FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a cleaning tool for cleaning an aerosol generating device.

Particularly, the aerosol generating device, also known as a heat-not-burn device or HNB device, is configured to receive a flat-shaped tobacco article. Such type of aerosol generating devices is adapted to heat, rather than burn, an aerosol generating substrate comprised in the article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporisers or aerosol generating devices) has grown rapidly in the past few years as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm vaporizable substances as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generation device or heat-not-burn device, also known as HNB device. Devices of this type generate aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol generating substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 350°C. Heating an aerosol generating substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user but not the toxic and carcinogenic by-products of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the tobacco or other vaporizable material does not typically comprise the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant for the user and so the substrate does not therefore require the sugars and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and/or vapour more palatable for the user. Some HNB devices can be adapted to operate with consumable articles having reduced dimensions. Such articles can have for example a flat shape and form a substantially cuboid shape of 1 or 2 mm of thickness. Their transversal and longitudinal dimensions may be comprised between 10 and 30 mm. Due to such shape and dimensions, these consumable articles make the heat transfer for vapour generation more efficient compared to a rod-type format.

However, dirt may accumulate in the receiving cavity of the device. This dirt may reduce the heating performance of the device and should be therefore preferably removed. This dirt is hard to remove as the receiving cavity has a very shallow opening, is deep and the dirt is often firmly adhered to the walls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the invention is to propose a cleaning tool enabling to clean the receiving cavity of an aerosol generating device cooperating with a flat-shaped tobacco article, the cleaning tool being easily handled by the user, effective and reusable.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a cleaning tool for cleaning an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising a receiving cavity configured to receive a flat-shaped tobacco article, the cleaning tool extending along a tool axis and comprising:

- a gripping portion,

- a flat shaped portion able to be inserted in the receiving cavity, the flat shaped portion presenting a substantially parallelepipedic shape with a height and a width orthogonally to the tool axis, the flat shaped portion comprising a first lateral face extending along the tool axis, and

- at least an abrasive layer, one of the abrasive layers being arranged on the first lateral face.

Thanks to these features, the cleaning tool according to the invention may be used to remove dirt present in the receiving cavity. The flat shaped portion presents a substantially parallelepipedic shape, complementary to the shape of the receiving cavity, which enables an easy insertion of the cleaning tool inside the cavity. The abrasive layer(s) enable to detach the dirt attached to the walls of the receiving cavity. In particular, the user may simply push the cleaning tool into the receiving cavity one or multiple times, the debris of dirt in the cavity are detached and may be removed, for example by inverting the device or blowing into the cavity. The invention enables therefore a quick and easy cleaning of the cavity without the need for cleaning agents. Moreover, the cleaning tool is reusable multiple times to limit the economic and ecological cost.

In some embodiments, the flat shaped portion is made of a piezoelectric material, notably piezoelectric ceramics, the cleaning tool further comprising an excitation module configured to excite the flat shaped portion.

Thanks to these features, the flat shaped portion may be excited and vibrate when being inserted in the receiving cavity. These vibrations enhance the abrasive action and improve the cleaning of the receiving cavity.

In some embodiments, the flat shaped portion is able to vibrate axially and/or transversally with respect to the tool axis when excited by the excitation module.

In some embodiments, the flat shaped portion is able to vibrate with an amplitude comprised between 5 pm and 300 pm.

In some embodiments, the flat shaped portion is able to vibrate with a frequency comprised between 10 Hz and 1000 Hz.

Thanks to these features, the flat shaped portion is able to vibrate in an optimized way, improving even more the cleaning of the receiving cavity.

In some embodiments, the flat shaped portion comprises a second lateral face opposite to the first lateral face and extending along the tool axis, one of the abrasive layers being arranged on the second lateral face.

Thanks to these features, the flat shape portion comprises two abrasive layers on both sides, enabling to better clean the receiving cavity, without having to flip the cleaning tool before reinserting it in the receiving cavity.

In some embodiments, the flat shaped portion comprises a third lateral face and a fourth lateral face opposite to the third lateral face, the third lateral face and the fourth lateral face being orthogonal to the first lateral face, one of the abrasive layers being arranged on the third lateral face and/or on the fourth lateral face.

In some embodiments, the flat shaped portion comprises a front face orthogonal to the tool axis, one of the adhesive layers being arranged on the front face.

Thanks to these features, the flat shape portion comprises several abrasive layers on multiples sides, enabling a better cleaning of the receiving cavity.

In some embodiments, each abrasive layer extends on the entire surface of the associated face.

Thanks to these features, the cleaning tool is able to clean the entire facing wall of the receiving cavity.

