Method for transporting aerosol devices and consumables

Abstract

An apparatus for aerosolizing a consumable at high temperatures without burning the consumable, using a moving aerosol-generating substrate to gradually heat portions of the substrate, thereby releasing the consumable from different portions of the substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate is disposed within an aerosol generating device, in which a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate is surrounded by an induction heating element. The portion of the aerosol-generating substrate surrounded by the induction heating element is capable of releasing the consumable when the induction heating element is activated. A drive mechanism advances the aerosol-generating substrate through the induction heating element, causing another portion of the aerosol-generating substrate to enter the induction heating element, which heats and releases more of the consumable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for aerosolizing a drug by a high-temperature non-combustion induction heating method and its use. The present invention further relates to methods and apparatuses for generating aerosols from tobacco and / or other non-drug substances using similar methods and apparatuses.

Background Art

[0002] When faced with a pathological condition that causes physical discomfort such as a disease state, disorder, illness, or normal physical disorder, most people rely on drugs, supplements, herbs, and other agents to immediately relieve the symptoms resulting from the underlying disease. There are certain legal and widely available over-the-counter (OTC) drug treatments and supplements that are effective when used for various general pathological conditions. There are also certain prescription narcotic drugs and pharmaceuticals prescribed by physicians for various more serious pathological conditions.

[0003] One of the most common routes of administration of these OTC and prescription drugs is oral administration. However, as in any oral delivery of drugs, the drug must pass through the digestive tract. Oral administration has several drawbacks. For example, since the drug must pass through the digestive system, the onset of activation of the drug is slow. In addition to this, in the digestive tract, the drug may be inactivated or destroyed, thereby losing its effectiveness or efficacy. The drug itself can also cause problems in the digestive tract or side effects such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, and hyperacidity. Furthermore, patients may not want to or may not be able to swallow oral medications in the form of pills.

[0004] Certain medications are intended to affect the brain, or the action or activity of the brain, but given the accepted methods of administration, i.e., gastrointestinal, intravenous, or intramuscular, these medications may also have a variety of unpleasant side effects due to the nature of ingestion or infusion. These include, but are not limited to, gastrointestinal complications, digestive disorders, hypertension, and / or headaches, as well as user resistance to self-administration of medications by injection.

[0005] Other delivery routes exist, such as intradermal injection, patch application, and inhalation. Each of these has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, there is still room for improvement regarding the route of drug administration.

[0006] For example, when drug administration is carried out via inhalation of aerosols such as gases, vapors, mists, and other inhalants containing the drug or its active ingredient, rather than by gastrointestinal, intravenous, or intramuscular delivery, a variety of drugs exist that are safer, more effective, and more efficient in terms of both safety and efficacy.

[0007] In addition, certain methods for aerosolizing and delivering these drugs also present drawbacks. Specifically, methods that alter the molecular or chemical structure of the drug by aerosolizing the drug itself, or methods that aerosolize at high temperatures, which can increase the risk of prolonged heating and alteration of the molecular or chemical structure of the active ingredient, also have disadvantages. Another drawback of current aerosolization techniques is that some of these drugs are transported, stored, and commercialized in cartridges designed and constructed from leaky and often non-biodegradable plastics and other materials, which are not environmentally friendly.

[0008] To ensure the safe and intact delivery of the drug by a high-temperature, non-combustion induction method, the aerosolization method is preferably one that does not alter the chemical or fundamental molecular structure of the drug or other materials constituting it, or, if such an alteration occurs, does not interfere with and / or modify the efficacy of the drug.

[0009] Therefore, improvements are still needed regarding the routes of drug administration. In particular, improvements are still needed in methods for aerosolizing inhaled drugs that would also provide the additional benefit of accurately measuring, monitoring, and measuring the inhaler's dosage without destroying the active ingredient as a result of insufficient energy or long heating time, or adding other chemicals to the aerosol. There is also a need for embodiments of consumables that are biodegradable and do not contain materials that conflict with environmentally friendly processing.

[0010] In addition to drug delivery systems, non-combustion heating (HNB) devices are a type of device commonly used to produce an aerosol containing nicotine and other tobacco components by heating tobacco at a temperature below the temperature that causes combustion, and then making this available to the device's user. In some embodiments, the heating element or susceptor is placed in a solid tobacco product with a coil wound around the tobacco product and the susceptor, causing the susceptor to heat via an induction mechanism. Unlike conventional cigarettes, the goal is not to burn the tobacco, but rather to sufficiently heat it to release nicotine and other components through the production of an aerosol. Ignition and burning a cigarette produces unwanted toxins that can be avoided by using an HNB device. However, there is a delicate balance between effectively releasing tobacco components in aerosol form by applying sufficient heat and not burning or igniting the tobacco. Current HNB devices on the market have failed to find the right balance, either heating the tobacco at a temperature that produces an inappropriate amount of aerosol, or overheating the tobacco, resulting in an unpleasant or "burnt" flavor profile. In addition, current methodologies leave the internal components of conventional HNB devices soiled with by-products of burnt tobacco and accidental combustion.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to ensure a rapid and energy-efficient change of state from a solid or liquid state to an aerosol state via high-temperature, non-combustible induction heating, the compound must be configured to eliminate airflow between the compound and the susceptor of the induction system.

