Aerosol generating device comprising a compression device and method for compressing an aerosol generating article

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising an oven having a first opening through which an aerosol generating article can be at least partially inserted into the oven, and a compression device arranged outside the oven and in front of the opening to compress the aerosol generating device upon insertion of the aerosol generating article into the oven through the opening. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system comprising such an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article. Also disclosed is a method of at least partially inserting an aerosol generating article into the oven of an aerosol generating device by compressing the aerosol generating article by a compression device arranged outside the oven and in front of the opening of the oven to compress the aerosol generating device upon insertion of the aerosol generating article into the oven through the opening, and moving the compressed aerosol generating article at least partially into the oven.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention is directed to an aerosol generating device comprising an oven having an opening through which an aerosol-generating article can be at least partially inserted into the oven, and further to a system comprising such an aerosol generating device, and a method of inserting an aerosol-generating article at least partially into the oven of the aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, so-called risk-reducing or risk-modifying devices (also known as vaporizers) have become increasingly popular as alternatives to traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling cigarettes. Numerous devices and systems are available on the market. They have in common that, in contrast to traditional products, they heat tobacco rather than burn it to produce an aerosol and / or vapor for inhalation.

[0003] In a heat-not-burn device, the substrate is heated within the aerosol generating device. This type of device generates aerosol and / or vapor by heating a solid aerosol substrate, typically comprising tobacco, to a temperature typically in the range of 200° C. to 350° C. This temperature has been found to be advantageous as the substrate is not combusted or burned while releasing flavor in the form of an aerosol, thus avoiding combustion and the harmful by-products of burning.

[0004] So far, a drawback of known devices of this kind has been their high energy consumption: the batteries of some of these devices must be recharged after each use, while other devices have larger batteries, but these devices are bulkier, at least in contrast to conventional products such as cigarettes.

[0005] It has been found that efficient energy transfer between the heating element and the substrate being heated is extremely important, and therefore several devices have been developed to overcome this shortcoming.

[0006] An example of such a heating device is described in CN110558624A. The device comprises a peripheral wall of a heating chamber made of a number of wall elements. Along this wall, fasteners made of shape memory alloy are arranged. By controlling the temperature, the shape of the shape memory alloy can be adjusted, so that the heater is compressed after reaching a critical temperature. This deformation reduces the size of the heater's receiving cavity, and the cigarette is automatically clamped. Therefore, an improved energy transfer rate can be achieved, improving the heating efficiency of the device.

[0007] Also, the document CN112401311A relates to a smoking device comprising a heating chamber. Inside this heating chamber, a tobacco source is arranged, comprising a shell and a heating part in the form of a central pin. The heating chamber is formed by at least two tobacco clamping parts. These two parts can form cavities of different sizes between each other. The size of the cavity is adjusted by rotating a drive part, which can rotate relative to the tobacco clamping parts. Since the internal volume of the drive part has an elliptical cross section, the width of the internal spacing along a given direction is determined by the rotation angle of the drive part relative to this direction. By rotating the drive part, the spacing between the two tobacco clamping parts can be adjusted.

[0008] A further smoking device with improved energy transfer is known from US2021282459A1. The device comprises a retaining element which clamps a tobacco source in the device. The inner diameter of the retaining element varies with the position of the retaining element. When moving along the longitudinal direction of the smoking device, the inner diameter can be reduced, for example by narrowing the width of a slit in the side wall of the retaining element. The heat source is provided in the form of a blade or rod. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In all these prior art documents, the mechanism for reducing the diameter of the heating chamber is very complicated, making the device difficult to handle. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device that overcomes these drawbacks. The aerosol generating device should not only increase the energy transfer rate between the heating source and the aerosol generating device, but also be easy to handle and require only a small amount of space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] It has been found that these problems can be overcome by an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, a system according to claim 9 and a method according to claim 12.

