Aerosol-generating article comprising a piston and aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The aerosol-generating article comprises a housing having an open end. The housing comprises a cavity for holding an aerosol-forming substrate. The article further comprises a piston movable within the housing into the direction of the open end of the housing. The aerosol-generating device comprises a cavity for receiving at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. A heating chamber is arranged adjacent the cavity for heating aerosol-forming substrate received from the aerosol-generating article. The cavity and the heating chamber are arranged along a same longitudinal axis such that aerosol-forming substrate is transferrable from the aerosol-generating article into the heating chamber with a linear movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. Aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device, comprising an article-receiving cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article and a heating chamber arranged adjacent the article-receiving cavity for heating aerosol-forming substrate received from the aerosol-generating article, the article comprising a housing having an open end, the housing comprising a substrate-holding cavity for holding an aerosol-forming substrate, wherein a solid aerosol-forming substrate is provided in the substrate-holding cavity, the article further comprising a piston movable within the housing into the direction of the open end of the housing.

2. Aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein a length of the housing is identical to or longer than a length of the piston.

3. Aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, further comprising at least one airflow channel through the article, the airflow channel extending from one end of the article to an opposite end of the article.

4. Aerosol-generating article according to claim 3, wherein the at least one airflow channel is arranged along the piston.

5. Aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to claim 4, wherein the article-receiving cavity and the heating chamber are arranged along a same longitudinal axis such that aerosol-forming substrate is transferrable from the aerosol-generating article into the heating chamber with a linear movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein the aerosol-generating article is arranged at least partially in the article-receiving cavity of the device.

6. Aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to claim 3, wherein the article-receiving cavity and the heating chamber are arranged along a same longitudinal axis such that aerosol-forming substrate is transferrable from the aerosol-generating article into the heating chamber with a linear movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein the aerosol-generating article is arranged at least partially in the article-receiving cavity of the device.

7. Aerosol-generating system according to claim 6, wherein the device comprises a push element adapted for pushing the piston of the aerosol-generating article relative to the housing of the aerosol-generating article.

8. Aerosol-generating system according to claim 6, wherein the device comprises a device housing and a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece comprising the push element.

9. Aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 wherein the article-receiving cavity and the heating chamber are arranged along a same longitudinal axis such that aerosol-forming substrate is transferrable from the aerosol-generating article into the heating chamber with a linear movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein the aerosol-generating article is arranged at least partially in the article-receiving cavity of the device.

10. Aerosol-generating system according to claim 9, wherein the device further comprises an ejection mechanism for ejecting aerosol-forming substrate out of the heating chamber.

11. Aerosol-generating system according to claim 10, wherein the device comprises a push element adapted for pushing the piston of the aerosol-generating article relative to the housing of the aerosol-generating article.

12. Aerosol-generating system according to claim 9, wherein the device comprises a push element adapted for pushing the piston of the aerosol-generating article relative to the housing of the aerosol-generating article.

13. Aerosol-generating system according to claim 12, wherein the device comprises a device housing and a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece comprising the push element.

14. Aerosol-generating system according to claim 9, wherein the heating chamber comprises a base and heating chamber walls, which base is relatively movable to heating chamber walls.

15. Aerosol-generating system according to claim 9, wherein an inner lateral dimension of the housing of the aerosol-generating article corresponds to an inner lateral dimension of the heating chamber.

16. Kit for an aerosol-generating system, the kit comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating device comprising an article-receiving cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, the device further comprising a heating chamber arranged adjacent the article-receiving cavity for heating aerosol-forming substrate received from the aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article comprising a housing having an open end, the housing comprising a substrate-holding cavity for holding aerosol-forming substrate, wherein a solid aerosol-forming substrate is provided in the substrate-holding cavity, the article further comprising a piston movable within the housing into the direction of the open end of the housing; wherein the aerosol-generating article is configured to be mounted at least partly in the article-receiving cavity of the aerosol-generating device such that the aerosol-forming substrate is transferrable from the aerosol-generating article into the heating chamber with a linear movement.

17. Kit according to claim 16, wherein the device further comprises an ejection mechanism for ejecting aerosol-forming substrate out of the heating chamber.

