device and method of heating without burning

专利摘要:
A device for converting a consumable into a high heat aerosol without burning the consumable by packaging the consumable containing an internal susceptor within a wrapper having a plurality of holes with an induction heating element wrapped around the consumable packaging to heat the susceptor using a magnetic field generated by the induction heating element. Combustion of the packaging containing consumables is minimized by limiting air within the packaging containing consumables by coating the wrapping material that melts at high temperatures. The coating can also include a flavoring. The efficiency of the device can be improved with a self-resonating oscillator, moving coils, multiple pin susceptors, sensors, heat dissipation, air flow control, alignment mechanisms and the like.
公开号:BR112020013602A2
申请号:R112020013602-6
申请日:2019-01-03
公开日:2021-02-17
发明作者:Alexander ChinHak Chong；William Bartkowski；David Crosby；David Wayne
申请人:Cqens Technologies Inc.；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

[001] [001] The present invention relates to devices used as alternatives to conventional tobacco products, such as electronic cigarettes, vaporization systems and, in particular, devices for heating without burning. BACKGROUND
[002] [002] Non-burning (HNB) devices heat tobacco to temperatures below those that cause combustion to create an inhalable aerosol containing nicotine and other constituents of tobacco, which is then made available to the user of the device. Unlike traditional cigarettes, the goal is not to burn tobacco, but to heat it up enough to release nicotine and other constituents through aerosol production. Lighting and burning the cigarette creates unwanted toxins that can be avoided using the HNB device. However, there is a good balance between providing sufficient heat to effectively release the tobacco constituents in the form of an aerosol and not burning or lighting the tobacco. Current HNB devices have not found this balance, either by heating the tobacco to temperatures that produce an inadequate amount of aerosol or by overheating the tobacco and producing an unpleasant or "burnt" flavor profile. In addition, the current methodology leaves the internal components of the traditional HNB device soiled with by-products of tobacco burning and by-products of accidental combustion.
[003] [003] For the above reasons, an aerosol-producing device is needed that provides the user with the ability to control the power of the device, which will affect the temperature at which the tobacco will be heated by the inductive method to reduce the risk of combustion - even at temperatures that would be enough to ignite - while increasing the efficiency and flavor profile of the aerosol produced. SUMMARY
[004] [004] The present invention is directed to a system and method by which a consumable tobacco component is rapidly and incrementally heated by induction, in order to produce an aerosol that contains some of its constituents, but not with the by-products most often associated with combustion, for example, smoke, ash, tar and other potentially hazardous chemicals. This invention involves the positioning and progressive advancement of heat along a consumable tobacco component with the use of an induction heating element that provides an alternating electromagnetic field around the component.
[005] [005] An object of the present invention is a device in which an induction heating source is provided for use in heating a consumable tobacco component.
[006] [006] Another objective of the present invention is a consumable tobacco component composed of several coated, sealed, individual, airtight wrappers containing a consumable tobacco preparation - and an induction heating source. The housing can be an aluminum shell with predefined openings. The wrappers can be coated with a gel that seals the openings until an inductive heating process melts the gel, cleaning the openings. In some embodiments, the gel may include a flavoring agent that can add flavor or improve the aroma of the tobacco aerosol.
[007] [007] In some embodiments, several wrappings are stacked inside a paper tube with spaces between them, formed by the excess aluminum packaging at the bottom end of each wrapper and channels on both sides to allow the aerosol produced. When the inductive heating source is activated, the predefined openings are cleared, and the aroma is combined with the aerosol to travel through the tube and be made available to the device user.
[008] [008] Using these methods and devices, the device needs to heat less mass, it can heat immediately, cool quickly and save energy, allowing greater use between recharging sessions. This contrasts with today's well-known commercially available devices for heating without burning.
[009] [009] Another objective of the present invention is a consumable component containing tobacco, composed of several coated, sealed, individual, airtight shells, and an induction heating source. The wrappers are then coated with a gel that seals them until an inductive heating process can melt the gel, cleaning the openings. In some embodiments, the gel may include a flavoring agent that can add flavor or enhance the flavor of the consumable tobacco component.
[0010] [0010] Another objective of the present invention is to create a packaging containing consumables that is easy to replace and minimizes the encrustation of the interior of the case during use, in order to reduce the cleaning efforts of the case.
[0011] [0011] Another objective of the present invention is to move the heating element in relation to the susceptor or the consumable to segments of the consumable heat independently of other segments.
[0012] [0012] Another objective of the invention is to maximize the efficiency of energy use in the device to generate aerosol.
[0013] [0013] Another objective of the invention is to control the heat of the heating element to maximize the longevity of the device.
[0014] [0014] Another objective is to create the ability to change the air flow through the device to change the aroma or dosage of a consumable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] [0015] Figure 1 shows a side view within an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] [0016] Figure 2A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with portions removed to show the interior of the embodiment.
[0017] [0017] Figure 2B shows a perspective view of the modality shown in Figure 2A with portions cut and / or removed to reveal internal components.
[0018] [0018] Figure 2C shows a cross-sectional view of the modality shown in Figure 2A cut along line 2C-2C.
[0019] [0019] Figure 2D shows an exploded view of the modality shown in Figure 2A.
[0020] [0020] Figure 2E shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention with portions cut and / or removed to reveal internal components.
[0021] [0021] Figure 3A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] [0022] Figure 3B shows a partially exploded view of the modality shown in Figure 3A.
[0023] [0023] Figure 3C shows a perspective view of the modality shown in Figure 3A with portions cut and / or removed to reveal internal components.
[0024] [0024] Figure 3D shows an enlarged perspective view of a unit containing consumables shown in Figure 3A.
[0025] [0025] Figures 4A and 4B show an exploded view of the modalities of a unit containing consumables.
[0026] [0026] Figure 5A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] [0027] Figure 5B shows a cross-sectional view of the modality shown in Figure 5A taken along line 5B-5B.
[0028] [0028] Figure 5C shows a perspective view of a package containing consumables from the modality shown in Figure 5A.
[0029] [0029] Figure 6A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] [0030] Figure 6B shows an exploded view of the modality shown in Figure 6A.
[0031] [0031] Figures 7A and 7B show perspective views of other embodiments of the present invention.
[0032] [0032] Figure 8A shows a side view of an embodiment of the heating element.
[0033] [0033] Figure 8B shows a front view of the heating element shown in Figure 7A.
[0034] [0034] Figure 7C shows another embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] [0035] Figure 7D shows an exploded view of the modality in Figure 7C.
[0036] [0036] Figure 9A shows a side view of an embodiment of the aerosol generating device.
[0037] [0037] Figure 9B shows a top view of the aerosol generating device shown in Figure 8A.
[0038] [0038] Figure 9C shows a schematic diagram of a modality of the controller and its connection with other components of the present invention.
[0039] [0039] Figures 10A-10B show schematic diagrams of controller modes and their connection with other components of the present invention.
[0040] [0040] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a mobile heating element modality.
[0041] [0041] Figures 12A-12D show exploded views, cross-sectional views and perspective views of an embodiment of the present invention using a magnet for alignment.
[0042] [0042] Figure 12E shows a perspective view of another modality of an alignment mechanism.
[0043] [0043] Figures 13A-13B show perspective views of a multi-pin susceptor.
[0044] [0044] Figures 13C-D show lateral cross-sectional views of the modalities in Figures 13A and 13B, respectively, cut along the longitudinal axis showing the multi-pin susceptor removed and inserted in the package containing consumables.
[0045] [0045] Figures 14A-14C show end views of an embodiment of the package containing consumables with the heating element rotating around the package containing consumables.
[0046] [0046] Figures 15A-15C show end views of an embodiment of the package containing consumables having another three-pin susceptor with the heating element rotating around the package containing consumables.
[0047] [0047] Figures 16A-16D show end views of an embodiment of the package containing consumables with a four-pin susceptor with the heating element rotating around the package containing consumables.
[0048] [0048] Figures 17A-17B show perspective views of an embodiment of a mechanism for rotating the heating element along an eccentric path around the package containing consumables.
[0049] [0049] Figures 18A-18B show end views of the embodiment in Figures 17A-17B of a mechanism for rotating the heating element along an eccentric path around the package containing consumables.
[0050] [0050] Figure 19 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mechanism for rotating the heating element along an eccentric path and translating the heating element along the packaging containing consumables.
[0051] [0051] Figure 20 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mechanism for moving the heating element in relation to the packaging containing consumables.
[0052] [0052] Figure 21 shows a schematic diagram of a modality of the controller and its connection with other components of the present invention.
[0053] [0053] Figure 22 shows a modality of a heatsink attached to the heating element, with portions of the heatsink removed to show the heating element.
[0054] [0054] Figure 23 shows a cross-sectional view of an airflow controller attached to the packaging containing consumables.
[0055] [0055] Figure 24A shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] [0056] Figure 24B shows an end view of the embodiment in Figure 24A.
[0057] [0057] Figure 24C shows a cross-sectional view taken through line 24C-24C shown in Figure 24B.
[0058] [0058] Figures 25A-B show partial section views of the package containing consumables in perspective with the susceptor removed to show a configuration within the package containing consumables using a hollow pin susceptor.
[0059] [0059] Figures 25C-D show partial section views of the modalities in Figures 25A-B, respectively, with the hollow pin susceptor incorporated in a package containing consumables.
[0060] [0060] Figure 25E shows a cross-sectional view of the modality shown in Figures 25A-D cut along its longitudinal axis to show the air flow during use.
[0061] [0061] Figure 26A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the package containing consumables before insertion of a susceptor.
[0062] [0062] Figures 26B-C show partial section views of the modality shown in Figure 26A to show the relationship of the internal components before insertion of the susceptor.
[0063] [0063] Figure 26D shows a cross-sectional view of the type of packaging containing consumables shown in Figures 26A-C cut along its longitudinal axis.
[0064] [0064] Figure 26E shows a partial cross-sectional view of the modality shown in Figure 26A after insertion of the susceptor.
[0065] [0065] Figure 26F shows the partial cross-sectional view shown in Figure 26E with a heating element wrapped around the packaging containing consumables.
[0066] [0066] Figure 26G shows a cross-sectional view of the type of packaging containing consumables shown in Figure 26F cut along its longitudinal axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0067] [0067] The detailed description presented below, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is intended to be a description of the currently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only ways in which the present invention can be constructed or used. The description presents the functions and the sequence of steps for the construction and operation of the invention in connection with the illustrated modalities. It should be understood, however, that the same equivalent functions and sequences can be performed by different modalities that are also intended to be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0068] [0068] The invention of the present application is a device for generating aerosol from a product containing consumables for inhalation, in a way that uses relatively high heat with minimal burning of the product containing consumables. For the purposes of this application, the term "consumable" should be interpreted broadly to cover any type of pharmaceutical agent, medication, chemical compound, active agent, constituent and the like, regardless of whether the consumable is used to treat a condition or disease, be for nutrition, be a supplement or be used for recreation. Just as an example, a consumable can include pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, over-the-counter drugs, tobacco, cannabis and the like.
