CHARGER AND AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM WITH A MULTI-COMPONENT COVER

Abstract

A charger for charging an aerosol-generating device is provided, the charger including: a housing defining a cavity to receive the device to be charged, the cavity having an opening; at least one electrical contact disposed in the cavity; and a cover including a plurality of moveable elements actuatable between open and closed positions, each of the moveable elements having an inner surface facing the cavity when in the closed position, at least a portion of the inner surface of at least one of the moveable elements defines a profiled engagement member having leading and trailing edges, and the profiled engagement member slopes into, or towards, the cavity when the respective moveable element is in the closed position, the slope increasing in a direction from the leading to the trailing edge. An aerosol-generating system including the charger and the device, and a method of using the system are also provided.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A charger for charging an aerosol-generating device, the charger comprising: a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating device to be charged, the cavity having an opening; at least one electrical contact disposed in the cavity; and a cover comprising a plurality of moveable elements actuatable between an open position and a closed position, each of the moveable elements having an inner surface facing the cavity when in the closed position, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of at least one of the moveable elements of the cover defines a profiled engagement member having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein the profiled engagement member slopes into, or towards, the cavity when the respective moveable element is in the closed position, the slope increasing in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the profiled engagement member.

17. The charger according to claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of moveable elements comprises a profiled engagement member sloping into, or towards, the cavity when the respective moveable element is in the closed position, the slope increasing in the direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the profiled engagement member.

18. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the cover further comprises an actuating plate rotatable with respect to the charger housing, and wherein rotation of the actuation plate actuates the plurality of moveable elements from the open position to the closed position.

19. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the cover further comprises an iris mechanism and the plurality of moveable elements form part of the iris mechanism.

20. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the cover further comprises between 2 and 6 moveable elements.

21. The charger according to claim 16, wherein, in the closed position, the moveable elements do not overlap.

22. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the profiled engagement member is configured to urge the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity into engagement with the at least one electrical contact when the plurality of moveable elements are actuated from the open position to the closed position.

23. The charger according to claim 16, wherein the profiled engagement member is a cam surface, and a top surface of the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity is a cam rider.

24. The charger according to claim 16, wherein, in actuating between the open position and the closed position, the plurality of moveable elements move in an actuating plane, and wherein the profiled engagement member slopes out of the actuating plane.

25. The charger according to claim 16, further comprising an actuation member and a means to actuate the plurality of moveable elements of the cover in response to manipulation of the actuation member by a user of the charger.

26. The charger according to claim 25, wherein the actuation member is a rotatable disc or a slider, and the means to actuate the plurality of moveable elements of the cover is a mechanical linkage between the actuation member and the cover.

27. The charger according to claim 25, wherein the actuation member is a button or switch, and the means to actuate the plurality of moveable elements of the cover comprises an electric motor and a mechanical linkage between the electric motor and the cover.

28. The charger according to claim 25, further comprising an aerosol-generating device release mechanism configured to apply a force to the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity in a direction of the cavity opening when the plurality of moveable elements are in the closed position.

29. An aerosol generating system, comprising: a charger; and an aerosol-generating device, the charger comprising: a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating device to be charged, the cavity having an opening, at least one electrical contact disposed in the cavity, and a cover comprising a plurality of moveable elements actuatable between an open position and a closed position, each of the moveable elements having an inner surface facing the cavity when in the closed position, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of at least one of the moveable elements of the cover defines a profiled engagement member having a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the profiled engagement member slopes into, or towards, the cavity when the respective moveable element is in the closed position, the slope increasing in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the profiled engagement member, and wherein, when the aerosol-generating device is received in the cavity, the profiled engagement member is configured to urge the aerosol-generating device into engagement with the at least one electrical contact when the cover is in the closed position.

