A heat-not-burn aerosol generating device equipped with a flavor according to requirements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat-and-no-combustion aerosol generating device (11) configured to operate with a tobacco article (12). The aerosol generating device (11) comprises: a receiving cavity (22) configured to receive a tobacco article (12); an air flow path having an upstream portion and a downstream portion when the tobacco article (12) is received in the receiving cavity (22); a flavor chamber (26) configured to receive a flavored substance capable of releasing a flavor; a closure element (27) arranged at the chamber inlet and configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The downstream portion of the air flow path extends through the tobacco article (12) to any location on the closure element (27) when the tobacco article (12) is received within the receiving cavity (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat non-combustible aerosol generating device.

[0002] In particular, the heat non-combustible aerosol generating device is configured to operate with a tobacco article comprising a tobacco substrate capable of forming an aerosol when heated. Thus, the heat non-combustible aerosol generating device is adapted to heat the substrate by conduction, convection, and / or radiation rather than burning it in order to generate an aerosol for inhalation.

Background Art

[0003] (Also known as vaporizers) The popularity and use of risk reduction devices or risk modification devices has increased rapidly in recent years as an aid to help habitual smokers who wish to quit smoking conventional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and roll-your-own tobacco. In contrast to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products, various devices and systems are available for heating or warming vaporizable substances.

[0004] Commercially available risk reduction devices or risk modification devices are typically substrate heated aerosol generating devices or heat non-combustible devices. This type of device typically generates an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol substrate containing moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material to a temperature in the range of typically 150°C to 350°C. By heating but not burning or igniting the aerosol substrate, an aerosol is released that contains components that are desired by the user but are not the toxic and carcinogenic by-products of burning and igniting. Furthermore, the aerosol generated by heating tobacco or other vaporizable material typically does not contain the burnt or bitter taste resulting from burning and igniting, which can be unpleasant for the user. Thus, the substrate does not typically require sugars and other additives that are added to such materials to make the smoke and / or vapor agreeable to the user's mouth.

[0005] Also, it is known to add several flavoring substances to the tobacco article in order to impart a flavor preferred by the user to the generated aerosol. The flavoring substances may be, for example, ethyl vanillin (vanilla), menthol, isoamyl acetate (banana oil), or the like.

[0006] However, flavor control is extremely limited for the user. In fact, the user cannot control whether he / she desires a flavor and, if he / she desires a flavor, when the flavor should be released. Generally, if the user desires to vape an aerosol without flavor, he / she must replace the article, which can be inconvenient for the user. Conversely, after a vaping session without flavoring, if the user desires to have some flavor, he / she must replace the article again.

[0007] Furthermore, during a particular vaping session in which the user has selected to have some flavors, the flavors cannot be stopped from being obtained and remain until the article is completely consumed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] One object of the present invention is thus to provide an aerosol generating device that can supply a flavor according to a request and allows the user to select the presence or absence of an additional flavor during a vaping session. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0009] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a heat-not-burn aerosol generating device configured to operate with a tobacco article, the aerosol generating device comprising - configured to receive a tobacco article, comprising a receiving cavity having a heater configured to heat the tobacco article, - an air flow path having an upstream portion and a downstream portion when the tobacco article is received within the receiving cavity, - a flavor chamber defining a chamber inlet and configured to receive a flavored substance capable of releasing a flavor, - a closure element disposed at the chamber inlet, the chamber inlet being at least partially open, and at least a portion of the upstream portion of the air flow path extending through the flavor chamber in an open position and the chamber inlet being closed and the upstream portion of the air flow path extending outside the chamber in a closed position, the closure element being configured to move between the open and closed positions, The downstream portion of the air flow path extends through the tobacco article to any position of the closure element when the tobacco article is received within the receiving cavity.

[0010] Due to these features, the user can choose which consumer experience he / she wishes to experience by selecting between an experience based only on tobacco or an experience further including additional flavors. By selecting the position of the closure element, the user can easily control the presence or absence of flavor without the need to install or remove the flavored substance from the generating device during a vaping session.

[0011] Furthermore, by disposing the flavor chamber upstream of the tobacco article, the flavored aerosol and tobacco vapor can be better mixed together before reaching the user, thus improving the perception of the vaped aerosol for the user. Moreover, this arrangement can provide a device with a reduced footprint by being able to provide the flavor chamber in proximity to the receiving cavity.

[0012] Any features are described herein. These are applicable alone or in any combination with any aspect.

