Aerosol generating device with a support structure for receiving a heating plate

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generation device (10) configured to operate with a flat-shaped tobacco article comprising a substrate portion, the device (10) comprising: a heating chamber (46) extending along a chamber axis and configured to receive the substrate portion of the tobacco article, the heating chamber (46) comprising a heating plate (47A, 47B) defining two opposite edges (49) extending along the chamber axis; and a support structure (50) extending along the chamber axis and comprising two opposing recesses (51), each recess adapted to receive at least a portion of one of the edges of the heating plate and bounded by two opposing retaining sides designed to hold a corresponding edge, at least one retaining side of each recess being inclined with respect to a transverse axis parallel to the heating plate and perpendicular to the chamber axis.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device that includes a support structure that receives a heating plate that heats a substrate of a tobacco article to generate an aerosol.

[0002] The aerosol generating device according to the invention is adapted to operate with an aerosol-generating substrate, for example providing a solid substrate 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 or aerosol generating devices) has grown rapidly in recent years as an aid to assist habitual smokers who wish 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 material, 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 generates an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol substrate, typically comprising 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 releases an aerosol that contains the ingredients desired by the user but does not contain the toxic and carcinogenic by-products of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol generated by heating tobacco or other vaporizable material does not typically contain the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant to the user, and therefore 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 generating device generally encloses at least one heating plate intended to heat the aerosol substrate. During operation, heat transfer takes place between the heating plate and the aerosol substrate, but also between other internal components of the aerosol generating device, such as the means for supporting the heating plate. Heat is therefore dissipated within the aerosol generating device through said support means. Energy is lost and autonomy is limited. As a consequence, the user has to frequently recharge or replace the power battery of the device. The support means serve, among other things, to position the heating plate in a precise position. They also ensure a stable assembly that prevents the heating plate from slipping when the user moves the aerosol generating device. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, and in particular to improve the thermal efficiency of an aerosol generating device.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device configured to operate with a flat-shaped tobacco article comprising a substrate portion, the device comprising: - a heating chamber extending along a chamber axis and configured to receive a substrate portion of a tobacco article, the heating chamber comprising a heating plate defining two opposing edges extending along the chamber axis; a support structure extending along the chamber axis and comprising two opposing recesses, each recess adapted to receive at least a portion of one of said edges of the heating plate and bounded by two opposing retaining sides designed to retain the corresponding edge, At least one retaining side of each recess is inclined with respect to a lateral axis parallel to the heater plate and perpendicular to the chamber axis.

[0008] By inclining at least one retaining side of at least one recess, heat transfer within the aerosol generating device is limited. The contact interface created in the recess prevents parasitic heat conduction. The energy used to heat the substrate part is then more concentrated on its function. The support structure receives and dissipates less energy. The energy efficiency of the device is improved. Primary energy requirements are reduced. As is evident from the above, this result is achieved while preserving positioning accuracy and overall rigidity. Thus, the present invention at least offers a compromise between energy savings, accurate positioning of the heating plate and rigidity.

[0009] In particular, the tobacco article may be, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped of flattened shape extending along the substrate axis X.

[0010] According to some embodiments, both retaining sides of each recess are inclined relative to said transverse axis.

[0011] Thanks to these features, heat transfer is further prevented: each retaining side is optimized to reduce heat transfer, as are each recess.

[0012] According to some embodiments, each of the retaining sides of each recess is designed to contact a corresponding edge of the heating plate.

[0013] According to some embodiments, one of the retaining sides contacts a larger area with the corresponding edge of the hotplate than the other retaining side of the same recess.

[0014] Thanks to these features, the holding sides with their larger contact area improve positioning accuracy and contribute to stability.

[0015] According to some embodiments, at least one retaining side of each recess exhibits rounded edges.

[0016] Thanks to these features, the heat transfer is reduced on this holding side, since the rounded edge means more space between the hotplate and the recess: the air gap at the rounded edge is thicker and more efficient to avoid heat transfer.

[0017] According to some embodiments, each recess presents a groove extending along the chamber axis.