In some embodiments, the width is at least 5 times, advantageously 10 times, wider than the height.

In some embodiments, the width is comprised between 8 mm and 15 mm and the height is comprised between 0,8 mm and 2 mm.

Thanks to these features, the shape of the flat shaped portion is even more complementary to the one of the receiving cavity, facilitating the insertion of the tool and improving the cleaning.

In some embodiments, the gripping portion and the flat shaped portion are made of a single piece.

Thanks to these features, the cleaning tool is easily manufactured.

In some embodiments, the gripping portion forms a mechanical stop able to prevent the insertion of the gripping portion in the receiving cavity.

Thanks to these features, the manipulating of the cleaning tool is easier for the user and prevents damaging the receiving cavity with the gripping portion. The invention also concerns an assembly comprising:

- an aerosol generating device comprising a receiving cavity configured to receive a flat-shaped tobacco article,

- a cleaning tool as defined above, the flat shaped portion of said cleaning tool being able to be inserted in the receiving cavity of said aerosol generating device.

The invention also concerns a method of cleaning comprising at least the following steps:

- providing an assembly as defined above,

- inserting the flat shaped portion of the cleaning tool in the receiving cavity of the aerosol generating device, and

- removing the flat shaped portion of the receiving cavity.

In some embodiments, the method comprises further a step of exciting the flat shaped portion when the flat shaped portion is received in the receiving cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting example and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating assembly comprising an aerosol generating device and a flat-shaped consumable article, the flat-shaped consumable article being usable with the aerosol generating device;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the flat-shaped consumable article of Figure 1 , the consumable article comprising a wrapper;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool according to a first embodiment of the invention for cleaning the aerosol generating device of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning tool according to a second embodiment and the aerosol generating device of Figure 1 in a separated configuration; and - Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool of Figure 3 and the aerosol generating device of Figure 1 in an inserted configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generating device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of a heater element explained in further detail below. The device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating the heater element for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapour to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.

As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of vaporizable material as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. Aerosol may include one or more components of the vaporizable material.

As used herein, the term “vaporizable material” or “precursor” may refer to a smokable material which may for example comprise nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol former. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and/or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol formers include: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also comprise at least one of a gelling agent, a binding agent, a stabilizing agent, and a humectant.

DESCRIPTION OF A FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows an aerosol generating assembly 10 comprising an aerosol generating device 11 and a flat-shaped consumable article 12 according to a first embodiment of the invention, called hereinafter consumable article 12. The aerosol generating device 1 1 is intended to operate with the consumable article 12 which is shown in more detail on Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1 , the aerosol generating device 11 comprises a device body 15 extending along a device axis Y. The device body 15 comprises a mouthpiece 16 and a housing 17 arranged successively along the device axis Y. According to the example of Figure 1 , the mouthpiece 16 and the housing 17 form two different pieces. Particularly, according to this example, the mouthpiece 16 is designed to be fixed on or be received in an insertion opening formed at one of the ends of the housing 17. In this case, the consumable article 12 can be inserted inside the device 1 1 when the mouthpiece 16 is removed from the housing 17. According to another example (not-shown), the mouthpiece 16 and the housing 17 form one unique piece. In this case, the consumable article 12 can be inserted inside the device 11 through for example a flow outlet. According to both examples, the mouthpiece 16 defines a through hole adapted to receive at least partially the consumable article 12. Particularly, the through hole can be adapted to receive at least an outlet portion of the consumable article 12, explained in further detail below. According to still another embodiment (not-shown), no mouthpiece 16 is provided with the aerosol generating device 11 . In this case, the outlet portion of the consumable article 12 can form a mouth end designed to be in contact with the user’s lips and/or mouth while a vaping session.

The housing 17 delimits an internal space of the device 1 1 receiving various elements designed to carry out different functionalities of the device 11 . This internal space may for example receive a battery for powering the device 11 , a control module for controlling the operation of the device 11 , etc. The housing 17 further delimits a receiving cavity 20 configured to receive the consumable article 12. In particular, the receiving cavity 20 presents an opening 22 through which the consumable article 12 may be inserted. The receiving cavity 20 is further designed to heat the consumable article 12 using an appropriate heater. The receiving cavity 20 may be for example arranged in the extension of the through hole of the mouthpiece 16, according to the device axis Y. The receiving cavity 20 is delimited by walls presenting a substantially parallelepipeds shape, complementary to the shape of the consumable article 12. The walls are advantageously made of ceramic. As it will be explained below, ceramic will not be damaged by the cleaning tool. In particular, ceramic is hard enough to be cleaned with sandpaper, blade, metal teeth or metal wire without causing damage to the walls.

