DEVICE FOR HEATING AEROSOL-FORMING SUBSTRATE WITH AIR PREHEAT

Abstract

A device (100) for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a heater (160), a receptacle inlet (143) and outlet (147), and an air inlet channel (170). The heater includes a heating element, an internal surface, and an external surface. The internal surface defines at least a portion of a receptacle (140) configured to receive the aerosol-forming substrate or a cartridge comprising the aerosol-forming substrate. The receptacle inlet is in communication with, and upstream of, the receptacle. The receptacle outlet is in communication with, and downstream of, the receptacle. The air inlet channel is in communication with an ambient environment and the receptacle inlet. The air inlet channel defines a tortuous path between the ambient environment and the receptacle inlet. The air inlet channel is positioned relative to the heater to cause air in the tortuous path to be heated by the heater.

Claims

1. A device for heating an aerosol-forming substrate, comprising: a heater comprising a heating element, an internal surface, and an external surface, wherein the internal surface defines at least a portion of a receptacle configured to receive the aerosol-forming substrate or a cartridge comprising the aerosol-forming substrate; a receptacle inlet in communication with, and upstream of, the receptacle; a receptacle outlet in communication with, and downstream of, the receptacle; an air inlet channel in communication with an ambient environment and the receptacle inlet, wherein the air inlet channel defines a tortuous path between the ambient environment and the receptacle inlet, and wherein the tortuous path of the air inlet channel exchanges heat between the heater and air in the air inlet channel, wherein at least a portion of the air inlet channel is defined by the external surface of the heater.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tortuous path comprises a serpentine path.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tortuous path comprises a helical path.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the air inlet channel comprises protuberances extending in the channel.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a sleeve disposed about the heater, wherein the sleeve comprises a body that defines at least a portion of the air inlet channel.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the sleeve comprises a thermally conductive material.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises aluminium or alumina.

8. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a reservoir in communication with the air inlet channel, wherein the device is configured such that air may flow into the reservoir, from the reservoir to the air inlet channel, and from the air inlet channel to the receptacle.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the device comprises a housing and a housing inlet, wherein the housing inlet is in communication with the air inlet channel, wherein the housing is disposed about the heating element to form said reservoir between the housing and the heating element, wherein the device is configured such that air may flow through the housing inlet to the reservoir, from the reservoir to the air inlet, and from the air inlet channel to the receptacle.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the volume of the reservoir is about the same as the expected volume of a puff of a user of the device.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a shisha device further comprising: a vessel configured to contain liquid, the vessel comprising a headspace above a liquid fill level and comprising a vessel outlet in communication with the headspace; and a conduit extending from the receptacle outlet into the vessel to below the liquid fill level.

12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply and control electronics operably coupled to the heating element, wherein the control electronics are configured to control the temperature of the heating element such that the heater heats, but does not combust, the aerosol-forming substrate.

13. A system comprising: the device according to claim 1; and a cartridge comprising aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the cartridge is configured to be received by the receptacle of the heater of the device.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises tobacco.

Description

[0076] Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components, steps and the like. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number. In addition, the use of different numbers to refer to components in different figures is not intended to indicate that the different numbered components cannot be the same or similar to other numbered components. The figures are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Schematic drawings presented in the figures are not necessarily to scale.

[0077] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a shisha device.

[0078] FIG. 2A is schematic sectional view of an embodiment of portion of a heating assembly and associated cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0079] FIG. 2B is a schematic transverse sectional view of a portion of the heating assembly depicted in FIG. 2A.

[0080] FIG. 2C is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of portion of a heating assembly depicted in FIG. 2A, showing air flow through the assembly and associated cartridge.

[0081] FIG. 3A is schematic sectional view of an embodiment of portion of a heating assembly and associated cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0082] FIG. 3B is a schematic transverse sectional view of a portion of the heating assembly depicted in FIG. 3A.

[0083] Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic sectional drawing of an example of a shisha device 100 is shown. The device 100 includes a vessel 17 defining an interior volume configured to contain liquid 19 and defining a headspace outlet 15 above a fill level for the liquid 19. The liquid 19 preferably comprises water, which may optionally be infused with one or more colorants, one or more flavorants, or one or more colorants and one or more flavorants. For example, the water may be infused with one or both of botanical infusions or herbal infusions.

[0084] The device 100 also includes a heater assembly 130. The heater assembly 130 includes heater 160 defining a receptacle 140 configured to receive a cartridge 150 containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The heater assembly 130 includes an air inlet channel 170 that draws fresh air into the device 100 through inlets 137 in a housing 135. At least portion of the air inlet channel 170 is formed by, or is in proximity to, the heater 160 so that air in the channel 170 is heated before entering the receptacle 140 through receptacle inlet 143. The pre-heated air then enters the cartridge 150, which is also heated by heater 160, to carry aerosol generated by aerosol-forming substrate in the container 150. The air exits a receptacle outlet 147.