[0018] According to some embodiments, each groove extends along substantially the entire length of the heating chamber.

[0019] Thanks to these features, the hot plate remains stable.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the heating plate is designed to contact the substrate portion of the tobacco article.

[0021] Thanks to these features, the substrate portion is heated more efficiently since direct thermal contact occurs.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the heating plate is made from a ceramic substrate.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the support structure comprises two symmetrical parts, each symmetrical part comprising one of said recesses.

[0024] These features make having two pieces easier to assemble: it is easier to fit the heater plate, optional insulation, and substrate portion therein.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a holding structure designed to hold said symmetrical parts together according to said transverse axis.

[0026] These features keep the symmetrical components together in a precise and rigid architecture, hence the benefits for the hotplate too.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the retaining structure is part of the housing of the device.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the heating chamber comprises two opposing heating plates.

[0029] Thanks to these features, the substrate portion heats up more quickly and, because both major surfaces are heated, the temperature becomes more uniform.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the support structure comprises a recess for each edge of each heating plate.

[0031] Thanks to these features, each recess optimizes thermal insulation and a stable fastening interface.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the heating chamber is bounded along a transverse axis by a pair of sidewalls formed by the support structure.

[0033] According to some embodiments, each side wall extends between a pair of the recesses.

[0034] According to some embodiments, the at least one sloping retaining side includes a chamfer facing the heating plate.

[0035] According to some embodiments, each recess comprises a bottom connecting the two opposing retaining sides of the recess, and decreases in width towards the bottom.

[0036] Because of these features, contact between the hot plate and the support structure essentially occurs at the ends of the hot plate where less heat is generated.

[0037] According to some embodiments, each recess comprises a gap between an associated heating plate and at least one retaining side that is inclined with respect to a lateral axis parallel to the heating plate and perpendicular to the chamber axis.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the support structure includes an insulator adjacent to the heating plate and facing the at least one retaining side that is inclined with respect to a lateral axis parallel to the heating plate and perpendicular to the chamber axis.

[0039] Thanks to these features, heat transfer to and from the support structure is reduced, the heating chamber retains the generated heat, and the ratio of aerosol generated to energy expended is increased.

[0040] The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flat-shaped tobacco article that can be used with the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 3 attached to the housing of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along plane V. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, but in which the aerosol generating device is according to a second embodiment of the invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] 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.

[0043] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating device" or "device" may include a vaping device for delivering aerosol, including aerosol for vaping, to a user using a heater element, as described in more detail below. The 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 inhalation intensity and duration to allow for the delivery 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.

[0044] As used herein, the term "aerosol" may include a suspension of vaporizable material as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gas. The suspension may be in a gas, including air. Aerosol here may generally refer to / include a vapor. The aerosol may include one or more components of the vaporizable material.

[0045] As used herein, the term "vaporizable material" or "precursor" may refer to smokable materials that may include, for example, nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol-forming agent. Tobacco may take the form of a variety of materials, such as cut tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf, and / or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol-forming agents include polyols (e.g., sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols, such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol), non-polyols (e.g., 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-generating 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.

[0046] As used herein, the term "laterally" may refer to an orientation along the horizontal axis T as depicted in the figures.

[0047] First embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol-generating device 10 is intended to operate with an aerosol-generating substrate 12, which is shown in more detail in Figure 2 and which may also be designated as a tobacco article 12 or a flat-shaped tobacco article 12.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 2, the aerosol-generating substrate 12 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped of flattened shape, extending along a substrate axis X and having external dimensions L x W x D. In a typical example, the length L of the substrate along the substrate axis X is substantially equal to 33 mm, while its width W and depth D are substantially equal to 12 mm and 1.2 mm, respectively. According to different examples, the values ​​L, W and D can be selected, for example, within a range of ±40%. The depth D (also considered as thickness) of the substrate 12 is formed by a pair of parallel walls 13A, 13B, hereinafter referred to as substrate side walls 13A, 13B, and the width W of the substrate is formed by a pair of parallel walls 14A, 14B, hereinafter referred to as substrate contact walls 14A, 14B. According to other embodiments of the invention, the aerosol-generating substrate 12 can have other suitable shapes and / or external dimensions.

