Hybrid heating oven for an aerosol generating device configured for operating a consumable article

Abstract

The heating oven comprises a heating cavity (32) configured for receiving the consumable article (16), the heating cavity (32) being delimited between two separate heating plates (36) facing each other with being supported by two side supports (66), each heating plate (36) having two side edges (36A) each attached to a respective side support (66), at least one of the two heating plates (36) being arched transversely between the two side supports (66).

Description

[0001] Hybrid heating oven for an aerosol generating device configured for operating a consumable article

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of aerosol generating devices and in particular to a heating oven for an aerosol generating device configured to operate a consumable article.

[0004] A consumable article comprises an aerosol substrate containing a vaporizable material such as to form aerosol when the aerosol substrate is heated by a heating oven of the aerosol generating device. Hence, aerosol generating devices of this type, also known as “heat-not-burn devices”, are adapted to heat, rather than burn to generate aerosol for inhalation.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporisers) has grown rapidly in the past few years as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm vaporizable materials as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

[0007] A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generation device or so called “heat-not-burn device”. Aerosol generation devices of this type generate aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol substrate that is usually comprised in a consumable article separate from the aerosol generation devices. Typically, such aerosol substrate comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material that vaporizes at a temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 350°C. Heating an aerosol substrate, without combusting or burning it, releases aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user but not by-products of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the vaporizable material contained in the aerosol substrate does not comprise the typical burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant for the user and the smoke that can be irritating and polluting for the surroundings. Consumable articles usable with such type of aerosol generating devices can take various shapes. Some of them can exhibit the shape of an elongated stick or any other suitable shape, like for example a plate shape. Generally, such a consumable article is received at least partially in a heating chamber of a heating oven of the aerosol generating device which comprises one or several heaters to heat the consumable article.

[0008] In some cases, the heating of the consumable article is not completely efficient and the user can experience difficulties when inhaling the aerosol, with the need for example to inhale longer to obtain the required amount of aerosol, thus rendering the user experience less pleasant.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] One of the aims of the invention is to propose a consumable article which can provide a satisfactory experience to the user.

[0011] The invention thus proposes heating oven for an aerosol generating device configured for operating a consumable article, the heating oven comprising a heating cavity configured for receiving the consumable article, the heating cavity being delimited between two separate heating plates facing each other with being supported by two side supports, each heating plate having two side edges each attached to a respective side support, wherein at least one of the two heating plates is arched transversely inwardly or outwardly between the two side supports.

[0012] The provision of at least one transversely arched heating plate enables favoring a contact of the heating plates with the consumable article for an efficient heat transfer without hindering ease of insertion of the consumable article. The efficient heat transfer is beneficial for appropriate heating and generation of the aerosol, thus offering a satisfying experience to the user.

[0013] Each transversely arched heating plate is arched transversely inwardly or outwardly.

[0014] With the provision of at least one of the heating plates arched transversely and inwardly, the heating plates are for example closer to one another in a first region than in second region. The first region is for example a central region and the second region are for example lateral regions. This favors a contact of the heating plates with the consumable article for an efficient heat transfer without hindering ease of insertion of the consumable article. The efficient heat transfer is beneficial for appropriate heating and generation of the aerosol, thus offering a satisfying experience to the user.

[0015] The provision of separate heating plates supported by side supports makes the manufacture of the heating oven easy, including with arching one or both heating plates.

[0016] According to some examples, the heating plates are made of a first material and the side supports are made of a second material different from the first material.

[0017] The heating plate can thus be made of a material that exhibits the appropriate proprieties, e.g. in terms of thermal conductivity and flexibility, for making a good thermal contact with the consumable article received in the heating oven and transferring heat to the consumable article.

[0018] According to some examples, the first material is a metal, for example aluminum or steel, in particular stainless steel.

[0019] Heating plates made of metal have a high thermal conductivity and can be shaped to exhibit a good flexibility.

[0020] According to some examples, the second material is a ceramic, for example a glass ceramic or a thermostable thermoplastic, for example a polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK) and in a particular polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

[0021] The ceramic can be chosen to be electrically insulating and thermally insulating as compared to metal.

[0022] According to some examples, the first material has a first heat conductivity and the second material has a second heat conductivity, the first heat conductivity being strictly higher than the second heat conductivity.

[0023] Preferably, each transversely arched heating plate is configured to deform elastically, preferably outwardly, upon insertion into the heating cavity of a consumable article having dimensions greater than a spacing between the two heating plates. This favors a good contact of the heating plates with the consumable article for an efficient heat transfer without hindering ease of insertion of the consumable article.

[0024] According to some examples, the two heating plates are arched transversely inwardly between the two side supports.

[0025] This allows making a good contact with the consumable article on both sides of the consumable article for an efficient heat transfer.

[0026] According to some examples, each arched heating plate is configured to deform elastically outwardly upon insertion into the heating chamber of a consumable article having a transverse dimension greater than the minimal spacing between the two heating plates, for example a thickness greater than the minimal spacing between the two heating plates, in particular in case of a plate-shape consumable article, or a diameter greater than the minimal spacing between the two heating plates, in particular in case of a stick-shape consumable article.