[0069] [0069] With reference to Figures 1, device 100 comprises a package containing consumables 102 and an aerosol generating device 200. Device 100 generates aerosol through a process of heating without burning, in which a unit containing consumables 104 is heated to a temperature that does not burn the unit containing consumables 104, but releases the consumable from the unit containing consumables in the form of an inhaled aerosol product. Thus, a unit containing consumables 104 is any product that contains a consumable that can be released as an aerosol when heated to the appropriate temperature. The present application discusses the application of the invention to a tobacco product to provide a concrete example. The invention, however, is not limited to use with tobacco products. Package containing consumables
[0070] [0070] With reference to Figures 2A-6B, the package containing consumables 102 is the component that is heated to release the consumable in the form of an aerosol. The package containing consumables 102 comprises a unit containing consumables 104, a metal (also called a susceptor) 106 to heat the unit containing consumables 104 through an inductive heating system, and a housing 108 to contain the unit containing consumables 104 and the susceptor 106. The quality of the heating of the packaging containing consumables 102 depends on the consistency of the product. The consistency of the product takes into account several factors, such as position, shape, orientation, composition and other characteristics of the unit containing consumables 104. Other characteristics of the unit containing consumables 104 may include the amount of oxygen contained in the unit. The objective is to maximize the consistency of the product, keeping each of these factors consistent in the manufacturing process.
[0071] [0071] If the shape of the unit containing consumables 104 is in direct physical contact with the susceptor 106 with maximum contact area between each one, then it can be inferred that the thermal energy induced in the susceptor 106 will be largely transferred to the unit containing consumables
[0072] [0072] In addition, another objective regarding the design of the unit containing consumables 104 is to minimize the amount of air to which the unit containing consumables 104 is exposed. This eliminates or mitigates the risk of oxidation or combustion during storage or during the heating process. As a result, in certain definitions, it is possible to heat the unit containing consumables 104 to temperatures that would otherwise cause combustion when used with prior art devices that allow more exposure to air.
[0073] [0073] As such, in the preferred embodiment, the unit containing consumables 104 is made from a powder form of the consumable that is compressed into a tablet or rod. Consumable compression reduces the oxygen captured within the unit containing consumables 104. In some embodiments, the unit containing consumables 104 may further comprise an additive, such as a humectant, flavoring, filler for displacing oxygen, or vapor generating substance, and the like . The additive can also assist in the absorption and transfer of thermal energy, as well as eliminate oxygen from the unit containing consumables 104. In an alternative mode, the consumable can be mixed with a substance that does not interfere with the function of the device, but displaces the air in the interstitial spaces of the consumable and / or surrounds the consumable to isolate it from the air. In yet another alternative embodiment, the consumable can be formed into small tablets or another form that can be encapsulated to further reduce the air available for the consumable.
[0074] [0074] As shown in Figures 2A-2D, in the preferred embodiment, the unit containing consumables 104 can be an elongated unit defining a longitudinal axis L. For example, the unit containing consumables 104 can be an elongated cylinder or tube having a cross section circular or an oval cross section. As such, the unit containing consumables 104 can be defined by two opposite ends 105, 107 and a side wall 109 between them extending from the first end 105 to the second end 107 which defines the length of the unit containing consumables 104.
[0075] [0075] The susceptor 106 can be similarly elongated and incorporated into the unit containing consumables 104, preferably along the longitudinal axis L and extending substantially to the length and width (i.e., the diameter) of the unit containing consumables 104. In units containing consumables 104 having an oval cross section, the diameter refers to the main diameter defining the long axis of the oval.
[0076] [0076] The susceptor 106 can be extruded by machine. Once extruded, the unit containing consumables 104 can be compressed around the susceptor 106 along the length of the susceptor 106. Alternatively, the susceptor 106 can be stamped from flat metal material or any other suitable fabrication method prior to assembly of the unit containing consumables 104 around the susceptor 106. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 2E, the susceptor 106 can be made of steel wool. For example, susceptor 106 may consist of thin steel wool filaments grouped in the form of a block. As such, the steel wool block comprises numerous thin edges.
[0077] [0077] The advantages of steel wool include, but are not limited to, easy disposal from an environmental point of view, as it begins to oxidize soon after being heated; and thus, it becomes friable and degrades easily without dangerous sharp edges. Being made up of iron and carbon, it is relatively non-toxic.
[0078] [0078] The susceptor 106 can be made of any metallic material that generates heat when exposed to variable magnetic fields, as in the case of induction heating. Preferably, the metal comprises a ferrous metal. To maximize the efficient heating of the unit containing consumables 104, the susceptor 106 generally corresponds to the shape of the larger cross-sectional area of the unit containing consumables 104, in order to maximize the surface area with which the unit containing consumables 104 comes into contact with the susceptor 106, but other configurations can also be used. In the modalities in which the unit containing consumables 104 is an elongated cylinder, the largest cross-sectional area would be defined by dividing the elongated cylinder on the longitudinal axis L along its main diameter creating a rectangular cross-sectional area. As such, susceptor 106 would also be rectangular with dimensions substantially similar to the dimensions of the cross-sectional area of the elongated cylinder.
[0079] [0079] In some embodiments, susceptor 106 may be a metal plate. In some embodiments, the susceptor 106 may be a metal plate with a plurality of openings 110, such as a mesh screen. Inductive heating seems to be more effective and efficient at the edges of the susceptor
[0080] [0080] Preferably, susceptor 106 may be a patterned strip with an array of small openings 110 to increase the amount of edges that can be used in an efficient inductive heating process, followed by a larger gap 112 that allows that length of the susceptor 106 which will not allow inductive heating, or at least attenuates the inductive heating and / or attenuates the conduction from the segment being heated. This configuration allows the package containing consumables 102 to be heated in discrete segments. The elongated susceptor 106 may be an elongated metal plate having a longitudinal direction, the elongated metal plate comprising sets of openings 110a, 110b and sets of gaps 112a, 112b in which sets of openings 110a, 110b alternate in series with the set of gaps 112a, 112b along the longitudinal direction of the elongated metal plate, so that each set of openings 110a, 110b is adjacent to one of the gaps 112a, 112b. Therefore, moving from one end of the susceptor 106 to the opposite end, there is a first set of openings 11a, then a first gap 112a, then a second set of openings 110b, then a second gap 112b and so on. In the area of gaps 112, there is very little metallic material; therefore, there is minimal heat transfer. As such, even though the unit containing consumables 104 is a single unit, it can still be heated in discrete sections. The unit containing consumables 104 and the susceptor 106 are then enclosed in a housing 108.
[0081] [0081] In the preferred embodiment, the casing 108 can be made of aluminum with pre-drilled openings 120. The unit containing consumables 104 is placed inside the casing 108 to contain the heat generated by the susceptor 106. The openings 120 in the casing 108 allow the consumable aerosol escapes when heated. As the openings 120 create an avenue through which air can enter the housing 108 to be exposed to the unit containing consumables 104, the openings 120 can be temporarily sealed using a liner. The coating is preferably made of a composition that melts at temperatures that create consumable aerosols. Therefore, as the susceptor 106 is heated, due to the lack of air inside the casing 108, the unit containing consumables 104 can be raised to excessively high temperatures without burning. As susceptor 106 reaches high temperatures, the consumable aerosols that begin to form are unable to escape.
[0082] [0082] In some embodiments, openings 120 may be a plurality of holes or slits. The openings 120 can be formed along the length of the side wall 122 of the housing 108, arranged radially around the side wall 122, randomly or evenly arranged across the side wall 122 and the like. In some embodiments, the openings 120 can be a plurality of holes along the opposite ends 124, 126 of the casing 108. In some embodiments with the elongated consumable unit 104, the casing 108 can also be elongated with the opening 120 in the form of one or more elongated slits that run the length of the housing parallel to the longitudinal axis L, thus creating a seam. This seam can be folded or crimped, but it still leaves a gap through which consumable aerosols can travel, along its entire length or discrete areas. Like the openings 120 described above, the seam can be sealed with a liner.
[0083] [0083] The package containing consumables 102 may further comprise a filter tube 140 for encapsulating the unit containing consumables 104, susceptor 106, and housing 108. Filter tube 140 may be made of filter material to capture any unwanted debris while allows the consumable aerosol that is released from the heating of the wrapper to pass transversely through the filter. The filter tube 140 can wrap around the casing 108 and still cover the coated openings 120. As the filter tube 140 can be made of filter material, the consumable aerosol is able to travel through the filter tube 140. Only as a For example, the filter tube can be made of cellulose or cellulose acetate, although any suitable filter material can be used.
[0084] [0084] The package containing consumables 102 may further comprise a housing 150 for surrounding the filter tube 140. The housing 150 may be a paper tube. Housing 150 is less likely to allow the passage of consumable aerosols. As such, housing 150 wrapped around filter tube 140 creates a longitudinal channel through filter tube 140 through which the consumable aerosol travels, instead of escaping radially out of filter tube 140. This allows the aerosol consumable follow the inhalation path towards the user's mouth. An end 152 of the housing 150 can be capped with an end cap 154. The end cap 154 can be composed of a type of filter material. At the opposite end 156 of the housing 150 is a nozzle 158 which the user aspires to pull the heated consumable aerosol out of the casing 108 along the filter tube 140 towards the nozzle 158 and to the user's mouth. As such, the nozzle 158 can also be a type of filter, similar to that of the end cap 154. Where the package containing consumables 102 includes a channel through which the consumable aerosol travels, and that channel leads directly to the nozzle 158 which is also part from the package containing consumables 102, and the channel is isolated from the case 202, the case 202 will remain free of any residue or by-product formed during the operation of the device. In this configuration, case 202 remains clean and does not require the user to periodically clean case 202.
[0085] [0085] In some embodiments, shells 108 may be made of a two-piece unit with a first sheath section 108a and a second sheath section 108b. The unit containing consumables 104 can be inserted in the first housing section 108a and in the second housing section 108b, it can be positioned on top of the first housing section 108a to cover the unit containing consumables 104. Preconfigured openings 120 can be formed in the housing 108 before encapsulating the unit containing consumables 104.
[0086] [0086] Having established the general principles of packaging containing consumables 102, variations were also contemplated that achieve the same objectives. For example, in some embodiments, the unit containing consumables 104 may comprise two elongated sections 104a, 104b. The two elongated sections 104a, 104b of the unit containing consumables 104 can be defined by a plane parallel to and cutting through the longitudinal axis L along the diameter. Therefore, the two elongated sections 104a, 104b can be half-cylinder sections that, when coupled, form a unit containing complete cylindrical consumables 104.
