EP4633396A1 - Cartridge with air ventilation channel - Google Patents

Cartridge with air ventilation channel

Info

Publication number
EP4633396A1
EP4633396A1 EP23818506.0A EP23818506A EP4633396A1 EP 4633396 A1 EP4633396 A1 EP 4633396A1 EP 23818506 A EP23818506 A EP 23818506A EP 4633396 A1 EP4633396 A1 EP 4633396A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air ventilation
channel
aerosol
cartridge
atomizing unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23818506.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Andrew Robert John ROGAN
Kyle Robert Adair
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Philip Morris Products SA
Original Assignee
Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philip Morris Products SA filed Critical Philip Morris Products SA
Publication of EP4633396A1 publication Critical patent/EP4633396A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
    • A24F40/485—Valves; Apertures

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising an atomizing unit and a liquid storage portion with liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the present disclosure further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the cartridge and an aerosol-generating device.
  • a cartridge comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate for generating an inhalable vapor.
  • Such systems may heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which the substrate is volatilised without burning the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • a liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be delivered from a liquid storage portion to an atomizing unit. Upon heating to a target temperature, the aerosol-generating substrate vaporises to form an aerosol.
  • the liquid storage portion may be formed as a replaceable or refillable cartridge comprising a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the cartridge may be attached to the aerosol-generating device for supplying the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the device for aerosol generation. Supply of new liquid aerosolforming substrate to the atomizing unit may be interrupted.
  • a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device may comprise a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the cartridge may comprise an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion.
  • An airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit may extend through the cartridge.
  • the cartridge may comprise a longitudinal axis wherein the airflow path at least partly extends along the longitudinal axis.
  • At least one air ventilation channel may be provided in the cartridge.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may be configured to allow the entry of air into the liquid storage portion.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may partly extend along the longitudinal axis.
  • a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol- forming substrate. Furthermore, the cartridge comprises an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion. An airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit is present in the cartridge, wherein the airflow path extends through the cartridge. The cartridge furthermore comprises a longitudinal axis, wherein the airflow path at least partly extends along the longitudinal axis. At least one air ventilation channel is present in the cartridge. The air ventilation channel is configured to allow the entry of air into the liquid storage portion. The at least one air ventilation channel partly extends along the longitudinal axis.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may allow a reliable supply of liquid aerosolforming substrate to the atomizing unit.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may allow an easy entry of air into the liquid storage portion, thereby replacing consumed liquid aerosolforming substrate. This may reduce or avoid reduced pressure in the liquid storage portion of the cartridge compared to other parts of the cartridge. Owing to the at least one air ventilation channel partly extending along the longitudinal axis and partly extending along the airflow path, the entry of air through the at least one air ventilation channel into the liquid storage portion may be easier.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may reduce or avoid the "dry burning" of the atomizing unit.
  • the term “extending along the longitudinal axis” covers embodiments wherein the at least one air ventilation channel extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. This term also covers embodiments wherein the at least one air ventilation channel extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis, for example by winding along the longitudinal axis.
  • the airflow path extending through the cartridge may comprise an air inlet allowing air to enter the cartridge from the exterior of the cartridge.
  • the airflow path may furthermore comprise an air outlet where the air or the aerosol formed from the air and the aerosol-forming substrate may exit the cartridge.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may comprise an air inlet allowing air to enter the cartridge and the liquid storage portion from the exterior of the cartridge.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may not comprise an air outlet since the air ventilation channel is configured to provide air into the liquid storage portion replacing consumed liquid aerosolforming substrate.
  • the atomizing unit may be provided to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate for aerosol which can subsequently be inhaled by a user.
  • the atomizing unit may be configured as any device which is able to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the atomizing unit may comprise a nebulizer or an atomizer nozzle based on the Venturi effect to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the atomizing unit may comprise a heating element, in which case the atomizing unit may be configured to vaporize liquid-aerosol forming substrate.
  • the atomizing unit comprises a heating element as described in more detail below.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may comprise a first channel portion and a second channel portion.
  • the first channel portion may extend along the longitudinal axis.
  • the second channel portion may extend transversely to the longitudinal axis.
  • the second channel portion may be configured to connect the first channel portion of the at least one air ventilation channel to parts of the airflow path extending through the cartridge. This may allow air to enter the at least one air ventilation channel through the airflow path. This may allow air to enter at least one air ventilation channel through the airflow path once a user has stopped drawing on the aerosol-generating device. This may allow air to enter the cartridge through the airflow path and enter the at least one air ventilation channel preferably through the second channel portion.
  • the first channel portion may be in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion.
  • the first channel portion may be in fluid communication with the second channel portion of the at least one air ventilation channel. Air may enter the at least one air ventilation channel through the second channel portion and may further proceed through the first channel portion into the liquid storage portion.
  • a cross-sectional area of the second channel portion may be different from a cross- sectional area of the first channel portion.
  • a cross-sectional area of the second channel portion may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the first channel portion.
  • This may reduce or minimize the capillary forces which may draw liquid into the second channel portion of the air ventilation channel. This may reduce leakage through the air ventilation channel.
  • the cross-sectional area of the at least one air ventilation channel may have any shape.
  • it may be rectangular, polygonal, circular or oval.
  • the cross-sectional area may be oval or circular, more preferred circular.
  • the cartridge may furthermore comprise at least one liquid communication channel.
  • the liquid communication channel may provide a fluid communication between the liquid storage portion and the atomizing unit.
  • the at least one liquid communication channel may allow the transport of liquid from the liquid storage portion to the atomizing unit via capillary forces.
  • the atomizing unit may absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and may further evaporate the substrate for aerosol formation.
  • a cross-sectional area of the at least one liquid communication channel may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the at least one air ventilation channel.
  • a cross- sectional area of the at least one liquid communication channel may be larger than a cross- sectional area of one or both of the first channel portion and the second channel portion of the at least one air ventilation channel.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may be configured to allow entry of air into the liquid storage portion which can be ensured by an air ventilation channel having a smaller cross-sectional area than the at least one liquid communication channel which transports the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the at least one liquid communication channel and the at least one air ventilation channel may have a tubular form. This may result in a circular cross-sectional area of both the liquid communication channel and the at least one air ventilation channel.
  • the diameter of the at least one liquid communication channel may be greater than 1 millimeter.
  • the diameter of the at least one liquid communication channel may be up to 5 millimeters.
  • the diameter of the at least one air ventilation channel may be between 0.01 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters.
  • the liquid storage portion may be arranged adjacent to the atomizing unit.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may extend along the atomizing unit to the liquid storage portion.
  • the cartridge may further comprise a mounting frame.
  • the mounting frame may be configured for mounting the atomizing unit in the cartridge.
  • the mounting frame may at least partly circumscribe the atomizing unit.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may be at least partly formed between the mounting frame and the surface area of the atomizing unit.
  • the mounting frame may comprise at least one groove.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may be at least partly formed between the groove and a surface area of the atomizing unit.
