e-vaping device with a holding element for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article

Abstract

The present invention is an e-vaping device including an oven (3) for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, wherein the oven (3) for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article includes an elongated cylindrical recess (4) along a longitudinal direction (X) for receiving the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (8) to be heated, and a toroidal holding element (7) having a circular shape as a rotating surface, which protrudes radially inward from an inner wall (43) of the recess (4) and is partially inserted into an annular groove (40) in the inner wall (43) of the recess (4), and has a first static friction (Fss) between the holding element (7) and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article (8), and the first static friction (Fss) is greater than a second static friction (Fsd) between the holding element (7) and the annular groove (40) in the inner wall (43) of the recess (4). The present invention relates to an e-vaping device including the toroidal holding element (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of e-vaping devices comprising a holding element for aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer articles which can be a fragrance-generating heating stick or a heated tobacco stick.

[0002] The technical field of aerosol-generating heating sticks, or heated non-combustion aerosol-generating articles for heated non-combustion devices (sometimes referred to as "heated tobacco sticks" or HTS) includes aerosol-generating substances formed as rods. This aerosol-generating substance can be a homogenized tobacco material, or a reconstituted tobacco substrate, or a non-tobacco aerosolizable material such as a foam, for example.

Background Art

[0003] Risk reduction devices are becoming popular alternatives to conventional tobacco products such as cigarettes. In contrast to these conventional products that rely on the combustion of tobacco, risk reduction devices typically generate a vapor or aerosol for the user to inhale.

[0004] Heated substrate aerosol-generating devices, also known as heated non-combustion devices, are a type of risk reduction device. In a heated substrate aerosol-generating device, a substrate containing tobacco or other suitable material is heated to a temperature high enough to generate an aerosol from the material but not high enough to cause combustion of the material. This aerosol contains the components of the material desired by the user but does not contain the undesirable by-products of combustion that occur when the material burns.

[0005] Typical heated substrate aerosol generating devices include a heating chamber or oven that defines a cavity adapted to receive a stick of the substrate to be heated. The substrate is heated within the cavity to generate a desired aerosol and can be removed and replaced when the substrate is spent. Heated substrate aerosol generating devices are typically formed in a very compact structure to provide a portable device that is convenient for storage and carrying.

[0006] Generally, the heating stick includes a tobacco segment (or other aerosol generating segment), a cooling segment, and a filter segment.

[0007] According to a first prior art, an e-vaping device with a holding element for a heated tobacco stick for both holding the heated tobacco stick and forming a barrier between the outside and inside of the oven of the e-vaping device is disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. WO 2021 / 152035 pamphlet of a patent application. However, since the friction between this holding element and the heated tobacco stick is large, two drawbacks occur. The first drawback results from the risk that the heated tobacco stick deteriorates when being inserted and / or removed, whereby there is a risk that a part of this heated tobacco stick falls and remains at the bottom of the oven of the e-vaping device. The second drawback is the loss of ergonomics for the e-vaping user that it is still possible to insert and / or remove the heated tobacco stick from the oven of the e-vaping device, but not as easily as expected.

[0008] The following technical problems to be solved, namely, the stability of the consumable / tobacco stick during vaping, and the closure of the gap between the consumables / tobacco sticks / mechanical tolerances, and the robustness / durability of the holding system (against temperature, sunlight, time, air, friction), and the simplification of the implementation of the holding system, and Improve or at least maintain a good compromise between the ease of cleaning and hygiene maintenance of the holding system while at the same time reducing the friction with the elastic holding element located around the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article in the cylindrical recess of the oven of the e-vaping device when inserting the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article into the recess and when removing the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article from the recess, which is related to the existing systems in prior art such as International Publication No. WO 2021 / 152035

[0009] According to a second prior art, an e-vaping device having an oven for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article with an annular holding element is disclosed, for example, in European Patent Application Publication No. EP 3610746, a patent application. However, the overall compromise between friction reduction, robustness improvement, implementation simplification, and ease of cleaning and maintenance is not significantly better than that of the first prior art.

[0010] According to a third prior art, an e-vaping device having an oven for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article with an annular holding element is disclosed, for example, in Korean Patent Publication No. KR 10-2021-0137832, a patent application. However, the overall compromise between friction reduction, robustness improvement, implementation simplification, and ease of cleaning and maintenance is not significantly better than that of the first prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0011] An object of the present invention is to at least partially alleviate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0012] The aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article should be held in place during vaping while improving the airtightness of the oven of the e-vaping device without affecting the ease of insertion into and / or removal from the oven of the e-vaping device.

