Patent Application
20240237717
The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device.
It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such devices may heat aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. Aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity, such as a heating chamber, of the aerosol-generating device. A heating element may be arranged in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosol-forming substrate once the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. During insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the heating chamber, the aerosol-generating article should be inserted a predetermined distance into the heating chamber. The reason for that is that the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article should be placed in an optimal position relative to the heating element of the aerosol-generating device. A further problem is that unwanted debris such as residues of aerosol-forming substrate may accumulate in the heating chamber over time. This may influence the insertion of the aerosol-generating article, as the aerosol-generating article may abut the unwanted debris during insertion. The aerosol-generating article may then not be positioned optimally within the heating chamber.
It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating article is optimally received in the heating chamber. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device with an improved feedback to a user that the aerosol-generating article is optimally received in the heating chamber. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device in which contamination of the heating chamber with unwanted residues is prevented.
According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device that may comprise a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. The device may further comprise a stopper. The stopper may be arranged at a distal portion or distal of the cavity. The stopper may be configured to stop the aerosol-generating article, when the aerosol-generating article contacts the stopper. The stopper may be arranged transversally spanning the distal portion of the cavity. The stopper may be arranged such that air can flow from distal of the stopper around the stopper into the cavity.
According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate. The device further comprises a stopper. The stopper is arranged at a distal portion or distal of the cavity. The stopper is configured to stop the aerosol-generating article, when the aerosol-generating article contacts the stopper. The stopper is arranged transversally spanning the distal portion of the cavity. The stopper is arranged such that air can flow from distal of the stopper around the stopper into the cavity.
Providing the stopper transversally spanning the distal portion of the cavity may have multiple advantages. The stopper securely stops an aerosol-generating article inserted into the cavity. The term “to stop” refers to the stopper stopping the consumable at a position along the longitudinal axis of the cavity such that further insertion is faced with resistance. The stopper prevents accumulation of unwanted debris in the distal portion of the cavity, since the unwanted debris falls left and right of the spanning part of the stopper. Particularly due to airflow being enabled around the stopper, unwanted debris may escape through this unobstructed space adjacent to the stopper. The stopper automatically sheds unwanted debris off the stopper due to the spanning arrangement of the stopper. The unwanted debris is pushed to the left and right of the spanning part of the stopper during one or more of insertion and removal of the aerosol-generating article. If the aerosol-generating article contacts the stopper, the unwanted debris is pushed off the spanning part of the stopper by the aerosol-generating article.
The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may have an open end into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted. The open end may be a proximal end. The cavity may have a base opposite the open end. The base may be arranged at the distal portion of the cavity. The base of the cavity may be arranged distal of the cavity. The base may comprise one or more air apertures allowing airflow into the cavity. The base is preferably configured as a through hole. The stopper may be arranged at the base or directly adjacent the base in the cavity. The stopper may be arranged spanning the base.
The shedding of unwanted debris from the stopper may lead to the unwanted debris being pushed off the stopper and into the open base. Unwanted debris may be easily removed from the open base. Multiple options are possible for removing unwanted debris from the open base. The open base may fully extend through the aerosol-generating device such that unwanted debris can be removed through this passage. This passage may be an airflow channel. A cleaning tool may be inserted into this passage to remove the unwanted debris. A further option is to provide a recess in the open base in which the unwanted debris can accumulate. At certain intervals, a user may have to clean the recess.
The open end may be arranged proximal of the cavity. The cavity may have an elongate extension. The cavity may have a longitudinal central axis. A longitudinal direction may be the direction extending between the open and closed ends along the longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to or along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.
The cavity may be configured as a heating chamber. The cavity may have a cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received in the cavity. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. The cavity may have an elliptical or rectangular cross-section. The cavity may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.
The airflow channel may run through the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn into the aerosol-generating device through the airflow channel distal of the cavity and the open base of the cavity, into the cavity and towards the user through the airflow channel. When entering the cavity, the air may flow around the stopper spanning the distal portion of the cavity. The stopper thus has the functionality of enabling a secure stopping action of the inserted aerosol-generating device while automatically shedding unwanted debris into the open base of the cavity and while allowing airflow into the cavity around the stopper. Proximal of the cavity, a mouthpiece may be arranged or a user may directly draw on the aerosol-generating article. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece.
The stopper may have a circular cross-section. Providing the stopper with a circular cross-section has the advantage that unwanted debris slides off the stopper more easily.
Any cross-sectional shape of the stopper is defined as a shape in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cavity and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stopper.
The stopper may have an oval cross-section. Providing the stopper with an oval cross-section has the advantage that unwanted debris slides off the stopper more easily.
