Aerosol generator

Abstract

To provide a long-life device that can efficiently heat aerosol substrates. [Solution] The aerosol generator comprises a tubular heating chamber 10 having an opening 12 positioned to receive a consumable 30, a heater 20 having a heating region extending over a portion of the total length of the tubular heating chamber, the heating region having a first end near the opening and a second end on the opposite side, and an elongated consumable positioned to receive the consumable so that it is located along the length of the heating chamber, the consumable comprising an aerosol substrate 32 extending over a portion of the total length of the consumable, the length of which is greater than the length of the heating region, and the heating chamber and consumable are configured such that when the consumable is received in the heating chamber, the first end of the heating region is aligned with the first end of the aerosol substrate so that the second end of the aerosol substrate extends beyond the second end of the heating region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] (Also known as a vaporizer) The popularity and use of risk reduction devices or risk modification devices has grown rapidly in recent years as an aid to help habitual smokers who wish to quit smoking conventional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and roll-your-own tobacco. In contrast to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products, various devices and systems are available that heat or warm aerosolizable substances.

[0003] Generally available risk reduction devices or risk modification devices are substrate heated aerosol generating devices or heat-not-burn devices. This type of device generates an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol substrate typically containing moist leaf tobacco or other suitable aerosolizable material to a temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 300°C. By heating rather than burning or igniting the aerosol substrate, an aerosol is released that contains the components desired by the user but does not contain the toxic and carcinogenic by-products associated with burning and combustion. Further, the aerosol produced by heating tobacco or other aerosolizable material typically does not contain the burnt or bitter flavors associated with burning and combustion that can be unpleasant to the user. Thus, the substrate does not require sugars and other additives typically added to such materials to make the smoke and / or vapor more palatable to the user.

[0004] In such devices, the aerosol substrate typically comprises a consumable held within a heating chamber and heated by a heater. The heater may be used inside or outside the chamber to provide the increased temperature to the heating chamber. Most commonly, such heating chambers are heated from the outside, with a heat-conductive outer shell housing transferring heat to the internal volume. Often, the heater is positioned along the entire length of the heating chamber to provide a large heating area, allowing the aerosol substrate to heat up quickly. One problem with such devices is that they can waste energy by heating unnecessary parts of the consumable. Another problem is the formation of debris within the heating chamber, where the aerosol substrate shrinks after heating and becomes easily detached from the consumable. Such debris must be removed by the user to prevent a decrease in heating efficiency. If the debris is not completely removed, it creates an additional barrier to the energy that should be transferred in subsequent heating sessions. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The present invention aims to make progress in addressing these challenges by providing a long-life device that can efficiently heat aerosol substrates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generator is provided, comprising: a tubular heating chamber having an opening disposed for receiving a consumable; a heater having a heating region extending over a portion of the total length of the tubular heating chamber, the heating region having a first end closest to the opening and a second end on the opposite side; and an elongated consumable disposed to receive an elongated consumable positioned along the length of the heating chamber, the consumable comprising an aerosol substrate extending over a portion of the total length of the consumable, the length of which is greater than the length of the heating region, wherein the heating chamber and the consumable are configured such that when the consumable is received in the heating chamber, the first end of the heating region aligns with the first end of the aerosol substrate such that the second end of the aerosol substrate extends beyond the second end of the heating region.

[0007] By aligning the heating area with the aerosol substrate in this way, heating is provided that is uniformly distributed along the length of the substrate. The heating area is prevented from extending longitudinally beyond any end of the aerosol substrate, ensuring that only the aerosol substrate is directly heated, and not other unnecessary areas of the consumable. This reduces energy wasted during the operation of the device, thereby increasing the efficiency and battery life of the device. In addition, this configuration allows for the use of smaller heaters with a smaller component footprint than those found in existing devices, enabling a more compact device design. Furthermore, by limiting the heating area to the aerosol substrate of the consumable, it is possible to include other components or areas in the consumable while simultaneously protecting those components or areas from the highest temperatures generated by the device.

[0008] By aligning the first end of the substrate with the first end of the heating region, the aerosol substrate is directly heated without wasting energy heating the non-substrate portion of the consumable, thereby ensuring increased efficiency of the device. Extending the second end of the aerosol substrate beyond the heating region prevents direct heating of the end region of the aerosol substrate, reduces shrinkage of this region of the substrate, and prevents the aerosol substrate from detaching from the consumable. This eliminates debris formation in the heating chamber, making cleaning the device easier.

