CLEANING ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning assembly, in particular a cleaning assembly for cleaning an aerosol provision device.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cleaning assembly for an aerosol provision device. The cleaning assembly comprises a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a cleaning element disposed at an end of the shaft. The cleaning element comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion adjacent to the proximal portion. The proximal portion has a greater cross section in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft than the distal portion.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cleaning assembly for an aerosol provision device. The cleaning assembly comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end, a first cleaning element disposed at the first end of the shaft, and a second cleaning element disposed at the second end of the shaft. The first cleaning element is larger than the second cleaning element.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system comprising a cleaning assembly according to the first or second aspect of the present disclosure and a rigid outer casing enclosing the cleaning assembly.

Further features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the disclosure, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of an aerosol provision device;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the example aerosol provision device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly according to an example;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly according to an example;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the example aerosol provision device of FIG. 1, where the example cleaning assembly of FIG. 4 is inserted into the heating chamber;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the example aerosol provision device of FIG. 1 where the example cleaning assembly of FIG. 4 is inserted into the tube;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly according to an example; and

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a system according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the present disclosure define a cleaning assembly for an aerosol provision device. In use, the provision of an aerosol can result in residue being left on internal surfaces of the aerosol provision device. It can be desirable to periodically remove at least some of said residue. Cleaning the aerosol provision device may help to maintain the performance of the device.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example aerosol provision device 100. In broad outline, the device 100 may be used to heat an aerosolizable material (also referred to as a consumable, or article, or a consumable article, or smokable material) to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the device 100. FIG. 1 shows the device 100 without aerosolizable material inserted therein.

The device 100 of this example comprises a housing 102 having an opening 104 in one end. The opening 104 can allow the passage of aerosol out of the device 100. In some examples, the opening 104 can receive aerosolizable material as it is inserted into a heating chamber. In other examples however, aerosolizable material can be inserted into the heating chamber by a separate entrance. For example, a panel/door on the rear side of the device 100 can be opened to allow aerosolizable material to be placed within the heating chamber. The aerosolizable material may be tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine or flavorants.

As used herein, the terms “flavor” and “flavorant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. In some embodiments the aerosol forming material may comprise a vapor or aerosol generating agent or a humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin or diethylene glycol.

The device 100 of this example comprises a cap 106 for selectively covering the opening 104 when no aerosolizable material is in place. In FIG. 1, the cap 106 is shown in an open configuration, however the cap 106 may slide into a closed configuration when the device 100 is not being used.

The device 100 may further comprise a control element 108. The control element 108 in this example is a button or a switch, and when a user activates the control element 108, the device 100 is switched on.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view on the example device 100 of FIG. 1. The device 100 comprises a heating chamber 110 for receiving aerosolizable material. The device 100 comprises one or more heaters 120 arranged to heat aerosolizable material received within the heating chamber 110. The aerosolizable material therefore interacts with the heater 120 to generate an aerosol upon heating. The aerosolizable material may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within the heating chamber 110 which is sized to receive the aerosolizable material. In one example, the aerosolizable material is tubular in nature, and may be known as a “tobacco stick”. Aerosolizable material may also be known as smokable material.

The device 100 further has an electronics/power chamber 130 which in this example contains electronic hardware 132 and a power source 134. The electronic hardware 132 may be a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, configured and arranged to control the heating of the aerosolizable material. The electronic hardware 132 may receive a signal from the control element 108 and activate a heater 120 in response. Electronic elements within the device 100 are electrically connected via one or more wires 136, shown depicted as dashed lines.

The device 100 comprises a tube 112 for accessing internal surfaces of the device 100. The tube 112 may be at least partially closable by a cap (not shown). The tube 112 may allow air to enter the heating chamber 110 from an opposite end of the heating chamber 110 to the opening 104, in use. The tube 112 has a smaller diameter than the heating chamber 110, such that an interface 114 between the heating chamber 110 and the tube 112 acts as a stop for aerosolizable material inserted into the heating chamber 110 via the opening 104. The interface 114 may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 110.