[0027] This allows providing a tight fit between the heating plates and the consumable article received between the heating plates, such that the heating plates contact opposed faces of the consumable article for a good heat transfer. The heating plates deform elastically outwardly upon insertion of the consumable article to allow insertion and deform elastically inwardly upon extraction of the consumable article to return to the initial shape until insertion of another consumable article.

[0028] According to some examples, the ratio of the minimum spacing between the heating plates to the maximum spacing between the heating plates is comprises between 0.8 and 0.9.

[0029] Such a ratio allows forming a heating oven with a good contact between the heating plates and the consumable article with an easy insertion of the consumable article into the heating chamber.

[0030] According to some examples, the side edges of one or each heating plate are received in mounting channels of the side supports. The heating oven is assembled easily by fitting the side edges of the heating plates in the channels of the side supports.

[0031] According to some examples, the channels receiving the side edges of at least one to the two heating plates are angled one relative to the other to fit the transversely arched shape of the heating plate, in particular such that the heating plate is arched transversely inwardly or outwardly between the two side supports.

[0032] The appropriate transverse inward or outward arching of each arched heating plate is for example obtained upon assembly of the heating plates with the side supports du to the angle between the mounting channels.

[0033] According to some examples, one or each channel is delimited between two channel surfaces, at least one of the two channel surfaces being configured for a discontinuous contact with the side edge along the channel.

[0034] The discontinuous contacts allows limiting the heat transfer from the heating plate to the sides support. This limits the heat dissipation and keeps the heat in the heating plate for heating the consumable article more efficiently.

[0035] According to some examples, each channel surface configured for a discontinuous contact is crenellated or undulated along the channel such as to define contact zones in which the channel surface contacts the side edge alternating with non-contact zones in which the channel surface is spaced from the side edge.

[0036] According to some examples, the thickness of each heating plate is comprises between 50 pm and 2 mm.

[0037] According to some examples, the heating oven has a length comprised between 10 and 40 mm, in particular between 20 mm and 30 mm, a width comprised between 5 mm and 20 mm, in particular between 10 and 15 mm, and / or a height comprised between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, in particular between 1 mm and 2 mm.

[0038] These ranges of dimensions are appropriate for manufacturing the heating oven, with at least one heating plate being arched transversely and inwardly, the heating plates being preferably elastically deformable to accommodate the consumable article, and for an appropriate heat transfer via the heating plates.

[0039] Preferably, the spacing between the heating plates varies transversely, the spacing being for example smaller in a middle region and greater in side regions adjacent to the side edges of the heating plates or greater in a middle region and smaller in side regions adjacent to the sides edges of the heating plates.

[0040] Preferably, the minimal spacing between the heating plates is strictly smaller than a transverse dimension of the consumable article, in particular a thickness of the consumable article, e.g. a plate-shaped consumable article, or a diameter of the consumable article, e.g. a stick shaped consumable article.

[0041] This ensure that the heating plates will contact opposed faces of the consumable article when the latter is inserted in the heating chamber between the two heating plates.

[0042] According to some examples, the heating oven is configured for receiving a plateshaped consumable article and / or a stick-shaped consumable article.

[0043] By “plate shape” of the consumable article, it is understood that the consumable article extends between two parallel first planes and two parallel second planes perpendicular to the first planes, the first planes and the second planes being parallel to a article axis, the distance between the second planes being at least 3 times, advantageously 5 times and preferably 10 times, greater than the distance between the first planes.

[0044] Such shape is particularly advantageous to ensure a fast preheating phase of the consumable article. Thus, the consumable article can be ready to generate aerosol only a few seconds (for example 5 s or 15 s or 20 s) after activating the heating.

[0045] By “stick shape” of the consumable article, it is understood that the consumable article is of cylindrical shape extending along an article axis, preferably with a circular base or polygonal base. According to some examples, one of the heating plates or each heating plate is transversely corrugated. In particular, one of the heating plates or each heating plate is transversely arched, inwardly or outwardly, and transversely corrugated.

[0046] The invention also relates to an aerosol generating device comprising a heating oven as defined above.

[0047] The invention also relates to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device as defined above and a consumable article, the aerosol generating device being configured for operating the consumable article with heating the consumable article in the oven for generating an aerosol to be inhaled by the user, wherein the heating oven is configured such that upon insertion of the consumable article into the heating chamber, each transversely arched heating plate is elastically deformed outwardly to accommodate the consumable article inside the heating oven.

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting examples and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0050] - Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of an aerosol generating assembly comprising an aerosol generating device and a consumable article;

[0051] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the consumable article of Figure 1 ;

[0052] - Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the consumable article of Figure 2;

[0053] - Figure 4 is a perspective view of a heating oven of aerosol generating device;

[0054] - Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the heating oven of Figure 4, taken along line V-V on Figure 4, without a consumable article being received in the heating oven;

[0055] - Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of the heating oven of Figure 4, taken along line V-V on Figure 4, with a consumable article being received in the heating oven; - Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of a side support of the heating oven;

[0056] - Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of a side support of another heating oven;

[0057] - Figure 9 is a perspective view of a heating oven illustrating a heat generating conductor provided on a heating plate;

[0058] - Figure 10 is a graphic illustrating a transverse temperature profile in the heating oven of Figure 9;

[0059] - Figure 1 1 illustrates a perspective view of another consumable article;

[0060] - Figure 12 illustrates a transverse sectional view of a heating oven with the consumable article of Figure 1 1 received therein;

[0061] - Figure 13 illustrated a front view of another heating oven;

[0062] - Figure 14 illustrates a front view of the heating oven of Figure 13 with a consumable article received therein;

[0063] - Figure 15 illustrates a front view of another heating oven.