[0009] The heating region refers to the area of ​​the heater that is heated to a temperature sufficient to release aerosols onto the aerosol substrate during use. In some examples of the present invention, the limitations of the heating region may substantially correspond to the physical limitations and dimensions of the heater. In other examples, the limitations of the heating region may exceed the physical limitations and dimensions of the heater. This may be a result of the heater's output, for example, because a high-power heater can heat a wider surrounding area to the target temperature compared to a low-power heater. As another example, a material with high thermal conductivity may be placed between the heater and the aerosol substrate to control the heating region and extend the heating region beyond the heater components themselves.

[0010] Due to this configuration, the length of the heating area is shorter than the length of the aerosol substrate.

[0011] For example, heat can be transferred by conduction from one region of the aerosol substrate to another, so in some examples of the present invention, the aerosol substrate can be sufficiently heated to generate the desired aerosol without the heating region having to extend along the entire length of the aerosol substrate. Furthermore, this reduces the energy required to operate the device and allows for the implementation of smaller heater components.

[0012] Furthermore, this configuration of the heating region and aerosol substrate can prevent overheating of the aerosol substrate while still providing sufficient heating to generate the desired aerosol.

[0013] In particular, the opening of the heating chamber may have an open end, and the heating chamber may have a closed end on the opposite side.

[0014] The closed end of the heating chamber improves insulation in the area near the heating chamber. Since the heating area and the aerosol substrate are positioned near the closed end during use, this further enhances the heating efficiency of the device. In addition, the closed end can function as a limiting element, restricting the placement of consumables within the heating chamber, allowing for easy and consistent alignment of the heating area and the aerosol substrate in the desired configuration.

[0015] In particular, the closed end may have a recess extending into the heating chamber. Thus, the recess can function as a limiting element, holding the consumable at the bottom of the heating chamber while leaving a gap for air to flow around and through the portion near the consumable. Preferably, the recess is located at the center of the closed end.

[0016] The heating region can extend from the first end of the aerosol substrate to a length exceeding half the length of the aerosol substrate. This ensures that a suitable area of ​​the aerosol substrate is directly heated by the heater, resulting in rapid, uniform, and efficient heating and subsequent aerosol generation.

[0017] The heating region may extend from the first end of the aerosol substrate to less than 90% of the length of the aerosol substrate. This prevents direct heating of the second end of the aerosol substrate, reduces shrinkage of the portion near the aerosol substrate, and reduces the possibility of the aerosol substrate detaching from the consumable and forming debris.

[0018] Preferably, the heating region may extend from the first end over 3 / 4 to 7 / 8 of the length of the aerosol substrate. This provides an optimal balance between preventing undesirable shrinkage of the aerosol substrate and the advantages of efficient heating described above.

[0019] The second end of the aerosol substrate may be located at the end of the consumable, and the aligned first end of the aerosol substrate and the heating area is positioned at an intermediate position along the length of the consumable.

[0020] Thus, the aerosol generated in the aerosol substrate portion of the consumable must move over the entire length of the consumable before being inhaled. This movement allows the aerosol to be modified, for example, by cooling or flavor addition, for a more satisfying vapor inhalation experience.

[0021] The consumable may comprise an aerosol cooling area extending over a part of the length of the consumable, and the aerosol cooling area comprises a hollow tubular portion of the consumable.

[0022] Thus, the temperature of the generated aerosol can be accurately and consistently controlled before inhalation by the user. In addition, the aerosol cooling area cools the generated aerosol over a shorter distance than would be possible otherwise (to the desired temperature for inhalation), enabling a smaller consumable and a housing heating chamber.

[0023] The aerosol substrate may contain tobacco.

[0024] The heater may be configured to heat the aerosol substrate to a high temperature to release an aerosol without burning the consumable.

[0025] Preferably, the heater may be configured to heat the aerosol substrate to a maximum temperature of 150°C to 350°C.

[0026] In particular, the opening of the heating chamber may comprise an open end, the heating chamber comprises a closed end on the opposite side, and the heating chamber and the consumable are configured such that during use, air flows into the chamber through the open end and reaches the aerosol substrate through the air flow path between the heating chamber and the consumable.

