IDENTIFICATION COMPONENT FOR AN AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE

Abstract

An identification component for an aerosol-generating device is provided, the identification component including: a ring shaped body; a customizable surface; and connector for reversibly connecting the identification component to the aerosol-generating device, in which the identification component is a ring-shaped component that is configured to be mounted at an open end of a heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating device including a reversibly connectable identification component is also provided. A system including the aerosol-generating device and a removal tool is also provided.

Claims

1.-36. (canceled)

37. An identification component for an aerosol-generating device, the identification component comprising: a ring shaped body; a customizable surface; and connection means for reversibly connecting the identification component to the aerosol-generating device, wherein the identification component is a ring-shaped component that is configured to be mounted at an open end of a heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

38. The identification component according to claim 37, wherein the identification component is a top ring of a housing of the aerosol-generating device.

39. The identification component according to claim 37, wherein the customizable surface comprises a personalized appearance comprising one or more of an individual coloring, engraving, pattern, or coating.

40. The identification component according to claim 37, wherein the connection means is a screw connection, a form fitting connection, or a bayonet type connection.

41. The identification component according to claim 37, wherein the connection means is configured to produce haptic feedback upon closure to confirm a locked position of the identification component.

42. The identification component according to claim 37, further comprising coupling means configured to cooperate with a removal tool for mounting and removing the identification component from the aerosol-generating device.

43. The identification component according to claim 42, wherein the coupling means are configured to allow the removal tool to transmit torque onto the identification component.

44. The identification component according to claim 42, wherein the coupling means include a recess with a non-circular profile configured to cooperate with a mating profile of the removal tool.

45. The identification component according to claim 37, wherein the identification component includes a sealing member.

46. The identification component according to claim 45, wherein the sealing member is a resilient sealing member.

47. An aerosol-generating device comprising a reversibly connectable identification component according to claim 37.

48. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 47, further comprising a connection portion configured to cooperate with the connection means of the identification component.

49. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 47, further comprising a housing defining a cavity extending from a proximal end of the housing, wherein the identification component is configured to be mounted at the proximal end of the housing, wherein one or more air inlets are formed at the proximal end of the housing, and wherein the identification component is further configured to adjust a flow cross-sectional area of the one or more air inlets.

50. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 47, wherein the identification component comprises two ring-shaped portions, wherein at least one of the ring-shaped portions is rotatably mounted with respect to the other ring-shaped portion, and wherein the flow cross-sectional area of the one or more air inlets is adjusted by rotation of the rotatably mounted ring-shaped portion.

51. A system, comprising: an aerosol-generating device comprising a reversibly connectable identification component according to claim 37; and a removal tool configured to mount and to remove the identification component from the aerosol-generating device.

52. The system according to claim 51, wherein the removal tool comprises a structure having a profile that corresponds to a non-circular profile of the recess of the coupling means.

Description

[0091] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0092] FIG. 1 shows a proximal end of an aerosol-generating device with identification component;

[0093] FIG. 2 shows an identification component with bayonet connection means;

[0094] FIG. 3 shows a cap shaped removal tool for the identification component;

[0095] FIG. 4 shows further embodiments of removal tools for the identification component; and

[0096] FIG. 5 shows a sales package for the identification component;

[0097] FIG. 6 shows an identification component with a first attachment means;

[0098] FIG. 7 shows an identification component with a second attachment means;

[0099] FIG. 8 shows an identification component with a non-circular outer cross-section;

[0100] FIG. 9 shows an identification component with two ring-shaped portions;

[0101] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an identification component 10 for an aerosol-generating device 18. At the top of FIG. 1 a perspective view of the identification component 10 is provided. The identification component 10 has an essentially ring shaped body 12 and a customizable surface 14. The ring shaped body 12 defines a central through-hole 16 having a non-circular cross-section. Through-hole 16 has a five-lobed cross-section.

[0102] In the bottom view of FIG. 1 a cross-sectional view of the identification component 10, which is mounted to a proximal end of an aerosol-generating device 18, is depicted. The aerosol-generating device 18 comprises a housing 20 that defines a cavity 22 with a heating chamber 24. The cavity 22 has an open end 26 for insertion of an aerosol-generating article. The open end 26 comprises a connection portion 28 to which the identification component 10 can be mounted. In this embodiment the identification component 10 is used as a top ring that is to be mounted to the connection portion 28 at the open end 26 of the heating chamber 24 of the aerosol-generating device 18. In this embodiment the identification component 10 essentially forms a part of the housing of the aerosol-generating device 18. The identification component 10 forms the proximal end face of the elongate housing of the aerosol-generating device 18.

