Abstract
The invention relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a main body and a top cover. The top cover comprises a cavity configured for insertion of an aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate into the cavity. The device further comprises an ejector. The top cover is movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the main body. In the first position, the top cover is extended from the main body and the cavity is accessible for insertion of an aerosol-generating article. In the second position, the top cover is retracted towards the main body and the cavity is closed. The ejector is configured to eject an aerosol-generating article from the cavity during movement of the top cover from the first position to the second position. The invention also relates to a system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. The invention also relates to a method for ejecting an aerosol-generating article from an aerosol-generating device.
Claims
1. Aerosol-generating device comprising: a main body; a top cover, wherein the top cover comprises a cavity configured for insertion of an aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate into the cavity; and an ejector, wherein the top cover is movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the main body, wherein, in the first position, the top cover is extended from the main body and the cavity is accessible for insertion of the aerosol-generating article, wherein, in the second position, the top cover is retracted towards the main body and the cavity is closed, and wherein the ejector is configured to eject the aerosol-generating article from the cavity during movement of the top cover from the first position to the second position.
2. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the movable top cover is slidably connected with the main body.
3. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises a heater.
4. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises at least one first biasing element being a first spring, for biasing the top cover towards the first position.
5. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises at least one protruding element attached to the top cover and accessibly arranged on the periphery of the aerosol-generating device for moving the top cover between the first and second position.
6. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises at least one second biasing element being a second spring, for biasing the ejector towards the cavity.
7. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the top cover and the main body comprises a guiding element for guiding the movement of the top cover relative to the main body.
8. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises a heater, wherein the ejector comprises an opening, and wherein the opening is arranged such that the heater passes through the opening during movement of the top cover from the first position to the second position.
9. Aerosol-generating device according claim 8, wherein the ejector comprises a first cleaning element at least partially surrounding the opening for cleaning the heater when the heater passes through the opening.
10. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the ejector is configured to penetrate into the cavity during movement of the top cover from the first position to the second position.
11. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, wherein the ejector comprises a second cleaning element surrounding a proximal end of the ejector, and wherein the second cleaning element is arranged for cleaning the inner cavity wall during movement of the top cover from the first position to the second position.
12. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the top cover and the main body comprises a detector, preferably an electrical switch, configured to detect whether the top cover is in the first position or in the second position.
13. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 9, wherein one or more of the first cleaning element and the second cleaning element is also configured as a sealing element configured for sealing the cavity when the top cover is in the second position.
14. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the top cover or the ejector comprises an indicator configured to indicate when an aerosol-generating article is fully inserted into the cavity.
15. Aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 and an aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate.
Description
[0068] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0069] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of parts of the aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0070] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of parts of a main body of the aerosol-generating device;
[0071] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an ejector of the aerosol-generating device;
[0072] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a top cover of the aerosol-generating device;
[0073] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article inserted into the cavity of the top cover of the aerosol-generating device;
[0074] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the top cover being in a second position;
[0075] FIG. 7 shows a proximal end of the ejector with an opening and a first cleaning element and a second cleaning element;
[0076] FIG. 8 shows the proximal end of the ejector with an opening and the first cleaning element and the second cleaning element, wherein a heater extends through the opening;
[0077] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device and shows a detector for detecting the position of the top cover;
[0078] FIG. 10 shows an indicator for indicating full insertion of the aerosol-generating article; and
[0079] FIG. 11 shows the operation of the aerosol-generating device and the movement of the top cover between the first and the second position
[0080] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of parts of the aerosol-generating device comprising a latching means in an engaged state
[0081] FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of parts of the aerosol-generating device comprising a latching means in the process of being disengaged
[0082] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of parts of the aerosol-generating device comprising a latching means in a disengaged state
[0083] FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the ejector comprising a protuberance
[0084] FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a releasing means.
[0085] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated aerosol-generating device comprises a main body 10, a top cover 12 and an ejector 14.
[0086] The top cover 12 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a cavity 16 constituting a heating chamber. The cavity 16 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device. The cavity 16 is open towards a downstream direction 18. In other words, the cavity 16 is open at the proximal end 20 of the top cover 12. A heater 22 is arranged in the cavity 16. The heater 22 is arranged centrally in the cavity 16. The heater 22 is configured as a heating blade. However, it is understood that in other embodiments the heater could be shaped as a heating pin. The heater 22 may comprise a resistive heating element (not shown).
[0087] At the base of the cavity 16, which is the upstream end 24 or distal end 30 of the cavity 16, the proximal or downstream end 26 of the ejector 14 is arranged. The ejector 14 has a planar proximal end 26 with an opening 28. The opening 28 is provided so that the heater 22 can extend through the opening 28. The heater 22 is mounted on the top cover 12. The part of the top cover 12 onto which the heater 22 is mounted reaches into the ejector 14. For this reason, the ejector 14 is hollow and open at the distal end. The ejector 14 has a hollow shape.
