Aerosol supply device

Abstract

To disclose an aerosol provision device (100).SOLUTION: The device has a chamber (110) configured to receive a consumable (10) comprising aerosol-generating material, a body (120), and a mouthpiece (130) through which aerosol generated is drawn by a user when the mouthpiece is arranged in an open position. The device is configured so that movement of the consumable towards or into the chamber causes the mouthpiece to move relative to the body from a closed position to the open position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1c

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol supply device, an aerosol supply system including the aerosol supply device, and a method of arranging the aerosol supply device.

Background Art

[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars generate tobacco smoke by burning tobacco during use. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called "non-combustion heating type" products or tobacco heating devices or products that release compounds by heating a material but do not burn it. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] A first aspect provides an aerosol supply device. The aerosol supply device is for generating an inhalable medium. The aerosol supply device includes a chamber configured to receive a consumable containing an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol supply device includes a body. The aerosol supply device includes a mouthpiece, and when the mouthpiece is in an open position, an aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material is drawn by a user of the aerosol supply device through the mouthpiece. The aerosol supply device is configured such that movement of the consumable toward or into the chamber causes the mouthpiece to move from a closed position to an open position relative to the body.

[0004] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece includes a wall of the chamber.

[0005] In some embodiments, the body includes at least a portion of the chamber.

[0006] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is configured such that the mouthpiece is retracted into the main body when in the closed position.

[0007] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is configured such that the mouthpiece extends from the main body when in the open position.

[0008] In some embodiments, the extension direction of the mouthpiece is the same as the direction of most of the dimensions of the aerosol supply device.

[0009] In some embodiments, the chamber is not at least partially blocked when the mouthpiece is in the closed position.

[0010] In some embodiments, the size of the chamber is the same when the mouthpiece is in the closed position and in the open position.

[0011] In some embodiments, the size of the chamber differs depending on whether the mouthpiece is in the closed or open position.

[0012] In some embodiments, the chamber has a first volume when the mouthpiece is in the closed position, and this first volume is smaller than a second volume of the chamber when the mouthpiece is in the open position.

[0013] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece is configured to occupy at least a portion of the chamber in the closed position, thereby blocking access to the chamber by consumables.

[0014] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is configured such that the mouthpiece moves relative to the main body as it moves toward or into the chamber as a consumable is inserted into the chamber.

[0015] In some embodiments, the position of the mouthpiece relative to the main body is determined by the position of the consumables relative to the main body.

[0016] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece is rotatable from a closed position to an open position.

[0017] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece is spirally rotatable from a closed position to an open position.

[0018] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece is translationally movable from a closed position to an open position.

[0019] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece is linearly movable from a closed position to an open position.

[0020] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device includes a guide configured to guide the movement of the mouthpiece in a predetermined manner between an open position and a closed position. In some embodiments, the guide includes a pivot axis. In some embodiments, the guide includes a track and a runner configured to move along the track.

[0021] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device includes a detector for detecting the insertion of a consumable into or toward the chamber, and a controller that receives an output from the detector and moves a mouthpiece from a closed position to an open position relative to the main body based on the output.

[0022] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device includes a drive mechanism configured to cause movement of a mouthpiece from a closed position to an open position.

[0023] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device includes a damping mechanism configured to control at least a portion of the movement of the mouthpiece from a closed position to an open position.

[0024] In some embodiments, the chamber is configured to receive consumables through the side of the aerosol supply device.

[0025] In some embodiments, the chamber is configured to receive a consumable through an end of the aerosol supply device.

[0026] In some embodiments, the insertion direction of the consumable into the chamber is the same as the movement direction of the mouthpiece from the closed position to the open position.

[0027] In some embodiments, the insertion direction of the consumable into the chamber is different from the movement direction of the mouthpiece between the open position and the closed position. In some embodiments, the insertion direction of the consumable into the chamber is perpendicular to the movement direction of the mouthpiece between the open position and the closed position.

[0028] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is arranged such that the consumable is visible to the user when the mouthpiece is in the open position and the consumable is positioned within the chamber.

[0029] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is arranged such that the consumable is visible to the user when looking at the longitudinal end of the aerosol supply device when the consumable is positioned within the chamber. In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is arranged such that the consumable is hidden from the user when looking at the side surface of the aerosol supply device when the consumable is positioned within the chamber. In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is arranged such that the consumable is hidden from the user when looking at any side surface of the aerosol supply device when the consumable is positioned within the chamber.

[0030] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is arranged such that the consumable is visible to the user when viewing the side of the aerosol supply device when the consumable is positioned within the chamber. In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is arranged such that the consumable is hidden from the user when viewing the longitudinal end of the aerosol supply device when the consumable is positioned within the chamber. In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is arranged such that the consumable is hidden from the user when viewing the opposing longitudinal ends of the aerosol supply device when the consumable is positioned within the chamber.

[0031] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is arranged such that a portion of the consumable is visible to the user when the consumable is positioned within the chamber, and this portion constitutes a part of the overall dimensions of the consumable. In some embodiments, the overall dimension is the length of the consumable. In some embodiments, the overall dimension is the width of the consumable. In some embodiments, the overall dimension is the depth of the consumable. In some embodiments, the portion is 50% or less of the overall dimension. In some embodiments, the portion is 25% or less of the overall dimension. In some embodiments, the portion is 10% or less of the overall dimension. In some embodiments, the portion is 1% or less of the overall dimension.

[0032] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device is arranged such that the consumable is visible to the user without protruding from the surface of the aerosol supply device when the consumable is positioned within the chamber.

[0033] In some embodiments, the chamber is configured to hide the consumable when the consumable is received within the chamber and when viewing the consumable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the consumable.

[0034] According to a second aspect, an aerosol supply system is provided. The aerosol supply system comprises an aerosol supply device according to the first aspect and a consumable containing an aerosol generating material.

[0035] A third aspect provides a method for positioning an aerosol supply device. The method includes the step of preparing the mouthpiece of the aerosol supply device at a position away from the open position, so that the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material can be drawn out by the user of the aerosol supply device through the mouthpiece. The method includes the step of inserting a consumable into the aerosol supply device. The method includes the step of moving the mouthpiece to the open position relative to the body by insertion, so that the user can draw out the aerosol through the mouthpiece.

[0036] In some embodiments, the method is a method for arranging an aerosol supply device according to a first embodiment.

