A HEATING SYSTEM FOR AN AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE

Abstract

 Present invention relates to a heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for an aerosol-generating device, wherein the heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) is electrically connected to a power source (230) to heat but not burn an aerosol-generating article (150, 250, 350, 450, 550) in a heating chamber (1120), comprising
- A heating assembly, comprising a heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) having a longitudinal axis, comprising a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article (150, 250, 350, 450, 550), wherein the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) has a hollow cavity to allow the aerosol-generating article to longitudinally move through the hollow cavity of the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510), wherein the heating element is made of a heat conducting material;
- A driving assembly, comprising a guiding element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520) having a longitudinal axis, mechanically connected to the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) such that the longitudinal axis of the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is configured substantially parallel to the guiding element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520) to allow the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) to be moved longitudinally in relation with the guiding element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520) so that the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is moved in heating engagement with different portions of the aerosol-generating article (150, 250, 350, 450, 550) in the heating chamber (1120).
The invention also relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) as described above.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tobacco, especially to a heating system to heat rather than to burn an aerosol-generating article and/or substrate, wherein tobacco-containing materials may be comprised in the aerosol-generating substrate and/or article. The heating system can be provided to an aerosol-generating device as well as in an aerosol/vapour purification device.

Background of the invention

[0002] Heat-not-burn aerosol-generating article has been introduced into market since the end of 20^th century and has increasingly become popular as the result of the increased tobacco control measures and awareness.

[0003] Various proposals have been made to provide simulated smoking article which provides a tobacco taste without the combustion of tobacco. For example, patent document US 6532965 B1 relates to a smoking article using steam as an aerosol-generating source. It discloses a non-burning cigarette device, comprising an upstream cylindrical section and a downstream cylindrical section for receiving a tobacco rod. The upstream cylindrical section has a first upstream chamber (fuel mixture chamber) followed by a flame holder. The first upstream chamber contains a porous medium which is soaked with an ethanol-water mixture. The flame chamber is provided in the downstream cylindrical section where a combustion of a mixture of ethanol vapour and air (steam) is produced therein. Steam subsequently condenses downstream of the flame holder, thereby produces an aerosol. A cigarette disposed within the downstream tubular section in the cigarette receiving chamber is heated by the hot gases and the steam/aerosol as well as by the heated metal downstream tubular section through which the combustion gases travel and in which the cigarette is disposed.

[0004] It is known from other documents to provide intermediary elements with heating components to receive aerosol-generating articles of the heat-not-burn type in a corresponding electronic heating device having a projecting heating element such as a heating blade or needle. Examples of such heating elements are disclosed in WO 2019/064119 A1, WO 2019/021119 A1, US 20190209792A1 or CN 209 090 043 U, among others.

[0005] The prior art has the drawback that the aerosol-generating articles are heated only at a specific region. For example, one way to achieve such heating is to provide a compartment in a device into which an end of a vapour/aerosol generating consumable is able to be placed and then to apply heating to the aerosol generating consumable using a heating element. This allows heating to be applied only when the vapour generating consumable is located in the heating compartment and therefore allows repeated and controlled aerosol generation.

[0006] Moreover, the users have no control over the heating of the aerosol-generating article and/or aerosol-generating substrate. It is generally known that when an aerosol-generating article is heated repeatedly at the same region, the amount of volatiles do not remain constant after a certain number of puffs. Said aerosol-generating article or substrate has to be replaced if a fresh or a strong flavour is desired.

[0007] The solutions currently available are far from satisfactory as some of the aerosol-generating articles which could have been consumed longer have to be discarded prematurely due to the unsatisfactory experience received by the users. Moreover, an improved heating method of the consumable is envisaged.

Summary of the invention

[0008] The inventors of the present invention have found novel solutions to the above-discussed problems through a new and inventive heating system for aerosol-generating device as defined in the claims.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention is accordingly to provide a heating system for an aerosol-generating device, wherein the heating system is electrically connected to a power source to heat but not burn an aerosol-generating article in a heating chamber, comprising (a) a heating assembly, comprising a heating element having a longitudinal axis, comprising a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the heating element has a hollow cavity to allow the aerosol-generating article to longitudinally move through the hollow cavity of the heating element; (b) a driving assembly, comprising a guiding element having a longitudinal axis, mechanically connected to the heating element such that the longitudinal axis of the heating element is configured substantially parallel to the guiding element to allow the heating element to be moved longitudinally in relation with the guiding element so that the heating element is moved in heating engagement with different portions of the aerosol-generating article in the heating chamber,

[0010] A second aspect of the invention is accordingly to provide an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating system according to the invention.

