WO2023194181A1

WO2023194181A1 - An aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2023194181A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/058174
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pier Paolo MONTICONE; Layth Sliman BOUCHUIGUIR
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2022-04-05
Filing date: 2023-03-29
Publication date: 2023-10-12
Also published as: EP4503979A1; KR20240174088A; JP2025510597A; CN119012930A

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (10) comprises a heating assembly (12). The heating assembly (12) comprises a heating compartment (14) arranged to receive an aerosol generating article (16) comprising an aerosol generating substrate (38). The aerosol generating device (10) further comprises a gripper mechanism (18) configured to engage an aerosol generating article (16) in the heating compartment (14) based on the temperature of the heating compartment (14). The gripper mechanism (18) comprises a gripper (20) moveable between a disengaged position (22) and an engaged position (24) based on the temperature of the heating compartment (14). In the disengaged position (22), an aerosol generating article (16) can be received into and removed from the gripper (20) and in the engaged position (24) the gripper (20) is configured to engage an aerosol generating article (16). The gripper (20) comprises a shape-memory alloy, wherein below a transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has a first configuration (26) defining the disengaged position (22) and at or above the transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has a second configuration (28) defining the engaged position (24). The first configuration (26) includes a first helical coil (30), and the second configuration (28) includes a second helical coil (32). The diameter of the first helical coil (30) is greater than the diameter of the second helical coil (32).

Description

AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

Technical Background

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporisers) has grown rapidly in recent years as an alternative to the use of traditional tobacco products. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm, rather than bum, an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is an aerosol generating device, or so-called heat-not-bum device. Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol generating substrate, for instance comprised in an aerosol generating article such as a heated tobacco stick, to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 300°C, in a heating compartment. Heating the aerosol generating substrate to a temperature within this range, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating substrate, generates a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

In some instances, an aerosol generating article may not be securely held in the heating compartment. Furthermore, as the aerosol generating substrate is vapourised during use, the aerosol generating article may reduce in volume and thus become loose in the heating compartment even if initially securely held. During a vaping session, the aerosol generating article may therefore drop out of the heating compartment or may be inadvertently extracted from the heating compartment, for example, by sticking to a user’s lips. This is an undesirable user experience and potentially hazardous. Furthermore, there may be an air gap between the aerosol generating article and a heater of the aerosol generating device if the aerosol generating article is not securely held in the heating compartment. This impacts negatively on heating efficiency and reduces battery performance.

There is, therefore, a need to provide an aerosol generating device which mitigates these drawbacks. Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a heating assembly, wherein the heating assembly comprises a heating compartment arranged to receive an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate; and a gripper mechanism configured to engage an aerosol generating article in the heating compartment based on the temperature of the heating compartment, wherein the gripper mechanism comprises a gripper moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position based on the temperature of the heating compartment, wherein in the disengaged position an aerosol generating article can be received into and removed from the gripper and in the engaged position the gripper is configured to engage an aerosol generating article, wherein the gripper comprises a shape-memory alloy, wherein below a transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has a first configuration defining the disengaged position and at or above the transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has a second configuration defining the engaged position, wherein the first configuration includes a first helical coil, and the second configuration includes a second helical coil, wherein the diameter of the first helical coil is greater than the diameter of the second helical coil.

In the disengaged position, the diameter of the first helical coil is greater than the diameter of the aerosol generating article, thus permitting the aerosol generating article to be received into and removed from the gripper. In the engaged position, the diameter of the second helical coil is less than the diameter of the aerosol generating article, even when the aerosol generating article has a reduced volume after most of, or all, the aerosol generating substrate has been vapourised during a vaping session. In the engaged position, the aerosol generating article is therefore securely held by the gripper not only at the start of a vaping session before use, but also during the course a vaping session. Accordingly, during a vaping session the aerosol generating article cannot drop out of the heating compartment or be inadvertently extracted from the heating compartment, for example, by sticking to a user’s lips.

Possibly, the gripper is configured such that in the engaged position the gripper is configured to engage a first section of the aerosol generating article, wherein the first section comprises the aerosol generating substrate. When the gripper is in the engaged position, the gripper may be configured to engage only the first section. The heating assembly may be configured such that, in use, only the first section of the aerosol generating article is received within the heating compartment. In such arrangements only the first section comprising the aerosol generating substrate is subject to heating in the heating compartment, which improves heating efficiency. Moreover, the heating compartment (i.e., oven) can be shorter, thus reducing the size of the aerosol generating device. Moreover, having the second section (i.e., cooling section) of the aerosol generating article (i.e., stick) outside the heating compartment (i.e., oven) maximizes the cooling efficiency of the vapour before it arrives at the user’s mouth.

