U.S. patent application number 17/601633 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-30 for aerosol generating system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nicoventures Trading Limited. Invention is credited to Patrick Moloney.
Application Number | 20220202094 17/601633 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006260279 |
Filed Date | 2022-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220202094 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moloney; Patrick |
June 30, 2022 |
AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM
Abstract
There is provided an aerosol generating system (100) comprising:
a consumable unit (110) having a plurality of air flow paths (112)
therethrough, each of the plurality of air flow paths being
associated with at least a respective one of a corresponding
plurality of sources of aerosol generating medium (114); and, a
housing (120) for housing the consumable unit, the housing having
an air inlet (122) and an air outlet (124), wherein the system is
configured so that any of the air flow paths can be selectively
brought into contact with the inlet and the outlet to form an air
flow path.
Inventors: |
Moloney; Patrick; (London,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nicoventures Trading Limited |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006260279 |
Appl. No.: |
17/601633 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
March 18, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2020/050703 |
371 Date: |
October 5, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 40/485 20200101;
A24F 40/20 20200101; A24F 40/42 20200101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 40/485 20060101
A24F040/485; A24F 40/42 20060101 A24F040/42; A24F 40/20 20060101
A24F040/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 5, 2019 |
GB |
1904845.3 |
Claims
1. An aerosol generating system comprising: a consumable unit
having a plurality of air flow paths therethrough, each of the
plurality of air flow paths being associated with at least a
respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol
generating medium; and a housing for housing the consumable unit,
the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the
system is configured so that any of the air flow paths can be
selectively brought into contact with the inlet and the outlet to
form an air flow path.
2. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein the
consumable unit is selectively moveable so that an air flow path in
the consumable unit can be selectively brought into contact with
the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path through the
system.
3. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein the
housing is selectively moveable so that an air flow path in the
consumable unit can be selectively brought into contact with the
inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path through the
system.
4. The aerosol generating system according to claim 3, wherein the
inlet is selectively moveable so that an air flow path in the
consumable unit can be selectively brought into contact with the
inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path through the
system.
5. The aerosol generating system according to claim 3, wherein the
outlet is selectively moveable so that an air flow path in the
consumable unit can be selectively brought into contact with the
inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path through the
system.
6. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, the
consumable unit further comprising a corresponding plurality of
dividing walls, wherein the plurality of air flow paths through the
consumable unit are separated from one another by the corresponding
plurality of dividing walls in the consumable unit.
7. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein the
consumable unit further comprises a cover, the cover covering a
portion of the consumable unit, the cover providing a condensing
surface for aerosol generated in the device.
8. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein the
consumable unit further comprises a plurality of apertures through
which air can flow, wherein one aperture is an air inlet aperture
and one aperture is an air outlet aperture, wherein aerosol
generating medium is arranged between the air inlet aperture and
the air outlet aperture.
9. The aerosol generating system according to claim 8, further
comprising filter material arranged in one of the plurality of
apertures through which air can flow.
10. The aerosol generating system according to claim 8, wherein the
air inlet aperture is arranged at an angle to the air outlet
aperture.
11. The aerosol generating system according to claim 8, wherein the
air inlet aperture of the consumable unit abuts the air inlet of
the housing so as to form the air flow path from the air inlet of
the housing to the air outlet of the housing.
12. The aerosol generating system according to claim 8, the
consumable unit comprising biased caps to cover respectively the
air inlet aperture and the air outlet aperture of the consumable
unit after use of the device has ceased.
13. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein the
consumable unit is rotatable relative to the housing.
14. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein
relative movement of the consumable unit to the housing is affected
by a user of the aerosol generating system.
15. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein
relative movement of the consumable unit to the housing is
automatically initiated.
16. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, the
consumable unit further comprising a plurality of layers providing
condensing surfaces, wherein each of the plurality of sources of
aerosol generating medium is arranged on a layer of the plurality
of layers.
17. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein the
consumable unit is removable from the system.
18. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, the
consumable unit further comprising: a base on which aerosol
generating medium is arranged; a side wall projecting from the
base; a corresponding plurality of dividing walls projecting from
the base and the side wall, wherein the plurality of air flow paths
through the consumable unit are separated from one another by the
corresponding plurality of dividing walls; and a cover covering a
portion of the consumable unit, the cover providing a condensing
surface for aerosol generated in the device, an aperture in the
side wall through which air can flow, wherein the aperture in the
side wall abuts the air inlet of the housing, an opening in the
cover through which air can flow, wherein the opening in the cover
is in fluid communication with the air outlet of the housing.
19. An aerosol generating device configured to receive a consumable
unit having a plurality of air flow paths therethrough, each of the
plurality of air flow paths being associated with a respective one
of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol generating
medium, comprising: a housing for housing the consumable unit, the
housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the device
is configured so that any of the air flow paths can be selectively
brought into contact with the inlet and the outlet to form an air
flow path.