[0064] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0065] Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

[0066] As used herein, the term “aerosol generating device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of a heater element explained in further detail below. The device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating the heating oven for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button. The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heating oven and / or the vaporizable material (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.

[0067] As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of vaporizable material as liquid droplets and / or gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to / include a vapour. Aerosol may include one or more components of the vaporizable material.

[0068] As used herein, the term “vaporizable material” or “precursor” may refer to a smokable material which may for example comprise nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol former. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and / or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol formers include: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also comprise at least one of a gelling agent, a binding agent, a stabilizing agent, and a humectant.

[0069] As illustrated on Figure 1 , an aerosol generating assembly 10 comprises an aerosol generating device 12 and a consumable set 14. The consumable set 14 comprises a consumable article 16 and a mouthpiece 18. The mouthpiece 18 may be exchangeable or be a re-usable part removably attached to the device. The consumable article 16 is configured to operate with the aerosol generating device 12.

[0070] The aerosol generating device 12 comprises a device body 20 extending along a device axis Y between a first end 22, or mouth end and a second end 24 or bottom end. The device body 20 is configured for receiving the consumable article 16 in a removable manner such as to operate the aerosol generating device 12 with the consumable article 16 for generating an aerosol. The device body 20 delimits an internal space of the aerosol generating device 12 receiving various elements designed to carry out different functionalities of the aerosol generating device 12. The device body 20 houses for example a battery 26 for powering the device aerosol generating 12, an electronic control module 28 for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device 11 , and a heating oven 30 comprising a heating chamber 32 for receiving and heating the consumable article 16.

[0071] The heating chamber 32 is designed to receive at least partially the consumable article 16. As illustrated on Figure 1 , the heating chamber 32 opens for example at the first end 22 of the device body 20 via an insertion opening 34 for insertion of the consumable article 16 into the heating chamber 32. The mouthpiece 18 may for instance be slidably connected or pivotally attached to the device body 20 to allow the heating oven 30 to be opened for insertion of the consumable article. The heating chamber 32 extends for example along a longitudinal axis A which is parallel or coincides for example with the device axis Y.

[0072] The heating oven 30 is configured to receive and heat at least a part of the consumable article 16 inserted in the heating chamber 32. The heating oven 30 comprises a pair of heating walls 36 delimiting the heating chamber 32 with facing each other. The heating walls 36 extend along the longitudinal axis A of the heating chamber 32 with facing each other.

[0073] The consumable article 16 received in the heating chamber 32 is received between the two heating walls 36. The two heating walls 36 are designed to heat two opposite faces of the consumable article 16 as it will be explained below.

[0074] As illustrated on Figure 2 and 3, the consumable article 16 extends along an article axis X and comprises a tubular wrapper 40 extending along the article axis X between an inlet end 42 and an outlet end 44 of the consumable article 16, with forming a substrate portion 46, which receives an aerosol substrate 48, and, optionally, a cooling portion 50.

[0075] The wrapper 40 defines the external envelope of the consumable article 16.

[0076] The aerosol substrate 48 contains the vaporizable material. The vaporizable material is configured for vaporizing when the substrate portion 46 is heated, e.g. by the heating oven 30 of the aerosol generating device 12 in which the consumable article 16 is received. The aerosol substrate 48 is configured for allowing air to flow through the aerosol substrate 48. When provided, the cooling portion 50 is configured for the circulation of the aerosol from the substrate portion 46 to the outlet end 44 with cooling of the aerosol. The cooling of the aerosol in the cooling portion 50 avoids the unpleasant sensation of hotness in the mouth or throat of the user.

[0077] In such case, the substrate portion 46 and the cooling portion 50 are respective axial sections or axial length portions of the wrapper 40. The substrate portion 46 extends from the inlet end 42 to the cooling portion 50 and the cooling portion 50 extends from the substrate portion 46 to the outlet end 44 of the consumable article 16.

[0078] The consumable article 16 exhibits for example a plate shape. The consumable article 16 is for example in the shape of parallelepiped, in particular a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0079] The consumable article 16 has a cross-section taken perpendicularly to the article axis X, i.e. in a plane perpendicular to the article axis X. The cross-section of the consumable article 16 is preferably constant along the article axis X.

[0080] The consumable article 16 exhibits for example a quadrangular cross-section, i.e. a cross section with four sides. The consumable article 16exhibits for example a trapezoidal cross-section or preferably a rectangular cross-section.

[0081] The wrapper 40 comprises for example two wide peripheral walls 52, which are opposed and parallel to each other, and two opposed narrow peripheral walls 54. This allows imparting a plate shape to the consumable article 16.