[0085] A conduit 190 carries the air and aerosol from the receptacle outlet 147 into the vessel 17 below the level of the liquid 19. The air and aerosol may bubble through the liquid 19 and exit the headspace outlet 15 of the vessel 17. A hose 20 may be attached to the headspace outlet 15 to carry the aerosol to the mouth of a user. A mouthpiece 25 may be attached or form a part of the hose 20.

[0086] The air flow path of the device, in use, is depicted by thick arrows in FIG. 1.

[0087] The mouthpiece 25 may include an activation element 27. The activation element 27 may be a switch, button or the like, or may be a puff sensor or the like. The activation element 27 may be placed at any other suitable location of the device 100. The activation element 27 may be in wireless communication with the control electronics 30 to place the device 100 in condition for use or to cause control electronics to activate the heater 160; for example, by causing power supply 35 to energize the heating element 140.

[0088] The control electronics 30 and power supply 35 may be located in any suitable position of the device 100 other than the bottom portion of the heater assembly 130 as depicted in FIG. 1.

[0089] FIGS. 2A-C show schematic views of a portion of a heating assembly and associated cartridge 150 disposed in receptacle 140 defined, at least in part, by heater 160. A sleeve 270 is disposed about the heater 160. The sleeve 270 has a body that defines the tortuous path of the air inlet channel 170. In the depicted embodiment, the tortuous path of the air inlet channel 170 is helical (see FIG. 2C, which shows air flow). Air in the channel 170 may be heated by the heater 160 prior to exiting a channel outlet which may serve as the receptacle inlet 177, from where the preheated air may enter the receptacle inlet (not shown) and enter the cartridge 150 containing the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0090] The sleeve 270 is positioned about 1 mm to 2 mm away from the external surface of the heater 160 to form an air gap 171 but may be in contact with the heater 160. The diameter or width of the airflow channel 170 defined by the sleeve is about 5 mm. The length of the tortuous path defined by the sleeve 270 is about 50 cm to about 60 cm depending on the number of rotations. The inner diameter of the sleeve 270 is about 35 mm. The width of the sleeve 270 is about 10 mm. The length of the heater 160 is about 40 mm.

[0091] The heating assembly has a housing 135 having an inlet 137 in communication with the air inlet channel 170 via reservoir 200. The reservoir 200 is formed between the housing 135 and the sleeve 270. The sleeve 270 is thermally conductive. Because the sleeve 270 is thermally conductive, air in the reservoir 200 may be heated. The volume of the reservoir 200 is the volume of an expected puff of the shisha device. In the depicted embodiment, the volume of the reservoir 200 is 530 ml.

[0092] FIGS. 3A-B show schematic views of a portion of a heating assembly and associated cartridge 150 disposed in receptacle 140 defined, at least in part, by heater 160. A sleeve 270 is disposed about the heater 160. The sleeve 270 has a body that defines the tortuous path of the air inlet channel 170. In the depicted embodiment, the tortuous path of the air inlet channel 170 is serpentine. Air in the channel 170 may be heated by the heater 160 prior to exiting the channel outlet 177, from where the preheated air may enter the receptacle inlet (not shown) and enter the cartridge 150 containing the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0093] The sleeve 270 is positioned about 1 mm to 2 mm away from the external surface of the heater 160 to form an air gap 171 but may be in contact with the heater 160. The diameter or width of the airflow channel 170 defined by the sleeve is about 5 mm. The length of the tortuous path defined by the sleeve 270 is about 10 cm to 40 cm depending on the number of turns. The inner diameter of the sleeve 270 is about 35 mm. The width of the sleeve 270 is about 10 mm. The length of the heater 160 is about 40 mm.

[0094] The heating assembly has a housing 135 having an inlet in communication with the air inlet channel 170 via reservoir 200. The reservoir 200 is formed between the housing 135 and the sleeve 270. The sleeve 270 is thermally conductive. Because the sleeve 270 is thermally conductive, air in the reservoir 200 may be heated. The volume of the reservoir 200 is the volume of an expected puff of the shisha device. In the depicted embodiment, the volume of the reservoir 200 is 530 ml.

[0095] The features described above in relation to one aspect of the invention may also be applicable to another aspect of the invention.

[0096] All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein.

[0097] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0098] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0099] As used herein, “have”, “having”, “include”, “including”, “comprise”, “comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understood that “consisting essentially of”, “consisting of”, and the like are subsumed in “comprising,” and the like.

[0100] The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

[0101] Any direction referred to herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions or orientations are described herein for clarity and brevity are not intended to be limiting of an actual device or system. Devices and systems described herein may be used in a number of directions and orientations.

[0102] The embodiments exemplified above are not limiting. Other embodiments consistent with the embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art.