EP4366568A1

EP4366568A1 - Cartomizer with high protection body for an aerosol generation device

Info

Publication number: EP4366568A1
Application number: EP22737495.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Broderick COBURN; Joao Seco
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2021-07-07
Filing date: 2022-07-05
Publication date: 2024-05-15
Also published as: US20250089771A1; WO2023280813A1

Abstract

A cartomizer (1) equips an aerosol generation device and comprises: a body (4) comprising a reservoir (5) storing an aerosol-forming liquid, and containment walls arranged externally relative to the reservoir (5) and formed of a polymer multilayer structure (19) comprising at least one protection layer (20), acting as a barrier against moisture and/or gas or as an absorber of gas and/or moisture, and outer (21) and inner (22) layers laminated respectively on both outer and inner sides of the protection layer (20); a heater (18) for aerosolizing the aerosol-forming liquid in an aerosol chamber (7) to generate an aerosol; at least one air inlet (11) set upstream of the aerosol chamber (7) and in fluid communication therewith; and an aerosol outlet (16) set downstream of the aerosol chamber (7) and in fluid communication therewith.

Description

CARTOMIZER WITH HIGH PROTECTION BODY FOR AN AEROSOL

GENERATION DEVICE

Field of the invention [01] The present invention relates to an aerosol generation device, and more precisely to a cartomizer intended for equipping an aerosol generation device.

Background [02] The invention concerns aerosol generation devices comprising an electrical and control device and a cartomizer physically and electrically coupled to this electrical and control device, and often named “E-vapor devices”.

[03] Generally the electrical and control device comprises at least : - a power source, possibly a rechargeable battery, storing electrical energy,

- a controller (or control device) electrically coupled to the power source and controlling operation of the cartomizer at least during a vaping session (and possibly during a charging session), and

- optionally, a user interface coupled to this controller and allowing a user to control the controller (and therefore the cartomizer), at least to switch on the aerosol generation device.

[04] Cartomizers usually comprise a body comprising a reservoir arranged for storing an aerosol-forming liquid, a heater for aerosolizing the aerosol forming liquid in an aerosol chamber to generate an aerosol, at least one air inlet set upstream of the aerosol chamber and in fluid communication therewith, and an aerosol outlet set downstream of the aerosol chamber and in fluid communication therewith.

[05] To maintain the quality and freshness of the aerosol-forming liquid before use, sometimes during a year on a shelf, the aerosol-forming liquid needs to be preserved by protection means with barrier properties. Such protection means is intended for protecting against the permeability of gases and vapor. For instance, oxygen has a tendency to oxidize nicotine, which reduces the nicotine concentration in the aerosol-forming liquid and changes the colour of the liquid, that consequently has an impact on the user’s product satisfaction and deviation from the labelled value beyond what is acceptable from a quality and/or legal standpoint. Also for instance, a lot of aerosol-forming liquid comprise hygroscopic components, such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, and nicotine, which all have a tendency to absorb water which negatively influences the user’s sensory experience.

[06] Generally, the overall protection means of the cartomizer, which dictates shelf-life, comprises a structural or secondary packaging, a primary packaging and the cartomizer.

[07] The structural (or secondary) packaging provides actually product information and is in a format enabling shelf compatibility. It is commonly a cardboard with folds, which provides minimal barrier properties due to the low-barrier materials used and its open construction.

[08] The primary packaging usually provides the main barrier properties. It is typically manufactured from materials with very high gas and vapor barrier properties, such as aluminum and/or Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coated with Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) in a blister pack format. The secondary packaging may also comprise an external film that reduces ingress of vapor and/or gas.