[0037] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given merely as examples, in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described as merely examples with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1a] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 1b] Figures 1a and 1c are schematic perspective views of the aerosol supply device. [Figure 1c] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 1d] Figures 1a and 1c are schematic perspective views of an aerosol supply system equipped with the aerosol supply device shown in Figures 1a and 1c. [Figure 2a] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 2b] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 2c] Figures 2a and 2b are schematic perspective views of an aerosol supply system equipped with the aerosol supply device shown in Figures 2a and 2b. [Figure 3a] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 3b] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 4a] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 4b] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 5a] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 5b] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 6a] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 6b] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol supply device. [Figure 7] This is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol supply system. [Figure 8] This diagram shows how to position an aerosol supply device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] [Detailed explanation] This disclosure relates to aerosol supply devices, such as non-flammable aerosol supply devices, and aerosol supply systems, such as non-flammable aerosol supply systems. According to this disclosure, a “non-flammable” aerosol supply device is one in which the constituent aerosol-generating material contained in consumables received by the chamber of the aerosol supply device (or its components) is not burned or incinerated in order to facilitate the delivery of the aerosol-generating material to the user. In some embodiments, an aerosol supply system, such as a non-flammable aerosol supply system, includes an aerosol supply device, such as a non-flammable aerosol supply device, and consumables for use with the aerosol supply device, the consumables including aerosol-generating material.

[0041] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is an electrically powered non-flammable aerosol supply system.

[0042] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is an e-cigarette, also known as a vapor inhalation device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0043] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. An example of such a system is a cigarette heating system.

[0044] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0045] Aerosol-generating materials are materials that can generate aerosols when heated, irradiated, or energized by any other means. Aerosol-generating materials may be in the form of solids, liquids, or gels, and may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. Aerosol-generating materials may also include "amorphous solids," which can alternatively be called "monolithic solids" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can hold some fluid, such as a liquid, internally. In some cases, the aerosol-generating material comprises about 50% by weight, 60% by weight, or 70% by weight of amorphous solid, or about 90% by weight, 95% by weight, or 100% by weight of amorphous solid. In some cases, the aerosol-generating material consists of amorphous solids.

[0046] The aerosol-generating material may include one or more active substances and / or fragrances, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0047] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered by the aerosol supply device may be an aerosol-generating material comprising an active ingredient, a carrier ingredient, and optionally one or more other functional ingredients.

[0048] Consumables are articles containing or consisting of aerosol-generating materials, some or all of which are intended to be consumed by the user during use. Consumables may also include one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier. Furthermore, consumables may include an aerosol generator, such as a heater, which releases heat to generate aerosols in the aerosol-generating material during use. The heater may include, for example, a flammable material, an electrically conductive material, or a susceptor.

[0049] In some embodiments, consumables for use with an aerosol supply device may include an aerosol-generating material or a region for receiving the aerosol-generating material. The region for receiving the aerosol-generating material may be a storage region for storing the aerosol-generating material. For example, the storage region may be a reservoir. In some embodiments, the region for receiving the aerosol-generating material may be separate from the aerosol-generating region or may be combined with the aerosol-generating region.

[0050] A susceptor is a material that can be heated by the penetration of a changing magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be a conductive material, thereby causing inductive heating of the heating material by the penetration of the changing magnetic field into the susceptor. The heating material may be a magnetic material, thereby causing magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material by the penetration of the changing magnetic field into the heating material. The susceptor may possess both conductivity and magnetism, thereby allowing it to be heated by both heating mechanisms. A device configured to generate a changing magnetic field is referred to herein as a magnetic field generator.

[0051] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system, for example, a non-flammable aerosol supply device, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, a power source or a heat source. In some embodiments, the heat source includes a carbon substrate that can be powered to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or heat transfer material adjacent to the heat source.

[0052] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply device may include a region for receiving consumables, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating region, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0053] The user can insert a consumable into the aerosol supply device before the aerosol is generated, and then inhale it. The consumable may be of a predetermined or specific size, configured to be placed in a chamber, such as a heating chamber of a device sized to receive the consumable.

[0054] Aerosol modifiers are generally located downstream of the aerosol generation region and are configured to modify the generated aerosol, for example, by altering the taste, flavor, acidity, or other characteristics of the aerosol. The aerosol modifier may be contained within an aerosol modifier release component that is operable to selectively release the aerosol modifier.

[0055] The aerosol modifier may be, for example, an additive or an adsorbent. The aerosol modifier may contain, for example, one or more of the following: flavorings, colorings, water, and carbon adsorbents. The aerosol modifier may be, for example, a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol modifier may be in the form of a powder, thread, or granules. The aerosol modifier may not contain any filtration material.

[0056] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may include one or more active ingredients, one or more fragrances, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and / or one or more other functional materials. One or more of the other functional materials may include one or more of the following: pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0057] An aerosol generator is a device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to expose the aerosol-generating material to thermal energy so that it releases one or more volatile substances to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to expose the aerosol-generating material to one or more of the following: vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy. The aerosol generator may be provided as a permanent part of an aerosol supply device.

[0058] Devices are known that heat an aerosol-generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material, thereby forming an inhalable aerosol without generally burning or combustion of the aerosol-generating material. Such devices may be described as “aerosol-generating devices,” “aerosol-supplying devices,” “non-combustion heating devices,” “tobacco heating product devices,” or “tobacco heating devices,” or similar. Similarly, there are so-called e-cigarette devices that generally vaporize an aerosol-generating material in liquid form, which may or may not contain nicotine. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a rod, cartridge, or cassette that can be inserted into the device, or may be provided as part of such a rod, cartridge, or cassette.

[0059] When no aerosol is being drawn through the aerosol supply device, the user stores the aerosol supply device in a pocket or bag or other storage compartment. The user then removes the aerosol supply device from the storage compartment before configuring it to be ready for a use session when the aerosol is being drawn from the device or the device is being cleaned. User interaction with the aerosol supply device includes physically adjusting the aerosol supply device to a state suitable for a use session. Aerosol supply devices and aerosol supply systems that provide improved setup capabilities and / or reduced storage requirements are described herein.

[0060] Referring to Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c, the aerosol supply device 100 is shown. Referring to Figure 1d, the aerosol supply system 100S comprising the aerosol supply device 100 is shown.

[0061] The aerosol supply device 100 includes a chamber 110 for receiving a consumable 10 containing an aerosol generating material. The chamber 110 is formed within a cavity 101 of the aerosol supply device 100. The consumable 10 is configured to occupy a portion of the cavity 101. The consumable 10 is shown by a dotted boundary in Figure 1c to schematically show where the consumable 10 is located when it is inside the chamber 110. In this embodiment, a gap is shown between the consumable 10 and the wall, but the chamber 110 is configured such that the consumable 10 abuts against the wall of the chamber 110.

[0062] In some embodiments, the chamber 110 includes an interface (not shown) configured to engage with the consumable 10 and hold the consumable 10 in a predetermined position within the chamber 110. In this embodiment, the consumable 10 is insertable into the chamber 110 through an opening on the side of the chamber 110. In other embodiments, the consumable 10 may be insertable into the chamber 110 through an opening at the end of the chamber 110.