[0013] According to some embodiments, in the open position of the closure element, the upstream portion further includes a bypass portion that extends outside the flavor chamber, and advantageously, the bypass portion extends through the receiving cavity.

[0014] With these features, pressure loss is reduced and the airflow inside the device and the tobacco article can be better controlled and predicted. Additionally, since the bypass portion can then be mixed with the flavor portion of the upstream portion, the flavor concentration of the resulting flow can be controlled by controlling the flow rate within the bypass portion.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the closure element further defines a fully open position where the chamber inlet is fully open and the upstream portion of the air flow path extends completely through the flavor chamber.

[0016] With these features, the airflow does not bypass, and the aerosol can be formed by the vaporizable material throughout the perimeter of the air flow path, providing more flavor to the user. This configuration corresponds to a fully flavored configuration when the flavor concentration of the resulting flow is maximized.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the upstream portion extends through the receiving cavity.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the upstream portion extends from a flow inlet formed within an opening of a receiving cavity designed to receive a tobacco article.

[0019] Due to these features, the manufacture of the device becomes easier and no additional channels are constructed within the housing. Moreover, it is possible to reduce the footprint of the device. Additionally, according to some embodiments, the upstream portion of the flow passing through the receiving cavity may be preheated before entering the tobacco article. Thus, it becomes possible to achieve ideal heating of the substrate portion of the tobacco article. The preheating of the upstream portion may be carried out by a heater used to heat the substrate portion of the tobacco article or by a separate heater.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the chamber inlet is formed within a wall that defines the boundary of the receiving cavity.

[0021] The receiving cavity and the flavor chamber are thus arranged adjacent to each other, reducing the footprint of the device. Flavor delivery is also improved by better mixing the flavored aerosol and the vapor aerosol.

[0022] These features also avoid problems in case of leakage of the flavoring substance outside the flavor chamber. Such leakage would evaporate when the receiving cavity is heated and should not be critical to the device.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the flavor chamber further defines a chamber outlet separated from the chamber inlet, and advantageously, the chamber outlet opens into the receiving cavity at each position of the closure element.

[0024] These features can improve air circulation and thus better the perception of the vaped aerosol for the user.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the closure element is configured to be actuated directly or indirectly by the user.

[0026] With these features, the user can control whether he / she desires a flavor and, if so, when the flavor should be released. He / she does not have to wait for the end of a vaping session to start or stop obtaining some flavors.

[0027] The user can, without changing the article, first vape the taste of raw tobacco, for example, before opening the closure member for the flavor to be released into the aerosol so that the user can vape the flavored aerosol. The present invention thus allows for easy and convenient flavor release for the user.

[0028] For example, the closure member can be actuated by the user using mechanical means. These mechanical means can be connected to the closure member and can comprise a mechanical actuator accessible from outside the device. Thus, the user can actuate the closure member by manually moving the actuator. According to another embodiment, the closure member is actuated using electrical means. In such a case, the electrical means can comprise an electrical actuator that can be controlled, for example, by a controller of the device. Thus, the user can control the position of the closure member using appropriate commands to the controller.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the closure element is configured to control the area of the chamber inlet.

[0030] These features enable the user to control the size of the opening of the chamber inlet and thus to control the strength (i.e., concentration) of the additional flavor. It is possible to dispense different amounts of air into the flavor chamber in which the flavored aerosol is formed, and thus to control the amount of flavor delivered to the user.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the flavor chamber further comprises a filling door adapted to open / close access to the flavor chamber for refilling or replacing the flavoring substance.

[0032] This feature enables the user to easily replenish or replace the flavoring substance when desired without having to remove the device or even remove the tobacco article.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the flavor chamber further comprises a heating element configured to heat or evaporate the flavoring substance.

[0034] Due to these features, the flavor chamber may be arranged spaced apart from the heating part of the receiving cavity. In this way, the heating of the flavored substance and the heating of the tobacco article can be controlled independently. Therefore, if necessary, it is possible to disable flavor delivery without affecting the heating system of the device. Moreover, the heating of the flavored substance may be carried out according to a specific heating profile, which may be different from the heating profile of the tobacco article. The heating profile of the flavored substance can be adapted according to the nature of the flavored substance, user habits, preferences, and others.

[0035] These features prevent unnecessary heating in the flavor chamber when there is no desired flavor.

