Aerosol generation system

Abstract

The present invention provides an aerosol generation system, a method for generating aerosols in an aerosol generation system, consumables for use in an aerosol generation system, and an aerosol generation device. [Solution] The aerosol generation system 100 comprises an aerosol generation medium 110, a heating energy source 120 for selectively heating a portion of the aerosol generation medium within a heating region associated with the heating energy source to form an aerosol, an outlet 132 through which the aerosol can flow out of the device, and a selectively movable element 134, the element being selectively movable relative to the aerosol generation medium to form a chamber substantially enclosed around the heating region and in fluid communication with the outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generation system, a method for generating an aerosol in an aerosol generation system, a consumable for use in an aerosol generation system, and an aerosol generation device.

Background Art

[0002] Aerosol generation devices are known. Common devices use a heater to generate an aerosol from a suitable medium, which is then inhaled by the user. In common devices, the aerosol generated from the medium may condense within the device. This results in aerosol condensation on components and may shorten the life of the components.

[0003] This specification describes various techniques aimed at helping to solve or mitigate at least some of the problems discussed above.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aspects of the present invention are defined in the appended claims.

[0005] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol generation system is provided that includes an aerosol generation medium, a heating energy source for selectively heating a portion of the aerosol generation medium within a heating region associated with the heating energy source to form an aerosol, an outlet through which the aerosol can flow out of the device, and a selectively movable element that is selectively movable relative to the aerosol generation medium to form a chamber substantially surrounding the heating region and is in fluid communication with the outlet.

[0006] According to some embodiments described herein, a consumable for use with an aerosol generation system is provided.

[0007] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol generating means is provided, comprising: an aerosol generating means; a heating means for selectively heating a portion of the aerosol generating means within a heating region associated with the heating means to form an aerosol; an outlet means through which the aerosol can flow; and a selectively movable means, wherein the selectively movable means is selectively movable relative to an aerosol generating medium to form a chamber substantially enclosed around the heating region and is in fluid communication with the outlet means.

[0008] According to some embodiments described herein, a method for generating an aerosol in an aerosol generating system is provided, comprising the steps of: preparing an aerosol generating medium; preparing a heating energy source; preparing an outlet; preparing a selectively movable element; selectively moving the element relative to the aerosol generating medium to form a portion of the aerosol generating medium, a substantially enclosed chamber; and heating the substantially enclosed chamber to form an aerosol from the portion of the aerosol generating medium.

[0009] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol generating device is provided, configured to receive an aerosol generating medium, comprising: a heating energy source for selectively heating a portion of the aerosol generating medium during use to form an aerosol; an outlet; and a selectively movable element, the element being selectively movable relative to the aerosol generating medium to form a chamber substantially enclosed around a heating region during use, and being in fluid communication with the outlet.

[0010] Next, this instruction will be explained simply by referring to the following diagrams as examples. Similar parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1]This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol generation system following the example. [Figure 2a] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol generation system following the example. [Figure 2b] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol generation system following the example. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation system following two examples. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece and substrate of an aerosol generation system following the example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] While the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, certain embodiments are shown as examples in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed descriptions of certain embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to any particular form disclosed. On the contrary, the present invention encompasses all modifications, equivalents, and alternative forms that fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0013] Specific examples and embodiments of aspects and features are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of specific examples and embodiments may be carried out conventionally and are not discussed / described in detail for the sake of brevity. Therefore, it should be understood that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail may be carried out according to any prior art for carrying out such aspects and features.

[0014] This disclosure relates to an aerosol supply system, which may also be referred to as an aerosol supply system, such as an e-cigarette. Throughout the following description, the terms “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may be used, but it should be understood that these terms may be used synonymously with aerosol supply systems / devices and electronic aerosol supply systems / devices. Furthermore, as is common in the art, the terms “aerosol” and “vapor,” as well as related terms such as “vaporize,” “volatilize,” and “aerosolize,” may be used synonymously in general.

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the aerosol generation system 100. The system 100 has a source of aerosol generation medium 110. The system 100 has a heating energy source 120 for selectively heating a selected portion of the aerosol generation medium 110 to form an aerosol. The heating energy source 120 heats a heating region in which the portion of the aerosol generation medium is located to form an aerosol. The system 100 has an outlet 132 and an element 134. The element 134 is selectively movable relative to the aerosol generation medium 110 to form chambers 140A, 140B substantially surrounded around the heating region and is in fluid communication with the outlet 132. In this example, the outlet 132 and the element 134 are formed as a mouthpiece 130.

[0016] As used herein, the term “heater” may be used synonymously with “energy source for heating,” the term “multiple sources of aerosol-generating medium” or “source of aerosol-generating medium” may be used synonymously with “part of aerosol-generating medium,” the term “chamber” may be used synonymously with “aerosol-generating region,” and the term “device” may be used synonymously with “system,” with the understanding that a device is a standalone instrument, while a system is an instrument with consumables.