[0087] [0087] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 3A-3D, the unit containing consumables 104 may be in the form of a tablet or tablet. Unlike the unit containing consumables 104, which is an elongated cylinder or tube in which the length of the side wall 109 is much greater than the diameter, in the tablet mode, the tablet can be a short cylinder that defines a longitudinal axis L, in that the length of the sidewall 109 is closer to the size of the diameter, or shorter than the diameter. The susceptor 106 can have a flat, circular shape to match the shape of the cross section of the tablet when cut transversely, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The consumable unit 104 can be compressed around the susceptor 106. To imitate a cigarette, a A plurality of units containing consumables 104 can be stacked, end to end, along their longitudinal axes L, to form an elongated cylinder. Therefore, each unit containing individual consumables 104 can be heated separately, effectively mimicking the segments of the unit containing consumables 104 having an elongated tubular body.
[0088] [0088] Other shapes can also be used, such as square or rectangular with a susceptor 106 having a corresponding shape. The cylindrical shape, however, is preferred because of the ease with which it can be used to mimic the shape of a real cigarette.
[0089] [0089] In some embodiments, the unit containing consumables 104 can be formed from two sections 104a, 104b of the unit containing consumables 104 combined to form a whole, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B. The two sections 104a, 104b are defined by dividing the unit containing consumables 104 in half transversely along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The susceptor 106 can be sandwiched between the two sections 104a, 104b. With the susceptor 106 sandwiched between the two sections containing consumables 104a, 104b, the unit containing consumables 104 can be enclosed by housing 108. This process can be repeated to create a plurality of units containing individual consumables 104 by pressing the respective susceptors 106, each individually contained in a respective housing 108. The plurality of units containing consumables 104 can be stacked, one on top of the other to create the package containing consumables 102, in which each unit containing individual consumables 104 can be heated individually, one at a time.
[0090] [0090] In some embodiments, the casing 108 may be wrapped in aluminum around a unit containing consumables 104. The aluminum may have excess folds 130, 132 at opposite ends, as shown in Figure 3D. These excess folds 130, 132 create a gap between the units containing adjacent consumables 104 when stacked on top of each other.
[0091] [0091] In some embodiments, housing 108 may be two-piece having a first housing section 108a and a second housing section 108b that serves as a cover or lid to include the unit containing consumables 104 within the first housing section 108a , as shown in Figures 4A and 4B. As previously described, the openings 120 in the casing 108 can be along the side wall 122 or at the ends 124, 126.
[0092] [0092] In some embodiments, a plurality of units containing consumables 104 may be contained in a single elongated housing 108, as shown in Figures 5A-6B. Enclosure 108 can be molded with compartments 111 to receive each unit containing individual consumables
[0093] [0093] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7A-7D, housing 108 may be made of material that allows housing 108 to serve as the susceptor. For example, housing 108 may be made of steel, or otherwise comprise ferrous metal, or any other metal that can be heated using induction heating. In such an embodiment, an internal susceptor 106 would not need to be incorporated into the unit containing consumables 104. Housing 108 may still comprise a plurality of holes 120, and be covered with an additive and / or sealant, such as PGA. This modality can be transformed into an elongated tube, as shown in Figure 7A, or into tablets or discs, as shown in Figure 7B. Housing 108 may be a two-piece housing with a first housing section 108a and a second housing section 108b, as discussed above.
[0094] [0094] In some embodiments, the casing 108 may have transverse slits 123 transversely through the casing 108, generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, as shown in Figures 7C and 7D. Slots 123 create segmentation in housing 108, so that only a small segment of the unit containing consumables 104 is heated by actuation. The transverse slits 123 can be through holes, which expose the unit containing consumables 104 underneath. In such modalities, the segments can be filled with a liner or some other plug to seal the orifice, permanently or with a substance that will melt on heating and allow the aerosol to escape through the slit 123. In some modalities, the plug can be made of material that can function as a heat sink and / or a substance that is not easily heated by induction to reduce the heating effect on the transverse slits 123. In some embodiments, the transverse slit 123 can be a recessed portion or indentation in the casing 108. In other words, the transverse slot 123 can be a thinner portion of the casing 108. As such, the transverse slot 123 can define a well. The well can be filled with a plug that can function as a heat sink and / or a substance that is not easily heated by induction to reduce heat transfer along the transverse gap 123. Induction heating
[0095] [0095] Heating of the unit containing consumables 104 is achieved by an induction heating process that provides non-contact heating of a metal, preferably ferrous metal, by positioning the metal in the presence of a variable magnetic field generated by an inductive heating element 160, as shown in Figures 8A-8B. In the preferred embodiment, the inductive heating element 160 is a conductor 162 wound on a coil that generates the magnetic field when current is passed through the coil. The metal susceptor 106 is positioned close enough to the conductor 162 so as to be within the magnetic field. In the preferred embodiment, the coil is wrapped in a way that defines a central cavity
[0096] [0096] In the preferred embodiment, the packaging segments containing consumables 102 must be heated individually. As such, conductor 162 can also be supplied as individual sets of spiral conductors l62a-f, as shown in Figure 8A. Each conductive coil l62a-f can be connected to a controller 166 which can be controlled to activate one conductive coil l62a-f at a time. Although there are six (6) conductive coils l62a-f shown in Figure 8A, larger or smaller coils can be used. In an alternative embodiment, a single conductive coil 162 can be used, with a mechanical mechanism that moves the coil along the package containing consumables 102 to individually heat each segment of the package containing consumables 102.
[0097] [0097] The individual conductive coils l62a-f can match discrete segments of the package containing consumables 102, as described above, and shown in Figures 3A-6B. Alternatively, conductive coils l62a-f can each correspond to a certain length of a package containing continuous consumables 102, as shown in Figures 2A-2D, 7A and 7D, to heat only that particular length. In preliminary tests of such modalities, heating over discrete lengths of the package containing consumables 102 does not appreciably heat adjacent portions of the package containing consumables 102, as the adjacent unheated consumable appears to act as an insulator. Thus, structures to limit heat transfer may not be necessary, although these structures have been discussed here and may be useful.
[0098] [0098] The efficiency of converting electrical energy to thermal heat at susceptor 106 is referred to here as "conversion efficiency", and is based on a variety of factors such as bulk metal resistivity, metal dielectric, metal geometry and loss of heat, consistency and efficiency of the power source, coil geometry, and overall losses and frequency of operation - to identify some of these factors. Device 100 is designed and configured to maximize conversion efficiency. Aerosol production device
[0099] [0099] In order to effect the heating and conversion to an aerosol of the consumable, the housing 150 containing the filter tube 140 wrapped around the unit containing consumables 104 is positioned inside an aerosol production device 200, as shown in Figures 9A -9C. The aerosol generating device 200 comprises a case 202 for containing the package containing consumables 102, the induction heating element 160 for heating the susceptor 106, and a controller 166 for controlling the induction heating element 160.
[00100] [00100] Case 202 is designed for ergonomic use. To facilitate nomenclature, case 202 is described using terms such as front, back, sides, top and bottom. These terms should not be limiting, but used to describe the positions of various components in relation to each other. For purposes of describing the present invention, the front 210 will be the portion of the case 202 that faces the user when used as intended, as described here. As intended, when the user holds the case 202 for use, the user's fingers wrap around the rear 212 of the device 100 with the thumb curling the front 210.
[00101] [00101] Case 202 defines a cavity 214 (see Figure 1) in which the components of device 100 are contained. As such, case 202 is designed to contain a substantial portion of the package containing consumables 102, controller 166, inductive heating element 160 and power source 220. In the preferred embodiment, the upper front part of case 202 defines a hole 216. The nozzle portion 158 of the package containing consumables 102 projects from the orifice 216, so that the user has access to the package containing consumables 102. The nozzle 158 projects sufficiently outside the case 202 to allow the user to place the lips around the nozzle 158 to inhale the consumable aerosol.
[00102] [00102] Case 202 is intended to be easy to use and easy to transport. In the preferred embodiment, case 202 may have dimensions of approximately 85 mm in height (measures from top 222 to bottom 224) by 44 mm in depth
[00103] [00103] In some embodiments, the package containing consumables 102 can be kept in a retractor that allows the package containing consumables 102 to be retracted inside the case 202 for storage and displacement. Due to the configuration of the packaging containing consumables 102, the case 202 does not need a cleaning orifice like other devices in which some combustion is still predominant, creating by-product residue from the combustion. In modalities where the package containing consumables 102 comprises a user nozzle 158 and filter tube 140, if there are by-products created during operation, they will remain in the disposable package containing consumables 102, which is changed when the user inserts a new package containing consumables 102 and filter tube 140, if necessary, in case 202. Thus, the interior of case 202 remains clean during operation.
[00104] [00104] In the preferred embodiment, the top 222 of the case 202 comprises a user interface 230. The positioning of the user interface 230 on the top 222 of the case 202 allows the user to easily check the status of the device 100 prior to use. The user could potentially view the user interface 230 even when inhaling. User interface 230 can be multicolored LED display (RGB) for indicating device status during use. A light tube can be used to provide wide-angle visibility of this display. Just as an example, the 230 user interface has a 0.96 inch (diagonal) OLED display with 128x32 format and an I2C (or SPI) interface. User interface 230 is capable of haptic feedback 234 (vibration) and audio feedback 250 (piezoelectric transducer). In some embodiments, a transparent plastic cover (PC or ABS) can be placed over the OLED glass to protect it from damage / scratches.
[00105] [00105] The rear part 212 of the case comprises a trigger 232, which is a button activated by the finger (tightening) to turn on the device / initiate the "puff". Preferably, trigger 232 is adjacent to top 212. In this configuration, the user can hold case 202 as desired with his index finger on trigger 232 or close to trigger 232 for convenient actuation. In some embodiments, a locking mechanism can be provided on trigger 232 - either mechanically or via electrical interlock that requires case 202 to be opened before trigger 232 is electrically activated. In some embodiments, a haptic feedback motor 234 can be mechanically coupled to trigger 232 to improve the recognition of haptic feedback by the user during operation. The actuation of the trigger 232 activates the induction heating element 160 to heat the susceptor 106.
[00106] [00106] Device 100 is powered by a battery
[00107] [00107] Trigger 232 is operatively connected to induction coil actuator 240 via the controller
[00108] [00108] The induction coil drive circuit in the preferred mode can be directly controlled by a microprocessor controller 166. A special peripheral in this processor (numerically controlled oscillator) allows to generate the frequency drive waveforms with processing overhead. Minimum CPU. The induction coil circuit can have one or more capacitors connected in parallel, making it a parallel resonant circuit.
[00109] [00109] The drive circuit can include current monitoring with a "peak detector" that returns to an analog input on the processor. The function of the peak detector is to capture the maximum current value for any voltage cycle of the drive circuit, providing a stable output voltage for conversion by an analog-to-digital converter (part of the microprocessor chip) and then used in the algorithm of induction coil drive.
[00110] [00110] The induction coil drive algorithm is implemented in the firmware running on the microprocessor. The resonant frequency of the induction coil and capacitors will be known with reasonable precision by design, as follows: resonance frequency (in Hertz) = 1 / (2 * pi * SQRT {L * C}) where: pi = 3.1415 ..., SQRT indicates the square root of the content in brackets {...}, L = the measured inductance of the induction coil, and C = the known capacitance of the capacitors connected in parallel.
