U.S. patent application number 17/505178 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-03 for aerosol generating device having vapour-cooling passageway.
This patent application is currently assigned to JT International S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is JT International S.A.. Invention is credited to Tatiana Golovanova, Takashi Hasegawa, Thomas Johaentges, Michael Orth, Christopher Rory Parsons, Michael Plattner.
Application Number | 20220031978 17/505178 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220031978 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Golovanova; Tatiana ; et
al. |
February 3, 2022 |
Aerosol Generating Device Having Vapour-Cooling Passageway
Abstract
There is provided an aerosol generating device, comprising an
inhalation outlet; a chamber for holding a material, the material
capable of generating a vapour when heated; a heater for heating
material held in the chamber; an air inlet connected by an air
inlet passage to the chamber; a vapour-cooling module providing a
fluidic connection between the chamber and inhalation outlet, the
module configured to cool a vapour passing there through. In use,
suction at the inhalation outlet causes air to enter the chamber
via the air inlet, thereby transporting the vapour generated in the
chamber through the vapour-cooling module to the inhalation outlet,
such that the temperature of the vapour exiting the device through
the inhalation outlet is substantially lower than the temperature
of the vapour generated in the chamber. The aerosol generating
device thereby provides a means whereby a vapour generated in the
chamber is substantially cooled during transport from the chamber
through the mouthpiece to the user.
Inventors: |
Golovanova; Tatiana;
(Genthod, CH) ; Parsons; Christopher Rory;
(Belfast, IE) ; Orth; Michael; (Trier, DE)
; Hasegawa; Takashi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Plattner;
Michael; (Trier, DE) ; Johaentges; Thomas;
(Schweich, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JT International S.A. |
Geneva |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
JT International S.A.
Geneva
CH
|
Appl. No.: |
17/505178 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16063492 |
Jun 18, 2018 |
11173260 |
|
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PCT/EP2016/080604 |
Dec 12, 2016 |
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17505178 |
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International
Class: |
A61M 15/06 20060101
A61M015/06; A61M 11/04 20060101 A61M011/04; A61M 15/00 20060101
A61M015/00; A24F 40/485 20060101 A24F040/485; A24F 7/02 20060101
A24F007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 18, 2015 |
GB |
1522368.8 |
Claims
1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a body having chamber
for holding a material, the material capable of generating a vapour
when heated; a heater for heating the material held in the chamber;
and a vapour-cooling module having a vapour-cooling passageway
including a first portion and a second portion, the vapour-cooling
module including: a cap defining an inhalation outlet; a connecting
member defining a first portion of the vapour-cooling passageway;
and an internal back plate arranged within the cap defining an
aperture, the internal back plate and the cap collectively defining
the second portion of the vapour-cooling passageway, the aperture
providing a fluid connection between the first portion of the
vapour-cooling passageway and the second portion of the
vapour-cooling passageway, wherein the vapour-cooling passageway
has a length arranged to reduce a temperature of the vapour as the
vapour is transported through the vapour-cooling passageway from
the chamber to the inhalation outlet.
2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the
vapour-cooling module further comprises a magnet to removably
connect the vapour-cooling module to the body, wherein the magnet
is provided in a cavity formed by the internal back plate and the
connecting member.
3. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the volume of
the vapour-cooling passageway is approximately 600 mm.sup.3 or
greater.
4. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising: an
air inlet fluidly connected to the chamber by an air inlet
passage.
5. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein the length of
the vapour-cooling passageway is longer than a length of the air
inlet passage.
6. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the first
portion of the vapour-cooling passageway is substantially
linear.
7. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the second
portion of the vapour-cooling passageway defines a curved path.
8. The aerosol generating device of claim 7, wherein the curved
path is substantially helical.
9. The aerosol generating device of claim 7, wherein the curved
path is coiled within a cross sectional plane orthogonal to a
longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device.
10. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein a size of at
least one of the air inlet and the inhalation outlet is
adjustable.
11. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein a size of the
inhalation outlet is greater than a size of the air inlet.
12. The aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein a size of the
air inlet is greater than a size of the inhalation outlet.
13. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the heater is
configured to heat but not burn the material held in the
chamber.
14. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the chamber
is configured to receive a cartridge containing the material and
the heater is configured to heat the material within the
cartridge.
15. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the
vapour-cooling module is positioned at one end of the body such
that the vapour-cooling module acts as a mouthpiece.
16. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the
vapour-cooling module is removably connected to the body to expose
the chamber.
17. The aerosol generating device of claim 16, wherein a
chamber-interfacing end of the detachable vapour-cooling module
comprises a protrusion that provides a fluidic connection with the
chamber.
18. The aerosol generating device of claim 17, wherein the
vapour-cooling module defines an air inlet fluidly connected by an
air inlet passage to the chamber, and the air inlet passageway runs
through the protrusion, alongside the first portion of the
vapour-cooling passageway.
19. The aerosol generating device of claim 17, wherein the chamber
interfacing end of the protrusion forms a point to pierce a
cartridge held within the chamber when the vapour-cooling module is
connected to the body.
20. A kit comprising: a cartridge containing a material capable of
generating a vapour when heated; and an aerosol generating device,
including: a body having chamber for receiving the cartridge; a
heater for heating the material held in the cartridge; and a
vapour-cooling module having a vapour-cooling passageway including
a first portion and a second portion, the vapour-cooling module
including: a cap defining an inhalation outlet; a connecting member
defining a first portion of the vapour-cooling passageway; and an
internal back plate arranged within the cap defining an aperture,
the internal back plate and the cap collectively defining the
second portion of the vapour-cooling passageway, the aperture
providing a fluid connection between the first portion of the
vapour-cooling passageway and the second portion of the
vapour-cooling passageway, wherein the vapour-cooling passageway
has a length arranged to reduce a temperature of the vapour as the
vapour is transported through the vapour-cooling passageway from
the chamber to the inhalation outlet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/063,492, which is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/080604,
filed Dec. 12, 2016, which claims priority to Great Britain
Application No. 1522368.8 filed Dec. 18, 2015, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating
device for heating a material to release an inhalable vapour.
[0003] Aerosol generating devices such as electronic cigarettes
which generate a vapour from a liquid are relatively well known and
are becoming increasingly popular. Another type of aerosol
generating device uses controlled-temperature heating whereby a
smokable material, such as tobacco, is heated sufficiently to
release a vapour but without increasing the heating temperature to
a level at which the material burns. Such devices therefore have
the advantage of generating an inhalable vapour without requiring
burning of the material.
[0004] Prior art devices generally comprise a
controlled-temperature heating chamber connected to a mouthpiece
via an inhalation channel, wherein the heating chamber is
configured to accept a replaceable cartridge of smokable material.
A user places a cartridge of material into the chamber and inhales
at the mouthpiece whilst activating the heater to draw a vapour,
generated in the chamber, through the mouthpiece for inhalation.
There are however several on-going problems with such conventional
devices.
[0005] One issue associated with such devices is that the generated
vapour exits the device at an elevated temperature meaning
inhalation of the vapour can be sub-optimal. Although some prior
art devices provide an air inlet, through which ambient air may mix
with and thereby cool the generated vapour, such a configuration
means the generated vapour is heavily diluted which may not be
satisfactory to the user. Furthermore the cooling effects of
introducing ambient air into the chamber may not be sufficient to
cool the vapour to an optimal temperature for inhalation.
[0006] One difficulty associated with cooling the generated vapour
is that this is liable to produce condensation within the internal
passageways of the device. If the condensation is left within the
device, after continued use this may result in the increased
degradation of the internal components of the device or have a
detrimental effect on flavour or hygiene.
[0007] There accordingly exists a need for a heating without
burning aerosol generation device, in which the generated vapour
characteristics are significantly improved. In particular there
exists a need to provide such a device in which the generated
vapour is significantly cooled after generation before it is
inhaled. There further exists a related need to avoid the
detrimental effects of condensation produced within the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention seeks to provide a controlled
temperature aerosol generating device configured to heat without
burning a material which may provide a cool vapour to a user whilst
minimising the effects of condensation, overcoming the problems of
the prior art.
