Patent Application
20250228292
The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion. In particular, the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion comprising a first reservoir.
One type of aerosol-generating system is an electrically operated smoking system. Known handheld electrically operated smoking systems typically comprise an aerosol-generating device comprising a rechargeable battery, control electronics and an electric heater for heating an aerosol-generating article designed specifically for use with the aerosol-generating device. In some examples, the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco rod or a tobacco plug, and the heater contained within the aerosol-generating device is inserted into or located around the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the aerosol-generating device. In an alternative electrically operated smoking system, the aerosol-generating article may comprise a capsule containing an aerosol-forming substrate, such as loose tobacco.
Known aerosol-generating devices comprise a number of components such as a power source, user interface, electronic control unit, and heater. These functional components may be collectively referred to as an aerosol-generating unit. The aerosol-generating unit may comprise other components. In known aerosol-generating devices, the aerosol-generating unit may be contained in an external housing. The external housing may act to protect the various components of the aerosol-generating unit from being damaged. The external housing may enhance the overall visual appearance of the aerosol-generating device by concealing at least some of the components of the aerosol-generating unit.
However, it is conceivable that a user may wish to alter the appearance of an aerosol-generating device.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a means by which the appearance of the aerosol-generating device may be changed without compromising the protection afforded to the aerosol-generating unit by the external housing.
The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise an aerosol-generating unit. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a first housing portion. The first housing portion may comprise an inner first housing surface. The first housing portion may comprise an outer first housing surface. The first housing portion may comprise a first housing interface surface located between the inner first housing surface and the outer first housing surface. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a second housing portion. The second housing portion may comprise an inner second housing surface. The second housing portion may comprise an outer second housing surface. The second housing portion may comprise a second housing interface surface located between the inner second housing surface and the outer second housing surface. The first housing portion may be engageable with the second housing portion. The first housing portion may be engageable with the second housing portion such that when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion, the inner first housing surface and the inner second housing surface together define an inner housing space for receiving the aerosol-generating unit. The first housing portion may be engageable with the second housing portion such that the first housing interface surface and second housing interface surface together define the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The first housing interface surface may comprise a first reservoir for receiving a sealing material.
According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising an aerosol-generating unit, a first housing portion comprising an inner first housing surface, an outer first housing surface, and a first housing interface surface located between the inner first housing surface and the outer first housing surface, a second housing portion comprising an inner second housing surface, an outer second housing surface, and a second housing interface surface located between the inner second housing surface and the outer second housing surface. The first housing portion is engageable with the second housing portion, such that when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion, the inner first housing surface and the inner second housing surface together define an inner housing space for receiving the aerosol-generating unit, and the first housing interface surface and second housing interface surface together define the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The first housing interface surface comprises a first reservoir for receiving a sealing material.
The first housing portion and the second housing portion collectively form an external housing of the aerosol-generating device. The first housing portion and the second housing portion together therefore provide a visually appealing outer surface which is formed by the outer first housing surface and the outer second housing surface. The first housing portion and the second housing portion may together protect the aerosol-generating unit from damage. For example, the first housing portion and the second housing portion may protect the aerosol-generating unit from ingress of dirt or dust into the aerosol-generating device.
The provision of an external housing formed from two parts, the first housing portion and second housing portion, may advantageously allow each of the first housing portion and second housing portion to have different colours or textures. This may enhance the visual appearance of the aerosol-generating article by providing a greater number of possible colour or texture combinations.
The first housing portion may be engagable with the second housing portion. Where this is the case, the first housing portion may be separated from the second housing portion. This may allow access to the aerosol-generating unit for cleaning and maintenance. This may also allow for one or more of the first housing portion and the second housing portion to be replaced. This may advantageously allow a user to customise the design of their aerosol-generating device by combining a first housing portion and a second housing portion having specific colours, textures, or other characterising features.
As used herein, the term “engaged” refers to the condition when the aerosol-generating device is fully assembled with the first housing portion and second housing portion together forming the external housing of the aerosol-generating device. As discussed in more detail below, where the first housing portion and the second housing portion are pushed together, the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion when the two portions are pushed together to the maximum intended extent.
The provision of the first reservoir on the first housing interface surface may allow a sealing material to be used in combination with the first and second housing portions.
