Aerosol Generating Device and Assembly, and Packaging Enabling Easy Grabbing of a Consumable Article

Abstract

An aerosol generating device configured to operate with a consumable article includes: a first part, defining a cavity configured to receive the consumable article and to heat the consumable article during a vaping session, the consumable article thereby generating an aerosol; and a second part, separable from the first part and including a grabber, deformable between: an open configuration, for the grabber to grab the consumable article, when the second part is separated from the first part, and a holding configuration, for the grabber to hold the consumable article, such that the consumable article is inserted into the cavity, when the first part and the second part are assembled.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, configured to operate with a consumable article and comprising: a first part defining a cavity configured to receive the consumable article and to heat the consumable article during a vaping session, the consumable article thereby generating an aerosol; and a second part separable from the first part and comprising a grabber movable between: an open configuration, for the grabber to grab the consumable article, when the second part is separated from the first part, and a holding configuration, for the grabber to hold the consumable article, such that the consumable article is inserted into the cavity, when the first part and the second part are assembled.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the grabber is deformable between the open configuration and the holding configuration.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the second part comprises a mouthpiece configured to deliver the aerosol to a user.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the second part comprises an external surface and the grabber is configured to be moved to the open configuration by pinching of the external surface.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein the external surface defines two opposite pinching zones, adapted to be pinched by a user's fingers to move the grabber to the open configuration.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the grabber forms a clip for grabbing the consumable article when in the open configuration and for holding the consumable article when in the holding configuration, the clip comprising axial legs configured to extend along opposite sides of the consumable article, for holding the consumable article when the grabber is in the holding configuration.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein the axial legs are radially moved away from each other when the grabber is moved from the holding configuration to the open configuration, for enabling grabbing of the consumable article into the grabber.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the grabber is configured to elastically return to the holding configuration when in the open configuration.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising an abutment surface, preventing the grabber from being moved to the open configuration when the first part and the second part are assembled.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first part comprises a heating element configured to heat the consumable article when the consumable article is received in the cavity.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the heating element is configured to surround and/or to penetrate the consumable article when the consumable article is received in the cavity.

12. An aerosol generating assembly, comprising the aerosol generating device according to claim 1 and a consumable article, the consumable article comprising a porous element storing a liquid that is able to generate an aerosol when heated in the cavity.

13. The aerosol generating assembly according to claim 12, wherein the consumable article is a single-session consumable article.

14. A packaging for a plurality of consumable articles, the packaging comprising a holder and defining a plurality of sockets formed in the holder, wherein each socket is respectively configured to receive one of the consumable articles, wherein one of the consumable articles is configured to protrude from the holder when received in one of the plurality of sockets.

15. The packaging according to claim 14, wherein the holder is flat-shaped and the plurality of sockets are arranged in rows and/or columns.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting examples and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating assembly according to the invention, including an aerosol generating device with a first part and a second part thereof, which are separated, a grabber of the second part being in a holding configuration and holding a consumable article;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of the second part and of the consumable article of FIG. 1, the grabber being in an open configuration;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of the aerosol generating assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2, where the first part and the second part are separated and where the grabber holds the consumable article in the holding configuration;

[0041] FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section similar to FIG. 3, where the first part and the second part are assembled;

[0042] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the aerosol generating assembly shown in FIGS. 1-4 and of a packaging according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

[0044] As used herein, the term aerosol generating device or device may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of aerosol generating unit (e.g. an aerosol generating element which generates vapor which condenses into an aerosol before delivery to an outlet of the device at, for example, a mouthpiece, for inhalation by a user). The device may be portable. Portable may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating a heater system for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapor to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.

[0045] As used herein, the term aerosol may include a suspension of precursor as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapor. Aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor.