20-21. (canceled)
22. A method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol generating
device, the method comprising: providing a consumable unit having a
plurality of air flow paths therethrough, each of the plurality of
air flow paths being associated with a respective one of a
corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol generating medium;
providing a housing for housing the consumable unit, the housing
having an air inlet and an air outlet, selectively bringing an air
flow path into contact with the air inlet and the air outlet to
form an air flow path.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein selectively bringing
an air flow path into contact with the air inlet and the air outlet
to form an air flow path comprises selectively moving at least one
of: the consumable unit; the housing; the air inlet; and, the air
outlet.
24. A consumable unit for use with an aerosol generating device
configured to receive the consumable unit, the device having a
housing for housing the consumable unit, the housing having an air
inlet and an air outlet, wherein the consumable unit has a
plurality of air flow paths therethrough, each of the plurality of
air flow paths being associated with at least a respective one of a
corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol generating medium;
wherein the consumable unit is arranged such that any of the air
flow paths can be selectively brought into contact with the air
inlet and the air outlet to form an air flow path.
25. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This present application is a national application filed
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 371 of International Application No.
PCT/GB2020/050703, filed Mar. 18, 2020, which claims priority to
European Patent Application No. 1904845.3, filed Apr. 5, 2019, for
which the entire contents of each are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating
system, an aerosol generating device, a consumable part for use in
an aerosol generating device, a housing for an aerosol generating
device and a method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol
generating device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Aerosol generating devices are known. Common devices use
heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium which is then
inhaled by a user. Current devices offer users a large variety in
the media from which inhalable aerosol can be generated. Aerosol
generated can be deposited on components within the device.
[0004] Various approaches are described herein which seek to help
address or mitigate at least some of the issues discussed
above.
SUMMARY
[0005] Aspects of the disclosure are defined in the accompanying
claims.
[0006] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided an aerosol generating system comprising: a consumable
unit having a plurality of air flow paths therethrough, each of the
plurality of air flow paths being associated with at least a
respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol
generating medium; and, a housing for housing the consumable unit,
the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the
system is configured so that any of the air flow paths can be
selectively brought into contact with the inlet and the outlet to
form an air flow path.
[0007] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided an aerosol generating device configured to receive a
consumable unit having a plurality of air flow paths therethrough,
each of the plurality of air flow paths being associated with a
respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol
generating medium, comprising: a housing for housing the consumable
unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein
the device is configured so that any of the air flow paths can be
selectively brought into contact with the inlet and the outlet to
form an air flow path.
[0008] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided a consumable part for use in an aerosol generating
device.
[0009] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided a housing part for an aerosol generating device.
[0010] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided a method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol
generating device, the method comprising: providing a consumable
unit having a plurality of air flow paths therethrough, each of the
plurality of air flow paths being associated with a respective one
of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol generating
medium; providing a housing for housing the consumable unit, the
housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, selectively bringing
an air flow path into contact with the air inlet and the air outlet
to form an air flow path.
[0011] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided an aerosol generating device configured to receive a
consumable unit having a plurality of air flow paths therethrough,
each of the plurality of air flow paths being associated with a
respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol
generating medium, comprising: a housing for housing the consumable
unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein
the device is configured so that any of the air flow paths can be
selectively brought into contact with the inlet and the outlet to
form an air flow path.
[0012] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided a consumable unit for use with an aerosol generating
device configured to receive the consumable unit, the device having
a housing for housing the consumable unit, the housing having an
air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the consumable unit has a
plurality of air flow paths therethrough, each of the plurality of
air flow paths being associated with at least a respective one of a
corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol generating medium;
wherein the consumable unit is arranged such that any of the air
flow paths can be selectively brought into contact with the air
inlet and the air outlet to form an air flow path.
[0013] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided aerosol provision means comprising: a consumable unit
having a plurality of air flow means therethrough, each of the
plurality of air flow means being associated with a respective one
of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol generating
means; and a housing for housing the consumable unit, the housing
having air inlet means and air outlet means, wherein the system is
configured so that any of the air flow paths can be selectively
brought into contact with the inlet and the outlet to form an air
flow path.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] The present teachings will now be described by way of
example only with reference to the following figures in which like
parts are depicted by like reference numerals:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol generating system according to an example;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol generating system according to an example;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol generating system according to an example;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a consumable unit
for an aerosol generating system according to an example;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a consumable unit
for an aerosol generating system according to an example;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a consumable unit
for an aerosol generating system according to an example; and,
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of two consumable units for an
aerosol generating system according to an example.
[0022] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of
example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It
should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed
description of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit
the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary,
the disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents and
alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as
defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are
discussed/described herein. Some aspects and features of certain
examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and
these are not discussed/described in detail in the interests of
brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of
apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in
detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional
techniques for implementing such aspects and features.
