Aerosol generation device, and related removable cartridge and aerosol generation set

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device (12) designed to operate with a removable cartridge (14) and including a device body (40) extending along a device axis (Y), and a heater including a heater contact surface (54). The device body (40) defines a cavity (60) bounded by cavity walls (62, 63, 64) that define an inner cavity surface (61), and the heater contact surface (54) is adjacent to the inner cavity surface (61). The cavity walls (62, 63, 64) include a support wall (62). The cavity (60) is configured to receive the removable cartridge (14) so ​​that the cartridge axis (X) is aligned with the device axis (Y), and at least the support wall (62) applies pressure to the mouthpiece end (21) of the cartridge body (20) to abut the aerosol generating element contact surface (34) of the removable cartridge (14) against the heater contact surface (54).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The present invention also relates to a removable cartridge and an aerosol generating set related to the aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0003] Different types of aerosol generating devices are already known in the art. Generally, such devices include a storage part for storing an aerosol-forming precursor, which may contain, for example, a liquid or a solid. The heating system is formed from one or more electrically actuated resistive heating elements arranged to heat the precursor to generate an aerosol. The aerosol is discharged into a flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet of the device. The outlet can be arranged as a mouthpiece through which the user inhales to deliver the aerosol.

[0004] In some aerosol generating devices, the precursor is stored in a removable cartridge. Thus, the cartridge can be easily removed and replaced when the precursor is consumed. For example, a screw connection can be used to attach the removable cartridge to the device body.

[0005] In a recent trend, there is a seen a heating system including an aerosol generating element, which is arranged in a vaporization chamber of the cartridge in contact with the precursor and receives heat from a heater arranged in the device body and powered by a battery.

[0006] In such a case, the aerosol generating element includes, for example, a contact surface exposed on the outer surface of the cartridge and designed to contact the heater of the device when the device and the cartridge are connected to each other. Thus, when the cartridge is attached to the device body, heat transfer occurs between the aerosol generating element contact surface and the heater.

[0007] In this case, it is important that there is no air gap between the aerosol generating element contact surface and the heater to ensure good heat transfer efficiency and performance.

[0008] Normally, connecting two elements together is done using a threaded connection. However, in this case, the rotation of each of the elements of the heater system that transfers heat from the device to the cartridge risks changing their outer surfaces, which can lead to the creation of an air gap and a reduction in heat transfer. Summary of the Invention Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] One object of the present invention is to ensure a tight fit connection between a cartridge and an aerosol generating device so as to improve heat transfer between different elements of a heater system disposed between the cartridge and the aerosol generating device without changing these elements.

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device designed to operate with a removable cartridge, the removable cartridge including a cartridge body that extends along a cartridge axis between a mouthpiece end and a heat receiving end and defines an outer surface, the removable cartridge further including an aerosol generating element contact surface disposed at the heat receiving end of the cartridge body, The aerosol generating device includes - a device body that extends along a device axis between a mouthpiece end and a battery end, - a battery adjacent to the battery end of the device body, - a heater configured to be powered by the battery and including a heater contact surface, and The device body defines a cavity adjacent to the mouse-piece end of the device body and is partitioned by a cavity wall that defines the inner surface of the cavity. The heater contact surface is adjacent to the inner surface of the cavity. The cavity wall includes a support wall disposed at the mouse-piece end of the device body. The cavity is configured to receive a removable cartridge such that the cartridge axis aligns with the device axis. At least the support wall applies pressure to the mouse-piece end of the cartridge body to bring the aerosol-generating element contact surface of the removable cartridge into contact with the heater contact surface.

[0011] Thanks to these features, the aerosol-generating element contact surface is pressed against the heater contact surface, ensuring efficient heat transfer during device use when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the support wall defines an opening that forms an aerosol outlet when the removable cartridge is received within the cavity.

[0013] Thanks to these functions, the formed aerosol can be discharged from the cavity.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the aerosol includes a mouthpiece attached to the mouse-piece end of the device body.

[0015] Thanks to these features, the user can use the aerosol-generating device even if the cartridge does not define a compatible mouthpiece.

[0016] According to some embodiments, the aerosol includes an elastic member configured to support the heater and press the heater contact surface against the aerosol-generating element contact surface of the removable cartridge when the removable cartridge is received within the cavity.

[0017] Due to these features, when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity, better heat transfer can be achieved between the aerosol generating element contact surface and the heater contact surface.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the heater contact surface is arranged substantially perpendicular to the device axis.