[0017] As used herein, the term “substantially enclosed” may mean, for example, that a certain proportion of the volume of a chamber (or equivalent) is enclosed. This refers to the volume that is bounded by the walls of the chamber (or equivalent). This may be about 50% to about 99%. Alternatively, the enclosed volume may be about 55% or more, 60% or more, 65% or more, 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, and so on.

[0018] Figure 1 shows two options for the configurations that a system implementing the above principles may take. Components shown within dashed lines indicate movement from a stationary position. The dashed mouthpiece 130' shows a mouthpiece 130' being selectively moved relative to multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 to form an aerosol generating region 140A surrounded by a selected source of the aerosol generating medium 110. The dashed sources of the aerosol generating medium 110' show sources of the aerosol generating medium 110' being selectively moved relative to the mouthpiece 130 to form an enclosed aerosol generating region 140B. In the example of device 100, the mouthpiece 130 may move, the sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 may move, or both may move. In the example shown in Figure 1, the movement of the mouthpiece 130' and the sources of the aerosol generating medium 110' occurs along the axis indicated by arrow A. The example in Figure 1 is schematic. Due to the length of mouthpiece 130' in Figure 1 and the housing 102 of the device in which mouthpiece 130 is fitted, it is unlikely that mouthpiece 130' will move into device 100 to the extent shown in Figure 1. The figure is used to clearly illustrate the relative movement of the device components and the subsequent formation of the enclosed aerosol-generating regions 140A and 140B. Subsequent figures should be viewed from this perspective.

[0019] In the following specification, the source of aerosol-generating medium 110 and the source of aerosol-generating medium 110' may be used synonymously. The same applies to mouthpiece 130 and mouthpiece 130'. When relative movement is disclosed, specific movements of one component toward another, as shown in Figure 1 by reference numerals 110, 110', 130, and 130', are not entirely relevant. However, this notation convention may be followed in certain cases to increase clarity between specific movements. Similarly, the reference numeral for the aerosol-generating region is the more general 140 rather than the specific 140A and 140B.

[0020] The mouthpiece 130 may be positioned on a runner or similar that allows it to be moved a certain distance into the device 100 and at the same time connected to the housing 102 of the device 100. By keeping the exit 132 of the mouthpiece 130 outside the housing 102 of the device 100 while the mouthpiece 130 is being moved, it is possible to make it easier for the user to use the device 100, and if the mouthpiece 130 of the device 100 can be placed in the user's mouth, it is easier for the user to suction with the device 100.

[0021] After relative movement between the aerosol generating medium 110 source and the mouthpiece 130, the mouthpiece 130 forms an aerosol generating region 140 surrounded by a selected source of the aerosol generating medium 110. That is, the mouthpiece 130 is selectively movable relative to the multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 in order to form an aerosol generating region 140 surrounded by a selected source of the aerosol generating medium 110, since a selected source of the aerosol generating medium 110 is heated and the other sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 are not heated. This is as shown in Figure 1. The surrounded aerosol generating region 140 restricts the generated aerosol from entering voids that are not within the channel formed between the selected source of the aerosol generating medium 110 and the mouthpiece 130.

[0022] Figure 2a is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol generation device 100 according to an example. Reference numerals indicating the same features as those shown in FIG. 1 are the same as the numerals used in FIG. 1. These same features are not described in detail here. In the example of FIG. 2a, a plurality of sources of aerosol forming medium 110 are disposed on substrate 150. Mouthpiece 130 may be selectively moved relative to the plurality of sources of aerosol forming medium 110 to form a seal (pressing seal) 160 formed by pressing around a selected one of the plurality of sources of aerosol forming medium 110 on substrate 150. Pressing seal 160 may function to limit the generated aerosol from entering voids not within the channel formed between the selected source of aerosol forming medium 110 and mouthpiece 130'.

[0023] Pressing seal 160 may be formed by movement of element 134 relative to substrate 150, and substrate 150 is rigid to provide a force opposing the force supplied by element 134. In an alternative example, the force against the movement of element 134 may be provided by heating energy source 120. That is, element 134 may press substrate 150 against heating energy source 120. Heater 120 may be dimensioned to correspond to the cross-section of element 134. In FIG. 2a, for example, heating energy source 120 is smaller than the cross-section of element 134.

[0024] Element 134 is positioned relative to substrate 150 as shown in FIG. 2a and contacts only substrate 150 when forming a heating region. That is, element 134 does not touch the portion of aerosol forming medium 110 within the heating region. Element 134 may, in this manner, be kept cleaner over a number of uses. In an example where aerosol forming medium 110 is uniformly distributed on substrate 150, element 134 may be in contact with aerosol forming medium 110. This can, in turn, increase the life of the device by reducing the regularity with which element 134 is replaced.

[0025] As also shown in FIG. 2a, the heater 120 may be selectively movable relative to a plurality of sources of the aerosol-generating medium 110 to selectively heat a selected one of the plurality of sources of the aerosol-generating medium 110 to form an aerosol. The heater 120 shown in FIG. 2a can move along an axis indicated by arrow B. This movement enables the heater 120 to heat any of the three shown sources of the aerosol-generating medium 110. Arrow B is shown at an angle to arrow A, and along arrow A, relative movement occurs between the mouthpiece 130 and the plurality of sources of the aerosol-generating medium 110. Although shown as being perpendicular in the example, this is not essential. The direction of movement may be along completely different axes, or may be curved compared to each other, etc.

