Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an aerosol-generating device (1) comprising a body (100), a heating element (110) connected to the body (100), a cover (200) slidably mounted to the body (100) to be slidable along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device (1); and a consumable holder (300). The consumable holder (300) defines a consumable receiving cavity for receiving a consumable (70) and positioning the consumable (70) relative to the heating element (110), where the heating element (110) is positionable within the consumable receiving cavity. The consumable holder (300) is movable relative to each of the body (100) and the lid (200).

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to EP22193286.6 filed on August 31, 2022, the contents and elements of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to aerosol-generating devices. Background Art

[0003] A typical aerosol generating device may comprise a power source, an aerosol generating unit driven by the power source, an aerosol precursor which is atomised by the aerosol generating unit to generate an aerosol in use, and a delivery system for delivering the aerosol to a user.

[0004] A disadvantage of known aerosol generating devices is that the positioning of the consumable relative to the heating element of the device is incorrect or inaccurate, resulting in a deterioration of the aerosol generating function.

[0005] Despite the efforts that have been invested in the development of aerosol generating devices / systems, further improvements are still needed. Summary of the invention

[0006] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an aerosol generating device comprising a body, a heating element connected to the body, and a cover. The cover is slidably mounted to the body so as to be slidable along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. The device also includes a consumable holder. The consumable holder defines a consumable receiving cavity for receiving a consumable and positioning the consumable relative to the heating element, the heating element being positionable within the consumable receiving cavity. The consumable holder is movable relative to each of the body and the cover.

[0007] Providing a consumable holder that is movable relative to each of the body and the cover can enable better positioning of the consumable relative to the heating element by the consumable holder. For example, this can enable the consumable holder to accommodate misalignment between the cover and the body and / or between the consumable holder and the heating element to maintain better consumable positioning using the device.

[0008] The potential benefit can be understood by a counter-example in which the consumable holder is rigidly fixed to the cover (i.e., the consumable holder is immovable relative to the cover) and the heating element is rigidly fixed to the body (i.e., the heating element is immovable relative to the body). If the cover slidably mounted to the body becomes misaligned with the body, then the consumable holder may become misaligned with the heating element, resulting in incorrect or inaccurate positioning of the consumable relative to the heating element of the device. Providing a consumable holder that is movable relative to each of the cover and the body can enable, for example, the consumable holder to move or slide longitudinally with the cover, but to improve positioning relative to the heating element by aligning the body laterally with the heater. Therefore, this can improve the manufacturability and / or life of the device.

[0009] In some examples, the heating element may be elongated and the consumable holder may be configured to center the consumable relative to the longitudinal axis of the heating element. Centering the consumable relative to the elongated heater may ensure better distribution of heat into the consumable, thereby allowing consistent aerosol generation. Thus, devices of this type that provide improved lateral alignment of the consumable holder relative to the heating element may further provide improved centering of the consumable relative to the elongated heater.

[0010] In some examples, the heating element may extend from the first end of the body along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. The device may also include a guide extending from the first end of the body along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device and generally surrounding the heating element. The guide may surround a portion of the consumable holder and may be configured to limit the lateral movement of the consumable holder. In this sense, restriction may refer to, for example, that the guide reduces / limits the total range of lateral movement of the consumable holder compared to a situation in which the guide is not present. The heating element and / or the guide may be rigidly attached to the body. Therefore, in some examples, the body, the heating element and the guide may be rigidly attached to each other, the cover may be slidably attached to the body, and the consumable holder may be movable relative to each of the cover and the body.

[0011] In some examples, the consumable holder can be slidably received in the guide and can be substantially prevented from moving laterally relative to the body, the heating element or the guide. For example, the consumable holder can be in contact with the inner surface of the guide and can therefore be maintained in a specific lateral position relative to the heating element. In this way, the consumable holder can move longitudinally with the cover, but can be restricted from moving laterally, even if the cover moves in this way. Therefore, this can ensure improved positioning of the consumable holder, and thus, the received consumables, relative to the heating element by enabling the device to correct the misalignment between the cover and the body. In examples, the consumable holder can thus be constrained by the guide to be substantially only longitudinally movable relative to the body.

[0012] In some examples, the consumable holder may include a protrusion that extends outwardly to form a portion of the outer surface of the consumable holder for engaging with the guide. Providing an outwardly extending protrusion on the outer surface of the consumable holder for engaging with the guide can, for example, reduce the use of material in the consumable holder because the wall of the consumable receiving cavity can be made thinner than when the protrusion is not present. In other words, since only the protrusion (rather than the wall) needs to extend to a position that engages with the guide, the lateral extent of the wall can be reduced. The provision of a protrusion can also reduce the friction between the guide and the consumable holder by reducing the contact surface area between the guide and the consumable holder. The provision of a protrusion can also increase the freedom of movement of the guide, such as increasing the freedom of rotational movement, by reducing the length of the contact surface between the guide and the consumable holder along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device.

