KR20240031373A - Aerosol delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

A body (4) for an aerosol delivery system (200) for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, the body (4) comprising a receptacle (8) for releasably receiving a cartridge (2). Receptacle 8 includes at least one air inlet 14 and a plenum chamber 202. In this way, the receptacle 8 allows the cartridge 2 to engage against a portion of the plenum chamber 202 when the receptacle 8 releasably receives the cartridge 2, and then the air flow It is configured to allow air to pass from outside the receptacle 8 through at least one inlet 14 into the receptacle 8 and then into the plenum chamber 202.

Description

Aerosol delivery system

The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems, such as but not limited to nicotine delivery systems (e.g., electronic cigarettes, etc.).

Electronic aerosol delivery systems often utilize electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or, more commonly, aerosol delivery devices. Such aerosol delivery devices typically contain solid materials, such as tobacco-based products, or fluids or liquids containing formulations that typically, but need not, contain nicotine. It contains an aerosolizable material, such as a reservoir, from which a vapor/aerosol is generated for inhalation by the user, for example through thermal evaporation. Accordingly, an aerosol presentation system will typically comprise an aerosol presentation device comprising a vaporizer, for example a heating element, arranged to vaporize a portion of the aerosolizable material to generate a vapor.

Once the vapor is generated, the vapor can pass through a flavoring material to add flavor to the vapor (if the aerosolizable material itself is not flavored), and the (flavored) vapor can then be aerosolized. It can be delivered to the user through the mouthpiece of the provided device.

A potential drawback of many existing aerosol delivery systems, associated aerosol delivery devices and other components thereof relates to the flow paths used to convey air from outside the aerosol delivery system through the aerosol delivery system.

Therefore, it is desirable to solve or alleviate some of these problems through better direction and guidance of the air flow through the aerosol presentation system, particularly those parts of the aerosol presentation system upstream of the evaporator and/or areas configured to generate aerosols. Various approaches to assist are described herein.

Accordingly, these approaches may also improve detection by the aerosol delivery system as to when a user is actuating (inhaling) air through the aerosol delivery system, and also from the air inlet of the aerosol delivery system to the aerosol generating components. Less complex and more efficient air flow paths can be provided through directed aerosol delivery systems.

According to a first aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a body for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, the body comprising:

a receptacle for releasably receiving a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolization, the receptacle comprising:

at least one receptacle wall;

at least one air inlet, each air inlet extending through at least one receptacle wall; and

Contains a plenum chamber;

The receptacle allows the cartridge to engage against a portion of the plenum chamber when the receptacle releasably receives the cartridge, and then allows air flow from outside the receptacle through the at least one air inlet into the receptacle and then into the plenum chamber. It is configured to allow passage through the interior.

According to a second aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising a body according to the first aspect, the aerosol delivery system further comprising a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol, The aerosol delivery system is configured to allow air flow to pass from the plenum chamber into the air inlet of the cartridge when the cartridge is engaged against a portion of the plenum chamber.

According to a second aspect of certain embodiments, a method of directing air flow through an aerosol delivery system is provided, the method comprising:

causing an air flow to pass through at least one air inlet of the body of the aerosol delivery system;

Directing an air flow from at least one air inlet into a plenum chamber of the body; and

and delivering a flow of air from the plenum chamber into an air inlet of a cartridge coupled to a portion of the plenum chamber.

The features and aspects of the invention described above in relation to the various aspects of the invention are equally applicable to the specific combinations described herein as well as to embodiments of the invention according to other aspects of the invention. It will be understood that these may be appropriately combined.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings:
1 schematically represents a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge and a control unit (shown separately), according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 schematically shows an exploded perspective view of the components of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of Figure 1;
Figures 3A-3C schematically represent various cross-sectional views of the housing portion of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery device of Figure 1;
Figures 4a and 4b schematically represent a perspective and top view of the dividing wall element of the cartridge of the aerosol presentation device of Figure 1;
Figures 5a-5c schematically show two perspective views and a top view of the elastic plug of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery device of Figure 1;
Figures 6A and 6B schematically represent a perspective and top view of the lower cap of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery device of Figure 1;
7A schematically illustrates an embodiment of an aerosol delivery system similar to those shown in FIGS. 1-6B and including a plenum chamber, when in a first position, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7B schematically illustrates an embodiment of an aerosol delivery system similar to that shown in FIG. 7A and including a plenum chamber when in a second position, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7C schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 7A when taken about plane 7C-7C of FIG. 7A, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;
Figure 7D schematically depicts a perspective view of a portion of the aerosol delivery system of Figures 7A-7C, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;
Figure 7E shows a perspective view of the plenum chamber illustrated in Figures 7A-7D, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;
8 schematically depicts a flow diagram illustrating a potential method of air flow through the aerosol delivery systems described herein, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

Aspects and features of specific examples and embodiments are discussed/described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and are not discussed/described in detail for the sake of brevity. Accordingly, it will be understood that aspects and features of the devices and methods discussed herein, which are not described in detail, may be implemented according to any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

The present disclosure relates to non-flammable aerosol delivery devices (e.g., e-cigarettes) used as part of a broader aerosol delivery system. According to the present disclosure, a “non-flammable” aerosol delivery device is a system in which the aerosolizable materials of the aerosol delivery device (or components thereof) do not combust or burn to facilitate delivery to a user. Aerosolizable materials, which may also be referred to herein as aerosol generating materials or aerosol precursor materials, are, for example, heated, irradiated, or energized in any other way. , It is a material that can generate aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may also be flavored.

Throughout the following description, the terms “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be understood that such terms may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery device. Electronic cigarettes may also be known as vaping devices or electronic nicotine delivery (END), but it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not required.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-providing device is a hybrid device configured to generate an aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials, one or more of the aerosolizable materials can be heated. In some embodiments, the hybrid device includes a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. Solid aerosolizable materials may include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

Typically, a (non-flammable) aerosol delivery device may comprise a cartridge/consumable part, and a body/reusable part configured to releasably engage with the cartridge/consumable part.