[0012] For the reasons stated above, a device is needed that acts on the temperature at which the tobacco is heated via an induction method, thereby increasing the efficiency and flavor profile of the generated aerosol while reducing the risk of combustion even at temperatures that would normally be sufficient for ignition. Furthermore, a device is needed that utilizes inexpensive, uniquely designed consumables and, when used within the associated apparatus, provides a satisfying user experience by moving the consumables through an induction coil for continuous inhalation. [Overview of the project]

[0013] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for delivering consumables in an aerosolized state for inhalation administration and ingestion, using a high-temperature non-combustion induction method to aerosolize embodiments of the design and composition of a compound.

[0014] In particular, the present invention relates to further improvements to non-combustion heating devices, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 10,750,787, PCT / US2019 / 012204, and PCT / US2020 / 040779. Generally, non-combustion heating devices are devices that convert a consumable into an aerosol containing some of its components, but limit by-products best associated with combustion, such as smoke, ash, tar, and other certain potentially harmful chemicals. The devices do this by using high temperatures without burning the consumable by enclosing the consumable containing an internal susceptor within a housing. The present invention may involve using an inductive heating element wrapped around the consumable housing package and heating the susceptor using a magnetic field generated by the inductive heating element, thereby moving the heating element, the consumable, or both, to position and gradually advance the heat along the consumable tobacco component.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is a consumable tobacco component comprising at least one housing containing a consumable tobacco formulation and an induction heating source. The housing may be made of porous paper, cloth, plastic, woven fabric, or any other material sufficient to transport the aerosol generated during the heating of the consumable. The consumable may be assembled by sandwiching a susceptor in the consumable formulation between two sheets of this material, a top and a bottom sheet, and then the consumable formulation may be sealed by folding the two sheets together. Some of these “packets” may be used in a single consumable, or only one packet may be used.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the housing may be an aluminum shell having a pre-formed opening. The housing may be coated with a gel that seals the opening until the gel melts by an induction heating process and the opening is opened. In some embodiments, the gel may contain a flavoring agent that can add or enhance the flavor of the tobacco aerosol.

[0017] In some embodiments, multiple storage units are stacked within a paper tube with spaces in between, and each storage unit may be formed by excess wrapping at the bottom end and channels on both sides that allow the generated aerosol to pass through. When an induction heating source is activated, a pre-prepared opening is opened, and the flavor combines with the aerosol, travels through the tube, and becomes available to the user of the device.

[0018] Using these methods and apparatus, the device requires heating of smaller blocks, enables rapid heating, quick cooling, and power savings, allowing for further utilization between recharge sessions. This is in contrast to well-known, currently available non-combustion heating devices.

[0019] Another objective of the present invention is to create a consumables storage package that minimizes contamination inside the case during use, making replacement easy and reducing the effort required to clean the case.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to move a susceptor or consumable relative to a heating element in order to heat a portion of the consumable independently of other portions. In this context, “portion” refers to either physically separated consumable material or adjacent consumable material that is heated sequentially as it moves through an induction coil, or vice versa.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to aerosolize a consumable, which is compressible around a susceptor to eliminate any airflow between the consumable and the susceptor. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate may include an inert, non-reactive compound that is mixed with the form of the consumable and then tightly compressed around the susceptor. The compounding agent can be aerosolized using a handheld high-temperature induction heating device configured for embodiments of the consumable.

