Heating assembly for a vapour generating device

Abstract

A heating assembly includes a body defining a heating compartment adapted to receive a vapour generating substance; at least two heaters between which the vapour generating substance is placeable within the heating compartment in use; a movement mechanism adapted in use to move at least one of the at least two heaters between a first and second position, the distance between the at least two heaters being less when the at least one heater is in the first position than when in the second position, wherein the distance between the at least two heaters when the at least one heater is in the first position being such that the separation of the at least two heaters applies pressure to the vapour generating substance when located in the heating compartment; and a switch adapted in use to control the movement of the at least one heater by the movement mechanism.

Claims

1. A heating assembly, comprising: a body defining a heating compartment adapted to receive a vapour generating substance; at least two heaters between which the vapour generating substance is placeable within the heating compartment in use; a movement mechanism adapted in use to move at least one of the at least two heaters between a first position and a second position, a distance between the at least two heaters being less when the at least one heater is in the first position than when in the second position, wherein the distance between the at least two heaters when the at least one heater is in the first position being such that a separation of the at least two heaters applies pressure to the vapour generating substance when located in the heating compartment, the movement mechanism being further adapted in use to move the at least one heater to a third position, the distance between the at least two heaters being less when in the third position than when in the first position; and a switch operable by a user of the assembly, the switch being adapted in use to control movement of the at least one heater by the movement mechanism, wherein when the at least one heater is in the third position the switch is inactive.

2. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch is configured such that operation by a user causes the movement mechanism to move the at least one heater to the first position.

3. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch is configured such that operation by a user causes the movement mechanism to move the at least one heater to the second position.

4. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch is located on a face of the body of the assembly having an opening in communication with the heating compartment.

5. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch is operable over a switching range, an amount of operation of the switch over the switching range being configured to determine an amount of movement between the first and second positions applied to the at least one heater by the movement mechanism.

6. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a push switch.

7. The heating assembly according claim 6, wherein pushing of the push switch is configured to move the at least one heater towards the first position.

8. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch has a bias to a position in which the at least one heater is held in the second position by the movement mechanism.

9. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch and the movement mechanism are a unitary component.

10. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the movement mechanism is a hinge mechanism.

11. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the at least two heaters when in the third position is zero.

12. A vapour generating device, comprising: the heating assembly according to claim 1; and a vapour generating substance placeable within the heating compartment of the heating assembly.

13. The heating assembly according to claim 4, wherein the switch is positioned off-centre on said face.

14. The heating assembly according to claim 6, wherein an amount of push applied to the switch corresponding to an amount of movement of the at least one heater by the movement mechanism.

15. The heating assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a lid connected to the at least one heater and arranged to open and close the heating compartment, wherein the lid closes the heating compartment when the at least one heater is in the third position.

16. A heating assembly, comprising: a body defining a heating compartment adapted to receive a vapour generating substance; at least two heaters between which the vapour generating substance is placeable within the heating compartment in use; a movement mechanism adapted in use to move at least one of the at least two heaters between a first position and a second position, a distance between the at least two heaters being less when the at least one heater is in the first position than when in the second position, wherein the distance between the at least two heaters when the at least one heater is in the first position being such that a separation of the at least two heaters applies pressure to the vapour generating substance when located in the heating compartment; and a switch operable by a user of the assembly, the switch being adapted in use to control movement of the at least one heater by the movement mechanism, wherein movement of the switch toward the at least one heater moves the at least one heater away from the other one of the at least two heaters.

17. The heating assembly according to claim 16, wherein the movement mechanism is further adapted in use to move the at least one heater to a third position, the distance between the at least two heaters being less when in the third position than when in the first position.