The aerosol presentation device may be provided therein with means for energizing the vaporizer and may be provided with an aerosolizable material transport element for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized. The aerosol presentation device may also be provided with a reservoir for holding aerosolizable material and, in some embodiments, an additional reservoir for holding flavoring material for flavoring the vapor generated from the aerosol presentation device.

In some embodiments, the vaporizer may be a heater/heating element that can interact with the aerosolizable material to release one or more volatile substances from the aerosolizable material to form a vapor/aerosol. In some embodiments, the vaporizer can generate an aerosol from an aerosolizable material without heating. For example, a vaporizer may generate a vapor/aerosol from an aerosolizable material, for example, through one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurized or electrostatic means, without applying heat to the aerosolizable material.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered can be an aerosolizable material that can include an active constituent, a carrier constituent, and optionally one or more other functional ingredients.

The active ingredient may include one or more physiologically and/or olfactory active ingredients incorporated into an aerosolizable material to achieve a physiological and/or olfactory response in the user. The active ingredient may be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics and psychoactives, for example. The active ingredients may occur naturally or be obtained synthetically. The active ingredients are, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids or components or derivatives thereof. Or it may include combinations. The active ingredients may include components, derivatives or extracts of tobacco or other plants. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is a physiologically active ingredient, nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g., nicotine bitartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof. can be selected from

In some embodiments, the active ingredient is an olfactory active ingredient and, where local regulations permit, a “flavor” that can be used to produce a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensory sensation in a product for adult consumers. and/or “flavorant”. In some cases, such ingredients may be referred to as flavors, flavoring agents, flavoring agents, thermal agents, thermogenic agents, and/or sweeteners. These include natural flavoring ingredients, herbal medicines, herbal extracts, synthetically obtained ingredients or combinations thereof (e.g. tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol). ), Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint. mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen ), cherry, berry, redberry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb (rhubarb), grapes, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch ), whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom. , celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel. , shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom. (cherry blossom), cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, Allspice, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass. , rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange peel, rose, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, Juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint. ), beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien ), marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol (thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose). ), glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol), and other substances such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, herbal medicines or breath freshening agents. May contain additives. These may be man-made, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. These can be used in any suitable form, for example, extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese whitebark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, Apple, Drambuix, Bourbon, Scotch, Whiskey, Spearmint, Peppermint, Lavender, Cardamom, Celery, Cascaraya, Nutmeg, Sandalwood, Bergamot, Geranium, Honey Essence, Rose Oil, Vanilla, Lemon Oil, Orange Oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory Receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g. sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals or breath fresheners. These may be man-made, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. These may be in any suitable form, for example oil, liquid or powder.

In some embodiments, the flavoring material may include menthol, spearmint, and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavor includes flavor components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and/or red berry. In some embodiments, the flavor includes eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavor includes flavor components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, flavor is a sensation intended to achieve a somatosensory sensation that is typically chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or instead of the scent or taste nerves. They may contain sensates, and they may contain agents that provide a heating, cooling, tingling, or numbing effect. A suitable thermogenic agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable thermogenic agent may be, but not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

The carrier component may include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the carrier component is glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, It may contain one or more of lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

One or more other functional ingredients may include one or more of pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

As mentioned above, aerosol delivery devices (e-cigarettes) can often include a modular assembly that includes both a reusable portion (body) and a replaceable consumable (cartridge) portion. Devices that follow this type of two-part modular configuration can generally be referred to as two-part devices. Additionally, electronic cigarettes generally have an elongated shape. To provide a specific example, certain embodiments of the disclosure described herein may include a generally elongated two-part device of this type that utilizes consumable parts. However, the basic principles described herein can be applied to other electronic cigarette configurations, such as devices following different overall geometries based on so-called box-mod high-performance devices, which typically have a more box-like shape. It will be appreciated that the same can be employed, for example, for modular devices comprising more than two parts.

Accordingly, from the foregoing, and with reference to Figure 1, there is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary aerosol delivery system/device (e-cigarette) 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Terms relating to the relative positions of various aspects of an electronic cigarette (e.g., terms such as top, bottom, top, bottom, top, bottom, etc.) refer to the electronic cigarette as shown in FIG. 1 (unless the context indicates otherwise). It is used herein with reference to the orientation of the cigarette. However, it will be understood that this is purely for convenience of illustration and is not intended to indicate that there is any orientation required for the electronic cigarette in use.

The e-cigarette (1) comprises two main components: a cartridge (2) and a control unit (4). The control unit 4 and cartridge 2 are shown separate in Figure 1, but are joined together in use.

Cartridge 2 and control unit 4 are joined by establishing mechanical and electrical connections between them. The particular manner in which the mechanical and electrical connection is established is not critical to the principles described herein, for example electrical contacts/electrodes appropriately arranged to properly establish the electrical connection between the two parts. and can be established according to conventional techniques based on threaded, bayonet, latched or friction-fit mechanical fastening. For the exemplary electronic cigarette 1 shown in FIG. 1 , the cartridge includes a mouthpiece 33, a mouthpiece end 52 and an interface end 54, the interface end being at the interface end of the cartridge. It is coupled to the control unit by inserting the part (6) into the corresponding receptacle (8)/receiving section of the control unit. The interface end portion (6) of the cartridge is a close fit to the receptacle (8) and is located on the inner surface of the receptacle wall (12) defining the receptacle (8) to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the control unit. It includes protrusions 56 that engage with corresponding detents. Via a pair of electrical contacts (not shown in Figure 1) on the bottom of the cartridge and corresponding spring contact pins (not shown in Figure 1) at the base of the receptacle 8. An electrical connection is established between the control unit and the cartridge. As noted above, the particular manner in which the electrical connection is established is not critical to the principles described herein, since, for example, the transfer of power from the reusable portion to the cartridge may be wireless (e.g., electromagnetic based on induction techniques), in fact some implementations may have no electrical connection at all between the cartridge and the control unit.

