CN114667071A - Aerosol-generating device with piercing assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A piercing system includes a cap mountable on an aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating device comprises an aerosol-generating element having a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The cover may be engaged with the body. The lid has a frame including a cavity arranged to receive the cartridge. The cap includes a piercing element disposed within the cavity and configured to pierce a wall of the cartridge. The cap is movable relative to the body between a first position and a second position, wherein in the second position the piercing element engages the cartridge to pierce the cartridge.

Description

Aerosol-generating device with piercing assembly

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a piercing system for piercing a cartridge for use in an aerosol-generating device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a piercing assembly for a hookah apparatus.

Background

Conventional hookah apparatus are used for smoking and are constructed so that vapor and smoke pass through a water basin before being inhaled by a consumer. The hookah apparatus may include one outlet or more than one outlet, such that the apparatus may be used by more than one consumer at a time. Many people view the use of hookah devices as a leisure activity and social experience.

Typically, traditional hookah is used in combination with a substrate, sometimes referred to in the art as hookah, tobacco molasses, or simply molasses. Traditional hookah substrates have relatively high sugar content (in some cases, up to-50%, while traditional tobacco substrates (e.g., combustible cigarettes) are typically-20%). Tobacco used in hookah devices may be mixed with other ingredients to, for example, increase the volume of steam and smoke generated, change flavor, or both.

Conventional hookah devices employ charcoal (such as charcoal pellets) to heat and sometimes burn the tobacco substrate to generate an aerosol for the user to inhale. Heating tobacco using charcoal may result in complete or partial combustion of the tobacco or other components. Additionally, the charcoal may generate harmful or potentially harmful products, such as carbon monoxide, which may mix with the water vapor and pass through the pool to the outlet.

One way to reduce the production of carbon monoxide and combustion byproducts is to use e-liquid instead of tobacco. Hookah devices that employ electronic cigarette liquid will eliminate combustion byproducts, but will deprive hookah consumers of the traditional tobacco-based experience.

Other hookah devices have been proposed which use an electric heater to heat, but not burn, the tobacco. Such electrically heated non-burning hookah apparatus heats a tobacco substrate to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the substrate without burning the substrate, and thus reduces or eliminates byproducts associated with tobacco combustion.

A hookah device may employ a cartridge for containing an aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may be filled with such an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco, preferably a hookah substrate, such as molasses, a mixture of tobacco, water, sugar and other components (e.g. glycerol, flavourings etc.). The heating system of the electrically heated hookah apparatus heats the contents of the cartridge to generate an aerosol which is delivered to the user through the airflow path.

To facilitate the flow of air through the cartridge and aerosol from the cartridge, the hookah may have one or more apertures through one or more walls. The cartridge may include one or more apertures at the top, one or more apertures at the bottom, or both one or more apertures at the top and one or more apertures at the bottom. Alternatively, the top may be open, i.e. the top wall may be partly or completely absent.

Prior art cartridges typically have one or more openings in at least one wall of the cartridge, such as in one or both of the top and bottom walls. During storage, at least some of the holes or openings in the top and bottom walls may be closed by a removable (e.g., peelable) sealing layer, such as a film, sticker, or liner. The removable layer may protect the contents (e.g., honey) from exposure to air and oxygen. The removable layer may be removed (e.g., pulled or peeled off) by a user prior to first use of the cartridge.

Holes or openings in the cartridge, if not sealed, can lead to loss of freshness (e.g., moisture content) or contamination of the matrix, as well as leakage problems. It may be desirable to form the opening or aperture of the cartridge only immediately prior to use for one or more reasons, such as to maintain freshness, prevent leakage of the substrate, or maintain the quality and integrity of the substrate during storage.

It is desirable to provide a piercing assembly for piercing a cartridge for use in an aerosol-generating device. It is desirable to provide a piercing assembly that can be incorporated as part of an aerosol-generating device. It is desirable to provide a piercing assembly that does not require additional equipment other than an aerosol-generating device. It is desirable to provide a piercing assembly that is convenient and easy to use. It is desirable to provide a piercing assembly that can be used with cartridges that do not have a pre-formed air inlet or outlet. It is desirable to provide a piercing assembly that does not require the user to directly hold the piercing element while piercing the cartridge.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a piercing assembly usable with an aerosol-generating device. For example, the piercing assembly may be used in a hookah apparatus. The piercing assembly may be used to form one or more openings in the cartridge. For example, the piercing assembly may be used to form one or more openings in the hookah.

The piercing assembly may be part of a cap for use with the aerosol-generating device. The lid may be incorporated as part of a hookah apparatus.

The piercing assembly includes a cap. The cap may be mounted on the aerosol-generating device. The cover includes a body having a cavity. The cavity may be for receiving the cartridge and the piercing element. The piercing element may be configured to pierce a wall of a cartridge received therein. The piercing element is configured to pierce the cartridge (e.g., create one or more apertures therein).

The piercing assembly may be operated by inserting the cartridge into the aerosol-generating device. The cap may be placed on the device (e.g., on the receptacle of the aerosol-generating element). The cap may be depressed so that the piercing element engages the cartridge. The piercing element of the piercing assembly may pierce the cartridge (e.g., create one or more apertures therein). The aerosol-generating device may be a hookah device and the cartridge may be a hookah cartridge.

The piercing system of the present disclosure may provide various advantages to manufacturers and users. Some advantages include the ease, ease and safety of use of the piercing system. The user of the hookah apparatus does not need additional equipment to pierce the cartridge. Furthermore, the user can pierce the cartridge without having to directly hand the piercing element. The piercing assembly may also allow the cartridge to be pierced without removing the sticker or membrane from the cartridge. The piercing assembly may also enable the hookah apparatus to be used with cartridges that do not necessarily have preformed holes or openings. This means that the cartridge can be provided completely sealed without holes, reducing the chance of leakage and eliminating any need for such stickers. The cartridge may be placed in the hookah apparatus or in the lid before the cartridge is opened. Thus, the piercing assembly reduces the chance of leakage and other mess. The piercing element enables the use of cartridges without preformed perforations. This allows for one or more of a less expensive, faster, and easier to manufacture cartridge.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a piercing system may include a cap. The cap may be engaged with the aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating device may comprise an aerosol-generating element comprising a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace outlet above the liquid fill level. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a conduit for conveying the airflow from the containment portion to the container. The cover may be engaged with the body. The cover may include a frame including a cavity. The cover may have a central axis. The cavity may be arranged for receiving the cartridge. The cap may include a piercing element disposed within the cavity and configured to pierce a wall of the cartridge. The cover may comprise a spring element. The spring element may be configured for biasing the receptacle axially away from the piercing element. The cover is movable relative to the body between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the piercing element may not engage with a cartridge received in the receptacle. In the second position, the piercing element may engage with a cartridge received in the receptacle to pierce the cartridge.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a piercing system includes a cap mountable on an aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating device comprising: an aerosol-generating element comprising a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate; a container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace outlet above the liquid fill level; and a conduit for conveying the gas flow from the containment portion to the container. The cover may be engaged with the body. The cover may include a frame including a cavity and having a central axis. The cavity may be arranged for receiving the cartridge. The cap may further include a piercing element disposed within the cavity and configured to pierce a wall of the cartridge. The cap may include a spring element that biases the receptacle axially away from the piercing element. The cover is movable relative to the body between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the piercing element may not engage with a cartridge received in the receptacle. In the second position, the piercing element may engage with a cartridge received in the receptacle to pierce the cartridge.

