WO2025172414A1 - Aerosol generating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol generating apparatus is provided comprising : a cavity (101) arranged within the apparatus for receiving a consumable aligned along an axis of the cavity (101), an aerosol generating unit (4) within the cavity (101) configured to generate an aerosol from the consumable when axially received in the cavity (101), and a rotatable closure member (105) arranged at a mouth of the cavity (101) to control access of the consumable to the cavity (101). The closure member (105) has a bore (107) extending from an entry (108) at one side of the closure member (105) to an exit (109) at an opposite side of the closure member (105). The closure member (105) is also rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position in which the bore (107) is aligned with the axis of the cavity (101) such that a consumable inserted through the bore (107) is further insertable into the cavity (101) for axial reception therein, and a second position in which the bore (107) is misaligned with the axis of the cavity (101) such that the closure member (105) blocks the mouth of the cavity (101) and prevents reception of a consumable therein.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATING APPARATUS

This application claims priority from EP24157799.8 filed 15 February 2024 and from EP24157772.5 filed 15 February 2024, the contents and elements of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating apparatus.

BACKGROUND

A conventional aerosol generating apparatus may comprise a power supply, and a heating element that is driven by the power supply for heating consumable material of a consumable. By heating the consumable material, aerosol is generated which is intended to be inhaled by a user of the aerosol generating apparatus. In order to engage the consumable material with the heating element, the consumable is inserted into a consumable cavity containing the heating element. By inserting the consumable into the consumable cavity, the consumable material is brought into proximity with the heating element, so that heat generated by the heating element increases the temperature in the consumable material to generate the aerosol.

A drawback with known aerosol generating apparatuses is that access to the consumable cavity, e.g. via an opening, and thereby access to the heating element, is maintained even when no consumable is inserted. Therefore, it is possible for foreign objects which are not intended to be within the consumable cavity to accidentally enter the cavity. This may prevent or limit insertion of a consumable into the cavity, which can render the aerosol generating apparatus inoperable. Further, the presence of the foreign object in the cavity may damage parts of the aerosol generating apparatus, especially the heating element. Moreover, the foreign object could potentially, depending on its composition and structure, generate an aerosol component which is not suitable to be inhaled, and/or could react to the heat in an undesirable manner, such as by melting or ignition.

Alternative forms of aerosol generating apparatuses are also known which, rather than a heating element, have a different type of powered unit, such as an ultrasonic system, for generating the aerosol from the consumable. However, similar problems of undesirable foreign object incursion into the consumable cavity remain.

In spite of the effort already invested in the development of aerosol generating apparatuses further improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY In general terms, the present disclosure provides an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising: a cavity arranged within the apparatus for receiving a consumable aligned along an axis of the cavity, an aerosol generating unit (such as a heating system) within the cavity configured to generate an aerosol from the consumable when axially received in the cavity, and a rotatable closure member arranged at a mouth of the cavity to control access of the consumable to the cavity. The closure member has a bore extending from an entry at one side of the closure member to an exit at an opposite side of the closure member. The closure member is rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position in which the bore is aligned with the axis of the cavity such that a consumable inserted through the bore is further insertable into the cavity for axial reception therein, and a second position in which the bore is misaligned with the axis of the cavity such that the closure member blocks the mouth of the cavity and prevents reception of a consumable therein.

Thus by rotating the rotatable element to the second position, access to the consumable cavity can be prevented when the aerosol generating apparatus is not in use. In this way, not just consumables, but foreign objects which are not intended to be within the cavity can be prevented from entering.

Conveniently, the closure member can be rotated by a digit of a user directly interacting with a surface of the closure member to turn the member.

Examples of the aerosol generating apparatus described above in general terms may further comprise a housing, the cavity and the closure member being provided inside the housing and the mouth of the cavity being formed by a window in the housing. In these examples, in the first position, the entry to the bore may be located within the window and, in the second position, either or both of the entry to and the exit from the bore may be at least partially covered by the housing.

Additionally or alternatively, examples of the aerosol generating apparatus described above in general terms may further comprise a chassis that retains the closure member at a predetermined location in the apparatus such that the closure member is positioned at the mouth of the cavity with the closure member rotatable between the first position and the second position. The chassis may also define the cavity, e.g. by providing a surrounding wall of the cavity.

Innovation A

In a first aspect of the aerosol generating apparatus described earlier in general terms, the closure member is substantially axisymmetric about the rotation axis, a portion of the surface of the closure member extending as an annular belt circumferentially around the closure member, with to either side of the annular belt the closure member having side surfaces centred on and substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, wherein the annular belt contains the entry to the bore, and the surface of the closure member in the annular belt curves convexly in both the circumferential and polar directions of the closure member.

Thus the annular belt provides a bi-curved surface which can be both aesthetically pleasing and an effective surface for manual operation of the closure member by a user. On the other hand, the side surfaces can provide convenient locations for mounting structures and for mechanisms controlling the rotational movement of the closure member, as discussed in more detail below.

The closure member may be substantially shaped as a flattened spheroid, the rotation axis extending along the minor axis of the spheroid and the bore extending along a major diameter of the spheroid such that the annular belt extends equatorially around the spheroid.

When the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises the housing, as the closure member is rotated between the first and second positions, progressively different parts of the annular belt are exposed externally through the window, while the side surfaces of the closure member may remain completely covered by the housing.

The perimeter of the entry to the bore can be chamfered or rounded to guide insertion of a consumable into the bore without snagging on the perimeter.

Innovation B

Optionally, the aerosol generating apparatus of the first aspect comprises a bistability mechanism which is configured to operate on the closure member such that at all rotational positions of the closure member from the first position to a position intermediate the first and second positions the closure member is biased towards the first position, and at all rotational positions of the closure member from the second position to the intermediate position the closure member is biased towards the second position; whereby, to rotate the closure member from a starting one of the first and second positions to a destination one of the other of the first and second positions, a torque is applied against the respective bias urging the closure member to the start position until the intermediate position is reached whereupon the opposite bias carries the closure member to the destination position. Indeed, more generally, in a second aspect of the aerosol generating apparatus described earlier in general terms, the apparatus comprises a bistability mechanism which is configured to operate on the closure member such that at all rotational positions of the closure member from the first position to a position intermediate the first and second positions the closure member is biased towards the first position, and at all rotational positions of the closure member from the second position to the intermediate position the closure member is biased towards the second position; whereby, to rotate the closure member from a starting one of the first and second positions to a destination one of the other of the first and second positions, a torque is applied against the respective bias urging the closure member to the start position until the intermediate position is reached whereupon the opposite bias carries the closure member to the destination position.

Thus advantageously, under the operation of the bistability mechanism, the closure member is bistable in that if torque is applied to move it to any position between the first and second positions, when that torque is released it will automatically move to the first position and then remain in that position if the release position is between the first position and the intermediate position, but will automatically move to the second position and then remain in that position if the release position is between the second position and the intermediate position.

Conveniently, the bistability mechanism may be a spring. This can provide a heat resistant, quiet and reliable action. However other bistability mechanisms are also possible, such as magnet-based mechanisms.

When the aerosol generating apparatus is the apparatus of the first aspect, the bistability mechanism may be mounted to one of the side surfaces. In this way, when the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises the housing, the bistability mechanism can conveniently be protected under the housing and hidden from external view.

The aerosol generating apparatus may further comprise a stop mechanism which limits rotational movement of the closure member to rotation between the first and second positions. When the aerosol generating apparatus is the apparatus of the first aspect, the stop mechanism may be mounted to one of the side surfaces, e.g. on the other side of the closure member to the bistability mechanism.

Innovation C

Optionally, in the aerosol generating apparatus of any of the previous aspects, the rotation axis extends perpendicularly to the axis of the cavity, and the closure member is configured to be rotated by a predetermined angle (which may be greater than 45° and/or may be up to 90°, typically being equal to 90°) about the rotation axis to rotate between the first position and the second position, and a top surface of the closure member is exposed externally of the apparatus at the mouth of the cavity; wherein the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the externally exposed top surface in the first position contains the entry to the bore, and the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the externally exposed top surface in the second position contains no part of the entry to the bore. Indeed, more generally, in a third aspect of the aerosol generating apparatus described earlier in general terms, the rotation axis extends perpendicularly to the axis of the cavity, and the closure member is configured to be rotated by a predetermined angle (which may be greater than 45° and/or may be up to 90°, typically being equal 90°) about the rotation axis to rotate between the first position and the second position, and a top surface of the closure member is exposed externally of the apparatus at the mouth of the cavity; wherein the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the externally exposed top surface in the first position contains the entry to the bore, and the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the externally exposed top surface in the second position contains no part of the entry to the bore.

In this way, a pair of portions of the surface of the closure member are externally exposed to the user of the apparatus, but these portions can be kept visually and functionally distinct, i.e. one containing the entry to the bore and one not. The portion of the surface of the closure member forming the externally exposed top surface in the second position may be smoothly and continuously curved in all directions.

When the apparatus is an apparatus of the first aspect, the top surface may be contained within the annular belt.

A bottom surface of the closure member may be internally exposed to the cavity at the underside of the closure member; wherein the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the internally exposed bottom surface in the first position contains the exit from the bore, and the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the internally exposed bottom surface in the second position contains no part of the exit from the bore. In this way, another pair of portions of the surface of the closure member can be kept functionally distinct, i.e. one containing the exit from the bore and one not. Combined with the pair of portions externally exposed at the top surface, it is then possible to define four functionally distinct and contiguous sectors, or quadrants, of the surface of the closure member.

When the aerosol generating unit is a heating system, the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the internally exposed bottom surface in the second position may carry a heat shield (e.g. a reflective surface layer) to reduce transfer of heat from the heating system into the closure member. For example, the heat shield can be carried in a recess formed in the surface of the closure member. Indeed, more generally, the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the internally exposed bottom surface in the second position may have a recess formed in the surface of the closure member, i.e. even without a heat shield. The recess can distance the surface of the closure member from the heat of the heating system after an activation.

When the apparatus is an apparatus of the first aspect, the bottom surface may be contained within the annular belt.

Innovation D

Optionally, in examples of the aerosol generating apparatus of any of the previous aspects which further comprise the housing, the entry and the exit are both completely covered by the housing when the closure member is in the second position. Indeed, more generally, in a fourth aspect of the aerosol generating apparatus described earlier in general terms which further comprises the housing, the entry and the exit are both completely covered by the housing when the closure member is in the second position.

In this way a visually pleasing portion of the surface of the closure member can be externally exposed to a user of the apparatus in the second position. In addition, as the entry and the exit are both completely covered, foreign objects can be prevented from entering the bore.

Innovation E Optionally, in the aerosol generating apparatus of any of the previous aspects, the aerosol generating unit is a heating system, and the closure member is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 100 Wm^-1K“¹ (and preferably at least 200 Wm^-1K“¹). Indeed, more generally, in a sixth aspect of the aerosol generating apparatus described earlier in general terms, the aerosol generating unit is a heating system, and the closure member is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 100 Wrrr¹K”¹ (and preferably at least 200 Wm~¹K"¹). The thermal conductivity may be measured according to ISO 8302.

By forming the closure member of a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 100 Wm~¹K”¹, the closure member can act as an effective heat sink for waste heat produced by the heating system, generally reducing the temperature of the aerosol delivered to the user and helping to produce a consistent user experience over successive apparatus activations. Also, after an activation, the relatively high thermal conductivity rapidly reduces the surface temperature of the closure member, allowing the apparatus to be safely pocketed by the user.

