A Holder for a Heat-Not-Burn Aerosol-Generating Article

Abstract

An aerosol-generating material holder includes a first portion made of heat conductive material and a second portion, preferably made of heat conductive material, wherein the first portion is configured to be receivable by a heating element of a heating device and the second portion is configured for receiving a charge of aerosol-generating material to be heated by the heating element to generate an aerosol. An aerosol-generating article including the holder is also provided.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating material holder, comprising a first portion made of heat conductive material and a second portion the first portion being configured to be receivable by a heating element of a heating device and the second portion being configured for receiving a charge of aerosol-generating material to be heated by the heating element to generate an aerosol, wherein the first portion comprises at least one guiding member at a free end or on a free edge thereof to automatically guide insertion of the heating element into the first portion without deformation of the heating element.

2. The holder according to claim 1, wherein a sheathing component and/or a slit opening is further provided to the first portion of the holder for accepting the heating element of the heating device.

3. The holder according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting component connecting the first portion and the second portion, wherein the connecting component is arranged such that the first portion is rotatable with respect to the second portion.

4. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises mating members configured such that the holder can be inserted into the heating device in a mating contact with the heating element without deformation thereof or of the first portion.

5. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guiding member comprises an inclined surface arranged to guide the heating element into the first portion by sliding during insertion.

6. The holder according to claim 5, wherein the at least one guiding member has a conical or frustoconical shape.

7. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is air permeable.

8. The holder according to claim 7, wherein the second portion comprises at least one perforation, each of the at least one perforation having an opening area of at least 0.03 mm.sup.2.

9. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and at least part of the second portion contacting the first portion are made of metal.

10. The holder according to claim 1, wherein heat insulating material is arranged to dampen heat conducted from the first portion to the second portion.

11. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the holder is provided in form of a tuning fork, configured to be receivable in mating engagement with a heating surface of a heating element of a heating device.

12. The holder of claim 11, wherein the tuning fork comprises a first branch and a second branch symmetrically arranged about a longitudinal plan of symmetry of the first portion.

13. The holder of claim 12, wherein said first and second branches are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal plan of symmetry.

14. An aerosol-generating article, comprising the holder according to claim 1 and a charge of aerosol-generating material arranged in the second portion of the holder.

15. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 14, further comprising a filter connected to an outlet of the second portion of the holder.

16. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is made of heat conductive material.

17. The holder according to claim 7, wherein the second portion comprises at least one perforation, each of the at least one perforation having an opening area of between 0.125 mm.sup.2 and 10 mm.sup.2.

18. The holder according to claim 7, wherein the second portion comprises at least one perforation, each of the at least one perforation having an opening area of between 0.196 mm.sup.2 and 5 mm.sup.2.

19. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the metal is brass, copper, bronze, aluminium, zinc, titanium or a combination thereof, an alloy made of two or more metals, or a composite material comprising a metal material and a non-metal material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representative of an aerosol-generating article inserted into a heat-not-burn heating device according to the prior art.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the present invention together with the heating device and the aerosol-generating article.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representative of a holder according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein a sheathing component is provided to the first portion of the holder.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a schematic exploded perspective view in longitudinal half section of the present invention together with the heating device and the aerosol-generating article.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view in longitudinal half section where the present invention is mounted in a heating device, having an aerosol-generating article inserted therein.

[0042] FIG. 6a shows a schematic view of the present invention in perspective.

[0043] FIG. 6b shows a schematic view of the present invention in another perspective.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representative of a of a holder according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first portion is provided in form of a tuning fork shape.

[0045] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view in longitudinal half section where the present invention is mounted in a heating device, having an aerosol-generating article inserted therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] FIG. 1 shows an example of an aerosol-generating article 300 being inserted into a heat-not-burn heating device 500 according to the prior art. The heating device 500 has an appearance like a hand-held torch, wherein a heat-not-burn aerosol-generating article 300 can be inserted into the heating device 500 for the generation of aerosol when the aerosol-generating material is being heated by the battery-powered heating device 500. Only the mouth end portion of the aerosol-generating article 300 can be seen extending beyond the heating device 500 when said aerosol-generating article 300 is fully inserted into the heating device 500. Tobacco-containing material may be contained in the aerosol-generating material of the aerosol-generating article 300.

[0047] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, comprising a heating device 500, a holder 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention and an aerosol-generating article 300. As can be seen in the FIG. 2, in use, a first portion 10 of the holder 100 is aligned parallel to the opening end of the heating device 500 whereas an aerosol-generating article 300 is aligned parallel to a second portion 20 of the holder 100. The holder 100 may predominantly have a cylindrical shape, especially in the second portion 20 for instance, with the first portion 10 and the second portion 20 connected to each other about a common longitudinal axis.