[0024] The present disclosure relates to aerosol generating
systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol generating
systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description
the term "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be
used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used
interchangeably with aerosol generating system/device and
electronic aerosol generating system/device. Furthermore, and as is
common in the technical field, the terms "aerosol" and "vapor", and
related terms such as "vaporize", "volatilize" and "aerosolize",
may generally be used interchangeably.
[0025] As used herein, the term "plurality of sources of aerosol
generating medium" may be used interchangeably with "portions of
aerosol generating medium", and the term "device" may be used
interchangeably with "system" with the understanding that the
device is a standalone tool while a system is the tool with a
consumable.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a portion of an
aerosol generating system 100. The system 100 has a consumable unit
110 within the device 100. The consumable unit 100 has a plurality
of air flow paths 112 therethrough, each of the plurality of air
flow paths 112 being associated with a respective one of a
corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol generating medium
114. The consumable unit 110 in this example comprises an upper
wall and an opposite lower wall separate by a gap, wherein the air
flow paths 112 through the consumable unit 110 are arranged to pass
through, or be substantially formed by, the gap. The device 100 has
a housing 120 for housing the consumable unit 110. The housing 120
has an air inlet 122 and an air outlet 124. The system 100 is
configured such that any of the air flow paths 112 can be
selectively brought into contact with the inlet 122 and the outlet
124 to form an air flow path from the inlet 112 to the outlet
124.
[0027] In an example, the consumable unit 110 is selectively
moveable relative to the housing 120 so as to form an air flow path
from the air inlet 122 of the housing 120 to the air outlet 124 of
the housing 120, through a selected one 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D,
112E of the plurality of air flow paths 112 through the consumable
unit 110.
[0028] In another example, the housing 120 is selectively moveable
so that an air flow path in the consumable unit 110 can be
selectively brought into contact with at least one of the inlet 122
and the outlet 124 to form an air flow path through the system
100.
[0029] In another example, the inlet 122 is selectively moveable so
that an air flow path in the consumable unit 110 can be selectively
brought into contact with at least one of the inlet 122 and the
outlet 124 to form an air flow path through the system 100.
[0030] In another example, the outlet 124 is selectively moveable
so that an air flow path in the consumable unit 110 can be
selectively brought into contact with at least one of the inlet 122
and the outlet 124 to form an air flow path through the system
100.
[0031] As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the consumable unit 110
(or housing 120) may move along a direction shown by arrow D so as
to form an air flow path through the housing 120 and the consumable
unit 110. This relative movement aligns the air inlet 122 with one
of the air flow paths 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E so that air may
enter the device 100 from the external environment. The device 100
may have a heater (not shown) or the like arranged within it so as
to heat either the aerosol generating medium or the airflow prior
to passing over or through the aerosol generating medium.
[0032] The heater may be an electrically resistive heater. The
heater may be a chemically activated heater which may or may not
operate via exothermic reactions or the like. The heater provides
thermal energy, heat, to the surrounding environment of the heater.
At least some portion of the consumable unit 110 is within the area
of effect of the heater. The area of effect of the heater is the
area within which the heater may provide heat to the consumable
unit 110. The heater may be a source of energy for heating which
may be part of an inductive heating system, wherein the source of
energy for heating is the source of energy for inductive heating
and the consumable unit 110 may be or may contain a susceptor or
the like. The susceptor may for example be a sheet of aluminium
foil or the like.
[0033] The system 100 may have in an example substantially the same
distance between the consumable unit 110 to the heater for
providing a more consistent user experience. In an example the
aerosol generating medium 114 is disposed in the consumable unit
110 at a distance from the source of energy for heating within the
range of 0.010 mm, 0.015 mm, 0.017 mm, 0.020 mm. 0.023 mm, 0.025
mm, 0.05 mm, 0.075 mm, 0.1 mm, to about 4 mm, 3.5 mm, 3 mm, 2.5 mm,
2.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm. In some cases, there may
be a minimum spacing between the source of energy for heating and
aerosol generating medium in the consumable unit 110 of at least
about 10 .mu.m, 15 .mu.m, 17 .mu.m, 20 .mu.m, 23 .mu.m, 25 .mu.m,
50 .mu.m, 75 .mu.m or 0.1 mm.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows an example of an aerosol generating device 100
during use. The consumable unit 110 has been moved relative to the
housing 120 to form an air path through the device 100. A user then
inhales on the device 100. The arrows in FIG. 2 show a general
direction of air flow through the device 100. Air enters through
the air inlet 122 in the housing 120 and passes along air flow path
112D. The air flow then passes over aerosol generating medium 114D
associated with air flow path 112D. Elements from aerosol
generating medium 114D are entrained in the air flow in air flow
path 112D and carried to the air outlet 124 of the housing 120, as
illustrated by the series of arrows in FIG. 2.
