Aerosol-generating system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating system (1000) comprising an aerosol-generating device (10) having a heating cavity (12) for receiving therein an aerosol-generating article (1) comprising an aerosol-generating substrate (2). According to the invention, the system comprises a combustion heating system (100) having at least one energy storage part (110) including a composition (112) comprising hydrogen-containing hybrid material. The combustion heating system being configured to heat the heating cavity (12) by combustion of hydrogen released from said hydrogen-containing hybrid material.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of tobacco, and in particular to aerosol-generating systems comprising an aerosol-generating device for heating a consumable article.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Aerosol-generating systems are increasingly used as a substitution for regular cigarettes.

[0006] Aerosol-generating systems of the Heat-Not-Burn type operate by heating a consumable aerosol-generating article to a certain temperature so that it produces an aerosol to be inhaled by the user.

[0007] The consumable aerosol-generating article is typically in the form of a stick that is inserted by the user in a cavity of the device, where it is heated by a dedicated heater.

[0008] The aerosol-generating article contains a tobacco substrate comprising an aerosol-forming agent (such as glycerine and / or propylene glycol) which vaporises during heating and creates a vapour that extracts nicotine and - if any - flavor and / or stimulant components from the tobacco substrate.

[0009] The aerosol-generating substrate is not burned or combusted, but heated to between 200 and 400°C, which is below the normal burning temperature of a conventional cigarette.

[0010] A long-standing challenge with aerosol-generating devices concerns the heating system, as a large amount of energy - typically more than 1400 Joules - is required for each vaping session. Currently used heaters are usually powered by lithium-ion batteries used for their high energy content.

[0011] However, the large volume of such lithium-ion batteries has a negative impact on the global size of the aerosol-generating devices. Also, large and bulky devices are less attractive for consumers than the otherwise small and slim E- Vapor pods available on the market.

[0012] Summary of the invention

[0013] An object of the present invention is to propose an aerosol-generating system with which the above-described drawbacks are diminished.

[0014] In particular, an object of the invention is to propose an aerosolgenerating system in which the device can be more compact than prior art devices, and therefore more attractive to the user.

[0015] This object is achieved through the features of independent claim 1 . Further advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims and the description.

[0016] An aerosol-generating system according to the invention comprises an aerosol-generating device having a heating cavity for receiving therein an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating system comprises a combustion heating system having at least one energy storage part, said energy storage part including a composition comprising hydrogen-containing hybrid material, the combustion heating system being configured to heat the heating cavity by combustion of hydrogen released from said hydrogen-containing hybrid material.

[0017] The aerosol-generating system may further comprise an aerosolgenerating article to be received in the heating cavity.

[0018] The combustion heating system provides a small-sized and high- capacity energy source for heating the aerosol-generating article.

[0019] For example, a composition comprising hydrogen-containing hybrid material may have an energy capacity about 10 times greater than that of lithium- ion batteries. In particular, such composition may have a hydrogen output of about 5 to 15% by weight, preferably 10% by weight (i.e., 10kg of composition release 1 kg of hydrogen) and a specific energy capacity of about 1 to 2 kWh / kg, preferably 1 .6 kWh / kg. Thus, a small amount of the composition may be sufficient to provide the energy needed for one vaping session. For example, 2.5 g of a material comprising MgH2 provides 0.25 g of hydrogen and 4 Wh, corresponding to 1440 Joules.

[0020] The combustion heating system may either form the one and only heating system of the device or it may be completed by an additional heating system using a conventional battery, as will be described in more detail hereafter. Such battery may however be much smaller than those of prior art devices. And all in all, the device can have a very compact design, more convenient to the user.

[0021] Hydrogen-containing hybrid material may be any type of material adapted for hydrogen based energy storage, for example material selected from the group comprising MgH2, Mg(BH4)2, LiH, LiAIH4, LiBH4, NaH, NaAIH4, NaBH4, BeH2, Be(BH4)2, CaH2, Ca(BH4)2, AIH3, and / or AI(BH4)3.

[0022] Preferably, the hydrogen-containing hybrid material is selected from MgH2, Mg(BH4)2, LiAIH4, LiBH4, NaBH4, Be(BH4)2, Ca(BH4)2, and / or AI(BH4)3.

[0023] More preferably, the hydrogen-containing hybrid material is MgH2 and / or Mg(BH4)2, which are non-toxic and readily available substances.

[0024] Hydrogen-containing hybrid materials are usually stable at room temperature as decomposition only occurs at high temperatures such as above 250°C.

[0025] Advantageously, the composition comprising hydrogen-containing hybrid material is a paste or gel or viscous liquid. This allows the composition to be stored for a long period of time at room temperature, for example more than one year. It also prevents leakage of the composition.

[0026] The energy storage part(s) is / are preferably arranged either in the aerosol-generating article and / or on a removable support (different from the aerosol-generating article) configured to be received in or on the device, so as to be easily replaced or refilled by the user after one or several vaping sessions. In the following description, the use position is a position where the at least one energy storage part is arranged in its mounted position inside the device, where it will be activated.

[0027] The combustion heating system is so configured that, once a vaping session is initiated by the user, hydrogen-containing hybrid material from the energy storage part(s) releases its hydrogen, typically in gaseous form.

[0028] In its initial state, an energy storage part is typically in the form of an assembly or block with defined boundaries.

[0029] According to a preferable example, in each energy storage part, the composition is at least partially covered by a primary protective cover that avoids any contact of the composition with ambient air and moisture and more generally with hydrogen-releasing agent(s) before the start of the vaping session.

[0030] A primary protective cover is typically at least locally removable, pierceable, breakable, or otherwise destroyable (without impairing the functionality of the hydrogen-containing hybrid material).

[0031] Materials that may be used for the primary protective cover are for example aluminum, paper backed aluminum, plastic or foil sheets (Nylon, PE, PP, PET, PVC), coated papers that resists diffusion of moisture.

[0032] According to a particular example, the composition may be arranged on a supporting element such as the base of a removable support, and the composition may be covered by a primary protective cover, the support and cover thus forming a continuous envelope around the composition.

[0033] According to another example, the composition may be completely surrounded by the primary protecting cover, the so-formed energy storage part forming a pouch.

[0034] Upon use of the energy storage part, that is once the composition is brought into contact with a hydrogen-releasing agent, such part may either remain as an assembly or block, or the composition may split up. The combustion heating system may comprise (hereafter called primary) opening means configured for opening the primary protecting cover. Such opening means may typically be integrated in the aerosol-generating device.

[0035] According to an example, the (primary) opening means may comprise mechanical puncturing means, such as a needle, a pin, a blade, or a tip adapted for opening said primary protecting cover.

[0036] Preferably, the mechanical puncturing means may be urged towards the at least one energy storage part (once in use position) by elastic returning means, such as springs.

[0037] According to another example, the (primary) opening means may comprise pressure exerting means for applying a pressure on the at least one energy storage part, typically upon insertion of said part towards the use position and / or in the use position.

[0038] Preferably, the pressure exerting means may comprise a funnel- shaped housing configured to receive the energy storage part and dimensioned so that said part is squeezed when entering said housing.

[0039] As an alternative example or additionally, at least one primary functional part of the primary protecting cover may be water dissolvable and the (primary) opening means may comprise water supplying means for supplying said functional part.