[00111] [00111] There will be manufacturing tolerances for the values of L and C (from above), which will produce some variation in the actual resonant frequency versus that which is calculated using the formula above. In addition, there will be variation in the inductance of the induction coil based on what is located inside that coil. In particular, the presence of a ferrous metal inside (or in the immediate vicinity) of this coil will result in a certain amount of inductance change, resulting in a small change in the resonant frequency of the L-C circuit.
[00112] [00112] The firmware algorithm to drive the induction coil will sweep the operating frequency to the maximum expected frequency range, while simultaneously monitoring the current, looking for the frequency at which the current consumption is minimal. This minimum value will occur at the resonance frequency. Once this "center frequency" is found, the algorithm will continue to sweep the frequency in a small amount on both sides of the center frequency and adjust the center frequency value as necessary to maintain the minimum current value.
[00113] [00113] The electronic components are connected to the controller 166. The controller 166 allows a processor-based frequency control to optimize the heating of the susceptor 106. The relationship between frequency and temperature is rarely directly correlated, due in large part to the fact that that the temperature is the result of the frequency, duration and the way in which the package containing consumables 102 is configured. Controller 166 can also provide current monitoring to determine power supply, and peak voltage monitoring through the induction coil to establish resonance. As an example only, the controller can provide a frequency of approximately 400 kHz to approximately 500 kHz and, preferably, 440 kHz with a three-second preheat cycle to raise the temperature of susceptor 106 to 400 ºC, or more in a second. In some embodiments, the temperature of susceptor 106 can be increased to 550 ° C, or more, in one second. In some embodiments, the temperature can be raised up to 800 ºC. Thus, the present invention has an effective range of 400-800 ºC. In prior art devices, these temperatures burned the consumable, rendering prior art devices ineffective at these temperatures. In the present invention, these high temperatures can still be used to improve the efficiency of aerosol production and allow faster heating times.
[00114] [00114] Device 100 may also comprise a 242 communications system. In the preferred embodiment, a Bluetooth low energy radio can be used to communicate with a peripheral device. The communications system 242 can interface with the main processor to communicate information with a telephone, for example. The ready-to-use RF module can also be used (pre-certified: FCC, IC, CE, MIC). An example uses the Laird BL652 module because support for SmartBasic allows for rapid application development. The communication system 242 allows the user to program the device 100 to suit personal preferences related to aerosol density, the amount of aroma released, and the like, controlling the frequency and the 3-stage work cycle, specifically the pre stage. -heating, heating stage and deceleration stage of inductive heating elements 160. The communication system 242 can have one or more USB ports 236.
[00115] [00115] In some modalities, an RTC (Real Time Clock / Calendar) with backup battery can be used to monitor usage information. The RTC can measure and store relevant user data to be used in conjunction with an external application downloaded on a peripheral device, such as a smartphone.
[00116] [00116] In some modalities, a micro-USB connector
[00117] [00117] Just as an example, device 100 can be used as follows. The power of the device can be turned on from the momentary actuation of trigger 232. For example, a brief tap on the trigger (<1.5 s) can turn on device 100, but does not start the heating cycle. A short second press on trigger 232 (<1 second) during this period will keep device 100 on for a long period of time and initiate Bluetooth advertising if there is currently no active (connected) Bluetooth connection to the phone. Longer pressure on trigger 232 (> 1.5 s) initiates the heating cycle. The power of device 100 can remain on for a short period of time after each heating cycle (for example, 5 s) to display the updated unit status on the OLED 230 user interface before turning off. In some embodiments, the device 100 can turn on when the package containing consumables 102 is implanted from the case 202. In some embodiments, a separate power switch 246 can be used to turn the device on and off.
[00118] [00118] When an active connection is found with a smartphone and the customized application is running on the smartphone, the device 100 remains on for up to 2 minutes before disconnecting. When the battery level is too low to operate, the 230 user interface display flashes several times (showing the battery icon at the "0%" level) before turning the unit off.
[00119] [00119] In some embodiments, the user interface 230 may display a segmented cigarette showing which segments remain (solid fill) versus which segments were used (dotted outline) as an indicator of how much of the package containing consumables 102 still contains consumable products to be released. The 230 user interface can also display an updated battery icon with the current battery status, charging icon (lightning) when the device is connected, and a Bluetooth icon when there is an active connection to a smartphone. User interface 230 may show the Bluetooth icon flashing slowly when there is no connection, but device 100 is advertising.
[00120] [00120] The device can also have an indicator 248 to inform the user about the power status. Indicator 248 can be an RGB LED. Just as an example, the RGB LED may show a green LED on when the device is turned on for the first time, a red LED flashing during the preheat time, a red LED on (solid) during the “inhalation” time , and a flashing blue LED during charging. The blinking duty cycle indicates the relative charge status of the battery (20-100%) in increments of 20% (solid blue means full charge). A quick blink of the blue LED can be displayed when an active Bluetooth connection is detected (the phone connected to the device and the custom application on the phone is running).
[00121] [00121] The tactile feedback can provide additional information to the user during use. For example, 2 short pulses can be signaled immediately when the power is turned on (from the finger click button). A prolonged pulse at the end of the preheating cycle can be signaled to indicate that the devices refer to inhalation (beginning of the HNB inhalation cycle). A short pulse can be signaled when the USB power is connected or removed for the first time. A short pulse can be signaled when an active Bluetooth connection is established with an active phone application running on the smartphone.
[00122] [00122] A Bluetooth connection can be initiated after the power is turned on, by briefly pressing (<1.5 s) the finger grip button. If there is no "connected" BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) connection, devices may begin to advertise slowly ("pairing" mode) as soon as a second short press is detected after the initial short press detected that turns on the device. After a connection is established with the smartphone application, the Bluetooth icon in the 230 user interface display may stop flashing and the blue LED will illuminate (solid). If device 100 is turned on and has a "connected" connection to a smartphone, it can start advertising to try to reestablish that connection with the phone until it hangs up. If the connection to this smartphone can be reestablished, the unit can remain on for up to 2 minutes before turning off. To delete a connected connection, the user can turn on the device with a short touch, followed by another short touch. While the BLE icon is flashing, the user can press and hold the trigger 232 until the device 100 vibrates and the Bluetooth icon disappears.
[00123] [00123] Thus, by strictly controlling the conversion efficiency factors mentioned above and the product consistency factors, it is possible to provide controlled heat delivery to the unit containing consumables 104. This controlled heat delivery involves a microprocessor controller 166 for the monitoring of the induction heating system 160 to maintain various levels of electrical power supply to the susceptor 106 during controlled time intervals. These properties allow for a user control feature that would allow the selection of certain consumable flavors, as determined by the temperature at which the consumable aerosol is produced.
[00124] [00124] In some embodiments, a configurable microprocessor or logic block can be used to control the frequency and power supply of the induction heating system. As shown in Figure 10A, an induction heating system 160 may comprise a coil of wire 162 in parallel with one or more capacitors 260 to and from a self-resonating oscillator. The inductance of coil 162 in combination with the capacitance of capacitor (s) 260 largely defines the resonant frequency at which the circuit will operate. In this embodiment, however, a microprocessor / microcontroller 166 can be used to operate the power switches and, therefore, control the oscillation frequency of the circuit. With this approach, peak voltage and current are used as feedback to allow the microprocessor control program to provide a tight fit to find resonance. The benefit of this approach is that it allows efficient control of the power delivered to the susceptor, synchronously switching the oscillation of the circuit over and below the control of the 166 microprocessor control program and provides optimal on / off switching of the power control elements activating the induction coil system.
[00125] [00125] Based on these concepts, innumerable variations were contemplated by the inventors. Thus, as discussed above, the present invention comprises a unit containing consumables 104, a susceptor 106 incorporated within the unit containing consumables 104, a heating element 160 configured to at least partially surround the unit containing consumables 104, a controller 166 for controlling the heating element 160 and a case 202 for containing the unit containing consumables 104, the susceptor 106, the heating element 160 and the controller 166. Preferably, the unit containing consumables 104 is contained with the susceptor 106 in a package containing consumables
[00126] [00126] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 10A, the device comprises a self-resonating oscillator for controlling the inductive heating element 160. The self-resonating oscillator comprises a capacitor 260 operatively connected to the inductive heating element 160 in parallel. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 10B, multiple heating elements 160 can be connected in parallel with their respective capacitors 260a, 260b. Preferably, the heating elements are in the form of a coiled wire l62a, l62b.
[00127] [00127] To allow a single package containing consumables 102 to generate aerosol several times, several heating elements 160 and / or mobile heating elements 160 can be used. Thus, the heating element 160 comprises a plurality of spiral wires l62a, b, where each spiral wire can be operatively connected to controller 166 for independent activation from the other spiral wires.
[00128] [00128] In some embodiments, the heating element 160 can be movable. In such embodiments, the package containing consumables 102 can be an elongated member defining a first longitudinal axis L, and the heating element 162 can be configured to move axially along the first longitudinal axis L. For example, as shown in Figure 11 , the heating element 160 can be attached to a conveyor 270. The conveyor 270 can be operatively connected to the housing 202 so as to move along the length of the package containing consumables 102, while the heating element 160 remains wrapped around the package containing consumables 102. The length S of the bobbin (measured as the linear distance from the first lap 272 of the bobbin to the last lap of the bobbin 274) may be short enough to cover only one segment of the package containing consumables 102. A once the heating element 160 has been activated in that segment, the conveyor 270 advances along the package containing consumables 102 along its longitudinal axis L to another segment of the package containing consumables 102. The travel distance of the conveyor 270 is such that the first loop 272 of the bobbin is adjacent to where the last loop 274 of the bobbin previously resided. Thus, a new segment of the same size as the previously heated segment is ready to be heated. This can continue until conveyor 270 moves from the first end 105 of the package containing consumables 102 to the opposite end
[00129] [00129] In the modalities in which the package containing consumables 102 contains several units containing consumables 104, the extension S of the coil may be approximately the same size as the length of the unit containing consumables
[00130] [00130] As shown in Figures 12A-12E, to facilitate proper alignment of the heating element 160 around the package containing consumables 102, the device 200 may comprise a package aligner. For example, the packaging aligner may be a magnet 280. Preferably, magnet 280 is a cylindrical magnet that defines a second longitudinal axis M. In embodiments where the heating element 160 is a cylindrical coil wound around the package containing consumables 102, the cylindrical coil defines a third longitudinal axis C. The cylindrical magnet 280 and the heating element 160 are configured to maintain the collinear alignment of the second longitudinal axis M with the third longitudinal axis C. Preferably, the cylindrical magnet 280 is a round ring magnet, the center of which is a path for air flow. Preferably, any 280 magnet would be of the rare earth neodymium type. It would be axially magnetized.
