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EP-3914106-B1 - CAPSULES, HEAT-NOT-BURN (HNB) AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES, AND METHODS OF GENERATING AN AEROSOL

EP3914106B1EP 3914106 B1EP3914106 B1EP 3914106B1EP-3914106-B1

Inventors

  • GRISCIK, Gregory
  • LAU, Raymond W.
  • HAWES, ERIC

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20200103

Claims (15)

  1. A capsule (100) for an aerosol-generating device (1000), comprising: a first heater (110a); a second heater (110b); a frame (130) sandwiched between the first heater (110a) and the second heater (110b), the frame (130) defining open spaces therein and having a rigidity that is adequate to support the first heater (110a) and the second heater (110b) such that the capsule maintains a generally planar form in response to gravity, the open spaces within the frame (130) being interconnected and sized for aerosol-permeability and capillary action; and a cannabinoid-containing material.
  2. The capsule (100) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first heater (110a) or the second heater (110b) is in a form of a mesh or a perforated foil.
  3. The capsule (100) of claim 1, wherein the frame (130) has a density between 0.454 g/cm 3 to 1.361 g/cm 3 .
  4. The capsule (100) of claim 1, wherein the frame (130) defines a cavity (132) that is optionally a through-hole.
  5. The capsule (100) of claim 4, further comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity (132) of the frame (130), the aerosol-forming substrate including the cannabinoid-containing material and configured to produce an aerosol when heated by at least one of the first heater (110a) or the second heater (110b).
  6. The capsule (100) of claim 5, wherein the cannabinoid-containing material includes a fibrous material configured to release a compound as part of the aerosol.
  7. The capsule (100) of claim 1, wherein the frame (130) is non-conductive and electrically isolates the first heater (110a) and the second heater (110b).
  8. The capsule (100) of claim 1, wherein the frame (130) is in a form of a multi-layer structure, wherein the multi-layer structure of the frame optionally includes different layers configured to impart distinct flavors.
  9. The capsule (100) of claim 8, further comprising: a third heater (710b) within the multi-layer structure of the frame (730a/730b).
  10. The capsule (100) of claim 1, wherein the frame (130) is formed of sintered particles or consolidated fibers.
  11. The capsule (100) of claim 10, wherein the consolidated fibers of the frame (130) are plant-based fibers.
  12. The capsule (100) of claim 11, wherein the plant-based fibers are cannabis fibers.
  13. The capsule (100) of claim 12, wherein the cannabis fibers include at least one of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), or cannabidiol (CBD).
  14. An aerosol-generating device (1000), comprising: a device body (1025) configured to receive a capsule (100/900)including a first heater (110a), a second heater (110b), a frame (130) sandwiched between the first heater (110a) and the second heater (110b), and a cannabinoid-containing material, the frame (130) defining open spaces therein and having a rigidity that is adequate to support the first heater (110a) and the second heater (110b) such that the capsule maintains a generally planar form in response to gravity, the open spaces within the frame (130) being interconnected and sized for aerosol-permeability and capillary action; a plurality of electrodes (1055a/1055b/1055c/1055d) within the device body (1025) and configured to electrically contact the first heater (110a) and the second heater (110b) of the capsule (100/900); and a power source (1035) configured to supply an electric current to the first heater (110a) and the second heater (110b) of the capsule (100/900) via the plurality of electrodes (1055a/ 1055b/ 1055c/ 1055d).
  15. A method of generating an aerosol, comprising: electrically contacting a plurality of electrodes (1055a/1055b/ 1055c/ 1055d) with a capsule (100/900) including a first heater (110a), a second heater (110b), a frame (130) sandwiched between the first heater (110a) and the second heater (110b), and a cannabinoid-containing material, the frame (130) defining open spaces therein and having a rigidity that is adequate to support the first heater (110a) and the second heater (110b) such that the capsule maintains a generally planar form in response to gravity, the open spaces within the frame (130) being interconnected and sized for aerosol-permeability and capillary action; and supplying an electric current to the first heater (110a) and the second heater (110b) of the capsule (100/900) via the plurality of electrodes (1055a/ 1055b/ 1055c/ 1055d).

Description

BACKGROUND Field The present disclosure relates to capsules, heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating devices, and methods of generating an aerosol without involving a substantial pyrolysis of the aerosol-forming substrate. Description of Related Art Some electronic devices are configured to heat a plant material to a temperature that is sufficient to release constituents of the plant material while keeping the temperature below a combustion point of the plant material so as to avoid any substantial pyrolysis of the plant material. Such devices may be referred to as aerosol-generating devices (e.g., heat-not-burn aerosol-generating devices), and the plant material heated may be cannabis. In some instances, the plant material may be introduced directly into a heating chamber of an aerosol-generating device. In other instances, the plant material may be pre-packaged in individual containers to facilitate insertion and removal from an aerosol-generating device. WO 2016/005533 discloses an aerosol-forming cartridge for use in an electrically operated aerosol-generating system. The cartridge comprises a base layer and at least one aerosol-forming substrate arranged on the base layer and comprising a tobacco-containing material with volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are releasable from the aerosol-forming substrate. The base layer and the at least one aerosol-forming substrate are in contact at a contact surface which is substantially planar. SUMMARY The present invention is defined herein in accordance with the appended claims. An aspect of the present invention relates to a capsule for an aerosol-generating device, such as a heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device. The capsule includes a first heater, a second heater, a frame sandwiched between the first heater and the second heater, and a cannabinoid-containing material. The frame defines open spaces therein and has a rigidity that is adequate to support the first heater and the second heater such that the capsule maintains a generally planar form in response to gravity. The open spaces within the frame are interconnected and sized for aerosol-permeability and capillary action. At least one embodiment relates to heaters for a capsule for a heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device. In an example embodiment, the heaters may include a first heater and a second heater, and at least one of the first heater or the second heater may be in a form of a mesh. Alternatively, at least one of the first heater or the second heater is in a form of a perforated foil. At least one embodiment relates to a frame for a capsule for a heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device. In an example embodiment, the frame may define a cavity. The cavity may be a through-hole or a recess. An aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed in the cavity of the frame. The aerosol-forming substrate is configured to produce an aerosol when heated by at least one of the first heater or the second heater. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a pre-aerosol formulation or a fibrous material configured to release a compound when heated by at least one of the first heater or the second heater. Another aspect of the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device, such as a heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device includes a device body, a plurality of electrodes, and a power source. The device body is configured to receive a capsule including a first heater, a second heater, a frame sandwiched between the first heater and the second heater, and a cannabinoid-containing material. The frame defines open spaces therein and has a rigidity that is adequate to support the first heater and the second heater such that the capsule maintains a generally planar form in response to gravity. The open spaces within the frame are interconnected and sized for aerosol-permeability and capillary action. The plurality of electrodes are disposed within the device body and configured to electrically contact the first heater and the second heater of the capsule. The power source is configured to supply an electric current to the first heater and the second heater of the capsule via the plurality of electrodes. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of generating an aerosol. The method includes electrically contacting a plurality of electrodes with a capsule including a first heater, a second heater, a frame sandwiched between the first heater and the second heater, and a cannabinoid-containing material. The frame defines open spaces therein and has a rigidity that is adequate to support the first heater and the second heater such that the capsule maintains a generally planar form in response to gravity. The open spaces within the frame are interconnected and sized for aerosol-permeability and capillary action. Additionally, the method includes supplying an electric current to the first heater and the second heater of the capsule via the plurali