[0040] For example, the at least one primary functional part may be made of water dissolvable paper or water-soluble plastics (or plastic films) made from PVOH or PVA.

[0041] As an alternative example or additionally, at least one primary functional part of the primary protecting cover may be heat destroyable and the combustion heating system may comprise at least one auxiliary heating element for heating said at least one primary functional part.

[0042] Preferably, the at least one primary protective cover may comprise a plurality of finite primary functional parts and the device may comprise a plurality of auxiliary heating elements, for example heating wires, arranged to cooperate with said plurality of primary functional parts.

[0043] As an alternative example or additionally, the energy storage part may comprise a protruding part and said at least one primary functional part may cover said protruding part. Hence the protruding part might be brought into contact with the primary opening means more easily.

[0044] In case the energy storage part is integrated in the article, said article may also comprise guiding means for guiding primary opening means, typically puncturing means, towards the energy storage part.

[0045] For example, guiding means may be a ring, a protrusion, or a groove arranged at one end of the aerosol-generating article to guide puncturing means provided on the device towards the energy storage part, notably upon insertion of the article in the heating cavity.

[0046] In another example, the opening means may comprise an auxiliary heater, typically an auxiliary resistive heater, arranged to surround said at least one functional part when the article is inserted in the device. The auxiliary heater may heat and open (in any possible way) the at least one functional part for releasing the hydrogen-containing hybrid material or hydrogen gas issuing from said hydrogen-containing hybrid material.

[0047] A hydrogen-releasing agent may be water or acetic acid in an aqueous solution, but preferably water.

[0048] Water being usually present in ambient air, in the form of vapor or moisture, further hydrogen-releasing means might be omitted.

[0049] However, in order to improve reliability of the aerosol-generating system, the combustion heating system may integrate dedicated hydrogen- releasing means comprising a hydrogen-releasing agent to be supplied to the hydrogen-containing hybrid material. Hydrogen-releasing means typically comprise at least one releasing-agent storage part containing hydrogen-releasing agent. Such releasing-agent storage part may be formed in the aerosolgenerating device, typically in the form of a tank. Hence the user may easily fill it in with the hydrogen-releasing agent.

[0050] According to an alternative or in addition, it may also be formed in a removable support as mentioned hereabove (different from the device and the aerosol-generating article). The releasing-agent storage part is so easily replaceable by the user once emptied.

[0051] According to an example, the hydrogen-releasing means may comprise several releasing-agent storage parts, with each releasing-agent storage part receiving a volume of hydrogen-releasing agent corresponding to one single vaping session.

[0052] Advantageously, the system may include a total amount of hydrogen- releasing agent sufficient for at least 20 vaping sessions.

[0053] According to an example, hydrogen-releasing means may further comprise guiding means for guiding the hydrogen-releasing agent towards the energy storage part.

[0054] The hydrogen-releasing means may for example comprise at least one capillary tube.

[0055] In such case, a valve may be arranged on said capillary tube, the valve being openable upon activation of the device so that hydrogen-releasing agent comes in contact with the hydrogen-containing hybrid material.

[0056] In this context, the hydrogen-releasing means may also comprise dosing means, preferably adjustable dosing means, for dosing the amount or flow rate of hydrogen-releasing agent delivered to the at least one energy storage part.

[0057] For example, adjustable dosing means may be a micropump or a microfluidic actuator. Preferably, a micropump may be a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) micropump. Typically, the combustion heating system comprises a combustion chamber for receiving hydrogen released from the hydrogen-containing hybrid material and combustion triggering means for triggering combustion of said hydrogen inside the combustion chamber.

[0058] The amount of energy available for heating the aerosol-generating article inserted in the heating cavity of the device is, among others, dependent on the volume of said combustion chamber. The combustion chamber should therefore be large enough to sufficiently heat the article while kept as small as possible to miniaturize the device. Advantageously, the volume of said combustion chamber can be as small as 5 ml.

[0059] In the present specification, directions will be defined with reference to the heating cavity:

[0060] The heating cavity extends along a longitudinal axis and has an opening at one end for insertion of the aerosol-generating article. The longitudinal axis of the cavity defines a longitudinal direction of the device. A direction orthogonal to said longitudinal direction is a transversal direction and a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is a transversal plane.

[0061] The opening of the heating cavity is located at a so-called top end of the device. An end opposite to this top end along the longitudinal direction is a bottom end of the device. The terms “top” and “bottom” are used in the present specification with reference to these top and bottom ends of the device.

[0062] Preferably, the heating cavity is at least partially surrounded by the combustion chamber, so that said cavity and the aerosol-generating article received therein are heated homogeneously.

[0063] More preferably, the combustion chamber surrounds the heating cavity continuously around its entire circumference (in a transversal plane), to optimize homogeneity in the heating.

[0064] According to an example and notably for safety reasons, the combustion chamber may be (at least transversally) at least partially, preferably entirely, surrounded by at least one thermally insulated wall. A thermally insulated wall ensures that the temperature of an outer surface of the device is kept lower than a predetermined value, thereby allowing a user to hold the device without risking injury or other inconvenience. The user’s perception of the outer surface temperature of the device should preferably be less than 48°C, more preferably less than 40°C.

[0065] For example, a thermally insulated wall may include a thermal insulation such as finesulight or superwool sheets.

[0066] Combustion triggering means for triggering combustion of hydrogen should be adapted to ignite hydrogen in the combustion chamber. They may be at least partially arranged in the combustion chamber, for example embedded in a wall or walls of the combustion chamber.

[0067] Combustion triggering means may be ignition elements providing small electric arc, such as a plasma lighter.

[0068] Advantageously, the device may further comprise combustion control means for controlling the combustion inside the combustion chamber.

[0069] Such combustion control means may for example comprise a switching unit for switching the triggering means on or off and / or a frequency adjusting unit for adjusting their frequency. For example, the frequency adjusting unit may be an electric arc frequency adjusting unit for controlling the electric arc frequency of ignition elements inside the combustion chamber.

[0070] The combustion control means may further comprise sensors, such as temperature or pressure sensors, to evaluate environmental parameters inside the combustion chamber or around said chamber. Said sensors may then communicate with the switching unit and / or frequency adjusting unit, so that the combustion be managed in real time based on a feedback loop.

[0071] The combustion control means may also comprise release control means for managing an amount of hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage part(s) in the combustion chamber.

[0072] Release control means may for example control an amount of composition exposed to hydrogen-releasing agent and / or an amount of hydrogen-releasing agent provided to the composition (typically dosing means as described before).

[0073] In terms of heating process, the combustion heating system may be arranged so that hydrogen gas is released and combusted at once, typically at the beginning of the vaping session, for preheating the article. In such case, heating of the article during the remaining session time shall be ensured by an additional heating system.

[0074] Alternatively, the combustion heating system may be arranged so that hydrogen gas is released and combusted continuously, typically during an entire vaping session, preferably at a substantially constant rate. With such configuration, the combustion heating system may be self-sufficient.

[0075] According to an example, the combustion chamber may also be provided with an exhaust passage for the combustion byproducts.

[0076] Preferably, the exhaust passage comprises an exhaust pipe for guiding combustion byproducts towards a bottom end of the device (and hence, away from the user).

