Aerosol supply device

Abstract

An aerosol supply device (100) for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material is described. The device comprises a body (110) defining a heating zone (112) configured to receive at least a portion of an article (102) containing the aerosol generating material. The body comprises a first portion (120) having a first heating element (122) and a second body portion (130) having a second heating element. The first body portion comprises a cavity (124) defining at least a portion of the heating zone, and the first body portion and the second body portion are movable between a non-clamped position in which the first body portion and the second body portion are at least partially separated and a clamped position in which the first body portion and the second body portion are in contact with each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol supply device. The present invention also relates to an aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device and an article containing an aerosol-generating material.

Background Art

[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars burn tobacco during use to generate tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices that release compounds by heating a material without burning it. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, comprising a body defining a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing the aerosol-generating material, the body comprising a first body portion having a first heating element and a second body portion having a second heating element, the first body portion comprising a cavity defining at least a portion of the heating zone, and the first body portion and the second body portion being movable between a non-clamped position in which the first body portion and the second body portion are at least partially separated and a clamped position in which the first body portion and the second body portion are in contact with each other. An aerosol supply device is provided.

[0004] The cavity may be a first cavity, and the second body portion may comprise a second cavity defining at least a portion of the heating zone.

[0005] The first body may define a first heating surface. The first heating surface may be concave. The concave first heating surface may define a cavity. The first heating element may form the first heating surface.

[0006] The second body may define a second heating surface. The second heating surface may be concave. The second heating element may form the second heating surface.

[0007] The first heating element and the second heating element may define a cylindrical chamber at the clamping position. The first and second concave heating surfaces may together define a cylindrical chamber. At the clamping position, the first body portion and the second body portion may be arranged so as not to compress at least a part of the article received in the heating zone.

[0008] The heating zone may define a longitudinal axis, and along the longitudinal axis, at least a part of the article containing the aerosol-generating material extends within the heating zone. The first body portion and the second body portion may be at least partially separable along a longitudinal plane extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0009] The first body portion and the second body portion may be rotatable about a rotation axis.

[0010] The rotation axis may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The rotation axis may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0011] The first body portion and the second body portion may slide relative to each other along a sliding axis. The sliding axis may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The sliding axis may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0012] The body may be provided with an opening through which at least a part of the article may protrude from the body. The opening may be defined by the first body portion and the second body portion. The opening may be defined by a rim.

[0013] At the clamping position, the first heating surface and the second heating surface may uniformly contact the outer surface of the article.

[0014] The article may be inserted into the heating zone when the first body portion and the second body portion are in the unclamped position.

[0015] The first body portion and the second body portion may be arranged to frictionally restrain the article when the first body portion and the second body portion are in the clamped position. The first body portion and the second body portion may be arranged to frictionally restrain the article when the first body portion and the second body portion are in the clamped position.

[0016] The first heating element and the second heating element may include a resistance heater. The first heating element and the second heating element may include a ceramic heater. The first heating element and the second heating element may include an induction heater.

[0017] The first heating element and the second heating element may include a curved surface.

[0018] The device may comprise a mounting configuration for holding the first body portion and the second body portion in the clamped position.

[0019] The body may comprise a heating chamber defining a heating zone. The heating zone may be at least partially formed by a cavity or cavities. The diameter of the heating chamber in the clamped position may be equal to the diameter of the article arranged to be received within the heating chamber.

[0020] In use, the user may separate the first body portion and the second body portion to insert the article and then return the first body portion and the second body portion into contact with each other to hold the article.

[0021] At the clamping position, the first heating element and the second heating element may be in electrical contact with each other.

[0022] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, comprising a first elastically deformable heating element and a second elastically deformable heating element, and a heating zone defined between the first heating element and the second heating element configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing the aerosol-generating material, wherein the first heating element and the second heating element are movable relative to each other between an open position in which the article is inserted between the heating elements and a closed position in which the first heating element and the second heating element deform around the article and contact the outer surface of the article. An aerosol supply device is provided.

