SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICE, CAP REMOVAL DEVICE, AND SYSTEM

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a smoking substitute device and particularly, although not exclusively, to a smoking substitute device comprising movable element for closing a consumable receiving opening. Accordingly, there is provided a substitute smoking device comprising a housing having an opening for receiving a substitute smoking consumable, wherein a heating element is arranged in the opening, wherein the substitute smoking system comprises a movable element arranged in the opening and displaceable between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the opening is substantially unrestricted for receiving a consumable, wherein, in the second position, the opening is substantially closed, and wherein the direction of displacement of the movable element between the first position and the second position is substantially parallel to a longitudinal extension of the housing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE STATEMENT

This application is a non-provisional application claiming benefit to the international application no. PCT/EP2021/051941 filed on Jan. 28, 2021, which claims priority to EP 20153988.9 filed on Jan. 28, 2020 and to EP 20154009.3 filed on Jan. 28, 2020. The entire contents of each of the above-referenced applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a smoking substitute device and particularly, although not exclusively, to a smoking substitute device comprising movable element for closing a consumable receiving opening. The present disclosure also relates to a cap removal tool for a smoking substitute device and to a substitute smoking device, and particularly, although not exclusively, to a system comprising a cap removal tool and a substitute smoking device.

BACKGROUND

The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.

Conventional combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes, typically comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco comprising shreds of tobacco which is surrounded by a wrapper, and usually also a cylindrical filter axially aligned in an abutting relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod. The filter typically comprises a filtration material which is circumscribed by a plug wrap. The wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped band of tipping paper that circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod. A conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite to the filter, and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker receives mainstream smoke into their mouth by drawing on the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.

Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. There have been proposed various smoking substitute systems (or “substitute smoking systems”) in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.

Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.

Smoking substitute systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a “vapour”) that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

In general, smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products. Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitute articles (also referred to as a “consumables”) that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.

The popularity and use of smoking substitute systems has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute systems as desirable lifestyle accessories.

There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute systems, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach.

One approach for a smoking substitute system is the so-called Heated Tobacco (“HT”) approach in which tobacco (rather than an “e-liquid”) is heated or warmed to release vapour. HT is also known as “heat not burn” (“HNB”). The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. The vapour may contain nicotine and/or flavourings. In the HT approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e., the tobacco does not undergo combustion.

A typical HT smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable. The consumable may include the tobacco material. The device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes components in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.

As the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporisation to an outlet of the consumable (e.g., a mouthpiece), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The aerosol will normally contain the volatile compounds.

In HT smoking substitute systems, heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HT approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.

There may be a need for improved design of smoking substitute systems, in particular HT smoking substitute systems, to enhance the user experience and improve the function of the HT smoking substitute system.

The present disclosure has been devised in the light of the above considerations.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

At their most general, some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a cap removal tool for removing the cap of a smoking substitute device and to a substitute smoking device, and particularly, although not exclusively, to a system comprising a cap removal tool and a substitute smoking device.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a substitute smoking device, comprising a housing having a cavity for receiving a substitute smoking consumable and a heating element arranged in the cavity, the housing further comprising a housing body and a movable section, wherein by displacing the movable section relative to the housing body, the heating element is exposable and a locking element for connecting the movable section and the housing, wherein, by unlocking the locking element, the connection of the movable section and the housing is unlocked and the movable element is movable relative to the housing, thereby exposing the heating element.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cap removal tool adapted for unlocking a cap of a substitute smoking device by relative rotation between the cap removal tool and the substitute smoking device.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for removing a cap from a substitute smoking device, comprising a substitute smoking device according to the present disclosure, and a cap removal tool according to the present disclosure, adapted for unlocking the locking element of the substitute smoking device.

By providing a cap removal tool according the present disclosure, a cap of a substitute smoking device may be unlocked in preparation for removal. The cap and the remaining housing of the substitute smoking device may be locked or fastened to one another by a locking element. A locking of the locking element fastens, attaches or locks the cap and the body to one another, substantially without play. The locking element may be locked/unlocked by a rotating motion of the cap removal tool when engaged with the locking element. In particular a relative rotation between the cap removal tool and the substitute smoking device may lock/unlock the locking element.

For the unlocking of the cap, the cap removal tool may be inserted into a cavity, such as a consumable receiving cavity of the substitute smoking device. A locking element may be arranged in the cavity, e.g., at the internal side adjacent to the heating element, and may lock the cap and the remaining body or housing of the substitute smoking device relative to one another. Locking may be understood as fastening the cap and the body to one another so that during normal use or operation of the substitute smoking device both element stay in relative position to one another substantially without play.

A user, when trying to unlock the cap from the body, may thus insert the cap removal tool tin the cavity of the substitute smoking device, may engage the cap removal tool with the locking element and may subsequently initiate unlocking, by rotating the cap removal tool and the substitute smoking device relative to one another, thereby releasing the locking, or in other words, releasing the defined relative position of the substitute smoking device and the cap.

Put another way, the cap removal tool is designed to remove the upper section (cap) of a substitute smoking device, such as a heated tobacco device in order to facilitate ease of cleaning. The cap removal tool is a socket type tool to rotate the locking element, like a captive nut or bayonet in the cavity, e.g., the inner end of the cavity adjacent to the rod heater. This in turn may result in releasing the upper section (cap) of the device from the main body allowing it to be relocated, i.e., moved from the position that is assumed during operation and in which the locking element locks the cap relative to the body, or removed completely from the substitute smoking device for cleaning the substitute smoking device, in particular the heater element.

With the moved or removed cap, the heater element of the substitute smoking device may be exposed. In other words, the heater element may be accessible in a way that would normally prevent a normal operation, due to risk of damage to the heater element or injury to a user of the device. The heater element may in particularly be accessible externally for cleaning or inspection, e.g., through an opening or window forming due to the movement of the cap, during non-operation.

Optional features of the above-noted aspects will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a locking element for locking the cap of the substitute smoking device may be lockable and/or unlockable by rotation of the cap removal tool in a cavity of the substitute smoking device.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the cavity may further comprise an inner surface that is adapted for engagement with the locking element of the substitute smoking device.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking element may be an element out of the group consisting of a screw, a nut, a captive nut and a bayonet element.

The cap removal tool may be arranged to engage with the locking element in order to perform the locking/unlocking. A screw or nut may be a simple example of such a locking element, but it is conceivable that the locking element is embodied differently, as long as a locking/unlocking by a rotatory movement may be realized. The inner surface of the cavity of the cap removal tool may have a shape corresponding or conforming to a shape of the locking element, in order to engage with the locking element. Exemplarily, the cap removal tool cavity may have an inner shape conforming to the outer shape of the locking element like a nut and socket, for engagement, subsequently allowing the rotation of the nu, thereby releasing the lock between the cap and the substitute smoking device body.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the cap removal tool may further comprise a first section having a generally cylindrical outer surface, wherein at least part of the first section may be adapted for insertion into the cavity of the substitute smoking device and may be engageable with the locking element for unlocking the locking element.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer surface of the first section and the inner surface of the cavity may conform to one another so to support rotation of the cap removal tool in the cavity.