[0036] Additionally, some flavored substances require additional heating to be able to release the flavor. For example, some solid flavored substances may be able to release the flavor when heated. In the case of liquid flavored substances, the flavor can be released when the liquid is vaporized by the heating element.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a first sensor capable of detecting at least the open position of the closing element.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a controller capable of actuating the operation of the heating element when the first sensor detects the open position of the closing element.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device comprises a second sensor capable of detecting the user's suction, and the controller can actuating the operation of the heating element when the first sensor detects the open position of the closing element and the second sensor detects the user's suction.

[0040] These features avoid unnecessary operation of the heating element when not needed, as the user does not desire flavor this time. Energy consumption is thus reduced.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the flavor chamber is formed by an e-liquid capsule.

[0042] In another embodiment, the flavoring substance is a capsule into which a filling such as a liquid containing a flavoring material is placed within a shell. The capsule may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. The capsule, particularly its shell, is designed to dissolve or soften in order to obtain flavor release. In a variant, the flavoring substance may be a solid material comprising a volatile compound. In another variant, the flavoring substance may be a solid sponge provided with a liquid flavoring substance, such as a ceramic sponge.

[0043] The present invention and its advantages will be better understood by reading the following description, given as a mere non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0044]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figures 4A - 4C

Figure 5

Figure 6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] Before describing the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of the structures described in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art who enjoy the benefits of this disclosure that the present invention is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0046] As used herein, the terms "aerosol generating device" or "device" may include a vaping device for delivering to a user an aerosol containing an aerosol for vaping using a heater element that will be described in more detail below. The device may be portable. "Portable" may refer to a device that is used when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol (as opposed to a fixed amount of aerosol), for example, over a variable amount of time, for example, by operating a heater element, which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be something that the user actuates, such as a vaping button and / or an inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be highly sensitive to inhalation intensity and inhalation duration and may be capable of providing a variable amount of vapor (so as to mimic the smoking effect of conventional combustible smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars or pipes, etc.). The device may include a temperature control unit for driving the temperature of the heater and / or the heated aerosol-generating material (aerosol precursor) to a specific target temperature and then maintaining the temperature at the target temperature to enable efficient generation of the aerosol.

[0047] As used herein, the term "aerosol" may include a suspension of a vaporizable material as one or more of solid particles, droplets, and gases. The suspension may be in a gaseous state containing air. The aerosol herein generally refers to or may include vapor. The aerosol may include one or more components of the vaporizable material.

[0048] As used herein, the terms "vaporizable material" or "precursor" can refer to, for example, a smokable material that can include nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol-forming agent. Tobacco can take various material forms such as shredded tobacco, granular tobacco, tobacco leaves and / or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol-forming agents include polyols (such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols (such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol)), non-polyols (such as monohydric alcohols), acids (such as lactic acid), glycerol derivatives, esters (such as triacetin), triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin, or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also include at least one of a gelling agent, a binder, a stabilizer, and a water retention agent.

[0049] As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the position relative to the direction of flow in an article towards the mouth end.

[0050] Description of the First Embodiment of the Present Invention FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating assembly 10 comprising a heat-not-burn aerosol-generating device 11 according to the first embodiment, and a tobacco article 12 configured to operate with the aerosol-generating device 11. The tobacco article 12 is preferably removable and can be inserted into and removed from the device 11, as will be described in more detail below.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 11 comprises a housing 21 that extends along a device axis X and defines the boundary of a receiving cavity 22 configured to at least partially receive a tobacco article 12. The cavity 22 extends along the device axis X, for example, between an opening 23 and a bottom wall 24 perpendicular to the device axis X. The cavity 22 is defined by the bottom wall 24 and at least one side wall 25 extending along the device axis X. The cavity 22 forms a heating chamber of the device 11 designed to heat the tobacco article 12, as will be described in more detail below. The cavity 22 can take any suitable shape designed to receive the tobacco article 12. For example, the cavity 22 can form a shape that complements the shape of the tobacco article 12, such as a cylindrical shape. Additionally, the length of the cavity 22 may be substantially less than or equal to the length of the tobacco article 12.

[0052] The aerosol generating device 11 further comprises a flavor chamber 26 configured to receive a flavor-imparting substance capable of emitting a flavor, and a closure element 27 for the flavor chamber 26.

[0053] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 11 may further comprise a mouthpiece (not shown) designed to be fixed on the housing 21 to close the cavity 22 and interact with the user's mouth during a vaping session. The mouthpiece can be attached to the end of the housing 21 by a hinge or screw and can form an outlet hole extending perpendicular to the device axis X.

