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(11) | EP 3 815 554 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND SYSTEM |
| (57) An aerosol generating device (10) comprises a housing (16) defining a compartment
(18) for receiving an aerosol generating substrate (32) and a stationary heater (40)
positioned adjacent to an outer surface (36) of the aerosol generating substrate (32)
and arranged to heat a portion of the aerosol generating substrate (32) positioned
adjacent to the heater (40). The aerosol generating device (10) further comprises
a support element (44) for supporting the aerosol generating substrate (32), a capture
element (50) and a release element (56). The cooperation between the support element
(44), capture element (50) and release element (56) provides indexed rotational movement
of the support element (44), and corresponding indexed rotational movement of the
aerosol generating substrate (32), in the compartment (18) so that successive portions
of the outer surface (36) of the aerosol generating substrate (32) are sequentially
positioned adjacent to the stationary heater (40).
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Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly to an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to an aerosol generating system.
Technical Background
[0002] Devices which heat, rather than burn, an aerosol generating substrate to produce an aerosol for inhalation have become popular with consumers in recent years. Such devices can use one of a number of different approaches to provide heat to the aerosol generating substrate.
[0003] One approach is to provide an aerosol generating device which employs a resistive heating system. In such a device, a resistive heating element is provided to heat aerosol generating substrate positioned within a cavity of the device and thereby generate a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.
[0004] The resistive heating system can be an internal resistive heating system in which one or more resistive heating elements (e.g. a heating blade arranged within the cavity of the device) are arranged to be positioned within the aerosol generating substrate during use of the aerosol generating device and/or an external resistive heating system in which one or more resistive heating elements are arranged to at least partially surround the aerosol generating substrate.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system which has a reduced power requirement and/or which provides improved control over the heating of the aerosol generating substrate.
Summary of the Disclosure
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising:
a housing defining a compartment for receiving an aerosol generating substrate, the compartment having an open end, a closed end and a longitudinal axis extending between the open and closed ends;
a stationary heater positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate and arranged to heat a portion of the aerosol generating substrate positioned adjacent to the heater;
a support element in the compartment for supporting the aerosol generating substrate, the support element including a plurality of circumferentially spaced first engaging formations;
a capture element fixed to an inner surface of the compartment, the capture element including a plurality of circumferentially spaced second engaging formations;
a release element movable in the compartment along the longitudinal axis upon actuation by a user, the release element including a plurality of circumferentially spaced third engaging formations;
wherein:
the support element is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to provide indexed rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate in the compartment to sequentially position portions of the outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate adjacent to the heater;
the support element is movable in the compartment along the longitudinal axis between first and second positions and is biased to the first position, the first and second engaging formations cooperate when the support element is in the first position to prevent rotational movement of the support element in the compartment, and the first and second engaging formations do not cooperate when the support element is in the second position to allow rotational movement of the support element in the compartment; and
upon actuation of the release element by a user, the third engaging formations are configured to engage the first engaging formations to move the support element from the first position to the second position to disengage the first and second engaging formations and thereby permit indexed rotational movement of the support element, and corresponding indexed rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate, in the compartment.
[0007] The aerosol generating device is adapted to heat the aerosol generating substrate, without burning the aerosol generating substrate, to volatise at least one component of the aerosol generating substrate and thereby generate a vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device.
[0008] In general terms, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should, however, be noted that the terms 'aerosol' and 'vapour' may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user.
[0009] By providing indexed rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate in the compartment, it is possible to heat specific portions of the aerosol generating substrate and thereby provide controlled heating of the aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol with suitable characteristics for inhalation by a user. The need to heat the whole of the aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol is thereby avoided, meaning that a smaller heater can be used. By using a smaller heater, the amount of energy required to raise the heater to a sufficient temperature to cause aerosol generation can be reduced, thus resulting in an aerosol generating device with improved energy efficiency.