  • the mounting frame may comprise a sidewall.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may be partly formed within the sidewall.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may wind within the side wall extending along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. This may allow the ventilation channel to form a meandering air ventilation channel extending from the liquid storage portion to the airflow path of the cartridge. This may provide a greater liquid storage capacity. This may act to minimize the amount of liquid in the air ventilation channel from reaching the airflow path of the cartridge.
  • the portion of the at least one air ventilation channel formed within the sidewall of the mounting frame or the portion of the at least one air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the surface of the atomizing unit may be the first channel portion.
  • the atomizing unit may comprise a heating element and a porous body.
  • the porous body may be made from a ceramic material.
  • the porous body may be configured to absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the heating element may be arranged on a heating surface of the porous body.
  • the heating element may be formed as a heating track configured to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the heating element of the atomizing unit may be in electrical contact with electrical heating element contacts.
  • the electrical heating element contacts may also be arranged on the heating surface of the porous body.
  • the heating surface of the atomizing unit may receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion of the cartridge.
  • the heating surface of the atomizing unit may heat and evaporate the liquid aerosol-forming substrate for aerosol formation.
  • the porous body of the atomizing unit may furthermore comprise an absorption surface.
  • the absorption surface of the porous body may be in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion and may receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate may further be transferred from the absorption surface of the porous body to the heating surface.
  • the mounting frame may be arranged on parts of the heating surface of the porous body.
  • a part of the at least one air ventilation channel may be formed between the mounting frame and the heating surface of the porous body.
  • the part of air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the heating surface may be the second channel portion.
  • liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from the liquid storage portion may be transferred from the storage portion through the first channel portion to the second channel portion and may subsequently be evaporated.
  • the mounting frame may circumscribe a transversal surface portion of the porous body.
  • the transversal surface portion may extend transversely to the heating surface.
  • a part of the at least one air ventilation channel may be formed between the mounting frame and the transversal surface portion of the porous body.
  • the part of the at least one air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the transversal surface portion may be the first channel portion.
  • the first channel portion and the second channel portion of the at least one air ventilation channel may therefore be formed on adjacent surfaces of the porous body of the atomizing unit.
  • the mounting frame may comprise at least one liquid opening for providing a liquid communication channel between the liquid storage portion and the atomizing unit.
  • the liquid storage portion is arranged adjacent to the atomizing unit.
  • the liquid storage portion is adjacent to the porous body of the atomizing unit.
  • the absorption surface of the porous body being adjacent to the liquid storage portion absorbs and further transfers the liquid aerosolforming substrate within the porous body to its heating surface.
  • the cartridge may further comprise an upstream air inlet.
  • the upstream air inlet may be configured to direct air over the atomizing unit along the airflow path.
  • the airflow path extending through the cartridge may be separate from the at least one air ventilation channel.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel may receive air passing through the airflow path within the cartridge when a user has stopped sucking on the aerosol-generating device.
  • the liquid storage portion may comprise a retention material.
  • the retention material may be configured for absorbing and retaining the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the retention material may comprise sponge-like or foam-like material able to store the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the structure of the retention material may form a plurality of small bores or tubes, through which the liquid substrate can be transported and stored by capillary action.
  • suitable materials are a sponge or foam material, ceramic- or graphite-based materials in the form of fibres or sintered powders, foamed metal or plastics materials, a fibrous material, for example made of spun or extruded fibres, such as cellulose acetate, polyester, or bonded polyolefin, polyethylene, ethylene or polypropylene fibres, nylon fibres or ceramic.
  • a user may regularly turn the device over after use. This may lead to the release of any air bubbles formed in the liquid storage portion out of the cartridge through the at least one air ventilation channel.
  • an aerosolgenerating system may comprise a cartridge as described herein.
  • the aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating device.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a power source and a controller.
  • the power source may be configured to supply power to the atomizing unit of the cartridge.
  • the controller may be configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
  • an aerosolgenerating system comprising a cartridge as described herein and an aerosol-generating device.
  • the aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller.
  • the power source is configured to supply power to the atomizing unit of the cartridge.
  • the controller is configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
  • Such an aerosol-generating system may be configured to generate an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate contained in the cartridge.
  • the aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may be connected to the cartridge and may control operation of the atomizing unit of the cartridge.
  • the power source of the aerosol-generating device may also supply power to the atomizing unit, in particular to its heating element.
  • the cartridge may be configured to be detachably connectable to the aerosolgenerating device.
  • the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aerosol former.
  • Suitable aerosolformers include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3- butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.
  • Aerosol formers may be polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine.
  • the aerosolformer may be propylene glycol.
  • the aerosol former preferably may comprise both glycerine and propylene glycol.
  • the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise between 70 weight percent and 100 weight percent of an aerosol former, preferably up to 95 weight percent of aerosol former.
  • the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may furthermore comprise between 30 weight percent and 5 weight percent of additional compounds from a group selected of: flavorings, nicotine and water.
  • the ceramic body of the atomizing unit may comprise or be made of one or both of Ca2SiC>4 and SiC>2.
  • the cartridge may comprise a plurality of air ventilation channels, for example the cartridge may comprise at least 2 air ventilation channels, preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 5 air ventilation channels.
  • the cartridge may comprise up to 6 air ventilation channels.
  • the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material.
  • Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material.
  • Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics.
  • suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides.
  • suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold and silver.
  • suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titaniumzirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- , gold- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetai® and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys.
  • the heating element may comprise or be made of a nickel-chromium alloy (NiCr).
  • the heating element also may be made of alloys of titanium or SUS stainless steel or be made of pure nickel, SUS stainless steel or titanium.
  • the electrical contacts may comprise or made of electrically conducting metals or alloys, such as one or more of Cu, Ag, Zn or Au.
  • the heating element may comprise a susceptor heating element for heating the aerosol-generating substrate by induction.
  • the susceptor may be part of the aerosolgenerating device, or part of the aerosol-generating article, as described above.
  • the susceptor may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • a preferred susceptor may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, for example a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron, or a ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel.
  • a suitable susceptor may be, or comprise, aluminium.
  • susceptors are metal susceptors, for example stainless steel.
  • susceptor materials may also comprise or be made of any one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, aluminum, niobium, Inconel alloys (austenite nickel-chromium-based superalloys), metallized films, ceramics such as for example zirconia, transition metals such as for example iron, cobalt, nickel, or metalloids components such as for example boron, carbon, silicon, phosphorus, aluminium, or combinations or alloys of materials.
  • the susceptor may be heated by an induction coil.
  • the induction coil may provide an alternating magnetic field.
  • the induction coil may be part of the aerosol-generating device or may be included in the cartridge.
  • When located in an alternating electromagnetic field typically eddy currents are induced and hysteresis losses occur in the susceptor causing heating of the susceptor.
  • the heating element is a resistive heating element as described above.
  • the mounting frame may comprise or be made of silicone polymer.
