aerosol generator

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device in which an aerosol-generating substrate is heated to form an aerosol. More specifically, the aerosol-generating device includes an aerosol-generation chamber configured to receive and heat the substrate to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generation chamber including at least a heating element, a cover that can be in a closed position covering an opening in the device and an open position exposing the opening, and a tray for receiving and holding the substrate.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device in which an aerosol-forming substrate is heated to form an aerosol. The disclosure is particularly applicable to portable aerosol generating devices that can operate at low temperatures. Such devices can heat tobacco or other suitable aerosol substrate materials by conduction, convection, and / or radiation, rather than by combustion, to generate an aerosol for inhalation. [Background technology]

[0002] The popularity and use of aerosol-generating devices (also known as e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products) has grown rapidly over the past few years. A variety of devices and systems are available that heat or warm aerosolizable materials, as opposed to burning tobacco in traditional tobacco products. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] This type of device generates an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol substrate, typically comprising moist tobacco or other suitable solid aerosolizable material, to temperatures typically ranging from 150°C to 350°C. By heating, rather than burning or combusting, such an aerosol substrate, an aerosol containing the ingredients desired by the user is released, but without the toxic and carcinogenic by-products of combustion and burning. Furthermore, aerosols produced by heating tobacco or other aerosolizable material typically do not contain the burnt or bitter tastes resulting from combustion and burning, which can be unpleasant to users. Therefore, the substrate does not require the sugars and other additives typically added to such materials to make the smoke and / or vapor more palatable to the user. In such devices, the aerosol substrate is heated, for example, by a heating element within a heating chamber. The aerosol substrate is consumed by aerosol generation and must be replaced periodically. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a convenient way to replace the aerosol substrate within the heating chamber.

[0004] Additionally, it is desirable to generate more aerosol from a given amount of aerosol base, and therefore it is desirable to provide a device that can heat the aerosol base to generate aerosol more efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure below provides an aerosol generation device comprising: an aerosol generation chamber configured to receive and heat a substrate to generate an aerosol, the aerosol generation chamber including at least a heating element; an oval-shaped housing; a tray configured to receive and hold the substrate; and a lid connected to the tray and capable of being in a closed position covering the aerosol generation chamber and an open position exposing the aerosol generation chamber, wherein when the lid is in the open position, the tray is at least partially outside the aerosol generation chamber and can receive a substrate, or a substrate held by the tray can be removed from the tray by a user's hand, and when the lid is in the closed position, the substrate is contained within the aerosol generation chamber, and the lid is configured to transition from the open position to the closed position by translating in the longitudinal direction of the housing toward the aerosol generation chamber, whereby the tray is translated longitudinally into the aerosol generation chamber and the substrate held by the tray is pressed against the heating element.

[0006] The tray provides an intuitive and robust way to change aerosol substrate consumables by removing a used substrate from the tray and placing an unused substrate on the tray. By moving the lid from the open position to the closed position, the substrate is thus moved into the aerosol-generation chamber, providing a simple and intuitive way for the user to correctly position the substrate. Furthermore, moving the tray into the aerosol-generation chamber brings the substrate into contact with the heating element, improving aerosol generation efficiency.

[0007] In a second aspect of the present invention according to the first aspect of the present invention, the tray includes at least one bolt configured to be disposed inside the guide rail.

[0008] This allows the tray to be guided along a specific trajectory along the guide rails, improving intuitive handling and ensuring correct positioning of the substrate relative to the heating element, thereby improving aerosol generation efficiency.

[0009] In a third aspect of the invention according to the second aspect of the invention, the bolt consists of or comprises a pair of studs.

[0010] Providing two studs on the sides of the tray, rather than one continuous bolt extending from both sides of the tray, reduces material usage and makes the device more cost-effective.

[0011] In a fourth aspect of the invention according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, the aerosol generation device includes a guide rail configured to receive the bolt and to guide the tray during translation into or out of the aerosol generation chamber.

[0012] This allows for precise control of the distance of the tray relative to the heating element, thus improving the efficiency of aerosol generation.

[0013] In a fifth aspect of the invention according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, the tray, while being translated longitudinally into the aerosol-generation chamber, is also translated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and towards the heating element.

[0014] This ensures that the substrate is in direct contact with the heating element when the lid is in the closed position, thereby improving aerosol generation efficiency.