30. A method of using an aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-generating system comprising: a charger and an aerosol-generating device, the charger comprising: a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating device to be charged, the cavity having an opening, at least one electrical contact disposed in the cavity, and a cover comprising a plurality of moveable elements actuatable between an open position and a closed position, each of the moveable elements having an inner surface facing the cavity when in the closed position, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of at least one of the moveable elements of the cover defines a profiled engagement member having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein the profiled engagement member slopes into, or towards, the cavity when the respective moveable element is in the closed position, the slope increasing in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the profiled engagement member; and the method comprising: inserting the aerosol-generating device into the cavity of the charger when the cover is in the open position; and moving the cover from the open position to the closed position, wherein, in the closed position, the profiled engagement member of the cover urges the aerosol-generating device into engagement with the at least one electrical contact.

Description

[0120] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a known electrically operated aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article, an aerosol-generating device and a charging device for charging the aerosol-generating device;

[0121] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a charger comprising a cover slidable between an open position and a closed position. In this embodiment, the charger is cylindrical and comprises an actuation member in the form of a rotatable disc. The cover in FIG. 2 is shown in schematically;

[0122] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the cover separately from the charger of FIG. 2. FIG. 3a shows the cover in an open position. FIG. 3b shows the cover in a (nearly) closed position;

[0123] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the charger of FIG. 2. FIG. 4a shows the cover in an open position. FIG. 4b shows the cover in a closed position. FIG. 4c shows the cover in an intermediate position, between the open position and the closed position;

[0124] FIG. 5 show a close-up perspective view of one of actuatable elements of the cover of FIGS. 2 to 4, separately from the rest of the cover;

[0125] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the charger where the actuation member is a slider;

[0126] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of the charger of FIG. 6;

[0127] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of another embodiment of the charger where the actuation means is an electric motor;

[0128] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of an embodiment of the charger comprising an aerosol-generating device release mechanism;

[0129] FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of a method of using an aerosol-generating system comprising a charger and an aerosol-generating device.

[0130] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a known electrically operated aerosol-generating system. The known electrically operated aerosol-generating system comprises a charger 1, an aerosol-generating device 20 and an aerosol-generating article 30.

[0131] The charger 1 comprises a housing 2 having the general size and shape of a conventional packet of cigarettes. A lithium-ion battery 3 and electric circuitry 4 are housed within the charger 1. The charger 1 further comprises a generally circularly-cylindrical cavity 5 for receiving the aerosol-generating device 20. The cavity 5 is defined by the housing 2. An electrical contact (not shown) is arranged at a closed end of the cavity 5 for electrically connecting an aerosol-generating device received in the cavity 5 to the battery 3 of the charging device 1.

[0132] The aerosol-generating device 20 is substantially circularly cylindrical and has the general dimensions of a conventional cigar. The length of the device 20 is substantially identical to the length of the cavity 5 and the diameter of the device 20 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cavity 5, such that the device 20 fits closely in the cavity 5. The aerosol-generating device 20 comprises an open cavity 21 at a proximal end for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a battery (not shown) housed in the housing of the device and an electric heater (not shown) arranged in the cavity 21 for heating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 30 when the aerosol-generating article 30 is received in the cavity 21.

[0133] The aerosol-generating article 30 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate (not shown) comprising a gathered, crimped sheet of tobacco, and a filter (not shown) arranged back to back with the aerosol-forming substrate in the form of a rod. The aerosol-generating article 30 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cavity 21 of the device 20 and a length longer than the cavity 21, such that when the article 30 is received in the cavity 21 of the device 20, the filter extends out of the cavity 21 and may be drawn on by a user, similarly to a convention cigarette.

[0134] In use, a user inserts the article 30 into the cavity 21 of the device 20 and turns on the device 20 to activate the electric heater. The electric heater heats the aerosol-forming substrate of the article 30 such that volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released and atomised to form an aerosol. The user draws on the mouthpiece of the article 30 and inhales the aerosol generated from the heated aerosol-forming substrate. After use of the device 20, the article 30 may be removed from the device 20 for disposal, and the device 20 may be placed into the charger 1 for storage and for charging of the battery of the device 20.