[09] The cartomizer, and in particular its body or outer casing, provides actually very low barrier properties due to two main reasons: i) many current cartomizers have an open design (for instance due to air inlet(s)) that allows an air flow to go through the body and mix with the generated vapor to form the aerosol, which exposes the aerosol-forming liquid to the environment, and ii) the body materials used to define the reservoir that houses the aerosol-forming liquid have challenging requirements, such as a high chemical resistance to prevent migration of harmful chemical components or substances to the content of aerosol-forming liquid in quantities which could change its composition or the generated aerosol and thereby could increase the user’s risk. This also applies to the mouthpiece region of the cartomizer which is in contact with the user and therefore must prevent migration of harmful chemical components or substances to saliva. In addition, the cartomizer is a consumable and therefore it is desirable to manufacture its body with high-volume and cost- effective techniques, such as injection molding of thermoplastics. The usual thermoplastics that offer chemical resistance, low cost, and compatibility with high-volume manufacturing, for instance polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC) or co-polyesters, do not have sufficient barrier properties to maintain aerosol-forming liquid freshness or quality at thicknesses that are acceptable from a cost point of view or consumable size (i.e. less than 2mm, and preferably less than 1mm). Indeed, they only provide medium to low gas and/or vapor barrier properties. So, a primary packaging with high or very high barrier properties is required to maintain adequate shelf-life and reduce the rapid degradation of the aerosol-forming liquid in the cartomizer.

[10] The demanding functional barrier properties requirements of the packaging limit the types of materials that can be used, and notably prevent the use of lower-cost and sustainable materials that may be widely recycled or composted, such as cardboard pack, paper flow-wrap or pulp- trays.

[11] Therefore, an object of this invention is to improve the situation, and notably to allow decreasing the barrier properties requirements of the primary or secondary packaging of the cartomizers.

Summary of the invention

[12] The proposed invention provides notably an embodiment of a cartomizer intended for equipping an aerosol generation device and comprising: - a body comprising a reservoir arranged for storing an aerosol-forming liquid and containment walls arranged externally relative to the reservoir,

- a heater for aerosolizing the aerosol-forming liquid in an aerosol chamber to generate an aerosol, - at least one air inlet set upstream of the aerosol chamber and in fluid communication therewith, and

- an aerosol outlet set downstream of the aerosol chamber and in fluid communication therewith.

[13] This cartomizer is characterized in that at least the containment walls of the body are formed of a polymer multilayer structure comprising at least one protection layer and outer and inner layers laminated respectively on both outer and inner sides of this protection layer, the protection layer acting as a barrier against moisture and/or gas or as an absorber of gas and/or moisture. [14] Optionally, the containment walls may be further arranged externally to the aerosol chamber.

[15] Also optionally, the entire body may be formed of the polymer multilayer structure.

[16] Thanks to the invention, the high or very high protection (or barrier properties) is (are) now achieved at least partially by the cartomizer body, which allows a possible use of simpler, lower-cost, and more environmentally friendly (or sustainable) materials for the packaging of the cartomizer.

[17] The embodiment of cartomizer may comprise other aspects or features, considered separately or combined, as defined hereafter.

• The protection layer may act as a barrier against both moisture and gas.

• The protection layer may have a water vapor transmission rate that is less than 10 g/m²/24 hours, preferably less than 6 g/m²/24 hours, and more preferably less than 1 g/m²/24 hours. • The protection layer may have an oxygen transmission rate that is less than 10 cm³/m²/24hr, preferably less than 6 cm³/m²/24 hours, and more preferably less than 3 cm³/m²/24 hours.

• The protection layer is preferably formed of a polymer material that can be injection moulded or thermoformed.

• The polymer material to form the protection layer may have a water vapor transmission rate that is less than 40 g.pm/m²/24 hours, and preferably less than 4 g.pm/m²/24 hours.

• The polymer material to form the protection layer may have an oxygen transmission rate that is less than 40 cm³.pm/m²/24 hours, and preferably less than 4 cm³.pm/m²/24 hours.

• The protection layer may be chosen from a group comprising Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), and a combination thereof. For instance, the protection layer may comprise at least one layer of Ethylene vinyl alcohol and at least one layer of Cyclic Olefin Copolymer.