[0015] In a sixth aspect of the invention according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the guide rails taper longitudinally as they approach the heating element, thereby causing or contributing to translation of the tray in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0016] The tapered guide rails force the tray, and therefore the substrate, closer to the heating element as the tray moves into the aerosol-generation chamber, ultimately pressing the substrate against the heating element and ensuring continuous contact between the substrate and the heating element during consumption of the substrate, thereby improving aerosol generation efficiency.

[0017] In a seventh aspect of the present invention according to any of the fourth to sixth aspects of the present invention, the guide rail is movably mounted within the aerosol generating device and is guided by a second guide rail using at least one second bolt, whereby the two guide rails form a telescopic mechanism.

[0018] The second guide rail stabilizes the tray when the lid is in the open position and also allows for longer translation of the tray from the aerosol-generation chamber, thus facilitating user access to the substrate.

[0019] In an eighth aspect of the invention according to the seventh aspect of the invention, the second bolt consists of or includes a pair of second studs.

[0020] Providing two studs on the sides of the tray, rather than one continuous bolt extending from both sides of the tray, reduces material usage and makes the device more cost-effective.

[0021] In a ninth aspect of the invention according to either the seventh or eighth aspect of the invention, the second guide rail tapers along an edge further away from the heating element by a slope.

[0022] The tapered guide rails force the tray, and therefore the substrate, closer to the heating element as the tray moves into the aerosol-generation chamber, ultimately pressing the substrate against the heating element and ensuring continuous contact between the substrate and the heating element during consumption of the substrate, thereby improving aerosol generation efficiency.

[0023] In a tenth aspect of the invention according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the lid includes a locking mechanism for locking the position of the lid relative to the aerosol generation chamber in a closed position.

[0024] This secures the lid in a closed position and prevents undesired opening of the lid. Furthermore, the securing means may provide a second securing point in addition to the first secured point provided by the bolt in the guide rail. Thus, the securing means can force a tilted tray into a horizontal position parallel to the heating element. Finally, the securing means provides tactile feedback to the user as to when the lid is in place and the substrate is correctly positioned within the aerosol-generation chamber.

[0025] In an eleventh aspect of the present invention according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the fixing is achieved by magnetic force.

[0026] Securing using magnetic forces is simple to achieve and is not subject to degradation, making the device more durable. Additionally, magnetic forces provide the user with even better tactile feedback as to when the lid is in place and the substrate is in the correct position within the aerosol-generation chamber.

[0027] In a twelfth aspect of the invention according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, the lid comprises a recessed portion located at an edge of the lid, the recessed portion facing the aerosol-generation chamber.

[0028] This allows for easy and intuitive handling of the device for the user.

[0029] In a thirteenth aspect of the invention according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, the substrate has the shape of a plate, pad or disc.

[0030] Substrates having such a shape are substantially flat and can be easily brought into contact with a substantially flat heating element, ensuring permanent contact and improving aerosol generation efficiency, and the relatively large ratio between the surface in contact with the heating element and the volume of the substrate further improves aerosol generation efficiency.

[0031] In a fourteenth aspect of the invention according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, the tray comprises a recess configured to receive and hold a substrate.

[0032] The recessed portion of the tray secures the substrate on the tray and prevents movement of the substrate relative to the tray during translation of the tray into the aerosol-generation chamber, thereby enabling the substrate to be properly positioned relative to the heating element and improving aerosol generation efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the aerosol generating device with the lid in the open position. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the aerosol generating device with the lid in the closed position. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional top view of an aerosol generating device with the lid in an open position. [Figure 4] 1 shows a cross-sectional top view of an aerosol generating device with the lid between an open position and a closed position. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional top view of an aerosol generating device with the lid in the closed position. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the aerosol generating device with the lid in the closed position. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the aerosol generating device with the lid in the open position. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of an aerosol generating device with the lid in an open position. [Figure 9] 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of an aerosol generating device with the lid between an open position and a closed position. [Figure 10] An enlarged view of the tray is shown. [Figure 11] An enlarged view of the guide rail is shown. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of the second guide rail. [Figure 13] 1 shows an enlarged view of the sliding element. [Figure 14] 1 shows an enlarged view of the sliding element. [Figure 15] 1 shows an enlarged view of the sliding element. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of an aerosol generating device with the lid in a closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the dimensional ratios may differ from those of the actual ones.