[0009] According to the present invention there is provided an
aerosol generating device, comprising an inhalation outlet; a
chamber for holding a material, the material capable of generating
a vapour when heated; a heater for heating material held in the
chamber; an air inlet connected by an air inlet passage to the
chamber; a vapour-cooling module providing a fluidic connection
between the chamber and inhalation outlet, the module configured to
cool a vapour passing there through; wherein, in use, suction at
the inhalation outlet causes air to enter the chamber via the air
inlet, thereby transporting the vapour generated in the chamber
through the vapour-cooling module to the inhalation outlet, such
that the temperature of the vapour exiting the device through the
inhalation outlet is substantially lower than the temperature of
the vapour generated in the chamber.
[0010] With the aerosol generating device according to the present
invention it is possible to provide a means whereby a vapour
generated in the chamber is substantially cooled during transport
from the chamber through the mouthpiece to the user. Since this
mechanism does not rely on the addition of ambient air via air
inlets to cool the vapour, the temperature of the vapour may be
reduced independently of the concentration of the vapour, unlike
prior art devices. Examples of the invention further provide a
modular vapour cooling component which may enhance collection of
condensation droplets within the device and which may be cleaned or
replaced in a straightforward manner, allowing the detrimental
effects of condensation to be reduced.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] One example of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a cross section of an aerosol
generating device according to the present invention;
[0013] FIGS. 2A-2C shows a connection means of a vapour cooling
module and an aerosol generating device according to the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows the air and vapour flow through an aerosol
generating device according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4A shows a side view of a vapour cooling module
according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4B shows a cross section of a vapour cooling module
according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4C shows an end section of a vapour cooling module
according to the present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 5A and 5B show an exploded view of a vapour cooling
module according to the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a further vapour cooling
module according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, an example of an aerosol generating
device 100 according to the present invention comprises an elongate
body 110 having a first 111 and second 112 end. The aerosol
generating device 100 further comprises a chamber 120 and a heater
130 configured to heat a material held in the chamber 120. The
heater 130 is preferably configured to heat the material in the
chamber to a temperature sufficient to release vapour but is
restricted from exceeding a temperature at which the material
burns. An inhalation outlet 140 is positioned near the first end
111 of the device 100 and a vapour-cooling module 150 is positioned
between the chamber 120 and inhalation outlet 140. A vapour-cooling
passageway 160 runs through the vapour cooling module 150 providing
a fluidic connection between the chamber 120 and inhalation outlet
140.
[0021] In the exemplary device of FIG. 1, the cooling function of
the vapour-cooling module 150 is provided by utilising a
vapour-cooling passageway 160 of sufficient length such that a
vapour is significantly cooled during passage of the vapour through
the vapour cooling passageway 160, as will be discussed in more
detail below. In this example, the extended vapour cooling
passageway 160 has two portions, the first portion 161 extending in
a direction along the elongate axis of the device between the
chamber and end portion 151 of the vapour cooling module 150. The
second portion 162 of the vapour cooling passageway is coiled in a
planar section 151 of the vapour cooling module, in a plane
substantially normal to the elongate axis of the device. As will be
discussed in detail, this arrangement has the advantage of allowing
for a substantially longer vapour cooling passageway 160 without
significantly extending the required length of the device 100.
[0022] FIG. 1 further shows an air inlet 170, in this example
positioned on the vapour cooling module 150, connected to the
chamber 120 via an air inlet passage having two portions: a first
portion 171 extending substantially parallel to the first portion
161 of the vapour cooling passageway 160 into the chamber 120 and a
second portion 172 extending substantially perpendicular to the
first portion 161 of the vapour cooling passageway 160 in
connection with the air inlet 170.