[0048] The first portion 10 may comprise of a sheathing component 10a connected to a guiding member 10b, wherein the guiding member 10b is capable of guiding the heating element of the heating device so that the holder 100 can be inserted therein. The guiding member 10b may appear as a funnel to accept the heating element 220 (not shown) of the heating device 500.

[0049] Preferably, a plurality of perforations 55, 65 may be provided into the side walls of the holder 100 to allow air circulation through the walls and into an aerosol-generating article 300 being inserted into the holder in use. The perforations 55, 65 may have an opening area of at least 0.03 mm.sup.2, preferably between 0.125 mm.sup.2 and 10 mm.sup.2, more preferably between 0.196 mm.sup.2 and 5 mm.sup.2.

[0050] The holder 100 according to the present invention has a diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the heating device 500 such that the holder 100 can be inserted into the internal cavity of the heating device 500 and be locked in a ready-to-use position. A typical aerosol-generating article 300 comprises a portion containing aerosol-generating material 301 and a filter portion 302 (shown in FIG. 4).

[0051] When in use, the holder 100 may firstly be inserted into the heating device 500, where the first portion 10 of the holder 100 is inserted through the opening end of the heating device 500. The first portion 10 may have a shape that is compatible (i.e. complementary) to the shape of the heating element 220 such that the holder 100 of the present invention can be inserted in a steady and fixed position about and in permanent contact with the heating element 220, within the heating device 500. To ease insertion of the holder in the heating device, in particular when the heating element 220 is a projecting element into the internal cavity of the heating device 500, the first 10 and second 20 portions of the holder 100 may be, according to a feature not shown in the drawings, connected through a connecting component arranged such that the first portion 10 is rotatable with respect to the position (or angle) of the heating element 220 when the second portion 20 of the holder 100 is being rotated by a user. Such rotatable arrangement saves for example shear forces application onto the heating element 220 upon insertion of the holder 100, which shear forces may damage said heating element 220.

[0052] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the holder 100 is configured such that it reduces or prevents adherence of debris, dirt or chunks of aerosol-generating material onto the heating element 220 during or after use, which reduces the efficiency of the heating and creates annoyance for users who need to clean their device regularly.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows one preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the holder 100 comprises a first portion 10 and a second portion 20, the first portion 10 can be further provided with a guiding member 10b and a sheathing component 10a such that a heating element 220 of the heating device 500 can be inserted into the first portion 10 of the holder 100 from one longitudinal end without contacting aerosol generating material received in the second portion 20 of the holder.

[0054] The sheathing component thus forms a sleeve for a heating element 220, which exhibits a front slit opening 10s (not shown as it is blocked by 10b; shown in FIGS. 4 and 6a). The slit opening 10s is designed to allow the heating element 220 (to be inserted and subsequently encapsulated by the sheathing component 10a of the first portion 10 of the holder 100. To ease insertion of the heating component 220 into the sheathing component 10a the free end thereof may comprise a guiding means 10b such as a funnel end or the like extending from the edges of the slit so as to provide guiding surfaces for the heating element 220 towards the slit upon contacting between the funnel end and the heating element 220.

[0055] In other words, the sheathing component 10a acts like a “knife sheath”. As soon as the first portion 10 of the holder 100 encapsulates or encloses the heating element 220 and is in a lock position, the heat generated from the heating element 220 can then be transferred evenly to the first portion 10 and to the second portion 20 of the holder 100 for instance. The holder 100 of the present invention thus serves as an adaptor to connect between the heating element 220 of a heating device 500 and an aerosol-generating article 300 received in the second portion 20 of the holder 100 in order to heat aerosol-generating material contained in said aerosol generating article by material conduction of the first portion 10 to the second portion 20 only. This advantageously totally prevents generation of debris and dirt onto the heating element 220 of the heating device, thereby ensuring proper functioning of the heating device over time. It further allows for dampening of the heating temperature from the heating element 220 to the aerosol-generating material 301, which may be advantageous depending on the nature of said material and to ensure best release of aromatic components and vapour from said material upon heating. In this connection, it is further disclosed herein that the wall of the first portion 10 can be provided with minimal perforations 55, 65 or not a single perforation is provided to the wall of the first portion 10 of the holder 100 in order to avoid debris or dirt to be adhered to the surface of the heating element 220. In addition to the sheathing component 10a, the first portion 10 may additionally be provided with a cylindrical wall such that the holder 100 may appear to be a cylindrical shape component, as can be seen in the FIG. 2.

