WO2024046877A1

WO2024046877A1 - Cap assembly for aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2024046877A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/073296
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip Taylor
Original assignee: Imperial Tobacco Limited
Priority date: 2022-08-31
Filing date: 2023-08-24
Publication date: 2024-03-07

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a cap assembly (100) for an aerosol generating device, the cap assembly comprising an actuator (170) and a cap (51), the cap being moveable relative to the actuator, wherein the cap comprises: a housing (110) including an aperture (180), the aperture forming the entrance to a consumable-receiving cavity (120); and a closure (130) pivotably mounted adjacent to the aperture and selectably pivotable relative to the housing about a pivot axis (132) to adopt an open position where the aperture is exposed and a closed position where the aperture is occluded; wherein the closure moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and the closure transitions from the open position to the closed position when the housing is moved from a first position relative to the actuator to a second position relative to the actuator.

Description

TITLE

CAP ASSEMBLY FOR AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

This application claims priority from EP22193268.4 filed 31 August 2022, the contents and elements of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cap assembly for an aerosol generating device.

BACKGROUND

A typical aerosol generating apparatus may comprise a power supply, an aerosol generating unit that is driven by the power supply, an aerosol precursor, which in use is aerosolised by the aerosol generating unit to generate an aerosol, and a delivery system for delivery of the aerosol to a user.

A drawback with known aerosol generating devices is that debris may enter a consumable-receiving cavity of the aerosol generating device between uses. Such debris could lead to undesirable effects such as malfunction of the aerosol generating device.

Hence, despite the effort already invested in the development of aerosol generating apparatuses, further improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a cap assembly for an aerosol generating device, the cap assembly comprises an actuator and a cap, the cap being moveable relative to the actuator, wherein the cap comprises: a housing including an aperture, the aperture forming the entrance to a consumablereceiving cavity; and a closure pivotably mounted adjacent to the aperture and selectably pivotable relative to the housing about a pivot axis to adopt an open position where the aperture is exposed and a closed position where the aperture is occluded; wherein the closure moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and the closure transitions from the open position to the closed position when the cap is moved from a first position relative to the actuator to a second position relative to the actuator.

In this way, the closure may be transitioned from the open position to the closed position by moving the actuator relative to the cap which may be more convenient for a user, for example, because they do not have to physically interact with the closure itself in order to transition it which may be more difficult than simply moving the actuator relative to the cap.

In some examples, the orientation of the closure in the open position is perpendicular to the orientation of the closure in the closed position. In this way, the cap assembly may be made more compact.

In some examples, the closure includes a first projection and a second projection that are each respectively located within a first projection-receiving cavity of the housing and a second projectionreceiving cavity of the housing such that the closure can pivot about the first projection and the second projection. In this way, ease of assembly of the cap assembly may be improved, for example, by reducing the number of parts required.

In some examples, when at the intermediate position, at least a part of the closure is located within the consumable-receiving cavity. In this way, a consumable may be inserted into the consumablereceiving cavity without first needing to set the closure to the open position. As such, for example, a consumable may be used to transition the closure from the closed position to the open position.

Transitioning between the open position and the closed position should be understood to include moving from the open position to the closed position and also moving from the closed position to the open position.

In some examples, the cap assembly further comprises a closure control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure to be bistable such that, when the cap is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position. In this way, ease of operation of the closure may be improved. For example, when the cap is in the first position, the closure may only naturally reside in either the open position or the closed position so a user may only have to move the closure past the unstable equilibrium position in order to transition the closure from one position to another. The closure control mechanism may prevent the consumable-receiving cavity from being accidently exposed which may reduce the likelihood of debris entering the consumable receiving cavity. The term bistable may be understood to mean a dynamic system that has two stable states. In this case, the open position may be understood to be a first stable state and the closed position may be understood to be a second stable state. The term naturally reside used in this context may be understood to mean a stable state in which a component exists in the absence of user interaction. The first position may be a first stable equilibrium position. The second position may be a second stable equilibrium position. In some examples, the closure control mechanism is configured to control the position of the closure such that, when the cap is in the second position: the open position is an unstable position; the intermediate position is an unstable position; and the closed position is a stable equilibrium position. In this way, ease of operation of the closure may be improved. For example, when the cap is in the second position, the closure may only naturally reside in the closed position allowing the user to transition the closure from the open position to the closed position simply by moving the cap.

The closure control mechanism may include, for example, one or more magnetic elements, one or more springs and/or one or more flexible membranes. One or more of these elements may be combined in order to control the position of the closure to be bistable.

In some examples, the closure includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposing sides of the pivot axis. For example, a first portion of the closure may selectively occlude or expose the entrance to the consumable-receiving cavity. For example, a second portion of the closure may function as a handle allowing a user to transition the closure between the open position and the closed position.

In some examples, the pivot axis is perpendicular to an insertion direction of a consumable into the consumable-receiving cavity. In this way, a user may more easily move the closure from the closed position to the open position, for example, with a consumable. The closure may pivot along the insertion direction of the consumable. The insertion direction of a consumable may be understood to mean the direction traced by an end of the consumable as it moves from the entrance of the consumable-receiving cavity to a base of the consumable-receiving cavity. The consumable-receiving cavity may be substantially cylindrical in shape. Therefore an insertion direction of a consumable into the consumable-receiving cavity may be taken to be a longitudinal or central axis of the cylinder. A consumable may be used to transition the closure from the closed position to the open position.

