CN116568164A

CN116568164A - Aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: CN116568164A
Application number: CN202180082719.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: N·莱尔; J·梅森
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2020-12-11
Filing date: 2021-12-07
Publication date: 2023-08-08
Also published as: US20240032593A1; TW202226972A; WO2022122707A1; KR20230118868A; JP2023552272A; EP4258915A1

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device (10) includes a body (12) configured to receive an aerosol-generating article (100). The main body (12) comprises: a housing (18) having an inner surface (18 a) and an outer surface (18 b); an inner shell (20) adjacent the inner surface (18 a) inside the outer shell (18); and an inner cap (22) having an inner surface (22 a) and an outer surface (22 b). The inner cover (22) is fixed to a periphery (20 c) of the inner case (20) to define a space (27) between an inner surface (22 a) of the inner cover (22) and an inner surface (20 a) of the inner case (20). The aerosol-generating device (10) further includes an outer cover (24) having an inner surface (24 a) and an outer surface (24 b). The outer cover (24) is located over the inner cover (22). The outer surface (18 b) of the housing (18) and the outer surface (24 b) of the outer cover (24) define an outer surface (48) of the aerosol-generating device (10), and the perimeter (24 c) of the outer cover (24) contacts the perimeter (18 c) of the housing (18) such that the outer surface (24 b) of the outer cover (24) is substantially flush with the outer surface (18 b) of the housing (18) to define a continuous outer surface (48).

Description

Aerosol generating device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an aerosol-generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol-generating device for heating an aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The present disclosure is particularly suited for portable (hand-held) aerosol-generating devices. Such devices may heat rather than burn the aerosol-generating substrate by conduction, convection, and/or radiation to produce aerosol for inhalation.

Background

As an alternative to using traditional tobacco products, the popularity and use of devices (also known as carburettors) with reduced or revised risks has grown rapidly in recent years. A number of different devices and systems are available for heating or warming an aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

One common risk-reduced or risk-corrected device is a matrix heated aerosol generating device or a so-called heated non-burning device. Devices of this type produce aerosols or vapors by heating an aerosol-generating substrate to a temperature typically in the range of 150 ℃ to 300 ℃. Heating the aerosol-generating substrate to a temperature in this range without burning or combusting the aerosol-generating substrate will generate a vapor, which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

Another commonly used risk-reduced or risk-corrected device heats the aerosol-generating liquid to produce a vapor that cools and condenses to form an aerosol that is subsequently inhaled by the user. Aerosol-generating liquids typically include nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, and flavors.

Both types of aerosol-generating devices comprise a body that houses an aerosol-generating unit, and the body may be formed from a plurality of components such as one or more housing elements and a cover element. In order to ensure that the aerosol generating device has an acceptable aesthetic appearance to the user, it is desirable to ensure a close fit between the components, and the present disclosure seeks to address this need.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising a body configured to receive an aerosol-generating article, the body comprising:

a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface;

an inner shell adjacent the inner surface, within the outer shell;

an inner cover having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner cover being secured to a periphery of the inner housing to define a space between the inner surface of the inner cover and the inner surface of the inner housing;

an outer cap having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer cap being located over the inner cap;

wherein the outer surface of the housing and the outer surface of the outer cover define an outer surface of the aerosol-generating device, and the perimeter of the outer cover contacts the perimeter of the housing such that the outer surface of the outer cover is substantially flush with the outer surface of the housing to define a continuous outer surface.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating device is adapted to heat the aerosol-generating substrate, rather than burn the aerosol-generating substrate, to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating substrate and thereby generate a vapor that cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol generating device is a hand-held portable device (meaning that the user can hold with one hand and support the device without assistance).

In a general sense, a vapor is a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical temperature, which means that the vapor can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without decreasing the temperature, while an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or droplets in air or another gas. It should be noted, however, that the terms 'aerosol' and 'vapor' are used interchangeably throughout this specification, particularly with respect to the form of inhalable medium produced for inhalation by a user.

The close contact between the perimeter of the outer cover and the perimeter of the outer shell (such that the outer surfaces of these components are substantially flush with each other) ensures that the aerosol-generating device has a pleasing aesthetic appearance with a continuous outer surface.

