KR20220110483A - Aerosol-generating device with cartridge release system - Google Patents

Abstract

The aerosol-generating device includes an aerosol-generating element comprising a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate; a container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace outlet above the liquid fill level; a conduit for carrying an airflow from the receptacle to the vessel; and a cap engageable with the body. the cap comprises a frame comprising a cavity and having a central axis, wherein the cavity is arranged to receive a cartridge; and a grip member configured to releasably grip the cartridge received within the receptacle. The cartridge may be ejected from the grip member using an ejection mechanism. The ejection mechanism may be part of a cartridge disposal system.

Description

Aerosol-generating device with cartridge release system

The present disclosure relates to aerosol-generating devices and systems for gripping and releasing cartridges containing an aerosol-forming substrate for use in an aerosol-generating device. The present disclosure also relates to a system for removing and disposing of a cartridge used in an aerosol-generating device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a gripping and dispensing system that can be used to remove and dispose of cartridges used in shisha devices.

Traditional shisha devices are used to smoke cigarettes and are configured to pass the vapors and smoke through a water bath before being inhaled by the consumer. A shisha device may include one or more outlets or one or more outlets such that the device may be used by more than one consumer at a time. The use of shisha devices is viewed by some as a recreational activity and a social experience.

Typically, traditional shisha is used in combination with a substrate and is sometimes referred to in the art as hookah tobacco, tobacco molasses, or simply molasses. Traditional shisha substrates are relatively high in sugar (in some cases up to 50% versus 20% typically found in conventional tobacco substrates such as combustible cigarettes). The tobacco used in the shisha device may be mixed with other ingredients, for example, to increase the volume of vapor and smoke produced, to alter the flavor, or both.

Traditional shisha devices use charcoal, such as charcoal pellets, to heat and sometimes burn tobacco substrates to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. Heating tobacco using charcoal can cause complete or partial combustion of the tobacco or other ingredients. Additionally, charcoal can generate harmful or potentially hazardous products such as carbon monoxide, which can mix with the shisha vapor and travel through the water bath to the outlet.

One way to reduce the production of carbon monoxide and combustion by-products is to use e-liquids rather than cigarettes. Shisha devices using e-liquids eliminate combustion by-products, but deprive Shisha consumers of the traditional tobacco-based experience.

Other shisha devices have been proposed that use electric heaters to heat cigarettes without burning them. Such electrically heated non-combustion heating shisha devices heat the tobacco substrate to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the substrate without burning the substrate, thus reducing or eliminating byproducts associated with combustion of the tobacco.

The shisha device may use a cartridge for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. Cartridges may be filled with such aerosol-forming substrates. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a mixture of tobacco, preferably a shisha substrate, such as molasses-tobacco, water, sugar, and other ingredients such as glycerin, flavorings, and the like. The heating system of the electrically heated shisha device heats the contents of the cartridge to generate an aerosol that is delivered to the user through the airflow path.

To facilitate airflow through the cartridge and the flow of aerosol from the cartridge, the shisha cartridge may have one or more apertures through one or more walls. Prior art cartridges typically have one or more openings on at least one of the walls of the cartridge, such as in one or both of a top wall and a bottom wall. At least some of the holes or openings in the top and bottom wall surfaces may be closed during storage by a removable (eg, peelable) sealing layer such as a film, sticker or liner. The removable layer may protect the contents (eg, molasses) from exposure to air and oxygen. The removable layer may be removed (eg, pulled or peeled off) by the user prior to first use of the cartridge.

After use of the Shisha device, the cartridge can be removed and discarded. However, the cartridge may still contain materials such as the aerosol-forming substrate used. Cartridges can still be hot even if they haven't had time to cool down. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for removing and disposing of a cartridge is provided.

It would be desirable to provide a system for removing a used cartridge from an aerosol-generating device. It would be desirable to provide a system for disposing of cartridges used in aerosol-generating devices. It would be desirable to provide a system for removing a used cartridge from an aerosol-generating device that can be included as part of an aerosol-generating device. It would be desirable to provide a system for removing a used cartridge from an aerosol-generating device that is convenient and easy to use. It would be desirable to provide a system for disposing of used cartridges that is convenient and easy to use. It would be desirable to provide a system for removing a used cartridge from an aerosol-generating device that does not require a user to directly handle the cartridge. It would be desirable to provide a system for disposing of a used cartridge that does not require a user to handle the cartridge directly.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a system that can be used to grip and eject a cartridge in an aerosol-generating device. According to one embodiment, the system can be used to remove a cartridge from an aerosol-generating device. According to one implementation, the system may be used to dispose of a cartridge. For example, the system may be used with a Shisha device. The system may be used to grip a shisha cartridge. The system may be used to remove a shisha cartridge from a shisha device. The system may be used to eject a shisha cartridge. The system can be used to dispose of a shisha cartridge. The system may be used to dispose of a shisha cartridge into a disposal container.

A system for gripping and ejecting a cartridge may be referred to as an extractor. The extractor may be part of a cap used with an aerosol-generating device. The cap may be integrated as part of the shisha device.

A system for gripping and releasing a cartridge may include a cap mountable on the aerosol-generating device. The cap includes a body having a cavity for receiving a cartridge and a grip member. The grip member is configured to grip and release the cartridge.

A system for gripping and releasing a cartridge may be actuated by inserting the cartridge into an aerosol-generating device. The cap may be disposed on the device (eg, on a receptacle of the aerosol-generating element) and the cap may be pressed down to engage the grip member with the cartridge. The grip member may grip the cartridge. The aerosol-generating device may be a shisha device, and the cartridge may be a shisha cartridge.

The system of the present disclosure may provide a variety of advantages. Some of the advantages include that the system for gripping and ejecting the cartridge is convenient, easy to use and safe. Users can remove used cartridges without having to handle the cartridges directly to avoid direct contact with hot objects. The cartridge can be discarded without the need to handle the cartridge manually, reducing the possibility of leaks and other messes.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an extractor is provided for removing a cartridge from an aerosol-generating device. The extractor may include a cavity arranged to receive a cartridge. The extractor may include a grip member configured to releasably grip a cartridge received within the cavity. The extractor may be engageable with the aerosol-generating device. The extractor may be provided as part of the cap. The extractor may include one or more perforating elements for perforating the cartridge. The extractor may be provided as part of the aerosol-generating device.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cap comprising an extractor is provided. The cap may include a cavity arranged to receive the cartridge. The extractor may include a grip member configured to releasably grip a cartridge received within the cavity. The extractor may be received within the cavity of the cap. The extractor may be configured to remove the cartridge from the aerosol-generating device. The cap may be engageable with the aerosol-generating device. The cap may include one or more puncturing elements for puncturing the cartridge. The cap and extractor may be provided as part of the aerosol-generating device.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an aerosol-generating device may include an aerosol-generating element having a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device comprises: a container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace outlet above the liquid fill level; and a conduit for carrying an airflow from the receptacle to the vessel. The aerosol-generating device may comprise an extractor. The extractor may form part of the cap. The cap may be engageable with the body of the aerosol-generating element. The cap may include a frame having a cavity and a central axis, wherein the cavity is arranged to receive a cartridge. The cap may include a grip member. The grip member may be configured to releasably grip a cartridge received within the receptacle.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an aerosol-generating device comprises an aerosol-generating element having a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device comprises: a container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace outlet above the liquid fill level; and a conduit for carrying an airflow from the receptacle to the vessel. The aerosol-generating device includes an extractor. The extractor forms part of the cap. The cap may be engageable with the body of the aerosol-generating element. The cap includes a frame having a cavity and a central axis, wherein the cavity is arranged to receive a cartridge. The cap includes a grip member configured to releasably grip a cartridge received within the receptacle. The grip member may include one or more spring fingers. The grip member may include a ring member and one or more spring fingers extending from the ring member. According to one embodiment, an aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol-generating device and a waste container having an opening; and a cartridge disposal device including a cartridge ejection member. The cartridge ejection member may be configured to mate with a gripping member of the cap to actuate ejection of the cartridge.