The electronic cigarette 1 (aerosol providing device) has a generally elongated shape extending along the longitudinal axis L. When the cartridge is coupled to the control unit, the total length of the electronic cigarette (along the longitudinal axis) in this example is approximately 12.5 cm. The overall length of the control unit is about 9 cm and the overall length of the cartridge is about 5 cm (i.e. when they are joined together there is about 1.5 cm between the interface end portion of the cartridge (6) and the receptacle (8) of the control unit. overlap exists). The electronic cigarette is generally oval in shape and has a cross-section that is largest near the middle of the electronic cigarette and tapers in a curved manner towards the ends. The cross section near the middle of the electronic cigarette has a width of about 2.5 cm and a thickness of about 1.7 cm. The end of the cartridge has a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 0.6 mm, while the other end of the e-cigarette has a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 1.2 cm. The outer housing of the electronic cigarette is in this example made of plastic. It will be understood that the specific size and shape of the e-cigarette and the materials from which it is made are not critical to the principles described herein and may differ in different implementations. In other words, the principles described herein can be equally employed in electronic cigarettes having different sizes, shapes and/or materials.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the control unit 4 may be broadly conventional in terms of its functionality and general construction techniques. In the example of Figure 1, the control unit 4 comprises a plastic outer housing 10 comprising a receptacle wall 12 defining a receptacle 8 for receiving the end of the cartridge as mentioned above. In this example, the outer housing 10 of the control unit 4 has a generally oval cross-section that matches the shape and size of the cartridge 2 at the interface to provide a smooth transition between the two parts. The receptacle 8 and the end part 6 of the cartridge 2 are symmetrical when rotated by 180° so that the cartridge can be inserted into the control unit in two different orientations. The receptacle wall 12 includes two control unit air inlet openings 14 (ie, holes in the wall). These openings 14 are positioned to align with the air inlet 50 for the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the control unit. A different one of the openings 14 is aligned with the air inlet 50 of the cartridge in different orientations. Some embodiments may not have any degree of rotational symmetry such that the cartridge can be coupled to the control unit in only one orientation, while other implementations may have a higher degree of rotational symmetry so that the cartridge can be coupled to the control unit in more orientations. It will be understood that you can have .

The control unit includes a battery 16 for providing operating power to the electronic cigarette, a control circuit (also referred to as a controller) 18 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette, and a user input button ( It further includes a user input button (20), an indicator light (22), and a charging port (24).

In the present example, battery 16 may be rechargeable, of a conventional type, and typically used, for example, in electronic cigarettes, and other applications requiring the provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods of time. It may be of the type that is. Battery 16 may be recharged via charging port 24, which may include a USB connector, for example.

In this example, input button 20 is, for example, a conventional mechanical button comprising a spring-loaded component that can be depressed by the user to establish electrical contact with the underlying circuitry. From this perspective, the input button can be considered an input device for detecting user input to trigger aerosol generation, and the specific way the button is implemented is not important. For example, other types of mechanical buttons or touch-sensitive buttons (e.g., based on capacitive or optical sensing technologies) may be used in other implementations, or there may be no button, and the device may generate aerosol You can rely on a puff detector to trigger .

Indicator lights 22 visually indicate to the user various characteristics associated with the e-cigarette, such as operating status (e.g., on/off/standby), and battery life or fault status. It is provided to display other characteristics to the user, such as: For example, different characteristics may be displayed through different colors and/or different flash sequences according to common conventional techniques.

The control circuit/controller 18 is suitably configured/programmed to control the operation of the electronic cigarette to provide conventional operating functions in accordance with established techniques for controlling electronic cigarettes. The control circuitry (processor circuitry) 18 can be considered to logically contain various subunits/circuit elements associated with different aspects of electronic cigarette operation. For example, depending on the functionality provided in different implementations, control circuit 18 may include a power supply control circuit for controlling the supply of power from the battery/power supply to the cartridge in response to user input, User programming circuitry for responsively establishing configuration settings (e.g., user-defined power settings), as well as other functional units/circuitry in accordance with the principles described herein and typical operating aspects of electronic cigarettes. It may include related functions, such as an indicator display driving circuit and a user input detection circuit. The functionality of control circuit 18 may be performed in a variety of different ways, e.g., by one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) configured to provide the desired functionality and/or by one or more suitably configured custom integrated circuit(s)/ It will be understood that circuits/chip(s)/chipset(s) may be provided.

Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the cartridge 2 (disassembled along the longitudinal axis L). Cartridge 2 includes a housing portion 32, a mouthpiece 33, an air channel seal 34, a dividing wall element 36, an outlet tube 38, and an evaporator/heating element. (40), comprising an aerosolizable material transport element (42), a plug (44), and an end cap (48) with contact electrodes (46). Figures 3-6 schematically represent some of these components in more detail.

Figure 3a is a schematic cutaway view of the housing portion 32 through the longitudinal axis L where the housing portion 32 is at its thinnest. Figure 3b is a schematic cutaway view of the housing portion 32 through the longitudinal axis L where the housing portion 32 is at its widest point. FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of a portion of the housing along the longitudinal axis L from interface end 54 (i.e., viewed from below in the orientation of FIGS. 3A and 3B).

Figure 4a is a schematic perspective view of the dividing wall element 36 viewed from below. Figure 4b is a schematic cross-section through the upper portion of the dividing wall element 36 viewed from below.

FIG. 5A is a schematic perspective view of the plug 44 viewed from above, and FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view of the plug 44 viewed from below. Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of the plug 44 along the longitudinal axis L as seen from the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., viewed from above in the orientation of Figures 1 and 2).

6A is a schematic perspective view of the end cap 48 viewed from above. Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the end cap 48 along the longitudinal axis L as seen from the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., viewed from above).

In this example, housing portion 32 includes a housing outer wall 64 and a housing inner tube 62, formed in this example from a single molding of polypropylene. The housing outer wall 64 defines the exterior of the cartridge 2, and the housing inner tube 62 defines part of the air channel through the cartridge. The housing portion is open at the interface end 54 of the cartridge, except for the mouthpiece opening/aerosol outlet 60 from the mouthpiece 33, which is in fluid communication with the housing inner tube 62. ) is closed. The housing portion 32 includes an opening in the side wall that provides an air inlet 50 for the cartridge. In this example, the air inlet 50 has an area of approximately 2 mm2. The outer surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 has corresponding detents on the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 defining the receptacle 8 to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the control unit. It includes the above-discussed protrusions 56 that are coupled. The inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion has additional projections 66 that serve to provide abutment stops for positioning the dividing wall element 36 along the longitudinal axis L when the cartridge is assembled. ) includes. The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 has a latch recess arranged to receive corresponding latch projections 70 of the end cap for securing the end cap to the housing portion when the cartridge is assembled. It further includes holes providing recesses 68.