The aerosol-generating device may have a proximal end and a distal end, and may have a longitudinal direction extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The aerosol-generating device may have a front portion and may have a rear portion. The periphery of the outer cover may be curved in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction between the front and rear of the aerosol-generating device. The perimeter of the housing may also be curved in a lateral direction. Thus, the flush outer surfaces of the outer cover and the outer shell may define a curved continuous outer surface in a lateral direction between the front and rear of the aerosol-generating device. The curved continuous outer surface may further improve the aesthetic appearance of the aerosol-generating device and may enhance user comfort when handling and manipulating the aerosol-generating device.

The body may include a circumferentially extending groove. The outer cover may include a circumferentially extending rim and may include a circumferentially extending collar that may be positioned inwardly relative to the circumferentially extending rim. The circumferentially extending collar may be located in a circumferentially extending groove and the circumferentially extending edge may contact the periphery of the housing. The contact between the circumferentially extending edge of the outer cover and the periphery of the outer cover ensures that the outer surface of the outer cover and the outer surface of the outer cover may be flush to define a continuous outer surface of the aerosol-generating device, in particular that any other component of the body, such as the inner shell and/or the inner cover, is not visible.

The circumferentially extending collar may be spaced inwardly from the periphery of the housing. A tight fit between the perimeter of the outer cover and the perimeter of the outer cover is thus achieved, ensuring that the outer surfaces of the outer cover and the outer cover are flush and continuous.

The perimeter of the housing may include a circumferentially extending flange. The circumferentially extending edge of the outer cover may contact the circumferentially extending flange of the outer shell. Thus achieving a good alignment and a tight fit between the outer cover and the housing.

The depth of the circumferentially extending groove may be greater than the depth of the circumferentially extending collar. This ensures that the circumferentially extending edge of the outer cover can directly contact the circumferentially extending flange of the outer shell and that there are no gaps between these components that could affect the aesthetic appearance of the aerosol-generating device.

The circumferentially extending groove may be defined between a circumferential portion of the inner cap and a circumferential portion of the outer shell. Thus, the circumferentially extending groove is easy to form when assembling the inner cover and the outer shell and need not be formed in any single component part during manufacturing. Thus, the manufacture of the components of the aerosol-generating device may be simplified.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise at least one attachment element to releasably attach the outer cap to the inner cap. Thus, the outer cover can be easily removed and replaced, for example by a user of the aerosol-generating device. This may allow personalizing the aerosol generating device, for example by allowing a user to attach an outer cap having a different color and/or a different texture to the inner cap.

The attachment element may comprise a magnet. The use of magnets may allow for reliable attachment and detachment of the outer cap to and from the inner cap.

The aerosol generating device may further comprise a snap fit connection structure for securing the inner cap to the inner housing. The inner cap is thus reliably fixed to the inner shell.

The inner shell may be secured in place inside the outer shell adjacent the inner surface of the outer shell.

The housing may comprise metal, preferably aluminium. The use of metal, in particular aluminium, ensures that the aerosol-generating device has a pleasant aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, the use of metal allows the circumferentially extending flange to be accurately formed, for example by a suitable machining process, ensuring an accurate alignment and close fit between the circumferentially extending edge of the outer cover and the circumferentially extending flange of the outer shell. In some embodiments, the housing may alternatively comprise a plastic material.

The outer cover may comprise a plastics material. The use of a plastic material may advantageously provide the outer cover with a sufficient amount of flexibility to enable the periphery of the outer cover to flex and conform to the periphery of the housing. This may further ensure that a tight fit may be achieved between the perimeter of the outer cover and the perimeter of the housing. In some embodiments, the outer cover may alternatively comprise metal.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise an aerosol-generating unit located in a space defined between the inner surface of the inner cap and the inner surface of the inner shell. The aerosol-generating unit may comprise a cavity to receive the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating unit may volatilize at least one component of an aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article, for example, to generate a vapor, which may cool and condense to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating unit may comprise a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article, for example for heating an aerosol-generating substrate located in the cavity. The term "heater" is understood to mean any device for outputting thermal energy sufficient to form a vapor or aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating substrate. The heater may be motorized and may include a resistive track element (optionally including an insulating package), an induction heating system (e.g., including an electromagnet and a high frequency oscillator), and the like. The heater may be arranged around the outside of the cavity and thus around the outside of the aerosol-generating substrate, may penetrate partly or wholly into the cavity and thus into the aerosol-generating substrate, or any combination of these.