The one or more spring fingers may extend axially toward the closed end of the cavity. One or more spring fingers extend radially inwardly from the ring member toward a central axis.

The cap may include an outer cover. The cap may include an inner sheath disposed within the outer sheath, the inner sheath defining a cavity. The grip member may be disposed at least partially within the cavity of the inner sheath. The inner sheath may be axially movable within the outer sheath. The cap may further include a spring element. The spring element may bias the inner sheath away from the outer sheath in an axial direction. One of the inner and outer sheaths may include one or more guide tracks, and the other of the inner and outer sheaths may include one or more track pins configured to cooperate with the one or more guide tracks.

The cap has an operating position. The actuated position may be a position in which the cap is configured such that the grip member grips a cartridge received within the receptacle. The cap has a cap release position. The ejection position may be a position at which the cartridge may be ejected from the grip member. The cap may have an intermediate position. In some embodiments, the cap is configured such that, in the intermediate position, the cartridge remains gripped by the grip member once the cap is removed from the body.

The aerosol-generating system may include an aerosol-generating device and a cartridge disposal device comprising a disposal container having an opening. The system may include a cartridge ejection member configured to mate with a grip member of the cap to actuate ejection of the cartridge. The cartridge ejection member may include a pressure ring in the opening of the waste container, the pressure ring configured to flex one or more spring fingers. The pressure ring may have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the ring member of the grip member, but larger than the diameter of the cartridge. The cartridge ejection member may include a rim of the waste container.

A method of using an aerosol-generating device may include inserting a cartridge into a receptacle of the aerosol-generating element and placing a cap on the aerosol-generating element such that the cartridge is gripped by a grip member. The cap may be pushed towards the receptacle to release the cap from the aerosol-generating element. The cap and cartridge may be removed from the aerosol-generating element. The grip member may contact the cartridge ejection member to cause the cartridge to be ejected from the grip member.

The cartridge ejection member may include a rim of the waste container. The rim may have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the ring member of the grip member, but larger than the diameter of the cartridge. Contacting the grip member with the cartridge ejection member may include engaging a rim of the cartridge disposal device between the cartridge and a ring member of the grip member to flex one or more spring fingers, thereby ejecting the cartridge from the grip member. have.

The one or more spring fingers may exhibit bias and the cap may include an ejection mechanism configured to eject the cartridge in response to the bias. A method of using an aerosol-generating device comprising: causing a cartridge to be gripped by a grip member, wherein one or more spring fingers exhibit bias towards the cartridge; and actuating the ejection mechanism to eject the cartridge in response to the deflection.

The term “aerosol” is used herein to refer to a suspension of solid particles or droplets, or a combination of solid particles and droplets in a gas. The gas may be air. The solid particles or droplets may include one or more volatile flavor compounds. The aerosol may be visible or may be invisible. Aerosols may contain vapors of substances that are normally liquid or solid at room temperature. An aerosol may comprise vapors of substances that are normally liquid or solid at room temperature, either in combination with solid particles or in combination with droplets, or in combination with both solid particles and droplets. In some embodiments, the aerosol comprises nicotine.

The term “aerosol-forming substrate” is used herein to refer to a material capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate can be heated to volatilize one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. As an alternative to heating or combustion, in some cases volatile compounds may be released by chemical reactions or by mechanical stimulation such as ultrasound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed within the cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid or liquid, or may comprise both a solid component and a liquid component. The aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing a volatile tobacco flavor compound that is released from the aerosol-forming substrate when heated. The aerosol-forming substrate may alternatively comprise a non-tobacco containing material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenized plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-forming agent. The aerosol-forming substrate may include other additives and ingredients such as flavoring agents.

The terms “integral” and “integrally formed” are used herein to describe an element that is formed into one piece (a single, integrated piece). The integral or integrally formed components may be configured such that they cannot be separably removed from each other without causing structural damage to the piece.

As used herein, the singular indefinite articles “a”, “an”, and the definite article “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

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

The term “about” is used herein in conjunction with a numerical value to include normal variations in the measurement as would be expected by one of ordinary skill in the art, and is understood to have the same meaning as “approximately”. The term “about” is understood to include typical margins of error. A typical margin of error may be, for example, ±5% of the stated value.

As used herein, “have”, “having”, “include”, “including”, “comprise”, “comprising” are in an open-ended sense. used, and generally means “including, but not limited to.” It will be understood that “consisting essentially of,” “consisting of,” and the like are included in “comprising,” and the like.

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

As used herein, the term “substantially” may be understood to modify the term leading to at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 98%. As used herein, the term "not substantially" is to be understood as having the opposite meaning of "substantially", i.e. modifying the term leading to 10% or less, 5% or less, or 2% or less.

Any direction recited herein, such as “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, and other directions or orientations, is set forth herein for clarity and conciseness , it is not intended to limit the actual device or system. The devices and systems described herein can be used in a number of orientations and orientations.

The aerosol-generating device may include an aerosol-generating element having a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device comprises: a container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace outlet above the liquid fill level; and a conduit for carrying an airflow from the receptacle to the vessel. The aerosol-generating device may include a cap engageable with the body. The cap may include a frame having a cavity and a central axis. The cavity may be arranged to receive a cartridge. The cap may include a grip member configured to releasably grip a cartridge received within the receptacle. The grip member may include one or more spring fingers. The grip member may include a ring member and one or more spring fingers extending from the ring member. The grip member may engage an ejection mechanism for ejecting the cartridge.

The aerosol-generating device may be a shisha device. The shisha device may include an aerosol-generating element having a body and a receptacle for receiving a shisha cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The shisha device includes a container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace outlet above the liquid fill level; and a conduit for carrying an airflow from the receptacle to the vessel. The shisha device may include a cap engageable with the body. The cap may include a frame having a cavity and a central axis. The cavity may be arranged to receive a shisha cartridge. The cap may include a grip member configured to releasably grip a cartridge received within the receptacle. The grip member may include one or more spring fingers. The grip member may include a ring member and one or more spring fingers extending from the ring member. The grip member may engage an ejection mechanism for ejecting the shisha cartridge.

The cap may include a frame including a cavity and having a central axis. The cavity may be arranged to receive a cartridge. The cap is disposed within the cavity and may optionally include a puncture assembly configured to puncture a wall surface of the cartridge. The cap may include an extractor. The extractor may include a grip member configured to releasably grip a cartridge received in the receptacle. The cap can advantageously be used to grip the cartridge and remove the cartridge from the receptacle. This allows the user to remove the cartridge without the need for direct contact with the used cartridge. A cap having a grip member may be used with a waste container. This allows the user to dispose of the cartridge without the need for direct contact with the used cartridge. The devices and systems of the present disclosure can help avoid direct contact with hot cartridges. The devices and systems of the present disclosure can also help prevent leaks and smudges from open cartridges.