[0011] The aerosol generating device according to the invention comprises an oven having an opening through which an aerosol generating article can be at least partially inserted into the oven. The aerosol generating device further comprises a compression device arranged outside the oven and in front of the opening so as to compress the aerosol generating device upon insertion of the aerosol generating article into the oven through the opening. As such, the oven and aerosol generating device can be smaller than known devices because the compression device is arranged outside the oven and not part of it, which makes it easier to handle by a user.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, an aerosol-generating article may be any consumable product that includes a charge of solid or semi-solid aerosol-generating material, such as, in particular, tobacco material.

[0013] Preferably, the compression device comprises opposing compression members defining a gap between them, said gap extending perpendicular to a direction in which the aerosol-generating article is inserted through the opening into the compression device and oven. Preferably, the insertion direction of the aerosol-generating article is coincident or collinear with a longitudinal direction of the oven.

[0014] Preferably, the pressing member of the compression device may comprise, for example, a guide member having a tapered surface facing the insertion direction, such that when the aerosol-generating article is pressed against the tapered surface of the pressing member, the aerosol-generating article is effectively pressed into the gap, thereby undergoing compression and reducing dimensions across a cross-section of the aerosol-generating article perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0015] In embodiments, at least one of the pressing members may be movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the aerosol-generating articles into the oven. The at least one movable pressing member may, for example, be slidably attached to a holding frame, support, or casing of the aerosol-generating device.

[0016] In an embodiment, at least one, and preferably two, pressing members are compression rollers that define said gap between their outer circumferential surfaces. Such compression rollers can apply a defined pressure in a direction towards the gap. Thus, the aerosol-generating article can be compressed in this gap outside the oven. Thus, the aerosol-generating article is already in a compressed state when it passes through this gap into the oven. Then, in the oven, the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article abuts against the inner wall of the oven. Thus, direct heat transfer from the wall to the aerosol-generating article is possible.

[0017] Thus, preferably, the compression device defines by the gap between its pressing members the maximum dimension, in particular the width or diameter, of the aerosol-generating article to be inserted into the oven. In effect, the compression device therefore shapes the aerosol-generating article before it enters the oven, so that it fits snugly within the oven against the oven walls, in order to ensure optimal heating energy transfer when the aerosol-generating device is in use. In addition, advantageously, an aerosol-generating article that cannot pass through the compression device will not fit into the oven dimensions and will therefore be considered as not being suitable for use in the aerosol-generating device.

[0018] In embodiments in which the compression device comprises at least one roller as pressing member, the at least one roller is advantageously motor-driven. More preferably, said roller is electrically driven. Such electric driving of at least one roller, and possibly both rollers if two rollers are provided, serves for automatic insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the gap towards the oven.

[0019] Providing such an electrically powered compression device on the aerosol generating device greatly facilitates use, as the user does not need to push the aerosol-generating article into the oven of the aerosol generating device, but the compression device automatically transports the aerosol-generating article into the oven. Preferably, the driving force with which the compression device transports the aerosol-generating article into the oven is determined. Thus, it can be ensured that only compressed aerosol-generating articles having a width that fits into the oven are transported into the oven. If the force required to push the aerosol-generating article into the oven exceeds a defined threshold, the transport process is preferably stopped and the aerosol-generating article is not transported into the oven.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the compression device has a first opening facing towards the oven and a second opening facing away from the oven, the diameter of the first opening being at least 5% smaller than the diameter of the second opening, preferably at least 7.5%, more preferably at least 10%, most preferably at least 15%, and preferably at most 75%, preferably at most 60%, more preferably at most 50%, most preferably at most 40%. This first opening may also be defined by the gap or distance between the first compression member (e.g. compression roller) and the second complementary compression member (e.g. further compression roller or non-rotating part). The small diameter of the first opening relative to the second opening ensures that aerosol-generating articles with larger diameters can be inserted into and handled by the compression device, but are reduced in diameter downstream of the compression device to a width that fits the dimensions of the oven.

[0021] Preferably, the device comprises a sensor for detecting the insertion of an aerosol-generating article into the compression device. Particularly in combination with the feature of a motor-driven compression device, it can be ensured that the compression process (and preferably the conveying process to the oven) starts when an aerosol-generating article is detected. Thus, the user is not forced to push the flavour source through the compression device.