• At least one of the outer layer and inner layer may be a thermoplastic co-polyester layer or a polyolefin layer. For instance, the polyolefin layer may be chosen from a group comprising polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), or a combination thereof.

• The air inlet(s) and the aerosol outlet(s) may be closed by a removable protection element. For instance, each of the removable protection elements may act as a gas and/or moisture barrier. Also for instance, each of the removable protection elements may be a label or sticker comprising at least one layer made of aluminium and/or a film of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coated with Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) or Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) or Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC). • The removable protection elements may have a water vapor transmission rate that is less than 10 g/m²/24 hours, preferably than 6 g/m²/24 hours, and more preferably less than 1 g/m²/24 hours.

• The removable protection elements may have an oxygen transmission rate that is less than 10 cm³/m²/24 hours, preferably less than 6 cm³/m²/24 hours, and more preferably less than 3 cm³/m²/24 hours.

• At least part of the removable protection elements may be formed of a polymer material having a water vapor transmission rate that is less than 40 g.pm/m²/24 hours, and preferably less than 4 g.pm/m²/24 hours.

• The polymer material to form the at least one layer of the removable protection elements may have an oxygen transmission rate that is less than 40 cm³.pm/m²/24 hours, and preferably less than 4 cm³.pm/m²/24 hours.

• The multilayer structure may be defined by co-injection molding or by co-extrusion or else by lamination followed by die-stamping.

• The body may comprise a mouthpiece comprising the aerosol outlet and allowing a user to inhale the generated aerosol through this aerosol outlet. The mouthpiece may form a part of the containment walls. Alternatively, the mouthpiece may overlay a containment wall of the reservoir.

• The body may comprise an outer wall defining a cavity and forming a part of the containment walls.

• The body may comprise a central conduit between the aerosol-forming chamber and the aerosol outlet.

• The reservoir may be delimited at least partially by the outer wall and the central conduit.

• The body may be formed of a single piece. In an alternative, the body may be formed of two pieces welded together.

[18] The proposed invention also provides an embodiment of an aerosol generation device comprising an electrical and control device and an exchangeable cartomizer such as the one defined above and physically and electrically coupled to this electrical and control device.

[19] The embodiment of aerosol generation device may comprise other features, considered separately or combined, as defined hereafter.

• The electrical and control device may comprise a power source storing electrical energy, a controller electrically coupled to this power source and controlling operation of the cartomizer during a vaping session, and a user interface.

• The power source may be a rechargeable battery.

• The aerosol generation device may constitute an electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette).

Brief description of the figures

[20] The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting examples and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which :

- Figure 1 (FIG.1 ) schematically illustrates an example of embodiment of an electrical and control device of an aerosol generation device according to the invention,

- Figure 2 (FIG.2) schematically illustrates an example of embodiment of a cartomizer according to the invention, intended for being coupled to the electrical and control device of figure 1 ,

- Figure 3 (FIG.3) schematically illustrates, in a sectional view, an example of embodiment of a part of an outer wall of the cartomizer body,

- Figure 4 (FIG.4) schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view, a first example of embodiment of containment walls of a cartomizer according to the invention,

- Figure 5 (FIG.5) schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view, a second example of embodiment of containment walls of a cartomizer according to the invention, and - Figure 6 (FIG.6) schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view, a third example of embodiment of containment walls of a cartomizer according to the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments

[21] The invention aims, notably, at proposing an exchangeable cartomizer 1 configured for protecting the aerosol-forming liquid from ingress of air and/or moisture before use. In particular, the exchangeable cartomizer 1 comprises a body with containment walls 30 arranged externally relative to a reservoir 5 for aerosol-forming liquid. The containment walls 30 at least provide (very) high barrier properties against gas and/or moisture. This exchangeable cartomizer 1 is intended for forming a part of an aerosol generation device (or E-vapor device) 2 also comprising an electrical and control device 3.