[0022] Accordingly, the apparatus, methods, and formulations of the present invention can be used to aerosolize a variety of consumables, preferably pharmaceuticals. For example, these pharmaceuticals include, but are not limited to, those configured to improve bronchial efficiency, support tobacco and nicotine withdrawal, aid relaxation, relieve anxiety, block destructive thoughts, cope with pain, improve concentration, aid restful sleep, aid sexual activity, increase energy and alertness, and neutralize the adverse effects of overdoses of other certain pharmaceuticals. In addition, these consumables may contain tobacco, cannabis, or other substances that can be ingested by the consumer via inhalation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] [Figure 1] This is an inside side view of an embodiment of the present invention assembled in an HNB device. [Figure 2A] This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention assembled in a consumables storage package. [Figure 2B] This is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, in which a portion of the consumables housing package has been cut out and / or removed to expose the susceptor. [Figure 2C] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2C-2C of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A. [Figure 2D] It is an exploded view of the consumable storage package shown in FIG. 2A. [Figure 2E] It is a perspective view of a consumable storage package having another embodiment of the susceptor, in which a portion of the consumable storage package is cut away and / or removed to show the susceptor. [Figure 3A] It is a perspective view of an embodiment of the consumable storage package. [Figure 3B] It is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, in which portions of the consumable storage package and the consumable are removed to show the internal configuration. [Figure 3C] It is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A. [Figure 4A] It is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] It is a view showing the embodiment of FIG. 4A in an open configuration. [Figure 5A] It is a series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which the consumable moves through the housing. [Figure 5B] It is a series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which the consumable moves through the housing. [Figure 5C] It is a series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which the consumable moves through the housing. [Figure 5D] It is a series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which the consumable moves through the housing. [Figure 6A] It is a series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which the consumable moves through the housing. [Figure 6B] It is a series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which the consumable moves through the housing. [Figure 6C] It is a series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which the consumable moves through the housing. [Figure 7A] It is a series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which the consumable is inserted into the HNB device and the consumable moves through the housing. [Figure 7B]A series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which a consumable is inserted into the HNB device and moves through the housing. [Figure 7C] A series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which a consumable is inserted into the HNB device and moves through the housing. [Figure 7D] A series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which a consumable is inserted into the HNB device and moves through the housing. [Figure 7E] A series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which a consumable is inserted into the HNB device and moves through the housing. [Figure 8A] A series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which consumables move through the housing. [Figure 8B] A series of perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention in which consumables move through the housing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] The detailed description below, in relation to the accompanying drawings, is intended to describe currently preferred embodiments of the Invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the Invention may be constituted or utilized. The description outlines the functions and sequence of steps for constituting and operating the Invention in relation to the exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequence may be achieved by various embodiments intended to be both present and encompassed within the spirit and scope of the Invention.

[0025] Non-combustion heating device

[0026] The present invention relates to a device for generating an aerosol for inhalation from a consumable container by a method that burns the consumable container minimally and utilizes relatively high temperatures. For the purposes of the present application, the term “consumable” shall be broadly interpreted to include all kinds of pharmaceuticals, drugs, compounds, activators, ingredients, and other agents, regardless of whether the consumable is used to treat a medical condition or disease, for nutritional purposes, as a supplement, or for recreational purposes. Consumables may include, but are not limited to, pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, and commercially available drugs such as tobacco, cannabis, hemp, lavender, kava, coffee, caffeine, lobelia, hoodia, melatonin, epimedium, guarana, and ginseng.

[0027] An example of the HNB apparatus 100 is shown in Figures 1 to 2E and is further described in U.S. Patent No. 10,750,787, PCT / US2019 / 012204, and PCT / US2020 / 040779, which are incorporated herein by this reference as a whole. The apparatus 100 comprises a consumables containment package 102 and an aerosol generating device 200. The consumables containment package 102 comprises an aerosol generating substrate 104 that releases an activator (consumable) when heated, and a susceptor 106 embedded therein for heating the aerosol generating substrate 104. The apparatus 100 generates an aerosol through a non-combustion heating process in which the aerosol generating substrate 104 is exposed to aerosolizing thermal conditions such as a high aerosolizing temperature and the absence of oxygen. These aerosolizing thermal conditions do not burn the aerosol generating substrate 104 in the consumables containment package 102, but release the active ingredient (consumable) from the aerosol generating substrate 104 in the form of an inhalable aerosol product. Thus, the aerosol generating substrate 104 is any product containing an active ingredient that can be released into an aerosol form when heated to an appropriate temperature and conditions. Any descriptions of the present invention for specific applications such as tobacco products are provided only as examples and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to use in tobacco products.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1, the aerosol generating device 200 comprises a receiving section 151 for housing a consumables package 102, an induction heating element 160 for heating a susceptor 106, a system controller 166 for controlling the induction heating element 160, and a power source 220 for supplying power to the device 100. A user interface 230, operably connected to the controller 166, is available to enhance ease of operation. A trigger 232 is available to start the device 100, or the device 100 can be activated via the user interface 230.

[0029] Referring to Figures 2A to 2E, the consumables packaging package 102 is a component that, when heated, releases the consumables (i.e., the activator) in aerosol form. The consumables packaging package 102 comprises an aerosol generating substrate 104 and a susceptor 106 surrounded by the aerosol generating substrate 104 for heating the aerosol generating substrate 104 from the inside out via an induction heating system. In some embodiments, the consumables packaging package 102 may have a housing 108 for at least partially housing the aerosol generating substrate 104 and the susceptor 106. For example, the aerosol generating substrate 104 may be completely covered by the housing 108. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 104 may be partially covered by the housing 108 such that a portion of the aerosol generating substrate 104, such as all or part of the ends, top, bottom, or any other part of the aerosol generating substrate 104, is exposed. In some embodiments, the consumables storage package 102 may further comprise a housing 150 for holding one or more aerosol generating substrates 104 together with an embedded susceptor 106, together with a storage body 108, or without the storage body 108.