Possibly, when the gripper is in the engaged position, the gripper may be configured to engage the first section having a maximum first section volume and also to engage the first section having a minimum first section volume caused by most of, or all, the aerosol generating substrate having been vapourised by a vaping session. Possibly, the diameter of the first helical coil is greater than the diameter of the first section having the maximum first section volume; and wherein the diameter of the second helical coil is less than the diameter of the first section having the maximum first section volume. The diameter of the second helical coil may be less than the diameter of the first section having the minimum first section volume caused by most of, or all, the aerosol generating substrate having been vapourised by a vaping session. In the engaged position, the first section is therefore securely held by the gripper not only at the start of a vaping session before use, but also during the course a vaping session.

Possibly, the heating assembly is configured such that, in use, a second section of the aerosol generating article is outside the heating compartment, wherein the second section includes a vapour outlet channel. In this arrangement, the vapour outlet channel is situated outside the heating compartment, which improves cooling efficiency of the generated vapour.

The axial length of the first helical coil may be less than the axial length of the second helical coil. Alternatively, the pitch of the second helical coil (i.e., engaged position) may be smaller than the pitch of the first helical coil (i.e., disengaged position). These two options are dictated by the fact that the length of the wire forming the helical coil (i.e., spring) is constant in the two configurations (i.e., first and second helical coils), despite the change in shape.

In some examples, the gripper may provide a heater of a heating assembly of the aerosol generating device. The heater may be a resistive heating element of a resistive heating assembly. Alternatively, the heater may be an inductively heatable susceptor of an induction heating assembly. In the engaged position there is no air gap between the aerosol generating article and the heater of the aerosol generating device because the gripper is acting also as the heater and as such a tight contact is maintained during the course of a vaping session. This improves heating efficiency because of a better heat transfer or better inductive coupling (respectively for resistive or inductive heater) resulting in longer battery duration or smaller battery requirements.

In other examples, the gripper is separate and distinct from a heater of a heating assembly of the aerosol generating device.

The gripper may be disposed inside the heating compartment at or towards the base of the heating compartment.

Possibly, the transition temperature is at least 50°C and below the vaporisation temperature of the aerosol generating substrate, wherein the vaporisation temperature is typically higher than 150°C.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device according to examples of the disclosure;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional detailed view of an aerosol generating article;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional detailed view of the aerosol generating device of Figure 1;

Figure 4a is a diagrammatic view of a gripper in a first configuration disengaged from an aerosol generating article;

Figure 4b is a diagrammatic view of the gripper of Figure 4a in a second configuration engaged with an aerosol generating article;

Figure 5a is a diagrammatic view of the gripper of Figure 4a in the first configuration;

Figure 5b is a diagrammatic view of the gripper of Figure 4a in the second configuration;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a heating assembly of a prior art aerosol generating device with an aerosol generating article positioned in the heating compartment; and

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of a heating assembly of the aerosol generating device of Figure 1 with an aerosol generating article positioned in the heating compartment. Detailed Description of Embodiments

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

Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown diagrammatically an aerosol generating device 10 according to the present disclosure. The aerosol generating device 10 is configured to be used with an aerosol generating article 16 such that the aerosol generating device 10 and the aerosol generating article 16 together form an aerosol generating system.

The aerosol generating device 10 may equally be referred to as a “heated tobacco device”, a “heat-not-bum tobacco device”, a “device for vaporising tobacco products”, and the like, with this being interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices which are designed to vaporise any aerosol generating substrate.

The aerosol generating device 10 is a hand-held, portable, device, by which it is meant that a user is able to hold and support the device unaided, in a single hand. The aerosol generating device 10 has a first (or proximal) end 44 and a second (or distal) end 46 and comprises a device housing 48.

The aerosol generating device 10 includes a controller 50. The aerosol generating device 10 may include a user interface for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device 10 via the controller 50.

