KR20230131887A - Replaceable cartridge for aerosol-generating device with sliding sealing element - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising:
a liquid reservoir for storing a liquid formulation, the liquid reservoir comprising a liquid outlet for directing the liquid formulation out of the liquid reservoir, a sliding sealing element for sealing the liquid outlet, the sliding sealing element comprising a sealing element; configured to slide away from the liquid outlet when pressure is applied to the element), and a wick element arranged adjacent the liquid outlet for absorbing and dispensing the liquid formulation.

Description

Replaceable cartridge for aerosol-generating device with sliding sealing element

The present invention relates to a cartridge or aerosol-generating article for an aerosol-generating device. The present invention further relates to aerosol-generating systems for generating aerosols, including aerosol-generating devices and cartridges, aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating devices. The invention further relates to a method of operating an aerosol generating system to form such aerosol.

Aerosol-generating devices are known that heat the aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article, such as a cigarette, without burning it. These devices heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a sufficiently high temperature to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. These aerosol-generating devices usually include a cavity for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate. These devices are typically portable, handheld devices and are generally compact. Other aerosol-generating devices are known for generating aerosols from liquid aerosol-forming substrates. Connecting and disconnecting, or replacing a cartridge containing a liquid aerosol-forming substrate from an aerosol-generating device often results in spills or leaks from the cartridge or aerosol-generating device.

It would be desirable to provide a replaceable liquid-containing cartridge that can be easily connected and disconnected from an aerosol-generating device without risk of leakage. It would also be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device and aerosol-generating system that provides the user with the possibility of using different aerosol-forming substrates according to the user's preferences without risk of fluid leakage when different cartridges are attached, detached or exchanged.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a replaceable cartridge configured to be removably connected to an aerosol-generating device.

The cartridge may include a liquid reservoir for storing a liquid formulation. The liquid reservoir may include a liquid outlet for directing the liquid formulation out of the liquid reservoir. The cartridge may include a wick element for supplying the liquid formulation from the liquid reservoir to the liquid outlet. The cartridge may include a sliding sealing element to seal the liquid outlet. Sealing means that the liquid contained in the liquid reservoir is sufficiently prevented from leaving the liquid reservoir so that liquid droplets do not form in and around the liquid outlet of the cartridge. Sealing means that liquid is prevented from collecting at the connection point between the cartridge and the device. The slideable sealing element may be configured to slide away from the liquid outlet when pressure is applied to the sealing element. When not engaged with an aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article, the slideable sealing element seals the liquid outlet. When the cartridge is engaged with an aerosol-generating device or an aerosol-generating article, the slideable sealing element slides away from the liquid outlet to allow the liquid formulation to flow through the liquid outlet and reach the porous material located in the aerosol-generating article. The slideable sealing element can slide to reseal the liquid outlet when the cartridge is removed from the aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article. The slideable sealing element reduces the risk of leakage when the cartridge is not engaged with the aerosol-generating device because the slideable sealing element seals the liquid outlet when the cartridge is not engaged with the aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article. .

Additionally, the cartridge may include a wick element. The wick element is in contact with the liquid agent. A wick element may be arranged near the liquid outlet for absorbing the liquid formulation and supplying the liquid formulation to the liquid outlet. The wick element may be arranged adjacent to the liquid outlet for absorbing and supplying the liquid formulation to the liquid outlet. The wick element may be arranged proximate the liquid outlet for absorbing and supplying the liquid formulation to the liquid outlet. A wick element may be arranged within the liquid outlet to absorb and supply the liquid formulation to the liquid outlet. The wick element may be between the liquid formulation contained in the liquid reservoir and the liquid outlet. The wick element may be positioned between the liquid reservoir and the liquid outlet. The wick element can provide controlled supply of liquid formulation to the liquid outlet.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a replaceable cartridge configured to be removably connected to an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge includes a liquid reservoir for storing a liquid formulation. The liquid reservoir includes a liquid outlet for directing the liquid formulation out of the liquid reservoir. The cartridge includes a sliding sealing element to seal the liquid outlet. The slideable sealing element is configured to slide away from the liquid outlet when pressure is applied to the sealing element. The cartridge also includes a wick element. The wick element is arranged adjacent to the liquid outlet for absorbing and supplying the liquid formulation to the liquid outlet. The wick element may be in contact with a liquid agent. The wick element is arranged to contact the liquid formulation and deliver the liquid formulation to the liquid outlet. The wick element can channel the liquid formulation from the liquid reservoir to the liquid outlet. The wick element can absorb the liquid formulation from the liquid reservoir reaching the liquid outlet. This can reduce the pressure of the liquid formulation on the sealing element. The wick element prevents the liquid agent from leaking out of the cartridge through the liquid outlet. The combination of a wick element and a sealing element can provide improved sealing of the cartridge and can reduce leakage from the cartridge. The cartridge may include a sealed container for containing the liquid formulation.

There can be various possibilities for applying pressure to the slideable sealing element so that it slides away from the liquid outlet. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an aerosol generating device including a heating element may be provided. The heating element may include a compartment wall having a first portion and a second portion of the compartment wall, wherein the second portion of the compartment wall is configured to engage with a sliding sealing element to push away from the liquid outlet. do. Aerosol-generating devices comprising such compartment walls will be described in more detail below.

According to another embodiment of the invention, pressure can be applied to the sliding sealing element by means of a porous portion of the aerosol-generating article, as will be explained in more detail below. Preferably, an aerosol-generating device comprising a compartment wall is used with the replaceable cartridge of the present invention.

When the cartridge is engaged with an aerosol-generating device, the slideable sealing element may engage with a portion of the aerosol-generating device. As the user presses the cartridge into place within the aerosol-generating device, a portion of the aerosol-generating device may slide the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet. Locking the cartridge into position within the aerosol-generating device causes the slideable sealing element to slide away from the liquid outlet, thereby allowing liquid to enter the liquid outlet.

When the cartridge engages with an aerosol-generating device or an aerosol-generating article, the slideable sealing element may engage with a portion of the aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article. As the user presses the cartridge into place and the aerosol-generating device contains the aerosol-generating article, a portion of either the aerosol-generating article or the aerosol-generating device may slide the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet. Engaging the cartridge into said position causes a portion of either the aerosol-generating article or the aerosol-generating device to engage the slideable sealing element, causing the slideable sealing element to slide away from the liquid outlet, thereby allowing liquid to enter the liquid outlet.

The part of the aerosol-generating device that engages the sliding sealing element may be part of a heating element of the aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating device may include a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The part of the heating element of the aerosol-generating device that engages with the sliding sealing element may be part of a compartment wall of the heating element, which may in particular be a part of the compartment wall of the heating element extending outside the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. A portion of the compartment wall of the heating element extending outside the cavity of the aerosol-generating device may be positioned downstream of the cavity to receive the aerosol-generating article. An aerosol-generating device comprising such a compartment wall will be described in more detail below.

The portion of the aerosol-generating article that engages the sliding sealing element may be a porous portion of the aerosol-generating article. The porous portion of the aerosol-generating article may be a filter portion. The filter portion of the aerosol-generating article may be located downstream of the substrate portion of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the substrate portion includes an aerosol-forming substrate. Aerosol-generating articles including porous portions and substrate portions will be described in greater detail below.