[0082] The width of each peripheral wall (wide peripheral walls 52 or narrow peripheral walls 54) is the distance between the two edges of the peripheral wall which are parallel to article axis X. The width of each wide peripheral walls 52 is strictly higher than the width of each narrow peripheral wall 54.

[0083] The two wide peripheral walls 52 are spaced apart along a first transverse direction T1 perpendicular to the article axis X. The two narrow peripheral walls 54 are spaced apart along a second transverse direction T2 perpendicular to the article axis X and to the first transverse direction T 1 . The two wide peripheral walls 52 are preferably flat. The two narrow peripheral walls 54 are for example flat. Preferably, the two narrow peripheral walls 54 are parallel to each other as illustrated on Figure 2. This imparts a rectangular parallepiped shape to the consumable article 16. In a variant, the two narrow peripheral walls 54 are for example inclined one relative to the other with a non-zero angle. This imparts a trapezoidal crosssection to the cooling section 50.

[0084] The consumable article 16 has external dimensions including a length L taken along the article axis X between the inlet end 42 and the outlet end 44, a width W taken perpendicularly to the article axis X between the narrow peripheral walls 54, and a depth D taken perpendicularly to the article axis X between the wide peripheral walls 52. The width W of the consumable article 16 is taken along the second transverse direction T2 and the depth D of the consumable article 16 is taken along the first transverse direction T1 .

[0085] In one example, the length L of the consumable article 16 is comprised between 20 mm and 45 mm, the width W of the consumable article 16 is comprised between 7 mm and 17 mm and / or the depth D of the consumable article 16 is comprised between 0.7 mm and 2.0 mm. In a particular example, the length L of the consumable article 16 substantially equals to 33 mm, the width W substantially equals to 12.4 mm and / or the depth D of the consumable article 16 substantially equals to 1 .65 mm.

[0086] The width W of the consumable article 16 is for example at least three times the depth D of the consumable article 16, preferably at least five times the depth D of the consumable article 16, still preferably at least ten times the depth D of the consumable article 16. The width to depth ratio (W / D) of the consumable article 16 is for example equal or higher than three, in particular equal or higher than five, still in particular equal or higher than ten.

[0087] When provided, the cooling section 50 is for example void or provided with at least one reinforcement element received in the cooling section 50 for reinforcing the cooling section 50, in particular for preventing the peripheral walls of the wrapper 40 (wide peripheral walls 50 and narrow peripheral walls 52) to collapse inwardly.

[0088] The thickness of the peripheral walls of the wrapper (in all embodiments of the invention) may be preferably between 75 microns and 140 microns. In one example, the paper has a thickness of 125 microns. The wrapper may for instance be formed from a paper sheet having a basis weight of at least 70 g / m2, more preferably at least 75 g / m2, most preferably at least 78 g / m2. In one example, the paper has a basis weight of about 100 g / m2. The porosity of the paper may be less than 100 CU, preferably between 0 and 80 CU. In one example, the paper has a porosity of 40 CU.

[0089] The wrapper 40 comprises for example paper and / or non-woven fabric and / or aluminium foil. The wrapper 40 is preferably non-porous but in possible embodiments, the wrapper may be locally porous or perforated (e.g., by row(s) of through-holes) to allow air to enter in the cooling part.

[0090] The wrapper 40 preferably comprises paper. The paper can be similar to one used as a tipping paper in the conventional tobacco articles. In a variant, the paper is different from one of the conventional tobacco articles.

[0091] The wrapper 40 comprises for example aluminium. The aluminium extends in the substrate portion 46 to prevent condensation leakage and / or vapour leakage. The aluminium extends for example only in the substrate portion 46 or extends in the substrate portion 46 and the cooling portion 50.

[0092] In one example, the wrapper 40 is a laminate of paper and aluminium which extends along the entire length of the consumable article 16, from the inlet end 42 to the outlet end 44.

[0093] As illustrated on Figure 4, the heating oven 30 comprises the heating chamber 32 which extends along a longitudinal axis A with being delimited between the two heating walls 36 facing each other.

[0094] The heating chamber 32 is configured for receiving the consumable article 16 with the article axis X substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis A and the consumable article being received between the two heating walls 36.

[0095] Each heating wall 36 has to lateral edges 36A and extends transversely between its two lateral edges 36A. The lateral edges 36A extends along the longitudinal axis A, preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis A. The heating chamber 32 extends along the longitudinal axis A between a rear end 62 and a front end 64. Each heating wall 36 extend axially for example between the rear end 62 and the front end 64. The insertion opening 34 is located at the front end 64.

[0096] The heating oven 30 comprises two side supports 66 which are separate from each other and spaced transversely. Each side support 66 is for example elongated along the longitudinal axis A.

[0097] Each heating plate 36 extends transversely between the two side supports 66 with each side edge of the heating plate 36 being attached to a respective side support 66.