As mentioned, in use, aerosolizable material in the heating chamber 110 is heated to provide an aerosol. Generation of the aerosol can leave residue on the internal surfaces of the heating chamber 110, tube 112 and the interface 114. A build-up of residue may result in, for example, a reduction in heat transfer from the heater 120 to the aerosolizable material, an unpleasant taste for the user, incorrect positioning of the aerosolizable material within the heating chamber 110 and insufficient air being provided to the heating chamber 110 via the tube 112.

Aspects of the present disclosure define cleaning assemblies for an aerosol provision device, such as the aerosol provision device 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In some examples, the cleaning assemblies may comprise cleaning swabs.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly 200 according to a first example of the present disclosure. The cleaning assembly 200 comprises a shaft 210 defining a longitudinal axis 202, and a cleaning element 220 disposed at an end of the shaft 210. The cleaning element 220 comprises a proximal portion 222 and a distal portion 224 adjacent to the proximal portion 222, The proximal portion 222 has a greater cross section in the direction perpendicular to the shaft 210 than the distal portion 224.

In this example, the proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 are substantially cylindrical, and the proximal portion 222 has a greater diameter than the distal portion 224. In other embodiments, the proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 may be other than cylindrical, for example, elliptical or ridged. The cleaning element 220 is for insertion into a tube for cleaning the internal surfaces of the tube, for example the heating chamber 110 or tube 112 of the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2. In some examples, the proximal or distal portions 222, 224 may have a cross sectional shape that corresponds to a cross sectional shape of a tube to be cleaned by the cleaning element 220.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 are joined at an interface surface 226. The interface surface 226 may be on a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 202. In other examples, the interface surface 226 may have a shape corresponding to an interface between two tubes of different diameter to be cleaned with the cleaning assembly 200. The interface surface 226 allows the cleaning element 220 to clean an interface between two tubes when the cleaning assembly 200 is inserted into one of the tubes such that the interface surface 226 contacts the interface between the two tubes. In some examples, the interface surface 226 may be on a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the distal portion.

The proximal portion 222 and the distal portion may be positioned adjacent to one another along the longitudinal axis 202. The proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 may be contiguous. The proximal and distal portions 222, 224 may be formed from a single material. In some examples, the proximal portion 22 and the distal portion 224 may be formed from different materials. For example, the proximal and distal portions 222, 224 may exhibit different absorbency parameters or different hardness such that each portion 222, 224 may provide a different cleaning performance. For example, the proximal portion 222 may be harder than the distal portion 224 to withstand force applied in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning assembly 200 against an interface between two tubes to be cleaned with the cleaning assembly 200.

In some examples, a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion 222 and a longitudinal axis of the distal portion 224 are parallel to one another. For example, when the proximal and distal portions 222, 224 are parallel, the plane of the interface surface 226 can also be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion 222. In some examples, the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion 222 or the distal portion 224 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 202.

The proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 may be coaxially arranged, for example the proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 each have the same longitudinal axis, as shown in FIG. 3. Such an arrangement may allow for more effecting cleaning of a tube by rotation of the cleaning assembly 200 about the shaft 210. This arrangement may also allow for simpler manufacturing of the cleaning assembly 200 compared to a cleaning assembly 200 in which the proximal and distal portions 222, 224 are not coaxial.

The proximal portion 222, the distal portion 224 and the shaft 210 may be coaxially arranged, for example the proximal portion 222, distal portion 224 and shaft 210 each have the longitudinal axis 202 shown in FIG. 3. Such an arrangement may allow for easier rotation of the cleaning assembly 200 in use.

In this example, the cleaning element 220 has an overall length of 15 mm. In other examples, the cleaning element 220 may have an overall length between 5 mm and 30 mm. More specifically, the cleaning element may have an overall length between 15 mm and 20 mm. The length of the cleaning element 220 may be dependent on the material properties of the cleaning element 220, for example its absorbency.

