U.S. patent application number 17/611065 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-30 for cleaning assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nicoventures Trading Limited. Invention is credited to Mark FORSTER, Thomas Alexander John WOODMAN.
Application Number | 20220202103 17/611065 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006260310 |
Filed Date | 2022-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220202103 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FORSTER; Mark ; et
al. |
June 30, 2022 |
CLEANING ASSEMBLY
Abstract
Cleaning assemblies for aerosol provision devices are disclosed.
In one example a cleaning assembly comprises: a shaft defining a
longitudinal axis; and a cleaning element disposed at an end of the
shaft. The cleaning element comprises a proximal portion and a
distal portion adjacent to the proximal portion. The proximal
portion has a greater cross section in the direction perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the shaft than the distal portion. In
another example, an aerosol provision device cleaning assembly
comprises: a shaft; a first cleaning element disposed at a first
end of the shaft; and a second cleaning element disposed at a
second end of the shaft. The first cleaning element is larger than
the second cleaning element
Inventors: |
FORSTER; Mark; (London,
GB) ; WOODMAN; Thomas Alexander John; (London,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nicoventures Trading Limited |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006260310 |
Appl. No.: |
17/611065 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
May 14, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2020/063435 |
371 Date: |
November 12, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 40/85 20200101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 40/85 20060101
A24F040/85 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 17, 2019 |
GB |
1906996.2 |
Claims
1. A cleaning assembly for an aerosol provision device, the
cleaning assembly comprising: a shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
and a cleaning element disposed at an end of the shaft; wherein:
the cleaning element comprises a proximal portion and a distal
portion adjacent to the proximal portion; and the proximal portion
has a greater cross section in the direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the shaft than the distal portion.
2. The cleaning assembly according to claim 1, wherein the proximal
portion and the distal portion are coaxially arranged.
3. The A cleaning assembly according to claim 2, wherein the
proximal portion, the distal portion and the shaft are coaxially
arranged.
4. The cleaning assembly according to claim 1, wherein the proximal
portion and the distal portion are joined at an interface surface,
the interface surface being on a plane that is perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis.
5. The cleaning assembly according to claim 1, wherein the length
of the cleaning element is between 5 mm and 30 mm.
6. The cleaning assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a
second cleaning element disposed at an opposite end of the shaft to
the cleaning element.
7. The cleaning assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one
of the proximal portion, the distal portion and the second cleaning
element is substantially cylindrical.
8. The cleaning assembly according to claim 7, wherein the distal
portion and the second cleaning element are both substantially
cylindrical and have substantially equal diameters.
9. The cleaning assembly according to claim 6, wherein the length
of the second cleaning element is between 5 mm and 25 mm.
10. The cleaning assembly according to claim 1, wherein the length
of the proximal portion is between 2 and 10 times greater than the
length of the distal portion.
11. The cleaning assembly according to claim 10, wherein the length
of the proximal portion is between 4 mm and 20 mm.
12. The cleaning assembly according to claim 10, wherein the length
of the distal portion is between 1 mm and 10 mm.
13. An aerosol provision device cleaning assembly comprising: a
shaft having a first end and a second end; a first cleaning element
disposed at the first end of the shaft; and a second cleaning
element disposed at the second end of the shaft; wherein the first
cleaning element is larger than the second cleaning element.
14. The cleaning assembly according to claim 13, wherein the length
of at least one of the first portion and the second portion is
between 5 mm and 30 mm.
15. The cleaning assembly according to claim 1, having an overall
length between 50 mm and 150 mm.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a National Phase entry of PCT
Application No. PCT/EP2020/063435, filed May 14, 2020, which claims
priority to GB 1906996.2 filed May 17, 2019, the entire disclosures
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning assembly, in
particular a cleaning assembly for cleaning an aerosol provision
device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like
burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been
made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by
creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples
of such products are heating devices which release compounds by
heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for
example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not
contain nicotine.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided a cleaning assembly for an aerosol provision device.
The cleaning assembly comprises a shaft defining a longitudinal
axis and a cleaning element disposed at an end of the shaft. The
cleaning element comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion
adjacent to the proximal portion. The proximal portion has a
greater cross section in the direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the shaft than the distal portion.
[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure,
there is provided a cleaning assembly for an aerosol provision
device. The cleaning assembly comprises a shaft having a first end
and a second end, a first cleaning element disposed at the first
end of the shaft, and a second cleaning element disposed at the
second end of the shaft. The first cleaning element is larger than
the second cleaning element.