[0023] The heater 130 of this example is formed of heating plates
substantially surrounding the chamber on all sides other than the
side interfacing with the vapour cooling passageway 160 of the
vapour cooling module 150. This arrangement allows for heating over
a large proportion of the surface area of the chamber 120,
facilitating a uniform constant heating and thus aiding in
maintaining the controlled temperature in the chamber 120 necessary
to heat the material contained therein to a specific temperature
without burning the material. Alternatively the chamber may be
formed by a conductive shell which is heated to provide the
required uniform heating. The heater of this example is an electric
heater powered by a battery 131 disposed in the lower portion of
the device towards the second end 112. The heater 130 may be
actuated by a user implemented heating button 132, as shown in FIG.
1, or by other trigger means, such as a flow sensor actuated by a
user inhaling at the inhalation outlet 140.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vapour cooling module 150 may
be positioned at a first, proximal end 111 of the device 100, with
the inhalation outlet 140 provided on a top, end surface 142 of the
module 150. In such an arrangement, the vapour cooling module 150
itself may act as a mouthpiece, without requiring an additional
mouthpiece unit configured to interface with the module 150, upon
which the user may draw to inhale the vapour. However in other
examples a mouthpiece unit may connect to the top side 111 of the
vapour cooling module 150 to provide this function. In the case of
the vapour cooling module 150 itself providing the mouthpiece, an
edge of the end surface 142 may curve up into an outward protrusion
141 upon which the inhalation outlet 141 is placed, so as to
achieve a more ergonomic shape to allow a user to form a tighter
seal with their lips around the device and facilitate inhalation of
the vapour.
[0025] Shown in exemplary device of FIG. 1B, the vapour cooling
module 150 may form a detachable portion of the device body 110.
This arrangement allows for the vapour cooling module to be removed
in order to expose an opening 121 to the chamber 120. In this way a
user may fill, replace or replenish the material held within the
chamber 120. The refill may be in the form of a cartridge 123 as
schematically illustrated in FIG. 1B. A protrusion 155 extends from
the vapour cooling module such that bringing the module into
contact with the opening to the chamber causes the protrusion to
extend into the chamber 120. As clearly illustrated in FIG. 1B,
both the first portion 161 of the vapour cooling passageway 160 and
the first portion 171 of the air inlet passage are provided within
the protrusion 155, thereby enabling the passage of ambient air
into the chamber and generated vapour out of the chamber.
[0026] The protrusion 155 of the vapour cooling module 150 also
serves a secondary purpose it is known in the prior art to
facilitate replacement of the smokable material in the chamber 120
by utilising a cartridge containing the material. Such a cartridge
may have an outer wrapping surrounding a compressed block of
smokable material such as tobacco. A cartridge may therefore
firstly be placed into the chamber 120 with the vapour cooling
module 150 removed, after which the module 150 is reconnected to
the device 100. The action of bringing the module 150 into
connection with the exposed opening 121 in body 110 of the device
would then bring the protrusion into contact with the cartridge,
piercing the wrapping of the cartridge and forming the ambient air
passageway into the cartridge and the vapour cooling passageway out
of the cartridge into the vapour cooling module.
[0027] The releasable attachment may be provided by a "twist and
lock" mechanism, as illustrated by FIGS. 2A-2C. It may further be
provided by magnets as will be discussed in relation to FIG. 6. The
mechanism is provided by axially aligned recesses 115 in a collar
portion 122 around the opening 121 to the chamber 120. These
recesses 115 may be matched to the cross sectional shape of the
protrusion 155 thus only allowing the protrusion 155 to enter the
chamber opening 121 in a certain rotational orientation about the
elongate axis of the device. Once the vapour cooling module has
been brought onto the body of the device in the correct rotational
orientation, the module may be rotated (illustrated in FIG. 2B)
bringing internal protrusions 113 in the body of device into
contact with corresponding interlocking recesses 114 internal to
the module, thereby locking the module into place in a position in
which it is aligned with the body of the device, as shown in FIG.
2C.