[0010] The support element may be configured to engage the aerosol generating substrate to retain the aerosol generating substrate in the compartment and such that the aerosol generating substrate rotates in unison with the support element. The support element may include a retainer to retain the aerosol generating substrate on the support element. The aerosol generating substrate is thereby securely retained in the compartment by the support element and subjected to indexed rotational movement by the support element to sequentially position fresh and unused portions of the outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate adjacent to the heater.
[0011] The support element may be positioned proximate the closed end of the compartment. The device may include a biasing element, for example a spring, which may be arranged to bias the support element to the first position. The biasing element may be positioned at the closed end of the compartment. When the support element is biased to the first position by the biasing element, the aerosol generating substrate is securely retained in its indexed rotational position by virtue of the cooperation between the first and second engaging formations.
[0012] The third engaging formations may be configured to impart a rotational force to the first engaging formations when the first and second engaging formations are disengaged to thereby rotate the support element in the compartment. The engagement between the third engaging formations and the first engaging formations thus provides for reliable indexed rotational movement of the support element and, hence, corresponding indexed rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate in the compartment.
[0013] Each of the third engaging formations may include an inclined surface which may be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the compartment and which may be configured to impart said rotational force to the first engaging formations.
[0014] The second engaging formations may be configured to impart a rotational force to the first engaging formations during biased movement of the support element from the second position to the first position to thereby rotate the support element in the compartment. The engagement between the second engaging formations and the first engaging formations during biased movement of the support element provides for further indexed rotational movement of the support element and, hence, corresponding indexed rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate in the compartment to ensure that a fresh and unused portion of the aerosol generating substrate is positioned adjacent to the heater upon completion of the rotational movement.
[0015] Each of the first and second engaging formations may include an inclined surface which may be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the compartment. The inclined surfaces may be configured to cooperate with each other to impart said rotational force.
[0016] Each of the first and second engaging formations may include a flat surface which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the compartment. The flat surfaces are configured to cooperate with each other when the support element is biased to the first position to prevent rotational movement of the support element in the compartment. The cooperation between the flat surfaces thus securely retains the support element and, hence, the aerosol generating substrate in a predetermined indexed rotational position.
[0017] The support element may be configured to rotate in substantially equal predetermined rotational increments. Consistent heating of the aerosol generating substrate is thereby assured.
[0018] Each predetermined rotational increment may correspond substantially to a distance that the heater extends around an inner surface of the compartment. For example, the heater may extend up to about 180 degrees around the inner surface of the compartment, possibly up to about 90 degrees around the inner surface of the compartment, and possibly between about 30 degrees and 60 degrees around the inner surface of the compartment. For example, if the heater extends about 45 degrees around the inner surface of the compartment (i.e. about one-eighth of the inner circumference), each predetermined rotational increment may be about 45 degrees.
[0019] The heater may have any suitable length. The heater may have a length in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the compartment which is less than the length of the compartment.
[0020] The heater may comprise any suitable heating element. For example, the heating element may comprise a resistive heating element or an inductive heating element, such as an inductively heatable susceptor. Typically, the heating element comprises a resistive heating element comprising an electrically resistive material. Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, metals, metal alloys, electrically conductive ceramics, for example tungsten and alloys thereof, and composite materials comprising a metallic material and a ceramic material.
[0021] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device as defined above and an aerosol generating substrate positioned in the compartment.
[0022] The compartment and the aerosol generating substrate may have a substantially circular cross-section. Thus, the compartment may be substantially cylindrical and the aerosol generating substrate may be substantially cylindrical.
[0023] The aerosol generating substrate may be circumscribed by a paper wrapper, such that the aerosol generating substrate and the paper wrapper form an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article may be formed substantially in the shape of a rod or stick. The aerosol generating article may include a filter, for example comprising cellulose acetate fibres. The filter may be in abutting coaxial alignment with the aerosol generating substrate.
[0024] The aerosol generating substrate may be any type of solid or semi-solid material. Example types of aerosol generating solids include powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, particles, gel, strips, loose leaves, cut leaves, cut filler, porous material, foam material or sheets. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise plant derived material and in particular, may comprise tobacco. It may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco.