[0006] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided a system comprising a cleaning assembly according to
the first or second aspect of the present disclosure and a rigid
outer casing enclosing the cleaning assembly.
[0007] Further features and advantages of the disclosure will
become apparent from the following description of preferred
embodiments of the disclosure, given by way of example only, which
is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of an aerosol
provision device;
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the example aerosol
provision device of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly according to
an example;
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly according to
an example;
[0012] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the example aerosol
provision device of FIG. 1, where the example cleaning assembly of
FIG. 4 is inserted into the heating chamber;
[0013] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the example aerosol
provision device of FIG. 1 where the example cleaning assembly of
FIG. 4 is inserted into the tube;
[0014] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly according to
an example; and
[0015] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a system according to
an example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Examples of the present disclosure define a cleaning
assembly for an aerosol provision device. In use, the provision of
an aerosol can result in residue being left on internal surfaces of
the aerosol provision device. It can be desirable to periodically
remove at least some of said residue. Cleaning the aerosol
provision device may help to maintain the performance of the
device.
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example aerosol
provision device 100. In broad outline, the device 100 may be used
to heat an aerosolizable material (also referred to as a
consumable, or article, or a consumable article, or smokable
material) to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium which is
inhaled by a user of the device 100. FIG. 1 shows the device 100
without aerosolizable material inserted therein.
[0018] The device 100 of this example comprises a housing 102
having an opening 104 in one end. The opening 104 can allow the
passage of aerosol out of the device 100. In some examples, the
opening 104 can receive aerosolizable material as it is inserted
into a heating chamber. In other examples however, aerosolizable
material can be inserted into the heating chamber by a separate
entrance. For example, a panel/door on the rear side of the device
100 can be opened to allow aerosolizable material to be placed
within the heating chamber. The aerosolizable material may be
tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain
nicotine or flavorants.
[0019] As used herein, the terms "flavor" and "flavorant" refer to
materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to
create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers.
In some embodiments the aerosol forming material may comprise a
vapor or aerosol generating agent or a humectant, such as glycerol,
propylene glycol, triacetin or diethylene glycol.
[0020] The device 100 of this example comprises a cap 106 for
selectively covering the opening 104 when no aerosolizable material
is in place. In FIG. 1, the cap 106 is shown in an open
configuration, however the cap 106 may slide into a closed
configuration when the device 100 is not being used.
[0021] The device 100 may further comprise a control element 108.
The control element 108 in this example is a button or a switch,
and when a user activates the control element 108, the device 100
is switched on.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view on the example device
100 of FIG. 1. The device 100 comprises a heating chamber 110 for
receiving aerosolizable material. The device 100 comprises one or
more heaters 120 arranged to heat aerosolizable material received
within the heating chamber 110. The aerosolizable material
therefore interacts with the heater 120 to generate an aerosol upon
heating. The aerosolizable material may be, for example, of a
predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed
within the heating chamber 110 which is sized to receive the
aerosolizable material. In one example, the aerosolizable material
is tubular in nature, and may be known as a "tobacco stick".
Aerosolizable material may also be known as smokable material.
[0023] The device 100 further has an electronics/power chamber 130
which in this example contains electronic hardware 132 and a power
source 134. The electronic hardware 132 may be a controller, such
as a microprocessor arrangement, configured and arranged to control
the heating of the aerosolizable material. The electronic hardware
132 may receive a signal from the control element 108 and activate
a heater 120 in response. Electronic elements within the device 100
are electrically connected via one or more wires 136, shown
depicted as dashed lines.
[0024] The device 100 comprises a tube 112 for accessing internal
surfaces of the device 100. The tube 112 may be at least partially
closable by a cap (not shown). The tube 112 may allow air to enter
the heating chamber 110 from an opposite end of the heating chamber
110 to the opening 104, in use. The tube 112 has a smaller diameter
than the heating chamber 110, such that an interface 114 between
the heating chamber 110 and the tube 112 acts as a stop for
aerosolizable material inserted into the heating chamber 110 via
the opening 104. The interface 114 may be perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 110.
[0025] As mentioned, in use, aerosolizable material in the heating
chamber 110 is heated to provide an aerosol. Generation of the
aerosol can leave residue on the internal surfaces of the heating
chamber 110, tube 112 and the interface 114. A build-up of residue
may result in, for example, a reduction in heat transfer from the
heater 120 to the aerosolizable material, an unpleasant taste for
the user, incorrect positioning of the aerosolizable material
within the heating chamber 110 and insufficient air being provided
to the heating chamber 110 via the tube 112.