[0011] A third aspect of the invention is accordingly to provide a method of heating an aerosol-generating article with the heating system of the present invention.

[0012] Thanks to the heating system espoused in the present invention, the inventors have found out that the heating system allows the aerosol-generating article to move longitudinally through the hollow cavity of the heating element of the heating assembly of the heating system such that different region of the aerosol-generating article can be heated. In other words, the heating element of the heating system moves in relation with the guiding element and in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guiding element and/or the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. As the heating element comprises a hollow cavity and larger diameter than the aerosol-generating article, the heating element which is responsible for heating the aerosol-generating article is able to heat the aerosol-generating article at least externally and in some instances internally.

[0013] The heating system according to the present invention comprising at least a heating assembly and a driving assembly may be at least partially or fully provided within the heating chamber. In other words, either only the heating element or both the heating element of the heating assembly and the guiding element of the driving assembly may be provided within the heating chamber. For instance, both the heating element e.g. cylindrical-shaped ring which is made of a heat conducting material is responsible for heating the aerosol-generating, and the guiding element which is preferably not made of a heat conducting material may be located within the heating chamber whereas other components such as power source are located outside of the heating chamber. In case only the heating element of the heating assembly is located within the heating chamber, a track or a gap may be provided at the heating chamber to allow the guiding element (wherein a part of the guiding element is connected to the heating element) to glide or move along the track or gap such that the heating element can be moved to reach different location of the heating chamber to heat the aerosol-generating article.

[0014] For instance, the heating element of the heating assembly may be a tube heater with only the inner surface is the heating surface and the outer surface is heat insulated. When the heating source is in the heating element, the heating element may not need to be fully heat conductive. When the heating source is located external to the heating assembly, and heat is conducted through the different elements (e.g. guiding element, connecting element, heating element or etc.) by conduction, then it may be necessary that the heating element is fully heat conductive.

[0015] In one variant of the invention, the heating element is provided in form of a ring, a C-shaped element, one or two half pipes, a sleeve, a clamp-like element and/or a substantially tube-like element. These shapes allow the heat component of the heating system to pass or move over an aerosol-generating article such that at least partial or a full circumference of the aerosol-generating article can be heated by the heating element.

[0016] To this end, it is disclosed that the heating element according to the present invention may comprise a tubular shape with a hole along the longitudinal axis. The heating element of the heating assembly may for instance have an outer diameter in the range of between 8 and 15 mm while the hole which is slightly larger than the diameter of an aerosol-generating article may have a diameter in the range of 5 and 10 mm. Of course, the diameter of the heating element can be adjustable according to the size of the article-generating article. Ideally, the diameter of the heating element not more than 2 mm, preferably not more than 3 mm or 4 mm of the diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0017] In another variant, the heating system comprises one or more connecting elements are provided to the heating assembly and/or to the driving assembly, preferably is provided to the guiding element to form the driving assembly, wherein a side of the connecting element is connected to the heating element while another side of the connecting element is connected to the guiding element. The connecting element can be provided in case the heating assembly and the driving assembly do not have an interphase which allow them to be interconnected.

[0018] According to a further variant, the heating element is movable in a stepwise manner on the guiding element, wherein each step comprises an equal distance next to each other. This allows users to quickly relocate and manipulate the positioning of the heating element e.g. the heating element.

[0019] In yet a further variant, the position of the heating element is adjustable relative to the guiding element in a stepwise manner on the guiding element, the distance of each step next to each other is approximately about 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm or 14 mm. For example, the length of heating element may be 10 mm and the distance of each step may ideally 10 mm such that when the heating element is moved to the next step, a completely new (unheated) portion of the aerosol-generating article will be heated to release fresh flavour to users. Thus, foul taste produced from the repetitive heating can be avoided.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the length of the heating element parallel to the direction of movement of the aerosol-generating article is between about 5 mm and about 20 mm, preferably between about 10 mm and about 25 mm, preferably between about 12 mm and 20 mm. A preferred variant is that the length of the heating element is equal to the distance of the next step where the heating element is repositioned.

[0021] In one preferred embodiment, one or more piercing elements (e.g. spikes or needles or thorns) are provided on the heating element, wherein the piercing elements are penetrable into the aerosol-generating article. The spikes may be provided circumferentially on the heating element e.g.at the inner side, such that the spikes may be moved (towards centrally) to penetrate the aerosol-generating article and thereby heating the aerosol-generating article internally as well as externally (through the heating element).