[0088] The part of the top cover 12 which is arranged inside of the ejector 14 may comprise a collar 32 reaching into a corresponding groove or recess 34 of the ejector 14 so that the movement of the ejector 14 relative to the top cover 12 or vice versa is limited by the movement of the collar of the top cover 12 within the groove or recess 34 of the ejector 14.
[0089] The top cover 12 may comprise a first guiding cavity 36, which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device. A first biasing element 38, preferably a first spring 38, is arranged within the first guiding cavity 36. The first guiding cavity 36 may have a tubular shape. The first guiding cavity 36 may be closed at the downstream or proximal end. The first guiding cavity 36 may be open at the upstream or distal end. The first guiding cavity 36 may be shaped to fit over a corresponding first projection 40 of the main body 10. The first guiding cavity 36 and the first projection 40 of the main body 10 may be dimensioned such that the first projection 40 may slide within the first guiding cavity 36. This arrangement may facilitate secure and guided movement of the top cover 12 with respect to the main body 10. The first biasing element 38 may be arranged between the first guiding cavity 36 and the first projection 40 within the first guiding cavity 36. The first biasing element 38 may be mounted on the proximal end of the first projection 40. The first biasing element 38 may be configured to bias the top cover 12 towards the first position, in which the top cover 12 is extended away from the main body 10.
[0090] The top cover 12 may comprise a second guiding cavity 42. The second guiding cavity 42 may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device. The second guiding cavity 42 may have a tubular shape. A corresponding second projection 44 may be arranged at the main body 10. The second projection 44 may project into the second guiding cavity 42 for facilitating secure movement of the top cover 12 with respect to the main body 10. If desired, more than two guiding cavities and more than two projections may be provided. Also, if desired, the main body 10 may comprise the cavities and the top cover 12 may comprise the projections. The top cover 12 may comprise further guiding cavities, for example for guiding the movement of the ejector 14 as depicted in FIG. 1.
[0091] Between the ejector 14 and the main body 10, a second biasing element 46, preferably a second spring, may be arranged. The second biasing element 46 may be mounted at a stop 48 of the main body 10, which may reach into the top cover 12. The stop 48 may limit the movement of the top cover 12 with respect to the main body 10. The stop 48 may prevent the top cover 12 from fully disengaged from the main body 10. The stop 48 may prevent the top cover 12 from extending away from the main body 10 further than the first position. The second biasing element 46 may bias the ejector 14 away from the main body 10.
[0092] During operation, the aerosol-generating device may initially be in the second position as will be described in more detail below with respect to FIG. 11. In the second position, the top cover 12 is retracted towards the main body 10. A user may deactivate the locking means, preferably by pressing the locking means or by pushing on the top cover 12. By deactivating the locking means, a locking action between the top cover 12 and the main body 10 may be deactivated and the first biasing element 38 may push the top cover 12 away from the main body 10 towards the first position. Then, the cavity 16 of the top cover 12 is generated by the top cover 12 moving away from the main body 10 and moving away from the ejector 14. Additionally, the heater 22 mounted on the top cover 12 passes through the opening 28 at the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14 so that the heater 22 is arranged in the cavity 16. When the top cover has reached the first position, an aerosol-generating article 50 may be inserted by a user into the cavity 16 so that the heater 22 penetrates into the aerosol-forming substrate contained in the aerosol-generating article 50. The heater 22 may subsequently be activated for producing an inhalable aerosol. After the aerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol-generating article 50 is spent, a user may want to deactivate the device and eject the aerosol-generating article 50. To facilitate this, a user may push down the top cover 12 towards the main body 10. By pushing the top cover 12 towards the main body 10, the ejector 14, more precisely the planar proximal end 26 of the ejector 14 pushes against the aerosol-generating article 50 and automatically ejects the aerosol-generating article 50 out of the cavity 16. At the same time, the heater 22 is retracted through the opening 28 and from the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article 50. The cavity 16 becomes smaller and at the end of the movement is essentially fully occupied by the ejector 14. The top cover 12 is then positioned in the second position again. The top cover 12 has a clean look in the second position. The cavity 16 of the top cover 12 is occupied by the ejector 14 in the second position so that contamination of the cavity 16 is prevented. Additionally, the cavity 16 is automatically cleaned as will be described below in more detail with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0093] FIG. 2 shows the main body 10 isolated from the top cover 12 and from the ejector 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 comprises a first projection 40 and a second projection 44 which project into the top cover 12, when the top cover 12 is assembled together with the main body 10 and the ejector 14. In FIG. 2, the stop 48 of the main body 10 can clearly be seen. Between the stop 48 and a lower stop of the main body 10, guiding rails 52 may be arranged for facilitating the sliding movement between the top cover 12 and the main body 10.