The heater may comprise a resistive heater. The resistive heater may comprise a resistive heating element or may comprise side wall(s) defining a cavity. The sidewall(s) of the resistive heating element or cavity may comprise a resistive material. Examples of suitable resistive materials include, but are not limited to, metals, metal alloys, conductive ceramics (e.g., tungsten and alloys thereof), and composites including metallic materials and ceramic materials.

The heater may comprise an induction coil arranged to generate an alternating electromagnetic field for inductively heating the inductively heatable susceptor. The induction coil may include Litz (Litz) wire or Litz cable. However, it should be understood that other materials may be used. The induction coil may extend around the cavity.

The shape of the induction coil may be substantially helical. The circular cross-section of the spiral-shaped induction coil may facilitate insertion of the aerosol-generating substrate, more particularly the aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-generating substrate and optionally comprising one or more inductively-heatable susceptors, into the cavity and ensure uniform heating of the aerosol-generating substrate. The inductively heatable susceptor(s) may include sidewall(s) defining a cavity.

The inductively heatable susceptor(s) may include, but are not limited to, one or more of aluminum, iron, nickel, stainless steel, and alloys thereof (e.g., nickel chromium or nickel copper alloys). By applying an electromagnetic field in its vicinity, the susceptor(s) can generate heat due to eddy currents and hysteresis losses, thereby causing conversion of electromagnetic energy into thermal energy.

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

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller, and the controller may comprise electronic circuitry. The aerosol generating device may comprise a power source such as a battery. In embodiments employing an induction heater, the power supply and electronic circuitry may be configured to operate at a high frequency. The power supply and electronic circuitry may be configured to operate at a frequency of between about 80kHz and 500kHz, possibly between about 150kHz and 250kHz, and possibly about 200 kHz. Depending on the type of inductively heatable susceptor used, the power supply and electronic circuitry may be configured to operate at higher frequencies (e.g., in the MHz range).

In one example, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a non-liquid aerosol-generating substrate, such as any type of solid or semi-solid material. Exemplary types of aerosol-generating solids include powders, particulates, pellets, chips, strands, particles, gels, strips, loose leaves, chopped fillers, porous materials, foam materials, or sheets. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plant-derived material, and may in particular comprise tobacco. The aerosol-generating substrate may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco.

Thus, the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as a "heated tobacco device", "heated but not burned tobacco device", "device for vaporizing a tobacco product", etc., which is to be interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects. Thus, the aerosol-generating substrate may be referred to as a "tobacco vapor substrate". The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices designed to vaporize any aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a paper wrapper surrounding the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article may be formed substantially in the shape of a stick and may broadly resemble a cigarette having a tubular region with an aerosol-generating substrate arranged in a suitable manner. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter, for example comprising cellulose acetate fibers. The filter may be coaxially aligned against the aerosol-generating substrate. One or more vapor collection regions, vapor cooling regions, and other structures may also be included in some designs.

The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-former. Examples of aerosol formers include polyols and mixtures thereof, such as propylene glycol and/or propylene glycol. Typically, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise an aerosol former content of between about 5% and about 50% (dry weight basis). In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise an aerosol former content of between about 10% and about 20% (dry weight basis) and possibly about 15% (dry weight basis).

In another example, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-generating liquid. The aerosol-generating liquid may comprise polyols and mixtures thereof, such as propylene glycol and/or propylene glycol. The aerosol-generating liquid may contain nicotine and may thus be referred to as a nicotine-containing liquid. The aerosol-generating liquid may contain one or more additives, such as flavourings.

Upon heating, the aerosol-generating substrate (whether non-liquid or liquid) may release volatile compounds. The volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavor compounds such as tobacco flavors.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an aerosol-generating device according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a side of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1, illustrating an aerosol-generating article ready for loading into the aerosol-generating device;

fig. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the aerosol-generating device of fig. 1, showing an aerosol-generating article having been loaded into the aerosol-generating device;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a side of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1, illustrating an aerosol-generating article having been loaded into the aerosol-generating device;

fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the aerosol-generating device of fig. 1, showing a continuous outer surface formed by the outer surfaces of the outer shell and the outer cover;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic exploded view of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1, showing the components of the aerosol-generating device;

fig. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the aerosol-generating device of fig. 1, with the outer cover removed from the aerosol-generating device; and

fig. 8 is an enlarged diagrammatic sectional view of the periphery of the aerosol-generating device of fig. 1, showing a continuous outer surface formed by the outer surfaces of the outer shell and the outer cover.