For example, the closure member may be formed of aluminium alloy, such as Al 6063 which has a thermal conductivity of about 210 Wrrr'K”¹.

When the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises the chassis, the thermal conductivity of the material forming the closure member may be substantially higher than the thermal conductivity of the material forming the chassis, e.g. at least 100 or 1000 times higher. Typically, the chassis may be formed of a plastic material having e.g. a thermal conductivity in the range 0.1 to 0.5 Wnr¹K”¹. The chassis can thus function as an insulator, while the closure member can function as a heat sink.

Innovation F

Optionally, in examples of the aerosol generating apparatus of any of the previous aspects which further comprise the chassis, the closure member and the chassis are configured such that, to assemble the apparatus, the closure member is slid into the chassis to arrive at the predetermined location, the closure member and the chassis cooperating to produce a snap fit on arrival of the closure member that retains the closure member at the predetermined location. Indeed, more generally, in a fifth aspect of the aerosol generating apparatus described earlier in general terms which further comprises the chassis, the closure member and the chassis are configured such that, to assemble the apparatus, the closure member is slid into the chassis to arrive at the predetermined location, the closure member and the chassis cooperating to produce a snap fit on arrival of the closure member that retains the closure member at the predetermined location.

In this way, the closure member can be quickly and securely assembled into the apparatus.

The closure member may have a pair of axle projections on opposite sides of the closure member and centred on the rotation axis, the axle projections being received in respective holes provided by the chassis on opposite sides of the closure member to form a pair of journal bearings such that the closure member is rotatable between the first position and the second position. For example, the holes may be formed in respective walls of the chassis, the walls being resiliently flexible to provide the snap fit on arrival of the axle projections in the holes when the closure member is slid into the chassis on assembly. Conveniently, each wall may have an angled ramp surface at a leading edge of the wall which makes first contact with the respective axle projection as the closure member is slid into the chassis on assembly, wherein the axle projections press against the ramp surfaces as the closure member is further slid into the chassis to gradually flex the walls apart. When the apparatus is an apparatus of the first aspect, each axle projection may be provided by a respective one of the side surfaces of the closure member.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising a housing, a closure element, e.g., a rotatable element, comprising a passage for insertion of a consumable, and a consumable cavity arranged within the housing, wherein optionally the rotatable element is arranged as an exterior part of the housing of the aerosol generating apparatus. The closure element may be arranged to assume a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the passage is configured for insertion of a consumable into the consumable cavity, and wherein in the second position, access to the consumable cavity is obstructed or blocked by the rotatable element to close access to the consumable cavity.

In some examples, the consumable cavity comprises an opening for receiving the consumable, for example for heating the consumable in the consumable cavity, and/or the aerosol generating apparatus further comprises a closure element for selectively opening (or unblocking) and closing (or blocking) access to the consumable cavity. Optionally, the closure element is arranged to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, access to the consumable cavity is provided, to allow insertion of a consumable into the consumable cavity. Further optionally, in the second position, access to the consumable cavity is obstructed by the closure element to close or block access to the consumable cavity.

In some examples, the closure element further comprising a heat barrier, wherein optionally the heat barrier, when the closure element is in the second position, is arranged adjacent to the opening of the consumable cavity for reducing the warming the closure element by thermal energy (or heat energy) originating from the consumable cavity.

In this way, the heat barrier is a means for reducing or preventing that heat from the consumable cavity heats or warms the closure element. The heat barrier may reflect heat radiation from the consumable cavity back into the consumable cavity and/or reduces the heat transfer from the consumable cavity to the closure element compared to a situation where the heat barrier is absent.

Conventionally, aerosol generating apparatuses using a heatable consumable for the generation of aerosol feature a cavity for receiving the consumable, into which the consumable is inserted prior to using the apparatus. The material of the consumable can be heated by a heating element arranged within or surrounding the cavity to generate aerosol that can be inhaled by the user. Conventionally, when not in use, e.g., when no consumable is inserted into the consumable cavity, the cavity remains open and accessible from the exterior of the aerosol generating apparatus. Thereby, it is possible that foreign objects accidentally enter the consumable cavity which are not intended to be within the consumable cavity. In case such a foreign object is accidentally within the consumable cavity, it may prevent or limit insertion of a consumable into the cavity. Thereby, such a foreign object may render the aerosol generating apparatus inoperable. Further, in case the user is not readily aware that such a foreign object has entered the consumable cavity and is trying to insert a consumable, the presence of the foreign object may damage elements of the aerosol generating apparatus, for example within the cavity. Especially in case of the heating element being embodied as a heating rod for penetrating the consumable material, a foreign object may damage or destroy the heating element. Likewise, in case the user does not readily notice the presence of the foreign object within the consumable cavity, e.g. because the foreign object is of a soft, lightweight or compressible material, or generally of a size that facilitates not recognizing the foreign object in the consumable cavity, a user could try to engage or use the aerosol generating apparatus. Thus, the user could initiate the heating of the consumable material in a situation where they are unaware of the presence of the foreign object within the consumable cavity which may result in a hazardous situation. The foreign object could potentially, depending on its composition and structure, generate an aerosol component which is not suitable to be inhaled, and/or could react to the heat in an undesirable manner, for example the foreign object could melt or ignite.

Alternatively, a consumable may also be heated by alternative means not requiring a heating element being provided in the consumable cavity. E.g., such a heating of a consumable could be provided by an induction heating system, for example surrounding the consumable and/or the consumable cavity.

In order to avoid that foreign objects enter the consumable cavity, the present disclosure provides a closure element, e.g., a movable element or a rotatable element, for selectively opening and closing access to the consumable cavity. The closure element may comprise a channel or a passage going through the interior of the movable element. The lengthwise extension of the passage may be perpendicular to an axis of rotation, in case the closure element is a rotatable element, about which the closure element is rotating to assume a first position and a second position. In the first position, the lengthwise extension of the passage may be aligned with a lengthwise extension of the consumable cavity, thereby forming an effective single resulting cavity for receiving a consumable, comprising the consumable cavity in the interior of the aerosol generating apparatus and the passage of the closure element. In the second position, the lengthwise extension of the passage may be not aligned anymore with the lengthwise extension of the consumable cavity so that the closure element, for example its surface, covers the opening into the consumable cavity, thereby closing off the consumable cavity from the outside. The closure element may be arranged as an element forming part of the housing of the aerosol generating apparatus, so that the closure element is accessible from the outside, for example for manual manipulation by the user. Here, the user may move or rotate the closure element with their hand. For example, by holding the aerosol generating apparatus using four fingers (index, middle, ring and pinky finger), the user may use the thumb to manipulate the closure element, e.g., rotate the closure element with the thumb. In other words, the user is holding the aerosol generating apparatus in a way resembling the normal hold during use of the aerosol generating apparatus and is able to open or close the consumable cavity with the same hand while holding and inserting a consumable with the other hand. In order to start using the aerosol generating apparatus, the user would thus be rotating the closure element into the first position, and may move the closure element into the second position, thereby closing access to the consumable cavity, after use, for example when storing the aerosol generating apparatus in a trouser pocket or handbag. By closing the cavity by moving the closure element into the second position, it can be avoided that foreign objects enter the consumable cavity during the time the aerosol generating apparatus is not in use, for example stored.

The passage may extend though the complete diameter in case of the closure element being a rotatable, comprising a proximal opening and a distal opening, seen relative to the consumable cavity /heating element.

The surface of the closure element may be essentially smooth or uniform but may still be operated by contact with a finger or the like on the exterior surface of the closure element for initiating a rotating motion. To transition between the first position and the second position, the closure element may be rotated back and forth or forwards and backwards. Thereby, the surface part of the closure element exposed to the interior of the aerosol generating apparatus, e.g., the consumable cavity will not be accessible from the outside. In other words, the surface part of the closure element that the user will touch will never be exposed to or point in the direction of a rod heater region because of how the closure element rotates: e.g., a 90° turn to open and a reverse 90° turn to close. In particular, the closure element may be arranged to not provide a full 360° rotation.

The closure element forms a double door or double seal arrangement. The closure element, in the closed, second position, may seal both the outer aperture of the aerosol generating apparatus and the opening to the consumable cavity below the closure element. Thereby, introduction of unintended foreign objects into the consumable cavity is avoided as well as odours escaping from the heating element area in the interior of the consumable cavity. Once the consumable cavity is closed, it is not accessible anymore from the exterior of the aerosol generating apparatus for the insertion of a consumable. Likewise, in the second position, the passage in the closure element is closed vs. the exterior of the aerosol generating apparatus.

The proximal end of the passage through the closure element may be narrower than the consumable cavity to which it leads, thereby facilitating the insertion of the consumable by avoiding catching of the consumable at an edge of the consumable cavity as it is moved through the closure element, the passage within, and into the consumable cavity. Alternatively or additionally, the opening to the consumable cavity beneath and adjacent the closure element may have a chamfered or filleted edge, again to facilitate insertion of the consumable by preventing the consumable from catching on the edge of the consumable cavity.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the closure element may be rotatable when no consumable is inserted through the passage and into the consumable cavity, and/or the closure element may be rotatable about approximately 90° between the first position and the second position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, moving the closure element into the second position may be inhibited when a consumable is present in the consumable cavity the second position.

Rotation of the closure element may be prevented or blocked in case a consumable is inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus for use. Here, the consumable establishes a form fit connection between the consumable cavity and the passage of the closure element via the consumable.

Likewise, with no consumable inserted, the closure element may be freely rotatable to assume one of the first position and second position. Structurally, it may be beneficial if the angle of rotation between the first position and the second position is approximately 90°. Thereby, the passage that is aligned lengthwise with the consumable cavity in the first position is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the aerosol generating apparatus and the consumable cavity, respectively, so that the passage itself with its two openings on opposite sides of the closure element may be closed by the adjacent housing walls of the aerosol generating apparatus. Thus, in the first position, the user sees a circular opening at the top end of the housing of the aerosol generating apparatus for inserting the consumable, while in the second position, only a uniform roundish surface of the closure element is visible to the user since now the passage is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the consumable cavity. This allows an easy visual identification in which of the first and second positions the closure element is currently arranged.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the closure element may be directly operable by the user and/or may be manually operable by the user.

The user may thus use a finger, e.g., the thumb, to manipulate the closure element, e.g., to rotate the closure element between the first position and the second position. Direct manipulation provides a simple and intuitive means for opening and closing the consumable cavity. A manual operation may be understood as a direct contact, e.g., direct (finger) contact, when operating or rotating the closure element, in particular without an additional lever element. The closure element may further comprise a surface texture to enhance friction between finger and closure element to facilitate rotation.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the closure element may be held in either the first position or the second position by a spring arranged between the closure element and a structural element of the aerosol generating apparatus, and wherein the spring is arranged to bias the closure element towards either the first position or the second position.

Such a spring, which may also be referred to as a bistable spring in the context of this disclosure, is a spring that provides a spring force in both the first and second position counteracting the movement/rotation of the closure element out of or between the first and the second position. By using a bistable spring, a user would be required to counteract the spring force holding the closure element in a respective one of the first and second positions in order to move/rotate the closure element into the respective other one of the first and second positions. The bistable spring thus assures that an assumed position of the closure element is held until the closure element is intentionally moved into the respective other position, thereby avoiding, e.g., accidental opening of the consumable cavity by unintentional movement of the closure element from the second position to the first position, for example when the carrying the aerosol generating apparatus in one's trouser pocket or handbag.