[0022] According to an embodiment, the diameter of the heating element is adjustable, between a first released position to a second locked position, such that the heating element is movable along the aerosol-generating article in released position and, is lockable in heating engagement with a portion of the aerosol-generating article in the locked position. For instance, the diameter of the heating element can be changed e.g. the heating element is adjustable from an open position (allowing aerosol-generating article to slide in or repositioning the location of the heating element) to a closed position (allowing spikes to penetrate into the aerosol-generating article).

[0023] In a further embodiment, one or more piercing elements are provided to the heating assembly, preferably to the heating element, wherein the piercing elements comprise a hollow cavity to allow liquid substance to flow from an end to an end. In this example, the spikes are provided in form of e.g. hollow cone having open ends on both opposite side such that flavour liquid can be released into the aerosol-generating article through the hollow cavity of the cones. For instance, the heating element may additionally be provided with a compartment to accept flavour capsules to be loaded and subsequently crashed to release flavour liquid contained in the capsules.

[0024] According to a further variant, the heating system comprises a flavouring module configured to supply the heating element in flavouring fluid.

[0025] According to a further variant, the flavouring module comprises a storing element arranged between the heating element and the guiding element, serving as a loading compartment to accept one or more flavouring capsules, wherein when the flavouring capsule is squeezed, liquid substance is released from the loading compartment to flavour the aerosol-generating article through one or more piercing element provided to the heating assembly, preferably on the heating element.

[0026] In another variant, the aerosol-generating device comprises

• An air-tight casing comprising at least one opening for receiving an aerosol-generating article;
• An inhalation chamber, wherein the inhalation chamber comprises the heating chamber to receive the aerosol-generating article, wherein at least one non-return valve is provided to the inhalation chamber to allow air or aerosol to be inhaled from the inhalation chamber through the mouthpiece;
• An exhalation chamber, wherein the exhalation chamber comprises at least one non-return valve provided to allow air or aerosol to be exhaled to the exhalation chamber through a mouth end;
• A filter assembly provided to the exhalation chamber or to the mouth end, wherein the filter assembly is in communication with the mouthpiece to filter the exhaled air or aerosol before being released out of the smoking system;
• A heating means for heating the aerosol-generating article,

characterized in that the heating means comprises a heating according to the present invention.

[0027] In yet a further embodiment, the heating system is provided in the inhale chamber. In this example, the heating system are provided in an aerosol purification device, preferably in the inhale chamber such that the aerosol-generating article is heated by the heating system to produce aerosol/vapour. Users subsequently could release the aerosol/vapour back into the purification device such that the aerosol/vapour can be filtered before being released into the atmosphere.

[0028] In a particularly endorsed embodiment, the invention further comprises a means for collecting of ash. This embodiment is particular suitable for an aerosol purification device.

[0029] In a variant of the invention, it further comprises a means for removing air from the smoking device, preferably a fan. This embodiment is particular suitable for an aerosol purification device.

[0030] In yet another embodiment, a switch is provided on a housing of the devices such that the position of the heating element of the heating system is controllable through the switch such that different portions of the aerosol-generating article is heated by the heating element. This enables users to easily reposition the heating element to heat different location of the aerosol-generating article. The switch may also allow the user to move the piercing elements e.g. spikes of the heating element to penetrate the aerosol-generating article.

[0031] The term "tobacco-containing material" refers to a compound, mixture, particle matter and/or liquid that contains and/or carries a constituent of tobacco, either artificially included or naturally contained in tobacco, e.g. tobacco, tobacco particles, tobacco flavour and/or nicotine. In contrast, an example for an artificially added non-tobacco-specific flavour would be menthol.

[0032] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to a consumable such as a cigarette-like article for producing an aerosol instead of smoke, and comprises an aerosol-generating material that is intended to be heated rather than combusted in order to release volatile compounds that can form an aerosol.

[0033] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating material" refers to a material capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating, which can form an aerosol. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material of the aerosol-generating article described herein may be visible or invisible and may include vapours (for example, fine particles of substances, which are in a gaseous state, that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature) as well as gases and liquid droplets of condensed vapours.

[0034] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device that is capable of generating aerosol by heating an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may be a simple, portable palm size device comprising a heating system. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating device may be a compact device such as an aerosol/vapour purification device where aerosol is filtered before being released out of the purification device.