[0013] In some examples, the consumable holder may include a plurality of projections arranged circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder and extending outwardly to form a portion of the outer surface of the consumable holder for engagement with the guide. This may achieve a more uniform engagement between the consumable holder and the guide around the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device.

[0014] In some examples, each of the plurality of protrusions may be equally spaced circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder. In other words, each of the plurality of protrusions may be equally spaced between its nearest adjacent protrusions around the consumable holder. This may further enable or enhance the uniformity of engagement between the consumable holder and the guide around the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device.

[0015] In some examples, each protrusion may include a ridge. A ridge is a protrusion having a length in one direction that is greater than its width in a perpendicular direction. In some examples, each ridge may be a rib extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the consumable holder. In some examples, the ridge may be a circumferentially extending rib extending outwardly from the outer surface of the consumable holder. Configuring the protrusion to include a ridge may enable a particular configuration of engagement between the consumable holder and the guide.

[0016] In some examples, each protrusion may include a bump, such as a nodule or a mound. A bump may be a protrusion having a length in one direction approximately equal to a width in a vertical direction. Configuring the protrusion to include a bump may enable a specific configuration of engagement between the consumable holder and the guide.

[0017] In some examples, each protrusion can be located at the lower end of the consumable holder near the body. In this sense, the lower end or base end of the consumable holder is an end along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device that is close to the body of the aerosol generating device. Depending on the configuration of the consumable holder, the cover and the body, the base end of the consumable holder can have the greatest freedom of movement. The protrusion at the base end of the consumable holder can therefore form the outermost range of the movement range of the consumable holder. In other words, the protrusion can form the leading edge of the movement of the consumable holder. Therefore, when the consumable holder is engaged with the guide, the protrusion located at the base end of the consumable holder forms the first contact point between the consumable holder and the guide.

[0018] In some examples, the consumable holder may be movably mounted to the lid via a connection that provides at least one degree of freedom of movement of the consumable holder relative to the lid. Thus, when the lid slides longitudinally relative to the body of the aerosol generating device, the consumable holder may be able to move substantially with the lid while still being able to achieve improved consumable positioning relative to the heater element.

[0019] Thus, in an example, an aerosol generating device can be provided having a body, a heating element and a guide rigidly attached to each other, a cover slidably attached to the body, and a consumable holder movably attached to the cover so that the consumable holder has freedom to move relative to each of the cover and the body.

[0020] In such an example, the consumable product holder can be constrained by the guide so as to be substantially only longitudinally movable relative to the body and can be movably attached to the lid so as to be substantially only laterally movable and / or rotationally movable (e.g., pivotable) relative to the lid.

[0021] In some examples, the consumable holder may be movable with the lid, but have freedom to move relative to the lid.The range of motion of the consumable holder relative to the body may be greater than the range of motion of the consumable holder relative to the lid.

[0022] In other words, the consumable holder may have a non-zero range of motion within the reference frame of the lid. In this way, when the lid is treated as a fixed point with a fixed orientation in space, the consumable holder may be able to move (rotate or translate) relative to the fixed point and the fixed orientation. The non-zero range of motion may alternatively be referred to as one or more degrees of freedom of movement.

[0023] A degree of freedom of movement means that the consumable holder can translate along a translation axis or rotate about a rotation axis relative to the cover. In other words, the connection between the cover and the consumable holder may not be rigid, but instead may enable the consumable holder to translate or rotate relative to the cover. A degree of freedom of movement represents the ability to move along or around an axis.

[0024] Thus, one translational degree of freedom means that the consumable holder can translate in one dimension along one axis relative to the cover (e.g., up and down). Two translational degrees of freedom mean that the consumable holder can translate along two axes relative to the cover (e.g., up / down and left / right). Three translational degrees of freedom mean that the consumable holder can translate along three axes relative to the cover (e.g., up / down, left / right, and front / back). Different combinations of translational degrees of freedom are possible, and the foregoing examples should not be considered limiting.

[0025] One rotational degree of freedom means that the consumable holder can rotate relative to the cover about one rotational axis (e.g., so that the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder can tilt left / right relative to the longitudinal axis of the cover). Two rotational degrees of freedom mean that the consumable holder can rotate relative to the cover about two rotational axes (e.g., so that the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder can tilt left / right and forward / backward relative to the longitudinal axis of the cover). Three rotational degrees of freedom mean that the consumable holder can rotate relative to the cover about three rotational axes (e.g., so that the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder can tilt left / right and forward / backward relative to the longitudinal axis of the cover, and so that the consumable holder can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the cover). Different combinations of rotational degrees of freedom are possible, and the foregoing examples should not be considered limiting.