18. A heating assembly, comprising: a body defining a heating compartment adapted to receive a vapour generating substance; at least two heaters between which the vapour generating substance is placeable within the heating compartment in use; a hinge mechanism adapted in use to move at least one of the at least two heaters between a first position and a second position, a distance between the at least two heaters being less when the at least one heater is in the first position than when in the second position, wherein the distance between the at least two heaters when the at least one heater is in the first position being such that a separation of the at least two heaters applies pressure to the vapour generating substance when located in the heating compartment, a switch operable by a user of the assembly, the switch being adapted in use to control movement of the at least one heater by the hinge mechanism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) An example heating assembly is described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an example vapour generating device;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the example vapour generating device shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a further schematic view of the example vapour generating device shown in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a further example vapour generating device;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a further schematic view of the further example vapour generating device;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of another example vapour generating device;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a further schematic view of the example vapour generating device shown in FIG. 6; and

(9) FIG. 8 shows another schematic view of the example vapour generating device shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) We now describe an example of a vapour generating device, including a description of a number of example heating assemblies and an example vapour generating substance.

(11) Referring now to FIG. 1, an example vapour generating device is generally illustrated at 1. The example vapour generating device is a hand held device (by which we intend to mean a device that a user is able to hold and support un-aided in a single hand).

(12) The example vapour generating device 1 is shown in FIG. 1 in a disassembled arrangement. This shows two parts of the vapour generating device, namely a heating assembly 2 and a vapour generating substance 4 in a separated arrangement.

(13) The example heating assembly 2 shown in FIG. 1 has a body 20. The body has a bore in one surface (the upper-most surface shown in FIG. 1). The walls of the bore form a heating compartment 22 and the top of the bore defining an opening in the upper-most surface of the body of the heating assembly. The heating compartment has a complimentary shape to the vapour generating substance 4, which is described in more detail below. As such, in this example, the heating compartment is generally cylindrical in shape and is substantially longer than it is wide.

(14) A first heating element 24 and second heating element 26 (also referred to hereafter as the first and second “heaters”), are located on the side walls of the heating compartment 22 (i.e. the walls that run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating compartment). The two heaters are located on opposing sides of the heating compartment and, in this example, extend from a base of the heating compartment along most of the length of the heating compartment so that only an end portion of the side walls is not formed by the heaters.

(15) The first heater 24 is connected to a movement mechanism 28. The movement mechanism is also connected to a switch 30. The switch is located on a side of the body 20, the side being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating compartment 22.

(16) In this example, the movement mechanism 28 provides linear movement by providing a sliding ability and the switch 30 is a push switch that is able to be depressed on operation by a user. The switch has a range over which it can be depressed, and is connected to a spring 32 that, in this example, urges the switch towards an un-depressed position, this un-depressed position causing the switch to protrude from the body. As such, as is set out in more detail below, in this example, when the switch is depressed due to operation by a user, the first heater 24 is caused to move laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the heating compartment 22. This movement causes the first heater to move closer to the second heater 26.

(17) Turning to the vapour generating substance 4, this is a consumable item (also referred to as a “heatstick”). The vapour generating substance has a tobacco rod 40, one end of which is attached to a filter 42 though which air and vapour can be drawn or can pass. The vapour generating substance has a shape similar to a conventional cigarette. As such, the tobacco rod and filter are generally cylindrical. In this example the tobacco rod has a length that corresponds to the length of the first and second heaters 24, 26 and the vapour generating substance has a width (and therefore diameter) that allows it to fit within the heating compartment 22 of the heating assembly 2. Of course, in other examples, other sizes of vapour generating substances may be used.

(18) A method of using the vapour generating device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is now described in reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. In FIG. 2 the vapour generating substance 4 is placed in the heating compartment 22 of the heating assembly 2 with the filter 42 protruding from the heating compartment.

(19) The switch 30 is in an un-depressed position in FIG. 2. This position is maintained by the spring 32. This is because the urging of the spring on the switch has not been overcome by a user pushing on the switch. This means that the first heater 24 is held by the movement mechanism 28 at the greatest possible distance from the second heater 26 for the range of movement permitted by the switch and movement mechanism. This position is referred to as the “second position”.

(20) In the second position, there is minimal contact between the heaters 24, 26 and the vapour generating substance 4. There may also be an air gap between one or both of the heaters and the vapour generating substance. Additionally, since the switch 30 is not being operated by a user, the heaters are not generating heat. As such, the vapour generating substance is not heated. This means that little or no vapour is generated.