The provision of a sealing material may reduce or prevent dust or other fine particles from passing into the aerosol-generating device along the interface between the first and second housing portions. This may advantageously further protect the aerosol-generating unit from becoming damaged.
As described below, the sealing material may be provided at the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. For example, prior to assembly, a sealing material may be provided on at least one of the first housing interface surface or the second housing interface surface. However, when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion, the sealing material may be compressed and flow along the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion by capillary action or otherwise. This may be undesirable since it may compromise the seal. The sealing material may even pass out of the interface onto at least one of the inner first or second housing surfaces or outer first or second housing surfaces. This may be undesirable since it may be visually unappealing or may interfere with the function of the aerosol-generating unit.
Accordingly, the provision of a reservoir in the first housing interface surface may act to catch and retain any excess sealing material when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion. This may advantageously prevent the sealing material from flowing to either the inner first or second housing surfaces or outer first or second housing surfaces.
The first reservoir may comprise a continuous recess extending around the first housing interface surface.
Where this is the case, the recess may be provided as a single continuous loop extending around the first housing interface surface.
This may allow for the sealing material to be provided around the entire length of the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. This may in turn advantageously improve the retention of the sealing material and further prevent the sealing material from leaking out of the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.
The first reservoir may comprise a plurality of recesses located around the first housing interface surface.
Where this is the case, the recess may be provided as a plurality of discrete recesses in the first housing interface surface. The provision of a plurality of discrete recesses may advantageously prevent the sealing material from leaking out of the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion at different points around the interface.
The plurality of recesses may comprise any number or recesses. For example, the plurality of recesses may comprise at least 2, at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, or at least 25 individual recesses. The recesses of the plurality of recesses may be evenly spaced out around interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.
The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a sealing material. The sealing material may be provided at the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The sealing material may be provided on the first housing interface surface. The sealing material may be provided on the second housing interface surface.
The second housing interface surface may comprise a sealing material located such that when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion, the sealing material may at least partially fill the first reservoir.
As described above, the provision of a sealing material reduce or prevent dust or other fine particles from passing into the aerosol-generating device along the interface between the first and second housing portions. This may advantageously further protect the aerosol-generating unit from becoming damaged. By providing the sealing material at a location on the second housing interface surface which is close to the first reservoir of the first housing interface surface, the excess sealing material may readily flow into the reservoir when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
The sealing material may be adhered to the second housing interface surface.
The sealing material may be provided as a series of discrete portions of sealing material. The sealing material may provide a sealing continuum around the entire interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
This may advantageously further prevent ingress of dust or other fine particles since the entire interface is provided with the unbroken barrier of sealing material. It is understood that the sealing material may be provided as discrete portions of sealing material on, for example, the second housing interface surface before assembly. When the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion, the pressure may cause the sealing material to spread out to form a sealing continuum around the entire interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. Alternately, the sealing material may be provided as a sealing continuum on, for example, the second housing interface surface even before the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
The sealing material may comprise any material. The sealing material may comprise a material compliant with IP67 according the IP Code (Ingress Protection Code). The sealing material may be resiliently deformable. The sealing material may comprise a polymeric material. For example, the sealing material may comprise at least one of silicone, rubber, polyether, and acrylate.
The sealing material may comprise an adhesive material. The provision of an adhesive sealing material may advantageously help to retain the first housing portion to the second housing portion when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion. This may also advantageously improve the seal between the sealing material and the first and second housing interface surfaces.
The first housing interface surface may comprise a first seating portion, and the second housing interface surface may comprise a second seating portion, wherein the first seating portion is in contact with the second seating portion when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
The provision of a first and second seating portion may advantageously provide a clear indication to a user when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion. For example, a user may assemble the aerosol-generating device by pushing the first housing portion and the second housing portion together. The user may do this until a user feels resistance preventing further movement of the first and second housing portions. This resistance may be provided by the first seating portion coming into contact with the second seating portion. At least one of the first and second seating portions may be reinforced. This may advantageously improve the longevity of the at least one of the first and second seating portions.
The first seating portion may be arranged between the first reservoir and the outer first housing surface. This may advantageously prevent sealing material from passing from the first reservoir to the outer surface of the aerosol-generating device.
The first seating portion may extend to the outer first housing surface. This may advantageously provide a clean appearance from the exterior of the aerosol-generating device since no gap will be visible between the first and second housing portions when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
As described below, there may be provided a second reservoir on the second housing interface surface. Where this is the case, the second seating portion may be arranged between the second reservoir and the outer second housing surface.
