阅读说明：本技术 气溶胶生成系统 (Aerosol-generating system ) 是由 帕特里克·莫洛尼 于 2020-03-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供有一种气溶胶生成系统(100),其包括：消耗性单元(110),该消耗性单元具有穿过其的多个空气流动路径(112),多个空气流动路径中的每个空气流动路径至少与对应的多个气溶胶生成介质(114)的源中的相应的一个气溶胶生成介质的源相关联；以及用于容纳消耗性单元的外壳(120),该外壳具有空气入口(122)和空气出口(124),其中,该系统配置成使得任何空气流动路径都能够选择性地与入口和出口接触以形成空气流动路径。(There is provided an aerosol-generating system (100) comprising: a consumable unit (110) having a plurality of airflow paths (112) therethrough, each of the plurality of airflow paths being associated with at least a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium (114); and a housing (120) for housing the consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet (122) and an air outlet (124), wherein the system is configured such that any air flow path can be selectively contacted with the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path.)

1. An aerosol-generating system comprising:

a consumable unit having a plurality of airflow paths therethrough, each of the plurality of airflow paths being associated with at least a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium; and

a housing for housing the consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet,

wherein the system is configured such that any of the air flow paths can be selectively contacted with the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path.

2. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein the consumable unit is selectively movable such that an air flow path in the consumable unit is selectively contactable with the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path through the system.

3. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing is selectively movable such that an air flow path in the consumable unit is selectively contactable with the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path through the system.

4. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 3, wherein the inlet is selectively movable such that an air flow path in the consumable unit is selectively contactable with the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path through the system.

5. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the outlet is selectively movable such that an air flow path in the consumable unit is selectively contactable with the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path through the system.

6. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the consumable unit further comprising a corresponding plurality of separation walls,

wherein the plurality of air flow paths through the consumable unit are separated from each other by the corresponding plurality of partition walls in the consumable unit.

7. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the consumable unit further comprises a cap,

the lid covers a portion of the consumable unit, the lid providing a condensation surface for an aerosol generated in the device.

8. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the consumable unit further comprises a plurality of holes through which air can flow, wherein one hole is an air inlet hole and one hole is an air outlet hole,

wherein the aerosol-generating medium is arranged between the air inlet aperture and the air outlet aperture.

9. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 8, further comprising a filter material disposed in one of the plurality of apertures through which air can flow.

10. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the air inlet aperture is arranged at an angle to the air outlet aperture.

11. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the air inlet aperture of the consumable unit abuts the air inlet of the housing so as to form the air flow path from the air inlet of the housing to the air outlet of the housing.

12. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, the consumable unit comprising a plurality of biased caps to cover the air inlet aperture and the air outlet aperture of the consumable unit, respectively, after the device is taken out of use.

13. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the consumable unit is rotatable relative to the housing.

14. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein movement of the consumable unit relative to the housing is performed by a user of the aerosol-generating system.

15. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein movement of the consumable unit relative to the housing is automatically initiated.

16. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the consumable unit further comprising a plurality of layers to provide a condensing surface,

wherein the plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium are each arranged on one of the plurality of layers.

17. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the consumable unit is detachable from the system.

18. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the consumable unit further comprising:

a base on which an aerosol-generating medium is arranged;

a sidewall protruding from the base;

a corresponding plurality of partition walls protruding from the base and the sidewalls, wherein the plurality of air flow paths through the consumable unit are separated from each other by the corresponding plurality of partition walls; and

a lid covering a portion of the consumable unit, the lid providing a condensation surface for an aerosol generated in the device,

an aperture in the side wall through which air can flow, wherein the aperture in the side wall abuts the air inlet of the housing,

an opening in the cover through which air can flow, wherein the opening in the cover is in fluid communication with the air outlet of the housing.

19. An aerosol-generating device configured to receive a consumable unit having a plurality of airflow paths therethrough, each of the plurality of airflow paths being associated with a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium; the aerosol-generating device comprises:

a housing for housing the consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet,

wherein the apparatus is configured such that any of the air flow paths can be selectively brought into contact with the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path.

20. A consumable component for an aerosol-generating device according to claim 19.

21. A housing component for an aerosol-generating device according to claim 19.

22. A method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising:

providing a consumable unit having a plurality of airflow paths therethrough, each of the plurality of airflow paths being associated with a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium;

providing a housing for housing the consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet,

selectively contacting an air flow path with the air inlet and the air outlet to form an air flow path.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein selectively contacting an air flow path with the air inlet and the air outlet to form an air flow path comprises selectively moving at least one of:

the consumable unit;

the housing;

the air inlet; and

the air outlet.