[0035] As used herein, the term "heating system" refers to a heating means capable of generating heat through a power source e.g. electrical power. The heating system comprises at least one metal and/or an alloy component such that energy is transferred to said heat conducting component to heat aerosol-generating substrate and/or article. The heating system according to the present invention is capable of generating heat up to 500 °C, or usually up to 400 °C.

[0036] The term "diameter" as used herein refers to (the length of) a straight line that reaches from one point on the edge of a round or an ovule shape, or object, through its centre, to a point on the opposite edge. For structures having curved surface such as a half pipe, a C-shaped or jaw-like structure, the measurement of a diameter may be performed from two points furthest away from each other (in a cross-section plane).

[0037] An aerosol-forming agent can be any compound, mixture and/or solution that is capable of forming an aerosol, e.g. when heated and/or in mixture with a tobacco ingredient containing agent. Well known examples include humectants such as glycerin and propylene glycol, other alcohols, such as ethanol, etc.

[0038] The terms "about", "approximately", "slightly" and "substantially" are used interchangeably, and are use in relation to a given numerical value, it is meant to include numerical values within 5% of the specified value. All values given in the present disclosure are to be understood to be complemented by the word "about", unless it is clear to the contrary from the context.

[0039] The term "heat-not-burn" (HNB) refers to tobacco products that produce aerosols containing nicotine and other chemicals, which are inhaled by users, through the mouth. The product may contain nicotine may contain non-tobacco additives, and are often flavoured. HNB tobacco products mimic the behaviour of smoking conventional cigarettes, and some make use of specifically designed cigarettes to contain the tobacco for heating. In order to produce the nicotine-infused vapor, HNB tobacco products heat tobacco up to 350°C (lower than 600°C as in conventional cigarettes) using battery-powered heating-systems. The heating-system enclosed in a device, can be an external heat source to aerosolize nicotine from specially designed cigarettes, or a heated sealed chamber to aerosolize nicotine directly from tobacco leaf.

[0040] An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or similar devices like electronic pipes or heat-not-burn devices, as referred to in the present invention, are not particularly limited, and may be used to provide a user with an aerosol to inhale. It can, according to certain embodiments, comprise a mouthpiece, a heater, a container e.g. a pod, stick, capsule and a casing which may be integrated within the device or may be an independent component which may comprise of a receiving portion to be connected with the electronic device e.g. aerosol-generating device.

[0041] It is reiterated that the heating system according to all embodiments of the present invention comprises at least a heating assembly and a driving assembly, wherein the heating assembly comprises at least a heating element whereas the driving assembly comprises at least a guiding element. The heating element of the heating assembly serves to be in heat engagement with an aerosol-generating article. Both the heating element of the heating assembly and the guiding element of the driving assembly may be provided to be engaged with each other without further components. The driving assembly comprises a guiding element may be provided in form of a bar and may further comprise a connecting element, wherein the connecting element is mechanically connected to both the heating element and the guiding element. The guiding element comprises a longitudinal axis arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating element to allow the heating element to be moved longitudinally in relation with the guiding element so that the heating element is moved in heat engagement with different portions of the aerosol-generating article in the heating chamber.

Brief description of the figures

[0042] 

Figure 1A shows a schematic perspective view of a first example apparatus for an aerosol-generating article comprises a heating system of the present invention.

Figures 1B shows a schematic perspective view of the heating system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the heating element of the heating assembly of the heating system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figures 3A and 3B show a schematic perspective view of the heating element of the heating assembly of the heating system according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figures 3C and 3D show a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the heating element of the heating assembly of the heating system according to the third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the heating element of the heating assembly of the heating system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Figures 5A to 5C show a schematic cross-sectional view of the heating system provided with a mechanism of applying flavour according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Figures 6A and and 6B show a representative perspective view of a second example apparatus (aerosol-generating device) comprising a heating element of the present invention.

Figure 6C shows a schematic representation of the mode of operation of the second example apparatus.

Detailed description of the invention

[0043] Figure 1A shows an example of an apparatus 1000 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating article 150. The apparatus 1000 may be an aerosol provision device. In broad outline, the apparatus 1000 may be used to heat a replaceable article comprising an aerosol-generating substance or material to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the apparatus 1000.

