Aerosol delivery device

Abstract

An aerosol provider for generating an aerosol from a removable aerosol product article is described, the device comprising a heater received within the aerosol product article and configured to heat the aerosol product article, and a locking feature configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product article from the heater.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from a removable aerosol product article, and to an aerosol delivery system including the aerosol delivery device and the aerosol product article.

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning articles by creating products that release compounds without combustion. An example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating, but not burning, a material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or another non-tobacco product, and may or may not contain nicotine.

[0003] overview

[0004] According to one aspect, an aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from a removable aerosol product article is provided, the device comprising: a heater contained within the aerosol product article and configured to heat the aerosol product article; and a locking feature configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product article from the heater.

[0005] The locking feature may be configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product article from the heater when in a locked state, and may be configured to allow removal of the aerosol product article from the heater when in an unlocked state.

[0006] The locking feature may be configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product article from the heater if the determined temperature of at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product article exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0007] The determined temperature may be the surface temperature of the heater.

[0008] The heater may form at least a portion of the locking feature.

[0009] The determined temperature may be the surface temperature of the aerosol product article.

[0010] 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, further comprising a sensor configured to determine the temperature of at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product.

[0011] Optionally, the locking feature is configured to allow removal of the aerosol product article when the determined temperature is below a predetermined temperature.

[0012] Optionally, the locking feature is configured to allow removal of the aerosol production article from the heater when the determined temperature is below a predetermined temperature.

[0013] The locking feature may be configured to grip the aerosol product article when the determined temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature.

[0014] The locking feature may comprise at least one rib on the heater.

[0015] Optionally, the locking feature is configured to interlock with a corresponding feature on the aerosol product article in the locked state.

[0016] The at least one rib may be configured to deform a surface of the aerosol product article in the locked state.

[0017] Optionally, the heater is configured to expand in response to the temperature of at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product article, such that the heater forms a friction fit with the aerosol product article in a locked state, thereby preventing removal of the aerosol product article from the heater.

[0018] Optionally, the heater is configured to expand in response to the temperature of the heater, such that when the surface temperature of the heater is above a predetermined temperature, the heater forms a friction fit with the aerosol production article, thereby preventing removal of the aerosol production article from the heater.

[0019] Optionally, the aerosol product article is configured to expand when heated, such that when the temperature of at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product article is above a predetermined temperature, the heater forms a friction fit with the aerosol product article, thereby preventing removal of the aerosol product article from the heater.

[0020] Optionally, the aerosol product article is configured to expand when heated, such that when the surface temperature of the heater is above a predetermined temperature, the heater forms a friction fit with the aerosol product article, thereby preventing removal of the aerosol product article from the heater.

[0021] Optionally, the heater is configured to deform in response to the temperature of the heater such that the deformed shape of the heater prevents removal of the aerosol product from the heater.

[0022] Optionally, the device includes a locking mechanism configured to engage and disengage with the aerosol product article, and the device is configured to prevent disengagement of the locking mechanism from the aerosol product article when at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product article exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0023] The device may be configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product for a predetermined period of time after the heater is deactivated.

[0024] If desired, the predetermined period of time is selected to allow the heater to cool from the operating temperature to the predetermined temperature under ambient room temperature conditions.

[0025] Optionally, the predetermined period of time is selected to allow at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product article to cool from an operating temperature to a predetermined temperature.

[0026] The device may further comprise a temperature indicator configured to visually indicate the temperature of at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product, and optionally the feature is a heater.

[0027] The device may further comprise a safety indicator configured to visually indicate whether the temperature of at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product article is above or below a predetermined temperature. Optionally, the feature is a heater.

[0028] The heater may be an exposed heater.

[0029] The device can include a device housing, and the exposed heater can extend from the device housing.

