Aerosol supply device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol supply device for generating aerosols from aerosol-generating materials. [Solution] An aerosol supply device 102 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material comprises a power supply 130, a receptacle 114 defining a heating region configured to receive at least a portion of an article 104 containing the aerosol-generating material, and a flow channel member extending from the receptacle, wherein the power supply makes thermal conduction contact with the flow channel member to provide heat transfer between the power supply and the flow channel member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The present invention also relates to an aerosol supply system including an aerosol supply device and an article containing an aerosol generating material.

Background Art

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

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating material, comprising a power source, a receptacle defining a heating region configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing the aerosol generating material, and a flow path member extending from the receptacle, the power source being in thermal conductive contact with the flow path member to provide heat transfer between the power source and the flow path member.

[0004] The thermal conductive contact may be configured to transfer heat from the power source to the flow path member.

[0005] The power source may be a battery.

[0006] The battery may at least partially surround at least a portion of the flow path member.

[0007] The flow path member defines a flow path.

[0008] The battery may be a wound battery.

[0009] Soft cell batteries are also acceptable.

[0010] The battery may extend around at least one-third of the circumference of the flow channel member.

[0011] The battery may extend around at least half of the circumference of the flow channel member.

[0012] The aerosol supply device may further include a heating assembly comprising a heating element configured to heat a heating region.

[0013] The power supply may be configured to provide energy for heating the heating element.

[0014] The power supply may be located away from the heating assembly.

[0015] The heating assembly may be an induction heating assembly.

[0016] The heating assembly may be a resistance heating assembly.

[0017] The heat conduction contact may be direct heat conduction contact.

[0018] The outside of the power supply may be in contact with the flow path member.

[0019] The thermal conduction contact may be indirect thermal conduction contact.

[0020] The aerosol supply device may include a conductive member between the power supply and the flow path member.

[0021] The conductive member may support the power supply.

[0022] The conductive member may at least partially surround at least a portion of the flow channel member.

[0023] The conductive member may be formed integrally with the flow path member.

[0024] The conductive member may support a power source.

[0025] The aerosol supply device may include an air inlet, and the flow path member may be located between the air inlet and the receptacle.

[0026] The aerosol supply device may include a filter cavity, and the flow path member may be located between the filter cavity and the receptacle.

[0027] The aerosol supply device may include a suction port, and the flow path member may be located between the suction port and the receptacle.

[0028] The aerosol supply device may include a plurality of batteries each in thermal contact with the flow path member.

[0029] The outer surface of the flow path member may be formed of a thermally conductive material.

[0030] The thermally conductive material may include aluminum.

[0031] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply system is provided that includes an aerosol supply device according to any of the above and an article including an aerosol-generating material adapted to be at least partially received in a receptacle.

[0032] Here, embodiments will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view of an aerosol generation system including an aerosol generation device, an article containing an aerosol-generating material, and a filter element is shown. [Figure 2]A cross-sectional view of another aerosol generation system is shown, which includes an aerosol generation device, an article containing an aerosol generation material, and a filter element. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view of yet another aerosol generation system is shown, which includes an aerosol generation device, an article containing an aerosol generation material, and a filter element. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” refers to a material that can generate an aerosol when heated, irradiated, or electrically charged, for example, by other means. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. The aerosol-generating material may contain any plant-derived substance, such as tobacco-containing substances, and may include one or more of the following: tobacco, tobacco derivatives, puffed tobacco, re-tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol-generating material may also contain other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, or wax. The aerosol-generating material may also be, for example, a combination or blend of materials. The aerosol-generating material may also be known as “smoked material.”

[0035] The aerosol-generating material may include a binder and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, an active substance and / or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent such as water may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant-based materials. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0036] The aerosol-generating material may include, or may be, an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be a monolithic solid. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material capable of holding some fluid, such as a liquid, within itself. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may include, for example, about 50% by weight, 60% by weight, or 70% by weight of amorphous solid, or about 90% by weight, 95% by weight, or 100% by weight of amorphous solid.

[0037] The aerosol-generating material may include an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may include or may include sheets that can be optionally shredded to form shredded sheets. The aerosol-generating sheets or shredded sheets may not substantially contain tobacco.