Detailed Description

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

Referring first to fig. 1-4, an aerosol-generating device 10 includes a body 12 that houses a plurality of different components of the aerosol-generating device 10. In the illustrated example, the body 12 has an irregular shape, but it should be understood that any shape is possible, so long as it is sized to fit the components described in the various embodiments set forth herein and is comfortably held by a user with a single hand without assistance.

For convenience, the first end 14 of the aerosol-generating device 10 (shown toward the bottom of each of fig. 1-4) is described as the distal, bottom, base, or lower end of the aerosol-generating device 10. The second end 16 of the aerosol-generating device 10 (shown as facing the top of each of fig. 1 to 4) is described as the proximal, top or upper end of the aerosol-generating device 10. In use, a user generally orients the aerosol-generating device 10 with the first end 14 facing downward and/or in a distal position relative to the user's mouth and the second end 16 facing upward and/or in a proximal position relative to the user's mouth.

Referring again to fig. 5 and 6, the body 12 includes: a housing 18 having an inner surface 18a and an outer surface 18b; an inner shell 20 having an inner surface 20a and an outer surface 20b; an inner cover 22 having an inner surface 22a and an outer surface 22b; and an outer cover 24 having an inner surface 24a and an outer surface 24b. The outer surface 18b of the housing 18 and the outer surface 24b of the outer cover 24 together define an outer surface 48 of the aerosol-generating device 10.

The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises an aerosol-generating unit 26 located in a space 27 defined between the inner surface 20a of the inner housing 20 and the inner surface 22a of the inner cap 22. The aerosol-generating unit 26 comprises a heating chamber 28 defining a cavity 30 having a substantially cylindrical cross-section for receiving the aerosol-generating article 100. The aerosol generating unit 26 further includes a power source 32 (e.g., one or more batteries, which may be rechargeable) and a controller (not shown). The aerosol generating unit 26 may comprise a chassis on which the heating chamber 28, the power supply 32 and the controller are mounted. These components may form a single unit.

The heating chamber 28 is open towards the second end 16 of the aerosol-generating device 10. In other words, the heating chamber 28 has a first open end 36 facing the second end 16 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The heating chamber 28 is generally spaced from the inner surfaces 20a, 22a of the inner housing 20 and the inner cover 22 to inhibit heat transfer to the body 12. To further enhance the thermal insulation of the heating chamber 28, the heating chamber 28 may be surrounded by insulation, such as fiber or foam material (e.g., cotton linters, aerogel, or gas), or in other examples, vacuum insulation may be provided.

The aerosol generating device 10 may further comprise a slider 40 that is laterally movable between a closed position (see fig. 1, 2 and 5) in which it covers the first open end 36 of the heating chamber 28 to prevent access to the heating chamber 28, and an open position (see fig. 3 and 4) in which it exposes the first open end 36 of the heating chamber 28 to provide access to the heating chamber 28. In some embodiments, the slider 40 may be biased to a closed position.

The heating chamber 28, in particular the cavity 30, is arranged to receive a correspondingly shaped generally cylindrical or rod-shaped aerosol-generating article 100, as shown in fig. 2 to 4. Typically, the aerosol-generating article 100 comprises a pre-packaged aerosol-generating substrate 102. The aerosol-generating article 100 is a disposable and replaceable article (also referred to as a "consumable") that may, for example, contain tobacco as the aerosol-generating substrate 102. The aerosol-generating article 100 has a proximal end 104 (or mouth end) and a distal end 106. The aerosol-generating article 100 further comprises a mouthpiece section 108 positioned downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate 102. The aerosol-generating substrate 102 and the nozzle segment 108 are arranged in coaxial alignment within a wrapper 110 (e.g., a paper wrapper) to hold the components in place to form the rod-shaped aerosol-generating article 100.