  • the mounting frame may comprise temperature resistant polymer material, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK).
  • the aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may comprise electric circuitry.
  • the electric circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor.
  • the microprocessor may be part of the controller.
  • the electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components.
  • the electric circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current.
  • the electric circuitry may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.
  • the aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery.
  • the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-lron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery.
  • the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor.
  • the power supply may power for example an induction coil comprised in the aerosol-generating article.
  • the power supply may provide power to a resistive heating element comprised in the cartridge via electrical connections.
  • Aerosol-generating devices comprise a proximal end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the device.
  • the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the mouth end or the downstream end.
  • the mouth end is downstream of the distal end.
  • the mouth end may comprise a mouthpiece.
  • the distal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end.
  • Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions with respect to the airflow path through the aerosol-generating device.
  • Example 1 A cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion, an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit, the airflow path extending through the cartridge, a longitudinal axis, wherein the airflow path at least partly extends along the longitudinal axis, at least one air ventilation channel configured to allow the entry of air intro the liquid storage portion, wherein the at least one air ventilation channel partly extends along the longitudinal axis .
  • Example 2 The cartridge according to example 1 , wherein at least one air ventilation channel comprises a first channel portion and a second channel portion, the first channel portion extending along the longitudinal axis and the second channel portion extending transversally to the longitudinal axis, preferably wherein a cross-sectional area of the second channel portion is larger than a cross-sectional area of the first channel portion.
  • Example 3 The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising at least one liquid communication channel for providing a fluid communication between the liquid storage portion and the atomizing unit.
  • Example 4 The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein a cross- sectional area of the at least one liquid communication channel is larger than a cross-sectional area of the at least one air ventilation channel, preferably wherein a diameter of the at least one liquid communication channel is greater than 1 millimeter and wherein a diameter of the at least one air ventilation channel is between 0.01 millimeter and 0.5 millimeter.
  • Example 5 The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the liquid storage portion is arranged adjacent to the atomizing unit and wherein the at least one air ventilation channel extends along the atomizing unit to the liquid storage portion.
  • Example 6 The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a mounting frame, wherein the mounting frame is configured for mounting the atomizing unit in the cartridge and wherein the mounting frame at least partly circumscribes the atomizing unit.
  • Example 7 The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the at least one air ventilation channel is at least partly formed between the mounting frame and a surface area of the atomizing unit, preferably wherein the mounting frame comprises at least one groove and wherein the at least one air ventilation channel is at least partly formed between the groove and a surface area of the atomizing unit.
  • Example 8 The cartridge according to the preceding example 6, wherein the mounting frame comprises a sidewall and wherein the at least one air ventilation channel is at least partly formed within the sidewall, preferably wherein the at least one air ventilation channel winds within the sidewall extending along the longitudinal axis, more preferably according to example 2 wherein the part of the at least one air ventilation channel formed within the sidewall is the first channel portion.
  • Example 9 The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the atomizing unit comprises a heating element and a porous body, preferably wherein the porous body is made from a ceramic material, more preferably wherein the porous body is configured to absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • Example 10 The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the heating element is arranged on a heating surface of the porous body, preferably wherein the heating element is formed as a heating track configured to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • Example 11 The cartridge according to the preceding example, further being dependent on any of the examples 6 or 7, wherein the mounting frame is arranged on parts of the heating surface of the porous body, preferably wherein a part of the at least one air ventilation channel is formed between the mounting frame and the heating surface of the porous body, more preferably being dependent on example 2, wherein the part of the at least one air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the heating surface of the porous body is the second channel portion.
  • Example 12 The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the mounting frame circumscribes a transversal surface portion of the porous body extending transversally to the heating surface, wherein a part of the at least one air ventilation channel is formed between the mounting frame and the transversal surface portion of the porous body, more preferably being dependent on example 2, wherein the part of the at least one air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the transversal surface portion of the porous body is the first channel portion.
  • Example 13 The cartridge according any of the preceding examples 6, 7, 11 or 12, wherein the mounting frame comprises at least one liquid opening for providing a liquid communication channel between the liquid storage portion and the atomizing unit, preferably wherein the liquid storage portion is arranged adjacent to the atomizing unit.
  • Example 14 The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising an upstream air inlet being configured to direct air over the atomizing unit along the airflow path.
  • Example 15 The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the airflow path is separate from the at least one air ventilation channel.
  • Example 16 The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the liquid storage portion comprises a retention material configured for absorbing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate .
  • Example 17 An aerosol-generating system comprising a cartridge according to any of the preceding examples and an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller, wherein the power source is configured to supply power to the atomizing unit and wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
  • the aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller, wherein the power source is configured to supply power to the atomizing unit and wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
  • Example 18 The aerosol-generating system according to the preceding examples, wherein the cartridge is configured to be detachably connectable to the aerosol-generating device.
  • Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a cartridge including an air ventilation channel
  • Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a cartridge including an air ventilation channel
  • Fig. 3 depicts a schematic top view of the atomizer unit in the mounting frame
  • Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the atomizing unit in the mounting frame viewed from the side of the liquid storage portion
  • Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the cartridge wherein the first channel portion of the air ventilation channel is meandering through the mounting frame;
  • Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the cartridge wherein the first channel portion is winding to the mounting frame;
  • Fig. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of the cartridge indicating the airflow path through the cartridge
  • Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system including the cartridge and the aerosol-generating device.
  • Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a cartridge 10 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the cartridge 10 includes a liquid storage portion 12 and an atomizing unit 20 adjacent to the liquid storage portion.
  • the atomizing unit 20 is in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion 12 through liquid communication channels 12A.
  • Liquid aerosol-forming substrate can be transported through the liquid communication channels 12A and can be absorbed by the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit 20.
  • a heating element 16 with electrical heating element contacts 18 is arranged on a heating surface 17 of the atomizing unit 20. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate absorbed by the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit can be evaporated at this heating surface 17 via heating with the heating element 16.
  • the atomizing unit 20 is mounted in a mounting frame 28 which includes the liquid communication channels 12A for direct liquid communication between the liquid storage portion 12 and the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit.
  • the at least one air ventilation channel 26 is formed between a surface of the porous body of the atomizing unit 20 and the mounting frame 28.
  • the air ventilation channel 26 includes a first channel portion 26A which extends along the longitudinal axis 24 of the cartridge and a second channel portion 26B which runs transversely, in particular, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24. Air can pass through the second channel portion 26B and the first channel portion 26A in order to reach the liquid storage portion 12. This allows air to easily replace any used liquid aerosol-forming substrate in the liquid storage portion and can avoid or reduce the build-up of any negative pressure in the liquid storage portion which may hinder the flow of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate towards the atomizing unit. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate may accidentally leak from the liquid storage portion 12 through the first channel portion 26A to the second channel portion 26B of the air ventilation channel 26.