[0025] The aerosol generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-former. Examples of aerosol-formers include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol. Typically, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-former content of between approximately 5% and approximately 50% on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise an aerosol-former content of between approximately 10% and approximately 20% on a dry weight basis, and possibly approximately 15% on a dry weight basis.
[0026] Upon heating, the aerosol generating substrate may release volatile compounds. The volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavour compounds such as tobacco flavouring.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0027]
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article which together form an aerosol generating system;
Figures 2a to 2c are diagrammatic views of the part of the aerosol generating system of Figure 1, schematically illustrating indexed rotational movement of an aerosol generating substrate; and
Figures 3a to 3d are enlarged diagrammatic views of the region labelled A in Figure 1, illustrating part of a mechanism that provides the indexed rotational movement illustrated in Figures 2a to 2c.
Detailed Description of Embodiments
[0028] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0029] Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown diagrammatically an example of an aerosol generating system 1. The aerosol generating system 1 comprises an aerosol generating device 10 and an aerosol generating article 30. The aerosol generating device 10 has a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14 and comprises a housing 16 which defines a compartment 18 for receiving the aerosol generating article 30. The compartment 18, which may be substantially circular in cross-section, has an open end 20 at the proximal end 12 of the aerosol generating device 10 to permit insertion and removal of an aerosol generating article 30, a closed end 22 at the distal end 14 of the aerosol generating device 10, and a longitudinal axis which extends between the open end 20 and the closed end 22. The housing 16 can include one or more air inlets (not shown), typically at the distal end 14 of the aerosol generating device 10, for supplying air to the compartment 18. The aerosol generating device 10 also includes a power source 24 and a controller 26. The power source 24 typically comprises one or more batteries which could be removable/replaceable and/or rechargeable, for example by connecting the aerosol generating device 10 to a charger via a charger connection 28.
[0030] The aerosol generating article 30 is a disposable article and comprises an aerosol generating substrate 32, for example tobacco, having a first end 32a and a second end 32b. The aerosol generating article 30 is substantially stick-shaped or rod-shaped and has a substantially circular cross-section which generally conforms to the circular cross-section of the compartment 18. The aerosol generating article 30 typically comprises a paper wrapper (not shown) surrounding the aerosol generating substrate 32. The aerosol generating article 30 comprises a filter 34 at one end (the mouth end) which is in abutting coaxial alignment with the first end 32a of the aerosol generating substrate 32. The filter 34 acts as a mouthpiece and comprises an air-permeable plug, for example comprising cellulose acetate fibres. Both the paper wrapper and the filter 34 are overwrapped by an outer wrapper (not shown) typically comprising tipping paper.
[0031] The aerosol generating device 10 includes a stationary heater 40 for heating the aerosol generating substrate 32. The heater 40 can comprise a generally elongate resistive heating element 42 which is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the compartment 18 and which extends from the open end 20 towards the closed end 22, for a distance which may be less than the length of the compartment 18 in the longitudinal direction. The heating element 42 is positioned adjacent to an outer surface 36 of the aerosol generating substrate 32 as best seen in Figure 1 and has a surface which is exposed to the interior of the compartment 18 so that it can heat the aerosol generating substrate 32. The heating element 42 extends only partially around the circumference of the compartment 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating element 42 extends about a portion of the circumference, preferably between about one-tenth and half of the circumference, for example about one-eighth of the circumference of the compartment 18. In other words, the heating element 42 extends about 45 degrees of the circumference of the compartment 18. Thus, the heating element 42 is arranged to heat only a portion of the aerosol generating substrate 32, and more particularly a portion of the aerosol generating substrate 32 that is positioned adjacent to the heating element 42.
[0032] Referring also to Figures 3a to 3d, the aerosol generating device 10 includes a support element 44 positioned at the closed end 22 of the compartment 18. The support element 44 has a substantially circular cross-section and supports the aerosol generating substrate 32 at the second end 32b. The support element 44 is configured to engage the second end 32b of the aerosol generating substrate 32 to retain the aerosol generating substrate 32 in the compartment 18.