The controller 50 is configured to detect the initiation of use of the aerosol generating device 10, for example, in response to a user input, such as a button press to activate the aerosol generating device 10, or in response to a detected airflow through the aerosol generating device 10. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, an airflow through the aerosol generating device 10 is indicative of a user inhalation or ‘puff. The aerosol generating device 10 may, for example, include a puff detector, such as an airflow sensor (not shown), to detect an airflow through the aerosol generating device 10. The controller 50 includes electronic circuitry. The aerosol generating device 10 includes a power source 52, such as a battery. The power source 52 and the electronic circuitry may be configured to operate at a high frequency in the case of an inductively heated aerosol generating device 10. For example, the power source 52 and the electronic circuitry may be configured to operate at a frequency of between approximately 80 kHz and 500 kHz, possibly between approximately 150 kHz and 250 kHz, and possibly at approximately 200 kHz. The power source 52 and the electronic circuitry could be configured to operate at a higher frequency, for example in the MHz range, if required.

The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a heating assembly 12. The heating assembly 12 further comprises a heating compartment 14. The heating compartment 14 is arranged to receive an aerosol generating article 16. In some examples, the heating compartment 14 has a substantially cylindrical cross-section. The heating compartment 14 defines a cavity.

The heating compartment 14 has a first end 54 and a second end 56. The heating compartment 14 includes an opening 58 at the first end 54 for receiving an aerosol generating article 16. In the illustrated example, the heating compartment 14 includes a substantially cylindrical side wall 60, i.e., a side wall 60 which has a substantially circular cross-section.

The aerosol generating article 16 comprises an aerosol generating substrate 38. The aerosol generating substrate 38 may be any type of solid or semi-solid material. Example types of aerosol generating solids include powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, particles, gel, strips, loose leaves, cut leaves, cut filler, porous material, foam material or sheets. The aerosol generating substrate 38 may comprise plant derived material and in particular, may comprise tobacco. It may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco. The aerosol generating substrate 38 may be a tobacco plug.

The aerosol generating substrate 38 may comprise an aerosol -former. Examples of aerosolformers include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol. Typically, the aerosol generating substrate 38 may comprise an aerosol-former content of between approximately 5% and approximately 50% on a dry weight basis. In some example, the aerosol generating substrate 38 may comprise an aerosol-former content of between approximately 10% and approximately 20% on a dry weight basis, and possibly approximately 15% on a dry weight basis. Upon heating, the aerosol generating substrate 38 may release volatile compounds. The volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavour compounds such as tobacco flavouring.

The shape of the aerosol generating article 16 corresponds to the shape of the heating compartment 14. The aerosol generating article 16 may be generally cylindrical or rod-shaped. The aerosol generating article 16 may be formed substantially in the shape of a stick, and may broadly resemble a cigarette, having a tubular region with an aerosol generating substrate arranged in a suitable manner. The aerosol generating article 16 may be a disposable and replaceable article which may, for example, contain tobacco as the aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating article 16 may be a heated tobacco stick. The aerosol generating article 16 is a consumable.

The aerosol generating article 16 has a first end 62 (or mouth end), a second end 64, and comprises a filter 66 at the first end 62. The filter 66 acts as a mouthpiece and may comprise an air-permeable plug, for example comprising cellulose acetate fibres.

With reference to Figure 2, there is shown diagrammatically a detailed view of an aerosol generating article 16. As shown in the detailed view of Figure 2, the aerosol generating article 16 comprises a first section 36 and a second section 40. The first section 36 comprises the aerosol generating substrate 38, i.e., a tobacco plug. In the illustrated example, the full extent of the first section 36 is not shown. The second section 40 includes a vapour outlet channel 42. The vapour outlet channel 42 comprises a hollow tube 43, for instance, an acetate tube.

In the illustrated example, the filter 66 comprises a mouthpiece filter 68 and a polymer-film filter 70. The aerosol generating substrate 38 and filter 66 are circumscribed by a paper wrapper 72 and are thus embodied as an aerosol generating article 16. A secondary paper wrapper 74, i.e., a mouth-end paper, is provided at the first end 62. One or more vapour collection regions, cooling regions, and other structure may also be included in some designs.

Referring again to Figure 1, to use the aerosol generating device 10, a user inserts an aerosol generating article 16 through the opening 58 into the heating compartment 14, so that the second end 64 of the aerosol generating article 16 is positioned at the second end 56 of the heating compartment 14 and so that the filter 66 at the first end 62 of the aerosol generating article 16 projects from the first end 54 of the heating compartment 14 to permit engagement by a user’s lips.

The heating assembly 12 comprises a heater 13, i.e., a heating element, arranged to heat the aerosol generating substrate 38 of an aerosol generating article 16 received in the heating compartment 14.