[22] In the following description it will be considered that the aerosol generation device 2 is an electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette or else personal vaporizer). But an aerosol generation device 2 according to the invention could be of another type, as soon as it comprises a cartomizer 1 according to the invention and allows the generation of an aerosol by heating an aerosol-forming liquid. So, for instance, the aerosol generation device 2 could be an inhaler.

[23] Moreover, in the following description the aerosol-forming liquid may comprise one or more of nicotinoid(s), cannabinoid(s), caffeine, tobacco material, organic acids, salts, flavoring, and combinations thereof, and a carrier (e.g. a liquid solvent) which may include propylene glycol, glycerin, trimethylene glycol, water, ethanol, and combinations thereof.

[24] Furthermore, in the following description the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of substance as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets and gas. Such a suspension may be in a gas including air.

[25] As illustrated partially in figures 1 and 2, an aerosol generation device 2, according to the invention, comprises an electrical and control device 3 and an exchangeable cartomizer 1 , according to the invention, and intended for being physically and electrically coupled to this electrical and control device 3.

[26] As illustrated in figure 2 an (exchangeable) cartomizer 1 , according to the invention comprises a body 4 comprising a reservoir 5, a heater 18, an aerosol chamber 7, at least one first air inlet 11 and at least one aerosol outlet 16.

[27] The reservoir 5 is arranged for storing an aerosol-forming liquid.

[28] The heater 18 is arranged for aerosolizing the aerosol-forming liquid in the aerosol chamber 7 in order to generate an aerosol when the latter (7) is supplied with air.

[29] The (each) first air inlet 11 is set upstream of the aerosol chamber 7 and in fluid communication therewith, in order to supply it with air originating from outside.

[30] The (each) aerosol outlet 16 is set downstream of the aerosol chamber 7 and in fluid communication therewith, in order to receive the generated aerosol when a user of the aerosol generation device 2 inhales during a vaping session.

[31] For instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 2, the cartomizer body 4 may comprise an internal wall 6 defining the aerosol chamber 7. Also for instance, this internal wall 6 may have an annular shape. The aerosol chamber 7 is fed with air (sucked in by the user) through first air inlet(s) 11 , such as two calibrated apertures, defined in the internal wall 6 (as illustrated by the two small arrows B in figure 2). This air comes from outside, for example through at least one second air inlet 12 defined in the body 4 (as illustrated by the arrow C in figure 2). But, each second air inlet 12 could be defined in a wall of the body 13 of the electrical and control device 3 or by a gap between the cartomizer 1 and the electrical and control device 3.

[32] Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 2, the cartomizer body 4 may comprise a mouthpiece 8 comprising the (each) aerosol outlet 16 and allowing the user to inhale the generated aerosol through this aerosol outlet 16 during a vaping session (as illustrated by the arrows A in figure 2). In this case, the aerosol chamber 7 is fluidly coupled to the mouthpiece 8 by a central conduit (or passage) 9 leading to the aerosol outlet 16. Also for instance, the mouthpiece 8 may be integral with an end 10 of the cartomizer body 4 that receives the generated aerosol from the central conduit 9. But this mouthpiece 8 could be an additional part coupled to the cartomizer body 4.

[33] Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 2, the cartomizer body 4 may comprise an outer wall 17 defining a cavity, and the storage reservoir 5 for the aerosol-forming liquid may be delimited at least partially by this outer wall 17.

[34] In the illustrated example, the aerosol chamber 7 comprises the heater 18 that is arranged for heating the aerosol-forming liquid (originating from the reservoir 5) to generate the aerosol, when it receives electrical energy originating from a power source 23 of the electrical and control device 3. This heater 18 may be a resistive heater, such as a resistive coil, and/or an inductive heater, such as a metallic susceptor. In this case, the heater 18 may comprise one or more electrically activated resistive and/or inductive heating elements. But in a variant not illustrated the heater 18 could be at least partly outside the aerosol chamber 7. The heating can be made by conduction, convection and/or radiation.