[0098] The heating chamber 32 has a cross-section (taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A) with four sides defined by the two heating plates 36 and the two side supports 66. The heating chamber 32 has preferably a closed contour in a cross-section taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

[0099] With referring to the first transverse direction T1 and the second transverse direction T2, the heating plates 36 are spaced from each other along the first transverse direction T 1 and extend along the second transverse direction T2. The side supports 66 are spaced from each other the second transverse direction T2 and extend along the first transverse direction T 1 .

[0100] The heating plates 36 form opposed wide walls of the heating chamber 32 and the side supports 66 form opposed narrow walls of the heating chamber 32 of quadrangular cross-section.

[0101] In the following, unless otherwise specified, it is referred to the heating oven 30 in a free state, in particular with no consumable article 16 inserter in the heating chamber 32.

[0102] One or each heating plate 36 is arched transversely and inwardly. Preferably, each heating plate 36 is arched transversely and inwardly. Each arched heating plate 36 is more particularly arched transversely and inwardly in the absence of a consumable article 16 in the heating chamber 32. The heating chamber 32 exhibits for example a contour which is generally rectangular with one or each of the wide sides (corresponding to heating plates 36) being arcuate inwardly.

[0103] Each arched heating plate 36 is arcuate between the side edges 36A of said heating plate 36 towards the inside of the heating chamber 32.

[0104] Each arched heating plate 36 has a concavity on an outer face of said heating plate 36 opposite the heating chamber 32 and a convexity on an inner face of said heating plate 36 delimiting the heating chamber 32

[0105] As one or each heating plate 36 is arched inwardly, the two heating plates 36 are non-parallel with each other.

[0106] The middle regions 36B of the heating plates 36 are closer than the sides regions of the heating plates 36 adjacent the side supports 66. The spacing between the heating plates 36 is smaller in the middle regions 36B of the heating plates 36 and greater in the side regions of the heating plates 36. The spacing between the heating plates 36 is in particular minimal in the middle region 36B.

[0107] When moving transversely across the heating chamber 32 from one side support 66 to the other side support 66, the spacing between the heating plates 36 decreases progressively from said side support 66 to the middle region 36B of the heating plates 36 and increases progressively from the middle region 36B of the heating plates 36 to the other side support 66.

[0108] As illustrated on Figure 5, each heating plate 36 is arched transversely and inwardly. In a variant, only one of the two heating plates 36 is arched transversely and inwardly, the other heating plate 36 being flat.

[0109] The ratio of a minimum spacing SMIN between the heating plates 36 to a maximum spacing SMAX between the heating plates 36 is preferably comprises between 0.8 and 0.9.

[0110] The spacing between the heating plates 36 is preferably minimal in the middle region 36B of the heating plates 36 and / or maximum between the side edges 36A of the heating plates 36. The minimal spacing SMIN between the heating plates 36 is preferably is strictly smaller than the thickness of the consumable article 16. This ensures that the consumable article 16 inserted in the heating oven 30 is pressed between the heating plates 36.

[0111] As illustrated on Figure 5, advantageously, each arched heating plate 36 is configured to deform elastically outwardly upon insertion into the heating chamber 32 of the consumable article 16 having a thickness greater than the minimal spacing SMIN between the two heating plates 36.

[0112] This ensures that despite having a thickness greater than the minimal spacing S IN, the consumable article 16 can easily be inserted in the heating chamber 32 by the user. Thus also ensures a good contact between the heating walls 36 and the consumable articular 16 for a better thermal transfer between the heating walls 36 and the consumable articular 16.

[0113] Preferably, the heating plates 36 are made of a first material and the side supports 66 are made of a second material different from the first material. The first material is preferably a metal, for example aluminum or steel, in particular stainless steel. The second material is preferably a ceramic, for example a glass ceramic or a thermostable thermoplastic, for example a polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK) and in a particular polyether ether ketone (PEEK). A thermostable thermoplastic is a thermoplastic which is stable at high temperature. The thermoplastic is for example continuously operable to a temperature up to 200°C, preferably up to 250°C. The thermoplastic is preferably operable to a temperature up to 300°C, e.g. for short periods of time.

[0114] The thickness of each heating plate 36 and / or each side support 36 is for example comprised between 50 pm and 2 mm.

[0115] The heating oven 30 has dimensions allowing the heating oven 30 to accommodate the consumable article 16.

[0116] As illustrated on Figure 4, the heating oven 30 has a length LH taken along the longitudinal axis A, a width taken in the transverse direction along which the sides support 66 are spaced (i.e. along the second direction T2) and a height DH taken in the transverse direction along which the heating plates 36 are spaced (i.e. along the first direction T 1 ). The heating oven 30 has for example a length LH comprised between 10 mm and 40 mm, in particular between 20 mm and 30 mm, a width WH comprised between 5 mm and 25 mm, in particular between 10 and 20 mm, and / or a height DH comprised between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, in particular between 1 mm and 2 mm. The height DH of the heating oven 30 is for example measured at the maximum spacing SMAX between the heating plates 36.

[0117] Each heating plate 36 is for example mounted on each sides support 66 by fitting the corresponding sides edge 36A of the heating plate 36 into a mounting channel 68 provided in the side support 66.

[0118] Each mounting channel 68 extends along the corresponding side support 66, preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis A.