[0046] As used herein, the term aerosol-forming precursor or precursor or aerosol-forming substance or substance or vaporizable material is used to designate any material that is vaporizable in air to form aerosol. Vaporisation is generally obtained by a temperature increase up to the boiling point of the vaporization material, such as at a temperature up to 400 C., preferably up to 350 C. The vaporizable material may, for example, comprise or consist of an aerosol-generating liquid, gel, or wax or the like or an aerosol-generating solid that may be in the form of a rod, which contains processed tobacco material, a crimped sheet or oriented strips of reconstituted tobacco (RTB), or any combination of these. The vaporizable material may comprise one or more of: nicotine; caffeine or other active components. The active component may be carried with a carrier, which may be a liquid. The carrier may include propylene glycol or glycerin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0047] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generating assembly comprising a consumable article 1 and an aerosol generating device 2. The aerosol generating device 2 is configured to operate with the consumable article 1 for achieving a vaping session. When the consumable article 1 is exhausted, it has to be replaced with a new consumable article, operated by the same aerosol generating device 2.

[0048] Preferably, the consumable article 1 is crossed by a longitudinal axis X10. The consumable article 1 is preferably cylindrical or tubular shaped, and centered on the axis X10. The consumable article 1 comprises a porous element 11 storing a liquid that is able to form the aerosol when heated in an appropriate manner. The porous element 11 is for example made of a solid foam, the pores thereof being impregnated with the liquid. The porous element may also be formed of a fibrous layer (such as nonwoven or a tobacco layer) on a rigid support such as a tubular element (e.g., paper tube). The consumable article 1 preferably defines a channel 12 along axis X10, through the porous element 11, for the circulation of the aerosol.

[0049] The consumable article 1 optionally has an external tubular housing, centered on the axis X10, surrounding the porous element 11. The external tubular housing holds the porous element 11 and is made of a rigid material such as metal or plastic.

[0050] Preferably, the consumable article 1 is a single-session consumable article, i.e. an article that is dimensioned for a single vaping session. To this end, for example, the article 1 contains a quantity of liquid for ensuring approximately 5-40 puffs, preferably approximately 10 to 20 puffs. The size of the consumable article 1 is preferably less than 1000 mm.sup.3, more preferably less than 500 mm.sup.3 or even less than 200 mm.sup.3.

[0051] The aerosol generating device 2 comprises a first part 20 and a second part 40. In FIG. 1, the parts 20 and 40 are separate, i.e. disassembled, as also shown in FIG. 3. The parts 20 and 40 may also be assembled as shown in FIG. 4.

[0052] The first part 20 is centered on a longitudinal axis X20 and the second part 40 is centered on a longitudinal axis X40, which become coaxial when assembled. For example, when the parts 20 and 40 are assembled, the device 2 has an elongated shape along the axes X20 and X40, such as a cylinder shape centered on the axes X20 and X40.

[0053] The second part 40 comprises a grabber 41, a mouthpiece 44 and a coupling end 43. The mouthpiece 44 and the grabber 41 are successively arranged along axis X40, and each crossed through by axis X40. The coupling end 43 is preferably arranged around the grabber 41. The mouthpiece 44 forms one longitudinal end of the part 40 and of the device 2 when the parts 20 and 40 are assembled. The grabber 41 and/or the coupling end 43 form an opposite longitudinal end of the part 40 and constitutes an interface for assembling part 20 and 40.

[0054] The mouthpiece 44 is configured to be brought to the user's mouth during the vaping session, for the user to inhale the aerosol generated by the device 2 at each puff. The mouthpiece 44 preferably defines an aerosol channel 45, for guiding the aerosol from the grabber 41 to the mouth of the user. The channel 45 is for example centered on the axis X40 and extends throughout the mouthpiece 44. The mouthpiece 44 is preferably made of a rigid material such as plastic.

[0055] The coupling end 43 of the second part 40 is complementary with a coupling end 23 of the first part 20, for enabling coupling of the parts 20 and 40 together, parallel to the axes X20 and X40, and decoupling of the parts 20 and 40 from one another. The coupling end 43 is preferably centered on axis X40, while the coupling end 23 is centered on axis X20. For example, the coupling ends 23 and 43 may be coupled in a male/female manner, as shown in FIG. 4. When the coupling ends 43 and 23 are coupled as shown in FIG. 4, the parts 20 and 40 are assembled. For separating the parts 20 and 40 from each other, the coupling ends are uncoupled, as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the coupling end 43 and the grabber 41 are made of a single piece, which is assembled with the mouthpiece 44, constituting another single piece.

