Cover assembly for aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a cap assembly (100) for an aerosol-generating device, the cap assembly comprising an actuator (170) and a cap (51), the cap being movable relative to the actuator, where the cap comprises: a housing (110) comprising an aperture (180) forming an inlet for a consumable receiving cavity; and a closure (130) pivotally mounted proximate the aperture and selectively pivotable relative to the housing about a pivot axis (132) to assume an open position in which the aperture is exposed and a closed position in which the aperture is blocked; wherein the closure moves past an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and when the housing is moved from a first position relative to the actuator to a second position relative to the actuator, the closure member transitions from the open position to the closed position.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to EP22193268.4, filed on Aug. 31, 2022, the content and elements of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a cap assembly for an aerosol generating device. Background Art

[0003] Typical aerosol generating devices may include a power source, an aerosol generating unit driven by the power source, an aerosol precursor that is atomized by the aerosol generating unit during use to generate an aerosol, and a delivery system for delivering the aerosol to a user.

[0004] A disadvantage of known aerosol generating devices is that debris may enter the consumable receiving cavity of the aerosol generating device after use. Such debris may cause undesirable effects, such as malfunction of the aerosol generating device.

[0005] Therefore, although efforts have been made in the development of aerosol generating devices, further improvements are still desired. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure provides a cap assembly for an aerosol generating device, the cap assembly including an actuator and a cap that is movable relative to the actuator, wherein the cap includes: a housing including a hole that forms an inlet to a consumable receiving cavity; and a closure member pivotally mounted near the hole and selectively pivotable relative to the housing about a pivot axis to assume an open position in which the hole is exposed and a closed position in which the hole is blocked; wherein the closure member moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and when the cap moves from a first position relative to the actuator to a second position relative to the actuator, the closure member transitions from the open position to the closed position.

[0007] In this way, the closure member can be transitioned from the open position to the closed position by moving the actuator relative to the cap, which may be more convenient for a user, for example, because they do not have to physically interact with the closure member itself to transition the closure member, which may be more difficult than simply moving the actuator relative to the cap.

[0008] In some instances, the orientation of the closure member in the open position is perpendicular to the orientation of the closure member in the closed position. In this way, the cap assembly can be made more compact.

[0009] In some instances, the closure includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion respectively located in a first protrusion receiving cavity of the housing and a second protrusion receiving cavity of the housing, such that the closure can pivot about the first protrusion and the second protrusion. In this way, the simplicity of assembly of the lid assembly can be improved, for example, by reducing the number of components required.

[0010] In some instances, when in the intermediate position, at least a portion of the closure is located within the consumable receiving cavity. In this way, the consumable can be inserted into the consumable receiving cavity without first setting the closure to the open position. Thus, for example, the consumable can be used to transition the closure from the closed position to the open position.

[0011] The transition between the open position and the closed position should be understood to include moving from the open position to the closed position and also from the closed position to the open position.

[0012] In some instances, the lid assembly further includes a closure control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure to be bistable such that when the lid is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position. In this way, the simplicity of operation of the closure can be improved. For example, when the lid is in the first position, the closure can only naturally be in the open position or the closed position, so the user only needs to move the closure through the unstable equilibrium position in order to transition the closure from one position to the other. The closure control mechanism can prevent accidental exposure of the consumable receiving cavity, which can reduce the likelihood of debris entering the consumable receiving cavity. The term "bistable" can be understood to mean a dynamic system having two stable states. In this case, the open position can be understood to be the first stable state, while the closed position can be understood to be the second stable state. The term "naturally located" as used herein can be understood to mean the stable state in which the component exists without user interference. The first position can be the first stable equilibrium position. The second position can be the second stable equilibrium position.

[0013] In some instances, the closure control mechanism is configured to control the position of the closure such that when the lid is in the second position: the open position is an unstable position; the intermediate position is an unstable position; and the closed position is a stable equilibrium position. In this way, the simplicity of operation of the closure can be improved. For example, when the lid is in the second position, the closure can only naturally be in the closed position, allowing the user to simply transition the closure from the open position to the closed position by moving the lid.

[0014] The closure control mechanism can include, for example, one or more magnetic elements, one or more springs, and / or one or more flexible membranes. One or more of these elements can be combined to control the position of the closure to be bistable.

[0015] In some instances, the closure includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposite sides of the pivot axis. For example, the first portion of the closure can selectively block or expose the entrance to the consumable receiving cavity. For example, the second portion of the closure can serve as a handle that allows a user to transition the closure between an open position and a closed position.

[0016] In some instances, the pivot axis is perpendicular to the insertion direction of the consumable into the consumable receiving cavity. In this way, for example, using the consumable, a user can more easily move the closure from the closed position to the open position. The closure can pivot along the insertion direction of the consumable. The insertion direction of the consumable can be understood to mean the direction that the end of the consumable follows as the consumable moves from the entrance of the consumable receiving cavity to the base of the consumable receiving cavity. The shape of the consumable receiving cavity can be substantially cylindrical. Thus, the insertion direction of the consumable into the consumable receiving cavity can be regarded as the longitudinal or central axis of the cylinder. The consumable can be used to transition the closure from the closed position to the open position.

[0017] In some instances, when the lid is in the first position, the closure control mechanism pushes the closure into the open position. In this way, the functionality of the lid assembly can be improved. For example, the lid can automatically move into and remain in the open position. This can be useful, for example, when cleaning the consumable receiving cavity.

[0018] In some instances, the closure control mechanism pushes the closure into the closed position. In this way, the functionality of the lid assembly can be improved. For example, the lid can automatically move into and remain in the closed position. This can be useful, for example, for preventing debris from entering the consumable receiving cavity.

[0019] The term "adopt" can be understood to mean being stably located at a reference position. The term "adopt" can be understood to mean moving to a reference position and then being stably located at the reference position. For example, if the closure member is moved by a user from an intermediate position between an open position and a closed position towards the open position, there may be a point at which the closure member will be subjected to a force and / or torque that urges the closure member towards the open position and then stably located at the open position. For example, if the closure member is moved by a user from an intermediate position between an open position and a closed position towards the closed position, there may be a point at which the closure member will be subjected to a force and / or torque that urges the closure member towards the closed position and then stably located at the closed position. It should be clear that the two examples described above are not mutually exclusive, and a single lid assembly according to the present disclosure can push the closure member into both the open position and the closed position.

[0020] In some examples, the closure member includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposite sides of a pivot axis. In this way, different portions of the closure member can perform different functions. For example, the first portion of the closure member can selectively block or expose an entrance to the consumable receiving cavity. For example, the second portion of the closure member can serve as a handle that allows a user to convert the closure member between an open position and a closed position.

[0021] In some examples, at least a portion of the closure member that moves past the consumable receiving cavity is at least a portion of the first portion of the closure member. In this way, the first portion of the consumable can move past the consumable receiving cavity while the second portion of the consumable may not move past the consumable receiving cavity. Thus, it is optionally allowed for two different portions of the closure member to perform different functions.