[0063] In this embodiment, the chamber 110 is of variable size and therefore of variable volume. In other embodiments, the chamber 110 may have a fixed size and therefore a fixed volume. The chamber 110 shown in Figure 1a is provided in a folded state of minimum size (minimum volume). The chamber 110 shown in Figure 1c is provided in an expanded state of maximum size (maximum volume). It is advantageous that the aerosol supply device 100 is more compact when the chamber 110 is folded, for example, when the aerosol supply device 100 is stored by the user of the aerosol supply device 100, than when the chamber 110 is in the expanded state.

[0064] When the consumable 10 is inside the chamber 110, a portion of the consumable 10 is visible to the user. The portion of the consumable 10 is visible when viewing only one side of the aerosol supply device 100 in the depth direction, indicated as direction Z. That is, the chamber 110 is configured to conceal the consumable 10 from the user when viewing in the length (vertical) and width (horizontal) directions, indicated as the Y direction and X direction, respectively, so that the consumable 10 is shielded from view by the aerosol supply device 100. In some embodiments, the chamber 110 may be configured to cause the consumable 10 to protrude from the aerosol supply device 100. The protrusion of the consumable 10 is visible when viewing the aerosol supply device 100 in the vertical direction Y and the width direction X. In other embodiments, when the consumable 10 is inside the chamber 110, the chamber 110 may be configured to hide the consumable 10 and therefore conceal it from the user when viewing the aerosol supply device 100 in the depth direction Z. In other embodiments, the chamber 110 may be configured to allow the consumables 10 to be visible when the aerosol supply device 100 is viewed from multiple directions, unless the consumables 10 are inside the chamber 110. In other embodiments, the chamber 110 may be configured to completely conceal the consumables 10 when the aerosol supply device 100 is viewed from any direction, and therefore completely out of sight to the user, unless the aerosol supply device 100 or a portion of the aerosol supply device 100 is transparent or translucent.

[0065] The aerosol supply device 100 includes an aerosol generator 180 for generating an inhalable medium, such as an aerosol, from the aerosol-generating material of the consumable 10 when the consumable 10 is inside the chamber 110. The aerosol generator 180 is configured to supply heat to the aerosol-generating material of the consumable 10 to generate an inhalable medium. Thus, the aerosol generator 180 includes an electric resistance heater. In other embodiments, the aerosol generator 180 may include an induction heater, or one or more of an electric resistance heater and an induction heater. In yet another embodiment, pressure can be used to generate an inhalable medium from the consumable. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1a and 1b, the aerosol generator 180 substantially surrounds the chamber 110 along its length. In other embodiments, the aerosol generator 180 may only partially extend along the chamber and / or may be located elsewhere relative to the chamber 110. For example, the aerosol generator 180 may be located inside the chamber 110.

[0066] Power to the electric resistance heater is supplied by a power supply 190. In this embodiment, the power supply 190 is a rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery is integrated with the aerosol supply device 100. In other embodiments, the power supply may be replaceable, such as a replaceable battery. In other embodiments, the battery 190 may be a non-rechargeable battery. The power supply 190 is configured to supply power to the electronic components of the aerosol supply device 100.

[0067] The aerosol supply device 100 comprises a main body 120 and a mouthpiece 130 having an opening 131, through which a user of the aerosol supply device 100 can inhale an aerosol through the mouthpiece 130. The main body 120 constitutes a portion of the chamber 110, and the mouthpiece 130 constitutes the wall of the chamber 110. The chamber 110 has five walls, namely, a rear wall in the depth direction Z, two opposing side walls in the width direction X, and two opposing walls in the longitudinal direction Y (an upper wall formed by the mouthpiece 130 and a lower wall formed by the main body 120). Thus, the main body 120 comprises four of the five walls, and the mouthpiece 130 comprises the other wall (the upper wall). The wall formed by the mouthpiece 130 is movable in the longitudinal direction Y to change the size of the chamber 110. That is, as shown in Figure 1a, when the chamber 110 is in the folded state, the opening of the chamber 110 is covered by the mouthpiece 130. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1c, when the chamber 110 is in the extended state and the consumable 10 is inside the chamber 110, the mouthpiece 130 is configured to contact the consumable 10. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece 130 does not need to contact the consumable 10 when the chamber 110 is in the extended state.

[0068] In this embodiment, the chamber 110 has five walls, but in other embodiments, there may be fewer than five walls, two or more, and the body 120 has at least one wall and the mouthpiece 130 has at least one wall. In some embodiments, the body 120 and / or the mouthpiece 130 may have a curved wall of the chamber 110. The curved wall may be complementary in shape to the curved shape of the consumable 10. In some embodiments, the body 120 may have a single wall of the chamber 110, and that single wall may be curved.

[0069] The mouthpiece 130 is a component that allows the user of the aerosol supply device 100 to draw out the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material of the consumable 10. The user can draw out the aerosol through the mouthpiece 130 when the mouthpiece 130 is in the open position and the consumable 10 is inside the chamber 110, as shown in Figure 1c. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 130 is positioned at the center of the longitudinal axis A of the aerosol supply device 100. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece 130 may be offset from the longitudinal axis A.

[0070] The mouthpiece 130 is movable relative to the main body 120 so that the user can access the mouthpiece 130 to inhale an aerosol through it. The mouthpiece 130 is movable back and forth along the longitudinal axis A. Thus, the mouthpiece 130 is a movable component of the aerosol supply device 100. The mouthpiece 130 is also configured to occupy a portion of the cavity 101 of the aerosol supply device 100. (The other portion is occupied by the consumables 10, as shown in Figure 1c). Thus, the mouthpiece 130 is configured to move within the cavity 101 to open and close the cavity 101. When the cavity 101 is opened, the size of the chamber 110 increases, and when the cavity 101 is closed, the size of the chamber 110 decreases.

[0071] The mouthpiece 130 is movable between a first position (as shown in Figures 1a and 1b) and a second position (as shown in Figures 1c and 1d). In the first position, the first portion of the mouthpiece 130 exposed from the aerosol supply device 100 is smaller than the second portion of the mouthpiece 130 in the second position. The first position is a retracted position, as the mouthpiece 130 is retracted into the body 120. The retracted position can be considered the closed position of the mouthpiece 130. The second position is an extended position, as the mouthpiece 130 is extended from the body 120. The extended position can be considered the open position of the mouthpiece. In the first position, the chamber 110 is smaller in size than when it is in the second position.

[0072] The mouthpiece 130 is configured to allow the chamber 110 to extend in the longitudinal Y direction to the longitudinal range of the aerosol generator 180, as shown in Figure 1c. In the second position, the chamber 110 is the aerosol generation zone. In some embodiments, the chamber 110 is configured to extend in the longitudinal Y direction beyond the longitudinal range of the aerosol generator 180, as shown in the embodiments of Figures 2a and 2b.