The slideable sealing element may be of any suitable shape. For example, the slideable sealing element may be a flap. The sliding sealing element may be a ring. The slideable sealing element may be a door. The sliding sealing element may be flat. The slideable sealing element may be shaped to be complementary to a structure within the aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article to assist the slideable sealing element in moving from a closed position to an open position or from an open position to a closed position.

When not engaged with any part of the aerosol-generating device or the aerosol-generating article, the slideable sealing element can seal the liquid outlet. The slideable sealing element may abut, close, or seal the liquid outlet, thereby sealing the liquid outlet and preventing the liquid formulation from escaping from the cartridge. The sealing element can cover the liquid outlet, thereby preventing the liquid formulation from escaping from the cartridge.

The slideable sealing element may be slideable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the slideable sealing element can seal the liquid outlet, preventing liquid formulation from transferring out of the cartridge. In the first position of the slideable sealing element, the liquid channel leading from the liquid storage part through the wick element and through the liquid outlet can be closed for release of the liquid preparation. In the sealing position of the slideable sealing element, the liquid channel leading from the liquid storage part through the wick element and through the liquid outlet can be closed for release of the liquid preparation. In the second position, the slideable sealing element can be offset from the liquid outlet. This releases the liquid formulation through the liquid outlet. In the second position of the slideable sealing element, the liquid channel can be opened and the liquid formulation can be released out of the cartridge. In the open position of the slideable sealing element, the liquid channel leading from the liquid storage part through the wick element and through the liquid outlet can be opened for release of the liquid formulation. When separated from the aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article, the slideable sealing element of the cartridge can slide over the liquid outlet into a first position to seal the liquid outlet. This can prevent leakage or spillage of the liquid formulation present in the cartridge when the cartridge is separated from the aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article.

The present invention also provides an aerosol generating system. An aerosol-generating system may include replaceable cartridges and aerosol-generating devices and/or aerosol-generating articles as described herein. An aerosol-generating device may include a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The slideable sealing element of the cartridge may be configured to slide when pushed by an aerosol-generating device and/or an aerosol-generating article. The slideable sealing element is capable of sliding when engaged with a portion of either the aerosol-generating device or the aerosol-generating article. The slideable sealing element is capable of sliding when engaged with a portion of the aerosol-generating article. In particular, the slideable sealing element is configured to slide away from the liquid outlet from a first position to a second position when pushed by a porous portion of the aerosol-generating article when connecting the cartridge to the aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article received within a cavity of the device. It can be configured to do so. Alternatively, the slideable sealing element may be configured to slide away from the liquid outlet from a first position to a second position when pushed by part of the aerosol-generating device.

Next, an aerosol-generating device configured to be removably connected with a slideable sealing element of the cartridge is described in more detail. An aerosol-generating device may include a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may include a heating element configured to heat an aerosol-generating article contained in the cavity. The heating element may include a compartment wall. A first portion of the compartment wall may be located within the cavity and a second portion of the compartment wall may extend outside the cavity.

A first part of the compartment wall located within the cavity can be heated directly by the heating element. The first portion of the compartment wall may be configured to receive an aerosol-generating article within the cavity.

This can heat the aerosol-generating article contained within the cavity when heating the first portion of the compartment wall. In contrast, the second part of the compartment wall, which may extend outside the cavity, may not be directly heated by the heating element. The second portion of the compartment wall may be configured to be heated indirectly by a heating element. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating device can provide two different heating zones. The first heating zone defined by the first part of the compartment wall is heated directly by the heating element, and the second heating zone defined by the second part of the compartment wall is outside the cavity and thus directly heated by the heating element. Doesn't heat up. Heat can be transferred from a first portion of the compartment wall to a second portion of the compartment wall outside the cavity via heat conduction through the material of the compartment wall.

The second portion of the compartment wall may be configured to interact with the cartridge containing the liquid formulation. The second portion of the compartment wall may be configured to be removably connected to a cartridge containing the liquid formulation. The second part of the compartment wall of the heater of the aerosol-generating device can push a sliding sealing element from the liquid outlet, thereby discharging the liquid formulation from the liquid reservoir into the second part of the compartment wall. A second portion of the compartment wall may be adjacent the liquid outlet when the cartridge is connected to an aerosol-generating device. The second portion of the compartment wall may border the liquid outlet when the second portion of the compartment wall is received in the central hollow portion of the cartridge. This may facilitate transport of the liquid formulation from the liquid reservoir through the wick element and the liquid outlet to the second portion of the compartment wall.

An aerosol-generating device may be configured for use with a cartridge containing a liquid formulation and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate for forming an aerosol. Liquid formulations may also form part of an aerosol. Accordingly, aerosol-generating devices can be configured to generate aerosols from different substrates, aerosol-generating articles, and liquid formulations. Due to the second part of the compartment wall, the cartridge can be removably connected to the aerosol-generating device. This allows the cartridges to be interchangeable, allowing different cartridges with different liquid formulations to be used with the aerosol-generating device.

A second portion of the compartment wall of the aerosol-generating device may extend downstream of the cavity. This can ensure that the second part of the compartment wall is heated indirectly through heat convection generated from the heating aerosol generated in the first part of the compartment wall. Accordingly, the first portion of the compartment wall will be located upstream of the second portion of the compartment wall. Positioning the second portion of the compartment wall downstream of the cavity also allows any agent, particularly a liquid formulation provided to the second portion of the compartment wall, to be exposed to aerosols formed from the aerosol-generating article in the first portion of the compartment wall. It can facilitate the entrainment of droplets.

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the direction in which air flows along the airflow path through the aerosol-generating device, through the aerosol-generating article, or through the cartridge, during its use, to generate an aerosol. Used to describe the relative position of components, or parts of components, of an article or aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device according to the present invention includes a proximal end through which the aerosol exits the device when in use. The proximal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the mouth end or downstream end. The mouth end is downstream of the distal end. The mouth end may include a mouthpiece. The distal end of the aerosol-generating device may be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of an aerosol-generating device or cartridge or article may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their position relative to the airflow path through the aerosol-generating device.

The compartment wall may comprise a tube shape. The compartment wall may be tube-shaped. This can ensure that any aerosol-generating article, especially any tubular article, can be easily accommodated within the compartment walls. The compartment wall may also facilitate conduction of heat from the first portion of the compartment wall to the second portion of the compartment wall.

The heating element of the aerosol-generating device may be configured to indirectly heat the second portion of the compartment wall via heat conduction and/or heat convection. This makes it possible to heat the second part of the compartment wall in a reliable manner. A first part of the compartment wall located within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device can be heated directly by a heating element. Accordingly, one heating element can provide two different heating zones within the aerosol-generating device due to the first and second parts of the compartment wall.