The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 includes a double-walled section 74 defining a gap 76 in fluid communication with the air inlet 50. Gap 76 provides a portion of the air channel through the cartridge. In this example, the double wall section 74 of the housing portion 32 is arranged such that the gap extends within the housing outer wall 64 parallel to the longitudinal axis and defines an air channel having a cross-section of approximately 3 mm2 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. do. The gap/portion of the air channel 76 defined by the double wall section of the housing portion extends down to the open end of the housing portion 32.

The air channel seal 34 is a generally tubular silicone molding with a through hole 80. The outer wall of the air channel seal 34 includes circumferential ridges 84 and an upper collar 82. The inner wall of the air channel seal 34 also includes circumferential ridges, but these are not visible in FIG. 2 . When the cartridge is assembled, the air channel seal 34 is mounted on the housing inner tube 62 with the end of the housing inner tube 62 extending partially into the through hole 80 of the air channel seal 34. . The through hole 80 of the air channel seal has a diameter of approximately 5.8 mm in the relaxed state, while the end of the housing inner tube 62 has a diameter of approximately 6.2 mm, thereby receiving the housing inner tube 62. A seal is formed when the air channel seal 34 is stretched to do this. This seal is facilitated by ridges on the inner surface of the air channel seal 34.

The outlet tube 38 comprises a tubular section made, for example, of ANSI 304 stainless steel or polypropylene, and has an internal diameter of about 8.6 mm and a wall thickness of about 0.2 mm. The lower end of the outlet tube 38 includes a pair of diametrically opposing slots 88, each end having a semicircular recess 90. When the cartridge is assembled, outlet tube 38 is mounted on the outer surface of air channel seal 34. The outer diameter of the air channel seal is approximately 9.0 mm in the relaxed state, so that a seal is formed when the air channel seal 34 is compressed to fit inside the outlet tube 38. This seal is facilitated by ridges 84 on the outer surface of the air channel seal 34. Collar 80 on air channel seal 34 provides a stop for outlet tube 38.

The aerosolizable material transport element 42 includes a capillary wick, and the vaporizer 40 includes a resistance wire heater wound around the capillary wick. In addition to the section of resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, the vaporizer passes through the holes in the plug 44 to the contact electrodes 46 mounted on the end cap 54, which are established when the cartridge is connected to the control unit. It includes electrical leads 41 that allow power to be supplied to the evaporator through an electrical interface. The evaporator leads 41 may include the same material as the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, or may include a different material (e.g., a low-resistance material) connected to the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick. . In this example, heater coil 40 includes nickel iron alloy wire and wick 42 includes bundles of glass fibers. The vaporizer and aerosolizable material transport element may be provided according to any conventional technology and may comprise different forms and/or different materials. For example, in some implementations, the wick may include a fibrous or solid ceramic material and the heater may include a different alloy. In other examples, the heater and wick may be combined, for example in the form of porous and resistive materials. More generally, it will be appreciated that the specific properties of the aerosolizable material transport element and vaporizer are not critical to the principles described herein.

When the cartridge is assembled, the wick 42 is positioned in a semi-circular recess in the outlet tube 38 such that the central portion of the wick, around which the heating coil is wound, is inside the outlet tube, while the end portions of the wick are outside the outlet tube 38. Accommodated in cattails (90).

In this example, plug 44 comprises a single molding of silicone and may be elastic. The plug includes a base portion 100, with an outer wall 102 extending upwardly from the base portion 100 (ie, toward the mouthpiece end of the cartridge). The plug further includes an inner wall 104 extending upwardly from the base portion 100 and surrounding a through hole 106 penetrating the base portion 100 .

The outer wall 102 of the plug 44 mates with the inner surface of the housing portion 32 such that the plug 44 forms a seal with the housing portion 32 when the cartridge is assembled. The inner wall 104 of the plug 44 mates with the inner surface of the outlet tube 38 such that the plug 44 also forms a seal with the outlet tube 38 when the cartridge is assembled. The inner wall 104 includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots 108, each slot having an end with a semicircular recess 110. Extending outwardly (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge) from the bottom of each slot of the inner wall 104 is a cradle section 112, which is aerosolized when the cartridge is assembled. It is shaped to accommodate as much of the material transport element 42 as possible. The slots 108 and semi-circular recesses 110 provided by the inner wall of the plug 44 and the slots 88 and semi-circular recesses 90 of the outlet tube 38 are respectively semi-circular in the outlet tube and plug. The slots 88 of the outlet tube 38 are aligned to receive individual ones of the cradles 112 with the recesses cooperating to define holes through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes. The size of the holes provided by the semi-circular recesses through which the aerosolizable material conveying element passes closely corresponds to the size and shape of the aerosolizable material conveying element, but is slightly smaller, so that a certain degree of compression is required to reduce the elasticity of the plug 44. provided by . This allows aerosolizable material not transported by capillary action to be transported along the aerosolizable material transport element while limiting the extent to which aerosolizable material that is not transported by capillary action can pass through the openings. As explained above, the plug 44 includes additional openings 114 in the base portion 100 through which the contact leads 41 for the evaporator pass when the cartridge is assembled. The bottom of the base portion of the plug includes spacers 116 that maintain an offset between the end cap 48 and the remaining surface of the bottom of the base portion. These spacers 116 include openings 114 through which electrical contact leads 41 for the evaporator pass.

The end cap 48 comprises a polypropylene molding with a pair of gold-plated copper electrode posts 46 mounted therein.