[0073] When the consumable 10 is inside the chamber 110 and the mouthpiece 130 is in the second position, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material can be drawn out from the consumable 10. Therefore, the user can inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol supply device 100 by inhaling the mouthpiece 130 when it is in the second open position. In the first position, the chamber 110 is closed to the user because the cavity 101 is at least partially covered by the mouthpiece 130. That is, the mouthpiece 130 is configured such that in the first position the mouthpiece 130 at least partially covers the opening to the chamber 110 through which the consumable 10 can be inserted. Therefore, in the first position, the user cannot inhale the mouthpiece 130 in the first position. The mouthpiece 130 may be any shape suitable for at least partially covering the cavity 101 when the mouthpiece 130 is in the first position. In another embodiment, when the mouthpiece 130 is in the first position, the mouthpiece 130 can completely cover the cavity 101.

[0074] When the consumable 10 is removed from the aerosol supply device 100, the mouthpiece 130 is configured to move from a second position to a first position to at least partially cover the cavity 101. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece 130 is configured to move to the first position without being biased. During storage of the aerosol supply device 100, the mouthpiece 130 in the first position helps to reduce the overall size of the aerosol supply device 100. When the mouthpiece 130 is in the first position, it reduces the risk of contamination in the cavity 101 and protects the user from residual heat in the chamber 110 generated by the aerosol generator 180.

[0075] The aerosol supply device 100 includes a guide 140. The guide 140 is configured to guide the movement of the mouthpiece 130 between a first closed position and a second open position in a predetermined manner. In some embodiments, the guide 140 is optional so that the mouthpiece 130 can move freely between the first and second positions without guiding its movement. This allows the mouthpiece 130 to move randomly between the first and second positions.

[0076] In this embodiment, the guide 140 allows the mouthpiece 130 to slide against the body 120 between a first closed position and a second open position of the mouthpiece. That is, the mouthpiece 130 is translationally movable from the closed position to the open position. In this embodiment, the translational movement is linear. In this embodiment, the guide 140 provides the guided movement of the mouthpiece 130 using frictional surface contact between two substantially flat surfaces. The guide 140 comprises one substantially flat surface, and the mouthpiece 130 comprises another substantially flat surface. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the mouthpiece 130 comprises the other substantially flat surface. In some embodiments, the guide 140 and the mouthpiece 130 may comprise non-flat surfaces that still provide frictional surface contact, allowing the guide 140 to guide the movement of the mouthpiece 130 between the first closed position and the second open position of the mouthpiece 130 in a predetermined manner.

[0077] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device 100 includes a biasing member configured to bias the mouthpiece 130 to a first position. The biasing member resists movement of the mouthpiece 130 to a second position. In some embodiments, the aerosol supply device 100 includes a damper configured to dampen the movement of the mouthpiece 130 to the first position. The damper may only act when the mouthpiece 130 is moving to the second position. Examples of biasing members and dampers are shown below with reference to Figure 3b. It is advantageous that the biasing member and damper result in controlled movement of the mouthpiece 130.

[0078] The user configures the aerosol supply device 100 for use by inserting a consumable 10 into a chamber 110 provided on the side 122 of the main body 120. In this embodiment, the direction of insertion of the consumable 10 into the chamber 110 is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the mouthpiece 130 between the open and closed positions. In the first position, the mouthpiece 130 blocks access to the chamber 110. Therefore, the mouthpiece 130 must be moved out of the way to release the blockage of the cavity 101 and provide access to the chamber 110. In doing so, the consumable 10 comes into contact with the mouthpiece 130, thereby moving the mouthpiece 130 from the first closed position to the second open position relative to the main body 120. That is, as a result of the movement of the consumable 10 into the chamber 110, the mouthpiece 130 moves away from the main body 120. Furthermore, the position of the mouthpiece 130 relative to the main body 120 is determined by the position of the consumable 10 relative to the main body 120. In this embodiment, the guide 140 is configured to resist and control the movement of the mouthpiece 130, thereby preventing unintentional movement of the mouthpiece 130. The resistance is set to be operated by the user without requiring excessive force. In other embodiments, the movement may be automatic only to avoid the need for manual operation.

[0079] The aerosol supply device 100 includes a detector 150 for detecting the insertion of consumables 10 into the chamber 110. The aerosol supply device 100 also includes a controller 160 and a drive mechanism in the form of a motor 170. The controller 160 receives an output from the detector 150 and causes the motor 170 to move the mouthpiece 130 relative to the main body 120 from a first closed position to a second open position. Thus, the movement of the mouthpiece 130 is based on the output from the detector 150. The detector 150, controller 160, motor 170, and aerosol generator 180 are each powered by a power supply 190. The removal of consumables from the chamber 110, which leads to the absence of consumables from the aerosol supply device 100, can also be detected by the detector 150. Thus, the removal of consumables 10 from the chamber 110 is also configured to cause the mouthpiece 130 to move in the reverse direction. In other embodiments, the controller 160 receives the output from the detector 150 to detect that there is no consumable 10 in the chamber 110 and is configured to cause the motor 170 to move the mouthpiece 130 relative to the main body 120 from a second open position to a first closed position. In this embodiment, the user can turn the detector 150 on or off by operating a switch 151. The switch 151 is manually operable and is configured to send an electronic signal to the controller 160 to enable or disable the detector 150. In this embodiment, the switch 151 is a push switch. In other embodiments, the switch 151 is a slide switch. In some embodiments, the switch 151 does not require any movement given to the switch 151 by the user to operate the switch 151. For example, the switch 151 may be equipped with a capacitive sensor to sense the presence of the user. When the detector 150 is off, the mouthpiece 130 is moved by the manual insertion of the consumable 10. When the detector 150 is turned on, the mouthpiece 130 automatically moves when the insertion of the consumable 10 is detected.

[0080] In some embodiments, the controller 160 may be configured to activate the aerosol generator 180 when the detector 150 detects the presence of consumables 10 in the chamber 110. In some embodiments, the activation of the aerosol generator 180 by the controller 160 is immediate. In other embodiments, the activation of the aerosol generator 180 by the controller 160 is delayed by a predetermined time.

[0081] Figures 2a and 2b show the aerosol supply device 200, and Figure 2c shows the aerosol supply system 200S comprising the aerosol supply device 200. The aerosol supply device 200 and the aerosol supply system 200S are substantially similar to the aerosol supply device 100 and the aerosol supply system 100S, respectively, as described in relation to Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c. Similar components in the aerosol supply device 200 and the aerosol supply system 200S have the same reference numerals as those in Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c, except that the reference numerals are incremented by 100. Although not shown, the aerosol supply device 200 includes a power supply and a controller, as described in relation to the aerosol supply device 100 in Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c.

