An Aerosol Generating Device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device includes a heating chamber for receiving an aerosol generating substrate, a heater for heating an aerosol generating substrate positioned in the heating chamber, and a debris collector. The debris collector is movable between a first position in which the debris collector is configured to collect debris generated inside the heating chamber during heating of an aerosol generating substrate by the heater and a second position in which the debris collector is configured to permit the removal or release of collected debris.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device comprising: a heating chamber for receiving an aerosol generating substrate; a heater for heating an aerosol generating substrate positioned in the heating chamber; and a debris collector movable between a first position in which the debris collector is configured to collect debris generated inside the heating chamber during heating of an aerosol generating substrate by the heater and a second position in which the debris collector is configured to permit removal or release of collected debris.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the heating chamber includes: one or more side walls; a first end having an opening for receiving an aerosol generating substrate; and a second end opposite to the first end; and when the debris collector is in the first position, the debris collector forms part of the one or more side walls, forms part of a closure at the second end, or forms part of the one or more side walls and a closure at the second end.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the debris collector is positioned at the second end of the heating chamber when the debris collector is in the first position.

4. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein the debris collector is configured to close the second end of the heating chamber when the debris collector is in the first position.

5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the debris collector is removably mounted on the heating chamber such that the debris collector is separated from the heating chamber when moved from the first position to the second position.

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the debris collector is mounted on the heating chamber when the debris collector is in both the first position and the second position.

7. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating device has a longitudinal axis, and the debris collector is movable between the first position and the second position in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating device has a longitudinal axis, and the debris collector is movable between the first position and the second position by one or both of a transverse movement and a rotational movement relative to the longitudinal axis.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein the debris collector is mounted on the heating chamber by one or both of a guide track and a pivotal mounting to permit one or both of the transverse movement and the rotational movement.

10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the debris collector is configured to be switched between a locked state in which movement of the debris collector from the first position to the second position is prevented and an unlocked state in which movement of the debris collector from the first position to the second position is permitted.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, further comprising a controller configured to switch the debris collector from the locked state to the unlocked state after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, further comprising a mechanical lock configured for operation by a user to switch the debris collector from the locked state to the unlocked state.

13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the debris collector is configured to be retained in the locked state when a temperature proximate the debris collector is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature, and the debris collector is configured to be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state when the temperature proximate the debris collector less than the predetermined temperature.

14. The aerosol generating device according to claim 13, wherein the debris collector comprises a heat-sensitive material having dimensions which vary dependent upon material temperature, and the heat-sensitive material cooperates with the heating chamber when the temperature proximate the debris collector is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature to thereby maintain the debris collector in the locked state.

15. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a controller and a detector configured to detect a position of the debris collector and to provide a first position signal or a second position signal to the controller corresponding respectively to the first position or another position of the debris collector, wherein the controller is adapted to permit operation of the heater in response to the first position signal and to prevent operation of the heater in response to the second position signal.

16. The aerosol generating device according to claim 14, wherein the heat-sensitive material is a shape-memory material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating system of FIG. 1, showing the aerosol generating article positioned in a heating chamber of the aerosol generating device;

[0044] FIGS. 3a and 3b are diagrammatic cross-sectional views of a first example of a debris collector in first and second positions respectively;

[0045] FIGS. 4a and 4b are diagrammatic cross-sectional views of a second example of a debris collector in first and second positions respectively; and

[0046] FIGS. 5a and 5b are diagrammatic cross-sectional views of a third example of a debris collector in first and second positions respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown diagrammatically an example of an aerosol generating system 1. The aerosol generating system 1 comprises an aerosol generating device 10 and an aerosol generating article 40 for use with the device. The aerosol generating device 10 has a first (or proximal) end 12 and a second (or distal) end 14 and comprises a device housing 16. The aerosol generating device 10 further comprises a heating chamber 18 having a substantially cylindrical cross-section, a power source 20, for example one or more batteries, and a controller 22 which are all positioned in the device housing 16. The aerosol generating device is a hand-held, portable, device, by which it is meant that a user is able to hold and support the device unaided, in a single hand.

[0049] The heating chamber 18 has a first end 24 and a second end 26, and includes an opening 28 at the first end 24 for receiving an aerosol generating article 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating chamber 18 includes a substantially cylindrical side wall 30, i.e., a side wall 30 which has a substantially circular cross-section.