(21) When a user pushes the switch 30 (as indicated by arrow 44 in FIG. 3), the components are able to be moved to the positions shown in FIG. 3. In this figure the switch is shown in a depressed state. This has caused the switch to slide into the body 20 of the heating assembly against the action of the spring 32, which compresses the spring (as indicated by arrow 45 in FIG. 3). This in turn causes the movement mechanism 28 to slide laterally moving the first heater 24 into a position with a reduced distance to the second heater 26, which is indicated by arrow 46. This is referred to as the first position. In this position, the first and second heaters are in contact with the tobacco rod 40 of the vapour generating substance 4. The movement of the first heater also applies pressure and, in some examples, compression to the tobacco rod. This holds the vapour generating substance in place between the two heaters.

(22) Depression of the switch causes the first heater and second heater to generate heat. This is achieved, for example, by the switch triggering a micro-switch when operated by a user. The heat warms the vapour generating substance causing it to generate vapour that is able to be drawn by a user through the filter 42 or that passes through the filter without being drawn by the user. The vapour is then able to be inhaled.

(23) FIGS. 2 and 3 show the extremes of the range of motion of the first heater 24 achievable by a user operating the switch 30. The switch is able to be depressed to a lesser extent than shown in FIG. 3. This is because the switch is depressible continuously across a switching range. As such, the switch is able to be only partially depressed. This results in less pressure being applied to the tobacco rod 40. This also causes less heat to pass into the tobacco rod due to the tobacco rod being more loosely held between the first heater 24 and the second heater 26.

(24) A further example heating assembly 2 is shown in the example vapour generating device generally illustrated at 1 in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this example, the vapour generating substance 3 has the same configuration as the vapour generating substance 3 of the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The heating assembly 2 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 only has a different switch and movement mechanism from the example heating assembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

(25) In the example heating assembly 2 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the movement mechanism is a pair of hinges 28a, 28b. Each hinge is connected to the end of one of the heaters 24, 26 located at the base of the heating compartment.

(26) There is an electrical connection 34 between the pair of hinges 28a, 28b and the switch 30 of this example heating assembly 2. In this example, the switch is located on the upper-most surface of the body 20 (as mentioned above, the surface that has the opening in the upper-most surface in communication with the heating compartment). Also, instead of being a push switch, the switch is a touch switch, such as a touch sensor.

(27) FIG. 4 shows the first heater 24 and the second heater 26 in a second position. In this example, this means that the heaters are held at an angle inclined away from each other by the hinges 28a, 28b. As with the example of FIGS. 1 to 3, without the user operating the switch (and so when the heaters are in this position), no heat is generated by the heaters.

(28) When a user operates the switch 30 by touching the switch, as indicated by flash 47 in FIG. 5, the hinges 28a, 28b rotate the first heater 24 and second heater 26 towards each other into a first position so that their centre points are closer to each other than when held in the second position. This is indicated by arrows 48. This movement to the first position has the same effect as that set out above in relation to the example of FIGS. 1 to 3. As with that example, in some examples using the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a user is able to control the amount of movement of the heaters to control and adjust the amount of pressure and heating applied to the vapour generating substance 3 as desired. This may be achieved by applying different amounts of pressure to the switch in cases in which a pressure-sensitive switch 30 is used, for example.

(29) Turning to FIGS. 6 to 8, these show yet another example heating assembly 2. The vapour generating device 1 illustrated in the figures of this example has the same vapour generating substance 3 as in the examples above.

(30) In this example, the heating assembly 2 is similar to the heating assembly in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, but has an additional feature. This is a moveable lid 36 that is able to be moved across the opening in the upper-most surface of the body 20 that is in communication with the heating compartment 22 to open and close the heating compartment.

(31) The lid 36 is connected to the first heater 24. As such, the lid carries out the same movements as the first heater. In order to allow the heating compartment 22 to be closed, the first heater is capable of moving to a third position.