[0013] More specifically, the present invention aims to present a better overall compromise between friction reduction, improved robustness, simplified mounting, and ease of cleaning and maintenance compared to known prior art. Therefore, the present invention aims to use an elastic retaining element, which has a circular longitudinal cross-section and is partially inserted into an annular groove in the inner wall of the recess.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] This object of the present invention is an e-vaping device including an oven for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, wherein the oven for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article includes an elongate cylindrical recess along a longitudinal direction for receiving the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article to be heated, and a toroidal retaining element having a circular longitudinal cross-section and a circular longitudinal axis, which protrudes radially inward from the inner wall of the recess and is partially inserted into an annular groove in the inner wall of the recess, and has a first static friction between the retaining element and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, and the first static friction is greater than a second static friction between the retaining element and the annular groove in the inner wall of the recess, and is achieved by the e-vaping device including the toroidal retaining element.

[0015] This object of the present invention is also an e-vaping system including an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article and an e-vaping device, wherein the e-vaping device is an oven for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, and includes an elongate cylindrical recess along a longitudinal direction for receiving the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article to be heated, and a toroidal retaining element having a circular longitudinal cross-section and a circular longitudinal axis, which protrudes radially inward from the inner wall of the recess and is partially inserted into an annular groove in the inner wall of the recess, and has a first static friction between the retaining element and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, and the first static friction is greater than a second static friction between the retaining element and the annular groove in the inner wall of the recess, and can be achieved by the e-vaping system including the oven for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article including the toroidal retaining element.

[0016] This object of the present invention is also an e-vaping device including an oven for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, wherein the oven for the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article includes a cylindrically concave portion elongated along a longitudinal direction (having an axis along the longitudinal direction) for receiving the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article to be heated, and a toroidal or toroid-shaped holding element having a circular longitudinal cross-section and a circular longitudinal axis, which holds the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article when inserted into the concave portion and rolls or rotates about the circular longitudinal axis of the toroidal or toroid-shaped holding element during insertion or removal of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, and which protrudes radially inward from the inner wall of the concave portion and is partially inserted into an annular groove in the inner wall of the concave portion. This can be achieved by an e-vaping device including the toroidal or toroid-shaped holding element.

[0017] This object of the present invention is also an e-vaping system including an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article and an e-vaping device, wherein the e-vaping device is an oven for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, which includes a cylindrically concave portion elongated along a longitudinal direction (having an axis along the longitudinal direction) for receiving the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article to be heated, the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article to be heated inserted into the cylindrically concave portion along the longitudinal direction of the cylindrically concave portion, and an elastic toroidal or toroid-shaped holding element having a circular longitudinal cross-section and a circular longitudinal axis, which holds the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article when inserted into the concave portion and rolls or rotates about the circular longitudinal axis of the elastic toroidal or toroid-shaped holding element during insertion or removal of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, and which elastically protrudes radially inward from the inner wall of the concave portion and is partially inserted into an annular groove in the inner wall of the concave portion. This can be achieved by an e-vaping system including the oven for the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article including the elastic toroidal or toroid-shaped holding element.

[0018] The aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article can be a heated tobacco stick or another flavor-generating heated stick.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, as will be described in more detail in the following detailed description, instead of causing friction of the silicon ring in known prior art and the like, the guiding function is improved due to the rolling of the spring. Also, compared with the silicon neck in known prior art and the like, the metal neck is more durable and requires less cleaning. There are still some manufacturing and assembly advantages regarding the fixing and integration of the neck or the addition of other functions in the same module, such as, for example, oven heating and the insertion detection function of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, involuntary removal of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article during vaping is prevented, and the user ergonomics regarding the operation of insertion into and removal from the e-vaping device are also improved. In addition, the e-vaping device also has less unpleasant odor and dirt due to the barrier function that prevents vapor from flowing into the e-vaping device. Due to this barrier function, the user's perceptual experience is improved and becomes more repeatable.

[0021] Preferred embodiments include one or more of the following features that can be incorporated together separately, or in any partial or complete combination.

[0022] Preferably, the holding element has a first kinetic friction between the holding element and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article, and this first kinetic friction is smaller than the first static friction between the holding element and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article.