[0035] The aerosol generating device 1 is preferably configured to operate with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped substrate 11 having a flat shape. Typically, the substrate 11 measures 18 x 12 x 1.2 mm. In general, the length of the substrate in preferred embodiments is 40 to 10 mm, preferably 30 to 12 mm, more preferably 25 to 14 mm, and most preferably 22 to 15 mm. The width of the substrate in preferred embodiments is 30 to 6 mm, preferably 25 to 8 mm, more preferably 20 to 9 mm, and most preferably 16 to 9 mm. The height of the substrate in preferred embodiments is 3 to 0.5 mm, preferably 2 to 0.6 mm, more preferably 1.8 to 0.8 mm, and most preferably 1.6 to 0.9 mm.

[0036] The aerosol substrate may include, for example, nicotine, tobacco, and / or an aerosol former. Tobacco can take the form of various materials, such as cut tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf, and / or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol formers include polyols (e.g., sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol), non-polyols (e.g., monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin, or vegetable glycerin). In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also include at least one of a gelling agent, a binder, a stabilizer, and a humectant. The aerosol substrate may be porous to allow air to flow through the substrate and collect the aerosol. The substrate may be, for example, a foam or filled with strands or fibers. The substrate may be formed into a stable shape by extrusion and / or rolling processes. The aerosol-generating substrate may be shaped to provide one or more air passages. These may be aligned with the air passages of the aerosol-generating device to increase airflow through the heating chamber. The substrate may have a bare outer surface exposed. Alternatively, the substrate may include a breathable wrapper covering at least a portion of the surface of the aerosol-generating substrate. The wrapper may comprise, for example, paper and / or a nonwoven fabric.

[0037] Although the aerosol-generation chamber 15 may simply be the internal volume of the housing 2, it is preferable that the aerosol-generation chamber 15 be enclosed in an insulating enclosure within the housing 2 so that additional components, such as control circuitry and a power supply (not shown), are insulated from the heat provided within the aerosol-generation chamber 15. The housing may generally be made from any rigid material, such as a thermoplastic material or a metal (e.g., aluminum). The insulating enclosure may be made from a heat-resistant material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or polyamide (PA), to prevent thermal deformation or melting. The heat-resistant material may be a super engineering plastic, such as polyimide (PI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

[0038] The substrates 11 are placed in the aerosol-generation chamber 15 by inserting a tray 5 holding the substrates 11 into the aerosol-generation chamber 15. The substrates can be placed on the tray when the lid is in the open position. When the tray 5 is inserted into the aerosol-generation chamber 15, the tray 5 is guided to a position where the substrates 11 are held within the aerosol-generation chamber 15, as shown in Figure 10. However, as shown in Figures 3 and 8, the tray 5 can also be in a second position where the substrates 11 can be placed on or removed from the tray 5.

[0039] During or after the time period during which the substrate 11 is heated to generate the aerosol, air is directed toward the mouthpiece 3 to provide the aerosol to the user. In some embodiments, the air is directed by the user's inhalation. In other embodiments, the aerosol generation device 1 may include a pump to pump air toward the mouthpiece 3 to provide the aerosol.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 1 is shown. The device may include an oblong housing 2 and a mouthpiece 3 that may be used to inhale the generated aerosol from the device. In the open position shown in FIG. 1, the lid 7 is in the open position so that the tray 5 is located outside the aerosol generating chamber and exposed to the user. The tray 5 may include a recess 6 or other means for securing a substrate that may be inserted by the user. The lid 7 may be translated to a closed position by sliding the lid 7 along the longitudinal direction 8 of the housing 2.

[0041] Figure 2 shows the same embodiment of the aerosol generating device 1 as in Figure 1. However, in Figure 2 the cover 7 is in a closed position. From the closed position the cover can be translated back to the open position by sliding the cover in the opposite longitudinal direction 8.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional top view of an embodiment of the aerosol generation device 1 with the lid 7 in the open position. The tray 5 is slidably held by the sliding element 4, which is itself held in guide rails 12 to form a telescopic mechanism. The sliding element 4 is preferably U-shaped, but in some embodiments may have a different shape, such as a parallel bar. FIG. 4 shows the same embodiment of the aerosol generation device 1 with the lid 7 between the open and closed positions. In this view, the sliding element 4 is located within the housing, but the tray 5 is still partially located outside the housing. FIG. 5 shows the same embodiment of the aerosol generation device 1 with the lid 7 in the closed position. In this view, the tray 5 is fully contained within the housing, and thus the substrate 11 is located within the aerosol generation chamber.