The heating assembly 12 may be an induction heating assembly (not shown). The induction heating assembly further comprises an induction coil (not shown). The induction coil is arranged to be energised to generate an alternating electromagnetic field for inductively heating an induction heatable susceptor (not shown). Accordingly, in such examples the heater 13 is an induction heatable susceptor.

The induction heatable susceptor may be arranged around the periphery of the heating compartment 14. Alternatively, the induction heatable susceptor may be arranged to project into the heating compartment 14 from the second end 56 (e.g., as a heating blade or pin) to penetrate the aerosol generating substrate 38 when the aerosol generating article 16 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10. In other examples, the induction heatable susceptor is instead provided in the aerosol generating substrate 38 during manufacture of the aerosol generating article 16. In such examples, the aerosol generating article 16 comprises the induction heatable susceptor.

The induction coil can be energised by the power source 52 and controller 50. The induction coil may comprise a Litz wire or a Litz cable. It will, however, be understood that other materials could be used.

The induction coil may extend around the heating compartment 14. Accordingly, the induction coil may be annular. The induction coil may be substantially helical in shape. In some examples, the circular cross-section of a helical induction coil may facilitate the insertion of an aerosol generating article 16 and optionally one or more induction heatable susceptors, into the heating compartment 14 and ensure uniform heating of the aerosol generating substrate.

The induction heatable susceptor comprises an electrically conductive material. The induction heatable susceptor may comprise one or more, but not limited to, of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, aluminium, iron, nickel, nickel containing compounds, titanium, mild steel, stainless steel, low carbon steel and alloys thereof, e.g., nickel chromium or nickel copper, and composites of metallic materials. In some examples, the induction heatable susceptor comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of mild steel, stainless steel, and low carbon stainless steel.

In use, with the application of an electromagnetic field in its vicinity, the induction heatable susceptor(s) generate heat due to eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis losses resulting in a conversion of energy from electromagnetic to heat.

The induction coil may be arranged to operate in use with a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a magnetic flux density of between approximately 20mT and approximately 2.0T at the point of highest concentration.

An alternative approach is to employ a resistive heating assembly (not shown). In such cases, the heater 13 is a resistive heater (not shown). The resistive heater may surround the aerosol generating substrate 38 and transfer heat to an outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate 38, for instance, the resistive heater may be arranged around the periphery of the heating compartment 14. Alternatively, the resistive heater may be arranged to project into the heating compartment 14 from the second end 56 (e.g., as a heating blade or pin) to penetrate the aerosol generating substrate 38 when the aerosol generating article 16 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10. In use, current from the power supply 52 is supplied directly to the resistive heater to generate heat.

In use, heat from the heater 13 (i.e., induction heatable susceptor or resistive heater) is transferred to the aerosol generating substrate 38 of an aerosol generating article 16 positioned in the heating compartment 14, for example by conduction, radiation and convection, to heat the aerosol generating substrate (without burning the aerosol generating substrate) and thereby generate a vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device 10, for instance, through the filter 66. The vaporisation of the aerosol generating substrate is facilitated by the addition of air from the surrounding environment, e.g., through an air inlet (not shown). In general terms, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should, however, be noted that the terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapour’ may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user.

The aerosol generating device 10 further comprises a gripper mechanism 18. The gripper mechanism 18 is configured to engage an aerosol generating article 16 in the heating compartment 14 based on the temperature of the heating compartment 14. The gripper mechanism 18 comprises a gripper 20.

With reference to Figure 3, there is shown diagrammatically a detailed view of the aerosol generating device 10. As shown in Figure 3, the gripper 20 has a helical shape. The gripper 20 may be a spring. The gripper 20 may be a coiled spring. In the illustrated example, the gripper 20 is disposed inside the heating compartment 14 at or towards the base 34 of the heating compartment 14. The base 34 is at the second end 56 of the heating compartment 14.

In the illustrated example, the aerosol generating device 10 comprises a lid 76, i.e., a closure member, configured to be slidably moveable by a user to open and close the heating compartment 14. The lid 76 is moveable relative to the opening 58 between a closed position in which the lid 76 covers the opening 58, and an open position in which the opening 58 is unobstructed by the lid 76. In the example of Figure 3, the lid 76 is in the closed position covering the opening 58.

