Aerosol generating device including an expandable container

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device (10) configured to operate with a consumable (12), comprising: - a heating chamber (25) configured to receive and heat at least a portion of the consumable (12), the heating chamber (25) including at least one movable element; - an expandable container (28) containing a thermally expansive material, the expandable container (28) being configured to cause the movable element to compress said portion of the consumable (12) due to expansion of the thermally expansive material when the consumable (12) is received in the heating chamber (25) and when the heating chamber (28) is operated to heat said portion of the consumable (12).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device that includes an expandable container.

[0002] The aerosol generating device according to the invention is adapted to operate with a consumable comprising, for example, a solid substrate, also known as an aerosol-forming substrate, which is capable of forming an aerosol when heated. Thus, these types of aerosol generating devices, also known as heated non-combustion devices, are adapted to heat, rather than burn, the substrate by conduction, convection and / or radiation to generate an aerosol for inhalation. [Background technology]

[0003] The popularity and use of risk reduction or risk modification devices (also known as vaporizers) has grown rapidly in recent years as aids to assist regular smokers wishing to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and rolling tobacco. A variety of devices and systems are available that heat or warm a vaporizable substance, as opposed to burning tobacco in traditional tobacco products.

[0004] A commonly available risk reduction or risk modification device is the substrate heated aerosol generator or heat-not-burn device. This type of device typically generates an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol substrate, which typically includes moist tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material, to a temperature typically ranging from 150°C to 350°C. By heating, rather than burning or combusting, the aerosol substrate, an aerosol is released that includes the ingredients desired by the user, but does not include the toxic and carcinogenic by-products of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol generated by heating tobacco or other vaporizable material typically does not include the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning, which can be unpleasant to the user. Thus, the substrate does not require sugars and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and / or vapor more palatable to the user.

[0005] The aerosol-forming device generally defines a heating chamber designed to receive and heat the aerosol-forming substrate so that the aerosol can be formed while the aerosol-forming substrate is heated. Challenges during the use of such heating methods include the low thermal conductivity of the substrate, which leads to long heating times, low energy efficiency, and bulky device designs.

[0006] It has been observed that the problem of low thermal conductivity of the substrate is mainly due to a large amount of air trapped in the substrate. Therefore, this problem can be at least partially solved by compressing the aerosol-forming substrate by a suitable compression means so that most of the trapped air is removed. However, compression means known in the art may impose many constraints during the use of the aerosol generating device. In particular, in some cases, the insertion and / or removal of consumables into and from the device may be made cumbersome by the compression means. In some other cases, the compression means requires manual mechanical actions that the user cannot always perform with the required effort. In some other cases, the compression means may require a power supply that increases battery consumption and makes the internal electrical circuitry of the device more complex. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an aerosol generating device that allows for compression of an aerosol-forming substrate without imposing additional constraints on the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To this end, the present invention provides an aerosol generating device adapted to operate with a consumable, comprising: - a heating chamber configured to receive and heat at least a portion of the consumable, the heating chamber including at least one movable element; - an expandable container containing a thermally expansive material, the expandable container being configured to cause a movable element to compress the portion of the consumable when the consumable is received in the heating chamber and when the heating chamber is operated to heat the portion of the consumable due to expansion of the thermally expansive material; The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising:

[0009] The use of an expandable container containing a thermally expansive material allows the consumable aerosol-forming substrate to be compressed "automatically" during heating, meaning that no additional action by the user is required and no battery power is required to perform the compression. In particular, the properties of the expansive material and / or the dimensions and / or arrangement of the expansive material can be selected to ensure optimal compressibility of the substrate while it is being heated. In addition, the compressibility can be related to the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, when the substrate is not being heated, the compressibility may be substantially equal to zero, whereas when the substrate is heated to its maximum temperature, the compressibility may also achieve its maximum value.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the thermally expansive material is sealed inside the expandable container.

[0011] These features allow the thermally expansible material to be completely isolated from the aerosol-forming substrate and the aerosol that is formed during heating, thereby preventing deterioration of the taste or other properties of the aerosol during heating of the substrate and thermally expansible material.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the thermally expansive material is an alkane.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the thermally expansive material is paraffin wax.