[00131] [00131] In the embodiment using a magnet 280 for alignment, an end 105 of the package containing consumables 102 may comprise a magnetically attractive element 281. Preferably, the magnetically attractive element 281 is a stamped ferrous metal component which is manufactured in the first end 105 of the package containing consumables 102. The cylindrical magnet 280 may form part of the aerosol producing device 200 and the package containing consumables 102 may have a magnetically attractive element 281 or washer attached to its end 105, so that the package containing consumables 102 is pulled onto magnet 280 affixed to aerosol generating device 200. Other combinations of magnets 280 and magnetically attractive elements 281, in various positions, can be used to achieve the desired alignment.
[00132] [00132] In some embodiments, preferably one that uses packaging containing consumables 102 with a filter tube 140 and a housing 150, the packaging aligner can be a receiver 151, such as a close-fitting cylinder (if the housing 150 is cylindrical) that can be used to align the package containing consumables 102, and the coil 162 can be positioned outside the receiver 151, as shown in Figure 12E. Preferably, receiver 151 would be made of non-conductive material to prevent induction heating, such as borosilicate glass, quartz glass, Piroceram glass, Robax glass, high temperature plastics such as Vespel, Torlon, polyimide, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) , PEEK (polyetheretherketone) or other suitable materials. Alternatively, the cylinder may be made of a conductive material that has a lower resistivity than the susceptor 106 in the package containing consumables 102, which would allow for some induction heating of the receiver 151, but not as much as the susceptor
[00133] [00133] In some embodiments, the housing 150 may function as the receiver. Therefore, instead of a separate receiver 151, the housing 150 can have the characteristics described above and the insertion in the coils 162 can function as the alignment process, or the housing can be fixed inside the coils 162 and the filter tube 140 containing the unit containing consumables 104 and the susceptor 106 can be inserted into the housing 150.
[00134] [00134] In some embodiments, several activations of a single package containing consumables can be performed with a susceptor 106 with multiple pins 290, as shown in Figures 13A-D. A multi-pin susceptor is a susceptor 106 with two or more pins 290. In some embodiments, the susceptor may have three pins 290a, 290b, 290c. In some embodiments, susceptor 106 may have four pins. In some embodiments, susceptor 106 may have more than four pins. In the preferred embodiment, the multi-pin susceptor 106 has three or four pins.
[00135] [00135] The multiple pins 290a, 290b, 290c of the multiple pin susceptor 106 are generally parallel to each other, as shown in Figures 13C and 13D. The multi-pin susceptor 106 is configured and can be incorporated into the package containing consumables 102 in such a way that each pin 290a, 290b, 290c is parallel and equally spaced from the longitudinal axis of the package containing consumables L, and equally spaced from each other along the perimeter of an imaginary circle. As such, when viewed in cross section, as shown in Figures 14A-C, the susceptor pins 290a, 290b, 290c are equally spaced from each other around the circular face of the package containing consumables 102. This arrangement allows each pin 290a, 290b, 290c maximize non-overlapping heating zones for each pin, when each pin is activated at maximum. In other words, when a susceptor pin 290a, 290b, 290c is heated, it radiates heat radially away from the susceptor pin 290a, 290b, 290c, creating a circular heating zone with the susceptor pin 290a, 290b, 290c in the center. Each susceptor pin 290a, 290b, 290c heats its own circular zone, although some overlaps may be unavoidable. Collectively, an entire cross-sectional area of a unit containing consumables 104 can be heated, one cross-sectional segment at a time.
[00136] [00136] When the heating element 160 is a cylindrical coil wound around a susceptor 106, the maximum amount of power is transferred to the center of the cylindrical coil. Therefore, when the susceptor 106 is aligned with the center of the cylindrical coil, the susceptor 106 will receive the maximum amount of energy from the electricity that passes through the coil. In other words, when the susceptor pin 290a, 290b, 290c is collinear with the cylindrical coil, the susceptor pin 290a, 290b, 290c will receive the maximum amount of energy from the cylindrical coil. Thus, to heat each susceptor pin 290a, 290b, 290c independently, the susceptor pin 290a, 290b, 290c and the center of the coil must be moved relative to each other so that the center of the coil aligns with one of the pins susceptors 290a, 290b, 290c in sequence. This can be achieved by moving the susceptor pin in relation to the coil or moving the coil in relation to the susceptor pin, or both.
[00137] [00137] In the preferred embodiment, the heating element 160 moves in relation to the susceptor 106. For example, the cylindrical coil can be wrapped around the package containing consumables 102 and configured to rotate along an eccentric path, so that during a rotation of the cylindrical coil, each of the pins 290a, 290b, 290c will align with the center of the coil at different times, as shown in Figures 14A-16D. The package containing consumables 102 can be an elongate member defining a first longitudinal axis L, wherein the heating element 160 is a coil wound around the package containing consumables 102 to form a cylinder defining a second longitudinal axis C, and in that the heating element 160 is configured to rotate around the package containing consumables 102 in an eccentric path so that the second longitudinal axis C aligns collinearly with each of the pins 290a, 290b, 290c of the multi-pin susceptor at some point during the movement of the heating element around the package containing consumables 102. Therefore, the multi-pin susceptor 106 is stationary and the coil moves rotationally in an eccentric path, so that the center of the coil aligns with the linear axis of each susceptor pin 290a, 290b, 290c, in turns, through rotation. The electrical slip rings would power an eccentric path rotating coil design.
[00138] [00138] The rotation of the heating element 160 can be effected by a series of gears 300a, 300b operatively connected to a motor 302. For example, as shown in Figures 17A-B, the heating element 160 can be mounted on a first gear 300a so that the heating element can rotate with the first gear 300a. A second gear 300b can be operatively connected to the first gear 300a so that the rotation of the second gear 300b causes the rotation of the first gear 300a. The second gear 300b can be operatively connected to a motor 302 to cause the second gear 300b to rotate. The heating element 160 is mounted on the first gear 300a in such a way that the rotation of the first gear 300a causes the longitudinal axis C of the heating element 160 to move along an eccentric path instead of causing the heating element heating rotate around a fixed, not movable center. Thus, the center of the heating element 160 can move to align with the different pins 290a, 290b, 290c.
[00139] [00139] In some embodiments, the heating element 160, the gears 300a, 300b and the motor 302 can be mounted on a conveyor 270, as shown in Figure 19. The conveyor 270 allows the heating element, the gears 300a, 300b and motor 302 move axially along the length of the package containing consumables 102. Conveyor 270 can be operatively connected to a driver 306, which is operatively connected to a second motor 304. For example, driver 306 can be threaded. The conveyor 270 may have a threaded hole 276 through which the driver 306 is inserted. Activation of the second motor 304 causes the driver 306 to rotate. The rotation of the driver 306 causes the conveyor 270 to move along the driver 306, as shown by the double arrow in Figure 19.
[00140] [00140] In some embodiments, instead of causing the heating element 160 to rotate along an eccentric path, the heating element 160 can be moved translationally along the X-Y axis when viewed in cross section. Therefore, the package containing consumables 102 can be an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis L, and where the heating element 160 is configured to move radially with respect to the longitudinal axis L when viewed in cross section to align the center of the cylinder, coiled heating element 160 with each of the pins 290a, 290b, 290c of the multi-pin susceptor 106, in turns. In the X-Y axis positioning scenario, the coil energy can be supplied through a flexible electrical conductor or by moving electrical contacts.
[00141] [00141] For example, heating element 160 can be operatively mounted on a pair of translation plates 310, 312, as shown in Figure 20. Specifically, heating element 160 can be mounted directly on a first translation plate 310 and the first translation plate 310 can be mounted on a second translation plate 312. The first translation plate 310 can be configured to move in the X or Y direction, and the second translation plate 312 can be configured to move in the Y or X direction, respectively. In the example shown in Figure 20, the first translation plate 310 is configured to move in the X direction, while the second translation plate 312 is configured to move in the Y direction. This configuration can be switched so that the first translation plate 310 is configured to move in the Y direction and the second translation plate 312 is configured to move in the X direction. The first and second translation plates 310, 312 can be operatively connected to their respective motors,
[00142] [00142] In other arrangements, the coil assembly can move along the linear axis of the susceptor, regardless of the mechanisms of rotation or non-rotation movement, as discussed above. Therefore, a three-pin susceptor would allow the device to heat a package containing consumables 102 three times in the same linear position, by heating the three different pins 290a, 290b, 290c three times before moving on to its next linear position, where it will be able to heat up three times again. In a package containing consumables 102 with four linear positions, a package containing consumables must be capable of providing 12 distinct puffs, that is, 3 pins times 4 positions along the length of the package containing consumables 102.
[00143] [00143] In some embodiments, instead of causing the heating element 160 to move relative to the package containing consumables 102, the package containing consumables 102 can be moved relative to the heating element. Therefore, the package containing consumables 102 is configured to rotate inside the heating element 160 in an eccentric path so that the second longitudinal axis C defined by the coils aligns collinearly with each of the pins 290a, 290b, 290c of the multiple pin susceptor at some point during the rotation of the package containing consumables 102 within the heating element 160. Alternatively, the package containing consumables 102 is configured to move radially within the heating element 160, so that the second longitudinal axis C aligns collinearly with each of the pins of the multi-pin susceptor at some point during the movement of the package containing consumables 102 within the heating element 160. In some embodiments, both the package containing consumables 102 and the heating element 160 may move. For example, the heating element 160 can move linearly along the longitudinal axis of the package containing consumables 102, and the package containing consumables 102 can move in an eccentric or radial path to move the susceptor 106 to the position relative to the element heating element 106, so that all consumables are heated sequentially as the user takes puffs individually. Other variations of movement can also be used.
[00144] [00144] The movement mechanisms described above are just examples. The mechanism in an X-Y-Z motion scenario can be accomplished using a variety of combinations of motors, linear actuators, gears, belts, cams, solenoids and the like.
[00145] [00145] With reference to Figure 21, a closed-loop control of the induction heating system can be based on the detection of a magnetic flux density created by the induction heating system. Induction heating systems operate by creating an alternating and concentrated magnetic field within the heating element of the induction coil.
[00146] [00146] Therefore, in some embodiments, the device may also comprise a magnetic flow sensor adjacent to the inductive heating element 160 and configured to measure a magnetic flow created by the inductive heating element 160. The magnetic flow sensor can be operatively connected to controller 166 to control the activation of inductive heating element 160 based on the return of the magnetic flow sensor.
[00147] [00147] In some embodiments, it is desirable to be able to detect whether a unit containing consumables 104, or a portion thereof, has been heated or not. If a unit containing consumables 104 has already been heated, the heating element 160 can heat the next unit containing consumables 104 or the next segment of a unit containing consumables 104 in order to avoid wasting energy on a used portion of the unit containing consumables 104. Therefore, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 11, a method for detecting the packaging segments containing consumables 102 that have been used is provided in the device, allowing the device to autonomously determine the next unused segment available for use. For example, the device may comprise a wear sensor 320 to detect whether a portion of the package containing consumables 102 being detected has been heated beyond a predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, the use sensor 320 can detect visual changes in the package containing consumables 102 which is indicative of heating. In some embodiments, the use sensor 320 can detect thermal changes in the package containing consumables 102 that are indicative of heating. In some embodiments, the use sensor 320 can detect changes in texture (i.e. changes in texture) in the package containing consumables 102 which are indicative of heating. In some embodiments, the use sensor 320 can be the controller keeping track of where the heating element 160 is along the package containing consumables 102 and when it has been heated in relation to its movement along the package containing consumables 102. For example , the controller may comprise a memory for storing locations of portions of the package containing consumables 102 that have been heated to the predetermined temperature.