[0022] In some examples, the closure member control mechanism includes an upper sub - mechanism positioned to push the closure member into the closed position. In this way, the function of the lid assembly can be improved, for example, by preventing an accidental conversion between the closed position and the open position. This is useful for preventing unwanted debris from entering the consumable receiving cavity. The term "upper" herein is used for relative identification purposes.

[0023] In some examples, the closure member control mechanism includes a lower sub - mechanism positioned to push the closure member into the open position. In this way, the function of the lid assembly can be improved, for example, by preventing an accidental conversion between the open position and the closed position. This can be useful when cleaning the consumable receiving cavity. The term "lower" herein is used for relative identification purposes.

[0024] In some instances, each sub - mechanism includes a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element, where the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are respectively: a first magnet and a second magnet; or a magnet and a ferromagnetic element; or a ferromagnetic element and a magnet. In this way, each sub - mechanism can push the closure via the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element at the first position and the second magnetic element at the second position. The use of magnetic elements can improve the durability of the lid assembly.

[0025] In some instances, the second part of the closure includes the first magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism, and the housing includes the second magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism, such that the closure is pushed into the closed position. In this way, when the closure moves towards the closed position through an intermediate position, the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism can be the dominant force / torque acting on the closure, such that the closure is pushed into the closed position. The position of the second magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism within the housing can be selected such that when in the closed position, the first magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism are very close to each other, such that the magnetic attraction between the two magnetic elements dominates any other forces / torques acting on the closure from the closure control mechanism.

[0026] In some instances, the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a first magnet located in the first part of the closure, and the first magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism is a second magnet located in the second part of the closure. In this case, the first magnet and the second magnet can be respectively located within a first recess of the closure and a second recess of the closure. In this case, the orientations of the first magnet and the second magnet within the first recess and the second recess of the closure respectively can be such that the magnetic poles of the first magnet are aligned with the magnetic poles of the second magnet in the same orientation. Here, the term "aligned" can be understood to mean that the magnetic poles of the first magnet are configured to point in the same direction as the magnetic poles of the second magnet. In this way, when assembling the closure, the ease of assembly can be improved because in the case of assembling the closure using a device that picks up magnets in a specific magnetic - pole orientation, the same device can be used to insert the first magnet and the second magnet because their respective magnetic poles can be aligned in the same orientation.

[0027] In some instances, a first portion of the closure includes a first magnetic element of a lower sub - mechanism, and the actuator includes a second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism such that when the lid is in a first position, the closure is pushed into an open position. In this way, when the actuator is in the first position and the closure moves towards the open position through an intermediate position, the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism can be the dominant force / torque acting on the closure, causing the closure to be pushed into the open position. The position of the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism in the actuator can be selected such that when the actuator is in the first position and the closure is in the open position, the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism are very close to each other, such that the magnetic attraction between the two magnetic elements dominates any other forces / torques acting on the closure from the closure control mechanism. In some instances, when the actuator is in the first position, the second magnetic element is positioned adjacent to the consumable receiving cavity.

[0028] In some instances, when the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a first magnet and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a second magnet, the orientation of the first magnet relative to the second magnet can be aligned to achieve the designed magnetic attraction. For example, the north pole of the first magnet may need to be oriented to face the south pole of the second magnet for there to be a magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet. In instances where the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a magnet and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a ferromagnetic element, the orientation of the magnet may be less important since the magnet will be attracted to the ferromagnetic element regardless of which type of magnetic pole faces the ferromagnetic element.

[0029] In some instances, when the closure is in the open position and the lid moves from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the lid and the actuator causes the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism to override the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism, such that the upper sub - mechanism pushes the closure from the open position into the closed position. In this way, when the user moves the lid from the first position to the second position, the closure can be switched from the open position to the closed position without the user directly interacting with the closure itself, which can be more convenient.

[0030] In some instances, a first part of the closure includes a first magnetic element of a lower sub - mechanism and the housing includes a second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism such that when the lid is in a first position, the closure is pushed into an open position. In this way, as the closure moves towards the open position through an intermediate position, the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism can be the dominant force / torque acting on the closure such that the closure is pushed into the open position. The position of the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism within the housing can be selected such that when the closure is in the open position, the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism are very close to each other such that the magnetic attraction between the two magnetic elements dominates any other forces / torques acting on the closure from the closure control mechanism. In some instances, the second magnetic element is positioned adjacent to the consumable receiving cavity.

[0031] In some instances, in the case where the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a first magnet and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a second magnet, the orientation of the first magnet relative to the second magnet can be aligned to achieve a designed magnetic attraction. For example, the north pole of the first magnet may need to be oriented to face the south pole of the second magnet for there to be a magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet. In instances where the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a magnet and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a ferromagnetic element, the orientation of the magnet may be less important since the magnet will be attracted to the ferromagnetic element regardless of which pole of the magnet faces the ferromagnetic element.

[0032] In some instances, when the closure is in the open position and the lid moves from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the lid and the actuator causes the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism to override the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism such that the upper sub - mechanism pushes the closure from the open position into the closed position. In this way, when a user moves the lid from the first position to the second position, the closure can be switched from the open position to the closed position without the user having to directly interact with the closure itself, which can be more convenient.

[0033] In some instances, the actuator includes a separate magnetic element such that relative movement between the lid and the actuator causes the magnetic repulsive force between the separate magnetic element and the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism to exceed the magnetic attractive force between the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism, such that the upper sub - mechanism pushes the closure from the open position into the closed position. In this way, when the separate magnetic element approaches the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism, the separate magnetic element can repel the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism, thereby pushing the closure out of the open position so that the upper sub - mechanism can push the closure into the closed position. In some instances, the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a first magnet, the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a ferromagnetic element, and the separate magnetic element is a second magnet. In this instance, the north pole of the first magnet can be oriented to face the north pole of the second magnet to have a magnetic repulsive force between the first magnet and the second magnet. Alternatively, the south pole of the first magnet can be oriented to face the south pole of the second magnet to have a magnetic repulsive force between the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0034] In some instances, the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is a first magnet located in a first part of the closure, and the first magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism is a second magnet located in a second part of the closure. In this case, the first magnet and the second magnet can be located in a first recess of the closure and a second recess of the closure, respectively. In this case, the orientations of the first magnet and the second magnet in the first recess of the closure and the second recess of the closure, respectively, can be such that the magnetic poles of the first magnet are aligned with the magnetic poles of the second magnet in the same orientation. Here, the term alignment can be understood to mean that the magnetic poles of the first magnet are configured to point in the same direction as the magnetic poles of the second magnet. In this way, when assembling the closure, the ease of assembly can be improved because in the case of assembling the closure using a device that picks up magnets in a specific magnetic - pole orientation, the same device can be used to insert the first magnet and the second magnet because their respective magnetic poles can be aligned in the same orientation.