The cap may include an outer frame. The cartridge may have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the outer frame is defined by a cylindrical outer wall extending between the first end wall and the open second end. The first end wall may be a top wall. The outer frame can be opened from the floor. The outer frame may define a cavity for receiving the grip member. The cap and grip member may define a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may be a central axis. The longitudinal axis may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem pipe.

According to one embodiment, the cap includes a grip member configured to grip the cartridge. The grip member may include a ring member and one or more gripping fingers extending from the ring member. One or more grip fingers may be configured to abut against a flange of the cartridge. For example, the one or more grip fingers may be configured to abut against a flange of the cartridge when the cartridge is received within the receptacle and the cap is disposed over the cartridge.

The one or more grip fingers may include spring fingers. One or more grip fingers extend from the ring member to an upper end of the grip fingers. The number of grip fingers may be 1 or more, 2 or more, 3 or more, or 4 or more. The number of grip fingers may be 12 or less, 10 or less, 8 or less, 6 or less, or 4 or less. In one embodiment, the grip member has 2 to 5 grip fingers. In one embodiment, the grip member has three grip fingers. In some embodiments where the grip member includes a plurality of grip fingers, the grip fingers may be spaced equidistant from one another around the ring member.

According to one embodiment, the cap comprises an outer sheath defining a cavity. The outer sheath may include a cylindrical outer wall extending between the first end wall and the open second end. The outer sheath may define a cavity for receiving the inner sheath.

According to one embodiment, the cap comprises an inner lid. The inner sheath may be configured to fit at least partially within the cavity of the outer sheath. The inner sheath may have an outer wall comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions may be cylindrical elements having different diameters. The first portion may be a cylindrical wall surface having a first diameter, and the second portion may be a cylindrical wall surface having a second diameter. The second diameter may be larger than the first diameter. The second portion may be coaxial with the first portion and may be below the first portion such that a shoulder is formed upon transition between the first portion and the second portion. The shoulder may support a compression spring. A compression spring may be fitted around the first portion. A compression spring may extend from the shoulder to a first end wall of the outer sheath.

An outer wall surface of the inner sheath may extend between the first end wall and the open second end. The inner cover may define a cavity for receiving the cartridge and for receiving the grip member.

The grip member may be disposed within the cavity of the cap. In some embodiments, the grip member is located within the inner sheath. The grip member may be oriented with one or more grip fingers pointing upward from the ring member. The one or more grip fingers may be inclined radially inwardly towards a longitudinal (central) axis. When the cartridge is received within the inner cover, the ring member may surround the cartridge body. The one or more grip fingers may be configured such that a distal end of the grip finger abuts against an upper flange of the cartridge. The one or more grip fingers may have a length less than the height of the cartridge. The inner diameter of the ring member may be greater than the maximum diameter of the cartridge. When the cap is removed from the aerosol-generating device, the cartridge is removed (eg, lifted) with the cap due to the gripping fingers abutting against the flange, thereby preventing the cartridge from falling out of the cavity.

The cap may optionally include a perforation assembly (eg, a top perforation assembly). The cap may include an outer sheath and a perforation element on an inner wall surface of the outer sheath. The perforating element may extend axially downward inside the cavity of the outer sheath. The puncturing element may be oriented towards a cartridge disposed within a receptacle of the shisha device. The puncturing element may be integral with the outer sheath or may be attached to the interior of the first end wall surface of the outer sheath.

The inner sheath may have an opening in its first end wall. The opening may be configured to receive a puncturing element. The opening may further include one or more recesses or channels for facilitating airflow through the first end wall surface of the inner sheath while the puncturing element is received within the opening.

The cap may include an outer frame. The outer frame may include a projection extending from the interior of the first end wall surface into the cavity of the outer frame. The protrusion may be configured to press on the outer lid. The protrusion may serve to leave a gap between the cap outer frame and the outer lid.

The top piercing element may have any suitable shape for piercing the wall surface of the cartridge. For example, the top piercing element may include one or more piercing edges or piercing points. The perforation edge or perforation point is configured to perforate a wall surface (eg, a top wall surface) of the cartridge. The number of perforation points or edges is not particularly limited. The piercing element may have only a single piercing point or edge. The puncturing element may have a plurality of puncturing points or edges. For example, the puncturing element may have two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or eight or more piercing points or edges. The puncturing element may have no more than 20, no more than 15, no more than 12, no more than 10, or no more than 8 puncturing points or edges. In one embodiment, the piercing element is shaped like an inverted crown with a plurality of piercing points extending downward. An inverted crown may have 4 to 10 or 6 to 8 puncture points or edges.

The outer and inner sheaths may include a system of tracks and pins for guiding movement of the outer and inner sheaths relative to each other. The outer sheath may be movable vertically, horizontally, or both vertically and horizontally. The inner lid may be movable vertically, horizontally, or both vertically and horizontally. In one embodiment, the inner sheath defines a track and the outer sheath includes one or more pins. Alternatively, the track may be defined within the outer sheath and one or more pins may be on the inner sheath. In one embodiment, the outer sheath includes one or more pins extending radially inwardly from its cylindrical outer wall surface. The inner sheath may include one or more tracks corresponding to one or more pins. One or more tracks may be disposed on the second (lower) portion of the inner sheath. The one or more tracks may define multiple locations of the outer sheath. For example, the one or more tracks may define a first position that is a rest position, a second position that is a puncture position, and a third position that is a use position. When the outer sheath is in the second position, the compression spring biases the outer sheath upward. The one or more tracks may also define a fourth position, which is the release position of the cap. The release location may be used to release the cap from the aerosol-generating device. When the outer sheath is in the fourth position, the compression spring biases the outer sheath upward. When the compression spring biases the outer shroud upward, it also biases the cab outer frame upward.

The outer lid may be pressed down (eg, by a user pressing on the cab outer frame) from the first position to the second position. Upon entering the second position, the puncturing element engages the cartridge and punctures the cartridge. When pressure is released from the outer sheath, the compression spring upwardly returns the outer sheath to the third position. In the third position, the airflow path is open through an opening formed in the cartridge. The airflow path may open between the container and the exterior of the aerosol-generating device (eg, a shisha device). The user can use the aerosol-generating device by aspirating the mouthpiece. To release and remove the cap, the user may press the outer lid again (eg, by pressing the cap outer frame) to move the outer lid to the fourth position. From the fourth position, the compression spring returns the outer sheath to the initial first position (rest position). In this position, the top of the cap may extend over the top edge of the aerosol-generating element and may be gripped by the user. While the cap outer frame and outer lid move between the various positions, the cartridge may remain gripped by the grip member in at least some of the positions. The cartridge is held held by the grip member at least in a cap ejection position where the cap can be ejected from the aerosol-generating device.