[0027] Thus, air can flow around the consumable before being drawn through the aerosol substrate and the consumable. If the heating chamber has a closed end, air flows into the heating chamber through the opening and out of the heating chamber.

[0028] The plurality of air flow paths can be defined by protrusions extending from the heating chamber. Additionally, these protrusions can be arranged to function as a limiting element and / or support the received consumable by abutting against the surface of the consumable.

[0029] Preferably, the heating chamber and the consumable are arranged such that the air flow path passes through a heating region to preheat the air before the air reaches the aerosol substrate. In this way, the air is preheated by the heater before reaching the aerosol substrate, and the heating efficiency of the device is further enhanced.

[0030] Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1A] Schematically shows an exemplary aerosol generating device in an assembled configuration. [Figure 1B] Schematically shows an exemplary aerosol generating device in a state where internal components are visible. [Figure 2A] Schematically shows a first view of an exemplary configuration of a heating assembly and a consumable. [Figure 2B] Schematically shows a second view of an exemplary configuration of a heating assembly and a consumable. [Figure 3] Schematically shows a further exemplary configuration of a heating assembly and a consumable.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] Figure 1A shows an overall configuration of an exemplary aerosol generator 1 in its assembled state. The device 1 comprises an outer housing 2 having a bottom portion and an upper portion. The upper portion of the housing 2 is provided with an opening 7 into which aerosol generating consumables can be inserted into the device 1.

[0033] Device 1 comprises a heating assembly 3, a PCB 4, and a battery 5 within a housing 2. Figure 1B shows an exemplary device 1 without the outer housing 2. The heating assembly 3 is operably connected to the PCB 4 and battery 5 to selectively supply power to the heating assembly 3 and heat it to a controlled temperature. The heating assembly 3, PCB 4, battery 5, and various other components of device 1 are held in place within the housing 2 by a frame 6.

[0034] During use, the user holds the device 1 by the housing 2 and places the smokeable aerosol-generating consumable in or near the heating assembly 3 of the device 1 through the opening 7. The device 1 is then operated by a switch or by the user's puffing action to turn on the power supply from the battery 5 to the heating assembly 3 in order to heat the consumable in or near the heating assembly 3. The heat generated in the heating assembly 3 heats the consumable, releasing vapor that forms an aerosol. The user can then inhale the aerosol either through the consumable itself or through the opening 7 of the device 1.

[0035] An exemplary heating assembly 3 incorporating an elongated consumable 30 is schematically shown in Figures 2A and 2B. Figure 2A shows a side view of the heating assembly 3 and the consumable 30, and Figure 2B shows a cross-sectional view indicated by line AA in Figure 2A. The heating assembly 3 comprises a heater 20 and a tubular heating chamber 10 with an opening 12. In this example, the opening 12 is provided by the open end of the heating chamber 10. In some alternative examples of the apparatus, the opening 12 may be located elsewhere in the heating chamber 10. The consumable 30 comprises an aerosol substrate 32 extending over a portion of the length of the consumable 30. The aerosol substrate 32 is located at the end of the consumable 30 that is located inside the heating chamber 10 and is positioned at the end of the consumable 30 furthest from the opening 12 of the chamber 10. The aerosol substrate 32 has a first end 32a and a second end 32b, and when properly received into the heating chamber 10, the first end 32a is closer to the opening 12 than the second end 32b.

[0036] The tubular heating chamber 10 includes a closed end 14 on the opposite side of the opening 12 and a side wall 16 extending between the opening 12 and the closed end 14 to define the internal volume of the heating chamber 10. The opening 12 is aligned with the opening 7 so that the internal volume of the heating chamber 10 can be accessed through the opening 7 and the opening 12 when the apparatus 1 is fully assembled.

[0037] In some examples of the present invention, the apparatus 1 includes a collar 8 positioned to guide a consumable 30 into the heating chamber 10. This allows for easier insertion of the consumable 30 by the user and reduces the risk of damaging the consumable 30 during insertion. The collar 8 can be incorporated in various configurations. For example, in Figure 2, the upper portion of the housing 2 includes a collar 8 such that the collar 8 defines an opening 7. In this example, the inner diameter of the collar 8 and the inner diameter of the heating chamber 10 are substantially the same. Thus, the collar 8 can be considered an extension of the heating chamber 10, expanding the internal volume of the heating chamber 10 so that the opening 7 and the opening 12 are the same.