The cover frame may include a side wall, an open end, and a closed end including an end wall. The central axis extends from the open end to the closed end. The piercing element may be oriented to face the open end. The piercing element may be disposed adjacent the closed end. The piercing element may be coaxial with the central axis. The piercing element may be centered about the central axis.

The cover is movable relative to the body between the second and third positions and between the third and first positions. The third position may be an intermediate position between the first position and the second position. In the third position, the air path may be open between the external environment, the cavity and the cartridge.

The cover may include an outer shroud and an inner shroud disposed within the outer shroud. The outer shield may include a piercing element. The inner shield may define a cavity. The outer shroud may be axially movable relative to the inner shroud. The inner shroud may include a cylindrical sidewall coaxial with the central axis, and an end wall at one end of the cylindrical sidewall. The end wall may include an opening configured to receive the piercing element. When the piercing element is received in the end wall opening and the lid is in the third position, a gap configured to allow airflow through the opening may be maintained between the piercing element and the end wall of the inner shield.

The inner shroud may include one or more guide rails. The outer shroud may include one or more track pins configured to cooperate with the one or more guide tracks. Each of the one or more guide tracks may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may define a first distance and the second portion may define a second distance that is shorter than the first distance. The first portion may guide the track pin in an axial direction and in a radial direction. The first portion may define a piercing position of the piercing element.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a second piercing element. The second piercing element may extend from the base of the receptacle into the receptacle in a direction away from the base of the receptacle.

The aerosol-generating device may be a hookah device. The cartridge may be a hookah cartridge. The piercing system may be used with a hookah apparatus to pierce a hookah pipe. The piercing system may be part of a hookah apparatus.

The term "aerosol" as used herein refers to a suspension of solid particles or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets in a gas. The gas may be air. The solid particles or liquid droplets may contain one or more volatile flavour compounds. The aerosol may be visible or invisible. Aerosols may include vapors of substances that are typically liquids or solids at room temperature. Aerosols may include vapors of substances that are normally liquid or solid at room temperature, as well as solid particles or droplets or a combination of solid particles and droplets. In some embodiments, the aerosol comprises nicotine.

The term "aerosol-forming substrate" as used herein refers to a material capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate may be heated to volatilise one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. As an alternative to heating or combustion, in some cases the volatile compounds may be released by chemical reaction or by mechanical stimulation (e.g. ultrasound). The aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed in the interior of the cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid, or may comprise solid and liquid components.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plant based material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-free material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenized plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenized tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavourings.

The terms "integral" and "integrally formed" are used herein to describe elements formed in one piece (a single integral piece). The integrally or monolithically formed components may be configured such that they cannot be removed separately from each other without causing structural damage to the piece.

The term "piercing edge" is used herein to describe an edge capable of piercing a cartridge. The piercing edge has a length. The piercing edge may terminate at a piercing end. An example of a piercing edge is a knife edge.

The term "piercing point" is used herein to describe the tip of an object capable of piercing a cartridge. An example of a puncture point is a needle tip.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" also encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, "or" is generally employed in its sense including "one or the other or both" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The term "about" is used herein in conjunction with a numerical value to include normal variations in measured values as would be expected by one of ordinary skill in the art, and should be understood to have the same meaning as "about". The term "about" should be understood to encompass a typical range of error. A typical error range may be, for example, ± 5% of the stated value.

As used herein, "having," "comprising," "including," and the like are used in their open sense and generally mean "including (but not limited to)". It is understood that "consisting essentially of … …", "consisting of … …", and the like are included in the "comprising" and the like.

The words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

The term "substantially" as used herein may be understood as modifying the latter term by at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 98%. The term "non-substantially" as used herein is understood to have the opposite meaning of "substantially", i.e., the following term is modified by no more than 10%, no more than 5%, or no more than 2%.

Any directions mentioned herein, such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," and other directions or orientations, are described herein for clarity and brevity, but are not intended to limit the actual device or system. The devices and systems described herein may be used in a variety of orientations and orientations.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise an aerosol-generating element. The aerosol-generating element may comprise a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace outlet above the liquid fill level. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a conduit for conveying the airflow from the containment portion to the container. A cap with a piercing system may be used with an aerosol-generating device to engage an aerosol-generating element and a cartridge inserted therein. The cap may engage with the body of the aerosol-generating element. According to some embodiments, the cap together with the piercing assembly within the cap form a piercing system for piercing the cartridge.

The aerosol-generating device may be a hookah device. A hookah device may comprise an aerosol-generating element comprising a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The hookah apparatus may include a container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace outlet above the liquid fill level, and a conduit for conveying a flow of gas from the containment portion to the container. A cap with a piercing system may be used with a hookah apparatus to engage an aerosol generating element and a cartridge inserted therein. The cap may engage with the body of the aerosol-generating element. According to some embodiments, the cap together with the piercing assembly within the cap form a piercing system for piercing the cartridge.

The cover may include a frame including a cavity and having a central axis. The cavity may be arranged for receiving the cartridge. The cap may further include a piercing assembly disposed within the cavity and configured to pierce a wall of the cartridge. The cap may advantageously be used for operating the piercing means. This allows the user to pierce the cartridge without having to make direct contact with the piercing element. The cap may also strengthen and protect the piercing assembly. The user also does not need to hold the cartridge after piercing and prior to using the cartridge in a hookah apparatus. This can help prevent leakage and mess from the open cartridge.

The cover may include an outer frame. The outer frame may have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the outer frame is formed from a cylindrical outer wall extending between the first end wall and the open second end. The first end wall may be a top wall. The outer frame may be open at the bottom. The outer frame may define a cavity for receiving the piercing assembly. The cap and piercing assembly may define a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may be a central axis. The longitudinal axis may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem tube. The outer frame may be shaped and sized to appropriately limit the maximum path of movement of the piercing assembly.

The first end wall of the lid may have a protrusion extending into the cavity. The protrusion may be configured to press on a piercing component (e.g., an outer shroud) while leaving a gap between the cover outer frame and the piercing component. The protrusion may be disposed along the central axis. This provides a uniform force distribution. The outer frame may be configured to form a portion of an airflow path through the device. The air gap may also be used to provide thermal insulation between the heating element and the cover.

