DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

An aerosol generating device, more particularly an electronic device to generate aerosol has been disclosed here.

BACKGROUND ART

Many smoking articles, alternatives or improvements over the traditional smoking of tobacco, have been proposed through the years. Exemplary alternate devices include devices, wherein combustion of a solid or liquid fuel is done to transfer heat to tobacco or wherein a chemical reaction is used to provide such heat source.

Alternate devices for delivery of nicotine such as electronic vaping devices, carbon heat not burn, etc. have not been able to meet consumer satisfaction. One possible reason being their inability to deliver the required quantity and/or consistency of nicotine and flavour as that by a conventional cigarette. Other issues can be related to the way of holding the device, device cleaning requirements, etc.

Reference has been made to US20140000638A1, where Reservoir and heater system for controllable delivery of multiple aerosolizable materials in an electronic smoking article has been disclosed. It relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, provision is there for separate delivery of two or more components of an aerosol precursor composition to one or more heaters so as to control the rate of delivery or the rate of heating of the separate components of the aerosol precursor composition.

Reference has been made to US 20140060554A1, where an electronic smoking article comprising one or more micro heaters has been disclosed. It relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article comprises one or more micro heaters. In various embodiments, the micro heaters provide for improved control of vaporization of an aerosol precursor composition and provide for reduced power requirements to achieve consistent aerosolization. The present disclosure further relates to methods of forming an aerosol in a smoking article.

Reference has been made to US 20030108342 A1, where aerosol generator having heater arranged to vaporize fluid in fluid passage between bonded layers of laminate has been disclosed. An aerosol generator includes a fluid supply which supplies fluid to a fluid passage and a heater which heats the fluid into a gaseous state, the fluid passage being located between opposed layers of a laminate. The fluid passage can be a capillary sized passage formed by locating a mandrel between opposed layers of the laminate, bonding the layers together and removing the mandrel such that the space previously occupied by the mandrel forms the fluid passage. The opposed layers of the laminate can be copper sheets and ceramic layers can be provided on the outside of the copper layers. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.

Reference has been made to US 6681769 B2, where aerosol generator having a multiple path heater arrangement has been disclosed. An aerosol generator includes a heater arrangement having heating sections and corresponding flow paths for volatilization of a multiple fluid in liquid form. The flow paths can include first and second flow paths which are parallel to each other and sized such that the first flow path is smaller than the second flow path. During delivery of liquid to the flow paths, a smaller amount of vaporized liquid can be ejected from the first flow path, and the bulk of the vaporized liquid can be ejected from the second flow path.

Some of the existing electronic devices to generate aerosol have a heater directly in contact with the aerosol generating substrate which is heated constantly at very high temperature irrespective of whether the consumer is taking a puff or not. This may lead to need for frequent charging and loss of nicotine or flavour after some time which may result in consumer’s dissatisfaction.

In view of the above cited prior art, it would be highly desirable to provide a user-friendly electronic aerosol generating device that can meet consumer requirements of consistent aerosol delivery, thus providing satisfaction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention to provide basic understanding of some aspects of the invention, neither to identify the critical elements nor to delineate the scope of the invention. It sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form, as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.

An object of the present invention is to provide a user friendly aerosol generating electronic device designed to deliver the required quantity and/or consistency of nicotine and flavour.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic aerosol generating device with at least one heating arrangement.

Another object of the present invention is to configure each heater in a way to ensure uniform heat transfer within the substrate.

Another object of this invention is the arrangement of a core heater, said heater having a shape, size and material to prevent sticking of the substrate to the heater element, thus avoiding frequent cleaning.

Yet another object of the invention is the combination of core and peripheral heater, which can be configured to maintain uniform heat transfer profile throughout the substrate, wherein said heaters can have a length varying from about 8 mm to about 20 mm.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide consistent delivery of aerosol, without compromising the quality of aerosol.

Yet another object of this invention is the longer usage time (discharge cycle).

Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention, an electronic aerosol generating device has been disclosed. The aerosol generator comprising atleast one heater, such as core heater and/or peripheral heater, wherein said peripheral heater having multiple segments, said segments being done to save on energy and prevent loss of aerosol generating material at once initially, both of which can be configured to give uniform heat transfer upon the tobacco substrate; device electronics, said electronics used to measure and monitor the temperature of the substrate, thus designed to actuate to provide uniform heating; and an opening for easy insertion of aerosol generating substrate and cleaning purposes of the device.

Other aspects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an aerosol generating device with peripheral heater, as prior art to the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a lateral cross-sectional view of one exemplar of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.

Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or component but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Reference is made to figure 1 that illustrates an aerosol generating device with peripheral heater, as prior art to the present invention. The present invention discloses an electronic aerosol generating device.