18. Kit according to claim 16, wherein the heating chamber comprises a movable base, which is configured to be movable into the direction of the top of the heating chamber such that used aerosol-forming substrate is ejectable out of the heating chamber.

19. Kit according to claim 16, wherein the device comprises a push element adapted for pushing the piston of the aerosol-generating article relative to the housing of the aerosol-generating article.

20. Kit according to claim 19, wherein the device comprises a device housing and a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece comprising the push element.

Description

(1) The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1, 2 are illustrations of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating article with aerosol-forming substrate in the article (FIG. 1) and pushed-out (FIG. 2) of the article;

(3) FIGS. 3, 4 are illustrations of another embodiment of an aerosol-generating article with aerosol-forming substrate in the article (FIG. 3) and pushed-out (FIG. 4) of the article;

(4) FIGS. 5, 6 show a heater assembly;

(5) FIGS. 7-9 show views of a portion of an aerosol-generating device comprising a heater assembly and an aerosol-generating article;

(6) FIG. 10 shows use of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating device;

(7) FIG. 11 shows use of another embodiment of an aerosol-generating device;

(8) FIG. 12 shows cross sections through aerosol-generating articles;

(9) FIG. 13 shows an air-flow management through an aerosol-generating device;

(10) FIG. 14 shows another cross section through an aerosol-generating article;

(11) FIG. 15 shows another air-flow management through an aerosol-generating device;

(12) FIGS. 16-18 show further air-flow managements through aerosol-generating devices.

(13) FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating article 1 comprising a housing 10 in the form of a hollow cylinder. The housing 10 is drawn in a semi-transparent manner to best illustrate the elements arranged inside the housing. A piston 11 in the form of a cylinder is partially, about halfway, arranged in the hollow cylinder housing. Piston 11 and housing 10 have a same length and the piston protrudes from the housing. Below the base 13 of the piston a cavity 12 is formed within the housing 10. The cavity 12 is filled with an aerosol-forming substrate 3, for example a tobacco substrate. In use, for example, after the article 1 has been inserted into an aerosol-generating device, the piston 11 is pushed into the housing 10, thereby pushing the aerosol-forming substrate 3 out of the cavity 12 and out of the open base end 15 of the housing 10 and thereby out of the article 1. This pushed-out state is illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the piston 11 is arranged flush with the top end 14 of the housing 10 indicating a complete emptying of the cavity 12.

(14) FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a hollow cylinder housing 10 and cylindrical piston 11, wherein the piston 11 has about half the length of the housing 10. Again, the housing 10 is drawn in a semi-transparent manner. The piston 11 is entirely arranged in the housing 10 with a top 15 of the piston 11 being arranged flush with the top end 14 of the housing 10. Below the base of the piston a cavity 12 is formed, which is filled with aerosol-forming substrate 3. In use, the piston 11 is pushed further into the housing (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3), thereby pushing the substrate out of the cavity 12. The pushed-out state is shown in FIG. 4.

(15) An end stop (not shown) may be provided in the housing 10 to prevent the piston 11 from being partly or entirely pushed out of the housing 10 together with the substrate 3. An end stop may also be provided to prevent or hinder a movement of the piston in an opposite direction that is to prevent or hinder the piston 11 to return to its original position as shown in FIG. 3.

(16) FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a heater 4 having a cylindrical heating chamber 40 and a movable base 41. The movable base is formed by the top of a cylindrical heating chamber piston 42, which is movable within a hollow cylinder, which forms the heating chamber walls 43. The heating chamber piston 42 is provided with a lever 44 protruding radially outwardly from the piston 42. By activating the lever 44 the heating chamber piston 42 may be moved into the heating chamber (moving direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 5) thereby moving the base 41 of the heater versus the top of the heater. Thereby, aerosol-forming substrate may be ejected from the heating chamber 40, for example after the substrate has been used. The base 41 may be moved to its original position again, for example by activating the lever 44 in opposite direction or by pushing the base backwards (downwards in FIG. 6). A pushing movement may, for example, be realized by aerosol-forming substrate being pushed into the heater 4.

(17) FIGS. 7 to 9 show the article 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the heater 4 of FIGS. 5 and 6 arranged in a device housing 60 of an aerosol-generating device. Device housing 60, as well as article housing 10 are drawn in a semi-transparent manner to best illustrate the elements arranged inside the device housing 60.