[0022] Preferably, the aerosol-generating device comprises a control device which controls the compression device to compress and push in the aerosol-generating article detected by the sensor. More preferably, a further sensor measures the force applied by the compression device to the aerosol-generating article. If the force exceeds a defined threshold, preferably the control device stops the compression. This is advantageous to avoid compression of incorrectly inserted material and damage to the device.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the aerosol generating device, the volume of the inner cavity of the oven into which the aerosol generating article can be inserted and / or the cross-sectional diameter of the oven cavity perpendicular to the direction in which the aerosol generating article is inserted into the oven are constant. As mentioned above, the reduction of the oven volume and / or diameter itself has been found to be a significant drawback of known devices. Preferably, the above-defined diameter of the oven remains constant along the conveying direction of the aerosol generating article (or the direction in which the aerosol generating article is inserted into the oven) over at least 30%, preferably 50% or more, more preferably 70% or more, most preferably 90% or more, or even 100% of the length of the oven. However, the cross-sectional diameter of the oven may vary with depth and / or orientation.

[0024] Preferably, at least a portion of the oven wall is provided with a heating element for actively heating an aerosol-generating article inserted in the oven. Heat is therefore preferably applied to the outer wall of the aerosol-generating article. The area for heat transfer is therefore much larger than in alternative devices in which heat is applied to the interior volume of the aerosol-generating article by means of pins or blades. However, in some embodiments such heat transfer elements are preferred.

[0025] A combination of these two embodiments is preferred when a very large heat transfer area is required. By applying heat to the oven wall and the blades or pins, the heat transfer surface is increased, allowing for rapid heat transfer. A further advantage of this embodiment is that due to the volume of the inserted blades or pins, the (already compressed) material of the aerosol-generating article is forced further towards the oven wall. This further enhances the heat transfer rate between the oven wall and the aerosol-generating article.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the oven comprises a second opening, which is open to at least steam when the first opening is closed, and the second opening is preferably in fluid communication with a mouthpiece. In another embodiment, the mouthpiece is inserted through the first opening, and the aerosol can be inhaled by the user after passing through the first opening and the mouthpiece. In this embodiment, the second opening allows air to flow into the oven to eliminate negative pressure that makes inhalation difficult.

[0027] The present invention further relates to a system comprising an aerosol generating device as described above and an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article is preferably part of a capsule. The aerosol generating article (and / or capsule) extends in a first direction, a second direction and a third direction, each of which is perpendicular to each other. The extension along the first direction is greater than the extension along the second direction and the third direction. Preferably, the first direction is the direction in which the aerosol generating article is inserted into the oven. At least one of the second direction or the third direction (in the uncompressed state) extends across the width of the oven.

[0028] Preferably, the aerosol-generating article is compressible in at least the second or third direction such that, in the compressed state, the extension of the aerosol-generating article along this direction is less than the width of the oven, which facilitates insertion of the aerosol-generating article (and / or capsule) into the oven.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating article and / or the oven have a circular cross-section. In particular with respect to aerosol-generating articles, consumers are still accustomed to handling rod-shaped tobacco products, such as cigarettes. Thus, consumers are familiar with handling tobacco products with a circular cross-section and will quickly become accustomed to such a system.

[0030] Preferably, the longitudinal extension of the aerosol-generating article and / or the oven along the axial direction is greater than the diameter of the circular cross section, thus ensuring a rod-like shape. The longitudinal extension of the aerosol-generating article along the axial direction may even be greater than the longitudinal extension of the oven. In this embodiment, the aerosol-generating article preferably comprises a mouthpiece through which the consumer can inhale the aerosol generated in the oven.

[0031] The above problems are further solved by a method of at least partially inserting an aerosol-generating article into an oven of an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: - compressing the aerosol-generating article by a compression device located outside the oven and at least indirectly connected to the oven; - moving the compressed aerosol-generating article at least partially into an oven.

