Non-combustible aerosol provision device and system

Abstract

To provide a non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material.SOLUTION: A non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 includes a chamber 102 for receiving a consumable including an aerosol-generating material to enable the non-combustible aerosol provision device to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. The device further includes an adjustment mechanism 150 to allow a user to adjust the dimension of the chamber to allow the chamber to accommodate, one at a time, each of multiple consumables having different sizes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a non-combustible aerosol delivery device, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system comprising the non-combustible aerosol delivery device, and a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material, wherein the non-combustible aerosol delivery device is configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars, etc., burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to such smoking articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without combustion. An example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating a material rather than burning it. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-combustible aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, the non-combustible aerosol delivery device comprising: a chamber for receiving a consumable comprising the aerosol generating material, enabling the non-combustible aerosol delivery device to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material; and an adjustment mechanism that allows a user to adjust a dimension of the chamber such that the chamber can accommodate a plurality of consumables having different sizes, each one at a time.

[0004] The non-combustion aerosol delivery device can include a tube, the interior of the tube defining a chamber, and an adjustment mechanism can allow adjustment of a dimension of the tube, thereby adjusting a dimension of the chamber.

[0005] A sheet of material may be arranged to form a tube. The sheet of material may include two respective opposing longitudinal edges, and an adjustment mechanism may enable the position of the opposing edges of the sheet of material to be adjusted relative to one another to adjust the diameter of the tube.

[0006] Opposing edges of the sheet of material may be configured to overlap one another in at least some configurations during use, and an adjustment mechanism can enable the degree of overlap of the opposing edges to be adjusted to adjust the diameter of the tube.

[0007] The opposed edges of the sheet of material may be configured such that, in at least some configurations, the opposed edges do not overlap one another, and the distance between the opposed edges circumferentially about the tube is adjustable by an adjustment mechanism.

[0008] The tube may further comprise a second portion configured to form a portion of the tube between the opposed edges of the sheet of material when the opposed edges do not overlap one another.

[0009] The adjustment mechanism can include a frame having one or more guides, and the tube can include one or more guide elements, each of the one or more guide elements configured to engage with a respective one or more guides to adjust the diameter of the tube when the frame is moved relative to the tube.

[0010] The frame may surround the tube and the guide elements may project radially outwardly from the tube to engage the guide.

[0011] The adjustment mechanism may be configured to adjust the length of the tube.

[0012] By adjusting one of the tube diameter and the tube length, the other of the tube diameter and the tube length can be adjusted.

[0013] By decreasing one of the tube length and tube diameter, the other of the tube length and tube diameter can be increased, and by increasing one of the tube length and tube diameter, the other of the tube length and tube diameter can be decreased.

[0014] The tube may comprise an expandable braided structure.

[0015] The tube may include a helical coil structure.

[0016] The adjustment mechanism may include a biasing element arranged to bias the length of the tube to a maximum length, and the adjustment mechanism may allow a user to move against the biasing element to decrease the length of the tube, thereby increasing the diameter of the chamber.

[0017] The adjustment mechanism can include a biasing element configured to act to reduce a size of the chamber, and the adjustment mechanism can allow a user to move against the biasing element to increase the size of the chamber and enable insertion of a consumable comprising the aerosol generating material.

[0018] The adjustment mechanism can enable a user to configure the chamber between a first configuration in which the chamber has a first width and a second configuration in which the chamber has a second width that is different from the first width.

[0019] The adjustment mechanism may include an actuator engageable by a user to operate the adjustment mechanism to adjust the size of the chamber.

[0020] The actuator may comprise a lever rotatable circumferentially relative to the chamber to operate the adjustment mechanism.

[0021] The actuator may be longitudinally movable relative to the chamber to operate the adjustment mechanism.

[0022] The actuator may be configured to allow a user to move against a biasing element to increase the diameter of the chamber to allow insertion of the consumable, and the adjustment mechanism may be configured to contract the chamber to fit the consumable when the button is released.

[0023] The actuator may comprise a portion of the outer housing of the device that is moveable relative to the chamber.

[0024] The movable portion of the outer housing of the device may be a proximal portion of the housing that includes an opening for inserting the consumable into the chamber.

[0025] The adjustment mechanism may be configured to adjust the length of the chamber.

[0026] The tube may be a susceptor element configured to be inductively heated by an inductive element of the device to thereby heat aerosol-generating material received in the chamber.

[0027] The tube may be configured to be heated by a resistive heater to heat the aerosol-forming material received in the chamber.

[0028] The device may be a tobacco heating product configured to receive a plurality of consumables each having a different size comprising tobacco, and to generate an aerosol from each of the consumables.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-combustible aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, the non-combustible aerosol delivery device comprising: a chamber for receiving a consumable comprising the aerosol generating material, enabling the non-combustible aerosol delivery device to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material; and an adjustment mechanism configured to increase a width of the chamber to allow a user to insert the consumable into the chamber, and to decrease the width of the chamber once the consumable has been inserted into the chamber, to adapt the chamber to the width of the consumable.

[0030] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-combustion aerosol delivery system comprising a non-combustion aerosol delivery device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure or the second aspect of the present disclosure and at least one consumable comprising an aerosol generating material, wherein the consumable is configured to be received by the non-combustion aerosol delivery device to enable the device to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material.