In other words, e.g., the diameter of the outer surface of the first section and the diameter of the inner surface of the cavity of the substitute smoking device conform such that a rotatory movement of the first section inside the cavity may be performed, which the first section is centered while engaged with the locking element. Also, when in the process of establishing the engagement, the cavity may provide a guide to the cap removal tool in particulate its first section for guiding the cap removal tool to engagement. Conform may mean that the respective sizes match in size and diameter substantially without play, or in other words mate.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the cap removal tool may further comprise a cavity in the first section for accommodating a heating element of the substitute smoking device.

The cavity may thus receive the heating element, without directly interacting with the same. This may provide the benefit of protecting the heating element while inserting the cap removal tool, in particular its first section. The guiding of the first section as just explained may beneficially add to the protection of the heating element while inserting the cap removal tool. In other words, the cavity in the first section avoids damage to the heating element during insertion and rotation of the cap removal tool and allows that the first section reaches to the bottom of the substitute smoking device cavity for engaging with the locking element.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking element may be lockable and/or unlockable by a cap removal tool at least partially inserted in the cavity.

This allows for a further part of the cap removal tool to remain outside of the cavity, accessible to a user for operation, i.e., rotation of the cap removal tool.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the movable element, in the unlocked state, may be separable from the housing body.

In addition to merely moving from the locked position, the cap may be completely removed from the body of the substitute smoking device to even have better access to the heating element, or further elements, for cleaning or other purposes.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the substitute smoking device may further comprise an actuation element for moving the unlocked cap to a second position.

The actuation mechanism may move the cap to a second position, e.g., a cleaning position, substantially without user action. A suitable actuation mechanism may be a spring mechanism that may push the cap to the second position, thereby opening a window for accessing the heating element. The actuation mechanism may keep the cap in the second position while conducting the cleaning.

At its most general, another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a smoking substitute device comprising movable element for closing a consumable receiving opening.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a substitute smoking device comprising a housing having an opening for receiving a substitute smoking consumable, wherein a heating element is arranged in the opening, wherein the substitute smoking system comprises a movable element arranged in the opening and displaceable between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the opening is substantially unrestricted for receiving a consumable, wherein, in the second position, the opening is substantially closed, and wherein the direction of displacement of the movable element between the first position and the second position is substantially parallel to a longitudinal extension of the housing.

By providing a substitute smoking device comprising a movable element for closing of the consumable receiving opening or cavity, the substitute smoking device may provide an easy, user friendly and intuitive mechanism for closing of the substitute smoking device when not in use. Additionally, the movable element may assist in cleaning of the substitute smoking device, in particular the consumable receiving opening or cavity by removing debris, deposits or other residue that (unintentionally) remains in the opening after using the substitute smoking device., e.g., in a conventional substitute smoking device, the removal of the consumable may be performed by manual user operation, e.g., by pulling the consumable from the cavity. This may result, due to the uneven external forces acting on the consumable, e.g., a pull-force, that part of the consumable sticks to the heater element or a wall of the cavity. Without proper user interaction, i.e., a suitable cleaning, possibly using a dedicated cleaning tool, debris may remain in the cavity and may interfere with a subsequent use. For example, remaining debris may hinder the proper insertion of the next consumable, may result in insufficient penetration of the consumable by the heater element, e.g., due to partially blocking the cavity, or in insufficient heat transfer from the heating element to the consumable, in particular its aerosol-forming substrate, e.g., tobacco material. Thereby, a diminished user experience may be the result.

The movable element of the present disclosure may provide the benefits of a quasi-automatic cleaning of essential elements of the substitute smoking device, like the heater element and/or the walls of the consumable receiving opening or cavity, while assisting a user in removing the consumable. After removal of the consumable, the movable element may additionally provide a closure of the opening or cavity, thereby avoiding that external debris enters the opening or cavity when the substitute smoking device is not in use.

Further optional features will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the movable element, in the second position, may be arranged substantially flush with the housing.

By providing such a movable element the movable element may provide the functionality to close off a consumable-receiving opening of cavity of the substitute smoking device, so to avoid entering of debris. This may be particularly relevant in case the substitute smoking device is stored in a pocket or bag between uses, and in particular not in an additional case., e.g., lint or fluff may be particularly harmful as these may react negatively to the heat provided by the heating element during use. The closing of the opening or cavity by the movable element may make an additional, separate closing element, like a plug or puck to be inserted externally into the substitute smoking device, redundant.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the heating element may have a longitudinal extension, and the direction of displacement of the movable element between the first position and the second position may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the heating element.

Such a movement may allow providing a movable element that in one position exposes the heating element in the opening or cavity, while in the other position covers the same. The heating element may assist in transitioning bet ween the position, e.g., by acting as a guiding element for the movable element. Further, such a movement may allow a movable element that substantially covers the complete opening or cavity when in the second position, thereby providing a rigid means for closing the opening. Alternative solutions like merely covering the opening itself, by a slidable or rotatable element that slides/rotates in front of the opening may be prone to damage by external forces, like a piercing or prying force.

The movable element may however not be completely solid, i.e., filled with a material, but may comprise a void between an outer boundary in contact with or resting against the walls of the opening and an inner boundary in contact with or resting against the heating element. Alternatively, in case the heating element in integral with the walls of the cavity, the movable element may in substance consist of the outer boundary in contact with or resting against the walls of the opening and a top part substantially flush with the housing. The void may be empty, or may be filled with a material having enhanced or beneficial properties, like, e.g., beneficial heat dissipating properties.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the movable element may be arranged as a platform element that can be raised and lowered in the opening to be displaceable between the first position and the second position.

Such a platform element may provide a preferred contact with a flat surface of a substitute smoking device consumable for removing a used consumable by movement of the movable element to the second position, or moving the platform element to the first position when inserting a new consumable.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the heating element may have a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the movable element, in the first position, is arranged closer to the proximal end of the heating element than to the distal end and is at least partially exposing the heater element in the opening, and wherein the movable element, in the second position, is arranged closer to the distal end of the heating element than to the proximal and covering the heater element.

For example, when looking from outside of the substitute smoking device, into the opening, the distal end may be the end closed to the viewer/to the end of the SDD, while the proximal end may be the end arranged further inside the SDD housing. The proximal end may in particular be the end where the electric wiring of the heating element connects with the heating element.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the movable element, when moved from the first position to the second position may be adapted to remove debris from the inside of the opening to the outside of the housing, in particular may be adapted to remove debris attached to walls of the opening and/or to the heating element to the outside of the housing.

The movable element may be in contact with or resting against the walls of the opening and an inner boundary and/or may be in contact with or resting against the heating element thereby providing a cleaning function of the opening and/or the heating element. In other words, by the contact, the movable element may, e.g., scrape debris or dirt off the walls or the heating element, or may simply push debris located in the opening to the outside of the opening, when transitioning from the first position to the second position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the movable element, when moved from the first position to the second position may be adapted to remove a consumable from the opening.

For example, by moving from the first position to the second position, the movable element may push a consumable to the outside of the opening or cavity, thereby removing the same from the opening.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the substitute smoking system may comprise an actuation mechanism for moving the movable element between the first position and the second position, and/or wherein the movable element may be moved from the second position to the first position by insertion of a consumable into the smoking substitute device.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the actuation mechanism may be a mechanism out of the group consisting of an active actuation mechanism, a passive actuation mechanism, a manual actuation mechanism, a spring mechanism, a lever mechanism, and an electronically actuated mechanism.