[0030] The locking feature may be configured to release the aerosol product when a force of at least 0.25N is applied to the aerosol product product in a direction away from the heater. According to another aspect, an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from a removable aerosol product article is provided, the system including: an aerosol product article; an aerosol delivery device configured to receive the aerosol product article; and a locking feature configured to prevent the aerosol product article from being removed from the aerosol delivery device. The locking feature may be configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product article from the aerosol delivery device when a determined temperature of at least one feature of the aerosol delivery device and the aerosol product article exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0031] The locking feature may be configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product article from the aerosol delivery device in a locked state, and may be configured to allow removal of the aerosol product article from the aerosol delivery device in an unlocked state.

[0032] The aerosol delivery system may include a heating element configured to heat the aerosol product.

[0033] The device may include a heating element.

[0034] The heating element may be contained within the aerosol product article and configured to heat the aerosol product article.

[0035] The aerosol product may include a heating element.

[0036] The locking feature may be configured to be received within the aerosol product article.

[0037] The heating element may form at least a portion of the locking feature.

[0038] The heating element may be configured to transform between a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0039] According to another aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising the aerosol delivery device described above and an aerosol product.

[0040] According to yet another aspect, there is provided the use of an aerosol delivery device as described above to generate an aerosol from an aerosol product article.

[0041] The apparatus of these aspects may include one, more or all of the above-mentioned features, as appropriate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery system with an aerosol delivery device inserted into an aerosol product. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1 with the aerosol product removed from the aerosol delivery device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows another aerosol delivery device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows another aerosol delivery device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a further aerosol delivery device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a further aerosol delivery device.

[0043] Detailed Description

[0044] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming material" refers to a material that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or energized in any other manner. Aerosol-forming materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavoring agents. Aerosol-forming materials may include any plant-based material, such as tobacco-containing materials, including one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-forming materials may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. Aerosol-forming materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, gel, wax, etc. Aerosol-forming materials may be, for example, a combination or blend of materials. Aerosol-forming materials are also known as "smokable materials."

[0045] The aerosol-forming material may include a binder and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, an active agent and / or a filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-forming material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material is substantially free of plant material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0046] 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. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain a fluid, such as a liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, about 50%, 60%, or 70% by weight of amorphous solid, up to about 90%, 95%, or 100% by weight of amorphous solid.

[0047] The aerosol-forming material may comprise an aerosol-forming film. The aerosol-forming film may comprise or be a sheet, which may be shredded to form shredded sheets, if desired. The aerosol-forming sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially tobacco-free.

[0048] According to the present disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system are not combusted or burned to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0049] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-flammable aerosol delivery system, such as a powered non-flammable aerosol delivery system.

[0050] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is an e-cigarette, also known as an e-cigarette device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0051] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery 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.

[0052] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-forming materials, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosol-forming materials may be, for example, in solid, liquid, or gel form and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-forming material and a solid aerosol-forming material. The solid aerosol-forming material may comprise, for example, a tobacco or non-tobacco product.

[0053] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system can include a non-combustible aerosol delivery device and a consumable item for use with the non-combustible aerosol delivery device.

[0054] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables comprising an aerosol-generating material and configured for use with a non-combustible aerosol-delivery device. These consumables may be referred to as articles throughout this disclosure.

[0055] In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, such as a non-combustible aerosol delivery device, can include a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, a power source or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to deliver power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or a heat transfer material proximate to the heat-generating power source.

[0056] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system can include an area for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0057] In some embodiments, a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol-delivery device can include an aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage region, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating region, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0058] The aerosol-delivery device can accept an article comprising an aerosol-generating material for heating. An "article" in this context is a component that includes or contains the aerosol-generating material, which, when used, is heated to volatilize the aerosol-generating material, and optionally other ingredients. A user can insert the article into or onto the aerosol-delivery device before the article is heated to generate an aerosol, which the user then inhales. The article can be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size configured to be placed into or onto a heater of a device sized to receive the article.