The structural element may be part of the housing or conencted to the housing, e.g., a stiff or rigid element that remains in a fixed postion relative to the housing, regardless of any movement of the closure element.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the closure element may comprise an attachment element to attach the spring to the closure element, and the attachment element may interact with at least a part of the structural element or a further structural element of the aerosol generating apparatus to provide any one, any two or all three of guide for guiding movement of the closure element, an end stop to prevent movement beyond the first position, and an end stop to prevent movement beyond the second position.

The bistable spring may thus connect the closure element and the housing so that a part of the housing is used as an attachment element or anchor point to attach the bistable spring to. Likewise, the closure element may comprise an anchor point, e.g., a protrusion or the like, to which the bistable spring is attached to. The bistable spring thus connect the anchor point of the closure element with the anchor point of the housing. The housing may be arranged so that the anchor point of the closure element, e.g. a protrusion, interacts or engages with the housing at least in the first and the second position, so that the housing prohibits further rotation of the closure element beyond the first and second position. A passage, channel, opening or guide may allow the rotation of the closure element and thereby the movement of the protrusion within the passage, channel, opening or guide, however, blocks further movement of the protrusion once the first or the second position is assumed. For example, the passage, opening or guide may terminate, i.e. become solid material, thereby blocking the movement of the protrusion of the closure element so that a further rotation beyond the first or the second position is prevented. Optionally, the attachment element or the anchor point on the housing is in between or is a similar distance from the anchor point on the rotating element in the respective first and second position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the bistable spring may be providing a spring force to keep the closure element in a respective one of the first position and second position.

E.g., the bistable spring may provide a pushing force in the first and second position of the closure element trying to move the closure element even further beyond the first and second position.

Together with the attachment element or the anchor point on the rotating elements, acting as an end stop in the respective first and second position together with the housing, the bistable spring may assure that the closure element stays in place in the respective first and second position by the by pressing the anchor point of the closure element against the end stops of the housing. Thereby, this bistable spring is under tension in the first and second position counteracting rattling or the like of the closure element within the housing.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, moving the closure element between the first position and the second position may comprise one of a swivelling motion, a transposition and a rotation.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the closure element may be a rotatable element, rotatable between the first position and the second position, and comprising a passage for insertion of a consumable.

A closure element that is embodied as a rotatable element allows a simple operation of transitioning between the first position and the second position by the user. In particular a rotation may allow the operation of the closure element with a single finger, e.g., the thumb. A rotation may be one movement where the operation of the closure element is in situ. In other words, the closure element is not shifting its position relative to the housing or other elements of the aerosol generating apparatus, while still transitioning between the first position and the second position. The operation between the first position and the second position may expose and hide/cover a passage arranged within the closure element for insertion of a consumable therethrough.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the passage may comprise a proximal opening and a distal opening, wherein the proximal opening may be positioned towards the interior of the housing when the rotatable element is in the first position, wherein the proximal opening is positioned adjacent to the opening of the consumable cavity when the rotatable element is in the first position, wherein the distal opening is positioned towards the exterior of the housing when the rotatable element is in the first position, and wherein the distal opening and/or the opening of the consumable cavity is bounded by a chamfered or a filleted edge.

By providing a chamfered or filleted circumference pointing towards the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus, insertion of the consumable into the passage may be facilitated. According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the passage diameter may be adapted to the diameter of a consumable so that the inner surface of the passage is in surface contact with the outer surface of the consumable.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the rotatable element may be arranged for cooling the consumable. For example the rotatable element may be made of a material with a high thermal conductivity, for dissipating heat from the consumable surface.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the rotatable element may be made of a material arranged for transferring thermal energy away from the consumable, and/or wherein the rotatable element is made of a material out of the group consisting of metal, steel, stainless steel, copper and aluminium.

By providing an adapted passage diameter, a good surface contact between the consumable and the rotatable element may be provided, which facilitates heat conduction or heat transfer between the consumable and in the rotatable element. The diameter of the passage should be adapted to the consumable to provide a uniform contact over the surface of the consumable while at the same time not hampering the insertion and removal of the consumable from the aerosol generating apparatus. The rotatable element may thus conduct heat away from the surface of the consumable, thereby cooling the consumable. To provide a preferred heat conduction, the rotatable element may be made of a material with a high thermal conductivity. For example, the rotatable element may be made of a metal like aluminium, copper or steel. Put another way, the rotatable element acts as a heat sink accommodating the consumable to provide cooling of the consumable and thereby cooling of the aerosol or air passing through the consumable. Alternatively, the rotatable element may be made of a plastic material, e.g. PEEK.

Using a material with a high thermal conductivity for the closure element has the effect that the closure element may be heated or warmed by thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity in the second position. This thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity may be residual heat of the heating element in the consumable cavity. This may result in an undesired heating of the closure element. The provision of the heat barrier counter-acts this effect. Thus, the heat barrier allows the provision of a closure element that (i) dissipates heat from the consumable surface and (ii) prevents heating of the closure element in the second position (e.g. when the consumable cavity is closed after use).

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the operation of the aerosol generating apparatus may be enabled when the closure element is in the first position, and/or wherein the operation of the aerosol generating apparatus may be disabled when the closure element is not in the first position and/or is in the second position.

By enabling operation of the aerosol generating apparatus when the rotatable element is in the first position or rather preventing the enabling of the operation when the rotatable element is not in the first position, in particular in the second position, accidental activation of the aerosol generating apparatus may be avoided. The aerosol generating apparatus may comprise a sensor determining the position of the rotatable element, e.g., a position sensor or contactless position sensor, like a reed contact, to determine the position the rotatable element is in. In a particular aspect, it may suffice to provide a position sensor that determines when the rotatable element is in the first position and use the sensor signal for activation of the aerosol generating apparatus. This in turn would result in a permanent deactivation or prevented operation of the aerosol generating apparatus unless the rotatable element is in the first position. E.g., dependent on the position sensor indicating that the rotatable element is in the first position, power may be provided to the control circuitry and/or heating element of the aerosol generating apparatus. Thereby, in case the rotatable element is not in the first position, power required for operating all or part of the aerosol generating apparatus may simply not be provided.

Enabling or disabling the aerosol generating apparatus may be provided by a switching element, which only provides power to control electronics of the aerosol generating apparatus when the closure element is in or near the first position. Alternatively or additionally, the switching element may only provide power to control electronics of the aerosol generating apparatus when the closure element is not in or near the second position.

In some examples, the heat barrier includes at least one layer on an outer surface of the closure element. In this way, the heat barrier can be provided by (partially) covering the outer surface of the closure element with one or more layers.

The one or more layers may form a sandwich structure on the outer surface of the closure element. A first set of the one or more of the layers of the sandwich structure may be configured to block and/or insulate the heat transfer and a second set of one or more of the layers of the sandwich structure may be provided for reliably attaching the first set to the closure element.

In some examples, the at least one layer includes a material configured to reflect thermal radiation so that thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity is reflected by the one or more layers, optionally back into the consumable cavity. In this way, heating of the closure element in the second postion can be reduced or prevented. In other words, the material configured to reflect thermal radiation reduces or prevents that thermal radiation reaches the closure element. Instead, the thermal radiation is at least partially reflected back before reaching the closure element.

Thermal radiation is a form of heat transfer via electromagnetic radiation. The thermal radiation may principally originate from the heated heating element and/or other parts of the consumable cavity that are still heated by the heating element. The thermal radiation may be in the infra-red wavelength range and/or in the visible wavelength range. Thus, the material configured to reflect thermal radiation may be configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation in the infra-red wavelength range and/or in the visible wavelength range. The reflective properties of the material configured to reflect thermal radiation (e.g. of the one or more layers) may be an inherent material property and/or may be provided by a particular treatment of the material (e.g. polishing). The layer made from material configured to reflect thermal radiation may be the outer layer of the one or more layers of the termal barrier. The layer made from a material configured to reflect thermal radiation may be metal coating (e.g. a copper or aluminium coating). The one or more layers may increase the ratio of reflected thermal radiation compared to absorped thermal radition.

In some examples, the heat barrier is an area of an outer surface of the closure element that is polished so that thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity is reflected, optionally back into the consumable cavity. In this way, thermal radiation can be reflected by the heat barrier without providing a layer on the outer surface of the closure element. This may simplify the manufacturing of the closure element.

The closure element may generally have a smooth outer surface. However, the colour and/or surface texture of the outer surface of the closure element may exhibit substantial absorption of thermal radiation (which is for example intended for transferring thermal energy away from the consumable). However, in the second position, this can be undesired. To increase the reflective properties, the closure element may be partially polished to provide the heat barrier. Polishing of the closure element may provide an even smoother surface and/or a local change in the colour of the outer surface. Both aspects can increase the ratio of reflected thermal radiation compared to absorped thermal radition.

The one or more layers or the polished area of the outer surface of the closure element may cover the entire surface area that faces the opening of the consumable cavity in the second positon. In other words, the heat barrier may completely cover that area of the outer surface of the closure element that faces the opening of the consumable cavity in the second positon. In this way, the heat barrier can be provided at that area of the outer surface of the closure element on which the thermal radiation originating from the consumable cavity impinges.

In some examples, the at least one layer includes a material made from a heat-insulating material for thermally insulating the closure element from thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity. In this way, the heat-insulating material can reduce the heat transfer via thermal conduction and/or thermal convention.

The one or more layers made from a heat-insulating material may be arranged underneath the one or more layers made from a material configured to reflect thermal radiation. Thus, one or more heatinsulating layers may reduce the heat transfer via thermal conduction from the one or more heatreflecting layers to the closure element. The heat-insulating material may have thermal conductivity that is lower than the heat-reflecting material and/or the material of the closure element. The one or more heat-insulating layers may have a thickness that is larger than a thickness of the one or more heat-reflecting layers. The heat-insulating material may be made from a plastic material and/or include a structure that reduces heat transfer, e.g. including cavities.

The one or more heat-insulating layers may be provided in absence of the one or more heat-reflecting layers. In this case, the one or more heat-insulating layers may reduce the heat transfer via thermal convection from the consumable cavity to the closure element. Thermal convenction may be provided by heated air in the consumable cavity. The one or more heat-insulating layers may reduce the heating of the closure element by the heated air in the consumable cavity.

In some examples, the closure element comprises a concave recess in an outer surface thereof. Optionally, the recess is arranged adjacent to the consumable cavity when the rotatable element is in the second position. Further optionally, the heat barrier is located in the recess.

The concave recess may increase the distance between the heating element (e.g. a tip thereof) and the outer surface of the closure element in the closed position (in comparision to a situation where the closure element does not include the concave recess). It is commonly known that heat transfer via thermal radiation and thermal convection decreases with increasing distance between the heat source (e.g. the heating element) and the heat sink (e.g. the closure element). Thus, the provision of the concave recess may be an means (in addition to the heat barrier) to reduce the heat transfer from the consumable cavity to the closure element.

The heat barrier (e.g. the one or more layers or the polished surface) may cover the entire surface of the concave recess. In this way, the concave recess increases the distance between the heat barrier and the heat source.