The nozzle segment 108 may comprise one or more of the following components (not shown in detail) arranged in sequence and in coaxial alignment in a downstream direction (in other words, from the distal end 106 towards the proximal end (nozzle end) 104 of the aerosol-generating article 100): a cooling section, a central hole section and a filtering section. The cooling section typically comprises a hollow paper tube having a thickness greater than the thickness of the paper wrap 110. The central bore section may include a cured mixture including cellulose acetate fibers and a plasticizer and serves to increase the strength of the nozzle section 108. The filter segments typically comprise cellulose acetate fibers and act as suction nozzle filters. As the heated vapor flows from the aerosol-generating substrate 102 toward the proximal end (mouth end) 104 of the aerosol-generating article 100, the vapor cools and condenses as it passes through the cooling section and the central aperture section to form an aerosol with suitable characteristics for inhalation by a user through the filter section.

In other embodiments, the heating chamber 28 may be arranged to receive aerosol-generating substrate 102 in other forms, such as loose chopped material, otherwise packaged solid material, or as an aerosol-generating liquid packaged in the aerosol-generating article 100.

The heating chamber 28 has a sidewall 42 extending between a base 44 (at the second end 38 of the heating chamber) and the first open end 36. The side wall 42 and the base 44 are connected to each other and may be integrally formed as a single piece. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 42 is tubular, more particularly cylindrical. However, in other embodiments, the side walls 42 may have other suitable shapes, such as tubes having oval or polygonal cross-sections. In yet other embodiments, the side wall 42 may be tapered.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base 44 of the heating chamber 28 is closed, e.g., sealed or airtight. I.e. the heating chamber 28 is cup-shaped. This may ensure that air drawn from the first open end 36 is prevented from flowing out of the second end 38 by the base 44, but is instead directed through the aerosol-generating substrate 102. It is also ensured that the user inserts the aerosol-generating article 100 a given distance into the heating chamber 28 without further.

The aerosol-generating unit 26 comprises a heater 46 for heating the aerosol-generating substrate 102 without burning the aerosol-generating substrate 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater 46 is a resistive heater that is coextensive with the side wall 42 of the heating chamber 28. Of course, other types and configurations of heater 46 may be used, as discussed previously in this specification. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater 46 is mounted on a surface of the tubular sidewall 42 remote from the interior volume of the heating chamber 28. This may help to protect the heater 46 from damage when the aerosol-generating article 100 is inserted into the cavity 30 defined by the heating chamber 28.

In the first embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 10, and more particularly the heater 46 of the aerosol-generating unit 26, is electrically powered. That is, the heater 46 is arranged to heat the aerosol-generating substrate 102 using electrical power. For this purpose, the power supply 32 is coupled to a controller (not shown). The controller is in turn coupled to a heater 46. The user operates the aerosol-generating device 10 using control means (not shown) arranged to couple and decouple the power supply 32 to the heater 46 via the controller.

To use the aerosol generating device 10, the user displaces the slider 40 (if present) from the closed position shown in fig. 1, 2 and 5 to the open position shown in fig. 3 and 4. The user then inserts the aerosol-generating article 100 into the heating chamber 28 through the first open end 36 such that the aerosol-generating substrate 102 is received in the cavity 30 and such that the proximal end 104 of the aerosol-generating article 100 is located at the first open end 36 of the heating chamber 28 with at least a portion of the mouthpiece section 108 protruding from the first open end 36 to engage the user's lips.

During activation of the aerosol-generating device 10 by a user, an electrical current is supplied to the heater 46, causing it to generate heat. Heat from the heater 46 is transferred, for example by conduction, radiation and convection, through the side walls 42 of the heating chamber 28 to an adjacent aerosol-generating substrate 102 of the aerosol-generating article 100 located in the heating chamber 28. This causes the aerosol-generating substrate 102 to be heated and thereby generate a vapor. The generated vapor cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol-generating device 10 through the mouthpiece section 108, more specifically the filter section. The addition of air from the ambient environment through the first open end 36 of the heating chamber 28 assists in the vaporization of the aerosol-generating substrate 102, with an air flow being present between the wrapper 110 of the aerosol-generating article 100 and the inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall 42.