In reference to Figure 2, the consumable article 12 is for example a flat-shaped cuboid extending along an article axis X between an inlet end 18 and an outlet end 19, and having external dimensions LxWxH. The consumable article 12 is adapted to conduct an airflow from the inlet end 18 to the outlet end 19 as it will be explained in further detail below. In a typical example, the length L of the article 12 according to the article axis X equals substantially to 25-35 mm, for example 33 mm while its width W is comprised between 8 and 15 mm, for example substantially equal to 12 mm and height H is comprised between 0,8 and 2 mm, for example is substantially equal to 1 ,2 mm. According to different examples, the values L, W and H can be selected within a range of +/- 40%, for example.

In the example of Figure 2, the consumable article 12 is wrapped by a common wrapper 21 . In other words, in this example, the wrapper 21 is formed from a unique sheet wrapping substantially the whole length of the consumable article 12 around the article axis X. In other examples, the wrapper 21 extends only along a part of the length of the consumable article 12. For example, the wrapper 21 can extend only along the tobacco substrate of the consumable article 12 and advantageously, wrap only the tobacco substrate, as it is shown in an alternative embodiment of Figure 3. According to another example, the wrapper 21 is formed from two different sheets wrapping separately for example the tobacco substrate and the support structure of the consumable article 12. The wrapper 21 can be made of aluminium and/or paper. The paper can be coated with an impermeable coating to prevent liquid absorption like cooking/backing paper. In some embodiments, when the wrapper 21 is made of aluminium, it can wrap only the tobacco substrate to prevent condensation leakage and/or vapour leakage. Additionally, aluminium allows a better heat transfer. Figure 3 shows a cleaning tool 30 according to a first embodiment, for cleaning the aerosol generating device 1 1. In particular, the cleaning tool 30 is configured to clean the receiving cavity 20 of the device 1 1 . As it will be explained further below, by inserting the cleaning tool 30 through the opening 22 in the receiving cavity 20 of the device 11 , the cleaning tool 30 is able to detach the dirt attached to the walls of the receiving cavity 20.

In reference to Figure 3, the cleaning tool 30 extends along a tool axis Z. The cleaning tool 30 comprises a gripping portion 32 and a flat shaped portion 34 arranged in the extension of the gripping portion 32 along the tool axis Z. The cleaning tool 30 further comprises at least an abrasive layer 36.

In an advantageous embodiment, the gripping portion 32 and the flat shaped portion 34 are made of a single piece. In particular, the gripping portion 32 and the flat shaped portion 34 are made of ceramics.

The gripping portion 32 is designed to be grabbed by a user, notably by grabbing it between its thumb and its index finger. The gripping portion 32 presents a substantially flatshaped cuboid extending along the tool axis Z. By substantially cuboid, it is understood that the gripping portion 32 presents a generally cuboid shape and that the corners may be rounded, as illustrated in the example shown on Figure 3.

The gripping portion 32 presents external dimensions LgxWgxHg. As visible on the Figure 3, the width Wg of the gripping portion 32 is wider than the width Wf of the flat shaped portion 34. The height Hg of the gripping portion 32 is higher than the height Hf of the flat shaped portion 34. In a typical example, the length Lg of the gripping portion 32 according to the tool axis Z is comprised between 20 mm and 40 mm, while its width Wg is comprised between 10 mm and 30 mm, and height Hg is comprised between 3 mm and 15 mm.

The gripping portion 32 presents two opposite flat faces 38 extending along the tool axis Z. These two opposite flat faces 38 presents advantageously some roughness to avoid the slipping of the user’s fingers when grabbing the tool 30.

The gripping portion 32 forms a mechanical stop 40 able to prevent the insertion of the gripping portion 32 in the receiving cavity 20. In particular, the mechanical stop 40 is formed at the interface between the gripping portion 32 and the flat shaped portion 34. The mechanical stop 40 protrudes on both sides, transversally to the tool axis Z along the width Wg.

The flat shaped portion 34 is able to be inserted in the receiving cavity 20 of the device 11 through the opening 22. As visible on Figure 3, the flat shaped portion 34 presents a substantially parallelepipedic shape. By a substantially parallelepipedic shape, it is understood that the flat shaped portion 34 presents a generally parallelepipedic shape, meaning that the opposite faces of the parallelepiped may present an angle between them comprised between 0° and 20°. Moreover, it is understood that the corners may be rounded.