  • the second channel portion 26B is located adjacent to the heating surface 17 of the atomizing unit 20. This allows any accidentally leaked liquid aerosol-forming substrate to be evaporated by the heating surface of the atomizing unit 20, thereby avoiding that droplets of liquid aerosol-forming substrate can accidentally be inhaled by a user.
  • a cross-sectional area of the air ventilation channel 26 can be smaller than a cross- sectional area of the liquid communication channels 12A because air passes through the air ventilation channel 26, whereas liquid aerosol-forming substrate is transported through the liquid communication channels 12A.
  • the transport of air requires a smaller cross-sectional area of the air ventilation channels than the cross-sectional area of the liquid communication channels. This is shown in the cross-sectional view of figure 1 with the diameter 12B of the liquid communication channels 12A being larger than the diameter 26C of the first channel portion and the diameter 26D in the second channel portion of the air ventilation channel.
  • Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the cartridge 10.
  • the air ventilation channel 26 is formed within the mounting frame 28.
  • the air ventilation channel 26 is formed between a first portion 28A and a second portion 28B of the mounting frame 28.
  • the mounting frame 28 directly contacts the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit 20.
  • air can enter the liquid storage portion 12 in a direction as indicated by the arrows 23 in Fig. 2.
  • air may pass through the downstream airflow portion into the second channel portion 26B of the air ventilation channel 26 and further may be directed through the first channel portion 26A into the liquid storage portion 12.
  • Fig. 3 depicts a top view of a cartridge according to the present invention.
  • This top view shows the heating element 16 which is located on the heating surface of the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit 20 and which is surrounded by the mounting frame 28 (porous body 14 located beneath the heating element 16 and the mounting frame 28 and therefore not shown in Fig. 3).
  • the mounting frame 28 includes openings in order to expose the electric heating element contacts 18. This allows the electrical heating element contacts 18 to contact the aerosol-generating device when the cartridge is connected to the device.
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic bottom view of the cartridge 10 without the liquid storage portion 12. This figure shows the bottom part of the mounting frame 28, wherein parts of the porous body 14 are visible. This allows fluid communication between the liquid storage portion and the porous body 14 through the liquid communication channels 12A. A first channel portion 26A of the air ventilation channel is located adjacent to the liquid communication channels 12A. This allows the entry of air into the liquid storage portion.
  • FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the cartridge 10.
  • the air ventilation channel 26 is meandering within the mounting frame 28 and is located between the first portion 28A and the second portion 28B of the mounting frame 28.
  • This is another design of an air ventilation channel 26 which allows air to enter the liquid storage portion 12 and replace any used liquid aerosol-forming substrate with air.
  • FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the cartridge 10.
  • the air ventilation channel 26 is winding within the mounting frame 28.
  • the first channel portion 26A of the air ventilation channel 26 is located within the mounting frame 28.
  • Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 10 indicating the airflow indicated by the arrows 22 through the cartridge.
  • Air can enter the cartridge through the upstream air inlet 32 and can be directed along the liquid storage portion 12 to be further mixed with volatile compounds from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate evaporated at the heating surface 17 of the atomizing unit 20.
  • the cartridge 10 comprises a housing 38 and additional cartridge electrical contacts 34 which are configured to provide contact to an aerosol-generating device. Electrical wires 36 are present which provide an electrical contact between the cartridge electrical contacts 34 and the heating element contacts 18 of the heating surface of the atomizing unit.
  • Fig. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system comprising the cartridge 10 and the aerosol-generating device 40.
  • Device electrical contacts 42 are present in the aerosol-generating device 40 which can provide an electrical contact to the cartridge electrical contacts 34.
  • the aerosol-generating device normally comprises a power supply such as a battery which can then supply power through the device electrical contacts 42, the cartridge electrical contacts 34 and the electrical wires 36 to the heating element contacts 18 of the heating surface of the atomizing unit.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion, an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit, the airflow path extending through the cartridge, a longitudinal axis, wherein the airflow path at least partly extends along the longitudinal axis, at least one air ventilation channel configured to allow the entry of air intro the liquid storage portion, wherein the at least one air ventilation channel partly extends along the longitudinal axis.

Description

CARTRIDGE WITH AIR VENTILATION CHANNEL
The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising an atomizing unit and a liquid storage portion with liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The present disclosure further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the cartridge and an aerosol-generating device.
It is known to provide a cartridge comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate for generating an inhalable vapor. Such systems may heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which the substrate is volatilised without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. In aerosol-generating systems a liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be delivered from a liquid storage portion to an atomizing unit. Upon heating to a target temperature, the aerosol-generating substrate vaporises to form an aerosol. The liquid storage portion may be formed as a replaceable or refillable cartridge comprising a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may be attached to the aerosol-generating device for supplying the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the device for aerosol generation. Supply of new liquid aerosolforming substrate to the atomizing unit may be interrupted. This may lead to a dry burning of the atomizing unit, a heating of the atomizing unit without any aerosol-forming substrate or with insufficient quantities of aerosol-forming substrate. This may impair the user’s experience. The dry burning may lead to the production of toxic substances. Used liquid aerosol-forming substrate may have to be replaced with air in the liquid storage portion. Reduced pressure may form in the liquid storage portion compared to the other parts of the cartridge when used liquid aerosol-forming substrate cannot be sufficiently replaced with air. This may lead to a disruption of the flow of liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
It would be desirable to provide a cartridge reducing or avoiding the dry burning of the atomizing unit. It would be desirable to provide a cartridge which may allow an easy replacement of spent liquid aerosol-forming substrate with air.
According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge may comprise a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may comprise an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion. An airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit may extend through the cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a longitudinal axis wherein the airflow path at least partly extends along the longitudinal axis. At least one air ventilation channel may be provided in the cartridge. The at least one air ventilation channel may be configured to allow the entry of air into the liquid storage portion. The at least one air ventilation channel may partly extend along the longitudinal axis.
According to another embodiment of the invention a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device is provided. The cartridge comprises a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol- forming substrate. Furthermore, the cartridge comprises an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion. An airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit is present in the cartridge, wherein the airflow path extends through the cartridge. The cartridge furthermore comprises a longitudinal axis, wherein the airflow path at least partly extends along the longitudinal axis. At least one air ventilation channel is present in the cartridge. The air ventilation channel is configured to allow the entry of air into the liquid storage portion. The at least one air ventilation channel partly extends along the longitudinal axis.
The at least one air ventilation channel may allow a reliable supply of liquid aerosolforming substrate to the atomizing unit. The at least one air ventilation channel may allow an easy entry of air into the liquid storage portion, thereby replacing consumed liquid aerosolforming substrate. This may reduce or avoid reduced pressure in the liquid storage portion of the cartridge compared to other parts of the cartridge. Owing to the at least one air ventilation channel partly extending along the longitudinal axis and partly extending along the airflow path, the entry of air through the at least one air ventilation channel into the liquid storage portion may be easier. The at least one air ventilation channel may reduce or avoid the "dry burning" of the atomizing unit.