[0026] The source of the aerosol-generating medium 110 may take any suitable form or structure. In one embodiment, the source of the aerosol-generating medium may include a substrate 150 (e.g., paper, card, foil) including first and second sides, and the aerosol-generating medium is disposed on the first side of the substrate 150. The substrate 150 may, in this case, act as a carrier for the aerosol-generating medium 110. In some embodiments, the substrate 150 may be, or may include, a metallic element arranged to be heated by a varying magnetic field. In such embodiments, the heating energy source 120 may include an induction coil that, when excited, causes heating within the metallic element of the source 110. The degree of heating may be affected by the distance between the metallic element and the induction coil. In a further alternative embodiment, the source of the aerosol-generating medium 110 may consist entirely (or substantially entirely) of the aerosol-generating medium (i.e., without a carrier). For the purpose of illustration, the source 110 described herein includes the substrate 150 with the aerosol-generating medium disposed on the first side of the substrate 150, while the heating energy source 120 is a resistive heater herein.

[0027] Figure 2b is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol generating device 100 following the example. Reference numerals indicating the same features as those shown in Figures 1 and 2a are the same numerals used in Figures 1 and 2a. These same features will not be described in detail here. Figure 2b shows an example of an aerosol generating device 100 that differs from the example of the aerosol generating device 100 shown in Figure 2a due to the offset of the mouthpiece 130' and the substrate 150.

[0028] In the example in Figure 2b, the mouthpiece 130 is positioned around a selected source of the aerosol-generating medium 110 and is selectively movable relative to the multiple sources of the aerosol-generating medium 110 so as to be offset from the surface of the substrate 150. In other words, the mouthpiece 130' does not come into contact with the substrate 150. The offset portion 170 allows air to enter the enclosed aerosol-generating region 140 between the substrate 150 and the mouthpiece 130' in order to take in components from the heated source of the aerosol-generating medium 110 before passing through the outlet 132' of the mouthpiece 130'. Conversely, in the configuration of Figure 2a, air can enter the chamber 140 through inlets / holes formed in the mouthpiece 130 or the wall of element 134 (described in more detail below). It should be understood that such inlets / holes may also be present in the embodiment shown in Figure 2b.

[0029] When the aerosol-generating medium 110 is uniformly distributed across the entire substrate 150, element 134 can be kept cleaner by using an offset 170 as shown in Figure 2b. By preventing element 134 from contacting the substrate / aerosol-generating medium, element 134 is kept cleaner, which increases the interval between replacements of element 134 and thus extends the lifespan of device 100.

[0030] The substrate 150 shown in Figures 2a and 2b can move with respect to the mouthpiece 130 along with multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 110. The substrate 150 may also be made of a thermally conductive material so as to conduct heat from the heater 120 to the multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 when the heater 120 is positioned on the opposite side of the substrate 150 from the sources of the aerosol generating medium 110, as shown in the example.

[0031] The heater 120 may be an electrical resistance heater 120. The heater 120 may be a chemically activated heater that may or may not operate by an exothermic reaction or the like. The heater 120 provides thermal energy, heat, to the environment surrounding the heater 120. At least some portions of the substrate 150 are within the region affected by the heater 120. The region affected by the heater 120 is the region where the heater 120 can heat components. The heating energy source 120 may be part of an induction heating system, and the heating energy source 120 is an energy source for induction heating, and the substrate 150 may be a susceptor or the like, or may include one. The susceptor may be, for example, a sheet of aluminum foil or the like.

[0032] Figure 3 shows schematic diagrams of aerosol generating devices according to two examples. Reference numerals indicating the same features as those shown in Figures 1 and 2a are the same numerals used in Figures 1 and 2a. These same features will not be described in detail here. In the configuration shown in Figure 3(i), the substrate 150 has a plurality of vents 152 to allow air to pass from the side of the substrate 154 not facing the mouthpiece 130 to the side of the substrate 156 facing the mouthpiece 130. The vents 152 located within the substrate 150 allow air to flow through the substrate 150 as indicated by arrows 180. As shown in Figure 3(i), air may flow through a particular vent 152A, past a selected source of the aerosol generating medium 110 heated by a heater 120 to take in components from the heated aerosol generating medium, and then through the mouthpiece 130 to the outside. This aerosol is then inhaled by the user.