The second portion of the compartment wall may include holes and/or at least one porous section. This allows the second portion of the compartment wall to receive the liquid formulation from the cartridge. The porous section within the side wall can be configured to store any liquid formulation. The porous section of the second portion of the compartment wall may comprise metal foam. The second portion of the compartment wall may include an aperture, which may be created in the second portion of the compartment wall by any suitable means. For example, the hole in the second part of the compartment wall can be formed by drilling or by a laser. The hole in the second part of the compartment wall allows the liquid formulation discharged from the cartridge to enter the air flow path of the aerosol-generating device to be aerosolized. Likewise, the porous portion of the second portion of the compartment wall can store any liquid formulation released from the cartridge until the liquid formulation enters the airflow path of the aerosol-generating device to be aerosolized. The airflow path of the aerosol-generating device may pass through a second portion of the compartment wall of the heating element. The stored liquid formulation can be aerosolized and included in an aerosol formed on the first portion of the compartment wall within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

The second portion of the compartment wall may be hollow. This allows the aerosol-generating article to be inserted through the second part of the compartment wall into the first part of the compartment wall located within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The second portion of the compartment wall may have the same cross-sectional shape as the cross-sectional shape of the first portion of the compartment. In particular, both the first part and the second part of the compartment wall may have a tube shape. This can result in identical circular or oval cross-sectional shapes of the first and second parts of the compartment wall. This may allow the rod-shaped aerosol-generating article to be inserted into the first part of the compartment wall through the second part of the compartment wall.

The first part of the compartment wall and the second part of the compartment wall may be connected in a thermally conductive manner. This can also facilitate the conduction of heat from the first part of the compartment wall to the second part of the compartment wall in a particularly simple way. For example, there may be a thermally conductive connection comprising metal and/or ceramic between the first part of the compartment wall and the second part of the compartment wall. This thermally conductive connection can ensure that any heat generated in the first part of the compartment wall is effectively transferred to the second part of the compartment wall via thermal conduction.

The first portion of the compartment wall and the second portion of the compartment wall may be made of the same material. This can facilitate the manufacture of the compartment wall. This may also facilitate the conduction of heat from the first part of the compartment wall to the second part of the compartment wall. The first part of the compartment wall and the second part of the compartment wall may be formed as an integrated member. This may allow the manufacture of the first part of the compartment wall and the second part of the compartment wall by providing the compartment in one piece. Additionally, this may also facilitate heat conduction from the first part of the compartment wall to the second part of the compartment wall.

The compartment walls may comprise metal and/or ceramic. The compartment walls may comprise ferromagnetic metal and/or ferromagnetic ceramic. The metal and/or ceramic of the compartment wall may provide good heat conduction between the first portion of the compartment wall and the second portion of the compartment wall. This may facilitate indirect heating of the second part of the compartment wall via heat conduction from the first part of the compartment wall. Providing the ferromagnetic ceramic with one or both ferromagnetic metals may also enable heating of the compartment walls by induction heating.

The heating element may include one or both inductive heating elements and resistive heating elements. Preferably, the heating element may be an induction heating element. The heating element may preferably be an induction coil. The compartment wall may be a susceptor. The induction heating element, preferably an induction coil, may be configured to heat a first part of the compartment wall. The induction heating element may be connected to a power supply. The inductor coil can provide an inductance of 1 microhenry (μH) to 500 nanohenry (nH).

This may provide an easy way to heat the first compartment wall located within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

The induction coil may be configured to indirectly heat the second portion of the compartment wall. Preferably, the induction coil can be configured to indirectly heat the second part of the compartment wall via heat conduction from the first part of the compartment wall to the second part of the compartment wall. This can provide an aerosol-generating device comprising two different heating zones. A first heating zone can be provided in a first part of the compartment wall, which is heated indirectly by a heating element of the aerosol-generating device. A second heating zone may be provided in the second part of the compartment wall, which is heated indirectly via heat conduction from the first part of the compartment wall to the second part of the compartment wall. During operation of the aerosol-generating device, the temperature of the first heating zone may be higher than the temperature of the second heating zone. In the first heating zone, the temperature of the first part of the compartment wall may be between 200°C and 350°C. In the second heating zone, the temperature of the second portion of the compartment wall may be between 160°C and 220°C. Additional details of the aerosol-generating device, including the compartment walls, are described in co-pending EP patent application EP 21 157 763.0, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The aerosol-generating article contained in the first portion of the compartment wall of the heater of the aerosol-generating device may include a substrate portion. The substrate portion may include an aerosol-forming substrate, as described in more detail below.

Instead of an aerosol-generating device comprising a first portion and a second portion of a heater compartment wall, the replaceable cartridge of the present invention may also be used with an aerosol-generating device that does not include a heater compartment wall as described above. . In this case, the slideable sealing element of the replaceable cartridge may be configured to slide away from the liquid outlet when engaged with a part of the aerosol-generating article. An aerosol-generating device used with an aerosol-generating article engaging a sliding sealing element may include a cavity for receiving the aerosol-generating article. An aerosol-generating article configured to interact with a slideable sealing element of a cartridge is described below.

The aerosol-generating article includes a porous portion. The porous portion may be configured to push the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cartridge. The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a substrate portion, wherein the substrate portion comprises an aerosol-forming substrate. The porous portion may be adjacent to the substrate portion. The porous portion may be located downstream of the substrate portion. The porous portion may include a filter portion. The filter portion may be well suited for absorbing the liquid formulation carried out of the liquid reservoir through the liquid outlet. The porous portion may be cellulose acetate. The porous portion may include a cellulose acetate filter plug. The porous portion of the aerosol-generating article may be located adjacent the liquid outlet of the cartridge when the cartridge is connected to an aerosol-generating device containing the aerosol-generating article within its cavity. Therefore, the porous portion can easily absorb any liquid formulation released from the cartridge through the liquid outlet.

Liquid formulations absorbed by the porous portion of the aerosol-generating article may be entrained in an aerosol formed from the substrate portion of the aerosol-generating article. The porous portion may be located downstream of the substrate portion. The porous portion may be heated indirectly through thermal convection when heated aerosol from the substrate portion passes through the porous portion.

In the following further features of the cartridge are described, which may interact with the aerosol-generating article or the compartment wall of the heater of the aerosol-generating device. The cartridge may include a central hollow portion. The aerosol generated from the heated liquid is directed into the central hollow section. The central hollow portion may be the part of the cartridge where formation of the aerosol occurs. The central hollow portion may be the part of the cartridge through which the aerosol flows before exiting the device through an air outlet, such as a mouthpiece.

The airflow path provides airflow from the air inlet, through the heater (liquid is heated to form vapor and aerosol) and into the central hollow portion (where the aerosol is entrained in the airflow) to the air outlet. As the vapor cools and the airflow moves into and through the central hollow portion, aerosols may continue to form in the central hollow portion. The user draws air through the airflow path by sucking or puffing on the outlet. When a user provides suction to the outlet, air is drawn into the air inlet, past the heater (vapors and aerosols are entrained in the airflow path), and through the central hollow portion to the air outlet. The device may have multiple air inlets.