[0082] In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 230 is fully retractable into the cavity 201 of the aerosol supply device 200, as shown in Figure 2a. A fully retractable mouthpiece 230 is advantageous because it makes the aerosol supply device 200 more compact when the mouthpiece 230 is positioned in the first position. Furthermore, when the mouthpiece 230 is positioned in the first position, it is hidden by the main body 220 when the aerosol supply device 200 is viewed in the depth direction Z.

[0083] In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 230 is manually movable between a first position shown in Figure 2a and a second position shown in Figure 2b. Although motorized operation by a motor is not shown, as described in relation to the aerosol positioning device 100, such a motor can be provided in the aerosol positioning device 200. Such a manual configuration may help reduce the complexity of the aerosol positioning device 200, as the mouthpiece 230 can be moved directly by the force of the user acting on the mouthpiece 230.

[0084] The movement of the mouthpiece 230 within the aerosol positioning device 200 is guided by a guide 240. In this embodiment, the guide 240 allows the mouthpiece 230 to slide against the body 220 between a first closed position and a second open position, as described with respect to the aerosol supplying device 100. However, the guide 240 in this embodiment differs from that of the aerosol supplying device 100 in that the guide 240 comprises a track 242 and a runner 244. The runner 244 is configured to move along the track 242. The track 242 and runner 244 provide guided movement beyond that provided by frictional surface contact between two substantially flat surfaces, as described with respect to the aerosol supplying device 100. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 230 comprises the runner 244 and the body 220 comprises the track 242. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece 230 may comprise the track 242 and the body 220 may comprise the runner 244.

[0085] As shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the track 242 has a series of ridges, and the runner 244 is a ball that moves along the ridges. The ball is an example of a stopper that is biased toward the runner 244 by a biasing member (not shown, but similar to other biasing members described herein) to lock the mouthpiece 230 in a predetermined position. In other embodiments, the runner 244 may include a flexible member that is biased toward the track 242. In such embodiments, the guide 240 may include a snap-fit ​​mechanism, which includes a flexible member and the track 242.

[0086] In this embodiment, the track 242 comprises seven projections 241 and six grooves 243 between them. Each groove 243 is spaced separately to maintain the position of the mouthpiece 230 relative to the body 220. If the runner 244 is a flexible member and the guide is a snap-fit ​​mechanism, the flexible member may be configured to snap into and out of the grooves due to the biasing of the flexible member toward the track 242.

[0087] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2a, when the mouthpiece 230 is in a first position, the runner 244 is at one of the six grooves 243. As shown in Figure 2b, in a second position of the mouthpiece 230, the runner 244 is at the other end of the six grooves 243. Each groove 243 between its ends corresponds to one of several predetermined positions on the mouthpiece 230. In this embodiment, the number of predetermined positions is four. In other embodiments, the number of predetermined positions may be more or less than four.

[0088] The user inserts the consumable 10 into the chamber 210 through an opening 226 at the end 224 of the main body 220. Once the consumable 10 is further inserted, the user applies force to the mouthpiece 230 using the consumable 10 to move the mouthpiece 230 along the longitudinal axis A of the aerosol supply device 200 from a first position shown in Figure 2a to a second position shown in Figure 2b. Moving the mouthpiece 230 requires overcoming any resistance provided by the guide 240. In this embodiment, the direction of insertion of the consumable 10 into the chamber 210 is the same as the direction of movement of the mouthpiece 230 from the closed position to the open position.

[0089] In this embodiment, the movement of the mouthpiece 230 involves a distinct number of steps due to the individual intervals provided by the track 244. Nevertheless, the movement of the mouthpiece 230 from the retracted (closed) position to the extended (open) position relative to the body 220 is the movement of the consumable 10 into the chamber 210 toward the chamber 210. In the extended position, the user can draw out the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material of the consumable 10 through the opening 231 of the mouthpiece 230.

[0090] In this embodiment, the extension direction of the mouthpiece 230 corresponds to the direction of most of the dimensions of the aerosol supply device 200. In this embodiment, most of the dimensions are the length of the aerosol supply device 200, as indicated by direction Y.

[0091] As shown in Figure 2b, when the consumable 10 is fully inserted into the chamber 210, the consumable is hidden by the main body 220 when viewed in the depth Z direction of the aerosol supply device 200. The consumable 10 is hidden by the longitudinal end 224 of the main body 220. The mouthpiece 230 extends from the main body 220 in a second position, increasing the overall size of the aerosol supply device 200, but the consumable 10 itself does not further affect the overall size. Although the consumable 10 is hidden in the depth direction, when the consumable 10 is fully inserted into the chamber 210, the consumable 10 is still visible to the user when viewed in the longitudinal end 224 of the aerosol supply device 200. In other embodiments, the longitudinal end 224 of the aerosol supply device 200 may be covered by a cover (not shown) to completely hide the consumable 10 in the chamber 210.

[0092] In this embodiment, the chamber 210 is also variable in size. However, at the first position of the mouthpiece 230 shown in Figure 2a, the chamber 210 occupies approximately half the length of the aerosol generator 280 in the longitudinal direction Y of the aerosol supply device 200. This allows for increased cooling of the chamber 210 when the consumable 10 is heated by the aerosol generator 280, as a portion of the cavity 201 occupied by the consumable 10 is open to the atmosphere.

[0093] Figures 3a and 3b show the aerosol supply device 300. The aerosol supply device 300 is a variation of the aerosol supply device 100 described in relation to Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c. Similar components of the aerosol supply device 300 have the same reference numerals as those in Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c, except that the reference numerals are increased by 200. Such common features will not be discussed again. The following discussion will be limited to the differences between the aerosol supply devices 100 and 300.

[0094] One difference between the aerosol supply device 100 described above in relation to Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c and the aerosol supply device 300 according to this embodiment shown in Figures 3a and 3b is that the chamber 310 of the aerosol supply device 300 has a fixed size (and therefore a fixed volume). That is, in the first position of the mouthpiece 330 shown in Figure 3a, the chamber 310 occupies the same amount of space in the cavity 301 as the chamber 310 occupies when the mouthpiece 330 is in the second position shown in Figure 3b. When the mouthpiece 330 is in the retracted position, the chamber 310 is open to one side 322 of the body 320 of the aerosol supply device 300, and therefore the chamber 310 is also exposed to the atmosphere. As a result, when the consumable 10 is removed, a portion of the cavity 301 occupied by the consumable 10 is exposed to the external environment, thereby enhancing the cooling of the chamber 310 when the consumable 10 is heated by the aerosol generator 380.