The actuation mechanism may be an externally operable mechanism. The resulting movement of the movable element, e.g., for lowering/raising the platform element, may be a passive mechanism, e.g., the pushing a switch or slider, or moving a (manual) lever. The actuation may alternatively also be an active mechanism, e.g., employing an electric motor or the like, for directly moving the movable element or for moving the actuation mechanism to in turn move the movable element.

For example, in case or a spring element, the movable element may be moved, like raising the platform element (moving to the second position), when the consumable is removed. Thereby, the described cleaning operation may be provided. On the same token, the user, when inserting a new consumable, may counteract the spring force, moving the movable element to the first position, while the heating element penetrates the heating element. An inserted consumable may stay in the cavity by friction forces between the consumable, in particular a filter part or an aerosol-forming material, and the walls of the opening and/or the heating element, thus without a separate locking of the movable element in the first position. After consumption of the consumable, the consumable may have altered properties, which reduce or cancel the friction forces, and thus provide an eased or “automatic” removal of the consumable. In other words, a physical change in a property, e.g., the drying of aerosol-forming material during use of the substitute smoking device, may sufficiently reduce the friction to a point where the spring force of the actuation mechanism exceed the friction force and thereby quasi-automatically eject the consumable.

Still further, an actuation mechanism may provide a user-triggered or event-triggered ejection of the consumable. This may provide the playful addition of ejecting the consumable after consumption, e.g., targeting a waste bin, to further increase user experience and pleasure of operating the substitute smoking device.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the movable element may be movable between the first position and the second position by user operation, in particular by using the same hand for user operation of the smoking substitute device and for moving the movable element between the first position and the second position.

The user may use a finger, e.g., a thumb, for operation of the substitute smoking device, and may use the same finger, or another finger of the same hand, for operation of the movable element., e.g., the thumb may activate an active or passive actuation mechanism, thereby moving the movable element between the first position and/or the second position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the substitute smoking device may be activatable and/or deactivatable dependent on the movable element assuming one of the first and second positions, in particular wherein the substitute smoking device may be activatable by moving the movable element into the first position and/or wherein the substitute smoking device may be deactivatable by moving the movable element into the second position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, moving the movable element into the second position may provide an emergency shutdown functionality for the substitute smoking device and/or the heater element.

The substitute smoking device may comprise a detection element for detecting the position of the movable element and dependent on the position may switch on (first position) and/or switch off (second position) the substitute smoking device. Alternatively, only the heating element may be switched on and/or off dependent on a position of the movable element. In particular a movement of the movable element, e.g., by a passive actuation mechanism may trigger the complete shutdown of the substitute smoking device and/or the heating element, thereby providing an emergency shutdown functionality., e.g., in case of a malfunctioning of the heating element, like an overheating of the consumable, the user may move the movable element to the second position, thereby activating the emergency shutdown. Still alternatively, a fault detection element may detect a fault in operation of the substitute smoking device and may activate an active actuation mechanism to move the movable element to the second position, thereby activating the emergency shutdown, while possibly even ejecting the consumable from the opening, to avoid further consumption and/or avoid overheating of the consumable.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the movable element may comprise an opening for accommodating the heating element, in particular when in the first position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the opening of the movable element may be open in the first position to accommodate the heating element, and/or wherein the opening of the movable element may be substantially closed in the second position to close the opening of the housing.

The movable element may comprise an opening, e.g., a central opening that substantially completely surrounds the heater element, and in particular is in contact with the heater element so to remove debris or deposits from the surface of the heater element. This may require that the movable element moves along a longitudinal extension of the heater element and thus along a longitudinal extension of the substitute smoking device. The opening may be a central opening to allow displacement of the movable element between positions. The closing of the opening of the movable element in the second position may provide a complete closure of the substitute smoking device opening or cavity by the movable element in the second position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the heating element may comprise a heat dissipating material and may be arranged for removing heat from the heating element when in the second position.

In particular, the movable element may consist of such a material, or in case of a hollow movable element, the material may be arranged in the void in the interior of the movable element. The material of the movable element may assist in a heat transfer (e.g., cooling of) from the heating element, when in the raised/closed, second position. This may allow the closing of the substitute smoking device, i.e., the moving of the movable element from the first position to the second position substantially immediately after ending use, upon/with the removal of consumable. A suitable material may, e.g., be a metal or metal alloy, or a carbon composite material. The melting temperature of any suitable material may preferably be sufficiently higher than the operating temperature and/or an assumed malfunctioning temperature of the heating element. In particular in the latter case, the material may provide sufficient heat dissipation required for an emergency shutdown functionality. On the same token, the opening or cavity is substantially sealed by the movable element to prevent injury of a user due to exposure to the excess heat of the heating element.

The device may comprise an elongate body. An end of the elongate body may be configured for engagement with an aerosol-forming article. For example, the body may be configured for engagement with a heated tobacco (HT) consumable (or heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable). The terms “heated tobacco” and “heat-not-burn” are used interchangeably herein to describe a consumable that is of the type that is heated rather than combusted (or are used interchangeably to describe a device for use with such a consumable). The device may comprise a cavity that is configured for receipt of at least a portion of the consumable (i.e., for engagement with the consumable). The aerosol-forming article may be of the type that comprises an aerosol former (e.g., carried by an aerosol-forming substrate).

The device may comprise a heater for heating the aerosol-forming article. The heater may comprise a heating element, which may be in the form of a rod that extends from the body of the device. The heating element may extend from the end of the body that is configured for engagement with the aerosol-forming article.

The heater (and thus the heating element) may be rigidly mounted to the body. The heating element may be elongate so as to define a longitudinal axis and may, for example, have a transverse profile (i.e., transverse to a longitudinal axis of the heating element) that is substantially circular (i.e., the heating element may be generally cylindrical). Alternatively, the heating element may have a transverse profile that is rectangular (i.e., the heater may be a “blade heater”). The heating element may alternatively be in the shape of a tube (i.e., the heater may be a “tube heater”). The heating element may take other forms (e.g., the heating element may have an elliptical transverse profile). The shape and/or size (e.g., diameter) of the transverse profile of the heating element may be generally consistent for the entire length (or substantially the entire length) of the heating element.

The heating element may be between 15 mm and 25 mm long, e.g., between 18 mm and 20 mm long, e.g., around 19 mm long. The heating element may have a diameter of between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, e.g., a diameter between 2 mm and 2.3 mm, e.g., a diameter of around 2.15 mm.

The heating element may be formed of ceramic. The heating element may comprise a core (e.g., a ceramic core) comprising Al2O3. The core of the heating element may have a diameter of 1.8 mm to 2.1 mm, e.g., between 1.9 mm and 2 mm. The heating element may comprise an outer layer (e.g., an outer ceramic layer) comprising Al2O3. The thickness of the outer layer may be between 160 μm and 220 μm, e.g., between 170 μm and 190 μm, e.g., around 180 μm. The heating element may comprise a heating track, which may extend longitudinally along the heating element. The heating track may be sandwiched between the outer layer and the core of the heating element. The heating track may comprise tungsten and/or rhenium. The heating track may have a thickness of around 20 μm.

The heating element may be located in the cavity (of the device), and may extend (e.g., along a longitudinal axis) from an internal base of the cavity towards an opening of the cavity. The length of the heating element (i.e., along the longitudinal axis of the heater) may be less than the depth of the cavity. Hence, the heating element may extend for only a portion of the length of the cavity. That is, the heating element may not extend through (or beyond) the opening of the cavity.