The piercing assembly may include a body and a piercing element disposed on the body. The body may include an outer shroud defining a cavity. The piercing element may be at least partially disposed within the cavity. The outer shroud may include a cylindrical outer wall extending between a first end wall and an open second end. The outer shield may define a cavity for receiving the piercing element and the inner shield.

According to one embodiment, the outer shield includes a piercing element. The piercing element extends axially downward within the cavity of the outer shield. The piercing element may be integral with the outer shield or may be attached to the interior of the first end wall of the outer shield.

The piercing element may have any suitable shape for piercing the wall of the cartridge. For example, the piercing element may comprise one or more piercing edges or piercing points. The piercing edge or point is configured to pierce a wall (e.g., a top wall) of the cartridge. The number of piercing points or edges is not particularly limited. The piercing element may have only a single piercing point or edge. The piercing element may have a plurality of piercing points or edges. For example, the piercing element may have 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, or 8 or more piercing points or edges. The piercing elements may have 20 or fewer, 15 or fewer, 12 or fewer, 10 or fewer, or 8 or fewer piercing points or edges. In one embodiment, the piercing elements are shaped like an inverted crown with a plurality of piercing points extending downward. The inverted crown may have 4 to 10 or 6 to 8 pierce points or edges.

The piercing assembly may include an inner shield. The inner shield may be configured to fit at least partially within the cavity of the outer shield. The inner shroud may have an outer wall including a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions may be cylindrical elements having different diameters. The first portion may be a cylindrical wall having a first diameter and the second portion may be a cylindrical wall having a second diameter. The second diameter may be greater than the first diameter. The second portion may be coaxial with and below the first portion such that a shoulder is formed at a transition between the first portion and the second portion. The shoulder may support a compression spring. The compression spring may fit around the first portion. The compression spring may extend from the shoulder to the first end wall of the outer shroud.

The outer wall of the inner shroud may extend between the first end wall and the open second end. The inner shield may define a cavity for receiving the cartridge. The inner shroud may have an opening at the first end wall. The opening may be configured to receive a piercing element. The opening may further comprise one or more recesses or channels to facilitate the flow of air through the inner shield when the piercing element is received in the opening.

The outer and inner shrouds may include a track and pin system to guide movement of the outer and inner shrouds relative to each other. The outer shield may be vertically movable, horizontally movable, or both vertically and horizontally movable. The inner shroud may be vertically movable, horizontally movable, or both vertically and horizontally movable. In one embodiment, the inner shroud defines a track and the outer shroud includes one or more pins. Alternatively, the track may be defined in the outer shroud and the one or more pins may be on the inner shroud. In one embodiment, the outer shroud includes one or more pins extending radially inward from its cylindrical outer wall. The inner shroud may include one or more tracks corresponding to the one or more pins. One or more rails may be provided on the second (lower) portion of the inner shroud. The one or more rails may define a plurality of positions of the outer shroud. For example, the one or more tracks may define a first position as a rest position, a second position as a piercing position, and a third position as a use position. The compression spring biases the outer shroud upward when the outer shroud is in the second position. The one or more tracks may also define a fourth position as the release position. The compression spring biases the outer shroud upward when the outer shroud is in the fourth position. As the compression spring biases the outer shroud upward, it also biases the cover outer frame upward.

The outer shield may be depressed (e.g., by a user pressing on the cover outer frame) from a first position to a second position. Upon entering the second position, the piercing element engages and pierces the cartridge. When pressure is released from the outer shroud, the compression spring returns the outer shroud upward to the third position. In the third position, the airflow path is open through an opening formed in the cartridge. The airflow path may open between the exterior of the hookah apparatus and the container. A user may use the hookah apparatus by drawing on the mouthpiece. To release and remove the cover, the user may press again on the outer shield (e.g., by pressing on the cover outer frame), causing the outer shield to move to the fourth position. The compression spring returns the outer shroud from the fourth position to the initial first position (rest position).

The bottom of the cover outer frame may be attached to the support plate. The support plate may be configured to retain the piercing assembly within the cavity of the outer frame. The support plate may be a substantially circular plate having a central aperture extending through the plate. The aperture may be sized to receive the cartridge. The aperture may also be sized to receive a receptacle that may receive a cartridge. The bore may have an angled inner edge tapered laterally inward thereon. The angled inner edge may assist in engaging the cap with the aerosol-generating element and receiving the cartridge in the inner shroud. The support plate may be attached in any suitable manner, such as by an adhesive or by a coupling element, such as a screw, clip, threaded coupling, snap fit, or friction fit.

The cap and piercing assembly may include a gripping element configured to grip the cartridge. The gripping elements may include a ring member and one or more gripping fingers extending from the ring member. The gripping fingers may be spring fingers biased radially toward the central axis. The grip element may be positioned within the inner shield. The gripping elements may be oriented with one or more gripping fingers pointing upward. The ring member may define a cartridge body when the cartridge is received in the inner shroud. The one or more gripping fingers may be configured such that the ends of the gripping fingers abut the upper flange of the cartridge. The one or more gripping fingers may have a length less than the height of the cartridge. When the cap is removed, the cartridge is removed with the cap due to the gripping fingers abutting the flange and is thus prevented from falling out of the cavity of the inner shield.

The cap and piercing assembly may be made of any suitable material. Suitable materials include plastics, metals, ceramics, glass, and combinations thereof. Different parts of the piercing assembly may be made of different materials. For example, some portions such as the outer and inner shields may be made of plastic while other portions such as the springs and gripping elements may be made of metal. Other combinations are possible.

When a user uses a hookah device having a lid and a piercing assembly according to embodiments, the user may begin to place the cartridge in the receptacle of the hookah device and place the lid on or in the aerosol-generating element such that the cartridge is received in the inner shield. If the cap includes a gripping element, the gripping fingers of the gripping element may slide through the top of the cartridge such that the gripping fingers grip the cartridge. The user may then push on the cap to pierce the cartridge. As the user pushes on the lid, the pins of the outer shield slide along a path formed by the tracks in the inner shield, guiding the outer shield to a piercing position, wherein the piercing element pierces the top of the cartridge. After the user releases the lid, the compression spring pushes the lid frame and outer shield upward to the operating position. In the operative position, an air path through the cartridge is open. After using the hookah apparatus, the user may push on the lid again to release the lid. The track and pin system will guide the movement of the cover and outer shield, allowing the spring to return the cover to its original (rest) position. The user may then remove the cover from the device.