[0023] Preferably, the holding element is an elastic holding element.

[0024] Preferably, the holding element is not attached to the entire circumference of the annular groove so as to be held in the annular groove while allowing relative movement between the holding element and the annular groove when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is inserted into the recess, and is partially inserted into the groove on the inner wall of the recess.

[0025] Therefore, the friction between the holding element and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is further reduced when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is inserted into and / or removed from the cylindrical recess of the e-vaping device oven.

[0026] Preferably, the holding element is not attached to the annular groove and is partially inserted into the annular groove on the inner wall of the recess.

[0027] Therefore, the implementation of the holding element into the cylindrical recess of the e-vaping device oven is simplified.

[0028] Preferably, the holding element is not attached to the annular groove so as to be held in the annular groove while allowing relative rolling of the holding element in the annular groove when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is inserted into the recess, and is partially inserted into the annular groove on the inner wall of the recess. Preferably, a circle is formed in the longitudinal cross-section by the relative rolling of the holding element in the annular groove.

[0029] Therefore, the friction between the holding element and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is further reduced when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is inserted into and / or removed from the cylindrical recess of the e-vaping device oven, and the implementation of the holding element into the cylindrical recess of the e-vaping device is further simplified.

[0030] Preferably, the holding element has a circular longitudinal cross-section with one or more hollow portions inside the circular longitudinal cross-section, or has a circular longitudinal cross-section with a central hollow portion inside the circular longitudinal cross-section.

[0031] Thus, while maintaining the high elasticity of the holding element that properly holds the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article in place within the cylindrical recess of the oven, the friction between the holding element and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is further reduced when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is inserted into and / or removed from the cylindrical recess of the oven for the e-vaping device. The aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article must be held in place despite the fact that the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article can adhere to the lips and / or can dry out and shrink.

[0032] Preferably, the holding element has an outer coating made of metal.

[0033] Thus, the friction between the holding element and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is further reduced when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is inserted into and / or removed from the cylindrical recess of the oven for the e-vaping device.

[0034] Preferably, 50% or more, or 70% or more, or 90% or more of the holding element is made of a metal material, or the holding element is made of metal.

[0035] Thus, while maintaining the high elasticity of the holding element that properly holds the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article in place within the cylindrical recess of the oven, the friction between the holding element and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is further reduced when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article is inserted into and / or removed from the cylindrical recess of the oven for the e-vaping device.

[0036] Preferably, the holding element is also a heater of the oven for heating the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article when inserted into the recess, and preferably is either a resistance heater or an induction heater.

[0037] Therefore, the holding element can simultaneously perform a second function of heating the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable in the oven of the e-cigarette device.

[0038] Preferably, the oven also includes a Hall effect sensor that automatically detects deformation of the holding element when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable is inserted into the recess, and the Hall effect sensor preferably automatically triggers heating of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable by the heater when it detects deformation of the holding element.

[0039] Therefore, the holding element can simultaneously perform a third function of detecting insertion of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable into the oven and / or removal of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable from the oven.

[0040] Preferably, the holding element includes a helical spring or is a helical spring.

[0041] Therefore, the structure of the holding element and the implementation of the holding element in the oven of the e-cigarette device are simplified.

[0042] Preferably, the helical spring is arranged in a toroidal shape or the helical spring is arranged in a spiral shape.

[0043] Therefore, the friction between the holding element and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumable is inserted into and / or removed from the cylindrical recess of the oven for the e-cigarette device is further reduced.

[0044] Preferably, the helical spring is made of adjacent coils.

[0045] Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the barrier function of the holding element.

[0046] The barrier function can avoid heat loss and prevent vapor from flowing into the e-vaping device or flowing out from other parts of the e-vaping device other than the filter of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article.

[0047] The barrier, in particular, when inserting or removing the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article into / from the oven of the e-vaping device, can hold the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article in place so that it can still be easily inserted and removed without damaging the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, while closing the gap between the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article and the oven.

[0048] Preferably, the holding element projects radially inwards from the inner wall of the recess so as to guide the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article when inserted into the recess and to clamp the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article when inserted into the recess.

[0049] Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the barrier function of the holding element.

[0050] Preferably, the holding element is circular, preferably the thickness of the holding element is smaller than the outer diameter of the holding element, preferably the thickness of the holding element is smaller than half of the outer diameter of the holding element, and more preferably the thickness of the holding element is smaller than one-third of the outer diameter of the holding element.

