Aerosol Generation Device

Abstract

An aerosol generation device includes an aerosol generating substrate heated to form an aerosol. More specifically, an aerosol generation device includes: an aerosol generation chamber configured to receive and heat a substrate to generate aerosol, the aerosol generation chamber including at least a heating element; a cover which can be in a closed position covering an aperture in the device, and in an open position exposing the aperture; and a tray for receiving and holding the substrate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generation device in which an aerosol generating substrate is heated to form an aerosol. The disclosure is particularly applicable to a portable aerosol generation device, which may operate at low temperature. Such devices may heat, rather than burn, tobacco or other suitable aerosol substrate materials by conduction, convection, and/or radiation, to generate an aerosol for inhalation.

BACKGROUND

The popularity and use of aerosol generation devices (also known as e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products) has grown rapidly in the past few years. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm aerosolisable substances as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable solid aerosolisable material to a temperature typically in the range 150° C. to 350° C. Heating such an aerosol substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases an aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user but not the toxic and carcinogenic byproducts of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the tobacco or other aerosolisable material does not typically comprise the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant for the user and so the substrate does not therefore require the sugars and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and/or vapour more palatable for the user. In such devices, the aerosol substrate is heated by a heating element, for example in a heating chamber. The aerosol substrate is consumed through generation of the aerosol and must be regularly replaced. It is therefore desirable to provide a convenient way of replacing the aerosol substrate in the heating chamber.

Additionally, it is desirable to generate more aerosol from a given quantity of aerosol substrate, and therefore it is desirable to provide a device that can heat the aerosol substrate to generate aerosol more efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the following disclosure provides an aerosol generation device comprising: An aerosol generation chamber configured to receive and heat a substrate to generate aerosol, the aerosol generation chamber comprising at least a heating element; an oblong housing; a tray configured to receive and hold the substrate; and a lid which is connected to the tray and which can be in a closed position covering the aerosol generation chamber and in an open position exposing the aerosol generation chamber; wherein when the lid is in the open position, the tray is located at least partially outside of the aerosol generation chamber and can receive a substrate, or a substrate held by the tray can be removed from the tray by the hand of the user, and when the lid is in the closed position, the substrate is contained in the aerosol generation chamber; and the lid is configured to transition from the open to the closed position by translating towards the aerosol generation chamber in a longitudinal direction of the housing, whereby the tray is translated in the longitudinal direction into the aerosol generation chamber and a substrate held by the tray is pressed against the heating element.

The tray provides an intuitive and robust way to replace the aerosol substrate consumable by removing a used substrate from the tray and putting an unused substrate on the tray. By moving the lid from the open position to the closed position, the substrate is then moved into the aerosol generation chamber, providing a simple and intuitive way for a user to place the substrate in the right position. Additionally, by movement of the tray into the aerosol generation chamber, the substrate is put in contact with the heating element, thereby improving aerosol generation efficiency.

In a second aspect of the invention according to the first aspect of the invention, the tray comprises at least one bolt that is configured to be placed inside a guide rail.

This allows for the tray to be guided along a specific track along a guide rail, which improves intuitive handling and ensures the correct positioning of the substrate relative to the heating element, thereby improving aerosol generation efficiency.

In a third aspect of the invention according to the second aspect of the invention, the bolt consists of or comprises a pair of studs.

Providing two studs on the sides of the tray rather than one continuous bolt extending from both sides of the tray reduces material usage and improves the device's cost efficiency.

In a fourth aspect of the invention according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, the aerosol generation device comprises a guide rail configured to receive the bolt and guide the tray during translation into or out of the aerosol generation chamber.

This allows for exact control of the distance of the tray to the heating element. Thus, aerosol generation efficiency can be improved.

In a fifth aspect of the invention according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, the tray during translation in the longitudinal direction into the aerosol generation chamber is also translated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and towards the heating element.

This ensures that when the lid is in closed position, the substrate is in direct contact with the heating element, thereby improving aerosol generation efficiency.

In a sixth aspect of the invention according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the guide rail tapers in the longitudinal direction when approaching the heating element, thereby causing or contributing to the translation of the tray in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal directions.

The tapering of the guide rail forces the tray and therefore the substrate to get closer to the heating element as the tray moves into the aerosol generation chamber. Eventually, the substrate can be pressed against the heating element, which ensures continuous contact between the substrate and the heating element during consumption of the substrate. This improves the aerosol generation efficiency.