[0014] Because of these characteristics, the thermally expansive material exhibits good expansion coefficients in the right temperature range (e.g., during the preheating stage), is low cost, and, in addition, it is a food-grade material and will withstand the peak temperatures of the heater.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the thermally expansible material is selected to expand during a pre-heat stage of operation of the heat chamber.

[0016] These features allow maximum compression ratios to be achieved when the aerosol generating device is ready for use.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the movable element forms an actuator configured to extend from a wall of the heating chamber.

[0018] These features allow compression to be achieved using elements independent of the walls of the heating chamber.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the movable element forms a wall of a heating chamber connected to an actuator.

[0020] Because of these characteristics, it is possible to achieve compression that extends along substantially the entire surface of the aerosol-generating substrate, ensuring optimal aerosol generation.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the actuator is configured to slide within the cavity further upon expansion of the expandable container.

[0022] Because of these features, the expansion force of the inflatable container can be perfectly transferred into a concentrated force along a specific direction.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the movable element is formed by a wall of the expandable container.

[0024] Due to these features it is possible to achieve a compression that extends along substantially the entire surface of the aerosol-generating substrate, ensuring optimal aerosol generation. In addition, better compression can be achieved in this case, since the shape of the walls of the expandable container can precisely follow the external shape of the consumable.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the movable element contacts a wall of the expandable vessel to form a wall of the heating chamber.

[0026] These features allow the expansion forces from the container to be fully transmitted across the walls of the heating chamber.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the expandable container provides insulation between the heating chamber and the exterior surface of the device.

[0028] Because of these features, the expandable container additionally functions as an insulator allowing for isolating the heating chamber from the exterior surface of the aerosol generating device.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the expandable container defines at least one elastic wall or membrane that can change shape depending on the rate of expansion of the heat dissipating material.

[0030] Due to these characteristics, it is possible to achieve better compression by adapting the shape of the expandable container to the corresponding contact surface.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the heating chamber extends along a chamber axis between a closed end and an open end, the open end defining an opening extending perpendicular to the chamber axis, and the movable element is movable substantially perpendicular to the chamber axis.

[0032] Due to these features, it is possible to achieve better compression for consumables that exhibit an elongated shape.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the heating chamber further comprises at least one heating element, said heating element forming a heating blade arranged inside the heating chamber, or one or several heating resistors integrated in the moving element, or a coil arranged around the heating chamber.

[0034] Because of these characteristics, various types of heaters can be used to heat the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0035] According to some embodiments, the heating chamber defines at least two movable elements opposed to one another.

[0036] Due to these characteristics, the aerosol-forming substrate can be compressed in several portions to enhance the aerosol generation performance.

[0037] The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating device receiving a consumable item; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, in which a portion of the consumable is compressed while being heated. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating device receiving a consumable item; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, in which a portion of the consumable is compressed while being heated. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating device receiving a consumable item. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, in which a portion of the consumable is compressed while being heated. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating device receiving a consumable item; [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7, in which a portion of the consumable is compressed while being heated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Before the present invention is described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description, as it will be apparent to one skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0040] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating device" or "device" may include a vaping device for delivering aerosols, including aerosols for vaping, to a user using a heater element, which will be described in more detail below. The device device may be portable. "Portable" may refer to a device that is held and used by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol (as opposed to a fixed amount of aerosol), for example, by activating a heater element for a variable amount of time, the generation of which may be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user-activated, such as a vaping button and / or an inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the inhalation intensity as well as the inhalation duration, allowing for the provision of a variable amount of vapor (to mimic the smoking effect of a conventional combustible smoking article, such as a cigarette, cigar, or pipe). The device may include a temperature regulation control for driving the temperature of the heater and / or heated aerosol-generating material (aerosol precursor) to a specific target temperature and then maintaining the temperature at a target temperature that allows for efficient generation of aerosol.

[0041] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" or "substrate" may refer to a material that may contain, for example, nicotine or tobacco or other smokable material and an aerosol-forming agent. Tobacco may take the form of various materials, such as cut tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf, and / or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol-forming agents include polyols (such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol), non-polyols (such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin). In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also include at least one of a gelling agent, a binder, a stabilizer, and a humectant.