In some examples, the the recess has conical shape, a frusto-conical shape, or a dome-shape. These shapes provide good properties for reflecting the thermal radiation back in to the consumable cavity. However, other shapes of the concave recess are possible.

In some examples, a perimeter of the recess on the outer surface of the closure element is aligned with the opening of the consumable cavity facing the recess in the second position. In this way, the concave recess can cover the opening of the consumable cavity in the second position.

The perimeter of the recess may correspond to that line on the outer surface of the closure element that separates the outer surface of the closure element from the surface of the concave recess. The perimeter may have the same geometrical shape as the opening of the consumable cavity. For example, the perimeter may have the shape of a circle having a diameter that is identical to the diameter of the circular opening of the consumable cavity.

The perimeter of the recess may touch or is very close to the edge of the opening of the consumable cavity. The concave recess may close the consumable cavity in the second position. For example, only a small gap is provided between the perimeter of the recess and the edge of the opening of the consumable cavity in the second position. In other words, only the concave recess faces the consumable cavity and/or is exposed to thermal energy form the consumable cavity in the second position.

In some examples, the heat barrier is located only in the recess. In this way, the heat barrier can be provided on the only area of the closure element that is exposed to thermal energy form the consumable cavity in the second position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating apparatus may further comprise a heating element for heating of a received consumable, and the rotatable element may comprise an elongate recess in the outer surface, and wherein the elongate recess provides clearance for the heating element when rotating the rotatable element between the first position and the second position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the recess may provide heat reflective region and/or may comprise at least one of a heat reflective element, a heat insulating element, a heat reflective material and a heat insulating material, which may be implemented by the one or more layers described abvove.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the elongate recess may be adapted to the physical dimensions and/or the geometrical shape of the heating element in its tip region.

Providing the elongate recess having a clearance for the heating element may allow to manufacture the aerosol generating apparatus in a more compact manner. E.g., the rotatable element may have a cut out passage/clearance on one side of its outer circumference arranged in the interior of the aerosol generating apparatus to receive the tip of a rod heater as the element rotates. The cut out provides clearance of the tip of the rod heater during rotation of the rotatable element, so that the tip of the rod heater does not collide with the rotatable element during rotation. The elongate recess may thus be shaped as a partial surface of a sphere or an ellipse, and may generally act as a reflector.

Additionally or alternatively, the region of the rotatable element adjacent to the heating element when in the second position may comprise a heat reflective or heat insulating element or material to avoid heating of the rotatable element by the heating element, and to prevent damage to the rotatable element and/or the heating element. The heating element may still be comparably hot for some time after consumption of a consumable although not being actively heated.

Still further, additionally or alternatively, a heat reflective or a heat insulating element or material may be provided within the consumable cavity, e.g., outlining the walls of the consumable cavity so that a consumable inserted into the consumable cavity is adjacent to the heat reflective or heat insulating element or material in the consumable cavity with its outer surface. Thereby, thermal energy may be retained within the consumable cavity and heat leakage or heat transfer into the housing of the aerosol generating apparatus may be reduced. Alternatively or additionally, the surface of the rotatable element or the rotatable element itself may comprise or may consist of a heat reflective or a heat insulating element or material.

Alternatively or additionally, an elongate recess adapted to the physical dimensions and/or the geometrical shape of the heating element in its tip region, may avoid a collision of the heating element, in particular its tip and the rotatable element or a closure element in general. E.g., in case the tip of the heating element is cone-shaped, the recess may have an inverse cone shape. Such an adapted shape allows to reduce the distance of the rotatable element or the closure element and the heating element, so that the overall length or size of the aerosol generating apparatus may be reduced or minimized. Such an adapted physical dimensions and/or the geometrical shape may at the same time reduce or minimize the distance of the heating element and the rotatable element or the closure element so that a heat reflective or heat insulating element or material in the region of the recess may provide additional benefits of protecting the rotatable element or the closure element and the heating element.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating apparatus may comprise two springs arranged on opposite sides of the rotatable element.

By providing two springs on opposite sides of the rotatable element, a force acting on the rotatable element by the two springs may provide a more even and uniform force acting on the rotatable element. E.g., the two springs may be two bistable springs that may act on the rotatable element symmetrical to a central plane through the rotatable element which plane is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotatable element. The central plane is thus so arranged to be mirror- symmetrically dividing the rotatable element perpendicular to the rotational axis.

Alternatively, or additionally, the two springs may be to regular springs with each spring being responsible for providing half of the functionality of a single bistable spring. E.g., one spring of the two springs may be providing the spring force for maintaining the rotatable element in one of the first and the second position, while the other spring may be providing the spring force for maintaining the rotatable element in the other one of the first and the second position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, when the rotatable element is arranged in a start position which is either one of the first position and the second position may require application of a progressively increasing force against the bias of the spring to rotate the rotatable element out of the start position for approximately half the angle of rotation between the first position and the second position, and wherein when the rotational position of the rotatable element exceeds approximately the half angle of rotation between the first position and the second position, continued rotation to an end position which is the other of the first position and the second position may be provided by resiling of the spring so that the rotatable element assumes the end position without application of further force. The half angle of rotation between the first position in the second position may also be referred to as the half way point, in particular the halfway point of the rotation between the first position and the second position.

Here, a user trying to rotate the rotatable element between the first and the second positions needs to overcome an initial force provided by the bistable spring holding the rotatable element in place in the respective first or second position. The rotation by the user thus compresses the spring further, which at first counteracts the rotation, while the force required by the user to rotate the rotatable element increases until the bistable spring is in a central region, after a half angle of rotation of the rotation, where the bistable spring is not compressed anymore but extends. From the halfway point onwards, the bistable spring is thus providing a force in the direction of rotation so that the bistable spring facilitates further rotation or even completely provides the force required for further rotation into the other position.

Once the halfway point between the first position and the second position is met, the initial force required to rotate the rotatable element becomes zero or even negative, resulting in an improved user experience. The user begins to turn the rotatable element with increasing force, until the halfway point, e.g., at approximately 45° is reached, whereupon the rotatable element snaps into the other position without requiring additional force provided by the user. Such may provide a tactile feedback to the user, who may thus operate the aerosol generating apparatus, in particular the rotatable element, without visual supervision.

The preceding summary is provided for purposes of summarizing some examples to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the above-described features should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Moreover, the above and/or proceeding examples may be combined in any suitable combination to provide further examples, except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following text and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of examples in reference to the appended drawings in which like numerals denote like elements.

Fig. 1 is a block system diagram showing an example aerosol generating apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a block system diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 , where the aerosol generating apparatus is configured to generate aerosol from a solid precursor. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4A shows a perspective view of a device body of an aerosol generating apparatus with a rotatable closure member of the body in a first position allowing a consumable to be inserted into the body.

Fig. 4B shows the perspective view of Fig. 4A but with the closure member in a second position preventing a consumable from being inserted into the body.

Fig. 5A shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to the perspective view of Fig. 4A.

Fig. 5B shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to the perspective view of Fig. 4B.

Fig. 6A shows a perspective view of a chassis of the device body with the closure member in the first position.

Fig. 6B shows the perspective view of Fig. 6B but with the closure member in the second position.

Fig. 7A shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to the perspective view of Fig. 6A.

Fig. 7B shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to the perspective view of Fig. 6B.

Fig. 8A shows a perspective view of a first side of the closure member.

Fig. 8B shows a different perspective view of the first side of the closure member.

Fig. 8C shows an end view of the closure member.

Fig. 8D shows a plan view of a second side of the closure member.

Fig. 8E shows a plan view of the first side of the closure member.

Fig. 8F shows a cross-sectional view of the closure member on plane A-A.

Fig. 8G shows a partial cross-sectional view of the closure member on plane B-B.

Fig. 9A shows a side view of the top of the device body with its housing removed and the closure member in the first position.

Fig. 9B shows a side view of the top of the device body with its housing removed and the closure member in the second position.

Fig. 10A shows a perspective view of a first side of the chassis.

Fig. 10B shows a longitudinal cross-section of the chassis on the perspective view of Fig. 10A, and reveals the chassis inner surface facing the second side of the closure member. Fig. 10C shows a perspective view of a second side of the chassis.

Fig. 10D shows a longitudinal cross-section of the chassis on the perspective view of Fig. 10C, and reveals the chassis inner surface facing the first side of the closure member.

Fig. 11A shows the plan view of the closure member of Fig. 8D superimposed with dashed lines demarcating quadrants Q1 to Q4.

Fig. 11B shows the plan view of the closure member of Fig. 8E superimposed with dashed lines demarcating the quadrants Q1 to Q4.

Fig. 12A shows perspective views of the first side of the chassis and the first side of the closure member as the closure member is offered for assembly into the chassis.

Fig. 12B shows a longitudinal cross-section of the chassis and the closure member as the closure member is offered for assembly into the chassis.

Fig. 12C is a close up of the part of Fig. 12B enclosed by a dashed rectangle.

Fig. 12D shows the longitudinal cross-section of Fig. 12B after assembly of the chassis and the closure member.

Figs. 13A, 13B and 13C are schematic diagrams showing a part of an example aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

Figs. 14A to 14C are schematic diagrams showing the rotation of an example rotatable element according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 14D is a schematic diagram showing a further example rotatable element according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 14E is a schematic diagram showing an example bistable spring according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Before describing several examples implementing the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited by specific construction details or process steps set forth in the following description and accompanying drawings. Rather, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein could be embodied differently and/or be practiced or carried out in various alternative ways.

Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the presently disclosed inventive concepts) shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, and known techniques and procedures may be performed according to conventional methods well known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references that may be cited and discussed in the present specification.

Any patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications mentioned in the specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

All examples implementing the present disclosure can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While particular examples have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the systems, apparatus, and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the inventive concept(s). All such similar substitutions and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the inventive concept(s) as defined by the appended claims.

The use of the term “a” or “an” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” as well as “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” As such, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the,” as well as all singular terms, include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Likewise, plural terms shall include the singular unless otherwise required by context.

The use of the term “or” in the present disclosure (including the claims) is used to mean an inclusive “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or unless the alternatives are mutually exclusive. For example, a condition “A or B” is satisfied by any of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising, “having,” “including,” or “containing” (and any forms thereof, such as “comprise” and “comprises,” “have” and “has,” “includes” and “include,” or “contains” and “contain,” respectively) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated as incompatible, or the physics or otherwise of the embodiments, examples, or claims prevent such a combination, the features of examples disclosed herein, and of the claims, may be integrated together in any suitable arrangement, especially ones where there is a beneficial effect in doing so. This is not limited to only any specified benefit, and instead may arise from an “ex post facto” benefit. This is to say that the combination of features is not limited by the described forms, particularly the form (e.g. numbering) of example(s), embodiment(s), or dependency of claim(s). Moreover, this also applies to the phrase “in one embodiment,” “according to an embodiment,” and the like, which are merely a stylistic form of wording and are not to be construed as limiting the following features to a separate embodiment to all other instances of the same or similar wording. This is to say, a reference to ‘an,’ ‘one,’ or ‘some’ embodiment(s) may be a reference to any one or more, and/or all embodiments, or combination(s) thereof, disclosed. Also, similarly, the reference to “the” embodiment may not be limited to the immediately preceding embodiment. Further, all references to one or more embodiments or examples are to be construed as non-limiting to the claims.