Referring to Figures 4a and 5a, and 4b and 5b, there is shown diagrammatically, respectively, a gripper 20 in a first configuration 26 (i.e., in a disengaged position 22) and in a second configuration 28 (i.e., in an engaged position 24). Figure 4a also shows an aerosol generating article 16 received in, but not engaged by, the gripper 20. Figure 4b also shows an aerosol generating article 16 received in, and engaged by, the gripper 20.

The gripper 20 is moveable between the disengaged position 22 (as illustrated in Figures 4a and 5a) and the engaged position 24 (as illustrated in Figure 4b and 5b) based on the temperature of the heating compartment 14. In the disengaged position 22 illustrated in Figures 4a and 5a, an aerosol generating article 16 can be received into and removed from the gripper 20. In the engaged position 24 illustrated in Figures 4b and 5b, the gripper 20 is capable of engaging an aerosol generating article 16. An aerosol generating article 16 is received in, and engaged by, the gripper 20 in the engaged position 24 illustrated in Figure 4b

The gripper 20 comprises a shape-memory alloy with an intrinsic two-way effect. The shapememory alloy may comprise nitinol (nickel titanium), for example.

Below a transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has the first configuration 26 defining the disengaged position 22. At or above the transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has the second configuration 28 defining the engaged position 24. The first configuration 26 includes a first helical coil 30 and the second configuration 28 includes a second helical coil 32. The diameter of the first helical coil 30 is greater than the diameter of the second helical coil 32.

In the illustrated example, the axial length of the first helical coil 30 is less than the axial length of the second helical coil 32. Alternatively, the pitch of the second helical coil 32 (i.e., engaged position) may be smaller than the pitch of the first helical coil 30 (i.e., disengaged position). These two options are dictated by the fact that the length of the wire forming the helical coil 30, 32 (i.e., spring) is constant in the two configurations (i.e., first and second helical coils 30, 32), despite the change in shape.

The first and second helical coils 30, 32 may be springs, i.e., coiled springs. Accordingly, the shape-memory alloy has an intrinsic two-way shape-memory effect. At a low temperature (typically below 50°C) a first shape is provided in the form of the first helical coil 30. At a high temperature (i.e., at or above the transition temperature, for example, at or above 150°C) a second shape is provided in the form of the second helical coil 32. The transition between the first and second shapes is therefore temperature dependent and does not require the application of an external force.

In the disengaged position 22 illustrated in Figure 4a and 5a, the diameter of the first helical coil 30 is greater than the diameter of the aerosol generating article 16, thus permitting the aerosol generating article 16 to be received into and removed from the gripper 20. In the disengaged position 22, the gripper 20 is therefore incapable of engaging the aerosol generating article 16.

In the engaged position 24 illustrated in Figure 4b and 5b, the diameter of the second helical coil 32 is less than the diameter of the aerosol generating article 16, even when the aerosol generating article has a reduced volume after most of, or all, the aerosol generating substrate has been vapourised during a vaping session. In the engaged position 24, the aerosol generating article 16 is therefore securely held by the gripper 20 not only at the start of a vaping session before use, but also during the course a vaping session. Accordingly, during a vaping session the aerosol generating article 16 cannot drop out of the heating compartment 14 or be inadvertently extracted from the heating compartment 14, for example, by sticking to a user’s lips.

The gripper mechanism 18 is therefore configured to enable an aerosol generating article 16 to be readily inserted into the heating compartment 14 without any effort (for example by dropping the aerosol generating article 16 into the heating compartment 14, for instance, to be received in the first helical coil 30) before initiation of heating (i.e., when the heating compartment 14 and gripper 20 are typically below 50°C). During the course of a vaping session (i.e., when the heating compartment 14 and gripper 20 are typically above 150°C), the gripper 20, for example the second helical coil 32, actively holds the aerosol generating article 16 in place, even when the aerosol generating article 16 has a reduced volume after most of, or all, the aerosol generating substrate has been vapourised.

In some examples, the transition temperature is at least 50°C and below the vaporisation temperature of the aerosol generating substrate 38. The vaporisation temperature is typically higher than 150°C. In such examples, the gripper 20 is therefore moveable from the disengaged position 22 to the engaged position 24 based on the temperature of the heating compartment 14 being at least 50°C. In such examples, the gripper 20 is moveable from the engaged position 24 to the disengaged position 22 based on the temperature of the heating compartment 14 being below the vaporisation temperature of the aerosol generating substrate 38.