[0019] Due to these features, a compact shape of the cartridge as well as the cavity can be obtained.

[0020] According to some embodiments, at least one cavity wall includes an insertion opening suitable for the insertion of the removable cartridge.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the insertion opening extends along the device axis and forms a side opening with respect to the device body.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the cavity is formed by a fixed part and a movable part, and when the movable part is moved so as to be at least partially separated from the fixed part, an insertion opening suitable for the insertion of the removable cartridge is formed.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the movable part includes a support wall, and the heater is adjacent to the fixed part. Preferably, when the movable part is moved so as to be at least partially separated from the fixed part, the movable part is adapted to at least partially receive the removable cartridge.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the movable part is hinged to the fixed part.

[0025] Due to these features, the cartridge can be easily inserted into, attached to, and removed from the cavity.

[0026] The present invention relates to a removable cartridge, the removable cartridge including a cartridge body that extends between a mouthpiece end and a heat receiving end along a cartridge axis and defines an outer surface, the removable cartridge further including an aerosol generating element contact surface disposed at the heat receiving end of the cartridge body. The removable cartridge is characterized in that it is adapted to be received within a cavity of an aerosol generating device as defined below.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the mouthpiece end of the cartridge body forms a mouthpiece.

[0028] Thanks to these features, the mouthpiece end of the cartridge body can be used as a mouthpiece and thus can be removed periodically and replaced with a new one.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating element contact surface includes a flexible or deformable material.

[0030] Thanks to these features, when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity, better heat transfer can be achieved between the aerosol generating element contact surface and the heater contact surface.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating element contact surface is disposed substantially perpendicular to the cartridge axis.

[0032] Thanks to these features, a compact shape of the cartridge as well as the aerosol generating device can be obtained.

[0033] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating set, the aerosol generating set including - an aerosol generating device as defined below, and - a removable cartridge as defined below.

[0034] The present invention and its advantages are given by way of non-limiting example only and will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0036] Before describing the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of the structures described in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the present invention is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0037] As used herein, the terms "aerosol generating device" or "device" may include a vapor inhalation device for delivering an aerosol containing an aerosol for vapor inhalation to a user by an aerosol generating unit (e.g., an aerosol generating element that generates vapor that condenses into an aerosol, such as for a user to inhale, e.g., at the outlet of the device in a mouthpiece before being delivered to the user). The device may be portable. "Portable" may refer to a device for use while held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol (as opposed to a fixed amount of aerosol), e.g., by operating a heating system over a variable amount of time, which may be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be something that can be actuated by the user, such as a vapor inhalation button and / or an inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to inhalation intensity as well as inhalation duration and be capable of providing a variable amount of vapor (resulting in mimicking the smoking effect of conventional combustible smoking devices such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes). The device may include a temperature control unit for driving the temperature of the heater and / or the heated aerosol-generating substance (aerosol precursor) to a specific target temperature and then maintaining the temperature at the target temperature to enable efficient generation of the aerosol.

[0038] As used herein, the term "aerosol" may include a suspension of precursors as one or more of solid particles, droplets, and gases. The suspension may be in the state of a gas containing air. The aerosol herein may generally refer to / include vapor. The aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor.

[0039] As used herein, the terms "aerosol-forming precursor", or "precursor", or "aerosol-forming substance", or "substance" may refer to one or more of a liquid, solid, gel, mousse, foam, or other substance. The precursor may be processable by a heating system of a device to form an aerosol, as defined herein. The precursor may contain one or more of nicotine, caffeine, or other active ingredients. The active ingredient may be carried by a carrier, which may be a liquid. The carrier may contain propylene glycol or glycerin. Also, flavorants may be present. The flavorants may include ethyl vanillin (vanilla), menthol, isoamyl acetate (banana oil), or the like. The solid aerosol-forming substance may be in the form of a rod containing a processed tobacco material, a pressed sheet, or an oriented strip of reconstituted tobacco (RTB).

[0040] As used herein, the term "substantially perpendicular" when used with respect to two elements means that the angle formed between these two elements consists of 75° to 105°, preferably 80° to 100°, and more preferably 85° to 95°.

[0041] The first embodiment of the present invention Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating set 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an aerosol generating device 12 and a removable cartridge 14.