[0026] Aspects of the present disclosure define cleaning assemblies
for an aerosol provision device, such as the aerosol provision
device 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In some examples, the cleaning
assemblies may comprise cleaning swabs.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly 200
according to a first example of the present disclosure. The
cleaning assembly 200 comprises a shaft 210 defining a longitudinal
axis 202, and a cleaning element 220 disposed at an end of the
shaft 210. The cleaning element 220 comprises a proximal portion
222 and a distal portion 224 adjacent to the proximal portion 222,
The proximal portion 222 has a greater cross section in the
direction perpendicular to the shaft 210 than the distal portion
224.
[0028] In this example, the proximal portion 222 and the distal
portion 224 are substantially cylindrical, and the proximal portion
222 has a greater diameter than the distal portion 224. In other
embodiments, the proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224
may be other than cylindrical, for example, elliptical or ridged.
The cleaning element 220 is for insertion into a tube for cleaning
the internal surfaces of the tube, for example the heating chamber
110 or tube 112 of the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2. In some
examples, the proximal or distal portions 222, 224 may have a cross
sectional shape that corresponds to a cross sectional shape of a
tube to be cleaned by the cleaning element 220.
[0029] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the proximal portion 222 and
the distal portion 224 are joined at an interface surface 226. The
interface surface 226 may be on a plane that is perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis 202. In other examples, the interface surface
226 may have a shape corresponding to an interface between two
tubes of different diameter to be cleaned with the cleaning
assembly 200. The interface surface 226 allows the cleaning element
220 to clean an interface between two tubes when the cleaning
assembly 200 is inserted into one of the tubes such that the
interface surface 226 contacts the interface between the two tubes.
In some examples, the interface surface 226 may be on a plane that
is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the distal portion.
[0030] The proximal portion 222 and the distal portion may be
positioned adjacent to one another along the longitudinal axis 202.
The proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 may be
contiguous. The proximal and distal portions 222, 224 may be formed
from a single material. In some examples, the proximal portion 22
and the distal portion 224 may be formed from different materials.
For example, the proximal and distal portions 222, 224 may exhibit
different absorbency parameters or different hardness such that
each portion 222, 224 may provide a different cleaning performance.
For example, the proximal portion 222 may be harder than the distal
portion 224 to withstand force applied in the longitudinal
direction of the cleaning assembly 200 against an interface between
two tubes to be cleaned with the cleaning assembly 200.
[0031] In some examples, a longitudinal axis of the proximal
portion 222 and a longitudinal axis of the distal portion 224 are
parallel to one another. For example, when the proximal and distal
portions 222, 224 are parallel, the plane of the interface surface
226 can also be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
proximal portion 222. In some examples, the longitudinal axis of
the proximal portion 222 or the distal portion 224 is parallel to
the longitudinal axis 202.
[0032] The proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 may be
coaxially arranged, for example the proximal portion 222 and the
distal portion 224 each have the same longitudinal axis, as shown
in FIG. 3. Such an arrangement may allow for more effecting
cleaning of a tube by rotation of the cleaning assembly 200 about
the shaft 210. This arrangement may also allow for simpler
manufacturing of the cleaning assembly 200 compared to a cleaning
assembly 200 in which the proximal and distal portions 222, 224 are
not coaxial.
[0033] The proximal portion 222, the distal portion 224 and the
shaft 210 may be coaxially arranged, for example the proximal
portion 222, distal portion 224 and shaft 210 each have the
longitudinal axis 202 shown in FIG. 3. Such an arrangement may
allow for easier rotation of the cleaning assembly 200 in use.
[0034] In this example, the cleaning element 220 has an overall
length of 15 mm. In other examples, the cleaning element 220 may
have an overall length between 5 mm and 30 mm. More specifically,
the cleaning element may have an overall length between 15 mm and
20 mm. The length of the cleaning element 220 may be dependent on
the material properties of the cleaning element 220, for example
its absorbency.
[0035] In this example, the proximal portion 222 has a length of 10
mm. In other examples, the proximal portion 222 may have a length
between 4 mm and 20 mm. More specifically, the proximal portion 222
may have a length between 12 mm and 18 mm. The length of the
proximal portion 222 may provide a sufficient surface area to
remove residue from the internal surface of the tube to be cleaned.
In this example, the proximal portion 222 has a diameter of 8 mm.