[0095] The aerosol supply device 300 includes a damping mechanism 335 configured to control the movement of the mouthpiece 330 from a closed position, as shown in Figure 3a, to an open position, as shown in Figure 3b. The damping mechanism 335 comprises a biasing member 333 and a damper 337. In some embodiments, the damping mechanism 335 may comprise only one of the biasing member 333 or the damper 337. The biasing member 333 is configured to bias the mouthpiece 330 to a first position, and the damper is configured to control the speed at which the mouthpiece 330 moves, thereby damping the movement of the mouthpiece 330 to the first position. The biasing member 333 resists the movement of the mouthpiece 330 to a second position. The biasing member 333 and the damper 337 are advantageous in that they result in controlled movement of the mouthpiece 330 along the guide 340.

[0096] In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 350 is moved by the operation of a motor 370. The motor 370 is driven by a controller 360 according to the output from a detector 350 that detects the presence of consumables 10 in the chamber 310. The aerosol supply device 300 does not have a switch for engaging and disengaging the operation of the motor 370 by enabling or disabling the detector 350, as described in relation to the aerosol supply device 100. This is because the operation of the motor 370 becomes automatic when the detector 350 detects the presence of consumables 10 in the aerosol supply device 300.

[0097] In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 330 is helically rotatable about the longitudinal axis A of the aerosol supply device 300. That is, the mouthpiece 350 moves helically along the guide 340, so that the mouthpiece 330 retracts and extends from the body 320 in the longitudinal direction Y. In other words, the mouthpiece 350 is configured to move along a helical path as the mouthpiece 350 moves between a closed position and an open position, as indicated by the helical arrow H in Figure 3b. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 350 and the guide 340 each have threaded portions (not shown) that engage with each other to determine the helical path. In this embodiment, the movement of the mouthpiece 330 along the helical path is continuous, but in other embodiments, the movement of the mouthpiece 330 along the helical path may be discrete.

[0098] Figures 4a and 4b show the aerosol supply device 400. The aerosol supply device 400 is a variation of the aerosol supply device 100 described in relation to Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c. Similar components of the aerosol supply device 400 have the same reference numerals as those in Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c, except that the reference numerals are increased by 300. Such common features will not be discussed again, and what will be discussed below will be limited to the differences between the aerosol supply devices 100 and 400.

[0099] One difference between the aerosol supply device 100, which has already been described with respect to Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c, and the aerosol supply device 400 according to this embodiment, shown in Figures 4a and 4b, is that the chamber 410 of the aerosol supply device 400 has a fixed size (and therefore a fixed volume), as described in relation to the aerosol supply device 300. This means that the chamber 410 has the same volume when the mouthpiece 430 is in the first and second positions, respectively, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b.

[0100] The mouthpiece 430 in this embodiment is extendable and comprises a first part 430a of the mouthpiece that is movable relative to a second part 430b of the mouthpiece. The guide 440 is for providing guided movement of only one of the first part 430a and the second part 430b. In this embodiment, the guide 440 provides guided movement of only the first part 430a. In other embodiments, the guide 440 can provide guided movement of both parts 430a and 430b. When the mouthpiece 430 is moved to the extended position shown in Figure 4b, the first part 430a extends from the body 420 and moves relative to the chamber 410. During such movement, the chamber 410 is fixed relative to the second part 430b because the chamber 410 is provided on the second part 430b. In this embodiment, the walls of the chamber 410 are entirely formed by the second part 430b of the mouthpiece 430. A cavity 401 is provided in the mouthpiece 430, but the wall of the chamber 410 is not formed by the wall of the cavity 401.

[0101] In this embodiment, the second component 430b of the mouthpiece comprises a chamber 410. That is, the chamber 410 is not blocked off and is open to the atmosphere when the mouthpiece 430 is in the closed position, as shown in Figure 4a. That is, when the mouthpiece 430 is in the retracted position, the chamber 310 is open to one side 422 of the body 420 of the aerosol supply device 300, so the chamber 410 is also exposed to the atmosphere. This allows for increased cooling of the chamber 410 when the consumable 10 is heated by the aerosol generator 480, as the chamber 410 is open to the external environment when the consumable 10 is removed.

[0102] Similar to the aerosol supply device 300, in this embodiment the mouthpiece 450 is moved by the operation of a motor 470. The motor 470 is driven by a controller 460 according to the output from a detector 450 that detects the presence of the consumable 10 in the chamber 410. The aerosol supply device 400 also does not have a switch to turn the motor 470 on or off by enabling or disabling the detector 450, as described in relation to the aerosol supply device 100. This is because the operation of the motor 470 is automatic in the aerosol supply device 400, as described in relation to the aerosol supply device 300. One difference between the aerosol supply device 300 and the aerosol supply device 400 is that the detector 450 is configured to also detect the movement of the consumable toward the chamber 410 so that the mouthpiece 430 moves before the consumable 10 enters the chamber 410. This increases the speed of setting up the aerosol supply device 400 so that the user can inhale the aerosol supply device 400 more quickly.

[0103] Figures 5a, 5b, 6a, and 6b show aerosol supply devices 500 and 600. As previously mentioned, similar components of aerosol supply devices 500 and 600 have the same reference numbers as those in Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c, but the reference numbers are increased by 400 and 500, respectively. Such common functions will not be described again. The following description will be limited to the differences.

[0104] Furthermore, the aerosol supply devices 500 and 600 may have the aforementioned features that are compatible with the aerosol supply devices 500 and 600 but are not shown in Figures 5a, 5b, 6a, or 6b. Examples include a damping mechanism, a detector, a controller, a motor, an aerosol generator, and a power supply.

[0105] Each of the aerosol supply devices 500 and 600 is equipped with mouthpieces 530 and 630 offset from the vertical axis A of each aerosol supply device 500 and 600. The mouthpieces 530 and 630 extend in the vertical direction Y, but are located at the corners of each aerosol supply device 500 and 600. Furthermore, the direction in which the consumables 10 are inserted into the respective chambers 510 and 610 of each aerosol supply device 500 and 600 is different from the direction in which the respective mouthpieces 530 and 630 move between the open and closed positions.

[0106] In the aerosol supply device 500, the mouthpiece 530 is configured to rotate about a pivot axis 546. The guide 540 includes the pivot axis 546. The pivot axis 546 guides the rotational movement of the mouthpiece 530 relative to the body 520 when the consumable 10 is inserted into the chamber. The consumable 10 is insertable into the side 522 of the body 520 to push the mouthpiece 530 away from a first position shown in Figure 5a toward a second position shown in Figure 5b. When the consumable 10 is removed, the mouthpiece 530 is manually rotated back from the second position to the first position by the user. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 530 can be locked in either or both of the first and second positions. In this embodiment, the pivot axis 546 rotates about the width direction X such that the axis of the pivot axis 546 is given in the width direction X and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the aerosol supply device 500. In other embodiments, the axis of the pivot shaft 546 may be given obliquely to the longitudinal axis A of the aerosol supply device 500. In other embodiments, the pivot shaft 546 can rotate about the longitudinal direction Y or the depth direction Z such that the axis of the pivot shaft 546 is given in the longitudinal direction Y or the depth direction Z, respectively. In some embodiments, the guide 540 may be a hinge comprising the pivot shaft 546. The hinge may be any suitable form. In some embodiments, the pivot shaft 546 may comprise a rod, a pin, or an axle.