The cartridge may be configured to partially receive a porous portion or a second portion of a compartment wall of an aerosol-generating article, particularly an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge may receive in its central hollow portion either an aerosol-generating article or a second portion of a compartment wall of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating article may extend partially outside the central hollow portion. When the aerosol-generating article extends partially outside the central hollow portion, the aerosol-generating article may form a mouthpiece. If the aerosol-generating article extends partially outside the central hollow portion, the aerosol-generating article may form an air outlet. The aerosol-generating article may be completely contained in the central hollow portion. A second portion of the compartment wall of the heater of the aerosol-generating article or aerosol-generating device can push a slideable sealing element from the liquid outlet, thereby discharging the liquid formulation from the liquid reservoir into the heater.

The aerosol-generating article may be heated by a heater. Aerosol-generating articles contain solid materials that form an aerosol when heated. The aerosol formed from the aerosol-generating article can flow through the porous elements of the aerosol-generating article containing the liquid, thereby entraining the liquid within the porous element into the aerosol, thereby combining the aerosol formed from the solid material with the liquid formulation and delivering it to the user. I order it.

Preferably, the porous portion of the aerosol-generating article is received in the central hollow portion of the cartridge. The porous portion may be configured to receive any liquid formulation from the liquid reservoir of the cartridge once the aerosol-generating article located within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device is received by the central hollow portion of the cartridge. The porous portion of the aerosol-generating article may be adjacent the liquid outlet when the aerosol-generating article is partially received in the central hollow portion of the cartridge. The porous portion of the aerosol-generating article may border the liquid outlet when the article is partially received in the central hollow portion of the cartridge. This can facilitate the transport of the liquid formulation from the liquid reservoir through the wick element and liquid outlet to the porous portion.

The diameter of the porous portion may be larger or smaller than the diameter of the sliding sealing element. In particular, the diameter of the tubular or rod-shaped porous portion may be larger or smaller than the diameter of the ring-shaped slidingable sealing element. The diameter of the porous portion may be up to 5% to 10% smaller than the diameter of the sliding sealing element. This can ensure that when the aerosol-generating article, especially the porous portion, is partially received in the central hollow portion of the cartridge, the porous portion can push the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet.

In one embodiment of the aerosol-generating system, the central hollow portion of the cartridge may correspond to a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article of the aerosol-generating device when the cartridge is connected to the aerosol-generating device. This may enable the formation of one continuous inner hollow part of the aerosol-generating system, comprising the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and the central hollow part of the cartridge, capable of receiving the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating article may be partially contained in the central hollow portion of the cartridge. As a result, the central hollow portion of the cartridge may be configured to partially receive an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article, when received in the central hollow portion of the cartridge, is capable of pushing the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet from its first position to its second position. The aerosol-generating article, when received in the central hollow portion of the cartridge, can push the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet from its closed position to its open position.

The replaceable cartridge of the present invention may be connected to the aerosol-generating device described above including a heating element with a first portion and a second portion of the compartment wall, the second portion of the compartment wall extending outside the cavity. In this case, the second part of the compartment wall can be received in the central hollow part of the cartridge. In particular, the second part of the compartment wall is capable of sliding the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet, such that the liquid formulation can pass through the liquid outlet and be received by the second part of the compartment wall.

Liquid formulations may contain one or more active agents. The one or more active agents may include one or more of a flavoring agent, nicotine, and an agent. For example, the one or more active agents may include a flavoring oil such as peppermint oil, menthol, nicotine oil, or other flavoring agent. Liquid formulations may also include a carrier liquid to dissolve any active agent. The carrier liquid may be one or more of polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, glycerol, and water.

The wick element may be located inside the liquid reservoir. This allows the liquid formulation stored inside the liquid reservoir to be first absorbed by the wick element and then transported by the wick element to the liquid outlet. This can provide additional control over the flow of liquid formulation to the liquid outlet. The presence of a wick can further reduce leakage by controlling the flow of liquid formulation through the liquid outlet.

The wick element may border the liquid outlet. This can ensure that any liquid formulation leaving the liquid reservoir through the liquid outlet can first be absorbed by the wick element. This can prevent or control leakage from the cartridge. The wick element may be proximate to the liquid outlet. The wick element may be within the liquid outlet. The wick element may be next to the liquid outlet. The wick element may be a liquid outlet. The wick element may be between the liquid in the liquid reservoir and the liquid outlet.

The reservoir may include a hollow space for storing the liquid formulation, and the wick element may be positioned between the hollow space and the liquid outlet. This allows the wick element to control the flow of liquid formulation from the hollow space to the liquid outlet. Additionally, this can prevent the liquid formulation from flowing out of the cartridge through the liquid outlet.

The wick element may be any suitable material for wicking liquid. Wicking means that the material is capable of transporting liquid by capillary action. The wick element may include a fibrous material. The wick element may include a porous material. The interlining element may include a woven material. The interlining element may include a non-woven material. The wick element may include a foam-like material. The wick element may include a sponge material. The wick element may include a sintered material. The wick element may include a ceramic material. The wick element may include a bundle of capillaries. For example, the wicking element may include a plurality of fibers or threads or other fine bore tubes. The fibers or threads may generally be aligned to transfer liquid from the liquid reservoir of the cartridge to the liquid outlet. The structure of the wick element may form a plurality of small bores or tubes. The wick element may include any suitable combination of material(s). Examples of suitable materials include materials with pores capable of transporting liquid by capillary action. For example, the wick may include a ceramic material. The material may include sintered ceramic. The wick may include a graphite-based material. Materials may include fibers or sintered powders. The wick may include foam metal. The wick may include a plastic material. The wick may include cellulosic material. The wick may include plant-based materials. The wick may include a plastic material. The wick may include a ceramic material. The wick may include glass material. Fibrous materials may include spun or extruded fibers, such as cellulose acetate, polyester, or bonded polyolefin, polyethylene, ethylene or polypropylene fibers, nylon fibers, glass fibers, or ceramics. Wick elements can have any suitable capillary and porosity to allow for use with different liquid physical properties.

The liquid reservoir of the cartridge may include a hollow partial wall. The walls of the hollow portion of the liquid reservoir may be adjacent to other parts of the cartridge. The wall of the liquid reservoir may form at least a portion of the central hollow portion. Accordingly, the liquid portion wall forms the wall of the central hollow portion adjacent the liquid reservoir.

The cartridge may include an external wall. The liquid reservoir may be located between the outer and inner walls of the cartridge. The inner wall of the cartridge is the wall of the central hollow portion.

The slideable sealing element of the cartridge may be configured to be slidable along the central hollow part wall. This can ensure that the liquid outlet can be reliably sealed by the sliding sealing element. The sealing element may be configured to be slidable along the wall of the central hollow portion.

This can ensure that the sealing element is located within the central hollow part and can slide along the wall of the central hollow part when pressure is applied to the slideable sealing element from inside the central hollow part.

The central hollow portion of the cartridge may include an upstream opening and a downstream opening. This can provide an airflow path through the cartridge between the upstream and downstream openings. This can also cause the liquid formulation to move from the liquid reservoir into the central hollow portion to be entrained in an aerosol.

The liquid reservoir for storing the liquid formulation can be refilled. Accordingly, there may be an inlet port for refilling the liquid reservoir with a new liquid formulation. Alternatively, the cartridge may be configured for single use and discarded after all liquid formulations have been used. The inlet port may include a seal. The inlet port seal may be slidable. The inlet port may be configured to repeatedly refill the cartridge.