The heating element may be configured for insertion into an aerosol-forming article (e.g., a HT consumable) when an aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. In that respect, a distal end (i.e., distal from a base of the heating element where it is mounted to the device) of the heating element may comprise a tapered portion, which may facilitate insertion of the heating element into the aerosol-forming article. The heating element may fully penetrate an aerosol-forming article when the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. That is, the entire length, or substantially the entire length, of the heating element may be received in the aerosol-forming article.

The heating element may have a length that is less than, or substantially the same as, an axial length of an aerosol-forming substrate forming part of an aerosol-forming article (e.g., a HT consumable). Thus, when such an aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device, the heating element may only penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate, rather than other components of the aerosol-forming article. The heating element may penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate for substantially the entire axial length of the aerosol forming-substrate of the aerosol-forming article. Thus, heat may be transferred from (e.g., an outer circumferential surface of) the heating element to the surrounding aerosol-forming substrate, when penetrated by the heating element. That is, heat may be transferred radially outwardly (in the case of a cylindrical heating element) or, e.g., radially inwardly (in the case of a tube heater).

Where the heater is a tube heater, the heating element of the tube heater may surround at least a portion of the cavity. When the portion of the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity, the heating element may surround a portion of the aerosol-forming article (i.e., so as to heat that portion of the aerosol-forming article). In particular, the heating element may surround an aerosol forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article. That is, when an aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device, the aerosol forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article may be located adjacent an inner surface of the (tubular) heating element. When the heating element is activated, heat may be transferred radially inwardly from the inner surface of the heating element to heat the aerosol forming substrate.

The cavity may comprise a (e.g., circumferential) wall (or walls) and the (tubular) heating element may extend around at least a portion of the wall(s). In this way, the wall may be located between the inner surface of the heating element and an outer surface of the aerosol-forming article. The wall (or walls) of the cavity may be formed from a thermally conductive material (e.g., a metal) to allow heat conduction from the heating element to the aerosol-forming article. Thus, heat may be conducted from the heating element, through the cavity wall (or walls), to the aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-forming article received in the cavity.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a cap disposed at the end of the body that is configured for engagement with an aerosol-forming article. Where the device comprises a heater having a heating element, the cap may at least partially enclose the heating element. The cap may be moveable between an open position in which access is provided to the heating element, and a closed position in which the cap at least partially encloses the heating element. The cap may be slideably engaged with the body of the device, and may be slideable between the open and closed positions.

The cap may define at least a portion of the cavity of the device. That is, the cavity may be fully defined by the cap, or each of the cap and body may define a portion of the cavity. Where the cap fully defines the cavity, the cap may comprise an aperture for receipt of the heating element into the cavity (when the cap is in the closed position). The cap may comprise an opening to the cavity. The opening may be configured for receipt of at least a portion of an aerosol-forming article. That is, an aerosol-forming article may be inserted through the opening and into the cavity (so as to be engaged with the device).

The cap may be configured such that when an aerosol-forming article is engaged with the device (e.g., received in the cavity), only a portion of the aerosol-forming article is received in the cavity. That is, a portion of the aerosol-forming article (not received in the cavity) may protrude from (i.e., extend beyond) the opening. This (protruding) portion of the aerosol-forming article may be a terminal (e.g., mouth) end of the aerosol-forming article, which may be received in a user's mouth for the purpose of inhaling aerosol formed by the device.

The device may comprise a power source or may be connectable to a power source (e.g., a power source separate to the device). The power source may be electrically connectable to the heater. In that respect, altering (e.g., toggling) the electrical connection of the power source to the heater may affect a state of the heater. For example, toggling the electrical connection of the power source to the heater may toggle the heater between an on state and an off state. The power source may be a power store. For example, the power source may be a battery or rechargeable battery (e.g., a lithium-ion battery).

The device may comprise an input connection (e.g., a USB port, Micro USB port, USB-C port, etc.). The input connection may be configured for connection to an external source of electrical power, such as a mains electrical supply outlet. The input connection may, in some cases, be used as a substitute for an internal power source (e.g., battery or rechargeable battery). That is, the input connection may be electrically connectable to the heater (for providing power to the heater). Hence, in some forms, the input connection may form at least part of the power source of the device.

Where the power source comprises a rechargeable power source (such as a rechargeable battery), the input connection may be used to charge and recharge the power source.

The device may comprise a user interface (UI). In some embodiments the UI may include input means to receive operative commands from the user. The input means of the UI may allow the user to control at least one aspect of the operation of the device. In some embodiments the input means may comprise a power button to switch the device between an on state and an off state.

In some embodiments the UI may additionally or alternatively comprise output means to convey information to the user. In some embodiments the output means may comprise a light to indicate a condition of the device (and/or the aerosol-forming article) to the user. The condition of the device (and/or aerosol-forming article) indicated to the user may comprise a condition indicative of the operation of the heater. For example, the condition may comprise whether the heater is in an off state or an on state. In some embodiments, the UI unit may comprise at least one of a button, a display, a touchscreen, a switch, a light, and the like. For example, the output means may comprise one or more (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) that may be located on the body of the device.

The device may further comprise a puff sensor (e.g., airflow sensor), which form part of the input means of the UI. The puff sensor may be configured to detect a user drawing on an end (i.e., a terminal (mouth) end) of the aerosol-forming article. The puff sensor may, for example, be a pressure sensor or a microphone. The puff sensor may be configured to produce a signal indicative of a puff state. The signal may be indicative of the user drawing (an aerosol from the aerosol-forming article) such that it is, e.g., in the form of a binary signal. Alternatively, or additionally, the signal may be indicative of a characteristic of the draw (e.g., a flow rate of the draw, length of time of the draw, etc.).

The device may comprise a controller, or may be connectable to a controller that may be configured to control at least one function of the device. The controller may comprise a microcontroller that may, e.g., be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The controller may also comprise a memory, e.g., non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions, which, when implemented, may cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method. Where the device comprises an input connection, the controller may be connected to the input connection.

The controller may be configured to control the operation of the heater (and, e.g., the heating element). Thus, the controller may be configured to control vaporisation of an aerosol forming part of an aerosol-forming article engaged with the device. The controller may be configured to control the voltage applied by power source to the heater. For example, the controller may be configured to toggle between applying a full output voltage (of the power source) to the heater and applying no voltage to the heater. Alternatively, or additionally, the control unit may implement a more complex heater control protocol.

The device may further comprise a voltage regulator to regulate the output voltage supplied by the power source to form a regulated voltage. The regulated voltage may subsequently be applied to the heater.

In some embodiments, where the device comprises a UI, the controller may be operatively connected to one or more components of the UI. The controller may be configured to receive command signals from an input means of the UI. The controller may be configured to control the heater in response to the command signals. For example, the controller may be configured to receive “on” and “off” command signals from the UI and, in response, may control the heater so as to be in a corresponding on or off state.

The controller may be configured to send output signals to a component of the UI. The UI may be configured to convey information to a user, via an output means, in response to such output signals (received from the controller). For example, where the device comprises one or more LEDs, the LEDs may be operatively connected to the controller. Hence, the controller may be configured to control the illumination of the LEDs (e.g., in response to an output signal). For example, the controller may be configured to control the illumination of the LEDs according to (e.g., an on or off) state of the heater.

Where the device comprises a sensor (e.g., a puff/airflow sensor), the controller may be operatively connected to the sensor. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the sensor (e.g., indicative of a condition of the device and/or engaged aerosol-forming article). The controller may be configured to control the heater, or an aspect of the output means, based on the signal from the sensor.