[0028] The flow of air and vapour during operation of an aerosol
generating device 100 according to the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 3. When the heater 130 is actuated the
temperature of the heating plates rises to a temperature sufficient
to heat the material within the chamber 120 to a level whereby it
releases vapour without burning. Upon inhalation at the air
inhalation outlet, ambient air enters through the air inlet 170 and
passes along the second portion 172 of the air inlet passageway
laterally into the device. The ambient air then passes along the
first portion 171 of the air inlet passage which carries the
ambient air along the elongate axis of the device. through the
protrusion 155 directly into the chamber 120. Aligning the
chamber-interfacing portion of the air inlet passage in this way
ensures the ambient air penetrates deeper into the chamber 120,
enhancing extraction of the vapour. The ambient air mixes with the
vapour generated from the material in the chamber 120 and this
mixture travels out of the chamber 120 along the vapour cooling
passageway 160 for inhalation through the inhalation outlet 140.
The aerosol (also referred to as a vapour) exiting the device is
therefore a combination of the vapour generated in heating of the
material mixed with ambient air introduced through the air inlet
170.
[0029] The extraction of vapour may be improved further by
providing an extended divider 156 between the first portion 171 of
air inlet passage and vapour cooling passageway 160 which extends
beyond the openings to the passageways, deeper into the chamber
120. Using this arrangement the ambient air from the air inlet
passageway must travel deeper into the chamber before exiting
through the vapour cooling passageway 160.
[0030] The vapour cooling passageway 160 must be of sufficient
length such that the temperature of the relatively hot vapour
generated in the chamber may be reduced during passage along the
vapour cooling passageway to an optimal level for inhalation at the
outlet. The precise length necessary to achieve this will depend on
a number of factors such as the materials used to construct the
components, the diameter of the vapour cooling passageway, the
heating temperature and size of the air inlet 170. However the
length required may be determined in a straightforward manner by
routine experiment for any specific values of these factors. For a
vapour cooling passageway diameter of around 4.5 mm and a heating
temperature appropriate to release vapour from tobacco without
burning, a vapour cooling passageway length of 90 mm or greater was
required to sufficiently cool the vapour to an optimal temperature.
The characteristics of the inhaled vapour are improved if the
vapour cooling passageway between the chamber and inhalation outlet
is substantially longer than the air inlet passageway.
[0031] As will be discussed, the vapour cooling passageway 150 may
take one of a number of configurations as long as they are
appropriate to provide the essential function of cooling the
generated vapour. As indicated in FIG. 3, the vapour cooling
passageway 160 may simply extend linearly along the elongate axis
of the device between the chamber 120 and inhalation outlet 140.
However since this may extend the length of the device beyond
dimensions acceptable to a user, there are a number of other
configurations which may more efficiently utilise the space within
the module to provide an extended vapour cooling passageway which
is constrained to more acceptable dimensions.
[0032] As discussed with reference to FIG. 1, one possible vapour
cooling module 150 arrangement configuration utilises a coiled
vapour cooling passageway to maximise the length of passageway
within a substantially planar section of the module. Such a coiled
passageway arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 4A shows an
external side view of an exemplary vapour cooling module with a
plan and side section indicated, the corresponding views of which
are shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C respectively.
[0033] The plan section through the top portion 151 of the vapour
cooling module, shown in FIG. 4B, clearly illustrates the coiled
arrangement of the vapour cooling passageway 160. In this
arrangement, the second portion 162 of the vapour cooling
passageway 160 is coiled around itself with the coiled path lying
in a plane perpendicular to the elongate axis of the device,
confined to a top planar section 151 of the module. This
arrangement clearly makes most efficient use of the space
available, filling the cross-sectional area of top section to
maximise the length of the vapour cooling passageway 160 whilst
minimizing the required extension in length of the module itself.
FIG. 4C shows how air enters the coiled section of the second
portion 162 through an initial straight first portion 161 which
runs through the protrusion 155 of the module. This first portion
161 is in fluidic connection with the second portion 162 in the
centre of the module. The second portion 162 then coils around
itself, the coiled path confined to the plane of the top portion
151 of the module before reaching the inhalation outlet 140 at a
radial extremity of the module 150.