[0077] According to an example, the exhaust passage may be provided with at least one electrical valve, such as for example a solenoid valve. For example, the valve could be operated depending on the consumer’s usage. For instance, it could be opened once the consumer is not puffing to avoid any potential exhaust fumes inhalation.

[0078] As indicated hereabove, the combustion heating system may be the sole heating system of the device.

[0079] According to another example, however, the device may further comprise an additional heating system for heating the heating cavity.

[0080] For example, the additional heating system may be a resistive or inductive additional heating system.

[0081] According to an example, the additional heating system may comprise an outer heater surrounding the heating cavity. The device may also comprise a rechargeable power source for supplying power to said heater.

[0082] The heater may for example comprise a heater body - typically a metal sleeve - delimiting the heating cavity and one or several electrical heating element(s) contacting said heater body.

[0083] Or the heater may comprise an induction heating coil for heating said heater body.

[0084] According to an example, the combustion chamber may at least partially surround the heater body. Preferably, the combustion chamber completely surrounds said heater body.

[0085] In case where the device comprises a combustion heating system and an additional heating system, the device may further comprise a global heating control unit for managing coordination of these two heating systems.

[0086] According to an example, the global heating control unit may be configured to adjust an amount of energy provided by the additional heating system based on the heat delivered by the combustion heating system.

[0087] Hence, the device may comprise at least one temperature sensor for sensing temperature inside the device, for example in the combustion chamber and / or in the heating cavity and / or on the additional heating system, the global heating control unit being configured to control operation of the combustion heating system and the additional heating system based on the temperature measured by said at least one temperature sensor.

[0088] Advantageously, the global heating control unit may be configured to monitor the temperature continuously via at least one temperature sensor to maintain an optimum temperature throughout the vaping session by recalibrating the temperature if necessary.

[0089] In the present invention, an aerosol-generating article has typically an elongated shape along a main axis, with a constant -usually round or rectangular- transversal section. The article is usually inserted in the heating cavity such that its main axis is aligned or at least parallel with the longitudinal axis of said cavity. Typically, the article has a core made of an aerosol-generating substrate, which is protected by a wrapper surrounding said core. The wrapper may be in a cellulose material such as paper, or any other adapted material.

[0090] The aerosol-generating substrate typically comprises a tobacco or nicotine containing agent, an aerosol-forming agent and eventually an additional inhalable agent.

[0091] As used herein, a “tobacco or nicotine containing agent” can be any compound, mixture, particle matter and / or solution that contains and / or carries:

[0092] - a constituent naturally contained in tobacco, and / or

[0093] - an artificially obtained derivative of tobacco, for example tobacco, tobacco particles, tobacco flavor, nicotine.

[0094] As used herein, an aerosol forming agent may be any compound, mixture and / or solution that is capable of forming an aerosol, e.g. when heated. Well known examples of aerosol-forming agent include humectants such as glycerol (i.e., glycerin or vegetable glycerin), glycol derivatives such as monopropylene glycol (i.e., propylene glycol), di-propylene glycol, sebacate esters, other alcohols such as ethanol, 1 ,3-propanediol, or water.

[0095] Preferably, an aerosol-forming agent used in a substrate according to the invention may be selected from glycerol, mono-propylene glycol, di-propylene glycol, 1 ,3-propanediol and / or mixture thereof.

[0096] As used herein, an “inhalable agent” can be any compound, mixture, particle matter and / or solution that may be inhaled and may include and / or carry for example at least one of a stimulant, such as caffeine, guarana and combinations thereof, and / or a flavor, such as menthol, natural and / or artificial plant flavors, saccharides, animal flavors, and combinations thereof.

[0097] According to an example, the aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating article provided with an energy storage part integrated therein.

[0098] For example, the aerosol-generating article may comprise the at least one energy storage part at one end thereof, typically at a bottom end thereof (i.e. its end oriented towards the bottom end of the device and away from the user’s mouth when in use).

[0099] Once inserted in the device (i.e. in the use position), the at least one energy storage part shall then be arranged such that a part of the hydrogencontaining hybrid material or hydrogen gas released from the energy storage part be discharged into the combustion chamber.

[0100] According to an advantageous example, the aerosol-generating article may comprise an airflow path between the at least one energy storage part and the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0101] When the article is received inside the heating cavity, a free space may be kept between the article and the cavity wall, forming an air channel allowing air to flow therethrough. Such airflow path brings said surrounding space and the aerosol-generating substrate into communication. Upon vaping, when the user draws on the proximal end of the article, air is urged towards the free surrounding space, passes through the airflow path of the article and finally through the heated aerosol-generating substrate: The aerosol (which is a suspension of substances, liquid droplets or gas) is then inhaled by the user.

[0102] As mentioned hereabove, a removable support, for example a disk or strip, may comprise at least one energy storage part. In that case, the device is generally provided with receiving means for receiving the removable support in a loaded or use position.

[0103] Typically, the removable support comprises a base, with the at least one energy storage part arranged on said base.

[0104] The base may be made of cardboard or laminated paper, and may have any adapted shape, for example a disk-shape or ribbon-shape.

[0105] According to an example, the removable support may comprise a plurality of energy storage parts, for example each corresponding to one vaping session or one preheating process. Preferably, the receiving means are configured to allow a movement of the removable support between several loaded positions, each corresponding to one energy storage part being activatable in the combustion heating system.

[0106] According to an example, the removable support may also comprise hydrogen-releasing means.

[0107] In particular, the removable support may comprise at least one releasing-agent storage part containing hydrogen-releasing agent.

[0108] The hydrogen-releasing agent may then be at least partially protected by a secondary protecting cover and the combustion heating system may comprise (hereafter called secondary) opening means configured for opening said secondary protecting cover.

[0109] The secondary protecting cover is typically at least locally removable, pierceable, breakable, or otherwise destroyable (without impairing the functionality of the hydrogen-containing material) to allow the agent to be released.

[0110] The secondary protective cover may form a continuous closed envelope that may for example be bonded to the base of the removable support.

[0111] Or the secondary protective cover and the base of the removable support may together form a closed envelope receiving the hydrogen-releasing agent.

[0112] Preferably, the secondary opening means comprise pressure exerting means for exerting pressure on said secondary protecting cover.

[0113] Alternatively, the secondary opening means may comprise puncturing means for puncturing said secondary protecting cover.

[0114] Furthermore, at least one functional part of the secondary protecting cover may be heat destroyable and the secondary opening means may comprise at least one auxiliary heater for heating said at least one functional part. It should also be noted that the primary and secondary protective cover may be separate from each other or may form different parts of one and the same protective cover.

[0115] Also, same opening means may well serve to open both primary and secondary protective covers (i.e. the same opening means form the primary and secondary opening means). Alternatively, opening means may be dedicated to open the secondary protective cover and separate opening means may possibly be dedicated to open the primary protective cover. The hydrogen-releasing agent, once exposed, may also form primary opening means for the primary cover.

[0116] Another object of the present invention is a removable support for use in an aerosol-generating system as mentioned hereabove, comprising:

[0117] - a base,

[0118] - at least one energy storage part including a composition comprising a hydrogen-containing hybrid material, arranged on said base.