In some examples, when the cap is in the first position, the closure control mechanism urges the closure into the open position. In this way, the functionality of the cap assembly may be improved. For example, the cap may automatically move into and be held in the open position. This may be useful, for example, when cleaning the consumable-receiving cavity.

In some examples, the closure control mechanism urges the closure into the closed position. In this way, the functionality of the cap assembly may be improved. For example, the cap may automatically move into and be held in the closed position. This may be useful, for example, in preventing debris from entering the consumable-receiving cavity.

The term adopt may be understood to mean reside stably in the referenced position. The term adopt may be understood to mean to move into and then reside stably in the referenced position. For example, if the closure was moved by a user from the intermediate position between the open position and the closed position towards the open position, then there may be a point where the closure would experience a force and/or a torque encouraging the closure to move towards and then stably reside in the open position. For example, if the closure was moved by a user from the intermediate position between the open position and the closed position towards the closed position, then there may be a point where the closure would experience a force and/or a torque encouraging it to move towards and then stably reside in the closed position. It should be clear that the two examples described above are not mutually exclusive and a single cap assembly according to the present disclosure can urge the closure into both the open position and the closed position.

In some examples, the closure includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposing sides of the pivot axis. In this way, different portions of the closure may perform different functions. For example, the first portion of the closure may selectively occlude or expose the entrance to the consumable-receiving cavity. For example, the second portion of the closure may function as a handle allowing a user to transition the closure between the open position and the closed position.

In some examples, the at least part of the closure that moves through the consumable-receiving cavity is at least part of the first portion of the closure. In this way, the first portion of the consumable may move through the consumable-receiving cavity whilst the second portion of the consumable may not move through the consumable-receiving cavity. Thus optionally allowing the two different portions of the closure to perform different functions.

In some examples, the closure control mechanism includes an upper sub-mechanism positioned to urge the closure into the closed position. In this way, the functionality of the cap assembly may be improved, for example, by preventing accidental transitioning between the closed position and the open position. This may be useful in order to prevent unwanted debris from entering the consumablereceiving cavity. The term upper in this context is used for relative identification purposes.

In some examples, the closure control mechanism includes a lower sub-mechanism positioned to urge the closure into the open position. In this way, the functionality of the cap assembly may be improved, for example, by preventing accidental transitioning between the open position and the closed position. This may be useful when cleaning the consumable-receiving cavity. The term lower in this context is used for relative identification purposes.

In some examples, each sub-mechanism includes a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are either respectively: a first magnet and a second magnet; or a magnet and a ferromagnetic element; or a ferromagnetic element and a magnet. In this way, each sub-mechanism may urge the closure via magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element in a first location and the second magnetic element in a second location. The use of magnetic elements may result in improved durability of the cap assembly.

In some examples, the second portion of the closure contains the first magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism and the housing contains the second magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged to move into the closed position. In this way, when the closure is moved past the intermediate position towards the closed position, a magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the upper submechanism may be the dominant force/torque acting on the closure such that the closure is urged into the closed position. The location of the second magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism in the housing may be chosen such that, when in the closed position, the first magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism are in close proximity to one another such that the magnetic attraction between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces/torques acting on the closure originating from the closure control mechanism.

In some examples, the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is a first magnet located in the first portion of the closure and the first magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism is a second magnet located in the second portion of the closure. In this case, the first magnet and the second magnet may be respectively located within a first recess of the closure and a second recess of the closure. In this case, the first magnet and the second magnet may be respectively orientated within the first recess of the closure and the second recess of the closure such that the poles of the first magnet are aligned in the same orientation as the poles of the second magnet. Here the term aligned may be understood to mean that the poles of the first magnet are configured to point in the same direction as the poles of the second magnet. In this way, when assembling the closure, ease of assembly may be improved because where a device that picks up magnets in a certain pole orientation is used to assemble the closure, the same device may be used to insert the first magnet and the second magnet because their respective poles may be aligned in the same orientation.

In some examples, the first portion of the closure contains the first magnetic element of the lower submechanism and the actuator contains the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged into the open position when the cap is in the first position. In this way, when the actuator is in the first position and the closure is moved past the intermediate position towards the open position, a magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower submechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism may be the dominant force/torque acting on the closure such that the closure is urged into the open position. The location of the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism in the actuator may be chosen such that, when the actuator is in the first position and the closure is in the open position, the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism are in close proximity to one another such that the magnetic attraction between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces/torques acting on the closure originating from the closure control mechanism. In some examples, when the actuator is in the first position, the second magnetic element is positioned adjacent to the consumable-receiving cavity.

In some examples, where the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is a first magnet and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is a second magnet, the orientation of the first magnet relative to the second magnet may be aligned to achieve the designed magnetic attraction. For example, a north pole of the first magnet may need to be orientated to face a south pole of the second magnet in order for there to be magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet. In examples where the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is a magnet and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is a ferromagnetic element, the orientation of the magnet may be less important because the magnet may be attracted to the ferromagnetic element regardless of which type of pole faces the ferromagnetic element.

In some examples, when the closure is in the open position and the cap is moved from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the cap and the actuator causes magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism to override magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower submechanism such that the upper sub-mechanism urges the closure into the closed position from the open position. In this way, when a user moves the cap from the first position to the second position, the closure may transition from the open position to the closed position without the need for the user to directly interact with the closure itself which may be more convenient.