[0035] The consumable unit 110 shown in FIG. 2 has a plurality of
dividing walls 116. The plurality of air flow paths 112 through the
consumable unit 110 are separated from one another by the plurality
of dividing walls 116. As relative movement of the consumable unit
110 and the housing 120 occurs, the specific air flow paths 112A,
112B, 112C, 112D, 112E will be moved into and out of fluid
communication with the air inlet 122 of the housing 120. When an
air flow path 112 is not in fluid communication with the air inlet
122, the air flow path from the air inlet 122 to the air outlet 124
through the device 100 will be blocked. This blocking may occur by
virtue of the dividing walls 116 of the consumable unit 110.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows an example of a portion of an aerosol
generating device 100. The consumable unit 110 has a plurality of
air inlet apertures 117 and a plurality of air outlet apertures
118. The sources of aerosol generating medium 114 are arranged
between one air inlet aperture 117 and one air outlet aperture
118.
[0037] The consumable unit 110 is in a position relative to the
housing 120 so as to form an air flow path through the device 100
from the air inlet 122 to the air outlet 124. Incoming air enters
through the air inlet 122 and is shown by arrow A. The air flows
over or through a source of aerosol generating medium 114 to form
an aerosol or an aerosol. The subsequent air flow of the aerosol or
aerosol is shown by arrow B as it exits the air flow path 112
through the consumable unit 110 towards the air outlet 124 of the
housing 120. The aerosol generating medium 114 arranged within the
consumable unit 110 may be arranged to fill a portion of the path
through the consumable unit 110 such that air flow must pass
through the aerosol generating medium 114 to exit the consumable
unit 110 (in the direction of air flow). See, for example, aerosol
generating medium 114E arranged between air inlet aperture 117E and
air outlet aperture 118E. "Between" here is taken to mean along the
route of the air flow path, as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the
aerosol generating medium 114 may be arranged so that air flow
simply passes over the aerosol generating medium 114 as it passes
through the consumable unit 110 (in the direction of air flow).
See, for example, aerosol generating medium 114A arranged between
air inlet aperture 117A and air outlet aperture 118A.
[0038] The consumable unit 110 as shown in FIG. 3 has a plurality
of apertures 117, 118. These apertures 117, 118 enable air flow to
enter the consumable unit 110. As such, the apertures 117, 118 may
be replaced by a portion of air permeable material through which
air can enter the consumable unit 110. The air permeable material
should be of a suitable resistance to air flow such that excessive
inhalation pressure is not required to draw air flow through the
air permeable material.
[0039] In an example of a consumable unit 110, any (or all) of the
apertures 117, 118 or equivalent may have a filter material
arranged therein or thereon. The filter material should be of a
suitable resistance to air flow such that excessive inhalation
pressure is not required to draw air flow through the filter
material. This can assist in removing particulates and the like
from incoming air or outgoing aerosol.
[0040] The consumable unit 110 is arranged within the device 100 so
that air flow entering the device 100 through the air inlet 122 may
enter an air flow path 112 of the consumable unit 110. If the
consumable unit 110 is arranged in the device 100 with too great a
distance between the air inlet 122 and the air inlet aperture 117
of the consumable unit 110, incoming air flow may not pass through
the consumable unit 110, but rather pass around it to the air
outlet 124. In this arrangement, the device 100 may not generate an
aerosol for inhalation.
[0041] In an example, it is desirable to ensure airflow passes only
through one specific air flow path 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E so
that the depletion of the source of aerosol generating medium 114
contained respectively in each specific air flow path 112A, 112B,
112C, 112D, 112E can be controlled.
[0042] The above identified issues may be overcome by having a
specific air inlet aperture 117A, 117B, 117C, 117D, 117E of the
consumable unit 110 abut the air inlet 122 of the housing 120. This
ensures that incoming air flow passes over the aerosol generating
medium 114 contained within the specific air flow path 112A, 112B,
112C, 112D, 112E of the specific air inlet aperture 117A, 117B,
117C, 117D, 117E that is abutting the air inlet 122 of the housing
120 at the point of inhalation of the user.
[0043] The consumable unit 110 may be arranged substantially close
to the air outlet 124 of the housing 120. The closer the consumable
unit 110 to the air outlet 124 of the housing 120, the shorter the
distance is in which the aerosol flows while inside the device 100
but outside the consumable unit 110. Reducing this distance reduces
the area inside the device 100 on which aerosol can condense.
Aerosol condensing with the device 100 can be undesirable as the
aerosol can damage components within the device 100 and so reduce
more generally the lifetime of the device 100. As such, an
arrangement as described above may increase the lifetime of the
device 100.
[0044] In the examples of FIG. 3, a specific air inlet aperture
117A and corresponding air outlet aperture 118A of the consumable
unit 110 are arranged at an angle to one another. In the example
shown, a specific air inlet aperture 117A is arranged
perpendicularly to the corresponding air outlet aperture 118A. In
other examples, some air inlet apertures 117 may be arranged at
different angles to some air outlet apertures 118. The arrangement
of air inlet apertures 117 and air outlet apertures 118 may be
altered to conform to a desirable shape of the housing 120.
