FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the technical field of e-vaping devices with a retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article which can be a flavor generating heat stick or a heated tobacco stick.

The technical field of aerosol generating heat stick or heat-not-burn aerosol generating article (sometimes referred as “heat tobacco stick” or HTS) for heat-not-bum devices comprising an aerosol generating substance formed as a rod. This aerosol generating substance may be a homogenized tobacco material or a reconstructed tobacco substrate or a non-tobacco aerosolisable material such as for instance foam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reduced-risk devices have become popular alternatives to traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes. By contrast to these traditional products, which rely on combustion of tobacco, reduced-risk devices typically produce a vapor or aerosol for inhalation by a user.

Heated substrate aerosol generating devices, also known as heat-not-burn devices, are one class of reduced-risk device. In a heated substrate aerosol generating device, a substrate containing tobacco or other suitable material is heated to a temperature that is sufficiently high to generate an aerosol from the material but not so high as to cause combustion of the material. This aerosol contains the components of the material sought by the user but not the undesired by-products of combustion that are generated when the material combusts.

A typical heated substrate aerosol generating device contains a heating chamber or oven that defines a cavity adapted to receive a stick of the substrate to be heated. The substrate is heated inside the cavity in order to generate the desired aerosol, and can be removed and replaced once the substrate is spent. Heated substrate aerosol generating devices are typically formed with a very compact construction so as to provide a hand-held device that is convenient to store and carry. Generally, heat stick comprises a tobacco segment (or other aerosol generating segment), a cooling segment, and a filter segment.

According to a first prior art, for example disclosed in patent application WO 2021 152035, there is an e-vaping device with a retaining element of a heat tobacco stick, in order both to hold the heat tobacco stick and to make barrier between outside and inside the oven of the e-vaping device. But the friction between this retaining element and the heat tobacco stick is high, therefore leading to two drawbacks. A first drawback comes from the risk that the heated tobacco stick deteriorates when being inserted and/or removed, thereby running the risk of a part of this heated tobacco stick falling and remaining into the bottom of the oven of the e- vaping device. A second drawback is the loss of ergonomics for the e-vaping user who will still be able to insert and/or remove the heat tobacco stick into or out of the oven of the e-vaping device, however less easily than expected.

There is the following technical problem to solve: how to reduce friction with the elastic retaining element located around aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article within cylindric recess of oven of e-vaping device , with respect to existing systems such as in prior art WO 2021 152035, when inserting aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article in recess and when removing aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article from recess, while simultaneously improving or at least keeping a good compromise between: Stability of consumables / tobacco stick while vaping Closing of the airgap / mechanical tolerances between consumables / tobacco stick Robustness / durability of the retaining system (to temperature, sun, time, air, friction) Implementation simplicity of the retaining system Easiness of cleaning and hygiene maintenance of the retaining system

According to a second prior art, for example disclosed in patent application EP 3610746, there is an e-vaping device with an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article oven with an annular retaining element, but the global compromise between reduced friction, improved robustness, simplified implementation, and easy cleaning maintenance, is not notably better than first prior art.

According to a third prior art, for example disclosed in patent application KR 1020210137832, there is an e-vaping device with an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article oven with an annular retaining element, but the global compromise between reduced friction, improved robustness, simplified implementation, and easy cleaning maintenance, is not notably better than first prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to alleviate at least partly the above mentioned drawbacks.

The aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article should be held in place during vaping, while improving the sealing of the oven of the e-vaping device without affecting the easiness of insertion into and/or removal out of the oven of the e-vaping device.

More particularly, the invention aims at presenting a better global compromise between reduced friction, improved robustness, simplified implementation, and easy cleaning maintenance, than in known prior arts. Therefore, the invention aims at using an elastic retaining element which: presents a circular longitudinal cross section, is partially inserted within an annular groove in internal wall of the recess,.

This object of the invention is achieved with an e-vaping device comprising: an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article oven comprising, a cylindric recess, elongate along a longitudinal direction, for receiving an aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article to be heated, a toroid-like retaining element with a circular longitudinal cross section and with a circular longitudinal axis, radially protruding inward from internal wall of the recess and partially inserted within an annular groove in internal wall of the recess, having a first static friction between the retaining element and the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article which is higher than a second static friction between the retaining element and the annular groove in the internal wall of the recess.