In some examples, the first portion of the closure contains the first magnetic element of the lower submechanism and the housing contains the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged into open position when the cap is in the first position. In this way, when the closure is moved past the intermediate position towards the open position, a magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism may be the dominant force/torque acting on the closure such that the closure is urged into the open position. The location of the second magnetic element of the lower submechanism in the housing may be chosen such that, when the closure is in the open position, the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower submechanism are in close proximity to one another such that the magnetic attraction between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces/torques acting on the closure originating from the closure control mechanism. In some examples, the second magnetic element is positioned adjacent to the consumable-receiving cavity. In some examples, where the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is a first magnet and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is a second magnet, the orientation of the first magnet relative to the second magnet may be aligned to achieve the designed magnetic attraction. For example, a north pole of the first magnet may need to be orientated to face a south pole of the second magnet in order for there to be magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet. In examples where the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is a magnet and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is a ferromagnetic element, the orientation of the magnet may be less important because the magnet may be attracted to the ferromagnetic element regardless of which pole of the magnet faces the ferromagnetic element.

In some examples, the actuator includes a standalone magnetic element such that the relative movement between the cap and the actuator causes magnetic repulsion between the standalone magnetic element and the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism to override magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism such that the upper sub-mechanism urges the closure into the closed position from the open position. In this way, when the standalone magnetic element is brought into close proximity of the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism, the standalone magnetic element may repel the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism thereby urging the closure out of the open position such that the upper sub-mechanism may urge the closure into the closed position. In some examples, the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is a first magnet, the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is a ferromagnetic element and the standalone magnetic element is a second magnet. In this example, a north pole of the first magnet may be orientated to face a north pole of the second magnet in order for there to be magnetic repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet. Alternatively, a south pole of the first magnet may be orientated to face a south pole of the second magnet in order for there to be magnetic repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet.

In some examples, when in the open position, part of the closure protrudes from the housing. In this way, a user may more easily transition the closure between the open and closed positions, for example, by gripping onto the protruding part of the closure. In some examples, the part of the closure that protrudes from the housing is a part of the second portion of the closure.

In some examples, the closure includes a depression positioned such that the depression aligns with the aperture when the closure is in the closed position. In this way, it may be easier for a user to transition the closure from the closed position to the open position using a consumable because an end of the consumable may be guided by the depression. For example, when a user applies pressure to the depression with the end of the consumable. For example, in order to transition the closure from the closed position to the open position. In some examples, the depression may be included on the first portion of the closure. In some examples, the depression has a concave shape. In some examples, the depression is shaped to engage with an end of a consumable. Such that, when the closure is in the closed position and upon a user applying pressure to the depression with the consumable, the closure pivots to the open position.

In some examples, the housing includes a recess located adjacent to the consumable-receiving cavity, the recess is shaped to receive part of the closure and, when in the open position, part of the closure is located within the recess. In this way, the consumable-receiving cavity may be made more compact, for example, because the consumable-receiving cavity may not require excess volume to accommodate part of the closure when the closure is in the open position. In some examples, the part of the closure the recess is shaped to receive is a part of the first portion of the closure.

In some examples, the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism is positioned adjacent to the recess. In this way, the closure may be urged to move into the open position with a part of the closure residing within the recess. In this way, a consumable may be inserted into the consumablereceiving cavity more easily, for example, without making impinging contact with the closure. In some examples, when in the open position, the closure is offset from a path a consumable takes when the consumable is inserted into the consumable-receiving cavity. In this way, a consumable may be inserted into the consumable-receiving cavity more easily, for example, because the movement of the consumable may not be impinged and/or restricted by the closure. In this way, when the closure is in the open position and a consumable is withdrawn from the consumable-receiving cavity by a user, the consumable may move past the closure with a reduced chance of catching on the closure which could cause damage to the consumable. The term path of a consumable may be understood to mean the volume traced by an end of the consumable as it is moved into the consumable-receiving cavity. For example, if a consumable is substantially cylindrical in shape and the consumable-receiving cavity is also substantially cylindrical in shape then the path the consumable takes when inserted into the consumable-receiving cavity may also be substantially cylindrical in shape as an end of the consumable may trace out a cylindrical path.

In some examples, when in the closed position, the closure is flush with an external surface of the housing. In this way, the housing may protect the closure from damage. Also in this way, unwanted movement of the closure through interaction with external objects may be supressed, for example, as the chance of the closure moving due to making contact with external objects may be reduced. For example, if the cap assembly was implemented in an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating device was stored in a bag, then if the closure was not flush with the housing, the closure may catch on other objects within the bag and be partly or fully transitioned between the open and closed positions.

The present disclosure also provides an aerosol generating device comprising a cap assembly according to the present disclosure. In this way, the closure may be transitioned from the open position to the closed position by moving the actuator relative to the cap which may be more convenient for a user of the aerosol generating device. In such examples, because the user does not need to physically interact with the closure itself in order to transition the closure, the closure may be easily closed through movement of the cap.

In some examples, the aerosol generating device further comprises a body, wherein the actuator of the cap assembly is rigidly attached to the body of the aerosol generating device. In this way, the closure may be transitioned from the open position to the closed position by moving the body relative to the cap which may be more convenient for a user. If the body and the cap are the two main external components of the device then a user may intuitively learn that the cap can move relative to the body and hence these features may make using the device more intuitive.

In some examples, the aerosol generating device further comprises a heater located proximate to the cap assembly such that the heater at least protrudes into the consumable-receiving cavity when the cap is in an engaged position relative to the actuator. In some examples, the first position may be the engaged position. In some different examples, the second position may be the engaged position.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

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

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example implementation of the apparatus of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example implementation of a cap assembly according to the present disclosure with the closure in the closed position and the actuator in the second position.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the cap assembly of Fig. 4 with the closure in the open position and the actuator in the first position.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the closure of the cap assembly of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.