[0042] As used herein, the term "aerosol" may include a suspension of an aerosol-forming substrate as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets, and gas. The suspension may be in a gaseous state, including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to / include vapor. The aerosol may include one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0043] As used herein, the term "thermally expansive material" or "expansive material" may refer to any material that is capable of increasing its volume while being heated. In particular, such materials exhibit a coefficient of expansion greater than 1 while being heated within a given temperature range.

[0044] By "expansion ratio" is meant the ratio between the expanded volume of the thermally expansive material and the reference volume. The reference volume may correspond to the volume of the thermally expansive material under ambient temperature. The predetermined temperature range may substantially correspond to the heating temperature range of the aerosol-forming precursor and may range from a first value substantially corresponding to the ambient temperature to a second value corresponding to the maximum heating temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate. The second value may thus be included in the interval extending from 180°C to 400°C, preferably from 200°C to 350°C. Within the predetermined temperature range, the expansion may increase according to a complex curve that depends for example on geometric factors. Typically, it may have an "S" shape including three increasing segments: an initial segment (lower part of the "S") with a moderate expansion, a middle segment (rising part of the "S") with the most significant expansion and a final segment (upper part of the "S") with a moderate expansion. The middle segment may be defined between a maximum ambient temperature, e.g. 40°C, and a minimum temperature of the heater of the device during a vaping session, e.g. 200°C. According to some embodiments, the first two segments may correspond to a pre-heating stage of the aerosol-forming substrate. Depending on the nature of the expandable material, the intermediate segment may further include a phase change point, such as a melting point. Typically, the melting point may be about 50°C to 70°C.

[0045] As used herein, the term "pre-heating stage" is understood as the initial stage of operation of the aerosol-generating device, which is necessary to heat the aerosol-forming substrate so that an aerosol can be generated. In particular, during the pre-heating stage, the aerosol-forming device is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate from ambient temperature to a temperature that allows aerosol generation. This final temperature may be comprised in the interval ranging from 180°C to 400°C, preferably from 200°C to 350°C. After the pre-heating stage, the aerosol-generating device may be adapted, for example, to maintain the substrate temperature constant or to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to follow a predefined temperature profile.

[0046] As used herein, the terms "alkane", "paraffin", or "non-cyclic saturated hydrocarbon" may refer to materials that primarily contain chemical elements consisting of hydrogen and carbon atoms arranged in a structure in which all carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds, e.g., in a linear periodic structure. The chemical elements have the general chemical formula C n H 2n+2 has.

[0047] As used herein, the terms "paraffin wax", "petroleum wax" or "wax" may refer to a material that primarily comprises a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing 20 to 40 carbon atoms. According to a preferred embodiment, such a mixture contains 24 carbon atoms and thus has the general chemical formula C 24 H 50 has.

[0048] [First embodiment of the present invention] An aerosol generating device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The aerosol generating device 10 is designed to operate with a consumable item 12, which is also shown in these figures.

[0049] In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the consumable 12 includes a substrate portion 14 and a filter portion 16. Both portions 14, 16 can be wrapped using a unique wrapper that adheres the portions together. In other examples, the portions 14, 16 can be wrapped in different wrappers and secured one to the other by other suitable means. The or each wrapper can include, for example, paper, and / or nonwoven fabric, and / or aluminum. The or each wrapper can be porous or air impermeable. The consumable 12 can have a generally tubular shape, for example, defining a circular cross-section. According to another example, the consumable 12 defines a rectangular cross-section.

[0050] The substrate portion 14 accommodates an aerosol-forming substrate intended to be heated by the heating chamber of the aerosol generating device 10, as will be explained in more detail below. In addition, according to some examples, the substrate portion 14 may include one or several susceptors integrated into the aerosol-forming substrate. The susceptor may be formed from an electrically conductive material capable of generating eddy currents when placed in a magnetic field. The eddy currents cause the susceptor to generate heat suitable for heating the aerosol-forming substrate and generating an aerosol. The magnetic field may be generated by a coil included in the heating system of the aerosol generating device 10. The substrate portion 14 may include two or more adjacent segments, at least one upstream segment accommodating the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream segment forming a spacer or cooling segment. The downstream segment may be, for example, a tube made of paper or other rigid material such as a PLA material. The tube may be hollow or partially filled or reinforced, for example, by radial and / or longitudinal inner walls.