The first seating portion may extend in a continuum around the first housing interface surface, and the second seating portion may extend in a continuum around the second housing interface surface.
This may advantageously help prevent sealing material from passing from the first reservoir to the outer surface of the aerosol-generating device throughout the entire interface between the first and second housing portions.
The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a retaining means to retain the first housing portion to the second housing portion when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
This may advantageously prevent the first and second housing portions from being inadvertently detached during use.
The retaining means may be any retaining means. For example, the retaining means may comprise a magnetic retaining means, an interference fit, or a latch. The retaining means may comprise a retaining recess provided on the first housing portion, and a retaining protrusion provided on the second housing portion arranged such that the retaining protrusion engages with the retaining recess when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
Where the first housing interface surface comprises a first seating portion, and the second housing interface surface comprises a second seating portion, the retaining protrusion may engage with the retaining recess when the first seating portion is in contact with the second seating portion.
The first reservoir may have any depth. The first reservoir may have a depth of at least 0.05 millimetres. For example, the first reservoir may have a depth of at least 0.075 millimetres, or at least 0.1 millimetres.
As used herein, the term ‘depth’ refers to the greatest distance from the opening of the reservoir to the opposite end of the reservoir in a direction perpendicular to the opening of the reservoir.
The first reservoir may have a depth of no more than 0.5 millimetres. For example, the first reservoir may have a depth of no more than 0.25 millimetres, or no more than 0.1 millimetres.
The first reservoir may have a depth of about 0.1 millimetres.
The first reservoir may have any width. The first reservoir may have a width of at least 0.1 millimetres. For example, the first reservoir may have a width of at least 0.25 millimetres, or at least 0.4 millimetres.
As used herein, the term ‘width’ refers to the smallest dimension of the opening of the reservoir in a direction perpendicular to the depth of the reservoir. Where the first reservoir is provided as a continuous recess extending around the first housing interface surface, the width refers to the smallest dimension of the opening of the continuous recess perpendicular to the depth of the recess.
The first reservoir may have a width of no more than 1 millimetre. For example, the first reservoir may have a width of no more than 0.75 millimetres, or no more than 0.5 millimetres.
The first reservoir may have a width of about 0.43 millimetres.
The second housing interface surface may comprise a second reservoir for receiving a sealing material, wherein the first reservoir is aligned with the second reservoir when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
In the same way as the first reservoir, the provision of a second reservoir in the second housing interface surface may act to collect and retain any excess sealing material when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion. This may advantageously prevent the sealing material from flowing to either the inner first or second housing surfaces or outer first or second housing surfaces.
The provision of a second reservoir aligned with the first reservoir advantageously allow a greater amount of excess sealing material to be retained in the same place. When the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion, the opening of the first recess may be aligned with the opening of the second reservoir such that the two reservoirs are in fluid communication.
The second reservoir may comprise a continuous recess extending around the second housing interface surface.
Where this is the case, the recess may be provided as a single continuous loop extending around the second housing interface surface.
This may allow for the sealing material to be provided around the entire length of the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. This may in turn advantageously improve the retention of the sealing material and further prevent the sealing material from leaking out of the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.
The second reservoir may comprise a plurality of recesses located around the second housing interface surface.
Where this is the case, the recess may be provided as a plurality of discrete recesses in the second housing interface surface. The provision of a plurality of discrete recesses may advantageously prevent the sealing material from leaking out of the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion at different points around the interface.
The plurality of recesses may comprise any number or recesses. For example, the plurality of recesses may comprise at least 2, at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, or at least 25 individual recesses. The recesses of the plurality of recesses may be evenly spaced out around interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.
The second reservoir may have any depth. The second reservoir may have a depth of at least 0.05 millimetres. For example, the second reservoir may have a depth of at least 0.075 millimetres, or at least 0.1 millimetres.
The second reservoir may have a depth of no more than 0.5 millimetres. For example, the second reservoir may have a depth of no more than 0.25 millimetres, or no more than 0.1 millimetres.
The second reservoir may have a depth of about 0.1 millimetres.
The second reservoir may have any width. The second reservoir may have a width of at least 0.1 millimetres. For example, the second reservoir may have a width of at least 0.25 millimetres, or at least 0.4 millimetres.