This object of the invention can also be achieved with an e-vaping system comprising: an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, an e-vaving device comprising: an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article oven comprising, a cylindric recess, elongate along a longitudinal direction, for receiving an aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article to be heated, an toroid-like retaining element with a circular longitudinal cross section and with a circular longitudinal axis, radially protruding inward from internal wall of the recess and partially inserted within an annular groove in internal wall of the recess, having a first static friction between the retaining element and the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article which is higher than a second static friction between the retaining element and the annular groove in the internal wall of the recess.

This object of the invention can also be achieved with an e-vaping device comprising: an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article oven comprising, a cylindric recess, elongate along a longitudinal direction (with its axis along a longitudinal direction), for receiving an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article to be heated, a toroid-like or toroid retaining element with a circular longitudinal cross section and with a circular longitudinal axis, radially protruding inward from internal wall of the recess and partially inserted within an annular groove in internal wall of the recess, so as to retain the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article once inserted within the recess and so as to roll or spin around its circular longitudinal axis during insertion or removal of the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article.

This object of the invention can also be achieved with an e-vaping system comprising an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article and an e an e-vaping device comprising: an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article oven comprising, a cylindric recess, elongate along a longitudinal direction (with its axis along a longitudinal direction), for receiving an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article to be heated, an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article to be heated which is inserted within the cylindric recess along the longitudinal direction of the cylindric recess, an elastic toroid-like or toroid retaining element with a circular longitudinal cross section and with a circular longitudinal axis, elastically radially protruding inward from internal wall of the recess and partially inserted within an annular groove in internal wall of the recess, so as to retain the aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article once inserted within the recess and so as to roll or spin around its circular longitudinal axis during insertion or removal of the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article.

The aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article can be a heat tobacco stick or another flavor generating heat stick.

According to embodiments of the invention, there is an improved guiding functionality due to the rolling of the spring instead of having a friction of a silicon ring such as in some known prior art, as will be explained in more detail in the detailed description below. There are also better durability, as well as less cleaning for a metal neck as compared to a silicon neck such as in some known prior art. There are still some manufacturing assembly advantages with respect to neck fixation and integration or addition of other functions in the same module, as for instance oven heating and aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article insertion detection functionalities.

According to embodiments of the invention, there is also a prevention of involuntary removal of the aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article while vaping, as well as an improvement of the user ergonomics for the operations of insertion into and removal out of the e-vaping device. Besides, the e-vaping device will also be less smelly and less dirty, thanks to the barrier functionality avoiding vapor to enter the e-vaping device, as well as an improved and more repeatable sensorial experience for the user, due to this barrier functionality.

Preferred embodiments comprise one or more of the following features, which can be taken separately or together, either in partial combination or in full combination.

Preferably the retaining element has a first dynamic friction between the retaining element and the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article which is less than the first static friction between the retaining element and the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article.

Preferably, the retaining element is an elastic retaining element.

Preferably, the retaining element is partially inserted within an groove in internal wall of the recess, without being attached to the whole periphery of the annular groove, so as to, when the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article is inserted within the recess, be held within the annular groove while allow for relative move between the retaining element and the annular groove.

Hence, there is still more friction reduction between the retaining element and the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, when this aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article is inserted into and/or removed out of the cylindric recess of the e-vaping device oven.

Preferably, the retaining element is partially inserted within an annular groove in internal wall of the recess without being attached to the annular groove.

Hence, the implementation of the retaining element into the cylindric recess of the e- vaping device oven is made even simpler.

Preferably, the retaining element is partially inserted within an annular groove in internal wall of the recess without being attached to the annular groove, so as to, when the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article is inserted within the recess, be held within the annular groove while allow for relative roll of the retaining element within the annular groove, and preferably, the relative roll of the retaining element within the annular groove makes a circle in a longitudinal cross section.