[0119] Another object of the invention is an aerosol-generating article for use in an aerosol-generating system as mentioned hereabove, comprising:

[0120] - an outer wrapper delimiting an inner volume of the article,

[0121] - an aerosol-generating substrate contained in said inner volume,

[0122] - at least one energy storage part including a composition comprising a hydrogen-containing hybrid material, arranged in the inner volume.

[0123] With all features described hereabove with reference to such removable support being applicable, eventually in any technically feasible combination.

[0124] Brief description of the drawings

[0125] Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating the working principle of an aerosol-generating system according to the invention.

[0126] Figure 2 illustrates an aerosol-generating system according to a first particular embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates an aerosol-generating article comprising an energy storage part protected by a pierceable cover.

[0127] Figure 4 illustrates an aerosol-generating article comprising an energy storage part protected by a dissolvable cover.

[0128] Figure 5 illustrates an aerosol-generating article comprising an energy storage part protected by a heat deformable cover and auxiliary heating means for heating said cover.

[0129] Figure 6 illustrates an aerosol-generating article comprising an energy storage part having a plurality of finite primary functional parts configured to cooperate with a plurality of auxiliary heating elements arranged on the aerosolgenerating device.

[0130] Figure 7 illustrates an aerosol-generating article comprising an energy storage part and pressure exerting means in the form of local mechanical narrowing means at the bottom of the receiving cavity for squeezing the energy storage part and releasing the composition, the squeezing being directed in the thickness direction of the article.

[0131] Figure 8 illustrates an aerosol-generating article comprising an energy storage part and pressure exerting means in the form of a funnel-shaped housing at the bottom of the receiving cavity for squeezing the energy storage part and releasing the composition, the squeezing being directed in the width direction of the article.

[0132] Figure 9 illustrates an aerosol-generating system according to another embodiment of the invention, comprising a removable support including an energy storage part.

[0133] Figure 10 illustrates several examples of disk-shaped removable supports that may be introduced in a device of the type illustrated in figure 9.

[0134] Figure 11 illustrates an aerosol-generating system according to another embodiment, comprising a strip-shaped removable support including multiple energy storage parts, movably mounted through the aerosol-generating device. Figure 12 illustrates an aerosol-generating system according to another embodiment, comprising a removable support with both an energy storage part and corresponding hydrogen-releasing means.

[0135] Figure 13 is a top view of a disk-shaped removable support including multiple energy storage parts and hydrogen-releasing means, that may be introduced in an aerosol-generating device of the type illustrated in figure 12.

[0136] Figure 14 is a top view of a disk-shaped removable support with guiding channels between the respective energy storage parts and hydrogen- releasing means.

[0137] Figure 15 is a partial sectional view of a removable support as illustrated in figure 13, showing an energy storage part and hydrogen-releasing agent protected by a breakable secondary protective cover.

[0138] Figure 16 is a partial sectional view of a removable support as illustrated in figure 13, showing the hydrogen-releasing agent protected by a heat- deformable secondary protective cover.

[0139] Figure 17 is a partial sectional view of a removable support as illustrated in figure 14, showing the hydrogen-releasing agent protected by a pierceable secondary protective cover.

[0140] Figure 18 illustrates the temperature in the heating cavity as a function of time, during a vaping session, when hydrogen is released at once for preheating the article.

[0141] Figure 19 illustrates the temperature in the heating cavity as a function of time, during a vaping session, when hydrogen is released at a substantially constant rate during an entire vaping session.

[0142] Figure 20 is a diagram of the electronical control system of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0143] Detailed description of the invention The present invention will now be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to the appended figures, which should not be considered limiting. Also, the described figures are only schematic: the size of some elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to the practice of the invention.

[0144] An aerosol-generating system 1000 according to the invention is schematically illustrated in figure 1 , in sectional view.

[0145] The system 1000 is illustrated in its use position, to show the physical processes involved.

[0146] As shown in figure 1 , the system 1000 comprises an aerosolgenerating device 10 delimited by an outer body 11 , which houses a heating cavity 12 extending along a longitudinal axis Z1 with a top end 12a thereof opened to the outside. The heating cavity 12 is intended to receive therein an aerosol-generating article 1 .

[0147] In the present application, the longitudinal axis Z1 of the heating cavity 12 defines a longitudinal direction Z of the device 10. A direction orthogonal to said longitudinal direction is a transversal direction X and a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Z is a transversal plane.

[0148] The aerosol-generating article 1 , illustrated in an inserted configuration in figure 1 , is an elongated element that may typically be of cylindrical shape, in particular with a circular section. As an alternative, the article may also have a parallelepipedal shape with for example a flat rectangular section. Or it may have any other adapted shape, in particular any stick-like shape.

[0149] Preferably, the section of the article 1 is chosen and / or the cavity walls are configured (for example with ribs or other irregularities) so that some free transversal space 13 is kept, at least locally, between the article 1 and the inner wall of the heating cavity 12. For example, if the article 1 is of circular section, its outer diameter D1 shall preferably be slightly smaller than the maximum inner diameter D1 of the heating cavity 12. The aerosol-generating article 1 comprises an outer - typically tubular - wrapper 3 made of any suitable material such as cellulose, biodegradable polymer, etc and delimiting an inner volume. Container in said inner volume is a tobacco substrate 2 including an aerosol-forming substance such as glycerine and / or propylene glycol which vaporises during heating and creates a vapour that extracts nicotine and flavor components, if any, from the tobacco substrate 2. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article 1 can further comprise a cooling / filtering portion arranged in the inner volume, adjacent to the tobacco substrate 2.

[0150] According to the present invention, the aerosol-generating system 1000 comprises a combustion heating system 100, for heating the cavity 12.

[0151] The combustion heating system 100 comprises at least one energy storage part 110 including a composition 112 comprising hydrogen-containing hybrid material, and the system 100 is configured to heat the heating cavity 12 by combustion of hydrogen, typically hydrogen gas, released from said hydrogencontaining hybrid material.

[0152] As illustrated, the combustion heating system 100 typically comprises a combustion chamber 120 for receiving hydrogen released from the composition 112.

[0153] As illustrated in figure 1 , the combustion chamber 120 preferably transversally surrounds the heating cavity 12, notably continuously around the entire circumference of said cavity 12. This allows heating the cavity 12 and the aerosol-generating article 1 therein homogeneously.

[0154] The combustion chamber 120 may also be at least partially surrounded by a thermally insulated wall 124, to ensure that the temperature of an outer surface of the body 11 be kept lower than a predetermined value, preferably less than 40°C.

[0155] For example, a thermally insulated wall 124 may include a thermal insulation such as finesulight or superwool sheets. The autoignition temperature of hydrogen being 535°C which is above the maximum heating temperature of the aerosol-generating device (around 200 to 400°C), ignition of the hydrogen gas needs to be triggered.

[0156] Hence the combustion heating system 100 comprises combustion triggering means 122, arranged at least partially in the combustion chamber 120. They may for example be embedded in a wall, typically a thermally insulated wall 124, of the combustion chamber 120, as illustrated in figure 1.

[0157] Combustion triggering means 122 may be ignition elements providing small electric arc, such as a plasma lighter.