As described above, the body 12 includes the outer shell 18, the inner shell 20, the inner cap 22, and the outer cap 24. When these components (shown in fig. 6, respectively) are fully assembled as shown in fig. 1, 3 and 5 to form the body 12, the inner shell 20 is positioned inside the outer shell 18, and more specifically, the outer surface 20b of the inner shell 20 is positioned adjacent to the inner surface 18a of the outer shell 18. In some embodiments, the inner housing 20 may be secured in place within the outer housing 18 by a snap-fit connection structure or in any other suitable manner.

The inner shell 20 has a perimeter 20c. The inner cap 22 also has a perimeter 22c. The perimeter 22c of the inner cap 22 is secured to the perimeter 20c of the inner housing 20, such as by a snap-fit connection 60 (shown in fig. 8) or other suitable connection means, thus defining a space 27 between the inner housing 20 and the inner surfaces 20a, 22a of the inner cap 22 in which the aerosol-generating unit 26 is housed.

The outer cap 24 is positioned over the inner cap 22, with the outer surface 22b of the inner cap 22 and the inner surface 24a of the outer cap 24 positioned adjacent to one another. The outer cover 24 has a perimeter 24c and contacts the perimeter 18c of the housing 18. In particular, as is apparent from fig. 3 and 5, when the outer cap 24 is positioned over the inner cap 22 and its perimeter 24c is in contact with the perimeter 18c of the outer shell 18, neither the inner shell 20 nor any portion of the inner cap 22 is visible outside of the aerosol-generating device 10.

The contact between the outer cover 24 and the respective peripheral edges 24c, 18c of the housing 18 is such that the outer surface 24b of the outer cover 24 is substantially flush with the outer surface 18b of the housing 18 to define a continuous outer surface 48 of the aerosol-generating device 10. Referring to fig. 8, it can be seen that both the perimeter 24c of the outer cover 24 and the perimeter 18c of the housing 18 are curved in the transverse direction of the aerosol-generating device 10, and thus the continuous outer surface 48 defined by the flush outer surfaces 24b,18b is also curved in the transverse direction. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating device 10 has a smooth and substantially continuous curved outer contour at the junction between the outer periphery 24c of the outer cover 24 and the outer periphery 18c of the housing 18, for example, to create an ergonomically and aesthetically pleasing curved outer contour.

The housing 18 typically comprises a metal, such as aluminum, and the outer cover 24 typically comprises a plastic material. Alternatively, the housing 18 may comprise a plastic material and/or the outer cover 24 may comprise a metal.

The outer cap 24 is attached to the inner cap 22 of the aerosol-generating device 10, and such attachment may be releasable to allow the outer cap 24 to be removed from the aerosol-generating device 10, as shown in fig. 7. The aerosol-generating device 10 typically includes one or more attachment elements 50, such as magnets including magnetic coupling elements 52 and magnetic mating coupling elements 54, which provide releasable attachment between the outer cover 24 and the inner cover 22. Accordingly, although there is contact between the perimeter 24c of the outer cover 24 and the perimeter 18c of the outer shell 18, the outer cover 24 and the outer shell 18 are indirectly secured to one another through the inner shell 20 and the inner cover 22.

Referring again to fig. 8, the periphery 18c of the housing 18 includes a circumferentially extending flange 56 extending in a transverse plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the circumferentially extending flange 56 may have a lateral dimension of about 0.7 mm. The outer cover 24 includes a circumferentially extending edge 58 that also extends in a transverse plane. The circumferentially extending edge 58 contacts and rests on the circumferentially extending flange 56, thus ensuring that there is a close fit between the peripheral edges 24c, 18c of the outer cover 24 and the outer shell 18 such that the respective outer surfaces 24b,18b are substantially flush with one another so as to define the continuous outer surface 48 of the aerosol-generating device 10.