[0054] According to the example of FIG. 1, the mouthpiece is formed by the end of the tobacco article 12 protruding from the cavity 22 in this example, as will be described in more detail below.

[0055] The housing 21 defines the boundary of the internal space of the device 11 that receives various elements designed to perform different functions of the device 11. This internal space can receive, for example, a power block 31 for supplying power to the device 11, a control module 32 for controlling the operation of the device 11, and a heating system 34 configured to heat the vaporizable substances contained in the tobacco article 12. The internal space of the housing 21 may further include other internal components that perform different functions of the device 12, which are known per se. These internal components will not be described in further detail below.

[0056] Also, it should be noted that FIG. 1 presents only a schematic view of the different components of the aerosol generating assembly 10 and does not necessarily show the actual physical arrangement and dimensions of said components. In particular, such an arrangement can be selected according to the design of the aerosol generating assembly 10 and the technical characteristics of its components.

[0057] The power block 31 includes a battery and a battery charger (not shown). The battery is a known battery designed to be charged using a power source provided by an external supply source and to supply a direct current with a predetermined voltage. The battery charger can connect the battery to an external supply source and for this purpose includes a power connector (such as a mini-USB or USB-C connector, for example) or a wireless charging connector.

[0058] The control module 32 is configured to control the operation of the aerosol generating device 11, particularly the operation of this heating system, in order to generate an aerosol by controlling the power supply from the battery to the heating system. For this purpose, the control module 32 is connected to the battery. The control executed by the control module is known per se and will not be described in detail below.

[0059] According to the example of FIG. 1, the heating system 34 comprises a heater (not shown) designed to generate heat. For example, the heater can comprise resistive elements such as a heating plate, blade, film, and the like, and the resistive elements can be placed at a distance from the tobacco article 12 to heat the tobacco article 12 by convection, or in contact with the tobacco article 12 to heat the tobacco article 12 by conduction, or piercing the tobacco article 12 to heat the tobacco article 12 from the inside, and can be disposed within the cavity 22. According to yet another embodiment, the heating system 34 comprises a magnetic coil disposed around the article 12 and a plurality of susceptors disposed within the article 12 to heat the article 12 by magnetic interaction with the coil.

[0060] In the example of FIG. 1, the tobacco article 12 is received within the cavity 22 while forming a gap with at least a portion of the side wall 25. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the cavity 22 is larger than the cross-sectional shape of the tobacco article 12. This gap is used to form an upstream portion of the air flow path 35 that extends through the device 11 and the tobacco article 12. This upstream portion can extend from outside the cavity 22 to the end of the tobacco article 12 near the bottom wall 24 of the cavity 22. The downstream portion of the air flow path 35 extends into the tobacco article 12. This downstream portion corresponds to the air flow path formed by the tobacco article 12, as will be described in more detail below.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the upstream portion extends from a flow inlet 39 formed within the opening 23 of the receiving cavity 22 designed to receive the tobacco article 12. The flow inlet 39 surrounds the tobacco article 12 at the opening 23.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, the flavor chamber 26 is defined within the housing 21 and is separated from the receiving cavity 22. By "separated", the applicants mean that the flavor chamber 26 and the receiving cavity 22 define a dissected internal volume, which may be at least partially partitioned, particularly by the closure element 27. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, the flavor chamber 26 is adjacent to the receiving cavity 22, and the inner wall 40 is arranged between the flavor chamber 26 and the receiving cavity 22. In this embodiment, the inner wall 40 is at least partially formed by that or one of the side walls 25 of the receiving cavity 22.

[0063] The flavor chamber 26 opens into the receiving cavity 22 through at least a chamber inlet 42 (seen in FIG. 3) formed within the inner wall 40. The chamber inlet 42 is formed, for example, within that or one of the side walls 25 that define the boundary of the receiving cavity 22. Preferably, the flavor chamber 26 further defines a chamber outlet 44 separated from the chamber inlet 42. In the example of FIG. 1, the chamber outlet 44 is also formed within the inner wall 40, here the side wall 25. The chamber outlet 42 is placed closer to the bottom wall 24 than the chamber inlet 42, as will be described in more detail below.

[0064] For example, the chamber inlet 42 and the outlet 44 define an opening having a pressure drop typically of 10-100 mmH2O (water gauge), similar to that of one of the later-defined detours 54.