[0038] The inner diameter of the collar 8 may vary along its length. In particular, the inner diameter of a portion of the collar 8 may decrease as it approaches the heating chamber 10 to provide a chamfered or beveled edge. This further improves the user experience when inserting the consumable 30 into the heating chamber 10.

[0039] The heater 20 surrounds the heating chamber 10 and is configured to heat the internal volume of the heating chamber 10. In particular, the heater 20 is a thin-film heater wrapped around the outer surface of the heating chamber 10 to heat the side walls 16 and the internal volume of the chamber 10. The heater 20 includes a heating region 22. This heating region 22 is a region of the heating assembly 3 that, during use, is heated to a temperature sufficient to release aerosol onto the aerosol substrate 32 without burning the consumables 30. For example, this heating region 22 may be a region defined by the region to which the heating element of the heater 20 extends. In other examples, the heating region 22 may extend beyond the physical limitations and dimensions of the heater 20. In particular, the heater is configured to heat the aerosol substrate 32 to a maximum temperature of 150°C to 350°C. The heating region 22 has a first end 22a and a second end 22b, with the first end 22a being closer to the opening 12 of the heating chamber than the second end 22b.

[0040] In this example, the thin-film heater comprises a thin-film circuit having a resistive heating element. The circuit with the heating element is arranged to increase the proportion of the surface covered by the heating element across the wrapped surface of the chamber 10. The thin-film heater can be wrapped around the outer surface of the heating chamber 10 and held in place by a polyimide shrink wrap. In other examples, the thin-film heater can be attached to the outer surface of the heating chamber 10 by other means, such as using a heat-resistant adhesive. By positioning the heater 20 around the outer surface of the heating chamber 10, it is possible to heat the consumables 30 while protecting the heater 20 from damage caused by contact with the consumables 30.

[0041] In some examples of the present invention, the heating assembly 3 further comprises a heater support 11 positioned to position and support a heater 20 within the assembly 3. In Figure 2, a portion of the heater support 11 is positioned between the collar 8 and the heating chamber 10. The inner diameter of this portion of the heater support 11 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the heating chamber 10, so that the heater support 11 can be considered an extension of the heating chamber 10, thereby expanding the internal volume of the heating chamber 10. In some other examples, the heater support 11 may be positioned away from the heating chamber 10 so as not to expand the internal volume of the heating chamber 10, but to support the heater 20 from a different position.

[0042] Since the heater support 11 and collar 8 are located away from the aerosol substrate 32 during use, it is preferable that both the heater support 11 and collar 8 contain a material that is a good thermal insulator. This prevents heat generated by the heater 20 from being unnecessarily transferred to these components, further increasing the efficiency of the device. These can be the same thermal insulator among a variety of thermal insulators.

[0043] As described above, the heating assembly 3 and heater 20 are connected to the PCB 4 and battery 5 when assembled in the apparatus 1. The side wall 16 of the heating chamber 10, or at least the portion of the side wall 16 near the heating area 22, contains a thermally conductive material, such as metal, to conduct heat from the heater 20 to the chamber 10.

[0044] The heating chamber 10 and the consumable 30 are configured such that when the consumable 30 is received into the heating chamber 10, the aerosol substrate 32 and the heating region 22 are advantageously positioned relative to each other. More specifically, the substrate 32 and the heating region 22 are aligned so that the heating region 22 does not extend beyond any end of the substrate 32 along the length of the aerosol substrate 32. By aligning the heating region 22 and the substrate 32 in this way, uniform heat distribution is achieved along the length of the substrate 32. By preventing the heating region 22 from extending beyond the ends of the aerosol substrate 32, the waste of energy used to heat unwanted areas of the consumable 30 or heating assembly 3 is reduced. In addition, this also makes it possible to establish an aerosol cooling region in other areas of the consumable 30 or heating assembly 3.