In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to detect a position of the movable element, a temperature of the heating element and/or the condition of the operation with regard to a normal or abnormal (emergency) operation situation.

In some embodiments, the controller may be operatively connected to the actuating element, to trigger an active movement of the movable element or to detect a manual movement, e.g., by a user.

The controller may be configured to receive a temperature, position or control.

The device may comprise a wireless interface configured to communicate wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth (e.g., a Bluetooth low-energy connection) or WIFI) with an external device. Similarly, the input connection may be configured for wired connection to an external device so as to provide communication between the device and the external device.

The external device may be a mobile device. For example, the external device may be a smart phone, tablet, smart watch, or smart car. An application (e.g., app) may be installed on the external device (e.g., mobile device). The application may facilitate communication between the device and the external device via the wired or wireless connection.

The wireless or wired interface may be configured to transfer signals between the external device and the controller of the device. In this respect, the controller may control an aspect of the device in response to a signal received from an external device. Alternatively, or additionally, an external device may respond to a signal received from the device (e.g., from the controller of the device).

There may be provided a system (e.g., a smoking substitute system) comprising a device according to present disclosure and an aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate at an upstream end of the aerosol-forming article. The article may be in the form of a smoking substitute article, e.g., heated tobacco (HT) consumable (also known as a heat-not-burn (HNB) consumable).

As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are intended to refer to the flow direction of the vapour/aerosol, i.e., with the downstream end of the article/consumable being the mouth end or outlet where the aerosol exits the consumable for inhalation by the user. The upstream end of the article/consumable is the opposing end to the downstream end.

The aerosol-forming substrate is capable of being heated to release at least one volatile compound that can form an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be located at the upstream end of the article/consumable.

In order to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. Suitable chemical and/or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of: nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opiates and opioids, cathine and cathinone, kavalactones, mysticin, beta-carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant material. The plant material may comprise least one plant material selected from the list including Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), Argemone mexicana, Amica, Artemisia vulgaris, Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi, Canavalia maritima (Baybean), Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Cestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum (wild comfrey), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica (California Poppy), Fittonia albivenis, Hippobroma longiflora, Humulus japonica (Japanese Hops), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Lettuce Opium), Laggera alata, Leonotis leonurus, Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort), Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed), Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia inflata (Indian-tobacco), Lobelia siphilitica, Nepeta cataria (Catnip), Nicotiana species (Tobacco), Nymphaea alba (White Lily), Nymphaea caerulea (Blue Lily), Opium poppy, Passiflora incamata (Passionflower), Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior), Pedicularis groenlandica (Elephant's Head), Salvia divinorum, Salvia dorrii (Tobacco Sage), Salvia species (Sage), Scutellaria galericulata, Scutellaria lateriflora, Scutellaria nana, Scutellaria species (Skullcap), Sida acuta (Wireweed), Sida rhombifolia, Silene capensis, Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), Tagetes lucida (Mexican Tarragon), Tarchonanthus camphoratus, Tumera diffusa (Damiana), Verbascum (Mullein), Zamia latifolia (Maconha Brava) together with any combinations, functional equivalents to, and/or synthetic alternatives of the foregoing.

The plant material may be tobacco. Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Maryland Tobacco, dark-air cured tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark-fired tobacco, perique tobacco and rustica tobacco. This also includes blends of the above-mentioned tobaccos.

The tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g., slurry recon or paper recon).

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised (e.g., paper/slurry recon) tobacco or gathered shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more additives selected from humectants, flavourants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and binders.

The flavourant may be provided in solid or liquid form. It may include menthol, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including, e.g., citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g., ginger, cinnamon) and tobacco flavour. The flavourant may be evenly dispersed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate or may be provided in isolated locations and/or varying concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape such that the article/consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. It may have a diameter of between 5 and 10 mm, e.g., between 6 and 9 mm or 6 and 8 mm, e.g., around 7 mm. It may have an axial length of between 10 and 15 mm, e.g., between 11 and 14 mm such as around 12 or 13 mm.

The article/consumable may comprise at least one filter element. There may be a terminal filter element at the downstream/mouth end of the article/consumable.

The or at least one of the filter element(s) (e.g., the terminal filter element) may be comprised of cellulose acetate or polypropylene tow. The at least one filter element (e.g., the terminal filter element) may be comprised of activated charcoal. The at least one filter element (e.g., the terminal element) may be comprised of paper. The or each filter element may be at least partly (e.g., entirely) circumscribed with a plug wrap, e.g., a paper plug wrap.

The terminal filter element (at the downstream end of the article/consumable) may be joined to the upstream elements forming the article/consumable by a circumscribing tipping layer, e.g., a tipping paper layer. The tipping paper may have an axial length longer than the axial length of the terminal filter element such that the tipping paper completely circumscribes the terminal filter element plus the wrapping layer surrounding any adjacent upstream element.

In some embodiments, the article/consumable may comprise an aerosol-cooling element which is adapted to cool the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate (by heat exchange) before being inhaled by the user.

The article/consumable may comprise a spacer element that defines a space or cavity between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream end of the consumable. The spacer element may comprise a cardboard tube. The spacer element may be circumscribed by the (paper) wrapping layer.

The disclosure includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature or parameter described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

So that the disclosure may be understood, and so that further aspects and features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments illustrating the principles of the disclosure will now be discussed in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic of a smoking substitute system;

FIG. 1B is a schematic of a variation of the smoking substitute system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a front view of an embodiment of a smoking substitute system with the consumable engaged with the device;

FIG. 2B is a front view of the embodiment of the smoking substitute system with the consumable disengaged from the device;

FIG. 2C is a section view of the consumable of the embodiment of the smoking substitute system;

FIG. 2D is a detailed view of an end of the device of the embodiment of the smoking substitute system;

FIG. 2E is a section view of the embodiment of the substitute smoking system;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are section views of the embodiment of the substitute smoking device where a movable element is in a first position;

FIG. 3C is a section view of the embodiment of the substitute smoking device where the movable element is in a second position;

FIG. 4A is an exemplary embodiment of a cap removal tool according to the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 4B and 4C show the use of a cap removal tool according to the present disclosure for removing the cap of a substitute smoking device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 1A is a schematic providing a general overview of a smoking substitute system 100. The system 100 includes a substitute smoking device 101 and an aerosol-forming article in the form of a consumable 102, which comprises an aerosol former 103. The system is configured to vaporise the aerosol former by heating the aerosol former 103 (so as to form a vapour/aerosol for inhalation by a user).

In the illustrated system, the heater 104 forms part of the consumable 102 and is configured to heat the aerosol former 103. In this variation, the heater 104 is electrically connectable to the power source 105, for example, when the consumable 102 is engaged with the device 101. Heat from the heater 104 vaporises the aerosol former 103 to produce a vapour. The vapour subsequently condenses to form an aerosol, which is ultimately inhaled by the user.

The system 100 further comprises a power source 105 that forms part of the device 101. In other embodiments the power source 105 may be external to (but connectable to) the device 101. The power source 105 is electrically connectable to the heater 104 such that it is able to supply power to the heater 104 (i.e., for the purpose of heating the aerosol former 103). Thus, control of the electrical connection of the power source 105 to the heater 104 provides control of the state of the heater 104. The power source 105 may be a power store, for example a battery or rechargeable battery (e.g., a lithium-ion battery).