[0038] According to this disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol supply system is one in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials (or their components) of the aerosol supply system are not burned or incinerated in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to the user.

[0039] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol supply system.

[0040] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an e-cigarette, also known as a vaporizing device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0041] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustible heating system. An example of such a system is a cigarette heating system.

[0042] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of one or more aerosol-generating materials, each of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0043] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol supply system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol supply device and consumables for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply device.

[0044] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating materials and configured for use with non-combustible aerosol supply devices. These consumables may be referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0045] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as the non-combustible aerosol supply device, may include a power supply and a controller. The power supply may be, for example, a power supply or a heat-generating power supply. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power supply includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or heat-transfer material adjacent to the heat-generating power supply.

[0046] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system may include a region for receiving consumables, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating region, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0047] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may include aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, packaging material, a filter, a suction nozzle, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0048] An aerosol generating device can receive an article containing an aerosol generating material for heating. In this context, “article” refers to a component that contains or is contained in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilize the aerosol generating material, and optionally, other components in use. A user can insert an article into the aerosol generating device before it is heated to generate an aerosol, and the user then inhales the aerosol. The article may be of a predetermined or specific size, for example, configured to be placed in a heating chamber of a device sized to receive an article.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary aerosol generation system 100. The system 100 comprises an aerosol generation device 102 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material and consumables 105. The consumables 105 include an article 104 containing the aerosol-generating material and a filter element 106 for filtering air that has passed through the article 104. The article 104 and the filter element 106 are separate, individual elements. The article 104 functions as an aerosol-generating element. The article 104 is replaceable. The filter element 106 is replaceable. Although described herein as consumables, it will be understood that the article 104 and the filter element 106 may be detachably provided and may be detachably replaceable. The filter element 106 protrudes from the device 102 and is received by the user's mouth. When the user is not using the article 104 as a mouthpiece, the article 104 can be fully received by the device 102. In embodiments, the article 104 protrudes from the device 102 to facilitate insertion and removal. In other embodiments, device 102 has an integrated mouthpiece. In such embodiments, the filter element may be omitted.

[0050] Device 102 is a non-combustible aerosol generating device. Device 102 can be used to heat an article 104 containing an aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol or other inhalable material that can be inhaled by the user of Device 102. Device 102 includes an aerosol generator for heating the article 104 containing the aerosol generating material. It will be understood that Device 102 may include other components not shown in Figure 1.

[0051] The device 102 comprises a body 103 defining a longitudinal axis 108, and the article 104 and filter element 106 extend along this longitudinal axis 108 when received within the device 102. The device 102 is configured such that airflow passing through the device 102 enters one end 110 of the body 103, exits the other end 112 of the body 103, and moves substantially along the longitudinal axis 108. The device 102 is elongated and has two ends 110, 112.

[0052] The first end 110 can receive an article 104, and the second end 112 can receive a filter element 106. A receptacle 114 for receiving the article 104 is defined at the first end 110. The receptacle 114 functions as an article receptacle. The receptacle 114 defines a heating region. A cavity 116 for receiving the filter element 106 is located at the second end 112. The cavity 116 functions as a filter cavity. The cavity 116 defines an air inlet. Both ends 110, 112 of the device are flat, and the device 102 has a substantially tubular profile with a substantially elliptical cross-section. However, alternative elongated shapes may be provided, and the ends 110, 112 do not have to be flat.

[0053] The main body 103 has end faces 110 and 112 of the device 102. The second end 112 of the device 102 closest to the cavity 116 may also be called the proximal end 112 (or mouth end) of the device 102, as it is closest to the user's mouth during use. During use, the user inserts the filter element 106 into the cavity 116 and operates the aerosol generator to start heating the aerosol-generating material in the article receptacle 114 and aspirates the aerosol generated in the device 102. This causes the aerosol to flow through the device 102 along a channel toward the proximal end 112 of the device 102.

[0054] The other first end 110 of the device 102, furthest from the cavity 116, may also be called the distal end 110 of the device 102, as it is the end furthest from the user's mouth during use. When the user inhales the aerosol generated by the device 102, the aerosol flows toward the proximal end 112 of the device 102. The terms proximal and distal, applied to the features of the device 102, are explained by referring to the relative positional relationship of the features toward each other in the proximal and distal directions along the longitudinal axis 108.

