AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE WITH RETAINER

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol generating device for use with a heat source and an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol generating device comprises an elongate body extending between an upstream end and a downstream end, the elongate body having an upstream recess for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate and a heat source. The aerosol generating device further comprises an annular cutting edge disposed at the upstream end of the upstream recess. The aerosol generating device further comprises an ejection element disposed within the elongate body, the ejection element being movable between a first position and a second position, the ejection element extending further into the upstream recess in the second position than in the first position. There is further provided a pack for use with the aerosol generating device.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising, an elongate body extending between an upstream end and a downstream end, the elongate body having an upstream recess for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate and a heat source, an annular cutting edge capable of piercing or cutting through a layer of frangible material of a pack, the annular cutting edge being disposed at the upstream end of the upstream recess, and an ejection element disposed within the elongate body, the ejection element being movable between a first position and a second position, the ejection element extending further into the upstream recess in the second position than in the first position.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the ejection element comprises a hollow lumen through which the upstream recess is in fluid communication with the downstream end of the elongate body.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising an urging means to urge the ejection element from the first position to the second position.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein the urging means comprises a compression spring.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, further comprising a retainer to hold the ejection element in the first position.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 5 wherein the retainer comprises a magnetic connection.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising an extinguishing sleeve having an upstream end and a downstream end, movable relative to the elongate body in a longitudinal direction between a loading position, in which the cutting edge of the elongate body extends beyond the upstream end of the extinguishing position, and an extinguishing position in which the cutting edge of the elongate body is disposed downstream of the upstream end of the extinguishing sleeve.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, wherein the extinguishing sleeve is further moveable from the extinguishing position to an ejection position in which the cutting edge of the elongate body is disposed further downstream of the upstream end of the extinguishing sleeve than in the extinguishing position, and movement of the extinguishing sleeve from the extinguishing position to the ejection position causes the ejection element to move from the first position to the second position.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, wherein the aerosol generating device further comprises at least one air inlet through the elongate body, into the upstream recess.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one air inlet comprises at least one upstream air inlet for supplying air to a heat source, and at least one downstream air inlet for supplying air to an aerosol-forming substrate.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the extinguishing sleeve comprises at least one sleeve air inlet, the at least one sleeve air inlet being configured to align with the at least one downstream air inlet of the elongate body when the extinguishing sleeve is in the loading position such that, in the loading position air may pass through the at least one sleeve air inlet and then through the at least one downstream air inlet of the elongate body to an aerosol-forming substrate.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, further comprising a heat conducting body disposed within the upstream recess and connected to the extinguishing sleeve such that movement of the extinguishing sleeve between the loading and the extinguishing position causes a corresponding movement of the heat conducting body.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining means disposed in the recess configured to retain a heat source.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the downstream end of elongate body comprises downstream recess for receiving a mouthpiece.

15. The aerosol generating device according to claim 14, wherein the recess comprises at least one portion having a reduced diameter.

16. A pack for use with the aerosol generating device according to claim 1, the pack comprising: a heat source storage portion having a longitudinal body, a closed first end, and an opposed second end, the heat source storage portion second end being closed by a layer of frangible material, and a heat source disposed in the heat source storage portion.

17. The pack according to claim 16, further comprising; an aerosol-forming substrate storage portion having a longitudinal body, a first end, and an opposed second end, the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion first end being closed by the layer of frangible material, and the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion second end being closed by a removable closure, and an aerosol-forming substrate disposed within the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion.

18. The pack according to claim 17, wherein the pack further comprises at least one resilient element extending into the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion from the longitudinal body of the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion.

19. The pack according to claim 17, wherein a portion of the layer of frangible material forms a barrier between the heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate.

20. The pack according to claim 16, further comprising an alignment layer overlying the layer of frangible material at the second end of the heat source storage portion, the alignment layer comprising an aperture and at least one resilient member extending inwards from the edge of the aperture.

Description

[0138] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0139] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to the invention with the ejection element in the first position.

[0140] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to the invention with the ejection element in the second position.