The second reservoir may have a width of no more than 1 millimetre. For example, the second reservoir may have a width of no more than 0.75 millimetres, or no more than 0.5 millimetres.
The second reservoir may have a width of about 0.43 millimetres.
The openings of the first and second reservoirs may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.
As used herein, the term “longitudinal axis” refers to the axis parallel to the longest dimension of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may be assembled by sliding the first housing portion towards the second housing portion along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device. Where this is the case, the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion may be parallel to a transverse axis of the aerosol-generating device.
As used herein, the term “transverse axis” refers to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.
The first and second housing portions may have substantially the same length, meaning the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion may be in the middle of the aerosol-generating device along the longitudinal axis.
The provision of the openings of the first and second reservoirs being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device may advantageously simplify the construction of the aerosol-generating device since the first housing interface surface may be the shortest line between the inner first housing surface and the outer first housing surface, and the second housing interface surface may be the shortest line between the inner second housing surface and the outer second housing surface.
Where the first housing portion and the second housing portion meet along a transverse axis of the aerosol-generating device, the provision of the first and second reservoirs aligned with the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device may allow the first and second reservoirs to be included in the existing first housing interface surface and second housing interface surface without additional components being needed.
The openings of the first and second reservoirs may be aligned with a transverse axis of the aerosol-generating device.
The first housing interface surface may follow a tortuous route between the inner first housing surface and the outer first housing surface. Similarly, the second housing interface surface may follow a tortuous route between the inner second housing surface and the outer second housing surface. This may increase the length of the first housing interface surface and the second housing interface surface compared to the straight line between the inner surfaces of the housings and the outer surfaces of the housings. The provision of a tortuous interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion may advantageously prevent any sealing material from leaking out of the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion due to the extended length of the interface.
The tortuous interface may include a portion of the first housing interface surface and the second housing interface surface extending in a longitudinal direction. The first recess and second recess may be provided on the portions of the housing interface surfaces which extend in a longitudinal direction. Where this is the case, the openings of the first and second reservoirs may be aligned with a transverse axis of the aerosol-generating device.
The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.
Example 1: An aerosol-generating device comprising: an aerosol-generating unit, a first housing portion comprising an inner first housing surface, an outer first housing surface, and a first housing interface surface located between the inner first housing surface and the outer first housing surface, a second housing portion comprising an inner second housing surface, an outer second housing surface, and a second housing interface surface located between the inner second housing surface and the outer second housing surface, the first housing portion being engageable with the second housing portion, such that when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion, the inner first housing surface and the inner second housing surface together define an inner housing space for receiving the aerosol-generating unit, and the first housing interface surface and second housing interface surface together define the interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, wherein the first housing interface surface comprises a first reservoir for receiving a sealing material.
Example 2: An aerosol-generating device according to Example 1, wherein the first reservoir comprises a continuous recess extending around the first housing interface surface.
Example 3: An aerosol-generating device according to Example 1, wherein the first reservoir comprises a plurality of recesses located around the first housing interface surface.
Example 4: An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example, wherein the second housing interface surface comprises a sealing material located such that when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion, the sealing material may at least partially fill the first reservoir.
Example 5: An aerosol-generating device according to Example 4, wherein the sealing material provides a sealing continuum around the entire interface between the first housing portion and the second housing portion when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
Example 6: An aerosol-generating device according to Example 4 or Example 5, wherein the sealing material comprises an adhesive material.
Example 7: An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example, wherein the first housing interface surface comprises a first seating portion, and the second housing interface surface comprises a second seating portion, and wherein the first seating portion is in contact with the second seating portion when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
Example 8: An aerosol-generating device according to Example 7, wherein the first seating portion is arranged between the first reservoir and the outer first housing surface.
Example 9: An aerosol-generating device according to Example 7 or Example 8, wherein the first seating portion extends in a continuum around the first housing interface surface, and the second seating portion extends in a continuum around the second housing interface surface.
Example 10: An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example, further comprising a retaining means to retain the first housing portion to the second housing portion when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
Example 11: An aerosol-generating device according to Example 10, wherein the retaining means comprises a retaining recess provided on the first housing portion, and a retaining protrusion provided on the second housing portion arranged such that the retaining protrusion engages with the retaining recess when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
Example 12: An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example, wherein the first reservoir has a depth of at least 0.05 millimetres.