[0035] In some instances, when in the open position, a portion of the closure protrudes from the housing. In this way, the user can more easily switch the closure between the open position and the closed position, for example, by grasping the protruding portion of the closure. In some instances, the portion of the closure that protrudes from the housing is part of the second part of the closure.

[0036] In some instances, the closure includes a recess positioned such that when the closure is in the closed position, the recess is aligned with the aperture. In this way, since the end of the consumable can be guided by the recess, a user can more easily use the consumable to transition the closure from the closed position to the open position. For example, when the user applies pressure to the recess with the end of the consumable. For example, to transition the closure from the closed position to the open position. In some instances, the recess can be included on a first portion of the closure. In some instances, the recess has a concave shape. In some instances, the recess is formed to engage the end of the consumable. Thus, when the closure is in the closed position and when the user applies pressure to the recess with the consumable, the closure pivots to the open position.

[0037] In some instances, the housing includes a recess in a position adjacent to the consumable receiving cavity, the recess being formed to receive a portion of the closure and when in the open position, a portion of the closure is located within the recess. In this way, the consumable receiving cavity can be made more compact, for example because when the closure is in the open position, the consumable receiving cavity may not require additional volume to accommodate a portion of the closure. In some instances, the portion of the closure that the recess is shaped to receive is a portion of a first portion of the closure.

[0038] In some instances, a second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism is positioned adjacent to the recess. In this way, the closure can be pushed to move into the open position where a portion of the closure is located within the recess. In this way, the consumable can be more easily inserted into the consumable receiving cavity, for example, without colliding with the closure.

[0039] In some instances, when in the open position, when the consumable is inserted into the consumable receiving cavity, the closure is offset from the path traveled by the consumable. In this way, for example, since the movement of the consumable may not be impacted and / or restricted by the closure, the consumable can be more easily inserted into the consumable receiving cavity. In this way, when the closure is in the open position and the consumable is withdrawn by the user from the consumable receiving cavity, the consumable can move past the closure while reducing the chance of catching the closure (which could damage the consumable). The term path of the consumable can be understood to mean the volume traced by the end of the consumable as the consumable moves into the consumable receiving cavity. For example, if the shape of the consumable is substantially cylindrical and the shape of the consumable receiving cavity is also substantially cylindrical, then the shape of the path traveled by the consumable when inserted into the consumable receiving cavity can also be substantially cylindrical since the end of the consumable can trace a cylindrical path.

[0040] In some instances, when in the closed position, the closure is flush with the outer surface of the housing. In this way, the housing can protect the closure from damage. Also in this way, unwanted movement of the closure caused by interaction with external objects can be inhibited, e.g., because the chance of the closure moving due to contact with an external object can be reduced. For example, if a cap assembly is implemented in an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device is stored in a bag, then if the closure is not flush with the housing, the closure may catch other objects within the bag and partially or fully transition between the open position and the closed position.

[0041] The present disclosure also provides an aerosol generating device comprising a cap assembly according to the present disclosure. In this way, the closure can be transitioned from the open position to the closed position by moving the actuator relative to the cap, which is more convenient for a user of the aerosol generating device. In such an instance, since the user does not need to physically interact with the closure itself to transition the closure, the closure can be easily closed by movement of the cap.

[0042] In some instances, the aerosol generating device further comprises a body, wherein the actuator of the cap assembly is rigidly connected to the body of the aerosol generating device. In this way, the closure can be transitioned from the open position to the closed position by moving the body relative to the cap, which is more convenient for the user. If the body and the cap are two main external components of the device, then the user can intuitively understand that the cap can move relative to the body, and thus these features can make the use of the device more intuitive.

[0043] In some instances, the aerosol generating device further comprises a heater located near the cap assembly such that when the cap is in the engaged position relative to the actuator, the heater projects at least into the consumable receiving cavity. In some instances, the first position may be the engaged position. In some different instances, the second position may be the engaged position.

[0044] The foregoing has been provided for the purpose of outlining some instances to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the above features should not be construed as in any way narrowing the scope or gist of the subject matter described herein. Additionally, the above and / or following instances may be combined in any suitable combination to provide other instances, unless such a combination is clearly impermissible or explicitly avoided. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following text and drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0045] Aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of instances with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements.

[0046] Figure 1 is a system block diagram showing an exemplary aerosol generating device.

[0047] Figure 2 is showing Figure 1 a system block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a device, wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to generate an aerosol from a solid precursor.

[0048] Figure 3 is showing Figure 2 a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a device.

[0049] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a lid assembly according to the present disclosure, wherein the closure is in a closed position and the actuator is in a second position.

[0050] Figure 5 is showing Figure 4 a schematic diagram of a lid assembly, wherein the closure is in an open position and the actuator is in a first position.

[0051] Figure 6 is showing Figure 4 and Figure 5 a schematic diagram of the closure of a lid assembly.

[0052] Figures 7A to 7D is a diagram showing a lid assembly in four different states according to the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a lid assembly according to the present disclosure, wherein the closure is in a closed position and the actuator is in a second position.

[0054] Figure 9 is showing Figure 8 a schematic diagram of a lid assembly, wherein the closure is in an open position and the actuator is in a first position.

[0055] Figure 10 is showing Figure 8 and Figure 9 a schematic diagram of the closure of a lid assembly.

[0056] Figures 11A to 11D is a diagram showing a lid assembly in four different states according to the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0057] 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 drawings. Instead, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from the present disclosure that the systems, devices, and / or methods described herein can be embodied differently and / or practiced or implemented in various alternative ways.

[0058] Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the inventive concepts disclosed herein shall have the meanings commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and known techniques and procedures can be performed according to conventional methods well known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references that may be cited and discussed in this specification.

[0059] Any patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications mentioned in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0060] All example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented and practiced without undue experimentation. While specific examples have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes can be applied to the systems, devices, and / or methods and the steps or the order of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concepts, gists, and scopes of the inventive concepts. All such similar substitutions and modifications that are apparent to those skilled in the art are considered to fall within the gist, scope, and concepts of the inventive concepts as defined by the appended claims.

[0061] The terms "a" or "an" as used in this claim and / or specification can mean "one", as well as "one or more", "at least one", and "one or more than one". Thus, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms "a", "an", and "the" and all singular terms include plural referents. Similarly, plural terms shall include the singular unless the context otherwise requires.

[0062] The term "or" as used in this disclosure (including the claims) is used to mean inclusive "and / or" unless explicitly indicated to refer only to alternative things or unless the alternative things 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).

[0063] As used in this specification and the claims, the words "comprising", "having", "including", or "containing" (and any form 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.