The system 100 further comprises an I/O module comprising a connector 106 (e.g., in the form of a USB port, Micro USB port, USB-C port, etc.). The connector 106 is configured for connection to an external source of electrical power, e.g., a mains electrical supply outlet. The connector 106 may be used in substitution for the power source 105. That is the connector 106 may be electrically connectable to the heater 104 so as to supply electricity to the heater 104. In such embodiments, the device may not include a power source, and the power source of the system may instead comprise the connector 106 and an external source of electrical power (to which the connector 106 provides electrical connection).

In some embodiments, the connector 106 may be used to charge and recharge the power source 105 where the power source 105 includes a rechargeable battery.

The system 100 also comprises a user interface (UI) 107. Although not shown, the UI 107 may include input means to receive commands from a user. The input means of the UI 107 allows the user to control at least one aspect of the operation of the system 100. The input means may, for example, be in the form of a button, touchscreen, switch, microphone, etc.

The UI 107 also comprises output means to convey information to the user. The output means may, for example, comprise lights (e.g., LEDs), a display screen, speaker, vibration generator, etc.

The system 100 further comprises a controller 108 that is configured to control at least one function of the device 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 108 is a component of the device 101, but in other embodiments may be separate from (but connectable to) the device 101. The controller 108 is configured to control the operation of the heater 104 and, for example, may be configured to control the voltage applied from the power source 105 to the heater 104. The controller 108 may be configured to toggle the supply of power to the heater 104 between an on state, in which the full output voltage of the power source 105 is applied to the heater 104, and an off state, in which the no voltage is applied to the heater 104.

Although not shown, the system 100 may also comprise a voltage regulator to regulate the output voltage from the power source 105 to form a regulated voltage. The regulated voltage may then be applied to the heater 104.

In addition to being connected to the heater 104, the controller 108 is operatively connected to the UI 107. Thus, the controller 108 may receive an input signal from the input means of the UI 107. Similarly, the controller 108 may transmit output signals to the UI 107. In response, the output means of the UI 107 may convey information, based on the output signals, to a user. The controller also comprises a memory 109, which is a non-volatile memory. The memory 109 includes instructions, which, when implemented, cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.

FIG. 1B is a schematic showing a variation of the system 100 of FIG. 1A. In the system 100′ of FIG. 1B, the heater 104 forms part of the device 101, rather than the consumable 102. In this variation, the heater 104 is electrically connected to the power source 105.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a heated-tobacco (HT) smoking substitute system 200. The system 200 is an example of the systems 100, 100′ described in relation to FIGS. 1A or 1B. System 200 includes an HT device 201 and an HT consumable 202. The description of FIGS. 1A and 1B above is applicable to the system 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B, and will thus not be repeated.

The device 201 and the consumable 202 are configured such that the consumable 202 can be engaged with the device 201. FIG. 2A shows the device 201 and the consumable 202 in an engaged state, whilst FIG. 2B shows the device 201 and the consumable 202 in a disengaged state.

The device 201 comprises a body 209 and cap 210. In use the cap 210 is engaged at an end of the body 209. Although not apparent from the figures, the cap 210 is moveable relative to the body 209. In particular, the cap 210 is slideable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the body 209.

The device 201 comprises an output means (forming part of the UI of the device 201) in the form of a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 211 arranged linearly along the longitudinal axis of the device 201 and on an outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201. A button 212 is also arranged on an outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201 and is axially spaced (i.e., along the longitudinal axis) from the plurality of LEDs 211.

The housing of the substitute smoking device 201 comprises a longitudinal extension L, as depicted in FIG. 2A by the thick black arrow.

FIG. 2C shows a detailed section view of the consumable of 202 of the system 200. The consumable 202 generally resembles a cigarette. In that respect, the consumable 202 has a generally cylindrical form with a diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 70 mm. The consumable 202 comprises an aerosol forming substrate 213, a terminal filter element 214, an upstream filter element 215 and a spacer element 216. In other embodiments, the consumable may further comprise a cooling element. A cooling element may exchange heat with vapour that is formed by the aerosol-forming substrate 213 in order to cool the vapour so as to facilitate condensation of the vapour.

The aerosol-forming substrate 213 is substantially cylindrical and is located at an upstream end 217 of the consumable 202, and comprises the aerosol former of the system 200. In that respect, the aerosol forming substrate 213 is configured to be heated by the device 201 to release a vapour. The released vapour is subsequently entrained in an airflow flowing through the aerosol-forming substrate 213. The airflow is produced by the action of the user drawing on a downstream 218 (i.e., terminal or mouth) end of the consumable 202.

In the present embodiment, the aerosol forming substrate 213 comprises tobacco material that may, for example, include any suitable parts of the tobacco plant (e.g., leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers). The tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenised tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g., slurry recon or paper recon). For example, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised (e.g., paper/slurry recon) tobacco or gathered shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.

In order to generate an aerosol, the aerosol forming substrate 213 comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. The aerosol-forming substrate 213 may further comprise one or more additives. For example, such additives may be in the form of humectants (e.g., propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine), flavourants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and/or binders.

The terminal filter element 214 is also substantially cylindrical, and is located downstream of the aerosol forming substrate 213 at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202. The terminal filter element 214 is in the form of a hollow bore filter element having a bore 219 (e.g., for airflow) formed therethrough. The diameter of the bore 219 is 2 mm. The terminal filter element 214 is formed of a porous (e.g., monoacetate) filter material. As set forth above, the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202 (i.e., where the terminal filter 214 is located) forms a mouthpiece portion of the consumable 202 upon which the user draws. Airflow is drawn from the upstream end 217, through the components of the consumable 202, and out of the downstream end 218. The airflow is driven by the user drawing on the downstream end 218 (i.e., the mouthpiece portion) of the consumable 202.

The upstream filter element 215 is located axially adjacent to the aerosol-forming substrate 213, between the aerosol-forming substrate 213 and the terminal filter element 214. Like the terminal filter 214, the upstream filter element 215 is in the form of a hollow bore filter element, such that it has a bore 220 extending axially therethrough. In this way, the upstream filter 215 may act as an airflow restrictor. The upstream filter element 215 is formed of a porous (e.g., monoacetate) filter material. The bore 220 of the upstream filter element 215 has a larger diameter (3 mm) than the terminal filter element 214.

The spacer 216 is in the form of a cardboard tube, which defines a cavity or chamber between the upstream filter element 215 and the terminal filter element 214. The spacer 216 acts to allow both cooling and mixing of the vapour/aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate 213. The spacer has an external diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 14 mm.

Although not apparent from the figure, the aerosol-forming substrate 213, upstream filter 215 and spacer 216 are circumscribed by a paper wrapping layer. The terminal filter 214 is circumscribed by a tipping layer that also circumscribes a portion of the paper wrapping layer (so as to connect the terminal filter 214 to the remaining components of the consumable 202). The upstream filter 215 and terminal filter 214 are circumscribed by further wrapping layers in the form of plug wraps.

