Aerosol Generating Device With Removable Chamber

Abstract

A portable aerosol-generating device for receiving an aerosol-generating substance, includes a chamber to receive an aerosol-generating substance and an aerosol-generating unit configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance for a user to inhale in use. The chamber is configured to be releasably inserted into the device through an opening in the device. This allows the chamber to be removed from the device and cleaned between consecutive uses of the device.

Claims

1. A portable aerosol-generating device for receiving an aerosol-generating substance, the device comprising: a chamber arranged to receive an aerosol-generating substance; and an aerosol-generating unit configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance for a user to inhale in use; wherein the chamber is configured to be releasably inserted into the device through an opening in the device.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the opening is arranged in the aerosol-generating unit and the chamber is configured to be releasably inserted into the aerosol-generating unit through the opening.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the opening is configured to be closed.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the chamber is configured to receive the aerosol-generating substance through the opening.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the chamber comprises an opening.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a mouthpiece and the chamber is configured to be connected to the mouthpiece via a fluid passageway.

7. The device according to claim 6 further comprising a fluid tube configured to be releasably inserted into the fluid passageway.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the fluid tube is configured to be releasably inserted into the fluid passageway through the opening in the aerosol-generating device.

9. The device according to claim 7 wherein a length of the fluid tube is greater than a length of the fluid passageway.

10. The device according to claim 7 further comprising at least one sealing means to seal between the fluid tube and the fluid passage, or, the fluid tube and the chamber.

11. The device according to claim 7 wherein the chamber is configured to be removed from the aerosol-generating device by using the fluid tube to dislodge the chamber through the opening in the device.

12. The device according to claim 7 wherein the fluid tube is fixed to the device.

13. The device according to claim 7 wherein the chamber and the fluid tube are integrally formed.

14. The device according to claim 7 wherein the fluid tube comprises a low heat conductive material whose heat conductivity is less than a conductivity of a material from which the chamber is made.

15. The device according to claim 1 further comprising an induction heater having an electromagnetic inductor surrounding or positioned next to the chamber.

16. The device according to claim 15 wherein the chamber comprises a susceptor.

17. A method of releasably inserting a chamber into an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising the steps of: providing an aerosol-generating device comprising an opening; and releasably inserting the chamber through the opening in the device, wherein the chamber is configured to receive an aerosol-generating substance into the aerosol-generating device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0048] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an aerosol-generating device comprising a removable chamber;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an aerosol-generating device comprising a removable chamber;

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an aerosol-generating device comprising a removable chamber;

[0052] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an aerosol-generating device comprising a removable chamber;

[0053] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alternative fluid passageway in an aerosol-generating device; and

[0054] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an alternative aerosol-generating device comprising a removable chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] A portable aerosol-generating device 2 according to the invention is shown generally in FIG. 1. The aerosol-generating device 2 is a hand-held device, by which we mean that the device is able to be held and supported by a user un-aided in a single hand. The device 2 includes a chamber 4 for receiving an aerosol-generating substance, an aerosol-generating unit 6 for generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance, and a mouthpiece 8. The aerosol-generating unit 6 heats the aerosol-generating substance inside the chamber 4, generating an aerosol. The aerosol is then able to be inhaled by a user at the mouthpiece 8. The aerosol-generating substance may include at least one of tobacco, humectant, glycerine, and propylene glycol. However, any other volatile substance could be used from which a vapour or aerosol can be generated.

[0056] The user inhales the aerosol by drawing air into the device 2, through the chamber 4 containing the aerosol-generating substance, and out of the mouthpiece 8 when the chamber 4 is heated. Heating is achieved by the chamber 4 being located in a heating portion 10 of the aerosol-generating unit 6 surrounded by a heating element, or heater, 12. The chamber 4 is in fluid communication with an air inlet 14 formed in the aerosol-generating device 2 and an air outlet 16 in the mouthpiece 8 when the device 2 is assembled. Air is drawn through the device by application of negative pressure, which is usually created by a user drawing air from the air outlet.