[0023] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply system comprising the aerosol supply device according to any of the above and an article containing an aerosol-generating material, wherein the article is configured to be at least partially received within a heating chamber such that the article contacts the heating element during use. An aerosol supply system is provided.

[0024] The article may be held within the heating chamber by a first body portion and a second body portion.

[0025] The article may have an outer diameter equal to the diameter of the heating chamber.

[0026] The article may be inserted axially within the heating chamber.

[0027] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5a

Figure 5b

Figure 6a

Figure 6b

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating material" is a material that can generate an aerosol when energy is supplied, for example, by heating, irradiation, or any other method. The aerosol-generating material can be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain an active substance and / or a flavorant. The aerosol-generating material may include any plant-based material such as a tobacco-containing material, for example, one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol-generating material may also include other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine depending on the product. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, or wax. The aerosol-generating material may also be, for example, a combination or blend of materials. The aerosol-generating material may also be known as a "smokable material".

[0030] The aerosol generating material may include a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active agent and / or a filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent such as water is also present, and one or more other components of the aerosol generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material substantially does not contain plant-based materials. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material substantially does not contain tobacco.

[0031] The aerosol generating material may include or be an "amorphous solid". The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid". In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that can hold some fluid such as a liquid in the amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may include, for example, from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% of amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% of amorphous solid.

[0032] The aerosol generating material may include an aerosol generating film. The aerosol generating film may optionally include a sheet that can be shredded to form shredded sheets, or may be that sheet. The aerosol generating sheet or shredded sheet may not substantially contain tobacco.

[0033] According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustion" aerosol supply system is a system in which the constituent aerosol generating material (or its components) of the aerosol supply system is neither combusted nor burned in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0034] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustion aerosol supply system such as a powered non-combustion aerosol supply system.

[0035] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0036] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0037] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials can be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material can include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0038] Typically, the non-combustion aerosol supply system can comprise a non-combustion aerosol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-combustion aerosol supply device.

[0039] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables comprising an aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with a non-combustion aerosol supply device. These consumables may sometimes be referred to as articles throughout the present disclosure.

[0040] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system, such as its non-combustion aerosol supply device, etc., can comprise a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, a power supply or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source comprises a carbon-based substrate that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or a heat transfer material proximate to the heat-generating power source.

[0041] In some embodiments, a non-combustion aerosol supply system may comprise an area for receiving consumables, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0042] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-combustion aerosol supply device may comprise an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a packaging material, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0043] An aerosol generating device can receive an article comprising an aerosol generating material for heating. An "article" in this context is a component that contains or includes an aerosol generating material during use and that is heated to volatilize the aerosol generating material, optionally together with other components during use. A user may insert the article into the aerosol generating device before the article is heated to generate an aerosol, and thereafter the user inhales the aerosol. The article may be of a predetermined or specific size configured to be placed, for example, within a heating chamber of a device sized to receive the article.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol supply system 101. The system includes an aerosol supply device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material and an article 102 containing the aerosol generating material. In FIG. 1, the device 100 is in a clamped position. FIG. 2 shows the device 100 in an unclamped position. The device 100 can be used to heat a replaceable article 102 comprising an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium to be inhaled by a user of the device 100.

[0045] Device 100 includes a main body 110. The main body 110 surrounds and houses various components of the device 100. An opening 150 is formed at one end of the main body 110, through which an exposed portion of the article 102 protrudes. A portion of the article 102 is received by the main body 110 for heating by the aerosol generator 111. During use, the article may be fully or partially inserted into a receptacle 114 within the main body 110. The receptacle is defined between the opening 150 and a base 116 (shown in FIG. 2) of the receptacle 114. A heating zone 112 is defined by a portion of the receptacle 114. The heating zone 112 receives the article 102 that can be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 111. The aerosol generator 111 includes a heating assembly 113.