[0059] 1 and 2 show an embodiment of an aerosol delivery system 100. System 100 includes an aerosol delivery device 101 for generating an aerosol from a removable aerosol product article 110, and removable aerosol product article 110 containing an aerosol-generating material. Device 101 can be used to heat article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable material that can be inhaled by a user of device 101.

[0060] The device 101 includes a housing 103 that surrounds and houses the various components of the device 101. The housing 103 is elongated.

[0061] The heater 107 extends from the housing 103 and is configured to be received within the aerosol product article 110. In this example, the heater 107 is sized and shaped to be received within the elongated core 112 of the aerosol product article 110. The heater 107 may be an exposed heater. The heater 107 may be a protruding heater extending from the housing 103. The heater comprises a heater member 111. The heater member 111 is an elongated member. The heater member comprises a body. In embodiments, the body forms the heater. In embodiments, the body forms a support member and the heater is on the support member. The heater comprises a heating element. The heater member may form the heating element. In embodiments, the article comprises the heater. In such embodiments, the support member may be omitted.

[0062] The device 101 defines a longitudinal axis 102 along which the aerosol product article 110 can extend when positioned over the heater 107. The heater 107 is aligned on the longitudinal axis 102.

[0063] Heater 107 may include various components for heating the aerosol-forming material of aerosol product article 110 via, for example, an induction heating process or a resistive heating process.

[0064] Resistive heating utilizes the Joule heating effect that results from the electrical resistance of a material in response to the application of an electric current directly therethrough.

[0065] Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conductive heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly can include an induction element, e.g., one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a variable current, such as an alternating current, through the induction element. The varying current in the induction element generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor appropriately positioned relative to the induction element, generating eddy currents within the susceptor.

[0066] The susceptor has an electrical resistance to eddy currents, and the flow of eddy currents across this resistance causes the susceptor to heat due to Joule heating. If the susceptor comprises a ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, heat can also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e., by the changing orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the fluctuating magnetic field. In induction heating, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for more rapid heating than, for example, heating by conduction. Furthermore, no physical contact is required between the induction element and the susceptor, allowing for greater flexibility in design and application.

[0067] The susceptor may be included in the heater 107, for example, positioned on an exterior surface of or forming the support member. The susceptor acts as a heating element. In embodiments, the susceptor forms a locking feature, as described below. In other examples, the susceptor may be included within the aerosol product article 110, for example, on an interior surface of the elongated core 112.

[0068] The device 101 may include a user-operable control element, such as a button or switch 106, which when operated, e.g., pressed, operates the device 101. For example, a user may activate the device 101 by pressing the switch 106.

[0069] The end of the heater 107 distal from the device housing 103 is known as the proximal end (or mouth end) 109 of the device 101 because, in use, it is closest to the user's mouth. In use, a user places an aerosol production article 110 on the heater 107, operates a user control to initiate heating of the aerosol-generating material within the aerosol production article 110, and inhales the aerosol generated within the aerosol production article 110. This causes the aerosol to flow through the aerosol production article 110 along one or more flow paths 120 toward the proximal end 109 of the device 101.

[0070] The end of the device housing 103 distal from the heater 107 is known as the distal end 108 of the device 101, as it is the end furthest from the user's mouth during use. When a user inhales the aerosol generated within the device, the aerosol flows in a direction toward the proximal end of the device 101. The terms proximal and distal as applied to features of the device 101 are described by reference to the relative positioning of such features with respect to one another in the proximal-distal direction along the axis 102.

[0071] Device 101 may further include a controller (control circuitry) and a power source housed within device housing 103. Heater 107 is configured to heat an aerosol-generating material of aerosol production article 110 when positioned over heater 107, thereby generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. The power source provides electrical power to heater 107, which converts the provided electrical energy into thermal energy for heating the aerosol-generating material.

[0072] The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable or 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.

[0073] The power source may be electrically coupled to the heater 107 to provide power when needed to heat the aerosol-generating material of the aerosol product article 110 under the control of the controller. The control circuitry may be configured to activate and deactivate the heater 107 based on a user operating a control element. For example, the controller may activate the heater 107 in response to a user operating the switch 106.