[0051] Therefore, while maintaining a good barrier function, the friction between the holding element and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article when the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article is inserted into and / or removed from the cylindrical recess of the oven for the e-vaping device is further reduced.

[0052] Preferably, the oven has an elongated cylindrical recess for receiving an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article, having an open end facing outward of the e-vaping device and a closed end inside the e-vaping device, and a heater disposed adjacent to or opposite the recess for heating the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article, and the retaining element is located closer to the open end than the closed end of the recess, preferably closer to the open end of the recess than the middle portion between the open end and the closed end of the recess.

[0053] Thus, the barrier function is more effective as it is applicable to a wider range of aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer articles.

[0054] Advantageously, the elastic retaining element is at least partially made of metal.

[0055] Advantageously, the elastic retaining element is not attached to the entire circumference of the annular groove but is partially inserted into the annular groove in the inner wall of the recess.

[0056] Advantageously, the elastic retaining element is an elastic annular retaining element.

[0057] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention, provided as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings listed below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0058]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0059] The aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article can be a heated tobacco stick or another flavor-generating heated stick. In the following description, unless stated to the contrary, the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article is considered to be a heated tobacco stick (also referred to as HTS), but it can also be another flavor-generating heated stick or any other aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article.

[0060] Figure 1 schematically shows an example of an e-vaping device including a holding element of an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 2 schematically shows an enlarged view of a part of Figure 1.

[0062] The e-vaping device 1 includes a battery 2 and an oven 3. The oven 3 includes a cylindrical recess 4 having a circular cross-section and a longitudinal direction X. The cylindrical recess 4 includes a bottom 41 and an upper opening 42 into which a heated tobacco stick 8 is inserted along the longitudinal direction X. The oven 3 includes a first radial heater 5 located around the cylindrical recess 4 along a part of the longitudinal extension of the cylindrical recess 4, and / or a second end heater 6 located at the bottom 41 of the cylindrical recess 4 for heating the heated tobacco stick 8 when inserted into the oven 3.

[0063] The longitudinal direction is the longitudinal direction or length of the elongated cylindrical recess of the oven for receiving the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article is elongated and often cylindrical, preferably cylindrical with a circular cross-section.

[0064] An elastic holding element 7, which is at least partially made of metal, preferably entirely made of metal, more preferably a metal spring, has a circular longitudinal cross-section, which is in any plane including the longitudinal direction X, which is the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical recess 4 and the heated tobacco stick 8, is partially inserted into an annular groove 40 in the inner wall 43 of the cylindrical recess 4 (better seen in Figures 3 and 4) without being attached to the entire circumference of the annular groove 40, and the periphery of the annular groove 40 forms a circle centered on the longitudinal axis X. There is an elastic holding element 7.

[0065] When the heated tobacco stick 8 is inserted into the cylindrical recess 4 of the oven 3 along the longitudinal direction X, the outer peripheral wall 80 of the heated tobacco stick 8 is subject to friction with a part of the elastic annular retaining element 7. The elastic annular retaining element 7 projects elastically radially inward from the inner wall 43 of the cylindrical recess 4 so as to hold the heated tobacco stick 8 when it is completely inserted into the cylindrical recess 4 until it reaches the bottom 41 of the cylindrical recess 4 and abuts against the bottom 41 of the cylindrical recess 4. Then, the elastic retaining element 7 closes the oven 3, closes the gap between the inner wall 43 of the cylindrical recess 4 and the outer peripheral wall 80 of the heated tobacco stick 8, compresses the heated tobacco stick 8, and holds the heated tobacco stick 8 in place within the cylindrical recess 4 of the oven 3. In any case, it is detected that the heated tobacco stick 8 is completely inserted into the cylindrical recess 4 of the oven 3, and as a result, the switches of the heaters 5 and / or 6 can be turned on to heat the inserted heated tobacco stick 8.

[0066] When the stick 8 is inserted into or removed from the cylindrical recess 4 of the oven 3, and when the elastic retaining element 7 is preferably a spring, in practice, a static friction Fss occurs between the stick 8 and the spring 7. The static friction Fss is higher than the static friction Fsd (Fsd) between the spring 7 and the vaping device, more precisely, higher than the static friction Fsd between the inner wall 43 of the cylindrical recess 4 of the groove 40 in which the spring 7 is disposed and the stick 8. This ensures that the spring 7 does not rotate or roll when the stick 8 is inserted into or pulled out of the cylindrical recess 4.