[0046] The main body includes a first main body portion 120 and a second main body portion 130. The second main body portion 130 is attached to the first main body portion 120. The first main body portion 120 includes a first housing 121. The second main body portion 130 includes a second housing 131. It will be understood that the number of main body portions may be varied.

[0047] The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element (not shown), such as a button or switch, that operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, the user may turn on the device by operating the switch.

[0048] The main body 110 has an end surface of the device 100. The end of the device 100 closest to the opening 150 can be known as the proximal end (or mouth-side end) 105 of the device 100 because it is closest to the user's mouth during use. During use, the user inserts the article 102 into the opening 150, operates the aerosol generator 111 to start heating the aerosol-generating material, and inhales the aerosol generated within the device 100. Thereby, the aerosol flows through the device 100 along a flow path towards the proximal end 105 of the device 100.

[0049] The other end of the device that is farthest from the opening 150 is, during use, the end that is farthest from the user's mouth and can thus be known as the distal end 106 of the device 100. When the user inhales the aerosol generated within the device, the aerosol flows in a direction towards the proximal end 105 of the device 100. The terms proximal and distal as applied to the features of the device 100 are explained by reference to the relative positioning of such features with respect to each other in the proximal-distal direction along the longitudinal axis 107.

[0050] The first and second body portions 120, 130 are movably attached to each other. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the second body portion 130 rotates with respect to the first body portion 120. The relative movement between the first body portion and the second body portion may be linear or rotational. The second body portion 130 rotates about a rotation axis 140 by means of a hinge 142. The hinge 142 is at one end of the device. The hinge 142 is at the distal end 105 of the device 100. The first and second body portions 120, 130 are connected to each other by the hinge 142. The hinge 142 limits the opening limits of the first and second body portions 120, 130. The hinge 142 may prevent the first and second body portions 120, 130 from opening wider than a predetermined angle. The rotation axis 140 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 107. The rotation axis may be parallel to the longitudinal axis, as will be described later and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0051] The first and second body portions 120, 130 are movable relative to each other between a clamped position and an unclamped position. In the unclamped position, the second body portion 130 is pivoted about the hinge 142 so as to rotate away from the first body portion 120. The first and second body portions 120, 130 are substantially separated from each other.

[0052] The first body portion 120 includes a first cavity 124. The first body portion 120 is provided with a first heating element 122. The first heating element 122 defines at least a part of the first cavity 124. The first heating element 122 has a first heating surface. The first heating surface may define at least a part of the first cavity 124. The first heating element 122 may define part or all of the first cavity 124. The first cavity 124 is concave. The first heating surface may be concave.

[0053] The first cavity 124 receives a part of the article 102 during use. The first heating element 122 has a concave surface that contacts the article 102. The first body portion 120 that defines the first cavity 124 has an internal contour corresponding to a part of the contour of the outer surface 103 of the article 102. The first cavity 124 defines at least a part of the heating zone 112. The first heating surface defines at least a part of the heating zone 112. The first body portion 120 includes a first base portion 126. The first base portion 126 defines a part of the base 116 of the receptacle 114. The first base portion 126 defines a stop for restricting the insertion of the article 102 into the first cavity 124.

[0054] The second body portion 130 includes a second cavity 134. The second body portion 130 is provided with a heating element (hidden by the article). The second heating element has a second heating surface. The second heating element may define at least a part of the second cavity 134. The second heating element may define part or all of the second cavity 134. The second cavity 134 is concave. The second heating surface may be concave.

[0055] The second cavity 134 receives a portion of the article 102 in use. The second heating element has a concave surface that contacts the article 102. The second cavity 134 has an internal contour that corresponds to a portion of the contour of the outer surface 103 of the article 102. The second cavity 134 defines at least a portion of the heating zone 112. The second heating surface defines at least a portion of the heating zone 112. The second body portion 130 comprises a second base portion 136. The second base portion 136 defines a portion of the base 116 of the receptacle 114. The second base portion 136 defines a stop for restricting the insertion of the article 102 into the second cavity 134.