The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a circumferentially extending groove 62 defined between a circumferential portion 64 of the inner cap 22 and a circumferential portion 66 of the outer shell 18. The outer cap 24 includes a circumferentially extending collar 68 positioned inwardly relative to the circumferentially extending edge 58 and spaced inwardly from the periphery 18c of the outer shell 18. When the outer cap 24 is attached to the inner cap 22, the circumferentially extending collar 68 is positioned in the circumferentially extending groove 62. The depth of the circumferential groove 62 is greater than the depth of the circumferentially extending collar 68, thus ensuring that there is no contact between the circumferentially extending collar 68 and the base of the circumferentially extending groove 62, and thus ensuring that the circumferentially extending edge 58 of the outer cover 24 can be in direct contact with the circumferentially extending flange 56 of the outer shell 18. As is apparent from fig. 8, there is a small gap, in the exemplary embodiment about 0.15mm, between the inwardly facing surface 70 of the housing 18 and the opposite outwardly facing surface 72 of the circumferentially extending collar 68. This gap ensures that the circumferentially extending collar 68 can be securely located in the circumferentially extending groove 62 when the outer cap 24 is attached to the inner cap 22, thus ensuring that the circumferentially extending edge 58 of the outer cap 24 can directly contact the circumferentially extending flange 56 of the outer shell 18 around the entire periphery of the aerosol-generating device 10, thereby ensuring that there is a satisfactory fit between the periphery 24c of the outer cap 24 and the periphery 18c of the outer shell 18.

While exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be appreciated that many different modifications to these embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

This disclosure covers any combination of all possible variations of the above-described features unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.

Throughout the specification and claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be interpreted in an inclusive rather than exclusive or exhaustive sense unless the context clearly requires otherwise; that is, it is interpreted in the sense of "including but not limited to".

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device (10) comprising a body (12) configured to receive an aerosol-generating article (100), the body (12) comprising:

a housing (18) having an inner surface (18 a) and an outer surface (18 b);

an inner shell (20) adjacent the inner surface (18 a) inside the outer shell (18);

an inner cover (22) having an inner surface (22 a) and an outer surface (22 b), the inner cover (22) being secured to a perimeter (20 c) of the inner housing (20) to define a space (27) between the inner surface (22 a) of the inner cover (22) and the inner surface (20 a) of the inner housing (20);

an outer cap (24) having an inner surface (24 a) and an outer surface (24 b), the outer cap (24) being located over the inner cap (22);

wherein the outer surface (18 b) of the housing (18) and the outer surface (24 b) of the outer cover (24) define an outer surface (48) of the aerosol-generating device (10), and the perimeter (24 c) of the outer cover (24) contacts the perimeter (18 c) of the housing (18) such that the outer surface (24 b) of the outer cover (24) is substantially flush with the outer surface (18 b) of the housing (18) to define a continuous outer surface (48).

2. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device (10) has a proximal end (16), a distal end (14), and a longitudinal direction extending between the proximal end (16) and the distal end (14), and wherein a periphery (24 c) of the outer cover (24) is curved in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction between a front and a rear of the aerosol-generating device (10), and a periphery (18 c) of the housing (18) is also curved in said transverse direction such that a flush outer surface (24 b,18 b) of the outer cover (24) and the housing (18) defines a curved continuous outer surface (48) in said transverse direction.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein,

the body (12) includes a circumferentially extending groove (62);

the outer cover (24) includes a circumferentially extending rim (58) and a circumferentially extending collar (68) positioned inwardly relative to the circumferentially extending rim (58); and is also provided with

The circumferentially extending collar (68) is located in the circumferentially extending groove (62) and the circumferentially extending edge (58) contacts the periphery (18 c) of the housing (18).

4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the circumferentially extending collar (68) is spaced inwardly from the periphery (18 c) of the housing (18).

5. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the periphery (18 c) of the housing (18) comprises a circumferentially extending flange (56), and the circumferentially extending edge (58) of the outer cover (24) contacts the circumferentially extending flange (56) of the housing (18).

6. Aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the depth of the circumferentially extending groove (62) is greater than the depth of the circumferentially extending collar (68).

7. Aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the circumferentially extending groove (62) is defined between a circumferential portion (64) of the inner cap (22) and a circumferential portion (66) of the outer shell (18).

8. Aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one attachment element (50) for releasably attaching the outer cap (24) to the inner cap (22).

9. Aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, wherein the attachment element (50) comprises a magnet (52, 54).

10. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a snap-fit connection structure (60) for securing the inner cap (22) to the inner housing (20).

11. Aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (18) comprises a metal, preferably aluminium.

12. Aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer cover (24) comprises a plastics material.

13. The aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-generating device (10) comprises an aerosol-generating unit (26) in a space (27) defined between an inner surface (22 a) of the inner cap (22) and an inner surface (20 a) of the inner housing (20), the aerosol-generating unit (26) comprising a cavity (30) to receive an aerosol-generating article (100).