CN111132566A

CN111132566A - Consumable cartridge for an aerosol-generating device

Info

Publication number: CN111132566A
Application number: CN201880062437.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 安德鲁·罗伯特·约翰·罗根; 斯皮里宗·诺米拉基斯
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2017-09-25
Filing date: 2018-09-24
Publication date: 2020-05-08
Also published as: EP3687320A1; KR20200057002A; RU2020111936A; JP2020534831A; RU2020111936A3; WO2019057956A1; US20200281266A1; CA3076879A1

Abstract

A consumable cartridge (10, 110, 210) for an aerosol-generating device is disclosed. The cartridge contains an aerosol-forming material, such as tobacco, which can release vapour upon receiving heat from a heater (30, 330). The cartridge includes a slot (22, 122, 222) for receiving the heater (30, 330). The slot (22, 122, 222) may divide the aerosol-forming material into a first portion and a second portion (26, 28), wherein an airflow path extends in a first direction in the first portion and in a second direction in the second portion, wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

Description

Consumable cartridge for an aerosol-generating device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a consumable cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device.

Background

Many new generations of smoking devices have been introduced in an attempt to provide an alternative to traditional cigarettes. One such device is described in EP2772148a 2. In this arrangement, the smoking device is provided with a mouthpiece, a housing, an electric heater, and a battery. The consumable cartridge may be mounted in a device near the heater. The consumable cartridge has an outer shell surrounding a tobacco material. The cartridge also includes perforations and an aeration well (aeration well). The heater may heat the outer shell of the cartridge such that the tobacco contained therein heats up without burning, thereby releasing the aerosol. The user may then inhale the aerosol or vapor through the mouthpiece.

After a period of use, the consumable cartridge is exhausted. The user may then remove and replace the consumable cartridge.

It is desirable to increase the efficiency of cartridges in order to extend their life and ensure that the tobacco is completely consumed when the cartridges are replaced.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a consumable cartridge for an aerosol-generating device, the consumable cartridge comprising: an aerosol-forming material adapted to form an aerosol upon receiving heat from the aerosol-generating device; and a separating element configured to separate the aerosol-forming material into a first portion and a second portion, wherein an airflow path extends in a first direction in the first portion and in a second direction in the second portion, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

In this way, the airflow may be directed along the airflow path through the first and second portions of aerosol-forming material by the separating element. By directing the airflow in a first direction and an opposite (second) direction, the aerosol-forming material may be better exposed to the airflow. Thus, the interaction between the aerosol-forming material and the airflow may be improved, which may increase the efficiency of the cartridge.

The airflow path may enter the cartridge at one end and may exit the cartridge at the same end or at an opposite end.

Preferably, the separating element is configured to separate the aerosol-forming material into a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the airflow extends in the first direction in the third portion. In a further preferred arrangement, the separating element is configured to separate the aerosol-forming material into a fourth portion, wherein the airflow extends in the second direction in the fourth portion.

The separating element may be substantially cross-shaped such that the aerosol-forming material is divided into substantially equally sized portions. The separating element may comprise parts angled at substantially 90 degrees relative to each other.

Preferably, the gas flow is serpentine between the first portion and the second portion. Thus, the gas flow may extend in a substantially linear direction in the respective sections and may be curved between the sections. In particular, the gas flow may be curved around the ends of the separation element. When a cruciform partition element is used, the gas flow may extend circumferentially around the central axis of the cruciform in a serpentine profile.

Preferably, the cartridge comprises a housing and the separation element is attached to the housing. In this way, the separating element can be integrated with the housing. Thus, the separating element may be part of the consumable cartridge even when the separating element is not mounted in the aerosol-generating device.

The separation element may comprise a heating element. The heating element is preferably part of the aerosol generating device. In some arrangements, there may be a plurality of separating elements. One separating element may be attached to the housing and integral with the consumable cartridge and the other separating element may be part of the aerosol-generating device and present when the consumable cartridge is installed in the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-forming material may be arranged to form a guide within which the separation element can be positioned. The separating element may thus be inserted into a guide or slot in the aerosol-forming material. For example, the heating means in the aerosol-generating device may be received in the guide so as to function as a separating element.