The cartridge may include a flexible biasing member. The flexible biasing member may be configured to maintain the sealing member in a position to seal the liquid outlet when no pressure is applied to the sealing member and the cartridge is not connected to the aerosol-generating device. Additionally, the flexible biasing member allows the slideable sealing member to slide away from the liquid outlet to enable release of the liquid formulation when pressure is applied to the sealing member. This can occur when the cartridge is connected to an aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article. Additionally, the flexible biasing member may be configured to slide the slideable sealing member back into a position to seal the liquid outlet when pressure is ceased to be applied. The flexible biasing member may be a spring or any other biasing member suitable for maintaining the slideable sealing member in a position to seal the liquid outlet.

The flexible biasing member may be located external to the liquid reservoir in the central hollow portion of the cartridge. This allows the flexible biasing member to push the sealing element and seal the liquid outlet again after pressure on the sealing member has ceased to be applied.

The cartridge may be configured to be removably connectable to an aerosol-generating device and/or an aerosol-generating article. The cartridge may include a device connection element for connecting the cartridge with the aerosol-generating device. The device connection element may be a positioning groove or a positioning buckle or other connection feature. These device connection elements may be located on the outer wall of the cartridge.

The cartridge may be configured to be removably connected to the mouthpiece. The cartridge may include a mouthpiece connection element for removably connecting the cartridge to a removable mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may be located downstream of the central hollow portion of the cartridge. The mouthpiece connection element may be located on the wall of the central hollow portion. The mouthpiece may serve to allow the user to inhale the aerosol formed in the central hollow portion of the cartridge and aerosol-generating device. The mouthpiece portion may be formed integrally with at least a portion of the cartridge.

The sealing element may be ring-shaped. The sealing element may form a sealing ring. The cartridge may include an annular shape. The central hollow portion may have a tubular shape. A ring-shaped sealing element may be particularly suitable for sealing one or more liquid outlets located in the wall of the tubular-shaped central hollow part. This ring-shaped sealing element can have any shape. The shape of the ring-shaped sealing element depends on the shape of the part to be sealed. The sealing ring can be, for example, rectangular, oval, annular, capped, or have a complex shape. The seal ring can be made of any material suitable for sealing two parts together.

One or more liquid outlets may be present within the cartridge. In particular, at least two liquid outlets, at least three or at least four liquid outlets may be present in the cartridge. These liquid outlets may be arranged along the annular cartridge in a ring-shaped arrangement. One sealing element may be configured to seal the plurality of liquid outlets, with a ring-shaped sealing element sealing some or all liquid outlets simultaneously.

The sealing element may include a flexible material. The sealing element may include rubber. The sealing element may include an elastomeric material. The sealing element may include a thermoplastic polymer. The sealing element may include one or more of rubber, elastomeric materials, and thermoplastic polymers. Elastomeric materials are particularly flexible and are well suited for sealing liquid outlets. The elastomeric material may include silicone. Elastomeric materials may include polyester elastomers. Elastomeric materials may include polyurethane elastomers. Elastomeric materials may include polyolefins. The elastomeric material may include polypropylene. The elastomeric material may include high density polyethylene. The elastomeric material may include one or more of silicone, polyester elastomer, and polyurethane elastomer. The elastomeric material may be a thermoset elastomer. The elastomeric material may be a thermoplastic elastomer. Thermoplastic polymers may include polyolefins, especially polyethylene or polypropylene.

The cartridge may be configured to receive a portion of a compartment wall of an aerosol-generating article or heater of an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge may be configured to partially contain an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article can push the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet, thereby enabling release of the liquid formulation from the liquid reservoir.

The sealing element may be configured to push away the liquid outlet when the cartridge contains an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may be partially contained in the central hollow portion of the cartridge. The central hollow portion of the cartridge may be configured to partially receive an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article, when received in the central hollow portion of the cartridge, can push the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet.

The cartridge may include a temperature stable polymer. The cartridge may comprise a temperature stable thermoplastic polymer. Examples of such temperature stable thermoplastic polymers are polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether ketone (PEK), or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

Another embodiment of the invention provides an aerosol-generating article comprising a cartridge as described herein. Aerosol-generating systems also include aerosol-generating articles and/or aerosol-generating devices. An aerosol-generating device includes a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating article.

As used herein, 'aerosol-generating device' relates to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, such as a smoking article. The aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that interacts with the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled directly through the user's mouth and into the user's lungs. The aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may include a housing, electrical circuitry, power supply, cavity, and heating element.

Aerosol-generating articles can include an aerosol-forming substrate.

As used herein, the term 'aerosol-forming substrate' relates to a substrate capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. These volatile compounds can be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or smoking article. The aerosol-forming substrate can be part of the substrate portion of an aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. Aerosol-forming substrates can include both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may include a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. Aerosol-forming substrates may include non-tobacco materials. The aerosol-forming substrate may include an aerosol-forming agent that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. 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. Aerosol formers may be polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerin, or mixtures thereof. The aerosol former may be propylene glycol. Aerosol formers may include both glycerin and propylene glycol. The aerosol-forming substrate may also include a susceptor material to inductively heat the substrate.

As used herein, the term 'aerosol-generating article' refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled directly through the user's mouth and into the user's lungs. Aerosol-generating articles may be disposable. The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may have an open end into which an aerosol-generating article is inserted. The open end may be the proximal end. The cavity may have a closed end opposed to an open end. The closed end may be the base of the cavity. The closed end may be closed except for the provision of an air aperture arranged at the base. The base of the cavity may be flat. The base of the cavity may be circular. The base of the cavity may be arranged upstream of the cavity. The open end may be arranged downstream of the cavity. The cavity may have an elongated extension. The cavity may have a longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal direction may be a direction extending between the open end and the closed end along the central longitudinal axis. The longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.

The cavity may be configured as a heating chamber. The cavity may have a cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a shape complementary to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be contained within the cavity. The cavity may be shaped to contain an aerosol-generating article. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. The cavity may have an oval or rectangular cross-section. The cavity may have an inner diameter that corresponds to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

The airflow channel may extend through the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn through the airflow channel into the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity, and toward the user. Downstream of the cavity, a mouthpiece can be arranged or the user can draw directly on the aerosol-generating article. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece.

The aerosol-generating device may further include a heating element. The heating element may serve to heat an aerosol-generating article contained within the cavity to generate an aerosol. The heating element may include one or both inductive heating elements and resistive heating elements.

The induction heating element may include an inductor coil disposed around at least a portion of the cavity and connected to a power supply. The inductor coil can provide an inductance of 1 microhenry (μH) to 500 nanohenry (nH). The aerosol-generating device may include a susceptor, in the form of a susceptor blade or susceptor pin located within a cavity. The susceptor blade or susceptor pin may be configured to be heated when inductance is generated by the inductor coil. The susceptor blade or susceptor pin may be configured to penetrate the aerosol-generating article and heat the aerosol-generating article when received within a cavity of the aerosol-generating device. Heating fins or heating blades may include susceptor material for inductive heating of aerosol-generating articles. Susceptors may also be included in aerosol-generating articles. For example, an aerosol-generating substrate can include a susceptor.