The stopper may be arranged crossing the longitudinal central axis of the cavity. In other words, the stopper may be arranged centrally crossing the cavity. Such a symmetrical arrangement of the stopper may improve the stopping action of the stopper and may improve the shedding of unwanted debris.
The stopper may be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity.
The stopper may be a pin. A pin-shaped stopper is easy to manufacture while improving the stopping action of the stopper and automatically shedding unwanted debris. The length of the pin may be longer than the inner diameter of an inner sidewall of the cavity. This may facilitate a secure mounting of the pin. The stopper may be one or more of a pin, a bar, a rod, a pole, a shaft, a beam, a rail, a strut, a small pole, a spoke, a stem, a spoke and a crossbar.
The stopper may have a curved surface. The curved surface may improve the shedding action of the stopper of unwanted debris.
The stopper may comprise a surface treatment to make the stopper more slippery. Providing a slippery stopper surface improves the automatic shedding of unwanted debris off the surface of the stopper.
The stopper may be elongate. The length of the stopper may be longer, preferably substantially longer, than the width of the stopper. As a consequence, the stopper provides a secure stop for the insertion of the aerosol-generating article and at the same time does not lead to an accumulation of unwanted debris in the area of the stopper.
The stopper may be straight. The stopper may be straight in the extension direction of the longitudinal axis of the stopper. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the stopper may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cavity. Providing a straight stopper is easy to manufacture while creating a secure stop for the insertion of the aerosol-generating article.
The stopper may be cylindrical. A cylindrically shaped stopper may improve the shedding abilities of the stopper thereby preventing unwanted accumulation of debris in the area of the stopper.
The stopper may be configured cross-shaped. A cross-shaped stopper may further improve the stopping ability of the stopper. The cross-shaped stopper may be arranged in a plane. This plane may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity. Each member of the cross-shaped stopper may be shaped as described herein. Exemplarily, each member of the cross-shaped stopper may have a circular cross-section, may have a curved surface, be configured as a pin etc.
The stopper may be configured T-shaped. A T-shaped stopper may improve the stopping ability of the stopper while maintaining a relatively large area between the members of the stopper for shedding unwanted debris off the stopper. In comparison to a single stopper element such as an elongate pin as described herein, a T-shaped stopper may have improved stopping ability. At the same time, the area between the stopper elements is slightly diminished such that a single elongate stopper element or a T-shaped stopper may be chosen depending on whether the stopping action is of higher importance or whether the shedding action of unwanted debris is of high importance. The same is the case for a cross-shaped stopper. In comparison to a T-shaped stopper, a cross-shaped stopper is further improving the stopping action while having a slightly diminished shedding capability due to the reduced surface area between the individual members of the stopper. Hence, if an improved stopping action is required, a cross-shaped stopper may be chosen over a T-shaped stopper or an elongate single stopper. If an improved shedding of unwanted debris is desired, a single elongate stopper may be chosen over a T-shaped stopper or a cross-shaped stopper.
The cavity may comprise an inner sidewall. The inner sidewall may comprise a first recess. The stopper may be mounted in the first recess. The first recess may thus be configured as a mounting recess. The stopper may be slotted into the first recess. The stopper may be mounted in the first recess by means of a press-fit or snap-fit connection. Alternatively, the stopper may be integrally formed with the inner sidewall.
The inner sidewall may comprise a second recess opposite the first recess. The stopper may be mounted in the second recess so as to be mounted between the first recess and the second recess. The second recess may thus be configured as a mounting recess. The stopper may be slotted into the second recess. The stopper may be mounted in the second recess by means of a press-fit or snap-fit connection. Alternatively, the stopper may be integrally formed with the inner sidewall. The stopper spans the inner volume of the cavity between the first recess and the second recess.
The stopper may be arranged such that air can flow from distal of the stopper around the stopper into the cavity. Preferably, air can flow around the stopper. Particularly due to the spanning arrangement of the stopper, air can flow around the stopper. This may advantageously establish a fluid connection between the cavity and the airflow channel arranged distal of the cavity via the stopper. The airflow channel may have a double functionality of enabling airflow into the cavity and at the same time of receiving the unwanted debris that is shed off the stopper. The airflow channel may thus further be configured as a cleaning channel.
The stopper may be arranged at the base of the cavity.
The cavity may be configured as a heating chamber.
The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating element arranged at least partly surrounding the cavity.
The heating element may be configured to heat the heating chamber to between 160° C. and 300° C., preferably between 180° C. and 270° C., more preferably between 200° C. and 250° C.