[0031] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a non-combustion aerosol delivery device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of another example of a non-combustion aerosol delivery device according to the present invention. [Figure 3A] 3A and 3B are schematic top views of a susceptor tube of a device housing a first consumable and a second consumable, respectively. [Figure 3B] 3A and 3B are schematic top views of a susceptor tube of a device housing a first consumable and a second consumable, respectively. [Figure 4]3 is a perspective side view of an assembly including a susceptor tube and certain other components of the device of FIG. 2. [Figure 5A] 5A and 5B are perspective cross-sectional views of an assembly including the susceptor tube of FIG. 4 housing a first consumable and a second consumable, respectively. [Figure 5B] 5A and 5B are perspective cross-sectional views of an assembly including the susceptor tube of FIG. 4 housing a first consumable and a second consumable, respectively. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another example of a non-combustion aerosol delivery device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an assembly including a susceptor tube and certain other components of the device shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8A] 8A and 8B are perspective views of a portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 6 in a first configuration and a second configuration, respectively. [Figure 8B] 8A and 8B are perspective views of a portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 6 in a first configuration and a second configuration, respectively. [Figure 8C] 8C and 8D are schematic top views of embodiments of the assemblies shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B in a first and second configuration, respectively. [Figure 8D] 8C and 8D are schematic top views of embodiments of the assemblies shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B in a first and second configuration, respectively. [Figure 9A] 9A and 9B are side cross-sectional views of another example of a non-combustion aerosol delivery device according to the present invention. [Figure 9B] 9A and 9B are side cross-sectional views of another example of a non-combustion aerosol delivery device according to the present invention. [Figure 9C] 9C and 9D are schematic top views of embodiments of the device shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B in a first and second configuration, respectively. [Figure 9D] 9C and 9D are schematic top views of embodiments of the device shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B in a first and second configuration, respectively. [Figure 9E] FIG. 9C is a perspective side view of a heating tube of the device of FIGS. 9A and 9B. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another example of a non-combustion aerosol delivery device according to the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of an assembly including a heating tube of the device shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of another example of a non-combustion aerosol delivery device according to the present invention. [Figure 13A] 13A and 13B are side cross-sectional views of an assembly including the heating tube and other components of the device of FIG. [Figure 13B] 13A and 13B are side cross-sectional views of an assembly including the heating tube and other components of the device of FIG. [Figure 14A] 14A and 14B are cross-sectional side views of another example non-combustion aerosol delivery device according to the present invention in a first configuration and a second configuration, respectively. [Figure 14B] 14A and 14B are cross-sectional side views of another example non-combustion aerosol delivery device according to the present invention in a first configuration and a second configuration, respectively. [Figure 15A] 15A and 15B are side views of a helical coil defining tubes that house a first consumable and a second consumable, respectively. [Figure 15B] 15A and 15B are side views of a helical coil defining tubes that house a first consumable and a second consumable, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] [Detailed Description] Figure 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an example non-combustion aerosol delivery device 100. Non-combustion aerosol delivery device 100 includes a heating chamber 102. Heating chamber 102 is configured to receive a consumable (not shown in Figure 1) that includes an aerosol-generating material, which may or may not include tobacco.

[0034] An aerosol-generating material is a material that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or in any other way energized. The aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain actives and / or flavorings. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may include an "amorphous solid," which may also be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can hold some fluid, such as a liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may include, for example, about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% amorphous solid.

[0035] The aerosol-generating materials may include one or more active agents and / or flavorings, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0036] An active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. An active substance may be selected from, for example, dietary supplements, nootropics, psychoactive substances. An active substance may be naturally derived or synthetically obtained. An active substance may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or components, derivatives, or combinations thereof. An active substance may include one or more components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco, cannabis, or another botanical substance. In some embodiments, the active agent comprises nicotine, hi some embodiments, the active agent comprises caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

[0037] The one or more other functional ingredients may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a binder, a filler, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0038] The aerosol-forming material can include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material can include one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, mesoerythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0039] A consumable is an item that includes or is composed of aerosol-generating material that is intended to be consumed in part or in whole by a user during use. A consumable may include one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transport component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier. A consumable may include an aerosol generator, such as a heater that generates heat during use to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol. A heater may include, for example, a combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0040] In this example, the non-combustion aerosol delivery device 100 is for heating a consumable aerosol-generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material. The device 100 is configured to heat a consumable aerosol-generating material (not shown in FIG. 1 ) received in an illustrated heating chamber 102. The device 100 includes a heating arrangement 104 configured to provide energy to heat the consumable aerosol-generating material received in the heating chamber 102. In some examples, the heating arrangement 104 includes one or more resistive heating elements disposed in thermal contact with the heating chamber 102. The flow of electrical current against the electrical resistance of the one or more resistive heating elements generates heat. This process is referred to as Joule heating, Ohmic heating, or resistive heating.

[0041] The susceptor is a material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be a conductive material, such that the penetration of the varying magnetic field results in inductive heating of the heating material. The heating material may be a magnetic material, such that the penetration of the varying magnetic field results in magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both conductive and magnetic, such that the susceptor can be heated by both heating mechanisms. A device configured to generate a varying magnetic field may also be referred to as a magnetic field generator.

[0042] In some examples, the heating configuration 104 is an inductive heating configuration and is configured to generate a varying magnetic field to inductively heat a susceptor. In some examples, the susceptor is configured to define a heating chamber 102 that receives the consumable, as described in more detail below. The inductive heating configuration can include one or more inductors through which an alternating current is passed to generate the varying magnetic field. In some examples using inductive heating, the heating configuration 104 includes one or more susceptors. In other examples using inductive heating, the heating configuration 104 may not include a susceptor, and instead, one or more susceptors may be provided as part of / with a consumable intended for use with the device 100.