[0044] The apparatus 1000 comprises a housing 1100. The housing 1100 has an opening 1106 in one end, through which the article 150 may be inserted into a heating chamber (not shown in Figure 1A; 1120 in Figure 1B). When in use, the article 150 may be at least partially inserted into the heating chamber. The heating chamber may be heated by one or more heating systems (not shown in Figure 1A). The apparatus 1000 may also comprise a lid or a cap 1108, to cover the opening 1106 when no article 150 is in place. In Figure 1, the cap 1108 is shown in an open configuration, however the cap 1108 may move, for example by sliding, into a closed configuration. The apparatus 1000 may include a user-operable control element 1104, such as a button or switch, which operates the apparatus 1000 when pressed. The apparatus 1000 which is an example of the aerosol-generating device comprise a heating system according to the present invention.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1B, the apparatus 1000 has a receptacle, or heating chamber which is configured to receive the article 150 to be heated. In one example, the heating chamber 1120 is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube into which an article 150 comprising an aerosol-generating article 150 is inserted for heating in use. However, different arrangements for the heating chamber 1120 are possible. The article 150 may be an elongated cylindrical rod, although the article 150 may take any suitable shape. In this example shown in Figure 1A, an end of the article 150 projects out of the apparatus 1000 through the opening 1106 of the housing 1100 such that user may inhale the aerosol through the article 150 in use. The end of the article 150 projecting from the apparatus 1000 represents the mouth end of the article and may include a filter material. In other examples the article 150 may be fully received within the heating chamber 1120 such that it does not project out of the apparatus 1000. In such a case, the user may inhale the aerosol directly from the opening 1106, or via a mouthpiece which may be connected to the housing 1100 around the opening 1106. The mouthpiece may be, for example, a permanent or a replaceable part of the device.

[0046] To this end, it is reiterated that the heating system can be provided in any suitable aerosol-generating device such as the example shown in the Figure 1A or the heating system 100 can be provided to an aerosol or vapour purification device.

[0047] Figure 1B shows a schematic representation of the heating system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The heating system 100 comprises a heating assembly, comprising a heating element 110, and a driving assembly, comprising a guiding element 120, wherein these two assemblies are located within a heating chamber 1120. Alternatively, it is foreseen that only a part of the heating system 100 is provided within the heating chamber. For example, only the heating element 110 or part of the driving assembly such as the guiding element and/or the connecting element 125 that is connecting to the heating element 110 and the guiding element 120, may be located within the heating chamber. In particular, the power source for the heating system 100 may be located outside of the heating chamber 1120. The heating element 110 shown in this example is responsible to conduct heat to heat the aerosol-generating article 150. It may be provided in a cylindrical form, comprising a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article, having a hollow cavity in the centre of the heating element 110 to allow the aerosol-generating article 150 longitudinally moving through the hollow cavity of the heating element 110, wherein the heating element 110 is configured to heat but not burn the aerosol-generating article 150.

[0048] The heating element 110 is mechanically connected to the guiding element 120 such that the heating element 110 can be moved substantially parallel to the guiding element 120. The guiding element 120 is part of a driving assembly, which may also comprise for instance a connecting element 125. To this end, it is disclosed that the guiding element 120 itself may be provided with a geometry where the heating element 110 can be directly attached or connected to the guiding element 120, hence there is no need for a connecting element 125. Nevertheless, in some embodiments such as in the Figure 1B, a connecting element 125 is provided to serve as a connector between the heating element 110 and the guiding element 120.

[0049] The guiding element 120 can be arranged along a direction parallel to the axis of the heating chamber 1120. The driving assembly is configured to move the heating element 110 along an axial direction of the heating chamber 1120. The driving assembly may comprise a connecting element 125 where the connecting element 125 is provided in between the heating element 110 and the guiding element 120, as explained above, such that the heating element 110 can be positioned to reach different locations of the heating chamber 1120, thanks to the connecting features of the connecting element 125 of the driving assembly. For instance, the connecting element 125 may be a ring, a half pipe or any other suitable structure interposed between the heating element 110 and the guiding element 120 so that one side of the connecting element 125 is capable of for instance connecting to the guiding element 120 while another side of the connecting element 125 is connected to the heating element 110. The connecting element 125 may be an integrated component within the guiding element 120 or within the heating element 110. Of course, it can be provided as a separate component. The connecting component 125 can be actuated externally for instance by a user through e.g. a step switch so that the heating element 110 can be positioned to reach different locations of the heating chamber 1120 through the control of the users. For example, the connecting element can be axially actuated along the guiding element 120 to drive the heating element 110 along the article. As a consequence, different portions of the aerosol-generating article 150 can be heated by the heating element 110. For example, the connecting element 125 may slide along the driving element or, alternatively may be geared along a gear or threading of the guiding element 120. The connecting element may be fixedly connected to the heating element if it a slider or be fixed by a pivot means to the heating element in the alternative options.