In the present invention, an electronic device for aerosol generation is disclosed. In particular, the present invention discloses an electronic aerosol generating device with the provision of at least one heating arrangement. The aerosol generating device having a means (3) to insert the aerosol generating substrate has a core heating element (1) wherein the heater temperature profile/actuation is designed in a way to provide a uniform heat transfer to the aerosol generating substrate. The heater(s) is configured to restrict excessive heating of any aerosol generating segment, ensuring longer usage time and consistency in delivery of the aerosol thus formed.

Accordingly, in one implementation of the present invention, an electronic aerosol generating device has been disclosed. The aerosol generator comprising multiple heaters, one core heater (1) and other heaters e.g peripheral heater (2), both of which can be configured to give uniform heat transfer to the substrate; electronic means, the said electronic means used to measure and monitor the temperature of the substrate, thus designed to actuate to provide uniform heating; and an opening (3) for easy insertion of aerosol generating substrate and cleaning purposes of the device.

Reference is made to figure 2 illustrating a lateral cross-sectional view of one exemplar of the invention. The core heaters are preferably a pin or a blade. The size, shape and material of the core heater element prevent sticking of the aerosol generating substrate to it, thus avoiding need for frequent cleaning. The combination of core and peripheral heater, can be configured to maintain uniform heat transfer profile throughout the substrate, wherein said heaters can have a length varying from about 8 mm to about 20 mm.

The electronic aerosol device disclosed herein comprises an electronic means. The said electronic means comprises of the required circuitry for the measurement of temperature and proper logic is configured within for the proper operation of the device. Temperature of the heating elements is monitored either directly or indirectly by the electronic means. Measurement of temperature can be done directly which includes but not limits to the use of sensors like thermocouple, thermistor. Indirect ways of measurement include but not limits to the use of feedback from the current drawn by the element or self-regulated heating element based on voltage.

The electronic aerosol generating device is configured to ensure proper air flow. The device is covered with insulation material (4). The device is configured to alter the temperature and power profile of each heater thereby ensuring consistent deliveries and longer usage time (discharge cycle).

The herein disclosed electronic aerosol generating device has to be powered by a power supply which includes but not limits to a device battery. The device battery helps in providing sufficient voltage to the electronic means and heater assembly for proper operation and needs to be charged from time to time for further use.

The aerosol generating substrate of the present invention includes but not limits to tobacco, which can be used in any desired form which includes film, mat, flakes, cut tobacco, recon/expanded tobacco.

The means (3) for insertion of the substrate comprises an opening at one end of the device ensures easy insertion of the aerosol generating substrate and easy cleansing of the device.

Some of the advantages of the present invention, considered to be noteworthy are mentioned below:

1. The aerosol generating device along with at least one core heating arrangement and airflow design provides a uniform heating of the substrate.

2. The provision to alter the temperature and power profile of each heater ensures consistent deliveries and longer usage time (discharge cycle).

3. The shape, size and material of the core heating element prevents sticking of the aerosol generating substrate to the core heater, thus avoiding frequent cleaning.

The list of reference numerals is provided below:
1: Core heating element
2: peripheral heating
3: Opening for inserting aerosol generating substrate multi-section
4: Insulation material
,CLAIMS:1. An electronic device for aerosol generation comprising:
a means (3) for insertion of an aerosol generating substrate;
at least one heating arrangement comprising a core heater (1), a peripheral heater (2) and/or a combination thereof.

2. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heater temperature profile/actuation is designed to provide a uniform heat transfer to the aerosol generating substrate.

3. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 1, comprising electronic means configured to ensure the proper operation of the device.

4. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said electronic means is configured to measure and to monitor the temperature of the substrate.

5. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 4, wherein the temperature of the substrate is monitored either directly or indirectly by the device electronics.

6. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 5, wherein the temperature of the substrate is directly measured by the use of sensors such as thermocouple or thermistor.

7. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 5, wherein the temperature of the substrate is indirectly measured by the use of feedback from the current drawn by the element or self-regulated heating element based on voltage.

8. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 1, wherein a means for insertion (3) of the substrate comprises an opening adapted for insertion of the aerosol generating substrate and cleaning of the device.

9. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the size, shape and material of the core heater element (1) is configured to prevent the sticking of the aerosol generating substrate to it.

10. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said heaters have a length preferably in the range from 8 mm to 20 mm.

11. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 1 comprises a power supply providing sufficient voltage to the device electronics and heater assembly for proper operation.

12. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heater is preferably a pin or a blade shaped.

13. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is configured to facilitate proper air flow.

14. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is covered with an insulation material (4).

15. The electronic device for aerosol generation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating substrate is tobacco in any desired form such as film, mat, flakes, cut tobacco, recon/expanded tobacco.