[0064] Unless explicitly stated as incompatible, or the physical or other aspects of the embodiment, example, or claim prevent such combination, the features of the examples and claims disclosed herein can be integrated together in any suitable arrangement, particularly an arrangement where doing so has beneficial effects. This is not limited to just any specified benefit and, on the contrary, may result from "after-the-fact" benefits. That is to say, the combination of features is not limited by the forms described (particularly the subordinate forms of the examples, embodiments, or claims (e.g., numbering)). Additionally, this also applies to phrases such as "in one embodiment", "according to an embodiment", etc., which are merely stylistic forms of wording and are not to be construed as restricting the features of the subsequent individual embodiments to all other instances of the same or similar wording. That is to say, a reference to "an", "one", or "some" embodiments can be a reference to any one or more and / or all of the disclosed embodiments or combinations thereof. Additionally, similarly, a reference to "the" embodiment is not necessarily limited to the immediately preceding embodiment. Further, all references to one or more embodiments or examples should be construed as not being a limitation on the claims.

[0065] The present disclosure can be better understood in view of the following explanations, where terms separated by "or" can be used interchangeably:

[0066] As used herein, an "aerosol generating device" (or "electronic cigarette") can be a device configured to deliver an aerosol to a user for the user to inhale. If the device is intended to be used in place of a traditional combustible smoking product, it can alternatively be referred to as a "smoking alternative device". As used herein, a combustible "smoking product" can refer to a cigarette, cigar, pipe, or other product that produces smoke (an aerosol containing solid particles and gases) by heating above the thermal decomposition temperature (usually by combustion and / or pyrolysis). The aerosol generated by the device can include aerosols having a particle size of from 0.2 microns to 7 microns, or less than 10 microns, or less than 7 microns. This particle size can be achieved by controlling one or more of the following: heater temperature; the cooling rate at which vapor condenses into an aerosol; flow characteristics including turbulence and velocity. The generation of the aerosol by the aerosol generating device can be controlled by an input device. The input device can be configured to be user-activated and can include, for example, an actuation button and / or an airflow sensor, or take the form of, for example, an actuation button and / or an airflow sensor.

[0067] Each occurrence of causing the aerosol generating device to generate an aerosol for a period of time (which can be variable) can be referred to as an "activation" of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device can be arranged to allow the amount of aerosol delivered to the user to be different for each 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 user's draw through the flow path of the device (to replicate the effect of puffing on a traditional combustible smoking product).

[0068] The aerosol generating device can be portable. As used herein, the term "portable" can be a device that is used when held by a user.

[0069] As used herein, an "aerosol generating system" can be a system that includes an aerosol generating device and optionally other circuits / components associated with the functionality of the device (such as one or more external devices and / or one or more external components (where "external" refers to external to the aerosol generating device)). As used herein, "external devices" and "external components" can include one or more of the following: a charging device; a mobile device (which can be connected to the aerosol generating device, for example, by a wireless or wired connection); a network-based computer (such as a remote server); a cloud-based computer; any other server system.

[0070] An example aerosol generating system can be a system for managing an aerosol generating device. Such a system can include, for example, a mobile device, a network server, and an aerosol generating device.

[0071] As used herein, "aerosol" may include a suspension of precursors, the precursors including one or more of the following: solid particles; droplets; one or more of gases. The suspension may be in a gas including air. The aerosol herein may generally refer to / include vapor. The aerosol may include one or more components of the precursors.

[0072] As used herein, "precursor" may include one or more of the following: liquid; solid; gel; loose leaf material; other substances. The precursor may be processed by an aerosol generating unit of an aerosol generating device to produce an aerosol. The precursor may include one or more of the following: active ingredient; carrier; flavorant. The active ingredient may include one or more of the following: nicotine; caffeine; non-pharmaceutical preparations such as, for example, preparations not for treating human diseases or physiological dysfunctions. The active ingredient may be carried by a carrier, which may be a liquid including propylene glycol and / or glycerol. The term "flavorant" may refer to a component that provides a taste and / or odor to the user. The flavorant may include one or more of the following: ethyl vanillin (vanilla essence); 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: active ingredient; carrier; flavorant.

[0073] As used herein, "storage part" may be a part of the device suitable for storing the precursor. Depending on the implementation of the precursor as defined above, the storage part may be implemented as a fluid holding reservoir or a carrier for solid material.

[0074] As used herein, "flow path" may refer to a path or enclosed channel through an aerosol generating device, such as for delivering an aerosol to a user. The flow path may be arranged to receive the aerosol from the aerosol generating unit. When referring to the flow path, upstream and downstream may be defined according to the flow direction in the flow path, for example, where the outlet is downstream of the inlet.

[0075] As used herein, "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.

[0076] As used herein, "flow" may refer to the flow in the flow path. The flow may include the aerosol generated from the precursor. The flow may include air, which may be drawn into the flow path by the user through suction.

[0077] As used herein, a user's "puff" (or "inhale" or "draw") may refer to the expansion of the user's lungs and / or mouth to create a pressure drop that causes flow through the flow path.

[0078] As used herein, an "aerosol generating unit" may refer to a device configured to generate an aerosol from a precursor. The aerosol generating unit may include a unit that directly generates vapor from the precursor (e.g., a heating system or other system) or a unit that directly generates an aerosol from the precursor (e.g., an atomizer, which includes an ultrasonic system, a flow expansion system for droplets of the precursor in a transport stream operable without using electrical energy, or other systems). Multiple aerosol generating units that generate multiple aerosols (e.g., from multiple different aerosol precursors) may be present in an aerosol generating device.

[0079] As used herein, a "heating system" may refer to an arrangement of at least one heating element that is operable to atomize a precursor once heated. The at least one heating element may be resistive to generate heat from the flow of an electric current through it. The at least one heating element may be arranged as a susceptor to generate heat when traversed by an alternating magnetic field. The heating system may be configured to heat the precursor to a temperature below 300 or 350 degrees Celsius, including non-combustion.

[0080] As used herein, a "consumable" may refer to a unit that includes a precursor. The consumable may include an aerosol generating unit, e.g., 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, e.g., 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, e.g., a reservoir or tank, for storing the precursor. For solid material embodiments of the precursor, e.g., tobacco or reconstituted tobacco formulations, the consumable may be referred to as a "stick" or "pack" or "heat-not-burn consumable". In a heat-not-burn consumable, 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-allocated amount of material, including loose leaf products.

[0081] As used herein, an "information-bearing medium" may include one or more arrangements for storing information on any suitable medium. Examples include: computer-readable media; radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders; codes encoding information, such as optical (e.g., barcodes or QR codes) or mechanically readable codes (e.g., configurations of missing or present cuts to encode bits through which pins or readers can be inserted).

[0082] As used herein, "heat-not-burn" (or "HNB" or "heated precursor") may refer to heating a precursor without combustion or with insignificant combustion (i.e., a limited portion of the precursor may undergo local combustion, including less than 5% of the total volume), typically, heating tobacco.