[0050] In other words, at least a part of the driving assembly e.g. the guiding element 120 is mechanically connected to the heating assembly e.g. the heating element 110 to allow the heating element 110 to move longitudinally in relation with the guiding element 120, whereby the guiding element 120 is provided to serve predominantly as an interface to control the movement of the heating element 110 of the heating system 100.

[0051] To this end, the heating element 110 and at least part of the driving assembly such as the guiding element 120 as well as the connecting element 125) can be made of one or more heat conducting materials, such as metal or graphite, so that the aerosol-generating article 150 can be heated by the element(s) of the heating system 100. However, it is preferably that only the heating element 110 is made of the one or more heat conducting materials. Nevertheless, whether the heating element 110 is made entirely with heat conducting materials or not depends on whether the heating element embeds the heating source (such as a resistive heater) or it takes the heat from an external source so that it needs to conduct heat. At minimum, in some instance, the inner surface of the heating element 110 which is in contact with the aerosol-generating article should capable of conducting heat.

[0052] The heating element 110 may be provided in form of a cylindrical ring as shown in the Figure 1B. Alternatively the heating element 210 of the heating assembly of the heating system 200 may be a resistive heating element. For example, it can be a coil as shown in Figure 2, wherein the heating element 210 of the heating system 200 can be connected to a power source 230. The power source 230 may be located next to the heating chamber 1120 and preferably be placed in a fixed position. The heating element 210 provided in form of a coil has the advantage that the weight of the heating assembly is reduced. Moreover, it increases the contact area where heated air is able to reach the aerosol-generating article 250 to be heated. Otherwise, the heating system 200 of Figure 2 may be similar to the heating system 100 of Figure 1B.

[0053] In a further variant of the invention, apart from the aforementioned features, the heating system 300 may further comprise a heating element 310 provided with a plurality of piercing elements 312 such as spikes (or thorns) as shown in Figures 3A-3D. The heating element 310 may be provided in form of a clamp, having two half-pipe curved structures which are connected by a hinge 314. The piercing elements 312 may be provided in the concave side of the heating element 310 of the heating system 300. These spikes 312 are capable of piercing through the aerosol-generating article 350 when the two half-pipes are closed and tightened (cf. Figures 3C and 3D), which can be performed by a user externally through a mechanical switch. Otherwise, the heating system 300 as shown in the Figures 3A-D may be similar to the heating system 100 of Figure 1B as well as the heating system 200 as shown in the Figure 2.

[0054] The piercing elements 312 are made up of one or more heat conducting materials, which may be similar or different to the material used for the heating element 312 of the heating assembly. When the piercing element 312 penetrated into the aerosol-generating article 350, heat can therefore be transferred from the heating system 300 to heat not only from periphery (by the heating element 310) but also internally (by the piercing elements e.g. spikes 312).

[0055] In an embodiment, the heating element may be provided as shown in Figures 3 but having no piercing elements e.g. spikes 312.

[0056] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of the heating system 400 according to a further variant of the invention, wherein two pieces of heating elements 410 having slightly curved surface are provided to serve as a top jaw and a bottom jaw, whereby an aerosol-generating article 450 can be interposed in between these two elements 410. In other words, the two jaws are not directly connected. The jaws may be planar or curved e.g. a half pipe, connected through for example a pivot. The heating element 410 according to this example is provided with a plurality of piercing elements 412 similar to the examples shown in Figure 3. When in use, the two heating elements 410 move towards each other, thereby piercing through the aerosol-generating article 450. Otherwise, the heating system 400 as shown in the Figures 4 may be similar to the aforementioned heating systems.

[0057] Figures 5A-5C show a further variant of the invention, wherein the heating system 500 may further be provided with a flavour-application mechanism 560. The flavour-application mechanism 560 comprises a reservoir 544 where one or more flavour capsules 60 are kept in the reservoir 544 (Figure 5A). A gate 542 which is a component of the mechanism 560 is interposed in between the reservoir and the heating element 510 of the heating assembly to allow the flavour capsules 60 to be released from the reservoir 544 into the heating element 510 of the heating system 500 (Figure 5B). The gate 542 is operable by a user so that the gate 542 can be opened or closed.