[0119] Each arched heating plate 36 is for example bent between the two side supports 66 such as to arch the heating plate 36 transversely and inwardly.

[0120] As illustrated on Figure 5, the two mounting channels 68 receiving the side edges 36A of each arched heating plate 36 are for example inclined on relative to the other in view along the longitudinal axis A, such that the two side edges 36A of the arched heating plate 36 define a non-zero angle between them.

[0121] This forces the heating plate 36 to adopt the transversely and inwardly arched configuration when the heating plate 36 is mounted in the side supports 66.

[0122] Each mounting channel 68 has a side opening 68A and a bottom 68B. Each side edge 36A enters the corresponding mounting channel 68 via the side opening 68 and extends towards the bottom 68B of the mounting channel 68.

[0123] Correspondingly, in view along the longitudinal axis A, on each side support 66, the sides edges 36A of the two heating plates 36 mounted onto side support 66 defines a nonzero angle between them.

[0124] On each side support 66, in view along the longitudinal axis A, the sides openings 68A of the two mounting channels 68 provided on said side support 66 are closer to each other than the bottoms 68B of the two mounting channel 68. A distance between the side openings 68A of the two mounting channels 68 is strictly smaller than a distance between the bottoms 68B.

[0125] This allows imparting the relative inclination between the mounting channels 68 of the side support 66 and thus between the side edges 36A mounted on said side support 66.

[0126] As illustrated on Figure 7, each mounting channel 68 is delimited between two channel surfaces 70.

[0127] Each channel surface 70 of a mounting channel 68 is configured for a continuous contact with the side edge 36A receive in the mounting channel 68 or configured for a discontinuous contact with the side edge 36A receive in the mounting channel 68.

[0128] Each channel surface 70 configured for a continuous contact is for example profiled along the mounting channel 68 and / or flat.

[0129] Each channel surface 70 configured for a discontinuous contact is for example crenelated along the mounting channel 68 or undulated along the mounting channel 68.

[0130] Each mounting channel 68 has both its channel surfaces 70 configured for a continuous contact with the side edge 36A received in the mounting channel 68, has both its channel surfaces 70 configured for a discontinuous contact with the side edge 36A received in the mounting channel 68 or has one channel surface 70 configured for a continuous contact with the side edge 36A received in the mounting channel 68 and the other channel surface configured for a discontinuous contact with the side edge 36A received in the mounting channel 68.

[0131] As illustrated on Figure 7, each mounting channel 68 has both its channel surfaces 70 configured for a continuous contact with the side edges 36A received in said mounting channel 68.

[0132] As illustrated on Figure 8, one mounting channel 68 has both is channel surfaces 70 configured for a continuous contact with the side edge 36A received in said mounting channel 68 and the other mounting channel 68 has both is channel surfaces 70 configured for a discontinuous contact with the side edge 36A received in said other mounting channel 68.

[0133] In a variant, each mounting channel 68 has both its channel surfaces 70 configured for a discontinuous contact with a side edge 36A received in said mounting channel 68. In another variant, each mounting channel 68 has one channel surface 70 configured for a continuous contact with a side edge 36A received in said mounting channel 68 and one channel surface 70 configured for a discontinuous contact with a side edge 36A received in said mounting channel 68.

[0134] As illustrated on Figure 9, the heating oven 30 is configured for generating heat which is transferred from the heating plates 36 to the consumable article 16 received in the heating chamber 32.

[0135] In some examples, the heating oven 30 comprises on each heating plate 36 a respective heat generating electrical conductor 72 configured to generate heat by Joule effect when the heat generating electrical conductor 72 is connected to a source of electrical energy, in particular the battery 26.

[0136] The heat generating electrical conductor 72 is for example a resistor with a high impedance for increased heat generation by Joule effect.

[0137] When the heating plate 36 is electrically conductive, i.e. made of metal, the heat generation electrical conductor 72 is for example electrically insulated from the heating plate 36. This ensure that the electrical current applied to the heat generation electrical conductor 72 is not dissipated in the heating plate 36. The electrical insulation is obtained for example by sandwiching the heat generation electrical conductor 72 between two sheets made of an electrically insulating material such as Kapton®.

[0138] Preferably, the heating oven 30 is for example configured for generating heat in the middle region 36B of each heating plate 36 without generating heat in the sides edges 36A of the heating plate 36.

[0139] On each heating plate 36, the middle region 36B of each heating in which heat is generated extends preferably on more than 40% of the width of the heating plate 36, preferably more than 50% of the width of the heating plate 36, still preferably more than 60% of the width of the heating plate 36, and / or less than 90% of the width of the heating plate 36, preferably less than 80% of the width of the heating plate 36.

[0140] As illustrated on Figure 10, the heating oven 30 allows generating a transverse temperature profile with a central zone of high temperature and lateral zones of low temperature, the temperature in the central zone defining substantially a plateau of constant temperature.