[0056] The first and second cavities 124, 134 define a receptacle 114 in which the article 102 is received. The heating zone is defined within the receptacle 114. The heating zone may extend along a part or all of the receptacle 114. The first and second base portions 126, 136 define the base 116 in a clamped state. The receptacle 114 is defined radially between the first and second heating elements 122 and axially between the base 116 of the distal end portion 106 of the device 100 and the opening 150 of the proximal end portion 105 of the device 100. The first and second heating elements 122 form part of the heating assembly 113. The diameter of the receptacle 142 is equal to the diameter of the article 102. It will be appreciated that the configurations of the first and second body portions 120, 130 may be different.

[0057] In use, the user separates the first and second body portions 120, 130 and axially inserts the article 102 into the device along the longitudinal axis 107. The article 102 is inserted into the device 100 at the proximal end portion 105. The first and second body portions 120, 130 contact each other again to position and restrain the article 102. In the clamped position, the article 102 is held within the receptacle 114. The base 116 restricts the axial insertion of the article 102 into the receptacle 114. In the clamped state, the article 102 is frictionally restrained within the receptacle 114.

[0058] The second body portion 130 is pivoted towards the first body portion 120 to move the device 100 from the unclamped position to the clamped position. In the unclamped position, the article 102 is received by the first cavity 124. In an embodiment, the article 102 may be received by the second cavity 134. The second body portion 130 is pivoted to the clamped position about the pivot axis 140 by the pivoting element 142. The pivot axis 140 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 107. The pivoting element 142 is at the distal end of the device so that the article 102 can be inserted into the proximal end 105 of the device in the unclamped position.

[0059] The second body portion 130 is pivoted about the pivot axis 140 and brought into contact with the article 102. The second heating element is brought into contact with the article 102. The first and second heating elements 122 are brought into abutment with the article 120. Such an arrangement helps to reduce or eliminate the gap between the article and the first and second heating elements 122. The first and second heating elements 122 contact the outer surface 103 of the article 102 uniformly. The base 116 restricts the axial movement of the article 102 in the unclamped position. The first and second body portions 120, 130 are brought into contact when the device 100 is in the clamped position. The first and second body portions 120, 130 contact each other in the clamped position to limit the diameter of the receptacle 114 and prevent further pivoting of the first and second body portions 120, 130. This ensures that the first and second body portions 120, 130 are integrated without compressing the article 102.

[0060] In the clamped position, the article 102 is positioned within the first and second cavities 124, 134.

[0061] Article 102 is received by first and second heating elements 124, 134. The outer surface 103 of article 102 contacts the first and second heating elements 124. The first and second heating elements 124, 134 define a receptacle 114 in a clamped position. The receptacle 114 defines a cylindrical heating chamber for receiving article 102. The heating chamber extends along longitudinal axis 107 from proximal end 105 to distal end 106 of the device. The heating chamber may extend partially through body 110 and is closed at distal end 106 by base 116.

[0062] In an embodiment, the cylindrical cavity may be open at both the proximal and distal ends 105, 106 such that article 102 is completely or partially inserted into the heating chamber and the cavity extends the length of body 110. A portion of the heating chamber defines a heating zone 112. The first and second body portions 120, 130 together define an opening 150 of device 100. The opening 150 is defined by a rim. The diameter of the heating chamber and opening 150 at the clamped position is equal to the diameter of article 102. The concave first and second cavities 124, 134 are arranged to receive outer surface 103 of article 102 without compressing any part of article 102. As used herein, the term "compress" is used to indicate that any part of the article is significantly distorted from its initial uncompressed state. There is a predefined substantial change in the shape or size of any part of the article. It will be understood that some small / minimum compressive forces are created due to the clamping nature of the configuration and also due to minor tolerances in the manufacture of the article. In a clamped but uncompressed state, the article is held by the clamping action without any part of the article being significantly distorted from its initial unclamped state.