[0045] As shown in the example in Figure 2A, the length of the heating region 22 is shorter than the length of the aerosol substrate 32, and the first end 22a of the heating region is aligned with the first end 32a of the aerosol substrate such that the second end 32b of the substrate extends beyond the second end 22b of the heating region. This makes it possible to efficiently heat the aerosol substrate 32 without directly heating the portion of the aerosol substrate 32 near the second end 32b. Therefore, this reduction in the size of the substrate 32 near the end 32b is reduced along with the possibility that a portion of the substrate 32 may detach from the consumable 30 and form debris in the chamber 10.

[0046] More specifically, the first end 22a of the heating region is aligned with the first end 32a of the aerosol substrate, and the heating region 22 extends over three-quarters of the length of the aerosol substrate 32. By aligning the first ends 22a, 32a and extending the heating region 22 over more than half the length of the aerosol substrate 32, the heater 20 provides high-speed, uniform, and efficient heating of the aerosol substrate 32. By aligning the first ends 22a, 32a and extending the heating region 22 over less than 90% of the length of the aerosol substrate 32, direct heating of the second end 32b of the aerosol substrate is prevented, reducing shrinkage of the portion near the aerosol substrate 32 and the possibility of the aerosol substrate 32 detaching from the consumable 30 and forming debris. It has been found that a desirable balance between these advantages can be achieved by aligning the first ends 22a and 32a and extending the heating region 22 over 3 / 4 to 7 / 8 of the length of the aerosol substrate 32.

[0047] The heating assembly 3 and / or consumable 30 may include a limiting element to restrict the depth to which the consumable 30 can be inserted into the heating chamber 10. This limiting element ensures that the heating area 22 and the aerosol substrate 32 can be easily and consistently aligned with each other in a desired configuration. The limiting element may be, for example, a limiting portion of the consumable 30 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening 12 and / or opening 7. Alternatively, the limiting element may be a limiting portion of the heating chamber 10 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the consumable 30. The limiting means may also reversibly fix the consumable 30 in place while the device 1 is in use or until the user intentionally removes the consumable 30 from the heating chamber 10.

[0048] The closed end 14 of the heating chamber 10 improves insulation within the internal volume near the chamber 10. Since the heating region 22 and, during use, the aerosol substrate 32 are positioned near the closed end 14, this further enhances the heating efficiency of the apparatus 1. In addition, the closed end 14 can also function as a limiting element, as described above.

[0049] The exemplary apparatus 1 shown in Figures 2A and 2B includes a heater 20 wrapped around the outer surface of a heating chamber 10, but in another example, the heater 20 may be located inside the heating chamber 10. By arranging the heater 20 in this way, the heater 20 can directly heat the internal volume of the heating chamber 10, reducing energy loss due to conduction to the side walls 16, thus potentially providing more efficient heating of consumables. Preferably, the heating chamber 10 includes insulating material to further reduce heat loss.

[0050] The consumable 30 comprises an aerosol cooling region 34 and a filter 36, in addition to the aerosol substrate 32. The aerosol cooling region 34 extends over a portion of the length of the consumable 30 and includes a hollow tubular portion 35 of the consumable 30. This hollow tubular portion 35 allows the aerosol (generated by heating the aerosol substrate 32) to pass through the consumable 30 without leaking from the sides of the hollow tubular portion 35. Since the aerosol cooling region 34 does not overlap with the heating region 22, the aerosol is not continuously heated within the aerosol cooling region 34. In addition, the hollow tubular portion 35 may be configured to further accelerate heat dissipation within the aerosol cooling region 34, for example, by absorbing heat from the aerosol and conducting it to other areas of the consumable 30. The length of the aerosol cooling region 34 and the dimensions of the hollow tubular portion 35 are configured to consistently provide the generated aerosol at a temperature range desirable for user inhalation during use. In addition, the consumable 30 including the aerosol cooling region 34 can be supplied in a shorter length than the consumable 30 without the aerosol cooling region 34, because the generated aerosol is cooled to a desired temperature compared to a temperature that could be achieved by other means. As a result, a smaller heating chamber 10 is required to accommodate the shorter consumable 30.

[0051] The aerosol substrate 32 is located at the end of the consumable 30 within the heating chamber 10, and is positioned at the end of the consumable 30 furthest from the opening 12. The filter 36 is positioned at the other end closest to the opening 12. The aerosol cooling region 34 extends along the length of the consumable 30 between the aerosol substrate 32 and the filter 36. This ensures that, during use, the generated aerosol can be sufficiently cooled before inhalation by the user. In other examples, the consumable 30 may not include the filter 36, or may further include additional components positioned throughout the consumable 30.