24. A consumable unit for use with an aerosol-generating device, the device being configured to receive the consumable unit, the device having a housing for receiving the consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet,

wherein the consumable unit has a plurality of airflow paths through the consumable unit, each of the plurality of airflow paths being associated with at least a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium;

wherein the consumable unit is arranged such that any of the air flow paths can be selectively brought into contact with the air inlet and the air outlet to form an air flow path.

25. An aerosol provision device comprising:

a consumable unit having a plurality of airflow devices therethrough, each of the plurality of airflow devices being associated with a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating devices; and

a housing for accommodating the consumable unit, the housing having air inlet means and air outlet means,

wherein the system is configured such that any of the air flow paths can be selectively contacted with the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating system, an aerosol-generating device, a consumable component for use in an aerosol-generating device, a housing for an aerosol-generating device and a method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol-generating device.

Background

Aerosol-generating devices are known. Common devices use a heater to generate an aerosol from a suitable medium that is then drawn by the user. Current devices provide a wide variety of media to a user from which a smokable aerosol can be generated. The generated aerosol may be deposited on a component located within the apparatus.

Various approaches are described herein that attempt to help solve or mitigate at least some of the problems discussed above.

Disclosure of Invention

Aspects of the invention are defined in the appended claims.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising: a consumable unit having a plurality of airflow paths therethrough, each of the plurality of airflow paths being associated with at least a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium; and a housing for housing the consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the system is configured such that any air flow path can be selectively contacted with the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol-generating device configured to receive a consumable unit having a plurality of air flow paths therethrough, each of the plurality of air flow paths being associated with a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium, the aerosol-generating device comprising a housing for receiving the consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the device is configured such that any air flow path is selectively contactable with the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a consumable component for use in an aerosol-generating device.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a housing component for use in an aerosol-generating device.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: providing a consumable unit having a plurality of airflow paths therethrough, each of the plurality of airflow paths being associated with a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium; a housing is provided for housing a consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, the air flow path being selectively brought into contact with the air inlet and the air outlet to form the air flow path.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol-generating device configured to receive a consumable unit having a plurality of airflow paths therethrough, each of the plurality of airflow paths being associated with a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium; the aerosol-generating device comprises: a housing for housing a consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the device is configured such that any air flow path can be selectively brought into contact with the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a consumable unit for use with an aerosol-generating device configured to receive the consumable unit, the device having a housing for housing the consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the consumable unit has a plurality of airflow paths therethrough, each of the plurality of airflow paths being associated with at least a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium; wherein the consumable unit is arranged such that any air flow path can be selectively brought into contact with the air inlet and the air outlet to form an air flow path.

According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising: a consumable unit having a plurality of air flow devices therethrough, each air flow device of the plurality of air flow devices being associated with a respective one of the sources of the corresponding plurality of aerosol-generating devices; and a housing for housing the consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet means and an air outlet means, wherein the system is configured such that any air flow path can be selectively contacted by the inlet and the outlet to form an air flow path.

Drawings

The present teachings will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals.

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment;

figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment;

figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment;

figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a consumable unit for an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment;

figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a consumable unit for an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment;

figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a consumable unit for an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment; and

fig. 7 is a perspective view of two consumable units for an aerosol-generating system according to an embodiment.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and drawings of specific embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

Aspects and features of certain embodiments and implementations are discussed/described herein. Some aspects and features of certain embodiments and implementations may be practiced conventionally and, for the sake of brevity, will not be discussed/described in detail. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional technique for implementing such aspects and features.

The present disclosure relates to aerosol-generating systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol-generating systems such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description, the term "electronic cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it should be appreciated that the term may be used interchangeably with aerosol-generating systems/devices and electronic aerosol-generating systems/devices. Furthermore, as is common in the art, the terms "aerosol" and "vapor" and related terms, such as "evaporating", "volatilizing", and "aerosolizing" may generally be used interchangeably.