The first and second portions have first and second lengths parallel to the first and second directions, wherein the length of the separating element may be less than the first and second lengths of the portions of the aerosol-forming material. This may facilitate a meandering gas flow profile, since the gas flow may circulate around the ends of the separation element.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a heater; a consumable cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming material adapted to form an aerosol upon receiving heat from the heater; and a separating element configured to separate the aerosol-forming material into a first portion and a second portion, wherein an airflow path extends in a first direction in the first portion and in a second direction in the second portion, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

Preferably, the airflow path extends within the aerosol generating device. In particular, the aerosol-generating device may be used to generate and supply a gas stream to the aerosol-forming material. In this way, an airflow may be generated within the aerosol-generating device, supplied to, and discharged from the consumable cartridge.

There may be a plurality of separating elements. In some arrangements, the heater may function as a dividing element. In other arrangements, the separating element may be integral with the consumable cartridge.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a front view of a cartridge in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cartridge depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a cartridge and complementary heater in another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cartridge depicted in FIG. 3;

figure 5 is a side view of a heater for use with the cartridge shown in any of figures 1 to 4, 6 and 7.

Figure 6 is a front view of a cartridge in another embodiment of the invention;

figure 7 is a bottom view of the cartridge depicted in figure 6; and is

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a heater for use with the cartridge shown in figures 6 and 7.

Detailed Description

Figures 1 and 2 show a cartridge 10 in a first embodiment of the invention. The cartridge 10 has a generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section and a dome-shaped top. The cartridge 10 has an outer metal casing containing an aerosol-forming material.

The aerosol-forming material may comprise a carrier material, which may comprise a mixture of Propylene Glycol (PG) and/or glycerol (G). Preferably, the support material has a composition of at least 20 wt%. The aerosol-forming material may comprise ground tobacco particles (e.g. in addition to the carrier material). The aerosol-forming material may comprise other materials such as flavourants, water and the like.

The cartridge 10 includes a vent 12 in an upper surface 20 and inlet/

outlet apertures

14, 16 in a bottom surface 18. A rectangular slot 22 is provided in the bottom surface 18. The slot 22 extends inside the cartridge 10 such that it provides a first dividing wall 24 that divides the tobacco into a first portion 26 and a second portion 28.

In use, an airflow is directed into the inlet aperture 14. The air flow extends through a first portion 26 of tobacco, circulates on top of the first partition wall 24, and extends in the opposite direction through a second portion 28 of tobacco. The air may then exit the cartridge 10 through the outlet aperture 16. Vapor generated by the tobacco may exit the cartridge 10 through the exit aperture 16 and/or the vent 12. Thus, the airflow passes through the first portion 26 before entering the second portion 28, which is located on the opposite side of the first dividing wall 24. The airflow passes through the second portion 28 of tobacco before exiting the cartridge 10 through the outlet aperture 16.

The cartridge 10 is compatible for use with conventional heaters having a flat surface that abuts the bottom surface 18 of the cartridge. Additionally, the cartridge 10 may be used with the heater 30 shown in fig. 5. The heater 30 is shaped like an inverted T with a protrusion 32 that matches the shape of the slot 22. This may advantageously increase the surface area of the cartridge 10 in contact with the heater 30. This may improve the efficiency of heating. In addition, heating of the tobacco inside the cartridge can be provided more efficiently.

Figures 3 and 4 show a cartridge 110 in a second embodiment of the invention. The cartridge 110 is similar to the cartridge 10 of the first embodiment, except that a second partition wall 134 and a third partition wall 136 are provided. The second partition wall 134 and the third partition wall 136 extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first partition wall 124. The second and

third partition walls

134, 136 extend from a position slightly above the bottom surface 118 of the cartridge 110 to a height slightly less than the height of the first partition wall 124. Thus, a slight gap is provided between the bottom surface 118 of the cartridge 110 and the bottom of the second and

third partition walls

134, 136.

The cartridge 110 in the second embodiment is compatible for use with the heater 30 shown in figure 5, which may extend into the slot 122.