[0065] In the examples of FIGS. 1-3, flavor chamber 26 receives capsule 45 as a flavored substance, into which a filling such as a liquid containing a flavored material is placed within the shell. Capsule 45 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. Capsule 45, particularly its shell, is designed to dissolve or soften in order to achieve flavor release. In a variant, the flavored substance may be a solid material comprising a volatile compound. In another variant, the flavored substance may be a solid sponge provided with a liquid flavored substance, such as a ceramic sponge. Other flavored substances may be used. As will be explained below, the flavored substance enables the provision of flavor to the user in a vaped aerosol.

[0066] For example, capsule 45 may include a shell formed from a hydrocolloid selected from gellan gum, agar, alginate, carrageenan, pectin, gum arabic, ghatti gum, pullulan gum, mannan gum, or modified starch or combinations thereof. Capsule 45 may comprise a liquid or powder core containing a flavored solvent. The liquid core may include an alcohol (e.g., ethanol) and / or a triglyceride ester (e.g., miglyol) or an aqueous solvent, and a flavored solvent such as menthol or spearmint.

[0067] Flavor chamber 26 further comprises a filling door 46 adapted to open / close access to flavor chamber 26 for refilling or replacing the flavored substance. Filling door 46 may be formed, for example, within the outer wall of housing 21 and may be opened by the user.

[0068] Closure element 27 is disposed at chamber inlet 42. As can be seen, for example, in FIGS. 1-3, closure element 27 comprises a flap 50 configured to move between a closed position, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, where chamber inlet 42 is closed, and at least an open position, as seen in FIG. 3, where chamber inlet 42 is at least partially open.

[0069] In the closed position as shown in FIG. 2, the flap 50 is disposed opposite the inlet 42 so as to completely close the chamber inlet 42, so that the chamber 26 and the cavity 22 are not fluidly connected through the chamber inlet 42. The upstream portion of the air flow path 35 extends outside the flavor chamber 26. Preferably, no more than 1% of the air flow traveling through the air flow path 35 may enter the flavor chamber through the chamber outlet 44.

[0070] In at least one open position, the flap 50 extends at least partially spaced from the chamber inlet 42 such that the chamber 26 and the cavity 22 are fluidly connected through the chamber inlet 42. At least a portion of the upstream portion of the air flow path 35 extends through the flavor chamber 26.

[0071] In the example of FIG. 3, the upstream portion includes a flavor portion 52 extending into the flavor chamber 26 and a bypass portion 54 extending outside the flavor chamber 26 through the receiving cavity 22. In other words, only a portion of the air flow traveling through the device 11 deviates into the flavor chamber 26. Preferably, up to 20% of the air flow traveling through the upstream portion enters the flavor chamber 26. In some embodiments (not shown), the opening of the bypass portion 54 of the upstream portion is controlled in the same manner as the opening of the chamber inlet 42, for example using the same closing member 27, i.e., the same flap 50. For example, the flap 50 may be arranged to close the bypass portion 54 while the chamber inlet 42 is open. Thus, in the fully open position of the closing member 27, the bypass portion 54 is fully closed, and vice versa.

[0072] Advantageously, the closing element 27 further defines a fully open position as shown in FIG. 3, the flap 50 extends completely spaced from the chamber inlet 42, and the chamber inlet 42 is fully open. The flap 50 is configured here to control the area of the opening at the chamber inlet 42.

[0073] In the examples of FIGS. 1 - 3, the closure element 27 extends spaced from the outlet 44 at all positions of the closure element 27 such that the chamber outlet 44 opens into the receiving cavity 22 at each position of the closure element 27. In another embodiment (not shown), the closure element 27 may also close the chamber outlet 44.

[0074] The closure element 27 may be configured to be directly actuated by a user. For example, as seen in FIGS. 1 - 3, the generating device 10 comprises an actuator 60 adapted to control the replacement of the closure element 27 from one of its closed positions to its open position and vice versa.

[0075] For example, the actuator 60 may be arranged on the outer wall of the housing 21 and may be manually actuated by a user. For example, the actuator is a push - button switch configured to be pushed and released by a user to open and close the closure element 27. In another example, the actuator appears as a switch lever configured to be slid up and down by a user, or a gear which is a rotary button that can be rotated by a user.

[0076] In another embodiment, the closure element 27 is configured to be indirectly actuated by a user through an external communication module configured to communicate with an external electronic system such as a user's communication device, for example a smartphone, via an antenna.

