Aerosol supply device

Abstract

An aerosol supply device (100) for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material is described. The device comprises a heating assembly (113) having a heating region (112) configured to receive at least a portion of an article (102) containing the aerosol-generating material. The heating region defines a longitudinal axis (107) along which at least a portion of the article containing the aerosol-generating material can extend. The device comprises a heating element array (120) having at least three heating elements (122), the at least three heating elements being distributed around the longitudinal axis so as to surround the heating region. The heating element array is adjustable between a clamped state and a non-clamped state in which at least one of the at least three heating elements is moved relative to at least one other of the at least three heating elements.

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] (Background) Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by manufacturing products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products include heating devices that release compounds by heating rather than by burning a material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, may contain nicotine, or may not contain nicotine.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] (Summary) According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material is provided, the device comprising a heating assembly, the heating assembly comprising a heating region configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing the aerosol generating material, the heating region defining a longitudinal axis along which at least a portion of the article containing the aerosol generating material can extend, and a heating element array comprising at least three heating elements, the at least three heating elements being distributed around the longitudinal axis so as to surround the heating region, the heating element array being adjustable between a clamped state and a non-clamped state in which at least one of the at least three heating elements is moved relative to at least one other of the at least three heating elements.

[0004] The at least three heating elements may be arranged at equal intervals in the clamped state.

[0005] At least three heating elements may be equally distributed radially around the longitudinal axis.

[0006] In the tightened state, at least one of at least three heating elements of the heating element array arranged to be moved may be configured to contact an article received in the heating region.

[0007] In the tightened state, the heating element array may be arranged so as not to compress at least a part of the article received in the heating region.

[0008] The tightened state may be a compressive state in which the heating element array compresses at least a part of the article.

[0009] The array of elements may define a heating region.

[0010] At least one of at least three heating elements may be moved radially.

[0011] The device may comprise an engagement mechanism arranged to move the heating element array between a tightened state and a non-tightened state.

[0012] The engagement mechanism may be arranged to move at least two of the heating elements.

[0013] The engagement mechanism may be arranged to move each of the heating elements of the heating element array.

[0014] The heating element may comprise a contact surface. The contact surface of each heating element may be planar.

[0015] The heating element may be a resistive heating element. The heating element may be ceramic.

[0016] The heating element array may comprise at least four heating elements.

[0017] The heating element may be elastically deformable.

[0018] The heating element may project axially, parallel to the axis of the device.

[0019] At least two of the heating elements may be moved radially relative to each other and relative to the device. Each element of the heating element array may be moved radially relative to each other and relative to the device.

[0020] The device may comprise a body portion. The body portion may comprise an engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism comprises a drive member. The drive member may be rotatable. The drive member may be operable by a user. The engagement mechanism may comprise a cam acting on at least one movable heating element. The engagement mechanism may provide a wedging action for moving the heating element array.

[0021] In the non-clamped state, the movement of the article may not be restricted.

[0022] At least one of at least three heating elements may be biased radially towards the heating region.

[0023] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply system is provided, the aerosol supply system comprising the aerosol supply device described above and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, the article being configured to be at least partially received in a heating chamber such that, in use, the article is clamped within the heating chamber.

[0024] The article may have an outer circumferential surface.

[0025] In the clamped state, at least one of at least three heating elements of the heating element array arranged to be moved may be configured to contact the article.

[0026] The clamping state can be a compressive state in which the heating element array compresses the article.

[0027] The radial distance from the longitudinal axis to each of the heating elements in the clamping state can correspond to the radius of the circumferential outer surface of the article. The heating element array can be adjustable to a compressive state in which the heating element array compresses the article.

[0028] In the clamping state, the heating element array can be arranged so as not to compress at least a part of the article received in the heating region. The radial distance from the longitudinal axis to each of the heating elements in the compressed state can be smaller than the radius of the circumferential outer surface of the article in the uncompressed state.