[0049] The tobacco article 12 comprises a substrate portion 15, also designated as heater portion 15, and a mouthpiece portion 16, disposed along a substrate axis X. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate 12 may comprise only the substrate portion 15. The substrate portion 15 may, for example, be slightly longer than the mouthpiece portion 16. For example, the length L2 of the substrate portion 15 along the substrate axis X may be substantially equal to 18 mm, and the length L1 of the mouthpiece portion 16 along the substrate axis X may be substantially equal to 15 mm. The substrate portion 15 defines an abutment end 18 of the substrate 12, and the mouthpiece portion 16 defines a mouth end 20 of the substrate 12. The substrate portion 15 and the mouthpiece portion 16 may be secured to each other by a unique wrapper extending around the substrate axis X. In other embodiments, the portions 15, 16 may be wrapped by different wrappers and secured to each other by other suitable means. The or each wrapper may, for example, comprise paper and / or nonwoven and / or aluminum. The or each wrapper may be porous or air impermeable. The or each wrapper defines a plurality of air passages extending into the interior of the substrate 12 between the abutment end 18 and the mouth end 20.

[0050] The substrate portion 15 is intended to be heated by a heater (using a heating chamber in this example) and comprises a vaporizable material as defined above. According to the first and second embodiments of the invention, the mouthpiece portion 16 is intended to be received inside a mouthpiece, as will be explained in more detail below. According to other embodiments of the invention, the mouthpiece portion 16 itself forms a mouthpiece intended to contact the mouth and / or lips of a user. The mouthpiece portion 16 comprises, for example, a core 17 that acts like a filter. The core 17 may be, for example, a foam or packed strands or fibers. The core 17 may be formed into a stable shape by an extrusion and / or rolling process. The substrate portion 15 may be molded to provide one or more air channels. In addition, in the particular example of FIG. 2, the mouthpiece portion 16 defines a number of ventilation holes 22 arranged along the entire circumference of the mouthpiece portion 16, for example along two axes perpendicular to the substrate axis X. In other words, according to this example, the ventilation holes 22 are arranged in each wall of the substrate among the substrate side walls 13A, 13B and the substrate contacting walls 14A, 14B. According to another example, the ventilation holes 22 are arranged only in the substrate contacting walls 14A, 14B, or preferably only in one of the substrate contacting walls 14A, 14B. In both examples, the ventilation holes 22 may be aligned perpendicular to the substrate axis on the or each corresponding wall of the substrate 12 and may be spaced apart by the same distance. The ventilation holes 22 allow fresh air to flow into the interior of the substrate 12 to achieve a particular vaping / tasting effect.

[0051] 1, the aerosol generating device 10 comprises a device body 30 which extends along a device axis Y and forms at least one outer wall 40 of the device 10. The device body 30 comprises a mouthpiece 32 and a housing 34 which are arranged successively according to the device axis Y. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the mouthpiece 32 and the housing 34 form two different parts. In particular, according to this embodiment, the mouthpiece 32 is designed to be fixed to or received in an insertion opening 36 formed in one of the ends of the housing 34. This opening 36 extends perpendicularly to the device axis Y.

[0052] In each cross section, the housing 34 may for example form a substantially rectangular shape with rounded edges. In this case, the housing 34 with the mouthpiece 32 forms at least four outer walls 40. According to other embodiments, the housing 34 may have a round cross-sectional shape. In this case, the housing 34 may form only one outer wall 40 with the mouthpiece 32. The housing 34 may be sealed at the end opposite the insertion opening 36 that receives the mouthpiece 32. The housing 34 may be formed from a single piece or several assembled pieces made of any suitable material, such as aluminum or plastic. In some embodiments, the material of the housing 34 may be a thermally conductive material. In some other embodiments, the material of the housing 34 may be a thermally insulating material. In some embodiments, the housing 34 may form one or several openings in the corresponding parts of the device outer wall 40, suitable for arranging control elements and / or visual elements. For example, such elements may include control buttons, touch panels, screens, LEDs, etc. 1, housing 34 defines a slotted opening 42 for receiving an LED that, for example, indicates at least an on state of device 10. The LED can also indicate, for example, a low battery condition, an error condition, and the like.