[0067] This static friction Fss is selected to be less than the degree to which the user can comfortably apply it and less than the degree to which the tobacco stick is damaged. Therefore, preferably Fss is less than 10 N, but typically Fss is in the range of 0.1 N to 1 N. Considering particularly that shrinkage occurs during vaping, the elasticity of the spring 7 ensures good fit within the tolerance range of the tobacco stick and minimal static friction Fss. The typical tolerance can be in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, and due to the elasticity, it is possible to keep the spring 7 in close contact with the tobacco stick 8, and thus there is no gap between the spring 7 and the tobacco stick 8. This is the same as the case when using a rubber holding element instead of a spring.

[0068] The elasticity of the spring 7 may not be required when the spring ring is dimensioned to be sufficiently smaller than the smallest stick 8 so that the force range in its configuration does not become too wide. This alternative embodiment is not very effective. This alternative embodiment depends on the elasticity of the tobacco stick instead of the elasticity of the spring. In this case, the inner diameter of the toroidal spring 7 can be in the range of 0.1 to 1 mm smaller than the diameter of the stick 8.

[0069] Static friction is the frictional force that exists between two surfaces when they are not in relative motion (i.e., stationary or not moving). Static friction acts to prevent an object from starting to move or slide on a surface. The static frictional force can have a range of values from zero to the maximum static frictional force, which is determined by the normal force acting on the object and the coefficient of static friction (μs) between the two surfaces. Generally, the static frictional force is greater than the kinetic frictional force for the same materials.

[0070] Regarding the relationship between the first tolerance TSG of the spring 7 in the groove 40 on the inner wall 43 of the cylindrical recess 4 where the spring 7 is disposed and the second tolerance TS of the stick 8, to be precise, the dimensions of the tobacco stick 8 can be affected by several factors such as variations in the manufacturing process, storage conditions, the specific specifications of the various flavors or types of sticks 8 used in a single vaping device, and shrinkage that occurs throughout the vaping experience. Therefore, in order to take these tolerances TS in the dimensions of the tobacco stick into account, the elasticity of the spring 7 plays an important role. Due to this elasticity, the spring 7 can maintain reliable contact with the tobacco stick 8, thereby ensuring the appropriate function, that is, ensuring the minimum static friction Fss required for rolling centered on its core circle (a circle passing through the center of the toroidal cross-sectional ring called the "core circle" or "central circle"). This core circle serves as the central circular axis, and around this central circular axis, the toroidal shape of the spring 7 is formed.

[0071] Since the spring 7 is designed to adjust its diameter to accommodate the tobacco stick 8, the tolerance TSG of the groove 40 of the spring 7 is selected to be larger than the tolerance TS of the tobacco stick 8 in order to ensure that when the stick 8 is inserted into the recess 4, the spring 7 is constrained not by the groove 40 but by the tobacco stick 8. This ensures that the spring 7 can properly conform to the dimensions of the tobacco stick without being restricted by the constraint of the groove. When the stick 8 is not inserted into the recess 4, the spring 7 is constrained by the groove 40, and the groove 40 helps to maintain the position of the spring within the cylindrical recess 4 of the vaping device, ensuring readiness for the next use.

[0072] Advantageously, the elastic annular retaining element 7 is positioned between all of the heaters 5 and / or 6 on one side and the upper opening 42 of the cylindrical recess 4 on the other side. Advantageously, the elastic annular retaining element 7 is a toroidal spring (a helical spring of toroidal shape or configuration).

[0073] When the heated tobacco stick 8 is removed from the cylindrical recess 4 of the oven 3 (in a sense opposite to the meaning used for insertion), the outer peripheral wall 80 of the heated tobacco stick 8 is in friction with a part of the elastic annular holding element 7 that elastically protrudes radially inward from the inner wall 43 of the cylindrical recess 4 until the heated tobacco stick 8 is completely removed from the cylindrical recess 4 and exits the oven 3 through the upper opening 42 of the cylindrical recess 4.

[0074] Figure 3 schematically shows an example of an oven of an e-vaping device provided with a holding element for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the cylindrical recess of the oven is empty.