The aerosol-generating device may comprise an airflow channel distal of the cavity and the stopper. The airflow channel may be arranged to enable airflow into the cavity past the stopper.
The stopper may be arranged in the airflow channel.
The stopper may be arranged between the cavity and the airflow channel.
The distal portion of the cavity may have an inner diameter of between 7.0 mm and 7.6 mm, preferably between 7.1 mm and 7.5 mm, more preferably between 7.2 mm and 7.4 mm, most preferably around 7.3 mm.
The stopper may be arranged closer to a proximal end of the aerosol-generating device than to a distal end of the aerosol-generating device.
The stopper may be made from PEEK.
The stopper may be configured to withstand temperatures of up to around 340° C.
The stopper may be made of a thermally insulating material, preferably a ceramic material or a metallic material.
The stopper may be integrally formed with the inner sidewall of the cavity.
The aerosol-generating device may comprise electric circuitry. The electric circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of a controller. The electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components. The electric circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current. The electric circuitry may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.
The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-Iron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.
As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating article’ refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user's lungs through the user's mouth. An aerosol-generating article may be disposable.
As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or smoking article.
The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aerosol former that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol.
If the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise, in some embodiments, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets containing one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco, extruded tobacco, cast leaf tobacco and expanded tobacco. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be in loose form, or may be provided in a suitable container or cartridge. Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds, to be released upon heating of the substrate. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may also contain capsules that, for example, include the additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavour compounds and such capsules may melt during heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate.
As used herein, the terms ‘proximal’ and ‘distal’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device in relation to the direction in which the components of the device are oriented relative to a user during use of the device. A component oriented towards a user, particularly a user's mouth, is a proximal component and a component at the opposite end of the device is a distal component. Similarly, a proximal direction is towards the user during use of the device and a distal direction is pointing away from the user. Aerosol-generating devices according to the invention comprise a proximal end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the device. The proximal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the mouth end or the downstream end. The mouth end is downstream of the distal end. The distal end of the aerosol generating article may also be referred to as the upstream end.
As used herein, an ‘aerosol-generating device’ relates to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, for example part of a smoking article. An aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user's lungs thorough the user's mouth. An aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, electric circuitry, a power supply, a heating chamber and a heating element.
In any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically “conductive” ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titanium- zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, gold- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetal® and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required.
As described, in any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may be part of an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise an internal heating element or an external heating element, or both internal and external heating elements, where “internal” and “external” refer to the aerosol-forming substrate. An internal heating element may take any suitable form. For example, an internal heating element may take the form of a heating blade. Alternatively, the internal heater may take the form of a casing or substrate having different electro-conductive portions, or an electrically resistive metallic tube. Alternatively, the internal heating element may be one or more heating needles or rods that run through the center of the aerosol-forming substrate. Other alternatives include a heating wire or filament, for example a Ni—Cr (Nickel-Chromium), platinum, tungsten or alloy wire or a heating plate. Optionally, the internal heating element may be deposited in or on a rigid carrier material. In one such embodiment, the electrically resistive heating element may be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track on a suitable insulating material, such as ceramic material, and then sandwiched in another insulating material, such as a glass. Heaters formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the heating elements during operation.
As an alternative to an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element may be configured as an induction heating element. The induction heating element may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor. In general, a susceptor is a material that is capable of generating heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. When located in an alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor is conductive, then typically eddy currents are induced by the alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor is magnetic, then typically another effect that contributes to the heating is commonly referred to hysteresis losses. Hysteresis losses occur mainly due to the movement of the magnetic domain blocks within the susceptor, because the magnetic orientation of these will align with the magnetic induction field, which alternates. Another effect contributing to the hysteresis loss is when the magnetic domains will grow or shrink within the susceptor. Commonly all these changes in the susceptor that happen on a nano-scale or below are referred to as “hysteresis losses”, because they produce heat in the susceptor. Hence, if the susceptor is both magnetic and electrically conductive, both hysteresis losses and the generation of eddy currents will contribute to the heating of the susceptor. If the susceptor is magnetic, but not conductive, then hysteresis losses will be the only means by which the susceptor will heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. According to the invention, the susceptor may be electrically conductive or magnetic or both electrically conductive and magnetic. An alternating magnetic field generated by one or several induction coils heat the susceptor, which then transfers the heat to the aerosol-forming substrate, such that an aerosol is formed. The heat transfer may be mainly by conduction of heat. Such a transfer of heat is best, if the susceptor is in close thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.
The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system that may comprise an aerosol-generating device as described herein and that may comprise an aerosol-generating article as described herein.