In this example, the proximal portion 222 has a length of 10 mm. In other examples, the proximal portion 222 may have a length between 4 mm and 20 mm. More specifically, the proximal portion 222 may have a length between 12 mm and 18 mm. The length of the proximal portion 222 may provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue from the internal surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the proximal portion 222 has a diameter of 8 mm. In other examples, the proximal portion 222 may have a diameter between 2 mm and 15 mm. More specifically, the proximal portion 222 may have a diameter between 3 mm and 6 mm. The proximal portion 222 may have a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of a larger tube of an aerosol provision device for cleaning by the cleaning assembly 200 for example the diameter of the heating chamber 110 shown in FIG. 2.

In this example, the distal portion 224 has a length of 5 mm. In other embodiments, the distal portion 224 may have a length between 1 mm and 10 mm. More specifically, the distal portion 224 may have a length between 3 mm and 5 mm. The length of the distal portion 224 may provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue from the internal surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the distal portion 224 has a diameter of 4 mm. In other embodiments, the distal portion 224 may have a diameter between 1 mm and 10 mm. More specifically, the distal portion 224 may have a diameter between 2 mm and 5 mm. The distal portion 224 may have a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of a smaller tube of an aerosol provision device for cleaning by the cleaning assembly 200 such that the distal portion 224 may enter the smaller tube when the proximal portion 222 is sufficiently inserted into the larger tube in use. For example, the distal portion 224 may have a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of the tube 112 shown in FIG. 2.

In this example, the length of the proximal portion 222 is twice that of the distal portion 224. In other examples, the length of the proximal portion 222 may be between 2 and 10 times greater than the length of the distal portion 224. More specifically, the length of the proximal portion 222 may be between 3 and 6 times greater than the length of the distal portion 224.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly 300 according to a second example of the present disclosure. The cleaning assembly 300 is substantially the same as the cleaning assembly 200 shown in FIG. 3 and may have any of the disclosed features of the cleaning assembly 200. Corresponding features have corresponding reference numbers in FIG. 4, but increased by 100. The cleaning assembly 300 additionally comprises a second cleaning element 330 disposed at an opposite end of the shaft 310 to the cleaning element 320. The second cleaning element 330 may increase the functionality of the cleaning assembly 300 by providing the capability of cleaning a tube that is not accessible by the cleaning element 320.

The second cleaning element 330 may be substantially cylindrical. In other examples, the second cleaning element 330 may be of a shape other than cylindrical, for example elliptical or ridged. The largest diameter of the second cleaning element 330 may be substantially equal to the diameter of the distal portion 324. Such an arrangement may allow cleaning of a tube having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the proximal portion 322 and a length greater than can be reached by the distal portion 324. The second cleaning element 330 may be formed from the same material as the distal portion 324.

In this example, the second cleaning element has a length of 7 mm. In other examples, the second cleaning element 330 may have a length between 5 mm and 25 mm. More specifically, the second cleaning element 330 may have a length between 15 mm and 20 mm. The length of the second cleaning element 330 may provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue from the internal surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the second cleaning element 330 has a diameter of 4 mm. In other examples, the second cleaning element 330 may have a diameter between 1 mm and 10 mm. More specifically, the second cleaning element 330 may have a diameter between 2 mm and 5 mm. The second cleaning element 330 may have a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of a smaller tube of an aerosol provision device for cleaning by the cleaning assembly 300, for example the tube 112 shown in FIG. 2.

The diameter of the shaft 310 is smaller than the diameter of the second cleaning element 330 to permit insertion of the second cleaning element 330 into a tube of a substantially similar diameter to the second cleaning element 330.

At least part of the cleaning elements 220, 320, 330 may be impregnated with a cleaning fluid. For example, at least part of the cleaning element 220, 320, 330 may be absorbent. The cleaning fluid may be any fluid suitable for removing residue from the internal surfaces of tubes to be cleaned with the cleaning assembly 200, 300 in use. In an example, the cleaning elements 220, 320, 330 are impregnated with Ethanol. Ethanol can be beneficial for effective cleaning without leaving cleaning fluid residue in tubes cleaned with the impregnated cleaning elements 220, 320, 330, which might affect the flavor or other properties of aerosol after cleaning.