[0094] FIG. 3 shows, in isolation, the ejector 14. The ejector 14 has an essentially hollow shape. The ejector 14 comprises a planar proximal end 26 with an opening 28. The opening 28 is provided so that the heater 22 mounted on the top cover 12 can pass and extend through the opening 28. The ejector 14 comprises a side wall, which constitute an essentially tubular section of the ejector 14. Within the tubular section, a projection of the top cover 12 for mounting the heater 22 may be slidably arranged as shown in FIG. 1. The inner sidewalls of the tubular section may comprise a groove or recess 34, in which a collar 32 of the projection of the top cover 12 may be arranged to facilitate a sliding movement of the top cover 12 relative to the ejector 14.
[0095] FIG. 4 shows the top cover 12 isolated from the main body 10 and from the ejector 14. The top cover 12 comprises the cavity 16 which is arranged as a heating chamber. The heater 22 is arranged in the cavity 16 and mounted on a projection of the top cover 12. The projection of the top cover 12, onto which the heater 22 is mounted, is arranged slidable in the ejector 14, if the ejector 14 is assembled with the top cover 12 and the main body 10. The top cover 12 as shown in FIG. 4 shows a first and a second guiding cavity 42, which are dimensioned corresponding to projections of the main body 10.
[0096] FIG. 5 shows the aerosol-generating device, wherein the top cover 12 is arranged in the first position. FIG. 5 additionally shows an aerosol-generating article 50 inserted into the cavity 16 of the top cover 12. Hence, FIG. 5 shows a configuration in which the aerosol-generating device can be operated and aerosol can be produced.
[0097] FIG. 6 shows the aerosol-generating device, wherein the top cover 12 is arranged in the second position. Hence, the top cover 12 shown in FIG. 6 is retracted towards the main body 10 and held by the locking means. The locking means are not depicted in FIG. 6 but may be any conventional locking means known to the skilled person. The first biasing element 38 and the second biasing element 48 are compressed so that a biasing action acts on the top cover 12 urging the top cover 12 towards the first position and on the ejector 14 urging the ejector 14 away from the main body 10. The proximal end of the aerosol-generating device is formed by the proximal end 20 of the top cover 12 and the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14. In this regard, the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14 has penetrated into the cavity 16 and the ejector 14 occupies the cavity 16 in the second position of the top cover 12.
[0098] FIG. 7 shows a close view of the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the ejector 14 comprises an opening 28, through which the heater 22 may pass. A first cleaning element 54 is arranged at the opening 28. The first cleaning element 54 is preferably a resilient element. The first cleaning element 54 may laterally extend into the material constituting the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14 so as to be securely held therein. The first cleaning element 54 may be bent up towards in a downstream direction 18 in order to close the opening 28, when the heater 22 does not extend through the opening 28. The first cleaning element 54 may have two functionalities. The first functionality may be a cleaning functionality. In more detail, if the heater 22 passes through the opening 28 of the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14 as depicted in FIG. 8, unwanted residues may be scraped off of the surface of the heater 22 by means of the first cleaning element 54. The second functionality of the first cleaning element 54 may be a sealing functionality. In this regard, as depicted in FIG. 7, if the heater 22 does not extend through the opening 28 at the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14, the first cleaning element 54, also referred to as the first sealing element 54, may close the opening 28 so as to prevent unwanted contamination to pass the opening 28. Unwanted contamination may otherwise get into the aerosol-generating device. The internal components of the aerosol-generating device are therefore protected.
[0099] The internal components of the aerosol-generating device may comprise electric circuitry 56 such as a controller and a power supply 58 such as a battery. The internal components of the aerosol-generating device may be overmolded and thus securely protected due to being physically separated from the heater 22. For electrically connecting the internal components of the aerosol-generating device with the heater 22, contacts may be provided between the main body 10 and the heater 22 mounted on the top cover 12. This arrangement may optimize maintenance, repair or replacement of the heater 22. Potentially, the whole top cover 12 may be replaced.
[0100] FIG. 7 additionally shows a second cleaning element 60 which is arranged around the outer perimeter of the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14. The second cleaning element 60 may, similar to the first cleaning element 54, extend laterally into the material constituting the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14 so as to be securely held therein. The second cleaning element 60 may be bent in a downstream direction 18 and rest against the inner side wall of the cavity 16 of the top cover 12. During movement of the top cover 12 from the first position to the second position and vice versa, the second cleaning element 60 may scrape off unwanted residues from the inner side wall of the cavity 16. Additionally, the second cleaning element 60 may act as a sealing element and prevent unwanted contamination to pass through the gap 62 between the inner sidewalls of the cavity 16 and the outer perimeter of the ejector 14.