(18) The device housing 60 has basically the form of a hollow cylinder and the article 1 and heater 4 are arranged next to each other inside along the device housing 60. The top of the heater 4 formed by the rim of the heating chamber walls 43 forms an end stop for the inserted article 1. FIG. 7 shows the article having been inserted into a cavity in the device housing 60 above the heater 4, the cavity being provided for receiving the aerosol-forming article 1. The piston 11 of the article 1 is then pushed further into the device housing 60 thereby being pushed into the article housing 10 and pushing the aerosol-forming substrate 3 out of the base end 15 of the article directly into the heating chamber of the heater 4 as is illustrated in FIG. 8. Preferably, outer and inner diameter of the article housing and of the heater or heating chamber, respectively, correspond to each other such that the aerosol-forming substrate may be entirely transferred from the article into the heating chamber 40 of the heater 4 with a short, linear movement of the piston 11 along a longitudinal axis of the device.

(19) The device housing 60 comprises a longitudinal opening 61 in the housing wall where the lever 44 of the heater 4 laterally protrudes from the housing 60. After the substrate has been used or for preparing the device for a reloading, the lever 44 of the heater 4 may be pushed upwards in the opening 61 (indicated by an arrow). The base 41 of the heater is pushed upward, pushing the used substrate out of the heating chamber and into the direction of the article. The substrate may be pushed back into the article or as shown in FIG. 9, the substrate 3 pushes the article at least partially out of the device housing 60. The article may now be gripped and disposed of or be refilled.

(20) Piston 11 and housing 10 may be provided with a locking mechanism to limit the movement of the piston to the desired range. For example, a locking mechanism may prevent the piston from being entirely pushed out of the housing.

(21) The size of the opening 61 may define end stops for the movement of the base 41 of the heater 4 in opposite directions (upward and downward in FIGS. 7-9). In order to remove all used substrate from the device, the device may for example be turned upside down such that the substrate is removed from the device by gravitational force.

(22) FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show variants of aerosol-generating devices 6 adapted for use of different embodiments of aerosol-generating articles. Devices and articles are generally rod-shaped having a substantially circular cross section.

(23) In FIG. 10 the device housing 60 is provided with a cylindrical cavity 62 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 1 having a piston 11 protruding from the article housing 12. The article 1 is inserted into the cavity 62 to an extent such that the piston protrudes from the proximal end of the housing 60. The device housing 60 comprises a heater (not shown), for example one as described in FIGS. 5 and 6.

(24) A distal portion of the device housing 63 may, for example, comprise a power source such as a battery and electronics for controlling a heating of the device. The distal portion of the device is provided with an activation knob 65 for activating the device, for example starting a heating cycle. Before activation of the device, the protruding piston 11 of the article is pushed into the article housing such that piston 11, upper end of article housing 14 and proximal end of the device 64 are flush with each other. By this movement of the piston, the substrate is inserted into a heating chamber and the device is ready for heating the substrate.

(25) After use, the lever 44 of the heater 4 may be moved into the direction of the proximal end of the device. The article is partially pushed out of the proximal end of the device 6 such that the article 1 may be gripped by a user and completely be removed from the device.

(26) In FIG. 10 the piston 11 of the article is pushed into the article housing, for example directly by a user's finger or for example by means of a mouthpiece as shown in FIG. 11. Preferably, mouthpieces or other push elements are used for aerosol-generating articles having counter-sunk pistons.

(27) In FIG. 11 the aerosol-generating article 1 comprises a counter-sunk piston 11, which is pushed into the device by a push element 660 provided at the mouthpiece 66. After insertion of the article 1 into the cavity 62 of the device housing 60, mouthpiece 66 and device housing 60 may be assembled. Upon assembly, the push element 660 of the mouthpiece 66 pushes the piston 11 further into the article housing and thus the substrate into the heating chamber. In FIG. 11, the diameter of the push element 666 corresponds to the diameter of the piston. The push element may also have a smaller diameter than the piston. Preferably, the length of the push element corresponds to the length of the cavity in the article filled with aerosol-forming substrate. By entirely inserting the push element 660 into the article housing, the aerosol-forming substrate is entirely pushed out of the cavity 62 and into the heater.