[0053] The housing 34 defines an interior space 45 of the device 10 that accommodates various elements designed to perform the various functions of the device 10. The interior space 45 can accommodate at least two heating elements (not shown), such as, for example, a battery for powering the device 10, a controller for controlling the operation of the device 10, a support structure (not shown), a heating chamber for heating the tobacco article 12, and a heating plate for heating the heating chamber. The heating chamber defines a chamber axis that can correspond to the device axis Y and / or the substrate axis X. The heating chamber extends along the chamber axis. In some embodiments, the housing 34 can further comprise at least one temperature sensor. The temperature sensor can produce temperature measurements related, for example, to the temperature of the at least one heating plate and / or the temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 and / or the temperature of the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating substrate. The heating plate and the tobacco article 12 can be maintained within the heating chamber by a support structure that will be further described through Figures 5-8.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows the mouthpiece 32 in more detail. With reference to this FIG. 3, the mouthpiece 32 is bounded by an inner side 56 intended to face the insertion opening 36 during assembly of the mouthpiece 32 to the housing 34, and an outer side 57 intended to form, together with the housing 34, at least one outer wall 40 (illustrated in FIG. 1) of the device 10. An outer boundary 59 of the inner side 56 is designed to fit tightly with a part of the inner boundary of the insertion opening 36 (illustrated in FIG. 1) to fix the mouthpiece 32 inside the insertion opening 36. The outer side 57 has a shape suitable for contacting the mouth and / or lips of the user. Each side of the outer side 57 can be formed as an extension of the corresponding side of the housing to form a substantially continuous outer wall 40 of the device 10. In particular, in this case, a discontinuity can be formed in the transition zone between the mouthpiece 32 and the housing 34.

[0055] Between the notch 62 and the outlet 64, the mouthpiece 32 is traversed by a through hole 60 extending along the device axis Y. In particular, the through hole 60 is designed to receive the mouthpiece portion 16 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 (illustrated in FIG. 2 ) such that the substrate axis X coincides with and is aligned on the device axis Y. The through hole 60 thus has the same cross-sectional shape as the aerosol-generating substrate 12, which is a tobacco article 12, respectively, and defines internal dimensions that are slightly larger than the external dimensions of the mouthpiece portion 16 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12. In particular, in the illustrated example, the through hole 60 defines a rectangular cross-section such that it can receive the mouthpiece portion 16 of the tobacco article 12 shown in FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the through hole 60 may have variable cross-sectional dimensions. For example, the through hole 60 may have a cross-sectional dimension (especially width) that gradually decreases from the notch 62 to the outlet 64. In addition, the through-hole 60 and the mouthpiece portion 16 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 may have the same length, measured respectively along the device axis Y and the substrate axis X. According to another embodiment, the length of the mouthpiece portion 16 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 may be shorter than the length of the through-hole 60, such that the mouth end 20 of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 may be flush with the outlet port 64.

[0056] The notch 62 corresponds to a cavity or flow passage formed in both the inner surface 56 and the outer surface 57 of the mouthpiece 32. This cavity may be formed by a first opening extending on the inner surface 56 on one side of the through hole 60 from the boundary 59 to the through hole 60, and a second opening extending from the boundary on the outer surface 57 according to a percentage d% of the length of the mouthpiece 32 measured along the device axis Y. The value d may be less than 25, advantageously less than 10, more advantageously less than 5. Thus, when the mouthpiece 32 is inserted into the insertion opening 36, the notch 62 forms an opening 66 forming an inlet 66, as shown in FIG. 4. In other words, the inlet 66 is formed in the outer wall 40 of the device 10 in the transition zone between the mouthpiece 32 and the housing 34.

[0057] In embodiments in which the tobacco article 12 includes ventilation holes 22 , at least some of these ventilation holes 22 are positioned opposite the inlet port 66 .