[0055] The receptacle 114 is substantially cylindrical in shape. The receptacle 114 extends into the device 102 at its distal end 112. The central axis of the receptacle 114 extends along the longitudinal axis 108 of the device 102. In other embodiments, the receptacle may not be cylindrical and may have, for example, an elliptical or rectangular cross-section. The receptacle 114 is molded to complement or match the shape of the replaceable article 104 so that the article 104 fits into the receptacle 114. The receptacle 114 is open at the first end 110 of the device 102 so that the replaceable article 104 can be placed therein.

[0056] The cavity 116 is also substantially cylindrical in shape. The central axis of the cavity 116 coincides with the longitudinal axis 108 of the device, and it is also open at a second end, i.e., the proximal end 112, so that the filter element 106 can be placed inside it. The cavity 116 is shaped to complement or match the shape of the filter element 106 so that the filter element 106 fits into the cavity 116. The cavity 116 has the same diameter as the receptacle 114. However, the cavity 116 may have a larger or smaller diameter than the receptacle 114.

[0057] Device 102 includes a flow path 118 (also called a passage 118) extending between the receptacle 114 and the cavity 116. The flow path 118 provides a path for airflow through device 102. Device 102 includes a converging portion 122 between the receptacle 114 and the flow path 118. In the converging portion 122, the cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the receptacle 114 toward the flow path 118. This may help avoid increased flow turbulence. In other embodiments, the converging portion is absent.

[0058] The flow path 118 extends directly from the receptacle 114 to the cavity 116. However, in other embodiments, the flow path 118 does not have to extend directly from the receptacle 114 to the cavity 116, and there may be other components or flow paths between them. The flow path 118 is in fluid communication with both the receptacle 114 and the cavity 116, allowing air to flow from the receptacle 114 to the cavity 116.

[0059] The channel 118 has an elongated shape. The channel 118 acts to separate the cavity 116 from the receptacle 114. The channel 118 increases the distance between the cavity 116 and the receptacle 114 and the length of the channel.

[0060] The illustrated channel 118 is cylindrical. However, other elongated shapes, such as elongated shapes with elliptical or square cross-sections, may be provided. The central axis of the illustrated channel 118 is linear, but in other embodiments, the central axis is not linear, and the channel 118 follows a nonlinear path. The channel 118 may have a length-to-diameter ratio of at least 5, and in embodiments, at least 10. The cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 118 is smaller than the cross-sectional areas of both the receptacle 114 and the cavity 116. This may help the channel 118 provide resistance (by friction) to the airflow through it. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 118 may be the same as or larger than the cross-sectional areas of the receptacle 114 and the cavity 116. In this embodiment, one channel 118 is shown, but in other embodiments, multiple channels 118 are provided.

[0061] The airflow path 118 is defined by a tubular member 120 within the device 102. The tubular member 120 functions as an airflow channel. When air flows through the passage 118, the inner surface of the tubular member 120 exerts a frictional force on the airflow in the opposite direction to the airflow direction. This frictional force can be felt by the user when inhaling. In this embodiment, the tubular member 120 is a separate component, but in other embodiments, the tubular member 120 may be integrated with the main body 103 of the device.

[0062] Device 102 has a shoulder portion 124 between the passage 118 and the cavity 116. The shoulder portion 124 acts as a stopper for the filter element 106 when inserted into the cavity 116, limiting the insertion of the filter element 106 into the cavity 116. In other embodiments, the stopper for the filter element 106 is provided in the form of a flange or other projection. The stopper is configured such that the filter element 106 protrudes from the cavity 116. The projection can be used as a mouthpiece. In embodiments, device 102 includes a mouthpiece. In such embodiments, the cavity 116 may be configured to fully receive the filter element 106.

[0063] Device 102 may include user-operable control elements (not shown), such as buttons or switches, that operate when operated, for example, when pressed. For example, a user can activate device 102 by pressing a switch.