As used herein, the term "sources of aerosol-generating media" may be used interchangeably with "portions of aerosol-generating media" and the term "device" may be used interchangeably with "system", where it is understood that the device is an independently operating tool and the system is a tool having consumables.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a part of an aerosol-generating system 100. The system 100 has a consumable unit 110 located within the device 100. The consumable unit 100 has a plurality of airflow paths 112 therethrough, each of the plurality of airflow paths 112 being associated with a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium 114. The consumable unit 110 in this embodiment comprises an upper wall and an opposite lower wall separated by a gap, wherein the air flow path 112 through the consumable unit 110 is arranged to pass through or substantially be formed by the gap. The device 100 has a housing 120 for accommodating the consumable unit 110. The housing 120 has an air inlet 122 and an air outlet 124. The system 100 is configured such that any air flow path 112 can be selectively brought into contact with the inlet 122 and the outlet 124 to form an air flow path from the inlet 112 to the outlet 124.

In an embodiment, the consumable unit 110 is selectively movable relative to the housing 120 to form an air flow path from the air inlet 122 of the housing 120 through a selected one of the plurality of air flow paths 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E through the consumable unit 110 to the air outlet 124 of the housing 120.

In another embodiment, the housing 120 is selectively movable such that at least one air flow path in the consumable unit 110 is selectively contactable with the inlet 122 and the outlet 124 to form an air flow path through the system 100.

In another embodiment, the inlet 122 is selectively movable such that at least one air flow path in the consumable unit 110 is selectively contactable with the inlet 122 and the outlet 124 to form an air flow path through the system 100.

In another embodiment, the outlet 124 is selectively movable such that at least one air flow path in the consumable unit 110 is selectively contactable with the inlet 122 and the outlet 124 to form an air flow path through the system 100.

As in the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the consumable unit 110 (or the housing 120) may be moved in the direction indicated by arrow D to form an air flow path through the housing 120 and the consumable unit 110. This relative movement aligns the air inlet 122 with one of the air flow paths 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E so that air may enter the apparatus 100 from the external environment. The device 100 may have a heater (not shown) or the like arranged in the device to heat the aerosol-generating medium or the airflow before passing through or over the aerosol-generating medium.

The heater may be a resistive heater. The heater may be a chemically activated heater that may or may not operate by an exothermic reaction or the like. The heater provides thermal energy, heat, to the environment surrounding the heater. At least some portion of the consumable unit 110 is located within the active region of the heater. The active area of the heater is an area where the heater can provide heat to the consumable unit 110. The heater may be an energy source for heating as part of an induction heating system, wherein the energy source for heating is an energy source for induction heating, and the consumable unit 110 may or may not include a susceptor or the like. For example the susceptor may be a sheet of aluminium foil or the like.

In one embodiment, the system 100 may allow the distance from the consumable unit 110 to the heater to be substantially the same to provide a more consistent user experience. In an embodiment, the aerosol-generating medium 114 is arranged in the consumable unit 110 at a distance from the energy source for heating, which distance is in the range: 0.010mm, 0.015mm, 0.017mm, 0.020mm, 0.023mm, 0.025mm, 0.05mm, 0.075mm or 0.1mm to about 4mm, 3.5mm, 3mm, 2.5mm, 2.0mm, 1.5mm, 1.0mm, 0.5mm or 0.3 mm. In some examples, there is a minimum separation of at least about 10 μm, 15 μm, 17 μm, 20 μm, 23 μm, 25 μm,50 μm, 75 μm, or 0.1mm between the energy source for heating and the aerosol-generating medium located in the consumable unit 110.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-generating device 100 during use. The consumable unit 110 has moved relative to the housing 120 to form an air path through the device 100. The user then draws on the device 100. The arrows in fig. 2 show the general direction of airflow through the apparatus 100. Air enters through air inlet 122 in housing 120 and circulates along air flow path 112D. The airflow then passes through the aerosol-generating medium 114D associated with the air flow path 112D. Elements from the aerosol-generating medium 114 are entrained in the airflow in the air flow path 112D and carried to the air outlet 124 of the housing 120, as shown by the series of arrows in fig. 2.

The consumable unit 110 shown in fig. 2 has a plurality of partition walls 116. The plurality of air flow paths 112 passing through the consumable units 110 are separated from each other by a plurality of partition walls 116. Upon relative movement of the consumable unit 110 and the housing 120, the particular air flow path 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E will be moved into or out of fluid communication with the air inlet 122 of the housing 120. When the air flow path 112 is not in fluid communication with the air inlet 122, the air flow path from the air inlet 122 through the device 100 to the air outlet 124 will be blocked. The blocking may be performed by the partition wall 116 of the consumable unit 110.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a portion of an aerosol-generating device 100. The consumable unit 110 has a plurality of air inlet holes 117 and a plurality of air outlet holes 118. The source of aerosol-generating medium 114 is arranged between one air inlet aperture 117 and one air outlet aperture 118.