[0056] To this end, it is reiterated that the first portion 10 of the holder 100 having a sheathing component 10a, guiding member 10b, a slit opening 10s and/or an additional cylindrical wall externally can be applied to all embodiments of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view in a longitudinal half section of the representation of FIG. 2, showing the heating element 220 being provided within the heating device 500. The first portion 10 of the holder 100 having a guiding member 10b and sheathing component 10a provided thereto is capable of transferring heat generated from the heating element 220 to the aerosol-generating material 301 via the second portion 20 by conduction.

[0058] Once the holder 100 is inserted in the correct position (i.e. when the first portion 10 encapsulates the heating element 220), aerosol-generating article 300 can subsequently be inserted into the holder 100 through the second portion 20 of the holder 100, as shown in the FIG. 5. The filter portion 302 of the aerosol-generating article 300 extends beyond the heating device 500 for a user to be able to insert it in the mouth and to draw thereon to inhale an aerosol generated through heating of the aerosol-generating material 301 by heat conduction from the heating element 220 to the holder 100. To that aim, the holder 100 is advantageously manufactured of a heat-conductive material, as explained in more details hereinafter.

[0059] The second portion 20 of the holder 100 typically has a substantially cylindrical shape for receiving the aerosol-generating article 300, and more specifically the aerosol-generating material portion 301 thereof. As can be seen in the FIG. 5, the holder 100 separates a direct contact between the heating device 500 (as well as the heating element 220) and the aerosol-generating article 300, and forms an intermediate, heat-conducting, connecting element therebetween. While preferably of a generally cylindrical outer shape the holder 100 can advantageously be shaped internally so as to accommodate various types of aerosol-generating articles 300, of potentially various cross-sections (i.e. cylindrical, ovoidal, rectangular, star-shaped and etc.) and dimensions.

[0060] This offers the opportunity for an aerosol-generating articles manufacturer to design such aerosol-generating articles 300 with great freedom and to provide a bespoke holder 100, fitted for purpose to use in a determined heating device 500 and its corresponding heating element 220.

[0061] Furthermore, once the holder 100 is correctly positioned in the heating device 500, it can remain in place for an extended period of time, without needing to be removed in between uses. Any used aerosol-generating article 300 can simply be removed and be replaced with a new aerosol-generating article 300 for each further use. The holder 100 will only have to be taken out from the heating device 500, when needed, for cleaning purpose i.e. removing debris or chunks of aerosol-generating material that stuck to the surface of the holder 100.

[0062] The holder 100 may be provided with different lengths. For instance, FIGS. 5 and 8 show that the holder 100 when being fully inserted into the heating device 500 does not expose outside of the heating device 500. This may be more aesthetically beneficial than practically, as a user may spend longer time trying to insert the holder 100 into the heating device 500 without deforming or destroying fragile component such as the heating element 220. In other words, this embodiment of the holder 100 will not be noticeable by other person as the holder 100 is completely hidden in the heating device 500.

[0063] Alternatively, in another embodiment, it can be foreseeable that the holder 100 when being fully inserted into the heating device 500, a small portion (of the second portion 20) of the holder 100 extends beyond the heating device 500. This embodiment has the advantage that the user could mount more easily the holder 100 into the heating device 500 to push the holder into the heating device 500. It can be foreseeable in this embodiment that the portion of the holder 100 exposed beyond the heating device 500 is made of heat-insulation material such that the user will be protected from the heat conducted through the first two portions 10, 20 of the holder 100.

[0064] The holder 100 of the invention is advantageously designed to allow a tight arrangement between the holder 100 and the heating device 500, and more specifically with the heating element 220 thereof such that heat generated from the heating device 500 can be efficiently transferred or transmitted to the holder 100 to heat aerosol-generating material 301 of an aerosol generating article 300 inserted into the second portion 20 of the holder 100 when in use. The material of the first portion 10 of the holder 100 and preferably part of the second portion 20 thereof is therefore chosen to be heat-conductive. For example, the first portion 10 and at least part of the second portion 20 contacting the first portion 10 may be made of a metal such as brass, copper, bronze, aluminium, zinc, titanium or alloys made of two or more metals. Alternatively, it may be formed or comprised of a composite material comprising a metal material and a non-metal material.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, the first portion 10 and second portion 20 of the holder 100 may be formed of different heat-conducting materials, such that a gradient of heating temperature is achieved through the holder 100 from the heating element 220 to the aerosol-generating material 301 accommodated in the second portion 20 of the holder in use.

[0066] Indeed, currently available battery-powered heating devices 500 typically generate by their heating element 220 a heating temperature of up to 380° C. However, such temperature may not be ideal for all types of aerosol-generating materials, as some types of aerosol-generating materials, such as disclosed in the applicant's patent application WO 2018122375 A1, require much lower heating temperature, for instance below 300° C., to generate a denser, tobacco-rich flavour, homogeneous aerosol.