[35] For instance, the aerosol-forming liquid can leave the reservoir 5 to reach the aerosol chamber 7 (see the four arrows D) through openings 15 defined in the internal wall 6.

[36] Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 2, the reservoir 5 may have an annular shape and a central passage defining the central conduit (or aerosol passage) 9.

[37] Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 1 , the body 13 of the electrical and control device 3 may define a housing 26 intended for receiving a part of the cartomizer body 4. For instance, a part of the outer wall 17 of the cartomizer body 4 and the bottom of the cartomizer 1 may be received in the housing 26.

[38] Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figures 1 and 2, the physical coupling between the cartomizer body 4 and the body 13 of the electrical and control device 3 can be done by permanent magnets 24 that may be located in the housing 26 and intended for attracting corresponding elements 25 of the cartomizer body 4. But in a variant of embodiment not illustrated, the coupling between the cartomizer body 4 and the body 13 of the electrical and control device 3 could be done by screwing by means of corresponding threaded portions, for instance.

[39] As illustrated in figure 1 the body 13 of the electrical and control device 3 may comprise at least a controller (or control device) 27 and a user interface 28 in addition to the power source 23 (storing electrical energy).

[40] For instance, the power source 23 may be a rechargeable battery. In this case the body 13 may comprise an electrical connector to which a charger cable may be connected during a charging session of the rechargeable battery 23. Such a charger cable may be coupled to an (AC) adapter or to a wall socket.

[41] The controller 27 is electrically coupled to the power source 23 and controls operation of the cartomizer 1 (and notably its heater 18) during a vaping session and also during a possible charging session. For instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 1 , the controller 27 may be fixed onto a printed circuit board 29 (housed in the body 13).

[42] Explicit use of the term “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non volatile storage. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included. The functions of the controller 27 may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually (by the user). These functions may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software.

[43] A user interface 28 may be coupled to the controller 27 and the power source 23 to allow the user to control at least partly the controller 27. For instance, the user interface 28 may comprise a display (such as a screen or light emitting diode (or LED)-type interface) arranged for displaying information relative to a current vaping session or a possible current charging session and for allowing the user to control the controller 27. Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 1 , the user interface 28 may be fixed partly to the printed circuit board 29 to ease and simplify its connections with the controller 27.

[44] Also for instance, the cartomizer 1 and the electrical and control device 3 may comprise respectively electrical pins intended for contacting each other during their coupling to power the heater 18, or optionally an inductive coil, during a vaping session.

[45] Also for instance, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 2, the aerosol chamber 7 may comprise an aerosol-forming liquid transport element 33 to transport aerosol-forming liquid from the openings 15 of the internal wall 6 to the heater 18. For instance, this aerosol-forming liquid transport element 33 may be a capillary element (possibly a capillary wick) having two opposite ends set in front of the openings 15, and possibly against the latter (and therefore against the internal surface of the internal wall 6). But in a variant of embodiment not illustrated, the aerosol forming liquid transport element 33 may traverse two large openings (larger than those referenced 15) and defined in the internal wall 6 to finish in the reservoir 5. These large openings may seal the aerosol-forming liquid transport element 33 at its circumference to avoid by-pass of liquid around it. The capillary element 33 can be a fiber or ceramic rod, for instance. For instance, the heater 18 may comprise a resistive coil wound around the capillary element 33 and connected to internal electrodes via lead wires.

[46] According to the invention, and as illustrated in the non-limiting example of figure 3, the cartomizer body 4 comprises containment walls 30 arranged externally relative to the reservoir 5, and at least these containment walls 30 are formed of a polymer multilayer structure 19. This polymer multilayer structure 19 comprises at least one protection layer 20 and outer 21 and inner 22 layers laminated respectively on both outer and inner sides of the protection layer 20. The (each) protection layer 20 acts as a barrier against moisture and/or gas or as an absorber of gas and/or moisture. So, the containment walls 30 at least provide (very) high barrier properties against gas and/or moisture.