Figs. 7A to 7D are figures showing a cap assembly according to the present disclosure in four different states.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example implementation of a cap assembly according to the present disclosure with the closure in the closed position and the actuator in the second position. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the cap assembly of Fig. 8 with the closure in the open position and the actuator in the first position.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the closure of the cap assembly of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.

Figs. 11A to 11D are figures showing a cap assembly according to the present disclosure in four different states.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

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

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

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

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

The use of the term “a” or “an” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” as well as “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” As such, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the,” as well as all singular terms, include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Likewise, plural terms shall include the singular unless otherwise required by context. The use of the term “or” in the present disclosure (including the claims) is used to mean an inclusive “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or unless the alternatives are mutually exclusive. For example, a condition “A or B” is satisfied by any of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

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

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

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

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

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

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

As used herein, an "aerosol generating system" may be a system that includes an aerosol generating apparatus and optionally other circuitry/components associated with the function of the apparatus, e.g. one or more external devices and/or one or more external components (here “external” is intended to mean external to the aerosol generating apparatus). As used herein, an “external device” and “external component” may include one or more of a: a charging device, a mobile device (which may be connected to the aerosol generating apparatus, e.g. via a wireless or wired connection); a networked-based computer (e.g. a remote server); a cloud-based computer; any other server system.

An example aerosol generating system may be a system for managing an aerosol generating apparatus. Such a system may include, for example, a mobile device, a network server, as well as the aerosol generating apparatus.

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

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

As used herein, a "storage portion" may be a portion of the apparatus adapted to store the precursor. It may be implemented as fluid-holding reservoir or carrier for solid material depending on the implementation of the precursor as defined above.

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

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

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

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

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

As used herein, a “heating system” may refer to an arrangement of at least one heating element, which is operable to aerosolise a precursor once heated. The at least one heating element may be electrically resistive to produce heat from the flow of electrical current therethrough. The at least one heating element may be arranged as a susceptor to produce heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. The heating system may be configured to heat a precursor to below 300 or 350 degrees C, including without combustion. As used herein, a "consumable" may refer to a unit that includes a precursor. The consumable may include an aerosol generating unit, e.g. it may be arranged as a cartomizer. The consumable may include a mouthpiece. The consumable may include an information carrying medium. With liquid or gel implementations of the precursor, e.g. an e-liquid, the consumable may be referred to as a “capsule” or a “pod” or an “e-liquid consumable”. The capsule/pod may include a storage portion, e.g. a reservoir or tank, for storage of the precursor. With solid material implementations of the precursor, e.g. tobacco or reconstituted tobacco formulation, the consumable may be referred to as a “stick” or “package” or “heat-not-burn consumable”. In a heat-not-burn consumable, the mouthpiece may be implemented as a filter and the consumable may be arranged to carry the precursor. The consumable may be implemented as a dosage or pre-portioned amount of material, including a loose-leaf product.

As used herein, an "information carrying medium" may include one or more arrangements for storage of information on any suitable medium. Examples include: a computer readable medium; a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder; codes encoding information, such as optical (e.g. a bar code or QR code) or mechanically read codes (e.g. a configuration of the absence or presents of cut-outs to encode a bit, through which pins or a reader may be inserted).

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

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

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

In variant examples, which are not illustrated, the power supply 2 may be omitted since, e.g. an aerosol generating unit implemented as an atomiser with flow expansion may not require a power supply.

Fig. 2 shows an implementation of the apparatus 1 of Fig. 1 , where the aerosol generating apparatus 1 is configured to generate aerosol by a-heat not-burn process. In this example, the apparatus 1 includes a device body 50 and a consumable 70.

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

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

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

The other component(s) 62 may include one or more user interface devices configured to convey information to a user and/or a charging port.

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

Fig. 3 shows an example implementation of the aerosol generating device 1 of Fig. 2.

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

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

In this example, the at least one heating element 54 is a rod-shaped element with a circular transverse profile. Other heating element shapes are possible, e.g. the at least one heating element may be blade-shaped (with a rectangular transverse profile) or tube-shaped (e.g. with a hollow transverse profile). In this example, the body 50 includes a cap 51. In use the cap 51 is engaged at a top end 53 of the body 50. Although not apparent from Fig. 3, the cap 51 is moveable relative to the body 50. In particular, the cap 51 is slidable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the body 50.

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

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

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

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

In this example, the aerosol generating unit 4 is provided by the above-described heating system 52 and the delivery system 8 is provided by the above-described flow path and mouthpiece of the consumable 70.

Referring to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, a cap assembly 100 for an aerosol generating device comprises an actuator 170 and a cap, the cap being moveable relative to the actuator 170, wherein the cap comprises: a housing 110 including an aperture 180, the aperture 180 forming the entrance to a consumable-receiving cavity 120; and a closure 130 pivotably mounted adjacent to the aperture 180 and selectably pivotable relative to the housing 110 about a pivot axis 132 to adopt an open position where the aperture 180 is exposed and a closed position where the aperture 180 is occluded; wherein the closure 130 moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and the closure 130 transitions from the open position to the closed position when the cap 110 is moved from a first position relative to the actuator 170 to a second position relative to the actuator 170.