(28) An activation of the lever 44 ejects the article 1 again partially out of the cavity 62 also disassembling the mouthpiece 66 from the device housing 60.

(29) FIG. 12 shows top views onto aerosol-generating articles having coaxially arranged piston 11 and housing 12. An airflow from the heating chamber through the article 1 to a proximal end of the device is shown in FIG. 13 in the longitudinal cross sectional view through the device.

(30) The airflow is provided along the interface between piston 11 and housing 12. In the cross section of the article in the top drawing of FIG. 12, the diameters of piston 11 and housing 12 are chosen to provide a thin circumferentially running passage 110 between piston and housing, allowing an airflow, comprising or not comprising aerosol, to pass through the passage 110. In the article in the bottom drawing of FIG. 12, the interface is provided with a plurality of regularly arranged distinct longitudinal channels 111.

(31) FIG. 13 schematically shows an aerosol-generating device and a variant of flow management. Again same reference numbers are used for the same or similar elements.

(32) The device housing 60 is provided with an inlet opening 68 in a housing wall, for example slightly upstream of the position of the heating chamber, allowing air 70 from the environment to enter the device. The air 70 passes between heating chamber piston 42 and heating chamber walls 43 from the base of the heater into the heating chamber and through the heated aerosol-forming substrate 3 arranged in the heating chamber. There aerosol or evaporated substances 71 are picked up by the airflow and the aerosol containing airflow 70, 71 passes through the passage 110 or the channels 111 of the article 1 and out of the proximal end of the device. This proximal end may be provided with a mouthpiece.

(33) FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 illustrate an airflow management, where aerosol-containing air passes centrally through the aerosol-generating article.

(34) The piston 11 of the article is provided with a centrally arranged channel 112.

(35) In the device of FIG. 15 air 70 enters the device housing through an opening 68 in the housing wall. The opening 68 is arranged next to the top of the heater. The air 70 enters the heating chamber between distal end of the article 1 and the heating chamber. The airflow carries evaporated substances through the channel 112 in the center of the article 1 and out of the device.

(36) FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate aerosol-generating devices comprising a mouthpiece 66. The mouthpiece 66 comprises a centrally arranged outlet opening 661, where aerosol-containing air 70, 71 may leave the mouthpiece and may be inhaled by a user. The device of FIG. 16 corresponds to the device of FIG. 13, where aerosol containing air is passing downstream along the circularly arranged interface of the article and is collected in the mouthpiece 66. Preferably, the mouthpiece 66 is hollow. The mouthpiece may be provided with directing and mixing elements supporting a mixing of air and aerosol. The distal portion of the device housing comprises a power source such as a battery 600 and electronics 601 for controlling a heating of the device.

(37) In FIG. 17 one or several inlet openings 662 are provided between mouthpiece 66 and proximal end of the device housing 60. The air 70 radially inwardly entering the device through said inlet openings 662 passes through channels 111 or passage 110 through the article into the heating chamber and the aerosol-forming substrate 3 arranged in the heating chamber. The airflow charged with aerosol 71 leaves the device through a centrally arranged channel 112 in the article and the outlet opening 661 in the mouthpiece.

(38) FIG. 18 illustrates a similar airflow management as shown in FIG. 17, however, with an article having a piston with a length smaller than that of the article housing 12. In use, the piston 11 is pushed into the direction of the heating chamber with an extension 664 of the mouthpiece 66 serving as push element. Between extension 664 and article housing 12 a small channel is formed through which air 70 entering between mouthpiece 66 and proximal end of the device housing 60 may pass to the interface between piston and housing. The air 70 continuous through channels 111 or a passage 110 through the article into the heating chamber and the aerosol-forming substrate 3 arranged in the heating chamber. The airflow charged with aerosol 71 leaves the article in a downstream direction through a centrally arranged channel 112 in the article and via the extension 664 into the mouthpiece 66. The mouthpiece may be hollow and the aerosol-containing air may leave the mouthpiece via outlet opening 661.

(39) Embodiments of articles and devices as well as airflow management have been shown by way of examples only. Different combinations and variations are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention, for example variations and combinations relating to an airflow into and through a heating chamber or into and through an aerosol-generating article, relating to devices including or excluding mouthpieces or to arrangement and design of push elements.