[0034] The curved path of the second portion 162 provided within a
planar section 151 of the vapour cooling module 150 has further
advantages beyond that of making the most efficient use of space
such that the overall length of device may be minimised, as
described above. This top planar section 151 may form a removable
component which can be replaced or cleaned. This is particularly
important to prevent the build-up of condensation which may have a
detrimental effect on device performance and vapour flavour, as
discussed below. In contrast to examples in which curved path
portion extends over the length of the module, by providing a
section, preferably a top section, of the vapour cooling module in
which the curved passageway is positioned, cleaning may be carried
out in a much more straightforward manner. It further means that if
this portion needs to be replaced after a certain amount of use,
this may be achieved whilst retaining several components of the
vapour cooling module which may be more robust to degradation and
have a longer lifetime.
[0035] The exact arrangement of the second portion 162 of the
vapour cooling passageway 160 may take a number of different
configurations. In the example of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 in which the
cross sectional shape of the module is a rounded rectangle, the
increased aspect ratio means that the space is more effectively
filled by the path first coiling anticlockwise before turning back
on itself and following a curved clockwise path to reach the
inhalation outlet 140. However in other examples, for example in a
device with a circular cross section or with an aspect ratio closer
to 1, it may be more effective for the coiled section of the
passageway to follow a spiral shape, winding around the centre
point in a gradually widening curve about the centre point before
meeting the inhalation outlet 140.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the internal surfaces of the
vapour cooling passageway may be ridged with a periodic array of
projections 163. Such variations of the cross sectional area of the
vapour cooling passageway serve to alter the air flow
characteristics through the module and enhance the temperature
reduction of the vapour as it passes through. These may also
enhance collection of condensation droplets which may be later
cleaned out of the vapour cooling passageway.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of an exemplary vapour cooling
module 150 according to the present invention. A cap portion 151
provides the external shell of the module and retains the planar
section 151 containing the second portion 162 of the vapour cooling
passageway 160, as indicated in FIG. 5B. Openings in the cap
portion 151 are positioned so as to correspond with the positions
of the inhalation outlet 140 and the air inlet 170. In this example
the cap portion 151 also serves as the mouthpiece and the upper
surface 142 of the cap portion may outwards curve to a protruding
lip around the inhalation outlet 140, as described above.
[0038] In this example, a connection portion 154 fits with the cap
portion 152 to enclose the module on the chamber-interfacing side
which, in use, connects with the remaining body of the device. It
further provides the connection mechanism with the opening 121 in
the body of the device and houses the first and second portions
171, 172 of the air inlet passageway and the first portion 161 of
the vapour cooling passageway. The connection portion may be
configured to closely fit within the cap portion 151 with
cooperative fixation means 157 provided on the outer surface of the
connection portion 154 and inner surface of the cap portion 151.
The protrusion 155 extends from the bottom surface of the
connection portion, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 5B. This Figure
also shows the extended passageway divider 156, which separates the
first portion 161 of the vapour-cooling passageway 160 and that of
the air inlet within the protrusion 155. The extended passageway
divider 156 may extend into a point to enable it to pierce the
wrapper of a cartridge within the chamber 120. As best seen in FIG.
5A, the first portion 161 of the vapour cooling passageway 160
extended from the opening in the protrusion upwards into the module
150. The air inlet passage way follows a perpendicular path to the
air inlet 170 which corresponds with the opening in the cap portion
151 when assembled.
[0039] In this example an internal backing plate 152 acts as a
gasket between the connection portion 154 and the second portion
162 of the vapour cooling passageway 160 within the cap portion
151. An opening 153 in the backing plate is positioned so as to
correspond with the openings of the straight, first portion 161 and
coiled, second portion 162 of the vapour cooling passageway 160,
providing the essential fluidic connection.
[0040] The example of FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative connection
mechanism to facilitate a removable attachment with the remaining
portion of the body of the device. In this example, magnets 158 are
retained with the vapour cooling module 150 which are positioned so
as to align with corresponding magnetic material around the opening
121 to the chamber 120 in the remaining body portion of the device.
These magnets 158 provide sufficient force to securely hold the
vapour cooling module 150 in position but allow a user to apply a
force to remove the module 150 when necessary.
[0041] In some examples of the device the top mouthpiece surface
142 of the vapour cooling module 150 may be removable to facilitate
cleaning of the vapour cooling passageway.