[0064] Device 102 includes an aerosol generator for heating a replaceable article 104 containing an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol generator includes a heating assembly 126. The heating assembly 126 is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material inserted into device 102 so that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol-generating material.

[0065] The apparatus may also include a controller for controlling the heating provided by the heating assembly 126. The control circuit, if present, may be configured to activate and deactivate the heating assembly 126 based on user operation of control elements. For example, controller 128 may activate the heating assembly 126 in response to user operation of a switch (not shown).

[0066] Device 102 includes a power supply 130 that supplies power to a heating assembly 126. The heating assembly 126 converts the supplied electrical energy into thermal energy for heating the aerosol-generating material.

[0067] The illustrated power source 130 is a rechargeable battery 130. Suitable battery examples include, for example, lithium batteries (such as lithium-ion batteries), nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries. Device 102 includes a port 131 for recharging the battery 130. The port 131 is located on the side of the body 103, at an axial position different from that of the battery 130. However, the port 131 may be located at any suitable position on device 102, for example, at the same axial position as the battery 130, or at the ends 110, 112 of device 102. The number of illustrated ports 131 may be greater or less. In other embodiments, device 102 does not have a port 131, and the battery is removed for recharging. In other embodiments, the battery cannot be recharged.

[0068] Although one battery 130 is shown, two or more batteries may be provided, and each battery may be in thermal contact with a different portion of the passage 118.

[0069] The battery 130 is a wound battery surrounding the passage 118. The battery 130 is cylindrical in shape. The battery 130 extends axially along more than half of the passage 118. The battery 130 is in direct thermal contact with the tubular member 120. Direct thermal contact means that the two components are in direct contact with each other. When used to supply power to the heating assembly 126, the temperature of the battery 130 itself rises. Because the battery 130 is in thermal contact with the tubular member 120, as the temperature of the battery 130 rises, thermal energy is transferred from the battery 130 to the tubular member 120 by conduction. The tubular member 120 is heated by the battery 130 due to the thermal contact between them. Heating the tubular member 120 heats the airflow through the passage 118 (indicated by the arrow). The battery 130 may be a soft cell battery.

[0070] In this embodiment, the battery 130 partially surrounds the passage 118, but instead, it may surround only a portion of the passage 118, for example, one-third or half of its circumference, in the circumferential direction. The larger the circumference of the passage 118 that the battery 130 surrounds, the more efficiently the battery 130 can heat by conduction. Furthermore, a larger battery 130 can have a higher potential relative to the heating assembly 126. However, it may be desirable for the battery 130 to cover only half or less of the circumference of the passage 118, because this helps to provide more space for other components within the device 120, and may facilitate maintenance and manufacturing as it makes it easier to manufacture the battery and insert it into the device 120.

[0071] In other embodiments, the battery 130 may not extend axially along most of the passage 118, but may extend along a small portion (i.e., less than half) of the passage 118. The advantage of the battery 130 extending axially along most of the passage 118 is that it can provide conductive heating along a longer length of the passage 118, and therefore provide more effective heating to the airflow through the passage 118. The battery 130 extending axially along a portion of the passage 118 may be useful because it can help provide more space within the device 102 for other components (e.g., control systems and switch systems).

[0072] In the illustrated battery 130, the battery 130 is in direct thermal contact with the tubular member 120, but in other embodiments, the battery 130 may be indirectly in thermal contact with the tubular member 120 (as will be described in more detail in relation to Figure 3). In yet another embodiment, the tubular member 120 and the battery 130 may be integrally formed such that the inner surface of the battery 130 provides at least a portion of the surface of the passage 118.

[0073] A device 102 having a passage 118 can be more elongated than a device 102 without a passage 118. This can be advantageous because it may make the device 102 more ergonomic and user-friendly. For example, the device 102 may resemble a cigarette more. Heating by the battery 130 also provides a more efficient device because the heat generated by the battery 130 is not wasted. Supplemental heating of the passage 118 by the battery helps minimize condensation formation within the passage 118. Heating the passage 118 using residual heat from the battery 130 can increase the efficiency of the device because the heating performed by the heating assembly can be directed to heat the aerosol-generating heating material and can be at least partially isolated from the tubular member 120.

[0074] The power supply 130 is electrically coupled to the heating assembly 126 to supply power as needed. The power supply 130 may be controlled by a controller, if present.