Hence, there is still more friction reduction between the retaining element and the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, when this aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article is inserted into and/or removed out of the cylindric recess of the e-vaping device oven and the implementation of the retaining element into the cylindric recess of the e- vaping device oven is made even simpler. Preferably, the retaining element: presents a circular longitudinal cross section with one or more hollows inside the circular longitudinal cross section, or presents a circular longitudinal cross section with a central hollow inside the circular longitudinal cross section.

Hence, there is still more friction reduction between the retaining element and the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, when this aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article is inserted into and/or removed out of the cylindric recess of the e-vaping device oven, while keeping a high elasticity of the retaining element which therefore holds the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article well in place into the oven cylindric recess. The aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article has to be held in place despite the fact that this aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article might stick to lips and/or might shrink drying out.

Preferably, the retaining element has a metallic external coating.

Hence, there is still more friction reduction between the retaining element and the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, when this aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article is inserted into and/or removed out of the cylindric recess of the e-vaping device oven.

Preferably, the retaining element is made of metallic material for more than 50%, or for more than 70%, or for more than 90%, or the retaining element is metallic.

Hence, there is still more friction reduction between the retaining element and the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, when this aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article is inserted into and/or removed out of the cylindric recess of the e-vaping device oven, while keeping a high elasticity of the retaining element which therefore holds aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article well in place into the oven cylindric recess.

Preferably, the retaining element is also a heater of the oven, so as to heat the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article when inserted in the recess, being preferably: either a resistive heater, or an inductive heater.

Hence, the retaining element can fulfill at the same time a second function of heating the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article within the oven of the e-vaping device.

Preferably, the oven also comprises a Hall effect sensor automatically detecting a deformation of the retaining element when the aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article is inserted in the recess, the Hall effect sensor preferably automatically triggering heating of the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article by the heater, when detecting a deformation of the retaining element. Hence, the retaining element can fulfill at the same time a third function of detection of insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article into and/or out of the oven.

Preferably, the retaining element comprises a helicoidal spring or is a helicoidal spring.

Hence, the structure and implementation of the retaining element into the oven of the e- vaping device are made simpler.

Preferably, the helicoidal spring is disposed in a toroidal shape, or the helicoidal spring is disposed in a spiral shape.

Hence, there is still more friction reduction between the retaining element and the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, when this aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article is inserted into and/or removed out of the cylindric recess of the e-vaping device oven.

Preferably, the helicoidal spring is made of coils which are contiguous to one another.

Hence, the barrier function of the retaining element is still improved.

The barrier function allows for avoiding heat losses and hindering vapor from entering into the e-vaping device or exiting from other places of the e-vaping device than the filter of the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article.

The barrier closes the gap between the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article and oven while holding the aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article in place in a way that it is still easy to insert and remove the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, in particular without breaking this aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article when inserting it into or removing it out of the oven of the e-vaping device.

Preferably, the retaining element protrudes inward from internal wall of the recess: so as to guide the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article when being inserted within the recess, so as to tighten the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article once inserted within the recess.

Hence, the barrier function of the retaining element is still improved.

Preferably, the retaining element: is circular, and preferably has its thickness which is below its external diameter, preferably has its thickness which is below half its external diameter, more preferably has its thickness which is below a third of its external diameter.

Hence, there is still more friction reduction between the retaining element and the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, when this aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article is inserted into and/or removed out of the cylindric recess of the e-vaping device oven, while keeping a good barrier function. Preferably, the oven comprises: an elongate and cylindric recess, for receiving an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, having an open end toward outside of the e-vaping device and a closed end inside the e-vaping device, a heater disposed close to or against said recess so as to heat said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, the retaining element is located closer to the open end of the recess than to the closed end of the recess, and preferably closer to the open end of the recess than to the middle between the open end and the closed end of the recess.

Hence, the barrier function is even more effective since it applies to a broader extent of the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article.

Advantageously, the elastic retaining element is at least partly metallic.

Advantageously, the elastic retaining element is partially inserted within an annular groove in internal wall of the recess, without being attached to the whole periphery of the annular groove.

Advantageously, the elastic retaining element is an elastic annular retaining element.