[0029] The radial distance from the longitudinal axis to the movable heating element in the unclamped state can be greater than the radius of the circumferential outer surface.

[0030] The article can be cylindrical in shape.

[0031] In the unclamped state, at least one of at least three heating elements can be radially spaced from the article.

[0032] In the unclamped state, two of at least three heating elements can be at an equal radial distance from the article, and at least one of at least three heating elements can be at a greater radial distance from the article than the other heating elements.

[0033] In the unclamped state, all of at least three heating elements can be at an equal radial distance from the article.

[0034] In the clamping state, at least three heating elements can be at an equal radial distance from the axis.

[0035] The article can be compressed to provide a greater contact surface with the heating element.

[0036] 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

[0037]

Figure 1

Figure 2a

Figure 2b

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0038] (Detailed Description) As used herein, the term "aerosol generating material" is a material capable of generating an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or otherwise energized. The aerosol generating material can be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain an active substance and / or a flavorant. The aerosol generating material can include any plant-based material such as a tobacco-containing material, and can include, for example, one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, and tobacco substitutes. The aerosol generating material can also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine depending on the product. The aerosol generating material can be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, or wax. The aerosol generating material can be, for example, a combination or mixture of materials. The aerosol generating material is sometimes known as a "smoking material".

[0039] The aerosol-forming material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active substance 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-forming material may or may not be dissolved in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material substantially does not contain vegetable material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material substantially does not contain tobacco.

[0040] The aerosol-forming material may contain or be an "amorphous solid". The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid". In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that can hold some fluid such as a liquid inside. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material may contain from about 50 wt%, 60 wt% or 70 wt% to about 90 wt%, 95 wt% or 100 wt% of amorphous solid, for example.

[0041] The aerosol-forming material may comprise an aerosol-forming film. The aerosol-forming film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form shredded sheets. The aerosol-forming sheet or shredded sheet may not substantially contain tobacco.

[0042] According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol supply system is one in which the aerosol-forming material component of the aerosol supply system (or its components) is not burned or combusted in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to the user.

[0043] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol supply system such as a powered non-combustible aerosol supply system.

[0044] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0045] In some embodiments, the non-combustible 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.

[0046] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosol-generating materials to generate an aerosol, and one or more of the aerosol-generating materials 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 includes 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.

[0047] Typically, the non-combustible aerosol supply system can include a non-combustible aerosol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply device.

[0048] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that include an aerosol-generating material and are configured to be used with a non-combustible aerosol supply device. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the present disclosure.

[0049] In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as a non-combustible aerosol supply device, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, a power source or a heat source. In some embodiments, the heat source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to disperse power in the form of heat to an aerosol-forming material or a heat transfer material proximal to the heat source.

[0050] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system may include an area for receiving consumables, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0051] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may include an aerosol-forming material, an aerosol-forming material storage area, an aerosol-forming material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a packaging material, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0052] The aerosol generator can receive an article containing an aerosol-forming material for heating. An "article" in this context is a component that contains or includes an aerosol-forming material that is heated to volatilize the aerosol-forming material and optionally, other components when in use. The user may insert the article into the aerosol generator before the article is heated to generate an aerosol, and then the user inhales the aerosol. The article can be of a predetermined size or a specific size configured to be placed, for example, within a heating chamber of the device sized to receive the article.

[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol supply system 101 including an aerosol supply device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material and an article 102. The device 100 can be used to heat an exchangeable article 102 containing an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium inhaled by a user of the device 100.

[0054] The device 100 comprises a main body portion 110. The main body portion 110 surrounds and houses various components of the device 100. An opening 160 is formed at one end of the main body portion 110, through which the article 102 can be inserted for heating by the aerosol generator 111 (see FIG. 2). In use, the article can be fully or partially inserted into the heating region 112, where the article can be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 111. The aerosol generator 111 comprises a heating assembly 113.