[0033] The support element 44 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced first engaging formations 48 which extend in the longitudinal direction, from the second end 32b of the aerosol generating substrate 32 towards the first end 32a. The circumferentially spaced first engaging formations 48 encircle the aerosol generating substrate 32 at the second end 32b and can act as a retainer 46 (see Figure 1) to retain the aerosol generating substrate 32 on the support element 44. In alternative embodiments (not illustrated), the retainer 46 could comprise one or more projections that extend from a surface of the support element 44 and into the aerosol generating substrate 32. Each of the first engaging formations 48 includes a flat surface 48a which extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the compartment 18 and an inclined surface 48b which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the compartment 18.
[0034] The support element 44 is rotatable in the compartment 18 about the longitudinal axis, and thus provides for corresponding rotational movement of the aerosol generating article 30, and more particularly the aerosol generating substrate 32, in the compartment 18. This rotational movement enables portions of the outer surface 36 of the aerosol generating substrate 32 to be positioned adjacent to the heating element 42, so that successive portions of the aerosol generating substrate 32 can be heated by heat transferred from the heating element 42. This is illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 2a to 2c, where the rotation of the aerosol generating substrate 32 is depicted schematically by a shaded area that represents a previously heated portion of the aerosol generating substrate 32. In practice, there will be multiple previously heated portions as the aerosol generating substrate 32 is incrementally rotated during use, but only a single heated portion is shown in Figures 2a to 2c for illustration purposes.
[0035] The aerosol generating device 10 includes a capture element 50 which is fixed to an inner surface of the compartment 18. The capture element 50 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced second engaging formations 52 and can have a generally tubular construction which conforms to the circular cross-section of the compartment 18. Each of the second engaging formations 52 includes a flat surface 52a which extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the compartment 18 and an inclined surface 52b which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the compartment 18.
[0036] The support element 44 is movable in the compartment 18 along the longitudinal axis, in addition to being rotatable in the compartment 18 as described above. More particularly, the support element 44 is movable in the compartment 18 along the longitudinal axis between a first position shown in Figure 3a and a second position shown in Figure 3b. When the support element 44 is in the first position shown in Figure 3a, the flat surfaces 48a, 52a respectively of the first and second engaging formations 48, 52 cooperate to prevent rotational movement of the support element 44 in the compartment 18. On the other hand, when the support element 44 is in the second position shown in Figure 3b, the flat surfaces 48a, 52a respectively of the first and second engaging formations 48, 52 are disengaged, and do not cooperate, to thereby allow rotational movement of the support element 44 in the compartment 18. It will, thus, be understood that when the support element 44 is in the first position, rotation of the aerosol generating substrate 32 in the compartment 18 is prevented, whereas when the support element 44 is in the second position, rotation of the aerosol generating substrate 32 in the compartment 18 is permitted.
[0037] The aerosol generating device 10 includes a biasing element 54, for example in the form of a spring, which biases the support element 44 to the first position in the compartment 18 as shown in Figure 3a. The biasing element 54 is positioned at the closed end 22 of the compartment 18 and urges the support element 44 in the longitudinal direction from the closed end 22 towards the open end 20, such that the first and second engaging formations 48, 52 are biased into cooperating engagement with each other.
[0038] The aerosol generating device 10 includes a release element 56 which is movable in the compartment 18 along the longitudinal axis. The release element 56 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced third engaging formations 58 (see Figure 3b) and can have a generally tubular construction which conforms to the circular cross-section of the compartment 18. The third engaging formations 58 include inclined surfaces 58a, 58b which are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the compartment 18 and which together formed a toothed profile. The release element 56 is user actuable, in other words is movable in the compartment 18 along the longitudinal axis upon actuation by a user. The aerosol generating device 10 includes an actuating member 60, for example in the form of a slider as illustrated in Figure 1, which can be moved by a user along a longitudinally extending channel in the side of the housing 16. The actuating member 60 is connected to, or integral with, the release element 56 so that as a user slides the actuating member 60 from the position shown in Figure 1 adjacent to the open end 20 of the compartment 18 in a direction towards the closed end 22 of the compartment 18, the release element 56 is moved from the position shown in Figure 3a to the position shown in Figure 3b.