[0141] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to the invention with the ejection element in the first position, and the extinguishing sleeve in the extinguishing position.

[0142] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a pack according to the present invention.

[0143] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pack according to the invention.

[0144] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pack according to the invention.

[0145] In the figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same elements.

[0146] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generating device 100 comprising an elongate body 101 extending between an upstream end and a downstream end. The elongate body 101 includes an upstream recess 104 for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate 106 and a heat source 105. The aerosol generating device 100 further comprises an annular cutting edge 107 disposed at the upstream end of the upstream recess 104. The aerosol generating device 100 further comprises an ejection element 108 disposed within the elongate body 101, the ejection element 108 being movable between a first position and a second position, the ejection element 108 extending further into the upstream recess 104 in the second position than in the first position.

[0147] The elongate body 101 comprises an upstream portion 102 and a downstream portion 103. The upstream portion 102 of the elongate body 101 includes the upstream recess 104 and is formed from stainless steel. The downstream portion 103 of the elongate body 101 is formed from PEEK. The upstream portion 102 of the elongate body 101 is connected to the downstream portion 103 of the elongate body 101 by a snap connection.

[0148] The upstream recess 104 is cylindrical and is defined at its upstream end by the annular cutting edge 107, and at its downstream end by the upstream end of the ejection element 108.

[0149] The annular cutting edge 107 is integrally formed with the upstream portion of the elongate body 102 and comprises a sharp annular blade configured to cut through layers of frangible material, for example, aluminium foil.

[0150] The ejection element 108 is formed from a ferromagnetic steel and includes a hollow lumen 109 such that the upstream cavity 104 is in fluid communication with the downstream end of the aerosol generating device 100. The aerosol generating device 100 further comprises an urging means to urge the ejection element 108 from the first position to the second position. The urging means is a compression spring 110 disposed around the ejection element 108. The upstream end of the compression spring 110 acts against a flange on the ejection element 108. The downstream end of the compression spring 110 acts against an internal stop of the elongate body 101.

[0151] The aerosol generating device 100 further comprises a retainer to hold the ejection element 108 is the first position. The retainer comprises a permanent annular magnet 111 within the elongate body 101 configured to be in contact with and retain the ejection element 108 when the ejection element 108 is in the first position.

[0152] The aerosol generating device 100 further comprises an extinguishing sleeve 112. The extinguishing sleeve 112 has an upstream end and a downstream end. The extinguishing sleeve 112 is movable relative to the elongate body 101 in a longitudinal direction between a loading position and an extinguishing position. In the loading position, the annular cutting edge 107 of the elongate body 101 extends beyond the upstream end of the extinguishing sleeve 112. In the extinguishing positon, the cutting edge 107 of the elongate body 101 is disposed downstream of the downstream of the upstream end of the extinguishing sleeve 112. The extinguishing sleeve 112 is shorter than the elongate body 101 allowing the most downstream end of the elongate body 101 to be exposed when the extinguishing sleeve 112 is in both the loading and extinguishing positions. The extinguishing sleeve 112 is formed from PEEK.

[0153] The extinguishing sleeve 112 may be further movable from the extinguishing position to an ejection position in which the cutting edge 107 of the elongate body 101 is disposed further downstream of the upstream end of the extinguishing sleeve 112 than in the extinguishing position.

[0154] The movement of the extinguishing sleeve 112 from the extinguishing position to the ejection position causes the ejection element 108 to move from the first position to the second position. The extinguishing sleeve 112 comprises an internal element (not shown) which engages with a portion of the ejection element 108 when the ejection sleeve 112 moves from the extinguishing position to the ejection positon. This causes the extinguishing element 108 to be released from the magnet 111 after which it is urged by the compression spring 110 from the first positon to the second position.

[0155] The aerosol generating device 100 comprises a plurality of air inlets through the elongate body 101 allowing air to pass into the upstream recess. The plurality of air inlets comprises a plurality of upstream air inlets 113, provided through the elongate body 101 adjacent the portion of the upstream recess 104 configured to receive a heat source 105. The plurality of air inlets further comprises a plurality of downstream air inlets 114, provided through the elongate body 101 adjacent the portion of the upstream recess 104 configured to receive an aerosol-forming substrate 106. The total air inlet area of the plurality of upstream air inlets 113 is greater than the total air inlet area of the plurality of downstream air inlets 114.