The consumable unit 110 is in position relative to the housing 120 so as to form an air flow path from the air inlet 122 through the device 100 to the air outlet 124. The incoming air enters through air inlet 122 and is shown by arrow a. Air flows through or past the source of aerosol-generating medium 114 to form an aerosol or mist. The subsequent airflow of the aerosol or aerosol is shown by arrow B as it exits the air flow path 112 through the consumable unit 110 towards the air outlet 124 of the housing 120. The aerosol-generating medium 114 arranged within the consumable unit 110 may be arranged to fill a portion of the path through the consumable unit 110 such that an airflow must pass through the aerosol-generating medium 114 to exit the consumable unit 110 (in the direction of the airflow). See, for example, aerosol-generating medium 114E arranged between air inlet aperture 117E and air outlet aperture 118E. "between" is considered herein to mean along the path of the air flow path, as shown in fig. 3. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating medium 114 may be arranged such that the airflow only passes through the aerosol-generating medium 114 as it passes through the consumable unit 110 (in the direction of airflow). See, for example, the aerosol-generating medium 114A arranged between the air inlet aperture 117A and the air outlet aperture 118A.

The consumable unit 110 shown in fig. 3 has a plurality of holes 117, 118. These holes 117, 118 enable airflow into the consumable unit 110. As such, the holes 117, 118 may be replaced by a portion of a permeable-to-air material through which air can enter the consumable unit 110. The air permeable material should have a suitable resistance to airflow such that excessive suction pressure is not required to draw the airflow through the air permeable material.

In an embodiment of the consumable unit 110, any (or all) of the apertures 117, 118 or equivalent may have a filter material disposed therein or thereon. The filter material should have a suitable resistance to airflow so that excessive suction pressure is not required to draw the airflow through the filter material. This may assist in removing particles and the like from the incoming air or outgoing aerosol.

The consumable unit 110 is arranged within the device 100 such that an airflow entering the device 100 through the air inlet 122 may enter the air flow path 112 of the consumable unit 110. If the consumable unit 110 is arranged in the device 100 and the distance between the air inlet 122 and the air inlet aperture 117 of the consumable unit 110 is too large, the incoming air flow may not pass the consumable unit 110 but bypass the consumable unit to the air outlet 124. In this arrangement, the device 100 may not generate aerosol for inhalation.

In an embodiment, it is desirable to ensure that the airflow passes through only one particular air flow path 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E, so that the consumption of the source of aerosol-generating medium 114 contained in each particular air flow path 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E respectively can be controlled.

The above-mentioned problem may be overcome by making the specific air inlet hole 117A, 117B, 117C, 117D, 117E of the consumable unit 110 abut the air inlet 122 of the housing 120. This ensures that the incoming airflow passes through the aerosol-generating medium 114 which is contained within the particular air flow paths 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E whose particular air inlet apertures 117A, 117B, 117C, 117D, 117E abut the air inlet 122 of the housing 120 at the user's suction point.

The consumable unit 110 may be substantially disposed proximate to the air outlet 124 of the housing 120. The closer the consumable unit 110 is to the air outlet 124 of the housing 120, the shorter the distance the aerosol flows inside the device 100, but the longer the distance the aerosol flows outside the consumable unit 110. Reducing this distance reduces the area inside the device 100 on which aerosols can condense. Condensation of aerosol on the device 100 may be undesirable because the aerosol may damage components within the device 100 and thus more generally reduce the useful life of the device 100. As such, the arrangement described above may increase the useful life of the device 100.

In the embodiment of fig. 3, the specific air inlet hole 117A and the corresponding air outlet hole 118A of the consumable unit 110 are arranged at an angle to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the particular air inlet aperture 117A is arranged perpendicular to the corresponding air outlet aperture 118A. In other embodiments, some of the air inlet apertures 117 may be arranged at different angles to some of the air outlet apertures 118. The arrangement of the air inlet holes 117 and the air outlet holes 118 may be changed to conform to the desired shape of the housing 120. Alternatively, the arrangement may be manipulated to reduce the size of the consumable unit 110, thereby achieving a compact and efficient design.