[0043] The device 100 includes a power source 106. The power source 106 provides power to various components of the device 100. In some examples, the power source 106 is a battery. In some examples, the power source 106 includes a battery and a DC-DC converter, where power is provided from the battery through the DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter allows the power source 106 to provide power at a voltage different from the voltage of the battery. In some examples, the device 100 can include a DC-AC converter to convert DC current, for example from the battery, into AC current to provide power to one or more inductors of the heating component 104, where the heating component 104 is an induction heating component. In the following examples, the power source 106 is simply referred to as the battery 106.

[0044] In the example of Fig. 1, the device 100 comprises a processor 108 in data communication with a computer-readable memory 110. The processor 108 is configured to control various aspects of the operation of the device 100. The processor 108 controls the various aspects by executing instructions stored in the computer-readable memory 110. For example, the processor 108 may control the operation of the heating component 104. For example, the processor may control the supply of power from the battery 106 to the heating component 104 by controlling various electrical components such as switches (not shown in Fig. 1).

[0045] Device 100 includes a housing 101, which forms an outer cover for device 100 and surrounds and houses various components of device 100. In this example, chamber 102 is configured to receive a consumable (not shown in FIG. 1 ) that includes an aerosol-generating material, and device 100 is configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. Device 100 can generate an aerosol from the consumable, for example, by heating the aerosol-generating material in the manner described above. In other examples, an aerosol can be generated from the aerosol-generating material in another manner, for example, by applying energy to the aerosol-generating material, using ultrasonic energy.

[0046] The device 100 has an opening 105 at one end through which a consumable can be inserted into the chamber 102. In some examples, as shown in certain examples below, a portion of the consumable may be received in the chamber 102 of the device 100 and a portion of the consumable may protrude from the opening 105 of the device 100. In examples, the portion of the consumable received in the chamber 102 includes an aerosol-generating material, and the device 100 is configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. The portion of the consumable that protrudes from the opening 105 can include, for example, a filter, and a user can inhale the flow of aerosol generated from the portion of the consumable that protrudes from the opening 105 by placing the portion of the consumable that protrudes from the opening 105 into the user's mouth.

[0047] The device 100 may include a user-operable control element 112, such as a button or switch that, when pressed, operates the device 100. For example, a user may turn the device 100 on by operating the switch 112.

[0048] The device 100 may also include electrical components such as a socket / port (not shown) that can accept a cable for charging the battery 106. For example, the socket may be a charging port, such as a USB charging port. In some examples, the socket may additionally or alternatively be used to transmit data between the device 100 and another device, such as a computing device. The socket may be electrically coupled to the battery 106 via an electrical track.

[0049] The end of the device 100 closest to the opening 105 may be referred to as the proximal end (or mouth end) of the device 100 because it is closest to the user's mouth during use. During use, a user can insert a consumable into the opening 105, operate the user control 112 to initiate heating of the aerosol generating material, and draw on the proximal end of the device 100. This causes the aerosol to flow through the device 100 along a flow path toward the proximal end of the device 100. In an example, a portion of the consumable can protrude from the opening 105, and the user can draw on the proximal end of the consumable to cause the aerosol to flow to the proximal end of the device 100 and inhale the aerosol. In another example, the device 100 can include a mouthpiece, and the user can draw on the mouthpiece to inhale the aerosol flow.

[0050] The end of device 100 opposite the proximal end and furthest from opening 105 may be referred to as the distal end of device 100 because it is the end furthest from a user's mouth during use. When a user inhales the aerosol generated by device 100, the aerosol flows away from the distal end of device 100.

[0051] In some examples, the device 100 includes a lid / cap (not shown) disposed toward the distal end of the device 100. The lid / cap can be opened to access the heating chamber 102. A user can, for example, open the second lid to clean the components of the heating chamber 102, e.g., to remove debris from a previous use session.

[0052] The device 100 includes an adjustment mechanism 150 that allows one or more dimensions of the chamber 102 to be adjusted by a user of the device 100. For example, the length and / or width, e.g., diameter, of the chamber 102 may be adjustable by the adjustment mechanism. In an example, adjusting one or more dimensions of the heating chamber 102 allows the chamber 102 to accommodate consumables of different sizes. For example, the adjustment mechanism may allow a user to adjust the length and / or diameter of the heating chamber 102 such that the dimensions of the heating chamber 102 can be appropriately adjusted to accommodate a particular size consumable.

[0053] Thus, device 100 and certain other device examples described herein can accommodate a number of different sized consumables. Further examples of devices with adjustment mechanisms according to the invention are described in more detail below. For example, the dimensions of the heating chamber may be adjustable such that the device can accommodate first and second consumables that may have different lengths and / or different diameters. In some examples, the first and second consumables are elongated consumables, e.g., generally cylindrical. Both the first and second consumables include an aerosol-generating material. The first and second consumables can include, for example, a distal portion that includes the aerosol-generating material. The first and second consumables can also include, for example, a proximal portion that may include a filter and / or other components. Examples of first and second consumables are described in more detail below with reference to subsequent figures. It should be noted that, in this specification, references to consumables of different sizes or consumables of different dimensions refer to consumables that are intended to be different sizes from one another, and not, for example, to consumables that are intended to be the same size, but that vary slightly in size, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances. Consumables may, for example, be of different types from one another, and it is intended that each of the different types of consumables have different dimensions.