[0058] According to another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the inlet is formed in another wall of the device 10. It can be formed, for example, in the wall opposite the mouthpiece 32.

[0059] Figure 5 shows in more detail the support structure 50 of the aerosol generating device 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The aerosol generating device 10 is in accordance with the previous figures. Figure 5 is a through cut across the plane V depicted in figure 1.

[0060] As mentioned above, an interior space 45 within the housing (not shown in FIG. 5) of the device 10 may enclose a heating chamber 46 and a support structure 50 for heating the tobacco article 12. The heating chamber 46 may include at least two heating plates 47A and 47B, also designated as heating elements, for heating the heating chamber 46. At least one heating plate or each heating plate 47A, 47B is made, for example, from a ceramic substrate. The heating chamber 46 extends along a chamber axis Z and receives a substrate portion 15 of the tobacco article 12. The substrate portion 15 is sandwiched between the heating plates 47A and 47B so as to be maintained in a predetermined position inside the heating chamber 46. In the example of FIG. 5, each heating plate 47A, 47B is designed to contact the substrate portion 15.

[0061] Each of the heating plates 47A and 47B presents two opposing, for example laterally opposed, edges 49. The opposing edges 49 extend along a chamber axis Z, which is perpendicular to the present through-cutting plane. For at least one, and preferably for each, of the heating plates 47A, 47B, the support structure 50 comprises two recesses 51. In particular, the support structure 50 comprises a recess 51 for each edge 49 of each heating plate 47A, 47B. The recesses 51 associated with one heating plate 47A, 47B face each other. They open towards each other. The shape of the surface of the recesses 51 is adapted to receive the edges 49 of the heating plates 47A and 47B in order to support the heating plates 47A and 47B. Each recess 51 comprises opposing retaining sides, which are designed to retain the opposing edges 49 inserted therebetween. The retaining sides are on opposite sides with respect to the thickness of the heating plates 47A, 47B. At least one retaining side of each recess 51 is inclined with respect to a transverse axis T parallel to the hotplate and perpendicular to the chamber axis Z. Preferably, both retaining sides of each recess are inclined with respect to the transverse axis T. Retaining sides inclined with respect to the transverse axis T are more generally heat transfer reduction means or contact surface reduction means. These reduction means are configured to reduce the heat transfer from the hotplates to the elements that support them. These reduction means are configured to reduce the heat conduction across the support structure 50. As a result, the heat transfer to the housing is limited. The generated heat remains in the heating chamber for more efficient heating of the substrate part 15.

[0062] Optionally, the support structure 50 comprises two symmetrical parts 50S, each of which comprises one of the recesses 51. The symmetrical parts 50S are laterally opposed. They are arranged on opposite edges 49 of one heating plate 47A, 47B. Each symmetrical part 50S supports two heating plates 47A, 47B, which are inserted into the recesses 51 and are maintained at a predetermined distance from each other, which is set according to the depth D (defined in relation to FIG. 2) of the substrate portion 15. Each symmetrical part 50S generally comprises a central plate and two branches protruding from the central plate along a transverse axis T. The branches may be parallel. Each central plate presents a thicker portion in which the recesses 51 are arranged.

[0063] As a further option, the support structure 50 comprises a retaining structure 50H. The retaining structure 50H is structurally and functionally designed to hold together the symmetrical parts 50S according to the transverse axis T. The retaining structure 50H may be configured to press and / or urge the symmetrical parts 50S towards each other, thereby maintaining the heating plates 47A and 47B therein. The retaining structure 50H may comprise two parallel plates parallel to the heating plates 47A, 47B and two retaining portions protruding from these plates on either side. In particular, in the example of FIG. 5, the retaining portions are designed to engage with the symmetrical parts 50S of the support structure 50.