[0075] The heating assembly 126 may include various components for heating the aerosol-generating material of article 104 via an induction heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating a conductive heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. The induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a fluctuating current, such as an alternating current, through the inductive element. The fluctuating current in the inductive element generates a fluctuating magnetic field. The fluctuating magnetic field penetrates a heating element appropriately positioned relative to the inductive element, generating eddy currents inside the heating element. The heating element is also known as a susceptor. Because the heating element has electrical resistance to eddy currents, the eddy currents flow against this resistance, causing the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. If the heating element contains a ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis loss within the susceptor, i.e., by the fluctuation of the orientation of magnetic dipoles as a result of the magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material aligning with the fluctuating magnetic field. In induction heating, compared to, for example, conduction heating, heat is generated within the heating element, enabling rapid heating. Furthermore, physical contact between the induction element and the heating element is not required, increasing the flexibility of structure and application.

[0076] The device includes a heating element 132. The heating element 132 is in the form of an elongated member that protrudes into the receptacle 114. The elongated member may be configured, for example, as a pin or a blade. The heating element 132 extends into the article 104 when the article 104 is inserted into the device 102. The heating element 132 functions as an internal heating element. The heating element 132 functions to heat the article 104. In other embodiments, the heating element 132 may be an external heating element. In embodiments, the heating element surrounds the article 104, or the device 102 may have both internal and external heating elements. The external heating element surrounds the heating area. In embodiments, the heating element defines the heating area. The heating element forms at least a portion of the receptacle 114.

[0077] In other embodiments, the feature functioning as the heating element 132 is not limited to induction heating. The feature functioning as the heating element may be heatable by electrical resistance, for example. The aerosol generator 200 may be equipped with electrical contacts for electrical connection to a device for electrically operating the heating element by passing a flow of electrical energy through the heating element. Such resistance heating may be provided for different elements.

[0078] The arrows in Figure 1 indicate the airflow path when device 102 is in use. As shown, article 104 is placed inside receptacle 114. When in use, the user heats article 104 by turning on device 102. Once article 104 is sufficiently heated so that device 102 begins to supply aerosol-generating material, the user can inhale the aerosol-generating material using filter element 106 as a mouthpiece. As indicated by the arrows, this inhalation causes air to flow from the first end 110 into receptacle 114, where it combines with the aerosol generated in article 104. The aerosol then travels through the device and through filter element 116 to the user. The airflow path is defined by receptacle 114, at least one hole (not shown) in the wall 134 at the end of receptacle 114 (in other embodiments, no wall is provided), convergence portion 122, passage 118, and filter element 106. As the aerosol travels along this path, the user can inhale it, and the user can ingest the aerosol generated by item 104. As air flows through passage 118, it is heated by conduction by battery 118.

[0079] The filter element 106 functions as a filter to prevent the user from inhaling particles of a certain size and / or type. The amount and type of filtration can be selected according to the device at hand and the user's preference.

[0080] Another embodiment of the aerosol generation system 200 is shown in Figure 2. The features of the above-described configuration are applicable to the configuration described below, but for clarity, a detailed explanation is omitted. Similar reference numerals in this embodiment represent features equivalent to those described in the above-described embodiment.

[0081] The system 200 shown in Figure 2 differs from the system 100 shown in Figure 1 in that both the filter element 206 and the aerosol product 204 are received on the second side 212 of the device 202. The consumable comprises the article 204 and the filter element 206 and is inserted into the second end 112. The consumable may be inserted as a single element into a receptacle 214 formed on the second side 212 of the device 202. In other embodiments, the article 204 and the filter element 206 are separate components, and the filter element 206 is inserted into the receptacle 214 at least partially after the article 204 has been inserted into the receptacle 214. The passage 218 extends from the first end 110 to the receptacle 214. The consumable containing the aerosol-generating material is received at the proximal end 212 of the device 202. The passage 118 extends from the air inlet 209. The air inlet 209 is located at the distal end 210 of the device 202. The passage 218 extends between the receptacle 214 and the air inlet 209.