[0054] In some examples, the heating chamber 102 may be defined by a heating tube (not shown in FIG. 1). The heating tube may surround the heating chamber 102 such that an interior hollow portion of the heating tube defines the heating chamber 102. The heating tube may be configured to be heated to heat a consumable received in the heating chamber 102. For example, the heating configuration 104 may include one or more inductive elements, and the heating tube may include a susceptor material and be configured to be inductively heated by one or more inductive elements. In other examples, the heating tube may be configured to be heated by one or more resistive elements. For example, the heating tube may be configured to be formed from or in contact with a resistive heater, such as a thin film heater. Examples of such configurations are described in more detail below. In other examples, the heating tube may not be configured to heat the consumable itself, but may house the consumable while it is being heated. For example, the consumable may include a susceptor material that is heated by one or more inductive elements of the heating arrangement 104 to generate the aerosol stream.

[0055] The heating tubes may have a circular cross section or may have a cross section of another shape. An adjustment mechanism may adjust the size of the heating chamber 102 by adjusting the diameter of the heating tube. For example, the diameter of the heating tube may be adjustable to adjust the diameter of the heating chamber 102. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the heating tube may be adjustable to adjust the length of the heating chamber.

[0056] It will be understood that device 100 may include other components (not shown in FIG. 1 ), such as ventilation inlets / outlets, control interfaces, etc. It should be noted that FIG. 1 is only a schematic diagram illustrating some components that may be included in device 100. FIG. 1 is not intended to convey the specific locations of the various components.

[0057] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second device 200 according to an example of the present invention. The second device 200 may include any of the features of the device 100 described above with reference to Figure 1, and the description of these features will not be repeated here. The same reference numerals are used to indicate the features described above with reference to Figure 1.

[0058] In Figure 2, the consumable 120a is received to be heated in a heating chamber (202, Figure 3A) within a housing 201 of the device 200. A portion of the consumable 120a protrudes from a proximal opening 205 and is positioned to be inhaled by a user.

[0059] In device 200, heating chamber 202 is defined by heating tube 210, which in this example is a susceptor tube. Although susceptor tube 210 is not visible in Figure 2, a schematic top view looking axially through susceptor tube 210 is shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0060] The susceptor tube 210 is formed from a sheet of material having opposed axial edges including a first edge 212a and a second edge 212b. The sheet of material is rolled into a cylindrical tube that defines the chamber 202. The axial edges 212a, 212b extend axially or longitudinally from the proximal end 201a of the device 200 to the distal end 201b of the device 200.

[0061] A user can adjust the diameter of the heating chamber 202 of the device 200 by adjusting the degree of overlap of the edges 212a, 212b of the susceptor tube 210 by engaging a lever 220, which in this example connects to edge 212a. In this example, the lever 220 is configured to move a first edge 212a when the lever 220 is rotated about an axial direction as shown by the arrow in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0062] Rotation of lever 220 about the axial direction can configure susceptor tube 210 between a first configuration, shown in Figure 3A, in which susceptor tube 210 has a first inner diameter d1, and a second configuration, shown in Figure 3B, in which susceptor tube 210 has a second inner diameter d2. In one example, first inner diameter d1 is about 5.4 mm and second inner diameter d2 is about 6.8 mm.

[0063] The second diameter d2 is larger than the first diameter d1. Thus, a user can adjust the diameter of the susceptor tube 210 to allow the heating chamber 102 to accommodate different consumables having different diameters. In a first configuration shown in FIG. 3A, the susceptor tube 210 is configured to accommodate the first consumable 120a. In a second configuration shown in FIG. 3B, the susceptor tube 210 is configured to accommodate the second consumable 120b having a diameter larger than the diameter of the first consumable 120a. In one example, the first consumable 120a has a diameter of about 5.40 mm, and the second consumable 120b has a diameter of about 6.68 mm. In some examples, the first consumable 120a and the second consumable 120b have different lengths from each other. In one example, the first consumable 120a has a length of about 83 mm, and the second consumable 120b has a length of about 75 mm.

[0064] By adjusting the diameter of the susceptor tube 210, the susceptor tube 210 can be closely matched to the diameter of a particular one of the consumables 120a, 120b, such that a user can use whichever consumable 120a, 120b is desired by configuring the susceptor tube 210 in the appropriate configuration.

[0065] As previously described, the lever 220 adjusts the diameter of the susceptor tube 210 by adjusting the degree of overlap of the edges 212a, 212b. In this example, in a first configuration, the edges 212a, 212b overlap one another. In a second configuration, the edges 212a, 212b are generally aligned. That is, in the second configuration having a larger diameter, the edges 212a, 212b of the susceptor tube 210 can form a tube with little gap between the edges 212a, 212b, but the edges 212a, 212b do not generally overlap one another, as shown in FIG. 3B. In some examples, the edge 212a can abut an opposing surface of the susceptor tube 210, such as an opposing edge 212b or an inner wall of the susceptor tube 210. This can provide a conductive path along the periphery of the portion of the susceptor tube 210 that defines the heating chamber 202. In other examples, there may be a gap between the second edge 212b and the opposing surface of the susceptor tube 210 such that a complete conductive path around the periphery is not formed.

[0066] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the susceptor tube 210 and other additional internal components of the device 200, separated from the housing 201. The components shown in Figure 4 form an assembly that houses the consumables 120a, 120b. Figure 4 again shows the first configuration in which the thin consumable 120a is received in the consumable and the susceptor tube 210 has a small first diameter d1. For clarity, the assembly is shown separated from the housing 201 and other components of the device 200.