The present disclosure may be better understood in view of the following explanations, wherein the terms used that are separated by “or” may be used interchangeably:

As used herein, an "aerosol generating apparatus" (or “electronic(e)-cigarette’) may be an apparatus configured to deliver an aerosol to a user for inhalation by the user. The apparatus may additionally/alternatively be referred to as a “smoking substitute apparatus”, if it is intended to be used instead of a conventional combustible smoking article. As used herein a combustible “smoking article” may refer to a cigarette, cigar, pipe or other article, that produces smoke (an aerosol comprising solid particulates and gas) via heating above the thermal decomposition temperature (typically by combustion and/or pyrolysis). An aerosol generated by the apparatus may comprise an aerosol with particle sizes of 0.2 - 7 microns, or less than 10 microns, or less than 7 microns. This particle size may be achieved by control of one or more of: heater temperature; cooling rate as the vapour condenses to an aerosol; flow properties including turbulence and velocity. The generation of aerosol by the aerosol generating apparatus may be controlled by an input device. The input device may be configured to be user-activated, and may for example include or take the form of an actuator (e.g. actuation button) and/or an airflow sensor.

Each occurrence of the aerosol generating apparatus being caused to generate aerosol for a period of time (which may be variable) may be referred to as an “activation” of the aerosol generating apparatus. The aerosol generating apparatus may be arranged to allow an amount of aerosol delivered to a user to be varied per activation (as opposed to delivering a fixed dose of aerosol), e.g. by activating an aerosol generating unit of the apparatus for a variable amount of time, e.g. based on the strength/duration of a draw of a user through a flow path of the apparatus (to replicate an effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article).

The aerosol generating apparatus may be portable. As used herein, the term "portable" may refer to the apparatus being for use when held by a user.

As used herein, an "aerosol" may include a suspension of precursor, including as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. An aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. An aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor.

As used herein, a “precursor” may include one or more of a: liquid; solid; gel; loose leaf material; other substance. The precursor may be processed by an aerosol generating unit of an aerosol generating apparatus to generate an aerosol. The precursor may include one or more of: an active component; a carrier; a flavouring. The active component may include one or more of nicotine; caffeine; a cannabidiol oil; a non-pharmaceutical formulation, e.g. a formulation which is not for treatment of a disease or physiological malfunction of the human body. The active component may be carried by the carrier, which may be a liquid, including propylene glycol and/or glycerine. The term “flavouring” may refer to a component that provides a taste and/or a smell to the user. The flavouring may include one or more of: Ethylvanillin (vanilla); menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil); or other. The precursor may include a substrate, e.g. reconstituted tobacco to carry one or more of the active component; a carrier; a flavouring.

As used herein, a "flow path" may refer to a path or enclosed passageway through an aerosol generating apparatus, e.g. for delivery of an aerosol to a user. The flow path may be arranged to receive aerosol from an aerosol generating unit. When referring to the flow path, upstream and downstream may be defined in respect of a direction of flow in the flow path, e.g. with an outlet being downstream of an inlet.

As used herein, a "delivery system" may be a system operative to deliver an aerosol to a user. The delivery system may include a mouthpiece and a flow path.

As used herein, a "flow" may refer to a flow in a flow path. A flow may include aerosol generated from the precursor. The flow may include air, which may be induced into the flow path via a puff by a user.

As used herein, a “puff” (or "inhale" or “draw”) by a user may refer to expansion of lungs and/or oral cavity of a user to create a pressure reduction that induces flow through the flow path.

As used herein, an "aerosol generating unit" may refer to a device configured to generate an aerosol from a precursor. The aerosol generating unit may include a unit to generate a vapour directly from the precursor (e.g. a heating system or other system) or an aerosol directly from the precursor (e.g. an atomiser including an ultrasonic system, a flow expansion system operative to carry droplets of the precursor in the flow without using electrical energy or other system). A plurality of aerosol generating units to generate a plurality of aerosols (for example, from a plurality of different aerosol precursors) may be present in an aerosol generating apparatus.

As used herein, a “heating system” may refer to an arrangement of at least one heating element, which is operable to aerosolise a precursor once heated. The at least one heating element may be electrically resistive to produce heat from the flow of electrical current therethrough. The at least one heating element may be arranged as a susceptor to produce heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. The heating system may be configured to heat a precursor to below 300 or 350 degrees C, including without combustion.

As used herein, a "consumable" may refer to a unit that includes a precursor. The consumable may include an aerosol generating unit, e.g. it may be arranged as a cartomizer. The consumable may include a mouthpiece. With solid material implementations of the precursor, e.g. tobacco or reconstituted tobacco formulation, the consumable may be referred to as a “stick” or “package” or “heat-not-burn consumable”. In a heat-not-burn consumable, the mouthpiece may be implemented as a filter and the consumable may be arranged to carry the precursor. The consumable may be implemented as a dosage or pre-portioned amount of material, including a loose-leaf product.

As used herein “heat-not-burn” (or “HNB” or “heated precursor”) may refer to the heating of a precursor, typically tobacco, without combustion, or without substantial combustion (i.e. localised combustion may be experienced of limited portions of the precursor, including of less than 5% of the total volume).

Referring to Fig. 1 , an example aerosol generating apparatus 1 includes a power supply 2, for supply of electrical energy. The apparatus 1 includes an aerosol generating unit 4 that is driven by the power supply 2. The power supply 2 may include an electric power supply in the form of a battery and/or an electrical connection to an external power source. The apparatus 1 includes a precursor 6, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit 4 to generate an aerosol. The apparatus 2 includes a delivery system 8 for delivery of the aerosol to a user.

Electrical circuitry (not shown in figure 1) may be implemented to control the interoperability of the power supply 4 and aerosol generating unit 6..

Fig. 2 shows an implementation of the apparatus 1 of Fig. 1 , where the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is configured to generate aerosol by a-heat not-burn process.

In this example, the apparatus 1 includes a device body 50 and a consumable 70.

In this example, the body 50 includes the power supply 4 and a heating system 52. The heating system 54 includes at least one heating element 54. The body may additionally include any one or more of electrical circuitry 56, a memory 58, a wireless interface 60, one or more other components 62.

The electrical circuitry 56 may include a processing resource for controlling one or more operations of the body 50, e.g. based on instructions stored in the memory 58.

The wireless interface 60 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with an external (e.g. mobile) device, e.g. via Bluetooth.

The other component(s) 62 may include an actuator, one or more user interface devices configured to convey information to a user and/or a charging port, for example (see e.g. Fig. 3).

The body 50 is configured to engage with the consumable 70 such that the at least one heating element 54 of the heating system 52 penetrates into the solid precursor 6 of the consumable. In use, a user may activate the aerosol generating apparatus 1 to cause the heating system 52 of the body 50 to cause the at least one heating element 54 to heat the solid precursor 6 of the consumable (without combusting it) by conductive heat transfer, to generate an aerosol which is inhaled by the user. Fig. 3 shows an example implementation of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 of Fig. 2.

As depicted in Fig. 3, the consumable 70 is implemented as a stick, which is engaged with the body 50 by inserting the stick into an aperture at a top end 53 of the body 50, which causes the at least one heating element 54 of the heating system 52 to penetrate into the solid precursor 6.

The consumable 70 includes the solid precursor 6 proximal to the body 50, and a filter distal to the body 50. The filter serves as the mouthpiece of the consumable 70 and thus the apparatus 1 as a whole. The solid precursor 6 may be a reconstituted tobacco formulation or a non-tobacco formulation.

In this example, the at least one heating element 54 is a rod-shaped element with a circular transverse profile. Other heating element shapes are possible, e.g. the at least one heating element may be blade-shaped (with a rectangular transverse profile) or tube-shaped (e.g. with a hollow transverse profile). In other examples, the heater may be provided to heat an outside surface of the consumable (for example a tubular heater that forms one or more walls of the cavity).

In this example, the body 50 includes a cap 51 . In use the cap 51 is engaged at a top end 53 of the body 50. Although not apparent from Fig. 3, the cap 51 is moveable relative to the body 50. In particular, the cap 51 is slidable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the body 50.

The body 50 also includes an actuator 55 on an outer surface of the body 50. In this example, the actuator 55 has the form of a button.

The body 50 also includes a user interface device configured to convey information to a user. Here, the user interface device is implemented as a plurality of lights 57, which may e.g. be configured to illuminate when the apparatus 1 is activated and/or to indicate a charging state of the power supply 4. Other user interface devices are possible, e.g. to convey information haptically or audibly to a user.

The body may also include an airflow sensor which detects airflow in the aerosol generating apparatus 1 (e.g. caused by a user inhaling through the consumable 70). This may be used to count puffs, for example.

In this example, the consumable 70 includes a flow path which transmits aerosol generated by the at least one heating element 54 to the mouthpiece of the consumable.

In this example, the aerosol generating unit 4 is provided by the above-described heating system 52 and the delivery system 8 is provided by the above-described flow path and mouthpiece of the consumable.

Figs. 4A and 4B show perspective views of a device body 50 of an aerosol generating apparatus, which may be implemented in any of the preceding examples, and Figs. 5A and 5B show longitudinal cross-sectional views through the body 50. A housing 100 surrounds the device body 50, a cavity 101 being provided towards the top end 53 of the body 50 for receiving a stick consumable aligned along an axis of the cavity (which is also the long axis of the generally elongate body 50). A heating system 103 in the form of an electrical resistance heater pin extends upwards from the base of the cavity along the cavity axis. Electrical power for the heating element is provided by a battery 104 housed in a bottom section of the body 50.

Above the heating element 103, a closure member 105 is arranged at a mouth of the cavity 101 , the mouth being formed by a window 106 in the housing 100. The closure member 105 is retained in the device body 50 by a chassis 110 contained in the housing. Fig. 6A shows a perspective view of the chassis with the closure member in the first position; Fig. 6B shows the perspective view of Fig. 6B but with the closure member in the second position; Fig. 7A shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to the perspective view of Fig. 6A; and Fig. 7B shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to the perspective view of Fig. 6B. A top part of the chassis 110 retains the closure member 105, while a bottom part of the chassis provides a surrounding wall 111 of the cavity 101.

A bore 107 extends through the closure member 105 from an entry 108 at one side of the member to an exit 109 at an opposite side. To control access of the consumable to the cavity, the closure member is rotatable about a rotation axis (perpendicular to the plane of the cross-section in Figs. 5A and 5B) between: a first position (shown in Figs. 4A and 5A) in which the bore is aligned with the axis of the cavity 101 , the entry 108 to the bore being located within the window 106; and a second position (shown in Figs. 4B and 5B) in which the bore is misaligned by a predetermined angle (which is generally greater than 45°, being 90° in this example) with the axis of the cavity 101 , the entry 108 to and the exit 109 from the bore being covered by the housing. Accordingly, in the first position, a consumable can be inserted through the bore 107, further inserted into the cavity 101 to be pierced by the heating element 103, and then heated to generate an aerosol. In the second position, the closure member 105 blocks the mouth 106 of the cavity and prevents the consumable being received therein when the apparatus is not in use. Moreover, foreign objects which are not intended to be within the cavity 101 can be prevented from entering. Conveniently, the closure member 105 can be rotated by a digit of a user pushing directly across the surface of the closure member accessible through the window 106 to apply a torque to the closure member.