[0051] The filter portion 16 includes, for example, a core that functions like a filter. The core can be, for example, a foam or packed strands or fibers. In some examples, the filter portion 16 can form a mouthpiece intended to contact the lips and / or mouth of a user during use of the device 10. In other examples, the filter portion 16 can be inserted into a separate mouthpiece intended to contact the lips and / or mouth of a user. According to other examples, the consumable 12 can include only the substrate portion 14.

[0052] The aerosol generating device 10 includes a housing 20 that defines an insertion opening 21 suitable for insertion of the consumable 12. The housing 20 defines an interior space of the device 10 that receives various elements designed to perform different functions of the device 10. This interior space can receive, for example, a battery 23 for powering the device 10, a control module 24 for controlling the operation of the device 10, a heating chamber 25 configured to receive and heat at least a portion of the consumable 12, and a disposable container 28 configured to cause compression of the consumable 12 when the consumable 12 is partially received in the heating chamber 25. Of these elements, only the heating chamber 25 and the disposable container 28 will be described in further detail. Other elements, such as the battery 23 and the control module 24, can be implemented using known techniques.

[0053] The heating chamber 25 extends along a chamber axis X between a closed end 30 and an open end 31 and has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the consumable 12. The open end 31 opens into the insertion opening 21 of the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 1 , the heating chamber 25 is adapted to receive the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12 through the open end 31 such that the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12 extends into the heating chamber along the chamber axis X. Additionally, as discussed above, the heating chamber 25 is adapted to heat at least a portion of the substrate portion 14.

[0054] For this purpose, the heating chamber 25 comprises a heating element 34, which in the example of FIG. 1 is formed by a heating blade. Such a heating blade is configured to penetrate into the interior of the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12 during insertion of the consumable 12. The operation of the heating element 34 can be controlled by the control module 24 using a control method known per se. According to another example, the heating element 34 can be formed by a coil arranged around the heating chamber 25, creating inside the chamber 25 a magnetic field controlled by the control module 24. In this case, the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12 comprises one or several susceptors as explained above. According to yet another example, the heating chamber 25 can comprise one or several heating elements 34, formed by heating resistors integrated into at least one wall of the heating chamber 25 and designed to be in contact with the substrate portion 14. As in the previous example, the operation of these heating elements 34 is controlled by the control module 24.

[0055] The heating chamber 25 further includes at least one movable element configured to compress at least a portion of the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12 when the chamber 25 heats the substrate portion 14. In particular, the movable element is configured to exert a force on said portion of the substrate portion 14 according to at least a transverse axis Y perpendicular to the chamber axis X.

[0056] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the mobile element is formed by at least one wall of the heating chamber 25 which is formed by at least one wall of the expandable container 28. In particular, according to the first embodiment of the invention, the mobile part of the heating chamber 25 is formed by a wall 40 of the expandable container 28, hereinafter referred to as compression wall 40. This compression wall 40 is intended to be in contact with the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12 when the consumable 12 is inserted into the heating chamber 25.

[0057] In addition, according to the example of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the expandable container 28 forms a cylindrical shape defining a through hole extending along the chamber axis X and bounded by an inner wall forming a compression wall 40. In other words, this compression wall 40 forms a side wall that bounds the heating chamber 25 laterally, i.e. along the chamber axis X. Thus, according to this example, the compression wall 40 is intended to be in circumferential contact with the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12 and, as a result, to circumferentially compress this portion 14 when heated.

[0058] According to other examples of the first embodiment of the present invention, the expandable container 28 has other suitable shapes that define at least one wall that at least partially forms a sidewall of the heating chamber 25. In other words, according to these examples, the expandable container 28 can have any suitable shape that defines at least a wall designed to contact at least a portion of the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12 when the consumable 12 is received in the heating chamber 25. For example, the disposable container 28 can form a semi-cylindrical shape designed to extend partially around the substrate portion 14.