In some examples, the transition temperature may be about 50°C. The transition temperature may be less than 180°C. The transition temperature may be less than 150°C. The transition temperature may be up to about 180°C. The transition temperature may be up to about 150°C. The transition temperature may be in the range of from about 50°C to about 180°C. The transition temperature may be in the range of from about 50°C to about 150°C.

In the illustrated example, the gripper 20 provides a heater 13, i.e., heating element, of the heating assembly 12 of the aerosol generating device 10. Accordingly, the gripper 20 and the heater 13 are one and the same. The heater 13 may be a resistive heating element of a resistive heating assembly. Alternatively, the heater 13 may be an inductively heatable susceptor of an induction heating assembly. In such examples, in the engaged position 24 there is no air gap between the aerosol generating article 16 and the heater 13 of the aerosol generating device 10 because the gripper 20 is acting also as the heater 13 and as such a tight contact is maintained during the course of a vaping session. This improves heating efficiency because of a better heat transfer or better inductive coupling (respectively for resistive or inductive heater) resulting in longer battery duration or smaller battery requirements.

In other examples, the gripper 20 is separate and distinct from the heater 13 of the heating assembly 12 of the aerosol generating device 10. In such examples, the aerosol generating device 10 therefore comprises a gripper 20 and a separate and distinct heater 13. In such examples, the gripper 20 is passively heated by the heater 13.

In some examples, the gripper 20 is configured such that in the engaged position 24 the gripper 20 is capable of engaging the first section 36 of the aerosol generating article 16. The gripper 20 may be configured such that in the engaged position the gripper 20 is capable of engaging only the first section 36. The gripper 20 may be configured such that, in use, in the engaged position 24 only the first section 36 of the aerosol generating article 16 is received within the heating compartment 14. Accordingly, only the first section 36 comprising the aerosol generating substrate 38 is subject to heating in the heating compartment 14, which improves heating efficiency.

The first section 36 has a maximum first section volume and a minimum first section volume. The first section 36 has the maximum first section volume when the aerosol generating article 16 is unused, i.e., new. The first section 36 has a minimum first section volume when most of, or all, the aerosol generating substrate 38 has been vapourised by a vaping session. The volume of the first section 36 therefore reduces during a vaping session from the maximum first section volume to the minimum first section volume. In some examples, the gripper 20 is configured such that in the engaged position 24 the gripper 20 is capable of engaging the first section 36 having the maximum first section volume because the diameter of the second helical coil 32 is less than the diameter of the first section 36 having the maximum first section volume, as illustrated in Figure 4b. Furthermore, the gripper 20 is configured such that in the engaged position 24 the gripper 20 is also capable of engaging the first section 36 having the minimum first section volume because the diameter of the second helical coil 32 is less than the diameter of the first section 36 having the minimum first section volume.

In the engaged position 24, the first section 36 is therefore securely held by the gripper 20 not only at the start of a vaping session before use, but also during the course a vaping session. A good grip on the first section 36 comprising the aerosol generating substrate 38, i.e., tobacco plug, is therefore maintained as the aerosol generating substrate 38 shrinks as the vapour mass is extracted by evaporation during a vaping session.

As described above, in the disengaged position 22, an aerosol generating article 16 can be received into and removed from the gripper 20. In the disengaged position 22, the gripper 20 is therefore incapable of engaging the first section 36 having the maximum first section volume because the diameter of the first helical coil 30 is greater than the diameter of the first section 36 having the maximum first section volume, as illustrated in Figure 4a.

With reference to Figure 6, there is shown diagrammatically a heating assembly 112 of a prior art aerosol generating device 100 with an aerosol generating article 16 positioned in a heating compartment 114 of the heating assembly 112. The heating compartment 114 has a first end 154 and a second end 156.

In this prior art arrangement, a part of the second section 40 of the aerosol generating article 16 is positioned in the heating compartment 114. As described above, the second section 40 comprises the vapour outlet channel 42, e.g., the hollow acetate tube 43. In such prior art arrangements, the cooling efficiency of the generated vapour is diminished because at least a portion of the vapour outlet channel 42 is to an extent heated during use in the heating compartment 114. In such prior art arrangements, it is necessary to position a part of the second section 40 in the heating compartment 114 so as to maintain an adequate hold on the aerosol generating article 16 during use. An adequate hold can be maintained because the size of the second section 40 remains constant during use. As described above, the first section 36 comprising the aerosol generating substrate 38, i.e., tobacco plug, shrinks during use and so an adequate hold cannot be maintained should only the first section 36 be positioned in the heating compartment 114.