The heating blades or heating fins may be configured to heat resistively. Heating blades or heating fins may be configured to penetrate an aerosol-generating article when received within a cavity of an aerosol-generating device. Heating fins or heating blades may include conductive tracks for resistive heating of the aerosol-generating article.

Suitable electrically resistive materials for resistive heating elements include semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (e.g. molybdenum disilicide, etc.), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and ceramic materials and those made of metallic materials. Including, but not limited to, composite materials. These composite materials may include doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and metals of the platinum group. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-, titanium-, zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- , and iron-containing alloys, and nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetal® based superalloys, and iron-manganese-aluminum based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material can be selectively embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material, or vice versa, depending on the energy transfer dynamics and external physicochemical properties required. Suitable composite heater elements are disclosed in US-A-5 498 855, WO-A-03/095688 and US-A-5 514 630. One preferred resistive heating material may be a nickel chromium alloy.

The susceptor element can be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate. Preferred susceptor elements may comprise or consist of ferromagnetic materials, for example ferromagnetic alloys, ferritic iron or ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel. Suitable susceptors may be or include aluminum. Preferred susceptors can be heated to temperatures exceeding 250°C.

Preferred susceptor elements are metal susceptors, for example stainless steel. However, susceptor materials can also be graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, aluminum, niobium, Inconel alloys (austenitic nickel-chromium based superalloys), metallized films, ceramics such as zirconia, e.g. iron, It may contain or be made of transition metals such as cobalt and nickel, or metalloid elements such as boron, carbon, silicon, phosphorus and aluminum, for example.

As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term 'smoking' does not refer to conventional smoking in which the device, article, system, substrate, or other aerosol-forming substrate is completely or at least partially combusted. The aerosol-generating device of the invention is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature below the combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate, but at or above the temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released to form an inhalable aerosol. The inhalable aerosol may also contain a liquid formulation, particularly the active agent provided by and dissolved in the cartridge of the aerosol-generating system of the present invention. The active agent in the liquid formulation of the cartridge may provide additional flavoring or nicotine. Additional flavoring agents or nicotine may modify the inhalable aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article. Depending on their preferences, users can combine different cartridges with different liquid formulations to modify the inhalable aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating system of the present invention may be a so-called “hybrid aerosol-generating system” that uses both a solid aerosol-forming substrate contained in an aerosol-generating article and a liquid formulation from a cartridge.

An airflow path may be provided in the aerosol-generating system extending from the air inlet(s) of the aerosol-generating device through the central hollow portion of the cartridge to the air outlet. When the aerosol-generating article is engaged in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and the central hollow portion of the cartridge, an air flow path extends from the air inlet(s) through the aerosol-generating article, through the porous portion, and to the air outlet. The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may be located upstream of the cartridge when the cartridge is connected to the aerosol-generating device.

When the aerosol-generating system includes an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating element having a first portion and a second portion of a compartment wall, the air flow path is by the first portion of the compartment wall located within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. Via the defined first heating zone, air can be provided from the at least one air inlet into the second heating zone defined by the second part of the compartment wall. In particular, the airflow path may extend through an aerosol-generating article received in the first portion of the compartment wall. The airflow path may extend further from the second portion of the compartment wall through the central hollow portion of the cartridge to an air outlet, for example a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may form the downstream end of the airflow path.

A mouthpiece may be present in the aerosol-generating system of the present invention. The mouthpiece may be positioned downstream of the cartridge. An airflow path may be formed in the aerosol-generating system from one or more air inlets of the aerosol-generating device through the central hollow portion of the aerosol-generating article and cartridge to a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece being located at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating system. there is. One or more air inlets may be present at the upstream end of the aerosol-generating device, which may provide air to the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may include a cartridge connection element for removably connecting the aerosol-generating device with the cartridge. These connecting elements may comprise complementary structures that are releasable by sliding or snapping together, or any other type of removable or releasable connecting element, including for example grooves or buckles.

The aerosol-generating device further includes an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit may include a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. A microprocessor may be part of a controller. The electrical circuit may include additional electronic components. The electrical circuit may be configured to regulate the supply of power to the heating element, in particular an inductor coil or a resistive heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously after activation of the aerosol-generating device, or it may be supplied intermittently, for example with each puff. Power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of current pulses. The electrical circuit may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and preferably control the supply of power to the heating element depending on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

The aerosol generating device may further include a power supply, typically a battery, inside the main body of the aerosol generating device. In one implementation, the power supply is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a nickel-hydrogen alloy battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, such as a lithium-cobalt, lithium-iron-phosphate, lithium titanate or lithium-polymer battery. The power supply may provide a direct current voltage of 1.5 to 5 V. Alternatively, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have the capacity to store sufficient energy for one or more usage experiences; For example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of about 6 minutes, or a multiple of 6 minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide individual activation of a predetermined number of puffs or heating elements.

Methods for operating an aerosol-generating system as described herein are also provided. The above method is,

- receiving the aerosol-generating article within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device,

- Connecting the cartridge to the aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating article pushes the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet, such that liquid contained in the liquid reservoir flows through the liquid outlet into the porous portion of the aerosol-generating article. The step of flowing to,

- generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating article and the liquid formulation by heating the aerosol-generating article.

This method allows the formation of an aerosol from a solid aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article and a liquid formulation of the cartridge. Different combinations of aerosol-generating articles and cartridges may be used depending on user preference. An aerosol-generating article may include a substrate portion comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid, as described above. The aerosol-generating article may also include a porous portion that may be adjacent to the substrate portion of the aerosol-generating article. The porous portion may be located downstream of the substrate portion of the aerosol-generating article. Liquid formulations that come into contact with an aerosol-generating article may be absorbed by porous portions of the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating device may include a heating element. This heating element can heat the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article to form an aerosol. The heating element can provide temperatures between 160°C and 350°C. The substrate portion of the aerosol-generating article may be heated to a temperature of about 200°C to 350°C. The heating element may also heat porous portions of the aerosol-generating article containing the absorbed liquid formulation. Porous portions of an aerosol-generating article can be heated indirectly through heat convection from the substrate portion of the article. The porous portion can be heated to a temperature that is below the temperature of the substrate portion of the aerosol-generating article. The porous portion can be heated to a temperature of 160°C to 220°C.

Alternatively, another embodiment of the invention provides a method of operating an aerosol-generating system as described herein. The above method is,

- receiving the aerosol-generating article within a cavity of the aerosol-generating device, wherein the heating element of the aerosol-generating device comprises a compartment wall, a first portion of the compartment wall being located within the cavity, the second portion extending outside the cavity,

- Connecting the cartridge to the aerosol-generating device, wherein a second portion of the compartment wall pushes the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet, such that liquid contained in the liquid reservoir flows through the liquid outlet into the compartment. flowing to a second portion of the wall,

- generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating article and the liquid formulation by heating the aerosol-generating article.

This method of operation allows the use of an aerosol-generating device comprising a heater compartment wall to generate an aerosol from a liquid formulation contained in a cartridge and a solid aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article. The liquid formulation contained in the second part of the compartment wall of the heater of the aerosol generating device is entrained in the aerosol generated in the first part of the compartment wall.