[0063] The concave first and second cavities 124, 134 uniformly contact the outer surface 103 of the article 102 to provide uniform heating of the article 102 without compression of the aerosol - generating material. In embodiments, the first and second cavities 124, 134 enable a larger contact area between the first and second heating elements 122 and the article 102. This enables good heat transfer between the first and second heating elements 122 and the article 102. The concave first and second cavities 124, 134 prevent compression of the article 102 in the clamped state while still providing a good contact area on the article 102 from the first and second heating elements 122. This provides an improved air flow through the article 102 and the aerosol - generating material, enabling uniform heating of the entire article and providing uniform aerosol generation and delivery.

[0064] The first and second body portions 120, 130 can be held in a clamped position by an attachment configuration 170. The attachment configuration 170 enables the first and second body portions 120, 130 to be releasably held together in the clamped position. In embodiments, the attachment configuration may comprise a magnet, a clip, a latch, or a locking mechanism. In the clamped position, the article 102 projects from the opening 150.

[0065] In the clamped position, the first and second heating elements 122 are in contact with the article 102 but do not compress the article. The first and second heating elements 122 are shaped to hold the article within a cylindrical chamber defined by the first and second cavities 124, 134. The article 102 is frictionally constrained within the heating zone by the first and second heating elements 122. The first and second heating elements 122 uniformly contact the outer surface 103 of the article 102.

[0066] The heating assembly 113 in this embodiment is a resistive heating system. The first and second heating elements 122 include resistive heating elements. In embodiments, other types of heating, such as induction heating, may be used. The first and second heating elements 122 in embodiments may include ceramic heating elements. The first and second heating elements 122 define a curved surface. The curved surfaces of the first and second heating elements 122 are contact surfaces. At the clamp position, the first and second heating elements 122 are in electrical contact with each other. The first and second body portions 120, 130 include electrical contacts that are integrated when the device 100 is in the clamp position.

[0067] The electronic device assembly is within the body 110. The electronic device assembly is housed in the first body portion 120 within the first housing 121. In embodiments, the second housing 122 may include a part of the electronic device assembly. The electronic device assembly includes a power source. The power source may be a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (such as lithium-ion batteries), nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries. The battery is electrically coupled to the heating assembly to supply power under the control of a controller as needed to heat the aerosol-generating material. The electronic device assembly includes an electronic device module. The electronic device module may include a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The PCBA can include a printed circuit board (PCB) that supports at least one controller, such as a processor, and a memory. The PCB can also include one or more electrical tracks for electrically connecting various electronic components together. Battery terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB so that power can be distributed across the device 100.

[0068] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the rotation axis 240 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 207 of the device 200. The device 200 has substantially the same features as the devices of FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, the detailed description is omitted, and the features described above are applicable to the embodiments described below.

[0069] The device 200 is shown in a non-clamped position with the article 102 inserted into the first cavity of the first body portion 220. The first and second body portions 220, 230 are brought into contact to close the heating zone 112 and surround the article 102. The first body portion 220 defines a first cavity 224. The first body portion 220 includes a first heating element (hidden by the article). The second body portion 230 defines a second cavity 234. The second body portion 230 includes a second heating element 232.

[0070] The first and second cavities 234 form a heating zone 212. The first and second cavities 234 define a cylindrical chamber in which the article 102 is received. The article 102 is inserted into the device 200 in the non-clamped position. The article 102 is partially inserted into the first or second cavity 234 such that a portion of the article 102 protrudes from the opening 250. In an embodiment, one of the body portions does not define a cavity. The first and second body portions 220, 230 are integrated into the clamped position by rotating one or both of the first and second body portions 220, 230 about the rotation axis 240.