[0039] Movement of the release element 56 from the position shown in Figure 3a to the position shown in Figure 3b causes the third engaging formations 58 of the release element 56 to engage the first engaging formations 48 of the support element 44. The support element 44 is thereby moved from the first position shown in Figure 3a to the second position shown in Figure 3b by the release element 56, thereby disengaging the first and second engaging formations 48, 52 respectively of the support element 44 and capture element 50. The cooperation between the inclined surfaces 58b of the third engaging formations 58 and the inclined surfaces 48b of the first engaging formations 48 imparts a rotational force to the first engaging formations 48 and thereby causes the support element 44 to rotate in the compartment 18. This in turn initiates rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate 32 that is supported by the support element 44.
[0040] The movement of the support element 44 by the release element 56 along the longitudinal axis of the compartment 18 compresses the biasing element 54 between the support element 44 and the closed end 22 of the compartment 18. Thus, when the actuating member 60 is released by a user to return the release element 56 to the position illustrated in Figure 3c, the support element 44 is biased by the biasing element 54 towards the first position. As the support element 44 is biased towards the first position, the inclined surfaces 48b of the first engaging formations 48 of the support element 48 cooperate with the inclined surfaces 52b of the second engaging formations 52 of the capture element 50 as best seen in Figure 3c. The cooperation between the inclined surfaces 52b of the second engaging formations 52 and the inclined surfaces 48b of the first engaging formations 48 imparts a rotational force to the first engaging formations 48 and thereby causes the support element 44 to continue its rotational movement in the compartment 18. This in turn causes continued rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate 32 that is supported by the support element 44.
[0041] Rotational movement of the support element 44, and hence of the aerosol generating substrate 32, ceases when the flat surfaces 48a of the first engaging formations 48 of the support element 44 engage the flat surfaces 52a of the second engaging formations 52 of the capture element 50 as shown in Figure 3d. At this point, it will be understood that the support element 44, and hence the aerosol generating substrate 32, has been subjected to an indexed rotational movement in the compartment 18. By virtue of this indexed rotational movement, a fresh (i.e. previously unheated) portion of the aerosol generating substrate 32 is positioned adjacent to the heating element 42 whilst a previously heated portion of the aerosol generating substrate is moved away from the heating element 42, as shown schematically in Figures 2a to 2c.
[0042] As explained above, the heating element 42 extends only partially around the circumference of the compartment 18, for example about one-eighth of the circumference of the compartment 18 in the illustrated embodiment. The first, second and third engaging formations 48, 52, 58 are, therefore, arranged respectively on the support element 44, capture element 50 and release element 56 so that when the actuating member 60 is operated by a user, the support element 44, and hence the aerosol generating substrate 32, is subjected to an indexed rotational movement which corresponds substantially to the circumferential distance that the heating element 42 extends around the compartment 18.
[0043] In some embodiments, the controller 26 may be configured to detect the consumption of the aerosol generating substrate 32, e.g., by detecting the number of inhalations or 'puffs' by a user of the aerosol generating device 10 or by detecting that a predetermined period of time has elapsed with the aerosol generating substrate 32 in a predetermined indexed rotational position. After detecting a predetermined number of puffs or after detecting that a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the controller 26 may be configured to generate a user alert to prompt a user of the aerosol generating device 10 to operate the actuating member 60 and thereby initiate an indexed rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate 32 so that a fresh and unused (i.e. previously unheated) portion of the aerosol generating substrate 32 is positioned adjacent to the heating element 42. In this way, portions of the aerosol generating substrate 32 can be sequentially heated by the heating element 42. When the aerosol generating substrate 32 has been fully heated and depleted, the controller 26 may be configured to generate a user alert to prompt a user to remove the used aerosol generating article 30 from the compartment 18 and to insert a replacement (i.e. previously unused) aerosol generating article 30 into the compartment 18.
[0044] Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments.