[0064] The support structure 50 may further include at least one insulator 52, preferably at least two insulators 52. These insulators are thermal insulators 52. Each of the heating plates 47A, 47B is associated with one of the insulators 52. The insulators 52 may be arranged inside the symmetrical part group 50S, for example in the holding structure 50H. The insulators 52 may be arranged between the branches of the symmetrical part group 50S. The heat from the heating plates 47A, 47B towards the symmetrical part group 50S is then reduced. The heating chamber 46 is delimited with respect to the transverse axis T by two side walls 70 formed by the support structure 50. Each side wall 70 extends between a pair of recesses 51.

[0065] When the support structure 50 receives the two heating plates 47A, 47B, it forms a spacing means. The support structure is configured to maintain the heating plates 47A, 47B at a predetermined distance relative to each other. It maintains a certain space between the heating plates 47A, 47B, in order to receive, among other things, the substrate portion 15.

[0066] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the device 10 depicted in Figure 5. The enlarged view is centred on the recess 51 in the support structure 50 on one lateral side of the heating plates 47A, 47B. Figure 6 shows in more detail the support structure 50 of the aerosol generation device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] At least one retaining side 51A, 51B of each recess 51 is inclined with respect to a transverse axis T parallel to the associated heating plate 47A, 47B and perpendicular to the chamber axis Z. Preferably, both retaining sides 51A, 51B of each recess 51 are inclined with respect to the transverse axis T. If inclined with respect to the transverse axis T, the retaining sides 51A, 51B may be inclined retaining sides 51A, 51B. The retaining sides 51A, 51B may form opposing walls of the associated recess 51, where a bottom 55 connects the opposing walls. The bottom 55 may be opposed to and / or laterally engage the edge 49 of the heating plate 47A, 47B. The retaining sides 51A, 51B may be inclined with respect to the transverse axis T by at least 5°, or 15°, or 30°. The retaining sides 51A, 51B face the heating plates 47A, 47B. Within each recess 51, the retaining sides 51A, 51B define a width perpendicular to the lateral direction. Each recess 51 exhibits a reduction in width towards a base 55. The reduction in width may be defined by the surfaces of the retaining sides 51A, 51B. Laterally opposite the base 55, each recess 51 has an opening, the width of which increases along the lateral axis T towards said opening.

[0068] In each recess 51, at least one retaining side 51A extends from and faces the optional insulator 52. The or each recess 51 thus has a gap 68 between the associated heating plate 47A, 47B and at least one retaining side 51A, 51B that is inclined with respect to a transverse axis T parallel to the heating plate and perpendicular to the chamber axis Z. Each gap 68 may be wedge-shaped. Each gap 68 may be free space. It may be empty. In each recess 51, it may be located between the heating plate 47A, 47B, one of the retaining sides 51A and the optional insulator 52.

[0069] In the present example, each retention side 51A, 51B is inclined relative to the lateral direction T and / or the associated heating plate 47A, 47B. Each recess 51 may thus comprise two voids 68, one on each major surface of the heating plate 47A, 47B.

[0070] As is evident from the present figure, one of the retaining sides 51A, 51B contacts a larger area with the corresponding edge of the hotplate than the other retaining side of the same recess 51. In other words, within the, or each recess 51, the retaining sides 51A, 51B have different contact surfaces which actually engage or contact the hotplates 47A, 47B.

[0071] Optionally, at least one retaining side 51A, 51B of each recess is provided with a rounded edge 51A. Also optionally, at least one retaining side of each recess is provided with a planar edge 51B. As a further option, each recess 51 combines rounded edges 51A and planar edges 51B.

[0072] The or each recess 51 provides or is formed by a groove 53 extending along the chamber axis Z. The groove 53 may form a notch having a depth along the transverse axis T. The groove 53 forms a slot in which the edge 49 is cantilevered. Each groove 53 is defined by its retaining sides 51A, 51B that are inclined relative to one another. The or each groove 53 extends along the chamber axis Z along substantially the entire length of the heating chamber 46.

[0073] Second embodiment of the present invention Figure 7 shows a support structure 50 for an aerosol generating device 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generating device 10 may be similar or identical to that described in Figures 1 to 4. The aerosol generating device 10 is configured to operate, inter alia, with a flat-shaped tobacco article 12 comprising a substrate portion 15. An optional insulation is not depicted for the sake of clarity.