(32) The first heater 24 is shown in the third position in FIG. 6. This shows the first heater located against the second heater 26, there therefore being no separation between the first and second heaters. This can also be described as the distance between the first and second heaters being zero. As can be seen from FIG. 6, this causes the lid 36 to completely cover the opening in the body 20 of the heating assembly in communication with the heating compartment 22.

(33) In this example, the switch 30 is biased by a spring 32, into a position in which it protrudes from the body 20 of the heating assembly 2. This is similar to the arrangement used for the switch in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and is located at a similar location in the body of the heating assembly. However, in the example shown in FIG. 6, instead of depression of the switch causing movement of the first heater 24 towards the second heater 26 via the movement mechanism (not shown in FIGS. 6 to 8), depression of the switch causes movement of the first heater away from the second heater (i.e. to increase the distance between the two heaters. Although the movement mechanism is not shown, this is able to be achieved, for example, using a gearing system, such as a rack and pinion mechanism with two pinions engaged with each other, each pinion also being engaged with one rack. This allows movement of one rack to induce movement of the other rack, but the direction of movement of the first rack is the reverse of the direction of movement of second rack which the first rack induces the movement in.

(34) This is demonstrated by FIG. 7. This shows the switch 30 in a fully depressed position (indicated by arrow 37). This causes the first heater 24 to move from the third position to the second position (as indicated by arrows 38). This movement of the first heater moves the lid 36 into a recess in the body 20 of the heating assembly to uncover the opening in the body in communication with the heating compartment 22. This allows a vapour generating substance 4 to be inserted into the heating compartment (as indicated by arrow 39).

(35) When the vapour generating substance 4 is inserted into the heating compartment 22, the user operating the switch 30 releases the switch (or applies less force to the switch). This is shown in FIG. 8. This causes the switch to return towards the un-depressed position due to the urging provided by spring 34. This is indicated by arrow 41. This moves the first heater 24 from the second position to the first position, thereby causing the distance between the first heater and the second heater to reduce. This is indicated by arrow 43. The first heater therefore comes into contact and/or applies compression to the tobacco rod 40 of the vapour generating substance 4, holding the vapour generating substance between the first and second heaters. The movement of the first heater of course also causes a corresponding movement of the lid 36.

(36) As with the other examples described above, in this example, the switch 32 is moveable by a user over a switching range. As such, the user is able to adjust the distance between the first and second heaters 24, 26 by operating the switch.

(37) In this example, the generation of heat by the heaters may be triggered by the movement of the switch to the un-depressed position, or on movement of the first heater from the second position to the first position.

(38) Note that in the figures the heaters 24, 26 are schematically illustrated as flat plates, however it will be apparent that alternative configurations of the heaters are possible. For example, the heaters may take a rounded configuration (e.g. being approximately semi-circular in profile if viewed from above) or some other configuration which is more suited to a substantially cylindrical vapour generating substance 4.

(39) Also, there may be more than two heaters, for example 3 heaters which have a round profile when viewed from above, with each heater extending circumferentially about an arc of about (2π/3) radians (2*Pi/3 radians), or four heaters with each heater extending circumferentially about an arc of about (2π/4) radians, or n heaters with each heater extending circumferentially about an arc of about (2π/n) radians, etc. Also the heaters could simply be rods located at approximately equally spaced points around a circumference encircling the heating compartment, etc.

(40) Note that in the described embodiments (other than that illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5), the switch/button 30 is illustrated as being rigidly connected to one of the heaters. However, in alternative embodiments, the connection between button/switch 30 and heater 24 may include a resilient means such as a spring. In this way, even if a user inadvertently applies excessive pressure to the button/switch, the resulting pressure applied to the vapour generating substance 4 may be damped by the resilient means to avoid crushing the vapour generating substance 4.

(41) In particular, if the button has a maximum displacement position controlled by an abutment surface forming part of the body of the device which is engaged when the button is fully depressed (i.e. maximally displaced), the maximum pressure applied to the vapour generating portion can be controlled/predetermined in dependence upon the properties of the resilient means. That is to say, by carefully choosing the amount of resilience of the resilient means such that it will not apply more than a maximum pressure to the vapour generating portion, a maximum pressure can be selected which will avoid crushing the vapour generating substance.