[0042] The removable cartridge 14 is designed to store a precursor capable of forming an aerosol. The precursor can be stored in solid or liquid form. As will be described in more detail below, the removable cartridge 14 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 12 and, in such an insertion position, is designed to heat or vaporize the precursor using a heating system disposed between the cartridge 14 and the aerosol generating device 12. The heating system will also be described in more detail below. When the precursor is consumed, the removable cartridge 14 is designed to be replaced. In some other embodiments, the cartridge 14 is designed to be refilled with the precursor.

[0043] The removable cartridge 14 includes a cartridge body 20 extending along a cartridge axis X between a mouthpiece end 21 and a heat receiving end 22. In the example of FIG. 1, the cartridge body 20 is in the shape of a parallelepiped, although any other suitable shape is also possible. For example, the cartridge body 20 may be cylindrical, extending along the cartridge axis X, or of any more complex shape, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 12 and / or the nature of the precursor.

[0044] The cartridge body 20 includes a cartridge wall partitioning a precursor chamber 24 adapted to store the precursor. Additionally, depending on the nature of the precursor, the precursor chamber 24 can be divided into a plurality of compartments. At least one of these compartments is designed, for example, to vaporize the precursor when the precursor is in liquid form or to direct the precursor or the aerosol. These compartment structures are known per se and are not shown in FIG. 1.

[0045] The cartridge wall can be rigid or at least partially flexible. The cartridge wall defines the outer surface 26 of the cartridge body 20. These walls include at least one cartridge front wall disposed at the mouthpiece end 21 of the cartridge body 20, at least one cartridge rear wall disposed at the heat receiving end 22 of the cartridge body 20, and one or more cartridge side walls extending along the cartridge axis X between the cartridge front wall and the cartridge rear wall. The cartridge front wall and the cartridge rear wall are, for example, substantially perpendicular to the cartridge axis X.

[0046] The cartridge wall further defines an aerosol outlet 28, preferably an air inlet 29. The aerosol outlet 28 is disposed, for example, at the mouthpiece end 21 of the cartridge body 20 on the cartridge front wall and presents an opening in fluid communication with the precursor chamber 24. Thus, the aerosol outlet 28 enables the aerosol to exit the precursor chamber 24. The air inlet 29 includes, for example, an opening disposed at the heat receiving end 22 of the device on the cartridge side wall. The air inlet 29 enables air to enter the precursor chamber 24 while the user is inhaling.

[0047] The removable cartridge 14 is part of the heating system of the aerosol generating set 10 and further includes an aerosol generating element 32 designed to generate an aerosol from the precursor stored in the precursor chamber 24.

[0048] The aerosol generating element 32 is disposed at the heat receiving end 22 of the cartridge body 20 and is configured to transfer heat to the precursor from at least another component of the heater system disposed in the aerosol generating device 12. For this purpose, the aerosol generating element 32 defines a contact surface 34 designed to contact the said other element of the heater system when the removable cartridge 14 is connected to the aerosol generating device 12, and a heating surface 35 designed to contact the precursor.

[0049] In particular, the heating surface 35 forms part of the inner surface of the precursor chamber 24 or projects from this inner surface inside the chamber 24. The contact surface 34 forms part of the outer surface 26 of the cartridge body 20, for example, or projects at least slightly from this outer surface 26. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the contact surface 34 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the cartridge axis X. In some embodiments of the invention, the contact surface 34 comprises a flexible or deformable material.

[0050] According to different embodiments of the invention, the aerosol generating element 32 presents a heat transfer plate, a blade, a wick, a sponge structure, or any other suitable form that enables heat transfer to the precursor. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating element 32 can be integrated into the rear wall of the cartridge.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows another possible exemplary implementation of the removable cartridge 14.

[0052] According to this example, the removable cartridge 14 differs from the cartridge 14 described with reference to FIG. 1 only in the shape of the cartridge front wall. In particular, according to the example of FIG. 2, the cartridge body 20 includes a cartridge front wall 38 that extends along the cartridge axis X in a funnel shape, and the aerosol outlet 28 is arranged at the funnel end. In this case, the cartridge front wall 38 forms a mouthpiece intended to contact the user's mouth when the aerosol generating device 12 is operating.

[0053] According to other embodiments (not shown), the removable cartridge 14 includes a separate mouthpiece designed to be attached to its mouthpiece end 21.