[0059] The expandable container 28 is filled with a thermally expansive material, which may be an alkane, preferably paraffin wax. At ambient temperature, i.e. for example at temperatures comprised between 0°C and 30°C, the volume of the thermally expansive material is for example 4 or 5 times larger than the desired volume change induced by compression of the aerosol-forming substrate of the substrate portion 14, in particular the upstream segment of the substrate portion 14, when the upstream and downstream segments are defined as explained above. In the general case, the amount of thermally expansive material, its nature and the geometry of the expandable container 28 are selected to ensure an optimal expansion rate of the expandable container 28 (or an optimal compression rate of the thermal substrate portion 14) in a given temperature range. As mentioned above, the given temperature range corresponds substantially to the heating temperature range of the aerosol-forming precursor and may range from a first value, which corresponds substantially to the ambient temperature, to a second value, which corresponds to the maximum heating temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate. The second value may therefore be comprised in the interval extending from 180°C to 400°C, preferably from 200°C to 350°C. Moreover, said temperature range may include a segment corresponding to a pre-heating stage of the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, when using paraffin wax, its melting point and most significant expansion may be included in the interval between 50°C and 70°C. This interval is included in the pre-heating stage of the substrate 14 so that the expandable container 28 can ensure optimal compressibility of the substrate 14 when the user starts a vaping session. When the user finishes the vaping session, the expandable material cools and the expandable container 28 can take its initial shape and release the substrate portion 14.

[0060] The optimum compressibility of the thermal substrate portion 14 is determined according to the properties of the aerosol-forming substrate contained therein, in particular according to the volume of air trapped in the aerosol-forming substrate. The optimum compressibility ensures, for example, optimum aerosol generation and can be determined, for example, empirically.

[0061] The compression wall 40 of the expandable container 28 can expand with the expansion of the thermally expansive material according to the transverse axis Y, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the compression wall 40 can compress the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12 substantially along the entire contact area with the compression wall 40. According to another example, the compression wall 40 is configured to compress only a portion of the substrate portion 14. For example, when the substrate portion 14 includes an upstream segment and a downstream segment, the compression wall 40 is configured to compress only the upstream segment of the compression wall 40. In this case, the compression wall 40 can extend only facing the upstream segment or define a resilient portion facing this upstream segment.

[0062] The compression wall 40 is at least partially made of a flexible material, preferably an elastic material. In particular, the compression wall 40 can be made of a typical food-grade, elastic and high-temperature resistant rubber, such as silicone or fluorocarbon. In some examples, the compression wall 40 is the only wall of the expandable container 28 made of an elastic material, the other walls of the expandable container 28 being rigid. According to some other examples, the walls of the expandable container 28 are all made of an elastic material. In this last case, the expansion of the other walls of the expandable container 28 can be limited / constrained by the mechanical structure of the device 10, in particular the mechanical structure of the housing 20.

[0063] According to some examples (not shown) of the first embodiment of the invention, the compressed wall 40 may include one or several flexible heating resistors capable of heating the substrate portion 14. In particular, in this case, the heating resistors may be integrated into the compressed wall 40 during its manufacture. For example, the heating elements may be embedded in the elastic material of the compressed wall 40, for example by overmolding.

[0064] Advantageously, according to the invention, the expandable container 28 is sealed. The sealing can be carried out before or after inserting the expandable container 28 inside the housing 20 during the manufacture of the device 10. In particular, in the first case, the thermally expansive material can be first introduced into the expandable container 28, which can then be sealed and inserted inside the housing 20. In the second case, the expandable container 28 can first be inserted inside the housing 20, which can then be filled with the thermally expansive material and sealed.

[0065] [Second embodiment of the present invention] An aerosol generating device 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 3 and 4. This aerosol generating device 110 is designed to operate with the same consumables 12 as described in connection with the previous embodiment.

[0066] In addition, as before, the aerosol generating device 110 includes a housing 120 that defines an insertion port 121 suitable for insertion of the consumable 12 and includes, among other things, a battery 123, a control module 124, a heating chamber 125, and an expandable container 128. The battery 123 and the control module 124 are similar to the battery 23 and the control module 24 discussed above. Moreover, as before, the heating chamber 125 is configured to receive and heat at least a portion of the consumable 12 and extends along a chamber axis X between a closed end 130 and an open end 131. The heating chamber 125 includes a heating element 134 and at least one movable element configured to compress at least a portion of the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12 when the chamber 125 heats the substrate portion 14. Finally, as in the previous case, the heating element 134 may also be formed, for example, by a heating blade (as shown in Figures 3 and 4), or a coil, or one or several heating resistors integrated into at least one wall of the heating chamber 125.