[0032] Preferably, these steps are performed in the above mentioned order to ensure that the aerosol-generating article is compressed when it is moved into the oven. Preferably, the compression is reversible. Thus, a pre-compressed aerosol-generating article expands when moved into the oven. Thus, essentially direct contact is established between the outer wall of the aerosol-generating article and the inner wall of the oven. This improves the heat transfer from the inner wall of the oven to the aerosol-generating article. Thus, aerosol can be generated from the aerosol-generating article with minimal energy consumption.

[0033] Thus, preferably, the method further comprises the step of heating the aerosol-generating article in an oven. During this heating step, the aerosol-generating article is preferably at least partially vaporized in the oven. Thus, an aerosol can be generated.

[0034] In a preferred method, the aerosol-generating article is compressed by the compression device by at least 5%, preferably at least 7.5%, more preferably at least 10%, most preferably at least 15% and preferably at most 75%, preferably at most 60%, more preferably at most 50%, most preferably at most 40% so that the aerosol-generating article can be easily inserted into the oven but ensure that the aerosol-generating article stretches again in the oven to contact at least a portion of the inner oven wall.

[0035] Preferably, the aerosol-generating article is at least partially conveyed into the oven by a motor-driven conveying device, such that the force exerted on the compressed aerosol-generating article is controllable, and the conveying process can be stopped if the force exceeds a defined threshold, thus avoiding the forced insertion of an incompatible aerosol-generating article.

[0036] Preferably, the motor-driven conveying device is part of the compaction device. It has been found that, particularly in combination with one or more compaction rollers, this facilitates conveying of the aerosol-generating article during the compaction process.

[0037] Preferably, the method steps are intended to be performed using an aerosol generating device as described above. The method particularly relates to the use of such an aerosol generating device as described above. Conversely, all features of the aerosol generating device disclosed in combination with method steps are also preferred embodiments of said aerosol generating device, individually or in combination with other features. Preferably, said aerosol generating device comprises at least means enabling the method steps to be performed (individually and / or in combination) by a user.

[0038] Further advantages, objects and features of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which similar elements in different embodiments may be provided with the same reference signs, and in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an aerosol generating device including a compression device, before an aerosol generating article is inserted. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an aerosol generating device comprising a compression device while an aerosol generating article is inserted therein; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an aerosol generating device including a compression device after an aerosol-generating article has been inserted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an aerosol generating device 1. The device comprises an oven 2. An internal compartment 4 of the oven 2 is defined by walls. Preferably, at least a part of these walls can be heated using an energy source (not shown). The oven 2 comprises at least one opening through which an aerosol-generating article 10 can be inserted into the internal compartment 4 of the oven. Before entering the oven 2, the aerosol-generating article 10 is compressed by a compression device 6, 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the compression device 6, 8 comprises two compression rollers 6 and 8 that are rotatable in opposite directions to each other, as indicated by the arrows P1 and P2.

[0041] Preferably, rotation of the compression rollers 6 and 8 begins when the aerosol-generating article 10 is brought into proximity with or into contact with (one of) the compression rollers 6 and 8. A suitable sensor (not shown) preferably detects the aerosol-generating article 10. Due to the different rotation directions P1, P2 of the compression rollers 6 and 8, the aerosol-generating article 10 is not only compressed (along the direction between the rollers) but also transported towards the oven.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an aerosol-generating device as shown in Figure 1, but with a part of the aerosol-generating article 10 inserted. The (partially) compressed part of the aerosol-generating article 10 is shown in dark shading. Compression is also shown in a smaller extension along the direction between the rollers 6, 8.

[0043] In the illustrated state, the compressed portion of the aerosol-generating article 10 is already partially inserted into the internal compartment 4 of the oven 2. Preferably, the rotation of the compression rollers 6 and 8 along the directions P1 and P2 is maintained until the aerosol-generating article 10 reaches the wall of the oven 2 opposite the opening. In this state, shown in Figure 3, the internal volume 4 of the oven 2 is preferably completely occupied by the aerosol-generating article 10. Thus, gas isolation is avoided and direct contact of the aerosol-generating article 10 with the hot wall of the oven 2 can be ensured.