[0050] The heating chamber 18 is arranged to receive a correspondingly shaped generally cylindrical or rod-shaped aerosol generating article 40 comprising an aerosol generating substrate 42. The aerosol generating article 40 is a disposable and replaceable article which may, for example, contain tobacco as the aerosol generating substrate 42. The aerosol generating article 40 has a first end 44 (or mouth end), a second end 46, and comprises a filter 48 at the first end 44 which is in abutting coaxial alignment with the aerosol generating substrate 42. The filter 48 acts as a mouthpiece and comprises an air-permeable plug, for example comprising cellulose acetate fibres. Both the aerosol generating substrate 42 and the filter 48 are circumscribed by a paper wrapper 50.

[0051] In order to use the aerosol generating system 1, a user inserts an aerosol generating article 40 through the opening 28 into the heating chamber 18, so that the second end 46 of the aerosol generating article 40 is positioned at the second end 26 of the heating chamber 18 and so that the filter 48 at the first end 44 of the aerosol generating article 40 projects from the first end 24 of the heating chamber 18 to permit engagement by a user's lips.

[0052] The aerosol generating device 10 includes a heater 32 for heating the aerosol generating substrate 42 without burning the aerosol generating substrate 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater 32 is a resistive heater which coextends with the side wall of the heating chamber 18 and which is positioned between the first end 24 and the second end 26. Other types and configurations of heater 32 can, of course, be used as discussed earlier in this specification.

[0053] During operation of the aerosol generating system 1, an electric current is supplied to the resistive heater 32 causing it to heat up. The heat from the resistive heater 32 is transferred to the adjacent aerosol generating substrate 42 of an aerosol generating article 40 positioned in the heating chamber 18, for example by conduction, radiation and convection, to heat the aerosol generating substrate 42 and thereby generate a vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating system 1 through the filter 48. The vaporisation of the aerosol generating substrate 42 is facilitated by the addition of air from the surrounding environment through one or more air inlets (not shown) and/or through the opening 28.

[0054] The aerosol generating device 10 includes a debris collector 60 which is movable between a first position (e.g. as shown schematically in FIG. 3a) in which the debris collector 60 is configured to collect debris generated inside the heating chamber 18 during heating of an aerosol generating substrate 42 by the heater 32, and a second position (e.g. as shown in FIG. 3b) in which the debris collector 60 is configured to permit the removal or release of collected debris from the debris collector 60 and/or from the second end 26 of the heating chamber 18. The debris collector 60 is positioned at the second end 26 of the heating chamber 18 and closes the second end 26 when it is in the first position to ensure that debris cannot escape from the heating chamber 18. The debris envisaged for collection by the debris collector 60 may include, but is not limited to, dust, dirt and other deposits generated during heating of the aerosol generating substrate 42.

[0055] In a first example shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the debris collector 60 is pivotally mounted by a pivotal mounting 66 at the second end 26 of the heating chamber 18 for movement in the direction of arrow A from the first position shown in FIG. 3a to the second position shown in FIG. 3b, or conversely for movement in the direction of arrow B from the second position shown in FIG. 3b to the first position shown in FIG. 3a. When the debris collector 60 is in the first position shown in FIG. 3a, it forms a closure at the second end 26 of the heating chamber 18 and forms part of the side wall 30 of the heating chamber 18 at the second end 26.

[0056] As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, prior to use of the aerosol generating device 10 to heat an aerosol generating article 40, the debris collector is placed by a user in the first position shown in FIG. 3a to close the second end 26 of the heating chamber 18. Thus, when the heater 32 is operated to heat the aerosol generating substrate 42 of an aerosol generating article 40 positioned in the heating chamber 18, dust or debris that may be generated during use of the aerosol generating device 10 is collected by the debris collector 60. During use, a user typically orients the aerosol generating device 10 with the second end 14 downward and/or in a distal position with respect to the user's mouth and the first end 12 upward and/or in a proximate position with respect to the user's mouth. Thus, any dust or debris that is generated during use of the aerosol generating device 10 tends to fall or migrate towards the second end 26 of the heating chamber 18 under the action of gravity.

[0057] In some embodiments, the debris collector 60 may be configured to be switched between a locked state in which movement of the debris collector 60 from the first position (see FIG. 3a) to the second position (see FIG. 3b) is prevented and an unlocked state in which movement of the debris collector 60 from the first position (see FIG. 3a) to the second position (see FIG. 3b) is permitted. By ensuring that the debris collector 60 is in the locked state during use of the aerosol generating device 10, it is possible to ensure that debris is reliably collected and to ensure that the debris collector 60 cannot be inadvertently moved from the first position to the second position. In this way, the inadvertent release of collected debris is prevented.

[0058] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 10 can include a mechanical lock 62 which is shown schematically in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The mechanical lock 62, which may for example comprise a latch (not shown) with an associated release button, can be operated by a user to switch the debris collector 60 from the locked state to the unlocked state. The latch could, for example, be biased to a locking position by a suitable biasing means.