[0033] An advantage of the configuration in Figure 3(i) is that the airflow may be preheated because it passes through the heater 120 before passing through specific vents 152A. In this embodiment, a larger amount of thermal energy is transferred to the selected source of the aerosol-generating medium 110, reducing the time required to initiate vaporization of a portion of the source components of the aerosol-generating medium 110. In an example, the substrate 150 is made of a porous or permeable material so that the airflow can pass through the substrate 150 as a whole, rather than through specific vents 152 formed within the substrate 150. In a particular example, the substrate 150 is made of a permeable material that allows airflow to pass only when under pressure, such as during user suction. In an example, the substrate 150 may be made of a porous layer, for example, paper. Air can pass through specific or artificial vents 152 within the substrate 150, through naturally occurring vents within the substrate 150 if made of paper or similar material, and through the aerosol-generating medium which may be placed in the vents 152, etc. The substrate 110 may contain nicotine, tobacco, or tobacco derivatives, or similar substances. The substrate 110 may be formed exclusively of such materials or may be made of two or more such materials. The substrate 110 may have a layered structure made of multiple materials. In one example, the substrate 110 may have layers of thermally conductive material, inductive material, permeable material, or impermeable material.

[0034] In the example, the device 100 may have substantially the same distance to the mouthpiece and to the heater 120 in order to provide a more consistent user experience. In the example, the aerosol-forming material is disposed on the substrate 150 at a distance from the heating energy source 120 within the range of 0.010 mm, 0.015 mm, 0.017 mm, 0.020 mm, 0.023 mm, 0.025 mm, 0.05 mm, 0.075 mm, 0.1 mm to approximately 4 mm, 3.5 mm, 3 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.5 mm, or 0.3 mm. In some cases, there may be a minimum space of at least approximately 10 μm, 15 μm, 17 μm, 20 μm, 23 μm, 25 μm, 50 μm, 75 μm, or 0.1 mm between the heating energy source 120 and the aerosol-forming material on the substrate 150.

[0035] Figure 3(ii) shows a configuration similar to that of Figure 3(i). The configuration of Figure 3(ii) differs in the absence of the vent 152 and the presence of the vent 136. In the example shown, the mouthpiece 130 has a vent 136 to allow air to flow into the mouthpiece 130 to take in aerosols produced by the source of the aerosol generating medium 110. The configuration of Figure 3(ii) may be combined with the configuration of Figure 3(i). Multiple vents may be present in the mouthpiece 130, but there is no requirement for such a configuration. A single vent 136 that allows air to flow into the mouthpiece 130 to take in components from the heated source of the aerosol generating medium 110 allows such airflow regardless of which of the multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 is selected to be the aerosol generating medium 110 in the aerosol generating region 140. Thus, this configuration can reduce the complexity of manufacturing the device 100.

[0036] In an example where the configurations of Figure 3(i) and (ii) are used in combination, the suction pressure from the user substantially prevents the airflow from entering through a specific vent 152A in the substrate 150 and exiting through the vent 136 in the mouthpiece 130. Additional features such as valves may be used to ensure that the airflow, in the desired manner, passes from near the substrate 150, through the mouthpiece 130, and out of the mouthpiece outlet 132. A portion of the flow path 180 is substantially restricted between the mouthpiece 130, the air inlet 136, and the source of the aerosol-generating medium 110 when an enclosed aerosol-generating region 140 is formed.

[0037] Examples shown in Figures 3(i) and (ii) show the mouthpiece 130 and substrate 150 in a compressed sealed state. This is not necessarily required. The mouthpiece 130 may be offset from the substrate 150, with the vents 136, 152 located in either the mouthpiece 130 or the substrate 150. As described above, a valve or similar may be used to ensure that the airflow through the mouthpiece 130 occurs as intended. The inlets 136, 152 in the examples shown in Figures 3(i) and (ii) are sized so that multiple sources of the aerosol-generating medium 110 cannot pass through the inlets 136, 152.

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the mouthpiece and substrate 150 of device 100. Device 100 may include a series of contact elements to ensure good mounting or connection between the mouthpiece 130 and the substrate 150 and / or the source of the aerosol generating medium 110. In the simplified diagram of Figure 4 (where the source of the aerosol generating medium 110 or vents 136, 152 are absent), the mouthpiece 130 has projections 138 corresponding to projections 158 on the substrate 150. These projections 138, 158 can be joined integrally by interference fit. These projections 138, 158 may be made of any suitable material, such as elastic material or snap-locking plastic. The location and size of the contact elements / projections 138, 158 may be selected to result in the press-seal configuration of Figure 2a or the offset 170 configuration of Figure 2b. The contact elements of device 100 may be O-rings or similar. The mouthpiece 130 of device 100 may have several protrusions, and the substrate 150 may have a series of recesses for engaging with the protrusions. Additionally or alternatively, a system of grooves and notches may be used, which may also allow the mouthpiece 130 to be fixed in place during use.

[0039] The contact elements 138 may be positioned at multiple locations on the outward-facing surface of the mouthpiece 130. The locations can be at varying distances along the side surface 139 of the mouthpiece 130. In this example, the contact elements 138 are present at four equally spaced locations around the outward-facing surface of the side surface 139 of the mouthpiece 130. These four contact element positions for contact elements 138 may correspond to four corresponding contact element positions for contact elements 158 on the substrate 150. The contact elements 158 on the substrate 150 may be positioned around individual sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 such that the connections between the two sets of four contact elements 138, 158 secure the mouthpiece 130 around one particular source of the aerosol generating medium 110.