[0074] The aerosol generation device 10 (partially shown) comprises a heating chamber 46 extending along a chamber axis Z and configured to receive a substrate portion of a tobacco article. The heating chamber 46 comprises at least one heating plate having two opposing edges 49 relative to a transverse axis T. The opposing edges 49 extend along the chamber axis Z. In the present example, the device 10 is provided with two heating plates 47A, 47B, which are, for example, identical.

[0075] The support structure 50 extends along the chamber axis Z. For the or each hot plate 47A, 47B, the support structure 50 comprises at least two opposing recesses 51 (for the sake of clarity, only one side of each hot plate is depicted). Each recess 51 is adapted to receive at least a portion of one of the edges 49 and is bounded by two opposing retaining sides 51A, 51B. These retaining sides 51A, 51B are substantially spaced apart by a distance that is at least the depth of the hot plate 47A, 47B, and are adapted to retain the associated edge 49.

[0076] In the present embodiment, in at least one or in each recess 51, only one of the two retaining sides 51A, 51B is inclined with respect to the transverse axis T, the other of the two being parallel to said transverse axis T. The gap 68 presents a triangular cross section along the chamber axis Z. The inclined retaining sides 51A deviate from the heating plates 47A, 47B. The inclined retaining sides 51A are offset with respect to the transverse direction T. They produce a change in the gap along the transverse axis T. The at least one or each inclined retaining side 51A may be or include a chamfer 72. Along the transverse axis T, the chamfer 72 may extend along the entire recess 51. Alternatively, similar to FIG. 6, the chamfer 72 may be replaced by a rounded edge.

[0077] In the present example, it can be observed that in each recess 51, one of the retaining sides, e.g. the planar retaining side 51B, contacts the corresponding edge 49 of the heating plate with a larger area than the other retaining side, e.g. the inclined retaining side 51A. The inclined retaining side 51A thus retains the heating plates 47A, 47B, but with a limited contact area. Therefore, the heat conduction from the heating plates 47A, 47B towards the support structure 50 is reduced. This technical effect is achieved with a single inclined retaining side 51A.

[0078] <Third embodiment of the present invention> Figure 8 shows a support structure 50 for an aerosol generating device 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol generating device 10 may be similar or identical to the one described in Figures 1 to 4. The aerosol generating device 10 is especially adapted to work with flat-shaped tobacco articles with substrate parts that are not depicted for the sake of clarity. The same applies to the optional insulation.

[0079] The aerosol generation device 10 (partially shown) comprises a heating chamber 46 extending along a chamber axis Z and configured to receive a substrate portion 15 of a tobacco article. The heating chamber 46 comprises at least one heating plate, optionally two heating plates 47A, 47B. Each heating plate 47A, 47B comprises two opposing edges 49 relative to a transverse axis T. Each opposing edge 49 extends along and is parallel to the chamber axis Z.

[0080] The support structure 50 extends along the chamber axis Z. For the or each heating plate 47A, 47B, the support structure 50 comprises at least two opposing recesses 51. In the current embodiment, four recesses 51 are provided. The recesses 51 for receiving one of the heating plates 47A, 47B are opposed to each other.

[0081] Each recess 51 is adapted to receive at least a portion of one of the edges 49 and is bounded by two opposing retaining sides 51A, 51B. The retaining sides 51A, 51B are inclined with respect to each other. The inclination angle between the retaining sides 51A, 51B can be at least 45°, 60° or 90°. These inclination angles allow a greater free space to reduce heat transfer. The retaining sides 51A, 51B may be inclined with respect to the transverse axis T, in particular with respect to the heating plates 47A, 47B. The retaining sides 51A, 51B may be symmetrical. They may be joined at a bottom 55 of the recess 51, which may have a "V" shape. There, the bottom 55 forms a line. The retaining sides 51A, 51B are adapted to retain the associated edge 49. They may be symmetrical. Under this configuration, the contact of each retaining side 51A, 51B with the edge 49 is a line. Thus, physical contact is reduced. This is also aided by the distance of bottom 55 from edge 49 .