[0071] The hinge 242 attaches the first and second body portions 220, 230 and enables the first and second body portions 220, 230 to rotate about the axis of rotation 240. In the clamped position, the first and second body portions 220, 230 are in contact with each other. The first and second body portions are held together by attachment means 270. In the clamped position, the article 102 is held between the first and second heating elements 232. The outer surface 103 of the article 102 contacts the first and second heating elements 232 such that a portion of the article 102 is held within the heating zone 212. The article 102 can be inserted laterally into the device 200. The first and second body portions define a cylindrical cavity in which the article 102 is at least partially received.

[0072] The heating zone 112 of the device 200 is defined between the opening 250 at the proximal end 205 and the base aperture 251. The opening 250 and the base aperture 251 define a through hole. Thus, the article projects from the device at both the proximal and distal ends of the device. Such an arrangement provides for air to flow directly into the article 102 from the external environment without passing through the device 200 itself. This helps to provide an unrestricted air flow. This direct air flow enables a simple configuration of the device 200. The article 102 is not axially restricted within the device 102 in the unclamped position and can be positioned within the heating zone 212 according to the user's preference. This allows for different heating profiles of the article to be provided by positioning the article at different axial positions without adjusting the operation of the heating assembly. In the clamped position, the article 102 is frictionally constrained within the heating zone 212.

[0073] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the axis of rotation 340 of the device 300 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 307. The device 300 has features substantially similar to those of the device described above. Accordingly, the detailed description is omitted and the features described above are applicable to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0074] Device 300 is shown with the article not in the heating zone 212. The receptacle 314 is defined by first and second body portions 320 that form first and second cavities 324, 334. The receptacle 314 is closed at one end by first and second base portions 326, 336 that define a base 316. The receptacle has an opening 350. The first and second body portions 320, 330 are attached by a pivoting element 342. The first and second body portions 320, 330 are integrated by pivoting one or both of the first and second body portions 320, 330 about a pivot axis 340. The article is inserted laterally into one of the first or second cavities 324, 334 when the device is in the unclamped position. The first and second body portions 320, 330 are integrated into the clamped position such that both of the first and second heating elements 322, 332 contact the article. The article projects from the opening 350 at the proximal end 305 of the device 300. The base 316 enables axial positioning of the article when inserting the article 102 into one of the first or second cavities 324, 334. The base 316 positions the article 102 such that the article 102 is aligned within one of the first or second cavities 324, 334 in the unclamped position.

[0075] Figures 5a and 5b show an embodiment in which device 400 includes first and second body portions 420, 430 that are movable between a clamped position and an unclamped position in a linear motion. Device 400 has features substantially similar to those of the device described above. Accordingly, the detailed description is omitted and the features described above are applicable to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0076] FIG. 5a shows the device 400 in the unclamped position. FIG. 5b shows the device 400 in the clamped position. The article 102 is inserted into the device 400 through the opening 450 when the device is in the unclamped position. In the unclamped position, the second body portion 430 is substantially separated from the first body portion 420. In the unclamped position, the article 102 is inserted into the device 400 through the opening 450, and the article is partially received by the first cavity of the first body portion 420. The first body portion 420 comprises a first heating element. The second body portion 430 comprises a second heating element. The second body portion 430 is brought into contact with the first body portion 430 by sliding the second body portion 430 along the sliding axis 444 towards and into the first body portion 420. The sliding element 446 enables the positioning of the second body portion 430 within the first body portion 420 and enables the second body portion 430 to be held along the sliding axis 444 when moving between the clamped and unclamped positions. The sliding axis 444 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 407. The sliding axis may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 407. The article 102 is held within the device 400 by the opening 450, improving the ease of insertion and positioning of the article when moving the first and second body portions 420, 430 between the unclamped and clamped positions.

[0077] In the clamped position, the heating zone is defined by the first cavity and the second cavity. The article 102 is received in the heating zone. The second cavity contacts the article 102 when the second body portion 430 is moved to the clamped position by sliding the second body portion 430 along the sliding axis 444 towards the first body portion 420. The first body portion 420 has attachment means for attaching the first and second body portions 420, 430 in the clamped position.