In Fig. 4, the closure 130 is in the open position, the actuator 170 is in the first position and the pivot axis 132 is into the page. In Fig. 5, the closure 130 is in the closed position, the actuator 170 is in the second position and the pivot axis 132 is into the page. The orientation of the closure 130 in the open position is generally perpendicular to the orientation of the closure 130 in the closed position. The pivot axis 132 is perpendicular to an insertion direction 122 of a consumable into the consumable-receiving cavity 120. The cap assembly 100 includes a closure control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure 130 to be bistable such that, when the cap is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position. The closure control mechanism is configured to control the position of the closure 130 such that, when the cap is in the second position: the open position is an unstable position; the intermediate position is an unstable position; and the closed position is a stable equilibrium position.

The closure 130 includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposing sides of the pivot axis 132. The first portion of the closure 130 moves through the consumable-receiving cavity 120 when the closure 130 transitions between the open position and the closed position. The first portion of the closure 130 contains a first magnetic element 142 of the lower sub-mechanism and the actuator 170 contains a second magnetic element 144 of the lower sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged into the open position when the actuator 170 is in the first position.

The second portion of the closure 130 contains a first magnetic element 152 of the upper submechanism and the housing contains a second magnetic element 154 of the upper sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged into the closed position. When the closure 130 is in the open position and the cap is moved from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the cap and the actuator 170 causes magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 152 of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 154 of the upper sub-mechanism to override magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 142 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 144 of the lower sub-mechanism such that the upper sub-mechanism urges the closure 130 into the closed position from the open position.

The first magnetic element 142 of the lower sub-mechanism is a magnet and the second magnetic element 144 of the lower sub-mechanism is a ferromagnetic plate. The first magnetic element 152 of the upper sub-mechanism is a second magnet and the second magnetic element 154 of the upper sub-mechanism is a third magnet. The poles of the second magnet and the third magnet are aligned in such a way that the closure 130 is urged into the closed position.

The housing 110 includes a recess 160 located adjacent to the consumable-receiving cavity 120. In the open position, a part of the first portion of the closure 130 is located within the recess 160. In the open position, a part of the second portion of the closure 130 protrudes from the housing 110. In the closed position, the closure 130 is generally flush with an external surface of the housing 110. When in the open position, the closure 130 is offset from a path a consumable takes when the consumable is inserted into the consumable-receiving cavity 120. The closure 130, in the open position, does not therefore intrude on the consumable during consumable insertion - the closure 130 is out of the way.

In Fig. 4, the actuator 170 is in the first position such that the first magnetic element 142 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 144 of the lower sub-mechanism are in close proximity to one another such that the magnetic attraction between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces/torques acting on the closure originating from the closure control mechanism such that the closure 130 is held in the open position. In Fig. 5, the first magnetic element 152 of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 154 of the upper sub-mechanism are in close proximity to one another such that the magnetic attraction between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces/torques acting on the closure originating from the closure control mechanism such that the closure 130 is held in the closed position.

The closure 130 includes a depression 134 that aligns with the aperture when the closure 130 is in the closed position. The cap assembly 110 includes a heater-receiving aperture 112. The cap assembly may be installed in an aerosol generating device such that a heater of the aerosol generating device is located within through the heater receiving aperture 112 such that a portion of the heater is located within the consumable-receiving cavity 120. When a consumable is inserted into the consumable-receiving cavity 120, the heater may heat the consumable to generate an aerosol for user inhalation. The cap assembly 100 may be installed in the aerosol generating device such that the cap assembly 100 can move relative to the heater such that the heater can move relative to the consumable-receiving cavity 120.

Referring to Fig. 6, the closure 130 of the cap assembly 100 of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is shown isolated from other components. The closure 130 includes a first portion 136 and a second portion 138 which are separated by the pivot axis 132, e.g. disposed on opposing sides of the pivot axis 132. The pivot axis 132 is into the page in Fig. 6. The depression 134 is located within the first portion 136 of the closure 130. The first magnetic element 142 of the lower sub-mechanism is located within the first portion 136 of the closure 130. The first magnetic element 152 of the upper sub-mechanism is located within the second portion 138 of the closure 130.

Referring to Fig. 7A to Fig. 7D, a cap assembly 200 for an aerosol generating device comprises an actuator 270 and a cap, the cap being moveable relative to the actuator 270, wherein the cap comprises: a housing 210 including an aperture 280, the aperture forming the entrance to a consumable-receiving cavity 220; and a closure 230 pivotably mounted adjacent to the aperture 280 and selectably pivotable relative to the housing 210 about a pivot axis 232 to adopt an open position where the aperture 280 is exposed and a closed position where the aperture 280 is occluded; wherein the closure 230 moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and the closure 230 transitions from the open position to the closed position when the cap 210 is moved from a first position relative to the actuator 270 to a second position relative to the actuator 270.

In Fig. 7 A, the closure 230 is in the closed position, the actuator 270 is in the first position and the pivot axis 232 is into the page. In Fig. 7B, the closure 230 is in the open position, the actuator 270 is in the first position and the pivot axis 232 is into the page. In Fig. 7C, the closure 230 is in the open position, the actuator 270 is in the second position and the pivot axis 232 is into the page. In Fig. 7D, the closure 230 is in the closed position, the actuator 270 is in the second position and the pivot axis 232 is into the page.

The orientation of the closure 230 in the open position is perpendicular to the orientation of the closure 230 in the closed position. The pivot axis 232 is perpendicular to an insertion direction 222 of a consumable into the consumable-receiving cavity 220.

The cap assembly 200 includes a closure control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure 230 to be bistable such that, when the cap is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position.