In some embodiments, the hookah apparatus includes a second piercing assembly. The second piercing assembly may be disposed at an upper end of the stem tube below the cartridge. The second piercing assembly may extend from the base of the receptacle into the receptacle in a direction away from the base of the receptacle. The cartridge may also be pressed against the second piercing assembly when the cap and piercing assembly are depressed. The cap is pierceable by two piercing assemblies. The piercing assembly can pierce the top and bottom walls of the cartridge.

The cartridge may comprise any suitable body defining a cavity. The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided in the cavity of the cartridge. The body is preferably formed of one or more heat resistant materials, such as a heat resistant metal or polymer. The body may comprise a thermally conductive material. For example, the body may include any one of the following: aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, any alloy thereof, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the body comprises aluminium.

The cartridge may be of any suitable shape. For example, the cartridge may have a shape configured to be received by a hookah apparatus. The cartridge may have a generally cubic, cylindrical, frustoconical or any other suitable shape. Preferably, the cartridge has a substantially cylindrical or frustoconical shape.

The hookah device is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge. The device may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge by conduction. The shape and size of the cartridge is preferably designed to allow contact with, or minimise the distance between, the heating element of the hookah apparatus to provide efficient heat transfer from the heating element to the aerosol generating substrate in the cartridge. Heat may be generated by any suitable mechanism, such as by resistive heating or by induction. To facilitate induction heating, the cartridge may be provided with a susceptor. For example, the cartridge body may be made of or include a material capable of acting as a susceptor (e.g., aluminum), or a susceptor material may be disposed within the chamber of the cartridge. The susceptor material may be provided in the cavity of the cartridge in any form, such as a powder, a solid mass, chips, etc.

Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be provided in the cavity defined by the body of the cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds. The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of releasing a compound that can form an aerosol. The volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The volatile compounds may be released by chemical reaction or by mechanical stimulation (e.g., ultrasound). The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid, or may comprise solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The nicotine-containing aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a nicotine salt substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plant based material. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises tobacco. Preferably, the tobacco containing material comprises volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenized tobacco material. Homogenized tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-free material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenized plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavourings. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is a hookah substrate. A hookah substrate is understood to mean a consumable material suitable for use in a hookah apparatus. The hookah base may include molasses.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, chips, strands, ribbons or sheets. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain one or more of the following: herbal leaf, tobacco vein segment, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, and expanded tobacco.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. Suitable aerosol-forming agents include compounds or mixtures of compounds which, in use, facilitate the formation of a dense and stable aerosol and are substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperatures of the hookah apparatus. Suitable aerosol-forming agents are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, and glycerin; esters of polyhydric alcohols such as monoacetin, diacetin, or triacetin; and fatty acid esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Particularly preferred aerosol formers are polyols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol and most preferably glycerol. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise any suitable amount of aerosol-former. For example, the aerosol former content of the substrate may be equal to or greater than 5% by dry weight, and preferably greater than 30% by weight by dry weight. The aerosol former content may be less than about 95% by dry weight. Preferably, the aerosol former is present in an amount of up to about 55%.

The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises nicotine and at least one aerosol former. In some embodiments, the aerosol former is glycerin or a mixture of glycerin and one or more other suitable aerosol formers, such as those listed above.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients such as flavourings and sweeteners. In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises any suitable amount of one or more sugars. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises invert sugar. Invert sugar is a mixture of glucose and fructose obtained by splitting sucrose. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises from about 1% to about 40% by weight of a sugar, such as invert sugar. In some examples, one or more sugars can be mixed with a suitable carrier such as corn starch or maltodextrin.

In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises one or more sensory enhancers. Suitable sensory enhancers include flavoring agents and sensory agents, such as cooling agents. Suitable flavoring agents include natural or synthetic menthol, peppermint, spearmint, coffee, tea, flavors (such as cinnamon, clove, ginger, or combinations thereof), cocoa, vanilla, fruit flavors, chocolate, eucalyptus, geranium, eugenol, agave, juniper, anethole, linalool, and any combinations thereof.

In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a suspension. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise molasses. As used herein, "molasses" refers to an aerosol-forming substrate composition comprising about 20% or more of sugar. For example, the molasses may include at least about 25% by weight sugar, such as at least about 35% by weight sugar. Typically, the molasses will contain less than about 60% by weight sugar, such as less than about 50% by weight sugar.

Any suitable amount of aerosol-forming substrate (e.g. molasses or tobacco substrate) may be provided in the cavity. In some preferred embodiments, from about 3g to about 25g of aerosol-forming substrate is provided in the cavity. The cartridge may comprise at least 6g, at least 7g, at least 8g or at least 9g of aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may contain up to 15g, up to 12 g; up to 11g, or up to 10g of aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably, about 7g to about 13g of aerosol-forming substrate is provided in the cavity.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The term "thermally stable" as used herein refers to a material that does not substantially degrade at the temperature to which the matrix is typically heated (e.g., about 150 ℃ to about 300 ℃). The support may comprise a thin layer on which the substrate is deposited on the first major surface, the second major outer surface, or both the first major surface and the second major surface. The carrier may be formed from, for example, paper or paper-like material, a non-woven carbon fibre mat, a low mass open mesh metal screen, or a perforated metal foil or any other thermally stable polymer matrix. Alternatively, the carrier may be in the form of a powder, granules, pellets, chips, noodles, strips or sheets. The carrier may be a nonwoven fabric or a tow of fibers having incorporated therein the tobacco component. The nonwoven fabric or fiber bundle may include, for example, carbon fibers, natural cellulose fibers, or cellulose-derived fibers.

The body of the cartridge may include one or more walls. In some embodiments, the body includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall. The sidewall may be cylindrical or frustoconical, extending from the bottom to the top. The body may comprise one or more parts. For example, the side wall and the bottom wall may be a unitary, single part. The side wall and the bottom wall may be two parts configured to engage each other in any suitable manner. For example, the side wall and the bottom wall may be configured to engage one another by a threaded engagement or an interference fit. The side wall and the bottom wall may be two parts joined together. For example, the side walls and the bottom wall may be joined together by welding or by adhesive. The top and side walls may be a single integral part. The side wall and the top wall may be two parts configured to engage each other in any suitable manner. For example, the side wall and the top wall may be configured to engage one another by a threaded engagement or an interference fit. The side wall and the top wall may be two parts joined together. For example, the side walls and the top wall may be joined together by welding or by an adhesive. The top wall, side walls and bottom wall may each be a single integral part. The top wall, side walls and bottom wall may be three separate parts configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For example, the top, side and bottom walls may be configured to be joined by a threaded engagement, an interference fit, welding or an adhesive.

One or more walls of the body may form a heatable wall or surface. As used herein, "heatable wall" and "heatable surface" mean the area of a wall or surface to which heat may be applied, either directly or indirectly. The heatable wall or surface may serve as a heat transfer surface through which heat may be transferred from the exterior of the body to the cavity or the inner surface of the cavity.

