Capsules, heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating devices, and methods of generating an aerosol

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11154086-B2
Application number	US-201916252951-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 21, 2019
Priority date	Jan 21, 2019
Publication date	Oct 26, 2021
Grant date	Oct 26, 2021

Abstract

A capsule for an aerosol-generating device may include a first heater, a second heater, and a frame sandwiched between the first heater and the second heater. The frame may define open spaces therein and have a rigidity that is adequate to support the first heater and the second heater. The open spaces within the frame may be interconnected and sized for aerosol-permeability and capillary action. A nicotine-containing material, such as tobacco, may be disposed within the capsule.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A capsule for an aerosol-generating device, comprising:
a first heater;
a second heater, each of the first heater and the second heater being a permeable, singular, and continuous structure; and
a frame sandwiched between the first heater and the second heater, the frame defining open spaces therein and having a rigidity that is adequate to support the first heater and the second heater, the open spaces within the frame being interconnected and sized for aerosol-permeability and capillary action, the capsule structured to facilitate a through flow of air via the first heater, the frame, and the second heater.

2. The capsule of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first heater or the second heater is in a form of a mesh.

3. The capsule of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first heater or the second heater is in a form of a perforated foil.

4. The capsule of claim 1 , wherein the frame has a density between 0.454 g/cm 3 to 1.361 g/cm 3 .

5. The capsule of claim 1 , wherein the frame defines a cavity.

6. The capsule of claim 5 , wherein the cavity is a through-hole.

7. The capsule of claim 5 , further comprising:
an aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity of the frame, the aerosol-forming substrate configured to produce an aerosol when heated by at least one of the first heater or the second heater.

8. The capsule of claim 7 , wherein the aerosol-forming substrate includes a fibrous material configured to release a compound as part of the aerosol.

9. The capsule of claim 1 , wherein the frame is non-conductive and electrically isolates the first heater and the second heater.

10. The capsule of claim 1 , wherein the frame is in a form of a multi-layer structure.

11. The capsule of claim 10 , wherein the multi-layer structure of the frame includes different layers configured to impart distinct flavors.

12. The capsule of claim 10 , further comprising:
a third heater within the multi-layer structure of the frame.

13. The capsule of claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed of sintered particles.

14. The capsule of claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed of consolidated fibers.

15. The capsule of claim 14 , wherein the consolidated fibers of the frame are plant-based fibers.

16. The capsule of claim 15 , wherein the plant-based fibers are in a form of paperboard.

17. The capsule of claim 15 , wherein the plant-based fibers are tobacco fibers.

18. The capsule of claim 17 , wherein the tobacco fibers are in a form of a tobacco sheet.

19. An aerosol-generating device, comprising:
a device body configured to receive a capsule including a first heater, a second heater, and a frame sandwiched between the first heater and the second heater, each of the first heater and the second heater of the capsule being a permeable, singular, and continuous structure, the device body and the capsule structured to facilitate a flow of air through the capsule via the first heater, the frame, and the second heater;
a plurality of electrodes within the device body and configured to electrically contact the first heater and the second heater of the capsule; and
a power source configured to supply an electric current to the first heater and the second heater of the capsule via the plurality of electrodes.

20. A method of generating an aerosol, comprising:
electrically contacting a plurality of electrodes with a capsule including a first heater, a second heater, and a frame sandwiched between the first heater and the second heater, each of the first heater and the second heater being a permeable, singular, and continuous structure, the capsule structured to facilitate a through flow of air via the first heater, the frame, and the second heater; and
supplying an electric current to the first heater and the second heater of the capsule via the plurality of electrodes.

Assignees

• Altria Client Services Llc

Inventors

• Griscik Gregory
• Lau Raymond W
• Hawes Eric

Classifications

• H05B3/03

  Electrodes · CPC title

• A24F40/42 Primary

  Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors · CPC title

• A24B15/167 Primary

  in liquid or vaporisable form, e.g. liquid compositions for electronic cigarettes · CPC title

• A24F40/46

  Shape or structure of electric heating means · CPC title

• A24D1/14

  Tobacco cartridges for pipes · CPC title