The lower end of the cap outer frame may be attached to the support plate. The support plate may be configured to retain the various portions (eg, grip member, outer cover, and inner cover) within the cavity of the outer frame. The support plate may be a substantially round plate having a central hole extending through the plate. The aperture may be sized to receive a cartridge. The aperture may also be sized to receive a receptacle capable of receiving a cartridge. The aperture may have an angled inner edge that tapers inwardly on its upper side. The angled inner edge may engage the cap with the aerosol-generating element and assist in receiving the cartridge within the cap. The support plate may be attached in any suitable manner, for example by means of an adhesive or by means of a coupling element such as a screw, clip, threaded coupling, snap fit, or friction fit.

The various portions of the cap and grip member may be made of any suitable material. Suitable materials include plastics, metals, ceramics, glass, and combinations thereof. Different parts of the system may be made of different materials. For example, some parts, such as the outer cover and inner cover, may be made of plastic, while other parts, such as the spring, may be made of metal. Other combinations are possible. The grip member is preferably made of a bendable material. For example, the grip member may be made of metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.

The shisha device may also optionally include a puncture assembly (eg, a bottom puncture assembly). A bottom puncture assembly may be disposed below the cartridge, at the upper end of the stem pipe. The bottom puncture assembly may extend from the base of the receptacle into the receptacle in a direction away from the base of the receptacle (eg, upwardly). When the cap is pressed down, the cartridge may also be pressed against the bottom puncture assembly. The cap may be perforated by both perforation assemblies. The perforation assembly may perforate the top and bottom wall surfaces of the cartridge.

The cartridge may be ejected from the grip member using an ejection mechanism. The ejection mechanism may be part of a disposal system. The disposal system may include a cartridge ejection member. The cartridge ejection member may be configured to radially outwardly flex the grip fingers. The cartridge ejection member may be configured to push the grip finger outward to eject the cartridge. In some embodiments, the cartridge disposal apparatus includes a disposal container having an opening. The cartridge ejection member may be disposed in the opening. The cartridge ejection member may be a pressure ring. In some embodiments, the cartridge ejection member comprises a rim or mouth of a disposal container.

The cartridge ejection member (eg, pressure ring or rim) may have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the ring member of the grip member. The cartridge ejection member (eg, a pressure ring or rim) may have a diameter greater than the maximum diameter of the cartridge. Contacting the grip member with the cartridge ejection member may include inserting a rim of the cartridge disposal device between the cartridge and a ring member of the grip member to flex one or more gripping fingers, thereby ejecting the cartridge from the grip member. have.

In some embodiments, the release mechanism is part of the cap. The ejection mechanism is operable to eject the cartridge from the grip member.

The cartridge may include any suitable body defining a cavity. The aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed within the cavity of the cartridge. The body is preferably formed of one or more heat-resistant materials such as heat-resistant metals or polymers. The body may include a thermally conductive material. For example, the body may include any one of aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, any alloy thereof, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the body comprises aluminum.

The cartridge may have any suitable shape. For example, the cartridge may have a shape configured to be received by a shisha device. The cartridge may have a substantially cubic shape, a cylindrical shape, a frusto-conical shape, or any other suitable shape. Preferably, the cartridge has a generally cylindrical shape or a frusto-conical shape.

An aerosol-generating device (eg, a shisha device) is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate within the cartridge. The device may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate within the cartridge by conduction. The cartridge is preferably shaped and sized to allow contact with, or minimize distance from, the heating element of the shisha device to provide efficient heat transfer from the heating element to the aerosol-forming substrate within the cartridge. Heat may be generated by any suitable mechanism, such as resistive heating or induction. To facilitate induction heating, the cartridge may be provided with a susceptor. For example, the cartridge body may be made of or include a material (eg, aluminum) capable of acting as a susceptor, or the susceptor material may be provided within the cavity of the cartridge. The susceptor material may be provided within the cavity of the cartridge in any form, for example, as a powder, solid block, shred, or the like.

Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be provided within the cavity defined by the body of the cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds. The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of releasing a compound capable of forming an aerosol. Volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. Volatile compounds may be released by chemical reactions or by mechanical stimuli such as ultrasound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid or liquid, or may comprise both a solid component and a liquid component. The aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The nicotine-containing aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a nicotine salt matrix. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plant-based material. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises tobacco. The tobacco-containing material preferably comprises a volatile tobacco flavor compound that is released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized tobacco material. The homogenized tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may alternatively or additionally comprise a non-tobacco containing material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenized plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-forming agent. The aerosol-forming substrate may include other additives and ingredients such as flavoring agents. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is a shisha substrate. A shisha substrate is understood to mean a consumable material suitable for use in a shisha device. The shisha substrate may comprise molasses.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of a powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghetti, strips, or sheets. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more of herbal leaves, tobacco leaves, tobacco rib pieces, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, and puffed tobacco.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-forming agent. Suitable aerosol formers include compounds or mixtures of compounds that, in use, facilitate the formation of a dense and stable aerosol and substantially resist thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the shisha device. Suitable aerosol formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerin; esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Particularly preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol or mixtures thereof, most preferably glycerin. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise any suitable amount of an aerosol-forming agent. For example, the aerosol former content of the substrate may be at least 5% on a dry weight basis, preferably greater than 30% by weight on a dry weight basis. The aerosol former content may be less than about 95% by dry weight. Preferably, the aerosol former content is up to about 55%.

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

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

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

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

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

The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The term “thermally stable” is used herein to refer to a material that does not substantially degrade at the temperature to which the substrate is typically heated (eg, from about 150° C. to about 300° C. The carrier is the substrate to which the substrate is first major surface. and a thin layer deposited on the second major outer surface, or on both the first and second major surfaces.The carrier may include, for example, paper, paper-like material, non-woven carbon fiber mat, low mass open mesh metal. It can be formed of screen, or perforated metal foil or any other thermally stable polymer matrix.Alternatively, the carrier can take the form of powder, granule, pellet, shredded, spaghetti, strip or sheet. may be a nonwoven fabric or fiber bundle into which a tobacco component is incorporated The nonwoven fabric or fiber bundle may comprise, for example, carbon fiber, natural cellulose fiber, or cellulose derivative fiber.

The body of the cartridge may include one or more walls. In some embodiments, the body includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall. The sidewalls may be cylindrical or frusto-conical extending from the bottom to the top. The body may include one or more parts. For example, the side wall and the bottom wall may be an integral single piece. The side wall and the bottom wall may be two parts configured to engage each other in any suitable manner. For example, the side wall and the bottom wall may be configured to engage each other by means of a screw fit or an interference fit. The side wall and the bottom wall may be two parts joined together. For example, the side wall and the bottom wall may be joined together by welding or by adhesive. The top wall and sidewall may be a single integral part. The side wall and the top wall may be two parts configured to engage each other in any suitable manner. For example, the side wall and the top wall may be configured to engage each other by means of a screw fit or an interference fit. The side wall and the top wall may be two parts joined together. For example, the sidewall and top wall may be joined together by welding or by adhesive. The top wall, side wall and bottom wall may all be a single integral part. The top wall, side wall, and bottom wall may be three separate parts configured to engage each other in any suitable manner. For example, the top wall, sidewalls, and bottom wall may be configured to engage by a screw interference fit, welding, or adhesive.