Preferably, the body of the cartridge has a length (e.g., axial length along a vertical central axis) of about 15cm or less. In some embodiments, the length of the body is about 10cm or less. The body may have an inner diameter of about 1cm or greater. The body may have an inner diameter of about 1.75cm or greater. The cartridge may have about 25cm in the cavity²To about 100cm²E.g. about 70cm²To about 100cm²Of the heatable surface area of (a). The volume of the cavity may be about 10cm³To about 50cm³(ii) a Preferably about 25cm³To about 40cm³. In some embodiments, the length of the body is in a range from about 3.5cm to about 7 cm. The body may have an inner diameter of about 1.5cm to about 4 cm. The body may have about 30cm in the cavity²To about 100cm²Such as about 70cm²To about 100cm²Of the heatable surface area of (a). The volume of the cavity may be about 10cm³To about 50cm³(ii) a Preferably about 25cm³To about 40cm³. Preferably, the body is cylindrical or frusto-conical.

The cartridge body may include one or more openings or vents through one or more walls of the body. The vent may be an inlet, an outlet, or both. The ventilation holes may be provided in the bottom wall, top wall, sides of the cartridge or in a group thereofAnd (6) closing. In some embodiments, the cartridge does not include any pre-formed openings or vents. In some embodiments, the cartridge includes a pre-formed opening or vent in only one wall. For example, the cartridge may include only an opening or vent in the bottom wall. In some embodiments, one or more inlets or one or more outlets are formed in the cartridge wall by a piercing assembly to allow air to flow through the aerosol-forming substrate when the cartridge is used with a hookah apparatus. In some embodiments, one or more inlets and outlets are formed in the cartridge wall by a piercing assembly to allow air to flow through the aerosol-forming substrate when the cartridge is used with a hookah apparatus. In some embodiments, the bottom wall of the cartridge may define one or more openings to form one or more outlets of the cartridge. Preferably, the one or more inlets and outlets are sized and shaped to provide a suitable Resistance To Draw (RTD) through the cartridge. In some examples, the RTD through the cartridge from the one or more inlets to the one or more outlets may be about 10mm H₂O to about 50mm H₂O, preferably about 20mm H₂O to about 40mm H₂And O. The RTD of the sample refers to the static pressure difference between the two ends of the sample as the gas flow traverses the sample under steady conditions where the volumetric flow rate at the output end is 17.5 ml/sec. The RTD of the sample can be measured using the method specified in ISO Standard 6565: 2002.

The one or more openings in the body (once formed) may cover 5% or more, 10% or more, 15% or more, 20% or more, or 25% or more of the area of the wall in which the openings are located. For example, if the opening is on the top wall, the opening may cover at least 5% of the area of the top wall. The one or more openings in the body may cover 75% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, or 30% or less of the area of the wall in which the openings are located.

The cartridge may further comprise a seal or layer covering the one or more pre-formed openings prior to use. The cartridge may include a first removable seal covering the one or more inlets and a second removable seal covering the one or more outlets. The first and second seals are preferably sufficient to prevent air flow through the inlet and outlet to prevent leakage of the cartridge contents and to extend shelf life. The seal may comprise a peelable label of sticker, foil or the like. The seal may comprise a pierceable label of a sticker, foil or the like. The label, sticker or foil may be affixed to the cartridge in any suitable manner, such as by adhesive, crimping, welding or otherwise joining to the container. The seal may include a tab that can be grasped to peel or remove the label, sticker, or foil from the cartridge.

In some embodiments, the cartridge is a hookah cartridge that can be used with any suitable hookah apparatus. Preferably, the hookah device is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge sufficiently to form an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate, but not to burn the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, a hookah device may be configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature of between about 150 ℃ and about 300 ℃; more preferably from about 180 ℃ to about 250 ℃ or from about 200 ℃ to about 230 ℃.

The hookah apparatus may comprise a receptacle for receiving the cartridge. The hookah apparatus may include a heating element configured to contact or approach the body of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the receptacle. The heating element may form at least a portion of the receptacle. For example, the heating element may form at least a portion of a surface of the receptacle. The hookah may be configured to transfer heat from the heating element to the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity by conduction. In some embodiments, the heating element comprises an electric heating element. In some embodiments, the heating element comprises a resistive heating element. For example, the heating element may include one or more resistive wires or other resistive elements. The resistance wire may be in contact with a thermally conductive material to distribute the heat generated over a wider area. Examples of suitable conductive materials include aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, and combinations thereof. The heating element may form at least a portion of a surface of the receptacle.

The hookah apparatus may include control electronics operably coupled to the heating element. The control electronics may be configured to control heating of the heating element. The control electronics may be configured to control the temperature to which the aerosol-forming substrate is heated in the cartridge. The control electronics may be provided in any suitable form and may, for example, include a controller or a memory and controller. The controller may include one or more of the following: an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) state machine, a digital signal processor, a gate array, a microprocessor, or a comparable discrete or Integrated logic Circuit. The control electronics may include a memory containing instructions that cause one or more components of the circuit to implement a function or aspect of the control electronics. The functions attributable to the control electronics in the present disclosure may be embodied as one or more of software, firmware, and hardware.

The electronic circuit may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The electronic circuit may be configured to regulate the supply of electrical power. Power may be supplied to the heater element in the form of current pulses.

In some examples, the control electronics may be configured to monitor the resistance of the heating element and control the supply of power to the heating element in dependence on the resistance of the heating element. In this way, the control electronics can regulate the temperature of the resistive element.

The hookah apparatus may include a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple. The temperature sensor may be operatively coupled to the control electronics to control the temperature of the heating element. The temperature sensor may be positioned at any suitable location. For example, a temperature sensor may be configured to be inserted into a cartridge received within the receptacle to monitor the temperature of the heated aerosol-forming substrate. Additionally or alternatively, the temperature sensor may be in contact with the heating element. Additionally or alternatively, a temperature sensor may be positioned to detect the temperature at the aerosol outlet of the hookah apparatus or portion thereof. The sensor may transmit a signal to the control electronics regarding the sensed temperature. The control electronics can adjust the heating of the heating element in response to a signal that achieves a suitable temperature at the sensor.

The control electronics may be operably coupled to the power source. The hookah apparatus may include any suitable power source. For example, the power source of the hookah apparatus may be a battery or battery pack. The battery of the power source may be rechargeable, removable and replaceable, or rechargeable and removable and replaceable. Any suitable battery may be used. For example, heavy duty or standard batteries exist on the market, such as batteries for industrial heavy duty power tools. Alternatively, the power supply may be any type of power supply, including a super capacitor. Alternatively, the components may be connected to an external power source, and electrically and electronically designed for such purposes. Regardless of the type of power source employed, the power source preferably provides sufficient energy to function the assembly normally during at least one hookah period until the aerosol is depleted from the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge before the device is recharged or needs to be connected to an external power source. Preferably, the power source provides sufficient energy to allow the assembly to function properly for continuous operation of the device for at least about 70 minutes before the device is recharged or otherwise needs to be connected to an external power source.