[0082] Battery 203 is similar to battery 103 described in relation to Figure 1. Battery 203 is in thermal contact with the tubular member 220, heating the airflow through the passage 218. In other words, the airflow flowing into the passage 218 from the second side surface 212 is heated by conduction from battery 218, so that when the air reaches the receptacle 214, its temperature is higher than if the battery were not in thermal contact with the tubular member 220. Battery 230 in this embodiment offers similar advantages to battery 130 described in Figure 1.

[0083] Another embodiment of the aerosol generation system 300 is shown in Figure 3. The features of the above-described configuration are applicable to the configuration described below, but for clarity, a detailed explanation is omitted. Similar reference numerals in this embodiment represent features equivalent to those described in the above-described embodiment.

[0084] The system 300 shown in Figure 3 differs from the system 100 shown in Figure 1 in that the battery 330 and the tubular member 320 are indirectly in thermal contact rather than directly. Such a configuration can be applied to the embodiments described above with reference to either Figure 1 or Figure 2. A component 331 acting as a conductive member is positioned between the tubular member 320 and the battery 330. As the temperature of the battery 330 rises, the battery 330 heats the component 331, and then heats the tubular member 320. Thus, the battery 330 indirectly heats the tubular member 320 through conductivity. This heats the air flowing through the passage 318 when the system 300 is in use. The component 331 may be formed from a thermally conductive material, such as a metal. The component 331 may function to support the battery 330. The component 331 may be formed integrally with the tubular member 320.

[0085] In any of the embodiments described, the device 102 may be configured to heat an article by generating a fluctuating magnetic field configured to heat a susceptor heating element placed within the article. That is, the article itself may have a heating element. When placed in a heating region, the heating element placed within the article generates heat in the presence of the fluctuating magnetic field, thereby heating the article and generating aerosolized material from the aerosol-generating material.

[0086] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or to equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably include, consist of, or essentially consist of, disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Furthermore, this disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply device for generating aerosols from aerosol-generating materials, Power supply and A receptacle defining a heating region configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing an aerosol-generating material, A flow channel member extending from the receptacle, Equipped with, The power supply makes thermal conduction contact with the flow channel member, providing heat transfer between the power supply and the flow channel member. An aerosol supply device wherein the thermal conduction contact is indirect thermal conduction contact, and the aerosol supply device includes a conductive member between the power supply and the flow path member.

2. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the heat conduction contact is configured to transfer heat from the power source to the flow channel member.

3. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.

4. The aerosol supply device according to claim 3, wherein the battery surrounds at least a portion of the flow channel member.

5. The aerosol supply device according to claim 3, wherein the battery is a wound battery and / or a soft cell battery.

6. The aerosol supply device according to claim 3, wherein the battery extends around at least one-third of the circumference of the flow channel member.

7. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a heating assembly including a heating element configured to heat the heating region.

8. The aerosol supply device according to claim 7, wherein the power supply is configured to supply energy for heating the heating element.

9. The aerosol supply device according to claim 7, wherein the heating assembly is an induction heating assembly.

10. The aerosol supply device according to claim 7, wherein the heating assembly is a resistance heating assembly.

11. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the heat conduction contact is a direct heat conduction contact.

12. The aerosol supply device according to claim 11, wherein the outside of the power supply is in contact with the flow channel member.

13. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive member surrounds at least a portion of the flow channel member.

14. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive member is formed integrally with the flow channel member.

15. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, comprising an air inlet, wherein the flow channel member is located between the air inlet and the receptacle.

16. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, comprising a filter cavity, wherein the flow channel member is located between the filter cavity and the receptacle.

17. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, comprising a suction port, wherein the flow channel member is located between the suction port and the receptacle.

18. an aerosol supply system, The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, An article comprising an aerosol-generating material adapted to be at least partially received within the receptacle, an aerosol supply system equipped with the following features.

19. An aerosol supply device for generating aerosols from aerosol-generating materials, Power supply and A receptacle defining a heating region configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing an aerosol-generating material, A flow channel member extending from the receptacle, Equipped with, The power supply makes thermal conduction contact with the flow channel member, providing heat transfer between the power supply and the flow channel member. An aerosol supply device in which the power supply surrounds at least a portion of the flow channel member.

Images