An Aerosol-Generating Device Comprising a Gripping Element

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device.

An aerosol-generating device allows aerosolization of an aerosolizable material. An aerosol-generating device can also be referred to as an electronic cigarette or vapor generation device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An aerosol-generating device or heat-not-burn device generally comprises a battery-powered vapor generation unit which produces the aerosol that is inhaled. Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable aerosolisable material to a temperature typically in the range 150° C. to 300° C.

In such devices, the aerosol substrate is typically included in a consumable that is held within a heating chamber and heated by a heater. Most commonly, such heating chambers are heated from the outside, with a conductive shell housing transferring the heat to the internal volume. Often the heater is arranged along the length of the heating chamber.

One issue of prior art devices is the difficulty to remove the consumable from the heating chamber at the end of use. The bottom part of the consumable generally remains lodged in the heating chamber and is difficult for the user to remove.

While there exists aerosol-generating devices that address other issues such as the device disclosed in KR 102051205 which aims at improving the fixation of the consumable, the existing devices do not enable an easy removal of the consumable from the heating chamber.

Therefore, the present invention aims at enabling an easy ejection of the consumable from the heating chamber when required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention thus relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating chamber arranged to receive a consumable, a heater configured to heat the consumable in order to release an aerosol.

According to the invention, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a gripping element configured to grip and eject the consumable from the heating chamber when required.

Thanks to the gripping element, it is possible to easily eject the consumable when required, for example at the end of use of the consumable.

This improves the user's experience which can easily replace the consumable when needed.

According to one embodiment, the gripping element is a claw device comprising a drive member and jaws attached to said drive member, said drive member being configured to move the jaws inwards so that said jaws come towards one another and outwards so that the jaws move away from each other.

According to one embodiment, the drive member is a telescopic cylinder configured to extend thereby moving the jaws outwards, and configured to shorten thereby moving the jaws inwards.

The gripping element can thus be a claw device, which is simple to manufacture and operate.

According to one embodiment, each jaw is hinged onto the drive member at a first point and a second point different from the first point, each jaw being articulated at said first point to the telescopic cylinder by means of a connecting rod and at said second point by means of a ring attached to an end of the telescopic cylinder, said ring being configured to move in the direction of extension and shortening of the telescopic cylinder.

According to one embodiment, the telescopic cylinder is configured to extend on ejection of the consumable thereby moving the jaws outwards and the ring against the consumable.

The ring can thus push the consumable out from the heating chamber.

According to one embodiment, the telescopic cylinder is configured to shorten during heating of the consumable thereby moving the jaws inwards and the ring away from the consumable.

Depending on the extent to which the cylinder is shortened, the jaws can simply grab the consumable or exert a sufficient force to compress the consumable.

According to one embodiment, the telescopic cylinder is configured to extend at the end of heating of the consumable thereby moving the arms outwards so as to release the consumable.

According to one embodiment, it further comprises a micro-controller configured to move automatically the drive member depending whether to heat the consumable, stop heating it or ejecting it from the heating chamber.

Therefore, the gripping element is automatically operated by the micro-controller depending whether the session of smoking has started, is in progress or is finished.

According to one embodiment, it comprises a housing within which extend the heating chamber, the heater and the gripping element, the housing comprising a through hole through which extends the drive member such as a part of the drive member protrudes from the housing.

By manually moving the drive member, in particular using the protruding part, the gripping element can be easily operated.

According to one embodiment, it comprises a housing within which extends the heating chamber, the heater and the gripping element, wherein it further comprises a slide extending on an external wall of the housing, said slide being mounted to the drive member of the gripping element such that the drive member is driven by a movement of the slide.

The slide is an alternative solution to a manual driving of the gripping element. Similarly to the protruding part, it is easy to use and simple to manufacture.

According to one embodiment, the heater and the gripping element are positioned with respect to one another such that the jaws are conductively heated by the heater, the gripping element being configured to compress the consumable when it is being heated.

Compressing the consumable during its use is a key feature as this focuses the heat into the centre of the consumable allowing for faster heat up time. This is enabled by the conductive heating of the jaws. Additionally, since the consumable shrinks as it is vaped, the compression maintains during its entire use a high heat transfer and therefore a good efficiency in heating.