[0059] In another embodiment, the controller 22 can be configured to switch the debris collector 60 between the unlocked state and the locked state according to the operational state of the aerosol generating device 10. In particular, the controller 22 could be configured to switch the debris collector 60 to the locked state when the use of the aerosol generating device 10 is initiated. In one example, the controller 22 could be configured to detect the initiation of use of the aerosol generating device 10 in response to a user input, such as a button press using button 34 to activate the device 10, or in response to the detection of an airflow through the aerosol generating device 10 by a puff detector, such as an airflow sensor, the airflow being indicative that a first puff is being taken by a user of the device 10. The debris collector 60 can thereby be locked automatically by the controller 22 when use of the aerosol generating device 10 commences, without the user having to perform a separate locking step or operation. The controller 22 could be configured to operate a locking mechanism, e.g. comprising a latch, to switch the debris collector 60 from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0060] The controller 22 could be further configured to switch the debris collector 60 from the locked state to the unlocked state after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. In one example, the start of the predetermined period of time could be determined by the controller 22 as the time at which use of the aerosol generating device 10 is initiated. In other words, the start of the predetermined period of time could be initiated in response to a user input, such as a button press using button 34 to activate the device 10, or in response to a detected airflow through the aerosol generating device 10 that is indicative of a first puff by a user. The predetermined period of time could be periodic, in other words could be reproducible at regular time intervals. The debris collector 60 is thereby unlocked automatically by the controller 22 when of use of the aerosol generating device 10 ceases, for example at the end of a smoking session, without the user having to perform a separate unlocking step or operation. The controller 22 could be configured to operate the aforementioned locking mechanism to switch the debris collector 60 from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0061] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to prevent the debris collector 60 from being switched from the locked state to the unlocked state when the temperature proximate the debris collector 60 is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature, such as 45° C. The aerosol generating device 10 may, therefore, include a temperature sensor 36 located in the vicinity of the second end 26 of the heating chamber 18 close to the debris collector 60. The temperature sensor 36 is operatively connected to the controller 22 so that the controller 22 receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor 36 and so that the controller 22 can retain the debris collector 60 in the locked state when the detected temperature is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature.

[0062] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to prevent the heater 32 of the aerosol generating device 10 from being operated unless the debris collector 60 is in the first position. The aerosol generating device 10 may, therefore, include a detector 38 located in the vicinity of the second end 26 of the heating chamber 18, proximate the debris collector 60. The detector 38 is operatively connected to the controller 22 and is configured to detect the position of the debris collector 60, in particular to detect whether the debris collector 60 is in the first position shown in FIG. 3a or in another position, such as the second position shown in FIG. 3b. The detector 38 can be configured to provide a first position signal to the controller 22 when the debris collector 60 is in the first position and to provide a second position signal to the controller 22 when the debris collector 60 is in any position other than the first position, for example the second position. The controller 22 is adapted to permit operation of the heater 32 in response to the first position signal, for example by controlling the power source 20 to supply electrical current to the heater 32, and is adapted to prevent operation of the heater 32 in response to the second position signal, for example by controlling the power source 20 so that electrical current is not supplied to the heater 32.

[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 4a and 4b, in a second example the debris collector 60 is removably mounted, as a separate component part, at the second end 26 of the heating chamber 18 for movement in the direction of arrow C from the first position shown in FIG. 4a to remove it from the heating chamber 18. In this example, the debris collector 60 can be moved in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device 10 to move it from the first position and thereby separate it from the heating chamber 18. Conversely, the debris collector 60 can be reattached to the heating chamber 18, for example by moving it to the first position in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 4b.

[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 5a and 5b, in a third example the debris collector 60 comprises a heat-sensitive material, for example a shape-memory material such as a shape-memory alloy. The heat-sensitive material is selected so that when the temperature proximate the debris collector 60 is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature, such as 45° C., the debris collector 60 undergoes a thermal expansion such that at least part of the debris collector 60, for example a circular rim 64, cooperates with the heating chamber 18 to form an interference fit. Thus, when the heater 32 of the aerosol generating device 10 is operated during use of the device 10, the thermal expansion experienced by the debris collector 60 ensures that it is retained in the locked state and, thus, that it cannot move from the first position shown in FIG. 5a. After use of the aerosol generating device 10 has ended and the temperature at the second end 26 of the heating chamber 18 has decreased by a sufficient amount so that it is less than the predetermined temperature, the thermal expansion of the debris collector 60 is reversed by a sufficient amount that the circular rim 64 moves away from the heating chamber 18, thereby releasing the interference fit and enabling the debris collector 60 to be moved from the first position shown in FIG. 5a, in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5b to a position in which collected debris can be removed or released.

[0065] Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0066] Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0067] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.