[47] So, the high or very high protection (or barrier properties) is (are) now achieved at least partially by the cartomizer body 4, which allows a possible use of simpler, lower-cost, and more environmentally friendly (or sustainable) materials for the packaging of the cartomizer 1 that may be possibly widely recycled or compostable, such as a cardboard pack or a low-barrier pulp material (paper flow-wrap or pulp-trays, for instance).

[48] Moreover, this allows reducing the headspace available (i.e. the atmosphere available within the protection means), because the headspace is now reduced to the environment within the cartomizer 1 while in the cartomizer of the art the headspace consists of the environment within the cartomizer and within its primary packaging.

[49] It should be noticed that the protection layer barrier properties are a function of both the inherent barrier properties of the material (i.e. a material property) and the thickness of the layer (which is not a material property). So, what is important is the barrier properties of the protection layer 20 (i.e. material + thickness).

[50] It should be also noticed that the outer layer 21 and inner layer 22 offer chemical resistance, strength, stiffness and possibly aesthetics, and each protection layer 20 provides the high/very high gas and/or moisture barrier properties or absorption.

[51] Due to the high cost of barrier or absorption materials, the thickness of the protection layer 20 is minimized and therefore smaller than the respective thicknesses of the outer layer 21 and inner layer 22, so that the latter provide bulk rigidity.

[52] Optionally, the containment walls 30 may be further arranged externally to the aerosol chamber 7, in particular if the latter (7) and the reservoir 5 communicate with each other (so that air or moisture could be exchanged from one to the other).

[53] Also optionally, the entire cartomizer body 4 may be formed of the polymer multilayer structure 19.

[54] In an example of embodiment, the protection layer 20 may act as a barrier against both moisture and gas.

[55] For instance, the protection layer 20 may have a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) that is less than 10 g/m²/24 hours. Preferably, its WVTR may be less than 6 g/m²/24 hours, and more preferably less than 1 g/m²/24 hours.

[56] Also for instance, the protection layer 20 may have an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) that is less than 10 cm³/m²/24 hours. Preferably, its OTR may be less than 6 cm³/m²/24 hours, and more preferably less than 3 cm³/m²/24 hours.

[57] It should be noticed that OTR and WVTR are used to indicate the barrier properties of the layer and material, but their units are different (material barrier properties are independent of layer thickness).

[58] The protection layer 20 may be preferably formed of a polymer material that can be injection moulded or thermoformed.

[59] For instance, this polymer material to form the protection layer 20 may have a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) less than 40 g.pm/m²/24 hours, and preferably less than 4 g.pm/m²/24 hours. [60] Also for instance, this polymer material to form the protection layer 20 may have an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) less than 40 cm³.pm/m²/24 hours, and preferably less than 4 cm³.pm/m²/24 hours.

[61] In an example of embodiment, the protection layer 20 may be made of Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), which provides a high/very high gas barrier, or Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), which provides a high/very high moisture barrier, or else a combination thereof, for instance.

[62] In the case where the protection layer 20 comprises at least two laminated layers, the latter may comprise, for instance, at least one layer of Ethylene vinyl alcohol or Polyvinyl alcohol and at least one layer of Cyclic Olefin Copolymer.

[63] In an example of embodiment, at least one of the outer layer 21 and inner layer 22 may be a thermoplastic co-polyester layer or a polyolefin layer. In the case where a polyolefin layer is used, it may be polypropylene (PP), for instance. But this is not mandatory. Indeed, other thermoplastic co-polyester materials may be used, and notably polyethylene (PE) or Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVFD) or else a combination thereof and/or with polypropylene, for instance.

[64] As a specific example, the polymer multilayer structure 19 may comprise an outer layer 21 made of thermoplastic co-polyester, a protection layer 20 made of EVOH or COC, and an inner layer 21 made of thermoplastic co-polyester.