[0075] The inner diameter d1 of the elastic holding element 7 is at its minimum value, and the elastic holding element 7 protrudes maximally radially inward from the inner wall 43 into the cylindrical recess 4. This cylindrical recess 4 is empty since the heated tobacco stick 8 is not inserted into the cylindrical recess 4. The elastic holding element 7 is partially located within the annular groove 40 of the inner wall 43 of the cylindrical recess 4. This annular groove 40 is constructed to hold the elastic holding element 7 and prevent this elastic holding element 7 from falling into the cylindrical recess 4.

[0076] In the preferred case where the elastic holding element 7 is a metal toroidal spring, when the heated tobacco stick 8 is not inserted into the cylindrical recess 4 of the oven 3, the toroidal spring 7 has a smaller diameter d1, called the "natural diameter". This natural diameter d1 can preferably be the diameter d1 of the toroidal spring 7 when it is not stretched or under stress, but alternatively, for example, for tolerance management, the spring 7 may still be slightly under stress or stretched.

[0077] Figure 4 schematically shows an example of an oven of an e-vaping device provided with a holding element for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the cylindrical recess of the oven receives the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article.

[0078] The inner diameter d2 of the elastic retaining element 7 is its maximum value, and the elastic retaining element 7 projects minimally radially inward from the inner wall 43 into the cylindrical recess 4. This cylindrical recess 4 receives the heated tobacco stick 8 inserted therein. The elastic retaining element 7 is partially located within the annular groove 40 of the inner wall 43 of the cylindrical recess 4. This annular groove 40 is constructed to hold the elastic retaining element 7 and prevent this elastic retaining element 7 from falling into the cylindrical recess 4. When the elastic retaining element 7 is inserted into the cylindrical recess 4 of the oven 3 along the longitudinal direction X until it abuts against the bottom 41 of the cylindrical recess 4 as shown by the arrow 81, the elastic retaining element 7 rolls about an axis orthogonal to the circular cross-section of this elastic retaining element as shown by the round arrow 70, thereby significantly reducing the friction between the outer peripheral wall 80 of the heated tobacco stick 8 and the elastic retaining element 7, even if it does not cancel out the friction. Such an axial direction varies over the entire circumference of the elastic retaining element 7.

[0079] In a preferred case where the elastic retaining element 7 is a metal toroidal spring, when the heated tobacco stick 8 is inserted into the cylindrical recess 4 of the oven 3 along the longitudinal direction X as shown by the arrow 81, the toroidal spring 7 rotates during the insertion and removal of the heated tobacco stick 8 to guide the heated tobacco stick 8 and is further stressed in a state where the friction is reduced compared to the known prior art. Since this toroidal spring 7 still projects into the oven cavity which is the cylindrical recess 4 of the oven 3, this toroidal spring 7 still holds the heated tobacco stick 8 in place while the user is vaping, thereby preventing the heated tobacco stick 8 from accidentally coming off. An interesting assembly option is, due to the elasticity of the toroidal spring 7, to force-fit the toroidal spring 7 into the annular groove 40 of the inner wall 43 of the cylindrical recess 4 without adhering or welding this toroidal spring 7 as seen in the known prior art. The toroidal spring 7 rolls about an axis orthogonal to the circular cross-section of this toroidal spring 7, and thus about a circle extending through the center of the toroidal spring 7 as shown by the round arrow 70, thereby significantly reducing the friction between the outer peripheral wall 80 of the heated tobacco stick 8 and the toroidal spring 7, even if it does not cancel out the friction.

[0080] FIG. 5 schematically shows an example of an oven of an e-vaping device provided with a holding element for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, in a state where the cylindrical recess of the oven receives the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] The elastic holding element 7 is a metal helical spring 7 having a helical shape and extending from the bottom 41 to the upper opening 42 of the cylindrical recess 4 of the oven 3. This metal helical spring 7 can also be used as an oven heater and can replace all or part of the aforementioned heaters 5 or 6. When this metal helical spring 7 is used as an oven heater, it can heat the heated tobacco stick 8 as an inductor or an electric resistance. In either case, it is then necessary to connect both ends of the helix made of the metal helical spring 7 to an electric circuit for controlling the oven heating.