[0077] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the tobacco article 12 is inserted into the receiving cavity 22. The article 12 has, for example, a cylindrical shape extending along the article axis Y. In a variant, the tobacco article 12 may have a flat cuboid shape.

[0078] The tobacco article 12 comprises a support portion 71 extending along the article axis Y between a distal end 72 designed to contact or face the bottom wall 24 of the cavity 22 and a proximal end 73 opposite the distal end 72 and designed to project from the cavity 22. The proximal end 73 forms a mouthpiece as described above. When the tobacco article 12 is received within the cavity 22, the article axis Y is preferably parallel to the device axis X.

[0079] The support portion 71 forms an air flow path extending along the article axis Y between the distal end 72 and the proximal end 33. This air flow path thus forms the downstream portion of the above-described air flow path.

[0080] Operation of the present invention The operation of the aerosol generating assembly 10 will now be described.

[0081] First, the tobacco article 12 is inserted into the receiving cavity 22 of the device. The user does not vape, and the control module 32 does not activate the heating module 34.

[0082] Next, the user initiates a vaping session by activating, via the control module 32, and then the heating element 34 heats the tobacco article 12.

[0083] During the user's inhalation, air from outside the aerosol generating device 11 flows through the air flow path 35 so as to form an air stream (indicated by the arrow). The user inhales through the proximal end 72 of the tobacco article 12 such that air passes through the air flow path 35 and is drawn in first through the upstream portion of the air flow path 35 and then through the downstream portion of the air flow path 35 in the direction from the flow inlet 39 towards the proximal end 72. Ambient air is drawn into the receiving cavity 22 through the flow inlet 39. The ambient air enters the cavity 22 and is heated as it flows between the side wall 25 and the tobacco article 12.

[0084] When the closure element 27 is in its closed position, the heated airstream remains separated from the flavor chamber 26 and travels through the tobacco article 12 to form a tobacco aerosol that is drawn by the user through the proximal end 72.

[0085] During a vaping session, the user can move the closure element 27 to the open position, as seen in FIG. 3.

[0086] At least a portion of the airstream traveling through the receiving cavity 22 is then drawn into the flavor chamber 26 through the chamber inlet 42. The flavored aerosol delivered by the flavoring substance is mixed into the airstream through the chamber outlet 44 and carried through the tobacco article 12. The user inhales both the flavored aerosol and the tobacco aerosol.

[0087] The user can change the position of the closure element during a vaping session, particularly if he / she no longer desires flavor.

[0088] Description of the Second Embodiment of the Invention FIGS. 4A - 4C show an aerosol - generating assembly 10 including an aerosol - generating device 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] The aerosol - generating device 11 according to this second embodiment is similar to the aerosol - generating device 11 according to the first embodiment described above, except for the features described below.

[0090] As seen in FIGS. 4A - 4C, the receiving cavity 22 of the aerosol - generating device 11 according to this second embodiment includes a flow inlet 100 formed within the wall of the receiving cavity 22.

[0091] In this example, the flow inlet 100 is formed within the bottom wall 24. In this case, the cross-section of the cavity 22 can be equal to or slightly smaller than the cross-section of the tobacco article 12 so that there is no gap between the side wall 25 and the tobacco article 12 and the tobacco article 12 is compressed and fixed within the cavity 22. The tobacco article 12 here contacts the wall of the cavity 22 and is heated by conduction.

[0092] In this second embodiment, the inner wall 40 is formed by the bottom wall 24 of the receiving cavity 22. The flavor chamber 26 opens into the receiving cavity 22 through a chamber inlet 42 formed within the bottom wall 24.

[0093] The flavor chamber 26 further defines a chamber outlet 44 separated from the chamber inlet 42. In this example, the chamber outlet 44 does not open within the inner wall 40 but opens into a flow channel 110 connected to the outside of the housing 21.

[0094] For example, the chamber inlet 42 and the outlet 44 define openings of a region having a pressure drop typically on the order of 10 - 100 mmH2O (water gauge), similar to one of the later-defined detours 54.

[0095] The flow channel 110 extends between an opening (not visible) on the surface of the housing 21 and the flow inlet 100. The flow channel 110 is separated from the flavor chamber 26 by a separating wall 112.

[0096] The closing element 27 is disposed at the chamber inlet 42 and the flow inlet 100. For example, as seen in FIGS. 4A - 4C, the closing element 27 comprises a flap 50 configured to move, for example, by sliding between a fully closed position as seen in FIG. 4A where the chamber inlet 42 is closed and at least an open position as seen in FIGS. 4B and 4C where the chamber inlet 42 is at least partially open.

