IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,154,086
Granted Patent B2
US 11,154,086 · App. 16/252,951 · Granted Oct 26, 2021

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

Inventors: Gregory Griscik (Richmond, VA); Raymond W. Lau (Richmond, VA); Eric Hawes (Glen Allen, VA)
Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
A24B15/167A24D1/14A24F40/42A24F40/46H05B3/03H05B3/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,154,086
App. No.
16/252,951
Granted
Oct 26, 2021
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (30)

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.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2019
From: GRISCIK, GREGORY; LAU, RAYMOND W.; HAWES, ERIC
To: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 048189/0260 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200229509A1 · Jul 23, 2020
Cited By (3)
US 12,527,352 US 12,557,844 US 12,679,579