[0026] The degree of freedom of movement may be a degree of freedom of rotation of the consumable holder relative to the cover. In other words, the consumable holder may be able to rotate relative to the cover around a rotation axis (e.g., around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cover) or have some degree of freedom to rotate around a rotation axis (e.g., around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cover).

[0027] The degree of freedom of rotational movement may enable the consumable holder to be tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. In other words, the axis of rotation may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. This may enable the consumable holder to be rotated so that the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cover. For example, the consumable holder may be able to rotate so that the longitudinal axis of the consumable holder is aligned at an angle of 10 degrees or less compared to the longitudinal axis of the cover, or at an angle of 8 degrees or less compared to the longitudinal axis of the cover, or at an angle of 6 degrees or less compared to the longitudinal axis of the cover, or at an angle of 4 degrees or less compared to the longitudinal axis of the cover, or at an angle of 2 degrees or less compared to the longitudinal axis of the cover.

[0028] In some examples, the movable connection may include two fasteners that may be located on opposite sides of the consumable holder. One of the two fasteners may form a pivot point for the rotational movement. This may provide a specific range of motion for improved consumable positioning.

[0029] The degree of freedom of movement may be a degree of freedom of translational movement of the consumable holder relative to the lid. In other words, the degree of freedom of movement may enable the consumable holder to move or translate relative to the lid along an axis, for example along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device.

[0030] The degree of freedom of translational movement may enable the consumable holder to move along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. This may enable, for example, the consumable holder to accommodate debris accumulation around the base of the heater element. For example, the consumable holder may be positionable at the lower end of the cover (i.e., closer to the body of the aerosol generating device), but may be movable in an upward direction (i.e., away from the body of the aerosol generating device) and may be able to be pushed in an upward direction by debris accumulation around the base of the heater element. At the same time, unlike the case where the consumable holder and cover are rigidly connected together, movement (e.g., sliding) of the cover may not be affected.

[0031] The consumable holder may have both rotational and translational degrees of freedom, and may therefore be capable of translation along at least one axis and of rotation about at least one axis (wherein the translation axis and the rotation axis need not coincide). For example, the consumable holder may be capable of translation in an up / down direction along the longitudinal axis of the device, and of pivoting or rotating about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0032] In some examples, the connector may include a clip. In this sense, the clip may be movable or a fixed protrusion located at a distance from the clamping surface so that a portion of the consumable holder can be retained between the clip and the clamping surface. This can be configured to loosely clamp the consumable holder to the lid, enabling freedom of movement around the connector.

[0033] In some examples, the connector may include a screw. The consumable holder may include an aperture for receiving a screw so that the screw can pass through the consumable holder and enter the hole in the cover. The hole and screw may be configured so that the screw only loosely holds the consumable holder to the cover. For example, the hole in the cover may be a blind hole, and the length of the screw may be greater than the combined depth of the aperture and the blind hole. In this way, the screw may be tightened while still providing a loose or removable connection between the consumable holder and the cover. In other examples, the screw may alternatively be only partially tightened, or may not be completely tightened, meaning that the screw does not rigidly hold the consumable holder to the cover, providing freedom of movement.

[0034] For example, the screw may include a head and an axis extending from a lower surface of the head. The screw may be arranged to hold a portion of the consumable holder between the lower surface of the head and the inner surface of the cover, and the distance between the lower surface and the inner surface of the cover may be greater than the thickness of the portion of the consumable holder (e.g., the length of the opening). Thus, the consumable holder may have freedom to move along the axis of the screw.

[0035] The movable connection of the consumable product holder and the cover is not limited to the above examples and can be achieved by different connection methods within the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0036] In some examples, the connector may include a clip disposed on a first side of the cover and a screw disposed on a second side of the cover. The cover may also include a trap door for covering a hole for inserting a consumable into the consumable holder. The trap door may be arranged to pivot inwardly around a hinge. The hinge may be located on the first side of the cover. For example, the trap door may include a laterally extending hinge pin that is positionable in a corresponding socket of the cover. In some examples, the socket may be formed jointly by the consumable holder and the cover at the engagement interface between the consumable holder and the cover. Since the screw may provide greater freedom or amount of movement between the consumable holder and the cover than the clip, positioning the socket of the hinge on the first side of the cover may provide a more stable and secure connection between the trap door and the cover.

[0037] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of manufacturing an aerosol generating device of the first aspect. The method comprises the steps of providing a body; providing a consumable holder; providing a cover; and mounting the cover to the body to enclose the consumable holder between the cover and the body.

[0038] In some examples, the method may further include the step of mounting the consumable product holder to the lid via a movable connection that provides at least one degree of freedom of movement of the consumable product holder relative to the lid.