[0055] The main body portion 110 comprises a first main body part 140 and a second main body part 150. The first main body part 140 is attached to the second main body part 150. It will be understood that the number of main body parts can be different. The first main body part 140 and the second main body part 150 are axially aligned with each other and with the longitudinal axis 107 of the device 100. The first main body part 140 acts as a first housing and the second main body part 150 acts as a second housing. Together they define the device housing.

[0056] The device 100 may also include a control element (not shown), such as a button or a switch, operable by a user, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, the user can turn on the power of the device by operating the switch.

[0057] The end of the device 100 closest to the opening 160 is closest to the user's mouth during use and can be known as the proximal end (or mouth-side end) 105 of the device 100. During use, the user inserts the article 102 into the opening 160, operates the aerosol generator 111 to initiate heating of the aerosol-generating material, and inhales the aerosol generated in the device 100. This causes the aerosol to flow through the device 100 along a flow path towards the proximal end 105 of the device 100.

[0058] The other end of the device farthest from the opening 160 is the end farthest from the user's mouth during use and can be known as the distal end 106 of the device 100. When the user inhales the aerosol generated in 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 described by reference to the relative positions of such features with respect to each other in the proximal-distal direction along the longitudinal axis 107.

[0059] Figures 2a and 2b illustrate perspective views of the system 101 in which the heating assembly 113 of the device 100 is visible through the second housing 150. Figures 3a and 3b illustrate cross-sectional perspective views of the system 101 at the second housing 150 to illustrate the heating assembly 113.

[0060] The first and second body portions 140, 150 are movably attached to each other. The first and second body portions 140, 150 are axially aligned along the longitudinal axis 107. The first body portion 140 houses an electronic assembly (not shown). The heating assembly 113 extends into the second body portion 150. The configurations can vary. For example, the second body portion 150 can be omitted and the heating assembly can be in the body portion. The second body portion 150 rotates relative to the first body portion 140 about the longitudinal axis 107. As will be described below, the second body portion 150 forms part of an engagement mechanism. The second body portion 150 acts as an actuator. In an embodiment, the second body portion is omitted or forms an integral component with the first body portion. The second body portion does not have to act as an actuator. Other actuator mechanisms can be used. For example, the actuator in an embodiment comprises different manual actuation configurations such as buttons, switches, etc. Other actuation configurations include motors. The actuator can include a portion of the body portion 110 or at least a portion of one of the first and second body portions 140, 150. In an embodiment, the actuator comprises a component separate from the body portion 110. The actuator can include the first body portion 140.

[0061] The second body portion 150 surrounds the heating assembly 113. The second body portion 150 is attached to the first body portion 140 at the attachment portion 116. The attachment point 116 allows for relative rotation between the first and second body portions 140, 150.

[0062] The heating assembly 113 comprises a heating element array 120. The heating element array 120 comprises three heating elements 122a, 122b, 122c. The heating element array 120 may comprise more than three heating elements 122, for example, four heating elements. The heating elements 122 are mounted on the base portion 115 of the first body portion 140. The heating elements 122 project axially from the base portion 115 parallel to the longitudinal axis 107. The heating element array 120 defines a heating region 112. The heating elements 122 surround the heating region 112. The heating elements 122 are distributed around the longitudinal axis 107. The article 102 is received in the heating region 112. The article 102 extends through the device 100 along the longitudinal axis 107. The heating elements are resistive heating elements. The heating elements in the embodiments are ceramic heating elements. Other heating configurations, such as induction heating, are also envisioned.

[0063] The heating element array 120 is movable between a clamped state and an unclamped state. The unclamped state is illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 3a. The clamped state is illustrated in FIGS. 2b and 3b. In the unclamped state, the article 102 is inserted into the heating region 122. In the clamped state, the heating elements 122 contact the article 102 and hold the article 102 within the heating region 112.