The ends of the electrode posts 44 on the underside of the end cap are substantially flush with the interface end 54 of the cartridge provided by the end cap 48. These are the parts of the electrodes to which the correspondingly aligned spring contacts of the control unit are connected when the cartridge is assembled and connected to the control unit. The ends of the electrode posts inside the cartridge extend away from the end cap 48 and into the holes 114 of the plug 44 through which the contact leads 41 pass. The electrode posts are slightly larger than the holes 114 and include a chamfer at the upper ends to facilitate insertion of the plug into the hole 114, and by means of the plug at the upper ends there are contact leads for the evaporator. It remains in pressed contact with the

The end cap has a base section (124) and an upright wall (120) that mates with the interior surface of the housing portion (32). The upright wall 120 of the end cap 48 is inserted into the housing portion 32 when the cartridge is assembled, such that the latch projections 70 engage with the latch recesses 68 of the housing portion 32. Snap-fit the end cap 48 to the housing portion. The top of the upright wall 120 of the end cap 48 is positioned on the plug 44 to press the elastic portion 44 when the end cap 48 is attached to the housing portion, thereby maintaining the elastic portion 44 in a slightly compressed state. ) and the lower surfaces of the spacers 116 on the plug also contact the base section 124 of the plug.

The base section 124 of the end cap 48 has a peripheral lip 126 that extends beyond the base of the upright wall 112 and has a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the outer wall of the housing portion at the interface end of the cartridge. Includes. The end cap also includes an upstanding locating pin 122 that aligns with a corresponding locating hole 128 in the plug to help establish relative position during assembly.

The dividing wall element 36 comprises a single molding of polypropylene and includes a dividing wall 130 and a collar 132 formed by projections from the dividing wall 130 in a direction towards the interface end of the cartridge. . The dividing wall element 36 has a central opening 134 through which the outlet tube 38 passes (i.e. the dividing wall is arranged around the outlet tube 38). In some embodiments, dividing wall element 36 may be formed integrally with outlet tube 38. When the cartridge is assembled, the upper surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44 engages the lower surface of the dividing wall 130, and the upper surface of the dividing wall 130 then engages the outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32. ) and engages the protrusions 66 on the inner surface of the . Accordingly, the dividing wall 130 prevents the plug from being pushed too far into the housing part 32 - that is, the dividing wall 130 is fixed along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge by the projections 66 of the housing part. positioned, thus providing the plug with a fixed surface for pressing. The collar 132 formed by the protrusions from the dividing wall has a first pair of opposing protrusions/tongues 134 that engage corresponding recesses on the inner surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44. ) includes. The protrusions from the dividing wall 130 are configured to engage with a corresponding one of the cradle sections 112 of the plug 44 to further define an opening through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes when the cartridge is assembled. A pair of cradle sections 136 are additionally provided.

When the cartridge is assembled, an air channel is formed that extends from the air inlet 50 through the cartridge to the aerosol outlet 60. Starting from the air inlet 50 in the side wall of the housing part 32, a first part of the air channel is connected to the gap 76 formed by the double wall section 74 in the outer wall 64 of the housing part 32. and extends from the air inlet 50 towards the interface end 54 of the cartridge and past the plug 44. The second part of the air channel is provided by the gap between the base of the plug 44 and the end cap 48. A third portion of the air channel is provided by a hole 106 through the plug 44. A fourth portion of the air channel is provided by an outlet tube around the evaporator 40 and an area within the inner wall 104 of the plug. This fourth portion of the air channel may also be referred to as the aerosol/aerosol generating area and is the main area where aerosols are generated during use. The air channel from the air inlet 50 to the aerosol generating area may be referred to as the air inlet section of the air channel. A fifth portion of the air channel is provided by the remaining portion of the outlet tube 38. A sixth portion of the air channel is provided by an outer housing inner tube (62) connecting the air channel to an aerosol outlet (60) located at the end of the mouthpiece (33). The air channel from the aerosol generating area to the aerosol outlet may be referred to as the aerosol outlet section of the air channel.

Additionally, when the cartridge is assembled, a reservoir 31 for aerosolizable material is formed by the space outside the air passage and inside the housing portion 32. This can be filled during manufacture, for example via a filling hole - sealed after filling - or by other means. The specific properties of the aerosolizable material, for example in terms of its composition, are not critical to the principles described herein, and generally any conventional aerosolizable material of the type commonly used in electronic cigarettes can be used. materials may be used. The present disclosure may refer to a liquid as an aerosolizable material, which liquid may be a conventional e-liquid as mentioned above. However, the principles of the present disclosure apply to any aerosolizable material that has the ability to flow and may comprise a liquid, gel, or solid, where, in the case of a solid, a plurality of solid particles may be considered the bulk. can be considered to have the ability to flow when

The reservoir is closed at the interface end of the cartridge by a plug (44). The reservoir comprises a first region above the dividing wall 130 and a second region below the dividing wall 130 within a space defined between the air channel and the outer wall of the plug. The aerosolizable material transport element (capillary wick) 42 has semicircular recesses 108, 90 of the plug 44 and outlet tube 38 that engage with each other as discussed above, and the plug 44 and segment. Through the openings in the wall of the air channels provided by the cradle sections 112, 136 of the wall element 36. Accordingly, the ends of the aerosolizable material transport element extend into the second region of the reservoir and draw the aerosolizable material from the second region through the openings of the air channels into the vaporizer 40 for subsequent evaporation.

In normal use, the cartridge 2 is coupled to the control unit 4 and the control unit is activated to supply power to the cartridge through the contact electrodes 46 of the end cap 48. Then, power passes through the connection leads 41 to the evaporator 40. Accordingly, the evaporator is electrically heated, thereby vaporizing a portion of the aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element proximate to the evaporator. This creates an aerosol in the aerosol generating area of the air path. Aerosolizable material evaporated from the aerosolizable material transport element is replaced by additional aerosolizable material drawn from the reservoir by capillary action. While the vaporizer is activated, the user inhales against the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge. This causes air to be drawn through the control unit air inlet 14 (depending on the orientation in which the cartridge is inserted into the control unit receptacle 8) which is aligned with the cartridge's air inlet 50. Air then enters the cartridge through the air inlet 50, passes along the gap 76 in the double-walled section 74 of the housing portion 32, and passes between the plug 44 and the end cap 48. Afterwards, it enters the aerosol generating area surrounding the evaporator 40 through the hole 106 of the base portion 100 of the plug 44. The incoming air mixes with the aerosol generated from the evaporator to form a condensed aerosol, which is then drawn along the outlet tube 38 and the housing inner tube 62 before exiting the mouthpiece/aerosol outlet for user inhalation. Exit through 60).