[0067] Hence, the holder 100 of the present invention may advantageously be configured, through proper material construction of respective first and second portions 10, 20 respectively, as a tool to mediate and dampen the heating temperature and further distribute the heat of the heating element 220 of a heating device 500 to the surface of the holder 100, thereby effectively lowering the heating temperature to the optimal heating temperature for a determined aerosol-generating material 301.

[0068] As an example, it is foreseeable that the first portion 10 of the holder 100 can be made up with a first heat-conducting material having a first heat conductivity whereas the second portion 20 of the holder 100 can be made up with a second heat-conducting material having a second heat conductivity, wherein the second heat conductivity is lower than the first conductivity.

[0069] Alternatively, it may also be foreseen that heat insulating material is arranged to dampen heat conducted from the first portion 10 to the second portion 20 while the first and second portions are made of a same material and are connected together through a heat dampening connecting element for example. Such heat dampening material may be chosen such that a maximum heating temperature of a charge of aerosol-generating material 301 received in the second portion 20 is about 250° C., preferably between about 230° C. and 250° C.

[0070] FIG. 6a illustrates a perspective view of the holder 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, for use with a heating device 500 comprising a blade-shaped heating element 220. The holder 100 comprises a first portion 10 provided in a simple cylindrical shape without the form of a sheath as described above and simply continuous with a second portion 20. In other words, the first portion 10 may be provided in form of an opening, wherein the opening serves as a guiding member 10b′ at a free end or on a free edge thereof to automatically guide the insertion of the heating element 220 into the first portion 10 and reaching the second portion 20 without deformation of the heating element 220. The entire holder 100 can be inserted into the heating device 500 in a mating contact with the heating element 220 without deformation thereof or the first portion 10. The guiding member 10b′ may be provided with an inclined surface for this purpose (not shown in the FIG. 6a). This embodiment has the advantage of easy manufacturing and low production cost. In use, as represented in FIG. 8, when the heat element 220 is in a shape of a blade it may extend through a slit opening in the end of the first portion 10 of the holder 100 and pierces through the portion of the article 300 having aerosol-generating material 301. Alternatively, if the heating element 220 is formed of a cylindrical oven in the heating device, the walls of the holder 100 form a mating sleeve contacting said cylindrical oven and hollow to receive an aerosol-generating article 300.

[0071] The outer walls of the holder 100 may further comprise a plurality of perforations or holes 55, 65, which may for instance be circular 55 or rectangular 65. These perforations are advantageous for air circulation from the internal cavity of the heating device 500 through the holder 100 and an aerosol-generating article 300 inserted therein for generation of an inhalable aerosol at the filter 302 in use.

[0072] FIG. 6b is another perspective view of the holder 100 according to the second embodiment, wherein the second portion 20 of the holder 100 in this particular embodiment has a cylindrical shape, with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article 300. It can therefore be foreseeable that the shape of the second portion 20 can be customised accordingly to match the shape and size of the aerosol-generating article 300.

[0073] The holder 100 of FIGS. 6a and 6b may be used as previously recited for a heating device 500 comprising a sleeve or generally tubular heat-generating element forming an internal wall of the inner cavity of the heating device 500. In such case, the outer diameter of the holder is chosen to match the inner diameter of the heating element 220 of the heating device while allowing the holder to be slid in and out from the heating device. In such configuration, the holder will preferably exhibit a longer second portion 20 arranged for projecting out of the heating device inner cavity in order to allow a user to insert and remove the holder manually from the heating device 500.

[0074] In a further alternative third embodiment represented in the FIG. 7, the first portion 10 of the holder 100 may also be provided in form of a tuning fork 10f (i.e. exhibiting a U- or Y-shape) for receiving a blade like heat element 220 of the heating device 500. The tuning fork 10f may be in form of a first and a second branches symmetrically arranged about a longitudinal plan of symmetry of the first portion, said branches being substantially flexible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal plan of symmetry. Such Y-shape structure 10f of the first portion 10 of the holder 100 allows a user to insert the holder 100 without needing much effort, as the holder 100 can be slid in and found its right position to couple with the heating element 220. This can be done for instance when a user inserts the holder 100 into the heating device 500 while rotating it.

[0075] In this connection, the first portion 10 in form of a tuning fork may comprise a guiding member 10b″ and a sheathing component 10a″, wherein the guiding member 10b″ may have an inclined surface arranged to guide the heating element 220 into the first portion 10 by sliding during insertion, as shown in the FIG. 7.

[0076] FIG. 8 is another schematic view of longitudinally half-sectioned of heating device 500, holder 100 and aerosol-generating article 300, when these different parts are being inserted properly and ready to be used. The holder 100 shown in this FIG. 8 is similar to those in the FIGS. 6a and 6b.