[0058] In this embodiment, the heating element 510 comprises a compartment or hollow cavity so that the flavour capsules 60 can be released from the reservoir 544 through the gate 542 to the compartment of the hollow cavity of the heating element 510 for example through a spring loaded mechanism such that said mechanism is controllable by a user. Depending on the intensity of the flavour desired by the user, the spring-loaded mechanism allows one or more flavour capsules to be released from the reservoir. The heating element 510 may be similar to the heating element as described in the Figures 3 and 4, and a plurality of piercing elements 512 may be provided to the heating element 510. Moreover, the piercing element 512 shown in this example are provided with a hollow internal cavity. In other words, the spike may appear like a hollow cone that is connected to the heating element 510, having openings on both far ends of the cone. When in used, the heating elements 510 move towards the aerosol-generating article 550 and the piercing elements 512 thereby penetrate into the aerosol-generating article 550. During this process, the flavour capsules 60 situated in the compartment or hollow cavity of the heating element 510 are pressed and squeezed 60', thereby releasing the liquid content of the flavour capsules 60. As the spikes 512 are provided with a hollow cavity having openings at both ends, when the spikes 512 pierced through the aerosol-generating article 550, the flavour liquid is therefore applied to reach the internal of the aerosol-generating article 550 while the spikes 512 are heating internally the aerosol-generating article 550. As the spikes 512 penetrated into the aerosol-generating article 550 transfer heat from the heating system 500 to the article 550 by heat conduction, the transfer of the flavour liquid to the article 550 is promoted by evaporation, thereby producing a more appealing taste and stronger flavour to the user.

[0059] To this end, it is disclosed that apart from those described above, the heating system 500 as shown in the Figures 5A-5C may be identical to the aforementioned heating systems 100, 200, 300, 400 of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 6A and 6B show another example of aerosol-generating device 2000 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the device 2000 is equipped with an aerosol purification assembly. Figure 6A shows the aerosol-generating device 2000 without an aerosol-generating article 650 being inserted whereas Figure 6B shows an aerosol-generating article 650 is being inserted. In both Figures 6A and 6B, the device 2000 comprises an inhale chamber 2300 and an exhale chamber 2400, wherein a cover can be provided to each of these chambers. One longitudinal end of the device 2000 is a mouth end 2505, which may be equipped with a mouthpiece thereto, while another longitudinal end may be provided with one or more openings to allow air to be flown into the inhale chamber 2300. One or more non-return valves may be provided to the device 2000. In this example, two non-return valves are provided to each of the inhale chamber 2300 and the exhale chamber 2400, which will be explained in more detail in Figure 6C. Figure 6B shows an aerosol-generating article 650 is inserted into the inhale chamber 2300, wherein a portion of the aerosol-generating article 650 is encircled by the first element 610 of the heating assembly of the heating system 600. The heating system 600 described in this example may be identical to any aforementioned heating systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500.

[0061] Figure 6C shows a schematic representation of the mode of operation of the device 2000. The aerosol-generating device 2000 may serve as an aerosol purification device, wherein charges of aerosol, instead of being released into the atmosphere directly by a user, the aerosol can be exhaled back into the exhale chamber 2400 through the mouth end 2505.

[0062] When the user activates the aerosol-generating device 2000, the heating system 600 is activated and charges of aerosol is released by the heated aerosol-generating article 650 as a result of the heat transfer from the heating assembly of the heating system 600. Air travels into the inhale chamber through one or more openings having a non-return valves 2511 provided thereto. The aerosol is then inhaled by the user which passes through a second non-return valve 2512. As the second non-returning valve 2512 provided at the longitudinal end of the inhale chamber 2300 does not allow air to travel back into the inhale chamber 2300, the air is therefore travelled through a third non-return valve 2513 into the exhale chamber 2400. A filtering assembly may be provided in the exhale chamber 2400 such that the exhaled aerosol can be filtered before being released into atmosphere through a fourth non-return valve 2514. In order to accelerate the removal of aerosol within the exhale chamber 2400, a mini fan or a vacuum may be provided to the device 2000 (preferably to the exhale chamber). The aerosol-generating device 2000 is therefore air-tight in the sense that only designated areas or openings allow for air flow.

[0063] It is reiterated that the heating element of the heating system according to all variants of the present invention is always movable, particularly in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guiding element as well as to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article which is being placed in the heating chamber of an aerosol-generating device. The heating element of the heating system comprises an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein both diameters are slightly bigger than the aerosol-generating article to be heated so that a portion of the aerosol-generating article can be at least partially or fully encircled by the heating element of the heating system. This allows not only one specific external surface of the aerosol-generating article to be heated but also allow different locations of the aerosol-generating article to be heated by choice. In other words, due to the specially designed heating system of the present invention, the heating element which is responsible for the heating of the aerosol-generating article is not fixed at one position but is movable to reach different locations of the heating chamber. As a result, volatiles can be generated constantly when different portions or areas of the aerosol-generating article is being heated. This not only reduces the frequency to replace with new aerosol-generating article but also prolong the usability of the article. Moreover, when a plurality of piercing elements are provided to the heating element of the invention, as the piercing elements are also made of a heat conducting material, the aerosol-generating material can be heated internally when the spike elements penetrated into the aerosol-generating article.