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

Preferably, the body portion of the cartridge has a length (eg, an axial length along a vertical central axis) of about 15 cm or less. In some embodiments, the body has a length of about 10 cm or less. The body may have an inner diameter of at least about 1 cm. The inner diameter of the body may be greater than or equal to about 1.75 cm. The cartridge may have a heatable surface area within the cavity of between about 25 cm ² and 100 cm ² , such as between about 70 cm ² and about 100 cm ² . The volume of the cavity is from about 10 cm ³ to about 50 cm ³ ; Preferably, it may be about 25 cm ³ to about 40 cm ³ . In some embodiments, the body has a length ranging from about 3.5 cm to about 7 cm. The inner diameter of the body may be about 1.5 cm to about 4 cm. The body may have a heatable surface area within the cavity of between about 30 cm ² and 100 cm ² , such as between about 70 cm ² and about 100 cm ² . The volume of the cavity is from about 10 cm ³ to about 50 cm ³ ; Preferably, it may be about 25 cm ³ to about 40 cm ³ . Preferably, the body is cylindrical or truncated-conical.

The cartridge body may include one or more openings or ventilation holes through one or more walls of the body. The ventilation holes may be inlets, outlets, or both. The ventilation holes may be disposed in the bottom wall, top wall, side of the cartridge, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the cartridge does not include any pre-formed openings or ventilation holes. In some embodiments, the cartridge includes a pre-formed opening or ventilation hole in only one wall surface. For example, the cartridge may include an opening or ventilation hole only in the bottom wall. In some embodiments, the one or more inlets or one or more outlets are defined in the cartridge wall surface by the perforation assembly to allow air to flow through the aerosol-forming substrate when the cartridge is used with a shisha device. In some embodiments, one or more inlet and outlet ports are defined in the cartridge wall surface by a perforation assembly to allow air to flow through the aerosol-forming substrate when the cartridge is used with a shisha device. In some embodiments, the bottom wall of the cartridge may define one or more openings to form one or more outlets of the cartridge. Preferably, the at least one inlet and outlet are sized and shaped to provide a suitable resistance to draw (RTD) through the cartridge. In some embodiments, the RTD through the cartridge from the inlet or inlets to the outlet or outlets is from about 10 mm H ₂ O to about 50 mm H ₂ O, preferably from about 20 mm H ₂ O to about 40 mm H ₂ O can be The RTD of a sample refers to the static pressure difference between the two ends of a sample when traversed by an airflow under normal conditions where the volumetric flow is 17.5 ml per second at the output end. The RTD of a sample may be measured using the method specified in ISO standard 6565:2002.

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

The cartridge may further include a seal or layer that covers the one or more preformed openings prior to use. The cartridge may include a first removable seal covering the one or more inlets and a second removable seal covering the one or more outlets. The first and second seals are preferably sufficient to prevent airflow through the inlet and outlet to prevent leakage of the contents of the cartridge and extend shelf life. The seal may include a peelable label such as a sticker, foil, or the like. The seal may include a punctureable label such as a sticker, foil, or the like. The label, sticker, or foil may be attached to the cartridge in any suitable manner, such as by adhesive, crimping, welding, or otherwise bonding to the container. The seal may include a tab that may be gripped to peel or remove the label, sticker, or foil from the cartridge.

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

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

The shisha device may include control electronics operatively coupled to the heating element. The control electronics may be configured to control heating of the heating element. The control electronics may be configured to control the temperature to which the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge is heated. The control electronics may be provided in any suitable form and may include, for example, a controller or a controller and a control unit. The controller may include one or more of an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) state machine, a digital signal processor, a gate array, a microprocessor, or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. The control electronics may include a memory containing instructions that cause one or more components of the circuitry to perform a function or aspect of the control electronics. Functions attributed to the control electronics in the present disclosure may be implemented in one or more of software, firmware, and hardware.

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

In some embodiments, the control electronics may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and control the supply of power to the heating element in accordance with the electrical resistance of the heating element. In this way, the control electronics can regulate the temperature of the resistive element.

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

The control electronics may be operatively coupled to the power supply. The shisha device may include any suitable power supply. For example, the power supply of a shisha device may be a battery or a set of batteries. The battery of the power supply may be rechargeable, removable and replaceable, or rechargeable and removable and replaceable. Any suitable battery may be used. For example, there are large or standard batteries such as those used in large industrial power tools. Alternatively, the power supply may be any type of electrical power supply including super or hyper capacitors. Alternatively, the assembly may be connected to an external power source and designed electrically and electronically for this purpose. Irrespective of the type of power source used, the power supply, preferably before it needs to be recharged or connected to an external power source, is the normal functioning of the assembly during at least one shisha session until the aerosol is depleted from the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge. provide enough energy for Preferably, the power supply provides sufficient energy for the normal functioning of the assembly for at least about 70 minutes of continuous operation of the device before it needs to be recharged or connected to an external power source.

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

The shisha device includes an air inlet channel in fluid communication with the receptacle. In use, when the substrate inside the cartridge is heated, the aerosol former component in the substrate vaporizes. Air flowing through the cartridge from the air inlet channel is entrained with the aerosol generated from the aerosol former component within the cartridge.

Some electrically heated shisha devices use preheated air and typically use an airflow path to move the air near the heat source when puffing. In addition, some electrically heated shisha devices use elements that increase radiation heat transfer by increasing the heated surface area.

The air inlet channel may include one or more apertures passing through the cartridge receptacle such that air from outside the shisha device may flow through the channel and through the one or more apertures into the cartridge receptacle. If the channel includes more than one aperture, the channel may include a manifold for directing air flowing through the channel to each aperture. Preferably, the shisha device comprises at least two air inlet channels.

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

Air entering the cartridge can flow across or through the aerosol-forming substrate, or across and through the substrate, entrain the aerosol, and exit the cartridge and receptacle through the aerosol outlet. From the aerosol outlet, air carrying the aerosol enters the vessel of the shisha device through the stem pipe.

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

The container may be filled to a liquid fill level by the consumer. The liquid preferably comprises one or more colorants, flavoring agents, or water into which the coloring and flavoring agents may optionally be injected. For example, the water may be infused with one or both of a botanical or herbal infusion.

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

The headspace outlet may be coupled to a hose comprising a mouthpiece for delivering an aerosol to a consumer. The mouthpiece may include an activation element, such as a switch activatable by a user, a puff sensor arranged to detect that the user puffs the mouthpiece, or both a switch and a puff sensor activatable by the user. The activation element is operatively coupled to the control electronics of the shisha device. The activation element may be wirelessly coupled to the control electronics. Activation of the activating element may cause the control electronics to activate the heating element rather than continuously supplying energy to the heating element. Thus, the use of activating elements can serve to conserve energy compared to devices that do not use such elements to provide on-demand heating rather than constant heating.