[0074] In this example, article 110 is generally cylindrical with a generally cylindrical elongated core 112, and heater 107 is correspondingly generally cylindrical in shape, although other shapes may also be suitable.

[0075] The aerosol product article 110 may include one or more conduits that form part of the flow path 120. In use, the distal end of the aerosol product article 110 may be positioned adjacent to or in engagement with the base (or distal end) of the heater 107. Air may enter the aerosol product article 110 through the one or more conduits that form part of the flow path 120 and flow through the article 110 towards the proximal end of the device 101.

[0076] The heater 107 of the device 101 is exposed to a user when the article 110 is removed from the device 101. If the user removes the article 110 from the device 101 before the heater 107 has cooled, the user risks coming into contact with the hot surface of the heater, which may be undesirable. The article 110 itself is exposed to a user when it is removed from the device 101. If the user removes the article 110 from the device 101 before features of the article have cooled, the user risks coming into contact with the hot surface of the article, which may be undesirable. It will be appreciated that in an induction system, the susceptor cools relatively quickly, but other features of the device and article, such as the substrate or card, may retain heat for a longer period of time after operation of the heater has ceased.

[0077] The device 101 of the present disclosure further includes a locking feature 150 configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product article 110 from the heater 107. The locking feature 150 may be configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product article 110 from the heater 107 under predetermined conditions, for example, if the surface temperature of the heater 107 or the temperature of another feature of the device or article exceeds a predetermined temperature. Such a determined temperature of a feature of the device or article may be determined by a sensor, such as a temperature sensor, or by a characteristic or value stored by the controller, such as a time period. If it is determined that the surface temperature of the heater 107 has fallen below the predetermined temperature, the locking feature may be configured to allow removal of the aerosol product article 110 from the heater 107. Thus, the risk of a user coming into contact with the hot surface of the heater 107 is reduced.

[0078] The predetermined temperature may be selected to reduce the risk of a user being burned or experiencing discomfort if the user were to contact the surface of the heater with their skin, for example, the predetermined temperature may be between 40 and 60 degrees Celsius, such as between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius, for example between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius.

[0079] For example, the locking feature 150 may be configured to grip the aerosol product article 110 when the surface temperature of the heater 107 or the temperature of another feature of the device or article exceeds a predetermined temperature. The locking feature may be configured to expand when heated, thereby forming a friction fit with the elongated core 112 of the aerosol product article 110.

[0080] The heater 107 can include a locking feature 150 and can be configured to expand in response to the temperature of the heater 107 such that when the surface temperature of the heater 107 is above a predetermined temperature, the heater 107 forms a friction fit with the aerosol product article 110. For example, the heater 107 can be formed from or include a coating made of a material that expands when heated to grip the aerosol product article 110 and contracts when cooled to release the aerosol product article 110. For example, the coating can be formed from a suitable metal such as aluminum, a bimetallic member, or another suitable material. The heater 107 or coating thus forms the locking feature. In an embodiment, the heater is within the article, and the heater acting as the locking feature is configured to form a friction fit with a feature of the device, such as a support member or wall of the device 101.

[0081] The aerosol-delivery device 101 may include additional features that help indicate whether it is safe to remove the aerosol product article 110. For example, the device may include a temperature indicator 130 configured to visually indicate the current determined temperature of the heater 107 or the temperature of another feature of the device or article. For example, the temperature indicator 130 may include an LED display configured to display the current determined operating temperature of the heater 107 or the temperature of another feature of the device or article. The current temperature may be read from a temperature sensor 132 located on or near the heater 107, which may be transmitted to the temperature indicator 130, or may be determined by the controller based on another parameter, such as elapsed time. The device 101 may include a safety indicator 134 in addition to, or instead of, the temperature indicator 130. The safety indicator 134 may be configured to visually indicate that it is safe to remove the aerosol product article 110 from the device 101. For example, the safety indicator 134 may include an LED configured to emit a first color when the temperature of the heater is above a predetermined temperature and a second color when the temperature of the heater 107 or another feature of the device or article is below the predetermined temperature. The first and second colors may be, for example, red and green, although other colors may be suitable.

