Aerosol Generating Device And Capsule

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol generating device and a capsule adapted for use with the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device includes a cavity positioned on one side of the aerosol generating device. The cavity is configured to host a capsule and the capsule is configured to contain an aerosol generating substance. The capsule includes an external shell arranged to retain an aerosol generating substance and an outlet in the external shell configured to engage with the aerosol generating device when the capsule is retained in the cavity.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An aerosol generating device comprising:
 an elongate body having a first end and a second end, and comprising a first portion extending from the second end toward the first end, and a second portion extending from the first end to the first portion,   wherein the first portion of the elongate body defines a maximum cross-sectional area of the aerosol generating device, and the second portion of the elongate body defines a cross-sectional area smaller than the maximum cross-sectional area,   wherein a space is defined outside of the first and second portions of the elongate body and inside a volume defined by a length of the elongate body from the first end to the second end and the maximum cross-sectional area, the space being configured to accommodate a capsule containing an aerosol generating substance when the capsule is connected to the elongate body.   
     
     
         3 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 2 , wherein the maximum cross-sectional area of the first portion is circular or elliptical. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 2 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the second portion is semi-circular or semi-elliptical. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 2 , wherein the space is located between the first end of the elongate body and an interface between the first and second portions of the elongate body. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion defines a flat surface facing the space and configured to face a side surface of the capsule when the capsule is connected to the elongate body. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol generating device of  claim 6 , wherein the elongate body includes a hole at the first end, and a channel extending within the second portion of the elongate body from the hole to an outlet of the capsule when the capsule is connected to the elongate body. 
     
     
         8 . A kit comprising:
 the aerosol generating device of  claim 2 , and   a capsule containing an aerosol generating substance, the capsule being disposed within the space defined outside of the first and second portions of the elongate body and inside the volume defined by the length of the elongate body from the first end to the second end and the maximum cross-sectional area when the capsule is connected to the elongate body.   
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 8 , wherein, when the capsule is connected to the elongate body, a shape of the first portion of the elongate body and of the part of the second portion abutted with the capsule is approximately cylindrical with a substantially circular or elliptical cross section. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 8 , wherein the capsule includes a flat side surface between a first end of the capsule and a second end of the capsule, and
 the second portion of the elongate body defines a flat surface facing the space and configured to face the flat side surface of the capsule when the capsule is connected to the elongate body.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the capsule includes an outlet, and
 the elongate body includes a hole at the first end, and a channel extending within the second portion of the elongate body from the hole to the outlet of the capsule when the capsule is connected to the elongate body.   
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 8 , wherein the maximum cross-sectional area of the first portion of the elongate body is circular or elliptical, the cross-sectional area of the second portion of the elongate body is semi-circular or semi-elliptical, the capsule has a semi-circular or semi-elliptical cross-section, and the volume is approximately cylindrical with a substantially circular or elliptical cross section, such that the capsule lies within the volume when the capsule is connected to the elongate body. 
     
     
         13 . A capsule, comprising:
 a shell having a first end, a second end, and a semi-cylindrical shape between the first end and the second end that is formed by a semi-cylindrical surface and a flat side surface;   an aerosol generating substance contained within the shell;   a heater arranged in the shell and configured to vaporize the aerosol generating substance to generate a vaporized aerosol generating substance; and   an outlet provided in the shell such that the vaporized aerosol generating substance is configured to be drawn out through the outlet.   
     
     
         14 . The capsule of  claim 13 , wherein the first end includes a surface having an edge defined by an edge of the semi-cylindrical surface and an edge of the flat side surface. 
     
     
         15 . The capsule of  claim 13 , wherein the semi-cylindrical surface extends to the flat side surface. 
     
     
         16 . The capsule of  claim 13 , wherein the shell includes a transparent portion so as to allow a user to visually gauge an amount of the aerosol generating substance remaining within the capsule through the transparent portion. 
     
     
         17 . A capsule, comprising:
 a shell having a first end and a second end;   an aerosol generating substance contained within the shell;   a heater arranged in the shell and configured to vaporize the aerosol generating substance to generate a vaporized aerosol generating substance;   electrical connections provided in the shell and configured to connect the heater to a power source; and   an outlet provided in the shell such that the vaporized aerosol generating substance is configured to be drawn out through the outlet,   wherein the shell includes a transparent portion so as to allow a user to visually gauge an amount of the aerosol generating substance remaining within the capsule through the transparent portion,   wherein the transparent portion includes the first end, and   wherein the second end, the outlet and the electrical connections are provided in the shell outside of the transparent portion.   
     
     
         18 . The capsule of  claim 17 , wherein the shell has a flat side surface between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         19 . The capsule of  claim 17 , wherein the shell has a semi-cylindrical shape formed by a semi-cylindrical surface and a flat side surface. 
     
     
         20 . The capsule of  claim 19 , wherein the transparent portion includes a part of the semi-cylindrical surface and/or a part of the flat side surface. 
     
     
         21 . The capsule of  claim 17 , wherein the transparent portion has an end arranged between the first end and the second end.