[0067] FIG. 4 illustrates the proximal part 230 of the device 200, which defines the proximal end of the heating chamber 202 and defines an opening 205 through which consumables are inserted into the heating chamber 202. The distal part 240 defines the distal end of the heating chamber 102. The susceptor tube 210 is housed within an insulating tube 250, which is held in place between the proximal part 230 and the distal part 240. The insulating tube 250 can be generally tubular and at least partially surround the susceptor tube 210. The insulating tube 250 can be constructed from an insulating material, such as, for example, a plastic material. In this particular example, the insulating tube 250 is constructed from polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The insulating tube 250 can help insulate the various parts of the device 200 from heat generated by the susceptor 210. The insulating tube 250 may be configured to prevent material from exiting the chamber 202 to portions of the device 200 outside the insulating tube 250 .

[0068] One or more seal rings 252 can surround a portion of the proximal and distal components 230, 240. The seal rings 252 can be configured to seal the assembly shown in FIG. 4 in the housing 201 of the device 200, for example, to provide an airtight seal in a recess in the device 200 into which the assembly is configured to mate.

[0069] The lever 220 is located on the proximal part 230. The lever 220 is configured to rotate the proximal part 230 within the housing 101. The proximal part 230 is fixedly attached to the first edge 212a of the susceptor tube 210 described above, and thus, upon rotation, configures the susceptor tube 210 between a first configuration and a second configuration. The susceptor tube 210 includes fins 214 that act to secure the susceptor tube 210 to the proximal part 230, the distal part 240, and the insulating tube 250.

[0070] 5A and 5B, the assembly shown in FIG. 4 is shown in cross-section in a first and second configuration, respectively. Figure 5A shows the susceptor tube 210 in a first, narrow configuration housing a first consumable 120a. Figure 5B shows the susceptor tube 210 in a second, wider configuration housing a second consumable 120b.

[0071] 5A and 5B show a further feature of the device 200, which includes a pair of inductor coils 204a, 204b surrounding the heating chamber 202 and the susceptor tube 210. In an example, a device according to the invention using inductive heating may include one coil, or any other number of coils. The use of more than one coil may allow for independent heating of regions of the susceptor tube 210. For example, the inductor coils 204a, 204b may be independently controllable to heat the respective regions of the susceptor tube 210 that they surround.

[0072] The distal component 240 defines a stopper 242 at the distal end of the heating chamber 202, the stopper 242 configured to abut the distal end of whichever consumable 120a, 120b is received in the chamber 202. Although not visible in the figures, the stopper 242 can include a stepped configuration that allows the thinner first consumable 120a to be inserted deeper into the chamber 202 than the thicker second consumable 120b. For example, the stopper 242 can include an opening having a diameter that allows the first consumable 120a to be inserted while preventing the insertion of the second consumable. As previously mentioned, in this example, the first consumable 120a is longer than the second consumable 120b. The differing depths to which the stoppers 242 allow the consumables 120a, 120b to be inserted into the chamber 202 can act to cause the lengths of each of the consumables 120a, 120b to protrude from the opening 205 to be approximately equal. For example, in some instances, the filter portions and various other components of the consumables 120a, 120b may be positioned the same distance from the respective proximal ends of the consumables 120a, 120b. Thus, having the consumables protrude approximately equal lengths from the opening 205 can allow vents and the like to be positioned at the same axial location relative to the opening 205.

[0073] The distal part 240 may further include a irrigation conduit 244 accessible from the distal end of the housing 201 to allow for cleaning of the interior of the chamber 202 .

[0074] Within the proximal component 230 is a flexible retaining element 232. The flexible retaining element 232 is configured to engage and hold the first consumable 120a or the second consumable 120b in place, whichever is received in the chamber 202 near the proximal opening 205.

[0075] 6 shows a third device 300 according to the invention. The device 300 may share features described for the previous embodiments, these features being denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0076] The device 300 includes a proximal part 330 forming a proximal tubular portion having an opening 305 through which the consumables 120a, 120b can be inserted and received in a heating chamber 302 defined by a susceptor tube 310, similar to that described with respect to the device 200. The proximal part 330 is a tube of constant diameter and may be formed, for example, from a plastic material such as PEEK. The device 300 may also include a distal part 340 and an insulating tube 350, which may include any of the features described with respect to the second device 200. Similar to the second device 200, a first induction coil 304a and a second induction coil 304b surround the susceptor tube 310.

[0077] Figure 7 shows the susceptor tube 310 and other internal components of the device 300 separated from the housing 301 of the device 300. As will be described below with reference to Figures 8A-8D, the diameter of the susceptor tube 310 is adjustable.

[0078] Figures 8A and 8B are perspective views of the susceptor tube 310 and other components of device 300 that form an assembly housing each of consumables 120a, 120b. The susceptor tube 310 of device 300 is shown in a first configuration in Figure 8A and in a second configuration in Figure 8B. Figures 8C and 8D are schematic top views of the embodiments in the first and second configurations, respectively.

[0079] In this example, the susceptor tube 310 is formed from a first portion 310a and a second portion 310b. Similar to the susceptor tube 210 of the device 200, the first portion 310a of the susceptor tube 310 includes opposing edges 312a, 312b, the positions of the opposing edges 312a, 312b relative to one another are adjustable to adjust the diameter of the susceptor tube 310.