[0039] In some examples, the movable connector may include a screw, the consumable holder may include an opening for receiving the screw, the cover may include a blind hole for receiving the screw, and the length of the screw may be greater than the combined depth of the opening and the blind hole. The method may include tightening the screw into one end of the blind hole.

[0040] The foregoing overview is provided for the purpose of outlining some examples to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Therefore, the above features should not be interpreted as narrowing the scope or gist of the subject matter described herein in any way. In addition, the above and / or following examples can be combined in any suitable combination to provide other examples, unless such combination is clearly not allowed or clearly avoided. Other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following text and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements.

[0042] Figure 1 is a system block diagram illustrating an example aerosol generating device.

[0043] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A system block diagram of an example embodiment of a device, wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to generate an aerosol from a solid precursor.

[0044] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 Schematic diagram of an example implementation of a device.

[0045] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 Schematic diagram of another example embodiment of a device.

[0046] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional image of a cover of an aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional image of the main body and consumable holder of an aerosol generating device of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 7 is a top view of a consumable holder within a guide of the body of an aerosol generating device of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 8 is an exploded view of a cover of an aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure.

[0050] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a consumable holder for an aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure.

[0051] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of a lid of an aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure.

[0052] Fig.11is a flow chart illustrating a manufacturing process for an aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Before describing several examples of implementing the present disclosure, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific construction details or process steps set forth in the following description and the accompanying drawings. Instead, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the systems, devices and / or methods described herein may be embodied differently and / or practiced or implemented in various alternative ways.

[0054] Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the inventive concepts disclosed herein shall have the meanings commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, and known techniques and procedures may be performed according to conventional methods well known in the art as well as as described in various general and more specific references that may be cited and discussed throughout this specification.

[0055] Any patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0056] All example implementations of the present disclosure may be realized and implemented without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. Although specific examples have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be applied to the systems, devices and / or methods and steps or sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the inventive concept. All such similar substitutions and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the spirit, scope and concept of the inventive concept as defined in the appended claims.

[0057] The terms "a" or "an" as used in the claims and / or specification may mean "one", as well as "one or more", "at least one", and "one or more than one". Therefore, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms "a", "an", and "the" and all singular terms include plural references. Similarly, unless the context requires otherwise, plural terms shall include the singular.

[0058] The term "or" as used in this disclosure (including the claims) is used to mean an inclusive "and / or", unless it is explicitly indicated to refer to only selectable items, or unless the selectable items are mutually exclusive. For example, any of the following satisfies the condition "A or B": A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist), A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists), and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0059] As used in this specification and claims, the words "comprising," "having," "including," or "containing" (and any forms thereof, such as "comprise" and "comprises," "have" and "has," "includes" and "include," or "contains" and "contain") are inclusive or open-ended, and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0060] Unless otherwise expressly stated as incompatible, or physical or other aspects of the embodiments, examples or claims prevent such a combination, the features of the examples and claims disclosed herein may be integrated together in any suitable arrangement, especially arrangements where there are beneficial effects of doing so. This is not limited to any specified benefit alone, and may instead result from an "afterthought" benefit. That is, the combination of features is not limited by the form described, especially the form of the dependencies of the examples, embodiments or claims (e.g., numbering). In addition, this also applies to phrases "in one embodiment, "according to an embodiment", etc., which are merely stylistic forms of wording and are not to be interpreted as limiting the features of subsequent separate embodiments to all other instances of the same or similar wording. That is, references to "an", "one" or "some" embodiments may be references to any one or more and / or all embodiments or combinations thereof disclosed. In addition, similarly, references to "the" embodiment may not be limited to the immediately preceding embodiment. Further, all references to one or more embodiments or examples should be interpreted as not being limitations on the claims.

[0061] The present disclosure may be better understood by considering the following explanations, in which terms separated by "or" may be used interchangeably:

[0062] As used herein, an "aerosol generating device" (or "electronic cigarette") may be a device configured to deliver an aerosol to a user for inhalation by the user. If the device is intended to be used in place of a conventional combustible smoking article, it may be referred to additionally / alternatively as a "smoking replacement device". As used herein, a combustible "smoking article" may refer to a cigarette, cigar, pipe, or other article that produces smoke (an aerosol containing solid particles and gases) by heating to a temperature above a thermal decomposition temperature (typically by combustion and / or pyrolysis). The aerosol generated by the device may include an aerosol having a particle size of 0.2 microns to 7 microns, or less than 10 microns, or less than 7 microns. The particle size may be achieved by controlling one or more of the following: heater temperature; cooling rate of vapor condensation into an aerosol; flow characteristics including turbulence and velocity. The generation of an aerosol by an aerosol generating device may be controlled by an input device. The input device may be configured to be user-activated, and may, for example, include an actuator (e.g., an actuation button) and / or an airflow sensor, or take the form of an actuator (e.g., an actuation button) and / or an airflow sensor.