Fig. 8A shows a perspective view of a first side of the closure member 105; Fig. 8B shows a different perspective view of the side of the closure member; Fig. 8C shows an end view of the closure member; Fig. 8D shows a plan view of a second side of the closure member; Fig. 8E shows a plan view of the first side of the closure member; Fig. 8F shows a cross-sectional view of the closure member on plane A-A; and Fig. 8G shows a partial cross-sectional view of the closure member on plane B-B.

Although a number of features, such as the entry 108 to and the exit 109 from the bore 107 prevent the closure member 105 from having perfect rotational symmetry, the member is substantially axisymmetric about the rotation axis R. In particular, a portion of the surface of the closure member 105 extends as an annular belt circumferentially around the closure member, this belt containing the entry 108 and typically also the exit 109. The surface of the closure member 105 in the belt curves convexly in both the circumferential and polar directions to provide a bi-curved surface. To either side of the annular belt the closure member has first and second side surfaces centred on and substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis R. Thus the closure member can be considered as a flattened spheroid, with the rotation axis R extending along the minor axis of the spheroid and the bore 107 extending along a major diameter of the spheroid such that the annular belt extends equatorially around the spheroid.

The bi-curved surface of the annular belt can be both aesthetically pleasing (both visually and tactilely) and an effective surface for manual operation of the closure member 105 by a user. As the closure member 105 is rotated between the first and second positions, progressively different parts of the annular belt are exposed externally through the window 106. On the other hand, the side surfaces, which remain completely covered by the housing 100, provide convenient locations for mounting structures and for mechanisms controlling the rotational movement of the closure member, as discussed in more detail below.

As a result of the bi-curved surface, the perimeter of the entry 108 to the bore 107 does not lie in a flat plane, but rather is curved, as seen best when viewed (Figs. 6D and 6E) along the direction of the rotation axis R. This curved profile can correspond substantially to the curvature of the pad of a human digit (e.g. thumb). As a user’s thumb can thus conform comfortably to the shape of the curved profile, the profile provides a convenient feature by which a user can obtain purchase on the closure member 105 when rotating it from the first to the second position.

The perimeter of the entry 108 to the bore 107 can be chamfered or rounded to improve user interaction with the surface of the closure member 105, and also to guide insertion of a consumable into the bore without catching on the perimeter.

Fig. 9A shows a side view of the top of the device body with its housing removed and the closure member in the first position; and Fig. 9B shows a side view of the top of the device body with its housing removed and the closure member in the second position. Fig. 10A shows a perspective view of a first side of the chassis; Fig. 10B shows a longitudinal cross-section of the chassis on the perspective view of Fig. 10A, and reveals the chassis inner surface facing the second side of the closure member; Fig. 10C shows a perspective view of a second side of the chassis; and Fig. 10D shows a longitudinal cross-section of the chassis on the perspective view of Fig. 10C, and reveals the chassis inner surface facing the first side of the closure member.

To control rotational movement of the closure member 105 between the first and second positions, the device body 50 has a bistability mechanism in form of spring 112 which is configured to operate on the closure member. The first and second positions of the rotatable closure member 105 are defined by hard stops limiting the rotation of the closure member to the predetermined angle, which in this example is 90°. More particularly, a first recess 113 (shown in Fig. 8E) occupies a sector of the first side of the closure member 105. As shown in Figs. 10C and 10D, an inward protrusion 119 from the chassis 110 projects into the recess. This protrusion sweeps through a 90° track in the first recess as the closure member is rotated. The rotation is stopped at one end of the track when the protrusion arrives at and buts against one of the radially extending walls of the first recess 113, and is stopped at the other end when the protrusion arrives at and buts against the other radially extending wall of the first recess.

The spring 112 is located in a second recess 114 (shown in Fig. 8D) formed in the second side of the closure member 105. One end of the spring is fixed to the closure member by a pin 115 inserted into a through hole 116 running between the first and second recess. The other end of the spring is secured to a boss 117 (shown in Figs. 9A, 9B and 10C) formed on the chassis 110.

The spring 112 is maintained under load at both the first and second positions, and as the closure member 105 rotates from the first to the second position (or vice versa) the two ends of the spring are urged closer together to increase the load on the spring, reaching their closest approach at a rotational position intermediate the first and second positions (and typically corresponding to half the full rotation). The spring is thus maximally loaded at the intermediate position. The result is that at all rotational positions from the first position to the intermediate position the closure member is biased towards the first position, and at all rotational positions of the closure member from the second position to the intermediate position the closure member is biased towards the second position.

Thus to rotate the closure member 105 from the first position to the second position, a torque is applied by the user against the bias urging the closure member to the first position until the intermediate position is reached whereupon the opposite bias carries the closure member to the second position. Similarly, to rotate the closure member 105 from the second position to the first position, a torque is applied by the user against the bias urging the closure member to the second position until the intermediate position is reached whereupon the opposite bias carries the closure member to the first position.

Accordingly, if torque is applied to move the closure member 105 to any position between the first and second positions, when that torque is released the closure member will automatically move to the first position and then remain in that position if the release position is between the first position and the intermediate position, but will automatically move to the second position and then remain in that position if the release position is between the second position and the intermediate position.

The spring 112 is permanently loaded to provide a bias at all rotational positions, and usefully this loading also helps to prevent rattling. Thus the spring provides a quiet, heat resistant, and reliable bistability mechanism. The rotation axis R of the closure member 105 extends perpendicularly to the axis of the cavity 101. Thus, as the closure member is rotated about the rotation axis between the first position and the second position, a top surface of the closure member lying within its annular belt is exposed externally of the apparatus at the window 106 forming the mouth of the cavity. In this way, a portion of the surface of the closure member forming the externally exposed top surface in the first position contains the entry 108 to the bore 107. Indeed, as shown in Figs. 4A and 5A, the entry is preferably centred on the longitudinal axis of the device body 50. In contrast, as shown in Figs. 4B and 5B, the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the externally exposed top surface in the second position contains no part of the entry to the bore, but rather is smoothly and continuously curved in all directions. Thus the surfaces of the closure member externally exposed to the user of the apparatus in the first and second positions of the closure member are visually and functionally distinct.

In a similar fashion, a bottom surface of the closure member 105 is internally exposed to the cavity 101 at the underside of the closure member. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 5A and 7A, the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the internally exposed bottom surface in the first position contains the exit 109 from the bore 107, whereas, as shown in Figs. 5B and 7B, the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the internally exposed bottom surface in the second position contains no part of the exit. Instead, as shown for example in Figs. 7B and 8B, it can contain a heat shield which lines the surface of a conical depression 118 formed in the annular belt of the closure member. This heat shield, which may have a reflective surface, helps to reduce transfer of waste heat from the heating element 103 to the closure member after an activation of the apparatus. Thus movement between the first and second positions, exposes a pair of functionally distinct portions of the surface of the closure member to the cavity. Combined with the pair of portions externally exposed at the top surface, it is then possible to define four functionally distinct and contiguous sectors, or quadrants Q1-Q4, of the surface of the closure member, as shown in Figs. 11 A and 11 B which show respectively the plan views of the closure member Figs. 8D and 8E superimposed with dashed lines demarcating the following quadrants: Q1 = bore entry, Q2 = cover, Q3 = bore exit and Q4 = heat shield.

As previously discussed, the closure member 105 is rotatable back and forth by a predetermined angle of 90°, but it does not rotate beyond that. As a result, the two top quadrants are selectively exposed through the window 106 by rotating the closure member, but the two bottom quadrants remain concealed. Thus the heat shield formed at the conical depression 118 can be kept clean, and degradation of heat shield performance as a result of exposure/handling can be prevented.

As discussed above, the portion of the surface of the closure member 105 forming the externally exposed top surface in the second position is smoothly and continuously curved in all directions. It therefore contains no part of the entry 108 to the bore 107, but also it contains no part of the exit 109 from the bore 107. That is, the entry and the exit are both completely covered by the housing 100 when the closure member is in the second position. This is both visually and tactilely pleasing, and functions to prevent foreign objects from entering the bore. Enough of the circumference of the closure member 105 is exposed through the window 106 in each of the first and second positions to allow a user to easily rotate the closure member from that position to at least the intermediate position, whereupon the bistability mechanism flips the closure member automatically to the other of the first and second positions.

The closure member 105 is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 100 Wrrr¹K’¹, and preferably at least 200 Wrrr¹K^-1. For example, the closure member may be formed of aluminium alloy, such as Al 6063 which has a thermal conductivity of about 210 Wm^-1K’¹. The thermal conductivity may be measured according to ISO 8302.

The closure member 105 is located above the cavity 101 and the heating element 103 at the mouth of the cavity. In this position it absorbs waste heat leaking from the cavity and not contributing to aerosol generation. Typically, the chassis 110 which defines the cavity 101 is largely or entirely metal-free and configured to provide heat insulation so that consumable heating is efficiently performed. Surprisingly, despite the relatively high thermal conductivity of the closure member 105 and its position above the cavity 101 , it has been found not to reduce significantly the heating efficiency of the consumable. Moreover, and advantageously, the thermally conductive closure member 105 has been found to cool the generated aerosol and reduce temperature variation within it. Effectively, the thermal conductivity of the closure member 105, combined with its heat capacity, allows it to act as an effective heatsink “damper”, producing a consistent user thermal experience over successive apparatus activations. Also, after an activation, the relatively high thermal conductivity rapidly reduces the surface temperature of the closure member, allowing the apparatus to be safely pocketed by the user.

As shown in Figs. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D the closure member 105 has a pair of axle projections 120 on opposite sides of the closure member centred on the rotation axis R. These projections are received in respective holes 121 (see Figs. 10A to 10D) provided by walls 122 of the chassis 110, to provide a secure mounting structure in which the axle projections and holes form a pair of journal bearings allowing the closure member to rotate between the first and second positions.

The walls 122 are resiliently deformable, and each wall has a ramp surface 123 provided at its top edge. These properties allow the closure member 105 and the chassis 110 to be joined together via a quick and secure snap fit assembly operation. Fig. 12A shows perspective views of the first side of the chassis and the first side of the closure member as the closure member is offered for assembly into the chassis; Fig. 12B shows a longitudinal cross-section of the chassis and the closure member as the closure member is offered for assembly into the chassis; Fig. 12C is a close up of the part of Fig. 12B enclosed by a dashed rectangle; and Fig. 12D shows the longitudinal cross-section of Fig. 12B after assembly of the chassis and the closure member.

As shown in Figs. 12A and 12B, as the closure member 105 is lowered into the chassis 110, the axle projections 120 line up with the ramp surfaces 123 formed at the top (leading) edges of the walls 122. As best shown in Fig. 12C, the ramp surfaces are angled into the centre of the cavity so that, when the axle projections push down on them, they are forced apart, translating the downwards motion of the closure member into a flexing apart of the walls 122. Leaving the ramp surfaces behind them, the axle projections then continue downwards, sliding and pressing against the walls 122, until they arrive at the holes 121 , whereupon the walls 122 snap back to their unflexed shape, with the axle projections 120 received in the holes (Figs. 6A and 12D). The closure member 105 is thus securely and rotatably retained in the chassis 110, with the walls 122 limiting any sideways translational motion of the closure member in the direction of the rotation axis R.