The air inlet aperture 117 or any air inlet aperture 117 may be arranged at an angle to any air outlet aperture 118. In some embodiments, the angle may be at least 15 °, at least 20 °, at least 25 °, at least 30 °, at least 35 °, at least 40 °, at least 45 °, at least 50 °, at least 55 °, at least 60 °, at least 65 °, at least 70 °, at least 75 °, at least 80 °, at least 85 °, or at least 90 °.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a consumable unit 110 according to an embodiment. The consumable unit 110 of fig. 4 has a plurality of air flow paths 112 (3) passing through the consumable unit 110. The consumable unit 110 is shown in use. The incoming airflow, shown by arrow a, enters the consumable unit 110, passes through the aerosol generating medium 114 and exits as an outgoing aerosol, as shown by arrow B. The consumable unit 110 in this embodiment has a plurality of biased caps to cover the air inlet aperture 117 and the air outlet aperture 118, respectively, of the consumable unit 110 after the device 100 is taken out of use (i.e., when the airflow is reduced to the point where use of the device 100 is deemed to have ceased). The bias level of the cap 119 may be set such that the airflow may move the cap 119 from a closed position (in which the cap 119 is at rest and blocks the air flow path 112) to an open position (in which the cap 119 is moved to not block the air flow path) during a stage of a typical use session (which may be referred to as a smoking session or a smoking session). The bias should have adequate resistance to air flow pressure so that excessive suction pressure is not required to move cap 119 to the open position and thus be able to draw air through device 100.

After use of the device 100 has been stopped, the cap 119 on the associated air inlet aperture or apertures 117 and air outlet aperture or apertures 118 is moved to the closed position with the cap 119 biased. This prevents aerosols generated at or after the end of the use session that should not leave the device 100 from leaving the consumable unit 110 and then condensing on the interior of the device 100. As mentioned above, this can increase the useful life of the device 100. The consumable unit 110 may be replaced when the source of aerosol-generating medium 114 is fully exhausted. Thus, removal of the consumable unit 110 then removes the condensed aerosol contained within the consumable unit 110.

The biasing cap 119 does not have to be arranged at the air inlet hole 117 and the air outlet hole 118, but may be arranged within the consumable unit 110. Similarly, multiple offset caps 119 may be used on each route from the air inlet aperture 117 to the air outlet aperture 118. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a consumable unit 110 according to an embodiment. The consumable unit 110 has seven biased caps 119. The consumable unit 110 has three air inlet holes 117 and one air outlet hole 118. The use of the biased cap 119 ensures that aerosol generated by a source of aerosol-generating medium 114 located in one route within the consumable unit 110 passes the required route to the air outlet aperture 118 without entering the other route. This is desirable to ensure that the source of aerosol-generating medium 114 is only used when desired by the user. As in the embodiment of fig. 5, the use of multiple biased caps 119 is useful when there are multiple routes in the consumable unit 110 that are in fluid communication with each other within the consumable unit 110.

The embodiment shown in figure 5 is also useful where the sources of aerosol-generating media 114 have different tastes or compositions. The plurality of biased caps 119 prevent hot aerosol from the source of aerosol-generating medium 114 from entering a different route and passing a second source of aerosol-generating medium 114 to vaporise the second source of aerosol-generating medium 114. This prevents the result of flavour mixing produced by two different sources of aerosol-generating medium 114, which may not provide the best user experience of the device 100.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the intermediate air inlet aperture 117 is aligned with the air inlet 122 of the housing 120 (not shown). The incoming air and the incoming air shown by arrow a have moved a biased cap 119 into the open position. The incoming air then passes through the source of aerosol-generating media 114 to entrain elements from the source of aerosol-generating media 114. Subsequent aerosols, shown by arrow B, then move the second biased cap 119 into the open position. The aerosol then travels toward the air outlet aperture 118 and moves the biased cap 119 over the air outlet aperture 118 to the open position to exit the consumable unit 110.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a consumable unit 110 according to an embodiment. The consumable unit 110 does not have the biasing caps 119 shown, but these biasing caps may or may not be used in this embodiment or any other embodiment. The consumable unit 110 shown in fig. 6 is surrounded by a rotatable outer member 130. The external element may be a part of the consumable unit 110 or a part of the housing 120. The outer element 130 may be moved in a rotational movement indicated by arrow R. By rotating the outer element 130, the openings 132, 134 can selectively allow air to flow through a route in the consumable unit 110 to the air outlet aperture 118. The distance between the openings 134 reflects the distance the opening 132 must travel in order to align with the subsequent air inlet aperture 117 of the consumable unit 110. Thereby, air is prevented from entering via more than one air inlet aperture 117, and thus only one source of aerosol-generating medium 114 is used at a time. As above, a biased cap 119 may be used to prevent airflow past the two sources of aerosol generating medium 114 if desired.