[0135] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a charger 100 comprising a charger housing 102, a cover 110 and an actuation member in the form of a rotatable disc 130. The charger also comprises two electrical contacts (not shown in FIG. 2) located in the cavity and a power supply in the form of a rechargeable battery (not shown).

[0136] The charger housing 102 has a cylindrical shape. The rotatable disc 130 also has a cylindrical shape. The diameter of the rotatable disc 130 is the same as the diameter of the charger housing 102, and the rotatable disc 130 is concentric to the charger housing 102.

[0137] The cover 110 is shown schematically in FIG. 2. A more detailed view of the cover is shown in FIG. 3. The cover comprises a base plate ring 112, an actuation ring 114 and four moveable elements 116. In FIG. 2, the moveable elements 116 are shown in a closed position wherein each individual moveable element is in contact with two other moveable elements. The moveable elements 116 do not overlap. The moveable elements 116 are shaped such that the contact between the moveable elements creates a continuous surface when the moveable elements 116 are in the closed position.

[0138] A cavity 120 for receiving an aerosol-generating device is defined in the charger housing 102. The cavity 120 comprises cavity walls 122 and a cavity opening 124, which is defined in a top surface 104 of the charger housing 102. The cavity opening 124 is aligned with the cover. Because the cavity is formed within the charger housing, and the cover 110 is shown in a closed position in FIG. 2, the cavity 120, cavity walls 122 and cavity opening 124 are not visible. However, the position of the cavity within the charger is represented by dotted line 121. The features of the cavity 120 can be seen in FIG. 4.

[0139] The moveable elements 116 are actuatable between an open position and a closed position.

[0140] The cover is shown separately to the rest of the charger 100 in FIG. 3. The cover comprises an iris mechanism. Each of the moveable elements 116 is connected to the base plate ring 112 and the actuating plate ring 114. The connection of each of the moveable elements 116 to the base plate ring is via pins formed in the base plate ring 112. Each pin is connected to a moveable element 116 at connection 306 on the respective moveable element 116. The moveable elements can rotate about connection 306.

[0141] The connection of the moveable elements 116 to the actuation ring 114 is via a connection arm 302. Each connection arm is connected to a moveable element at connection 304 at one end of the connection arm 302. The other end of the connection arm 302 is connected to the actuation ring 114 via a pin in the actuation ring 114. Each moveable element 116 can rotate about connection 304 and each actuating arm 302 can rotate about actuation point 305.

[0142] The actuation ring 112 is rotatable relative to the base plate ring 114. Rotation of the actuation ring 112 actuates the moveable elements 116. This actuation is possible because each of the connections 304, 305 and 306 allows for rotation about the connection and because of the offset of the points of connection. Therefore, when the actuation ring 114 rotates, the moveable elements 116 are actuated from the open position, shown in FIG. 3a, to the nearly closed position shown in FIG. 3b. By connecting the moveable elements 116 via connection arm 302, rather than directly to the actuation ring (as is common in iris mechanisms), the motion of each of the moveable elements 116 can be configured to avoid any overlap with other moveable elements in either the open position or the closed position. This advantageously allows for the inner surface of the moveable elements to be sloped to form a profiled engagement member, as described below.

[0143] FIG. 3b shows the moveable elements in a nearly closed position where the moveable elements have not completed reached the closed position shown in FIG. 2 (i.e. a position where the moveable elements form a continuous surface).

[0144] The diameter of the actuation ring 114 corresponds to the diameter of the cavity 120 (the cavity is cylindrical). The actuation ring 114 is also concentric to the cavity 120. Therefore, when the moveable elements 116 are in the open position, the cavity 120 is accessible such that an aerosol-generating device can be received by the charger 100 in the cavity 120. In the closed position, the moveable elements 116 are positioned to close the cavity 120 by facing the cavity 120. Closing the cavity protects the cavity 120 from dust and dirt of the surroundings and prevents users from altering the position of an aerosol-generating device received within the cavity of the charger. The charger housing 102 acts as a case for the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity and provides protections to the aerosol-generating device.