[0054] Referring again to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 12 includes a device body 40 that extends between the mouthpiece end 41 and the battery end 42 along the device axis Y. Inside the device body 40, the aerosol generating device 12 further includes a battery 44, an electrical circuit 45, and a heater 46.

[0055] The battery 44 is disposed at the battery end 42 of the device body 40 and presents a lithium-ion battery, which is known per se and can be charged by an external power source via a suitable plug disposed in the device body 40.

[0056] The electric circuit 45 is configured to electrically connect the heater 46 to the battery 44. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electric circuit 45 includes a switch that can connect or disconnect the heater 46 from the battery 44. According to other embodiments of the present invention, the electric circuit 45 further includes other types of electronic components and / or software components that can control the power supply to the heater.

[0057] Together with the aerosol generating element 32 of the removable cartridge 14, the heater 46 forms the heating system of the aerosol generating set 10. The heater 46 can include a resistor that is powered by the battery 44 to generate heat, and a heater contact surface 54 configured to contact the aerosol generating element contact surface 34 for heat transfer between the heater 46 and the aerosol generating element 32, which will be described in more detail below. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the heater contact surface 54 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the device axis Y.

[0058] In addition, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the heater 46 is attached to a support (not shown in FIG. 1) using an elastic member 56. The elastic member 56 is configured to apply pressure to the heater 46, for example along the device axis Y, so as to press the heater 46 in the direction of the mouthpiece end 41 of the device body 40. The elastic member 56 is formed by, for example, a spring.

[0059] According to another embodiment, the elastic member 56 is disposed at any other location of the device body 40 to apply pressure to the cartridge body 20 substantially along the cartridge axis X, so that the contact surface 34 of the cartridge 14 is brought into contact with the heater contact surface 54. For example, the elastic member 56 can be disposed within the cavity 60 (described in more detail below). In addition, several elastic members can be used within the device body 40. Further, this embodiment can be combined with the previous ones.

[0060] According to the present invention, the device body 40 defines a cavity 60 adjacent to the mouthpiece end 41 of the device body 40 and configured to receive a removable cartridge 14 such that the cartridge axis X coincides with the device axis Y.

[0061] The cavity 60 is partitioned by walls that define an inner cavity surface 61. In particular, the walls partitioning the cavity 60 include, for example, a cavity front wall 62 adjacent to the mouthpiece end 41 of the device body 40 and disposed substantially perpendicular to the device axis Y, a cavity rear wall 63 disposed substantially perpendicular to the device axis Y between the mouthpiece end 41 and the battery end 42 of the device body 40, and one or more cavity side walls 64 extending along the device axis Y between the cavity front wall 62 and the cavity rear wall 63.

[0062] Since the heater 46 is adjacent to the cavity 60, the heater contact surface 54 forms a part of the inner cavity surface 61 or at least slightly protrudes from this surface 61. In one embodiment of the present invention, the heater 46 is disposed such that the heater contact surface 54 protrudes from the cavity rear wall 63. In this case, the heater 46 is integrated with the cavity rear wall 63.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 1, the cavity front wall 62 defines an opening 68 that forms an aerosol outlet and is configured to align with the aerosol outlet 28 of the removable cartridge 14 when inserted into the cavity 60. Additionally, in embodiments where the cartridge 14 includes or defines a mouthpiece, the opening 68 is configured such that the mouthpiece of the cartridge 14 can extend through the opening 68. In other embodiments, the cavity front wall 62 is adapted to form a mouthpiece itself or to receive and attach a separate mouthpiece.

[0064] According to the present invention, at least one cavity wall 62, 63, 64, referred to as a support wall, is configured to apply pressure to the mouthpiece end 21 of the cartridge body 20 to bring the aerosol generating element contact surface 34 of the removable cartridge 14 into contact with the heater contact surface 54. According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the support wall is formed by the cavity front wall 62. Advantageously, this pressure creates a frictional force between the support wall and the cartridge body 20, enabling the removable cartridge 14 to be held in the inserted position.

[0065] According to some embodiments, the cavity 60 further includes fixing means configured to fix the removable cartridge 14 within the cavity in addition to the frictional force.

[0066] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the cavity walls 62, 63, 64 are fixed to the device body 40, and the cavity 60 includes an insertion opening 80 suitable for insertion of the removable cartridge 14. This insertion opening 80 extends, for example, along the device axis Y and is formed in one or more cavity side walls 64. In this case, the insertion opening 80 is a side opening.