[0063] Each occurrence of causing the aerosol generating device to generate aerosol for a period of time (which may be variable) may be referred to as an "activation" of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device may be arranged to allow a different amount of aerosol to be delivered to a user per activation (rather than delivering a fixed dose of aerosol), for example by activating the aerosol generating unit of the device for a variable amount of time, for example based on the intensity / duration of the puffs taken by the user through the flow path of the device (to replicate the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article).

[0064] The aerosol-generating device may be portable. As used herein, the term "portable" may be a device that is intended for use while held by a user.

[0065] As used herein, an "aerosol generating system" may be a system that includes an aerosol generating device and optionally other circuits / components associated with the functionality of the device (e.g., one or more external devices and / or one or more external components (where "external" refers to the outside of the aerosol generating device)). As used herein, "external device" and "external component" may include one or more of the following: a charging device, a mobile device (which may be connected to the aerosol generating device, for example, via a wireless or wired connection); a network-based computer (e.g., a remote server); a cloud-based computer; any other server system.

[0066] An example aerosol generating system may be a system for managing an aerosol generating device. Such a system may include, for example, a mobile device, a network server, and an aerosol generating device.

[0067] As used herein, an "aerosol" may include a suspension of a precursor, the precursor including one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; one or more of a gas. The suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosols herein may generally refer to / include vapors. Aerosols may include one or more components of a precursor.

[0068] As used herein, a "precursor" may include one or more of the following: a liquid; a solid; a gel; a loose leaf material; other substances. The precursor may be processed by an aerosol generating unit of an aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol. The precursor may include one or more of the following: an active ingredient; a carrier; a flavoring agent. The active ingredient may include one or more of the following: nicotine; caffeine; a non-pharmaceutical preparation such as a preparation not used to treat a human disease or physiological dysfunction. The active ingredient may be carried by a carrier, which may be a liquid, including propylene glycol and / or glycerol. The term "flavoring agent" may refer to an ingredient that provides a taste and / or smell to the user. Flavoring agents may include one or more of the following: ethyl vanillin (vanilla flavor); menthol, isoamyl acetate (banana oil); or others. The precursor may include a substrate, such as reconstituted tobacco, to carry one or more of the following: an active ingredient; a carrier; a flavoring agent.

[0069] As used herein, a "storage portion" may be a portion of a device adapted to store a precursor. Depending on the embodiment of the precursor as defined above, the storage portion may be implemented as a fluid holding reservoir or as a carrier of a solid material.

[0070] As used herein, a "flow path" may refer to a path or enclosed passage through an aerosol generating device, e.g., for delivering an aerosol to a user. The flow path may be arranged to receive an aerosol from an aerosol generating unit. When referring to a flow path, upstream and downstream may be defined according to the direction of flow in the flow path, e.g., where an outlet is downstream of an inlet.

[0071] As used herein, a "delivery system" may be a system operable to deliver an aerosol to a user. The delivery system may include a mouthpiece and a flow path.

[0072] As used herein, "flow" may refer to a flow in a flow path. A flow may include an aerosol generated by a precursor. A flow may include air, which may be drawn into the flow path by a user through suction.

[0073] As used herein, "suction" (or "inhalation" or "inhalation") by a user may refer to the expansion of the lungs and / or oral cavity of the user to create a pressure reduction that induces flow through a flow path.

[0074] As used herein, an "aerosol generating unit" may refer to a device configured to generate an aerosol from a precursor. An aerosol generating unit may include a unit that generates vapor directly from a precursor (e.g., a heating system or other system) or a unit that generates an aerosol directly from a precursor (e.g., a nebulizer that includes an ultrasonic system, a flow expansion system or other system that operates to transport droplets of a precursor in a stream without the use of electrical energy). Multiple aerosol generating units that generate multiple aerosols (e.g., from multiple different aerosol precursors) may be present in an aerosol generating device.

[0075] As used herein, "heating system" may refer to an arrangement of at least one heating element operable to atomize the precursor once heated. At least one heating element may be resistive to generate heat from the flow of an electric current passing therethrough. At least one heating element may be arranged as a susceptor to generate heat when passed through an alternating magnetic field. The heating system may be configured to heat the precursor to less than 300 or 350 degrees Celsius, including without burning.