[0080] In a first configuration, shown in Figures 8A and 8C, the edges 312a, 312b generally abut one another to form a closed tube having a first diameter d1 for accommodating the first consumable 120a. In a second configuration, shown in Figures 8B and 8D, the edges 312a, 312b are spaced apart and do not overlap one another. In this configuration, the susceptor tube 310 assumes a larger second diameter d2 suitable for accommodating the second consumable 120b. In the second configuration, the second portion 310b is located between the edges 312a, 312b and forms part of the circumference of the susceptor tube 310.

[0081] In the example, the second portion 310b of the susceptor tube 310 is formed from susceptor material, and the periphery of the susceptor tube 310 in the second configuration remains a closed loop of susceptor material. However, it can be seen that in the first configuration, the second portion 310b does not form part of the closed loop that defines the chamber 302, and in fact lies outside of the closed loop that defines the chamber 302.

[0082] The adjustment mechanism allows a user to configure the susceptor tube 310 between a first configuration and a second configuration. The adjustment mechanism acts to move the edges 312a, 312b of the first portion 310a of the susceptor tube 310 between respective positions in the first configuration in which the edges 312a, 312b abut one another and respective positions in the second configuration in which the edges 312a, 312b abut respective outer axial edges 314a, 314b of the second portion 310b of the susceptor tube 310.

[0083] The adjustment mechanism for varying the position of the edges 312a, 312b of the first portion 310a of the susceptor tube 310 includes a pair of guide elements 316a, 316b. The first guide element 316a is attached to the first portion 310a along the first edge 312a. The second guide element 316b is attached to the first portion 310a along the second edge 312b. Each of the guide elements 316a, 316b may include an elongate member extending along each of the edges 312a, 312b. Each of the guide elements 316a, 316b has a distal portion 316c, 316d for interacting with a respective guide slot 318a, 318b. Each of the distal portions 316c, 316d is radially spaced from, but connected to, an elongated portion of the guide elements 316a, 316b that extends along each of the edges 312a, 312b, respectively, and thus, as the distal portions 316c, 316d move along the guide slots 318a, 318b, the edges 312a, 312b move, reconfiguring the susceptor tube 310.

[0084] The guide slots 318a, 318b are formed in the distal annular member 320a at the distal end of the susceptor tube 310. The first guide slot 318a defines a track along which the first distal portion 316c of the first guide element 316a travels. The second guide slot 318b similarly defines a track for the second distal portion 316d of the second guide element 316b. In the first configuration shown in FIG. 8C, the distal portions 316c, 316d are adjacent to each other at one end of the respective tracks 318a, 318b, whereas in the second configuration shown in FIG. 8D, the distal portions 316c, 316d are at opposite ends of the tracks 318a, 318b and at the furthest points from each other allowed by the tracks 318a, 318b.

[0085] Respective proximal portions 316e, 316f of guide elements 316a, 316b are disposed toward the opening 305 of chamber 302. Proximal portions 316e, 316f are movable by a user by use of knob 319, best seen in FIG. 7. Moving knob 319 causes guide elements 316a, 316b to move along tracks 318a-318d. Thus, moving proximal portions 316e, 316f reconfigures susceptor tube 310 between a first configuration and a second configuration.

[0086] The proximal annular member 320b shown in FIG. 7, like the distal annular member 320a, can include guide slots that guide respective portions of the guide element toward the proximal portions 316e, 316f in the same manner that the guide slots 318a, 318b guide the distal portions 316c, 316d.

[0087] The knob 319 engages and moves the proximal portions 316e, 316f to change the distance between the portions and allow the susceptor tube 310 to be configured between a first configuration and a second configuration. In moving between the first configuration and the second configuration, the guide elements 318a, 318b move along the tracks 318a, 318b and the track of the annular proximal member 320b. In one example, the knob 319 is movable inwardly and outwardly along a radial direction of the chamber 302. In this example, moving the knob 319 radially inward causes the guide elements 316a, 316b to come together and configure the susceptor tube 310 in a first (smaller diameter) configuration, and moving the knob 319 radially outward causes the guide elements 316a, 316b to move apart and configure the susceptor tube 310 in a second (larger diameter) configuration.

[0088] 9A and 9B show a fourth device 400 according to the invention. The fourth device 400 is similar to the second device 200 and the third device 300 in that it comprises a heating tube 410 whose diameter is adjustable to adjust the diameter of the heating chamber 402. In the fourth device 400, the heating tube 410 is not a susceptor but a flexible resistive heating tube. Nevertheless, the principle that allows the dimensions of the heating chamber 402 of the fourth device 400 to be adjusted can be applied to induction heating devices.

[0089] The fourth device 400 includes a frame 430 that surrounds a heating tube 410. As best seen in FIG. 9E, the heating tube 410 includes a set of guide elements 412 on an exterior surface. The frame 430 includes a set of guide tracks 438. In the example shown, the heating tube 410 includes five guide elements 412 that interact with each of the five guide tracks 438 of the frame 430. However, it will be understood that in other examples, any number of guide elements 412 and guide tracks 438 may be used.

[0090] FIG. 9A shows the device 400 in a first configuration, with the susceptor tube 410 at its smallest diameter and with the first consumable 120 a received by the heater tube 410 .

[0091] FIG. 9B shows the device 400 in a second configuration, with the susceptor tube 410 at its maximum diameter and the second consumable 120 a received by the heater tube 410 .

[0092] 9C and 9D are top views of the frame 430 and heating tube 410 in the first and second configurations, respectively, along the axial direction of the device 400. FIG 9E is a perspective top view of the heating tube 410 alone.