1 to 6B above, it can be seen a possible embodiment configuration of an aerosol provision system 1 configured to generate an aerosol suitable for use in the context of the present disclosure.

Referring now to Figures 7A-8, the present disclosure also provides an aerosol delivery system having features that may include, for example, some or all of the features described in connection with the aerosol delivery system disclosed in Figures 1-6B. (200) is provided. These features are illustrated in FIGS. 7A-8 using the same reference numerals as the corresponding reference numerals shown in FIGS. 1-6B. Referring, for example, in this respect, and at least to the embodiment of the aerosol delivery system 200 illustrated in Figure 7A, according to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system 200 may optionally comprise an aerosolizable material. Storage 31 that holds; an evaporator (40) for vaporizing aerosolizable material (e.g., aerosolizable material originating from reservoir (31)); It may comprise any of the aerosolizable material transfer elements 42 for transferring aerosolizable material from any current reservoir 31 to any utilized vaporizer 40 .

According to some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in Figure 7A, the aerosol delivery system 200 additionally/alternatively includes outlet tubes 38, 62 for receiving vaporized aerosolizable material; and/or an outlet 60 for delivering vaporized aerosolizable material to a user of the aerosol delivery system 200.

Accordingly, understanding the foregoing, aerosol delivery system 200, like aerosol delivery system 1 previously described with respect to FIGS. 1-6B, may be configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosolizable material. You can see that there is.

With the above in mind, according to some embodiments of the aerosol delivery system 200, a plenum chamber 202 may also be utilized to control air flow through the aerosol delivery system 200. . According to some embodiments, as described, the plenum chamber 202 is configured to connect at least one air inlet 14 of the aerosol delivery system 200 and other portions of the aerosol delivery system 200, such as some embodiments. According to examples any used evaporator 40; Cartridge (2); and/or between the air inlet 50 of the cartridge 2.

Thus, at a general level, and in accordance with some embodiments described herein, disclosed herein is a method of directing an air flow through an aerosol delivery system 200, wherein the air flow is directed through an aerosol delivery system 200. ) passing through at least one air inlet (14) of the body (2); delivering an air flow from at least one air inlet (14) into the plenum chamber (202) of the body (2); and directing the air flow from the plenum chamber (202) into the air inlet (50) of the cartridge (2) coupled to a portion of the plenum chamber (202). Such an embodiment can be best appreciated by reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 7A to 7C , where this air flow is directed by arrows D1 to 7 passing from the air inlet 14 to the air inlet 50 of the cartridge 2. It is depicted as D3).

Referring to the disclosure of FIG. 7E for details of any provided plenum chamber 202, the plenum chamber 202 according to some embodiments includes a main chamber 204 and at least one inlet. It may include a chamber 206. Accordingly, each inlet chamber 206 may allow air flow to enter the main chamber 204 from outside the plenum chamber 202.

To help improve air flow into any provided main chamber 204, according to some embodiments, at least one inlet chamber 206 may include a plurality of inlet chambers 206A, 206B. . In certain embodiments, to further improve air flow into the main chamber 204, at least one inlet chamber 206 may include a first inlet chamber 206A on the first side 202A of the plenum chamber. It may include a second inlet chamber 206B on the second side 202B of the plenum chamber 202. In this way, and according to some embodiments in which air may flow into the main chamber 204 from two different directions (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7E), the main chamber 204 can It may be located between the first inlet chamber 206A and the second inlet chamber 206B.

At least one primary operation of the plenum chamber 202 is to direct air flow into areas of the aerosol presentation system 200 upstream of the evaporator 40 and/or any provided aerosolizable material transport element 42. It may be a good redirection. This can be seen with reference to at least FIGS. 7B and 7C , where the plenum chamber flows air through a 90 degree angle into areas upstream of the evaporator 40 and/or any provided aerosolizable material transport element 42. Helps redirect effectively.

In particular, when a plenum chamber 202 is used in embodiments of the aerosol delivery system 200 comprising a body 2 and cartridge 4 type arrangement, according to some embodiments thereof, the cartridge ( 2) may be configured to engage a portion 210 of the plenum chamber 202 such that the plenum chamber 202 can be covered by the cartridge 4. In this way, and stated differently, the cartridge 2 may be configured to define a roof or cover that covers the plenum chamber 202 when the cartridge 4 is engaged with the body 2. In some specific embodiments, main chamber 204 and/or each inlet chamber 206 may be configured to be covered by cartridge 2 when the cartridge engages portion 210 of plenum chamber 202. You can.

Accordingly, with reference to the above embodiments, when the cartridge 4 engages the plenum chamber 202, this is an effective arrangement for passing the air flow from the plenum chamber 202 into the cartridge 2 in a controlled manner. It can be understood that it provides. Additionally, to the extent that the plenum chamber 202 may be exposed when the cartridge is removed from the body, this may be achieved by simply removing the cartridge 4 to expose the plenum chamber 202 for cleaning. (202) can be cleaned more easily.

Referring to the geometry of the plenum chamber 202, it may have any desired geometry to help funnel/redirect air from each air inlet 14 to a location downstream toward the evaporator 40. It must be understood that it can be done. However, according to some embodiments, to help better define this air flow, the plenum chamber may include a perimeter wall 212, best shown with reference to the embodiment of Figure 7E. If such a perimeter wall 212 is provided, the perimeter wall includes a first perimeter wall 212A surrounding the first portion of the plenum chamber 202, and a second perimeter wall 212A surrounding the second portion of the plenum chamber 202. 2 may include a perimeter wall 212B. In this way, first peripheral wall 212A may in some cases be separate from second peripheral wall 212B (as shown in Figure 7E).

To help prevent air leakage from the plenum chamber 202 and provide a more uniform air flow around the plenum chamber, according to some embodiments, a first perimeter wall 212A and a second perimeter wall ( 212B) may be located on opposite sides of the plenum chamber (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7E).