[0103] Connection means 30 are provided for reversibly mounting the identification component 10 to the aerosol-generating device 18. In this embodiment the connection means 30 is a bayonet connection. The bayonet connection is established between the connection portion 28 of the aerosol-generating device 18 and a connection portion 32 of the identification component 10. The identification component 10 can be easily mounted to the aerosol-generating device 18 by a relative rotation of only 120 degrees.

[0104] The identification component 10 comprises an internal sealing member 38. Sealing member 38 is provided as a ring shaped element that is located in a circumferential recess of the identification component 10. The sealing member 38 creates a tight coupling between the identification component and the open end 26 of the heating chamber 24. With the use of sealing member 38 leakage may be avoided. The sealing member 38 may be slightly compressed during mounting. This may provide the user with a better haptic sensation during mounting and removing of the identification component 10.

[0105] The connection means 30 are further illustrated with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2a shows a lateral view and a bottom-up perspective of the ring shaped identification component 10. In the bottom-up perspective of the ring shaped identification component 10 the connection portion 32 of the identification component 10 is visible. The connection portion 32 comprises three protrusions 34 and three recesses 36. The protrusions 34 and the recesses 36 are arranged in alternate sequence along the circumference of the connection portion 32 of the identification component 10.

[0106] FIG. 2B, similarly, shows a lateral view and a plan view of the connection portion 28 at the open end 26 of the heating chamber 24 of the aerosol-generating device 18. The connection portion 28 comprises a base 40 and three recessed elements 42. The recessed elements 42 are configured to allow the downward sliding of protrusions 34 of the identification element 10. The connection portion 28 further comprises portions 44 and portions 46 that are configured for locking the identification component 10 upon rotation.

[0107] FIG. 2C shows a perspective view that illustrates the operation principle of the bayonet connection means 30 between the identification component 10 and the connection portion 28 of the aerosol-generating device 18. As shown in the bottom part of FIG. 2C the identification component 10 is set onto the connection portion 28 in such way that the recessed elements 42 of the connection portion 28 are aligned with and receive the protrusions 34 of connection portion 32 of the identification component 10. Subsequently, the identification component 10 is rotated clockwise until protrusions 34 engage with portions 44 and portions 46 of connection portion 28. Portion 44 has a tapered end which facilitates the sliding of the protrusions 34 between the base 40 and the protruding portions 44 and 46.

[0108] When protrusions 34 are fully engaged with the protruding portions 46, the bayonet connection 30 between the the connection portion 28 of the aerosol-generating device 18 and the connection portion 32 of the identification component 10 is established.

[0109] As can be seen in the lower view of FIG. 2C protruding portions 44 extend a little further down than protruding portions 46. Thus, when protrusions 34 reach the protruding portions 46, the protrusions 34 snap upwards against protruding portions 46. This generates a slight click which serves as a haptic feedback, informing the user that the identification component 10 is in the locked position. This haptic feedback may be increased by the compressed sealing member 38 (not shown in FIG. 2). Moreover, since protruding portions 44 extend a little further down than protruding portions 46 unintentional return of the identification component 10 into the decoupled configuration is avoided.

[0110] For intentional removal of the identification component 10 a removal tool 50 may be used. An embodiment of a removal tool 50 is depicted in FIG. 3. This removal tool 50 is provided in the form of cap. The cap has a body 52 with an essentially cylindrical shape and a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the housing of the aerosol-generating device 18.

[0111] At its internal portion the cap has protruding element 54 that has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the non-circular cross-section of the central through-hole 16 of the identification component 10.

[0112] For removing the identification component 10 from the aerosol-generating device 18, the cap is arranged on the identification component 10 in such way that the protruding or male element 54 is inserted into the central through-hole 16 of the identification component 10.

[0113] The cap is then rotated thereby transferring the rotational movement onto the identification component 10. The cap is rotated until the bayonet connection 30 between the identification component 10 and the aerosol-generating device 18 is decoupled. The identification component 10 may then be removed from the aerosol-generating device 18.

[0114] For mounting the identification component 10 to the aerosol-generating device 18, the process is essentially reversed. The cap is again arranged on the identification component 10. The identification component 10 is then arranged on the aerosol-generating device 18 and is rotated to establish the bayonet connection 30.

[0115] The cap has an overall diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the housing of the aerosol-generating device 18. The cap can be used to cover the heating chamber when the aerosol-generating device 18 is not used. In this way the heating chamber is conveniently protected from ingress of debris or obstacles that may damage the internal structure or components of the heating chamber 24.

[0116] In FIG. 4 further additional options for providing a removal tool 60 are depicted. In the embodiment of FIG. 4A the male component of the removal tool 60 is provided as a protruding element 64 on a first end plug 66 of a charging cable 62 of the aerosol-generating device 18. The charging cable 62 is a necessary accessory of an aerosol-generating system comprising an electrically operated aerosol-generating device 18. By providing the removal tool 60 as a part of such charging cable 62, the user will have to carry a lesser number of articles for ensuring the full functionality of the aerosol-generating system.

