Patent Description:
The use of aerosol generating systems, also known as e-cigarettes, e-cigs (EC), electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS), electronic smoking devices (ESDs), personal vaporizers (PV), inhalation devices, vapes, which can be used as an alternative to conventional smoking articles such as lit-end cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, is becoming increasingly popular and widespread. The most commonly used e-cigarettes are usually battery powered and use a resistance heating element to heat and atomize a vaporizable material such as a liquid containing nicotine and/or flavorants (also known as e-cigarette liquid, e-cig liquids, e-liquid, juice, vapor juice, smoke juice, e-juice, e-fluid, vape oil), to produce an aerosol (often called vapor) which can be inhaled by a user.

In the conventional e-cigarettes described above, the liquid is put into contact with a resistance heating element after flowing through small channels, where it is heated and vaporized. The flowing is realized for example via a wick, a mesh or anothertype of porous element, which has a plurality of small channels that transport the liquid from a reservoir to the heating element. This heating element together with the porous element, a reservoir that contains the e-liquid, and a mouthpiece are usually arranged within a disposable capsule, cartridge or pod, that is discarded or refilled once the e-liquid has been consumed by the user, and usually removably connects to a main body that includes a rechargeable battery.

When the capsule, cartridge or pod needs to be removed from the aerosol generation device, some e-liquid may remain inside of it, especially in the wick, mesh or porous material. Remaining e-liquid may leak out from the mesh and flow anywhere inside the capsule and possibly out of the capsule into a user's pocket, a user's bag or directly onto the user.

Prior art publication <CIT>, this reference discloses an aerosol-generating system that may comprise a releasably connectable capsule and vaporizing unit. The capsule may comprise a reservoir for containing an e-liquid, an opening in fluidic communication with the reservoir, and a valve configured to control a flow of the e-liquid from the reservoir through the opening. This publication however is silent about any means to prevent e-liquid leaks.

Consequently, the background art presents a number of deficiencies and problems and the present disclosure seeks to address these difficulties.

One aim of the invention is to address the issue of preventing e-liquid or vaporizable material from flowing inside the capsule and possibly out of the capsule onto the user.

Preferably, the aerosol generation device comprises a wicking element, a heating assembly configured to heat the wicking element, and a receiving interface element configured to receive a removable capsule comprising a valve. The aerosol generation device further comprises a valve detector configured to operate a drying cycle of the wicking element upon detection of a valve position by a valve detector.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the valve detector is further configured to detect if the valve is in the closed position at a time when the removable capsule is being removed from the aerosol generation device.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the valve detector is activated by a mechanical movement, preferably by a rotation of an annular element arranged on aerosol generation device.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the valve detector comprises at least one reflective zone, at least one light emitter and at least one light receiver.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the heating assembly comprises a heater, a battery and a controller all in operative connection.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the heating assembly is configured to trigger a drying cycle intended to evaporate the vaporizable material remaining in the wicking element when the valve is in the closed position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the valve detector is configured to induce the heating assembly to trigger the drying cycle when the valve is in the closed position.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the heating assembly is configured to heat the wicking element during the drying cycle.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, during the drying cycle, the heating assembly is configured to operate at a temperature maintained between a temperature necessary to evaporate the vaporizable material and a temperature at which the wicking element would degrade.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the heating assembly further comprises a built-in delay configured to cool the wicking element before the end of the drying cycle.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol generation device further comprises a visual signal triggered at the end of the drying cycle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generation system comprising the device as defined in the preceding description, and a removable capsule comprising a valve, the removable capsule is configured to contain a vaporizable material and having an aperture through which the vaporizable material can flow. The valve has a closed position in which the aperture is closed to retain the vaporizable material in the removable capsule and an open position in which the aperture is open to release the vaporizable material from the removable capsule toward the wicking element.

According to another aspect of the invention, the valve is configured to transition from the closed position to the open position when the removable capsule is inserted on the aerosol generation device.