According to one embodiment, the gripping element is configured to stop compressing the consumable when the heating is stopped.

The configuration of the present device is particularly advantageous in that it compresses the consumable during use for an optimal heating, but when required (e.g. the consumable needs to be replaced) stops compressing it. This avoids unnecessary compression as well as frictions that may occur between the gripping element and the consumable, or the heating chamber and the consumable due to compression. In fact, when manipulating the consumable, these frictions need to be overcome leading thus to the deterioration of the consumable. Such frictions can for example make it hard to remove the consumable from the heating chamber.

In conclusion, the configuration of the aerosol-generating device with the gripping element ensures a fast and efficient heating of the consumable while enabling an easy ejection of the consumable from the heating chamber when required.

According to one embodiment, the heater comprises resistive heating elements fitted on the jaws of the gripping element.

Thanks to this configuration, the heating of the consumable is improved. Indeed, during heating the jaws are directly in contact with the consumable.

According to one embodiment, the heater comprises a stationary heater extending over a wall of the heating chamber.

The consumable can thus be conductively heated. This is an easy and efficient solution for heating the consumable to transform it into aerosol.

Preferably, the heater extends along all the length of said wall of the heating chamber. This provides a large heating region, enabling the consumable to be heated quickly.

According to one embodiment, the heating chamber comprises slots shaped so as to receive the gripping element, the gripping element being configured to move within the slots to compress or release the consumable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will also emerge from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples:

FIG. 1 represents, in a schematic three-dimensional view, an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 represents, in a cross-sectional diagram, the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 comprising a gripping element;

FIG. 3 represents in a three-dimensional view an example of a gripping element that can be used in the invention, in an open position and a closed position;

FIG. 4 represents individually, in a schematic cross-sectional view, a heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 represents in a cross-sectional diagram a portion of an example of an aerosol-generating device comprising a gripping element according to two other embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 represents, in a schematic cross-section view, the gripping element of FIG. 2 within the heating chamber in the open and closed positions; and

FIG. 7 represents, in a top view, the gripping element of FIG. 2 within the heating chamber in the open and closed positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the terms “aerosol” and “vapour” are used interchangeably to refer to a suspension of particles or droplets of any size. Similarly, the term “vaporise” means to change, or cause the change into vapour and the term “aerosolise” means to make into an aerosol and/or to disperse into an aerosol.

An example aerosol-generating device 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The aerosol-generating device 1 comprises an outer housing 2 having a bottom portion and a top portion. The top portion of the housing 2 is provided with an aperture 20 through which an aerosol-generating consumable can be inserted.

Within the housing 2, the aerosol-generating device 1 comprises a heating assembly 3, a printed circuit board or PCB 4, and a battery 5 visible on FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device 1. For clarity sake, some components have been omitted from FIGS. 1 and 2.

The battery 5 or power supply unit is adapted to supply power to electronic components of the device.

The heating assembly 3 is operably connected to the PCB 4 and battery 5. Power is selectively provided to the heating assembly 3 in order to heat it to a controlled temperature.

The heating assembly 3 comprises a heater 30 and a tubular heating chamber 31 with an opening 310. In this example, the opening 310 is provided by an open end of the heating chamber 31. In alternative examples of the device, the opening 310 may be arranged elsewhere on the heating chamber 31.

The tubular heating chamber 31 comprises a closed end 311 opposing the opening 310, and side walls 312 extending between the opening 310 and the closed end 311 so as to define the internal volume of the heating chamber 31. The opening 310 is aligned with the aperture 20 such that, when the device 1 is fully assembled, the internal volume of the heating chamber 31 is accessible through the aperture 20 and opening 310.

The heating chamber 31 is configured to receive a consumable 6. The consumable 6 is inserted through the aperture 20 of the housing 2 and the opening 310 of the heating chamber 31.

The consumable 6 comprises an aerosol substrate adapted to transform into aerosol when heated.