As used herein, the term “extending along the longitudinal axis” covers embodiments wherein the at least one air ventilation channel extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. This term also covers embodiments wherein the at least one air ventilation channel extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis, for example by winding along the longitudinal axis.
The airflow path extending through the cartridge may comprise an air inlet allowing air to enter the cartridge from the exterior of the cartridge. The airflow path may furthermore comprise an air outlet where the air or the aerosol formed from the air and the aerosol-forming substrate may exit the cartridge.
The at least one air ventilation channel may comprise an air inlet allowing air to enter the cartridge and the liquid storage portion from the exterior of the cartridge. The at least one air ventilation channel may not comprise an air outlet since the air ventilation channel is configured to provide air into the liquid storage portion replacing consumed liquid aerosolforming substrate.
The atomizing unit may be provided to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate for aerosol which can subsequently be inhaled by a user. The atomizing unit may be configured as any device which is able to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the atomizing unit may comprise a nebulizer or an atomizer nozzle based on the Venturi effect to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively, the atomizing unit may comprise a heating element, in which case the atomizing unit may be configured to vaporize liquid-aerosol forming substrate. Preferably, the atomizing unit comprises a heating element as described in more detail below.
The at least one air ventilation channel may comprise a first channel portion and a second channel portion. The first channel portion may extend along the longitudinal axis. The second channel portion may extend transversely to the longitudinal axis.
The second channel portion may be configured to connect the first channel portion of the at least one air ventilation channel to parts of the airflow path extending through the cartridge. This may allow air to enter the at least one air ventilation channel through the airflow path. This may allow air to enter at least one air ventilation channel through the airflow path once a user has stopped drawing on the aerosol-generating device. This may allow air to enter the cartridge through the airflow path and enter the at least one air ventilation channel preferably through the second channel portion.
The first channel portion may be in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion. The first channel portion may be in fluid communication with the second channel portion of the at least one air ventilation channel. Air may enter the at least one air ventilation channel through the second channel portion and may further proceed through the first channel portion into the liquid storage portion.
A cross-sectional area of the second channel portion may be different from a cross- sectional area of the first channel portion. In particular, a cross-sectional area of the second channel portion may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the first channel portion.
This may reduce or minimize the capillary forces which may draw liquid into the second channel portion of the air ventilation channel. This may reduce leakage through the air ventilation channel.
The cross-sectional area of the at least one air ventilation channel may have any shape. For example, it may be rectangular, polygonal, circular or oval. Preferably, the cross-sectional area may be oval or circular, more preferred circular.
The cartridge may furthermore comprise at least one liquid communication channel. The liquid communication channel may provide a fluid communication between the liquid storage portion and the atomizing unit.
The at least one liquid communication channel may allow the transport of liquid from the liquid storage portion to the atomizing unit via capillary forces. The atomizing unit may absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and may further evaporate the substrate for aerosol formation.
A cross-sectional area of the at least one liquid communication channel may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the at least one air ventilation channel. In particular, a cross- sectional area of the at least one liquid communication channel may be larger than a cross- sectional area of one or both of the first channel portion and the second channel portion of the at least one air ventilation channel.
The at least one air ventilation channel may be configured to allow entry of air into the liquid storage portion which can be ensured by an air ventilation channel having a smaller cross-sectional area than the at least one liquid communication channel which transports the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The at least one liquid communication channel and the at least one air ventilation channel may have a tubular form. This may result in a circular cross-sectional area of both the liquid communication channel and the at least one air ventilation channel. The diameter of the at least one liquid communication channel may be greater than 1 millimeter. The diameter of the at least one liquid communication channel may be up to 5 millimeters. The diameter of the at least one air ventilation channel may be between 0.01 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters.
In the cartridge, the liquid storage portion may be arranged adjacent to the atomizing unit. The at least one air ventilation channel may extend along the atomizing unit to the liquid storage portion.
This may provide an easy way of allowing the transport of air to the liquid storage portion along the atomizing unit.
The cartridge may further comprise a mounting frame. The mounting frame may be configured for mounting the atomizing unit in the cartridge. The mounting frame may at least partly circumscribe the atomizing unit.
The at least one air ventilation channel may be at least partly formed between the mounting frame and the surface area of the atomizing unit.
This may provide an easy way of forming the at least one air ventilation channel.
The mounting frame may comprise at least one groove. The at least one air ventilation channel may be at least partly formed between the groove and a surface area of the atomizing unit.
This may allow to direct the at least one air ventilation channel along the atomizing unit to the liquid storage portion.
The mounting frame may comprise a sidewall. The at least one air ventilation channel may be partly formed within the sidewall.
This may allow the ventilation channel to be formed in the sidewall without contacting the adjacent atomizing unit.
The at least one air ventilation channel may wind within the side wall extending along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. This may allow the ventilation channel to form a meandering air ventilation channel extending from the liquid storage portion to the airflow path of the cartridge. This may provide a greater liquid storage capacity. This may act to minimize the amount of liquid in the air ventilation channel from reaching the airflow path of the cartridge.
The portion of the at least one air ventilation channel formed within the sidewall of the mounting frame or the portion of the at least one air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the surface of the atomizing unit may be the first channel portion.
This may allow an easy fluid connection of the air ventilation channel to the liquid storage portion running along or being located near atomizing unit.
The atomizing unit may comprise a heating element and a porous body. The porous body may be made from a ceramic material. The porous body may be configured to absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The heating element may be arranged on a heating surface of the porous body. The heating element may be formed as a heating track configured to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element of the atomizing unit may be in electrical contact with electrical heating element contacts. The electrical heating element contacts may also be arranged on the heating surface of the porous body.
The heating surface of the atomizing unit may receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion of the cartridge. The heating surface of the atomizing unit may heat and evaporate the liquid aerosol-forming substrate for aerosol formation.
The porous body of the atomizing unit may furthermore comprise an absorption surface. The absorption surface of the porous body may be in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion and may receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate may further be transferred from the absorption surface of the porous body to the heating surface.
The mounting frame may be arranged on parts of the heating surface of the porous body. A part of the at least one air ventilation channel may be formed between the mounting frame and the heating surface of the porous body. The part of air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the heating surface may be the second channel portion.
This may allow air from the exterior to enter the liquid storage portion through the second channel portion and then the first channel portion of the at least one air ventilation channel.
This also may allow any liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from the liquid storage portion through the at least one air ventilation channel to be evaporated at the heating surface of the porous body. In particular, liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from the liquid storage portion may be transferred from the storage portion through the first channel portion to the second channel portion and may subsequently be evaporated.
The mounting frame may circumscribe a transversal surface portion of the porous body. The transversal surface portion may extend transversely to the heating surface. A part of the at least one air ventilation channel may be formed between the mounting frame and the transversal surface portion of the porous body. The part of the at least one air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the transversal surface portion may be the first channel portion.
The first channel portion and the second channel portion of the at least one air ventilation channel may therefore be formed on adjacent surfaces of the porous body of the atomizing unit.