[0158] The hydrogen-containing hybrid material used for the energy storage part 110 may be any type of material adapted for hydrogen based energy storage, for example material selected from the group comprising MgH2, Mg(BH4)2, LiH, LiAIH4, LiBH4, NaH, NaAIH4, NaBH4, BeH2, Be(BH4)2, CaH2, Ca(BH4)2, AIH3, and / or AI(BH4)3.

[0159] Preferably, the hydrogen-containing hybrid material is selected from MgH2, Mg(BH4)2, LiAIH4, LiBH4, NaBH4, Be(BH4)2, Ca(BH4)2, and / or AI(BH4)3.

[0160] More preferably, the hydrogen-containing hybrid material is MgH2 and / or Mg(BH4)2, which are non-toxic and readily available substances, magnesium being one of the most abundant elements.

[0161] According to a non-limiting example, a composition 112 comprising MgH2 can be prepared by combining a magnesium powder with hydrogen to form a magnesium hybrid at 350°C and 5 to 6 times atmospheric pressure. An ester and a metal salt may then be added to form the final product.

[0162] Compositions 112 comprising hydrogen-containing hybrid material, such as those mentioned hereabove, have the property to release hydrogen when in contact with a hydrogen-releasing agent.

[0163] The reaction between the hydrogen-containing hybrid material and such hydrogen-releasing agent is a well-known hydrolysis reaction, which creates hydrogen, generally in gaseous form. In the following description and for the sake of conciceness, released hydrogen gas will sometimes be referred to as released hydrogen.

[0164] The combustion heating system works based on following principle: upon entering into contact with the hydrogen-releasing agent, the composition 112 releases hydrogen gas 114a. Hydrogen gas 114a released from the composition 112 is then combusted by the combustion triggering means 122 to release combustion byproducts 114b and heat. Apart from a small amount of heat that might be lost due to imperfection of the thermal insulation, the released heat is transferred to the heating cavity 12 and hence to the article 1 received therein.

[0165] For example, a hydrogen-releasing agent may be water or acetic acid in an aqueous solution. It is preferably water, which is readily available to the user.

[0166] The hydrogen-releasing agent may issue directly from the surrounding air humidity (vapor, moisture), in which case specific hydrogen-releasing means could be omitted in the system 1000.

[0167] For the sake of efficiency and reliability of the device 10 however, the combustion heating system 100 is advantageously provided with dedicated hydrogen-releasing means 130 for supplying a hydrogen-releasing agent 132 to the composition 112 to produce the hydrolysis reaction and release hydrogen 114a in the combustion chamber 120. Such hydrogen-releasing means 130 will be described in more detail hereafter.

[0168] To control the combusting reaction inside the combustion chamber 120, and as illustrated in figures 1 and 20, the device 10 advantageously comprises combustion control means 140, as part of a more global electronical control system 40 of the device 10, illustrated schematically in figure 20.

[0169] Such combustion control means 140 may for example comprise a switching unit 142 for switching the triggering means 122 on or off and / or a frequency adjusting unit 144 for adjusting their frequency. For example, the frequency adjusting unit 144 may be an electric arc frequency adjusting unit for controlling the electric arc frequency of ignition elements inside the combustion chamber 120. The combustion control means 140 may also comprise release control means 146 for managing an amount of hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage part(s) in the combustion chamber.

[0170] Release control means 146 may for example comprise dosing means 148 for dosing the amount or flow rate of hydrogen-releasing agent 132 delivered to each energy storage part 110.

[0171] For example, the dosing means 148 may be adjustable dosing means such as a micropump or a microfluidic actuator. Preferably, a micropump may be a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) micropump.

[0172] The use of adjustable dosing means 148 may more generally reduce energy consumption throughout the vaping session by controlling the energy required and the optimal temperature during the entire session.

[0173] The combustion control means 140 may also be configured to control fresh air flow to the combustion chamber 120, to adjust the oxygen amount in the chamber 112. As the combustion continuously consumes oxygen, a lower flow of air results in a slower combustion. The control could be done by a miniature air control valve, controlled by an actuator. It could also be done by narrowing or increasing the diameter of the air channel 13. The control could be implemented by using electrostrictive (PMN) materials.

[0174] The combustion control means 140 may further comprise sensors 150, such as temperature or pressure sensors, to evaluate environmental parameters inside the combustion chamber 120 or in the vicinity of said chamber 120. Said sensors may then communicate with the switching unit 142 and / or frequency adjusting unit 144 and / or release control means 146, so that the combustion is managed in real time based on a feedback loop.

[0175] As illustrated in figure 1 , the combustion chamber 120 may also be provided with an exhaust passage 126 for the combustion byproducts 114b.

[0176] Preferably, the exhaust passage 126 comprises an exhaust pipe 127 for guiding hot combustion byproducts 114b towards a bottom end 10b of the device 10 (and hence, away from the user, upon vaping). The exhaust passage 126 may also comprise at least one electrical valve 128, such as for example a solenoid valve, for controlling the gas flow rate inside the exhaust pipe 127. For example, the valve could be operated depending on the consumer’s usage and could be opened only when the consumer is not puffing to avoid any potential exhaust fumes inhalation.

[0177] In the example of figure 1 , and although not mandatory, the device 10 comprises an additional heating system 20 for heating the article 1 in the heating cavity 12.

[0178] As shown in figure 1 , the additional heating system 20 may comprise a heater 22 surrounding the heating cavity. The combustion chamber 120 may then surround said heater 22 at least partially.

[0179] The heater 22 may typically include a heater body 24 in the form of a longitudinal metal sleeve, and at least one heating element 26, such as a thick or thin film comprising a layer of electrically insulating material and a layer of electrically conductive material outside or within the heater body 24.

[0180] The heater body 24 may also be made of ceramic.

[0181] According to another embodiment which is shown in figure 2, the heater 22 may also comprise an induction coil 28, for example surrounding the heating cavity 12 or the combustion chamber 120, configured to heat by induction a tubular sleeve 29 made of ferromagnetic material, and / or a ferromagnetic part contained in the aerosol-generating article. Alternatively, the tobacco substrate 2 comprises a plurality of susceptors heatable by magnetic induction.

[0182] A rechargeable power source 30 is provided in the device 10 for supplying power to the heater 22.

[0183] In a case where the device 10 comprises both a combustion heating system 100 and an additional heating system 20, the device may further comprise a global heating control unit 152 for controlling operation or coordination of these two heating systems 100, 20. According to an example, the global heating control unit 152 may be configured to adjust an amount of energy provided by the additional heating system 20 based on the heat delivered by the combustion heating system 100.

[0184] For example, at least one temperature or pressure sensor 150 may measure a parameter such as temperature or pressure inside the device 10, for example in the combustion chamber 120, in the heating cavity 12 and / or on the additional heating system 20, and the global heating control unit 152 may then communicate with the combustion control means 140 and / or control means 42 of the additional heating system 20 based on the parameter measured by said at least one sensor 150.

[0185] Advantageously, the use of at least one temperature sensor 150 may allow monitoring the temperature continuously to maintain an optimum temperature throughout the vaping session by recalibrating the temperature if necessary.