Figures 13A, 13B and 13C are schematic diagrams showing a part of a further example aerosol generating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

Figure 13A shows the top end 53 of a housing 204 of an exemplary embodiment of an aerosol generating apparatus 1 . At the top end 53, a closure element 200, e.g., a rotatable element 200 is arranged at, comprising an opening/passage 202. The opening/passage 202 is arranged for receiving a consumable 70, not depicted in figure 13A. The diameter of the opening/passage 202 is adapted to the size of a consumable 70, to facilitate insertion of the consumable 70 into the interior of the rotatable element 200. At the same time, the diameter of the opening/passage 202 and the diameter of the consumable 70 are chosen so that the consumable 70 with its outer surface and the opening/passage 202 with its inner surface are in contact with one another to facilitate heat transfer between the consumable 70 and the opening/passage 202, in particular heat transfer from the consumable 70 to the material of the opening/passage 202.

Figure 13B shows a cross section through the similar part of the aerosol generating apparatus as depicted in figure 13A. The rotatable element 200 comprises opening/passage 202 which in the depicted position where the longitudinal extension of the opening/passage 202 is parallel to the longitudinal extension of an exemplary heating element 54, and the longitudinal extension of the housing 204 in general, is positioned so to receive a consumable 70 and facilitating insertion of the consumable 70 through the opening/passage 202 into the consumable cavity 206. When a consumable 70 is inserted through the opening/passage 202 into the consumable cavity 206, the heating element 54 will penetrate into the interior of the consumable 70 so that in the inserted condition, the heating element 54 will be arranged within the consumable 70 and in close contact with the consumable material. In this situation, where the consumable 70 is inserted through the opening/passage 202 into the consumable cavity 206 and onto the heating element 54, the aerosol generating apparatus 1 allows the generation of aerosol to be inhaled by a user through the consumable 70 by heating the consumable material with a heating element 54.

With a consumable being in good thermal contact with the rotatable element 200, the consumable 70 and in particular generated aerosol traveling within the consumable may be cooled. In order to provide cooling, the rotatable element 200 may comprise a material with a high thermal conductivity like a metal, e.g., steel, stainless steel, copper or aluminium. The thermal capacity of the rotatable element 200 may be sufficient to cool a single consumable during the consumption of the consumable. This may result in the user being required to wait a certain amount of time after consuming a consumable to allow cooling, i.e., dissipating heat, from the rotatable element 200, before consuming a further consumable. Of course, a user may choose to still consume a further consumable but may then not enjoy the cooling function of the rotatable element 200. Additionally, or alternatively, the rotatable element 200 may be in thermal contact with the surroundings and/or the housing 204 of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 to dissipate thermal energy from the rotatable element 200 received from the consumable during consumption.

Figure 13B shows an optional chamfered or filleted edge 220 at the side of the rotatable element 200 pointing to the outside of the housing 204 to facilitate insertion of a consumable 70. Likewise, the opening of the consumable cavity 206 in the direction of the rotatable element 200 may comprise an optional chamfered or filleted edge 220, to facilitate receiving a consumable 70 within the consumable cavity 206 in the process of moving the consumable 70 through the opening/passage 202 of rotatable element 200 towards the interior of the housing 204 and thus towards the heating element 54.

Figure 13C essentially corresponds to the aerosol generating apparatus 1 as shown and explained in relation to figure 13B, however, while the rotatable element 200 is in the first position in figure 13B, the rotatable element 200 in figure 13C is in the second position. Here, the passage 202 is not parallel to the consumable cavity 206 anymore, but essentially perpendicular. While a consumable may thus not be inserted into the consumable cavity 206 anymore, the consumable cavity 206 and the passage 202 are closed relative to the outside of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 . Thereby, the consumable cavity 206 and the passage 202 may be protected from outside material, like dirt or debris, entering the aerosol generating apparatus 1 unintentionally.

Figures 14A to 14C are schematic diagrams showing the rotation of an example rotatable element 200 according to the present disclosure.

Figure 14A to 14C show the rotatable element 200 in three distinct positions together with the arrangement of the bistable spring throughout the rotation of the rotatable element 200 between an exemplary fully closed, second, position and a fully opened, first, position. The fully closed second position is depicted in figure 14A, while the fully opened first position is depicted in figure 14C. Figure 14B shows an intermediate position, which may be the halfway position or halfway point between the fully opened and the fully closed position, where the bistable spring is at the turning point of force support between the fully closed position and the fully open position.

In figure 14A, the rotatable element 200 is in the fully closed position where the opening/passage 202 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the housing and in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the consumable cavity 206 and the heating element 54 arranged within the consumable cavity 206. Thereby, foreign objects from the exterior of the aerosol generating apparatus 1 are unable to enter the opening/passage 202 and thus also the consumable cavity 206. In the fully closed position according to figure 14A, also the opening/passage 202 is fully arranged within the housing 204 of the aerosol generating apparatus, thereby avoiding entering of foreign objects into the opening/passage 202. The feature of the opening/passage 202 being arranged within the housing 204 as depicted in figure 14A, is a feature independent of the remaining features depicted in figure 14A and may be implemented in a variety of different embodiments of the aerosol generating apparatus.

In case the opening/passage 202 would not be completely closed off in the closed state, foreign objects would be able to still enter the opening/passage 202 and would be able to move from the interior of the opening/passage 202 to the consumable cavity 206 when a user would rotate the rotatable element 200 from the fully closed position to and more open position, e.g., as depicted in figure 14B or 14C.

Figure 14A depicts an exemplary housing section 222 of the housing 204, where the bistable spring 208 connects the housing 204 with the rotatable element 200. The housing section 222 comprises an attachment element 210b, to which the bistable spring 208 is attached to. In particular, the bistable spring 208 is exemplarily connected in a rotatable manner to the attachment element 210b. Put another way, with the movement of the rotatable element 200 between the fully opened and the fully closed position and an associated movement of the bistable spring, the attachment of the bistable spring 208 at the attachment element 210b may rotate so to allow a movement of the bistable spring. The rotatable element 200 comprises a rotation axis 212 which is exemplarily accommodated by housing section 222 as well. However, it is conceivable that the rotation axis 212 is accommodated by a different part of the housing 204.

Likewise, the rotatable element 200 comprises an attachment element 210a to where the bistable spring 208 is connected to as well. Thereby, the rotatable element 200 and the housing 204, here exemplarily via the housing section 222 are connected by the rotatable spring 208. When moving the rotatable element 200 between the fully closed and the fully open position, the bistable spring is first compressed, thereby providing a force counteracting the rotation until a certain midway point, where the bistable spring reverses and starts to extend, thereby providing a force in the direction of the rotation. In other words, when transitioning between the fully closed position and the fully opened position, at first, the bistable spring is opposing an external force provided by a user trying to rotate the rotatable element 200 until the midway point, from where the bistable spring is supporting the rotation of the user. The midway point coincides with the bistable spring being compressed in the first part of the movement from a fully closed position and a fully open position as a start position of the rotation, to the respective other position to being expanded from the midway point to the end position of the rotation.

The housing section 222 exemplarily comprises an opening 224, where the attachment element 210a of the rotatable element 200 travels in. The housing section may be arranged so that in a respective end position, i.e. , one of the fully closed position of the fully open position, the attachment element 210a rests against the housing section 222. At the same time, the bistable spring provides a force trying to move the rotatable element 200 even further in a certain rotational direction by trying to expand itself, thereby pushing the attachment element 210a against a boundary of the opening 224 of the housing section 222. Thereby, the bistable spring holds the rotatable element 200 in place in the fully opened and the fully closed position by forcing the attachment element 210a to rest against the material of the opening 224 of the housing section 222. As mentioned before, the housing section 222 may be a separate element or may be part of the housing 204. Likewise, the opening 224 may be arranged within the housing 204 itself and may not require a separate housing section 222.

Figure 14B shows the midway point of the rotation of the rotatable element 200 between a fully closed position as depicted in figure 14A and a fully opened position as depicted in figure 14C. The midway point here exemplarily coincides with the point in the rotation of the rotatable element 200 where the attachment elements 210a,b are closest to one another, i.e., have the minimum distance during the rotation. This results in the bistable spring being maximally compressed, while being extended by rotation from the midway point to either the fully opened or the fully closed position.

Effectively, at the midway point in this exemplary embodiment, both the attachment elements 200a, b and the rotation axis 212 are on a single line. Since this position of the bistable spring in figure 14B is an instable minimum distance/maximum force point, the bistable spring is unable to hold the rotatable element 200 in place in the midway point. Rather, any minimal movement out of the midway point allows the bistable spring to exert a force on the rotatable element 200, thus moving the rotatable element 200 in the respective direction to assume the fully opened or fully closed position. This behaviour assures that once a user opens or closes the aerosol generating apparatus by moving the rotatable element 200 into the fully opened or fully closed position, the bistable spring provides a force to keep the rotatable element 200 in the respective position.

In figure 14C, the rotatable element 200 has assumed the fully opened position, where the opening/passage 202 is open and accessible from the exterior of the housing 204 and likewise the consumable cavity 206 is accessible through the opening/passage 202. The attachment element 210a of the rotatable element 200 rests against the other side of the opening 224 and maintains the position of the rotatable element 200 in the fully open position by exerting a force on the attachment element 210a, thereby pressing the attachment element 210a against the material of the housing section 222. In the position shown in figure 14C, a user may thus insert a consumable 70 into the opening/passage 202 for consumption. After consumption, the user would remove the consumable 70 from the consumable cavity 206 and the opening/passage 202 and subsequently would rotate the rotatable element 200 from the fully open position depicted in figure 14C through the midway point depicted in figure 14B to the fully closed position depicted in figure 14A.

Figure 14D is a schematic diagram showing a further example rotatable element 200 according to the present disclosure. In figure 14D, the rotatable element 200 is shown on its own. Attachment point 210a and rotation axis 212 is shown, with the bistable spring 208 being a depicted only schematically. In addition to the opening/passage 202, the rotatable element 200 comprises a concave recess 214 in an outer surface of the rotatable element 200. The recess 214 in figure 14D is exemplarily depicted as a part of a sphere. The recess 214 may thus be dome-shaped. The recess 214 is provided in the outer surface of the rotatable element 200 so that the distance between the rotable element 200 and the tip of the heating element 54 is increased in the second position compared to a situation where the recess 214 would not be provided or an orientation of the rotatable element 200 between the first and second positions (i.e. when the tip of the heating element 54 does not face the recess 214).

The recess 214 has a perimeter 214a that is ciruclar having a diameter identical to the diameter of the opening of the consumable cavity 206. Thus, in the second position, the recess 214 effectively closes the consumable cavity 206. A surface of the concaved recess 214 may be the only area of the rotable element 200 that faces the consumable cavity 206 in the second position and, therefore, may be exposed to thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity 206.

The recess 214 may include a heat barrier 218 which may include one or more layers covering the surface of the recess 214. The one or more layers can include a material configured to reflect thermal radiation so that thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity 206 is reflected back into the consumable cavity 206. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more layer include a material made from a heat-insulating material for thermally insulating the closure element 200 from thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity 206.

In an alterantive embodiment, the heat barrier 218 is provided by polishing the surface of the recess 214 for increasing the ratio of reflected thermal radiation compared to absorbed thermal radiation. All these embodiments may contribute to the reduction of the heat transfer from the consumable cavity 206 to the rotatable element 200 via thermal conduction, thermal convection, and/or thermal radiation.