Claims

1. A heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for an aerosol-generating device, wherein the heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) is electrically connected to a power source (230) to heat but not burn an aerosol-generating article (150, 250, 350, 450, 550) in a heating chamber (1120), comprising

- A heating assembly, comprising a heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) having a longitudinal axis, comprising a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article (150, 250, 350, 450, 550), wherein the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) has a hollow cavity to allow the aerosol-generating article to longitudinally move through the hollow cavity of the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510);

- A driving assembly, comprising a guiding element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520) having a longitudinal axis, mechanically connected to the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) such that the longitudinal axis of the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is configured substantially parallel to the guiding element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520) to allow the heating element (110,210, 310, 410, 510) to be moved longitudinally in relation with the guiding element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520) so that the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is moved in heating engagement with different portions of the aerosol-generating article (150, 250, 350, 450, 550) in the heating chamber (1120).

2. The heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to claim 1, wherein the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is provided in form of a ring, a C-shaped element, one or two half pipes, a sleeve, a clamp-like element and/or a substantially tube-like element.

3. The heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one or more connecting elements (125) are provided to the heating assembly and/or to the driving assembly, preferably is provided to the guiding element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520) to form the driving assembly, wherein a side of the connecting element (125) is connected to the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) while another side of the connecting element (125) is connected to the guiding element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520).

4. The heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is movable in a stepwise manner relative to the guiding element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520), wherein each step comprises an equal distance next to each other.

5. The heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the position of the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is adjustable relative to the guiding element in a stepwise manner on the guiding element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520), the distance of each step next to each other is approximately about 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm or 14 mm.

6. The heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) in the longitudinal direction of the heating chamber is between about 5 mm and about 20 mm, preferably between about 10 mm and about 25 mm, preferably between about 12 mm and 20 mm.

7. The heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more piercing elements, preferably spikes (312, 412, 512) are provided on the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510), wherein the piercing elements (312, 412, 512) are penetrable into the aerosol-generating article.

8. The heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is adjustable, between a first released position to a second locked position, such that the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is movable along the aerosol-generating article in released position and, is lockable in heating engagement with a portion of the aerosol-generating article in the locked position.

9. The heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more piercing elements (312, 412, 512) are provided to the heating assembly, preferably to the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510), wherein the piercing elements (312, 412, 512) comprise a hollow cavity to allow liquid substance to flow from an end to an end.

10. The heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) comprises a flavouring module configured to supply the heating element in flavouring fluid.

11. The heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to claim 10, wherein the flavouring module comprises a storing element (560) arranged between the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) and the guiding element (120, 220, 320, 420, 520), serving as a loading compartment to accept one or more flavouring capsules, wherein when the flavouring capsule is squeezed, liquid substance is released from the loading compartment to flavour the aerosol-generating article through one or more piercing element (312, 412, 512) provided to the heating assembly, preferably on the heating element (110, 210, 310, 410, 510).

12. An aerosol-generating device (1000, 2000) comprising a heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. The aerosol-generating device (1000, 2000) according to claim 11, comprising an aerosol purification assembly.

14. The aerosol-generating device (1000, 2000) according to claim 12, comprising

- An air-tight casing comprising at least one opening for receiving an aerosol-generating article;

- An inhalation chamber, wherein the inhalation chamber comprises the heating chamber (1120) to receive the aerosol-generating article, wherein at least one non-return valve is provided to the inhalation chamber to allow air or aerosol to be inhaled from the inhalation chamber through the mouthpiece;

- An exhalation chamber, wherein the exhalation chamber comprises at least one non-return valve provided to allow air or aerosol to be exhaled to the exhalation chamber through a mouth end;

- A filter assembly provided to the exhalation chamber or to the mouth end, wherein the filter assembly is in communication with the mouthpiece to filter the exhaled air or aerosol before being released out of the smoking system;

- A heating means for heating the aerosol-generating article,

characterized in that the heating means comprises a heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10.

15. The aerosol-generating device (1000, 2000) according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the heating system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) is provided in the inhalation chamber.

Drawing