[0097] Conveniently, the closing member 27 defines a fully open position as seen in FIG. 4B and an intermediate open position as seen in FIG. 4C.

[0098] In the closed position, the flap 50 is disposed opposite the inlet 42 so as to completely close the chamber inlet 42, so that the chamber 26 and the cavity 22 are not fluidly connected through the chamber inlet 42. The upstream portion of the air flow path 35 extends outside the flavor chamber so that no more than 1% of the air flow proceeding through the air flow path 35 can enter the flavor chamber through the chamber outlet 44.

[0099] Alternatively, the flap 50 has an L shape and is configured to slidably close both the chamber inlet 42 and the chamber outlet.

[0100] In the fully open position, the flap 50 extends away from the chamber inlet 42 such that the chamber 26 and the cavity 22 are fluidly connected through the chamber inlet 42. The flap 50 blocks the flow inlet 100 here such that the upstream portion of the air flow path 35 extends through the flavor chamber 26. When the user sucks, the air flow proceeds through the flow channel 110 and completely deviates through the flavor chamber 26.

[0101] In the intermediate open position, the flap 50 extends at least partially away from the chamber inlet 42 and the flow inlet 100 such that the receiving cavity 22 is fluidly connected to the flavor chamber 26 and the flow channel 110. When the user sucks, the air flow proceeds through the flow channel 110 and a portion of the air flow deviates through the flavor chamber 26. The upstream portion includes a flavor portion 52 extending into the flavor chamber 26 and a bypass portion 54 extending outside the flavor chamber 26 to the receiving cavity 22. In other words, only a portion of the air flow proceeding through the device 11 deviates into the flavor chamber 26. Preferably, no more than 20% of the air flow proceeding through the upstream portion enters the flavor chamber 26.

[0102] This intermediate position can weaken the flavor intensity and reduce the air passing through the flavor chamber 26.

[0103] Optionally or alternatively, the flap 50 is shaped such that the airflow passing through the flavor chamber 26 is logarithmically modified by the linear movement of the flap. Since the perception of flavor is logarithmic rather than linear, this linearly adjusts the perceived flavor and improves the user experience.

[0104] Description of the Third Embodiment of the Present Invention Figures 5 and 6 show an aerosol generation assembly 210 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] The aerosol generation assembly 10 according to the third embodiment is similar to the aerosol generation assembly 10 according to the first embodiment described above, except for the features described below.

[0106] As seen in Figures 5 and 6, the flavor chamber 26 of the aerosol generation device 11 according to the third embodiment is formed by an E-liquid capsule 200.

[0107] The E-liquid capsule comprises a tank 202 containing E-liquid 203 and a heating element 204.

[0108] The E-liquid 203 comprises a base liquid and a flavoring substance and acts as a flavored substance. For example, the E-liquid 203 may comprise propylene glycol and / or glycerin, preferably in a weight ratio of propylene glycol / glycerin of 10:90 to 90:10. The flavored solvent may be any artificial or natural flavoring substance such as plants, plant extracts, licorice, menthol, spices, fruits or vegetable oils, coolants, and the like.

[0109] In the example of Figures 4 and 5, the heating element 204 is a resistive element such as a coil configured to heat the E-liquid 203 from the tank 202 to generate a flavored vapor that can be drawn by the user through, for example, a mouthpiece. For this purpose, the heating element 204 may be arranged in contact with a wick arranged in fluid communication with the tank 202.

[0110] The operation of the heating element 204 is controlled by a controller (not visible). The controller is configured to control the operation of the heating element by controlling its electrical supply. For this purpose, the controller can, for example, apply a predetermined heating profile to control the operation of the heating element.

[0111] The control module 32 can act as a controller.

[0112] In a particular embodiment, the heating element 204 is actuated by the electrical supply of the device 11. In other words, the heating element 204 starts heating the e-liquid 203 when the device 11 is powered.

[0113] In the preferred embodiments seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the device 11 comprises a first sensor 210 configured to determine the position of the closure element 27.

[0114] The first sensor 210 is, for example, a Hall sensor. Other types of sensors may also be possible.

[0115] The first sensor 210 is configured to provide data to the controller such that the operation of the heating element 204 is prevented when the closure element 27 is in its closed position. In other words, the heating element 204 is actuated to heat the e-liquid 203 only when the closure element 27 is in the open position. This prevents unnecessary heating of the e-liquid when the user does not intend to add flavor.