[0030] Susceptor

[0031] The susceptor 106 is a component that is heated via an induction method to heat the aerosol-generating substrate 104 from the inside out. Therefore, the susceptor 106 is made of a metal that can be heated via an induction method, such as an iron-based metal. Other metals or materials that have the ability to inductively heat the aerosol-generating substrate 104 may also be used. To maximize the efficient heating of the aerosol-generating substrate 104, the susceptor 106 generally matches the shape of the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the aerosol-generating substrate 104 so as to maximize the surface area in contact with the susceptor 106, but other configurations may also be used.

[0032] The susceptor 106 may be manufactured from mechanically extruded, sintered or otherwise fused metal particles, metal wool, punched, press-formed, or any of several other methods capable of producing a satisfactory susceptor. Some of these methods are described in U.S. Patent No. 10,750,787, PCT / US2019 / 012204, PCT / US2020 / 040779, and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 687,470, all of which are incorporated herein by this reference as a whole. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate 104 may be combined with or incorporated therein by co-extruding it together with the susceptor 106 to create a layer of the aerosol-generating substrate 104 on top of or at the bottom of a layer of the susceptor 106. In some embodiments, two layers of aerosol-generating substrates 104a and 104b are extruded simultaneously together with a susceptor 106 between them to create a sandwich-like material with a compressible susceptor 106 between the two layers of aerosol-generating substrates 104a and 104b. The simultaneously extruded material can then be cut to the appropriate size.

[0033] In some embodiments where the susceptor 106 is steel wool or metal particles, the consumables can be directly incorporated into the susceptor 106 in the form of a fluid (e.g., liquid, semi-liquid, viscous, etc.) or a loose solid (e.g., powder, grain, granules, etc.). In this case, the susceptor 106 has a dual function as both a heating element and an aerosol-generating substrate 104. Thus, the aerosol-generating substrate 104 can be the susceptor 106 combined with the consumables incorporated therein.

[0034] Aerosol generating substrate

[0035] The aim of the aerosol generating substrate 104 is to minimize the amount of air to which it is exposed. This eliminates or mitigates the risk of oxidation or combustion during storage or heating processes. As a result, in certain settings, the aerosol generating substrate 104 can be heated to a temperature that would normally cause combustion when used with prior art equipment that allows for greater air exposure.

[0036] Therefore, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate 104 is made from a consumable in the form of a hard compressed pellet, rod, or powder that is compressed into a rectangular parallelepiped. Compression of the consumable reduces the amount of oxygen trapped within the aerosol-generating substrate 104, and limits the movement of oxygen into the aerosol-generating substrate 104 during storage and heating.

[0037] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 104 may be a single elongated section defining the major axis A of a rod or stick, as shown in Figures 2A to 2E. The aerosol generating substrate 104 may be an elongated cylinder or tube having a circular cross-section, an elliptical cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a polygonal cross-section, and the like. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 104 may be a plurality of cylindrical tablets or pellets stacked on top of each other.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate 104 may be a rectangular parallelepiped with a slightly elongated shape defining the major axis A, as shown in Figures 3A-3C and 4A-4B. Other rectangular parallelepiped shapes may also be used, along with combinations of generally planar and / or rounded faces in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0039] The susceptor 106 may preferably be stretched along the longitudinal axis A and substantially extending from end to end along the length L of the aerosol-generating substrate 104, and may also be embedded in the aerosol-generating substrate 104. The susceptor 106 may also extend substantially as far as the width W of the aerosol-generating substrate 104. In other embodiments, the susceptor 106 may extend beyond the width (or diameter) and length of the aerosol-generating substrate 104, or may be substantially shorter than either of those dimensions.

[0040] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate 104 may have any other shape, including spherical, oval, elliptical, and even amorphous. Generally, the susceptor 106 can be made to conform to the shape of the aerosol-generating substrate 104 to maximize surface area contact between the susceptor 106 and the aerosol-generating substrate 104. However, the susceptor 106 may also have any other shape, including multiple susceptors 106 sparsely dispersed within the aerosol-generating substrate 104.

[0041] In yet another alternative embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate 104 may be formed into fine pellets, grains, powders, or other forms that, when encapsulated, further reduce the amount of air available to the consumable.

[0042] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate 104 may comprise a ground consumable source, which is prepared in powder form and then combined with the susceptor 106 by tightly compressing it around the susceptor 106. As just one example, the consumable source may be plants, seeds, flowers, roots, leaves, plant components, or any other source from which the consumable can be extracted. These components may be dried, ground, and mixed with other components known for the production of pellets and tablets, and then compressed around the susceptor 106 to form pellets, tablets, or rods around the susceptor 106. The compressed pellets, tablets, or rods may be housed in a container 108 to form a consumable container package 102.