In a seventh aspect of the invention according to any of the fourth to the sixth aspect of the invention, the guide rail is mounted movably in the aerosol generation device and is guided by a second guide rail by means of at least one second bolt, such that the two guide rails form a telescopic mechanism.

The second guide rail stabilizes the tray when the lid is in open position. Furthermore, the second guide rail allows for longer translation of the tray out of the aerosol generation chamber, thus easing a user's access to the substrate.

In an eighth aspect of the invention according to the seventh aspect of the invention, the second bolt consist of or comprises a second pair of studs.

Providing two studs on the sides of the tray rather than one continuous bolt extending from both sides of the tray reduces material usage and improves the device's cost efficiency.

In a ninth aspect of the invention according to any one of the seventh or the eighth aspect of the invention, the second guide rail tapers by means of an inclination along the edge further away from the heating element.

The tapering of the guide rail forces the tray and therefore the substrate to get closer to the heating element as the tray moves into the aerosol generation chamber. Eventually, the substrate can be pressed against the heating element, which ensures continuous contact between the substrate and the heating element during consumption of the substrate. This improves the aerosol generation efficiency.

In a tenth aspect of the invention according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the lid comprises a securing mechanism for securing the position of the lid with respect to the aerosol generation chamber in closed position.

This fixes the lid in the closed position to prohibit undesired opening of the lid. Furthermore, the means for fixing may provide a second fixpoint in addition to the first fixpoint which is provided by the bolt in the guide rail. Thus, by means of the fixing means, a tilted tray may be brought into a horizontal position parallel to the heating element. Lastly, the fixation means provides haptic feedback to a user as to when the lid is in place and the substrate is in the correct position inside the aerosol generation chamber.

In an eleventh aspect of the invention according to the tenth aspect of the invention, the securing is realized by magnetic force.

Using magnetic force for the securing is easy to realize and is no subject to deterioration, making the device more durable. Furthermore, magnetic force provides eve better haptic feedback to a user as to when the lid is in place and the substrate is in the correct position inside the aerosol generation chamber.

In a twelfth aspect of the invention according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, the lid comprises a recess portion located at an end of the lid which faces the aerosol generation chamber.

This allows for easy and intuitive handling of the device for a user.

In a thirteenth aspect of the invention according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, the substrate has the shape of a plate, pad, or disk.

A substrate having such a shape is substantially flat and can easily be put in contact with a substantially flat heating element, ensuring permanent contact and improving aerosol generation efficiency. Also, the ratio between the surface in contact with the heating element and the volume of the substrate is relatively large, thereby further increasing aerosol generation efficiency.

In a fourteenth aspect of the invention according to any one of the preceding aspects of the invention, the tray comprises a recess, configured to receive and hold the substrate.

A recess in the tray secures the substrate on the tray and prohibits movement of the substrate relative to the tray during translation of the tray into the aerosol generation chamber. This ensures that the substrate can be brought into the correct position relative to the heating element, and aerosol generation efficiency is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the aerosol generation device, with the lid in the open position.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the aerosol generation device, with the lid in the closed position.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional top view of the aerosol generation device, with the lid in the open position.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional top view of the aerosol generation device, with the lid in between the open position and the closed position.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional top view of the aerosol generation device, with the lid in the closed position.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the aerosol generation device, with the lid in the closed position.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the aerosol generation device, with the lid in the open position.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional side view of the aerosol generation device, with the lid in the open position.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional side view of the aerosol generation device, with the lid in between the open position and the closed position.

FIG. 10 shows a close-up view of the tray.

FIG. 11 shows a close-up view of a guide rail.

FIG. 12 shows a close-up view of a second guide rail.

FIGS. 13 to 15 show close-up views of a sliding element.

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional side view of the aerosol generation device, with the lid in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar parts. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of dimensions and the like may be different from the actual ones.

The aerosol generation device 1 is configured to work with a substantially cuboid substrate 11, preferably having a flat shape. In a typical example, the size of the substrate 11 is 18×12×1.2 mm. Generally, the length of the substrate in the preferred embodiments is between 40 and 10 mm, preferably between 30 and 12 mm, more preferably between 25 and 14 mm, and most preferably between 22 and 15 mm. The width of the substrate in the preferred embodiments is between 30 and 6 mm, preferably between 25 and 8 mm, more preferably between 20 and 9 mm, and most preferably between 16 and 9 mm. The height of the substrate in the preferred embodiments is between 3 and 0.5 mm, preferably between 2 and 0.6 mm, more preferably between 1.8 and 0.8 mm, and most preferably between 1.6 and 0.9 mm.