[0083] Refer toFigure 1 , the exemplary aerosol generating device 1 includes a power source 2 for supplying electrical energy. The device 1 includes an aerosol generating unit 4 driven by the power source 2. The power source 2 may include a power supply in the form of a battery and / or an electrical connection to an external power source. The device 1 includes a precursor 6 which is atomized by the aerosol generating unit 4 during use to generate an aerosol. The device 2 includes a delivery system 8 for delivering the aerosol to the user.

[0084] A circuit ( Figure 1 not shown) may be implemented to control the interoperability of the power source 4 and the aerosol generating unit 6.

[0085] In a variant example not shown, the power source 2 may be omitted because, for example, an aerosol generating unit implemented as an atomizer with flow expansion may not require a power source.

[0086] Figure 2 An embodiment of the Figure 1 device 1 is shown, in which the aerosol generating device 1 is configured to generate an aerosol by a non-combustion process of heating.

[0087] In this example, the device 1 includes a device body 50 and a consumable 70.

[0088] In this example, the body 50 includes a power source 4 and a heating system 52. The heating system 54 includes at least one heating element 54. The body may additionally include any one or more of a circuit 56, a memory 58, a wireless interface 60, and one or more other components 62.

[0089] The circuit 56 may include processing resources for controlling one or more operations of the body 50, for example, based on instructions stored in the memory 58.

[0090] The wireless interface 60 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with an external (e.g., mobile) device, for example, via Bluetooth.

[0091] The other components 62 may include one or more user interface devices configured to convey information to the user and / or a charging port.

[0092] The body 50 is configured to engage with the consumable 70 such that at least one heating element 54 of the heating system 52 penetrates into the solid precursor 6 of the consumable. During use, the user may activate the aerosol generating device 1 such that the heating system 52 of the body 50 heats (without combustion) the solid precursor 6 of the consumable by conduction heat transfer using at least one heating element 54 to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale.

[0093] Figure 3 An Figure 2 exemplary embodiment of the aerosol generating device 1 is shown.

[0094] As Figure 3 Figure 3 As depicted, the consumable 70 is implemented as a rod that is joined to the body 50 by inserting the rod into a hole at the top end 53 of the body 50, which enables at least one heating element 54 of the heating system 52 to penetrate into the solid precursor 6.

[0095] The consumable 70 includes a solid precursor 6 adjacent to the body 50 and a filter remote from the body 50. The filter serves as a mouthpiece of the consumable 70 and thus as a mouthpiece of the entire device 1. The solid precursor 6 can be a reconstituted tobacco formulation.

[0096] In this example, at least one heating element 54 is a rod-shaped element having a circular cross-sectional profile. Other heating element shapes are possible, for example, at least one heating element can be blade-shaped (having a rectangular cross-sectional profile) or tubular (e.g., having a hollow cross-sectional profile).

[0097] In this example, the body 50 includes a cap 51. In use, the cap 51 is joined at the top end 53 of the body 50. Although not explicitly shown in Figure 3 Figure 3 , the cap 51 is movable relative to the body 50. In particular, the cap 51 is slidable and can slide along the longitudinal axis of the body 50.

[0098] The body 50 further includes a user interface assembly 55 on the outer surface of the body 50. In this example, the user interface assembly 55 is in the form of a button.

[0099] The body 50 further 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 be configured, for example, to light up when the device 1 is activated and / or to indicate the charging state of the power supply 4. Other user interface devices are possible, for example, communicating information to the user in a tactile or auditory manner.

[0100] The body may further include an airflow sensor that detects an airflow in the aerosol generating device 1 (e.g., caused by the user inhaling through the consumable 70). For example, this can be used to count the number of puffs.

[0101] In this example, the consumable 70 includes a flow path for delivering the aerosol generated by at least one heating element 54 to the mouthpiece of the consumable.

[0102] 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 the mouthpiece of the consumable 70 described above.

[0103] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5, a cap assembly 100 for an aerosol generating device includes an actuator 170 and a cap, the cap being movable relative to the actuator 170, wherein the cap includes: a housing 110 including a hole 180, the hole 180 forming an inlet of a consumable receiving cavity 120; and a closure 130 pivotally mounted near the hole 180 and selectively pivotable relative to the housing 110 about a pivot axis 132 to adopt an open position in which the hole 180 is exposed and a closed position in which the hole 180 is blocked; wherein the closure 130 moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and when the cap 110 moves from a first position relative to the actuator 170 to a second position relative to the actuator 170, the closure 130 transitions from the open position to the closed position.

[0104] In Figure 4 , the closure 130 is in the open position, the actuator 170 is in the first position, and the pivot axis 132 is perpendicular to the page. In Figure 5 , the closure 130 is in the closed position, the actuator 170 is in the second position, and the pivot axis 132 is perpendicular to the page.

[0105] The orientation of the closure 130 in the open position is generally perpendicular to the orientation of the closure 130 in the closed position. The pivot axis 132 is perpendicular to the insertion direction 122 of the consumable into the consumable receiving cavity 120. The cap assembly 100 includes a closure control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure 130 to be bistable such that when the cap is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position. The closure control mechanism is configured to control the position of the closure 130 such that when the cap is in the second position: the open position is an unstable position; the intermediate position is an unstable position; and the closed position is a stable equilibrium position.

[0106] The closure 130 includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposite sides of the pivot axis 132. When the closure 130 transitions between the open position and the closed position, the first portion of the closure 130 moves through the consumable receiving cavity 120. The first portion of the closure 130 includes a first magnetic element 142 of a lower sub-mechanism, and the actuator 170 includes a second magnetic element 144 of the lower sub-mechanism such that when the actuator 170 is in the first position, the closure is pushed into the open position.

[0107] The second part of the closure 130 includes a first magnetic element 152 of the upper sub - mechanism, and the housing includes a second magnetic element 154 of the upper sub - mechanism such that the closure is pushed into the closed position. When the closure 130 is in the open position and the lid moves from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the lid and the actuator 170 causes the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 152 of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 154 of the upper sub - mechanism to exceed the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 142 of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 144 of the lower sub - mechanism, such that the upper sub - mechanism pushes the closure 130 from the open position into the closed position.

[0108] The first magnetic element 142 of the lower sub - mechanism is a magnet, and the second magnetic element 144 of the lower sub - mechanism is a ferromagnetic plate. The first magnetic element 152 of the upper sub - mechanism is a second magnet, and the second magnetic element 154 of the upper sub - mechanism is a third magnet. The poles of the second magnet and the third magnet are aligned such that the closure 130 is pushed into the closed position.

[0109] The housing 110 includes a recess 160 at a position adjacent to the consumable receiving cavity 120. In the open position, a portion of the first part of the closure 130 is located within the recess 160. In the open position, a portion of the second part of the closure 130 protrudes from the housing 110. In the closed position, the closure 130 is generally flush with the outer surface of the housing 110. When in the open position, the closure 130 deviates from the path of the consumable when the consumable is inserted into the consumable receiving cavity 120. Thus, the closure 130 in the open position does not obstruct the consumable during insertion, i.e., the closure 130 does not pose an obstruction.