[0056] The grabber 41 is movable between an open configuration, shown in FIG. 2, and a holding configuration, shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. Preferably, as shown in said FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the grabber 41 is moved between the open and holding configuration by deformation of the grabber 41.

[0057] Preferably, in use, the grabber 41 is deformed to the open configuration only when the parts 20 and 40 are separated. In the open configuration, the grabber 41 enables grabbing, i.e. inserting, of the consumable article 1 into the grabber 41, if the grabber 41 did not hold any consumable article, and release of the consumable article 41 if said consumable article 1 was held by the grabber 41. In the open configuration, the insertion of the article 1 into the grabber 41 is obtained by insertion of the article 1 into an insertion opening of the grabber 41, formed at an end of the second part 40.

[0058] In the holding configuration, the article 1 is secured in the grabber 41, i.e. to the part 40. Preferably, in the holding configuration, the article 1 is positioned at a same end of the part 40 than the end through which the article 1 was grabbed. In other words, the article 1 preferably does not need to be inserted throughout the second part 40, from an end opposite to the grabber 41, for being received in the grabber 41.

[0059] Preferably, the grabber 41 is configured to elastically return to the holding configuration when in the deformed configuration. In other words, the grabber 41 has to be elastically deformed away from a rest configuration, for reaching the open configuration. The rest configuration may be the holding configuration, or another configuration to which the grabber elastically returns when the grabber 41 does not hold any consumable article.

[0060] More precisely, the grabber 41 preferably forms a clip 42 for grabbing the article 1. The clip 42 is advantageously centered on axis X40 and surrounds the article 1 when in the holding configuration. The clip 42 enables the grabber 41 to grab and hold the consumable article 1. At least the clip 42 is deformed or moved when the grabber 41 is deformed. For example, the clip 42 comprises axial legs 46, for example four axial legs 46, as best visible in FIG. 1. In the holding configuration, the axial legs 46 are close to the axis X40, preferably parallel to axis X40, and extend along opposite sides of the consumable article 1, for holding the consumable article 1. Preferably, the legs 46 are arranged all around the article 1. In the open configuration, the legs 46 are radially moved away from each other i.e. from axis X40, as best visible in FIG. 2, for enabling grabbing and releasing of the consumable article 1. For example, in the open configuration, the legs 46 are arranged conically relative to the axis X40, enabling insertion and release of the article 1.

[0061] Thus, when no consumable article is held by the grabber 41, the part 40 may be brought by the user to the desired consumable article 1, as part 40 is separate from part 20. The user may deform the grabber 41 into the open configuration, enabling grabbing of the article 1 by the grabber 41. Once the article 1 is received within the grabber 41, the user deforms the grabber 41 into the holding configuration so that the grabber is held i.e. secured to the grabber 41. The user may then assemble part 20 and part 40 together for starting a vaping session, or release the article 1 by again deforming the grabber 41 into the open configuration. After the vaping session is done, the user may separate part 20 from part 40 and release the exhausted article 1 by again deforming the grabber 41 into the open configuration.

[0062] Preferably, the second part 40 comprises an external surface 47, which may advantageously form a single piece with the grabber 41 and/or with the coupling end 43. Preferably, the external surface 47 is tubular and centered on axis X40. The external surface 47 preferably surrounds the grabber 41. The external surface 47 preferably connects the coupling end 43 to the mouthpiece 44.

[0063] The grabber 41 is configured to be deformed from the holding configuration to the open configuration by pinching of the external surface 47, i.e. by applying opposite forces directed radially towards the axis X40 onto the external surface 47. As best shown in FIG. 2, the external surface 47 advantageously defines two diametrically opposite pinching zones 48, adapted to be pinched by user's fingers to deform the grabber 41 to the open configuration. For example, for the external surface 47 to actuate the deformation of the grabber 41, the external surface 47 is connected to the grabber 41 by means of radial spokes 49, which impart a lever action onto the clip 42, so that the pin opens when the surface 47 is pinched by the user.