The aerosol substrate may include tobacco, for example in dried or cured form, in some cases with additional ingredients for flavouring or producing a smoother or otherwise more pleasurable experience. In some examples, the aerosol substrate such as tobacco may be treated with a vaporising agent. The vaporing agent may improve the generation of vapour from the aerosol substrate. The vaporising agent may include, for example, a polyol such as glycerol, or a glycol such as propylene glycol. In some cases, the aerosol substrate may contain no tobacco, or even no nicotine, but instead may contain naturally or artificially derived ingredients for flavouring, volatilisation, improving smoothness, and/or providing other pleasurable effects. The aerosol substrate may be provided as a solid or paste type material in shredded, pelletised, powdered, granulated, strip or sheet form, optionally a combination of these. Equally, the aerosol substrate may be a liquid or gel. Indeed, some examples may include both solid and liquid/gel parts.

The heater 30 is configured to heat the heating chamber 31 to a temperature sufficient to cause the aerosol substrate to release an aerosol, without burning the consumable 6. In particular, the heater is configured to heat the aerosol substrate to a maximum temperature between 150° C. and 350° C.

The heater 30 can be any type of heaters known from prior art and able to heat the heating chamber 31.

The heater 30 is for example a stationary heater extending over the side walls 312 of the heating chamber 31.

The heater 30 can be for example a thin film heater wrapped around the heating chamber 31. The thin film heater is configured to provide heat to the internal volume of the heating chamber 31. In particular, the thin film heater can be wrapped around an outer surface of the heating chamber 31 to heat the side walls 312 of the chamber 10 and the internal volume.

The thin film heater can comprise a thin film circuit having resistive heating elements. The circuit, comprising the heating elements, is arranged to increase the surface area coverage of the heating elements across the wrapped surface of the chamber 10.

Arranging the heater 30 around the outer surface of the heating chamber 31 allows the consumable 6 to be heated while protecting the heater 30 from damage due to contact with the consumable 6.

The side walls 312 of the heating chamber 31 preferably comprise a thermally conductive material, such as metal, to conduct heat from the heater 30 to the chamber 10.

While the example device 1 shown in FIG. 2 comprises the heater 30 extending around the outer surface of the heating chamber 31, in another example the heater 30 may be provided on the interior of the heating chamber 31.

Arranging the heater 30 in this manner may provide more efficient heating of a consumable as the heater 30 can directly heat the internal volume of the heating chamber 31, reducing energy lost through conduction to the side walls 312.

Preferably, the heating chamber 31 comprises a thermally insulating material to reduce heat loss.

In use, a user holds the device 1 by the housing 2 and places a smokable, aerosol-generating consumable into, or near, the heating assembly 3 of the device 1 through the aperture 20. The device 1 is then operated by a switch or by a puffing action from the user to turn on the power supply from the battery 5 to the heating assembly 3, so as to heat the consumable at or near the heating assembly 3. Heat generated at the heating assembly 3 causes the consumable to heat and release vapours which form an aerosol. The user can then inhale the aerosol.

The aerosol-generating device 1 further comprises a gripping element 7 visible on FIG. 2 and represented individually on FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the invention.

As visible on FIG. 2, the gripping element 7 is configured to grip the consumable 6.

The gripping element 7 is a claw device. The gripping element 7 comprises a drive member 70 and jaws 71. The jaws 71 are attached to the drive member 70.

The drive member 70 is configured to drive the jaws 71. In particular and as visible of FIG. 3, the drive member 70 is configured to move the jaws 71 inwards so that said jaws 71 move towards one another and outwards so that the jaws 71 move away from each other.

The drive member 70 is a telescopic cylinder, i.e. a cylinder of which the length can be modified. In other words, the drive member 70 is configured to extend and shorten. For example, the drive member 70 comprises an outer cylinder and inner cylinder slidably engaged within the outer cylinder.

The drive member 70 has a completely extended position in which the drive member 70 is at its maximum length, and a completely shortened position in which the drive member 70 is at its minimum length.

In the extended position, preferably when it is at its maximum length, the drive member 70 is configured to push the consumable 6. This enables ejecting the consumable 6 from the heating chamber 31.

In the represented embodiment of FIG. 2, the jaws 71 are substantially orthogonal to the ring 73. The jaws 71 are substantially parallel to the consumable 6.

The jaws 71 are made of a thermally conductive material. The jaws 71 are in direct or indirect contact with the heater 30 such that the jaws 71 are heated by conduction.