[0141] Such a temperature profile is obtained notably due to the provision of the separate heating plates connected via side support, with at least one heating plate being arched transversely inwardly for a good thermal contact with the consumable article. The side supports made in a second material different from the first material of the heating plate and / or the mounting channel with discontinuous contact between channel surfaces and the side edges of the heating plate avoid a dissipation of the thermal energy in the side support and keep the thermal energy in the heating plates with a control of the thermal transverse profile. The heat generation electrical conductor extending only in the central zone of the heating plates allow generating heat in the appropriate location on the heating plates 36. The drop off on the sides of the temperature profile of Figure 10 is due to that fact that no active heating occurs on the sides which are heated only due to thermal conduction losses heats from the center to the sides of the heating plates 36.

[0142] The width of the central zone corresponds advantageously to the width of the consumable article 16. This allow heating the consumable article 16 transversely uniformly for an efficient generation of aerosol.

[0143] Optionally, a temperature homogenization sheet (not shown) is provided on each heating plate 36, for example with being inserted between the heating plate 36 and the heat generation electrical conductor 72 arranged on said heating plate 36 or with covering heat generation electrical conductor 72 arranged on said heating plate 36. The temperature homogenization sheet is made of a heat conductive material, such as graphite, such as to distribute the heat generated by the heat generation electrical conductor 72 over the heating plate 36 and homogenize the temperature of the heating plate 36. The temperature homogenization sheet extends preferably at least in the central zone of the heating plate 36 and preferably only in the central zone of the heating plate. In operation, the heating oven 30 is initially empty and a consumable article 16 is inserted in the heating chamber 32 via the insertion opening 34.

[0144] Upon insertion, the heating plates 36 are elastically deformed such that once the consumable article 16 is inserted in the heating chamber 32, the heating plates 36 make a good contact with consumable article 16, in particular with a substrate portion 46 of the consumable article 16.

[0145] The consumable article 16 is pressed between the two heating walls 36.

[0146] The heat generating electrical conductors 72 are energized to generate heat which is transferred to the consumable article 16 via the heating plates 36 with a transversely uniform distribution of the temperature on the width of the consumable article for an efficient generation of aerosol.

[0147] The invention is not limited to the examples discussed above. Other example may be contemplated.

[0148] In particular, the heating oven 30 with the heating chamber 32 delimited by two facing heating walls 36 among which at least one is arched, may be configured for receiving a consumable articles 16 having shapes other than a plate shape.

[0149] In some examples, as illustrated on Figure 1 1 , the consumable article 16 exhibits the shape of a stick. The consumable article 16 has the shape of a cylinder extending along the article axis X with a cross-section that is for example a circle, as in Figure 8, or a polygone.

[0150] Preferably, the ratio between two transverse dimensions of the consumable article 16 taken along any couple of radial directions perpendicular to the article axis X is 2 or less and 0.5 or more.

[0151] In the example illustrated on Figurel 1 , the consumable article 16 has a crosssection that is circular. In other examples, the consumable article 16 has a cross-section that is a regular polygon. As illustrated on Figure 12, upon insertion of the consumable article 16 into the heating chamber 2, the consumable article 16 is pressed between the two facing heating walls 36.

[0152] Each inwardly arched heating walls 36 (here both of them) is elastically deformed outwardly when the consumable article 16 is inserted in the heating chamber 32. The consumable article 16 is pressed between the two heating walls 36. This makes a good surface contact with the consumable article 16 thus allowing an efficient transfer of thermal energy.

[0153] The invention is not limited to the examples and variants as disclosed above and with reference to Figures 1 - 12. Other examples and variants may be contemplated.

[0154] As illustrated on Figure 13, at least one of the heating plates 36 or each heating plates 36 is arched transversely outwardly with respect to the heating cavity 32.

[0155] In some examples, both heating plates 36 are arched transversely outwardly with respect to the heating cavity 32. In some examples, one heating plate 36 is planar and one heating plate 36 is arched transversely outwardly.

[0156] The spacing between the heating plates 36 along the direction of spacing of the heating plates 36 (i.e. first transverse direction T1 ) varies along the direction of spacing of the supports 66 (i.e. the second transverse direction T2).

[0157] The spacing between the heating plates 36 progressively increases and then decreases when moving from on support 66 to the other.

[0158] Preferably, the heating oven 30 is configured such that one or each heating plate 36 deforms elastically outwardly upon insertion of the consumable article 16 having dimensions greater than the dimensions of the heating cavity 32, in particular dimensions in the direction of spacing of the heating plates 36 (i.e. first transverse direcation) greater that spacing between the heating plates 36.

[0159] The sides edges of one or each transversely arched heating plate 36 are preferably received in channels 68 of the side supports 66 angled to fit the transversely arched shape of the heating plate 36. As illustrated on Figure 14, such examples allows a tight fit between the heating plates 36 and a consumable article 16 inserted between the heating plates 36. In particular, the each heating plate 36 arched transversely outwardly can follow closely the outer shape of the consumable article 16 inserted between the heating plates 36. This provides a good contact between the heating plate 36 and the consumable article 16. This is in particular the case for a stick-shaped consumable article 16 as illustrated on Figure 14.

[0160] As illustrated on the examples of Figures 1 - 14, each transversely arched heating plate 36 extends transversely along an arc with having a profile coinciding with said arc.