[0067] Contrary to the previous case, according to a second embodiment of the invention, the or each mobile element of the heating chamber 125 is formed by a slidable wall of this heating chamber 125 in contact with the expandable container 128. In particular, in the example of Figs. 3 and 4, the heating chamber 125 comprises two mobile elements formed by its opposing slidable walls 140A, 140B, each slidable wall 140A, 140B in contact with the expandable container 128. This calibration can be used, among other things, when the heating chamber 125 and the consumable 12 have a rectangular cross section. According to another example of this embodiment, the number of slidable walls can be more than two. Each of the slidable walls can be in contact with the expandable container and is configured to further compress at least a part of the substrate portion 14 upon expansion of the expandable container 128.

[0068] According to the example of Figures 3 and 4, each slidable wall 140A, 140B is slidable along the transverse axis Y during the expansion of the disposable container 128. In particular, according to this example, each slidable wall 140A, 140B partially delimits the heating chamber 125 and defines an inner surface intended to be in contact with at least a portion of the substrate portion 14 and an outer surface in contact with at least one wall of the expandable container 128. For example, when the substrate portion 14 includes an upstream segment and a downstream segment, each slidable wall 140A, 140B can be configured to be in contact only with the upstream segment. In addition, each slidable wall 140A, 140B can be mounted on a guide means (not shown) that allows the sliding of this wall along the transverse axis Y between a first position (shown in Figure 3) in which the substrate portion 14 can be received and removed from the heating chamber 125, and a second position (shown in Figure 4) in which this portion 14 is compressed between the slidable walls 140A, 140B. Thus, in the example of these figures, walls 140A, 140B are slidable in opposite directions.

[0069] Each slidable wall 140A, 140B is configured to slide from a first position to a second position with expansion of the expandable container 128. Additionally, in some examples, the housing 120 may include a biasing means configured to urge each slidable wall 140A, 140B back from the second position to the first position when the expandable container 128 is not expanded. According to some other examples, each slidable wall 140A, 140B is configured to return from the second position to the first position when a user removes the consumable 12 from the device 110.

[0070] As in the previous embodiment, according to some examples of the second embodiment, one or several heating resistors can be integrated into the walls 140A, 140B in order to heat the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0071] The expandable container 128 may be similar to the expandable container 28 described above. In particular, as before, the expandable container 128 contains a thermally expansive material which causes the container to expand while being heated. To this end, the expandable container 128 defines at least one elastic wall which allows the slidable walls 140A, 140B to slide to their second position. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the expandable container 128 is arranged in a cavity between the heating chamber 125 and the inner surface of the housing 120.

[0072] As in the previous embodiment, the expandable container 128 can have a cylindrical shape with a through hole that allows it to be placed around the heating chamber 125. According to another example, the expandable container 128 can form two independent parts, each part being placed between the inner surface of the housing 120 and a corresponding wall 140A, 140B of the heating chamber 125. According to this example, each part of the expandable container 128 can act independently against the corresponding sliding wall 140A, 140B. Finally, as in the previous embodiment, the amount of thermally expansive material, its nature and the geometric shape of the expandable container 128 are selected to ensure an optimal expansion rate of the expandable container 128 (or an optimal compression rate of the thermal substrate portion 14).

[0073] [Third embodiment of the present invention] An aerosol generating device 210 according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 5 and 6. As before, this aerosol generating device 210 is designed to work with the same consumables 12, although this will not be described in further detail in connection with this embodiment.

[0074] Additionally, as before, the aerosol generating device 210 includes a housing 220 that defines an insertion port 221 suitable for insertion of the consumable 12 and includes, among other things, a battery 223, a control module 224, a heating chamber 225, and an expandable container 228. The battery 223 and the control module 224 are similar to the battery 23 and the control module 24 discussed above. Moreover, as before, the heating chamber 225 is configured to receive and heat at least a portion of the consumable 12 and extends along a chamber axis X between a closed end 230 and an open end 231.

[0075] Contrary to the previous case, the heating chamber 225 may define one or more fixed side walls 232 extending along the chamber axis X and intended to come into contact with the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12 when the consumable 12 is received inside the heating chamber 225. In this case, the heating chamber 225 may form a cup-shaped heating chamber 225 and may include a heating element 234 formed by one or several heating resistors integrated into its side walls, as shown by way of example in Figures 5 and 6. According to other examples, the heating element 234 may be formed by a heating blade as described in connection with the previous embodiment or by a coil arranged around the heating chamber 225.