[0043] Storage unit

[0044] The present invention relates to the configuration of a consumables storage package 102 and a structure for moving the consumables storage package 102 through an induction coil 160 in order to sequentially heat the compartments of the consumables storage package 102.

[0045] In some embodiments, most commonly shown in Figures 2A to 2E, the housing 108 includes an aerosol generating substrate 104 in which a susceptor 106 is embedded. In some embodiments, the housing 108 may be configured with a hole 120 that allows the aerosol to escape from the housing 108, or the housing 108 may be a permeable membrane, paper, fabric, or other material that allows the aerosol to escape. The aerosol generating substrate 104 may be placed in a housing 150 that can mimic a cigarette. In some embodiments, a filter 140 may surround the housing 108. The housing 150 may have an end cap 154 ​​on one end 152 and a mouthpiece 158 on the opposite end 156. The end cap 154 ​​may be made of some kind of filter material. The mouthpiece 158 allows the user to inhale the consumable aerosol heated from the aerosol generating substrate 104 along the housing 150 towards the mouthpiece 158 and into the user's mouth. Thus, the mouthpiece 158 may also have some kind of filter, similar to that of the end cap 154. There may be a number of holes 446 adjacent to the mouthpiece 158, and when the user inhales the housing 150 by inhaling the mouthpiece 158, air may be drawn in through these holes.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the storage body 108 comprises a top sheet 108a and a bottom sheet 108b, which may be two separate sheets or a single continuous sheet. The sheets 108a and 108b may be permeable material that allows the aerosol to escape, and the permeable material may be filter paper, porous paper, fabric, plastic, membrane, porous metal, tea bag material, or cigarette filter material (cellulose), or any suitable material.

[0047] Due to the permeability of the housing 108, the aerosol-generating substrate 104 may be exposed to air and undergo oxidation / degradation. To prevent this, holes or openings in the housing 108 may be temporarily sealed with a coating. The coating is preferably made from a composition that melts and / or becomes permeable at the temperature at which the consumable aerosol is generated. Thus, as the susceptor 106 heats up, the aerosol-generating substrate 104 can become very hot without burning due to the lack of air inside the housing 108. At the point when the susceptor 106 reaches a high temperature, the consumable aerosol that is beginning to form cannot escape. Once the coating melts or becomes permeable, the consumable aerosol can escape from the housing 108 for inhalation. In a preferred embodiment, the coating may be propylene glycol alginate ("PGA") gel or food-grade starch. The coating may also contain flavoring. Therefore, as the coating dissolves and the consumable aerosol is released, the flavoring is also released along with the consumable aerosol. In some embodiments, the flavoring is mixable with additives.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the housing 108 comprises a top portion 108a and a bottom portion 108b, which may be separate parts or a single continuous part. Preferably, the top portion 108a and the bottom portion 108b of the housing have a pre-formed cup-shaped recess or cavity 109 for surrounding the aerosol-generating substrate 104, as shown in Figure 3C. Alternatively, one or both of the top portion 108a and the bottom portion 108b of the housing may be flat and then pressed or stretched around the aerosol-generating substrate 104 during production.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, to ensure that the housing 108 is securely closed around the aerosol-generating substrate 104, the ends 124, 126 of the housing 108 may have folds 130, 132, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B. Before folding, the two parts 108a, 108b of the housing may be sealed by joining or sealing them by conventional methods such as adhesive, mechanical fasteners, crimping, RF welding, or any suitable method. Similarly, after folding, the sealed / joined ends 124, 126 may be bonded to the outer surface of the housing 108, as shown in Figure 4A. Alternatively, the ends 124, 126 of the housing 108 do not need to be sealed before folding, but instead need to be held in place by adhesive, mechanical fasteners, crimping, RF welding, or any suitable method. In yet another alternative, the housing 108 may be held in place simply by the fold itself, without sealing or joining.

[0050] Therefore, a method for manufacturing a consumables storage package 102 for use in an aerosol generating device 200 includes combining an aerosol generating substrate 104 containing consumables with a susceptor 106, covering the aerosol generating substrate 104 with a storage body 108, sealing the aerosol generating substrate 104 by folding the ends 124, 126 of the storage body 108, and placing the assembly inside a housing 150.

[0051] In some embodiments, the housing 108 may be removed entirely, and the aerosol generating substrate 104 is simply surrounded by the housing 150. In such embodiments, the aerosol is released directly from the aerosol generating substrate 104 into a channel between the aerosol generating substrate 104 and the housing 150. Similar to the housing embodiments, the outside of the aerosol generating substrate 104 does not reach combustion temperature due to rapid inductive heating from the inside out.