Alternatively (not shown in the figures), the recess 214 may be embodied as elongate clearance such as a passage or groove, e.g., running along a part of the surface of the rotatable element 200 in the region of the rotatable element 200 that is in the vicinity of the heating element 54, e.g., its tip, when being rotated between the fully opened and the fully closed position. Such an elongate recess/clearance 214 may allow to move the rotatable element 200 closer to the heating element 54, thereby potentially reducing the required size of the aerosol generating apparatus 1. In one exemplary embodiment, not depicted in figure 14D, the recess/clearance 214 is a passage adapted to the dimensions of the heating element 54 in its tip region and running from that side of the opening of passage 202 that is arranged in the interior of the housing when the rotatable element 200 is in the fully opened position to approximately the half way point between the two openings of passage 202. This allows an easy transition of the heating element 54 within the recess/clearance 214 when moving the rotatable element 200 between the fully opened and fully closed position. Additionally, the recess/clearance 214, regardless of a specific form or shape, may comprise at least one of a heat reflective element, a heat insulating element, a heat reflective material and a heat insulating material in the region of the recess/clearance 214. Thereby, it may be possible that the aerosol generating apparatuses 1 is closed shortly/immediately after consumption of a consumable, i.e., the rotatable element 200 is moved from the fully open to the fully closed position, while the heating element 54 may be still comparably hot. Thereby, damage to the rotatable element 200 may be avoided in case the heating element 54 would still maintain a sufficiently high temperature that would potentially alter, e.g., melt or burn or otherwise damage the material of the rotatable element 200. In case of a spherical or parabolic shape of the recess/clearance 214, the specific geometric shape of the recess/clearance 214 may be at a particular distance from the heating element 54, e.g., its tip. For example, the distance and may be such that a part of the heating element 54 is equidistant from the surface of the recess/clearance 214, thereby avoiding a particular region of the recess/clearance 214 being heated differently, e.g., higher, then another region of the recess/clearance 214. The spherical or parabolic shape of the recess/clearance 214 may embody a heat reflector.

Figure 14E is a schematic diagram showing an example bistable spring according to the present disclosure.

Figure 14E shows an exemplary embodiment of a bistable spring 208. The bistable spring comprises a central part 208a, which is providing the spring functionality of the bistable spring, as well as two end sections where the attachment points 216 are arranged at. The attachment points 216 are exemplarily embodied as a loop made of the same spring material, which can be attached to the attachment elements 210a,b at the housing 204/housing section 222 and the rotatable element 200 respectively. The attachment points have a general circular shape to that they may be fitted over similarly sized circular attachment elements 210a,b and be rotated about the attachment elements 210a, b.

The bistable spring 208 may be made of spring wire or music wire and may be preformed on a wire bending machine. The bistable spring 208 may use the same material throughout the complete spring element, including the central part 208a and the attachment points 216. The spring material may e.g. be wire with a thickness of between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm, in particular between 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm, further in particular 0.35 mm. The central part 208a may consist of a defined number of windings of the spring material, e.g., two, three, four or five windings of spring material. Clauses

In the following numbered “clauses” are set out statements of broad combinations of novel and inventive features of the present invention herein disclosed.

1 . An aerosol generating apparatus, comprising a consumable cavity (106) comprising an opening for receiving a consumable (70) for heating the consumable (70) in the consumable cavity (106), and a closure element (100) for selectively opening and closing access to the consumable cavity (106), wherein the closure element (100) is arranged to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, access to the consumable cavity (106) is provided, to allow insertion of a consumable (70) into the consumable cavity (106), wherein in the second position, access to the consumable cavity (106) is obstructed by the closure element (100) to block access to the consumable cavity (106), wherein the closure element (100) further comprises a heat barrier (118), wherein the heat barrier (118), when the closure element (100) is in the second position, is arranged adjacent to the opening of the consumable cavity (106) and is configured to reduce a heat transfer of thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity (106) to the closure element (100) .

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to clause 1 , wherein moving the closure element (100) between the first position and the second position comprises one of a swivelling motion, a transposition, and a rotation.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein moving the closure element (100) into the second position is inhibited when a consumable (70) is present in the consumable cavity (106), and/or wherein the closure element (100) is rotatable by approximately 90° between the first position and the second position.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the closure element (100) is held in either the first position or the second position by a spring (108) arranged between the closure element (100) and a structural element of the aerosol generating apparatus (1), and wherein the spring (108) is arranged to bias the closure element (100) towards either the first position or the second position. 5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the heat barrier (118) includes at least one layer on an outer surface of the closure element (100).

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to clause 5, wherein the at least one layer includes a material configured to reflect thermal radiation so that thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity (106) is reflected by the at least one layer.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the clauses 1 to 4, wherein the heat barrier (118) is an area of an outer surface of the closure element (100) that is polished so that thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity (106) is reflected by the heat barrier (118).

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to clause 5 or 6, wherein the at least one layer includes a material made from a heat-insulating material for thermally insulating the closure element (100) from thermal energy originating from the consumable cavity (106).

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the closure element (100) comprises a concave recess (114) in an outer surface thereof, wherein the recess (114) is arranged adjacent to the consumable cavity (106) when the rotatable element (100) is in the second position, and wherein the heat barrier (118) is located in the recess (114).

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to clause 9, wherein the recess (114) has conical shape, a frusto-conical shape, or a dome-shape.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus according to clause 9 or 10, wherein a perimeter (114a) of the recess (114) on the outer surface of the closure element (100) is aligned with the opening of the consumable cavity (106) facing the recess (114) in the second position.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the clauses 9 to 11 , wherein the heat barrier (118) is located only in the recess (114).

13. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the closure element (100) is a rotatable element (100), rotatable between the first position and the second position, and comprising a passage (102) for insertion of a consumable (70).

14. The aerosol generating apparatus according to the preceding clause, wherein the passage (102) extends through the rotatable element (100), and/or wherein the passage (102) has a diameter that is adapted to the diameter of a consumable so that the inner surface of the passage (102) is in surface contact with the outer surface of the consumable (70).

15. The aerosol generating apparatus according to clause 13 and 14, wherein the rotatable element (100) is made of a material arranged for transferring thermal energy away from the consumable (70), and/or wherein the rotatable element (100) is made of a material out of the group consisting of metal, steel, stainless steel, copper and aluminium.

Claims

1 . An aerosol generating apparatus, comprising: a cavity (101) arranged within the apparatus for receiving a consumable aligned along an axis of the cavity, an aerosol generating unit within the cavity configured to generate an aerosol from the consumable when axially received in the cavity, and a rotatable closure member (105) arranged at a mouth (106) of the cavity to control access of the consumable to the cavity; wherein the closure member: has a bore (107) extending from an entry (108) at one side of the closure member to an exit (109) at an opposite side of the closure member, and is rotatable about a rotation axis (R) between a first position in which the bore is aligned with the axis of the cavity such that a consumable inserted through the bore is further insertable into the cavity for axial reception therein, and a second position in which the bore is misaligned with the axis of the cavity such that the closure member blocks the mouth of the cavity and prevents reception of a consumable therein.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the closure member (105) is substantially axisymmetric about the rotation axis (R), a portion of the surface of the closure member extending as an annular belt circumferentially around the closure member, with to either side of the annular belt the closure member having side surfaces centred on and substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, wherein the annular belt contains the entry (108) to the bore (107), and the surface of the closure member in the annular belt curves convexly in both the circumferential and polar directions of the closure member.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a housing (100), the cavity (101) and the closure member (105) being provided inside the housing and the mouth of the cavity being formed by a window (106) in the housing, wherein: in the first position, the entry (108) to the bore (107) is located within the window and, in the second position, either or both of the entry to and the exit (109) from the bore is/are at least partially covered by the housing, and as the closure member is rotated between the first and second positions, progressively different parts of the annular belt are exposed externally through the window, while the side surfaces of the closure member remain completely covered by the housing.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the perimeter of the entry (108) to the bore (107) is chamfered or rounded.

5. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the previous claims further comprising a bistability mechanism which is configured to operate on the closure member (105) such that at all rotational positions of the closure member from the first position to a position intermediate the first and second positions the closure member is biased towards the first position, and at all rotational positions of the closure member from the second position to the intermediate position the closure member is biased towards the second position; whereby, to rotate the closure member from a starting one of the first and second positions to a destination one of the other of the first and second positions, a torque is applied against the respective bias urging the closure member to the start position until the intermediate position is reached whereupon the opposite bias carries the closure member to the destination position.

6. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the bistability mechanism is a spring.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, as dependent on claim 2, wherein the bistability mechanism is mounted to one of the side surfaces.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7 further comprising a stop mechanism which limits rotational movement of the closure member to rotation between the first and second positions.

9. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein: the rotation axis (R) extends perpendicularly to the axis of the cavity (101), and the closure member (105) is configured to be rotated by a predetermined angle about the rotation axis to rotate between the first position and the second position, and a top surface of the closure member is exposed externally of the apparatus at the mouth (106) of the cavity; wherein the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the externally exposed top surface in the first position contains the entry (108) to the bore (107), and the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the externally exposed top surface in the second position contains no part of the entry to the bore.

10. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined angle is greater than 45° and/or up to 90°.

11. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the externally exposed top surface in the second position is smoothly and continuously curved in all directions.

12. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein a bottom surface of the closure member (105) is internally exposed to the cavity (101) at the underside of the closure member; wherein the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the internally exposed bottom surface in the first position contains the exit (109) from the bore (107), and the portion of the surface of the closure member forming the internally exposed bottom surface in the second position contains no part of the exit from the bore.

13. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the previous claims further comprising a housing (100), the cavity (101) and the closure member (105) being provided inside the housing and the mouth of the cavity being formed by a window (106) in the housing; wherein the entry (108) and the exit (109) are both completely covered by the housing (100) when the closure member is in the second position.

14. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the aerosol generating unit is a heating system (103) and the closure member (105) is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 100 Wm^-1K’¹.

15. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a chassis (110) that defines the cavity (101) and that retains the closure member (105) at a predetermined location in the apparatus such that the closure member is positioned at the mouth (106) of the cavity (101) with the closure member rotatable between the first position and the second position; wherein the thermal conductivity of the material forming the closure member is at least 100 times higher than the thermal conductivity of the material forming the chassis.

16. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of the previous claims further comprising a chassis (110) that retains the closure member (105) at a predetermined location in the apparatus such that the closure member is positioned at the mouth (106) of the cavity with the closure member rotatable between the first position and the second position; wherein the closure member and the chassis are configured such that, to assemble the apparatus, the closure member is slid into the chassis to arrive at the predetermined location, the closure member and the chassis cooperating to produce a snap fit on arrival of the closure member that retains the closure member at the predetermined location.

17. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the closure member (105) has a pair of axle projections (120) on opposite sides of the closure member and centred on the rotation axis (R), the axle projections being received in respective holes (121) provided by the chassis (110) on opposite sides of the closure member to form a pair of journal bearings such that the closure member is rotatable between the first position and the second position.

18. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the holes (121) are formed in respective walls (122) of the chassis (110), the walls being resiliently flexible to provide the snap fit on arrival of the axle projections in the holes when the closure member (105) is slid into the chassis (110) on assembly.

19. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 18, wherein each wall (122) has an angled ramp surface (123) at a leading edge of the wall which makes first contact with the respective axle projection (120) as the closure member (105) is slid into the chassis (110) on assembly, wherein the axle projections press against the ramp surfaces as the closure member is further slid into the chassis to gradually flex the walls apart.

20. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 19 as dependent on claim 2, wherein each axle projection (120) is provided by a respective one of the side surfaces of the closure member (105).