Alternatively, the arrangement may be manipulated to reduce the
size of the consumable unit 110, enabling a compact and efficient
design.
[0045] The air inlet apertures 117 or any of the air inlet
apertures 117 may be arranged at an angle to any of the air outlet
apertures 118. In some examples, the angle may be at least
15.degree., at least 20.degree., at least 25.degree., at least
30.degree., at least 35.degree., at least 40.degree., at least
45.degree., at least 50.degree., at least 55.degree., at least
60.degree., at least 65.degree., at least 70.degree., at least
75.degree., at least 80.degree., at least 85.degree. or at least
90.degree..
[0046] FIG. 4 shows a schematic example of a consumable unit 110
according to an example. The consumable unit 110 of FIG. 4 has a
number (3) of airflow paths 112 through the consumable unit 110.
The consumable unit 110 is shown as in use. Incoming air flow,
illustrated by arrow A, is entering the consumable unit 110,
passing over aerosol generating medium 114 and exiting as outgoing
aerosol, illustrated by arrow B. The consumable unit 110 in the
example has biased caps to respectively cover the air inlet
apertures 117 and air outlet apertures 118 of the consumable unit
110 after use of the device 100 has ceased, i.e. once the airflow
decreases to the point that use of the device 100 is deemed to have
ceased. The level of biasing of the caps 119 may be set so that air
flow during the usual stages of a use session (which might be known
as a smoking session or a vaping session) can move a cap 119 from a
closed position, whereby at rest the cap 119 is blocking an airflow
path 112, to an open position, whereby the cap 119 moves to unblock
the airflow path. This biasing should be of a suitable resistance
to air flow pressure such that excessive inhalation pressure is not
required to move the cap 119 to the open position, and therefore
enable drawing of air through the device 100.
[0047] After use of the device 100 has ceased, the caps 119 on the
relevant air inlet aperture(s) 117 and air outlet aperture(s) 118
move, under biasing of the caps 119, to the closed position. This
prevents aerosol generated at the end, or after the end, of the use
session which might not exit the device 100 exiting the consumable
110 and then condensing on the inside of the device 100. As
mentioned above, this can increase the lifetime of the device 100.
The consumable unit 110 may be replaced once the sources of aerosol
generating medium 114 are fully depleted. As such, removal of the
consumable unit 110 then removes the condensed aerosol contained
within the consumable unit 110.
[0048] The biased caps 119 need not be arranged at the air inlet
apertures 117 and the air outlet apertures 118, but may be arranged
within the consumable unit 110. Similarly, a number of biased caps
119 may be used per route from air inlet apertures 117 to air
outlet apertures 118. FIG. 5 shows schematic example of a
consumable unit 110 according to an example. The consumable unit
110 has seven biased caps 119. The consumable unit 110 also has
three air inlet apertures 117 and one air outlet aperture 118. The
use of biased caps 119 ensures that aerosol generated by one source
of aerosol generating medium 114 in one route within the consumable
unit 110 passes in the desired route to the air outlet aperture 118
without entering another route. This is desirable to ensure that
the sources of aerosol generating medium 114 are only in use when
desired by the user. The use of multiple biased caps 119 as in the
example of FIG. 5 is useful when there are multiple routes in the
consumable unit 110 that are in fluid communication with one
another within the consumable unit 110.
[0049] The example shown in FIG. 5 may also be useful wherein the
sources of aerosol generating medium 114 are of different flavors
or constitutions. The multiple biased caps 119 prevent hot aerosol
from one source of aerosol generating medium 114 entering a
different route and passing over a second source of aerosol
generating medium 114 to cause vaporization of that second source
of aerosol generating medium 114. This prevents the result of
producing inter-mixed flavors from two different sources of aerosol
generating medium 114 which may not provide an optimal user
experience of the device 100.
[0050] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the middle air inlet
aperture 117 is aligned with the air inlet 122 of the housing 120
(not shown). Incoming air is shown by arrow A and this incoming air
has moved one biased cap 119 into the open position. The incoming
air has then passed over the source of aerosol generating medium
114 to entrain elements from the source of aerosol generating
medium 114. This subsequent aerosol, shown by arrow B, then moves a
second biased cap 119 into the open position. The aerosol then
travels towards the air outlet aperture 118 and moves the biased
cap 119 over the air outlet aperture 118 into the open position to
exit the consumable unit 110.
[0051] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a consumable unit
110 according to an example. The consumable unit 110 has no biased
caps 119 displayed but these may or may not be used in this or any
other example. The consumable unit 110 shown in FIG. 6 is
surrounded by a rotatable outer element 130. This may be part of
the consumable unit 110 or part of the housing 120. The outer
element 130 may be moved in a rotational movement shown by the
arrow R. By rotating this outer element 130, the openings 132, 134
may selectively enable air to flow through one route in the
consumable unit 110 to the air outlet aperture 118. The distances
between the openings 134 reflect the distance opening 132 must
travel to align with a subsequent air inlet aperture 117 of the
consumable unit 110. In this way, air is prevented from entering
via more than one air inlet aperture 117, and therefore only one
source of aerosol generating medium 114 is used at once. As above,
biased caps 119 may be used to prevent airflow passing two sources
of aerosol generating medium 114 if this is desired.