This may allow an easy design of the air ventilation channel extending along the atomizing unit to the liquid storage portion. This may also allow liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from the liquid storage portion to be absorbed by the transversal surface portion of the porous body in the case that the first channel portion is formed between the transversal surface and the mounting frame.
The mounting frame may comprise at least one liquid opening for providing a liquid communication channel between the liquid storage portion and the atomizing unit. Preferably the liquid storage portion is arranged adjacent to the atomizing unit.
This may provide an easy way to allow transfer of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the storage portion to the atomizing unit. Preferably, the liquid storage portion is adjacent to the porous body of the atomizing unit. In this case the absorption surface of the porous body being adjacent to the liquid storage portion absorbs and further transfers the liquid aerosolforming substrate within the porous body to its heating surface.
The cartridge may further comprise an upstream air inlet. The upstream air inlet may be configured to direct air over the atomizing unit along the airflow path.
The airflow path extending through the cartridge may be separate from the at least one air ventilation channel. As already mentioned above, the at least one air ventilation channel may receive air passing through the airflow path within the cartridge when a user has stopped sucking on the aerosol-generating device.
The liquid storage portion may comprise a retention material. The retention material may be configured for absorbing and retaining the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The retention material may comprise sponge-like or foam-like material able to store the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The structure of the retention material may form a plurality of small bores or tubes, through which the liquid substrate can be transported and stored by capillary action. Examples of suitable materials are a sponge or foam material, ceramic- or graphite-based materials in the form of fibres or sintered powders, foamed metal or plastics materials, a fibrous material, for example made of spun or extruded fibres, such as cellulose acetate, polyester, or bonded polyolefin, polyethylene, ethylene or polypropylene fibres, nylon fibres or ceramic. A user may regularly turn the device over after use. This may lead to the release of any air bubbles formed in the liquid storage portion out of the cartridge through the at least one air ventilation channel.
According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosolgenerating system. The aerosol-generating system may comprise a cartridge as described herein. The aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may be configured to supply power to the atomizing unit of the cartridge. The controller may be configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosolgenerating system. The aerosol-generating system comprises a cartridge as described herein and an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller. The power source is configured to supply power to the atomizing unit of the cartridge. The controller is configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
Such an aerosol-generating system may be configured to generate an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate contained in the cartridge. The aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may be connected to the cartridge and may control operation of the atomizing unit of the cartridge. The power source of the aerosol-generating device may also supply power to the atomizing unit, in particular to its heating element.
The cartridge may be configured to be detachably connectable to the aerosolgenerating device.
This may allow the cartridge to be replaced when the aerosol-forming substrate in the liquid reservoir is depleted.
The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aerosol former. Suitable aerosolformers include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3- butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Aerosol formers may be polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine. The aerosolformer may be propylene glycol. The aerosol former preferably may comprise both glycerine and propylene glycol.
The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise between 70 weight percent and 100 weight percent of an aerosol former, preferably up to 95 weight percent of aerosol former. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may furthermore comprise between 30 weight percent and 5 weight percent of additional compounds from a group selected of: flavorings, nicotine and water. The ceramic body of the atomizing unit may comprise or be made of one or both of Ca2SiC>4 and SiC>2.
The cartridge may comprise a plurality of air ventilation channels, for example the cartridge may comprise at least 2 air ventilation channels, preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 5 air ventilation channels. The cartridge may comprise up to 6 air ventilation channels.
The heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titaniumzirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- , gold- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetai® and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys. Preferably, the heating element may comprise or be made of a nickel-chromium alloy (NiCr). The heating element also may be made of alloys of titanium or SUS stainless steel or be made of pure nickel, SUS stainless steel or titanium.
The electrical contacts may comprise or made of electrically conducting metals or alloys, such as one or more of Cu, Ag, Zn or Au.
The heating element may comprise a susceptor heating element for heating the aerosol-generating substrate by induction. The susceptor may be part of the aerosolgenerating device, or part of the aerosol-generating article, as described above. The susceptor may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate. A preferred susceptor may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, for example a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron, or a ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel. A suitable susceptor may be, or comprise, aluminium.
Preferred susceptors are metal susceptors, for example stainless steel. However, susceptor materials may also comprise or be made of any one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, aluminum, niobium, Inconel alloys (austenite nickel-chromium-based superalloys), metallized films, ceramics such as for example zirconia, transition metals such as for example iron, cobalt, nickel, or metalloids components such as for example boron, carbon, silicon, phosphorus, aluminium, or combinations or alloys of materials.
The susceptor may be heated by an induction coil. The induction coil may provide an alternating magnetic field. The induction coil may be part of the aerosol-generating device or may be included in the cartridge. When located in an alternating electromagnetic field, typically eddy currents are induced and hysteresis losses occur in the susceptor causing heating of the susceptor.
Preferably, the heating element is a resistive heating element as described above.
The mounting frame may comprise or be made of silicone polymer. The mounting frame may comprise temperature resistant polymer material, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK).
The aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may comprise electric circuitry. The electric circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of the controller. The electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components. The electric circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current. The electric circuitry may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.
The aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-lron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may power for example an induction coil comprised in the aerosol-generating article. Alternatively, the power supply may provide power to a resistive heating element comprised in the cartridge via electrical connections.
As used herein, the terms “upstream”, and “downstream”, are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device in relation to the direction in which air flows through the aerosol-generating device during use thereof along the airflow path. Aerosol-generating devices according to the invention comprise a proximal end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the device. The proximal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the mouth end or the downstream end. The mouth end is downstream of the distal end. The mouth end may comprise a mouthpiece. The distal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions with respect to the airflow path through the aerosol-generating device. Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.
Example 1 : A cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion, an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit, the airflow path extending through the cartridge, a longitudinal axis, wherein the airflow path at least partly extends along the longitudinal axis, at least one air ventilation channel configured to allow the entry of air intro the liquid storage portion, wherein the at least one air ventilation channel partly extends along the longitudinal axis .
Example 2. The cartridge according to example 1 , wherein at least one air ventilation channel comprises a first channel portion and a second channel portion, the first channel portion extending along the longitudinal axis and the second channel portion extending transversally to the longitudinal axis, preferably wherein a cross-sectional area of the second channel portion is larger than a cross-sectional area of the first channel portion.
Example 3. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising at least one liquid communication channel for providing a fluid communication between the liquid storage portion and the atomizing unit.
Example 4. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein a cross- sectional area of the at least one liquid communication channel is larger than a cross-sectional area of the at least one air ventilation channel, preferably wherein a diameter of the at least one liquid communication channel is greater than 1 millimeter and wherein a diameter of the at least one air ventilation channel is between 0.01 millimeter and 0.5 millimeter.
Example 5. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the liquid storage portion is arranged adjacent to the atomizing unit and wherein the at least one air ventilation channel extends along the atomizing unit to the liquid storage portion.