For purposes of example, one method of using a Shisha device as described herein is provided below in chronological order. The container can be separated from the other components of the shisha device and filled with water. One or more of natural fruit juices, vegetable and herbal infusions may be added to the water for flavoring. The amount of liquid added should cover a portion of the conduit but not exceed the fill level mark that may optionally be present in the vessel. The container is then reassembled into the shisha device. The cartridge may be disposed within the receptacle. The cap may be disposed on the receptacle and the cartridge such that the cartridge is received within a cavity within the cap. The grip member grips the cartridge as the grip fingers slide down the top of the cartridge. The user may press the cap against the cartridge such that a puncturing element (eg, a top puncture assembly, a bottom puncture assembly, or both top and bottom puncture assemblies) engages the cartridge and punctures one or more wall surfaces of the cartridge. The device can then be turned on. Turning on the device can initiate a heating profile of the heating element, heating the aerosol-forming substrate at or above the vaporization temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate, but to a temperature below the combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming compound of the aerosol-forming substrate vaporizes to generate an aerosol. The user can puff the mouthpiece as desired. The user may continue to use the device as long as it is not desired or until the aerosol is no longer visible or delivered. In some embodiments, the device may be arranged to automatically shut off when the cartridge or compartment of the cartridge depletes the available aerosol-forming substrate. The user can release the cap by pressing the cap. The top of the cap may rise above the top level of the body of the aerosol-generating element, allowing the user to grip the top of the cap. The user can remove the cap and also remove the cartridge gripped by the grip member. In some embodiments, the consumer may refill the device with a new cartridge, for example, after receiving a signal from the device that the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge is depleted or nearly depleted. The Shisha device may be turned off at any time by the consumer by, for example, switching off the device. The user may discard the cartridge by contacting the grip member with the ejection member of the disposal device, or by actuating the ejection mechanism on the cap.

The shisha device may perform any suitable air management. In one embodiment, the puffing action from the user will create a suction effect, causing a low pressure inside the device that will cause outside air to flow through the air inlet of the device, into the air inlet channel, and into the receptacle. Air can then flow through the cartridge in the receptacle and entrain the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate. The air with the entrained aerosol then exits the aerosol outlet of the receptacle and flows through the conduit into the liquid inside the container. The aerosol will then be foamed out of the liquid and into the headspace of the container above the liquid level for delivery to the consumer, from the headspace outlet and through the hose and mouthpiece. The flow of external air and the flow of aerosol inside the shisha device may be driven by a puffing action from the user.

Reference will now be made to drawings illustrating one or more implementations described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other implementations not shown in the drawings are included within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Like numbers used in the drawings refer to like elements. The use of different reference numerals to refer to components in different drawings is not intended to indicate that a component bearing a different reference number cannot be the same or similar to a component bearing another reference number. The drawings are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. The schematic views presented in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
1 is a schematic diagram of a shisha device;
2A and 2B are schematic top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a body of a shisha cartridge for use in the shisha device of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment;
3A is a schematic top view of a shisha cartridge after being punctured by a puncturing assembly according to one embodiment.
FIG. 3B is a schematic bottom view of the use of a shisha cartridge in the shisha device of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment;
4A and 4B are schematic views of a shisha device and cap in use according to one embodiment.
5A is a cross-sectional side view of the cap of FIG. 4A according to one embodiment.
Fig. 5b is an exploded view of the cap of Fig. 5a;
6 is a schematic perspective view of a cap frame of the cap of FIG. 4A according to one embodiment;
7 is a schematic perspective view of the outer lid of the cap of FIG. 4A according to one embodiment;
8 is a schematic perspective view of a spring of the cap of FIG. 4A according to one embodiment;
9 is a schematic perspective view of the inner lid of the cap of FIG. 4A according to one embodiment;
10 is a schematic perspective view of a support plate of the cap of FIG. 4A according to one embodiment;
11 is a schematic perspective view of a grip member of the cap of FIG. 4A according to one embodiment;
12A and 12B are schematic side and top views, respectively, of the grip member of FIG. 4A according to one embodiment;
13A-13D are side views of tricks and pins in different positions during use of the cap of FIG. 4A according to one embodiment;
14A and 14B are schematic side and top views, respectively, of a cartridge disposal apparatus according to one embodiment;
15 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of use of the cap of FIG. 4A and the cartridge disposal apparatus of FIGS. 14A and 14B according to one embodiment;

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a shisha device 100 . Apparatus 100 includes a container 17 defining an interior volume configured to contain liquid 19 , and defining a headspace outlet 15 above the fill level of liquid 19 . Liquid 19 preferably comprises water into which one or more coloring agents, one or more flavoring agents, or one or more coloring agents and one or more flavoring agents may optionally be injected. For example, the water may be infused with one or both of a botanical infusion or an herbal infusion.

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

Conduit 190 carries air and aerosol below the level of liquid 19 into vessel 17 . Air and aerosol may foam through the liquid 19 and exit the headspace outlet 15 of the container 17 . A hose 20 may be attached to the headspace outlet 15 to deliver the aerosol to the user's mouth. Mouthpiece 25 may be attached to or form part of hose 20 .

In use, exemplary airflow passages of the device are shown by the thick arrows in FIG. 1 .

The mouthpiece 25 may include an activating element 27 . The activation element 27 may be a switch, button, etc. or may be a puff sensor or the like. Activating element 27 may be disposed at any other suitable location of device 100 . The activating element 27 wirelessly communicates with the control electronics 30 to place the device 100 in use condition or, for example, a power supply 35 energizes the heating element 160 to cause the control electronics to heat up. Element 160 may be activated.

Control electronics 30 and power supply 35 may be located in any suitable location of aerosol-generating element 130 , including locations other than the lower portion of element 130 as shown in FIG. 1 . .

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B , various embodiments of the cartridge body 210 are shown. The body 210 may include a side wall 212 defining a cavity 218 , a top wall 215 , and a bottom wall 213 . The sidewall 212 may be cylindrical or frusto-conical, as shown. 2A shows the body 210 with a portion of the top 215 removed showing the cavity 218 within the body. The body 210 may define a central axis A extending through the body 210 . The top may include a flange 219 extending from the sidewall 212 as shown in FIG. 2B .

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B , one or both of the top 215 and bottom 213 of the body generally have a plurality of apertures 217 that allow air to flow through the cartridge when the cartridge is in use. 216) may have. Some or all of the apertures 217 , 216 may be formed by a perforation assembly. For example, the aperture 217 of the top 215 may be formed by the top perforation assembly 401 . Aperture 216 of bottom 213 may be formed by bottom perforation assembly 301 . Cartridge 200 may also or alternatively include apertures along sidewall 212 . In embodiments where the top or bottom includes a preformed aperture, the aperture may be blocked by a peelable seal or liner when the cartridge is stored prior to use.

A partial schematic view of a shisha device 100 having a cap 400 and a grip member 450 is shown in FIG. 4A . The grip member 450 is configured to grip the cartridge 200 . The cap 400 may include an outer frame 410 that receives the grip member 450 . The grip member 450 may include a ring member 451 and one or more gripping fingers 452 . The one or more gripping fingers may be configured to abut against the flange 219 of the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is received within the receptacle and the cap 400 is disposed over the cartridge 200 .

The cap 400 may optionally include a puncture assembly 401 (eg, a top puncture assembly). The cap 400 may include an outer sheath 420 and a perforating element 440 on an inner wall surface of the outer sheath 420 . In some implementations, for example as shown, the puncturing element 440 may be disposed on the inner end wall 421 . The puncture assembly 401 may further include an inner sheath 430 disposed at least partially within the outer sheath. The puncturing element 440 may be oriented towards the cartridge 200 disposed within the receptacle of the shisha device 100 . The shisha device 100 may also optionally include a puncture assembly 301 (eg, a bottom puncture assembly) at the upstream end of the stem pipe 190 . Once the cartridge 200 is punctured by one or both of the puncturing assemblies 301 , 401 , an airflow path is established through the cartridge 200 , as shown in FIG. 4B .