[0156] The extinguishing sleeve 112 comprises a plurality of air inlets 115. The plurality of sleeve air inlets 115 are configured to align with the plurality of downstream air inlets 114 of the elongate body 101 when the extinguishing sleeve 112 is in the loading position.

[0157] The aerosol generating device 100 further comprises a heat conductive body 116 disposed within the heat conducting recess 104 and connected to the extinguishing sleeve 112 such that movement of the extinguishing sleeve 112 between the loading and the extinguishing position causes a corresponding movement of the heat conducting body 116.

[0158] The heat conducting body 116 is formed from aluminium and extends to the downstream end of the extinguishing sleeve 112.

[0159] The aerosol generating device 100 further comprises a retaining means for retaining a heat source 105 in the upstream recess 104. The retaining means comprises a resilient element 117 attached to, and extending from, the inner surface of the elongate body 101 in the upstream recess 104.

[0160] The downstream end of the elongate body 101 comprises a downstream recess 118 for receiving a mouthpiece 119. The mouthpiece 119 is a disposable filter. The downstream recess 118 is in fluid communication with the upstream recess 104 through the hollow lumen 109.

[0161] The downstream recess 118 comprises two O-rings 120 which reduce the diameter of the downstream recess 118 at two points.

[0162] FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 show a pack according to the invention for use with an aerosol generating device 100 according to the invention. The pack 200, 300 comprises a heat source storage portion 201 having a longitudinal body 202, a closed first end 203, and an opposed second end. The opposed second end is closed with a layer of aluminium foil 204. A heat source 105 is disposed in the heat source storage portion 201.

[0163] Heat source 105 is a combustible carbonaceous heat source.

[0164] The distance between the closed first end 203 and the second end of the heat source storage portion is about the same as the length of the heat source 105 such that the heat source is in contact with the closed first end 203 and the layer of aluminium foil 204. The diameter of the longitudinal body 202 is greater than the diameter of the heat source 105. The closed first end 203 of the heat source storage portion 201 comprises a shallow recess 205 for receiving a portion of the heat source 105.

[0165] The longitudinal body 202 and closed first end 203 are integrally formed from a polymeric material using injection moulding.

[0166] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pack 200, 300 may comprise multiple heat source storage portions 201 in an array.

[0167] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a first type of pack 200 which further comprises an aerosol-forming substrate storage portion 206 comprising a longitudinal body 207, a first end, and an opposed second end. The first end of the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion 206 is closed by the layer of aluminium foil 204. The second end of the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion 206 is closed by a removable closure 208. An aerosol-forming substrate 106 is disposed in the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion 206. The longitudinal body 207 of the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion 206 is formed from a polymeric material using injection moulding.

[0168] The first type of pack 200 further comprises a plurality of resilient elements 209 which extend into the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion 206 from the longitudinal body 207 of the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion 206. The plurality of resilient elements 209 are integrally formed with the elongate body 207 from a polymeric material using injection moulding.

[0169] As shown in FIG. 5, the pack 200 may comprise multiple aerosol-forming substrate storage portions 206 in an array with a corresponding number of heat source storage portions 201.

[0170] The aerosol-forming substrate 106 comprises a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds, which are released from the substrate upon heating.

[0171] FIG. 6 shows a second type of pack 300 further comprising an alignment layer 301 overlaying the layer of aluminium foul 204 at the second end 203 of the heat source storage portion 201. The alignment layer 301 comprises an aperture 302 with a plurality of resilient members 303 extending inwards from the edge of the aperture 302. The alignment layer 301 is formed from cardboard. As shown in FIG. 8, the alignment layer 301 may comprise multiple apertures 302 in an array with a corresponding number of heat source storage portions 201.