[0076] According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the heating chamber 225 includes at least one movable element forming an actuator 240 configured to protrude from the sidewall 232 of the heating chamber 225 to compress the substrate portion 14 of the consumable 12. In particular, the actuator 240 is connected to the expandable container 228 and configured to protrude from the sidewall 232 upon expansion of the expandable container 228. In some instances of this embodiment, the heating chamber 225 may include several movable elements extending from one or more sidewalls. For example, when the heating chamber 225 forms a circular tube, the movable elements may form radial ribs extending from the sidewall of the chamber 225 to compress at least a portion of the substrate portion 14.

[0077] In the examples of Figs. 5 and 6, the actuator 240 includes a compression portion 241 configured to protrude from the wall 232 according to a horizontal axis Y, and a guide portion 242 connecting the compression portion 241 and the expandable container 228 and guiding the compression portion 241 according to the horizontal axis Y during expansion of the expandable container 228. The guide portion 142 may be arranged in a cavity extending along the horizontal axis Y. Thus, during expansion of the expandable container 228, the guide portion 242 may guide the compression portion 241 from a first position (shown in Fig. 5) in which the substrate portion 14 is not compressed to a second position (shown in Fig. 6) in which the substrate portion 14 is compressed. As in the second embodiment of the present invention, according to some examples of the third embodiment, a biasing means may be used to push the compression portion 241 of the actuator 240 from the second position to the first position when the expandable container 228 is not expanded.

[0078] As in the previous embodiment, the expandable container 228 is filled with an expandable material. The interior volume of the expandable container 228 can be bounded by a rigid wall that defines an opening sealed with an expandable membrane 250. The expandable membrane 250 can be directly or indirectly connected to the guide 242 of the actuator 240 to slide the actuator 240 into the cavity along the transverse axis Y. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the expandable membrane 250 can expand into the cavity including the guide 242 of the actuator together with the expansion of the thermally expandable material contained in the container 228. Finally, as in the previous embodiment, the amount of thermally expandable material, its nature and the geometry of the expandable container 228 are selected to ensure an optimal expansion rate of the expandable container 228 (or an optimal compression rate of the thermal substrate portion 14).

[0079] Other examples of the expandable vessel 228 are possible. For example, in the case of multiple moving elements forming radial ribs, the expandable vessel 228 can form a unique cylindrical piece disposed around the heating chamber 225, as described in connection with the first embodiment of the invention. Thus, expansion of the expandable vessel 228 can cause each moving element to protrude from the sidewall.

[0080] [Fourth embodiment of the present invention] An aerosol generating device 310 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 7 and 8. As before, this aerosol generating device 310 is designed to work with the same consumables 12, although this will not be described in further detail in relation to this embodiment.

[0081] In addition, as in the previous case, the aerosol generating device 310 includes a housing 320 that defines an insertion opening 321 suitable for the insertion of the consumable 12 and includes, among other things, a battery 323, a control module 324, a heating chamber 325 and an expandable container 328. The battery 323 and the control module 324 are similar to the battery 23 and the control module 24 described above. Moreover, as in the previous case, the heating chamber 325 is configured to receive and heat at least a portion of the consumable 12 and extends along a chamber axis X between a closed end 330 and an open end 331. Moreover, in the example of Figs. 7 and 8, the heating chamber 325 includes a heating element 334 formed by a heating blade similar to the heating blade described above. According to other examples, the heating element 324 can be formed by one or several heating resistors integrated into the wall of the heating chamber 325 or a coil arranged around the heating chamber 328.

[0082] According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, the heating chamber 325 includes at least one movable element formed by a slidable wall 340 of the chamber 325 connected to an actuator 342. The slidable wall 340 is similar to one of the slidable walls 140A, 140B described in connection with the second embodiment of the invention. In particular, according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, the slidable wall 340 is movable along a transverse axis Y by the actuator 342 from a first position (shown in FIG. 7 ) in which the substrate portion 14 is not compressed to a second position (shown in FIG. 8 ) in which the substrate portion 14 is compressed. In some embodiments, the wall 340 can be pushed from the second position to the first position using a suitable biasing means.