[0082] In another embodiment, the locking feature 150 may include at least one rib 310, as shown in FIG. 3 . The rib 310 may be provided on an exterior surface of the heater 107 so as to contact the elongated core 112 of the aerosol product article 110 when positioned over the heater 107. The rib 310 may be formed from a material that expands when heated, such that a friction fit with the aerosol product article 110 is formed when the heater 107 is above a predetermined temperature. Suitable materials for the rib 310 may include a suitable metal, such as aluminum from a bimetallic member, or other suitable materials. As the heater 107 cools, the rib 310 contracts, allowing the aerosol product article 110 to be more easily removed from the device 101 when the temperature of the heater 107 or another feature of the device or article is below a predetermined temperature.

[0083] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the locking feature 150 includes a plurality of spaced-apart ribs 310 that extend longitudinally along the exterior surface of the heater 107. In other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the locking feature can include one or more ribs 410 that extend circumferentially around the heater 107. Each of the circumferentially extending ribs 410 can be spaced apart from an adjacent rib and can be configured to expand and contract in the same manner as the ribs 310 of FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the locking feature can include a plurality of ribs distributed evenly or non-uniformly across the surface of the heater 107. The ribs can be any suitable shape and size to provide a friction fit with the aerosol production article 110 when the surface temperature of the heater 107 or the temperature of another feature of the device or article is above a predetermined temperature.

[0084] One or more of the ribs 310, 410 may be configured to deform the surface of the aerosol product article 110 when the surface temperature of the heater 107 is above a predetermined temperature. For example, the ribs 310, 410 may be formed of a denser or harder material than the surface of the elongated core 112 of the aerosol product article 110, such that the ribs 310, 410 deform the surface of the elongated core 112 as it expands. This can help to further improve the friction fit between the heater 107 and the aerosol product article 110 when the temperature is above the predetermined temperature. In an embodiment, the locking feature 150 comprises locking members arranged to selectively protrude to engage with the aerosol product article 110, such as the ribs 310, pins, tabs, prongs, and hooks described above. A schematic diagram of a device having another locking feature 150 is shown in FIG. 6. The locking feature 150 comprises a locking member 601. The description of the locking feature 150 in Figure 6 is applicable to the other locking features 150 described above and below. The locking feature 150 can include multiple locking members or a single locking member. The locking member may include a proximally facing angled surface 602 to allow the aerosol product article 110 to be inserted into the heater 107 on the locking member when the locking member is extended, and the locking member limits removal in the extended state. Such a feature can be omitted.

[0085] In some embodiments, the locking feature may be configured to interlock with a corresponding feature on the aerosol product article 110. For example, the locking feature may include a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs 410, as shown in FIG. 4 . The aerosol product article 110 may include a plurality of corresponding recesses on the surface of the elongated core 112. The recesses may be configured to align with the ribs 410 when the aerosol product article 110 is positioned on the heater 107. As such, when the temperature of the heater is higher than a predetermined temperature, the ribs 410 expand within the recesses of the aerosol product article 110, thereby interlocking the heater 107 with the aerosol product article 110.

[0086] In other embodiments, the heater 107 may be configured to change shape or deform when heated. In this manner, as the temperature of the heater 107 increases, the heater may deform such that the deformed shape of the heater prevents the aerosol product article 110 from being detached from the heater 107. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the heater 107 may be configured to expand within the central section 501 when heated. In other embodiments, the heater may deform by bending or deflecting away from the longitudinal axis 102 of the heater 107. The change in shape or deformation of the heater 107 acts to increase the frictional force between the heater 107 and the aerosol product article 110, thereby preventing the aerosol product article 110 from being detached from the heater 107.