[0107] In the aerosol supply device 600, the mouthpiece 630 is configured to slide along a guide 640. The guide 640 operates in the same manner as described by the guide 140 in relation to Figures 1a and 1c, except that the guide 640 in this embodiment is provided on a single side of the mouthpiece 630. When the consumable 10 is inserted into the chamber 610, the guide 640 guides the translational movement of the mouthpiece 630 relative to the body 620. In this embodiment, the consumable 10 is inserted into the chamber 610 in the width direction X through an opening 626 in the lateral side 628 of the body 620. Once the consumable 10 is inserted into the lateral side 628 of the body 620, the consumable 10 pushes the mouthpiece 630 toward a second position shown in Figure 6b, away from a first position shown in Figure 6a. In this embodiment, the guide 640 results in guided movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the aerosol supply device 600. In other embodiments, the guide 640 may provide oblique guidance movement of the aerosol supply device 600 with respect to the longitudinal axis A.

[0108] Figure 7 shows an aerosol supply system 700S comprising an aerosol supply device 700 and consumables 10 for insertion into the aerosol supply device 700. Inserted consumables 11 are indicated by solid lines, and uninserted consumables 10 are indicated by dotted lines. The dashed lines indicate a chamber 710 in which uninserted consumables 10 are about to be inserted and inserted consumables 11 have already been inserted. As previously mentioned, similar components of the aerosol supply device 700 have the same reference numerals as those in Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c, but the reference numerals are increased by 600. Such common features will not be described again. The following description will be limited to the differences.

[0109] The aerosol supply device 700 may have the aforementioned features that are compatible with the aerosol supply device 700 but are not shown in Figure 7. Examples include a damping mechanism, a detector, a controller, a motor, an aerosol generator, and a power supply.

[0110] The aerosol supply device 700 has an opening 726 on a side 722 of the aerosol supply device 700. The opening 726 provides access to a chamber 710 within the body 720 of the aerosol supply device 700 to receive uninserted consumables 10. The chamber 710 is visible when the consumables 10, 11 are not in the chamber 710 and the user is looking at the side 722 of the aerosol supply device 700 in the depth direction of the aerosol supply device 700. Inserted consumables 11 are visible to the user but do not protrude from the side 722 of the aerosol supply device 700.

[0111] The aerosol supply device 700 includes a detector (not shown in Figure 7), as described in relation to the aerosol supply device 100. The detector detects the insertion of consumables 10, 11 into the chamber 710, thereby moving the mouthpiece 730 from a first closed position to a second open position by the controlled operation of a drive mechanism (not shown in Figure 7) in the form of a motor (not shown in Figure 7). Any aspect described above with respect to this operation of the aerosol supply device 100 also applies to the aerosol supply device 700, except for the direction of movement of the mouthpiece 730.

[0112] In the aerosol supply device 700, the mouthpiece 730 rotates relative to the body 720, as shown in Figure 7. The axis of rotation is offset from the longitudinal center of the aerosol supply device 700 such that the mouthpiece 730 extends from the body 720 to one side of the body 720 when the mouthpiece 730 rotates by rotating around the axis. In this embodiment, the axis of rotation is in the depth direction Z and is therefore perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y of the aerosol supply device 700.

[0113] Although not shown, any of the aerosol supply devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 may be provided with retaining members for holding the consumable 10 in place within their respective chambers 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, and 710. The retaining members can help prevent unintended movement of the consumable 10. Alternatively or in addition, retaining members may be provided to hold each mouthpiece 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, and 730 in one or both of the first and second positions. An example of a retaining member is a projection on the body 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, and 720 that can engage with recesses in each mouthpiece 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, and / or consumable 10. The cooperation of the projections and recesses can increase the force required to remove the mouthpieces 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, and 730 from their first and / or second positions, or the consumables 10 from their respective chambers 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, and 710. This can help prevent unintended movement of the mouthpieces 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, and 730 and / or removal of the consumables 10. In some embodiments, the retaining members may be provided on the mouthpieces 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, and / or the consumables 10, if the recesses are provided on their respective bodies 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, and 720. The retaining members may also take the form of magnetic attachments or other mechanical fastenings such as threads or threaded barrels.

[0114] Figure 8 shows a diagram of method 800 for positioning an aerosol supply device. Method 800 includes step 801 of preparing the mouthpiece of the aerosol supply device at a position away from the open position, so that the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material can be drawn out by the user of the aerosol supply device through the mouthpiece. Method 800 includes step 802 of inserting a consumable into the aerosol supply device. Method 800 includes step 803 of moving the mouthpiece to the open position relative to the body by insertion so that the user can draw out the aerosol through the mouthpiece.

[0115] The aerosol supply devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 described above can be used in the operation of method 800 as described. Step 803, which moves the mouthpiece to an open position relative to the body by insertion so that the user can draw out the aerosol through the mouthpiece, may be operated electronically or electromechanically by a controller.

[0116] The embodiment includes aerosol supply systems 100S, 200S, 700S comprising aerosol supply devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, aerosol supply systems 100S, 200S, 700S comprising aerosol supply devices 100, 200, 700 and consumables 10 containing aerosol generating material, and a method 800 for arranging the aerosol supply devices. The consumables 10 are housed in chambers 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710 of the aerosol supply devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700. When in use, the aerosol supply devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 700 are configured to generate an inhalable medium such as an aerosol from the aerosol generating material.

[0117] To avoid misunderstanding, embodiments are also disclosed herein in which, when the term “equips” is used to define an invention or feature of an invention, the term “essentially consists of” or “consists of” can be used instead of “equips.” References to materials “equip” certain features mean that those features are included, incorporated, or retained in the material.