[0093] As shown by the arrows in Figures 9A and 9B, the frame 430 is movable in the axial direction. As the frame 430 moves along the axial direction, the guide element 412 is guided along the guide track 438. The guide element 412 is rigidly attached along a first edge 412a of the sheet forming the heating tube 410. The first edge 412a moves under the influence of the guide element 412 being guided by the guide 438. The opposing axially inner edge 412b of the sheet forming the heating tube 410 is held in place. Thus, as the frame 430 moves and the guide element 412 is guided along the track 438, the degree of overlap of the edges of the heating tube 410 is adjusted, thereby adjusting the diameter of the heating tube 410.

[0094] 9A and 9B, it can be seen that the guides 438 each define a track along a portion of a respective helix. In this example, the guides 438 all define a track along a portion of a respective left-handed helix. While the frame 430 moves axially, the heating tube 410 remains in a fixed position relative to the axial direction. Thus, as the frame 430 moves axially downward, i.e., toward the distal end of the device 400, the guide element 412 moves along the guide 438 in a clockwise direction as viewed from the proximal end of the device 400. This means that as the frame 430 moves downward, the diameter of the heating tube 410 increases.

[0095] In some examples, the heating tube 410 is biased toward a first configuration having a smaller diameter. For example, the heating tube 410 may be biased to tend to contract toward the first configuration. Thus, moving the frame 430 downward can include moving the heating tube 410 against the bias. This biasing action allows the heating tube 410 to form a tight fit around the first consumable 120a or the second consumable 120b, regardless of whether the first consumable 120a or the second consumable 120b is inserted. For example, a user can actuate the downward movement of the frame 430 by pushing the frame 430 or by activating a button or portion of the housing 401 configured to move the frame 430. While the user holds the frame 430 downward to configure the device 400 into the second configuration, the user can insert either the first consumable 120a or the second consumable 120b into the heating tube 410. Once the first consumable 120a or the second consumable 120b is inserted, the user can release the frame 430 from the lowered position. The heating tube 410 then contracts under the bias to form a tight fit around the inserted consumable. It will be appreciated that in some instances, when the frame 430 is fully depressed in the second configuration, the diameter of the heating tube 410 may be slightly larger than the diameter of the second consumable 120b to allow for the insertion of the second consumable 120b. In such instances, upon releasing the frame 430, the heating tube 410 contracts slightly to match the diameter of the second consumable 120b. To remove the consumable from the heating tube 410, the user can again press down the frame 430 to increase the diameter of the heating tube 410, loosening the fit with the inserted consumable, allowing the consumable to be pulled free.

[0096] By being biased back to a smaller diameter as described above, the heating tube 410 can closely conform to the diameter of the inserted consumable, thereby providing effective heating of the consumable. Additionally, instead of manually configuring the device for a particular pre-defined configuration intended for use with either the first consumable 120a or the second consumable 120b, the user can simply press the frame 430 downward, insert the consumable, and then release the frame 430 to automatically form a close fit with the inserted consumable.

[0097] A fifth device 500 according to the invention is shown in Figure 10. As in the previous example, the assembly including the heating tube 510 and other components is shown in Figure 11, separated from the rest of the device 500.

[0098] Similar to the fourth device 400, the heating tube 510 of the fifth device 500 includes a set of guide elements 512. The fifth device 500 also includes a frame 530 including a set of guides 538 that surround the heating tube 510. Axial movement of the frame 530 controls circumferential movement of the guide elements 512, thereby adjusting the degree of overlap of the edges of the heating tube 510, thereby adjusting the diameter of the heating tube 510. Thus, the diameter of the heating tube 510 can be adjusted by axially moving the frame 530 in a manner similar to that described for the fourth device 400.

[0099] 11 shows the heating tube 510 in a first configuration having a first smallest diameter. Similar to the fourth device 400, pushing the frame 530 of the fifth device 500 downward configures the heating tube 510 from the first configuration shown in FIG. 11 to a second configuration (not shown).

[0100] In this example, guides 538 extend along a portion of each right-handed spiral. Thus, as frame 530 moves downward, guides 538 cause guide element 512 to move to the right, increasing the diameter of heater tube 510 due to the way heater tube 510 is wound and the location of the guide element on the exterior surface of heater tube 510.

[0101] In the fourth device 400 and the fifth device 500, the guide elements can be located on the outer overlapping edges of the sheets forming the susceptor tubes 410, 510, as shown in FIG. 9C. However, the guide elements can also be located on the inner overlapping edges of the sheets forming the susceptor tubes 410, 510. In such an example, the outer overlapping edges of the sheets can include respective guide slots, allowing each of the guide elements of the inner overlapping edges to protrude through the outer overlapping edges and communicate with the guides 438, 538 of the frames 430, 530. This can contribute to the heater tubes being able to maintain their tubular shape as their diameters are adjusted.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 10, the fifth device 500 comprises a two-part housing 501 including an upper part 501a and a lower part 501b. The upper part 501a is axially movable relative to the lower part 501b. Pressing down on the upper part 501a moves the frame 530 downwards, thus increasing the diameter of the heating tube 510 to allow the insertion of the consumables 120a, 120b. A biasing element 536, in this example a coil spring, is disposed inside the upper part 501a to bias the upper part 501a away from the lower part 501b. When the user stops pressing down on the upper part 501a, the upper part 501a moves upwards under the action of the biasing element 536, causing the frame 530 to move upwards and the heating tube 510 to contract to fit the diameter of the inserted consumables.