[0052] The consumable 30 and the heating chamber 10 are configured to define an air passage 40 between the consumable 30 and the heating chamber 10. Preferably, the heating chamber 10 also includes a closed end 14. When in use, i.e., when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the consumable 30, this allows air to flow into the heating chamber 10 through the opening 12, through the air passage 40, toward the closed end 14, and reach the aerosol substrate 32. Since the air passage 40 passes through the heating region 12, it preheats the incoming air before it flows into the consumable 30. This further increases the heating efficiency of the device 1 and reduces the power required for operation.

[0053] Preferably, the closed end 14 of the heating chamber 10 is provided with a recess 15. This recess 15 can function as a limiting element that holds the consumable 30 at the bottom of the chamber 10 while leaving a gap for the drawn-in air to flow through the end of the consumable 30.

[0054] In other examples, the consumable 30 and the heating chamber 10 are configured to define a plurality of air passages 40 between the consumable 30 and the heating chamber. For example, the heating chamber 10 may have projections 17 extending from the side wall 16 and positioned to abut the surface of the consumable 30 in order to support the consumable 30 while also providing the benefits associated with the air passages 40. Preferably, when the consumable 30 is received into the heating chamber 10, the projections 17 overlap the aerosol substrate 40. The projections 17 may function as limiting elements as described above. The projections 17 shown in Figure 2 are a series of longitudinal ribs, the longitudinal axes of the longitudinal ribs are substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber. Alternatively or in addition, the heating chamber 10 may have projections 17 of different shapes, such as an array of small dots positioned to abut the surface of the consumable 30.

[0055] A further example of a heating assembly 3 incorporating an elongated consumable 30 is schematically shown in Figure 3. Instead of a closed end 14, the heating chamber 10 in the example of Figure 3 includes an air inlet 19 located at the end of the heating chamber 10 furthest from the opening 12. This provides a heating assembly 3 with a straight airflow path, as air can flow into the heating chamber 10 through the air inlet 19 (at one end of the heating chamber 10) and out of the heating chamber 10 at the opening 12 (at the other end of the heating chamber 10). When the consumable 30 is received in the heating chamber 10 during use, air can be drawn into the heating chamber 10 through the air inlet 19 and enter the aerosol substrate 32. The air inlet 19 can also facilitate easier cleaning of the heating chamber 10 by forcing air through the heating chamber 10 when the consumable 30 is not received in the heating chamber 10.

[0056] The size of the air inlet 19 can be configured to control the airflow through the heating chamber 10 during use. In the example shown in Figure 3, the air inlet 19 has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the heating chamber and smaller than the outer diameter of the aerosol substrate portion 32 of the consumable 30. In this way, the air inlet 19 functions as a limiting element as described above, while at the same time allowing air to enter the heating chamber 10. In another example of the present invention, the heating chamber 10 may be provided with a plurality of air inlets 19 located at the ends of the heating chamber 10. In such an example, this can further control the airflow through the heating chamber 10.

[0057] Preferably, if the heating chamber 10 is equipped with an air inlet 19, the opening 12 of the heating chamber 10 and the consumable 30 are configured such that, during use, the diameter of the opening 12 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the portion of the consumable 30 that is aligned with the opening 12. This configuration ensures that, during use, only air flows into the heating chamber 10 from the air inlet 19. The consumable 30 and the heating chamber 10 may still be configured to define an airflow path 40 between the consumable 30 and the heating chamber 10 in order to allow air to directly reach a wider area of ​​the aerosol substrate 32.

[0058] Definitions and Alternative Embodiments From the above description, it will be understood that many of the features of the embodiments described perform independent functions with independent advantages. Therefore, the inclusion or omission of each of these independent features of the embodiments of the invention as defined in the claims can be independently chosen.

[0059] The term "heater" should be understood to mean any device for outputting sufficient thermal energy from the aerosol substrate 32 to form an aerosol. The transfer of thermal energy from the heater 20 to the aerosol substrate 32 may be by conduction, convection, radiation, or any combination thereof. As a non-limiting example, the heat transfer heater may be in direct contact with the aerosol substrate 32 and press against it, or it may be in contact with a separate component such as the heating chamber 10, causing the separate component itself to heat the aerosol substrate 32 by conduction, convection, and / or radiation.