The aerosol substrate may for example comprise nicotine, tobacco and/or 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. The aerosol substrate may be porous such that air can flow through the substrate and collect aerosol as it does so. The substrate may for example be a foam, or packed strands or fibres. The substrate may be formed through an extrusion and/or rolling process into a stable shape. The aerosol generating substrate may be shaped to provide one air flow channel or multiple air flow channels. These can be aligned with the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device in order to increase air flow through the heating chamber. The substrate is exposed with a bare external surface. Alternatively, the substrate may comprise an air-permeable wrapper covering at least part of a surface of the aerosol generating substrate. The wrapper may, for example, comprise paper and/or non-woven fabric.

The aerosol generation chamber 15 may simply be an interior volume of the housing 2, but the aerosol generation chamber 15 is preferably enclosed by an insulating enclosure within the housing 2, so that additional components such as control circuitry and an electrical power source (not shown) are insulated from heat provided within the aerosol generation chamber 15. The housing may generally be made from any rigid material such as a thermoplastic or a metal (e.g. aluminium). The insulating enclosure may be made from a heat-resistant material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or polyamide (PA) in order to prevent thermal deformation or melting. The heat resistant material may be a super engineering plastic such as polyimide (PI), polyphenylenesulfide (PPS) or polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

The substrate 11 is positioned in the aerosol generation chamber 15 by inserting a tray 5 carrying the substrate 11 into the aerosol generation chamber 15. The substrate can be placed onto the tray when the lid is in the open position. When the tray 5 is inserted into the aerosol generation chamber 15, the tray 5 is guided into a position where the substrate 11 is held in the aerosol generation chamber 15, as depicted in FIG. 10. However, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the tray 5 may also be in a second position, where the substrate 11 can be placed onto or removed from the tray 5.

During or after a time at which the substrate 11 is heated to generate the aerosol, air is driven towards the mouthpiece 3 to provide the aerosol to a user. In some embodiments, the air is driven by a user inhaling. In other embodiments, the aerosol generation device 1 may comprise a pump for pumping air towards the mouthpiece 3 to provide the aerosol.

Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generation device 1 is illustrated. The device may comprise an oblong housing 2, and a mouthpiece 3 which can be used to suck the generated aerosol out of the device. In the open position, as is illustrated in FIG. 1, the tray 5 is located outside the aerosol generation chamber and exposed to a user, because lid 7 is in open position. The tray 5 may comprise a recess 6 or other means to fixate a substrate which may be inserted by a user. The lid 7 may be translated into the closed position by sliding it along the longitudinal direction 8 of the housing 2.

FIG. 2 depicts the same embodiment of the aerosol generation device 1 as FIG. 1. However, in FIG. 2, the cover 7 is in closed position. From the closed position, the cover can be translated back to the open position by sliding it in the opposite direction of longitudinal direction 8.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional top view of the embodiment of aerosol generation device 1, with the lid 7 in open position. The tray 5 is slidably held by sliding element 4 which itself is held in guide rail 12, forming a telescopic mechanism. Sliding element 4 is preferably U-shaped, however, in some embodiments may have different shapes such as parallel bars or the like. Depicted in FIG. 4 is the same embodiment of aerosol generation device 1, wherein the lid 7 is in between the open and the closed position. Therein, sliding element 4 is located inside the housing, while tray 5 is still located partly outside of the housing. FIG. 5 shows the same embodiment of aerosol generation device 1 with lid 7 in closed position. Here, tray 5 is fully contained inside the housing and substrate 11 is therefore located inside the aerosol generation chamber.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the embodiment of aerosol generation device 1, with the lid 7 in open position. The tray 5 may be connected to the lid 7 by means of screwing, adhering or the like, ensuring that the tray 5 is always in a fixed position relative to the lid 7. This means that when the lid 7 is slid from the open to the closed position in the longitudinal direction 8 of the housing 2, the tray is translated in the same direction. In some embodiments, the lid and the tray may be manufactured as one piece.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of the embodiment of aerosol generation device 1, with the lid 7 in closed position. From the closed position, the lid can be translated into the open position by moving the lid in the opposite direction of the longitudinal direction 8 of the housing. To ease handling of a user, a recess 16 may be provided at the lid 7, configured to improve a user's grip to the lid by receiving a user's finger.

FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of aerosol generation device 1 with lid 7 in open position. Tray 5 is located mostly outside of housing 2 with substrate 11 located outside of aerosol generation chamber 15. Sliding element 4 is placed inside guide rail 12 by means of bolt 14. In a preferred embodiment, there are two guide rails 12 placed on both sides of aerosol generation chamber 15. However, in some embodiments, there may be only one guide rail 12 provided, for instance centrally underneath sliding element 4.

In a preferred embodiment, guide rail 12 has a shape as depicted in FIG. 12. When lid 7 is in open position, bolt 14 is located in a first portion 21 of guide rail 12. When lid 7 is in closed position, bolt 14 is located in a second portion 22 of guide rail 12. By means of inclination portion 23 bolt 14 is guided upwards and towards a level 20 of heating element 10. By this movement, sliding element 4 is also guided upwards towards level 20 of heating element 10.

Tray 5 is connected to sliding element 4 by means of bolts 24 which will be specified closer with reference to FIG. 10. Bolts 24 are configured to be placed inside guide rail 32 in sliding element 4. Thus, tray 5 is movable with respect to sliding element 4 by means of guide rail 32, said sliding element 4 being movable with respect to housing 2 by means of guide rail 12.

The aerosol generation chamber 15 comprises one or more heating elements 10 configured to heat and generate aerosol from a substrate 11. The heating elements are preferably electric heating elements, such as resistive heating elements, but any type of heating element suitable for supplying heat to the aerosol generation chamber 15 may be used. The heating element 10 preferably has a substantially flat configuration but may have different shapes in some embodiments.

The heating element 10 may be powered by an electrical power source such as a removable battery, a rechargeable battery or the like. The electrical circuitry needed for powering the heating element is known to the skilled person and is not discussed here.

Aerosol generation device 1 may also comprise securing means 25 which are configured to secure lid 7 with respect to housing 2 when lid 7 is in closed position as can be seen in FIG. 10. In some embodiments, fixing means 25 may be provided as a pair of magnets securing lid 7 to housing 2 while providing haptic feedback to a user of the device.

FIG. 9 depicts the embodiment of aerosol generation device 1 with the lid 7 being in between the open and closed position. As can be seen, if only one bolt 14 is provided, only one end of the sliding element is translated towards heating element 10, which means only one edge of the substrate 11 may be pressed towards heating element 10 by means of the bolt. A second edge may be pressed towards heating element 10 by means of securing means 25 which ensures that the whole surface of substrate 11 is pressed towards heating element 10.

In another embodiments, more than one guide rail and more than one bolt may be provided to ensure full contact of the substrate 11 with heating element 10. For instance, two pairs of guide rails may be provided longitudinally spaced from each other. Sliding element 4 may then comprise two bolts, wherein a first bolt is laced in a first pair of guide rails and a second bolt is placed in a second pair of guide rails.

In yet another embodiment, bolt 14 may have an elongate shape with a width substantially equal to the width of a second portion 22 of guide rail 12 and a length being at least twice as large as the width of a second portion 22 of guide rail 12, preferably at least thrice as large as the width of a second portion 22 of guide rail 12, more preferably at least four times as large as the width of a second portion 22 of guide rail 12. As such an elongate bolt is moved into the second portion 22 of guide rail 12, it arranges the sliding element 4 substantially parallel to heating element 10. Thus, the whole surface of substrate 11 is in contact with heating element 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, tray 5 has a recess 6 for receiving and holding the substrate 11. A depth D2 of the recess 6 is smaller than a height D1 of the substrate 11 such that, when the substrate 11 is arranged in the recess 6, the substrate 11 partly protrudes out of the recess 6. The tray comprises one or more bolts 24, which are longer than the width of the tray and arranged such that they project out of both sides of tray 5. In some embodiments, each bolt may be provided as merely a pair of studs projecting out of the sides of the tray. The bolts 24 are configured to be placed inside the guide rail 32 in sliding element 4.

FIG. 12 depicts an alternative embodiment of a guide rail 112. Herein, a bolt may be translated from a first portion 121 of guide rail 112 to a second portion 122 of guide rail 112. It may then be shifted towards a level 20 of heating element 10 by means of inclination portion 123. Despite the different shape of guide rail 112, the comments made with regard to the functionality of guide rail 12 also apply.