[00148] [00148] In the preferred mode, the use sensor 320 is a photoreflective sensor. The photoreflective sensor can be configured to detect changes in the package containing consumables 102 from its original state compared to a state in which the package containing consumables 102 has been exposed to significant heat (i.e., in addition to normal day temperatures). Most preferably, the package containing consumables 102 can be composed of a heat sensitive dye that changes color when heated to a predetermined temperature. This color change can be detected by the photoreflective sensor.
[00149] [00149] The thermally sensitive dye can be printed around the outer surface of the package containing consumables 102. When a segment of the package containing consumables 102 is heated, a strip 322 in the closest proximity to the heated segment changes color. For example, band 322 can change from white to black. The use sensor 320 mounted with the heating element 160 has an optics 324 focused just above - or below - the heating element to provide a side view of the package containing consumables 102 along the entire range of the mobile heating element 160.
[00150] [00150] In some embodiments, a limit switch 326 is also installed on one end 105 of the package containing consumables 102 and used to detect when the package containing consumables 102 is removed or reinserted in the device. When a package containing consumables 102 has been reinserted, the device activates the motorized heating element assembly and moves it along its entire travel range, allowing the use sensor 320 to detect if any segments have been previously heated, detecting the dark bands 322 of the thermally sensitive dye. Thus, the device may further comprise a limit switch 326 to reset the memory when a new package containing consumables 102 is inserted into the compartment.
[00151] [00151] In some embodiments, to manage the thermal heat dissipation of the heating element 160, the device may further comprise a heat sink
[00152] [00152] In the preferred embodiment, the heatsink 330 is a finned cylinder comprising the inductive heating element 160. The finned cylinder is a cylindrical heatsink with fins 332 projecting laterally away from its external surface
[00153] [00153] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 23, the device may further comprise an air flow controller 340 to provide a means for adjusting the aroma robustness of the unit containing consumables 104, controlling the air flow that is sucked through of the package containing consumables 102. The design of the package containing consumables 102 is such that the amount of steam / aroma that is introduced into the airflow passages is a function of the duration and intensity of the induction heating and the air pressure differential between the passage (s) of air through the package containing consumables 102. This pressure differential draws steam out of the package containing consumables 102 and into the air flow. If the air flow at the first end 105 of the package containing consumables 102 can be controlled, that pressure differential can be varied, allowing more (or less) steam to be introduced into the air flow, effectively changing the robustness of the aroma. This ability to change the robustness of aroma is closely integrated with the heating of the package containing consumables 102, since it is the increase in the temperature of the consumable that produces this steam. By precisely controlling the heating process (time and rate) and the air flow through the first end 105 of the package containing consumables 102, a wide range of aroma robustness experiences can be produced.
[00154] [00154] For example, the air flow controller 340 may comprise an adjustable flow control valve 342, such as a needle valve, butterfly valve, ball valve or an adjustable opening. Adjustable flow control valves allow the user to control airflow even during use. However, the airflow controller 340 can also be a membrane 344 with fixed openings, such as a membrane or a porous or fibrous element. A 344 membrane can also act as an inlet particulate filter. Therefore, the flow control mechanisms may or may not be adjustable by the user. In the 344 membrane modalities, multiple 344 membranes with openings of different sizes can be provided. Thus, the user can select the desired opening size and apply this membrane 344 to the first end 105 of the device. If the user prefers an increase or decrease in air flow, the user can select another membrane 344 with larger or smaller openings, respectively. In some embodiments, the airflow controller 340 can use both a control valve 342 and a membrane 344. For example, membrane 344 can precede control valve 342 in order to control airflow and filter particles before control valve 342, then control valve 342 can further control the air flow for fine-tuned air flow control.
[00155] [00155] In some embodiments, instead of having the aerosol flow from the unit containing consumables 104 through the openings 120 of the housing 108 to a filter tube 140, and towards the nozzle 158, air flows to the susceptor 106 , sucks out the asset from the unit containing consumables 104 to create the aerosol that flows through the susceptor 106 towards the nozzle 158, as shown in Figure 25A-E. In such embodiments, the susceptor 106 may have one or more hollow pins 350 with at least one inlet 352 along the length of each pin 350 and at least one outlet 354. The pin 350 comprises a connected end 356 operatively connected to a base. susceptor 358, and a free end 360 opposite the susceptor base
[00156] [00156] In some embodiments, the tip 362 of the free end 360 can be pointed or sharpened to facilitate penetration into the unit containing consumables 104. The particle size, density, binders, fillers or any component used in the unit containing consumables 104 can be modified to allow the penetration pins 290, 350 and / or piercing needles to penetrate without causing excessive compression or changes in the density of the unit containing consumables 104. Changes in the density of the compression "package" of the unit containing consumables 104 can adversely affect the flow of air or steam through the unit containing consumables 104.
[00157] [00157] Any consumable particulate material that can be pushed completely through the casing 108 after penetration of the susceptor 106 will be held captive in the cavity 368 between the unit containing consumables 104 and the nozzle 158. As the tips 362 of the pins 290, 350 are sharp , consumables are unlikely to be ejected out of housing 108.
[00158] [00158] In some modalities, the exits 354 and / or the inlets 352 can be covered with the coating that melts at heated temperatures. In the preferred embodiment, the unit containing consumables 104 is long enough to cover all hollow pin 350, except outlet 354.
[00159] [00159] The susceptor base 358 may comprise an opening 364 corresponding to the hollow pin 350. In embodiments with multiple hollow pins 350a-d, each hollow pin 350a-d has its own corresponding opening 364.
[00160] [00160] In some embodiments, there may be several hollow pins 350a-d. The hollow pins 350a-d can be arranged in a circle, making them compatible with the mobile heating element 160 or with the package containing mobile consumables 102. In some embodiments, there may be a single hollow pin 350 with the hollow pin 350 centered on the susceptor base
[00161] [00161] Each hollow pin 350 can have at least one inlet 352 and at least one outlet 354. Preferably, the hollow pin 350 comprises a plurality of inlets 352 and a plurality of outlets 354. Inlets 352 can be arranged in a series along the length of the hollow pin
[00162] [00162] In some embodiments, the unit containing consumables 104 does not extend from one end 105 of the package containing consumables 102 to nozzle 158. As such, a cavity 368 exists between the unit containing consumables 104 and nozzle 158. This cavity 368 can be filled with thermally conductive material, flavoring and the like.
[00163] [00163] As shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 25E, in use, susceptor 106 is incorporated into the unit containing consumables 104. When susceptor 106 is heated by inductive heating by heating element 160, the unit containing consumables releases the aerosol . As the user sucks the nozzle 158, the pressure differential inside the package containing consumables 102 causes the aerosol to enter the hollow pin 350 through inlet 352 and out through outlet 354 (see arrows showing air flow) . The aerosol then enters cavity 368 of the package containing consumables 102 and is filtered through the nozzle 158 for inhalation by the user. As such, housing 108 does not need to have any openings
[00164] [00164] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 26A-G, there may be a single hollow pin 350 centrally positioned on the susceptor base 358, with a plurality of pins 290a-d surrounding the hollow pin 350. In such an embodiment, the pin hollow 350 does not need to be able to heat by induction heating, although it can be. In this embodiment, the unit containing consumables 104 can have a central hole 366 through which the hollow pin 350 can be inserted for a tight fit.
[00165] [00165] As shown in Figure 26G, in use, when the susceptor pins 290 are heated, the generated aerosol enters through the inlets 352 of the hollow pin 350 and exits through the outlets 354 and into the nozzle 158, as shown by the air flow arrows .
[00166] [00166] The aerosol produced by the methods and devices described in this document is efficient and reduces the amount of toxic by-products observed in traditional cigarettes and other devices for heating without burning. EXAMPLE
[00167] [00167] As shown in Figures 24A-C, tests were carried out on packages containing consumables 102 which were prepared by compressing powdered tobacco mixed with a humectant and PGA, to form consumable unit 104, around a susceptor 106, wrapped in a foil cover such as housing 108, inserted in a filter tube 140 in such a way that the openings 120 were present on three sides as air channels, covered in standard cigarette paper such as housing 150, capped at one end with a high flow proximal filter such as nozzle 158 and at the other end with a distal filter tip as end cap 154. The susceptor 106 is in the form of a spiral-twisted sheet of metal. The unit containing consumables 104 and housing 108 have triangular cross sections. Filter tube 140 is a spiral paper tube.
[00168] [00168] The test in Durham, North Carolina, was performed with a prototype device that was determined to heat the susceptor to 611 ºC (Degrees Centigrade) due to the calibration of the electrical energy used in the test process.
[00169] [00169] The Durham test was performed using a 20-port SM459 linear analytical smoking machine and was performed by technicians familiar with the equipment and all associated accessories. The technicians placed three packs containing 102 consumables in the smoking machine. Each package containing 102 consumables was then "blown" 6 times, for a total of 18 puffs. The resulting aerosol was then collected in filter blocks. The "smoking" regime was a breath every 30 seconds, lasting 2 seconds and a volume of 55 mL collected using a bell curve profile. The analysis of the collected aerosol determined that 0.570 mg of carbon monoxide (CO) was present in the aerosol of each consumable stick, well below the levels at which it could be assumed that combustion occurred, despite the fact that it is generally assumed that combustion will occur at temperatures above 350 ºC.
[00170] [00170] A second set of tests was performed in Richmond, Virginia. The Richmond tests were done with a package containing consumables 102 similarly configured and a prototype device that was calibrated to heat a susceptor 106 in three separate configurations of 275 ºC, 350 ºC and 425 ºC. CO data were generated by Enthalpy Analytical (EA) (Richmond, Virginia, USA), LLC, according to Method EA AM-007. The packs containing 102 consumables were smoked using an analytical smoking machine, following the established Canadian intense smoking procedure. The vapor phase of the smoke (ie, aerosol) was collected in gas sampling bags attached to the smoking machine configured with the requested blowing parameters. A non-dispersive infrared absorption method (NDIR) is used to measure the concentration of CO in the vapor phase in percentage by volume (percentage of vol). Using the number of packages containing consumables 102, the puff count, the volume of puffs and the environmental conditions, the percentage of CO was converted into milligrams per package containing consumables (mg / cig).
[00171] [00171] In the calibrated temperature settings, it was determined that no CO was found in the aerosol produced in each of the settings, despite the fact that it is generally assumed that combustion will occur at temperatures above 350 ºC.
[00172] [00172] The tests performed are industry standard tests. In similar industry standard tests, commercially available non-burn products report CO at 0.436 mg / cig. The standard fuel cigarette indicates CO at 30.2 mg / cig.
[00173] [00173] The previous description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intended that the scope of the invention is not limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and equivalents to the appended claims.