Fig. 7 shows perspective views of two embodiments of the consumable unit 110. The consumable unit 110 has a thin cylindrical shape, and in (i) of fig. 7, the consumable unit has five air inlet holes 117 and one air outlet hole 118. Five air inlet holes 117 are arranged on the outer curved surface of the cylindrical consumable unit 110, and one air outlet hole 118 is centrally arranged in the flat end surface of the cylindrical consumable unit 110. In this embodiment, the consumable unit 110 is rotatable such that one of the air inlet holes 117 is located at the air inlet 122 (not shown in fig. 7) of the housing 120. The device 100 can then be used. The airflow will enter through the selected air inlet aperture 117 and the airflow exiting the consumable unit 110 will pass through the air outlet aperture 118. The air outlet aperture may be disposed proximate to the air outlet 124 of the housing 120, as mentioned above. Rotation may be about a central longitudinal axis of the consumable unit 110. Thus, the centrally located air outlet opening 118 does not move during the movement of the air inlet opening 117 arranged on the side of the consumable unit 110. This may provide better control of where the aerosol exits from the consumable unit 110.

In (ii) of fig. 7, the consumable unit 110 has the same shape as the consumable unit 110 shown in (i) of fig. 7. The consumable unit 110 also has five air inlet holes 117. But the consumable unit 110 has three air outlet holes 118 disposed on the same surface as the air outlet holes 118 of fig. 7 (i).

The consumable unit 110 may have a rotating interior contained within a non-rotating exterior. The source of aerosol-generating medium 114, the separation wall 116 and the air flow path 112 may be part of a rotating interior. The non-rotating outer portion may have an inlet and an outlet. The rotating inner portion may be rotated to align a particular air flow path with an inlet and an outlet disposed in the non-rotating outer portion, the outlet and inlet remaining stationary. In such an arrangement, only one inlet and one outlet would be required. This also prevents contamination between sources of aerosol-generating medium 114.

The consumable unit 110 may have a plurality of layers disposed within the consumable unit 110. The multiple layers provide a series of condensation surfaces on which aerosols can preferentially condense inside the device 100. Each of the plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium 114 is arranged on one of the plurality of layers. The air flow path 112 may pass through various layers of the consumable unit 110. A plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium 114 may be arranged on one layer in the consumable unit 110. The partition walls 116 may partition a layer within the consumable unit 110 into a plurality of sections. Multiple sources of aerosol-generating medium 114 may be arranged on multiple layers in the consumable unit 110.

In any of the embodiments discussed, the consumable unit 110 or the housing 120 may be moved by rotation or translation, etc., to achieve relative movement between the consumable unit 110 and the housing 120. The device 100 may have a transmission or a displaceable/rotatable shaft connected to the consumable unit 110 or the housing 120 to be movable. The device may have a displaceable/rotatable housing 120 that can be moved by a user's hand. This movement causes the air inlet aperture 117 to abut the air inlet 122 of the housing 120.

The movement of the consumable unit 110 relative to the housing 120 may be performed by a user of the aerosol-generating device 100. In an embodiment, this may be by a user pressing a button to operate a system within the aerosol-generating device 100, or may be by manually moving or rotating a housing, or turning a crank, etc.

In another embodiment, the movement of the consumable unit 110 relative to the housing 120 is automatically initiated. For example, the movement may be performed automatically, for example by a controller that detects when a selected one of the sources of aerosol-generating medium 114 starts or stops heating. Alternatively or additionally, the movement may be made by the controller based on the source of aerosol-generating medium 114 being exhausted or the use session being stopped. This will ensure that the device 100 is ready to be activated again immediately after the use session is completed.

In any of the above embodiments, the consumable unit 110 may be detachable from the device 100. This will enable the device 100 to be reused after the source of aerosol-generating medium 114 for a particular consumable unit 110 has been exhausted. The device 100 may have a door or lid that may be opened to access the consumable unit 110.