[0076] As used herein, "consumable" may refer to a unit including a precursor. The consumable may include an aerosol generating unit, for example, it may be arranged as a cartomizer. The consumable may include a mouthpiece. The consumable may include an information bearing medium. For liquid or gel embodiments of the precursor, for example, e-liquid, the consumable may be referred to as a "capsule" or "pod" or "e-liquid consumable". The capsule / pod may include a storage portion, for example, a reservoir or a box, for storing the precursor. For solid material embodiments of the precursor, for example, tobacco or reconstituted tobacco preparations, the consumable may be referred to as a "rod" or "pack" or "heat-not-burn consumable". In heat-not-burn consumables, the mouthpiece may be implemented as a filter, and the consumable may be arranged to carry the precursor. The consumable may be implemented as a dosed or pre-distributed amount of material, including a loose leaf product.

[0077] As used herein, "information bearing medium" may include one or more arrangements for storing information on any suitable medium. Examples include: computer readable medium; radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders; codes that encode information, such as optical (e.g., barcodes or QR codes) or mechanically readable codes (e.g., configurations where cutouts are missing or present to encode bits, through which a pin or reader may be inserted).

[0078] As used herein, "heat not burn" (or "HNB" or "heated precursor") may refer to heating a precursor, typically tobacco, without combustion or without significant combustion (i.e., a limited portion of the precursor may undergo partial combustion, including less than 5% of the total volume).

[0079] Reference Figure 1 , an example aerosol generating device 1 comprises a power source 2 for supplying electrical energy. The device 1 comprises an aerosol generating unit 4 driven by the power source 2. The power source 2 may comprise a power supply in the form of a battery and / or an electrical connection to an external power source. The device 1 comprises a precursor 6 which is atomized by the aerosol generating unit 4 in use to generate an aerosol. The device 2 comprises a delivery system 8 for delivering the aerosol to a user.

[0080] Circuit( Figure 1 ) may be implemented to control the interoperability of the power source 4 and the aerosol generating unit 6.

[0081] In a variant example not shown, the power source 2 may be omitted, since, for example, an aerosol generating unit implemented as an atomizer with flow expansion may not require a power source.

[0082] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 An embodiment of the device 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device 1 is configured to generate the aerosol by a heat-not-combustion process.

[0083] In this example, the apparatus 1 includes a device body 100 and consumables 70 .

[0084] In this example, the body 100 includes a power source 4 and a heating system 52. The heating system 52 includes at least one heating element 110. The body may additionally include any one or more of a circuit 56, a memory 58, a wireless interface 60, one or more other components 62.

[0085] Circuitry 56 may include processing resources for controlling one or more operations of body 100 , for example, based on instructions stored in memory 58 .

[0086] The wireless interface 60 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with an external (eg, mobile) device, for example, via Bluetooth.

[0087] For example, the other components 62 may include an actuator, one or more user interface devices configured to convey information to a user, and / or a charging port (e.g., see Figure 3 ).

[0088] The body 100 is configured to engage with the consumable 70 so that at least one heating element 110 of the heating system 52 penetrates into the solid precursor 6 of the consumable. In use, the user can activate the aerosol generating device 1 so that the heating system 52 of the body 100 causes the at least one heating element 110 to heat the solid precursor 6 of the consumable by conductive heat transfer (without burning it) to generate an aerosol that is inhaled by the user.

[0089] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 An example embodiment of an aerosol generating device 1 .

[0090] like Figure 3 As depicted, the consumable 70 is embodied as a rod that engages the body 100 by inserting the rod into a hole at the top end 53 of the body 100 , which causes the at least one heating element 110 of the heating system 52 to penetrate into the solid precursor 6 .

[0091] The consumable 70 comprises a solid precursor 6 close to the body 100 and a filter remote from the body 100. The filter acts as a mouthpiece for the consumable 70 and thus the entire device 1. The solid precursor 6 may be a reconstituted tobacco formulation.

[0092] In this example, the at least one heating element 110 is a rod-shaped element with a circular transverse profile. Other heating element shapes are possible, for example, the at least one heating element may be blade-shaped (with a rectangular transverse profile) or tubular (eg with a hollow transverse profile).

[0093] In this example, the body 100 includes a cover 200. In use, the cover 200 is engaged at the top end 53 of the body 100. Figure 3 As is not apparent in the drawings, the cover 200 is movable relative to the main body 100. In particular, the cover 200 is slidable and can slide along the longitudinal axis of the main body 100.

[0094] The body 100 further comprises an actuator 55 on an outer surface of the body 100. In this example, the actuator 55 has the form of a button.

[0095] The body 100 also includes a user interface device configured to convey information to the user. Here, the user interface device is implemented as a plurality of lights 57, which can, for example, be configured to light up when the device 1 is activated, and / or be configured to indicate the charging status of the power source 4. Other user interface devices are possible, for example, conveying information to the user in a tactile or auditory manner.

[0096] The body may also include an airflow sensor which detects airflow in the aerosol generating device 1 (eg caused by a user inhaling via the consumable 70). This may be used, for example, to count the number of puffs.