Returning now to the device 201, FIG. 2D illustrates a detailed view of the end of the device 201 that is configured to engage with the consumable 202. The cap 210 of the device 201 includes an opening 221 to an internal cavity 222 (more apparent from FIG. 2D) defined by the cap 210. The opening 221 and the cavity 222 are formed so as to receive at least a portion of the consumable 202. During engagement of the consumable 202 with the device 201, a portion of the consumable 202 is received through the opening 221 and into the cavity 222. After engagement (see FIG. 2B), the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202 protrudes from the opening 221 and thus also protrudes from the device 201. The opening 221 includes laterally disposed notches 226. When a consumable 202 is received in the opening 221, these notches 226 remain open and could, for example, be used for retaining a cover in order to cover the end of the device 201. The cavity 222 comprises an inner wall 240 that surrounds the consumable when inserted into the cavity. In an alternate embodiment not further depicted, the inner walls may serve as a heating element for the consumable, alternatively or in addition to the heating element 223.

FIG. 2E shows a cross section through a central longitudinal plane through the device 201. The device 201 is shown with the consumable 202 engaged therewith.

The device 201 comprises a heater 204 comprising heating element 223. The heater 204 forms part of the body 209 of the device 201 and is rigidly mounted to the body 209. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater 204 is a rod heater with a heating element 223 having a circular transverse profile. In other embodiments the heater may be in the form of a blade heater (e.g., heating element with a rectangular transverse profile) or a tube heater (e.g., heating element with a tubular form).

The heating element 223 of the heater 204 projects from an internal base of the cavity 222 along a longitudinal axis towards the opening 221. As is apparent from the figure, the length (i.e., along the longitudinal axis) of the heating element is less than a depth of the cavity 222. In this way, the heating element 223 does not protrude from or extend beyond the opening 221.

The heating element 223 comprises a longitudinal extension I, as depicted by the thin black arrow in FIG. 2E, and has a proximal end 242 that is closer to the centre of the device than the distal end 244, which substantially corresponds to the tip of the heating element 223.

When the consumable 202 is received in the cavity 222 (as is shown in FIG. 2E), the heating element 223 penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate 213 of the consumable 202. In particular, the heating element 223 extends for nearly the entire axial length of the aerosol-forming substrate 213 when inserted therein. Thus, when the heater 204 is activated, heat is transferred radially from an outer circumferential surface the heating element 223 to the aerosol-forming substrate 213.

Again, cavity 222 comprising an inner wall 240 is depicted that surrounds the consumable when inserted into the cavity. In FIG. 2E, the relevant portion of the cavity may be the surface adjacent to or in the vicinity of the heating element 223.

The device 201 further comprises an electronics cavity 224. A power source, in the form of a rechargeable battery 205 (a lithium-ion battery), is located in electronics cavity 224.

The device 201 includes a connector (i.e., forming part of an 10 module of the device 201) in the form of a USB port 206. The connector may alternatively be, for example, a micro-USB port or a USB-C port for examples. The USB port 206 may be used to recharge the rechargeable battery 205.

The device 201 includes a controller (not shown) located in the electronics cavity 224. The controller comprises a microcontroller mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The USB port 206 is also connected to the controller 208 (i.e., connected to the PCB and microcontroller).

The controller 208 is configured to control at least one function of the device 202. For example, the controller 208 is configured to control the operation of the heater 204. Such control of the operation of the heater 204 may be accomplished by the controller toggling the electrical connection of the rechargeable battery 205 to the heater 204. For example, the controller 208 is configured to control the heater 204 in response to a user depressing the button 212. Depressing the button 212 may cause the controller to allow a voltage (from the rechargeable battery 205) to be applied to the heater 204 (so as to cause the heating element 223 to be heated).

The controller is also configured to control the LEDs 211 in response to (e.g., a detected) a condition of the device 201 or the consumable 202. For example, the controller may control the LEDs to indicate whether the device 201 is in an on state or an off state (e.g., one or more of the LEDs may be illuminated by the controller when the device is in an on state).

The device 201 comprises a further input means (i.e., in addition to the button 212) in the form of a puff sensor 225. The puff sensor 225 is configured to detect a user drawing (i.e., inhaling) at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202. The puff sensor 225 may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor, flowmeter or a microphone. The puff sensor 225 is operatively connected to the controller 208 in the electronics cavity 224, such that a signal from the puff sensor 225, indicative of a puff state (i.e., drawing or not drawing), forms an input to the controller 208 (and can thus be responded to by the controller 208).

FIGS. 3A and 3B show section views of the embodiment of the substitute smoking device where the movable element is in the first position. In FIG. 3A, the movable element 310/the platform element 312 are in the first position, and the heating element 223 is not depicted for sake of clarity. In FIG. 3B, the movable element 310/the platform element 312 still are in the first position, and the heating element 223 is depicted in the middle of the movable element 310. The opening 221 or the cavity for receiving the consumable is substantially open and exposed, thereby allowing the insertion of a consumable by a user of the substitute smoking device. In other words, the opening is substantially unrestricted for receiving a consumable 202.

FIG. 3C shows a section view of the embodiment of the substitute smoking device where the movable element is in the second position. Further, FIG. 3C shows that the movable element 310, when in the second position is substantially flush with the outer surface of the housing and thereby avoids entry of debris into the opening.

The movable element 310 is movable along the longitudinal extension L of the housing, and thereby parallel to the longitudinal extension I of the heating element 223. Specifically, in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the movable element 310 is shown as a platform element 312, which comprises a substantially flat surface perpendicular to both the longitudinal extension L and I. Thus, the movable element 310 may be in a preferred contact with the flat surface part of the consumable, for ejecting the consumable 202 by moving the movable element 310 to the second position, or to move the movable element 310 to the first position by inserting the consumable 202.

FIG. 3C shows the distal end 244 of the heating element 223, or the tip of the heating element 223, used for penetration of a consumable 202. The proximal end 242 is situated in the interior of the substitute smoking device 201, not shown in FIG. 3C.

When the movable element 310 is moved from the first position to the second position, it may scrape debris, deposits and dirt of the walls of the opening 221 and the heating element 223, thereby removing the same from the opening 221. The movement may be provided by an actuation mechanism, which is not explicitly depicted in the Figures.

FIGS. 3A and 3C show the opening 314 of the movable element 310 in its closed state, while the opening 314 of the movable element 310 in its opened state in FIG. 3B. Here, the heating element 223 is arranged in the opened opening 314, thereby allowing the movable element 310 to be in the first position while exposing the opening 221 of the substitute smoking device 201 and thus the heating element 223.

FIG. 4A is an exemplary embodiment of a cap removal tool 410 according to the present disclosure. The cap removal tool is a substantially cylindrical element having a first section 412a and a second section 412b. The sections 412a,b in FIG. 4A are depicted with different diameters, however it may be conceivable that both sections have the same diameter. It may even be that the second section 412b has a larger diameter than the first section 412a, in case that the length of the first section is larger than the depth of the cavity 222 of the substitute smoking device 201. In case the cavity 222 has a progressive shape, i.e., a plurality of sections with different diameters, the outer shape of the cap removal tool 410 may conform to some or all of said plurality of sections.

FIGS. 4B and 4C show the use of a cap removal tool according to the present disclosure for removing the cap of a substitute smoking device.

