrical elements 42, which are uniformly spaced apart at approximately the same spacing as the aerosol generation section 2. When used... Figure 13 When using the tool, each cylindrical element 42 can be removed individually. Furthermore, if Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 If any embodiment is made of a ferromagnetic material, then they can be easily and simply removed by a magnet (such as magnet 24 in the above embodiment).

[0046] Figure 14 The tool is a hex wrench 45 configured for removing threaded heating elements. This threaded heating element 43 is... Figure 4As shown in the figure. In this embodiment, the heating element 43 includes a hexagonal socket 44 at the distal end of the heating element 43, which coincides with the distal end of the article 1. Therefore, the user can insert a hexagonal wrench 45 into the hexagonal socket 44 and unscrew the heating element 43 from the aerosol generating section 2. The hexagonal wrench 45 includes a hexagonal shaft 46 with a flat end 47, which the user can manipulate to rotate the hexagonal wrench 45.

[0047] In some embodiments of the invention, the packaging 14 further includes a disposal compartment 48 for collecting the heating elements 4 for separate disposal. Figure 9 In this embodiment, the treatment compartment 48 is disposed within the cover 16 of the packaging 14. In addition to the treatment compartment, Figure 8 The packaging 14 is basically as shown in the previous image. Figure 7 As described, the same features retain the same reference numerals. However, it should be understood that the precise form of the package 14 can vary. In this embodiment, the disposal compartment 48 includes a pocket 49 embedded in the upper surface 50 of the package 15. This package 14 can be formed from a cardboard blank in the manner described above, but with an additional board (not shown) for forming the pocket 49. During the construction of the package 14, the additional board is folded down below the opening in the top board and adhered thereto.

[0048] As shown, the device 13 for removing the heating element 4 can be installed in the processing chamber 48. Figure 9 The illustrated specific embodiment shows a bottom plate removably attached to bag 49. Figure 12 Tools, but any device described herein may be removably attached to or integrated into the bottom plate of the bag described.

[0049] The various embodiments described herein are provided solely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be used and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. In addition to those specifically described herein, various embodiments of the invention may suitably include, constitute, or substantially constitute suitable combinations of, the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc. Furthermore, this disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A package for a non-flammable aerosol supply system, the non-flammable aerosol supply system comprising a non-flammable aerosol supply device and consumables for use with the non-flammable aerosol supply device, the consumables comprising an aerosol generating section surrounded by the package and a heating element extending axially within the aerosol generating section, the heating element for heating aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating section, wherein the package includes means for removing the heating element from the aerosol generating section of the non-flammable aerosol supply system for disposal.

2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein, The heating element is made of ferrous material, and the device for removing the heating element from the aerosol generation section includes a magnet.

3. The packaging according to claim 2, wherein, The package includes a top panel, and the magnet is sandwiched between the top panel and a cardboard layer.

4. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein, The device for removing the heating element from the aerosol generation section includes a hook.

5. The packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The packaging includes a base and a cover.

6. The packaging according to claim 5, wherein, The cover is hingedly attached to the base.

7. The packaging according to claim 6, wherein, The package includes a main compartment and a treatment compartment, wherein the means for removing the heating element is disposed in the treatment compartment.

8. The packaging according to claim 7, wherein, The treatment area is located within the cover.

9. The packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The device for removing the heating element is integrated into the packaging.

10. The packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The device for removing the heating element is a removable tool from the packaging.

11. The packaging according to claim 10, wherein, The tool includes a pair of clamping pliers.

12. The packaging according to claim 10, wherein, The tool can be releasably attached to the inside of the cover.

13. The packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The heating element includes a ring or a hole.

14. The packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The heating element includes an eyelet for engaging with a hook of a means for removing the heating element from the aerosol generation section.

15. The packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The heating element includes a threaded portion that engages with an aerosol-generating material of the article, and the means for removing the heating element from the aerosol-generating section includes means for unscrewing the heating element from the aerosol-generating material.

16. A method for disposing of a heating element in a non-flammable aerosol supply system, the non-flammable aerosol supply system comprising a non-flammable aerosol supply device and consumables for use with the non-flammable aerosol supply device, the consumables comprising an aerosol generation section surrounded by packaging and a heating element extending axially within the aerosol generation section, the heating element being used to heat aerosol generation material in the aerosol generation section, the method comprising: A package is provided for the non-flammable aerosol supply system, the package having means for removing the heating element from the aerosol generation section of the non-flammable aerosol supply system; as well as The heating element is removed from the non-flammable aerosol supply system using the device for disposal.

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