[0052] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of two examples of a
consumable unit 110. The consumable unit 110 has the shape of a
thin cylinder and has, in FIG. 7(i), five air inlet apertures 117
and one air outlet aperture 118. The five air inlet apertures 117
are arranged on the outer curved surface of the cylindrical
consumable unit 110 and the one air outlet aperture 118 is arranged
centrally in a flat end surface of the cylindrical consumable unit
110. In this example, the consumable unit 110 is rotatable to
present one of the air inlet apertures 117 to the air inlet 122 of
the housing 120 (not shown in FIG. 7). The device 100 may then be
used. Airflow will enter through the selected air inlet aperture
117 and airflow exiting the consumable unit 110 will pass through
the air outlet aperture 118. This can be arranged to be near to the
air outlet aperture 124 of the housing 120 as mentioned above.
Rotation may occur around the central longitudinal axis of the
consumable unit 110. In this manner, the centrally-located air
outlet aperture 118 does not during movement of the air inlet
apertures 117 arranged on the side of the consumable unit 110. This
may enable greater control on the location of exit of aerosol from
the consumable unit 110.
[0053] In FIG. 7(ii) the consumable unit 110 has the same shape as
the consumable unit 110 shown in FIG. 7(i). The consumable unit 110
also has five air inlet apertures 117. The consumable unit 110 has
three air outlet apertures 118 arranged in the same surface as the
air outlet aperture 118 of FIG. 7(i).
[0054] The consumable unit 110 could have a rotating inner housed
inside a non-rotating outer. The sources of aerosol generating
medium 114, the dividing walls 116 and the air flow paths 112 may
be part of the rotating inner. The non-rotating outer may have an
inlet and an outlet. The rotating inner may be rotated to align
specific air flow paths with the inlet and outlet, arranged in the
non-rotating outer, which remain stationary. In such an arrangement
there would only need to be one inlet and one outlet. This would
further prevent contamination between sources of aerosol generating
medium 114.
[0055] The consumable unit 110 may have a number of layers arranged
within the consumable unit 110. The plurality of layers provide a
series of condensing surfaces on which aerosol may condense
preferentially over the inside of the device 100. Each of the
plurality of sources of aerosol generating medium 114 is arranged
on a layer of the plurality of layers. An airflow path 112 may pass
over various layers of the consumable unit 110. There may be
multiple sources of aerosol generating medium 114 arranged on one
layer in the consumable unit 110. The dividing walls 116 may divide
parts of one layer within the consumable unit 110. There may be
multiple sources of aerosol generating medium 114 arranged on
multiple layers in the consumable unit 110.
[0056] In any of the examples discussed, the consumable unit 110 or
the housing 120 may be moved by rotation or translation or the like
to affect relative movement between the consumable unit 110 and the
housing 120. The device 100 may have gearing or a
displaceable/rotatable shaft connected to the consumable unit 110
or housing 120 to enable movement. The device may have a
displaceable/rotatable housing 120 which can be moved in the hands
of a user. The movement enables an air inlet aperture 117 to abut
the air inlet 122 of the housing 120.
[0057] The relative movement of the consumable unit 110 to the
housing 120 may be affected by a user of the aerosol generating
device 100. In an example this may be by the user pressing a button
to operate a system within the aerosol generating device 100, or by
manually moving or rotating the housing or a turn crank or the
like.
[0058] In another example, the relative movement of the consumable
unit 110 to the housing 120 is automatically initiated. The
movement may be affected automatically, for example, by a
controller which detects when heating of the selected one of the
plurality of sources of aerosol generating medium 114 begins or
ceases. Alternatively or additionally, the movement may be affected
by a controller on depletion of a source of aerosol generating
medium 114 or on cessation of a use session. This would ensure that
the device 100 is ready to be activated again as soon as a use
session has finished.
[0059] In any of the above examples, the consumable unit 110 may be
removable from the device 100. This would enable re-using the
device 100 after the sources of aerosol generating medium 114 of a
particular consumable unit 110 are depleted. The device 100 may
have a door or cover which is openable to access the consumable
unit 110.
[0060] Minor alterations can be made to the above examples, if it
is desired to activate more than one source of aerosol generating
medium 114 at one time.
[0061] The device 100 may have a plurality of chambers or regions
that may or may not be separate from one another. The device 100 of
any of the above examples may have a power chamber (not shown)
comprising energy stores for supplying power to a heater (not
shown) or the movement mechanisms where these are present (e.g. not
manually driven by the user). The heater may be an electrically
resistive heater. The heater may be a chemically activated heater
which may or may not operate via exothermic reactions or the
like.