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of embodiments of the invention, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings listed hereunder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows schematically an example of an e-vaping device with a retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows schematically an enlarged view of a part of figure 1.

Fig. 3 shows schematically an example of an oven of an e-vaping device with a retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, according to an embodiment of the invention, with the oven cylindric recess being empty.

Fig. 4 shows schematically an example of an oven of an e-vaping device with a retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, according to an embodiment of the invention, with the oven cylindric recess receiving the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article.

Fig. 5 shows schematically an example of an oven of an e-vaping device with a retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, according to another embodiment of the invention, with the oven cylindric recess receiving the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article. Fig. 6 shows schematically an example of an oven of an e-vaping device with a retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, according to still another embodiment of the invention, with the oven cylindric recess receiving the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article.

Fig. 7 shows schematically an example of an elastic retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article for an oven of an e-vaping device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 shows schematically an example of an elastic retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article for an oven of an e-vaping device, according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 shows schematically an example of an elastic retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article for an oven of an e-vaping device, according to still another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 shows schematically an example of an elastic retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article for an oven of an e-vaping device, according to still another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article can be a heated tobacco stick or another flavor generating heat stick. In the following description, except for mention to the contrary, the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article will be considered as being a heated tobacco stick (also called HTS), but it could also be another flavor generating heat stick or any other aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article.

Fig. 1 shows schematically an example of an e-vaping device with a retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows schematically an enlarged view of a part of figure 1.

An e-vaping device 1 comprises a battery 2 and an oven 3. The oven 3 includes a cylindric recess 4 with circular cross section and with longitudinal direction X. The cylindric recess 4 includes a bottom 41 and a top opening 42 through which the heat tobacco stick 8 is inserted into the cylindric recess 4 along longitudinal direction X. The oven 3 includes a first radial heater 5, located around this cylindric recess 4 along a part of longitudinal extension of this cylindric recess 4, and/or a second end heater 6 located at bottom 41 of cylindric recess 4, in order to heat the heat tobacco stick 8 once inserted into the oven 3. The longitudinal direction is the longitudinal direction or the length of the elongate and cylindric recess of the oven receiving the aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article which is elongate and which is often cylindric and which is preferably cylindric with a circular cross-section.

There is an elastic retaining element 7 which: is at least partly metallic, preferably fully metallic, more preferably a metallic spring, presents a circular longitudinal cross section, this longitudinal cross section being in any plan containing the longitudinal direction X, which is the longitudinal direction of both the cylindric recess 4 and the heat tobacco stick 8, is partially inserted within an annular groove 40 (which can be better seen on figures 3 and 4), in internal wall 43 of the cylindric recess 4, without being attached to the whole periphery of the annular groove 40, the periphery of the annular groove 40 making a circle around the longitudinal axis X.

When the heat tobacco stick 8 is inserted into the cylindric recess 4 of the oven 3, along longitudinal direction X, the external peripheral wall 80 of the heat tobacco stick 8 undergoes a friction with the part of the elastic annular retaining element 7 which elastically radially protrudes inward from internal wall 43 of the cylindric recess 4 so as to retain the heat tobacco stick 8, once fully inserted within the cylindric recess 4 until reaching bottom 41 of cylindric recess 4 and abutting against bottom 41 of cylindric recess 4. The elastic retaining element 7 then closes the oven 3 and the gap between internal wall 43 of the cylindric recess 4 and external peripheral wall 80 of the heat tobacco stick 8, as well as compresses the heat tobacco stick 8 holding it in place within the cylindric recess 4 of the oven 3. One way or the other, the complete insertion of the heat tobacco stick 8 within the cylindric recess 4 of the oven 3 is detected so that the heater(s) 5 and/or 6 can be switched on so as to heat this inserted heat tobacco stick 8.

When the stick 8 is inserted within the cylindric recess 4 of the oven 3 or removed from the the cylindric recess 4 of the oven 3, and when the elastic retaining element 7 is preferably a spring, there is indeed a static friction Fss between the stick 8 and the spring 7 which is higher than the static friction Fsd between the spring 7 and the vaping device (Fsd), more precisely between the stick 8 and the internal wall 43 of the cylindric recess 4 of the groove 40 within which the spring 7 is disposed. This assures that the spring 7 is spinning or rolling when inserting the stick 8 within the cylindric recess 4 or extracting the stick 8 from the cylindric recess 4.