[0042] The components of the device in contact with the vapour may
be constructed from materials which readily accept heat from the
vapour so as to accelerate the cooling process.
[0043] In addition to the above described examples of a coiled path
and linearly extended path, many other modifications and variations
of the vapour cooling module 150 and vapour cooling passageway 160
may be used to provide the primary technical effect of
substantially cooling the vapour during transit between the chamber
120 and inhalation outlet 140.
[0044] In one such alternative configuration, the vapour cooling
passageway 160 may have multiple curved portions or coiled portions
within the second portion 162, for example each of the type shown
in FIG. 4B. In such as arrangement the second portion 162 of the
vapour cooling passageway is formed from multiple coiled portions,
the coiled path of each being substantially confined to a
neighbouring plane normal to the elongate axis and each in fluidic
communication with adjacent coiled or curved portions. This
arrangement would allow the length of the vapour cooling passageway
to be significantly extended by adding a further coiled portion
whilst only extending the length of the device by the thickness
shown 151 in FIG. 4C.
[0045] An alternative configuration of the vapour cooling module
150 is shown in FIG. 6. In this arrangement a helix component 159
is retained in an internal cavity of the vapour cooling module, the
cavity defined by the cap portion 151 and connection portion 154
when connected together. The helix component 159 fits tightly, i.e.
in an airtight manner within the cavity to provide the fluidic
communication between the first portion 161 of the vapour cooling
passageway and inhalation outlet 140. The helix component may be
axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the device thereby,
in combination with the cavity, defining a helical path within the
second portion 162 of the vapour cooling passageway 160. This
arrangement therefore provides an alternative means to extend the
vapour cooling passageway without substantially lengthening the
module itself which is straightforward to manufacture and assemble.
Furthermore the helix component 159 may be removed and cleaned to
remove condensation, as is discussed further below.
[0046] In a further example, the characteristics of the generated
vapour are improved further by careful configuration of the size of
the air inlet 170 and inhalation outlet 140. A larger air inlet 170
may increase the flavour characteristics of the vapour by
extracting an increased proportion of vapour from the chamber,
whilst also providing a more optimal inhalation experience.
Furthermore, improved cooling results may be produced if the
diameter of the inhalation outlet is greater than the diameter of
the air inlet. In other examples the size (or diameter) of the air
inlet may be greater than that of the inhalation outlet.
Furthermore, means for adjusting the diameter of the air inlet and
inhalation outlet may be provided such that a user can select
preferred vapour characteristics by adjusting the size of the inlet
and outlet by appropriate control means. In further examples the
diameter of the vapour cooling passageway is selected to improve
optimum cooling effects. A passageway of substantially circular
cross section and diameter of 4.5 mm (or an alternative shape with
equivalent size to provide a similar cross-sectional area) was
found to provide increased rate of cooling on a vapour passing
through.
[0047] The total volume of the vapour cooling passageway may also
be configured to optimise cooling. Examples of the present
invention may provide substantial cooling if the total volume of
the vapour cooling passageway is greater than 600 mm.sup.3 or more
preferably greater than 1000 mm.sup.3 or more preferably still
greater than 1800 mm.sup.3. Since the vapour cooling module may be
removable, alternative vapour cooling modules may be provided, each
with differing dimensions of the vapour cooling passageway. This
would allow a user to select a specific variation of vapour cooling
module to suit his or her taste or that is appropriate for the
particular material used.
[0048] An undesirable side-effect of the cooling of the vapour
during transit between the chamber 120 and inhalation outlet 140 is
the droplet condensation process that may occur within the
vapour-cooling passageway 160. If this condensation is left within
the device, after repeated use the internal components of the
device may begin to degrade. Examples of the present invention may
have additional features directed at solving or lessening the
impact of condensation within the device. For example the top,
mouthpiece surface 142 of the device may be removable to allow for
removal of the vapour cooling passageway for cleaning. This may be
achieved by providing a hinge on an edge of the end surface about
which the top end surface may be rotatable to expose the internal
components which may then be cleaned. Alternatively the second
portion 162 of the vapour cooling passageway 160 and top surface
142 may form an integral component which may be released from the
module 150, for example by a spring-biased push and release
mechanism.