Example 13: An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example, wherein the first reservoir has a depth of no more than 0.5 millimetres.
Example 14: An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example, wherein the first reservoir has a width of at least 0.1 millimetres.
Example 15: An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example, wherein the first reservoir has a width of no more than 1 millimetre.
Example 16: An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding Example, wherein the second housing interface surface comprises a second reservoir for receiving a sealing material, wherein the first reservoir is aligned with the second reservoir when the first housing portion is engaged with the second housing portion.
Example 17: An aerosol-generating device according to Example 16, wherein the second reservoir comprises a continuous recess extending around the second housing interface surface.
Example 18: An aerosol-generating device according to Example 16, wherein the second reservoir comprises a plurality of recesses located around the second housing interface surface.
Example 19: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples 16 to 18, wherein the second reservoir has a depth of at least 0.05 millimetres.
Example 20: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples 16 to 19, wherein the second reservoir has a depth of no more than 0.5 millimetres.
Example 21: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples 16 to 20, wherein the openings of the first and second reservoirs are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.
Example 22: An aerosol-generating device according to any one of Examples 16 to 20, wherein the openings of the first and second reservoirs are aligned with a transverse axis of the aerosol-generating device.
In the following non-limiting examples, the invention will be further described with reference to the drawings of the accompanying Figures, in which:
As best shown in
A portion of the aerosol-generating device identified as “A” is shown in more detail in
The first housing interface surface 113 includes a first reservoir 114. The first reservoir 114 comprises a continuous recess extending around the first housing interface surface 113.
The first reservoir 114 has a depth of 0.1 mm and a width of 0.43 millimetres.
The second housing interface surface 123 includes a second reservoir 124. The second reservoir 124 comprises a continuous recess extending around the second housing interface surface 123.
The second reservoir 124 has a depth of 0.1 mm and a width of 0.83 millimetres.
The opening of the first reservoir 114 is aligned with and directly adjacent the opening of the second reservoir 124 when the when the first housing portion 110 is engaged with the second housing portion 120.
A sealing material (not shown) is provided in the first reservoir 114 and in the second reservoir 124. The sealing material provides a sealing continuum around the entire interface 130 between the first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 120. The sealing material comprises an adhesive material. When the first housing portion 110 is engaged with the second housing portion 120, the sealing material becomes compresses and flows along the interface 130 between the between the first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 120 to create a seal. Excess sealing material is retained in the first 114 and second 124 reservoirs.
The first housing interface surface 113 further comprises a first seating portion 115. The first seating portion 115 is disposed between the first reservoir 114 and the outer first housing surface 111. The first seating portion 115 extends in a continuum around the first housing interface surface 113.
The second housing interface surface 123 further comprises a second seating portion 125. The second seating portion 125 is disposed between the second reservoir 124 and the outer second housing surface 121. The second seating portion 125 extends in a continuum around the second housing interface surface 123.
When the first housing portion 110 is engaged with the second housing portion 120, the first seating portion 115 comes into direct contact with the second seating portion 125 to prevent any further movement in the longitudinal direction.
The aerosol-generating device further comprises a retaining means (not shown) to retain the first housing portion 110 to the second housing portion 120 when the first housing portion 110 is engaged with the second housing portion 120. The retaining means comprises a retaining recess provided on the first housing portion 110, and a retaining protrusion provided on the second housing portion 120 arranged such that the retaining protrusion engages with the retaining recess when the first housing portion 110 is engaged with the second housing portion 120.
In the embodiment shown in
An alternative embodiment is shown in
In use, a user may assemble the aerosol-generating device 100 by sliding a first housing portion 110 and a second housing portion 120 over an aerosol-generating unit in opposite and longitudinal directions until the first seating portion 115 comes into contact with the second seating portion 125. At this point, the retaining protrusion will engage with the retaining protrusion to secure the first housing portion 110 to the second housing portion 120. At this point, the first housing portion 110 is considered to be engages with the second housing portion 120. This action compresses the sealing material which may flow across the interface 130 between the first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 120 to form a seal. Any excess sealing material is collected in the first 114 and second 124 reservoirs to prevent leakage out of the aerosol-generating device 100.
For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A±10% of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2021/128146 | 11/2/2021 | WO |