An example of a cap 400 and grip member 450 is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B . Detailed views of each of the elements of cap 400 and grip member 450 are shown in FIGS. 6-11 . Cap 400 and grip member 450 may define a longitudinal axis A. The longitudinal axis A may be a central axis. When the cap 400 is arranged on the shisha device 100 , the longitudinal axis A may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem pipe 190 .

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

According to one embodiment, the cap 400 includes a grip member 450 configured to grip the cartridge 200 . The grip member 450 shown in FIGS. 11 , 12A and 12B may include a ring member 451 and one or more gripping fingers 452 . One or more grip fingers 452 may include spring fingers. One or more grip fingers 452 extend from the ring member 451 to the upper end 453 . In some implementations where the grip member 450 includes a plurality of grip fingers 452 , the grip fingers 452 may be positioned equidistant from each other around the ring member 451 .

The grip member 450 may be disposed within the cavity of the cap 400 . The grip member 450 may be positioned inside the inner cover 430 , as shown in FIG. 5A . The grip member 450 may be oriented such that one or more gripping fingers 452 point upward from the ring member 451 . The one or more gripping fingers 452 may be inclined radially inwardly towards the longitudinal (central) axis A. The one or more gripping fingers 452 may be configured such that the distal end of the gripping fingers 452 abuts against the upper flange 219 of the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is received in the inner sheath 430 . The inner diameter of the ring member 451 may be greater than the maximum diameter of the cartridge 200 .

The outer sheath 420 shown in FIG. 7 is configured to fit at least partially within the cavity 419 of the cap outer frame 410 . The outer sheath 420 may include a cylindrical outer wall 423 extending between the first end wall 421 and the open second end 422 . The outer sheath 420 may define a cavity 429 for receiving the puncturing element 440 and the inner sheath 430 . The outer sheath 420 may include a perforating element 440 . The puncturing element 440 extends axially downward within the cavity of the outer sheath 420 . The puncturing element 440 is centered with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the outer sheath 420 . The puncturing element 440 may be integral with the outer sheath 420 or may be attached to the interior of the first end wall 421 of the outer sheath 420 . The puncturing element 440 may include one or more piercing edges or piercing points 441 . The perforation edge or perforation point 441 is configured to perforate a wall surface (eg, a top wall surface) of the cartridge 200 . The puncturing element 440 may be configured such that the piercing element 440 may fit through the opening 437 on the inner sheath 430 . The outer cover 420 may include a bottom flange 427 . The lower flange 427 may extend outwardly from the lower end of the outer wall 423 .

The inner sheath 430 shown in FIG. 9 is configured to fit at least partially within the cavity 429 of the outer sheath 420 . The inner lid 430 may have an outer wall that includes a first portion 433 and a second portion 434 . The first portion 433 may be a cylindrical wall surface having a first diameter, and the second portion 434 may be a cylindrical wall surface having a second diameter. The second diameter may be larger than the first diameter. The first and second portions 433 , 434 may be separated by a shoulder 435 . Shoulder 435 may be configured to support compression spring 470 (shown in FIG. 8 ). A compression spring 470 may fit around the first portion 433 . The distal end of the compression spring 470 may be supported on the shoulder 435 such that the spring may be compressed against the shoulder 435 . An outer wall surface of the inner sheath 430 may extend between the first end wall surface 431 and the open second end 432 . The inner sheath 430 may receive the grip member 450 and define a cavity 439 for receiving the cartridge 200 . The inner sheath 430 may have an opening 437 in the first end wall 431 . The opening 437 may be configured to receive the puncturing element 440 . Opening 437 may further include one or more channels 438 for facilitating airflow through inner sheath 430 while puncturing element 440 is received within opening 437 .

The outer frame 410 may optionally include a screw hole 462 configured to secure the support plate 460 ( FIG. 10 ) to the bottom of the outer frame 410 . Alternatively, the support plate 460 may be secured by other means, such as an adhesive. The support plate 460 may be a substantially round plate having a central hole 461 extending therethrough. The support plate 410 may be sized to hold the outer and inner sheaths 420 , 430 inside the cavity 419 of the outer frame 410 , as shown in FIG. 5A . The support plate 410 may also hold the grip member 450 within the cavity 419 of the outer frame 410 .

The outer and inner sheaths 420 , 430 may include a system of tracks and pins to guide movement of the outer and inner sheaths 420 , 430 relative to each other. The outer sheath 420 may include one or more pins 425 extending radially inwardly from its cylindrical outer wall surface 423 . The inner sheath 430 may include one or more tracks 436 corresponding to one or more pins 425 . Exemplary tracks 436 and paths guided by tracks 436 are shown in FIGS. 13A-13D . The positions of the tracks 436 and pins 425 may define the relative positions of the outer and inner sheaths 420 , 430 . Initially, the cap outer frame 410 and the outer lid 420 are in the first position P1 . That is, the pin 425 is in the first position P1 in the track 436 . The first position P1 may be regarded as a rest position. The guide track may include a first portion and a second portion. The guide track may comprise a second position P2 which may be the puncturing position of the puncturing element. The first portion may define a first distance between the first location P1 and the second location P2 . The first portion may define a third position P3 . The third position P3 may be a use position. The second portion may define a second distance between the third location P3 and the fourth location P4 . The second distance may be shorter than the first distance. The first part can guide the track pin in axial and radial directions.

In the first position P1 , the grip member 450 engages the cartridge 200 . For example, the upper end 453 of the grip finger 452 may slide past (down) the flange 219 of the cartridge when the cap is placed in the first position P1 . Alternatively, the grip member 450 may later engage the cartridge 200 as the cap 400 is pushed down. A force may be applied to the cap outer frame 410 and the outer sheath 420 , eg, the cap 400 is pressed down (eg, by a user) to disengage the pin from the first position to the second position. It can be moved to (P2) (refer to the arrow in FIG. 13A). In the second position P2 , the puncturing element 440 may also engage and puncture the cartridge 200 . When the force is removed, for example, when pressure is released from the cab outer frame 410 and the outer lid 420 (eg, when the user releases the cab outer frame and outer lid), the compression spring 470 . The silver cap outer frame 410 and the outer cover 420 return to the third position (P3). Movement of the cap while initially pushing the cap to puncture the cartridge and release of the cap allowing the cap to return to the third (use) position is defined by the first portion of the track. In the third position P3 , the grip member 450 remains engaged with the cartridge 200 . In the third position P3, the airflow path is opened through the opening formed in the cartridge 200, and is opened between the container and the outside of the shisha device. In order to release and remove the cap 400 , the user presses the cap outer frame 410 again, so that the cap outer frame 410 and the outer cover 420 are compressed so that the compression spring 470 is connected to the cap outer frame 410 and the outside. It is possible to move the lid 420 to a fourth position P4 returning it to the initial first position P1. The cap may be pushed towards the receptacle to release the cap from the aerosol-generating element. When the cap returns to the first position P1, the grip member 450 remains engaged with the cartridge 200, lifting the cartridge 200 upward together with the cap. The top of the cap 400 may be raised above the top edge of the aerosol-generating element. The user may then remove the cartridge 200 along with the cap by removing (eg, lifting) the cap from the aerosol-generating element.