In one example, a hookah device comprises an aerosol generating element comprising a cartridge receptacle, a heating element, an aerosol outlet and an air inlet. The cartridge receptacle is configured to receive a cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate according to the present disclosure. The heating element may define at least a portion of a surface of the receptacle.

The hookah apparatus includes an air inlet passage fluidly connected to the receptacle. In use, as the substrate inside the cartridge is heated, the aerosol former component in the substrate is caused to vaporise. Air flowing through the cartridge from the air inlet passage entrains aerosol generated from the aerosol former component in the cartridge.

Some electrically heated hookah apparatuses employ preheated air and typically employ an airflow path such that the air travels near the heat source when drawn. In addition, some electrically heated hookah apparatuses employ elements that increase radiant heat transfer by increasing the surface area that is heated.

The air inlet passage may comprise one or more apertures through the cartridge-receiving portion such that air from outside the hookah apparatus may flow through the passage and into the cartridge-receiving portion through the one or more apertures. If the channel includes more than one aperture, the channel may include a manifold to direct air flowing through the channel to each aperture. Preferably, the hookah apparatus comprises two or more air inlet channels.

As described above, the cartridge includes one or more openings (such as an inlet or an outlet) formed in the body that allow air to flow through the cartridge. If the receptacle includes one or more inlet apertures, at least some of the inlets in the cartridge may be aligned with the apertures in the top of the receptacle. The cartridge may include an alignment feature configured to mate with a complementary alignment feature of the receptacle to align the inlet of the cartridge with the aperture of the receptacle when the cartridge is inserted into the receptacle.

Air entering the cartridge may flow through or past or both the aerosol-forming substrate, entrain aerosol, exiting the cartridge and receptacle via the aerosol outlet. The aerosol-laden air enters the container of the hookah apparatus from the aerosol outlet via the rod tube.

The hookah apparatus may comprise any suitable container defining an internal volume configured to contain a liquid and defining an outlet in a headspace above a liquid fill level. The container may include an optically clear or opaque shell to allow a consumer to view the contents contained in the container. The container may include a liquid fill boundary, such as a liquid fill line. The reservoir housing may be formed of any suitable material. For example, the container housing may comprise glass or a suitable rigid plastic material. Preferably, the container is removable from the portion of the hookah assembly comprising the aerosol generating element to allow a consumer to fill, clean or clean the container.

The consumer can fill the container to a liquid fill level. The liquid preferably comprises water, which may optionally be injected with one or more coloring, flavoring or coloring and flavoring agents. For example, water may be injected with one or both of the plant and herbal infusions.

Aerosol entrained in air exiting the aerosol outlet of the receptacle may travel through a conduit positioned in the container. The conduit may be coupled to the aerosol outlet of the aerosol-generating element and may have an opening below the liquid fill level of the container, such that aerosol flowing through the container flows through the opening of the conduit, then through the liquid into the headspace of the container, and out through the headspace outlet for delivery to a consumer.

The headspace outlet may be coupled to a hose that includes a mouthpiece for delivering the aerosol to a consumer. The mouthpiece may comprise an activation element, such as a switch actuable by a user, a puff sensor arranged to detect a puff by a user on the mouthpiece, or both a switch and a puff sensor actuable by a user. The activation element is operatively coupled to the control electronics of the hookah apparatus. The activation element may be wirelessly coupled to the control electronics. Activation of the activation element may cause the control electronics to activate the heating element rather than constantly energizing the heating element. Thus, the use of an actuating element may serve to save energy relative to devices that do not employ such elements to provide on-demand heating rather than constant heating.

For purposes of example, a method of using a hookah apparatus as described herein is provided below chronologically. The container can be separated from the other components of the hookah apparatus and filled with water. One or more of natural fruit juice, botanicals, and herbal infusions can be added to water for flavoring. The amount of liquid added should cover a portion of the conduit but should not exceed the fill level indicia that may optionally be present on the container. The container is then reassembled to the hookah apparatus. The cartridge may be placed in the receptacle. The lid may be placed over the receptacle and cartridge such that the cartridge is received in the cavity inside the lid. The user may press the cap down against the cartridge such that the piercing element engages the cartridge to pierce one or more walls of the cartridge. The device can then be switched on. The switch-on device may activate a heating profile of the heating element to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at or above the vaporisation temperature but below the combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate evaporate, thereby generating an aerosol. The user may puff the mouthpiece as desired. The user may continue to use the device as desired, or until no more aerosol is visible or delivered. In some embodiments, the device may be arranged to automatically shut off when the cartridge or a compartment of the cartridge is depleted of available aerosol-forming substrate. In some embodiments, the consumer may refill the device with a fresh cartridge after receiving an indication from the device that the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge is depleted or nearly depleted, for example. The consumer can turn off the hookah apparatus at any time, for example, by turning off the apparatus.

The hookah apparatus may have any suitable air management. In one example, the suction action of the user will create a suction effect, causing a depression inside the device, which will cause outside air to flow through the air inlet of the device, into the air inlet channel and into the receptacle. The air may then flow into the cartridge in the receptacle and entrain the aerosol generated by the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-laden air then exits the aerosol outlet of the receptacle and flows through the conduit into the liquid inside the container. The aerosol will then gush out of the liquid and into the headspace above the liquid level in the container, flowing out of the headspace outlet and delivered to the consumer through the hose and mouthpiece. The flow of outside air and the flow of aerosol inside the hookah apparatus may be driven by the user's suction action.

Drawings

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which depict one or more embodiments described in the disclosure. However, it should be understood that other embodiments not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like parts. The use of different numbers to refer to parts in different figures is not intended to indicate that the different numbered parts cannot be the same or similar to other numbered parts. The drawings are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The schematic drawings presented in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a hookah apparatus.

Fig. 2A and 2B are schematic top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a body of a hookah cartridge for use in the hookah apparatus of fig. 1, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3A is a schematic bottom view of a hookah cartridge after being pierced by a piercing assembly, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3B is a schematic top view of a hookah cartridge used in the hookah apparatus of fig. 1, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4A and 4B are schematic views of a hookah apparatus and lid with a piercing assembly in use, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional side view of the cap and piercing system of fig. 4A, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5B is an exploded view of the cap and piercing system of fig. 5A.

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a lid frame of the lid and piercing system of fig. 4A, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the cap and outer shield of the piercing system of FIG. 4A.