A method of operating an aerosol-generating system may include the additional method step of disconnecting the cartridge from the aerosol-generating device, and may further include sliding a sealing element over the liquid outlet to seal the liquid outlet.

The method of operating the aerosol-generating system may further include an additional method step of removing the aerosol-forming article from the cavity of the aerosol-forming device.

The method step of operating the aerosol-generating system may further include an additional method step of inserting another aerosol-forming article into the cavity of the aerosol-forming device.

This can provide a particularly easy way to reseal the cartridge after use. Both the slideable sealing element and the wicking element can prevent any further leakage of the liquid formulation outside the cartridge.

During separation of the cartridge from the aerosol-generating device, the flexible biasing member may expand, such that the flexible biasing member pushes against the sealing member and seals the liquid outlet.

This can provide a particularly easy way to slide the sealing element in front of the liquid outlet. This may also not require any additional user interaction with the cartridge.

The aerosol-generating device may have a length of 100 mm to 150 mm, preferably 100 mm to 120 mm. The cartridge may have a length of 20 mm to 40 mm, preferably 25 mm to 30 mm. The cartridge may have a width of 20 mm to 40 mm, preferably 25 mm to 30 mm. The heating element of the aerosol-generating device may have a length of 7 mm to 14 mm, preferably 3 mm to 5 mm. The heating element of the aerosol-generating device may have a diameter between 6 mm and 12 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 12 mm. The central hollow part of the cartridge may have a diameter of 10 mm to 15 mm, preferably 10 mm to 12 mm. The resistive heating element formed as a resistive heating wire may have a diameter of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm. The aerosol-generating article may have a length of 7 mm to 14 mm, preferably 3 mm to 5 mm. The aerosol-generating article may have a diameter between 6 mm and 12 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 12 mm. The cavity in the aerosol-generating device may have a diameter of 50 mm to 70 mm, preferably 50 mm to 55 mm. The cavity may have a width of 25 mm to 30 mm, preferably 25 mm to 28 mm. The sliding sealing element can have a length of 6 mm to 8 mm, preferably 7 mm to 28 mm. The sliding sealing element can be annular and have a diameter of 10 mm to 15 mm, preferably 10 mm to 12 mm.

Features described in relation to one embodiment can be equally applied to other embodiments of the invention.

The invention will be further explained by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings,
1 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an aerosol-generating system.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another aerosol generating system.
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.
4 shows the assembly sequence for one embodiment of an aerosol-generating device and aerosol-generating system including a heater compartment wall.
Figure 5 shows the sequence for assembling one embodiment of an aerosol-generating article, wherein the aerosol-generating article engages the slideable sealing element of the cartridge.
Figures 6a and 6b show cut-away close-ups of the cartridge and aerosol-forming device before (Figure 6a) and after (Figure 6b) the cartridge and aerosol-forming device are connected.
Figures 7a and 7b show schematic perspective views of the cartridge and aerosol-forming device before (Figure 7a) and after (Figure 7b) the cartridge and aerosol-forming device are connected.
In the following, like elements are indicated by like reference numerals throughout all drawings.

1 shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating system 26. The system includes an aerosol-generating device (22) including a cartridge (10), an aerosol-generating article, a mouthpiece (34), and a compartment wall (24). The aerosol-generating device 22 also includes an air inlet 23 at the upstream end of the device. As heating element 30 there is an induction coil. The heating element also includes a compartment wall having a first portion 24B and a second portion 24A. An aerosol-generating article is received in the first portion 24B of the compartment wall (the aerosol-generating article is not shown in Figure 1). The first portion of the compartment wall functions as a susceptor material, which can be heated by the induction coil 30 via induction heating to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate of the article. When the cartridge 10 is connected to the aerosol-generating device 20, the second portion 24A of the compartment wall pushes the slideable sealing element 18 of the cartridge 10 away from the liquid outlet 14. The slideable sealing element is pushed along the central longitudinal axis 41 of the central hollow part 21 of the cartridge to a second position offset from the liquid outlet 14 . In particular, the slideable sealing element is pushed further downstream along the inner wall of the liquid reservoir, which also forms part of the central hollow part 21 of the cartridge 10 . The liquid outlet 14 and the wicking element 16 abutting the liquid outlet are then brought into contact with the second portion 24A of the compartment wall, thereby separating the compartment wall from the liquid reservoir 12 of the cartridge via the wicking element. The liquid formulation 20 is transferred to the second portion 24A of. The wick element is located inside the liquid reservoir 12 of the cartridge, bordering the liquid outlet 14. This position allows the wick element to channel the liquid formulation from the liquid reservoir to the liquid outlet 14. Both the slideable sealing element 18 and the second part 24A of the compartment wall are located in the central hollow part 21 of the cartridge 10 after the cartridge has been connected to the aerosol-generating device. When the induction coil 30 applies a variable magnetic field to the first portion of the compartment wall, the first portion of the compartment wall heats the substrate portion of the aerosol-generating article. The heating element also indirectly heats the second portion 24A of the compartment wall containing the liquid formulation, which also leads to the formation of an aerosol containing the liquid formulation. The arrow marked with reference numeral 40 indicates the general air flow path through the aerosol-generating system, from the air inlet 23 to the first heating zone defined by the first portion 24B of the compartment and the second portion 24A of the compartment. and through a second heating zone defined by the central hollow portion 21 of the cartridge 10 to the mouthpiece 34. The second portion 24A of the compartment wall transfers heat from the material of the first portion 24B of the compartment wall to the second portion via thermal conduction and allows heated aerosol to pass through the second portion of the compartment wall. It can be heated from heat convection due to passing through it. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating system shown in FIG. 1 produces aerosols from a substrate portion of an aerosol-generating article comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate and from a liquid formulation absorbed into the second portion 24A of the compartment wall of the aerosol-generating article. It can be used to inhale. Liquid formulations may contain flavoring agents or other active agents to modify the user's perception of the inhaled aerosol.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another aerosol generating system 26. In contrast to the aerosol-generating system of Figure 1, the system of Figure 2 includes a resistive heating wire 32 for heating a first portion 24B of the wall of the heater compartment of the aerosol-generating device. The arrow indicated by reference number 36 indicates that when the second part 24A of the heater compartment wall pushes the slideable sealing element 18 along the central longitudinal axis of the central hollow part of the cartridge from the liquid outlet 14. Indicates the sliding direction of the sealing element.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 10 without being connected to an aerosol-generating device in more detail. Two liquid outlets (14) can be seen, covered with sliding sealing elements (18). In both cases, the wick element 16 is located between the liquid reservoir 12 and the liquid outlet 14 to control the flow of liquid formulation 20 through the liquid outlet 14. A flexible biasing element (38), spring-loaded, pushes the slideable sealing element (18) over the liquid outlet (14). The cartridge 10 may have an annular shape and the slideable sealing element 18 may be a sealing ring. The slideable sealing element 18, the liquid outlet 14 and the flexible deflecting element 38 are all located within the central hollow portion 21 of the cartridge 10. Liquid reservoir 12 includes a wall 12A, which also forms part of the central hollow portion.