According to another aspect of the invention, the valve is further configured to transition from the open position to the closed position when the removable capsule is removed from the aerosol generation device.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a method to perform a drying cycle for an aerosol generation device according to the present disclosure comprising steps of:.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the mechanical movement comprises the rotation of an annular element arranged on the removable capsule.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises a step of cooling the wicking element.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises a step of triggering a visual signal indicating an end of the drying cycle.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises a step of removing the removable capsule.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention and the manner of realizing them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will best be understood from a study of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the attached drawings showing some preferred embodiments of the invention.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain features of the invention.

Identical reference numerals are used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common throughout the figures. Also, the images are simplified for illustration purposes and may not be depicted to scale.

We will from now on use the term "wicking element" to designate also any alternative also encompassing a wick, a mesh or other porous material alternative, and the term "capsule" to designate also any alternative encompassing a cartridge or a pod.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an aerosol generation device <NUM> and a removable capsule <NUM>.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> may have a cylindrical or parallelepipedal geometry and be made from plastic, metallic or any suitable material and may be fabricated as a single piece or multiple pieces using one or several of the mentioned materials.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> comprises a receiving interface element <NUM> configured to receive the removable capsule <NUM> with a valve <NUM>. The receiving interface element <NUM> is represented in <FIG> in a schematic manner only.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> may comprise a power source such as a rechargeable battery in operative connection with a controller, for example one from the list comprising a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a data processor, an electronic circuit that allows to control and monitor the power source. These elements are not illustrated in <FIG>.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> may further comprise a first electrical connector in operative connection with the controller and the power source, hence enabling the electrical connection of the aerosol generation device <NUM> to the removable capsule <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>).

The aerosol generation device <NUM> may also comprise a first fixation system (not shown in <FIG>) configured to hold the removable capsule <NUM> on the aerosol generation device <NUM> and to release the removable capsule <NUM> from the aerosol generation device <NUM> when the removable capsule <NUM> needs to be removed.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> also comprises a valve detector 70a, 70b configured to sense a position of the valve <NUM> when the removable capsule is received on the receiving interface <NUM>.

The removable capsule <NUM> may comprise a second electrical connector (not shown in <FIG>) which is configured to connect to the first electrical connector from the aerosol generation device <NUM> when the removable capsule <NUM> is fixed on the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

The removable capsule <NUM> may also comprise a second fixation system (not shown in <FIG>) configured to fix the removable capsule <NUM> to the aerosol generation device <NUM> through the first fixation system arranged on the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

As schematically depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the aerosol generation device <NUM> comprises a wicking element <NUM> and a heating assembly <NUM> in operative connection with the wicking element <NUM> and configured to heat the wicking element <NUM>.

The heating assembly <NUM> may comprise a heater, a battery and a controller all in operative connection.

The removable capsule <NUM> comprises an internal cavity or reservoir <NUM> configured to contain a vaporizable material which can be heated to produce an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

The term vaporizable material is used to designate any material that is vaporizable at a temperature up to <NUM>, preferably up to <NUM>, for example aerosol generating liquid, gel, wax and the like.

In another embodiment, not illustrated in the figures, the wicking element is arranged on the removable capsule <NUM> and is in operative connection with the heating assembly <NUM> arranged on the aerosol generation device <NUM> when the removable capsule <NUM> is connected to the aerosol generation device <NUM>. In this embodiment, the wicking element <NUM> on the aerosol generation device <NUM> may likely be removed since redundant with the wicking element on the removable capsule.

In another embodiment, not illustrated in the figures, the removable capsule <NUM> may also comprises the heating assembly in operative connection with the wicking element and configured to heat the wicking element. The heater may be in operative connection with the second electrical connector arranged on the removable capsule <NUM> and is therefore electrically connected to the controller and the power source comprised in the aerosol generation device <NUM> when the removable capsule <NUM> is connected to the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

The removable capsule <NUM> comprises an aperture <NUM> arranged in connection with the reservoir <NUM> and through which the vaporizable material may flow, for example toward the wicking element <NUM>.

The aperture <NUM> may be arranged at any suitable location in the removable capsule <NUM> in connection with the reservoir <NUM> in order to allow the vaporizable material to flow toward the wicking element <NUM>.