In particular, if the heater 30 extends over the side walls 312 of the heating chamber 31, the jaws 71 are heated by conduction as they are in contact or flush with the heating chamber 31 that is in turn heated thanks to the heater 30. If the heater 30 extends inside the heating chamber 31, the jaws 71 are in direct contact with the heater 30 and are thus directly conductively heated.

In the represented example of FIG. 3, each jaw 71 is hinged onto the drive member 70 at a first point P1 and a second point P2 different from the first point P1.

Each jaw 71 is articulated at the first point P1 to the telescopic cylinder 70 by means of a connecting rod 72.

Each jaw 71 is articulated at the second point P2 by means of a ring 73 attached to an end 700 of the telescopic cylinder.

The ring 73 is configured to move in the direction of extension and shortening of the telescopic cylinder. In other words, the ring 73 is configured to translate along a longitudinal axis A0 of the drive member 70.

The translation of the ring 73 along with the connecting rods 72 cause the motion of the jaws 71 inwards and outwards.

When the drive member 70 extends, the jaws 71 move outwards and the ring 73 rests against the consumable 6 (visible on FIG. 6a). In the particular represented example, moving outwards means away from the longitudinal axis A0 of the drive member 70.

When the drive member 70 shortens, the jaws 71 move inwards and the ring moves away from the consumable 6 (visible on FIG. 6b). In the particular represented example, moving inwards means towards the longitudinal axis A0 of the drive member 70.

The heating chamber comprises slots 313 shaped so as to receive the gripping element 7 (visible on FIG. 4).

In particular, the slots 313 are shaped and dimensioned to enable the jaws 71 to move within the slots 313. Preferably, the slots 313 have a shape similar to that of the jaws 71. The slots 313 present larger dimensions than those of the jaws 71, so as to enable the jaws 71 to move inwards and outwards within the slots 313. The number of slots 313 is equal to the number of jaws 71 of the gripping element 7.

In the represented examples, the heating chamber 31 comprises four slots 313 extending longitudinally and relative to one another in a rectangular array. Rectangular array shall mean that the four slots 313 extend at 90° relative to one another around a longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 31. The gripping element 7 comprises similarly four jaws 71 extending relative to one another in a rectangular array, or in other words at 90° relative to one another around the longitudinal axis A0 of the drive member 70.

In an example embodiment, the aerosol-generating device further comprises a micro-controller 40. The micro-controller 40 is mounted on the PCB 4. The micro-controller is configured to move automatically the drive member 70. In particular, the micro-controller is configured to automatically extend and shorten the drive member 70.

In another embodiment, the gripping element 7 can be manually operated. An example is illustrated in FIG. 5a, the housing of the aerosol-generating device comprises a through hole 21. The drive member 70 extends through the through hole 21 of the housing such us a part of the drive member 70 protrudes from the housing. The user can thus move the drive member 70 by pulling on or pushing the protruding part 701 of the drive member 70.

In particular, when pulling on the protruding part 701, the drive member 70 is shortened. When pushing on the protruding 701, the drive member is extended.

In another embodiment of manual operation of the gripping element 7 represented on FIG. 5b, the aerosol-generating can comprise a slide 23 extending on an external wall of the housing. The slide 23 can be mounted to the drive member 70 of the gripping element 7 such that the drive member 70 is driven by a movement of the slide.

In the represented embodiment of FIG. 5b, the slide extends along a wall 22 parallel to the drive member 70 and is configured to slide on said wall 22. The slide 23 is mounted to the drive member 70 such that a translation of the slide 23 causes a translation of the drive member. In particular, when the slide 23 moves along the wall 22 away from the aperture 20 of the housing 2, the drive member 70 is shortened. When the slide 23 moves along the wall 22 towards the aperture 20, the drive member 70 extends.

The automatic and manual operation embodiments of the gripping element 7 can be combined. For example, the aerosol-generating device can comprise a micro-controller 40, a protruding part 701 of the drive member 70 and/or a slide 23.

The gripping element 7 is configured to eject the consumable from the heating chamber when required. This is desirable for example at the end of use of the consumable.

In the represented embodiment, to eject the consumable 6, the drive member 70 extends thereby making the ring 73 rests against the consumable 6. The ring 73 then pushes the consumable 6 under the action of the drive member 70. At least part of the consumable 6 is thus pushed out of the heating chamber 31. Since the jaws 71 moves outwards when the drive member 70 extends, it is thus possible for the user to take off the consumable 6 from the heating chamber 31. The consumable is pushed out of the heating chamber through the opening 310 of the heating chamber 31 and the aperture 20 of the housing 2.