[0040] In another example, the contact element 138 on the mouthpiece 130 may be a single continuous contact element 138 covering part or all of the outer periphery (edge ​​or surrounding area) of the outward-facing surface of the side surface 139 of the mouthpiece 130. This configuration can help retain the mouthpiece 130 within the device 100 if the user mistakenly attempts to form the aerosol-generating region 140 by, for example, pulling the mouthpiece 130 away from the device 100 rather than pushing it into the device 100. The contact element 138 can catch on the inner surface of the housing 102 of the device 100 to provide additional resistance to the user's pulling, which can alert the user to misuse of the device 100 if the user is pulling the mouthpiece 130 too far away from the housing 102.

[0041] In this example, the multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 are continuous aerosol generating mediums placed on a substrate 150. In this embodiment, a portion of the aerosol generating medium 110 can be selected by the relative position of the mouthpiece 130 to the substrate 150, and this portion of the aerosol generating medium 110 can then be heated by a heater 120 to generate an aerosol. In a particular example, the aerosol generating medium 110 may be a tobacco mat placed on the substrate 150. The relative movement of the mouthpiece 130 to the substrate 150 may be changed between uses of the device 100 to ensure that the spent aerosol generating medium 110 is not subsequently heated. This subsequent heating would result in the release of undesirable components from the spent aerosol generating medium 110, which could be inhaled by the user.

[0042] In the example, device 100 includes a moving element to allow relative movement between the mouthpiece 130 and the source of the aerosol generating medium 110. The moving element may be at least one of a biasing member or rotational motion relative to an axial motion transducer. For example, before using device 100, the user may twist, rotate, or screw the mouthpiece 130 to move it to form an aerosol generating region 140 surrounded around a selected source of the aerosol generating medium 110. That is, in the example of device 100, there may be some rotational motion relative to the translation motion transducer attached to the mouthpiece 130. In the example, the mouthpiece 130 may be screwed in, for example, by 90° to form the aerosol generating region 140. This quarter turn is based on the embodiment. In the example, the mouthpiece 130 may have a biasing member, which is positioned so that when the user places the mouthpiece 130 in their mouth, the mouthpiece 130 moves into the device 100 against the biasing force of the biasing member to form an aerosol-generating region 140. The mouthpiece 130 may be provided with a runner, track, or similar, as described above, to better control the movement of the mouthpiece 130 into the device 100. A runner, etc., can ensure that the mouthpiece 130 moves steadily by a predetermined distance into the device 100 to reliably and consistently form an enclosed aerosol-generating region 140. The use of a runner, etc., reduces the possibility that the mouthpiece 130 does not move far enough into the device 100 and therefore does not form an aerosol-generating region 140, and / or moves too far and removes or damages components within the device 100. When the usage session ends and the user removes the mouthpiece 130 from their mouth, the mouthpiece 130, under the action of the biasing member, can return to a resting position where it does not form an aerosol generation region 140.

[0043] Additionally or alternatively, the multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 may have similar moving mechanisms, which may take the form of biasing members, or motors and shafts, or projections for projecting selected sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 toward the mouthpiece 130, or similar. To avoid misunderstanding, any of the components described above for enabling relative movement of the sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 toward the mouthpiece 130 may be used in either or both of the sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 and the mouthpiece 130.

[0044] The relative movement between the multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 and the mouthpiece 130 may occur in response to user action, as described in the specific example above. This action may be a physical action such as pushing, pulling, or twisting a component of the device 100, or it may be a puff (one puff is one inhalation) of the device 100, which may be detected by a puff detector, for example, and this subsequently results in some structural change in the device 100. Alternatively or additionally, this action may be a command entered into the device 100, which may then be subject to action from the device 100's controller, such as pressing an activation button.

[0045] Multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 may be moved between uses of the device 100 or when one selected source of the aerosol generating medium 110 is consumed. This movement can be linear or rotational. The sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 may be moved by a rotating gear and shaft configuration, or a system of cams, or a Malta cross, or similar. In an example where the mouthpiece 130 is not in contact with the sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 in a stationary position, the sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 may be moved without acting on the mouthpiece 130. In an example where multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 are on a substrate 150, the substrate 150 may be rotated or moved in any other manner to affect the movement of the sources of the aerosol generating medium 110.

[0046] During use, the aerosol generated from the heating of the aerosol generating medium 110 source is confined to the aerosol generating region 140. This prevents the aerosol from condensing in other areas of the device 100 or in components other than the mouthpiece 130. Aerosols can damage components by condensing on them, which can subsequently affect the component's lifespan. The overall lifespan of the device 100 is increased due to the confined aerosol condensation region within the device 100 (i.e., between the selected source of the aerosol generating medium 110, the mouthpiece 130, and the outlet 132 of the mouthpiece 130). The mouthpiece 130 may be removable and replaceable so that it is removed and replaced after a predetermined number of uses, simultaneously removing condensed aerosol from its inner surface. This increases the overall cleanliness of the device 100.