[0145] The moveable elements 116, in the closed position, also act to ensure electrical contact between an aerosol-generating device received in the cavity and the electrical contacts of the charger (not shown in FIG. 2) received in the cavity. This is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0146] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of the charger 100 with an aerosol-generating device 400 received in the cavity 120. Two of the four moveable elements 116 can be seen in the cross-section. FIG. 4a shows the moveable elements 116 in the open position. FIG. 4b shows the moveable elements 116 in the closed position. FIG. 4c shows the moveable elements in an intermediate position between the open position of FIG. 4a and the closed position of FIG. 4b.

[0147] Each of the moveable elements 116 comprises an inner surface 410, a portion of which defines a profiled engagement member 412. The profiled engagement member 412 comprises a leading edge 414 and a trailing edge 416. As shown in FIG. 4b, the profiled engagement member 412 slopes towards the cavity 120 when the moveable elements 116 are in the closed position. The slope of the profiled engagement member 412 increases in a direction from the leading edge 414 to the tailing edge 416.

[0148] The slope of the profiled engagement member 412 is shown more clearly in FIG. 5 which is a perspective view of an actuation member 116 shown separately to the rest of the cover. The slope of the profiled engagement member 412 increases from the leading edge 414, defined at the furthest point of the profiled engagement member 412 from the two connection points 304 and 306, to the trailing edge 416. After the trailing edge, the thickness of the moveable element 116 remains constant, defining a potion 502. Portion 502 of the inner surface does not engage the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity as it extends over other features of the cover (for example, the base plate ring 112) when the moveable element is in the closed position.

[0149] The aerosol-generating device comprises two electrical contacts 402 and 403. The aerosol-generating device also comprises a power supply in the form of a rechargeable battery (not shown). The rechargeable battery of the aerosol-generating device is electrically couplable with the two electrical contacts 402 and 403.

[0150] Two electrical contacts 404 and 405 are located in the cavity of the charger. Electrical contacts 402 and 403 of the aerosol-generating device are aligned with electrical contacts 404 and 405 of the charger when the aerosol-generating device is received in the cavity. When there is electrical connection between the electrical contacts of the charger with the electrical contacts of the aerosol-generating device, the rechargeable battery of the charger can be used to recharge the rechargeable battery of the aerosol-generating device. In order for the rechargeable battery to be reliably charged, the electrical connection much the consistent.

[0151] Electrical contacts 404 and 405 are resilient elements in the form of cantilever springs. As shown in FIG. 4a, the electrical contacts 404 and 405 extend upwards from the closed end of the cavity in the direction of the cavity opening when the moveable elements 116 are in the open position. When an aerosol-generating device 400 is received in the cavity, and the moveable elements are in the open position, the aerosol-generating device rests upon electrical contacts 404 and 405 (provided the charger remains upright).

[0152] The cavity extends from the closed end where the electrical contacts 404 and 405 are located, to the cavity opening 124. In this embodiment, the base plate 112 is set into the charger housing such that the top of the base plate is aligned with the top of the cavity opening 124. The aerosol-generating device 400 has a length which is substantially the same as the length of the cavity. However, because of the upward extension of the electrical contacts 404 and 405, the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity, resting upon the electrical contacts 404 and 405, extends above the level of the cavity opening 124.

[0153] When the moveable elements 116 are in the open position, electrical communication between the electrical contacts 402 and 404 and 403 and 405 is not ensured and so may not be consistent. For example, if the charger 100 is not stored in an upright position, or is shaken or dropped, it is likely that the electrical communication will not be maintained between the electrical contacts.