[0110] In Figure 4 the actuator 170 is in the first position such that the first magnetic element 142 of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 144 of the lower sub - mechanism are very close to each other such that the magnetic attraction between the two magnetic elements dominates any other forces / torques acting on the closure from the closure control mechanism, such that the closure 130 remains in the open position. In Figure 5 the first magnetic element 152 of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 154 of the upper sub - mechanism are very close to each other such that the magnetic attraction between the two magnetic elements dominates any other forces / torques acting on the closure from the closure control mechanism, such that the closure 130 remains in the closed position.

[0111] The closure member 130 includes a recess 134 that aligns with the hole when the closure member 130 is in the closed position. The cap assembly 110 includes a heater receiving hole 112. The cap assembly can be installed in the aerosol generating device such that the heater of the aerosol generating device is located within the heater receiving hole 112, with a portion of the heater located within the consumable receiving cavity 120. When the consumable is inserted into the consumable receiving cavity 120, the heater can heat the consumable to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale. The cap assembly 100 can be installed in the aerosol generating device such that the cap assembly 100 can move relative to the heater, and the heater can move relative to the consumable receiving cavity 120.

[0112] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The closure member 130 of the cap assembly 100 is shown independently of other components. The closure member 130 includes a first portion 136 and a second portion 138 separated (e.g., disposed on opposite sides of) by a pivot axis 132. The pivot axis 132 is perpendicular to Figure 6 the page. The recess 134 is located within the first portion 136 of the closure member 130. The first magnetic element 142 of the lower sub - mechanism is located within the first portion 136 of the closure member 130. The first magnetic element 152 of the upper sub - mechanism is located within the second portion 138 of the closure member 130.

[0113] Reference Figures 7A to 7D The cap assembly 200 for an aerosol generating device includes an actuator 270 and a cap that is movable relative to the actuator 270, where the cap includes: a housing including a hole 280 that forms an entrance to the consumable receiving cavity 220; and a closure member 230 pivotally mounted near the hole 280 and selectively pivotable relative to the housing 210 about a pivot axis 232 to assume an open position in which the hole 280 is exposed and a closed position in which the hole 280 is blocked; where the closure member 230 moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and the closure member 230 transitions from the open position to the closed position when the cap 210 moves from a first position relative to the actuator 270 to a second position relative to the actuator 270.

[0114] In Figure 7A , the closure member 230 is in the closed position, the actuator 270 is in the first position, and the pivot axis 232 is perpendicular to the page. In Figure 7B , the closure member 230 is in the open position, the actuator 270 is in the first position, and the pivot axis 232 is perpendicular to the page. In Figure 7C , the closure member 230 is in the open position, the actuator 270 is in the second position, and the pivot axis 232 is perpendicular to the page. In Figure 7DIn this case, the closure member 230 is in the closed position, the actuator 270 is in the second position, and the pivot axis 232 is perpendicular to the page.

[0115] The orientation of the closure member 230 in the open position is perpendicular to the orientation of the closure member 230 in the closed position. The pivot axis 232 is perpendicular to the insertion direction 222 of the consumable into the consumable receiving cavity 220.

[0116] The lid assembly 200 includes a closure member control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure member 230 to be bistable such that when the lid is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position.

[0117] The closure member control mechanism is configured to control the position of the closure member 230 such that when the lid is in the second position: the open position is an unstable position; the intermediate position is an unstable position; and the closed position is a stable equilibrium position. The closure member 230 includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposite sides of the pivot axis 232. When the closure member 230 transitions between the open position and the closed position, the first portion of the closure member 230 moves through the consumable receiving cavity 220.

[0118] The first portion of the closure member 230 includes a first magnetic element 242 of the lower sub - mechanism, and the actuator 270 includes a second magnetic element 244 of the lower sub - mechanism such that when the actuator 270 is in the first position, the closure member is pushed into the open position. The second portion of the closure member 230 includes a first magnetic element 252 of the upper sub - mechanism, and the housing includes a second magnetic element 254 of the upper sub - mechanism such that the closure member is pushed into the closed position.

[0119] When the closure member 230 is in the open position and the lid moves from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the lid and the actuator 270 causes the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 252 of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 254 of the upper sub - mechanism to exceed the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 242 of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 244 of the lower sub - mechanism, such that the upper sub - mechanism pushes the closure member 230 from the open position into the closed position.

[0120] The first magnetic element 242 of the lower sub - mechanism is a magnet, and the second magnetic element 244 of the lower sub - mechanism is a ferromagnetic plate. The first magnetic element 252 of the upper sub - mechanism is a second magnet, and the second magnetic element 254 of the upper sub - mechanism is a third magnet. The poles of the second magnet and the third magnet are aligned such that the closure member 230 is pushed into the closed position.

[0121] The housing 210 includes a recess 260 near the consumable receiving cavity 220. In the open position, a portion of a first part of the closure 230 is located within the recess 260, while a portion of a second part of the closure 230 protrudes from the housing 210. In the closed position, the closure 230 is flush with the outer surface of the housing 210. When in the open position, when the consumable is inserted into the consumable receiving cavity 220, the closure 230 is offset from the path traveled by the consumable.

[0122] In Figure 7B , the actuator 270 is in a first position such that a first magnetic element 242 of the lower sub - mechanism and a second magnetic element 244 of the lower sub - mechanism are very close to each other, such that the magnetic attraction between the two magnetic elements dominates any other forces / torques acting on the closure from the closure control mechanism, such that the closure 230 remains in the open position.

[0123] In Figure 7C , the closure 230 is in an unstable position because the actuator 270 has moved from the first position to the second position, so the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 242 of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 244 of the lower sub - mechanism has decreased, such that the upper sub - mechanism will push the closure 230 from the open position into the closed position. In fact, the movement of the actuator 270 caused by the movement of the lid causes the closure 230 to automatically close.

[0124] In Figure 7A and Figure 7D , a first magnetic element 252 of the upper sub - mechanism and a second magnetic element 254 of the upper sub - mechanism are very close to each other, such that the magnetic attraction between the two magnetic elements dominates any other forces / torques acting on the closure from the closure control mechanism, such that the closure 230 remains in the closed position.

[0125] The closure 230 includes a recess 234 that aligns with a hole when the closure 230 is in the closed position. The lid assembly 210 includes a heater receiving hole 212. The lid assembly is mounted in the aerosol - generating device such that a heater 2000 of the aerosol - generating device is located within the heater receiving hole 212, such that a portion of the heater 2000 is located within the consumable receiving cavity 220. When the consumable is inserted into the consumable receiving cavity 220, the heater 2000 can heat the consumable to generate an aerosol. The lid assembly 200 is mounted in the aerosol - generating device such that the lid can move relative to the heater 2000 and the heater 2000 can move relative to the consumable receiving cavity 220.