[0047] The heater 120 may be moved to an aerosol generation position, i.e., near a selected source of the aerosol generating medium 110, before or at the start of a smoking session. The movement of the heater 120 may be automated or may occur at the user's request. Automation of the movement of the heater 120 can be achieved, for example, using a puff detector. When a puff is detected by the user, the heater 120 may move from an aerosol generation position near a previously heated selected source of the aerosol generating medium 110 to an aerosol generation position near a selected source to be heated by the aerosol generating medium 110.

[0048] Device 100 may have a detector or sensor located, for example, within the mouthpiece 130 of device 100, such that when a user places device 100 in their mouth, the heater 120 moves from a previous aerosol generation position to a currently requested aerosol generation position. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 130 may be movable to influence the movement of the heater 120. The mouthpiece 130 may have a responsive element, such as a biasing member, such as a tension spring, which is affected by the placement of the mouthpiece 130 in the user's mouth, causing the heater 120 to move directly or indirectly. Device 100 may also have a button or similar that the user can press to instruct the heater 120 to move from a previous aerosol generation position to a new aerosol generation position. The heater 120 may be activated before, in conjunction with, or with a delay from, the movement of the heater 120.

[0049] One of the multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 110 may comprise a single dose (as herein, "dose" means a predetermined amount of aerosol generating medium or material) of aerosol generating material or multiple doses of aerosol generating material. In the multiple dose embodiment, each dose may be individually heated to produce a predetermined amount of aerosol for each use. The doses may be arranged on the base or substrate 150 of the source of the aerosol generating medium 110, or they may overlap or be adjacent to each other, so as to be individual and distinct within or on the source of the aerosol generating medium 110 (i.e., different doses may comprise different areas of a single region of aerosol generating material).

[0050] Each of the multiple doses can be heated separately by relative movement between the heater 120 and the dose of aerosol-generating material in order to align different doses with the heater 120 at different times. The source of the aerosol-generating medium 110 can rotate around a central axis to present different portions of the source of the aerosol-generating medium 110 to the heater 120. This can correspond to different aerosol-generating media such as tobacco or menthol or similar, and to different doses of the source of the aerosol-generating medium 110 being heated. This allows the device 100 to provide several different user experiences. The source of the aerosol-generating medium 110 may be moved by any of the methods or components described herein in relation to the movement of the heater 120.

[0051] The source of the aerosol generating medium 110 or the dose contained in the source of the aerosol generating medium 110 may contain at least one of tobacco and glycol, and extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla) It may also contain other additives such as lemon oil, orange oil, cinnamon, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, bell pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or mint oil from any species of peppermint), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plant substances, or breath fresheners. These may be imitations, synthetic or natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof. They may be in any particular form, e.g., oil, liquid, or powder. Doses may be separate, adjacent, or overlapping.

[0052] The aerosol-forming layers described herein include an amorphous material, which may be alternatively referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e., non-fibrous) or a “dry gel.” An amorphous material is a solid material capable of holding some fluid, such as a liquid. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer contains about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% of amorphous material. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer consists of amorphous material.

[0053] In some cases, the amorphous material may contain 1 to 50 wt% of a gelling agent, the weight of which is calculated on a dry weight basis.

[0054] Preferably, the amorphous material may contain about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, or 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, 45 wt%, 40 wt%, 35 wt%, 30 wt%, or 27 wt% of a gelling agent (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous material may contain 5 to 40 wt%, 10 to 30 wt%, or 15 to 27 wt% of a gelling agent.

[0055] In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises a hydrophilic colloid. In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more compounds selected from the group comprising alginates, pectin, starch (and derivatives), cellulose (and derivatives), gum, silica or silicone compounds, clay, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more of alginates, pectin, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, pullulan, xanthan gum, guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, acacia gum, fumed silica, PDMS, sodium silicate, kaolin, and polyvinyl alcohol. In some cases, the gelling agent comprises alginates and / or pectin and may be combined with a curing agent (such as a calcium source) during amorphous formation. In some cases, the amorphous may comprise calcium-crosslinked alginates and / or calcium-crosslinked pectin.

[0056] Preferably, the amorphous material may contain about 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, or 20 wt% to about 80 wt%, 70 wt%, 60 wt%, 55 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt%, 40 wt%, or 35 wt% of an aerosol-generating agent (all calculated on a dry weight basis). The aerosol-generating agent may act as a plasticizer. For example, the amorphous material may contain 10 to 60 wt%, 15 to 50 wt%, or 20 to 40 wt% of an aerosol-generating agent. In some cases, the aerosol-generating agent comprises one or more compounds selected from erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol, and xylitol. In some cases, the aerosol-generating agent contains glycerol, is essentially made of glycerol, or consists of glycerol. The inventors have demonstrated that if the plasticizer content is too high, the amorphous material may absorb water, resulting in a substance that does not produce a suitable consumption experience during use. The inventors have also demonstrated that if the plasticizer content is too low, the amorphous material may become unstable and brittle. The plasticizer content specified herein provides amorphous flexibility that allows the amorphous sheet to be wound onto a bobbin, which is useful in the production of aerosol products.