[0186] According to a first approach, the combustion heating system 100 may be managed so that hydrogen gas is released and combusted at once at the beginning of the vaping session, for preheating the article 1. For example, all hydrogen loaded in the system (i.e. hydrogen contained in activatable energy storage part(s) at the beginning of a vaping session) might be released directly after activation of the device. Figure 18 shows on the one hand the heat (temperature profile contribution) delivered by the combustion of the hydrogencontaining composition 112 (interrupted line on the figure) and on the other hand the temperature profile issuing from an additional heater 20 (continuous line). The amount of heat provided by the combustion heating system 100 is increased rapidly to reach its maximum during the preheating step (period from to to t1 ), and it then decreases rapidly to reach zero around beginning of the actual vaping step (at t1 ). The additional heating system 20 is then used to maintain the temperature profile during the whole vaping step (t1 to t2).

[0187] Alternatively, the combustion heating system 100 may be arranged so that hydrogen gas 114 a is released and combusted continuously during an entire vaping session, preferably at a substantially constant rate. This second approach is illustrated in figure 19: The release of hydrogen gas is controlled to be slow enough to provide a quasi-constant production of energy during the entire vaping session. The system 100 may use dosing means 148, preferably adjustable dosing means, as mentioned hereabove, for dosing the amount or flow rate of hydrogen-releasing agent delivered to the at least one energy storage part 110.

[0188] With this second approach, an additional heating system 20 might be omitted, or it might be used punctually, for example to cover for pick thermal energy needs, in particular during the preheating step.

[0189] For example, the combustion triggering means 122 may be operated to initiate combustion at regular (longer) time intervals and combustion control means 140 may be implemented to check the temperature increase after each initiation. In the absence of significant increase of the temperature, it could be assumed that the hydrogen available has been fully consumed.

[0190] Composition remaining in the combustion chamber 120 at the end of a vaping session (in particular if the user prematurely stops one session) naturally evaporates without further interaction due to air humidity. Preferably however, the combustion heating system 100 may be configured to ensure that the entire hydrogen-containing composition 112 released in the combustion chamber be consumed at the end of the vaping session, to reset the system before each vaping session and offer a more constant vaping experience to the user.

[0191] To avoid leakage of the composition 112 which is typically in paste form and to prevent its contact with ambient air humidity which could prematurely activate the hydrolysis reaction, each energy storage part 100 preferably comprises a primary protecting cover 116 for protecting the composition, before use.

[0192] An example of a primary protecting cover 116 is an aluminium sheet or an aluminium composite or aluminium foil laminate.

[0193] Advantageously, the primary protecting cover 116 is at least locally pierceable, dissolvable, heat destroyable or otherwise removable, for providing access to the hydrogen-containing hybrid material upon use.

[0194] Examples of opening means for opening such primary protection cover 116 will be described in more detail hereafter. As will be explained in more detail hereafter, energy storage part(s) 110 may advantageously be provided either in the aerosol-generating article 1 (see figures 2 to 8) or in a separate consumable support 200 (see figures 9 to 17). Providing the energy storage part in a consumable product enables to easily replenish the system 1000 with composition 112, once said composition 112 has been consumed, by simply changing the consumable article 1 or loading a new consumable support 200 in or on the device 10.

[0195] On the other hand, hydrogen-releasing means 130, if any, may be provided either in a separate consumable support 200 (see figures 12 to 17) or in the device 10 itself (see figures 2 to 11 ).

[0196] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the aerosol-generating article 1 comprises an energy storage part 110 at its bottom end 1 b.

[0197] The energy storage part 110 here is an assembly formed of the composition 112, surrounded by a primary protecting cover 116, typically made of aluminium, provided in the inner volume delimited by the wrapper 3. The assembly is held in place by being wedged by said wrapper 3.

[0198] The aluminium cover 116 ensures that the composition 112 does not contact surrounding vapor or moisture before use, and prevents leakage.

[0199] In the illustrated example, an airflow path 4 is longitudinally interposed inside the article 1 , between the at least one energy storage part 110 and the aerosol-generating substrate 2.

[0200] When the user draws on the proximal end of the article upon vaping, air passes through the free space 13 forming an air channel between the article 1 and the cavity wall, through the airflow path 4 and finally through the heated aerosol-generating substrate 2: The aerosol is then inhaled by the user.

[0201] In order for the composition to be exposed, the primary protecting cover 116 needs to be broken or disintegrated or otherwise removed at the beginning of the vaping session. The combustion heating system 100 is therefore provided with (primary) opening means 160 configured for opening said primary protecting cover 116. In the illustrated example, the opening means 160 are mechanical puncturing means in the form of at least one sharp puncturing element 162 directed towards the inside of the heating cavity 12 and protruding inside said cavity 12 through a hole 14 formed at its bottom end 12b. The puncturing element 162 may have a conical or otherwise tapered shape.

[0202] When the article 1 is inserted in the heating cavity 12, the tip of the puncturing element 162 cuts the aluminium cover 116. Depending on the consistence of the composition 112, a part of said composition 112 may then fall down in the combustion chamber 120, as illustrated.

[0203] In particular in a case where a part of the composition 112 is actually detached by the action of the puncturing element 162, the device 10 may advantageously comprise biasing means 164, as illustrated, for constantly biasing the element 162 towards the bottom of the heating cavity 12 and hence the article 1 . The force applied by the puncturing element 162 is so maintained at a sufficient level irrespective of the amount of composition 112 already detached and consumed.

[0204] In the embodiment illustrated in figure 2, the system 100 is further provided with hydrogen-releasing means 130 for supplying hydrogen-releasing agent 132 to the hydrogen-containing hybrid material of the energy storage part 110.

[0205] In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 comprises a releasingagent storage part 131 formed of a container 134 filled with hydrogen-releasing agent 132 such as water, and guiding means 136 for guiding such agent 132 contained in said container 134 towards the energy storage part 110.

[0206] The guiding means 136 are for example capillary thin tubes extending from the container 134 to the vicinity of the combustion chamber 120.

[0207] The primary protecting cover 116 and the opening means 160 described with reference to figure 2 are however not limiting, and figures 3 to 8 illustrate other - non-exhaustive - examples. Figure 3 shows an article 1 similar to that of figure 2, but provided with guiding means 5 for guiding the opening means 160 towards the primary protecting cover 116, upon insertion of the article 1 inside the heating cavity 12.

[0208] Here, the guiding means 5 are in the form of an additional front ring formed symmetrically around the main axis of the article 1 , at a bottom side of the energy storage part 110.

[0209] This front ring is particularly adapted to guide a puncturing element 162 of the device 10, such as a puncturing needle, towards the energy storage part 110.

[0210] Figure 4 illustrates a further aerosol-generating article 1 with an energy storage part 110 at its bottom end 1 b. In this example, at least a part 116a (hereafter functional part) of the primary protecting cover 116 covering hydrogencontaining composition 112 is water dissolvable, that is it gets removed or broken or disintegrated upon contacting water.

[0211] The device 10, on the other hand, is provided with water supplying means 174 for supplying water to said primary functional part 116a when the article 1 is inserted in the heating cavity 12.

[0212] The water supplying means 174 may either form part of the hydrogenreleasing means 130, or the water supplying means 174 may form separate supplying means.

[0213] When contacting water, the cover 116 is dissolved at least at its functional part 116a and the composition 112 is exposed or released to the outside of the article 1.