[0082] The general idea of ​​the invention is to define a slope between the or each retaining side 51A, 51B and the transverse axis T. Alternatively, the slope may be defined relative to the hot plate, or at least one hot plate. More precisely, the slope may be defined relative to a main surface of the hot plate. The main surface may be the surface having the largest area.

[0083] In this description, features are defined in relation to each edge, each recess, and each retaining side. However, the invention contemplates configurations with different edges, different recesses, and / or different retaining sides. A feature defined in one of these entities will apply to all corresponding entities.

[0084] The present invention contemplates combining features of one embodiment with other embodiments, particularly to reduce heat transfer.

[0085] The scope of protection is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (10) configured to operate with a flat-shaped tobacco article (12) having a substrate portion (15), the aerosol generating device (10) comprising: a heating chamber (46) extending according to a chamber axis (Z) and configured to receive the substrate portion (15) of the tobacco article (12), said heating chamber (46) comprising heating plates (47A, 47B) defining two opposite edges (49) extending according to said chamber axis (Z); a support structure (50) extending along said chamber axis (Z) and comprising two opposing recesses (51), each recess (51) adapted to receive at least a portion of one of said edges (49) of said heating plates (47A, 47B) and delimited by two opposite retaining sides (51A, 51B) designed to retain the corresponding edge (49); Including, At least one holding side surface (51A, 51B) of each recess (51) is inclined with respect to a horizontal axis (T) parallel to the heating plates (47A, 47B) and perpendicular to the chamber axis (Z). An aerosol generating device (10).

2. 2. The aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein both holding sides (51A, 51B) of each recess (51) are inclined with respect to the transverse axis (T).

3. Each of the retaining sides (51A, 51B) of each recess (51) is designed to contact the corresponding edge (49) of the heating plate (47A, 47B); one of the retaining sides (51A, 51B) contacts the corresponding edge (49) of the heating plate (47A, 47B) over a larger area than the other retaining side (51A, 51B) of the same recess (51); 2. The aerosol generating device (10) of claim 1.

4. 2. The aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one retaining side (51A, 51B) of each recess (51) presents a rounded edge (51A).

5. 2. The aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein each recess (51) presents a groove (53) extending along the chamber axis (Z).

6. 6. The aerosol generating device (10) of claim 5, wherein each groove (53) extends along substantially the entire length of the heating chamber (46).

7. 2. The aerosol generating device (10) of claim 1, wherein the heating plates (47A, 47B) are designed to contact the substrate portion (15) of the tobacco article (12).

8. 2. The aerosol generating device (10) of claim 1, wherein the heating plate (47A, 47B) is made from a ceramic substrate, and the at least one inclined holding side (51A, 51B) includes a chamfered portion (72) facing the heating plate (47A, 47B).

9. 2. The aerosol generating device (10) of claim 1, wherein the support structure (50) includes two symmetrical parts (50S), each of the symmetrical parts (50S) including one of the two recesses (51).

10. 10. The aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 9, further comprising a holding structure (50H) designed to hold together the symmetrical parts (50S) according to the transverse axis (T).

11. 11. The aerosol generating device (10) of claim 10, wherein the retaining structure (50H) is part of the housing of the aerosol generating device (10).

12. The aerosol generating device (10) of claim 1, wherein the heating chamber (46) comprises two opposing heating plates (47A, 47B), and each recess (51) comprises a gap (68) between the heating plate (47A, 47B) and at least one retaining side surface (51A, 51B) that is inclined with respect to the horizontal axis (T) that is parallel to the heating plate and perpendicular to the chamber axis (Z).

13. 13. The aerosol generating device (10) of claim 12, wherein the support structure (50) comprises a recess (51) for each edge (49) of each heating plate (47A, 47B).

14. An aerosol generating device (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the heating chamber (46) is bounded along the horizontal axis (T) by a pair of side walls (70) formed by the support structure (50).

15. 14. The aerosol generating device (10) of claim 13, wherein each side wall (70) extends between a pair of recesses (51).

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