Example 6. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a mounting frame, wherein the mounting frame is configured for mounting the atomizing unit in the cartridge and wherein the mounting frame at least partly circumscribes the atomizing unit.
Example 7. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the at least one air ventilation channel is at least partly formed between the mounting frame and a surface area of the atomizing unit, preferably wherein the mounting frame comprises at least one groove and wherein the at least one air ventilation channel is at least partly formed between the groove and a surface area of the atomizing unit.
Example 8. The cartridge according to the preceding example 6, wherein the mounting frame comprises a sidewall and wherein the at least one air ventilation channel is at least partly formed within the sidewall, preferably wherein the at least one air ventilation channel winds within the sidewall extending along the longitudinal axis, more preferably according to example 2 wherein the part of the at least one air ventilation channel formed within the sidewall is the first channel portion.
Example 9. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the atomizing unit comprises a heating element and a porous body, preferably wherein the porous body is made from a ceramic material, more preferably wherein the porous body is configured to absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
Example 10. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the heating element is arranged on a heating surface of the porous body, preferably wherein the heating element is formed as a heating track configured to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
Example 11. The cartridge according to the preceding example, further being dependent on any of the examples 6 or 7, wherein the mounting frame is arranged on parts of the heating surface of the porous body, preferably wherein a part of the at least one air ventilation channel is formed between the mounting frame and the heating surface of the porous body, more preferably being dependent on example 2, wherein the part of the at least one air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the heating surface of the porous body is the second channel portion.
Example 12. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the mounting frame circumscribes a transversal surface portion of the porous body extending transversally to the heating surface, wherein a part of the at least one air ventilation channel is formed between the mounting frame and the transversal surface portion of the porous body, more preferably being dependent on example 2, wherein the part of the at least one air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the transversal surface portion of the porous body is the first channel portion.
Example 13. The cartridge according any of the preceding examples 6, 7, 11 or 12, wherein the mounting frame comprises at least one liquid opening for providing a liquid communication channel between the liquid storage portion and the atomizing unit, preferably wherein the liquid storage portion is arranged adjacent to the atomizing unit.
Example 14. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising an upstream air inlet being configured to direct air over the atomizing unit along the airflow path. Example 15. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the airflow path is separate from the at least one air ventilation channel.
Example 16. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the liquid storage portion comprises a retention material configured for absorbing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate .
Example 17. An aerosol-generating system comprising a cartridge according to any of the preceding examples and an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller, wherein the power source is configured to supply power to the atomizing unit and wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
Example 18. The aerosol-generating system according to the preceding examples, wherein the cartridge is configured to be detachably connectable to the aerosol-generating device.
Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a cartridge including an air ventilation channel;
Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a cartridge including an air ventilation channel;
Fig. 3 depicts a schematic top view of the atomizer unit in the mounting frame;
Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the atomizing unit in the mounting frame viewed from the side of the liquid storage portion;
Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the cartridge wherein the first channel portion of the air ventilation channel is meandering through the mounting frame; and
Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the cartridge wherein the first channel portion is winding to the mounting frame;
Fig. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of the cartridge indicating the airflow path through the cartridge;
Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system including the cartridge and the aerosol-generating device.
In the following elements with the same functionality are marked with the same reference numerals throughout all the figures.
Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a cartridge 10 in accordance with the present invention. The cartridge 10 includes a liquid storage portion 12 and an atomizing unit 20 adjacent to the liquid storage portion. The atomizing unit 20 is in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion 12 through liquid communication channels 12A. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate can be transported through the liquid communication channels 12A and can be absorbed by the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit 20. A heating element 16 with electrical heating element contacts 18 is arranged on a heating surface 17 of the atomizing unit 20. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate absorbed by the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit can be evaporated at this heating surface 17 via heating with the heating element 16. When a user sucks on the cartridge being connected to an aerosol-generating device (device not shown in Fig. 1) the direction of the airflow along the airflow path is as indicated with the arrow 22 through the airflow tube 30. This airflow path extends along a longitudinal axis 24 of the cartridge. The atomizing unit 20 is mounted in a mounting frame 28 which includes the liquid communication channels 12A for direct liquid communication between the liquid storage portion 12 and the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit. The at least one air ventilation channel 26 is formed between a surface of the porous body of the atomizing unit 20 and the mounting frame 28. The air ventilation channel 26 includes a first channel portion 26A which extends along the longitudinal axis 24 of the cartridge and a second channel portion 26B which runs transversely, in particular, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24. Air can pass through the second channel portion 26B and the first channel portion 26A in order to reach the liquid storage portion 12. This allows air to easily replace any used liquid aerosol-forming substrate in the liquid storage portion and can avoid or reduce the build-up of any negative pressure in the liquid storage portion which may hinder the flow of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate towards the atomizing unit. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate may accidentally leak from the liquid storage portion 12 through the first channel portion 26A to the second channel portion 26B of the air ventilation channel 26. The second channel portion 26B is located adjacent to the heating surface 17 of the atomizing unit 20. This allows any accidentally leaked liquid aerosol-forming substrate to be evaporated by the heating surface of the atomizing unit 20, thereby avoiding that droplets of liquid aerosol-forming substrate can accidentally be inhaled by a user.
A cross-sectional area of the air ventilation channel 26 can be smaller than a cross- sectional area of the liquid communication channels 12A because air passes through the air ventilation channel 26, whereas liquid aerosol-forming substrate is transported through the liquid communication channels 12A. The transport of air requires a smaller cross-sectional area of the air ventilation channels than the cross-sectional area of the liquid communication channels. This is shown in the cross-sectional view of figure 1 with the diameter 12B of the liquid communication channels 12A being larger than the diameter 26C of the first channel portion and the diameter 26D in the second channel portion of the air ventilation channel.
Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the cartridge 10. In this embodiment the air ventilation channel 26 is formed within the mounting frame 28. In particular, the air ventilation channel 26 is formed between a first portion 28A and a second portion 28B of the mounting frame 28. The mounting frame 28 directly contacts the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit 20. When a user stops drawing air from the cartridge, air can enter the liquid storage portion 12 in a direction as indicated by the arrows 23 in Fig. 2. In particular, air may pass through the downstream airflow portion into the second channel portion 26B of the air ventilation channel 26 and further may be directed through the first channel portion 26A into the liquid storage portion 12.
Fig. 3 depicts a top view of a cartridge according to the present invention. This top view shows the heating element 16 which is located on the heating surface of the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit 20 and which is surrounded by the mounting frame 28 (porous body 14 located beneath the heating element 16 and the mounting frame 28 and therefore not shown in Fig. 3). The mounting frame 28 includes openings in order to expose the electric heating element contacts 18. This allows the electrical heating element contacts 18 to contact the aerosol-generating device when the cartridge is connected to the device.