[0172] The second type of pack 300 further comprises a spacer layer 304 between the second end of the heat source storage portion 201 and the alignment layer 301. The spacer layer is formed from cardboard and includes an aperture 310. The aperture 310 is aligned with the aperture 302 of the alignment layer and the heat source storage portion 201. As shown in FIG. 8, the spacer layer 304 may comprise multiple apertures 310 in an array with a corresponding number of heat source storage portions 201 and apertures 302 of the alignment layer 301.

[0173] In use, the aerosol generating device 100 is initially in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, with the ejection element 108 in the second position, and the extinguishing sleeve 112 in the loading position. A filter 119 is inserted into the downstream recess 118 and retained by the O-rings 120.

[0174] Where the aerosol generating device 100 is used with the first type of pack 200, the removable closure 208 is removed and the upstream end of the aerosol generating device 100 is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion 206. As the upstream end of the elongate body 101 hits the resilient elements 109, the resilient elements 109 are pushed aside and the aerosol-forming substrate 106 passes into the upstream cavity 104 of the aerosol generating device 100. Once the elongate body 101 reaches the end of the first end of the aerosol-forming substrate storage portion 206, the annular cutting edge 107 cuts through the layer of aluminium foil 204 and enters the heat source storage portion 201. As the annular cutting edge 107 cuts through the layer of aluminium foil 204, it cuts out a portion of the aluminium foil which also enters the upstream recess 104. As the elongate body 101 continues into the heat source storage portion 201, the heat source 105 enters the upstream recess 104 and is held by the retaining means 117. The aerosol generating device 100 is then removed from the pack 200.

[0175] Where the aerosol generating device 100 is used with the second type of pack 300, an aerosol-forming substrate is first inserted into the upstream recess 104. The aerosol generating device 100 is then inserted through the aperture 302 of the alignment layer. If the aerosol generating article 100 is misaligned with the heat source 105, the resilient members 303 act to push the aerosol generating article 100 back to alignment such that by the time the upstream end of the elongate body 101 reaches the second end of the heat source storage portion 201, it is aligned with the heat source 105. The annular cutting edge 107 then cuts through the layer of aluminium foil 204 as described above and the heat source 105 passes into the upstream recess 104.

[0176] As the aerosol-forming substrate 106 and the combustible heat source 105 pass into the upstream recess 104, they push the ejection element 108 from the second position to the first position. Once in the first position, the magnet 111 acts to retain the ejection element in the first position. This configuration is shown in FIG. 1.

[0177] The heat source 105 is a combustible heat source as described above, and is ignited using a yellow flame lighter. Sufficient air is able to reach the heat source 105 since the heat source 105 extends further upstream than the upstream end of the elongate body 101, and the elongate body is provided with a plurality of upstream air inlets 113. Heat from the heat source 105 is conducted by the portion of aluminium foil between the heat source 105 and the aerosol-forming substrate, to the aerosol-forming substrate. Heat is also conducted by the heat conducting body 116 to the aerosol-forming substrate 106 which releases an aerosol. The aerosol is entrained in an air stream which passes into the upstream recess 104 through the aligned downstream elongate body air inlet 114 and the extinguish sleeve air inlet 115. The aerosol is then drawn through the hollow lumen 109 of the ejection element 108, through the filter 119 and out of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0178] Once the experience is over, the extinguishing sleeve 112 is slid from the loading positon to the extinguishing position. This restricts the amount of air which is able to access the heat source 105. Additionally, the heat conducting body 116 moves to cover the entire length of the heat source 105, reducing the temperature of the heat source 105. Both of these effects together extinguish the heat source 105. This position is shown in FIG. 3.

[0179] The extinguishing sleeve 112 is then moved further upstream from the extinguishing position to the ejection positon. This releases the ejection element 108 from the magnet 111. The compression spring 110 then urges the ejection element 108 from the first positon to the second positon. The ejection element 108 pushes the extinguished heat source 105 and the consumed aerosol-forming substrate 106 out of the upstream recess 104. The extinguishing sleeve 112 is then moved from the ejection position back to the loading position, leaving the aerosol generating device as shown in FIG. 2.