The cap removal tool 410 in inserted in the cavity 222. The cap removal tool 410 comprises a cavity 428 at the first section 412a for accommodating the heater element 223. FIG. 4B shows this by a cut-out window at the region of the first section 412a. The outer surface of the first section 412a conforms with the inner surface 240 of the cavity 222, for guidance during insertion, subsequent engagement with the locking element 426 (depicted only schematically in FIG. 4B) and rotation 416. As depicted with the rotating arrow 416, a user may rotate the cap removal tool 410 in the inserted and engaged state for unlocking the locking element 426 and subsequent displacement or complete removal of the cap 420 from the housing 422 of the substitute smoking device 201. In other words, the locking element is unlocked by the cap removal tool 410 to allow separation of the cap 420 and the housing body 424 of the housing 422.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the cap 420 has been displaced relative to the housing body 424 of the housing 422 of the substitute smoking device 201, as depicted by arrow 418. By said displacement or relative movement, a window W opens, thereby exposing the heating element 223. By exposing the heating element 223, it is accessible from outside of the housing 422, in particularly accessible for cleaning, removing of debris, dirt and deposits or a dislodged (part of a) consumable. The cap 420 may be merely shifted for opening the window W or may be completely removed from the housing 422 (not depicted in FIG. 4C).

When unlocked, an actuation mechanism (not shown) may move the cap 420 to the second position depicted in FIG. 4C substantially without user action., e.g., a spring mechanism may push the cap 420 to the second position, thereby opening window W. The actuation mechanism may keep the cap in the second position while conducting the cleaning. After the cleaning, the cap may be manually placed or moved back to the position intended for locking. Likewise, a user, when inserting the cap removal tool 410 in order to lock the cap 420 back in its operating position, may use the cap removal tool 410 to push the cap 420 from the second position of FIG. 4C to the first position of FIG. 4B, subsequently continuing with the locking of the locking element 426 in order to fasten the cap in its operation position.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the disclosure in diverse forms thereof.

While the disclosure has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “have”, “comprise”, and “include”, and variations such as “having”, “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/−10%.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” are used herein refer to embodiments of the disclosure that may provide certain benefits under some circumstances. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. The recitation of one or more preferred embodiments therefore does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.

ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1: A substitute smoking device (201), comprising a housing (422) having a cavity (222) for receiving a substitute smoking consumable, and a heating element (223) arranged in the cavity, the housing further comprising a housing body (424), and a movable section (420), wherein by displacing the movable section relative to the housing body, the heating element is exposable, and a locking element (426) for connecting the movable section and the housing, wherein, by unlocking the locking element, the connection of the movable section and the housing is unlocked and the movable element is movable relative to the housing, thereby exposing the heating element.

Clause 2: The substitute smoking device according to the preceding clause, wherein the locking element is lockable and/or unlockable by a cap removal tool (410) at least partially inserted in the cavity.

Clause 3: The substitute smoking device according to the preceding clause, wherein the locking element is lockable and/or unlockable by rotation of the cap removal tool in the cavity.

Clause 4: The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding clauses, wherein the locking element is an element out of the group consisting of a screw, a nut, a captive nut and a bayonet element.

Clause 5: The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding clauses, wherein the movable element, in the unlocked state, is separable from the housing body.

Clause 6: The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding clauses, further comprising an actuation element for moving the unlocked cap to a second position.

Clause 7: A cap removal tool (410) adapted for unlocking a cap (420) of a substitute smoking device (201) by relative rotation between the cap removal tool and the substitute smoking device.

Clause 8: The cap removal tool according to the preceding clause, wherein a locking element (426) for locking the cap of the substitute smoking device is lockable and/or unlockable by rotation of the cap removal tool in a cavity of the substitute smoking device.

Clause 9: The cap removal tool according to the preceding clause, further comprising a first section (412a) having a generally cylindrical outer surface (414), wherein at least part of the first section is adapted for insertion into the cavity of the substitute smoking device and engageable with the locking element for unlocking the locking element.

Clause 10: The cap removal tool according to at least one of the preceding clauses, further comprising a cavity (428) in the first section for accommodating a heating element (223) of the substitute smoking device.

Clause 11: The cap removal tool according to the preceding clause, wherein the cavity comprises an inner surface that is adapted for engagement with the locking element of the substitute smoking device.

Clause 12: A system for removing a cap (420) from a substitute smoking device (201), comprising a substitute smoking device (201) according to at least one of clauses 1 to 6 above, and a cap removal tool according to at least one of the preceding clauses, adapted for unlocking the locking element of the substitute smoking device.

Clause 13: The system according to the preceding clause, wherein the locking element is lockable and unlockable by rotation of the cap removal tool in the cavity of the substitute smoking device.

Clause 14: The system according to at least one of the preceding clauses, wherein the outer surface (414) of the first section (412a) and the inner surface (240) of the cavity (222) conform to one another so as to support rotation of the cap removal tool in the cavity.

Claims

1. A substitute smoking device comprising:

a housing having an opening for receiving a substitute smoking consumable,

wherein a heating element is arranged in the opening,

wherein the substitute smoking system comprises a movable element arranged in the opening and displaceable between a first position and a second position,

wherein, in the first position, the opening is substantially unrestricted for receiving a consumable,

wherein, in the second position, the opening is substantially closed, and

wherein the direction of displacement of the movable element between the first position and the second position is substantially parallel to a longitudinal extension (L) of the housing.

2. The substitute smoking device according to the preceding claim, wherein the movable element, in the second position, is arranged substantially flush with the housing.

3. The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating element has a longitudinal extension (L), and wherein the direction of displacement of the movable element between the first position and the second position is substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension (L) of the heating element.

4. The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable element is arranged as a platform element that can be raised and lowered in the opening to be displaceable between the first position and the second position.

5. The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding claims,

wherein the heating element has a proximal end and a distal end,

wherein the movable element, in the first position, is arranged closer to the proximal end of the heating element than to the distal end and is at least partially exposing the heater element in the opening, and

wherein the movable element, in the second position, is arranged closer to the distal end of the heating element than to the proximal and covering the heater element.

6. The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable element, when moved from the first position to the second position is adapted to remove debris from the inside of the opening to the outside of the housing, in particular is adapted to remove debris attached to walls of the opening and/or to the heating element to the outside of the housing.

7. The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable element, when moved from the first position to the second position is adapted to remove a consumable from the opening.

8. The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, the substitute smoking device comprising an actuation mechanism for moving the movable element between the first position and the second position, and/or wherein the movable element is moved from the second position to the first position by insertion of a consumable into the smoking substitute device.

9. The substitute smoking device according to the preceding claim, wherein the actuation mechanism is a mechanism out of the group consisting of an active actuation mechanism, a passive actuation mechanism, a manual actuation mechanism, a spring mechanism, a lever mechanism, and an electronically actuated mechanism.

10. The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable element is movable between the first position and the second position by user operation, in particular by using the same hand for user operation of the smoking substitute device and for moving the movable element between the first position and the second position.

11. The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the substitute smoking device is activatable and/or deactivatable dependent on the movable element assuming one of the first and second positions, in particular wherein the substitute smoking device is activatable by moving the movable element into the first position and/or wherein the substitute smoking device is deactivatable by moving the movable element into the second position.

12. The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein moving the movable element into the second position provides an emergency shutdown functionality for the substitute smoking device and/or the heater element.

13. The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable element comprises an opening for accommodating the heating element, in particular when in the first position.

14. The substitute smoking device according to the preceding claim, wherein the opening of the movable element is open in the first position to accommodate the heating element, and/or wherein the opening of the movable element is substantially closed in the second position to close the opening of the housing.

15. The substitute smoking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating element comprises a heat dissipating material and is arranged for removing heat from the heating element when in the second position.