In use, airflow is directed into the inlet aperture 114. The airflow extends upwardly in the cartridge 110 through a first portion 126 of tobacco, circulates on top of the first partition wall 124, and extends in the opposite direction through a second portion 128 of tobacco. The airflow then circulates under the third partition wall 136, between the bottom of the third partition wall 136 and the bottom surface 118, and extends upward in the third portion 130 of tobacco. The airflow then circulates again on top of the first dividing wall 124 to extend downwardly in the fourth portion 132 of tobacco before the tobacco can exit the cartridge 110 through the outlet aperture 116. Vapors and/or aerosols generated by the tobacco may exit the cartridge 110 through the outlet aperture 116 and/or the vents 112. In this manner, the airflow passes through the first portion 126 before entering the second portion 128, and passes through the second portion 128 before entering the third portion 130. The airflow passes through the third portion 130 before entering the fourth portion 132 and passes through the fourth portion 132 before exiting the cartridge 110 through the outlet aperture 116.

Figures 6 and 7 show a cartridge 210 in a third embodiment of the invention. In this arrangement, a cross-shaped slot 222 is provided in the bottom surface 218. A cruciform slot 222 extends upwardly within the cartridge 210 to divide the tobacco into a first portion 226, a second portion 228, a third portion 230, and a fourth portion 232. The cruciform slot 222 includes a first dividing wall 224 that extends across the entire diameter of the bottom surface 218. The second partition wall 234 and the third partition wall 236 extend in a direction perpendicular to the first partition wall 224. Second partition wall 234 and third partition wall 236 extend radially away from first partition wall 224, but do not extend as far as the circumferential edge of bottom surface 218. Therefore, a gap is provided between the edges of the second and

third partition walls

234 and 236 and the inner surface of the housing. The second and

third partition walls

234, 236 extend from the bottom surface 218 of the cartridge 210 to a height slightly less than the height of the first partition wall 224.

The cartridge 210 in the third embodiment is compatible for use with the heater 330 shown in figure 8. Heater 330 is cross-shaped and includes walls that match the shape of cross-shaped slot 222. The heater 330 may thus be fitted into the cruciform slot 222 to provide even heating of the tobacco in the cartridge 210.

In use, an airflow is directed into the inlet aperture 214. The airflow extends upwardly through a first portion 226 of tobacco in the cartridge 210, circulates on top of the first partition wall 224, and extends in the opposite direction through a second portion 228 of tobacco. The airflow then circulates circumferentially around the third partition 236. The airflow then circulates again on top of the first partition wall 224 to extend downwardly in the fourth portion 232 of tobacco before the tobacco can exit the cartridge 210 through the outlet aperture 216. Vapor generated by the tobacco may exit the cartridge 210 through the exit aperture 216 and/or the vent 212.

In the above embodiments, the

cartridge

10, 110, 210 includes internal walls connected to the housing that define the

slots

22, 122, 222. In another embodiment, the

slots

22, 122, 222 may simply be defined by gaps in the wrapped tobacco. Thus, when a

heater

30, 330 is received in an associated

slot

22, 122, 222, a dividing wall may be defined by the heater.

Claims

1. A consumable cartridge for an aerosol-generating device, the consumable cartridge comprising:

an aerosol-forming material adapted to form an aerosol upon receiving heat from the aerosol-generating device; and

a separation element configured to separate the aerosol-forming material into a first portion and a second portion, wherein an airflow path extends in a first direction in the first portion and in a second direction in the second portion, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

2. The consumable cartridge of claim 1, wherein the separating element is configured to separate the aerosol-forming material into a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, and wherein the airflow extends in the first direction in the third portion.

3. The consumable cartridge of claim 2, wherein the dividing element is further configured to divide the aerosol-forming material into a fourth portion, and wherein the airflow extends in the second direction in the fourth portion.

4. The consumable cartridge of any of the preceding claims, wherein the airflow is serpentine between the first portion and the second portion.

5. The consumable cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a housing, and wherein the separation element is attached to the housing.

6. The consumable cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separation element comprises a heating element.

7. The consumable cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-forming material is arranged to form a guide within which the separating element can be positioned.

8. The consumable cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second portions have first and second lengths parallel to the first and second directions, and wherein the length of the separating element is less than the first and second lengths of the portions of the aerosol-forming material.

9. An aerosol generating device comprising:

a heater;

a consumable cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming material adapted to form an aerosol upon receiving heat from the heater; and

10. A method of generating an aerosol comprising:

supplying a gas flow to a consumable comprising an aerosol-forming material divided into at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the gas flow extends in a first direction through the first portion and in a second, opposite direction through the second portion.