[0154] When the moveable elements 116 are in the closed position, electrical communication between the electrical contacts 402 and 404 and 403 and 405 is ensured. This is because, in the closed position, the profiled engagement members 412 engage the top surface 422 of the aerosol-generating device 400 received in the cavity 120. The engagement ensures that the aerosol-generating device 400 is in electrical communication with electrical contacts 402 and 404 and 403 and 405, irrespective of the orientation of the charger and of any sudden forces applied to the charger, for example in the case that the charger is dropped. In other words, the engagement ensures that contact is maintained between the electrical contacts 402 and 403 of the charger and the electrical contacts 404 and 405 of the aerosol-generating device.

[0155] Electrical communication is ensured because the profiled engagement members 412 apply a force to the top surface 422 of the aerosol-generating device, pushing it into the cavity 120 and in the direction of, and against the electrical contacts 404 and 405. The applied force causes the electrical contacts 404 and 405 to deform and so generate a reactive force that urges the aerosol-generating device 400 to move away from the electrical contacts 404 and 405 (i.e. a reactive force pushing the aerosol-generating device 400 back out the cavity 120). As the moveable elements 116 are in the closed position, the reactive force applied by the electrical contacts 404 and 405 urges the aerosol-generating device against the moveable elements 116 and, in particular, against the profiled engagement members 412. This arrangement ensures contact between the aerosol-generating device 400 and the electrical contacts of the charger 404 and 405.

[0156] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the profiled engagement members 412 are configured to first engage the top surface 422 of the aerosol-generating device 400 received in the cavity 120 at an intermediate position (i.e. a position between the open position the closed position) of the cove. This is the position shown in FIG. 4c.

[0157] As the moveable elements 116 are actuated from the open position to the closed position, each of the profiled engagement members 412 moves into an overlapping relationship with the cavity 120. It is the leading edge 414 that moves into an overlapping relationship with the cavity first. As a result of the profiled engagement members being sloped, each of the profile engagement members 412 increasingly protrudes towards the cavity as moveable elements 116 approach the closed position. At the intermediate position shown in FIG. 4c, the overlapping is such that the profiled engagement members 116 protrude towards the cavity sufficiently to first contact and engage the top surface 422 of the aerosol-generating device 400. Such an arrangement results in a smooth engagement between the profiled engagement portion and the aerosol-generating device 300.

[0158] Each profiled engagement member 412 remains engaged with the aerosol-generating device 400 as the moveable element 116 is actuated from the intermediate position of FIG. 4c to the closed position of FIG. 4b. As the profiled engagement members 412 increasingly protrude towards the cavity, an increasing force is applied on the aerosol-generating device 300 urging the aerosol-generating device into contact with the electrical contacts 404 and 405. In turn, the electrical contacts 404 and 405 are increasingly deformed from their extended state and so apply an increasing reactive force, urging the aerosol-generating device back out of the cavity.

[0159] Each profiled engagement member 412 follows a similar path, engaging the aerosol-generating device 400 at an equivalent point in the motion of the respective moveable element 116. The slopes of each of the profiled engagement members 412 are the same. Therefore, each profiled engagement member 412 protrudes similarly towards the cavity at equivalent points in the motion of the respective moveable element 116 compared to the profiled engagement members 412 of the other moveable elements 116. This results in the same force being applied on the aerosol-generating device from each side by each of the moveable elements ensuring that an even force is applied to the aerosol-generating device. This also ensures that the force is evenly distributed between the moveable elements 116.

[0160] Each profiled engagement member 412 acts as a cam surface and the aerosol-generating device 400 acts as a cam rider following the motion of cam surfaces. The transverse motion of the profiled engagement members 412, as the moveable elements are actuated from the open position to the closed position, is transferred to longitudinal motion of the aerosol-generating device 400 into the cavity.

[0161] As has already been described, the moveable elements 116 are actuated as a result of the actuation ring 114 rotating relative to the base plate ring 112. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the charger is provided with an actuation member in the form of a rotating disk 130 and it is this actuation member which causes the rotation of the actuation ring 114 relative to the base plate ring 112, and so actuates the moveable elements 116.