Also effectively, in some embodiments, to reduce the number of components for the plenum chamber 202 and provide additional support to any provided cartridge 2 utilized in the aerosol delivery system 200. The peripheral wall 212 utilized is a double layer further configured to engage against the cartridge 2 when the cartridge 2 is received by the body 4 (and/or any utilized receptacle 8 of the body). It can serve its purpose.

Particularly in those embodiments where the peripheral wall 212 is configured to engage against the cartridge 2 in use, the peripheral wall according to some and potentially other embodiments may be resilient. In this way, a better sealing bond to the surrounding wall 212 can be provided.

In view of any given perimeter wall geometry, the perimeter wall 212 may be at least partially annular, and/or otherwise, according to some embodiments found to provide improved air flow through the plenum chamber. That is, the peripheral wall 212 may include an annular portion 214 , which in a very specific embodiment may be an annular portion surrounding the main chamber 204 and/or the evaporator 40 ) may be an annular portion 214 configured to surround the air inlet 50 leading toward. In a very specific embodiment, the annular portion 214 may be configured to surround the air inlet 50 of the cartridge 2 when the cartridge 2 engages the portion 210 of the plenum chamber 202.

To the extent that an optional perimeter wall 212 is used, to better focus/direct air into the plenum chamber 202, the perimeter wall 212 may include at least one gap 214, each Gap 214 is an individual inlet orifice that allows air flow to pass from at least one air inlet 14 into plenum chamber 202, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 7E. (216) is at least partially defined. Notably, any such inlet orifice(s) 216 may be formed without the provision of a perimeter wall 212, although a perimeter wall 212 may be used to define each inlet orifice(s) 216. It can be seen that this can provide a particularly simple and effective arrangement to help regulate the operation of the plenum chamber 202.

Depending on the application of the plenum chamber 202, (with any utilized inlet chamber 206) referring to any inlet orifice(s) 216, there may be one or more than one as desired. The function of the orifice is to better define/direct the air flow passing from the air inlet(s) 14 of the aerosol presentation system 200 into the plenum chamber 202. In this manner, each inlet orifice 216 and/or inlet chamber 204 may be configured to define a flow restrictor that restricts air flow through the aerosol presentation system 200. In this way, the flow restrictors are each at an inlet pressure most suitable for entering the plenum chamber and then into the components upstream of the evaporator 40 (e.g., the air inlet 50 of any given cartridge 2). The air passing from the air inlet 14 can be throttled.

The inlet orifice 216 and/or inlet chamber 204, each of which may effectively serve as a flow restrictor, may also be configured to provide an aerosol delivery system 200 (and/or any body 2 and/or receptacle 8 )) certain synergy in embodiments that include an air flow receiving orifice 220 (shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7E) that allows air flow to pass from the receptacle to the air flow detection sensor 222. You can have Such air flow detection sensor 222 typically detects the aerosol delivery system 200 and/or the same when the air flow detection sensor 222 detects a user inhaling air through the aerosol delivery system 200. It is used to control the operation of the evaporator 40. Accordingly in such embodiments, the air flow receiving orifice 220 may be located in one of the at least one inlet orifice 216 and/or one of the inlet chambers 206A, 206B. In this way, the air flow detection sensor 222 is directed to the flow-restricting inlet chambers 206A and/or through at least one inlet orifice 216 that provides a more pronounced pressure drop across the air flow detection sensor 222. , 206B), it may be possible to better detect when a user inhales air through the aerosol delivery system 200.

The geometry of each inlet orifice 216 and/or each inlet chamber 206A, 206B, if utilized, is configured to provide adequate restriction of air flow into the plenum chamber 202 as noted above. A selection may be made to pass this air flow into the remainder of the plenum chamber 202 (e.g., main chamber 204) and downstream components from the plenum chamber 202 as previously discussed. Better optimized.

To help achieve this function in a particularly effective manner, this means that the main chamber 204 includes the main chamber maximum width W _MAIN and each inlet chamber 206 includes the inlet chamber maximum width W _ENTRANCE , wherein the main chamber width is between 1.4 and 2.6 times the size of the maximum width of each inlet chamber (and/or put another way, between 1.4 and 2.6 times the size of the maximum width of each inlet orifice), and in some specific embodiments, Accordingly, it has been found that this can be achieved by being 1.7 to 2.3 times the size of the maximum width of each inlet chamber (and/or, put another way, 1.7 to 2.3 times the size of the maximum width of each inlet orifice).

Similarly, functionally restricting the flow means that the main chamber 202 has a maximum height above the maximum height H _ENTRANCE of each inlet chamber 204 (or above the maximum height of each inlet orifice 216). It has been found to be much more effectively achieved by including height (H _MAIN ). Or, to put it more numerically/specifically, according to some embodiments, the main chamber 204 is 1.4 to 2.6 times the size of the maximum height of each inlet chamber [and/or put another way, the size of the maximum height of each inlet orifice. may include a maximum height that is between 1.4 and 2.6 times the size of the maximum height, and/or more specifically, in some narrower embodiments, the main chamber 206 may have a maximum height of 1.4 to 2.6 times the size of the maximum height of each inlet chamber. and a maximum height that is 1.7 to 2.3 times (and/or put another way, 1.7 to 2.3 times the size of the maximum height of each inlet orifice).

According to some embodiments, rather than being defined in relative terms, the plenum chamber 202 according to some embodiments may be configured such that the main chamber 204 includes a maximum height of between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, and/or respectively. It has been found to work particularly well if the inlet chamber 206 (and/or the respective inlet orifice 216) includes a maximum height of between 0.2 mm and 0.45 mm.

To help reduce the turbidity of the air flow into any main chamber 204 of the plenum chamber 202 while maintaining the geometry of the plenum chamber 202, inlet chamber(s) ( According to some embodiments in which 206) is used, each inlet chamber may be substantially straight and/or elongated. According to some embodiments, if the main chamber 202 includes a substantially circular cross-section, the air flow within the plenum chamber 202 may also be better controlled and relatively less cloudy. In these respects, according to some embodiments, the main chamber may additionally/alternatively be substantially cylindrical in cross-section.