[0064] In the tightened state, the heating elements 122 are movable relative to each other so as to contact the article 102. The heating element array 120 holds the article 102 in the heating region 112. In the tightened state, the article 102 is contacted and compressed by all of the heating elements 122. The article 102 is evenly contacted and compressed by all of the heating elements 122. The article 102 is compressed by the heating element array 120 in the tightened state. As used herein, the term "tightened" is used to indicate that a feature is retained between at least two components such that the feature is at least partially held by the at least two components. As used herein, the term "compressed" is used to indicate that any part of the article is significantly distorted from its initial uncompressed state. There is a predefined substantial change to the shape or size of any part of the article. That is, at least some deformation occurs. It will be appreciated that due to the nature of the configuration tightening and due to slight tolerances in the manufacture of the article, some small / minimum compressive force is generated. In a tightened but uncompressed state, the article is held by the tightening operation without any part of the article being significantly distorted from its initial untightened state.

[0065] The three heating elements 122a, 122b, 122c move to contact the article in the tightened state. In the tightened state, the heating elements 122 are equally spaced from each other so as to evenly contact the article 102. In the tightened state, the heating elements 122 can be equally distributed circumferentially around the heating region 112. In the tightened state, each heating element 122 is spaced at an equal radial distance from the longitudinal axis 107. In the untightened state, the heating elements 122a, 122b, 122c are at an equal radial distance from the longitudinal axis 107. The heating elements 122a, 122b, 122c apply equal pressure to compress the article.

[0066] In an embodiment, in the tightened state, at least one of the heating elements is moved relative to other heating elements so as to contact the article 102. One or two of the heating elements may be moved. At least one of the heating elements is fixed relative to the device 100. In an embodiment, in the tightened state, at least one of the heating elements 122 moves radially with respect to the longitudinal axis so as to contact the article 102. In the tightened state, two or more of the heating elements 122 may be movable so as to contact the article 102. In the tightened state, two or more of the heating elements 122 may be moved radially so as to contact the article 102. One or more heating elements may move a greater radial distance relative to other heating elements so as to contact the article. In an embodiment, in the non-tightened state, the heating elements 122 may not have equal radial distances from the longitudinal axis 107. In the non-tightened state, the heating elements 122 may be spaced at unequal intervals from each other.

[0067] The heating element 122 includes a contact surface 124. Each heating element 122a, 122b, 122c has a corresponding contact surface 124a, 124b, 124c that contacts the article 102 in the tightened state. Each contact surface 124 is planar. The planar surface enables easy manufacture of the heating element. The article 102 is substantially cylindrical. The outer surface 103 of the article contacts each contact surface 124 of the heating element 122. The contact surface 124 contacts the article 102 at evenly spaced points around its outer periphery so as to compress the article 102.

[0068] The area of the article 102 contacted by the contact surface 124 is increased by the compression of the outer surface 103. This provides a large contact area for heat transfer. The contact area of the outer surface 103 is equal to the size of the contact surface 124. The compression of the article 102 enables more efficient heating of the article 102 as the contact area between the heating element 122 and the article 102 becomes larger. A plurality of heating elements provide uniform compression and heating of the article 102 by the contact surface 124 and a larger overall contact area on the article 102.

[0069] The article is radially compressed by the compression so that the contact surface 124 flattens the outer surface 103 of the article 102. This compression increases the contact area between the contact surface and the outer surface 103. The heating element 122 does not contact the entire outer surface 103 of the article 102. In the clamped state, the axial portion of the outer surface 103 of the article 102 remains unclamped and thus uncompressed. The axial portion of the outer surface 103 is contacted and compressed by each contact surface 124 of the heating element 122. The number of compressed sections of the article corresponds to the number of contact surfaces and thus to the number of heating elements. The number of compressed sections of the article may be three or more.