In other examples, the proximal portion 222 may have a diameter
between 2 mm and 15 mm. More specifically, the proximal portion 222
may have a diameter between 3 mm and 6 mm. The proximal portion 222
may have a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of
a larger tube of an aerosol provision device for cleaning by the
cleaning assembly 200 for example the diameter of the heating
chamber 110 shown in FIG. 2.
[0036] In this example, the distal portion 224 has a length of 5
mm. In other embodiments, the distal portion 224 may have a length
between 1 mm and 10 mm. More specifically, the distal portion 224
may have a length between 3 mm and 5 mm. The length of the distal
portion 224 may provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue
from the internal surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this
example, the distal portion 224 has a diameter of 4 mm. In other
embodiments, the distal portion 224 may have a diameter between 1
mm and 10 mm. More specifically, the distal portion 224 may have a
diameter between 2 mm and 5 mm. The distal portion 224 may have a
diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of a smaller
tube of an aerosol provision device for cleaning by the cleaning
assembly 200 such that the distal portion 224 may enter the smaller
tube when the proximal portion 222 is sufficiently inserted into
the larger tube in use. For example, the distal portion 224 may
have a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of the
tube 112 shown in FIG. 2.
[0037] In this example, the length of the proximal portion 222 is
twice that of the distal portion 224. In other examples, the length
of the proximal portion 222 may be between 2 and 10 times greater
than the length of the distal portion 224. More specifically, the
length of the proximal portion 222 may be between 3 and 6 times
greater than the length of the distal portion 224.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly 300
according to a second example of the present disclosure. The
cleaning assembly 300 is substantially the same as the cleaning
assembly 200 shown in FIG. 3 and may have any of the disclosed
features of the cleaning assembly 200. Corresponding features have
corresponding reference numbers in FIG. 4, but increased by 100.
The cleaning assembly 300 additionally comprises a second cleaning
element 330 disposed at an opposite end of the shaft 310 to the
cleaning element 320. The second cleaning element 330 may increase
the functionality of the cleaning assembly 300 by providing the
capability of cleaning a tube that is not accessible by the
cleaning element 320.
[0039] The second cleaning element 330 may be substantially
cylindrical. In other examples, the second cleaning element 330 may
be of a shape other than cylindrical, for example elliptical or
ridged. The largest diameter of the second cleaning element 330 may
be substantially equal to the diameter of the distal portion 324.
Such an arrangement may allow cleaning of a tube having a diameter
that is smaller than the diameter of the proximal portion 322 and a
length greater than can be reached by the distal portion 324. The
second cleaning element 330 may be formed from the same material as
the distal portion 324.
[0040] In this example, the second cleaning element has a length of
7 mm. In other examples, the second cleaning element 330 may have a
length between 5 mm and 25 mm. More specifically, the second
cleaning element 330 may have a length between 15 mm and 20 mm. The
length of the second cleaning element 330 may provide a sufficient
surface area to remove residue from the internal surface of the
tube to be cleaned. In this example, the second cleaning element
330 has a diameter of 4 mm. In other examples, the second cleaning
element 330 may have a diameter between 1 mm and 10 mm. More
specifically, the second cleaning element 330 may have a diameter
between 2 mm and 5 mm. The second cleaning element 330 may have a
diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of a smaller
tube of an aerosol provision device for cleaning by the cleaning
assembly 300, for example the tube 112 shown in FIG. 2.
[0041] The diameter of the shaft 310 is smaller than the diameter
of the second cleaning element 330 to permit insertion of the
second cleaning element 330 into a tube of a substantially similar
diameter to the second cleaning element 330.
[0042] At least part of the cleaning elements 220, 320, 330 may be
impregnated with a cleaning fluid. For example, at least part of
the cleaning element 220, 320, 330 may be absorbent. The cleaning
fluid may be any fluid suitable for removing residue from the
internal surfaces of tubes to be cleaned with the cleaning assembly
200, 300 in use. In an example, the cleaning elements 220, 320, 330
are impregnated with Ethanol. Ethanol can be beneficial for
effective cleaning without leaving cleaning fluid residue in tubes
cleaned with the impregnated cleaning elements 220, 320, 330, which
might affect the flavor or other properties of aerosol after
cleaning.