[0062] The sources of aerosol generating medium 114 contained
within the device 100 may comprise at least one of tobacco and
glycol and may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea,
Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove,
menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen,
cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey,
spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla,
nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil,
vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine,
ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander,
coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor
enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor
site activators or stimulators, sugars or sugar substitutes (e.g.,
sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates,
lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and
other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals,
botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation,
synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in
any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.
[0063] The aerosol-forming layer described herein comprises an
"amorphous solid", which may alternatively be referred to as a
"monolithic solid" (i.e. non-fibrous), or as a "dried gel". The
amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid,
such as liquid, within it. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer
comprises from about 50 wt %, 60 wt % or 70 wt % of amorphous
solid, to about 90 wt %, 95 wt % or 100 wt % of amorphous solid. In
some cases, the aerosol-forming layer consists of amorphous
solid.
[0064] In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise 1-50 wt % of
a gelling agent wherein these weights are calculated on a dry
weight basis.
[0065] Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 1 wt
%, 5 wt %, 10 wt %, 15 wt %, 20 wt % or 25 wt % to about 50 wt %,
45 wt %, 40 wt %, 35 wt %, 30 wt % or 27 wt % of a gelling agent
(all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous
solid may comprise 5-40 wt %, 10-30 wt % or 15-27 wt % of a gelling
agent.
[0066] In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises a
hydrocolloid. In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one
or more compounds selected from the group comprising alginates,
pectins, starches (and derivatives), celluloses (and derivatives),
gums, silica or silicones compounds, clays, polyvinyl alcohol and
combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the gelling
agent comprises one or more of alginates, pectins, hydroxyethyl
cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose,
pullulan, xanthan gum guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, acacia gum,
fumed silica, PDMS, sodium silicate, kaolin and polyvinyl alcohol.
In some cases, the gelling agent comprises alginate or pectin, and
may be combined with a setting agent (such as a calcium source)
during formation of the amorphous solid. In some cases, the
amorphous solid may comprise a calcium-crosslinked alginate or a
calcium-crosslinked pectin.
[0067] Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 5 wt
%, 10 wt %, 15 wt %, or 20 wt % to about 80 wt %, 70 wt %, 60 wt %,
55 wt %, 50 wt %, 45 wt % 40 wt %, or 35 wt % of an aerosol
generating agent (all calculated on a dry weight basis). The
aerosol generating agent may act as a plasticizer. For example, the
amorphous solid may comprise 10-60 wt %, 15-50 wt % or 20-40 wt %
of an aerosol generating agent. In some cases, the aerosol
generating agent comprises one or more compound selected from
erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol and
xylitol. In some cases, the aerosol generating agent comprises,
consists essentially of or consists of glycerol. The inventors have
established that if the content of the plasticizer is too high, the
amorphous solid may absorb water resulting in a material that does
not create an appropriate consumption experience in use. The
inventors have established that if the plasticizer content is too
low, the amorphous solid may be brittle and easily broken. The
plasticizer content specified herein provides an amorphous solid
flexibility which allows the amorphous solid sheet to be wound onto
a bobbin, which is useful in manufacture of aerosol generating
articles.
[0068] In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise a flavor.
Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise up to about 60 wt %, 50
wt %, 40 wt %, 30 wt %, 20 wt %, 10 wt % or 5 wt % of a flavor. In
some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise at least about 0.5 wt
%, 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 5 wt % 10 wt %, 20 wt % or 30 wt % of a flavor
(all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous
solid may comprise 10-60 wt %, 20-50 wt % or 30-40 wt % of a
flavor. In some cases, the flavor (if present) comprises, consists
essentially of or consists of menthol. In some cases, the amorphous
solid does not comprise a flavor.
[0069] In some cases, the amorphous solid additionally comprises a
tobacco material or nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid may
additionally comprise powdered tobacco or nicotine or a tobacco
extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about
1 wt %, 5 wt %, 10 wt %, 15 wt %, 20 wt % or 25 wt % to about 70 wt
%, 60 wt %, 50 wt %, 45 wt % or 40 wt % (calculated on a dry weight
basis) of a tobacco material or nicotine.
[0070] In some cases, the amorphous solid comprises a tobacco
extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise 5-60 wt %
(calculated on a dry weight basis) of tobacco extract. In some
cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 5 wt %, 10 wt %,
15 wt %, 20 wt % or 25 wt % to about 55 wt %, 50 wt %, 45 wt % or
40 wt % (calculated on a dry weight basis) tobacco extract. For
example, the amorphous solid may comprise 5-60 wt %, 10-55 wt % or
25-55 wt % of tobacco extract. The tobacco extract may contain
nicotine at a concentration such that the amorphous solid comprises
1 wt % 1.5 wt %, 2 wt % or 2.5 wt % to about 6 wt %, 5 wt %, 4.5 wt
% or 4 wt % (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine. In some
cases, there may be no nicotine in the amorphous solid other than
that which results from the tobacco extract.