In some implementations, the disposal device 600 , shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B , may be used with the shisha device 100 and cap 400 . Disposal system 600 may be used to remove and selectively discard cartridge 200 . The disposal system 600 may include a cartridge disposal device 601 . The cartridge disposal device 601 may include a cartridge ejection member 610 . The cartridge ejection member 610 may be a pressure ring. The cartridge ejection member 610 may be configured to mate with the grip member 450 . The cartridge ejection member 610 (eg, a pressure ring or rim) has a diameter D610 that is smaller than the inner diameter D451 of the ring member 451 of the grip member 450 but greater than the maximum diameter of the cartridge 200 . can have

The grip finger 452 of the grip member 450 may be biased toward the default position. Contacting grip member 450 with cartridge ejection member 610 may push grip finger 452 outwardly away from its default position. Contacting the grip member 450 with the cartridge ejection member 610 includes the cartridge ejection member between the cartridge 200 and the ring member 451 of the grip member 450 to flex one or more grip fingers 452 . engaging 610 to release the cartridge 200 from the grip member 450 .

The disposal system 600 can include a waste container 620 having an opening 621 . The shape of the waste container 620 is not particularly limited, and is illustrated by a broken line. The cartridge ejection member 610 may be disposed in the opening 621 . In some embodiments, cartridge ejection member 610 includes a rim or mouth of opening 621 . Contacting the grip member 450 with the cartridge ejection member 610 may include engaging a rim of the cartridge disposal device 601 between the cartridge 200 and the ring member 451 of the grip member 450 . can

Operation of the shisha device 100 and cap 400 and removal of the cartridge 200 using the disposal system 600 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 15 . The shisha device 100 includes an aerosol-generating element 130 having a receptacle 140 configured to receive a cartridge 200 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating element 130 may also include a heating element 160 . Heating element 160 may form part of receptacle 140 . The user may begin by placing the cartridge 200 in the receptacle 140 (step 1) and placing the cap 400 on the cartridge 200 (step 2) such that the cartridge 200 is received in the inner cover 430 (step 2). and the grip member 450 slides past the top of the cartridge 200 such that the grip fingers 452 grip the cartridge 200 . If the cap includes a puncture assembly, the user can puncture the cartridge 200 by pushing the cap (step 3). After releasing the cap 400, the spring 470 pushes the cap frame 410 and the outer cover 420 into their operating positions (step 4). In the actuated position, the air path through the cartridge 200 is opened and the user can use the shisha device as usual. Grip member 450 remains engaged with cartridge 200 . After using the shisha device, the user may push the cap 400 again to release the cap (step 5). The track-pin system guides the movement of the cap 400, allowing the spring 470 to return the cap 400 to its starting position (step 6). The grip member 450 remains engaged with the cartridge 200 to lift the cartridge 200 upward with the cap 400 . The user may then remove the cap 400 from the device (step 7). The cartridge 200 is held to the inner cover 430 by a grip member 450 . The cartridge 200 may be removed by contacting the grip member 450 with the cartridge ejection member 610 of the cartridge disposal device 601 (step 8). The cartridge ejection member 610 may be configured to flex the grip finger 452 . The cartridge ejection member 610 may be configured to eject the cartridge 200 by pushing the grip finger 452 radially outward.

Alternatively, cartridge 200 may be removed by actuating an ejection mechanism on cap 400 that causes grip finger 452 to eject cartridge 200 .

Accordingly, a system for gripping and ejecting a cartridge for a shisha device is described. Various modifications and variations of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it should not be unduly limited to these specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the present invention that are apparent to those skilled in the mechanical, chemical and aerosol-generating article manufacture or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (15)

An aerosol-generating device comprising:
an aerosol-generating element comprising a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate;
a container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace outlet above the liquid fill level;
a conduit for carrying an airflow from the receptacle to the vessel; and
a cap engageable with the body, the cap comprising:
a frame comprising a cavity and having a central axis, the cavity being arranged to receive the cartridge; and
and a grip member configured to releasably grip a cartridge received within the receptacle. The aerosol-generating device of claim 1 , wherein the grip member comprises one or more spring fingers. 3. The gripping member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grip member comprises a ring member and one or more spring fingers extending from the ring member, and
Optionally, the one or more spring fingers extend axially towards the closed end of the cavity,
Optionally, the one or more spring fingers extend radially inwardly from the ring member. 4. The cap of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cap further comprises an outer sheath and an inner sheath disposed within the outer sheath, wherein the inner sheath is at least partially within the cavity and the cavity of the inner sheath. an aerosol-generating device forming said grip member disposed thereon. 5. The aerosol-generating device of claim 4, wherein the inner sheath is axially movable within the outer sheath. 6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the cap further comprises a spring element biasing the inner sheath axially away from the outer sheath. 7. The aerosol of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the inner sheath comprises one or more guide tracks and the outer sheath comprises one or more track pins configured to cooperate with the one or more guide tracks. generating device. 8. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cap comprises a puncturing element configured to puncture the cartridge. 9. The gripping member according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the grip member comprises one or more spring fingers biased toward a default position, and wherein the cap responds to the bias to move the fingers away from the default position. and an ejection mechanism configured to move to eject a cartridge contained within the cavity. The aerosol-generating device of any one of claims 1 to 9 and
A cartridge disposal device, comprising:
a waste container having an opening; and
and a cartridge ejection member configured to mate with the grip member of the cap to actuate ejection of the cartridge. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the grip member comprises a ring member and one or more spring fingers extending from the ring member, and wherein the cartridge ejection member comprises a pressure ring at the opening of the waste container, the pressure ring comprising: an aerosol-generating system configured to flex the one or more spring fingers. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the grip member comprises a ring member and one or more spring fingers extending from the ring member, and wherein the cartridge ejection member comprises a rim of the waste container, the rim comprising a rim of the grip member. an aerosol-generating system having a diameter less than the diameter of the ring member, but greater than the diameter of the cartridge. 13. A method of using an aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, said method comprising:
inserting the cartridge into the receptacle of the aerosol-generating element;
placing the cap on the aerosol-generating element such that the cartridge is gripped by the grip member;
ejecting the cap from the aerosol-generating element by pushing the cap towards the receptacle;
removing the cap from the aerosol-generating element; and
contacting the grip member with a cartridge ejection member to cause the cartridge to be ejected from the grip member. 14. The method of claim 13,
the grip member includes a ring member and one or more spring fingers extending from the ring member; and the cartridge ejection member includes a rim of the waste container, the rim having a diameter less than a diameter of the ring member of the grip member but greater than a diameter of the cartridge; and
Contacting the grip member with the cartridge ejection member engages a rim of the cartridge disposal device between the cartridge and a ring member of the grip member to flex the one or more spring fingers, thereby ejecting the cartridge from the grip member. A method comprising the step of letting 10. A method of using the aerosol-generating device of claim 9, said method comprising:
causing the cartridge to be gripped by the grip member, wherein the one or more spring fingers exhibit bias towards the cartridge; and
actuating the ejection mechanism to eject the cartridge in response to the deflection.

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