The aperture <NUM> may be circular or rectangular or of any different suitable geometry.

The aperture <NUM> may have an opening surface suitable to allow a correct flow of the vaporizable material toward the wicking element <NUM> when the capsule <NUM> is inserted on the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

In another embodiment the removable capsule <NUM> may comprise more than one aperture <NUM>, each of the apertures being in connection with the reservoir <NUM> and being enabled to let the vaporizable material flow through it toward the wicking element <NUM>.

The removable capsule <NUM> further comprises a closing element arranged on the aperture <NUM>. The closing element may be for example the valve <NUM>.

The valve <NUM> is arranged on the aperture <NUM>. The valve <NUM> has a closed position in which the valve <NUM> closes the aperture <NUM> to retain the vaporizable material in in the reservoir <NUM> and an open position in which the aperture <NUM> is open to release the vaporizable material from the reservoir <NUM> toward the wicking element <NUM>.

The valve <NUM> has a geometry and a size allowing to sealingly close the aperture <NUM> when the valve <NUM> is in the closed position in order to retain the vaporizable material inside the reservoir <NUM>.

The removable capsule <NUM> may further comprise sealing means arranged at the periphery of the aperture <NUM> configured to seal the closure of the aperture <NUM> by the valve <NUM>, when the valve <NUM> is in the closed position. The sealing means may comprise at least one gasket <NUM>.

Alternatively, the sealing means may also be arranged on the valve <NUM>.

The valve <NUM> is further configured to transition from the closed position to the open position when the removable capsule <NUM> is inserted on the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

The valve <NUM> is further configured to transition from the open position to the closed position when the removable capsule <NUM> is removed on the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the removable capsule <NUM> may comprise more than one valve <NUM> if the removable capsule <NUM> comprises more than one aperture <NUM>. One valve <NUM> being arranged on one aperture <NUM> (not illustrated in the figures).

In another embodiment, the removable capsule <NUM> may comprise one valve <NUM> configured to close several apertures <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the aerosol generation device comprises the valve detector 70a, 70b configured to detect the position of the valve <NUM>.

The valve detector 70a, 70b is further configured to detect if the valve <NUM> is in the closed position or in the open position when the removable capsule <NUM> is received on the receiving interface element <NUM>.

The valve detector 70a, 70b is further configured to detect if the valve <NUM> is in the closed position at the time when the removable capsule <NUM> is being removed from the aerosol generation device <NUM>.

The valve detector 70a, 70b may be activated by a mechanical movement of the removable capsule <NUM>.

The valve detector 70a, 70b may be activated by a user when the user wants to remove the removable capsule <NUM>.

The valve detector 70a, 70b further comprises or cooperate with at least one reflective zone <NUM> arranged on the valve <NUM>. The valve detector 70a, 70b further comprises at least one light emitter 70a and at least one light receiver 70b.

As depicted in <FIG>, representing the receiving interface element <NUM> relative to the removable capsule, when the valve <NUM> is in the closed position, the at least one reflective zone <NUM> is in a position in which a light signal emitted from light emitter 70a may not reach the at least one reflective zone <NUM>, and no light may be reflected by the latterto reach the at least one light receiver 70b, indicating that the valve <NUM> is in the closed position.

As depicted on <FIG>, representing the receiving interface element relative to the removable capsule, when the valve <NUM> is in the open position, the at least one reflective zone <NUM> is in a position such that the at least one light emitter 70a may emit light that is then reflected from the at least one reflective zone <NUM> towards the at least one light receiver 70b. In the open position, when the valve detector 70a, 70b is activated, the at least one light emitter 70a emits the light signal. The light signal is reflected by the at least one reflective zone <NUM> arranged on the valve <NUM> in direction of the at least one light receiver 70b. The at least one light receiver 70b can therefore capture this reflected light indicating that the valve <NUM> is in the open position.

In another embodiment not illustrated, the aerosol generation device <NUM> further comprises an annular element configured to activate the valve detector 70a, 70b. The detector may be activated by a rotation of the annular element arranged on the aerosol generation device <NUM>. The rotation of the annular element may be performed by a user at the time when the removable capsule <NUM> needs to be removed from the aerosol generation device <NUM>. The rotation of the annular element may further enable an actuation of the valve from an open position to a closed position or the otherway around.