This static friction Fss is chosen so as to be smaller than what a user can comfortably apply and what would damage the tobacco stick, thus preferably Fss is less than 10N, but typically Fss ranges from 0.1N to 1 N. The elasticity of the spring 7 assures a good fit and minimal static friction Fss within the tolerance range of the tobacco stick, especially considering the shrinking happening during vaping. Typical tolerances can range from 0.1mm to 1mm, the elasticity allowing for keeping the spring 7 in tight contact with the tobacco stick 8, thus having no gap between the spring 7 and the tobacco stick 8. This will be similar with a rubber retaining element instead of a spring.

The elasticity of the spring 7 may not be required if the spring ring is dimensioned to be enough smaller than the smallest stick 8 so that the force range would not be too wide in that configuration : this alternative embodiment would be less effective. This alternative embodiment relies on the tobacco stick's elasticity instead of the spring's elasticity. In this case, the inner diameter of the toroid spring 7 could be a range 0.1-1 mm smaller than the stick 8 diameter.

The Static Friction is the frictional force that exists between two surfaces when they are not in relative motion (i.e., at rest or stationary). It acts to prevent the object from starting to move or slide on the surface. The static friction force can have a range of values, from zero up to the maximum static friction force, which depends on the normal force acting on the object and the coefficient of static friction (ps) between the two surfaces. The static friction force is generally larger than the dynamic friction force for the same materials.

To be more precise about the relationship between the first tolerance TSG of the spring 7 within the groove 40 of the internal wall 43 of the cylindric recess 4 in which it is disposed and the second tolerances TS of the stick 8, the dimensions of the tobacco stick 8 can be affected by several factors, such as variations in manufacturing processes, storage conditions, the unique specifications of diverse flavors or types of sticks 8 used with a single vaping device, and the shrinkage that takes place throughout the vaping experience. So, to account for these tolerances TS in the tobacco stick's dimensions, the elasticity of the spring 7 plays a key role. It allows the spring 7 to maintain a secure contact with the tobacco stick 8, thereby ensuring the minimal static friction Fss needed for proper functioning, i.e. spring 7 rolling around it’s core circle (the circle that passes through the center of the cross-sectional rings of a toroid shape being called the "core circle" or "central circle"). This core circle serves as the central circular axis around which the toroid shape of the spring 7 is formed.

As the spring 7 is designed to adjust its diameter to accommodate the tobacco stick 8, the tolerance TSG of the spring 7 groove 40 is chosen so as to be larger than the tolerance TS of the tobacco stick 8, in order to guarantee that the spring 7 is constrained by the stick 8, rather than being constrained by the groove 40, when the stick 8 is inserted within the recess 4. This ensures that the spring 7 can properly adapt to the tobacco stick's dimensions without being limited by the groove's constraints. When no stick 8 is inserted within the recess 4, the spring 7 will be constrained by the groove 40, which helps maintain the spring's position within the cylindric recess 4 of the vaping device and ensures its readiness for the next use.

Advantageously, the elastic annular retaining element 7 is located between all heaters 5 and/or 6 on the one side and the top opening 42 of cylindric recess 4 on the other side. Advantageously, the elastic annular retaining element 7 is a toroidal spring (helicoidal spring in toroidal shape or configuration).

When the heat tobacco stick 8 is removed out of the cylindric recess 4 of the oven 3, along longitudinal direction X (in a sense which is reverse to the sense used for insertion), the external peripheral wall 80 of the heat tobacco stick 8 undergoes a friction with the part of the elastic annular retaining element 7 which elastically radially protrudes inward from internal wall 43 of the cylindric recess 4, until being completely removed out of the cylindric recess 4 and completely exiting the oven 3 through top opening 42 of cylindric recess 4.

Fig. 3 shows schematically an example of an oven of an e-vaping device with a retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, according to an embodiment of the invention, with the oven cylindric recess being empty.