[0078] Figures 6a and 6b show another aerosol supply device 500. Figure 6b shows a perspective view of a part of the aerosol supply device of Figure 6a, which has a heating element deformed in consideration of an article being received, and the article is omitted from the figure for clarity. Device 400 has substantially the same features as the device described above. Therefore, a detailed description is omitted, and the features described above are applicable to the embodiments described later.

[0079] The device has a structure similar to that of Figure 4. The features described above with reference to the above embodiments are applicable to this device 500. However, in this configuration, the first and second heating elements 522, 532 are elastically deformable. The first and second heating elements 522, 532 are biased to elastically deform by the article acting on the heating elements 522, 522 when the article 102 is inserted into the cavities 524, 534 and the device is moved to the clamped state. The heating elements comprise a plurality of heating element portions connected by elastic members therebetween. Other deformable configurations of the heating elements are envisioned. For example, the heating material may be deformable. Thus, the heating elements are capable of deforming to the shape of the article. Such a configuration maximizes the thermal contact area with the article. The heating zone 512 has a larger volume when the article 102 is inserted than when the article 102 is not inserted. The first and second heating elements 522, 532 deform to surround the article 102 and contact the outer surface of the article uniformly. The deformable heating elements allow for a consistent and uniform contact on the outer surface of the article in order to provide uniform heating of the article without compressing the aerosol-generating material. The first and second heating elements 522, 532 are elastic.

[0080] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of the embodiments and are not comprehensive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention defined by the claims or on equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The various embodiments of the present invention may preferably include, consist of, or consist essentially of suitable combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Additionally, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, comprising: a main body defining a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing the aerosol-generating material; the main body comprising a first main body portion having a first heating element and a second main body portion having a second heating element; the first main body portion comprising a cavity defining at least a portion of the heating zone; the aerosol supply device, wherein the first main body portion and the second main body portion are movable between a non-clamped position where the first main body portion and the second main body portion are at least partially separated and a clamped position where the first main body portion and the second main body portion are in contact with each other.

2. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is a first cavity, and the second main body portion comprises a second cavity defining at least a portion of the heating zone.

3. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first main body defines a first heating surface.

4. The aerosol supply device according to claim 3, wherein the first heating surface is concave.

5. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second main body defines a second heating surface.

6. The aerosol supply device according to claim 5, wherein the second heating surface is concave.

7. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first heating element and the second heating element define a cylindrical chamber in the clamped state.

8. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the clamped state, the first main body portion and the second main body portion are arranged so as not to compress at least a part of an article containing the aerosol-generating material received in the heating zone.

9. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first main body portion and the second main body portion are at least partially separable along a longitudinal plane extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the heating zone.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first main body portion and the second main body portion are rotatable about a rotation axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are rotatable about a rotation axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

12. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the body comprises an opening arranged such that at least a portion of the article protrudes from the body.

13. The aerosol supply device according to claim 12, wherein the opening is defined by the first body portion and the second body portion.

14. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein in the clamped position, the first heating surface and the second heating surface are in uniform contact with the outer surface of the article.

15. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the article is frictionally constrained within the heating zone when the first body portion and the second body portion are in the clamped position.

16. An aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming material, a first elastically deformable heating element and a second elastically deformable heating element, a heating zone defined between the first heating element and the second heating element and configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing the aerosol-forming material, wherein the first heating element and the second heating element are movable relative to each other between an open position in which the article is inserted between the heating elements and a closed position in which the first heating element and the second heating element deform around the article and contact the outer surface of the article.

17. An aerosol supply system, the aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, an article containing an aerosol-forming material, the article being configured to be at least partially received within the heating chamber such that the article contacts the heating element during use, comprising an aerosol supply system.

18. The aerosol supply system according to claim 17, wherein the article is held within the heating chamber by the first body portion and the second body portion.

19. The aerosol supply system according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the article has an outer diameter equal to the diameter of the heating chamber.

20. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the article is inserted axially into the heating chamber.

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