[0057] In some cases, the amorphous material may contain fragrance. Preferably, the amorphous material may contain up to about 60 wt%, 50 wt%, 40 wt%, 30 wt%, 20 wt%, 10 wt%, or 5 wt% of fragrance. In some cases, the amorphous material may contain at least about 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt%, or 30 wt% of fragrance (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous material may contain 10-60 wt%, 20-50 wt%, or 30-40 wt% of fragrance. In some cases, the fragrance (if present) contains, is essentially made of, or consists of menthol. In some cases, the amorphous material does not contain fragrance.

[0058] In some cases, the amorphous material may additionally contain tobacco substance and / or nicotine. For example, the amorphous material may additionally contain powdered tobacco and / or nicotine and / or tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous material may contain about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, or 25 wt% to about 70 wt%, 60 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt%, or 40 wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of tobacco substance and / or nicotine.

[0059] In some cases, the amorphous material contains tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous material may contain 5 to 60 wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous material may contain approximately 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, or 25 wt% to approximately 55 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt%, or 40 wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of tobacco extract. For example, the amorphous material may contain 5 to 60 wt%, 10 to 55 wt%, or 25 to 55 wt% of tobacco extract. The tobacco extract may contain nicotine at concentrations such that the amorphous material contains 1 wt%, 1.5 wt%, 2 wt%, or 2.5 wt% to approximately 6 wt%, 5 wt%, 4.5 wt%, or 4 wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine. In some cases, nicotine may not be present in the amorphous material other than that derived from tobacco extract.

[0060] In some embodiments, the amorphous material does not contain tobacco substances but contains nicotine. In some such cases, the amorphous material may contain about 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, or 4 wt% to about 20 wt%, 15 wt%, 10 wt%, or 5 wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine. For example, the amorphous material may contain 1 to 20 wt% or 2 to 5 wt% of nicotine.

[0061] In some cases, the total net weight of tobacco substances, nicotine, and flavorings may be at least about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt%, 25 wt%, or 30 wt%. In some cases, the total net weight of tobacco substances, nicotine, and flavorings may be less than about 70 wt%, 60 wt%, 50 wt%, or 40 wt% (all calculated on a dry weight basis).

[0062] In some embodiments, the amorphous material is a hydrogel containing less than about 20 wt% water on a wet weight basis. In some cases, the hydrogel may contain less than about 15 wt%, 12 wt%, or 10 wt% water on a wet weight basis (WWB). In some cases, the hydrogel may contain at least about 2 wt% or at least about 5 wt% (WWB) water.

[0063] The amorphous material may be prepared from a gel, which may additionally contain a solvent in an amount of 0.1 to 50 wt%. However, the inventors have demonstrated that the inclusion of a solvent in which the fragrance can dissolve can reduce gel stability, and that the fragrance can crystallize from the gel. In some cases, the gel does not contain a solvent in which the fragrance can dissolve.

[0064] The amorphous material contains less than 20 wt%, preferably less than 10 wt%, or less than 5 wt% of filler. The filler may include one or more inorganic filler materials, such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, and suitable inorganic adsorbents such as molecular sieves. The filler may also include one or more organic filler materials, such as wood pulp, cellulose, and cellulose derivatives. In some cases, the amorphous material contains less than 1 wt% of filler, and in some cases, it contains no filler. In particular, in some cases, the amorphous material does not contain calcium carbonate such as chalk.

[0065] In some cases, the amorphous material may essentially consist of a gelling agent, an aerosol-generating agent, a tobacco substance and / or a nicotine source, water, and optionally a flavoring agent.

[0066] In the above example, the source or substrate 150 of the aerosol generating medium 110 may have a base or coating or similar that is substantially impermeable to the aerosol. This configuration can encourage the aerosol generated from the heating of the source of the aerosol generating medium 110 to flow away from the heater 120 and toward the mouthpiece outlet 132. This can help reduce the possibility of aerosol condensation within the device 100 rather than within the mouthpiece 130, and, as mentioned above, thus increase both the cleanliness and lifespan of the device 100. The base may be formed of at least one of the following materials: paper, card, foil, and the like.

[0067] Thus, an aerosol generating device is described, comprising multiple sources of aerosol generating medium, a heater for selectively heating a selected source of the aerosol generating medium to form an aerosol, and a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece is selectively movable relative to the multiple sources of aerosol generating medium to form an enclosed aerosol generating region around the selected source of the aerosol generating medium when it is heated.

[0068] For example, aerosol supply systems, such as non-flammable aerosol supply systems, can be used in tobacco industry products.

[0069] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product includes one or more components of a non-flammable aerosol supply system, such as a heater and an aerosolizable substrate.

[0070] In one embodiment, the aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device.

[0071] In one embodiment, the electronic cigarette comprises a heater, a power source capable of supplying power to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing, and optionally a mouthpiece.

[0072] In one embodiment, the aerosolizable substrate is contained in or on a substrate container. In one embodiment, the substrate container is combined with or includes a heater.

[0073] In one embodiment, the tobacco industrial product is a heated product that releases one or more compounds by heating rather than burning a base material. The base material is an aerosolizable material which may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heated device product is a tobacco heated product.