[0126] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 9, a cover assembly 300 for an aerosol generating device includes an actuator 370 and a cover that is movable relative to the actuator 370, wherein the cover includes: a housing 310 including a hole 380 that forms an inlet of a consumable receiving cavity 320; and a closure 330 pivotally mounted near the hole 380 and selectively pivotable relative to the housing 310 about a pivot axis 332 to adopt an open position in which the hole 380 is exposed and a closed position in which the hole 380 is blocked; the closure 330 moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and when the cover 310 moves from a first position relative to the actuator 370 to a second position relative to the actuator 370, the closure 330 transitions from the open position to the closed position.

[0127] In Figure 8 , the closure 330 is in the open position, the actuator 370 is in the first position, and the pivot axis 332 is perpendicular to the page. In Figure 9 , the closure is in the closed position, the actuator 370 is in the second position, and the pivot axis 332 is perpendicular to the page. The orientation of the closure 330 in the open position is perpendicular to the orientation of the closure 330 in the closed position. The pivot axis 332 is perpendicular to the insertion direction 322 of the consumable into the consumable receiving cavity 320.

[0128] The cover assembly 300 includes a closure control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure 330 to be bistable such that when the cover is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position. The closure control mechanism is configured to control the position of the closure 330 such that when the cover is in the second position: the open position is an unstable position; the intermediate position is an unstable position; and the closed position is a stable equilibrium position.

[0129] The closure 330 includes a first part and a second part located on opposite sides of the pivot axis 332. When the closure 330 transitions between the open position and the closed position, the first part of the closure 330 moves through the consumable receiving cavity 320. The first part of the closure 330 includes a first magnetic element 342 of a lower sub-mechanism, and the housing 310 includes a second magnetic element 344 of the lower sub-mechanism such that when the actuator 370 is in the first position, the closure is pushed into the open position. The second part of the closure 330 includes a first magnetic element 352 of an upper sub-mechanism, and the housing includes a second magnetic element 354 of the upper sub-mechanism such that the closure is pushed into the closed position.

[0130] When the closure member 330 is in the open position and the lid moves from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the lid and the actuator 370 causes the magnetic attraction force between the first magnetic element 352 of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 354 of the upper sub - mechanism to exceed the magnetic attraction force between the first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 344 of the lower sub - mechanism, such that the upper sub - mechanism pushes the closure member 330 from the open position into the closed position. In fact, the movement of the actuator 370 caused by the movement of the lid causes the closure member 330 to automatically close.

[0131] The actuator 370 includes an independent magnetic element 346 such that the relative movement between the lid and the actuator 370 causes the magnetic repulsion force between the independent magnetic element 346 and the first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub - mechanism to exceed the magnetic attraction force between the first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 344 of the lower sub - mechanism, such that the upper sub - mechanism pushes the closure member 330 from the open position into the closed position. The first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub - mechanism is a magnet, and the second magnetic element 344 of the lower sub - mechanism is a ferromagnetic plate. The first magnetic element 352 of the upper sub - mechanism is a second magnet, and the second magnetic element 354 of the upper sub - mechanism is a third magnet. The independent magnetic element 346 is a fourth magnet. The alignment of the magnetic poles of the second magnet and the third magnet is such that the closure member 330 is pushed into the closed position. The alignment of the magnetic poles of the first magnet and the fourth magnet is such that there is a magnetic repulsion force between the first magnet and the fourth magnet.

[0132] The housing 310 includes a recess 360 near the consumable receiving cavity 320. In the open position, a part of a first portion of the closure member 330 is located within the recess 360, while a part of a second portion of the closure member 330 protrudes from the housing 310. In the closed position, the closure member 330 is flush with the outer surface of the housing 310. When in the open position, when the consumable is inserted into the consumable receiving cavity 320, the closure member 330 deviates from the path of the consumable.

[0133] In Figure 8 , the actuator 370 is in the first position such that the first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 344 of the lower sub - mechanism are very close to each other, such that the magnetic attraction force between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces / torques acting on the closure member from the closure control mechanism, such that the closure member 330 remains in the open position.

[0134] In Figure 9 , the first magnetic element 352 of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 354 of the upper sub - mechanism are very close to each other, such that the magnetic attraction force between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces / torques acting on the closure member from the closure control mechanism, such that the closure member 330 remains in the closed position.

[0135] The closure member 330 includes a recess 334 which aligns with the hole when the closure member 330 is in the closed position. The cap assembly 310 includes a heater receiving hole 312. The cap assembly can be mounted in an aerosol generating device such that a heater of the aerosol generating device is located within the hole, with a portion of the heater located within the consumable receiving cavity 320. When a consumable is inserted into the consumable receiving cavity 320, the heater can heat the consumable to generate an aerosol. The cap assembly 300 can be mounted in the aerosol generating device such that the cap assembly 300 can move relative to the heater, such that the heater can move relative to the consumable receiving cavity 320.

[0136] Reference Figure 10 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 The closure member 330 of the cap assembly 300 is shown independently of other components. The closure member 330 includes a first position 336 and a second position 338 separated by a pivot axis 332. The pivot axis 332 is perpendicular to the page. The recess 334 is located within the first portion 336 of the closure member 330. The first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub - mechanism is located within the first portion 336 of the closure member 330. The first magnetic element 352 of the upper sub - mechanism is located within the second portion 338 of the closure member 330.

[0137] Reference Figures 11A to 11D , a cap assembly 400 for an aerosol generating device includes an actuator 470 and a cap which is movable relative to the actuator 470, wherein the cap includes: a housing 410 including a hole 480 which forms an entrance to a consumable receiving cavity 420; and a closure member 430 pivotally mounted near the hole 480 and selectively pivotable relative to the housing 410 about a pivot axis 432 to assume an open position in which the hole 480 is exposed and a closed position in which the hole 480 is blocked; wherein the closure member 430 moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and when the cap 410 moves from a first position relative to the actuator 470 to a second position relative to the actuator 470, the closure member 430 transitions from the open position to the closed position.

[0138] In Figure 11A , the closure member 430 is in the closed position, the actuator 470 is in the first position, and the pivot axis 432 is perpendicular to the page. In Figure 11B , the closure member 430 is in the open position, the actuator 470 is in the first position, and the pivot axis 432 is perpendicular to the page. In Figure 11C , the closure member 430 is in the open position, the actuator 470 is in the second position, and the pivot axis 432 is perpendicular to the page. In Figure 11DIn [the figure], the closure member 430 is in the closed position, the actuator 470 is in the second position, and the pivot axis 432 is perpendicular to the page. The orientation of the closure member 430 in the open position is perpendicular to the orientation of the closure member 430 in the closed position. The pivot axis 432 is perpendicular to the insertion direction 422 of the consumable into the consumable receiving cavity 420.