1. An aerosol generating device (10) comprising:
a housing (16) defining a compartment (18) for receiving an aerosol generating substrate (32), the compartment (18) having an open end (20), a closed end (22) and a longitudinal axis extending between the open and closed ends (20, 22);
a stationary heater (40) positioned adjacent to an outer surface (36) of the aerosol generating substrate (32) and arranged to heat a portion of the aerosol generating substrate (32) positioned adjacent to the heater (40);
a support element (44) in the compartment (18) for supporting the aerosol generating substrate (32), the support element (44) including a plurality of circumferentially spaced first engaging formations (48);
a capture element (50) fixed to an inner surface of the compartment (18), the capture element (50) including a plurality of circumferentially spaced second engaging formations (52);
a release element (56) movable in the compartment (18) along the longitudinal axis upon actuation by a user, the release element (56) including a plurality of circumferentially spaced third engaging formations (58);
wherein:
the support element (44) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to provide indexed rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate (32) in the compartment (18) to sequentially position portions of the outer surface (36) of the aerosol generating substrate (32) adjacent to the heater (40);
the support element (44) is movable in the compartment (18) along the longitudinal axis between first and second positions and is biased to the first position, the first and second engaging formations (48, 52) cooperate when the support element (44) is in the first position to prevent rotational movement of the support element (44) in the compartment (18), and the first and second engaging formations (48, 52) do not cooperate when the support element (44) is in the second position to allow rotational movement of the support element (44) in the compartment (18); and
upon actuation of the release element (56) by a user, the third engaging formations (58) are configured to engage the first engaging formations (48) to move the support element (44) from the first position to the second position to disengage the first and second engaging formations (48, 52) and thereby permit indexed rotational movement of the support element (44), and corresponding indexed rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate (32), in the compartment (18).
2. An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the support element (44)
is configured to engage the aerosol generating substrate (32) to retain the aerosol
generating substrate (32) in the compartment (18) and such that the aerosol generating
substrate (32) rotates in unison with the support element (44).
3. An aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the support element (44)
includes a retainer (46) to retain the aerosol generating substrate (32) on the support
element (44).
4. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support
element (44) is positioned proximate the closed end (22) of the compartment (18).
5. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device
(10) includes a biasing element (54) to bias the support element (44) to the first
position, preferably wherein the biasing element (54) is positioned at the closed
end (22) of the compartment (18).
6. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the third engaging
formations (58) are configured to impart a rotational force to the first engaging
formations (48) when the first and second engaging formations (48, 52) are disengaged
to thereby rotate the support element (44) in the compartment (18).
7. An aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein each of the third engaging
formations (58) includes an inclined surface (58a, 58b) which is inclined relative
to the longitudinal axis of the compartment (18) and configured to impart said rotational
force to the first engaging formations (48).
8. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the second
engaging formations (52) are configured to impart a rotational force to the first
engaging formations (48) during biased movement of the support element (44) from the
second position to the first position to thereby rotate the support element (44) in
the compartment (18).
9. An aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second
engaging formations (48, 52) includes an inclined surface (48b, 52b) which is inclined
relative to the longitudinal axis of the compartment (18), and wherein the inclined
surfaces (48b, 52b) are configured to cooperate with each other to impart said rotational
force.
10. An aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein each of the first and second
engaging formations (48, 52) includes a flat surface (48a, 52a) which is substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the compartment (18), and wherein the flat surfaces
(48a, 52a) are configured to cooperate with each other when the support element (44)
is biased to the first position to prevent rotational movement of the support element
(44) in the compartment (18).
11. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support
element (44) is configured to rotate in substantially equal predetermined rotational
increments.
12. An aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein each predetermined rotational
increment corresponds substantially to a distance that the heater (40) extends around
an inner surface of the compartment (18).
13. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device (10) according
to any preceding claim and an aerosol generating substrate (32) positioned in the
compartment (18).
14. An aerosol generating system according to claim 13, wherein the compartment (18) and
the aerosol generating substrate (32) have a substantially circular cross-section.