[0082] FIG. 6 schematically shows an example of an oven of an e-vaping device provided with a holding element for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, in a state where the cylindrical recess of the oven receives the aerosol-generating heated non-combustion consumer article, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] The elastic holding element 7 is a metal helical spring 7 having a helical shape and extending from the bottom 41 to the upper opening 42 of the cylindrical recess 4 of the oven 3. This metal helical spring 7 can also be used as an oven heater and can replace all or part of the aforementioned heaters 5 or 6. When this metal helical spring 7 is used as an oven heater, it can heat the heated tobacco stick 8 as an inductor or an electrical resistance. In either case, afterwards, both ends of the helix made of the metal helical spring 7 need to be connected to an electric circuit that controls the oven heating. Also, there is a Hall sensor 9 that detects the insertion of the heated tobacco stick 8 into the cylindrical recess 4 and the removal of the heated tobacco stick 8 from the cylindrical recess 4 by detecting a change in the magnetic field generated by the coil of the metal helical spring 7 when it is stretched or stressed by the insertion or removal of the heated tobacco stick 8.

[0084] As a further embodiment, a sensor for detecting the mechanical deformation of the spring when the heated tobacco stick 8 is inserted is added, whereby it is possible to automatically detect the insertion of the heated tobacco stick 8. An example of such a sensor is the Hall sensor 9 as shown in FIG. 6 (which functions with the Hall effect), and the Hall sensor 9 detects a change in the magnetic field generated by the metal helical spring 7 when it is stretched or stressed. The Hall sensor 9 is positioned to detect a change in the magnetic field generated by the toroidal geometry and / or helical geometry of the metal spring 7 used as the elastic holding element 7.

[0085] Another example of such an insertion detection sensor for the heated tobacco stick 8 can alternatively be a force sensor, such as a strain gauge, that detects the pressure exerted by the heated tobacco stick 8 on the coil of the spring 7 used as the elastic holding element, or a strain gauge directly incorporated into this spring 7 used as the elastic holding element since the spring 7 is stressed when the heated tobacco stick 8 is inserted.

[0086] FIG. 7 schematically shows an example of an elastic holding element of an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article for an oven of an e-cigarette device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] The elastic holding element 7 is a metal toroidal spring 7. The pitch between two adjacent loops 71 is quite large. There is one central hollow portion 72 in all the loops 71. The pitch of the metal toroidal spring 7 should be as loose as possible in order to roll better and reduce friction better, which applies to the metal toroidal spring 7 shown in FIG. 7.

[0088] FIG. 8 schematically shows an example of an elastic holding element of an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article for an oven of an e-cigarette device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] The elastic holding element 7 is a metal toroidal spring 7. The pitch between two adjacent loops 71 is medium. There is one central hollow portion 72 in all the loops 71. The pitch of the metal toroidal spring 7 should be intermediate between a dense pitch (to function better as a barrier) and a loose pitch (to roll better and reduce friction better), which applies to the metal toroidal spring 7 shown in FIG. 8.

[0090] FIG. 9 schematically shows an example of an elastic holding element of an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article for an oven of an e-cigarette device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] The elastic holding element 7 is a metal toroidal spring 7. The pitch between two adjacent loops 71 is quite small. There is one central hollow portion 72 in all the loops 71. The pitch of the metal toroidal spring 7 should be as dense as possible in order to function better as a barrier, which applies to the metal toroidal spring 7 shown in FIG. 9.

[0092] Figure 10 schematically shows an example of an elastic retaining element of an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article for an oven of an e-cigarette device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] The elastic retaining element 7 is composed of a number of independent flexible rings 71 having a central hollow portion 72, rather than a toroidal spring as in the previous case. This solution has the advantage of closing the oven when not in use and thus also functioning as an oven guide.

[0094] The present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, many variations are possible within the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0095] 1 e-cigarette device 2 Battery 3 Oven 4 Cylindrical recess 40 Annular groove 41 Bottom 42 Upper opening 43 Inner wall 5 Heater 6 Heater 7 Elastic annular retaining element 70 Circular arrow for the rolling of the elastic retaining element in the annular groove 71 Coil 72 Hollow portion 8 Aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article 80 Outer surface 81 Arrow in the insertion direction 9 Hall sensor d1 Minimum inner diameter d2 Maximum inner diameter X Longitudinal direction

Claims

1. An e-vaping device including an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article oven (3), wherein the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article oven (3) comprises: an elongate cylindrical recess (4) extending along a longitudinal direction (X) for receiving an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (8) to be heated; and a toroidal holding element (7) having a circular longitudinal cross-section and a circular longitudinal axis, projecting radially inwards from an inner wall (43) of the recess (4) and partially inserted into an annular groove (40) in the inner wall (43) of the recess (4), having a first static friction (Fss) between the holding element (7) and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (8), the first static friction (Fss) being greater than a second static friction (Fsd) between the holding element (7) and the annular groove (40) in the inner wall (43) of the recess (4); a toroidal holding element (7); and comprising: an e-vaping device.