[0087] In some examples, the heater 107 can include two portions bonded together, each with a different coefficient of thermal expansion, thereby allowing them to expand differently when heated. In some embodiments, the heater includes a bimetallic member that acts as the locking feature 150. Thus, a portion of the heater or the heater 107 itself can deform to form the locking feature. The two portions can extend longitudinally along the axis of the heater 107. As a result, as the temperature of the heater 107 increases, each portion expands to a different extent, causing the heater 107 to slightly bend away from the longitudinal axis. This slight bending of the heater 107 can act to hold the aerosol product item 110 in place while the heater 107 is above a predetermined temperature. As the temperature of the heater 107 decreases, the heater returns to its original shape, allowing the aerosol product item 110 to be more easily removed from the heater 107.

[0088] In any of the embodiments described herein, the locking feature may be configured to release the aerosol product article 110 only when a force of at least 0.25 N is applied to the aerosol product article 110 in a direction away from the heater 107. This can help prevent accidental removal of the aerosol product article 110 from the heater 107. For example, in any of the embodiments described herein, the friction fit achieved between the heater 107 and the aerosol product article 110 may be sufficient to resist a removal force on the aerosol product article (i.e., a force on the article 110 in an axial direction away from the device housing 103) of up to 0.25 N when the heater 107 is above a predetermined temperature. In other embodiments, the locking feature may be configured to release the aerosol product article 110 only when a force of at least 0.3 N, or at least 0.4 N, or at least 0.5 N, or at least 0.6 N is applied to the aerosol product article 110 in a direction away from the heater 107.

[0089] In some embodiments, the aerosol product article 110 is configured to expand when heated, such that when the surface temperature of the heater is above a predetermined temperature, the heater 107 forms a friction fit with the aerosol product article 110, thereby preventing removal of the aerosol product article 110 from the heater 107. The aerosol product article 110 may be configured to expand instead of, or in addition to, the expansion or deformation of the heater 107 or ribs 310, 410, as described in the embodiments above.

[0090] In some embodiments, the heater 107 may be at least partially housed within a heating chamber, and the aerosol product article 110 may be inserted into the heating chamber.

[0091] In embodiments, the locking feature is biased to the extended state. The actuator is operated to retract the locking feature to the retracted state. In embodiments, the locking feature is biased to the retracted state. The actuator is operated to move the locking feature to the extended state. In embodiments, the actuator moves the locking feature in and out of the retracted and extended states.

[0092] 6, in embodiments, actuation of the locking feature 150 into and out of engagement with the aerosol product article 110 is caused by an actuator 603, e.g., an electric drive unit, e.g., a motor. A controller 604 may be operated to actuate the actuator 603. The actuator 604 is actuated when it is determined that heating of the heater 107 has begun. In embodiments, actuation of the locking feature 150 can be actuated, for example, by detection of temperature by the temperature sensor 132 and / or when it is determined that the heater 107 has reached a predetermined temperature after a predetermined period of time.

[0093] In an embodiment, the controller 604 is operable to activate the actuator 603 to move the locking feature 150 to the retracted state or to terminate activation of the actuator 603 so that the locking feature 150 is biased to the retracted state. The actuator 604 is activated when it is determined that heating of the heater 107 has terminated. In an embodiment, activation of the locking feature 150 to move the locking feature 150 to the retracted state or to terminate activation of the actuator 603 is operable, for example, by detection of temperature by the temperature sensor 132 and / or when it is determined that the heater 107 has dropped below a predetermined temperature after a predetermined period of time. In an embodiment, the locking member itself is the actuator, for example, the locking member is a bimetallic member. In an embodiment, the actuator is a bimetallic member configured to bias the locking member.

[0094] In some of the above-described embodiments, the heating device is an induction heating device. In other embodiments, other types of heating devices, such as resistance heating, are used. The configuration of the device is generally as described above, and therefore will not be described in detail. In such devices, the heater comprises a resistive heat generator including components for heating the heater via a resistive heating process. In this case, an electric current is applied directly to the resistive heating component, and the resulting current flow in the heating component causes the heating component to heat by Joule heating. The resistive heating component comprises a resistive material configured to generate heat when an appropriate electric current passes through it, and the heater comprises electrical contacts for supplying the electric current to the resistive material.