[0044] Thus, Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an aerosol-generating device after the aerosol-generating article has been inserted into the oven 2. As the final position of the aerosol-generating article 10 has been reached, the rotation of the compression rollers 6 and 8 is stopped. As shown in Figure 3, it is not necessary for the entire aerosol-generating article 10 to be inserted into the oven. A part of the aerosol-generating article or a part of a corresponding cartridge 10 containing the aerosol-generating article may remain outside the oven. This part may for example comprise a mouthpiece, through which a user can inhale the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating article 10 in the oven. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Device, smoking device 2 oven, oven wall 4. Oven internal volume 6, 8 Compression roller, conveyor roller 10 Aerosol-generating articles, cartridges P1 Rotation direction P2 Rotation direction

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (1) comprising an oven (2) having an opening through which an aerosol generating article (10) can be at least partially inserted into the oven (2), characterized by a compression device (6, 8) arranged outside the oven (2) and in front of the opening for compressing the aerosol generating device when inserting the aerosol generating article into the oven through the opening, The compression device (6, 8) comprises at least one roller defining a gap, and the roller can apply a defined pressure in a direction towards the gap, the aerosol generating device (1).

2. The compression device (6, 8) comprises two compression rollers (6, 8) defining the gap, and the two compression rollers can apply the defined pressure in a direction towards the gap, the aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The compression device (6, 8) defines the maximum width of the aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the oven, the aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. The compression device (6, 8) is motor-driven, preferably electrically driven, and the compression device (6, 8) preferably comprises a conveying device (6, 8) for accelerating the aerosol generating article (10) in a direction towards the oven (2), the aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

5. The compression devices (6, 8) have a first opening facing in the direction of the oven (2) and a second opening facing in a direction away from the oven, and the diameter of the first opening is 5% or more, preferably 7.5% or more, more preferably 10% or more, most preferably 15% or more, and preferably 75% or less, preferably 60% or less, more preferably 50% or less, most preferably 40% or less smaller than the diameter of the second opening. The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

6. The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a sensor for detecting the insertion of the aerosol generating article (10) into the compression devices (6, 8).

7. The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by a control device for controlling the compression devices (6, 8) to compress the aerosol generating article (10) detected by the sensor.

8. The volume of the internal cavity (4) of the oven (2) into which the aerosol generating article (10) can be inserted, and / or the cross-sectional diameter of this cavity (4) perpendicular to the direction in which the aerosol generating article (10) can be inserted, is constant. The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

9. The wall of the oven is provided with a heating element for actively heating the aerosol generating article (10) inserted into the oven. The aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

10. A system comprising the aerosol generating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and an aerosol generating article (10), wherein the aerosol generating article (10) extends in a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, the directions being perpendicular to each other, the extension in the first direction being greater than the extensions in the second and third directions, and at least one of the second or third directions extending across the width of the oven (2).

11. The aerosol generating article (10) is compressible at least in the second or third direction, and in the compressed state, the extension of the aerosol generating article in this direction is smaller than the width of the oven (2). The system according to claim 10, characterized in that.

12. The aerosol generating article (10) and / or the oven (2) have a circular cross-section and, preferably, a longitudinal extension in the axial direction that is greater than the diameter of the circular cross-section. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that.

13. A method of at least partially inserting an aerosol generating article (10) into an oven (2) of an aerosol generating device (1), Compressing the aerosol generating article (10) by compression devices (6, 8) arranged outside the oven (2) and in front of the opening of the oven (2) so as to compress the aerosol generating device when inserting the aerosol generating article into the oven (2) through the opening; Moving the compressed aerosol generating article (10) at least partially into the oven (2); A method comprising.

14. Compressing the aerosol-generating article (10) by the compression device by 5% or more, preferably 7.5% or more, more preferably 10% or more, most preferably 15% or more, and preferably 75% or less, preferably 60% or less, more preferably 50% or less, most preferably 40% or less, the method according to claim 13, characterized thereby.

15. Conveying the aerosol-generating article (10) at least partially into the oven (2) by a motor-driven conveying device (6, 8), the method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized thereby.

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