The proximal portion 222, 322 and the distal portion 224, 324 of the cleaning assemblies 200, 300 allow for more effective or thorough cleaning of an aerosol provision device comprising different diameter tubes. For example, tubes of different diameters can be simultaneously cleaned by both the proximal portion 222, 322 and distal portions 224, 324.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the cleaning assembly 300 inserted into the heating chamber 110. It will be appreciated that the cleaning assembly 200 could alternatively be inserted into the heating chamber 110. In use, the proximal portion 322 contacts the internal surfaces of the heating chamber 110 and the distal portion 324 contacts the internal surfaces of the tube 112, thus cleaning the heating chamber 110 and the tube 112 simultaneously. Upon further insertion of the cleaning assembly 200 into the heating chamber 110 compared to the position of the cleaning assembly 200 shown in FIG. 5, it will be apparent that the interface surface 326 will contact the interface 114 between the heating chamber 110 and the tube 112. This permits cleaning of the interface 114 by, for example, rotation of the cleaning assembly 200 when the interface surface 326 and the interface 114 are in contact.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the cleaning assembly 300 inserted into the tube 112. In use, the second cleaning element 320 contacts the internal surfaces of the tube 112. The second cleaning element 320 may allow a user to clean along the entire length of the tube 112 in the event that the distal portion 324 cannot reach all of the length of the tube 112. It will be appreciated that the distal portion 224 of the cleaning assembly 200 could alternatively be inserted into the tube 112 for the length of the distal portion 224. In some examples, the distal portion 224, 324 may have sufficient length to clean the entire length of the tube 112.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a cleaning assembly 400 according to another example. The cleaning assembly 400 comprises a shaft 410 having a first end 412 and a second end 414. The shaft 410 may be substantially cylindrical. A first cleaning element 420 is disposed at the first end 412 of the shaft 410 and may comprise a first substantially cylindrical portion 422. A second cleaning element 430 is disposed at the second end 414 of the shaft 410 and may comprise a second substantially cylindrical portion 432. In this example, the first cylindrical portion 422 has a greater diameter than the second cylindrical portion 432.

The cleaning assembly 400 provides a single assembly for cleaning cavities of two different sizes. For example, with reference to the aerosol providing device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of the heating chamber 110 and the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a diameter that is substantially equal the diameter of the tube 112.

In this example, the first cylindrical portion 422 has a length of 15 mm. In other examples, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a length between 5 min and 30 mm. More specifically, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a length between 15 mm and 20 mm. The length of the first cylindrical portion 422 may provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue from the internal surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the first cylindrical portion has a diameter of 8 mm. In other examples, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a diameter between 2 mm and 15 mm. More specifically, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a diameter between 3 mm and Gum. The first cylindrical portion 422 may have a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of a larger tube of an aerosol provision device for cleaning by the cleaning assembly 400, for example the diameter of the heating chamber 110 shown in FIG. 2.

In this example, the second cylindrical portion 432 has a length of 10 mm. In other examples, the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a length between 5 mm and 30 mm. More specifically, the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a length between 15 mm and 20 mm. The length of the second cylindrical portion 432 may provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue from the internal surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the second cylindrical portion 432 has a diameter of 4 mm. In other examples, the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a diameter between 1 mm and 10 mm. More specifically, the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a diameter between 2 mm and 5 mm. The second cylindrical portion 432 may have a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of a smaller tube of an aerosol provision device for cleaning by the cleaning assembly 400, for example the diameter of the tube 112 shown in FIG. 2.

The diameter of the shaft 410 is smaller than the diameter of the second cylindrical portion 432 to permit insertion of the second cylindrical portion 432 into a tube of a substantially similar diameter to the second cylindrical portion 432.