[0074] In one embodiment, the heated product is an electronic device.

[0075] In one embodiment, the tobacco heating product comprises a heater, a power source capable of supplying power to the heater, and an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material.

[0076] In one embodiment, the heated product is a non-electronic article.

[0077] In one embodiment, the heating product comprises an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material, and a heat source capable of supplying thermal energy to the aerosolizable substrate without any electronic means, such as by burning a combustible material such as charcoal.

[0078] In one embodiment, the heated product also includes a filter capable of filtering out aerosols generated by heating an aerosolizable substrate.

[0079] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable substrate material may include an aerosol, an aerosol-generating agent, or a humectant such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

[0080] In one embodiment, the tobacco industrial product is a hybrid system for generating an aerosol by heating rather than burning a combination of base materials. For example, the base materials may include solids, liquids, or gels, and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel base and a solid base. The solid base may or may not contain nicotine, and may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel base and tobacco.

[0081] To solve various problems and advance the field of the art, the entirety of this disclosure illustrates various embodiments in which the claimed invention can be put into practice and which can provide an excellent electronic aerosol delivery system. The advantages and features of this disclosure are merely representative samples of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented solely to aid understanding and to teach the claimed features. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of this disclosure should not be considered as limitations to the disclosure as defined by the claims, or to equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modified without departing from the scope and / or spirit of this disclosure. Various embodiments may preferably include, consist of, or be essentially derived from various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, this disclosure includes other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. Aerosol generating medium and A heating energy source, which is used to selectively heat a portion of an aerosol-generating medium within a heating region associated with the heating energy source to form an aerosol, An outlet from which aerosols can exit the device and flow, Selectively movable elements and an aerosol generation system comprising, An aerosol generating system in which the elements are selectively movable relative to the aerosol generating medium to form a chamber substantially enclosed around the heating region and are in fluid communication with the outlet.

2. The aerosol generating medium is placed on a substrate, The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein the element is selectively movable relative to the aerosol generating medium to form a pressure sealing portion around a portion of the aerosol generating medium on the substrate.

3. The aerosol generating medium is placed on a substrate, The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein the element is arranged around a portion of the aerosol generating medium and is selectively movable relative to the aerosol generating medium so as not to come into contact with the substrate.

4. The aerosol generating system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the substrate is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes that allow air to pass from the side of the substrate not facing the outlet to the side of the substrate facing the outlet.

5. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the element comprises vents for allowing air to flow into the heating region in order to take in the aerosol generated by the portion of the aerosol generating medium within the heating region.

6. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the aerosol generation medium is a continuous aerosol generation medium disposed on the substrate.

7. The device comprises a moving element to enable relative movement between the element and the aerosol generating medium, and the moving element is biasing member, and Rotational motion relative to an axial movement transducer An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the above.

8. The aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the relative movement between the aerosol generating medium and the element occurs in response to user action.

9. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a portion of the aerosol generation medium comprises a plurality of doses of aerosol generation medium.

10. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the heating energy source is selectively movable relative to the aerosol generation medium in order to selectively heat a selected portion of the aerosol generation medium to form an aerosol.

11. The element has a contact element, and each portion of the aerosol generating medium has a corresponding contact element. The aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the contact element of the element contacts the contact element of the aerosol generating medium portion to fix the element and the portion of the aerosol generating medium and to form the heating region around the portion of the aerosol generating medium.

12. The aerosol generation system according to claim 11, wherein the element does not come into contact with the substrate.

13. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the direction of the relative moment between the element and the aerosol generation medium lies within the axis of the aerosol flow from the aerosol generation medium to the outlet.

14. The aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the outlet and the element are in the form of a mouthpiece.

15. A consumable for use with the aerosol generation system described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. Aerosol generation means, A heating means for selectively heating a portion of an aerosol generating means within a heating region associated with the heating means to form an aerosol, An outlet means through which an aerosol can flow, Selectively movable means and Equipped with, Aerosol generating means wherein the selectively movable means is selectively movable relative to the aerosol generating medium to form a chamber substantially enclosed around the heating region and is in fluid communication with the outlet means.

17. A method for generating aerosols within an aerosol generation system, The steps include preparing an aerosol generating medium and The steps include preparing a heating energy source, The step of preparing an exit, The steps include: preparing elements that can be selectively moved, The steps include selectively moving the element relative to the aerosol generating medium to form a portion of the aerosol generating medium, substantially enclosed chamber, The steps include heating the substantially enclosed chamber to form an aerosol from the portion of the aerosol-generating medium, and Methods that include...

18. The steps include: preparing an air intake and forming a flow path from the air intake to the outlet, A step of restricting the airflow between the air intake, the aerosol generating medium, and the outlet. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:

19. an aerosol generating device configured to receive an aerosol generating medium, A heating energy source for selectively heating the aerosol-generating medium during use to form an aerosol, Exit and Selectively movable elements and Equipped with, An aerosol generating device in which the elements are selectively movable relative to the aerosol generating medium to form a chamber substantially enclosed around a heating region during use, and are in fluid communication with the outlet.

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