Advantageously, the width Wf of the flat shaped portion 34 is at least 5 times, advantageously 10 times, wider than the height Hf of flat shaped portion 34. The flat shaped portion 34 presents a complementary shape to the shape of the associated receiving cavity 20. The flat shaped portion 34 extends along a length Lf according to the tool axis Z, a height Hf and a width Wf orthogonally to the tool axis Z. In a typical example, the length Lf of the flat shaped portion 34 according to the tool axis Z is comprised between 25 mm and 35 mm, while its width Wf is comprised between 8 mm and 15 mm and the height Hf is comprised between 0,8 mm and 2 mm.

The flat shaped portion 34 comprises a first lateral face 42 extending along the tool axis Z, a second lateral face 44 opposite to the first lateral face 42. The flat shaped portion 34 further comprises a third lateral face 46 and a fourth lateral face opposite to the third lateral face 46 and not visible on the Figures. The third lateral face 46 and the fourth lateral face are substantially orthogonal to the first lateral face 42. The flat shaped portion 34 further comprises a front face 48 orthogonal to the tool axis Z.

Each abrasive layer 36 is for example formed of sandpaper, metal wires, or a blade or teeth protruding of a surface. According to the invention, at least one of the abrasive layers 36 is arranged on the first lateral face 42 as visible on Figure 3.

In an advantageous embodiment, one of the abrasive layers 36 is arranged on the second lateral face 44. In variant or in complement, one of the adhesive layers 36 is arranged on the front face 48. In variant or in complement, one of the abrasive layers is arranged on the third lateral face 46 and/or on the fourth lateral face. Advantageously, each abrasive layer 36 extends on the entire surface of the associated face.

Each abrasive layer 36 is for example glued on the associated face.

DESCRIPTION OF A SECOND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A second embodiment of cleaning tool 30 according to the invention will be described below, referring to Figures 4 and 5.

The cleaning tool 30 according to the second embodiment is similar to the cleaning tool 30 according to the first embodiment explained above except the features described below.

The cleaning tool 30 further comprises an excitation module 50 configured to excite the flat shaped portion 34. The flat shaped portion 34 is then made of a piezoelectric material, notably piezoelectric ceramics. The flat shaped portion 34 is able to vibrate axially along the tool axis Z and/or transversally with respect to the tool axis Z when excited by the excitation module 50.

The excitation module 50 is powered by a battery 52 arranged inside the gripping portion 32 and controlled by an actuator 54 arranged for example on one of the flat faces 38 of the gripping portion 32. The actuator 54 is for example a button which may be pressed by the user to activate and deactivate the excitation module 50.

When excited by the excitation module 50, the flat shaped portion 34 is able to vibrate with an amplitude comprised between 5 pm and 300 pm. The flat shaped portion 34 is able to vibrate with a frequency comprised between 10 Hz and 1000 Hz.

DESCRIPTION OF A METHOD OF CLEANING

The operation of the cleaning tool 30 will now be described.

Initially, a tobacco article 12 is inserted in the receiving cavity 20 of the device 1 1 . The user of the device 11 may operate the device 1 1 to enjoy one or more vaping sessions. These vaping sessions may result in dirt 60 accumulating in the receiving cavity 20, as represented on Figure 4.

Then, the user is removing the article 12 from the receiving cavity 20.

The user is grabbing the cleaning tool 30 and place it in front of the opening 22 of the receiving cavity 20. As visible on Figure 4, the device 1 1 and the cleaning tool 30 are then in a separated configuration.

Then, the user inserts the flat shaped portion 34 of the cleaning tool 30 in the receiving cavity 20 through the opening 22. As visible on Figure 5, the device 11 and the cleaning tool 30 are then in an inserted configuration. The tool axis Z is then aligned with the device axis Y.

The user may then move the cleaning tool 30 back and forth in the receiving cavity 20. The debris of dirt 60 in the receiving cavity 20 are detached from the walls.

When the cleaning tool 30 is according to the second embodiment, the user may activate the excitation module 50 through the actuator 54. The flat shaped portion 34 is then excited and vibrate in the receiving cavity 20 to improve the cleaning of the dirt 60.

Then, the flat shaped portion 34 is removed of the receiving cavity 20. The device 11 and the cleaning tool 30 are then in a separated configuration.

The dirt 60 may be removed, for example by inverting the orientation the device 11 and placing the opening 22 towards the ground, or by blowing into the receiving cavity 20.

Then, the user may insert the same article 12 or a new article 12 in the device 11. The user may then operate again the device 11 with the article 12 to vape. After one or more vaping sessions, the user may carry out again the method of cleaning as described above with the same cleaning tool 30, which is reusable.