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a spring of the cap and piercing system of fig. 4A, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the cap and inner shield of the piercing system of fig. 4A.

Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the cap and support ring of the piercing system of fig. 4A, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a gripping element of the cap and piercing system of fig. 4A, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 12A and 12B are schematic cross-sectional side and bottom views, respectively, of the cap of fig. 4A and the outer shield of the piercing system, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 13A-13D are side views of a track and pin in different positions during use of the cap and piercing system of fig. 4, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional partial view of use of the cap and piercing system of fig. 4A, according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a hookah apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 includes a vessel 17 defining an internal volume configured to contain a liquid 19 and defining a headspace outlet 15 above a fill level of the liquid 19. Liquid 19 preferably includes water, which may optionally be injected with one or more coloring agents, one or more flavoring agents, or one or more coloring agents and one or more flavoring agents. For example, water may be injected with one or both of the plant and herbal infusions.

The device 100 further comprises an aerosol-generating element 130. The aerosol-generating element 130 comprises a receptacle 140 configured to receive a cartridge 200 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating element 130 further comprises a heating element 160. The heating element 160 may form at least one surface of the receptacle 140. In the depicted embodiment, the heating element 160 defines a side surface of the receptacle 140. The aerosol-generating element 130 further comprises an air inlet channel 170 which draws air into the device 100. In some embodiments, a portion of the air inlet channel 170 is formed by the heating element 160 to heat the air before the air enters the receptacle 140. The preheated air then enters the cartridge 200 (which is also heated by the heating element 160) to carry the aerosol generated by the aerosol former and aerosol-forming substrate. Air exits the outlet of the aerosol-generating element 130 and enters the conduit 190.

The conduit 190 carries the air and aerosol below the level of the liquid 19 in the container 17. Air and aerosol can bubble through the liquid 19 and exit the headspace outlet 15 of the container 17. A hose 20 may be attached to the headspace outlet 15 to carry the aerosol into the user's mouth. The mouthpiece 25 may be attached to the hose 20 or formed as part of the hose.

In use, an exemplary air flow path of the device is indicated by the bold arrows in fig. 1.

The mouthpiece 25 may comprise an activation element 27. The activation element 27 may be a switch, button, etc., or may be a suction sensor, etc. The actuating member 27 may be placed in any other suitable location on the device 100. The activation element 27 may be in wireless communication with the control electronics 30 to place the device 100 in use or to cause the control electronics to activate the heating element 160; for example, by having power source 35 power heating element 160.

The control electronics 30 and power supply 35 may be located at any suitable location of the aerosol-generating element 130, including locations other than the bottom portion of the element 130 as shown in figure 1.

Referring now to fig. 2A and 2B, various embodiments of the body 210 are shown. The body 210 may include side walls 212, a top wall 215, and a bottom wall 213 that define a cavity 218. As shown, the sidewall 212 may be cylindrical or frustoconical. Fig. 2A shows the body 210 with a portion of the top 215 removed, showing a cavity 218 inside the body. The body 210 may define a central axis a extending through the body 210. As shown in fig. 2B, the top may include a flange 219 extending from the sidewall 212.

Referring now to fig. 3A and 3B, one or both of the top 215 and bottom 213 of the body may have a plurality of apertures 217, 216 to allow airflow through the cartridge when the cartridge is in use. The aperture 217 of the top 215 may be formed by a piercing assembly. The cartridge 200 may also or alternatively include apertures along the sidewall 212. The aperture 216 of the base 213 may be blocked by a peelable seal or liner when the cartridge is stored prior to use, or may be formed by a second piercing assembly on the side of the base wall.

In figure 4A there is shown a partial schematic view of a hookah apparatus having a lid 400 and a piercing assembly 401. The cover 400 may include an outer frame 410 that houses the piercing assembly 401. The piercing assembly 401 may include an outer shroud 420 and a piercing element 440 on an inner wall of the outer shroud 420. In some embodiments, such as those shown, piercing element 440 may be disposed on inner end wall 421. The piercing assembly 401 may further include an inner shield 430 disposed at least partially within the outer shield. The piercing element 440 may be oriented towards the cartridge 200 placed within the receptacle of the hookah apparatus 100. As shown in fig. 4B, once cartridge 200 has been pierced by piercing assembly 401, an airflow path is established through cartridge 200.

Examples of the cap 400 and piercing assembly 401 are shown in fig. 5A and 5B. Detailed views of each of the elements of the cap 400 and piercing assembly 401 are shown in fig. 6-11. The cap 400 and piercing assembly 401 may define a longitudinal axis a. The longitudinal axis a may be a central axis. The longitudinal axis a may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem tube 190.

The lid outer frame 410 shown in fig. 6 may include a cylindrical outer wall 413 extending between a first end wall 411 and an open second end 412. The outer frame 410 may define a cavity 419 for receiving the piercing assembly 401. The first end wall 411 may have a protrusion 414 extending from the inner wall. The protrusion 414 may be configured to press on the outer shroud 420 while leaving a gap between the cover outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420.

The cap 400 may include a gripping element 450, shown in fig. 11, configured to grip the cartridge 200. The gripping element 450 may include a ring member 451 and one or more gripping fingers 452. One or more gripping fingers 452 extend from the ring member 451 to the upper end 453. As shown in fig. 5A, the grasping element 450 may be positioned within the inner shield 430. The one or more gripping fingers 452 may be configured such that when the cartridge 200 is received in the inner shield 430, an end of the gripping finger 452 abuts an upper flange of the cartridge 200.

The outer frame 410 may optionally include threaded holes 462 configured for fastening a support plate 460 (fig. 10) to the bottom of the outer frame 410. Alternatively, the support plate 460 may be secured by other means (e.g., by an adhesive). The support plate 460 may be a substantially circular plate having a central aperture 461 extending through the plate. As shown in fig. 5A, support plate 460 may be sized to retain piercing assembly 401 within cavity 419 of outer frame 410.

The outer shroud 420 shown in fig. 7, 12A, and 12B is configured to fit at least partially within the cavity 419 of the cover outer frame 410. The outer shroud 420 may include a cylindrical outer wall 423 extending between a first end wall 421 and an open second end 422. The outer shroud 420 may define a cavity 429 for receiving the piercing element 440 and the inner shroud 430. Outer shroud 420 includes a piercing element 440. The piercing elements 440 extend axially downward within the cavity of the outer shield 420. The piercing element 440 is centered with respect to the longitudinal axis a of the outer shroud 420. The piercing element 440 may be integral with the outer shield 420 or may be attached to the interior of the first end wall 421 of the outer shield 420. Piercing element 440 may include one or more piercing edges or piercing points 441. The piercing edge or point 441 is configured to pierce a wall (e.g., a top wall) of the cartridge 200. Piercing element 440 may have a width W440. The width W440 may be configured such that the piercing element 440 can fit through the opening 437 on the inner shield 430. The outer shroud 420 may include a bottom flange 427. A bottom flange 427 may extend outwardly from the bottom of the outer wall 423.