[0071] In some embodiments the amorphous solid comprises no tobacco
material but does comprise nicotine. In some such cases, the
amorphous solid may comprise from about 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 3 wt % or 4
wt % to about 20 wt %, 15 wt %, 10 wt % or 5 wt % (calculated on a
dry weight basis) of nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid may
comprise 1-20 wt % or 2-5 wt % of nicotine.
[0072] In some cases, the total content of tobacco material,
nicotine and flavor may be at least about 1 wt %, 5 wt %, 10 wt %,
20 wt %, 25 wt % or 30 wt %. In some cases, the total content of
tobacco material, nicotine and flavor may be less than about 70 wt
%, 60 wt %, 50 wt % or 40 wt % (all calculated on a dry weight
basis).
[0073] In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is a hydrogel and
comprises less than about 20 wt % of water calculated on a wet
weight basis. In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise less than
about 15 wt %, 12 wt % or 10 wt % of water calculated on a wet
weight basis (WWB). In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise at
least about 2 wt % or at least about 5 wt % of water (WWB).
[0074] The amorphous solid may be made from a gel, and this gel may
additionally comprise a solvent, included at 0.1-50 wt %. However,
the inventors have established that the inclusion of a solvent in
which the flavor is soluble may reduce the gel stability and the
flavor may crystallise out of the gel. As such, in some cases, the
gel does not include a solvent in which the flavor is soluble.
[0075] The amorphous solid comprises less than 20 wt %, suitably
less than 10 wt % or less than 5 wt % of a filler. The filler may
comprise one or more inorganic filler materials, such as calcium
carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal
silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulphate, magnesium carbonate,
and suitable inorganic sorbents, such as molecular sieves. The
filler may comprise one or more organic filler materials such as
wood pulp, cellulose and cellulose derivatives. In some cases, the
amorphous solid comprises less than 1 wt % of a filler, and in some
cases, comprises no filler. In particular, in some cases, the
amorphous solid comprises no calcium carbonate such as chalk.
[0076] In some cases, the amorphous solid may consist essentially
of, or consist of a gelling agent, an aerosol generating agent, a
tobacco material or a nicotine source, water, and optionally a
flavor.
[0077] Thus there has been described an aerosol generating device
comprising: a consumable unit having a plurality of air flow paths
therethrough, each of the plurality of air flow paths being
associated with a respective one of a corresponding plurality of
sources of aerosol generating medium; and, a housing for housing
the consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air
outlet, wherein the consumable unit is selectively moveable
relative to the housing so as to form an air flow path from the air
inlet of the housing to the air outlet of the housing, through a
selected one of the plurality of air flow paths through the
consumable unit.
[0078] The aerosol generating device may be used in a tobacco
industry product, for example a non-combustible aerosol provision
system.
[0079] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product comprises
one or more components of a non-combustible aerosol provision
system, such as a heater and an aerosolizable substrate.
[0080] In one embodiment, the aerosol provision system is an
electronic cigarette also known as a vaping device.
[0081] In one embodiment the electronic cigarette comprises a
heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an
aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing and
optionally a mouthpiece.
[0082] In one embodiment the aerosolizable substrate is contained
in or on a substrate container. In one embodiment the substrate
container is combined with or comprises the heater.
[0083] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heating
product which releases one or more compounds by heating, but not
burning, a substrate material. The substrate material is an
aerosolizable material which may be for example tobacco or other
non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one
embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating
product.
[0084] In one embodiment, the heating product is an electronic
device.
[0085] In one embodiment, the tobacco heating product comprises a
heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an
aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material.
[0086] In one embodiment the heating product is a non-electronic
article.
[0087] In one embodiment the heating product comprises an
aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material, and a heat
source which is capable of supplying heat energy to the
aerosolizable substrate without any electronic means, such as by
burning a combustion material, such as charcoal.
[0088] In one embodiment the heating product also comprises a
filter capable of filtering the aerosol generated by heating the
aerosolizable substrate.
[0089] In some embodiments the aerosolizable substrate material may
comprise an aerosol or aerosol generating agent or a humectant,
such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin or diethylene
glycol.
[0090] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid
system to generate aerosol by heating, but not burning, a
combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials may
comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not
contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a
liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate
may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may
or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system
comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.
[0091] In order to address various issues and advance the art, the
entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various
embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced and provide
for a superior electronic aerosol provision system. The advantages
and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of
embodiments only, and are not exhaustive or exclusive. They are
presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed
features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments,
examples, functions, features, structures, or other aspects of the
disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure
as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the
claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and
modifications may be made without departing from the scope or
spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably
comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various
combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features,
parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes
other embodiments not presently claimed, but which may be claimed
in future.
* * * * *