[0043] 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of the aerosol generation device 1 with the lid 7 in the open position. The tray 5 can be connected to the lid 7 by screwing, gluing, or the like, ensuring that the tray 5 always remains in a fixed position relative to the lid 7. This means that when the lid 7 is slid from the open position to the closed position in the longitudinal direction 8 of the housing 2, the tray translates in the same direction. In some embodiments, the lid and tray can be manufactured as a single piece.

[0044] 7 shows a side view of an embodiment of the aerosol generation device 1 with the lid 7 in a closed position. The lid can be translated from the closed position to an open position by moving the lid in the opposite direction of the longitudinal direction 8 of the housing. To facilitate user handling, the lid 7 can be provided with recesses 16 configured to receive the user's fingers and thereby improve the user's grip on the lid.

[0045] 8 shows a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the aerosol generation device 1 with the lid 7 in the open position. The tray 5 is located mostly outside the housing 2, and the substrate 11 is located outside the aerosol generation chamber 15. The sliding element 4 is positioned within guide rails 12 using bolts 14. In a preferred embodiment, there are two guide rails 12 located on either side of the aerosol generation chamber 15. However, in some embodiments, only one guide rail 12 may be provided, for example, centrally on the underside of the sliding element 4.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the guide rail 12 has a shape as shown in Figure 12. When the lid 7 is in the open position, the bolt 14 is located in a first portion 21 of the guide rail 12. When the lid 7 is in the closed position, the bolt 14 is located in a second portion 22 of the guide rail 12. The angled portion 23 guides the bolt 14 upwards towards the height 20 of the heating element 10. This movement also guides the sliding element 4 upwards towards the height 20 of the heating element 10.

[0047] The tray 5 is connected to the sliding element 4 by bolts 24, which will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 10. The bolts 24 are configured to be disposed in guide rails 32 within the sliding element 4. The tray 5 is thus movable relative to the sliding element 4 by the guide rails 32, and said sliding element 4 is movable relative to the housing 2 by the guide rails 12.

[0048] The aerosol-generation chamber 15 includes one or more heating elements 10 configured to heat the substrate 11 and generate an aerosol from the substrate 11. The heating elements are preferably electrical heating elements, such as resistive heating elements, although any type of heating element suitable for supplying heat to the aerosol-generation chamber 15 may be used. The heating elements 10 preferably have a substantially flat configuration, but may have different shapes in some embodiments.

[0049] The heating element 10 may be powered by a power source such as a removable or rechargeable battery, etc. The electrical circuitry required to power a heating element is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be discussed here.

[0050] The aerosol generating device 1 may also include a fastening means 25 configured to secure the lid 7 to the housing 2 when the lid 7 is in the closed position as shown in Figure 10. In some embodiments, the fastening means 25 may be provided as a pair of magnets that secure the lid 7 to the housing 2 while providing tactile feedback to a user of the device.

[0051] 9 shows an embodiment of the aerosol generating device 1 with the lid 7 between the open and closed positions. As shown, if only one bolt 14 is provided, only one end of the sliding element translates towards the heating element 10. This means that only one edge of the substrate 11 can be pressed towards the heating element 10 by the bolt. The second edge can be pressed towards the heating element 10 by the fixing means 25. This ensures that the entire surface of the substrate 11 is pressed towards the heating element 10.

[0052] In another embodiment, two or more guide rails and two or more bolts may be provided to ensure full contact between the substrate 11 and the heating element 10. For example, two pairs of guide rails may be provided spaced apart longitudinally from each other. Thus, the sliding element 4 may include two bolts, with a first bolt threaded through a first pair of guide rails and a second bolt disposed in a second pair of guide rails.

[0053] In yet another embodiment, the bolt 14 may have an elongated shape with a width substantially equal to the width of the second portion 22 of the guide rail 12 and a length at least twice the width of the second portion 22 of the guide rail 12, preferably at least three times the width of the second portion 22 of the guide rail 12, and more preferably at least four times the width of the second portion 22 of the guide rail 12. As such an elongated bolt moves into the second portion 22 of the guide rail 12, the sliding element 4 is disposed substantially parallel to the heating element 10. Thus, the entire surface of the substrate 11 is in contact with the heating element 10.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10 , the tray 5 has a recess 6 for receiving and holding the substrate 11. The depth D2 of the recess 6 is less than the height D1 of the substrate 11 so that the substrate 11 partially protrudes from the recess 6 when placed in the recess 6. The tray includes one or more bolts 24, which are longer than the width of the tray and are arranged to protrude from both sides of the tray 5. In some embodiments, each bolt may be provided as a simple pair of studs protruding from the side of the tray. The bolts 24 are configured to be placed in guide rails 32 in the sliding element 4.