[0103] The fifth device 500 is an induction heating device, and the heating tube 510 is a susceptor tube. As in the previous examples of induction heating devices, inductor coils 504a, 504b surround the susceptor tube 510 and frame 530, which are housed within an insulating tube 550.

[0104] A sixth device 600 according to the invention is shown in Figures 12, 13A and 13B. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the sixth device 600. The sixth device 600 shares features of the previously described devices, which will not be repeated.

[0105] 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views of an assembly of a device 600 including a heating tube 610 and other components previously described, such as a proximal component 630 to which the proximal end of the heating tube 610 is attached.

[0106] In the device 600, the heating tube 610 is a telescoping heating tube. That is, the heating tube 610 is configured such that as its length increases, its diameter decreases. Conversely, as the length of the heating tube 610 decreases, its diameter increases. The heating tube 610 may be formed with a braided structure. In an example, the heating tube 610 is a susceptor tube including a susceptor material such as steel. The proximal end 610a of the heating tube 610 is attached to a proximal piece 630 and held in a fixed position. The distal end 610b of the heating tube 610 is attached to a distal piece 640, which is axially movable to configure the length and diameter of the heating tube 610. The proximal and distal ends 610a and 610b of the heating tube 610 may flare outward toward the respective ends of the tube 610. Distal component 640 includes a stopper 642 configured such that a distal end of a consumable received in heating tube 610 abuts against stopper 642. Distal tube 644 allows condensate and the like to be drained from the distal end of device 600, and an opening at the distal end of the device housing may allow a user to access the interior of distal tube 644, e.g., for cleaning.

[0107] Distal component 640 is axially movable by switch 646, which is attached to distal tube 644 and configured to extend transversely to the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 12 , switch 646 is presented to a user and is movable in a recess in an exterior surface of the housing of device 600.

[0108] A switch 646 can be moved between a lower position (FIG. 13A) and an upper position (FIG. 13B) to configure the heating tube 610 between a first configuration to accept a first consumable 120a and a second configuration to accept a second consumable 120b. Moving the switch 646 moves a distal part 640 including a stopper 642 to reconfigure the length of the heating tube 610 to accept consumables of different lengths and different diameters. As with other induction heating devices described herein, the susceptor tube 610 may be housed in an insulating tube 650, and one or more induction coils (not shown) may surround the insulating tube to generate a varying magnetic field for heating the susceptor tube 610.

[0109] 14A and 14B show schematic diagrams of a seventh device 700 according to an example of the present invention. The seventh device 700 shares the features described with respect to the previous examples, which will not be repeated. The seventh device 700 uses a telescopic heating tube 710 similar to the sixth device 600. In this example, the heating tube 710 is made of steel. The proximal end of the heating tube 710 is attached to the proximal part 730 of the device 700 by a flexible string 710a. The distal end of the heating tube 710 is attached to the distal part 740 of the device 700 by a flexible string 710b. The seventh device 700 includes a biasing mechanism similar to that described for the fifth device 500. That is, the upper part 701a of the housing of the seventh device 700 is biased away from the lower part 701b of the housing by a biasing element 736. Again, in this example, the biasing element 736 is a coil spring disposed within the upper portion 701a and configured to bias the upper portion 701a away from the lower portion 701b. In other examples, any other suitable biasing element may be used. Thus, a user presses down on the upper portion 701a to decrease the length and increase the diameter of the heating tube 710 to allow for the insertion of either the first consumable 120a or the second consumable 120b. Flexible strings 710a, 710b may be connected to the heating tube 710 to allow for uniform deformation of the heating tube 710 when the housing portion 701a is pressed down and released.

[0110] Once the consumables 120a, 120b are inserted, the user can release the top 701a of the device 700 and allow the biasing action to move the top 701a upwards to expand the heating tube 710 and contract the heating tube 710 to form a tight fit around the inserted consumables 120a, 120b. Figure 14A shows the device 700 with a first consumable 120a inserted into the heating tube 710. Figure 14B shows the device 700 with a second consumable 120b inserted into the heating tube 710. In this example, the seventh device 700 is an induction heating device and the heating tube 710 is a susceptor tube.

[0111] In another example shown in Figs. 15A and 15B, in a device similar to the previous example, a helical coil 810 defines a telescopic tube for accommodating consumables of different sizes. Increasing the length of the coil 810 decreases the diameter of the coil 810, and conversely, decreasing the length of the coil increases the diameter of the coil. Similarly, increasing the diameter of the coil 810 can decrease the length of the coil 810, and decreasing the diameter of the coil 810 can increase the length of the coil 810. Thus, the coil 810 can fit a number of different sizes of consumables, such as the first consumable 120a and the second consumable 120b shown in Figs. 15a and 15b, respectively. The coil 810 can be configured such that the pressure exerted by the coil 810 against the consumables accommodated therein is substantially constant over the length of the coil. In some examples, the coil 810 can be formed from a polymer or card with low mechanical resistance. For example, the coil 810 can be formed from a ceramic elastomer, or the like. In another example, the coil 810 may be formed from PTFE, for example, the coil 810 may include a Teflon wrap.

[0112] The above-described embodiments should be understood as examples of the present invention. Further embodiments of the present invention are envisioned. It is understood that features described with respect to one embodiment can be used alone or in combination with other features described, and can also be used in combination with one or more features of other embodiments or combinations of other embodiments. Moreover, equivalents and modifications not described above can also be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

[Claim 1] The invention described in the specification.

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