[0097] In this example, the consumable 70 includes a flow path that transmits an aerosol generated by at least one heating element 110 to a mouthpiece of the consumable.

[0098] In this example, the aerosol generating unit 4 is provided by the heating system 52 described above, and the delivery system 8 is provided by the flow path and mouthpiece of the consumable 70 described above.

[0099] Reference Figure 4 , an aerosol generating system that can be implemented in any of the previous examples includes a main body 100 and a cover 200. The cover 200 is slidably mounted to the main body 100 so as to be slidable along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating system 1. The heating element 110 is connected to the main body 100, and the cover 200 is slidable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the heating element 110 is enclosed in the cover 200, wherein in the second position, the heating element 110 is at least partially exposed in a gap between the cover 200 and the main body 100 (see Figure 4 ).

[0100] Reference Figure 5 The cover 200 defines an interior volume containing a consumable holder 300. The consumable holder 300 defines a cavity 302 for receiving consumables (e.g., heat-not-burn consumables). The heating element 110 is elongated and extends from the body 100 and into the cavity of the consumable holder 300. Figure 5 The example shows, Figure 5 A cross section through the main body 100 and the cover 200 is shown to illustrate the position of the consumables holder 300. The consumables holder 300 is located within the internal volume, and the consumables holder 300 is movable relative to each of the main body 100 and the cover 200.

[0101] In the example shown, the consumables holder 300 is movably mounted or connected to the cover 200 by a clip 210 and a screw 212. The clip 210 and the screw 212 are configured to enable the consumables holder 300 to move relative to the cover 200. In the example shown, the clip 210 can be used as a pivot point for movement so that the consumables holder 300 can be pivoted or tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 1. The screw 212 is loosely fixed so that the consumables holder 300 is not rigidly fixed in place in the cover 200 (i.e., the consumables holder 300 is not rigidly clamped to the cover 200). For example, the screw can have a head 214 and an axis 216 extending from the lower surface of the head 214, and can be arranged to keep a portion of the consumables holder 300 in a gap between the lower surface of the head 214 and the inner surface of the cover 200. The screw 212 may be arranged such that a distance between a lower surface of the head 214 and an inner surface of the cover 200 is greater than a thickness of the portion of the consumables holder 300 .

[0102] For example, the screw 212 may be insertable into a blind screw hole 218 of the cover 200 through an open screw hole 318 of the consumable holder 300. The blind screw hole 218 may have a depth that is less than the length of the screw so that when the screw 212 is tightened, it does not clamp the consumable holder 300 tightly to the inner surface of the cover 200. Alternatively, the screw 212 may not be fully tightened, thereby leaving a gap between the lower surface of the head 214 of the screw 212 and the inner surface of the cover 200. In either case, the distance between the lower surface of the head 214 and the inner surface of the cover can be greater than the thickness of the retained portion of the consumable holder 300 (e.g., the length of the open screw hole 318). The clip 210 and screw 212 may also be configured to enable the consumable holder 300 to be moved along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 1 (i.e., Figure 5 The up and down directions in the image are used for translation.

[0103] Figure 6 The main body 100 and the consumable holder 300 are shown, but with the cover 200 removed. This example shows a cross-sectional view of the guide 120, which extends from one end of the main body 100 and surrounds the heating element 110. In the example shown, the guide 120 has the form of a frame extending longitudinally from one end of the main body 100 to surround the heating element 110. The frame includes one or more openings or windows 122 to enable access to the heating element 110 through the frame. In other examples, the window 122 can be omitted, and the guide 120 can have the form of a wall surrounding the heating element 110. The consumable holder 300 is located and slidably received in the space within the frame, wherein the heating element 110 is located in the consumable receiving cavity 302 of the consumable holder 300. The consumable holder 300 can engage with the inner surface of the guide 120, thereby limiting the lateral and / or transverse movement of the consumable holder 300. Therefore, the guide 120 acts on the consumables holder 300 to position the consumables holder in a lateral direction relative to the heating element 110 (e.g., center the consumables holder relative to the heating element 110). In this way, the influence of the misalignment of the cover 200 relative to the main body 100 on the consumables holder 300 is reduced.

[0104] In some examples, the width or lateral extent of the consumable holder is smaller than the width or lateral extent of the space within guide 120 , such that the consumable holder can move laterally and / or rotate or pivot within the space defined by guide 120 .

[0105] Figure 71 shows a top view of a consumable holder 300 within the guide 120 of the body 100. This shows projections 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d extending from and forming part of the outer surface of the consumable holder 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d are bumps or nodules on the outer surface of the consumable holder 300. In other examples, the projections may alternatively be longitudinally extending ribs on the outer surface of the consumable holder, or may be ribs extending circumferentially around the consumable holder 300, for example, around the base end of the consumable holder 300.