[0052] In embodiments where the storage body 108 is porous or absent, the freshness of the consumables may be maintained by the use of airtight packaging, which may be filled with nitrogen or other inert gas to prevent oxidation. Such packaging can be used for large packages of consumable storage packages 102, for example, with tobacco products where multiple consumable storage packages 102 may be used per day. Alternatively, individual packages can be used for consumable storage packages 102 containing pharmaceuticals, where the consumables are used only periodically.

[0053] cabinet

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the housing 108 is configured to be permeable to the aerosol so that the aerosol can escape from the housing 108. The aerosol generating substrate 104 can be placed inside a housing 150, which may or may not have the housing 108, as described above. The housing 150 is preferably less permeable to the aerosol or impermeable. The housing 150 can mimic a cigarette. Thus, the housing 150 may be a long structure having a first end 152 and a second end 156 opposite the first end 152. The housing 150 is inserted into the device 200 such that the induction heating element 160 surrounds the housing 150. The current passing through the induction heating element 160 can then heat a susceptor 104 embedded in the aerosol generating substrate 104, thereby heating the aerosol generating substrate from the inside out. When the aerosol generating substrate 104 is heated by the susceptor 106, an aerosol containing consumables is generated. When a user utilizes the housing 150, for example by sucking on the second end 156, the aerosol is drawn out of the housing 108 but not from the housing 150. Due to the negative pressure created by sucking on the second end 156, the aerosol is drawn towards the second end 156 through any space between the aerosol generating substrate 104 and the housing 150. Openings at or around the first end 152 may be used to facilitate airflow around the outside of the aerosol generating substrate 104 and toward the second end 156. Such openings may be equipped with unidirectional or controlled flow valves.

[0055] A variety of strategies can be employed to enable multiple medication plans using a single consumable container package 102. For example, the induction heating element 160 can surround a portion of the consumable container package 102. Only the portion of the consumable container package 102 surrounded by the heating element 160 is heated, and the consumable is released. Subsequently, by adjusting the position of the induction heating element 160 relative to the consumable container package 102, a new portion of the consumable container package 102 that has not yet been sufficiently heated to release the consumable can be surrounded by the induction heating element 160. To achieve this new position, the induction heating element 160 may be movable and the aerosol generating substrate 104 may remain stationary, or the aerosol generating substrate 104 may be movable and the induction heating element 160 may remain stationary, or both the induction heating element 160 and the aerosol generating substrate 104 may be movable. In some embodiments, neither the induction heating element 160 nor the aerosol generating substrate 104 moves. Rather, the induction heating element 160 can surround the entire length of the aerosol generating substrate 104, and a specific section of the induction heating element 160 can be operated to heat only specific parts 104c, 104d, and 104e of the aerosol generating substrate 104 at a given time.

[0056] As shown in Figures 5A-5D, 6A-6C, 7A-7E, and 8A-8B, in a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate 104 is moved along the length of the housing 150 while the induction heating element 160 remains stationary. In just one example, the aerosol generating device 200 may include a drive mechanism 448 that is operably connected to, or otherwise engaged with, the aerosol generating substrate 104 when the aerosol generating substrate 104 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 200. The drive mechanism 448 may be configured to advance the aerosol generating substrate 104 through the housing 150. As the aerosol generating substrate 104 advances through the housing 150, various portions 104c, 104d, and 104e of the aerosol generating substrate may be surrounded by the induction heating element 160. Therefore, when in use, the aerosol generating substrate 104 can be inserted into the housing 150 in such a manner that the aerosol generating substrate 104 can move from the end cap 154 ​​to the mouthpiece 158 through the housing 150, so that parts 104, 104d, and 104e of the aerosol generating substrate 104 gradually pass through the induction heating element 160 in sequence.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the drive mechanism 448 comprises a rod 550 and a rotatable collar 552 operably connected to or otherwise engaged with the rod 550 to advance the rod 550. The collar 552 may be driven by a small motor operably connected to a controller 166. The rod 550 is insertable into the housing 150 through an end cap 154 ​​until the rod 550 contacts the first end 105 of the aerosol generating substrate 104. At this position, the second end 107 of the aerosol generating substrate 104c may be surrounded by an induction heating element 160 (see, for example, Figures 5A, 5B, 6A, and 7B). When the induction heating element 160 is activated, the aerosol generating substrate 104 is heated only in the portion surrounded by the induction heating element 160. When the drive mechanism 448 is activated, the collar 552 advances the rod 550 toward the second end 156 of the housing 150. This movement surrounds a new portion 104d of the aerosol generating substrate (closer to the first end 105 of the aerosol generating substrate 104) with the induction heating element 160 (see, for example, Figures 5C, 6B, and 7D). The operation of the induction heating element 160 now allows the new portion 104d of the aerosol generating substrate 104 that was not previously heated to be heated, thereby releasing another dose of the consumable as an inhalation aerosol. The collar 552 can then advance the aerosol generating substrate again through the housing 150, thereby placing yet another unheated portion 104e of the aerosol generating substrate 104 (even closer to the first end 105, if it is not already present at the first end 105) within the heating range of the induction heating element 160 (see, for example, Figures 5D, 6C, and 7E). This process can be continued until the entire aerosol generating substrate 104 is heated and the consumable aerosol is released.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the rod 550 may be a screw jack having a thread 554 at a first end 556, as shown in Figures 7A to 7E. The thread 554 at the first end 556 of the rod 550 can engage with a rotatable collar 552. Activation of the drive mechanism 448 causes the collar 552 to rotate, which in turn causes the rod 550 to advance. Alternatively, the collar 552 may be fixed, and the rod 550 may be engaged with the rotation mechanism, causing the rod 550 to advance when rotated. Other forms of the drive mechanism 448 may be used to gradually advance the aerosol-generating substrate 104 along a straight path, such as the drive mechanism 448 having an extension action, a sliding action, a rolling action, or a combination thereof. In addition, the advancement of the aerosol-generating substrate may be by a smooth, gradual movement, or by a more abrupt, stepped movement. In an alternative embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate 104 or some structure attached thereto is threaded and can engage with the threads of the housing 150, so that the aerosol generating substrate 104 will advance by rotating the housing 150 or the aerosol generating substrate 104.