权利要求:
Claims (91)
[1]
1. Device for generating aerosol, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables, in which the unit containing consumables comprises a compressed powder; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a housing covering the unit containing consumables and the susceptor, wherein the housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the housing comprises an opening; and d) a coating to cover the opening.
[2]
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a filter configured to surround the housing in a way that eliminates a gap between the filter and the housing.
[3]
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the filter covers the covered opening.
[4]
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a housing for containing the filter.
[5]
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a plurality of enclosures and an inductive heating element configured and programmed to selectively heat each enclosure a predetermined number of times to a predetermined temperature selected by a user, the predetermined temperature being sufficient to melt the coating and release the aerosol from the unit containing consumables from the respective housing being heated.
[6]
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises an aerosol-producing device configured to retain the housing and the inductive heating element, the housing comprising a nozzle projecting from the aerosol-producing device , the aerosol generating device comprising: a) a switch operatively connected to the inductive heating element to activate the inductive heating element, b) a user interface operably coupled to the switch and the inductive heating element to provide status information; and c) a controller, comprising a processor-based frequency control delivered to the inductive heating element.
[7]
7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the first or second ends of the enclosure comprises a fold to space adjacent enclosures.
[8]
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a plurality of openings in the enclosure, wherein the plurality of openings is positioned at the first and second ends of the enclosure.
[9]
9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the unit containing consumables comprises two tablets of a powder consumable.
[10]
10. Device according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the susceptor is sandwiched between the two inserts.
[11]
11. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the susceptor is a metallic plate.
[12]
12. Device according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the metal plate comprises a plurality of openings.
[13]
13. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the susceptor is an elongated metal plate having a longitudinal direction, the elongated metal plate comprising sets of openings, and sets of gaps, in which the sets of openings alternate in series with the sets of gaps along the longitudinal direction of the elongated metal plate, so that each set of openings is adjacent to one of the gaps.
[14]
14. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coating comprises propylene glycol alginate.
[15]
15. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the coating comprises a flavoring.
[16]
16. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the susceptor comprises steel wool.
[17]
17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the susceptor comprises an additive.
[18]
18. Device according to claim 16,
characterized by the fact that the susceptor is an elongated block having a longitudinal direction, the elongated block comprising sets of openings, and sets of gaps, in which the sets of openings alternate in series with the sets of gaps along the longitudinal direction of the block elongated, so that each set of openings is adjacent to one of the gaps.
[19]
19. Method of using the device as defined in claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises: releasing an aerosol form of a consumable from the unit containing consumables without producing toxic by-products associated with combustion.
[20]
20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that it further comprises the application of heat to the unit containing consumables by heating the susceptor with an induction heating element to release the aerosol form of the consumable from the unit containing consumables without burning the unit containing consumables.
[21]
21. Method according to claim 20, characterized by the fact that heat melts the coating to release the consumable in aerosol form from the wrapper.
[22]
22. Method of manufacturing an aerosol generating device, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) incorporating a susceptor in a unit containing consumables; b) placing the unit containing consumables and the susceptor in a housing, where the housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the housing comprises an opening; c) apply a coating to the opening; d) place the wrapper on a filter; and e) placing the filter containing the housing in a housing.
[23]
23. Method according to claim 22, characterized by the fact that the unit containing consumables is pressed against a tablet to minimize oxygen within the tablet.
[24]
24. Method according to claim 23, characterized by the fact that the unit containing consumables is mixed with an additive to minimize oxygen within the tablet.
[25]
25. The method of claim 24, characterized by the fact that it further comprises the placement of a plurality of housings stacked within the filter.
[26]
26. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that the shells are separated from each other by a fold created at one or more ends of the sheath.
[27]
27. Device for generating aerosol, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a heating element configured to at least partially surround the unit containing consumables and configured to heat the susceptor to a temperature of 400 ºC or higher;
d) a controller for controlling the heating element; and e) a case to contain the unit containing consumables, the susceptor, the heating element and the controller.
[28]
28. Device according to claim 27, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a self-resonating oscillator for controlling the heating element.
[29]
29. Device according to claim 28, characterized by the fact that the self-resonating oscillator comprises a capacitor operatively connected to the heating element.
[30]
30. Device according to claim 29, characterized in that the heating element comprises a plurality of spiral wires, each spiral wire operatively connected to the controller for independent activation from the other spiral wires.
[31]
31. Device according to claim 27, characterized by the fact that the heating element is mobile.
[32]
32. Device according to claim 31, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is an elongated member defining a first longitudinal axis, and in which the heating element is configured to move axially along the first longitudinal axis.
[33]
33. Device according to claim 32, characterized in that the unit containing consumables comprises a cylindrical magnet at one end of the unit containing consumables, the cylindrical magnet defining a second longitudinal axis, wherein the heating element is a coil cylindrical coil wrapped around the unit containing consumables, the cylindrical coil defining a third longitudinal axis, in which the cylindrical magnet and the heating element are configured to maintain the collinear alignment of the second longitudinal axis with the third longitudinal axis.
[34]
34. Device according to claim 31, characterized by the fact that the susceptor is a multiple pin susceptor.
[35]
35. Device according to claim 34, characterized by the fact that the heating element is configured to rotate around the unit containing consumables.
[36]
36. Device according to claim 35, characterized in that the multi-pin susceptor comprises a plurality of pins parallel to each other and incorporated in the unit containing consumables.
[37]
37. Device according to claim 36, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is an elongated member defining a first longitudinal axis, wherein the heating element is a coil wound around the unit containing consumables to form a cylinder defining a second longitudinal axis, and where the heating element is configured to rotate around the unit containing consumables in an eccentric path, so that the second longitudinal axis aligns collinearly with each of the pins of the multi-pin susceptor in some moment when the heating element rotates around the unit containing consumables.
[38]
38. Device according to claim 34, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis, and in which the heating element is configured to move radially with respect to the longitudinal axis.
[39]
39. Device according to claim 27, characterized in that the susceptor is a multiple pin susceptor.
[40]
40. Device according to claim 39, characterized in that the multi-pin susceptor comprises a plurality of pins parallel to each other and incorporated in the unit containing consumables.
[41]
41. Device according to claim 40, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is an elongate member defining a first longitudinal axis, wherein the heating element is a coil wound around the unit containing consumables to form a cylinder defining a second longitudinal axis, and where the unit containing consumables is configured to rotate inside the heating element in an eccentric path, so that the second longitudinal axis aligns collinearly with each of the pins of the multi-pin susceptor at some point during the rotation of the unit containing consumables inside the heating element.
[42]
42. Device according to claim 39, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is an elongate member defining a first longitudinal axis, wherein the heating element is a coil wound around the unit containing consumables to form a cylinder defining a second longitudinal axis, and where the unit containing consumables is configured to move radially within the heating element, so that the second longitudinal axis aligns collinearly with each of the pins of the multi-pin susceptor at some point during the movement of the unit containing consumables inside the heating element.
[43]
43. Device according to claim 27, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a magnetic flow sensor adjacent to the heating element and configured to measure a magnetic flow created by the heating element.
[44]
44. Device according to claim 43, characterized by the fact that the magnetic flow sensor is operatively connected to the controller to control the activation of the heating element based on the return of the magnetic flow sensor.
[45]
45. Device according to claim 27, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a use sensor to detect whether a portion of the package containing consumables being detected has been heated beyond a predetermined temperature.
[46]
46. Device according to claim 45, characterized by the fact that the use sensor is a photoreflexive sensor.
[47]
47. Device according to claim 46, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is contained in a package containing consumables, and the package containing consumables comprises a heat sensitive dye that changes color when heated to a predetermined temperature, where the color change is detectable by the photo-reflective sensor.
[48]
48. Device according to claim 47,
characterized by the fact that the controller also comprises a memory for storing locations of portions of the unit containing consumables that have been heated to the predetermined temperature.
[49]
49. Device according to claim 48, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a limit switch to reset the memory when a new unit containing consumables is inserted in the case.
[50]
50. Device according to claim 27, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a heat sink operatively connected to the heating element.
[51]
51. Device according to claim 50, characterized by the fact that the heat sink is a finned cylinder comprising the heating element.
[52]
52. Device according to claim 27, characterized by the fact that it further comprises an air flow controller.
[53]
53. Device according to claim 52, characterized in that the susceptor comprises a hollow pin.
[54]
54. Device according to claim 53, characterized by the fact that the hollow pin comprises an inlet and an outlet.
[55]
55. Device according to claim 27, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a packaging alignment containing consumables.
[56]
56. Device for generating aerosol, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables;
b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a housing covering the unit containing consumables and the susceptor, wherein the housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the housing comprises an opening; d) a coating to cover the opening; and e) a filter configured to wrap the housing in a way that eliminates a gap between the filter and the housing.
[57]
57. Device according to claim 56, characterized by the fact that the filter covers the covered opening.
[58]