[0070] In the unclamped state, the article 102 is inserted into the device 100 through the opening 160. The article 102 is inserted such that its outer surface contacts the contact surface 124 of the non-movable heating element 122. One or more of the heating elements 122 may be fixed in position and may not be movable relative to the article 102 and the other heating elements 122. All of the heating elements 122 may be movable. In the unclamped state, the article may be spaced from the contact surface 124 of the movable heating element 122. When the device 100 is moved to the unclamped state, at least one of the heating elements 122 is axially inwardly moved towards the article 102. At least one of the heating elements 122 may be radially biased towards the heating region 112.

[0071] The movable heating element 122 can move to contact the article 102 and compress the outer surface 103. The movable heating element 122 can move the article 102 to contact the remaining heating elements 122. In the clamping state, the movable heating element 122 is spaced from the article 102 in the radial direction. At least one of the heating elements 122 is at a greater radial distance from the article than the other heating elements 122. If two of at least three heating elements 122 are at an equal radial distance from the article 102, at least one of the heating elements is at a greater radial distance from the article 102.

[0072] The clamping state is a compressive state. In the clamping state, the radial distance from the longitudinal axis 107 to each of the contact surfaces 124 of the heating element 122 corresponds to the radius R1 of the outer surface 103 of the article 102 at the point where the contact surface 124 and the outer surface 103 collide. The radial distance from the longitudinal axis 107 to each of the contact surfaces 124 of the heating element in the clamping state is less than the radius of the outer surface 103 of the article 102 that is not compressed and is in the unclamped state. The radial distance from the longitudinal axis 107 to each of at least one movable heating element 122 in the unclamped state is greater than the radius of the outer surface 103 of the article 102 that is not compressed and is in the unclamped state. In the clamping state, the radius R1 of the compressed portion of the outer surface 103 contacted by the contact surface 124 is less than the radius R2 of the uncompressed portion of the outer surface 103 not contacted by the heating element 122. In the unclamped state, the radius of the outer surface 103 of the article 102 is constant.

[0073] The second body portion 150 is rotatable relative to the first body portion 140 and the heating assembly 113 about the longitudinal axis 107. The second body portion 150 includes an engagement mechanism 130. The engagement mechanism 130 includes an engagement member 131 on the movable heating element 122 and a corresponding body member (not shown) inside the second body portion 150. Each movable heating element 122 may include a corresponding engagement member 131. The body member acts on the engagement member 131 to move the heating element array 120 to a clamped state. The engagement mechanism 130 is arranged to move the movable heating element 122 to a clamped state to clamp the article 102. The engagement mechanism 130 moves the three heating elements 122a, 122b, 122c between an unclamped state and a clamped state.

[0074] The engagement mechanism 130 is arranged to move the heating element array 120 between a clamped state and an unclamped state. In the clamped state, the heating element array 120 compresses the article 102. The engagement mechanism 130 may include a drive member. The drive member may be rotatable. The drive member may be operable by a user. The engagement mechanism 130 may include a cam acting on the movable heating element 122. The engagement mechanism 130 may provide a wedging action to move the movable heating element 122. In an embodiment, the engagement mechanism 130 moves at least one of the heating elements 122. The engagement mechanism 130 may move two or more of the heating elements. The engagement mechanism 130 may act only on the movable heating elements. The engagement mechanism may not act on any fixed heating elements.

[0075] The heating element array 120 is biased towards the unclamped state. In an embodiment, the heating element array 120 is biased towards the clamped state and the engagement mechanism moves the heating element array towards the unclamped state to receive the article 102.

[0076] In an embodiment, in the tightened state, the heating element array may be arranged so as not to compress at least a part of the article 102. The article 102 may be frictionally constrained within the heating region 112 by the heating element array 120. The radial distance between the heating elements in this tightened state corresponds to the outer radius of the article 102. In an embodiment, the article may not be compressed. The air flow channels and heating profiles of the uncompressed article and the compressed article are different.