Minor modifications to the above embodiment may be made if it is desired to activate more than one source of aerosol-generating medium 114 at a time.

The apparatus 100 may have multiple chambers or regions that may or may not be separated from each other. The device 100 of any of the above embodiments may have a power supply compartment (not shown) comprising an energy storage for supplying electrical energy to a heater (not shown) and/or to a movement mechanism in the presence of the movement mechanism (e.g. not manually driven by a user). The heater may be a resistive heater. The heater may be a chemically activated heater that may or may not operate by an exothermic reaction or the like.

The source of aerosol-generating medium 114 included within device 100 may comprise at least one of tobacco and ethylene glycol, and may comprise an extract (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, japanese mint, anise, cinnamon, vanilla, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, juniper berry, bourbon, scotch whisky, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, caraway, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cinnamon, caraway, brandy, jasmine, ylang, sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, peppermint, or any type of mint oil from the genus mentha), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, bitter taste blockers, and the like, Sensory receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, potassium acesulfame, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives, such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners. They may be imitations, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example oil, liquid or powder.

The aerosol-forming layers described herein comprise "amorphous solids," which may alternatively be referred to as "monolithic solids" (i.e., non-fibrous) or as "xerogels. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid (such as a liquid) within its interior. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer comprises from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% amorphous solids to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% amorphous solids. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer is comprised of an amorphous solid.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise 1 to 50 wt% gelling agent, wherein the weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.

Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt% or 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, 45 wt%, 40 wt%, 35 wt%, 30 wt% or 27 wt% gelling agent (all on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may contain 5 to 40 wt%, 10 to 30 wt%, or 15 to 27 wt% gelling agent.

In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises a hydrocolloid. In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of alginate, pectin, starch (and derivatives), cellulose (and derivatives), gums, silica gel or silicon compounds, clays, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more of alginate, pectin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, pullulan, xanthan gum, guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, gum arabic, fumed silica, PDMS, sodium silicate, kaolin, and polyvinyl alcohol. In some cases, the gelling agent comprises alginate and/or pectin, and may be combined with a hardening agent (such as a calcium source) during the formation of the amorphous solid. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise calcium-crosslinked alginate and/or calcium-crosslinked pectin.

Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt% or 20 wt% to about 80 wt%, 70 wt%, 60 wt%, 55 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt%, 40 wt% or 35 wt% aerosol generating agent (all calculated on a dry weight basis). The aerosol generating agent may act as a plasticizer. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise 10 to 60 wt%, 15 to 50 wt% or 20 to 40 wt% of the aerosol generating agent. In some cases, the aerosol-generating agent comprises one or more compounds selected from erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol, and xylitol. In some cases, the aerosol-generating agent comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of glycerol. The present inventors have determined that if the level of plasticizer is too high, the amorphous solid may absorb water, resulting in a material that does not produce a comfortable consumer experience in use. The inventors have also determined that if the plasticizer content is too low, the amorphous solid may be brittle and easily broken. The plasticizer content specified herein provides amorphous solid flexibility that allows amorphous solid sheets to be wound onto bobbins, which is useful in the manufacture of aerosol-generating articles.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain flavoring agents. Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise up to about 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 or 5 wt% flavour. In some cases, the amorphous solid can comprise at least about 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt%, or 30 wt% flavor (all on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may contain 10 to 60 wt%, 20 to 50 wt%, or 30 to 40 wt% of a flavoring agent. In some cases, the flavoring agent (if present) comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of menthol. In some cases, the amorphous solid does not contain a flavoring agent.

In some cases, the amorphous solid additionally comprises tobacco material and/or nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid may additionally comprise powdered tobacco and/or nicotine and/or a tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid can comprise from about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, or 25 wt% to about 70 wt%, 60 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt%, or 40 wt% (by dry weight) of tobacco material and/or nicotine.

In some cases, the amorphous solid comprises a tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise 5-60 wt% (dry weight basis) of the tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid can comprise from about 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, or 25 wt% to about 55 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt%, or 40 wt% (by dry weight) of the tobacco extract. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise 5-60 wt%, 10-55 wt%, or 25-55 wt% of the tobacco extract. The tobacco extract can comprise nicotine at a concentration such that the amorphous solid comprises from 1 wt%, 1.5 wt%, 2 wt%, or 2.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, 5 wt%, 4.5 wt%, or 4 wt% (on a dry weight basis) nicotine. In some cases, nicotine may not be present in the amorphous solid except for nicotine produced from the tobacco extract.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid does not comprise tobacco material but comprises nicotine. In some cases, the amorphous solid can comprise from about 1 wt%, 2 wt%, 3 wt%, or 4 wt% to about 20 wt%, 15 wt%, 10 wt%, or 5 wt% (by dry weight) nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise 1-20 wt% or 2-5 wt% nicotine.