[0043] The proximal portion 222, 322 and the distal portion 224,
324 of the cleaning assemblies 200, 300 allow for more effective or
thorough cleaning of an aerosol provision device comprising
different diameter tubes. For example, tubes of different diameters
can be simultaneously cleaned by both the proximal portion 222, 322
and distal portions 224, 324.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the device 100 shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the cleaning assembly 300 inserted into the
heating chamber 110. It will be appreciated that the cleaning
assembly 200 could alternatively be inserted into the heating
chamber 110. In use, the proximal portion 322 contacts the internal
surfaces of the heating chamber 110 and the distal portion 324
contacts the internal surfaces of the tube 112, thus cleaning the
heating chamber 110 and the tube 112 simultaneously. Upon further
insertion of the cleaning assembly 200 into the heating chamber 110
compared to the position of the cleaning assembly 200 shown in FIG.
5, it will be apparent that the interface surface 326 will contact
the interface 114 between the heating chamber 110 and the tube 112.
This permits cleaning of the interface 114 by, for example,
rotation of the cleaning assembly 200 when the interface surface
326 and the interface 114 are in contact.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the device 100 shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the cleaning assembly 300 inserted into the
tube 112. In use, the second cleaning element 320 contacts the
internal surfaces of the tube 112. The second cleaning element 320
may allow a user to clean along the entire length of the tube 112
in the event that the distal portion 324 cannot reach all of the
length of the tube 112. It will be appreciated that the distal
portion 224 of the cleaning assembly 200 could alternatively be
inserted into the tube 112 for the length of the distal portion
224. In some examples, the distal portion 224, 324 may have
sufficient length to clean the entire length of the tube 112.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly 400
according to another example. The cleaning assembly 400 comprises a
shaft 410 having a first end 412 and a second end 414. The shaft
410 may be substantially cylindrical. A first cleaning element 420
is disposed at the first end 412 of the shaft 410 and may comprise
a first substantially cylindrical portion 422. A second cleaning
element 430 is disposed at the second end 414 of the shaft 410 and
may comprise a second substantially cylindrical portion 432. In
this example, the first cylindrical portion 422 has a greater
diameter than the second cylindrical portion 432.
[0047] The cleaning assembly 400 provides a single assembly for
cleaning cavities of two different sizes. For example, with
reference to the aerosol providing device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a diameter that is
substantially equal to the diameter of the heating chamber 110 and
the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a diameter that is
substantially equal the diameter of the tube 112.
[0048] In this example, the first cylindrical portion 422 has a
length of 15 mm. In other examples, the first cylindrical portion
422 may have a length between 5 min and 30 mm. More specifically,
the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a length between 15 mm
and 20 mm. The length of the first cylindrical portion 422 may
provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue from the
internal surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the
first cylindrical portion has a diameter of 8 mm. In other
examples, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a diameter
between 2 mm and 15 mm. More specifically, the first cylindrical
portion 422 may have a diameter between 3 mm and Gum. The first
cylindrical portion 422 may have a diameter that is substantially
equal to the diameter of a larger tube of an aerosol provision
device for cleaning by the cleaning assembly 400, for example the
diameter of the heating chamber 110 shown in FIG. 2.
[0049] In this example, the second cylindrical portion 432 has a
length of 10 mm. In other examples, the second cylindrical portion
432 may have a length between 5 mm and 30 mm. More specifically,
the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a length between 15 mm
and 20 mm. The length of the second cylindrical portion 432 may
provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue from the
internal surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the
second cylindrical portion 432 has a diameter of 4 mm. In other
examples, the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a diameter
between 1 mm and 10 mm. More specifically, the second cylindrical
portion 432 may have a diameter between 2 mm and 5 mm. The second
cylindrical portion 432 may have a diameter that is substantially
equal to the diameter of a smaller tube of an aerosol provision
device for cleaning by the cleaning assembly 400, for example the
diameter of the tube 112 shown in FIG. 2.
[0050] The diameter of the shaft 410 is smaller than the diameter
of the second cylindrical portion 432 to permit insertion of the
second cylindrical portion 432 into a tube of a substantially
similar diameter to the second cylindrical portion 432.
[0051] The first or second cleaning elements 420, 430 may be
impregnated with a cleaning fluid. For example, the first or second
cleaning elements 420, 430 may be absorbent. The cleaning fluid may
be any fluid suitable for removing residue from the internal
surfaces of tubes to be cleaned with the cleaning assembly 400 in
use. In an example, the cleaning elements 420, 430 are impregnated
with Ethanol. Ethanol can be beneficial for effective cleaning
without leaving cleaning fluid residue in tubes cleaned with the
impregnated cleaning elements 420, 430, which might affect the
flavor or other properties of aerosol after cleaning.