[0067] In some embodiments, the insertion opening 80 is formed only on one side surface of the device body 40. In some other embodiments, two insertion openings are formed on two opposite side surfaces of the device body 40, so that the cartridge can be inserted through either opening.

[0068] Finally, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol generating device 12 further includes a shutter (not shown) configured to close or cover the insertion opening 80 when the removable cartridge 14 is inserted into the cavity 60. The shutter can be hinged to the device body 20, for example, or attached using other suitable means.

[0069] Here, the operation of the aerosol generating set 10 will be described.

[0070] First, the aerosol generation 10 is provided. For example, the aerosol generating device 12 and the removable cartridge 14 can be purchased by the user either simultaneously or separately. In this last case, the removable cartridge 14 can be intended to replace another cartridge in which the precursor has been consumed. Further, it is conceivable that the cartridge 14 is removed from the aerosol generating device 12.

[0071] To insert the cartridge 14 into the aerosol generating device 12, the user positions the cartridge 14 in front of the insertion opening 80 and aligns the front, rear, and side walls of the cartridge with the front, rear, and side walls 62, 63, 64 of the cavity, respectively. Then, the user inserts the cartridge 14 into the cavity 60 in the direction F shown in FIG. 1 by overcoming the frictional force applied to the cartridge body 20 by the support wall.

[0072] At the insertion position, the support wall applies pressure to the mouthpiece end 21 of the cartridge body 20, causing the aerosol generating element contact surface 34 to abut against the heater contact surface 54 in the direction of the battery end 42. Additionally, when an elastic member 56 is provided on the aerosol generating device 12, the elastic member 56 causes the heater contact surface 54 to abut against the aerosol generating element contact surface 34 in the opposite direction. This avoids the air gap between the two contact surfaces 34, 54 and thus enables improvement of heat transfer between these two contact surfaces 34, 54. Additionally, when the aerosol generating element contact surface 34 is formed from a flexible material, it can at least partially conform to the shape of the heater contact surface 54, ensuring better heat transfer.

[0073] Second Embodiment of the Present Invention Here, an aerosol generating set 110 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0074] As in the previous case, the aerosol generating set 110 includes an aerosol generating device 112 and a removable cartridge 114. The removable cartridge 114 is, for example, the same as the removable cartridge 14 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Thus, as in the previous case, the removable cartridge 114 includes an aerosol generating element 132 that defines a contact surface 134 exposed from the cartridge body. Additionally, the removable cartridge 114 may or may not include a mouthpiece. In the example of FIG. 3, the cartridge 114 is provided without a mouthpiece.

[0075] The aerosol generating device 112 is also the same as the aerosol generating device 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In particular, as in the previous case, the aerosol generating device 112 includes a heater 146 that defines a heater contact surface 154. The aerosol generating device 112 also defines a cavity 160 at its mouthpiece end.

[0076] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the cavity 160 is formed by a fixed portion 158 and a movable portion 159. The movable portion 159 is formed, for example, by a cavity front wall adjacent to the mouthpiece end of the device body and ultimately by at least a portion of the cavity side wall 163. The fixed portion 158 is formed by the cavity rear wall 164 and ultimately by at least a portion of the cavity side wall 163. The movable portion 159 is hinged to the fixed portion 158 using, for example, hinge means 170 that enable the movable portion 159 to move such that it is at least partially separated from the fixed portion 158. Locking means can be provided to fix the movable portion 159 to the fixed portion 158. According to other embodiments, the movable portion 159 can be attached to the fixed portion 158 using other suitable means. For example, the movable portion 159 can be screwed to the fixed portion 158.

[0077] When the movable portion 159 is moved such that it is at least partially separated from the fixed portion 158, an insertion opening 180 suitable for inserting the removable cartridge 114 is formed. Thus, the removable cartridge 114 can be inserted into the cavity 160 such that the cartridge axis X coincides with the device axis Y.

[0078] As in the previous case, at least one cavity wall, called a support wall, is configured to abut or press the aerosol generating element contact surface 134 against the heater contact surface 154 when the cartridge 114 is inserted into the cavity 160. In the example of FIG. 3, the support wall is formed by the cavity front wall 162.