[0055] 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the guide rail 112. In this embodiment, the bolt can translate from a first portion 121 of the guide rail 112 to a second portion 122 of the guide rail 112. The bolt can then move towards the height 20 of the heating element 10 by means of an inclined portion 123. Despite the different shape of the guide rail 112, the explanations given regarding the function of the guide rail 12 still apply.

[0056] 13-15 show different embodiments of the sliding element 4. As shown in FIG. 13, in some embodiments, the sliding element 4 can include a guide rail 32 configured to receive the bolt 24, having substantially the same shape as the guide rail 12. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 14, the sliding element can include a guide rail 132 configured to receive the bolt 24, having substantially the same shape as the guide rail 112. In yet other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15, the sliding element 4 can include a guide rail 232 configured to receive the bolt 24. The guide rail 232 is substantially straight and therefore does not cause further movement of the tray 5 toward the height 20 of the heating element 10.

[0057] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, all configurations of guide rails function equally well and may be provided interchangeably without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0058] 16 shows the aerosol generating device 1 in a state ready to generate an aerosol, with the cover 7 in the closed position and the substrate 11 in the aerosol-generating chamber 15. The substrate in this figure can be heated by the heating element 10 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol can then be provided to a user through the mouthpiece 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Aerosol generator 2. Housing 3 mouthpiece 4 Sliding Elements 5 trays 6 recess 7 Lid 8 Longitudinal direction 10 heating elements 11 Base material 12 Guide rail 14 volts 15 Aerosol generation chamber 20 Heating element height 21 First portion of guide rail 22 Second section of guide rail 23 Slopes between sections 24 volts 25 Fixing means 32 guide rail 112 Guide rail 121 First part of guide rail 122 Second part of guide rail 123 Slope between sections 132 guide rail 232 Guide Rail

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: an aerosol-generation chamber configured to receive and heat a substrate to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generation chamber including at least a heating element; An oval housing; a tray configured to receive and hold the substrate; a lid connected to the tray and capable of being in a closed position covering the aerosol generation chamber and an open position exposing the aerosol generation chamber; Including, when the lid is in the open position, the tray is at least partially outside the aerosol-generation chamber and can receive a substrate, or a substrate held by the tray can be manually removed from the tray by a user, and when the lid is in the closed position, the substrate is contained within the aerosol-generation chamber; and The aerosol generating device, wherein the lid is configured to transition from the open position to the closed position by translating longitudinally of the housing toward the aerosol generation chamber, thereby translating the tray longitudinally into the aerosol generation chamber and pressing a substrate held by the tray against the heating element.

2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein the tray includes at least one bolt configured to be positioned within a guide rail.

3. 3. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, wherein the bolt consists of or includes a pair of studs.

4. 4. The aerosol generation device of claim 2, comprising a guide rail configured to receive the bolt and to guide the tray during translation into or out of the aerosol generation chamber.

5. 5. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein the tray, while being translated in the longitudinal direction into the aerosol generation chamber, is also translated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and towards the heating element.

6. 6. The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the guide rail tapers in the longitudinal direction as it approaches the heating element, thereby causing or contributing to the translation of the tray in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

7. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the guide rail is movably mounted within the aerosol generating device and is guided by a second guide rail using at least one second bolt, whereby the guide rail and the second guide rail form a telescopic mechanism.

8. 8. The aerosol generating device of claim 7, wherein the second bolt consists of or includes a second pair of studs.

9. 9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second guide rail tapers along its edge further away from the heating element by a slope.

10. 7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6, wherein the lid includes a locking mechanism for locking the position of the lid in a closed position relative to the aerosol generating chamber.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10 , wherein the fixing is achieved by magnetic force.

12. 12. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the lid includes a recess located at an end of the lid, the recess facing the aerosol generating chamber.

13. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the substrate has the shape of a plate, pad or disc.

14. 14. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the tray includes a recess configured to receive and hold the substrate.

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