[0106] In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 200 also includes a trap door 220 that covers an aperture 222 for receiving a consumable into the consumable holder 300. The trap door 220 is configured to pivot inwardly into the lid 200 so that a consumable can be pushed into the aperture 222 and the trap door 220 is pushed aside. The trap door 220 pivots about a hinge formed by a notch 320 in the consumable holder 300 and a corresponding notch 226 in the lid 200, the notch being arranged to receive a hinge pin 224 of the trap door 220. This Figure 8 The consumables holder 300 is movably attached to the cover 200 via screws 212, which are attached to the cover 200 and the consumables holder 300 on the opposite side of the notch 320 and the hinge. The side of the cover 200 including the notch may also include a clip 210, and the consumables holder 300 may be movably mounted to the cover 200 by the clip 210. The configuration of the notch 320 in the consumables holder is Fig. 9 As further illustrated in FIG. 1 , the configuration of the notch 226 of the cover 200 is Fig.10 Further examples are shown in .

[0107] Fig.11A method of manufacturing an aerosol generating device 1 of the present disclosure is shown. The method comprises the steps of providing (S1010) a body 100; providing (S1020) a cover 200; providing (S1030) a consumable holder 300, and mounting (S1060) the cover 200 to the body 100 to enclose the consumable holder 300 therebetween. The method may further comprise the optional steps of mounting (S1040) the consumable holder 300 within the cover 200 and movably connecting (S1050) the consumable holder 300 to the cover 200 via screws 212. For example, mounting (S1040) the consumable holder 300 within the cover 200 may comprise positioning the consumable holder 300 to be held in place by the clip 210, thereby holding the consumable holder 300 in the correct position to receive the screws 212. Connecting (S1050) the consumables holder 300 to the cover 200 via the screw 212 may include not completely tightening the screw 212 so that the consumables holder 300 has the ability to move relative to the cover 200, or may include being configured to not tightly or rigidly clamp the consumables holder 300 to the cover 200 even when fully tightened. Mounting (S1060) the cover to the body may involve inserting the consumables holder 300 into the guide 120 so that the heating element 110 protrudes into the consumables receiving cavity 302 of the consumables holder 300. In this way, the consumables holder 300 can be enclosed in the space defined by the body 100 and the cover 200 of the aerosol generating device 1.

Claims

1. Aerosol generating equipment, including: main body; a heating element connected to the body; a cover slidably mounted to the body so as to be slidable along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device; as well as a consumable product holder defining a consumable product receiving cavity for receiving a consumable product and positioning the consumable product relative to the heating element, the heating element being positionable within the consumable product receiving cavity; wherein The consumable product holder is movable relative to each of the main body and the cover.

2. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein The heating element is elongated and wherein The consumable product holder is configured to center the consumable product relative to a longitudinal axis of the heating element.

3. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating element extends from the first end of the body along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device, The device further comprises a guide extending from the first end of the body along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device and surrounding the heating element; and The guide is configured to limit lateral movement of the consumable product holder.

4. An aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein: The consumable product holder includes a protrusion extending outwardly to form a portion of an outer surface of the consumable product holder for engagement with the guide.

5. An aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein: The consumable product holder includes a plurality of projections that are circumferentially arranged around a longitudinal axis of the consumable product holder and extend outwardly to form a portion of an outer surface of the consumable product holder for engagement with the guide.

6. An aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein: Each of the plurality of projections is equally spaced circumferentially about the longitudinal axis of the consumable product holder.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein each protrusion comprises a ridge, or wherein each protrusion comprises a bump.

8. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the consumable product holder is movably mounted to the lid via a connection providing at least one degree of freedom of movement of the consumable product holder relative to the lid.

9. An aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein the degree of freedom of movement is rotational freedom of movement of the consumable product holder relative to the lid.

10. An aerosol generating device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the degree of freedom of movement is a degree of freedom of translational movement of the consumable holder relative to the lid.

11. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the connection comprises a clip.

12. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the connection comprises a screw.

13. An aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein the screw includes a head and a shaft extending from a lower surface of the head, wherein the screw is arranged to hold a portion of the consumable product holder between the lower surface of the head and the inner surface of the cover, and wherein the distance between the lower surface of the head and the inner surface of the cover is greater than the thickness of the portion of the consumable product holder.

14. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein The connector includes a clip disposed on a first side of the cover and a screw disposed on a second side of the cover, and wherein The cover also includes a trap door for covering an aperture for inserting a consumable into the consumable holder, wherein The trapdoor is arranged to pivot inwardly about a hinge to the lid; and Wherein the hinge is located on the first side of the cover.

15. A method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, comprising the steps of: Provide the subject; Provide consumable holders; Provide a cover; The cover is mounted to the body to enclose the consumable product holder between the cover and the body.

Images