The internal diameter dl of the elastic retaining element 7 has its minimal value, and radially protrudes maximally from internal wall 43 inward cylindric recess 4. This cylindric recess 4 is empty since there is no heat tobacco stick 8 which has been inserted within it. The elastic retaining element 7 is partially located within the annular groove 40 of internal wall 43 of cylindric recess 4. This annular groove 40 is structured so as to retain the elastic retaining element 7 and so as to avoid that this elastic retaining element 7 falls within the cylindric recess 4.

In preferred case when the elastic retaining element 7 is a metallic toroidal spring, when the heat tobacco stick 8 is not inserted within the cylindric recess 4 of the oven 3, the toroidal spring 7 will have a smaller diameter dl, called “natural diameter”. This natural diameter dl may be preferably the diameter dl of the toroidal spring 7 when not stressed or stretched, however, for instance for tolerances management, it may alternatively still be slightly stressed or stretched.

Fig. 4 shows schematically an example of an oven of an e-vaping device with a retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, according to an embodiment of the invention, with the oven cylindric recess receiving the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article.

The internal diameter d2 of the elastic retaining element 7 has its maximal value, and radially protrudes minimally from internal wall 43 inward cylindric recess 4. This cylindric recess 4 is receiving the heat tobacco stick 8 which has been inserted within it. The elastic retaining element 7 is partially located within the annular groove 40 of internal wall 43 of cylindric recess 4. This annular groove 40 is structured so as to retain the elastic retaining element 7 and so as to avoid that this elastic retaining element 7 falls within the cylindric recess 4. When the elastic retaining element 7 is inserted, along longitudinal direction X, as shown by arrow 81, into the cylindric recess 4 of the oven 3, until abutting against bottom 41 of cylindric recess 4, the elastic retaining element 7 rolls around axis which are perpendicular to the circular cross sections of this elastic retaining element 7, as shown by the round arrows 70, thereby much reducing the friction, if not cancelling it, between the external peripheral wall 80 of the heat tobacco stick 8 and the elastic retaining element 7. Such axis direction varies along the whole periphery of the elastic retaining element 7.

In preferred case when the elastic retaining element 7 is a metallic toroidal spring, when the heat tobacco stick 8 is inserted, along longitudinal direction X, as shown by arrow 81 , into the cylindric recess 4 of the oven 3, the toroidal spring 7 will get further stressed while spinning to guide the heat tobacco stick 8 during its insertion as well as during its removal, with reduced friction as compared to known prior art. This toroidal spring 7 still protrudes into the oven cavity which is the cylindric recess 4 of the oven 3, therefore this toroidal spring 7 will still hold the heat tobacco stick 8 in place while the user is vaping thereby avoiding accidental removal of the heat tobacco stick 8. Because of the elasticity of the toroidal spring 7, an interesting assembly option is to snap this toroidal spring 7 in with force into the annular groove 40 of internal wall 43 of cylindric recess 4, without gluing it or welding it as in known prior art. The toroidal spring 7 rolls around axis which are perpendicular to the circular cross sections of this toroidal spring 7, as shown by the round arrows 70, so around the circle running in the center of the toroidal spring 7, thereby much reducing the friction, if not cancelling it, between the external peripheral wall 80 of the heat tobacco stick 8 and the toroidal spring 7.

Fig. 5 shows schematically an example of an oven of an e-vaping device with a retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article, according to another embodiment of the invention, with the oven cylindric recess receiving the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article.

The elastic retaining element 7 is a metallic helicoidal spring 7 having a spiral shape and extending from bottom 41 to top opening 42 of cylindric recess 4 of oven 3. This metallic helicoidal spring 7 can also be used as an oven heater and replaces all or part of former heaters 5 or 6. When this metallic helicoidal spring 7 is used as an oven heater, it can heat the heat tobacco stick 8, either as an inductor or as an electrical resistance. In both cases, it is then required to connect the two ends of the spiral made by the metallic helicoidal spring 7 with the electric circuit that controls the oven heating. Fig. 6 shows schematically an example of an oven of an e-vaping device with a retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article, according to still another embodiment of the invention, with the oven cylindric recess receiving the aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article.