[0116] Advantageously, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the device 11 further comprises a second sensor 212, also referred to as a puff sensor 212, configured to detect when the user takes a puff. The puff sensor 212 may be operably connected to the controller such that it can provide a signal to the controller indicating the puff state (i.e., whether puffing or not puffing).

[0117] The puff sensor 202 is, for example, a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor.

[0118] Conveniently, the controller is configured to activate the operation of the heating element 204 when the first sensor 210 detects the open position of the closure element 27 and the second sensor 212 detects the user's suction.

[0119] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments may be practiced in various ways, particularly by combining the previous embodiments.

[0120] For example, in an embodiment not shown, the device 11 comprises several flavor chambers 26 connected to the receiving cavity 22, each flavor chamber 26 being associated with a respective closure member 27 that cooperates with said chamber 26. The user can thus operate each closure member 27 independently in order to obtain several flavors for a long time during a vaping session.

[0121] Additionally, it is also apparent that a heating element similar to the heating element 204 described in connection with this embodiment can be used to trigger or enhance the release of flavor from the capsule 45, as described in connection with the previous embodiment. For example, such a heating element can at least partially heat or dissolve the capsule 45 in order to release the flavor.

Claims

**Claim 1** - A heat-not-burn aerosol generating device (11) configured to operate with a tobacco article (12), wherein the aerosol generating device (11) comprises: - A receiving cavity (22) configured to receive the tobacco article (12) and comprising a heater configured to heat the tobacco article (12); - An air flow path (35) having an upstream portion and a downstream portion when the tobacco article (12) is received within the receiving cavity (22); - A flavor chamber (26) defining a chamber inlet (42) and configured to receive a flavored material capable of releasing a flavor; - A closure element (27) disposed at the chamber inlet (42), the chamber inlet (42) being at least partially open, at least a part of the upstream portion of the air flow path (35) extending through the flavor chamber (26) in an open position, and the chamber inlet (42) being closed and the upstream portion of the air flow path (35) extending outside the chamber (26) in a closed position, the closure element (27) being configured to move between the open position and the closed position; wherein the downstream portion of the air flow path (35) extends through the tobacco article (12) to any position of the closure element (27) when the tobacco article (12) is received within the receiving cavity (22), the aerosol generating device (11). **Claim 2** In the open position of the closure element (27), the upstream portion further comprises a bypass portion (54) extending outside the flavor chamber (26), Advantageously, the bypass portion (54) extends through the receiving cavity (22), the aerosol generating device (11) according to claim 1. **Claim 3** The closure element (27) further defines a fully open position in which the chamber inlet (42) is fully open and the upstream portion of the air flow path (35) extends completely through the flavor chamber (26), the aerosol generating device (11) according to claim 1 or 2. **Claim 4** The upstream portion extends through the receiving cavity (22), the aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. **Claim 5** The upstream portion extends from a flow inlet (39) formed within an opening (23) of the receiving cavity (22) designed to receive the tobacco article (12), the aerosol generating device (11) according to claim 4. **Claim 6** The aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the chamber inlet (42) is formed in walls (24, 25) defining the boundary of the receiving cavity (22).

7. The flavor chamber (26) further defines a chamber outlet (44) separated from the chamber inlet (42), Advantageously, the chamber outlet (44) opens into the receiving cavity (22) at each position of the closing element (27), the aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the closing element (27) is configured to be performed directly or indirectly by a user.

9. The aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the closing element (27) is configured to control the area of the chamber inlet (42).

10. The aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the flavor chamber (26) further comprises a filling door (46) adapted to open / close access to the flavor chamber (26) for refilling or replacing the flavored substance.

11. The aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the flavor chamber (26) further comprises a heating element (204) configured to heat or evaporate the flavored substance.

12. The aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a first sensor (210) capable of detecting at least the open position of the closing element (27).

13. The aerosol generating device (11) according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a controller capable of actuating the operation of the heating element (204) when the first sensor (210) detects the open position of the closing element (27).

14. The aerosol generating device (11) according to claim 13, further comprising a second sensor (212) capable of detecting a user's suction, and the controller is configured to actuate the operation of the heating element (204) when the first sensor (210) detects the open position of the closing element (27) and the second sensor (212) detects a user's suction.

15. The flavor chamber (26) is the aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, formed by an E-liquid capsule (200).

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