[0057] The aerosol-generating unit 6 comprises a generally cylindrical-shaped body having a first end 18 and a second end 20. The first end 18 is substantially opposite the second 20 of the unit 6. The heating portion 10 is located at the first end 18 of the unit 6, which can be seen more clearly in FIG. 3.

[0058] The heating portion 10 is substantially surrounded by the heater 12. The heater 12 is a resistive heater, however any other suitable form of heating mechanism could be used instead.

[0059] The heating portion 10 in the unit 6 defines an opening 26 in the unit 6 so that the heating portion 10 can receive the heating chamber 4 through the opening 26. The heating portion 10 is therefore shaped to correspond to the shape of the heating chamber 4. In particular, the internal surface of the heating portion 10 substantially corresponds to the external surface of the heating chamber 4. There is therefore a tight fit between the heating portion 10 and the chamber 4. As a result, the chamber 4 is held in place through friction. The chamber 4 is therefore prevented from becoming dislodged or moving around inside the heating portion 10 while the aerosol-generating device 2 is in use.

[0060] The heating chamber 4 is generally cylindrical in shape, having a first end 22 and a second end 24. The first end 22 is open-ended and the second end 24 is closed. Thus, the chamber 4 is substantially cup-shaped.

[0061] When the chamber 4 has been inserted into the heating portion 10 of the aerosol-generating unit 6, the open end 22 of the chamber 4 coincides with the opening 26 in the aerosol-generating unit 6, defined by the heating portion 10.

[0062] As mentioned, the chamber 4 is for receiving an aerosol-generating substance. The user places the aerosol-generating substance into the chamber 4 through the opening 26 in the aerosol-generating unit 6.

[0063] To ensure that the aerosol-generating substance does not fall out of the chamber 4, the opening 26 in the aerosol-generating unit 6 is sealed by a cover 28. The cover therefore acts as a lid. The cover 28 also ensures that the aerosol-generating substance is sealed from the surrounding environment to ensure efficient generation of the aerosol from the aerosol-generating substance.

[0064] The lid 28 is attached to an external surface of the aerosol-generating unit 6 at the first end 18 of the aerosol-generating unit 6. In this example, the lid 28 is attached to the aerosol-generating unit 6 using a slide mechanism. The first end of the aerosol-generating unit 6 comprises a rail on which a corresponding runner on the lid 28 is configured to slide. The user pushes the lid 28 along the rail, away from the opening 26, to open or unseal the aerosol-generating unit 6 and the chamber 4. To close, or re-seal, the aerosol-generating unit 6 and chamber 4, the user pushes the lid 28 back along the rail towards the opening 26 until the opening 28 is completely covered. The lid 28 is held in place by a releasable locking mechanism to prevent the lid 28 from sliding open when the aerosol-generating device 2 is being used. As will be appreciated, the slide mechanism could comprise more than one rail. As will be appreciated, although the lid has been described as being attached using as slide mechanism, in some examples a pivotable joint, such as a hinge joint, may be used instead.

[0065] In this example, air inlets 14 are located in the lid 28 so that when the chamber 4 is sealed, the user is able to draw air into the chamber 4 and through the aerosol-generating unit 6 towards the mouthpiece 8. The chamber 4 is therefore in fluid communication with the atmosphere when the lid 28 is closed through the provision of the air inlets 14.

[0066] In another example, the air inlets 14 are located within the body of the aerosol-generating unit 6, between the lid 28 and the chamber 4. In this case, the air inlets 14 are provided as grooves which extend away from the heating portion 10, towards the external surface of the aerosol-generating unit 6. Thus, when the lid 28 is closed, air is still able to be drawn into the chamber 4 through the air inlets 14.

[0067] Thus, in both examples, when the lid 28 is closed the chamber 4 remains in fluid communication with the atmosphere to allow air to be drawn into the chamber through the air inlets 14.