The gripping element 7 is also configured to compress the consumable when it is being heated. For doing so, the jaws 71 are moved inwards to enable the exert of a certain force on the consumable. In the represented embodiment, the drive member 70 shortens thereby making the jaws 71 move inwards.

The compression helps focusing the heat into the centre of the consumable which allows quicker heating of the consumable. In fact, since the jaws 71 are conductively heated by the heater 30, said jaws 71 are thus in turn able to heat the consumable 6.

If the heater extend outside along a wall of the heating chamber, the jaws 71 can first be heated while the gripping element 7 is in open position and thus the jaws 71 are in contact or flush with the heated side walls 312 of the heating chamber 31. Once the gripping element 7 is brought to the closed position, the jaws 71 are hot and thus enhance the heating of the consumable 6 during its compression.

If the heater extends inside the heating chamber, the jaws 71 can be in direct contact with said heater. The heated jaws 71 when compressing the consumable can similarly enhance the heating of the consumable.

In all cases, compressing the consumable maintains a high heat transfer and good efficiency in heating the consumable.

The more the jaws 71 have a contact surface with the consumable that is important, the more efficient the compression. Each jaw 71 can have a flat wall configured to come in contact with the consumable 6 when moved inwards. The flat wall can extend on the entire length of the jaw 71, as it is the case in the represented embodiment of FIG. 2.

Compression of the consumable shall mean the exert of a force that is higher than the necessary force to grab the consumable. The compression of the consumable usually leaves indentations on the consumable in the locations where the force has been applied.

In the represented embodiment, the compression of the consumable 6 is enabled by the jaws 71 of the gripping element 7. Of course, the gripping element 7 can be configured to compress the consumable 6 otherwise. The gripping element 7 can example comprise transversal rods for compressing the consumable 6.

The gripping element 7 stops compressing the consumable when the heating is stopped.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the gripping element 7 in the open position and closed position. In particular, FIGS. 6a and 7a show the gripping element 7 in open position, namely in a position in which the consumable 6 is released. FIGS. 6b and 7b show the gripping element 7 in the closed position, namely in a position in which the consumable 6 is compressed. As visible on these figure, the jaws 71 slide through the slots 313 of the heating chamber 31 to move from the closed position to the open position, and vice-versa.

In the represented example, the telescopic cylinder is shortened during heating of the consumable. The telescopic cylinder is extended at the end of heating of the consumable, making the arms move outwards so as to release the consumable and eventually eject to eject the consumable. The gripping element 7 is configured to move within the slots 313 of the heating chamber to compress, release or eject the consumable.

In the embodiment wherein a micro-controller is used, the micro-controller is configured to move automatically the drive member 70 depending whether to heat the consumable, stop heating it or ejecting it from the heating chamber. No action is thus required from the user other than using the aerosol-generating device as usual.

In an embodiment, the heater 30 can comprise resistive heating elements 300 fitted on the jaws 71 of the gripping element 7 (visible on FIGS. 6a, 6b). The resistive heating elements 300 can be used in combination with a main heater such as the ones described above. In combination with the ability of the jaws 71 to be conductively heated by the main heater 30, the resistive elements 300 improve even more the efficiency of the heating of the consumable 6.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

The present invention thus provides an aerosol-generating device with a gripping element advantageously configured such as it enables the ejection of the consumable when required enabling an easy replacement of the consumable by the user. The gripping element further improves the heating of the consumable.

References used for the figures

1	Aerosol-generating device
2	Housing
20	Aperture of the housing
21	Through hole of the housing
22	Side wall of the housing
23	Slide
3	Heating assembly
30	Heater
300	Resistive heating elements
31	Heating chamber
310	Opening of the heating chamber
311	Closed end of the heating chamber
312	Side walls of the heating chamber
313	Slots
4	Printed circuit board (PCB)
40	Micro-controller
5	Battery
6	Consumable
7	Gripping element
70	Drive member
700	An end of the drive member
701	Protruding part of the drive member
71	Jaws
72	Connecting rods
73	Ring
A0	Longitudinal axis of the drive member