In another embodiment according to <FIG>, the removable capsule <NUM> comprises two apertures <NUM> and a closing element or a valve in the form of a ring <NUM>.

The ring <NUM> is configured to rotate around a central axis of the removable capsule <NUM> from an open position to a closed position or the other way around.

As depicted in <FIG>, the ring <NUM> may comprise two recesses or openings <NUM> arranged preferentially on the inner side of the ring <NUM> and configured to be aligned with two apertures <NUM> arranged on the removable capsule <NUM> when the ring <NUM> is in the open position (<FIG>) hence enabling the vaporizable material to flow from the reservoir <NUM> toward the wicking element via the two apertures <NUM> (the wicking element is not represented on <FIG>).

The ring <NUM> further comprises two reflective zones <NUM> arranged on the ring <NUM>. The reflective zones <NUM> are arranged on the external side of the ring <NUM> excepting the areas of the external side of the ring <NUM> which are facing the two recesses <NUM> arranged on the inner side of the ring <NUM>.

The ring <NUM> is configured to rotate around the central axis of the removable capsule <NUM> from a closed position (<FIG>) to an open position (<FIG>).

The ring <NUM> may be rotated by a user moving it from the closed to the open position or the other way around.

As depicted in <FIG>, when the ring <NUM> is in the closed position, the ring <NUM> closes the two apertures <NUM> arranged on the removable capsule. The vaporizable material is hence retained in the reservoir of the removable capsule.

A valve detector 71a, 71b is configured to determine if the valve <NUM> is in the closed position.

When the ring <NUM> is in the closed position, at least one of the reflective zones <NUM> is facing the at least one light emitter 71a and the at least one light receiver 71b, meaning that a light signal emitted from light emitter 71a may reach the at least one of the reflective zones <NUM>, and light reflected by the latter may reach the at least one light receiver 71b. In the closed position, when the valve detector 71a, 71b is activated, the at least one light emitter 71a emits the light signal. The light signal is reflected by the at least one reflective zone <NUM> arranged on the ring <NUM> in direction of the at least one light receiver 71b. The at least one light receiver 71b can therefore capture this reflected light indicating that the ring <NUM> is in the closed position.

As shown on <FIG>, when the ring is in the open position, the recesses are aligned with the apertures <NUM> of the removable capsule. The apertures are hence open, and the vaporizable material can flow from the reservoir toward the wicking element via the two apertures.

When the ring <NUM> is in the open position, the at least one of the reflective zones <NUM> is not facing the at least one light emitter 71a and the at least one light receiver 71b. In the open position, when the at least one light emitter 71a emits the light signal, and the light signal is not reflected by the at least one reflective zone <NUM> arranged on the ring <NUM> as the at least one of the reflective zones <NUM> is not facing the at least one light emitter 71a. The at least one light receiver 71b cannot therefore capture this reflected light indicating that the ring <NUM> is in the closed position.

When the valve detector 71a, 71b detects or determines that the valve <NUM> is in the closed position, the valve detector 71a, 71b is configured to induce the heating assembly <NUM> to trigger a drying cycle when the valve <NUM> is in the closed position.

The drying of the vaporizable material remaining in the wicking element <NUM> by the heating assembly <NUM> should be performed when the valve or the ring <NUM> is in the closed position to avoid vaporizable material releasing or leaking from the capsule <NUM> when the drying cycle is operating.

The heating assembly may be configured to operate a drying cycle of the wicking element <NUM> upon detection of a valve position by a valve detector (70a, 70b, 71a, 71b).

The drying cycle may be triggered by the heating assembly <NUM> to dry the remaining vaporizable material in the wicking element <NUM> when the valve <NUM> is in the closed position.

The drying cycle is intended to evaporate the remaining vaporizable material in the wicking element <NUM>, without burning ordamaging the wicking element <NUM> by heating the wicking element <NUM> at an appropriate low power for a certain period of time.