[0077] During use, when the article 102 needs to be removed when its life ends, the device 100 is also moved from the tightened state to the non-tightened state. The second body portion 150 is moved relative to the first body portion 140 so as to disengage the engagement mechanism 130 and move the heating element array 120 to the non-tightened state. The article 102 is spaced from at least one of the heating elements 122 and can thus be easily removed from the device 100. In the non-tightened state, the heating element array 120 is biased such that when the engagement of the engagement mechanism is released, the heating element 122 is spaced from the article 102 to enable removal of the article 102 from the device 100. In an embodiment, the engagement mechanism may be driven in the tightened state and the non-tightened state such that the device is always driven to the non-tightened state to release the article 102. In an embodiment, the engagement mechanism includes a cam operable to move the heating element array between a tightened position and a non-tightened position.

[0078] The body portion 110 has an electronic assembly. The electronic assembly is housed in the first body portion 140. The electronic assembly includes a power source. The power source can be, for example, 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 to heat the aerosol-forming material under the control of the controller when needed. The electronic assembly includes an electronic module. The electronic module can 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 memory. The PCB can also include one or more electrical wirings that electrically connect various electronic components together. The terminals of the battery can be electrically connected to the PCB so that power can be distributed throughout the device 100. The heating assembly is connected to the electronic assembly at the base portion 115. 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 examples of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations to the scope of the invention defined by the claims or to the equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The various embodiments of the present invention can preferably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of a suitable combination of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein. In addition, the present disclosure can include other inventions that although not currently claimed may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, the device comprising: a heating assembly, the heating assembly comprising: a heating region configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing an aerosol generating material, the heating region defining a longitudinal axis along which at least a portion of the article containing the aerosol generating material can extend, the heating region; and a heating element array comprising at least three heating elements wherein: the at least three heating elements are distributed around the longitudinal axis so as to surround the heating region; the heating element array comprises a heating assembly that is adjustable between a clamped state and a non-clamped state in which at least one of the at least three heating elements is moved relative to at least one other of the at least three heating elements. An aerosol supply device.

2. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the at least three heating elements are arranged at equal intervals in the clamped state.

3. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least three heating elements are equally distributed radially about the longitudinal axis.

4. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the clamped state, at least one of the at least three heating elements of the heating element array arranged to be moved is configured to contact the article.

5. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clamped state is a compressive state in which the heating element array compresses at least a portion of the article.

6. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the at least three heating elements is moved radially.

7. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising an engagement mechanism arranged to move the heating element array between the clamped state and the non-clamped state.

8. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the engagement mechanism is arranged to move at least two of the heating elements of the heating element array.

9. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the engagement mechanism is arranged to move each of the heating elements of the heating element array.

10. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the heating element has a contact surface.

11. The aerosol supply device according to claim 10, wherein the contact surface of each of the heating elements is planar.

12. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the movement of the article is not restricted in the non-fastened state.

13. An aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and an article containing an aerosol-generating material, the article being configured to be at least partially received in the heating chamber such that the article is clamped in the heating chamber during use. An aerosol supply system comprising.

14. The aerosol supply system according to claim 13, wherein the article has an outer circumferential surface.

15. The aerosol supply system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein at least one of the at least three heating elements of the heating element array arranged to be moved is configured to contact the article in the clamped state.

16. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the clamped state is a compressive state in which the heating element array compresses the article.

17. The aerosol supply system according to claim 16, wherein the radial distance from the longitudinal axis to each of the heated elements in the compressed state is smaller than the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the article in the uncompressed state.

18. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein in the clamped state, the heating element array is arranged so as not to compress at least a part of the article received in the heating region.

19. The aerosol supply system according to claim 18, wherein the radial distance from the longitudinal axis to each of the heating elements in the clamped state corresponds to the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the article.

20. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein a radial distance from the longitudinal axis to the movable heating element in the unfastened state is greater than a radius of the circumferential outer surface of the article in a non-compressed state.

21. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the article has a cylindrical shape.

22. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein at least one of the at least three heating elements is spaced apart from the article in the radial direction in the unfastened state.

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