[0059] In some embodiments, to prevent movement of the aerosol generating substrate 104 when not in use and before connection to the rod 550, the aerosol generating substrate 104 can be bonded to the inside of the housing 150 with its first end 105 adjacent to the rod 550. The bond between the aerosol generating substrates 104 may be strong enough to prevent the aerosol generating substrate 104 from moving within the housing 150 due to general movement and shaking of the housing 150. Therefore, the movement associated with the transport and shipping of the housing will not be sufficient to cause the aerosol generating substrate 104 to detach from the bond. In addition, the bond between the aerosol generating substrate 104 and the housing 150 may be strong enough to allow the rod 550 to be operably connected to the aerosol generating substrate 104. However, the forward movement of the rod 550 may be sufficient to break the bond between the aerosol generating substrate 104 and the housing 150, thereby allowing the aerosol generating substrate 104 to move forward through the housing 150. The new connection between the rod 550 and the aerosol generating substrate 104 is strong enough to prevent the aerosol generating substrate 104 from moving around inside the housing 150 during movement after the adhesive between the aerosol generating substrate 104 and the housing 150 has broken. Alternatively, if the adhesive is a temperature-sensitive material, the adhesive may break or weaken when the aerosol generating substrate 104 is first heated before the rod 550 moves forward.

[0060] However, to prevent unwanted movement of the aerosol generating substrate 104 after initial use, such as when the device is thrown into a handbag or tossed onto a counter, the aerosol generating substrate 104 may have an internal friction fitting in the housing 150 to prevent movement other than that caused by the rod 550, or the aerosol generating substrate 104 may be attached to or otherwise engaged with the rod 550 to prevent movement independent of the rod 550. Alternatively, the aerosol generating substrate 104 may be engaged with a housing or other structure having threads or other structures to prevent unwanted movement of the aerosol generating substrate 104.

[0061] In some embodiments, the advancement of the rod 550 may only cause the aerosol-generating substrate 104 to advance through the housing 150. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 8A-8B, the end cap 154 ​​may also advance through the housing 150. Thus, the aerosol-generating substrate 104 may be connected to the end cap 154, and the rod 500 may be connected to or otherwise engaged with the end cap 154. Thus, the advancement of the rod 500 causes the end cap 154 ​​to advance through the housing 150, and the end cap 154 ​​causes the aerosol-generating substrate 104 to advance through the housing 150.

[0062] Now that the general principle of the consumables storage package 102 has been established, variations that achieve the same objective have also been considered. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate 104 may comprise two elongated sections 104a, 104b. The two elongated sections 104a, 104b of the aerosol generating substrate 104 may be defined by a plane that cuts through and parallel to the longitudinal axis A. Thus, the two elongated sections 104a, 104b may be cuboidal or semi-cylindrical sections that, when interlocked, form a larger cuboidal or fully cylindrical aerosol generating substrate 104.

[0063] In some embodiments, the housing 108 may be made of a porous material. For example, the housing 108 may be porous paper wrap or other similar material. Thus, the holes will function as openings 120 by allowing the aerosol to escape from the aerosol generating substrate 104 when heated. Furthermore, since the aerosol generating substrate 104 can be compressed to remove oxygen, the likelihood of combustion remains low at the operating temperature and for the short period during which the aerosol generating substrate 104 is exposed to high temperatures. Even though the outside of the housing 108 is exposed to oxygen along the flow path between the housing 108 and the casing 150, induction heating rapidly heats the consumable from the inside out, so the outside of the housing 108 never reaches combustion temperature.