[0214] As illustrated, the energy storage part 110 may advantageously be provided with a protruding part 118 and the primary functional part 116a may at least partially cover said protruding part 118. This facilitates immersion of the primary functional part 116a in water and hence the dissolution and removal of the cover 116.

[0215] In figure 5, at least a functional part 116a of the primary protecting cover 112 is heat-destroyable and auxiliary heating means 166 are provided on the article 1 and / or on the device 10 to heat said functional part(s) 116a. The auxiliary heating means 166 may for example comprise an inductive coil 168 or a thin film resistive heater integrated in the article 1 and configured to cooperate with the energy storage part 110 by penetrating a receiving cavity 6 formed around the energy storage part 110, between said energy storage part 110 and the wrapper 3.

[0216] According to another example illustrated in figure 6, the primary protecting cover 116 comprises a plurality of finite primary functional parts 116a and the device is provided with a plurality of auxiliary heating elements 166, for example heating wires 169, arranged to cooperate with said plurality of primary functional parts 116a.

[0217] In the examples of figures 7 and 8, the opening means 160 comprise pressure exerting means 170 for applying a pressure on the at least one energy storage part 110. The principle is similar to that of a toothpaste tube: the energy storage part 110 is squeezed and at least a functional part 116a of the primary protecting cover 116, typically weaker, is broken to release the composition 112.

[0218] The pressure may be applied in any transversal direction as illustrated by figures 7 and 8. In figure 8 for example, the pressure exerting means 170 comprise a funnel-shaped housing 172 configured to receive the energy storage part 110 and dimensioned so that the energy storage part 110 is squeezed when entering said housing 172.

[0219] Figure 9 illustrates an aerosol-generating system 1000 according to another embodiment of the invention. Here, the aerosol-generating system 1000 further comprises a removable support 200 configured to be received in the aerosol-generating device 10, and the device 10 correspondingly comprises a housing 180, opened to the outside, configured to receive therein such removable support 200.

[0220] The removable support 200 typically comprises a base 210, for example made of cardboard or laminated paper, which may have any adapted shape, for example a disk-shape or ribbon-shape. According to this embodiment, the one or several energy storage part(s) 110, each comprising a composition 112 including hydrogen-containing hybrid material, are carried by said base of the removable support.

[0221] In the illustrated example, the composition 112 is protected by a primary protective cover 116 advantageously pierceable, dissolvable, heat destroyable or otherwise removable, which may either cover or completely enclose the composition, to form a pouch-like energy storage part solidary with the base.

[0222] All other features of the aerosol-generating device already disclosed with reference to figure 1 shall not be described again.

[0223] The energy storage parts 110 may have any desired shape, dimensions and / or distribution on the support 200, depending for example on the industrial design of the device 10 or on the expected process control.

[0224] Also, once inserted in the device 10, the removable support 200 may be either fixed or movable with respect to the said device 10.

[0225] As shown in figure 10, the removable support 200 may for example be ring-shaped with a plurality of separate energy storage parts 110 juxtaposed circumferentially thereon.

[0226] Advantageously, the support may then be rotatably mounted inside the housing in such a way that one energy storage part 110 is activatable in each position of the support 200. By activatable is meant here that the energy storage part 110 enters in contact with opening means 160 and / or is supplied by the hydrogen-releasing means 130, to release its composition or hydrogen from its composition towards the combustion chamber.

[0227] Figure 11 illustrates another particular example where the removable support 200 is strip or ribbon-shaped. It comprises a base 210 and several energy storage parts 110 distributed along its length. With such configuration, the device 10 may be provided with a housing 180 in the form of a through hole opening at opposite sides thereof, and through which the support 200 can be pulled, for example incrementally - notably between each vaping session -so as to successively bring the energy storage parts 110 in an activatable position. The consumed part of the strip, directly exiting the device 10, may then be teared and throwed away by the user, along with the consumed article 1 .

[0228] In the embodiments of figures 9 to 11 , the device 10 comprises a container 134 receiving therein the hydrogen-releasing agent 132. As an alternative or in addition, at least one releasing-agent storage part 131 may also be integrated directly in the removable support 200 as will now be described with reference to figures 12 to 17.

[0229] As illustrated in figure 12, at least one releasing-agent storage part 131 formed of hydrogen-releasing agent 132 completely enclosed or partially covered by a secondary protective cover 138, may be arranged on the base 210.

[0230] The secondary protecting cover 138 may be either solidary with or separate from the primary protective cover 116.

[0231] In a case where the removable support 200 comprises a plurality of juxtaposed energy storage parts 110 as described before with reference to figures 10 and 11 , each energy storage part 110 may be associated with at least one releasing-agent storage part 131 , as illustrated in figures 13 and 14.

[0232] Preferably, as illustrated in figure 14, the removable support 200 may also be provided with guiding means 136, such as a guiding channel, for guiding the hydrogen-releasing agent 130 from each releasing-agent storage part 131 to the energy storage part 110.

[0233] Secondary opening means 190 may be provided, typically in the device, in the vicinity of the housing 180, for opening said secondary protecting cover 138.

[0234] As shown in figure 15, these opening means 190 may for example comprise pressure exerting means 192 for exerting pressure on said at least one releasing-agent storage part 131 to rupture the secondary protecting cover 138. The pressure exerting means 192 may be dedicated means provided in the device 10 or the pressure might be applied by the aerosol-generating article 1 upon insertion in the heating cavity 12. Under the pressure exerted on the secondary protective cover 138, said cover 138 is ruptured and water flows towards the energy storage part.

[0235] According to an advantageous embodiment, the primary protecting cover 116 is water dissolvable, so that water supplied from the releasing-agent storage part 131 at the same time contributes to expose the composition 112 and reacts with said composition 112 to release hydrogen.

[0236] Alternatively, as shown in figure 16, opening means 190 may comprise auxiliary heating means 194, such as an induction coil solidary with the device 10 and electrically supplied by the power source 30, and the secondary protecting cover 138 is made of a conductive material such as aluminum and is heat deformable.

[0237] The induction coil 194, supplied with electric current, creates a high- voltage and heats the secondary protecting cover 138 by induction heating. Once heated, the secondary protecting cover 138 is deformed and / or ruptured, so that water can escape from the releasing-agent storage part 131 and flow towards the energy storage part 110.

[0238] As illustrated, pressure may be exerted by external mechanical means on the secondary protecting cover 138 to rupture the secondary protecting cover 138 and urge the water to flow, especially to flow in the right direction (see pressure exerting means 192 in figure 16).

[0239] According to another example, pressure resulting from water vapor formed inside the enclosure upon heating might expand the secondary protecting cover 138 towards the energy storage part 110.

[0240] Figure 17 illustrates another embodiment where the secondary protecting cover 138 is cut by mechanical puncturing means 196 provided in the device 10, for example a puncturing needle as illustrated.