[65] Also for instance, the air inlet(s) 11 and the aerosol outlet(s) 16 may be closed by a removable protection element 31 (illustrated in figures 4 to 6). If one refers to the non-limiting example illustrated in figure 2, a first removable protection element 31 may be stuck to the end of the internal wall 6 that is intended for being oriented towards the electrical and control device 3, and a second removable protection element 31 may be stuck to the outer face of the mouthpiece 8, for instance. This allows to still improve the protection (or barrier properties) achieved through the cartomizer body 4. [66] For instance, each of the removable protection elements 31 may act as a gas and/or moisture barrier. Preferably, they act as a gas and moisture barrier. In this case, each of the removable protection elements 31 may be a label or sticker comprising at least one layer that is made of aluminium and/or a film of Polyethylene terephthalate coated with Polyvinylidene chloride (PET coated PVDC) or any material used for the protection layer 20 (and notably Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) or Cyclic Olefin Copolymer).

[67] For instance, the removable protection elements 31 may have a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) that is less than 10 g/m²/24 hours, preferably than 6 g/m²/24 hours, and more preferably less than 1 g/m²/24 hours.

[68] Also for instance, the removable protection elements 31 may have an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) that is less than 10 cm³/m²/24 hours, preferably less than 6 cm³/m²/24 hours, and more preferably less than 3 cm³/m²/24 hours.

[69] Also for instance, at least part of the removable protection elements 31 may be formed of a polymer material having a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) that is less than 40 g.pm/m²/24 hours, and preferably less than 4 g.pm/m²/24 hours.

[70] For instance, this polymer material to form the at least one layer of the removable protection elements 31 may have an oxygen transmission rate less (OTR) that is less than 40 cm³.pm/m²/24 hours, and preferably less than 4 cm³.pm/m²/24 hours.

[71] Also for instance, the polymer multilayer structure 19 may be defined by co-injection molding. But this is not mandatory. Indeed, it may be produced by another technique, and notably by co-extrusion or else by lamination followed by die-stamping.

[72] Also for instance, the cartomizer body 4 may be formed of a single piece. In this case, the whole reservoir 5 may be defined by compartmenting walls (and notably the outer one 17) that all have the polymer multilayer structure 19. But in a variant of embodiment, the cartomizer body 4 could be formed of two pieces welded together.

[73] Also for instance, the mouthpiece 8 may form a part of the containment walls 30. But in a variant of embodiment, the mouthpiece 8 could overlay a containment wall 30 of the reservoir 5.

[74] Three non-limiting examples of containment walls 31 are schematically and functionally illustrated by broken lines in figures 4 to 6.

[75] In the first example of embodiment illustrated in figure 4, the containment walls 31 (in broken lines) include the outer wall 17 (notably the part defining partly the reservoir 5), the mouthpiece 8 and the aerosol chamber 7 (with the heater 18).

[76] In this first example of embodiment a first removable protection element 31 is stuck to the end of the internal wall 6 that is intended for being oriented towards the electrical and control device 3 in order to close the first inlet 11, and a second removable protection element 31 is stuck to the outer face of the mouthpiece 8 to close its aerosol outlet.

[77] In the second example of embodiment illustrated in figure 5, the containment walls 31 (in broken lines) include the outer wall 17 (notably the part defining partly the reservoir 5) and the aerosol chamber 7 (with the heater 18). The mouthpiece 8 can be removable to allow access to one of the protection elements 31 .

[78] In this second example of embodiment a first removable protection element 31 is stuck to the end of the internal wall 6 that is intended for being oriented towards the electrical and control device 3 in order to close the first inlet 11, and a second removable protection element 31 is stuck to the outer face of the internal wall defining partly the reservoir 5 in order to close the end of the central conduit 9 at the level of the aerosol outlet 16.