The elastic retaining element 7 is a metallic helicoidal spring 7 having a spiral shape and extending from bottom 41 to top opening 42 of cylindric recess 4 of oven 3. This metallic helicoidal spring 7 can also be used as an oven heater and replaces all or part of former heaters 5 or 6. When this metallic helicoidal spring 7 is used as an oven heater, it can heat the heat tobacco stick 8, either as an inductor or electrical resistance. In both cases, it is then required to connect the two ends of the spiral made by the metallic helicoidal spring 7 with the electric circuit that controls the oven heating. There is also a Hall sensor 9 which detects, the insertion into and the removal out of the cylindric recess 4, of the heat tobacco stick 8, by detecting the change of magnetic field generated by the coil of the metallic helicoidal spring 7 when stretched or stressed by the heat tobacco stick 8 insertion or removal.

As further embodiments, it is possible to add a sensor that detects the mechanical deformation of the spring when the heat tobacco stick 8 is inserted, thus allowing automatic heat tobacco stick 8 insertion detection. An example of such a sensor is a Hall sensor 9 as shown on figure 6 (working with Hall effect), which detects the change in the magnetic field generated by the metallic helicoidal spring 7 when stretched or stressed. The Hall sensor 9 will be positioned in a way so as to detect the change of the magnetic field that is generated by the toroidal and or spiral geometry of the metallic spring 7 which will be used as an elastic retaining element 7.

Other examples of such heat tobacco stick 8 insertion detection sensor could alternatively be a force sensor, for instance a strain gauge, which would be detecting the pressure exerted by the heat tobacco stick 8 against the coil of the spring 7 used as an elastic retaining element, or a strain gauge directly integrated into the spring 7 used as an elastic retaining element, as this spring 7 gets stressed when the heat tobacco stick 8 is inserted.

Fig. 7 shows schematically an example of an elastic retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-bum consumable article for an oven of an e-vaping device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

The elastic retaining element 7 is a metallic toroidal spring 7. The pitch between two adjacent loops 71 is rather high. There is one central hollow 72 within all loops 71. The pitch of the metallic toroidal spring 7 should be as loose as possible to better roll and to better reduce friction, what is the case for the metallic toroidal spring 7 represented on figure 7. Fig. 8 shows schematically an example of an elastic retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article for an oven of an e-vaping device, according to another embodiment of the invention.

The elastic retaining element 7 is a metallic toroidal spring 7. The pitch between two adjacent loops 71 is medium. There is one central hollow 72 within all loops 71. The pitch of the metallic toroidal spring 7 should be intermediate between tight (so as to better act as a barrier) and loose (so as to better roll and to better reduce friction), what is the case for the metallic toroidal spring 7 represented on figure 8.

Fig. 9 shows schematically an example of an elastic retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article for an oven of an e-vaping device, according to still another embodiment of the invention.

The elastic retaining element 7 is a metallic toroidal spring 7. The pitch between two adjacent loops 71 is rather low. There is one central hollow 72 within all loops 71. The pitch of the metallic toroidal spring 7 should be as tight as possible to better act as a barrier, what is the case for the metallic toroidal spring 7 represented on figure 9.

Fig. 10 shows schematically an example of an elastic retaining element of an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article for an oven of an e-vaping device, according to still another embodiment of the invention.

The elastic retaining element 7 is not a toroidal spring as the previous cases, but composed of many independent flexible rings 71 with central hollows 72. This solution has the advantage of closing the oven when not in use, thus acting as oven lead as well.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, many variations are possible within the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCES ON DRAWINGS

1 e-vaping device 2 battery

3 oven 4 cylindric recess

40 annular groove 41 bottom 42 top opening 43 internal wall 5 heater

6 heater 7 elastic annular retaining element

70 circular arrow for rolling of elastic retaining element within annular groove 71 coil 72 hollow 8 aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article

80 external surface 81 arrow for insertion direction 9 Hall sensor dl minimal internal diameter d2 maximal internal diameter X longitudinal direction