[0060] The heater may be driven electrically, by combustion, or by any other suitable means. Electrically driven heaters may include resistive track elements (optionally including insulating packaging), induction heating systems (e.g., including electromagnets and high-frequency oscillators), etc. The heater 20 may be positioned around the outside of the aerosol substrate 32, penetrate partway or completely into the aerosol substrate 32, or any combination thereof. For example, instead of the heater 20 in the embodiments described above, the aerosol generator may have a blade-type heater extending into the aerosol substrate within a heating chamber.

[0061] The aerosol substrate 32 may contain tobacco, for example, in a dried or cured form, and may have additional components for flavor or to provide a smoother or more satisfying experience. In some examples, the aerosol substrate 32, such as tobacco, may be treated with a vaporizer. The vaporizer may improve the generation of vapor from the aerosol substrate 32. The vaporizer may include, for example, a polyol such as glycerol or a glycol such as propylene glycol. In some cases, the aerosol substrate 32 may not contain tobacco or even nicotine, and instead may contain natural or artificially derived components to provide flavor, volatility, smoothness and / or other satisfying effects. The aerosol substrate 32 may be provided as a solid or paste-type material in the form of shredded, pelletized, powdered, granular, stripped or sheeted material, or optionally a combination thereof. Similarly, the aerosol substrate 32 may be a liquid or a gel. In fact, in some examples, both a solid portion and a liquid / gel portion may be included.

[0062] Therefore, the aerosol generator 1 can be referred to as a "heated tobacco device," a "heated non-combustion tobacco device," a "tobacco product vaporizer," etc., and is interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices designed to vaporize any aerosol substrate.

[0063] As used herein, the terms “aerosol” and “vapor” are interchangeable and refer to suspended particles or droplets of any size. Similarly, the term “vaporize” means to change into vapor or to change into vapor, and the term “aerosolize” means to make into an aerosol and / or disperse into an aerosol.

Claims

1. Aerosol generator, A tubular heating chamber having an opening positioned to receive consumables, A heater having a heating region extending over a portion of the entire length of the tubular heating chamber, wherein the heating region has a first end closest to the opening and a second end on the opposite side, An elongated consumable is arranged to be received so as to be located along the length of the heating chamber, the consumable includes an aerosol substrate extending over a portion of the total length of the consumable, the length of which the aerosol substrate is greater than the length of the heating area, and the consumable and Equipped with, The heating chamber and the consumables are configured such that when the consumables are received into the heating chamber, the first end of the heating region aligns with the first end of the aerosol substrate so that the second end of the aerosol substrate extends beyond the second end of the heating region. Aerosol generator.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the heating chamber has an open end, and the heating chamber has a closed end on the opposite side.

3. The aerosol generator according to claim 2, wherein the closed end has a recess extending into the heating chamber.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heating region extends from the first end of the aerosol substrate over a length exceeding half the length of the aerosol substrate.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heating region extends from the first end of the aerosol substrate to less than 90% of the length of the aerosol substrate.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heating region extends from the first end of the aerosol substrate over 3 / 4 to 7 / 8 of the length of the aerosol substrate.

7. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second end of the aerosol substrate is located at the end of the consumable, and the aligned first end of the aerosol substrate and the heating area is positioned at an intermediate position along the length of the consumable.

8. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the consumable has an aerosol cooling region extending over a portion of the length of the consumable, and the aerosol cooling region includes a hollow tubular portion of the consumable.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the aerosol substrate includes tobacco.

10. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the heater is configured to heat the aerosol substrate to a high temperature so as to release an aerosol without burning the consumables.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the heater is configured to heat the aerosol substrate to a maximum temperature of 150°C to 350°C.

12. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the opening of the heating chamber has an open end, the heating chamber has a closed end on the opposite side, and the heating chamber and the consumables are configured such that during use, air flows in from the open end of the chamber, passes through an air passage between the heating chamber and the consumables, and reaches the aerosol substrate.

13. The aerosol generator according to claim 12, wherein the heating chamber and the consumables are arranged such that the air passage passes through the heating region in order to preheat the air before it reaches the aerosol substrate.

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