[0068] The closed end 24 of the chamber 4 includes a small opening 30. The opening 30 is located substantially centrally within the closed end 24 of the chamber 4. The opening 30 in the chamber 4 allows the generated aerosol to exit the chamber 4. The width of the opening 30 is less than the overall width of the chamber 4. For example, a cylindrical chamber 4 would have a closed end 24 whose opening 30 has a diameter which is less than the diameter of the chamber 4. As can be seen for example in FIG. 3, the opening 30 in the chamber 4 is substantially less than the total width of the closed end 24 of the chamber 4. This provides a controlled exit for the aerosol to leave the chamber 4 and concentrates the aerosol into a stream to be inhaled by the user.

[0069] The chamber opening 30 is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece 8, providing a pathway for the user to inhale the aerosol generated in the chamber 4. A fluid passageway 32, which acts as a vapour passage, connects the chamber opening 30 to the mouthpiece 8. The fluid passageway 32 is located substantially central to the aerosol-generating unit 6 and is substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating unit 6. The fluid passageway 32 is substantially straight, providing the shortest path between the chamber 4 and mouthpiece 8. A straight passageway 32 also reduces the chance of aerosol condensing on the internal walls of the fluid passageway 32 at bends or curves in the passageway 32.

[0070] Located within the passageway is fluid tube 34. The fluid tube may also be referred to as a vapour tube. The tube 34 provides the fluid connection between the chamber 4 and the mouthpiece 8. Aerosol generated in the chamber 4 is able to flow along the tube 34 from the chamber 4 to the air outlet 16 in the mouthpiece 8.

[0071] The fluid tube 34 has a length that is greater than the length of the fluid passageway 32. Thus, when the tube 34 is located within the passageway 32, an end 36 of the tube 34 protrudes out and away from the passageway 32. The protruding end 36 extends into the mouthpiece 8, as can be seen in, for example, FIG. 1. Providing a protruding tube 34 ensures complete transfer of the aerosol into the mouthpiece 8 for inhalation by the user.

[0072] The fluid tube 34 is arranged to be inserted into and removed from the fluid passageway 32 through the opening 26 in the aerosol-generating unit 6. Thus, the fluid tube 34 and the chamber 4 are both inserted into the aerosol-generating unit 6 via the same opening 26, which keeps the structure of the device 2 simple and ensures all the components of the aerosol-generating device 2 are lined-up correctly with each to help with the flow of the aerosol within the aerosol-generating unit 6.

[0073] In order to prevent the tube 34 from slipping out of the aerosol-generating unit 6 or becoming dislodged, there is a snug fit between the external surface of the fluid tube 34 and the internal surface of the fluid passageway 32. The fluid tube 34 is therefore held in place by friction. The friction fit also prevents the tube 34 from falling out the opening 26 when the chamber 4 has been removed from the aerosol-generating unit 6.

[0074] Between the other end 38 of the tube 34 and the chamber 4 is a sealing means 40 for sealing the join between the chamber 4 and the fluid tube 34 in the fluid passageway 32. The sealing means 40 is an O-ring, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The sealing means 40 keeps the aerosol-generating unit 6 fluid tight and ensures that the aerosol is contained within the aerosol-generating unit 6.

[0075] The sealing means 40 is able to be removed from the aerosol-generating unit 6 in order to allow the fluid tube 34 to be removed from the fluid passageway 32.

[0076] The mouthpiece 8 is also able to be detached from the aerosol-generating unit 6. The mouthpiece 8 is attached to the aerosol-generating unit 6 using a releasable attachment means, for example a screw mechanism. When the mouthpiece 8 is attached to the aerosol-generating unit 6, the fluid tube 32 is in fluid communication with the air outlet 16 in the mouthpiece 8. When the mouthpiece 8 is detached from the aerosol-generating unit 6, the protruding end 36 of the fluid tube 34 is exposed and accessible by the user.