[0064] Preferably, for preventing the grabber 41 to be deformed to the open configuration when the parts 20 and 40 are assembled, the aerosol generating device 2 comprises an abutment surface 28, which maintains the grabber 41 in the holding configuration when the parts 20 and 40 are assembled. For example, the abutment surface 28 is formed by the coupling end 23 of the part 20, which rigidly opposes to the pinching of the external surface 47 when the parts 20 and 40 are assembled. More precisely, as shown in FIG. 4, the coupling end 23, including the surface 28, is preferably inserted into the coupling end 43 when the parts 20 and 40 are assembled, so as to be radially interposed between axis X20 and the external surface 47. In this situation, the user cannot pinch the external surface 47, since the external surface 47 abuts the surface 28 radially inwards.

[0065] Preferably, the grabber 41 also defines a channel 50, which connects the channel 45 to the article 1, when said article 1 is held by the grabber 41 in the holding configuration. The channel 50 is preferably centered on the axis X40. Thus, the aerosol generated by the article 1 may reach the user's mouth through the successive channels 50 and 45.

[0066] Preferably, in the holding configuration, the article 1 is positioned so that the axis X10 is coaxial with axis X40. Preferably, when the article 1 is held by the grabber 41, the channel 12 is centered on axis X40, so that the channel 12 is connected to the channel 50.

[0067] Preferably, the grabber 41 is configured so that, when the article 1 is held by the grabber 1 in the holding configuration, one longitudinal end of the article 1 is connected to the mouthpiece 44 through the channel 50, while another opposite longitudinal end of the article 1 is left free, for interacting with part 20 when the parts 20 and 40 are assembled, as defined below.

[0068] The first part 20 comprises the above-mentioned coupling end 23, but also a cavity 22, and preferably a housing 21 and a heating element 24. Preferably, the coupling end 23 and the cavity 22 are formed at one longitudinal end of part 20, along axis X20, directed towards the part 40 when the parts 20 and 40 are assembled. For example, the coupling end 23 is formed around the cavity 22. Preferably, the coupling end 23 and the cavity 22 are centered on axis X20, and crossed through by said axis X20.

[0069] The cavity 22 opens towards the second part 40. As best seen in FIG. 4, when the parts 20 and 40 are assembled, the consumable article 1 held by the grabber 41 is received in the cavity 22. In other words, when the grabber 41 is in the holding configuration, the grabber 41 holds the consumable article 1, such that the consumable article 1 is inserted into the cavity 22, when the parts 20 and 40 are assembled, while the consumable article 1 is held by the grabber 41. Advantageously in this configuration, the insertion opening of the grabber 41, through which the article 1 was earlier inserted in the grabber 41, is oriented towards the cavity 22, or is even received in the cavity 22.

[0070] During assembling of the parts 20 and 40, the grabber 41 holds the article 1 in a position that brings and inserts the article 1 into the cavity 22. Preferably, during the vaping session, the grabber 41 holds the article 1 in position inside the cavity 22 and remains in the holding configuration. The cavity 22 itself may optionally contribute to hold the consumable article 1 during the vaping session when the parts 20 and 40 are assembled. During separation of the parts 20 and 40, the grabber 41 holds the article 1 so as to extract said article 1 from the cavity 22.

[0071] The heating element 24 is configured to heat the consumable article 1, when said consumable article 1 is received in the cavity 22, while being held by the grabber 41 in the holding configuration, and while the parts 20 and 40 are assembled. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the heating element 24 may protrude inside the cavity 22, for example along axis X20. In this case, the heating element 24 penetrates the consumable article 1 when the consumable article 1 is received in the cavity 22. For example, the heating element 24 is inserted inside the channel 12 of the article 1. In this case, the heating element 24 may be a blade heater or a pin heater. Thus, the heating element heats the article 1 from inside the article 1. Alternatively, the heating element 24 may be surrounding the cavity 22 or forming the sidewall of the cavity 22 or in contact with sidewall of the cavity 22. In this case, the heating element 24 can be a thin film heater or an inductive coil. In this last case, the inductive coil may cooperate by magnetic induction with one or several susceptors arranged inside the consumable article 1 or designed to penetrate the consumable article 1. Preferably, in case the article 1 does not need to be penetrated while in the cavity 22, e.g. by the heating element or susceptors, the article 1 does not have to be hollow, in particular does not need to have the channel 12.