[0139] The lid assembly 400 includes a closure member control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure member 430 to be bistable such that when the lid is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position. The closure member control mechanism is configured to control the position of the closure member 430 such that when the lid is in the second position: the open position is an unstable position; the intermediate position is an unstable position; and the closed position is a stable equilibrium position. The closure member 430 includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposite sides of the pivot axis 432. When the closure member 430 transitions between the open position and the closed position, the first portion of the closure member 430 moves through the consumable receiving cavity 420. The first portion of the closure member 430 includes a first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub-mechanism, and the actuator 470 includes a second magnetic element 444 of the lower sub-mechanism such that when the actuator 470 is in the first position, the closure member is pushed into the open position. The second portion of the closure member 430 includes a first magnetic element 452 of the upper sub-mechanism, and the housing includes a second magnetic element 454 of the upper sub-mechanism such that the closure member is pushed into the closed position. When the closure member 430 is in the open position and the lid moves from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the lid and the actuator 470 causes the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 452 of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 454 of the upper sub-mechanism to exceed the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 444 of the lower sub-mechanism, such that the upper sub-mechanism pushes the closure member 430 from the open position into the closed position.

[0140] The actuator 470 includes an independent magnetic element 446 such that the relative movement between the lid and the actuator 470 causes the magnetic repulsion between the independent magnetic element 446 and the first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub-mechanism to exceed the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 444 of the lower sub-mechanism, such that the upper sub-mechanism pushes the closure member 430 from the open position into the closed position. The first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub-mechanism is a first magnet, and the second magnetic element 444 of the lower sub-mechanism is a ferromagnetic plate.

[0141] The first magnetic element 452 of the upper sub - mechanism is a second magnet, and the second magnetic element 454 of the upper sub - mechanism is a third magnet. The independent magnetic element 446 is a fourth magnet. The alignment of the magnetic poles of the second magnet and the third magnet is such that the closure 330 is pushed into the closed position. The alignment of the magnetic poles of the first magnet and the fourth magnet is such that there is a magnetic repulsive force between the first magnet and the fourth magnet. The housing 410 includes a recess 460 near the consumable receiving cavity 420. In the open position, a part of the first portion of the closure 430 is located within the recess 460, while a part of the second portion of the closure 430 protrudes from the housing 410. In the closed position, the closure 430 is flush with the outer surface of the housing 410. When in the open position, when the consumable is inserted into the consumable receiving cavity 420, the closure 430 is offset from the path traveled by the consumable.

[0142] In Figure 11B , the actuator 470 is in the first position such that the first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 444 of the lower sub - mechanism are very close to each other, such that the magnetic attractive force between the two magnetic elements dominates any other forces / torques acting on the closure from the closure control mechanism, such that the closure 430 remains in the open position.

[0143] In Figure 11C , the closure 430 is in an unstable position because the actuator 470 has moved from the first position to the second position, such that the magnetic repulsive force between the independent magnetic elements 446, so the magnetic attractive force between the first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 444 of the lower sub - mechanism has decreased, such that the upper sub - mechanism will push the closure 430 from the open position into the closed position.

[0144] In Figure 11A and Figure 11D , the first magnetic element 452 of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element 454 of the upper sub - mechanism are very close to each other, such that the magnetic attractive force between the two magnetic elements dominates any other forces / torques acting on the closure from the closure control mechanism, such that the closure 430 remains in the closed position. The closure 430 includes a recess 434 that aligns with a hole when the closure 430 is in the closed position. The cap assembly 410 includes a heater receiving hole 412. The cap assembly 400 is mounted in the aerosol - generating device such that the heater 4000 of the aerosol - generating device is located within the heater receiving hole 412, such that a part of the heater 4000 is located within the consumable receiving cavity 420.

[0145] When the consumable is inserted into the consumable receiving cavity 420, the heater 4000 can heat the consumable to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale. The lid assembly 400 is mounted in the aerosol generating device such that the lid can move relative to the heater 4000, so that the heater 4000 can move relative to the consumable receiving cavity 420.

Claims

1. A cap assembly for an aerosol generating device, the cap assembly comprising an actuator and a cap, the cap being movable relative to the actuator, wherein the cap comprises: a housing including a hole that forms an inlet to a consumable receiving cavity; and a closure member pivotally mounted near the hole and selectively pivotable relative to the housing about a pivot axis between an open position in which the hole is exposed and a closed position in which the hole is blocked; wherein the closure member moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and when the cap moves from a first position relative to the actuator to a second position relative to the actuator, the closure member transitions from the open position to the closed position.

2. The cap assembly according to claim 1, wherein, when in the intermediate position, at least a portion of the closure member is located within the consumable receiving cavity.

3. The cap assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a closure member control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure member to be bistable such that when the cap is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position.

4. The cap assembly according to claim 3, wherein the closure member includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposite sides of the pivot axis.

5. The cap assembly according to claim 4, wherein the closure member control mechanism includes an upper sub - mechanism positioned to push the closure member into the closed position.

6. The cap assembly according to claim 5, wherein the closure member control mechanism includes a lower sub - mechanism positioned to push the closure member into the open position when the cap is in the first position.

7. The cap assembly according to claim 6, wherein each sub - mechanism includes a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element, and the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are respectively: a first magnet and a second magnet; or a magnet and a ferromagnetic element; or a ferromagnetic element and a magnet.

8. The cap assembly according to claim 7, wherein the second portion of the closure member includes the first magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism, and the housing includes the second magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism such that the closure member is pushed into the closed position.

9. The cap assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first portion of the closure member includes the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism, and the actuator includes the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism such that when the cap is in the first position, the closure member is pushed into the open position.

10. The cap assembly according to claim 9, wherein, When the closure is in the open position and the housing moves from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the housing and the actuator causes the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism to exceed the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism, so that the upper sub - mechanism pushes the closure from the open position into the closed position.

11. The cap assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first part of the closure comprises the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism, and the housing comprises the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism, such that when the cap is in the first position, the closure is pushed into the open position.

12. The cap assembly according to claim 11, wherein, when the closure is in the open position and the cap moves from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the housing and the actuator causes the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the upper sub - mechanism to exceed the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism, so that the upper sub - mechanism pushes the closure from the open position into the closed position.

13. The cap assembly according to claim 12, wherein the actuator comprises an independent magnetic element, such that the relative movement between the housing and the actuator causes the magnetic repulsion between the independent magnetic element and the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism to exceed the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub - mechanism, so that the upper sub - mechanism pushes the closure from the open position into the closed position.

14. An aerosol - generating device comprising the cap assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The aerosol - generating device according to claim 14, further comprising a body, wherein the actuator of the cap assembly is rigidly connected to the body of the aerosol - generating device.

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