Figure 4 shows a schematic bottom view of the cartridge 10 without the liquid storage portion 12. This figure shows the bottom part of the mounting frame 28, wherein parts of the porous body 14 are visible. This allows fluid communication between the liquid storage portion and the porous body 14 through the liquid communication channels 12A. A first channel portion 26A of the air ventilation channel is located adjacent to the liquid communication channels 12A. This allows the entry of air into the liquid storage portion.
Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the cartridge 10. In this embodiment, the air ventilation channel 26 is meandering within the mounting frame 28 and is located between the first portion 28A and the second portion 28B of the mounting frame 28. This is another design of an air ventilation channel 26 which allows air to enter the liquid storage portion 12 and replace any used liquid aerosol-forming substrate with air.
Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the cartridge 10. In this cartridge, the air ventilation channel 26 is winding within the mounting frame 28. In particular, the first channel portion 26A of the air ventilation channel 26 is located within the mounting frame 28.
Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 10 indicating the airflow indicated by the arrows 22 through the cartridge. Air can enter the cartridge through the upstream air inlet 32 and can be directed along the liquid storage portion 12 to be further mixed with volatile compounds from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate evaporated at the heating surface 17 of the atomizing unit 20. The cartridge 10 comprises a housing 38 and additional cartridge electrical contacts 34 which are configured to provide contact to an aerosol-generating device. Electrical wires 36 are present which provide an electrical contact between the cartridge electrical contacts 34 and the heating element contacts 18 of the heating surface of the atomizing unit.
Fig. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system comprising the cartridge 10 and the aerosol-generating device 40. Device electrical contacts 42 are present in the aerosol-generating device 40 which can provide an electrical contact to the cartridge electrical contacts 34. The aerosol-generating device normally comprises a power supply such as a battery which can then supply power through the device electrical contacts 42, the cartridge electrical contacts 34 and the electrical wires 36 to the heating element contacts 18 of the heating surface of the atomizing unit.

Claims

1 . A cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion, an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit, the airflow path extending through the cartridge, a longitudinal axis, wherein the airflow path at least partly extends along the longitudinal axis, at least one air ventilation channel configured to allow the entry of air intro the liquid storage portion, wherein the at least one air ventilation channel partly extends along the longitudinal axis, further comprising at least one liquid communication channel for providing a fluid communication between the liquid storage portion and the atomizing unit.
2. The cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein at least one air ventilation channel comprises a first channel portion and a second channel portion, the first channel portion extending along the longitudinal axis and the second channel portion extending transversally to the longitudinal axis, preferably wherein a cross-sectional area of the second channel portion is larger than a cross-sectional area of the first channel portion.
3. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a cross- sectional area of the at least one liquid communication channel is larger than a cross-sectional area of the at least one air ventilation channel, preferably wherein a diameter of the at least one liquid communication channel is greater than 1 millimeter and wherein a diameter of the at least one air ventilation channel is between 0.01 millimeter and 0.5 millimeter.
4. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid storage portion is arranged adjacent to the atomizing unit and wherein the at least one air ventilation channel extends along the atomizing unit to the liquid storage portion.
5. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a mounting frame, wherein the mounting frame is configured for mounting the atomizing unit in the cartridge and wherein the mounting frame at least partly circumscribes the atomizing unit.
6. The cartridge according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one air ventilation channel is at least partly formed between the mounting frame and a surface area of the atomizing unit, preferably wherein the mounting frame comprises at least one groove and wherein the at least one air ventilation channel is at least partly formed between the groove and a surface area of the atomizing unit.
7. The cartridge according to the preceding claim 5, wherein the mounting frame comprises a sidewall and wherein the at least one air ventilation channel is at least partly formed within the sidewall, preferably wherein the at least one air ventilation channel winds within the sidewall extending along the longitudinal axis.
8. The cartridge according to the preceding claim and according to claim 2, wherein the part of the at least one air ventilation channel formed within the sidewall is the first channel portion.
9. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the atomizing unit comprises a heating element and a porous body, preferably wherein the heating element is arranged on a heating surface of the porous body.
10. The cartridge according to the preceding claim, further being dependent on any of the preceding claims 7 or 8, further being dependent on any of the claims 5 or 6, wherein the mounting frame is arranged on parts of the heating surface of the porous body, preferably wherein a part of the at least one air ventilation channel is formed between the mounting frame and the heating surface of the porous body.
11 . The cartridge according to the preceding claim, further being dependent on claim 2, wherein the part of the at least one air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the heating surface of the porous body is the second channel portion.
12. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims 10 or 11 , wherein the mounting frame circumscribes a transversal surface portion of the porous body extending transversally to the heating surface, wherein a part of the at least one air ventilation channel is formed between the mounting frame and the transversal surface portion of the porous body.
13. The cartridge according to the preceding claim, further being dependent on claim 2, wherein the part of the at least one air ventilation channel formed between the mounting frame and the transversal surface portion of the porous body is the first channel portion.
RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA/EP
14. The cartridge according any of the preceding claims 5 to 7 or 9 to 13, wherein the mounting frame comprises at least one liquid opening for providing a liquid communication channel between the liquid storage portion and the atomizing unit, preferably wherein the liquid storage portion is arranged adjacent to the atomizing unit.
15. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the airflow path is separate from the at least one air ventilation channel.
16. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid storage portion comprises a retention material configured for absorbing the liquid aerosolforming substrate.
17. An aerosol-generating system comprising a cartridge according to any of the preceding claims and an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller, wherein the power source is configured to supply power to the atomizing unit and wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
18. The aerosol-generating system according to the preceding claim, wherein the cartridge is configured to be detachably connectable to the aerosol-generating device.
EP23818506.0A 2022-12-14 2023-12-07 Cartridge with air ventilation channel Pending EP4633396A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22213502 2022-12-14
PCT/EP2023/084673 WO2024126243A1 (en) 2022-12-14 2023-12-07 Cartridge with air ventilation channel

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4633396A1 true EP4633396A1 (en) 2025-10-22

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ID=84536129

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP23818506.0A Pending EP4633396A1 (en) 2022-12-14 2023-12-07 Cartridge with air ventilation channel

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4633396A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2025540525A (en)
KR (1) KR20250124306A (en)
CN (1) CN120201935A (en)
WO (1) WO2024126243A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016096497A1 (en) * 2014-12-15 2016-06-23 Philip Morris Products S.A. An aerosol-generating system using the venturi effect to deliver substrate to a heating element
PL3487325T3 (en) * 2016-07-25 2020-12-14 Philip Morris Products S.A. Cartridge for an aerosol-generating system with heater protection
JP7080888B2 (en) * 2016-12-19 2022-06-06 フィリップ・モーリス・プロダクツ・ソシエテ・アノニム Aerosol generation system with cartridges with side openings
CN209498584U (en) * 2018-12-26 2019-10-18 深圳市合元科技有限公司 Vape atomizer and electronic cigarette

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JP2025540525A (en) 2025-12-15
CN120201935A (en) 2025-06-24
WO2024126243A1 (en) 2024-06-20
KR20250124306A (en) 2025-08-19

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