[0161] In some examples as illustrated on Figure 15, in some examples, one or each heating plate 36 is transversely corrugated. Each transversely corrugated heating plate 36 exhibits a profile that is undulated in cross-section in plane parallel to the first transverse direction T 1 and the second transverse direction T2. Each transversely corrugated heating plate 36 comprises on each face of the heating plate 36 parallel ridges separated by parallel grooves.

[0162] In particular, one or each transversely arched heating plate 36 is transversely corrugated. Each transversely arched and corrugated heating plate 36 extends transversely along an arc with undulating along the arc.

[0163] Each corrugated heating plate 36 can provide a good contact with a consumable article 16 inserted between the two heating plates 36.

[0164] In some examples, only one heating plate 36 is transversely corrugated or both heating plates 36 are transversely corrugated. In such examples, only one heating plate 36 is transversely arched or both heating plates 36 are transversely arched, each transversely arched heating plate 36 being transversely arched inwardly or outwardly with respect to the heating cavity 32. In some examples, one heating plate 36 is flat and the other heating plate 36 is transversely arched and corrugated or each heating plates 36 is transversely arched inwardly or outwardly, only one or both heating plates 36 being transversely corrugated.

[0165] As illustrated on Figure 15, each heating plates 36 is transversely arched inwardly and each heating plates 36 is transversely corrugated In Figure 15, the curvature of the arc followed by each heating plate 36 is high and the height of the corrugations if each heating plate 36 is high for illustrative purposes. In practice, the curvature of the arc followed by each heating plate 36 may be smaller and / or the height of the corrugations if each heating plate 36 may be smaller.

[0166] All the remarks made for the embodiments with one or two inwardly transversely arched heating plates 36, in particular with references to Figures 1 - 12, apply to the embodiments with one or two outwardly arched heating plates 36, in particular for the materials of the heating plates 36, the materials of the support 66, the heat generation in the heating plates 36, the dimensions of the heating oven 30 and the shape of the mooting channels 68.

Claims

CLAIMS1.- A heating oven for an aerosol generating device configured for operating a consumable article (16), the heating oven comprising a heating cavity (32) configured for receiving the consumable article (16), the heating cavity (32) being delimited between two separate heating plates (36) facing each other with being supported by two side supports (66), each heating plate (36) having two side edges (36A) each attached to a respective side support (66), at least one of the two heating plates (36) being arched transversely between the two side supports (66), the sides edges of one or each transversely arched heating plate (36) being received in channels (68) of the side supports (66), the channels (68) being angled one relative to the other to fit the transversely arched shape of the heating plate (36).2.- The heating oven as in claim 1 , wherein the heating plates (36) are made of a first material and the side supports (66) are made of a second material different from the first material.3.- The heating oven as in claim 2, wherein the first material is a metal, for example aluminum or steel, in particular stainless steel.4.- The heating oven as in claim 2 or 3, wherein the second material is a ceramic, for example a glass ceramic or a thermostable thermoplastic, for example a polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK), in a particular polyether ether ketone (PEEK).5.- The heating oven as in any one of claims 2 - 4, wherein the first material has a first heat conductivity and the second material has a second heat conductivity, the first heat conductivity being strictly higher than the second heat conductivity.6.- The heating oven as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each transversely arched heating plate (36) is arched transversely inwardly or transversely outwardly with respect to the heating cavity (32).7.- The heating oven as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each transversely arched heating plate (36) is configured to deform elastically outwardly uponinsertion into the heating cavity of a consumable article (16) having dimensions greater than an spacing between the heating plates (36).8.- The heating oven as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein both heating plates (36) are arched transversely inwardly between the two side supports (66).9.- The heating oven as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each transversely arched heating plate (66) is configured to deform elastically outwardly upon insertion into the heating cavity of a consumable article (16) having a transverse dimension greater than the minimal spacing between the two heating plates (66).10.- The heating oven as in any one of the preceding claims, the ratio of a minimum spacing between the heating plates (36) to a maximum spacing between the heating plates (36) is comprises between 0.8 and 0.9.11.- The heating oven as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or each channel (38) is delimited between two channel surfaces (70), at least one of the two channel surfaces (70) being configured for a discontinuous contact with the side edge along the channel (70).12.- The heating oven as in claim 1 1 , wherein each channel surface (70) configured for a discontinuous contact is crenellated or undulated along the channel (70) such as to define contact zones in which the channel surface (70) contacts the side edge alternating with non-contact zones in which the channel surface (70) is spaced from the side edge.13.- The heating oven as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating oven has a length (LH) comprised between 10 and 40 mm, in particular between 20 mm and 30 mm, a width (WH) comprised between 5 mm and 25 mm, in particular between 10 and 20 mm, and a height (DH) comprised between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, in particular between 1 mm and 2 mm.14.- The heating oven as in any one of the preceding claims, configured for receiving a plate-shaped consumable article (16) or a stick-shaped consumable article (16).15.- Aerosol generating device comprising a heating oven (30) as in any one of the preceding claims.16.- Aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device as in claim 15 and a consumable article, the aerosol generating device being configured for operating the consumable article with heating the consumable article in the heating oven for generating an aerosol to be inhaled by the user.

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