Figure 4 schematically depicts the process for assembling an aerosol-generating system, comprising an aerosol-generating article (25), an aerosol-generating device (22), a cartridge (10) containing a liquid formulation (20), and finally a mouthpiece. Includes (34). In the first step (indicated by the arrow marked “1.”), the aerosol-generating article 25 is introduced into the first compartment wall of the aerosol-generating device 22 through the hollow second portion 24A of the compartment wall. It is inserted within portion 24B. In the second step (indicated by the arrow marked “2.”), the cartridge 10 is attached to the aerosol-generating device 22. Cartridge 10 includes a liquid reservoir containing liquid formulation 20. There is a liquid outlet 14, which can direct the liquid formulation 20 into the central hollow portion 21 of the cartridge 10. The liquid outlet 14 is covered by a sliding sealing element 18 , which abuts the liquid outlet 14 and thereby closes it. A biasing member 38, a spring, is present, which holds the slideable sealing element 18 above the liquid outlet 14 when the cartridge 10 is not connected to the aerosol-generating device. When connecting the cartridge 10 to the aerosol-generating device 22, the second portion 24A of the compartment wall of the heating element pushes the sealing element 18 away from the liquid outlet 14, thereby discharging the liquid formulation ( 20) is received by the second part of the compartment wall. In a third step (indicated by the arrow labeled “3.”), mouthpiece 34 may be connected to the downstream end of the system and cartridge 22. This process can be used to assemble an aerosol-generating system, using two different substrates, a solid aerosol-generating article 25 and a liquid formulation 20, from a cartridge 10 to generate an aerosol.

Figure 5 shows the sequence for assembling an aerosol-generating system, including an aerosol-generating device lacking a heater compartment wall. At the start (arrow marked “1.”), an aerosol-generating article 25 having a substrate portion 25B and a porous portion 25A is received within cavity 28 of aerosol-generating device 22. A resistive heating wire (32) is included in the aerosol-generating device for heating the aerosol-generating article (25). The cartridge is then connected to the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article (arrow marked "2."), and the porous portion 25A of the aerosol-generating article is formed into a slideable seal such that the liquid formulation can be absorbed by the porous portion. Push the element away from the liquid outlet. Subsequently, a mouthpiece can be connected to the cartridge at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating system (mouthpiece not shown in Figure 5).

Figure 6A shows a cut-away close-up of the cartridge 10 and aerosol-generating device 22 before they are connected. A flexible biasing element 38 , for example a spring, applies a force to the sliding sealing element 18 , so that the sliding sealing element is pushed in front of the liquid outlet 14 for sealing. Arrow 39 indicates the direction of the force applied to the sliding sealing element by means of the flexible biasing element for sealing the liquid outlet 14 . The circumference of the central hollow portion 21 of the cartridge 10 corresponds to the circumference of the second portion 24A of the compartment wall of the aerosol forming device 22. This inserts the second part 24A of the compartment wall into the central hollow part 21 of the cartridge.

Figure 6b shows the cartridge and aerosol forming device after being connected. The second part 24A of the compartment wall is pushed into the central hollow part 21 of the cartridge, thereby pushing the slideable sealing element 18 along the direction of the arrow 43 . This causes the liquid formulation 20 to contact the second portion 24A of the compartment wall via the wicking element 16 .

Figure 7a shows a schematic perspective view of a flat cartridge 10 with a central hollow part 21 and an aerosol forming device 22 before being connected. The annular second portion 24A of the compartment wall protrudes from the aerosol forming device 22 and can be inserted into the central hollow portion 21 of the cartridge as indicated by the arrow.

Figure 7b shows a schematic perspective view of the aerosol forming system 26 after the cartridge 10 and aerosol forming device 22 are connected.

Claims (15)

A replaceable cartridge configured to be removably connected to an aerosol-generating device, comprising:
a liquid reservoir for storing a liquid formulation (the liquid reservoir includes a liquid outlet for leading the liquid formulation out of the liquid reservoir);
a slidable sealing element for sealing the liquid outlet, the slideable sealing element being configured to slide away from the liquid outlet upon applying pressure to the sealing element;
A cartridge comprising a wick element arranged adjacent the liquid outlet for absorbing and supplying the liquid formulation to the liquid outlet. 2. A replaceable cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the wicking element is located inside the liquid reservoir, and preferably the wicking element abuts the liquid outlet. 3. A replaceable cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wick element is located between the liquid reservoir and the liquid outlet. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a central hollow portion, preferably the central hollow portion comprising an upstream opening and a downstream opening, between the upstream opening and the downstream opening. A replaceable cartridge, providing an air flow path through the cartridge. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a flexible biasing member configured to maintain the sealing member in a position sealing the liquid outlet when no pressure is applied to the sealing member, preferably and wherein the flexible biasing member is a spring. Replaceable cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, configured to be removably connectable to an aerosol-generating device, preferably wherein the cartridge comprises a device connection element for connecting to the aerosol-generating device. . 7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cartridge comprises a mouthpiece connection for removably connecting the cartridge to a mouthpiece, preferably wherein the mouthpiece connection element is located in the central hollow portion. Replaceable cartridge located on the inner wall. 8. Replaceable cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sealing element is ring-shaped. 9. A replaceable cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the cartridge is configured to partially accommodate either an aerosol-generating article or an aerosol-generating device. A replaceable cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and one or more of the following, wherein:
- aerosol-generating articles, and
- An aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a cavity, the cavity being configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. 11. The method of claim 10, comprising the aerosol-generating article,
The aerosol-generating article comprises a substrate portion, wherein the substrate portion comprises a solid aerosol-forming substrate, preferably, the substrate portion comprises a tobacco and/or non-tobacco containing substrate, and more preferably, the substrate portion comprises a tobacco and/or non-tobacco containing substrate. The substrate portion comprises an aerosol former, preferably the aerosol former is selected from polyhydric alcohols, esters of polyhydric alcohols, aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids or combinations thereof. 12. The method of claim 10 or 11, comprising an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising a heating element configured to heat the aerosol-generating article contained within the cavity, the heating element comprising a compartment wall. and wherein a first portion of the compartment wall is located within the cavity and a second portion of the compartment wall extends outside the cavity. 13. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 12, wherein the second portion of the compartment wall is configured to push the slideable sealing element away from the liquid outlet. 14. A method of operating an aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the aerosol-generating system comprises:
- the aerosol-generating article, and
- further comprising the aerosol generating device, and comprising the following method steps, wherein the method steps are:
- receiving the aerosol-generating article within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device,
- Connecting the cartridge to the aerosol-generating device, wherein a second portion of the compartment wall of the aerosol-generating device pushes the sliding sealing element or the aerosol-generating article pushes the sliding sealing element away from the liquid outlet. pushing away, causing the liquid formulation to contact the second portion of the compartment wall or the aerosol-generating article;
- generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating article and the liquid formulation by heating the aerosol-generating article. 15. A method of operating an aerosol-generating system according to claim 14, comprising the additional steps of:
- separating the cartridge from the aerosol-generating device and sealing the liquid outlet by sliding the sealing element over the liquid outlet.