The first or second cleaning elements 420, 430 may be impregnated with a cleaning fluid. For example, the first or second cleaning elements 420, 430 may be absorbent. The cleaning fluid may be any fluid suitable for removing residue from the internal surfaces of tubes to be cleaned with the cleaning assembly 400 in use. In an example, the cleaning elements 420, 430 are impregnated with Ethanol. Ethanol can be beneficial for effective cleaning without leaving cleaning fluid residue in tubes cleaned with the impregnated cleaning elements 420, 430, which might affect the flavor or other properties of aerosol after cleaning.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the first and second cleaning elements 420, 430 are cylindrical. In other examples, the first and second cleaning elements 420, 430 may be, for example, elliptical or ridged. In some examples, the first and second cleaning elements 420, 430 may comprise other portions in addition to the first and second cylindrical portions 422, 432, respectively. In these other examples, the first cleaning element is larger than the second cleaning element.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, the cleaning assemblies 200, 300400 have an overall length of 90 mm. In other examples, the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 may have an overall length between 50 mm and 150 mm. More specifically, the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 may have an overall length between 80 mm and 110 mm. The length of the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 may be sufficient to permit cleaning of the full length of one of more tubes to be cleaned whilst a user maintains a grip on a non-inserted part of the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 to apply a cleaning motion.

An example of the present disclosure provides a system 500 as shown in FIG. 8. The system 500 comprises a cleaning assembly according to an example of the present disclosure and a rigid outer casing 510 enclosing the cleaning assembly. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the rigid outer casing 510 encloses a cleaning assembly 200 as described with reference to FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the rigid outer casing may enclose any cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 according to the present disclosure.

The outer casing 510 protects the cleaning assembly 200 before use. The outer casing 510 may help to prevent the cleaning element 220 from being crushed before use such that the shape of the cleaning element 220 is retained for cleaning the internal surface of a tube. The outer casing 510 may prevent the cleaning element 220 from being contaminated by foreign substances before use, thus preventing unwanted substances being transferred to the internal surface of a tube during use of the cleaning assembly 200. The outer casing 510 may help to retain any volatile cleaning fluids which the cleaning element 220 is impregnated with.

In some examples, the rigid outer casing 510 may only partially enclose the cleaning assembly 200. For example, the outer casing 510 may enclose the cleaning element 220 but may not enclose all of the shaft 210 and may form a seal around the shaft 210 to enclose the cleaning element 220.

The rigid outer casing 510 may be substantially tubular. This may help to reduce the amount of material required for enclosing a cleaning assembly 200 with a substantially circular cross-section. A tubular casing 510 allows for a compact design that is relatively easy to manufacture.

In some examples, the rigid outer casing 510 is integrally formed and comprises a weakened portion 512 to facilitate rupturing of the casing 510 to access the cleaning assembly 200. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the weakened portion 512 is a portion of the casing 510 having a reduced thickness. For example, the weakened portion 512 may comprise slits, grooves, perforations or other features that assist a user in accessing the cleaning assembly 200 enclosed in the outer casing 510.

In some examples, the weakened portion 512 is positioned away from the cleaning element 220 of the cleaning assembly 200. Such an arrangement can help to avoid damage to the cleaning element 220 when opening the casing 510. Where the cleaning assembly has two or more cleaning elements, the weakened portion 512 may be positioned away from all of the cleaning elements or at least one of the cleaning elements. For example, as in the example of FIG. 8, the weakened portion 512 is aligned approximately half way along the shaft 210.

In some examples, the rigid outer casing 510 has an internal diameter D sized to engage a largest radial dimension of the cleaning element 220 of the cleaning assembly 200. In the example of FIG. 7, the internal diameter D of the casing 510 is sized to engage the proximal portion 222 of the cleaning element 220. Such an arrangement reduces the overall size of the casing 510, may help to hold the cleaning assembly 200 securely and may help to reduce evaporation of any volatile cleaning fluids with which the cleaning element 200 is impregnated into an internal cavity 514 of the outer casing.

In this example, the rigid outer casing 510 has an overall length of 110 mm. In other examples, the rigid outer casing 510 may have an overall length between 55 mm and 155 mm. More specifically, the rigid outer casing 510 may have an overall length between 85 mm and 115 mm. The length of the rigid outer casing 510 may be dependent on the length of the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 it encloses or the thickness of the casing 510.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the disclosure. Further embodiments of the disclosure are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

CLEANING ASSEMBLY

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