[0064] In embodiments where the storage body 108 is made of a porous material, the storage body 108 allows the aerosol to pass through its pores and escape laterally or radially outward from the storage body 108. This allows the aerosol to enter a channel created between the housing 150 and the storage body 108.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate 104 is rectangular in shape, and the housing 150 is cylindrical, so that four channels are created between the aerosol generating substrate 104 and the housing 108, between the generally flat surface of the rectangular parallelepiped and the cylindrical wall (i.e., above, below, and along the sides of the aerosol generating substrate 104 on both the left and right sides). The rectangular parallelepiped is a preferred shape for the aerosol generating substrate 104, and the cylindrical shape is a preferred shape for the housing 108, but any shape may be used for either of them.

[0066] In some embodiments, the housing 108 may be thicker and sufficiently porous so that the aerosol can pass through the pores longitudinally along axis A from end to end along the length of the housing 108. In such embodiments, since the aerosol can pass through the housing 108, a designated flow path may not be necessary between the housing 150 and the housing 108. Such porous material may include cigarette paper, cellulose or other filter media, or any suitable material for the purpose.

[0067] The housing 108 containing the aerosol-generating substrate 104 can then be inserted into the casing 150 to form a consumables storage package 102. When the susceptor 106 is heated, the consumables aerosolize and escape into the porous housing 108. When the user uses the mouthpiece 158, the negative pressure generated inside the casing 150 creates an airflow towards the mouthpiece 158, and the aerosolized consumables pass through the holes in the housing 108 toward the mouthpiece 158, where they can be inhaled by the user.

[0068] The above description of preferred embodiments of the present invention is presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any specific form disclosed. Numerous modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above. The scope of the present invention is intended to be limited not by this detailed description but by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for generating an aerosol, (a) Aerosol generating substrate and (b) A susceptor embedded in the aerosol generating substrate, (c) A housing for containing the aerosol generating substrate, (d) an aerosol generating device for receiving the housing, (i) A drive mechanism that is operably connected to the aerosol generating substrate and drives the aerosol generating substrate through the housing, and (ii) An induction heating element surrounding at least a portion of the housing, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to advance the aerosol generating substrate through the housing such that portions of the aerosol generating substrate pass through the induction heating element in sequence. an aerosol generating device equipped with A device equipped with the following features.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an end cap and a mouthpiece on the opposite side of the end cap, and the drive mechanism comprises a rod operably connected to the aerosol generating substrate via the end cap.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rod is threaded at a first end to gradually advance the aerosol generating substrate.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism advances the end cap.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism advances the aerosol generating substrate while the end cap remains stationary.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is at least partially present within the housing.

8. A method for aerosolizing consumables contained within an aerosol-generating substrate using an aerosol-generating device, (a) Placing the aerosol generating substrate inside the housing, (b) Inserting the housing until it is received by the aerosol generating device, so that the first portion of the aerosol generating substrate is surrounded by the induction heating element of the aerosol generating device, and the susceptor is embedded in the aerosol generating substrate. (c) Heating the susceptor by activating the induction heating element, thereby heating the consumable located in the first part of the aerosol generating substrate to aerosolize it. (d) Moving the aerosol generating substrate forward through the housing such that the second portion of the aerosol generating substrate is surrounded by the induction heating element of the aerosol generating device, and (e) Activating the induction heating element of the aerosol generating apparatus, thereby aerosolizing the consumable located in the second portion of the aerosol generating substrate. A method that includes this.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is located inside the housing and, when placed inside the aerosol generating device, the induction heating element of the aerosol generating device surrounds the housing.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein advancing the aerosol generating substrate includes advancing the aerosol generating substrate by a drive mechanism operably engaged with the aerosol generating substrate.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the housing comprises an end cap at a first end and a mouthpiece at a second end opposite to the first end, and the drive mechanism comprises a rod operably connected to the aerosol generating device via the end cap.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the drive mechanism advances the end cap.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the drive mechanism advances the aerosol generating substrate without advancing the end cap.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

15. A method for manufacturing a device for generating an aerosol, (a) Provide an aerosol generating substrate for containing consumables, (b) embedding a susceptor in the aerosol generating substrate, (c) Arranging the aerosol generating substrate inside the housing, (d) Providing an aerosol generating device configured to receive the housing, wherein the aerosol generating device is (i) an induction heating element configured to surround at least a portion of the housing, and (ii) A drive mechanism operably connected to the aerosol generating substrate, which advances the aerosol generating substrate within the housing so as to pass through the induction heating element, and sequentially heats the portion of the aerosol generating substrate. To prepare, to set up A method that includes this.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising providing an end cap positioned at a first end of the housing and a mouthpiece at a second end of the housing.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising engaging the rod of the drive mechanism with the aerosol generating substrate via the end cap.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising advancing the end cap to advance the aerosol generating substrate within the housing so that it passes through the induction heating element.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising advancing the aerosol generating substrate within the housing without advancing the end cap.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

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