The closure control mechanism is configured to control the position of the closure 230 such that, when the cap is in the second position: the open position is an unstable position; the intermediate position is an unstable position; and the closed position is a stable equilibrium position. The closure 230 includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposing sides of the pivot axis 232. The first portion of the closure 230 moves through the consumable-receiving cavity 220 when the closure 230 transitions between the open position and the closed position.

The first portion of the closure 230 contains a first magnetic element 242 of the lower sub-mechanism and the actuator 270 contains a second magnetic element 244 of the lower sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged into the open position when the actuator 270 is in the first position. The second portion of the closure 230 contains a first magnetic element 252 of the upper sub-mechanism and the housing contains a second magnetic element 254 of the upper sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged into the closed position.

When the closure 230 is in the open position and the cap is moved from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the cap and the actuator 270 causes magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 252 of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 254 of the upper sub-mechanism to override magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 242 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 244 of the lower sub-mechanism such that the upper sub-mechanism urges the closure 230 into the closed position from the open position.

The first magnetic element 242 of the lower sub-mechanism is a magnet and the second magnetic element 244 of the lower sub-mechanism is a ferromagnetic plate. The first magnetic element 252 of the upper sub-mechanism is a second magnet and the second magnetic element 254 of the upper sub-mechanism is a third magnet. The poles of the second magnet and the third magnet are aligned in such a way that the closure 230 is urged into the closed position.

The housing 210 includes a recess 260 located adjacent to the consumable-receiving cavity 220. In the open position, a part of the first portion of the closure 230 is located within the recess 260 and a part of the second portion of the closure 230 protrudes from the housing 210. In the closed position, the closure 230 is flush with an external surface of the housing 210. When in the open position, the closure 230 is offset from a path a consumable takes when the consumable is inserted into the consumable-receiving cavity 220.

In Fig. 7B, the actuator 270 is in the first position such that the first magnetic element 242 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 244 of the lower sub-mechanism are in close proximity to one another such that the magnetic attraction between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces/torques acting on the closure originating from the closure control mechanism such that the closure 230 is held in the open position.

In Fig. 7C, the closure 230 is in an unstable position because the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism 242 and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism 244 has been reduced because the actuator 270 has been moved from the first position to the second position such that the upper sub-mechanism will urge the closure 230 into the closed position from the open position. In effect, the movement of the actuator 270, caused by the movement of the cap, causes the closure 230 to close automatically.

In Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7D, the first magnetic element 252 of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 254 of the upper sub-mechanism are in close proximity to one another such that the magnetic attraction between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces/torques acting on the closure originating from the closure control mechanism such that the closure 230 is held in the closed position.

The closure 230 includes a depression 234 that aligns with the aperture when the closure 230 is in the closed position. The cap assembly 210 includes a heater-receiving aperture 212. The cap assembly is installed in an aerosol generating device such that a heater 2000 of the aerosol generating device is located within the heater-receiving aperture 212 such that a portion of the heater 2000 is located within the consumable-receiving cavity 220. When a consumable is inserted into the consumable-receiving cavity 220, the heater 2000 may heat the consumable in order to generate an aerosol. The cap assembly 200 is installed in the aerosol generating device such that the cap can move relative to the heater 2000 such that the heater 2000 can move relative to the consumablereceiving cavity 220.

Referring to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, a cap assembly 300 for an aerosol generating device comprises an actuator 370 and a cap, the cap being moveable relative to the actuator 370, wherein the cap comprises: a housing 310 including an aperture 380, the aperture forming the entrance to a consumable-receiving cavity 320; and a closure 330 pivotably mounted adjacent to the aperture 380 and selectably pivotable relative to the housing 310 about a pivot axis 332 to adopt an open position where the aperture 380 is exposed and a closed position where the aperture 380 is occluded; wherein the closure 330 moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and the closure 330 transitions from the open position to the closed position when the cap 310 is moved from a first position relative to the actuator 370 to a second position relative to the actuator 370.

In Fig. 8, the closure 330 is in the open position, the actuator 370 is in the first position and the pivot axis 332 is into the page. In Fig. 9, the closure is in the closed position, the actuator 370 is in the second position and the pivot axis 332 is into the page. The orientation of the closure 330 in the open position is perpendicular to the orientation of the closure 330 in the closed position. The pivot axis 332 is perpendicular to an insertion direction 322 of a consumable into the consumable-receiving cavity 320.

The cap assembly 300 includes a closure control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure 330 to be bistable such that, when the cap is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position. The closure control mechanism is configured to control the position of the closure 330 such that, when the cap is in the second position: the open position is an unstable position; the intermediate position is an unstable position; and the closed position is a stable equilibrium position.

The closure 330 includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposing sides of the pivot axis 332. The first portion of the closure 330 moves through the consumable-receiving cavity 320 when the closure 330 transitions between the open position and the closed position. The first portion of the closure 330 contains a first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub-mechanism and the housing 310 contains a second magnetic element 344 of the lower sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged into the open position when the actuator 370 is in the first position. The second portion of the closure 330 contains a first magnetic element 352 of the upper sub-mechanism and the housing contains a second magnetic element 354 of the upper sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged into the closed position.

When the closure 330 is in the open position and the cap is moved from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the cap and the actuator 370 causes magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 352 of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 354 of the upper sub-mechanism to override magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 344 of the lower sub-mechanism such that the upper sub-mechanism urges the closure 330 into the closed position from the open position. In effect, the movement of the actuator 370, caused by the movement of the cap, causes the closure 330 to close automatically.