[0241] In this embodiment, a U-shaped paper guide 136 is arranged between the primary protecting cover 116 of an energy storage part 110 and the secondary protecting cover 138 of the releasing-agent storage part 131 , as guiding means for guiding the water and make sure that it flows toward the energy storage part 110. Although not illustrated, the removable support 200 may further comprise an additional retaining wall, such as a paper retaining wall, separate from the secondary protecting cover 138 and avoiding that water flows away from the energy storage part 110.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol-generating system (1000) comprising an aerosol-generating device (10) having a heating cavity (12) for receiving therein an aerosolgenerating article (1 ) comprising an aerosol-generating substrate (2), said aerosol-generating system (1000) being characterized in that it comprises a combustion heating system (100) having at least one energy storage part (110), said energy storage part (110) including a composition (112) comprising hydrogen-containing hybrid material, the combustion heating system (100) being configured to heat the heating cavity (12) by combustion of hydrogen released from said hydrogen-containing hybrid material.

2. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen-containing hybrid material is a material selected from the group comprising MgH2, Mg(BH4)2, LiH, LiAIH4, LiBH4, NaH, NaAIH4, NaBH4, BeH2, Be(BH4)2, CaH2, Ca(BH4)2, AIH3, and / or AI(BH4)3.

3. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the combustion heating system (100) comprises a combustion chamber (120) for receiving hydrogen released from the hydrogen-containing hybrid material and combustion triggering means (122) for triggering combustion of said hydrogen inside the combustion chamber (120).

4. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 3, wherein the heating cavity (12) is at least partially surrounded by the combustion chamber (120).

5. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the combustion chamber (120) is at least partially surrounded by a thermally insulated wall (124).

6. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the combustion chamber (120) has an exhaust passage (126) for the combustion byproducts.

7. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the device (10) comprises combustion control means (140) for controlling the combustion inside the combustion chamber (120).

8. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 7, wherein the combustion control means (140) control the combustion so that the hydrogen is released and combusted at once, typically for preheating the article (1 ) before vaping.

9. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 7, wherein the combustion control means (140) control the combustion so that hydrogen is released continuously, typically during an entire vaping session.

10. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 7 to9, wherein the combustion control means (140) comprise a switching unit (142) for switching the triggering means on or off and / or a frequency adjusting unit (144) for adjusting their frequency.11 . The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to10, wherein the combustion heating system (100) further comprises hydrogen-releasing means (130) comprising a hydrogen-releasing agent (132) to be supplied to the hydrogen-containing hybrid material.

12. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 11 and any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the combustion control means (140) comprise release control means (146) for managing an amount of hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage part(s) (110) in the combustion chamber (120).

13. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 12, wherein the release control means (146) comprise dosing means (148), preferably adjustable dosing means, for dosing the amount or flow rate of hydrogen- releasing agent (132) delivered to the at least one energy storage part (110).

14. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the hydrogen-releasing means (130) comprise guidingmeans (136) for guiding hydrogen-releasing agent (132) to the at least one energy storage part (110).

15. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 14, wherein the guiding means (136) comprise at least one capillary tube.

16. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the device (10) further comprises an additional heating system (20) for heating the heating cavity (12).

17. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 16, wherein the device (10) comprises an additional heating adjusting unit (152) for adjusting an amount of energy provided by the additional heating system (20) based on the heat delivered by the combustion heating system (100).

18. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 17, wherein the device (10) comprises at least one temperature sensor (150) for sensing a temperature inside the device (10), and the additional heating adjusting unit (152) is configured to adjust an amount of energy provided by the additional heating system (20) based on the temperature measured by said at least one temperature sensor (150).

19. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the additional heating system (20) comprises a heater (22) surrounding the heating cavity (12).

20. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein in each energy storage part (110), the composition is at least partially protected by a primary protective cover (116) and the combustion heating system comprises opening means (160) configured for opening said primary protecting cover (116).

21. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 20, wherein the opening means (160) comprise mechanical puncturing means (162).

22. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 21 , wherein the mechanical puncturing means (162) are urged towards the at least one energy storage part (110) by elastic returning means (164).

23. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the opening means (160) comprise pressure exerting means (170) for applying a pressure on the at least one energy storage part (110).

24. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 23, wherein the pressure exerting means (170) comprise a funnel-shaped housing (172) configured to receive the energy storage part (110) and dimensioned so that said energy storage part (110) is squeezed when entering said housing (172).

25. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein at least one primary functional part (116a) of the primary protecting cover (116) is water dissolvable and the opening means (160) comprise water supplying means (174) for supplying water to said primary functional part.

26. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein at least one primary functional part (116a) of the primary protecting cover (112) is heat destroyable and the opening means comprise at least one auxiliary heating element (166) for heating said at least one primary functional part (116).

27. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 26, wherein the at least one primary protecting cover comprises a plurality of finite primary functional parts (116a) and the opening means (160) comprises a plurality of auxiliary heating elements (166), for example heating wires, arranged to cooperate with said plurality of primary functional parts (116).

28. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 11 and any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the aerosol-generating device (10) comprises at least one releasing-agent storage part (131 ) containing hydrogenreleasing agent (132).

29. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to28, further comprising an aerosol-generating article (1 ) with an energy storage part (110) integrated therein, in particular at one end (1 b) thereof.

30. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 29, wherein the aerosol-generating article (1 ) comprises guiding means (5) for guiding opening means, in particular puncturing means (162), towards the energy storage part (110).

31. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the aerosol-generating article (1 ) comprises an airflow path (4) between the at least one energy storage part (110) and the aerosolgenerating substrate (2).

32. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 31 , further comprising a removable support (200), for example a disk or strip, different from the aerosol-generating article (1 ), with said removable support (200) comprising at least one energy storage part (110) and the device being provided with receiving means (180) for receiving the removable support (200) in a loaded position.

33. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 32, wherein the receiving means (180) comprise a housing and the removable support (200) is at least partially insertable in said housing.

34. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the removable support (200) comprises a plurality of energy storage parts (110), for example each corresponding to one vaping session or one preheating process.

35. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 34, wherein the receiving means are configured to allow a movement of the removable support (200) between several loaded positions, each corresponding to one energy storage part (110) being activatable in the combustion heating system (100).

36. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein the removable support (200) comprises a base (210), notably made of cardboard or laminated paper, and the at least one energy storage part (110) is arranged on said base.

37. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 11 and any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the removable support (210) comprises at least one releasing-agent storage part (131 ) containing hydrogen-releasing agent (132).

38. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 37, wherein the hydrogen-releasing agent (132) is protected by a secondary protecting cover (138) and the device (10) comprises secondary opening means (190) configured for opening said secondary protecting cover (138).

39. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 38, wherein the secondary opening means (190) comprise pressure exerting means (192) for exerting pressure on said secondary protective cover (138).

40. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to claim 38 or 39, wherein at least one functional part (138a) of the secondary protecting cover (138) is heat destroyable and the secondary opening means (190) comprise at least one auxiliary heater (194) for heating said at least one functional part (136).

41. The aerosol-generating system (1000) according to any one of claims 38 to 40, wherein the secondary opening means (190) comprise puncturing means (196) for puncturing said secondary protecting cover (138).

42. A removable support (200) for use in an aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 32 to 41 , comprising:- a base (210),- at least one energy storage part (110) including a composition comprising a hydrogen-containing hybrid material, arranged on said base.

43. An aerosol-generating article (1 ) for use in an aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 29 to 31 , comprising:- an outer wrapper (3) delimiting an inner volume of the article (1 ),- an aerosol-generating substrate (2) contained in said inner volume,- at least one energy storage part (110) including a composition comprising a hydrogen-containing hybrid material, arranged in the inner volume.

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