The drying cycle is also indented to evaporate the remaining vaporizable material in the wicking element <NUM>, without overheating and burning the vaporizable material as this may generate undesirable substances in the wicking element.

During the drying cycle, the heating assembly <NUM> is configured to heat the wicking element <NUM> to the end of evaporating any vaporizable material remaining in the wicking element <NUM>.

The heating assembly <NUM> is further configured to heat the wicking element <NUM> at a temperature maintained between a temperature necessary to evaporate the vaporizable material remaining in the wicking element <NUM> and a temperature at which the wicking element <NUM> would degrade.

The heating assembly <NUM> is further configured to heat the wicking element <NUM> during the drying cycle at a boiling temperature of the vaporizable material.

The aerosol generation device may also comprise a wicking element temperature sensor (not represented) configured to measure the wicking element temperature to avoid reaching a too high temperature that would damage the wicking element.

The aerosol generation device may also comprise a wicking element resistance sensor (not represented) configured to measure the wicking element temperature to avoid reaching a too high temperature that would damage the wicking element sensor. Such resistance sensor may in particular be implemented with a wicking element formed of an at least partially resistant metallic mesh.

To avoid damaging the wicking element <NUM>, the heating assembly <NUM> may be configured, for example, to heat the wicking element <NUM> for <NUM> to <NUM> seconds.

The heating assembly <NUM> may further comprise a built-in-delay configured to cool the wicking element <NUM> before the end of the drying cycle.

The built-in-delay is configured to cool the wicking element <NUM>, for example, between <NUM> to <NUM> seconds enabling a complete cooling of the wicking element <NUM>. The built-in-delay is configured to cool the wicking element until the wicking element temperature is approximately <NUM>. The temperature of the wicking element may be monitored by the wicking element temperature sensor or the wicking element resistance sensor.

In another embodiment, the wicking element <NUM> may be cooled by passive or active cooling.

The aerosol generation device <NUM> may further comprise a visual signal (not represented) triggered at the end of the drying cycle, indicating to the user that the drying cycle is finished.

The visual signal may comprise a LED or a luminous device emitting a light signal at the end of the drying cycle.

As depicted in <FIG>, it is another object of the invention to provide a method to perform a drying cycle configured to dry the wicking element <NUM> without damaging it, comprising steps of:.

The activation of the valve detector <NUM> in the method to perform a drying cycle may further comprise a rotation of an annular element arranged on the aerosol generation device, as depicted in <FIG>.

The method to perform a drying cycle may further comprise the step of cooling the wicking element <NUM>, for example via a built-in-delay configured to cool the wicking element <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The method to perform a drying cycle may further comprise the step of triggering a visual signal indicating an end of the drying cycle.

The method to perform a drying cycle may further comprise the step of removing the removable capsule <NUM> at the end of the drying cycle as depicted in <FIG>.

The details and embodiments described above for an aerosol generation device <NUM> are applicable to an electronic cigarette comprising a removable capsule <NUM>.

While the invention has been disclosed with reference to certain preferred embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments, and equivalents thereof, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claim 1:
An aerosol generation device (<NUM>) comprising:
- a wicking element (<NUM>),
- a heating assembly (<NUM>) configured to heat the wicking element (<NUM>),
- a receiving interface element (<NUM>) configured to receive a removable capsule (<NUM>) configured to contain a vaporizable material and having an aperture (<NUM>) through which the vaporizable material can flow, the removable capsule (<NUM>) comprising a valve (<NUM>) arranged on the aperture (<NUM>), the valve (<NUM>) having a closed position in which the valve (<NUM>) closes the aperture (<NUM>) and an open position in which the aperture (<NUM>) is open to release the vaporizable material toward the wicking element (<NUM>),
- a valve detector (70a, 70b) configured to detect if the valve (<NUM>) is in the closed position or in the open position when the removable capsule (<NUM>) is received on the receiving interface element (<NUM>), characterized in that the heating assembly (<NUM>) is configured to operate a drying cycle of the wicking element (<NUM>) upon detection of a valve (<NUM>) position by the valve detector (70a, 70b).