[0049] Considering the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, for example,
the planar section 151 containing the curved path of the second
portion 162 may form a removable component to facilitate cleaning
of the passageway. Alternatively the curved path of the second
portion 162 of the vapour cooling passageway 160 may individually
form a removable component. The periodic array of ridges 163 on the
internal surfaces of the passageway may also enhance the collection
of condensation droplets within the vapour-cooling passageway,
which can then be cleared away by removing planar section 151 to
facilitate cleaning of the internal passageway. This condensation
collecting effect may be enhanced by coating the internal surfaces
of the vapour cooling passageway of any device according to the
present invention with a layer of material, such as a polymer
material, which may increase absorption of the condensation.
[0050] In a further alternative directed at lessening the impact of
condensation, the vapour cooling module or certain constituent
parts thereof, such as the planar section 151 or the second portion
162 of the vapour cooling passageway, may be replaceable such that
these parts may be disposed of and replaced if and when
condensation or related degradation begins to have a detrimental
effect on the operation of the device or the user's experience.
[0051] In a further example, the vapour-cooling passageway could
comprise an additional disposable condensation-trapping part to
substantially prevent condensation staying in contact with the
functional internal components of the device. Such a part may take
the form of a brush-like portion formed by an array of fibres or
other alternative could be a polymer type product able to capture
the condensation droplets which is positioned within the vapour
cooling passageway to collect the condensation.
[0052] Another possibility utilises the possible additional feature
of adjustable air inlet 170 and inhalation outlet 140 diameters. A
user may adjust the air flow, for example by reducing the diameter
of the air inlet 170 to increase the velocity of the air or vapour
passing through the device. A high velocity air flow through the
device may be used to expel any condensation within the device
either through the inlet or outlet.
[0053] In another example of the aerosol generating device
according to the present invention, the vapour-cooling passageway
could include an additional flavour component to affect the flavour
of the vapour generated within the chamber. This may be achieved by
providing a flavour producing layer on the internal surface of
parts of the passageway to impart additional flavour to the vapour
coming into contact with the layer as it travels through the
device. It may alternatively be provided by an additional filter
component provided at the inhalation outlet or combined with the
condensation trapping part described above. In examples of the
present invention in which the portion of the vapour cooling module
containing the vapour cooling passageway forms a removable
component, this may allow a user to adjust the flavour by
replacement of this component with alternatives containing
differing flavour layers.
[0054] In some examples of the present invention the vapour-cooling
passageway occupies at least 10% to 40% of the vapour-cooling
module or mouthpiece of the device. The vapour-cooling passageway
may preferably be located at the top part of the mouthpiece in
connection with the air outlet and is preferably a non-uniform or
closed structure such as a tube or serpentine structure. This
allows the vapour generated to be in contact with the empty space
of the internal volume of the mouthpiece as well as with the
vapour-cooling passageway. Since the exterior surface of the
tubular structure of the vapour-cooling structure may be exposed to
the air within the internal volume of the mouthpiece, this may have
an impact on the level of condensation observed in comparison with
a vapour passing through a classical vapour cooling passageway
known in the prior art, which may be embedded or enclosed within
the body of the device.
[0055] The examples of the present invention described above
provide an aerosol generating device which overcomes several of the
problems of prior art devices. In particular, by providing a
vapour-cooling module between the heated chamber and the inhalation
outlet, the generated vapour may be substantially cooled to a level
acceptable for pleasurable inhalation and any harsh effects are
mitigated. This allows for the vapour to be cooled independently of
the dilution of the vapour, unlike devices which use the addition
of ambient air to cool the vapour. Examples of the invention cool
the vapour by using an extended vapour cooling passageway which
provides a low cost, easy to manufacture means to cool a vapour in
comparison to solutions using active cooling components. Further
examples use curved configurations of the vapour cooling passageway
so as to maximise the cross sectional area of the device utilised
such that the length of the vapour cooling passageway may be
extended without extending the overall length of the device.
* * * * *