In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine, and flavoring can be at least about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt%, 25 wt%, or 30 wt%. In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine, and flavoring may be less than about 70 wt%, 60 wt%, 50 wt%, or 40 wt% (all on a dry weight basis).

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is a hydrogel and comprises less than about 20 wt% water (based on wet weight). In some cases, the hydrogel can contain less than about 15 wt%, 12 wt%, or 10 wt% water (based on Wet Weight (WWB)). In some cases, the hydrogel can comprise at least about 2 wt% or at least about 5 wt% water (WWB).

The amorphous solid may be made of a gel, and the gel may additionally comprise a solvent, the solvent being comprised between 0.1 and 50 wt%. However, the present inventors have determined that inclusion of a solvent in which the flavour is soluble may reduce the stability of the gel and that the flavour may crystallise out of the gel. Thus, in some cases, the gel does not contain a solvent in which the flavor is soluble.

The amorphous solid contains less than 20 wt%, suitably less than 10 wt% or less than 5 wt% filler. The filler may comprise one or more inorganic filler materials such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, silica gel, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulphate, magnesium carbonate and suitable inorganic sorbents such as molecular sieves. The filler may include one or more organic filler materials such as wood pulp, cellulose, and cellulose derivatives. In some cases, the amorphous solid contains less than 1 wt% filler, and in some cases, the amorphous solid does not contain filler. In particular, in some cases, the amorphous solid does not contain calcium carbonate such as chalk.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may consist essentially of or consist of: a gelling agent, an aerosol-generating agent, a tobacco material and/or a nicotine source, water and optionally a flavouring agent.

Accordingly, there has been described an aerosol-generating device comprising: a consumable unit having a plurality of air flow paths therethrough, each air flow path of the plurality of air flow paths being associated with a respective one of a corresponding plurality of sources of aerosol-generating medium; and a housing for housing the consumable unit, the housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the consumable unit is selectively movable relative to the housing to form an air flow path from the air inlet of the housing to the air outlet of the housing through a selected one of a plurality of air flow paths, wherein the air flow paths pass through the consumable unit.

The aerosol-generating device may be used in tobacco industry products, such as non-combustible aerosol provision systems.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product comprises one or more components of a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a heater or an aerosolizable substrate.

In one embodiment, the aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also referred to as a smoking device.

In one embodiment, an electronic cigarette includes a heater, a power source capable of supplying electrical energy to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate (such as a liquid or gel), a housing, and an optional mouthpiece.

In one embodiment, the aerosolizable substrate is contained in or on a substrate container. In one embodiment, the substrate container is combined with or includes a heater.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heated product that releases one or more compounds by heating rather than burning the base material. The base material may be an aerosolizable material, which may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating product.

In one embodiment, the heating product is an electronic device.

In one embodiment, the tobacco heating product comprises a heater, a power source capable of supplying electrical energy to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material.

In one embodiment, the heating product is a non-electronic device.

In one embodiment, heating the product comprises: an aerosolizable substrate, such as a solid or gel material; and a heat source capable of supplying thermal energy to the aerosolizable substrate, such as by burning combustible material (such as charcoal), without any electronic means.

In one embodiment, the heating product further comprises a filter capable of filtering aerosols generated by heating the aerosolizable substrate.

In some embodiments, the aerosolizable substrate material can include an aerosol or aerosol generating agent or humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol by heating rather than burning a combination of base materials. The base material may, for example, comprise a solid, liquid or gel, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the mixing system includes a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the mixing system includes a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.

To address the various problems and advance the art, the entirety of the present disclosure shows by way of illustration a number of embodiments in which the claimed invention may be practiced and which provide an excellent electronic aerosol provision system. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative examples of implementations and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. These embodiments are provided merely to facilitate an understanding and teaching of the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, implementations, embodiments, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the present disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the present disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other implementations may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, components, steps, means, and the like. Moreover, this disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.