The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device as described herein and an aerosol-generating article as described herein.
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 A: Aerosol-generating device comprising:
Example B: Aerosol-generating device according to example A, wherein the stopper has a circular cross-section.
Example C: Aerosol-generating device according to example A, wherein the stopper has an oval cross-section.
Example D: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is arranged crossing the longitudinal central axis of the cavity.
Example E: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is a pin.
Example F: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper has a curved surface.
Example G: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is elongate.
Example H: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is straight.
Example I: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is cylindrical.
Example J: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is configured cross-shaped.
Example K: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is configured T-shaped.
Example L: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the cavity comprises an inner sidewall, and wherein the inner sidewall comprises a first recess, and wherein the stopper is mounted in the first recess.
Example M: Aerosol-generating device according to example L, wherein the inner sidewall comprises a second recess opposite the first recess, and wherein the stopper is mounted in the second recess so as to be mounted between the first recess and the second recess.
Example N: Aerosol-generating device comprising:
Example O: Aerosol-generating device according to example N, wherein the stopper is in direct contact with the sidewall of the cavity.
Example P: Aerosol-generating device according to example N or O, wherein the stopper is ring-shaped.
Example Q: Aerosol-generating device according to any of examples N to P, wherein the inner sidewall comprises an at least partly annular groove, and wherein the stopper is mounted in the groove.
Example R: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is arranged at the base of the cavity.
Example S: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the cavity is configured as a heating chamber.
Example T: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a heating element arranged at least partly surrounding the cavity.
Example U: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the heating element is configured to heat the heating chamber to between 160° C. and 300° C., preferably between 180° C. and 270° C., more preferably between 200° C. and 250° C.
Example V: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises an airflow channel distal of the cavity and the stopper, and wherein the airflow channel is arranged to enable airflow into the cavity past the stopper.
Example W: Aerosol-generating device according to example V, wherein the stopper is arranged in the airflow channel.
Example X: Aerosol-generating device according to example V, wherein the stopper is arranged between the cavity and the airflow channel.
Example Y: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the distal portion of the cavity has an inner diameter of between 7.0 mm and 7.6 mm, preferably between 7.1 mm and 7.5 mm, more preferably between 7.2 mm and 7.4 mm, most preferably around 7.3 mm.
Example Z: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is arranged closer to a proximal end of the aerosol-generating device than to a distal end of the aerosol-generating device.
Example AA: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is made from PEEK.
Example AB: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is configured to withstand temperatures of up to around 340° C.
Example AC: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is made of a thermally insulating material, preferably a ceramic material or a metallic material.
Example AD: Aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the stopper is integrally formed with the inner sidewall of the cavity.
Example AE: Aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims and an aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate.
Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The cavity 14 is configured to receive an aerosol-generating article 16. The aerosol-generating article 16 comprises aerosol-forming substrate that is configured to be heated to generate an inhalable aerosol.
The cavity 14 has an open proximal end 30 at a proximal portion 32 through which the aerosol-generating article 16 is inserted into the cavity 14. At a distal portion 34 of the cavity 14, a stopper 18 is provided. The stopper 18 has the function of stopping the insertion of the aerosol-generating article 16 at a predetermined point along the length of the cavity 14. In other words, the stopper 18 is arranged such that the aerosol-generating article 16 is received into the cavity 14 until a predetermined portion of the aerosol-generating article 16 is received in the cavity 14.
The stopper 18 has the further functionality of preventing accumulation of unwanted residues in the area of the stopper 18. Different embodiments of the stopper 18 design are discussed below with reference to
The aerosol-generating device 10 further comprises a heating element 20. The heating element 20 is configured as a resistive hearing element or as an induction heating element 20. The heating element 20 is arranged at least partly surrounding the cavity 14. When the aerosol-generating article 16 is received in the cavity 14, the heating element 20 is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article 16 to create an inhalable aerosol.
Distal of the cavity 14, an airflow channel 22 is provided. The airflow channel 22 enables air to enter into the cavity 14 from a base of the cavity 14. The air flows around the stopper 18 to flow into the cavity 14 from the airflow channel 22. Hence, the stopper 18 is shaped to allow airflow into the cavity 14.
Unwanted debris such as residues of aerosol-forming substrate can be pushed from the stopper 18 into the airflow channel 22 such that an accumulation of the debris in the area of the stopper 18 is prevented. The pushing action to remove any unwanted residue is done by the aerosol-generating article 16 itself during insertion of the aerosol-generating article 16 into the cavity 14.
As shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21171943.0 | May 2021 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/061336 | 4/28/2022 | WO |