[0162] The rotatable disc 130 rotates about a point aligned with the centre of the actuation plate 114. Two rigid shafts 432 attach the rotatable disc 130 to the actuation ring 114. The rigid shafts 432 pass through hollow defined in the charger housing 102. When a user rotates the rotatable disc 130, the rotational motion is transferred directly from the rotatable disc 130 to the actuation ring 114 by the rigid shafts 432. Therefore, a user can manipulate the moveable elements 116 by rotation of the rotatable disc 130.

[0163] Attached to the rotatable disc 130 is a biasing element in the form of a coil 450. The coil 450 is attached to the charger housing 102 at a first end 452 and attached to the rotatable disc 130 at a second end 454. The coil is a resilient element and is configured such that the natural, undeformed state of the coil 450 is when the rotatable disc 130 is in a position such that the moveable elements 116 are in the closed position. When the rotatable disc 130 is in a position such that the moveable elements 116 are in the open position, the spring 450 is in a deformed state. Therefore, when the moveable elements 116 are in the open position, the spring 450 applies a force to the rotatable disc 130 urging the rotatable disc to rotate to a position where the moveable elements 116 close the cavity 120.

[0164] Whenever the moveable elements 116 are in the open position, or an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position, the moveable elements 116 are urged back towards the closed position by the coil 450 applying a force on the rotatable disc 130. This prevents the user of the charger from inadvertently leaving the cover in the open position. Furthermore, if the cover is accidently forced open, the coil 450 will automatically close the cover again.

[0165] While the coil 450 is shown as being attached to the rotatable disc 130 at one end and the charger housing 102 at the other, other designs are possible. Any biasing element which is in a natural state when the moveable elements 116 are in the open position but deformed when the movable elements 116 are in the open position by the relative motion of one component relative to another component, will have the same effect. For example, a biasing element can be attached at one end to the actuation ring 114 and attached at the other end to the base plate ring 112. In another example, a biasing element can be attached to each of the moveable elements. The other end of the each of the biasing elements can be attached to the base plate ring 112.

[0166] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view an embodiment of the charger comprising a slider tab 602 as an actuation member, rather than a rotatable disc. In this embodiment, the charger housing 102 has a parallelepiped shape.

[0167] The slider tab 602 can slide along an elongated opening 604 in the charger housing 102. At the position of the slider tab 602 shown in FIG. 6, the moveable elements 116 are in the closed position. Sliding the slider tab 602 along the elongated opening 604 actuates the moveable elements 116 to the open position. The cover of FIG. 6 is the same as described in relation to the previous embodiments. However, in this embodiment, the sliding motion of the sliding tab 602 has to first be converted to rotational motion before being transferred to the actuation ring 114. This is shown in FIG. 7 which is a cross-sectional schematic view of charger shown in FIG. 6.

[0168] FIG. 7 shows how the slider tab 602 is attached to a toothed rail 702 which engages a cog 704. The toothed rail 702 and cog 704 have a rack and pinion relationship. Moving the slider tab 602 causes linear motion of the toothed rail 702 (the rack). The toothed rail 701 is engaged with the cog 704 (the pinion) such that the linear motion of the toothed rail 702 causes the cog 704 to turn. This converts the liner motion of the slider tab 602 to rotational motion of the cog 704.

[0169] The cog 704 is attached to a rigid shaft 706. At one end of the rigid shaft 706 is a wheel 708. The wheel 708 is in contact with the actuation ring 114 of the cover 110. When the cog 704 turns in response to linear motion of the slider 602, this also turns the rigid shaft 706 causing the wheel 708 to turn. Friction between the wheel 708 and the actuation ring 114 forces the actuation ring to rotate relative to the base plate ring 112. Therefore, sliding the slider tab 602 actuates the moveable elements 116.