2. An e-vaping device including an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article oven (3), wherein the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article oven (3) comprises: an elongate cylindrical recess (4) extending along a longitudinal direction (X) for receiving an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (8) to be heated; and a toroidal holding element (7) having a circular longitudinal cross-section and a circular longitudinal axis, inserted into the recess (4) to hold the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (8) and rolling or rotating about the circular longitudinal axis of the toroidal holding element (7) during insertion or removal of the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (8), projecting radially inwards from an inner wall (43) of the recess (4) and partially inserted into an annular groove (40) in the inner wall (43) of the recess (4); a toroidal holding element (7); and comprising: an e-vaping device.

3. The e-vaping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding element (7) is an elastic holding element (7).

4. The holding element (7) has: a circular longitudinal cross-section having one or more hollow portions (72) inside the circular longitudinal cross-section; or a circular longitudinal cross-section having a central hollow portion (72) inside the circular longitudinal cross-section; The e-vaping device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The e-vaping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holding element (7) has an outer coating made of metal.

6. At least 50%, or at least 70%, or at least 90% of the holding element (7) is made of a metal material, or the holding element (7) is made of metal, The e-vaping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The holding element (7) is also a heater of the oven (3) for heating the aerosol-generating heat-not-burn consumer article (8) when the holding element (7) is inserted into the recess (4), and preferably, a resistance heater or an induction heater. The e-vaping device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The oven also includes a Hall effect sensor (9) that automatically detects deformation of the holding element (7) when the aerosol-generating heat-not-burn consumer article (8) is inserted into the recess (4), The Hall effect sensor (9) preferably automatically triggers heating of the aerosol-generating heat-not-burn consumer article (8) by the heater (5, 6) when detecting deformation of the holding element (7). The e-vaping device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The e-vaping device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the holding element (7) includes a helical spring or is a helical spring.

10. The helical spring (7) is arranged in a toroidal shape, or the helical spring (7) is arranged in a spiral shape. The e-vaping device according to claim 9.

11. The e-vaping device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the helical spring (7) is made of adjacent coils (71).

12. The holding element (7) guides the aerosol-generating heat-not-burn consumer article (8) when inserted into the recess (4), clamps the aerosol-generating heat-not-burn consumer article (8) when inserted into the recess (4), and protrudes inward from the inner wall (43) of the recess (4). The e-vaping device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The holding element (7) is circular, Preferably, the thickness of the holding element (7) is smaller than the outer diameter of the holding element (7), preferably, the thickness of the holding element (7) is smaller than half of the outer diameter of the holding element (7), and more preferably, the thickness of the holding element (7) is smaller than one-third of the outer diameter of the holding element (7). The e-vaping device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The oven (3) is a long, cylindrical recess (4) for receiving an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (8) having an open end (42) facing outward of the e-vaping device and a closed end (41) inside the e-vaping device, a heater (5, 6) disposed adjacent to or opposite the recess (4) for heating the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (8) and includes the holding element (7) is positioned closer to the open end (42) of the recess (4) than the closed end (41) of the recess (4), preferably closer to the open end (42) of the recess (4) than an intermediate portion between the open end (42) and the closed end (41) of the recess (4). The e-vaping device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. An e-vaping system including an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (8) and an e-vaping device, wherein the e-vaping device is an oven (3) for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article, a long, cylindrical recess (4) along the longitudinal direction (X) for receiving an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (8) to be heated, a toroidal holding element (7) having a circular longitudinal cross-section and a circular longitudinal axis, projecting radially inward from the inner wall (43) of the recess (4) and partially inserted into an annular groove (40) in the inner wall (43) of the recess (4), having a first static friction (Fss) between the holding element (7) and the aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article (8), and the first static friction (Fss) is greater than a second static friction (Fsd) between the holding element (7) and the annular groove (40) in the inner wall (43) of the recess (4), a toroidal holding element (7) and includes an oven (3) for an aerosol-generating heated non-combustible consumer article and includes an e-vaping system.

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