[0077] In order to remove the chamber 4 from the aerosol-generating unit 6, the user first removes the cover 28 from the first end 18 of the aerosol-generating unit 6 to unseal the opening 26 in the aerosol-generating unit 6. This exposes the chamber 4 through the opening 26 and provides a clear pathway for the chamber 4 to leave the heating portion 10, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0078] The user then removes the mouthpiece 8 from the second end 20 of the aerosol-generating unit 6, for example by unscrewing the mouthpiece 8. This exposes the end 36 of the fluid tube 34 which protrudes from the aerosol-generating unit 6, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0079] To remove the chamber 4, the user then pushes on the exposed end 36 of the fluid tube 34. The exposed end 36 of the tube 34 is pushed towards the main body of the aerosol-generating unit 6 until the end 36 of the fluid tube 34 is flush with the end 20 of the aerosol-generating unit 6. By pushing on the end 36 of the fluid tube 34, the tube 34 is forced through the fluid passageway 32 and presses on the sealing means 40 which, in turn, presses on the closed end 24 of the chamber 4. The fluid tube 34 dislodges the seal 40 and the chamber 4 so that they can both be removed through the opening 26 in the aerosol-generating unit 6.

[0080] The user can then take hold of the first end 38 of the fluid tube 34, which is now exposed inside the heating portion 10, and pull the fluid tube 34 out of the fluid passageway 32 through the opening 26 in the aerosol-generating unit 6, as shown in FIG. 4. The user can then clean the fluid tube 24 and the heating chamber 4.

[0081] To reassemble the device 2, the user first inserts the fluid tube 34 into the fluid passageway 32 via the opening 26 in the aerosol-generating unit 6. The user pushes the fluid tube 34 completely into the fluid passageway 32, until the second end 36 of the tube 34 protrudes from the mouthpiece-end 20 of the aerosol-generating unit 6. The user then inserts the seal 40 followed by the chamber 4 through the same opening 26.

[0082] Once the seal 40 and chamber 4 are in place, the user can re-seal the opening 26 by closing the lid 28. The user can also re-attach the mouthpiece 8 to the other end 20 of the aerosol-generating unit 6. The aerosol-generating device 2 is then fully re-assembled and is ready to be used.

[0083] In other examples, a second sealing means 42 is provided at the protruding end 36 of the fluid tube 34, as can be seen in FIG. 5. The second sealing means 42 is another O-ring and seals the join between the fluid passageway 32, fluid tube 34, and the mouthpiece 8.

[0084] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a portable aerosol-generating device 200. In a similar manner to before, heating is achieved by the chamber 204 being surrounded by a heating element, or heater, 212. In some embodiments, the heating element 212 is a flexible sheet type heating element. The walls of the chamber 204 are made of stainless steel. The stainless steel effectively conducts heat from the heating element 212 to the chamber 204 to heat the aerosol-generating substance inside the chamber 204.

[0085] As before, the chamber 204 comprises an opening 230 in fluid communication with the mouthpiece 208 via a fluid passageway 232. A fluid tube portion 234, which connects the chamber opening 230 to the mouthpiece 208 and is located inside the fluid passageway 232, is integrally formed with the chamber 204, as can be seen in FIG. 6 That is, the fluid tube 234 and chamber 204 form a combined chamber and air flow tube unit 214. This unit 214 is arranged to be inserted into and removed from the fluid passageway 232 in the aerosol-generating unit 206 in a similar manner as before. The aerosol-generating device 200 of this embodiment therefore comprises fewer individual components, making the device easier to assemble and disassemble. A single chamber and air flow tube unit 214 also provides a robust fluid tight connection between the chamber 204 and the fluid tube 234. This ensures that substantially all the aerosol generated in the chamber 204 can be inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 208.

[0086] In addition, the likelihood of any aerosol leaking into the aerosol-generating device 200 is greatly reduced.

[0087] The fluid tube portion 234 of the air flow tube unit 214 is made of a material having a lower heat conductivity than the material from which the chamber 204 is made. A thermal break is therefore introduced into the unit 214 at the place where the chamber 204 and fluid tube portion 234 are joined together. The thermal break prevents or reduces heat from the chamber 204 from being transferred up the fluid tube portion 234. This ensures that the temperature inside the fluid tube portion 234 is cooler than the temperature inside the chamber 204. This helps to effectively cool down the aerosol.