[0079] The operation of the aerosol generation set 110 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the operation of the aerosol generation set 10 according to the first embodiment. The only difference lies in the method of inserting the removable cartridge 114. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the removable cartridge 114 can first be inserted into the movable part 159 of the cavity 160 following the direction F, and then the movable part 159 can be rotated following the direction D in order to align the cartridge axis X and the device axis Y between them. Of course, depending on the respective configurations of the movable part 159 and the fixed part 158, the removable cartridge 114 can first be inserted into the fixed part 158 and then the movable part 159 can be rotated to surround the cavity 160.

[0080] Other embodiments of the present invention are also possible.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (12; 112) designed to operate with a removable cartridge (14; 114), said removable cartridge (14; 114) extending along a cartridge axis (X) between a mouthpiece end (21) and a heat receiving end (22), and including a cartridge body (20) defining an outer surface (26), said removable cartridge (14; 114) further including an aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) disposed at said heat receiving end (22) of said cartridge body (20), said aerosol generating device (12, 112) comprising, - a device body (40) extending along a device axis (Y) between a mouthpiece end (41) and a battery end (42), - a battery (44) adjacent to said battery end (42) of said device body (40), - a heater (46; 146) configured to be powered by said battery (44) and including a heater contact surface (54; 154), wherein said device body (40) defines a cavity (60; 160) adjacent to said mouthpiece end (41) of said device body (40), and is delimited by cavity walls (62, 63, 64; 162, 163, 164) defining an inner surface (61) of the cavity, said heater contact surface (54; 154) being adjacent to said inner surface (61) of the cavity, said cavity walls (62, 63, 64; 162, 163, 164) including a support wall (62; 162) disposed at said mouthpiece end (41) of said device body (40), said cavity (60; 160) being configured to receive said removable cartridge (14; 114) such that said cartridge axis (X) coincides with said device axis (Y), and at least said support wall (62; 162) being configured to apply pressure to said mouthpiece end (21) of said cartridge body (20) to bring said aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) of said removable cartridge (14; 114) into contact with said heater contact surface (54; 154) during use, ​ The cavity (160) is formed by a fixed part (158) and a movable part (159), and when the movable part (159) is moved so as to be at least partially separated from the fixed part (158), an insertion opening (180) suitable for insertion of the removable cartridge (114) is formed. The movable part (159) is hinged to the fixed part (158) by hinge means (170) that allow the movable part (159) to rotate in a direction (D) about an axis that intersects the device axis (Y). An aerosol generating device (12; 112), characterized in that.

2. The support wall (62; 162) defines an opening (68) that forms an aerosol outlet when the removable cartridge (14; 114) is received within the cavity, the aerosol generating device (12; 112) according to claim 1.

3. The aerosol generating device (12; 112) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a mouthpiece attached to the mouthpiece end (41) of the device body (40).

4. The aerosol generating device (12; 112) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an elastic member (56) configured to apply pressure to the cartridge body (20) substantially along the cartridge axis (X) when the removable cartridge (14; 114) is received within the cavity (60; 160).

5. The elastic member (56) supports the heater (46; 146), and when the removable cartridge (14; 114) is received within the cavity (60; 160), the heater contact surface (54; 154) is configured to be pressed against the aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) of the removable cartridge (14; 114), the aerosol generating device (12; 112) according to claim 4.

6. The heater contact surface (54; 154) is disposed substantially perpendicular to the device axis (Y), the aerosol generating device (12; 112) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The movable part (159) includes the support wall (162), and the heater (146) is adjacent to the fixed part (158). The aerosol generating device (112) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the movable part (159) is adapted to at least partially receive the removable cartridge (114) when the movable part (159) is moved so as to be at least partially separated from the fixed part (158).

8. A removable cartridge (14; 114) comprising a cartridge body (20) extending between a mouthpiece end (21) and a heat receiving end (22) along a cartridge axis (X) and defining an outer surface (26), and further comprising an aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) disposed at the heat receiving end (22) of the cartridge body (20). A removable cartridge (14; 114) adapted to be received within the cavity (60; 160) of the aerosol generating device (12; 112) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The removable cartridge (14; 114) according to claim 8, wherein the mouthpiece end (21) of the cartridge body (20) forms a mouthpiece.

10. The removable cartridge (14; 114) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) comprises a flexible or deformable material.

11. The removable cartridge (14; 114) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the aerosol generating element contact surface (34; 134) is disposed substantially perpendicular to the cartridge axis (X).

12. - An aerosol generating device (12; 112) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; - A removable cartridge (14; 114) according to any one of claims 8 to 11; An aerosol generating set (10; 110) comprising.

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