FIGS. 13 to 15 depict different embodiments of sliding element 4. As depicted in FIG. 13, in some embodiments, sliding element 4 may comprise a guide rail 32 configured to receive bolts 24, having substantially the same shape as guide rail 12. In other embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 14, sliding element may comprise a guide rail 132 configured to receive bolts 24, which has substantially the same shape as guide rail 112. In yet some other embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 15, sliding element 4 may comprise a guide rail 232 configured to receive bolts 24, guide rail 232 being substantially straight, therefore not causing an additional movement of tray 5 towards level 20 of heating element 10.

As the skilled person will understand, all configurations of guide rails are equally functional and may be provided exchangeable without leaving the scope of the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates the aerosol generation device 1 in a state ready to generate aerosol, where the cover 7 is in the closed position, and the substrate 11 is inside the aerosol generation chamber 15. The substrate herein is heated by heating element 10 and an aerosol can be generated. The aerosol may then be provided to a user through mouthpiece 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• • 1 Aerosol generation device
  • 2 Housing
  • 3 Mouthpiece
  • 4 Sliding element
  • 5 Tray
  • 6 Recess
  • 7 Lid
  • 8 Longitudinal direction
  • 10 Heating element
  • 11 Substrate
  • 12 Guide rails
  • 14 Bolt(s)
  • 15 Aerosol generation chamber
  • 20 Level of the heating element
  • 21 First portion of a guide rail
  • 22 Second portion of a guide rail
  • 23 Inclination between portions
  • 24 Bolt(s)
  • 25 Securing means
  • 32 Guide rail
  • 112 Guide rail
  • 121 First portion of a guide rail
  • 122 Second portion of a guide rail
  • 123 Inclination between portions
  • 132 Guide rail
  • 232 Guide rail

Claims

1. An aerosol generation device comprising:

an aerosol generation chamber configured to receive and heat a substrate to generate aerosol, the aerosol generation chamber comprising at least a heating element;

an oblong housing;

a tray configured to receive and hold a substrate; and

a lid connected to the tray and configured to be in a closed position covering the aerosol generation chamber and in an open position exposing the aerosol generation chamber;

wherein when the lid is in the open position, the tray is located at least partially outside of the aerosol generation chamber and is configured to receive a substrate, or a substrate held by the tray can be removed from the tray by a hand of a user, and when the lid is in the closed position, the substrate is contained in the aerosol generation chamber; and

the lid is configured to transition from the open position to the closed position by translating towards the aerosol generation chamber in a longitudinal direction of the housing, whereby the tray is translated in the longitudinal direction into the aerosol generation chamber and a substrate held by the tray is pressed against the heating element.

2. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the tray comprises at least one bolt that is configured to be placed inside a guide rail.

3. The aerosol generation device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one bolt consists of or comprises a pair of studs.

4. The aerosol generation device according to claim 2, further comprising a guide rail configured to receive the at least one bolt and guide the tray during translation into or out of the aerosol generation chamber.

5. The aerosol generation device according to claim 4, wherein the tray during translation in the longitudinal direction into the aerosol generation chamber is also translated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and towards the heating element.

6. The aerosol generation device according to claim 5, wherein the guide rail tapers in the longitudinal direction when approaching the heating element, thereby causing or contributing to the translation of the tray in the direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal directions.

7. The aerosol generation device according to claim 4, wherein the guide rail is movably mounted in the aerosol generation device and is guided by a second guide rail by at least one second bolt, such that the two guide rails form a telescopic mechanism.

8. The aerosol generation device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one second bolt consists of or comprises a second pair of studs.

9. The aerosol generation device according to claim 7, wherein the second guide rail tapers in an inclination along an edge thereof further away from the heating element.

10. The aerosol generation device according to claim 6, wherein the lid comprises a securing mechanism for securing a position of the lid with respect to the aerosol generation chamber in the closed position.

11. The aerosol generation device according to claim 10, wherein the securing mechanism is a pair of magnets securing the lid to the housing.

12. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a recess portion located at an end of the lid which faces the aerosol generation chamber.

13. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate having a shape of a plate, a pad, or a disk.

14. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the tray comprises a recess, configured to receive and hold the substrate.