58. Device according to claim 57, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a housing for containing the filter.
[59]
59. Device according to claim 58, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a plurality of enclosures and an inductive heating element configured and programmed to selectively heat each enclosure a predetermined number of times to a predetermined temperature selected by a user, the predetermined temperature being sufficient to melt the coating and release the aerosol from the unit containing consumables from the respective housing being heated.
[60]
60. Device according to claim 59, characterized by the fact that it further comprises an aerosol producing device configured to hold the housing and the induction heating element, the housing comprising a nozzle projecting outwardly from the heating device. aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: a) a switch operatively connected to the inductive heating element to activate the inductive heating element, b) a user interface operably coupled to the switch and the inductive heating element to provide information status; and c) a controller, comprising a processor-based frequency control delivered to the inductive heating element.
[61]
61. Device for generating aerosol, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a housing covering the unit containing consumables and the susceptor, wherein the housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the housing comprises an opening; and d) a liner to cover the opening, wherein one of the first or second ends of the enclosure comprises a fold to space adjacent enclosures.
[62]
62. Device according to claim 61, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of openings in the enclosure, wherein the plurality of openings is positioned at the first and second ends of the enclosure.
[63]
63. Aerosol generating device, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a housing covering the unit containing consumables and the susceptor, wherein the housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the housing comprises an opening; and d) a coating to cover the opening, wherein the consumable unit comprises two granules of a powdered consumable.
[64]
64. Device according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the susceptor is sandwiched between the two inserts.
[65]
65. Device for generating aerosol, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a housing covering the unit containing consumables and the susceptor, wherein the housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the housing comprises an opening; and d) a coating to cover the opening, where the susceptor is a metal plate, and where the metal plate comprises a plurality of openings.
[66]
66. Device according to claim 65,
characterized by the fact that the susceptor is an elongated metal plate or a woolen block, the susceptor having a longitudinal direction, and in which the plurality of openings is formed as sets of openings, and sets of gaps, in which the sets of openings alternate in series with the sets of gaps along the longitudinal direction of the susceptor, so that each set of openings is adjacent to one of the gaps.
[67]
67. Method of manufacturing an aerosol generating device, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) incorporating a susceptor in a unit containing consumables, in which the susceptor is configured to reach a temperature of 400 ºC or higher; b) placing the unit containing consumables and the susceptor in a housing, where the housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the housing comprises an opening; c) apply a coating to the opening; d) place the wrapper on a filter; and e) placing the filter containing the housing in a housing.
[68]
68. Method according to claim 67, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is pressed against a tablet to minimize oxygen within the tablet.
[69]
69. Method according to claim 68, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is mixed with an additive to minimize oxygen within the tablet.
[70]
70. The method of claim 69,
characterized by the fact that it also includes the placement of a plurality of housings stacked within the filter.
[71]
71. Method according to claim 70, characterized in that the shells are separated from each other by a fold created at one or more ends of the sheath.
[72]
72. Device for generating aerosol, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a heating element configured to at least partially surround the unit containing consumables; d) a controller for controlling the heating element; e) a case for containing the unit containing consumables, the susceptor, the heating element, and the controller; and f) a self-resonating oscillator for controlling the heating element, in which the self-resonating oscillator comprises a capacitor operatively connected to the heating element, and in which the heating element comprises a plurality of spiral wires, each spiral wire operatively connected to the controller for independent activation of the other spiral wires.
[73]
73. Device for generating aerosol, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a heating element configured to at least partially surround the unit containing consumables; d) a controller for controlling the heating element; and e) a case for containing the unit containing consumables, the susceptor, the heating element and the controller, in which the heating element is mobile, and in which the unit containing consumables is an elongated member defining a first longitudinal axis, and in that the heating element is configured to move axially along the first longitudinal axis.
[74]
74. Device according to claim 73, characterized in that the unit containing consumables comprises a cylindrical magnet at one end of the unit containing consumables, the cylindrical magnet defining a second longitudinal axis, wherein the heating element is a coil cylindrical coil wrapped around the unit containing consumables, the cylindrical coil defining a third longitudinal axis, in which the cylindrical magnet and the heating element are configured to maintain the collinear alignment of the second longitudinal axis with the third longitudinal axis.
[75]
75. Aerosol generating device, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a heating element configured to at least partially surround the unit containing consumables; d) a controller for controlling the heating element; and e) a case for containing the unit containing consumables, the susceptor, the heating element and the controller, in which the heating element is mobile, and in which the susceptor is a multiple pin susceptor.
[76]
76. Device according to claim 75, characterized by the fact that the heating element is configured to rotate around the unit containing consumables.
[77]
77. Device according to claim 76, characterized in that the multi-pin susceptor comprises a plurality of pins parallel to each other and incorporated in the unit containing consumables.
[78]
78. Device according to claim 77, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is an elongate member defining a first longitudinal axis, wherein the heating element is a coil wound around the unit containing consumables to form a cylinder defining a second longitudinal axis, and where the heating element is configured to rotate around the unit containing consumables in an eccentric path, so that the second longitudinal axis aligns collinearly with each of the pins of the multi-pin susceptor in some moment when the heating element rotates around the unit containing consumables.
[79]
79. Device according to claim 75, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis, and in which the heating element is configured to move radially with respect to the longitudinal axis.
[80]
80. Aerosol generating device, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a heating element configured to at least partially surround the unit containing consumables; d) a controller for controlling the heating element; and e) a case for containing the unit containing consumables, the susceptor, the heating element and the controller, wherein the susceptor is a multiple pin susceptor.
[81]
81. Device according to claim 80, characterized in that the multi-pin susceptor comprises a plurality of pins parallel to each other and incorporated in the unit containing consumables.
[82]
82. Device according to claim 81, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is an elongate member defining a first longitudinal axis, wherein the heating element is a coil wound around the unit containing consumables to form a cylinder defining a second longitudinal axis, and where the unit containing consumables is configured to rotate inside the heating element in an eccentric path, so that the second longitudinal axis aligns collinearly with each of the pins of the multi-pin susceptor at some point during the rotation of the unit containing consumables inside the heating element.
[83]
83. Device according to claim 80, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is an elongated member defining a first longitudinal axis,
wherein the heating element is a coil wound around the unit containing consumables to form a cylinder defining a second longitudinal axis, and where the unit containing consumables is configured to move radially within the heating element, so that the second longitudinal axis aligns collinearly with each of the pins of the multi-pin susceptor at some point during the movement of the unit containing consumables within the heating element.
[84]
84. Aerosol generating device, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a heating element configured to at least partially surround the unit containing consumables; d) a controller for controlling the heating element; e) a case to contain the unit containing consumables, the susceptor, the heating element and the controller; and f) a usage sensor to detect whether a portion of the packaging containing consumables being detected has been heated beyond a predetermined temperature.
[85]
85. Device according to claim 84, characterized by the fact that the wear sensor is a photoreflexive sensor.
[86]
86. Device according to claim 85, characterized in that the unit containing consumables is contained in a package containing consumables, and the package containing consumables comprises a heat sensitive dye that changes color when heated to a predetermined temperature, where the color change is detectable by the photo-reflective sensor.
[87]
87. Device according to claim 86, characterized by the fact that the controller further comprises a memory for storing locations of portions of the unit containing consumables that have been heated to the predetermined temperature.
[88]
88. Device according to claim 87, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a limit switch to reset the memory when a new unit containing consumables is inserted in the case.
[89]
89. Aerosol generating device, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) a unit containing consumables; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a heating element configured to at least partially surround the unit containing consumables; d) a controller for controlling the heating element; e) a case to contain the unit containing consumables, the susceptor, the heating element and the controller; and f) a heatsink operatively connected to the heating element.
[90]
90. Device according to claim 89, characterized by the fact that the heat sink is a finned cylinder comprising the heating element.
[91]
91. Aerosol generating device, characterized by the fact that it comprises:
a) a unit containing consumables; b) a susceptor incorporated in the unit containing consumables; c) a heating element configured to at least partially surround the unit containing consumables; d) a controller for controlling the heating element; e) a case to contain the unit containing consumables, the susceptor, the heating element and the controller; and f) a packaging alignment containing magnetic consumables.

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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JP2021514177A|2021-06-10|

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KR20200105692A|2020-09-08|

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PH12020551030A1|2021-08-02|

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US20200383377A1|2020-12-10|

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US20190200677A1|2019-07-04|

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EP3732936A4|2022-01-26|

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SG11202006324TA|2020-07-29|

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EP3732936A1|2020-11-04|

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WO2019136165A1|2019-07-11|

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CN112136360A|2020-12-25|

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US10750787B2|2020-08-25|

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法律状态:
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优先权:

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US62/613,355|2018-01-03|

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