[0117] The removal tool 60 needs not necessarily to be provided at one of the plugs 66 of the charging cable 62 of the aerosol-generating system. Instead the protruding element 64 may also be provided on a strip 68 that is attached to the charging cable 62. Such embodiment is depicted in FIG. 4B. Also in this embodiment the risk of losing the removal tool 60 is considerably reduced.

[0118] As depicted in FIG. 4C, the charging cable may additionally comprise on the second plug 67 a female element 70, which has essentially the same shape as the non-circular recess 12 of the identification component 10 and is configured to mate with protruding element 64 of the first plug 66. Female element 70 and male element 64 may be configured to establish a pressure-fit type connection. When the removal tool 60 is not in use, the two plugs 66, 67 of the charging cable 62 may be connected to each other. This provides a quick and efficient way to maintain the charging cable 62 in a wound-up configuration.

[0119] It is envisaged that the user may purchase additional identification elements 10 to customize the aerosol-generating device 18. For this purpose the identification component 10 may be sold in a package 74 as depicted in FIG. 5. The identification component 10 may be placed in the package 74 within a single-line up package tray 76. The tray 76 may be used to maintain the identification component 10 at a desired position in the package 74. For this purpose the tray 76 may be provided with a protruding component 78 having a non-circular cross-section corresponding to the shape of the recess 12 of the identification component 10. The identification component 10 may be removed from the protruding component 78 and may be mounted to an aerosol-generating device 18.

[0120] The protruding component 78 may also be used as an additional removal tool 80. For this purpose, the tray 76 is provided with a pre-cut line 82 extending around the protruding component 78. The protruding component 78 including the tray portion within the pre-cut line 82 may be detached from the remainder of the tray 76. After detachment the protruding component 78 may be used as a mounting or removal tool 80 for the identification component 10. In this way the protruding component 78 may at the same time be used for maintain the identification component 10 in a desired position within the package 74, and as a mounting and removal tool 80 after purchase of the identification component 10.

[0121] FIG. 6 shows an identification component 10 comprising an attachment means 90 in the form of a pen clip. The pen clip comprises a base element 92 and an arm 94 that extends parallel to the housing 20 of the aerosol-generating device 18. With this attachment means 90 the aerosol-generating device 18 may be temporarily attached for example to a user's shirt pocket.

[0122] FIG. 7 shows an identification component 10 comprising an attachment means 90 comprising a loop 96. The loop 96 allows for attachment of a lanyard 98. The lanyard 98 may be used to further personalize the identification component 10 and the aerosol-generating device 18, respectively. The lanyard 98 may also be used to hang the aerosol-generating device 18 around a user's neck between or during user experiences.

[0123] FIG. 8 shows an identification component 10 having a non-circular outer cross-section. In FIG. 8 the identification component 10 has a hexagonal outer cross-section. The angles 100 of the hexagonal outer surface of the identification component 10 extend over the cylindrical outer surface of the housing 20 of the aerosol-generating device 18. In this way, the identification component 10 may help to prevent the aerosol-generating device 18 from rolling off of a non-planar surface.

[0124] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of an opening to a heating chamber 24 formed at a proximal end of an aerosol-generating device 18. The ring-shaped identification component 10 is mounted to the housing 20 (not shown) at the open end of the heating chamber 24. The heating chamber 24 is configured to receive a cylindrical aerosol-generating article. At the periphery of the heating chamber 24 a plurality of air inlets 102 are formed. The identification component 10 comprises two ring-shaped portions 104,106 each defining a central through-hole 16 having a non-circular cross-section, and which allow a user to adjust the air flow through the air inlets 102 of the aerosol-generating device 18. For this purpose the two ring-shaped portions 104,106 are configured rotatable with respect to each other. This is indicated in FIG. 9 by the circular arrows.

[0125] The left view in FIG. 9 shows the two ring-shaped portions 104,106 in a first configuration in which the two ring-shaped portions 104,106 are in an identical orientation. The ring-shaped portions 104,106 are rotated such that the air inlets 102 of the heating chamber 24 of the aerosol-generating device 18 are fully exposed. In this configuration the flow cross-sectional area of the air inlets 102 is maximized.

[0126] In the right view in FIG. 9 the two ring-shaped portions 104,106 are depicted in a second configuration, in which the two ring-shaped portions 104,106 are in a fully offset rotational orientation. The ring-shaped portions 104,106 are rotated such that the air inlets 102 of the heating chamber 24 of the aerosol-generating device 18 are partly covered. In this configuration the flow cross-sectional area of the air inlets 102 is minimized.

[0127] The degree of coverage of the air inlets 102 may be adjusted by the user by choosing any intermediate rotational orientation of the two ring shaped portions 104,106 of the identification component 10.