[79] In the third example of embodiment illustrated in figure 6, the containment walls 31 (in broken lines) include the outer wall 17 (notably the part defining partly the reservoir 5), the internal walls of the reservoir 5 (which also define the central conduit 9), the mouthpiece 8 and the aerosol chamber 7 (with the heater 18).

[80] In this third example of embodiment a first removable protection element 31 is stuck to the end of the internal wall 6 that is intended for being oriented towards the electrical and control device 3 in order to close the first inlet 11, and a second removable protection element 31 is stuck to the outer face of the mouthpiece 8 to close the aerosol outlet.

[81] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some block diagrams of figures 1 to 6 herein represent conceptual views of illustrative elements embodying the principles of the invention.

[82] The description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. Cartomizer (1) for an aerosol generation device (2), said cartomizer (1) comprising:

- a body (4) comprising a reservoir (5) arranged for storing an aerosol forming liquid and containment walls (30) arranged externally relative to said reservoir (5),

- a heater (18) for aerosolizing said aerosol-forming liquid in an aerosol chamber (7) to generate an aerosol,

- at least one air inlet (11) set upstream of said aerosol chamber (7) and in fluid communication therewith, and

- an aerosol outlet (16) set downstream of said aerosol chamber (7) and in fluid communication therewith, wherein at least said containment walls (30) of said body (4) are formed of a polymer multilayer structure (19) comprising at least one protection layer (20) and outer (21) and inner (22) layers laminated respectively on both outer and inner sides of said protection layer (20), said protection layer (20) acting as a barrier against moisture and/or gas or as an absorber of gas and/or moisture.

2. Cartomizer according to claim 1 , wherein said protection layer (20) acts as a barrier against both moisture and gas.

3. Cartomizer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said protection layer (20) has a water vapor transmission rate that is less than 10 g/m²/24 hours.

4. Cartomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said protection layer (20) has an oxygen transmission rate that is less than 10 cm³/m²/24 hours.

5. Cartomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said protection layer (20) is chosen from a group comprising Ethylene vinyl alcohol, Cyclic Olefin Copolymer, and a combination thereof.

6. Cartomizer according to claim 5, wherein said protection layer (20) comprises at least one layer of Ethylene vinyl alcohol or Polyvinyl alcohol and at least one layer of Cyclic Olefin Copolymer.

7. Cartomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of said outer layer (21) and inner layer (22) is a thermoplastic co-polyester layer or a polyolefin layer.

8. Cartomizer according to claim 7, wherein said polyolefin layer is chosen from a group comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, Polyvinylidene fluoride or a combination thereof.

9. Cartomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said air inlet (11) and said aerosol outlet(s) (16) are closed by a removable protection element (31).

10. Cartomizer according to claim 9, wherein each of said removable protection elements (31) acts as a gas and/or moisture barrier.

11. Cartomizer according to claim 10, wherein each of said removable protection elements (31) has a water vapor transmission rate that is less than 10 g/m²/24 hours and/or an oxygen transmission rate that is less than 10 cm³/m²/24 hours.

12. Cartomizer according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein each of said removable protection elements (31) is a label or sticker comprising at least one layer made of aluminium and/or a film of Polyethylene terephthalate coated with Polyvinylidene chloride or Ethylene vinyl alcohol or Cyclic Olefin Copolymer.

13. Cartomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said multilayer structure is defined by co-injection molding or by co extrusion.

14. Cartomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said body (4) comprises i) a mouthpiece (8) comprising said aerosol outlet (16) and allowing a user to inhale said generated aerosol through said aerosol outlet (16), ii) an outer wall (17) defining a cavity, and iii) a central conduit (9) leading to said aerosol outlet (16), and wherein said reservoir (5) is delimited at least partially by said outer wall (17) and said central conduit (9).

15. Aerosol generation device (2) comprising an electrical and control device (3), wherein it further comprises an exchangeable cartomizer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, physically and electrically coupled to said electrical and control device (3).