[0095] In embodiments, the heater forms the resistive heating component itself, hi embodiments, the resistive heating component transfers heat to the heater, for example, by conduction.

[0096] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as a representative sample of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or equivalents thereof, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Various embodiments of the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any suitable combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Additionally, the present disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from a removable aerosol production article, comprising: a heater contained within the aerosol product article and configured to heat the aerosol product article; a locking feature configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product article from the heater in a locked state and configured to allow removal of the aerosol product article from the heater in an unlocked state; An aerosol delivery device comprising:

2. 2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the locking feature is configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product from the heater when a determined temperature of at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product is higher than a predetermined temperature.

3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 , wherein the determined temperature is a surface temperature of the heater.

4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 , wherein the determined temperature is a surface temperature of the aerosol product article.

5. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, further comprising a sensor configured to determine the temperature of at least one of the features of the device and the aerosol product article.

6. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the locking feature is configured to allow removal of the aerosol product item when the determined temperature is below the predetermined temperature.

7. 7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the locking feature is configured to grip the aerosol product when the determined temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature.

8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the locking feature comprises at least one rib provided on the heater.

9. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the locking feature is configured to interlock with a corresponding feature on the aerosol product in the locked state.

10. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 9, wherein the at least one rib is configured to deform a surface of the aerosol product article at least in the locked state.

11. 11. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the heater is configured to expand in response to the temperature of at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product product, such that the heater forms a friction fit with the aerosol product product in the locked state, thereby preventing removal of the aerosol product product from the heater.

12. 12. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol product article is configured to expand when heated such that the heater forms a friction fit with the aerosol product article when the temperature of at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product article is higher than a predetermined temperature, thereby preventing removal of the aerosol product article from the heater.

13. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the heater is configured to deform in response to the temperature of the heater, and the deformed shape of the heater prevents the aerosol product from being removed from the heater.

14. 14. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the locking feature comprises a locking mechanism configured to engage and disengage with the aerosol product, and the device is configured to prevent disengagement of the locking mechanism from the aerosol product when at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product exceeds a predetermined temperature.

15. 15. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the device is configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product item for a predetermined period of time after the heater is deactivated.

16. 16. The aerosol delivery device of claim 15, wherein the predetermined period is selected to allow at least one feature of the device and aerosol product to cool from an operating temperature to a predetermined temperature under ambient room temperature conditions.

17. 17. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature indicator configured to visually indicate the temperature of at least one feature of the device and the aerosol product.

18. 18. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a safety indicator configured to visually indicate whether the temperature of at least one feature of the device and aerosol product is above or below a predetermined temperature.

19. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the heater is an exposed heater.

20. 20. The aerosol delivery device of claim 19, wherein the heater is an induction heater.

21. 21. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the locking feature is configured to release the aerosol product when a force of at least 0.25 N is applied to the aerosol product in a direction away from the heater.

22. 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from a removable aerosol production item, the system comprising: an aerosol-producing article; an aerosol delivery device configured to receive the aerosol product; a locking feature configured to prevent removal of the aerosol product article from the aerosol delivery device in a locked state and configured to allow removal of the aerosol product article from the aerosol delivery device in an unlocked state; Equipped with An aerosol delivery system, wherein the locking feature is configured to prevent the aerosol product product from being removed from the aerosol delivery device when a determined temperature of at least one feature of the aerosol delivery device and the aerosol product product is higher than a predetermined temperature.

23. 23. The aerosol delivery system of claim 22, comprising a heating element configured to heat the aerosol product.

24. 24. The aerosol delivery system of claim 23, wherein the device comprises the heating element.

25. An aerosol delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 21; an aerosol-producing article; An aerosol delivery system comprising:

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