The actuator 370 includes a standalone magnetic element 346 such that the relative movement between the cap and the actuator 370 causes magnetic repulsion between the standalone magnetic element 346 and the first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub-mechanism to override magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 344 of the lower sub-mechanism such that the upper sub-mechanism urges the closure 330 into the closed position from the open position. The first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub-mechanism is a magnet and the second magnetic element 344 of the lower submechanism is a ferromagnetic plate. The first magnetic element 352 of the upper sub-mechanism is a second magnet and the second magnetic element 354 of the upper sub-mechanism is a third magnet. The standalone magnetic element 346 is a fourth magnet. The poles of the second magnet and the third magnet are aligned in such a way that the closure 330 is urged into the closed position. The poles of the first magnet and the fourth magnet are aligned in such a way that there is magnetic repulsion between the first magnet and the fourth magnet.

The housing 310 includes a recess 360 located adjacent to the consumable-receiving cavity 320. In the open position, a part of the first portion of the closure 330 is located within the recess 360 and a part of the second portion of the closure 330 protrudes from the housing 310. In the closed position, the closure 330 is flush with an external surface of the housing 310. When in the open position, the closure 330 is offset from a path a consumable takes when the consumable is inserted into the consumable-receiving cavity 320.

In Fig. 8, the actuator 370 is in the first position such that the first magnetic element 342 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 344 of the lower sub-mechanism are in close proximity to one another such that the magnetic attraction between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces/torques acting on the closure originating from the closure control mechanism such that the closure 330 is held in the open position. In Fig. 9, the first magnetic element 352 of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 354 of the upper sub-mechanism are in close proximity to one another such that the magnetic attraction between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces/torques acting on the closure originating from the closure control mechanism such that the closure 330 is held in the closed position.

The closure 330 includes a depression 334 that aligns with the aperture when the closure 330 is in the closed position. The cap assembly 310 includes a heater-receiving aperture 312. The cap assembly may be installed in an aerosol generating device such that a heater of the aerosol generating device is located within the aperture such that a portion of the heater is located within the consumable-receiving cavity 320. When a consumable is inserted into the consumable-receiving cavity 320, the heater may heat the consumable in order to generate an aerosol. The cap assembly 300 may be installed in the aerosol generating device such that the cap assembly 300 can move relative to the heater such that the heater can move relative to the consumable-receiving cavity 320.

Referring to Fig. 10, the closure 330 of the cap assembly 300 of Figs. 8 and 9 is shown isolated from other components. The closure 330 includes a first portion 336 and a second portion 338 which are separated by the pivot axis 332. The pivot axis 332 is into the page. The depression 334 is located within the first portion 336 of the closure 330. The first magnetic element 342 of the lower submechanism is located within the first portion 336 of the closure 330. The first magnetic element 352 of the upper sub-mechanism is located within the second portion 338 of the closure 330.

Referring to Fig. 11A to Fig. 11D, a cap assembly 400 for an aerosol generating device comprises an actuator 470 and a cap, the cap being moveable relative to the actuator 470, wherein the cap comprises: a housing 410 including an aperture 480, the aperture forming the entrance to a consumable-receiving cavity 420; and a closure 430 pivotably mounted adjacent to the aperture 480 and selectably pivotable relative to the housing 410 about a pivot axis 432 to adopt an open position where the aperture 480 is exposed and a closed position where the aperture 480 is occluded; wherein the closure 430 moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and the closure 430 transitions from the open position to the closed position when the cap 410 is moved from a first position relative to the actuator 470 to a second position relative to the actuator 470.

In Fig. 11A, the closure 430 is in the closed position, the actuator 470 is in the first position and the pivot axis 432 is into the page. In Fig. 11 B, the closure 430 is in the open position, the actuator 470 is in the first position and the pivot axis 432 is into the page. In Fig. 11C, the closure 430 is in the open position, the actuator 470 is in the second position and the pivot axis 432 is into the page. In Fig. 11D, the closure 430 is in the closed position, the actuator 470 is in the second position and the pivot axis 432 is into the page. The orientation of the closure 430 in the open position is perpendicular to the orientation of the closure 430 in the closed position. The pivot axis 432 is perpendicular to an insertion direction 422 of a consumable into the consumable-receiving cavity 420.

The cap assembly 400 includes a closure control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure 430 to be bistable such that, when the cap is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position. The closure control mechanism is configured to control the position of the closure 430 such that, when the cap is in the second position: the open position is an unstable position; the intermediate position is an unstable position; and the closed position is a stable equilibrium position. The closure 430 includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposing sides of the pivot axis 432. The first portion of the closure 430 moves through the consumable-receiving cavity 420 when the closure 430 transitions between the open position and the closed position. The first portion of the closure 430 contains a first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub-mechanism and the actuator 470 contains a second magnetic element 444 of the lower submechanism such that the closure is urged into the open position when the actuator 470 is in the first position. The second portion of the closure 430 contains a first magnetic element 452 of the upper sub-mechanism and the housing contains a second magnetic element 454 of the upper submechanism such that the closure is urged into the closed position. When the closure 430 is in the open position and the cap is moved from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the cap and the actuator 470 causes magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 452 of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 454 of the upper sub-mechanism to override magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 444 of the lower sub-mechanism such that the upper sub-mechanism urges the closure 430 into the closed position from the open position.

The actuator 470 includes a standalone magnetic element 446 such that the relative movement between the cap and the actuator 470 causes magnetic repulsion between the standalone magnetic element 446 and the first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub-mechanism to override magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 444 of the lower sub-mechanism such that the upper sub-mechanism urges the closure 430 into the closed position from the open position. The first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub-mechanism is a first magnet and the second magnetic element 444 of the lower submechanism is a ferromagnetic plate.