[0101] FIG. 8 shows the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14, when the top cover 12 is in the first position. In other words, FIG. 8 shows that the top cover 12 is extended from the main body 10 and the cavity 16 is ready for an aerosol-generating article 50 to be inserted. The heater 22 consequently has passed through the opening 28 and thus extends through the opening 28 at the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14. In contrast, FIG. 7 shows the top cover 12 in the second position, in which the opening 28 at the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14 is closed by the first cleaning element 54.
[0102] FIG. 9 shows the whole aerosol-generating device comprising further internal components such as the electric circuitry 56 and the power supply 58. Additionally, FIG. 9 shows a detector 64 for detecting whether the top cover 12 is in the first position or in the second position. The detector 64 preferably is configured as an electrical switch. The detector 64 may be connected with the electric circuitry 56. The electric circuitry 56 may allow operation of the heater 22, when the detector 64 detects that the top cover 12 is in the first position. The electric circuitry 56 may automatically operate the heater 22, when the detector 64 detects that the top cover 12 is in the first position. The electric circuitry 56 may prevent operation of the heater 22, when the detector 64 detects that the top cover 12 is in the second position.
[0103] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment, in which an indicator 66 is provided in the top cover 12 or in the ejector 14. The indicator 66 may be provided at the base of the cavity 16. The indicator 66 may be configured as a mechanical clicker lid which generates a sound similar to the click of a torque wrench to indicate to a user that an aerosol-generating article 50 has been fully inserted into the cavity 16. The indicator 66 may thus prevent damage to the aerosol-generating article 50 of the heater 22 due to a user applying an unnecessary force to the aerosol-generating article 50 during insertion, particularly after full insertion, of the aerosol-generating article 50 into the cavity 16.
[0104] FIG. 11 shows the different stages of the aerosol-generating device, particularly the different positions of the top cover 12 of the aerosol-generating device. From left to right, FIG. 11 shows the top cover 12 in the second position and the aerosol-generating device deactivated (first stage). Next, the top cover 12 is moved to the first position and the aerosol-generating device is ready to be activated or is activated (second stage). Next, an aerosol-generating article 50 is inserted into the cavity 16 of the top cover 12 and the device is operated (third stage). Next, the top cover 12 is moved from the first position to the second position, after the aerosol-generating article 50 is spent and the operation is ended (fourth stage). The right part of FIG. 11 (fifth stage) shows the aerosol-generating device again in the initial state, namely when the top cover 12 is in the second position and the aerosol-generating device is deactivated. FIG. 11 also shows that when the top cover 12 is in the second position, the cavity 16 is closed by the proximal end 26 of the ejector 14 and the first cleaning element 54 and the second cleaning element 60. Thus, intrusion of unwanted contamination into the cavity 16 or into the inner of the aerosol-generating device is prevented.
[0105] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of parts of the aerosol-generating device comprising a latching means 68 in an engaged state. The latching means comprises a protuberance 70 of the ejector 14. In the shown embodiment, the protuberance 70 is a lever. The top cover 12 comprises a recess 72. The protuberance 70 is engaged with the recess 72. Such engagement releasably locks the ejector 14 to the top cover 12. In this configuration, the user may insert an aerosol-generating article into the cavity 16. The user may also use the aerosol-generating article to push the ejector 14 towards the biasing element 46 to engage the protuberance 70 with the recess 72 in the first place. The aerosol-generating device also comprises a releasing means 74. In the shown embodiment, the releasing means 74 is a solid cylinder. The releasing means 74 may be used by the user, preferably by pushing the releasing means 74 towards the protuberance 70, to exert a pressure on the protuberance 70. When the releasing means 74 exerts a pressure on the protuberance, the protuberance 70 is pushed away from the recess and is disengaged from the recess 72. FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of parts of the aerosol-generating device comprising a latching means in the process of being disengaged. Such disengagement releases the ejector 14 from the top cover 12, such that the ejector is slidable within the cavity 16. Once the ejector 14 is released from the top cover 12 the biasing element 46 pushes the ejector towards the proximal end of the cavity 16. This is shown in FIG. 14. The releasing means 74 comprises a protective element 76. The protective element 76 is dome-shaped. The protective element 76 is made from an elastic material. The protective element is disposed such that the user readily engages with it when the user pushes on the releasing elements 74 in order to release the ejector 14 from the top cover 12.
[0106] FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the ejector comprising a protuberance 70. In the shown embodiment, the protuberance 70 is a lever.
[0107] FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a releasing means 74. In the shown embodiment the releasing means 74 is a solid cylinder. The shown releasing means 74 comprises a dome-shaped protective element 76.