The inner shroud 430 shown in fig. 9 is configured to fit at least partially within the cavity 429 of the outer shroud 420. The inner shield 430 may have an outer wall including a first portion 433 and a second portion 434. The first portion 433 may be a cylindrical wall having a first diameter and the second portion 434 may be a cylindrical wall having a second diameter. The second diameter may be greater than the first diameter. First portion 433 and second portion 434 may be separated by a shoulder 435. Shoulder 435 may be configured to support compression spring 470. The compression spring 470 may fit around the first portion 433. The ends of the compression spring 470 may bear against the shoulder 435 such that the spring may compress against the shoulder 435. The outer wall of the inner shroud 430 may extend between a first end wall 431 and an open second end 432. The inner shield 440 may define a cavity 439 for receiving the cartridge 200. The inner shroud 430 may have an opening 437 at the first end wall 431. The opening 437 may be configured to receive the piercing element 440. The opening 437 may further include one or more channels 438 to facilitate airflow through the inner shield 430 when the piercing element 440 is received in the opening 437.

The outer shroud 420 and the inner shroud 430 may include a rail and pin system to guide movement of the outer shroud 420. The outer shroud 420 may include one or more pins 425 extending radially inward from its cylindrical outer wall 423. The inner shroud 430 may include one or more tracks 436 corresponding to one or more pins 425. An exemplary track 436 and path guided by the track 436 are shown in fig. 13A-13D. First, the outer cover frame 410 and the outer shield 420 are in the first position P1. The first position P1 may be considered a rest position. The guide track may include a first portion and a second portion. The guide track may comprise a second position P2, which may be a piercing position of the piercing element. The first portion may define a first distance between said first position P1 and a second position P2. The first portion may define a third position P3. The third position P3 may be a use position. The second portion may define a second distance between the third position P3 and the fourth position P4. The second distance may be shorter than the first distance. The first portion may guide the track pin in an axial direction and in a radial direction. A force may be applied to the lid outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420, for example, the lid 410 may be depressed (e.g., by a user) to move the pins from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (see arrows in fig. 13A) where the piercing elements 440 engage and pierce the cartridge 200. When the force is removed, for example, when the pressure is released from the lid outer frame 410 and the outer shield 420 (e.g., released by the user), the compression spring 470 returns the lid outer frame 410 and the outer shield 420 upward to the third position P3. The movement of the lid is defined by the first portion of the track during initial pushing of the lid downwardly to pierce the cartridge and release of the lid to allow the lid to return to the third (use) position. In the third position P3, the airflow path is open through an opening formed in the cartridge 200 and open between the exterior of the hookah apparatus and the container. To release and remove the cover 400, the user may press on the outer cover frame 410 again, causing the outer cover frame 410 and the outer shield 420 to move to the fourth position P4, compressing the springs 470 to return the outer cover frame 410 and the outer shield 420 from the fourth position to the initial first position P1. During a second condition of depression on the cover to release the cover, movement of the cover is defined by a second portion of the track.

The operation of the hookah apparatus 100 and the cap 400 and piercing assembly 401 is also schematically illustrated in figure 14. The hookah device 100 comprises an aerosol-generating element 130 having a receptacle 140 configured to receive a cartridge 200 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating element 130 further comprises a heating element 160. The heating element 160 may form a portion of the receptacle 140. The user may begin placing the cartridge 200 in the receptacle 140 (step 1) and place the lid 400 over the cartridge 200 (step 2) such that the cartridge 200 is received in the inner shield 430. If the lid includes gripping elements 450, the top of the cartridge 200 may be slid through the gripping elements 450 such that the gripping fingers 452 grip the cartridge 200. The user may then push on the cap to pierce the cartridge 200 (step 3). After the cover 400 is released, the spring 470 pushes the cover frame 410 and the outer shield 420 upward to an operating position (step 4). In the operating position, the air path through the cartridge 200 is open and the user can use the hookah apparatus as usual. After using the hookah apparatus, the user may again push on the lid 400 to release the lid (step 5). The track and pin system will guide the movement of the cover 400, allowing the spring 470 to return the cover 400 to its starting position (step 6). The user may then remove the cover 400 from the device (step 7).

Accordingly, a piercing system for a hookah apparatus is described. Various modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. While the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in mechanical techniques, chemical techniques, and aerosol-generating article manufacture or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. An aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

an aerosol-generating element comprising a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate;

a container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace outlet above the liquid fill level;

a conduit for conveying a gas flow from the receptacle to the container; and

a cover engageable with the body, the cover comprising:

a frame comprising a cavity and having a central axis, wherein the cavity is arranged for receiving the cartridge; and

a piercing element disposed within the cavity and configured to pierce a wall of the cartridge,

wherein the cover is movable relative to the body between a first position and a second position, between the second position and a third position, and between the third position and the first position, and

wherein the third position is an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, wherein an air path between an external environment, the cavity, and the receptacle is open.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the lid frame comprises a side wall, an open end, and a closed end comprising an end wall, wherein the central axis extends from the open end to the closed end, and wherein the piercing element is oriented to face the open end.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the piercing element is disposed adjacent the closed end.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the piercing element is coaxial with the central axis.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, the cap further comprising a spring element biasing the piercing element away from the receptacle.

6. Aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein in the first position, the piercing element is not engaged with the cartridge received in the receptacle and

wherein in the second position the piercing element engages the cartridge received in the receptacle to pierce the cartridge.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, the cap further comprising an outer shield and an inner shield disposed within the outer shield,

wherein the outer shield comprises the piercing element, and wherein the inner shield defines the lumen, and wherein the outer shield is axially movable relative to the inner shield.

8. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 7, wherein the inner shroud comprises a cylindrical side wall coaxial with the central axis, and an end wall at one end of the cylindrical side wall, the end wall comprising an opening configured to receive the piercing element.

9. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, wherein when the piercing element is received in the end wall opening and the lid is in the third position, a gap configured to allow airflow through the end wall opening of the inner shield is maintained between the piercing element and the end wall of the inner shield.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the inner shroud comprises one or more guide rails and the outer shroud comprises one or more rail pins configured to cooperate with the one or more guide rails.

11. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, wherein each of the one or more guide tracks comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion defining a first distance and the second portion defining a second distance that is shorter than the first distance.

12. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 11, wherein the first portion is configured to guide the track pin in an axial direction and in a radial direction.

13. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the end position of the first portion defines a piercing position of the piercing element.

14. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a second piercing element in the base of the receptacle of the body, wherein the second piercing element extends from the base of the receptacle into the receptacle in a direction away from the base of the receptacle.

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