[0118] The embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative examples of the present invention. It should be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features described, in combination with one or more features of other embodiments, or in combination with any other embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above can be adopted without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0119] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative examples of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or to equivalents of the claims. Furthermore, other embodiments may be utilized and modified without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the claims. Various embodiments of the invention may appropriately include, consist of, or essentially consist of, appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

[0120] This specification contains the following provisions: [Clause 1] an aerosol supply device, A chamber configured to receive consumables containing aerosol-generating materials, The main unit and A mouthpiece, wherein when the mouthpiece is placed in an open position, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material is drawn through the mouthpiece by the user of the aerosol supply device, Equipped with, The aerosol supply device is configured such that the mouthpiece moves from a closed position to an open position relative to the main body as the consumable moves toward or into the chamber. Aerosol supply device. [Clause 2] The aerosol supply device according to Clause 1, wherein the mouthpiece comprises the walls of the chamber. [Clause 3] The aerosol supply device according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the main body comprises at least a portion of the chamber. [Clause 4] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 3, wherein in the closed position, the mouthpiece is retracted into the main body. [Clause 5] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 4, wherein in the open position, the mouthpiece extends from the main body. [Clause 6] The aerosol supply device according to Clause 5, wherein the extension direction of the mouthpiece is the same as the direction of the dimensions of most of the aerosol supply device. [Clause 7] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the chamber is not at least partially blocked when the mouthpiece is in the closed position. [Clause 8] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 7, wherein the size of the chamber is the same when the mouthpiece is in the closed position and when it is in the open position. [Clause 9] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 7, wherein the size of the chamber differs when the mouthpiece is in the closed position and when the mouthpiece is in the open position. [Clause 10] The aerosol supply device according to Clause 9, wherein the chamber has a first volume when the mouthpiece is in the closed position, and the first volume is smaller than the second volume of the chamber when the mouthpiece is in the open position. [Clause 11] The aerosol supply device according to Clause 9 or 10, wherein the mouthpiece is configured to occupy at least a portion of the chamber in the closed position, thereby blocking access to the chamber by the consumables. [Article 12] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 11, wherein the aerosol supply device is configured such that the mouthpiece moves relative to the main body by moving toward the chamber or by inserting the consumable into the chamber. [Clause 13] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 12, wherein the position of the mouthpiece relative to the main body is determined by the position of the consumable relative to the main body. [Clause 14] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 13, wherein the mouthpiece is rotatable from the closed position to the open position. [Article 15] The aerosol supply device according to clause 14, wherein the mouthpiece is spirally rotatable from the closed position to the open position. [Clause 16] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 15, wherein the mouthpiece is capable of translational movement from the closed position to the open position. [Article 17] The aerosol supply device according to clause 16, wherein the mouthpiece is linearly movable from the closed position to the open position. [Clause 18] The aerosol supply device according to any one of Clauses 1 to 17, wherein the aerosol supply device comprises a guide configured to guide the movement of the mouthpiece in a predetermined manner between the open position and the closed position. [Article 19] The aerosol supply device according to Clause 18, wherein the guide comprises a pivot shaft. [Clause 20] The aerosol supply device according to Clause 18, wherein the guide comprises a track and a runner configured to move along the track. [Article 21] An aerosol supply device according to any one of the claims 1 to 20, comprising: a detector for detecting the insertion of the consumable into or toward the chamber; and a controller for receiving an output from the detector and moving the mouthpiece relative to the main body from the closed position to the open position based on the output. [Article 22] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 21, wherein the aerosol supply device comprises a drive mechanism configured to cause the mouthpiece to move from the closed position to the open position. [Article 23] The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the aerosol supply device comprises a damping mechanism configured to control at least a portion of the movement of the mouthpiece from the closed position to the open position. [Article 24] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 23, wherein the chamber is configured to receive the consumables through the side of the aerosol supply device. [Article 25] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 24, wherein the chamber is configured to receive the consumables through the end of the aerosol supply device. [Article 26] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 25, wherein the direction in which the consumable is inserted into the chamber is the same as the direction in which the mouthpiece moves from the closed position to the open position. [Article 27] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 25, wherein the direction in which the consumable is inserted into the chamber is different from the direction in which the mouthpiece moves between the open position and the closed position. [Article 28] The aerosol supply device according to Clause 27, wherein the direction in which the consumable is inserted into the chamber is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the mouthpiece between the open position and the closed position. [Article 29] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 28, wherein the aerosol supply device is positioned such that the consumable is visible to the user when the mouthpiece is in the open position and the consumable is located within the chamber. [Clause 30] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 29, wherein the aerosol supply device is positioned such that the consumable is visible to the user when viewing the longitudinal end of the aerosol supply device when the consumable is located within the chamber. [Article 31] The aerosol supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 30, wherein the aerosol supply device is positioned such that the consumable is visible to the user when viewing the side of the aerosol supply device when the consumable is located within the chamber. [Article 32] An aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device as described in any one of clauses 1 to 31, and consumables including an aerosol generating material. [Article 33] A method for arranging an aerosol supply device, A step of preparing the mouthpiece of the aerosol supply device at a position away from the open position, wherein the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material can be drawn out by the user of the aerosol supply device through the mouthpiece, The steps include inserting a consumable into the aerosol supply device, The insertion moves the mouthpiece to the open position relative to the main body, allowing the user to draw out the aerosol through the mouthpiece; A method that includes this.

Claims

1. an aerosol supply device, A chamber configured to receive consumables containing aerosol generating material, the chamber being formed within the cavity of the device, The main unit and A mouthpiece, wherein when the mouthpiece is placed in an open position, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material is drawn through the mouthpiece by the user of the aerosol supply device, Equipped with, The mouthpiece is movable relative to the main body from a closed position to an open position so that it is accessible for inhalation of the aerosol through the mouthpiece in the open position. The size of the chamber differs depending on whether the mouthpiece is in the closed position or the open position. An aerosol supply device wherein the mouthpiece is configured to be in the open position when the consumable is received in the chamber, and to be in the closed position when the consumable is not in the chamber.

2. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the chamber has a first volume when the mouthpiece is in the closed position, and the first volume is smaller than the second volume of the chamber when the mouthpiece is in the open position.

3. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is configured to occupy at least a portion of the chamber in the closed position.

4. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is configured to block access to the chamber in the closed position.

5. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein in the closed position, the mouthpiece is retracted into the main body.

6. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein in the open position, the mouthpiece extends from the main body.

7. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the position of the mouthpiece relative to the main body is determined by the position of the consumable relative to the main body.

8. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol supply device is configured such that the mouthpiece moves relative to the main body when the consumable is inserted into the chamber.

9. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the consumable is inserted into the chamber is the same as the direction in which the mouthpiece moves from the closed position to the open position.

10. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the consumable is inserted into the chamber is different from the direction in which the mouthpiece moves between the open position and the closed position.

11. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein opening the cavity increases the size of the chamber, and closing the cavity decreases the size of the chamber.

12. An aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and the consumables containing an aerosol generating material.

13. A method for arranging an aerosol supply device, The steps include: preparing a chamber configured to receive consumables containing aerosol-generating materials; A step of preparing a mouthpiece for an aerosol supply device, wherein the mouthpiece is movable between a closed position and an open position, and in the open position, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material can be drawn out through the mouthpiece by the user of the aerosol supply device. The steps include moving the mouthpiece from the closed position to the open position so that the mouthpiece is accessible for inhaling the aerosol through the mouthpiece in the open position, The steps include changing the size of the chamber when the mouthpiece is moved from the closed position to the open position, Includes, A method wherein the mouthpiece is configured to be in the open position when the consumable is received in the chamber, and to be in the closed position when the consumable is not in the chamber.

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