[0083] An actuator 342 connects the slidable wall 340 to the expandable reservoir 328 and can slide along the transverse axis Y with the expansion of the expandable reservoir 328. The actuator 342 can slide, for example, within a cavity formed between the slidable wall 340 and the reservoir 328.

[0084] The expandable container 328 is similar to the expandable container 228 described in connection with the third embodiment of the present invention. In particular, as before, the expandable container 328 is filled with a thermally expansive material. The interior volume of the expandable container 328 can be bounded by a rigid wall defining an opening sealed with an expandable membrane 350. The expandable membrane 350 can be directly or indirectly connected to the actuator 342 to slide the actuator 342 along the transverse axis Y. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, the expandable membrane 350 can expand into the cavity containing the actuator 342 together with the expansion of the thermally expansive material contained in the container 328.

[0085] Finally, as with the previous embodiment, the amount of thermally expansive material, its properties and the geometry of the expandable container 328 are selected to ensure an optimal expansion rate of the expandable container 328 (or an optimal compression rate of the thermal substrate portion 14).

[0086] [Other embodiments of the present invention] Other embodiments of the invention are still possible. For example, these embodiments may include any combination of the embodiments disclosed above. In addition, in these embodiments, the number of moving elements and their respective arrangement may be selected in any suitable manner.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (10, 110, 210, 310) configured to operate with a consumable (12), comprising: a heating chamber (25, 125, 225, 325) configured to receive and heat at least a portion of the consumable (12), the heating chamber including at least one movable element; an expandable container (28, 128, 228, 328) containing a thermally expansible material and configured such that when the consumable (12) is received in the heating chamber (25, 125, 225, 325) and when the heating chamber (28, 128, 228, 328) is operated to heat the portion of the consumable (12), expansion of the thermally expansible material causes the movable element to compress the portion of the consumable (12); Including, An aerosol generating device (10, 110, 210, 310).

2. The thermally expansive material is sealed within the expandable container (28, 128, 228, 328).

2. An aerosol generating device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 1.

3. The thermally expandable material is an alkane.

3. An aerosol generating device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The thermally expandable material is paraffin wax.

4. An aerosol generating device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 3.

5. the thermally expansive material is selected to expand during a pre-heating phase of operation of the heating chamber (25, 125, 225, 325); 3. An aerosol generating device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The movable element forms an actuator (240) configured to extend from a wall (232) of the heating chamber (225).

3. An aerosol generating device (210) according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The movable element forms a wall (340) of the heating chamber (325) connected to an actuator (342).

3. An aerosol generating device (310) according to claim 1 or 2.

8. the actuator (240, 342) is configured to slide within the cavity further upon expansion of the expandable container (228, 328); 7. The aerosol generating device (210, 310) of claim 6.

9. The movable element is formed by a wall (40) of the expandable container (28).

3. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The movable element contacts the walls of the expandable vessel (128) to form the walls (140A, 140B) of the heating chamber (125).

3. An aerosol generating device (110) according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The expandable vessel (28, 128) provides thermal insulation between the heating chamber (25, 125) and the exterior surface of the device (10, 110).

10. An aerosol generating device (10, 110) according to claim 9.

12. the expandable container (28, 128, 228, 328) defines at least one elastic wall or membrane capable of changing shape in response to a rate of expansion of the heat dissipating material; 3. An aerosol generating device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 1 or 2.

13. said heating chamber (25, 125, 225, 325) extending along a chamber axis (X) between a closed end (30, 130, 230, 330) and an open end (31, 131, 231, 331); the open end (31, 131, 231, 331) defines an opening (21, 121, 221, 321) extending perpendicular to the chamber axis (X); The movable element is movable substantially perpendicular to the chamber axis (X).

3. An aerosol generating device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 1 or 2.

14. the heating chamber (25, 125, 225, 325) further comprises at least one heating element (34, 134, 234, 334); said heating element (34, 134, 234, 334) forming a heating blade arranged inside said heating chamber (25, 125, 225, 325) or one or several heating resistors integrated in said moving element or a coil arranged around said heating chamber (25, 125, 225, 325); 3. An aerosol generating device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 1 or 2.

15. The heating chamber (25, 125, 225, 325) defines at least two movable elements opposed to each other; 3. An aerosol generating device (10, 110, 210, 310) according to claim 1 or 2.

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