The first magnetic element 452 of the upper sub-mechanism is a second magnet and the second magnetic element 454 of the upper sub-mechanism is a third magnet. The standalone magnetic element 446 is a fourth magnet. The poles of the second magnet and the third magnet are aligned in such a way that the closure 330 is urged into the closed position. The poles of the first magnet and the fourth magnet are aligned in such a way that there is magnetic repulsion between the first magnet and the fourth magnet. The housing 410 includes a recess 460 located adjacent to the consumablereceiving cavity 420. In the open position, a part of the first portion of the closure 430 is located within the recess 460 and a part of the second portion of the closure 430 protrudes from the housing 410. In the closed position, the closure 430 is flush with an external surface of the housing 410. When in the open position, the closure 430 is offset from a path a consumable takes when the consumable is inserted into the consumable-receiving cavity 420.

In Fig. 11 B, the actuator 470 is in the first position such that the first magnetic element 442 of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 444 of the lower sub-mechanism are in close proximity to one another such that the magnetic attraction between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces/torques acting on the closure originating from the closure control mechanism such that the closure 430 is held in the open position.

In Fig. 11C, the closure 430 is in an unstable position because the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism 442 and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism 444 has been reduced because the actuator 470 has been moved from the first position to the second position such that magnetic repulsion between the standalone magnetic element 446 such that the upper sub-mechanism will urge the closure 430 into the closed position from the open position.

In Fig. 11 A and Fig. 11 D, the first magnetic element 452 of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element 454 of the upper sub-mechanism are in close proximity to one another such that the magnetic attraction between these two magnetic elements dominates any other forces/torques acting on the closure originating from the closure control mechanism such that the closure 430 is held in the closed position. The closure 430 includes a depression 434 that aligns with the aperture when the closure 430 is in the closed position. The cap assembly 410 includes a heater-receiving aperture 412. The cap assembly 400 is installed in an aerosol generating device such that a heater 4000 of the aerosol generating device is located within the heater-receiving aperture 412 such that a portion of the heater 4000 is located within the consumable-receiving cavity 420.

When a consumable is inserted into the consumable-receiving cavity 420, the heater 4000 may heat the consumable to generate an aerosol for user inhalation. The cap assembly 400 is installed in the aerosol generating device such that the cap can move relative to the heater 4000 such that the heater 4000 can move relative to the consumable-receiving cavity 420.

Claims

1. A cap assembly for an aerosol generating device, the cap assembly comprising an actuator and a cap, the cap being moveable relative to the actuator, wherein the cap comprises: a housing including an aperture, the aperture forming the entrance to a consumable-receiving cavity; and a closure pivotably mounted adjacent to the aperture and selectably pivotable relative to the housing about a pivot axis to adopt an open position where the aperture is exposed and a closed position where the aperture is occluded; wherein the closure moves through an intermediate position when transitioning between the open position and the closed position; and the closure transitions from the open position to the closed position when the cap is moved from a first position relative to the actuator to a second position relative to the actuator.

2. The cap assembly according to claim 1 , wherein, when at the intermediate position, at least a part of the closure is located within the consumable-receiving cavity.

3. The cap assembly according to claim 2 further comprising a closure control mechanism configured to control the position of the closure to be bistable such that, when the cap is in the first position: the open position is a stable equilibrium position; the closed position is a stable equilibrium position; and the intermediate position is an unstable equilibrium position.

4. The cap assembly according to claim 3, wherein the closure includes a first portion and a second portion located on opposing sides of the pivot axis.

5. The cap assembly according to claim 4, wherein the closure control mechanism includes an upper sub-mechanism positioned to urge the closure into the closed position.

6. The cap assembly according to claim 5, wherein the closure control mechanism includes a lower sub-mechanism positioned to urge the closure into the open position when the cap is in the first position.

7. The cap assembly according to claim 6, wherein each sub-mechanism includes a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are either, respectively: a first magnet and a second magnet; or a magnet and a ferromagnetic element; or a ferromagnetic element and a magnet.

8. The cap assembly according to claim 7, wherein the second portion of the closure contains the first magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism and the housing contains the second magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged into the closed position.

9. The cap assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first portion of the closure contains the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism and the actuator contains the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged into the open position when the cap is in the first position.

10. The cap assembly according to claim 9, wherein, when the closure is in the open position and the housing is moved from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the housing and the actuator causes magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism to override magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism such that the upper sub-mechanism urges the closure into the closed position from the open position.

11. The cap assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first portion of the closure contains the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism and the housing contains the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism such that the closure is urged into open position when the cap is in the first position.

12. The cap assembly according to claim 11 , wherein, when the closure is in the open position and the cap is moved from the first position to the second position, the relative movement between the housing and the actuator causes magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the upper sub-mechanism to override magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism such that the upper sub-mechanism urges the closure into the closed position from the open position.

13. The cap assembly according to claim 12, wherein the actuator includes a standalone magnetic element such that the relative movement between the housing and the actuator causes magnetic repulsion between the standalone magnetic element and the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism to override magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism and the second magnetic element of the lower sub-mechanism such that the upper sub-mechanism urges the closure into the closed position from the open position.

14. An aerosol generating device comprising the cap assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The aerosol generating device according to claim 14, further comprising a body, wherein the actuator of the cap assembly is rigidly attached to the body of the aerosol generating device.