[0052] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the first and second
cleaning elements 420, 430 are cylindrical. In other examples, the
first and second cleaning elements 420, 430 may be, for example,
elliptical or ridged. In some examples, the first and second
cleaning elements 420, 430 may comprise other portions in addition
to the first and second cylindrical portions 422, 432,
respectively. In these other examples, the first cleaning element
is larger than the second cleaning element.
[0053] In the examples shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, the cleaning
assemblies 200, 300 400 have an overall length of 90 mm. In other
examples, the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 may have an overall
length between 50 mm and 150 mm. More specifically, the cleaning
assembly 200, 300, 400 may have an overall length between 80 mm and
110 mm. The length of the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 may be
sufficient to permit cleaning of the full length of one of more
tubes to be cleaned whilst a user maintains a grip on a
non-inserted part of the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 to apply a
cleaning motion.
[0054] An example of the present disclosure provides a system 500
as shown in FIG. 8. The system 500 comprises a cleaning assembly
according to an example of the present disclosure and a rigid outer
casing 510 enclosing the cleaning assembly. In the example shown in
FIG. 8, the rigid outer casing 510 encloses a cleaning assembly 200
as described with reference to FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the
rigid outer casing may enclose any cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400
according to the present disclosure.
[0055] The outer casing 510 protects the cleaning assembly 200
before use. The outer casing 510 may help to prevent the cleaning
element 220 from being crushed before use such that the shape of
the cleaning element 220 is retained for cleaning the internal
surface of a tube. The outer casing 510 may prevent the cleaning
element 220 from being contaminated by foreign substances before
use, thus preventing unwanted substances being transferred to the
internal surface of a tube during use of the cleaning assembly 200.
The outer casing 510 may help to retain any volatile cleaning
fluids which the cleaning element 220 is impregnated with.
[0056] In some examples, the rigid outer casing 510 may only
partially enclose the cleaning assembly 200. For example, the outer
casing 510 may enclose the cleaning element 220 but may not enclose
all of the shaft 210 and may form a seal around the shaft 210 to
enclose the cleaning element 220.
[0057] The rigid outer casing 510 may be substantially tubular.
This may help to reduce the amount of material required for
enclosing a cleaning assembly 200 with a substantially circular
cross-section. A tubular casing 510 allows for a compact design
that is relatively easy to manufacture.
[0058] In some examples, the rigid outer casing 510 is integrally
formed and comprises a weakened portion 512 to facilitate rupturing
of the casing 510 to access the cleaning assembly 200. In the
example shown in FIG. 8, the weakened portion 512 is a portion of
the casing 510 having a reduced thickness. For example, the
weakened portion 512 may comprise slits, grooves, perforations or
other features that assist a user in accessing the cleaning
assembly 200 enclosed in the outer casing 510.
[0059] In some examples, the weakened portion 512 is positioned
away from the cleaning element 220 of the cleaning assembly 200.
Such an arrangement can help to avoid damage to the cleaning
element 220 when opening the casing 510. Where the cleaning
assembly has two or more cleaning elements, the weakened portion
512 may be positioned away from all of the cleaning elements or at
least one of the cleaning elements. For example, as in the example
of FIG. 8, the weakened portion 512 is aligned approximately half
way along the shaft 210.
[0060] In some examples, the rigid outer casing 510 has an internal
diameter D sized to engage a largest radial dimension of the
cleaning element 220 of the cleaning assembly 200. In the example
of FIG. 7, the internal diameter D of the casing 510 is sized to
engage the proximal portion 222 of the cleaning element 220. Such
an arrangement reduces the overall size of the casing 510, may help
to hold the cleaning assembly 200 securely and may help to reduce
evaporation of any volatile cleaning fluids with which the cleaning
element 200 is impregnated into an internal cavity 514 of the outer
casing.
[0061] In this example, the rigid outer casing 510 has an overall
length of 110 mm. In other examples, the rigid outer casing 510 may
have an overall length between 55 mm and 155 mm. More specifically,
the rigid outer casing 510 may have an overall length between 85 mm
and 115 mm. The length of the rigid outer casing 510 may be
dependent on the length of the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 it
encloses or the thickness of the casing 510.
[0062] The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative
examples of the disclosure. Further embodiments of the disclosure
are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in
relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination
with other features described, and may also be used in combination
with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any
combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore,
equivalents and modifications not described above may also be
employed without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which
is defined in the accompanying claims.
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