[0072] For generating the aerosol during the vaping session, the heating element 24 heats the article 1 without burning the article 1, which causes vaporization of the liquid contained in the article 1, forming the aerosol. The generated aerosol flows through the channels 50 and 45 to the mouth of the user to be inhaled by the user.

[0073] The housing 21 of the first part 20 forms a longitudinal end of part 20 which is opposite to the coupling end 23. The coupling end 23, the cavity 22 and the heating element 24 are secured with the housing 21.

[0074] Preferably, the first part 20 further comprises an embedded power source 25 and a control module 26, which are received in the housing 21. The power source 25 may be formed by a battery or the like, and powers the heating element 24 for enabling the heating element 24 to heat the article 1. Part 20 preferably includes a charging port 27 for recharging the embedded power source 25. The control module 26 is an electronic module which controls how and when the heating element 24 heats the article 1. The electronic module 26 may include a memory containing a program code and a processor for executing the program code and thereby controlling the heating element 24. For properly controlling the heating element 24, the electronic module 26 may be coupled to sensors, preferably installed in part 20, for determining if the heating element 24 is active and/or sensors for measuring its current temperature, for determining if the parts 20 and 40 are assembled. For being controlled by the user, the heating element 24 may be coupled to interface elements, preferably installed in part 20, such as buttons, screen, touchscreen.

[0075] The aerosol generating device 2 may also be used in connection with a packaging 70 shown in FIG. 5.

[0076] The packaging 70 is configured for containing a plurality of consumable articles 1 to be operated with the device 2. The packaging 70 comprises a holder 71, which is preferably planar-shaped, i.e. flat-shaped. The packaging 70 also comprises sockets 72, formed by the holder 71. Each socket 72 preferably forms a blind hole punched into the holder 71. Each socket 72 opens from the same side of the holder 71. All the sockets 72 are preferably arranged in the same plane. All the sockets 72 are preferably oriented in the same direction. The sockets 72 are preferably spaced away from each other, and aligned in several rows 73 and columns 74, for forming a grid of sockets 72. The rows 73 are perpendicular to the columns 74. The rows 73 and/or the columns 74 are preferably evenly spaced.

[0077] Each socket 72 is configured to receive and hold one respective consumable article 1. Thus, each socket 72 has a shape complementary to the shape of the consumable article 1 to be received therein. Thus, the packaging 70 may receive as many consumable articles 1 as there are sockets 72. When the consumable article 1 is received in one of the sockets 72, the axis X10 is preferably perpendicular to the plane of the flat-shaped holder 71. When the consumable article 1 is received in one of the sockets 72, one longitudinal end of the article 1 protrudes outside from the socket 72, and another longitudinal end of the article 1 is contained within the socket 72 for the article 1 to be held by the socket 72.

[0078] As the articles 1 partially protrude from the sockets 72, they may conveniently be grabbed by the grabber 41, as shown in FIG. 5. To that end, the user positions the second part 40 over the desired article 1 held by the holder 71, and deforms the grabber 41 to the open configuration for grabbing said article 1 by the protruding longitudinal end of said article. Once the grabbed article 1 is received within the grabber 41, the user deforms the grabber 41 to the holding configuration so that the article 1 is held by the grabber 41. The user may then move the part 40 away from the holder 71 so that the article 1 held by the grabber 41 is extracted from the socket 72.

[0079] When one socket 72 is free, the user may release a consumable article 1 into said socket 72, for example an exhausted consumable article 1 after the vaping session. To that end, the user positions the part 40 holding the article 1, so as to insert article 1 into the available socket 72. Once the article 1 is positioned in the socket 72, the user deforms the grabber to the open configuration so that the grabber 41 releases the article 1 into the socket 72. The user may then move part 40 away from the socket 72 and lastly authorize the grabber 41 to be deformed back to its rest configuration.