With reference to Figure 7, there is shown diagrammatically the heating assembly 12 of an aerosol generating device 10 according to examples of the disclosure with an aerosol generating article 16 positioned in the heating compartment 14. In the illustrated example, the heating assembly 12 is configured such that, in use, the second section 40 of the aerosol generating article 16 is outside the heating compartment 14. In this arrangement, the vapour outlet channel 42, e.g., the hollow acetate tube 43, is situated outside the heating compartment 14, which improves the cooling efficiency of the generated vapour. Accordingly, by having the second section 40 (i.e., the stick cooling section) outside the heating compartment 14 (i.e., oven) the cooling efficiency of the vapour before it arrives at the user’s mouth is maximized.

As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 6 and 7, the heating compartment 114 of the prior art arrangement (Figure 6) is longer than the heating compartment 14 in examples of the disclosure (Figure 7) so that a part of the second section 40 can be received in the heating compartment 114. Accordingly, the heating compartment 14 of examples of the disclosure can be shorter (i.e., of a reduced length) which reduces manufacturing costs and the size of the device 10.

The Figures also illustrate a method of manufacturing an aerosol generating device 10 according to examples of the disclosure. The Figures also illustrate a method of providing an aerosol generating system according to examples of the disclosure.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device (10) comprising: a heating assembly (12), wherein the heating assembly (12) comprises a heating compartment (14) arranged to receive an aerosol generating article (16) comprising an aerosol generating substrate (38); and a gripper mechanism (18) configured to engage an aerosol generating article (16) in the heating compartment (14) based on the temperature of the heating compartment (14), wherein the gripper mechanism (18) comprises a gripper (20) moveable between a disengaged position (22) and an engaged position (24) based on the temperature of the heating compartment (14), wherein in the disengaged position (22) an aerosol generating article (16) can be received into and removed from the gripper (20) and in the engaged position (24) the gripper (20) is configured to engage an aerosol generating article (16), wherein the gripper (20) comprises a shape-memory alloy, wherein below a transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has a first configuration (26) defining the disengaged position (22) and at or above the transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has a second configuration (28) defining the engaged position (24), wherein the first configuration (26) includes a first helical coil (30), and the second configuration (28) includes a second helical coil (32), wherein the diameter of the first helical coil (30) is greater than the diameter of the second helical coil (32).

2. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein, when the gripper (20) is in the engaged position (24), the gripper (20) is configured to engage a first section (36) of the aerosol generating article (16), wherein the first section (36) comprises the aerosol generating substrate (38).

3. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 2, wherein, when the gripper (20) is in the engaged position (24), the gripper (20) is configured to engage only the first section (36).

4. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein, when the gripper (20) is in the engaged position (24), the gripper (20) is configured to engage the first section (36) having a maximum first section volume and also to engage the first section (36) having a minimum first section volume caused by most of, or all, the aerosol generating substrate (38) having been vapourised by a vaping session.

5. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the diameter of the first helical coil (30) is greater than the diameter of the first section (36) having the maximum first section volume; and wherein the diameter of the second helical coil (32) is less than the diameter of the first section (36) having the maximum first section volume.

6. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the second helical coil (32) is less than the diameter of the first section (36) having a minimum first section volume caused by most of, or all, the aerosol generating substrate (38) having been vapourised by a vaping session.

7. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any of claim 2 to 6, wherein the heating assembly (12) is configured such that, in use, only the first section (36) of the aerosol generating article (16) is received within the heating compartment (14).

8. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any of claim 2 to 7, wherein the heating assembly (12) is configured such that, in use, a second section (40) of the aerosol generating article (16) is outside the heating compartment (14), wherein the second section (40) includes a vapour outlet channel (42).

9. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the axial length of the first helical coil (30) is less than the axial length of the second helical coil (32).

10. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper (20) provides a heater (13) of a heating assembly (12) of the aerosol generating device (10).

11. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the heater (13) is a resistive heating element of a resistive heating assembly.

12. An aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the heater (13) is an inductively heatable susceptor of an induction heating assembly.

13. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the gripper (20) is separate and distinct from a heater (13) of a heating assembly (12) of the aerosol generating device (10).

14. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper (20) is disposed inside the heating compartment (14) at or towards the base (34) of the heating compartment (14).

15. An aerosol generating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transition temperature is at least 50°C and below the vaporisation temperature of the aerosol generating substrate (38).