[0170] A biasing element (not shown) can be attached to the slider tab 602 at one end, and to the charger housing 102 at the other end. The natural state of the biasing element is when the slider tab 602 is in a position such that the moveable elements 116 are in the closed position. Sliding the slider tab 602 along the elongated opening 604 deforms the biasing element.

[0171] In some embodiments, the charger comprises an actuation member in the form of a button or switch (not shown) positioned in the charger housing 102, instead of a slider or a rotatable disc. A user can manipulate the button or switch which sends signals to a controller (not shown). The controller then controls an electric motor configured to actuate the moveable elements 116 from the open position to the closed position in response to the manipulation.

[0172] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a charger comprising an electric motor 802. The electric motor 802 replaces the rack and pinion arrangement of FIG. 7. A rigid shaft 804 is connected to the electric motor 802. The electric motor 802 is configured to receive electric signals from the button or switch via the controller. When a user presses the button or switches the switch, the controller causes the electric motor to rotate the rigid shaft 804. This, in turn, rotates a wheel 806, positioned at the end of the rigid shaft 804. The wheel 806 is in contact with the actuation ring 114 and friction between the actuation ring 114 and the wheel means that the rotation of the wheel 806 rotates the actuation ring 114, actuating the moveable elements 116.

[0173] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a charger comprising an aerosol-generating device release mechanism. The cover 110 is shown in the open position. The aerosol-generating device release mechanism is a helical spring 902 located in the cavity 120 between electrical contacts 404 and 405. The helical spring is configured to urge the aerosol-generating device out of the cavity 120 (i.e. above the cavity opening 12), when the cover is in the open position. The spring 902 pushes on the bottom surface 904 of the aerosol-generating device 400. By urging the aerosol-generating device 400 out of the cavity, the aerosol-generating device 400 can be more easily removed from the charger by a user of the device. This is because a portion of the aerosol-generating device upon which a user can hold on to is provided.

[0174] When the cover is in the closed position, the spring 902 is compressed and the aerosol-generating device is pushed against the electrical contacts 404 and 405, as described previously. However, in order to close the cover, a user of the device is required to manually push the aerosol-generating device below the level of the cover 110 such that the profiled engagement members are able to move into an overlapping relationship with the cavity.

[0175] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram outlining a method of using aerosol-generating systems according to the disclosure.

[0176] At step 1002, the aerosol-generating device is received into the cavity of a charger. This is when the moveable elements are in the open position.

[0177] At step 1004, a user actuates the moveable elements from the open position to the closed position. As described, the moveable elements engage the aerosol-generating device as the moveable elements are actuated to the closed position. In the closed position, the cover urges the aerosol-generating device into engagement with at least one electrical contact. This ensures that the electrical connection between the aerosol-generating device and the charger is maintained and allows the aerosol-generating device to be reliably charged by the charger when the moveable elements are in the closed position.

[0178] In order to the actuate the moveable elements, the user manipulates an actuation member. As described, the actuation member may be in the form of a rotatable disc, a slider, a button or a switch.

[0179] At step 1006, a user actuates the moveable elements from the closed position to the open position. A user does this in order to access the aerosol-generating device received in the cavity and remove the aerosol-generating device (as per step 1008 of the method).

[0180] In some embodiments, the moveable elements are biased closed. In these embodiments, the moveable elements automatically return to the closed position from the open position. Therefore, step 1004 may be automatic.

[0181] In the open position, the aerosol-generating device is urged out of the cavity by an aerosol-generating device release mechanism. By urging the aerosol-generating device out of the cavity, a portion of the aerosol-generating device extends out of the cavity. A user of the aerosol-generating system can use this portion to aid removable of the aerosol-generating device. When the charger comprises an aerosol-generating device release mechanism, step 1004 may require the user to manually push the aerosol-generating device into the cavity, compressing the aerosol-generating device release mechanism, before actuating the moveable elements to the closed position.