According to some embodiments, another function of the plenum chamber 202 is to transport any provided aerosolizable material transport element (e.g., from any provided reservoir 31) from other parts of the aerosol delivery system 200. Directing the aerosolizable material that may leak (regarding the evaporated aerosolizable material from 42) and/or re-condensing through any downstream location to pass towards any provided airflow detection sensor 222 It may serve as a feature for the purpose. In this regard, if such aerosolizable material reaches the air flow detection sensor 222, this may cause inaccurate or erroneous outputs from the air flow detection sensor 222, which is undesirable. If this is true, according to some embodiments, the disclosure provided herein may direct aerosolizable material leaking from the air inlet 50 of the cartridge 2 away from any provided air flow receiving orifice 220. An aerosol delivery system 200 (e.g., body 4 or receptacle 8 in some narrower embodiments) is provided, including an aerosolizable material directing portion 224 for directing. According to some embodiments, as briefly described, the plenum chamber 202 includes an aerosolizable material directing portion to assist in directing the aerosolizable material away from any provided air flow receiving orifice 220. 224) may be included.

With respect to what the aerosolizable material directing portion 224 may include, according to some embodiments, the aerosolizable material directing portion 224 may include a basin 226 wherein the air flow Receiving orifice 220 is located outside of basin 226. As can be seen according to some specific embodiments, such as that shown in Figure 7E, basin 226 may be located in plenum chamber 202, such as main chamber 204. Thus, if such a basin is provided, aerosolizable material may leak from a downstream location toward the air flow receiving orifice 220 (e.g., from any utilized cartridge 2 associated with the plenum chamber 202). (when flowing back through the air inlet 50), the basin can better contain aerosolizable material to inhibit passage of the aerosolizable material into the air flow receiving orifice 220. According to some embodiments, the basin 226 according to such embodiments may be at least 0.25 mm deep, and/or at most 1 mm, to provide sufficient depth capacity to retain such aerosolizable material. . Accordingly, in the particular embodiment of Figure 7E, the body 4 is configured to contain aerosolizable air that leaks from the air inlet 50 of the cartridge 2 when the cartridge 2 is releasably received by the body 4. It can be seen that it includes an aerosolizable material directing portion 224 for directing material away from the air flow receiving orifice 220.

In connection with the function of the aerosolizable material directing portion 224, in some embodiments an inlet chamber(s) 206 are provided, also to better direct the air flow through the plenum chamber 202. Accordingly, in some of these embodiments each inlet chamber 206 may include an interface surface 228 located adjacent the main chamber 204. Regarding the geometry of such interface surfaces 228, each interface surface may define a slope or ramp surface according to some embodiments and, according to some very specific embodiments, of the inlet chamber 206. There may be a transition from base (or lower) surface 230 to base (or lower) surface 232 of main chamber 204.

According to certain embodiments, any aerosolizable material that enters the main chamber 204 (e.g., according to embodiments where the main chamber 204 includes a basin 226) is ejected in a particular direction. To better direct exit, the interface surface 228 to one of the plurality of inlet chambers may be steeper than the interface surface 228 to another of the plurality of inlet chambers 206. This can be seen for example in the embodiment of Figure 7e. This different steepness between the interface surfaces may also cause the air flow receiving orifice 220 to be located closer to any one inlet chamber 206 than to any other provided inlet chamber(s) 206. This can be particularly advantageous. Accordingly, according to some of these embodiments, a plurality of inlet chambers 206B are provided to better direct any aerosolizable material entering the main chamber 204 away from the air flow receiving orifice 220. The interface surface 228 for one of the inlet chambers 206 may be steeper than the interface surface 228 for the other one of the inlet chambers 206.

The above may also be expressed differently in terms of the function of any provided basin 226 , wherein, according to some embodiments, basin 226 directs aerosolizable material from the basin to an air flow receiving orifice 220 . It may include a first surface 228A for orienting in a direction A1 away from. According to some embodiments, the basin also includes a second surface 228B located closer to the air flow receiving orifice 220 than the first surface 228A is located to the air flow receiving orifice 220. The second surface 228B may be steeper than the first surface 228A to promote aerosolizable material to flow from the basin 226 through the first surface 228A rather than through the second surface 228B. .

Now referring to how air may enter any provided plenum chamber 202 from the aerosol delivery system 200, and with reference to the air flows illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 7B and 7C, as previously described, As mentioned, according to some embodiments at least one air inlet 14 or a plurality of air inlets 14 may be provided in this regard. If multiple air inlets 14 are used, some embodiments provide a more uniform and consistent air flow into the plenum chamber 202 (e.g., as noted in the embodiment of FIG. 7C). To assist, in some embodiments the plurality of air inlets may all be located on the same side or half H1 of the plenum chamber 202.

Regarding each air inlet 14, according to some embodiments each air inlet 14 may include an air inlet channel 236. The nature of any such air inlet channel 236 will depend on the particular arrangement of the aerosol delivery system 200 and/or whether a plenum chamber 202 is provided, and if so, where the plenum chamber 202 is provided. It may vary depending on.

However, to help provide a more uniform and less turbid air flow through the air inlet channels 236, according to some embodiments, each air inlet channel 236 may be straight ( FIGS. 7C and 7D shown in the embodiments), where the air flow is configured to flow through the air inlet channel 236 in a specific direction (D1 or D2 direction).

In particular, each air inlet channel is located between a gap, slither or cavity 240 between the surface 241 of the body 2/receptacle 8 and the surface 242 of the cartridge 4. In embodiments configured to allow an air flow to pass, according to some embodiments, each air inlet channel 236 may include a cross-sectional area there is. Numerically speaking, and according to some embodiments, each air inlet channel has a maximum width (W _CHANNEL ) of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm; Maximum height (H _CHANNEL ) between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm; and/or a maximum length/thickness (L _CHANNEL ) of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm (the length/thickness direction is such that the air flow flows from the first inlet end 244 of the air inlet channel to the air inlet channel 236). direction passing to the second outlet end 246).

Maintaining the geometry of each air inlet channel 236, in particular each air inlet channel 236 between the surface 241 of the body 4/receptacle 8 and the surface 242 of the cartridge 2. For those embodiments configured to allow air flow to pass between the narrow cavities 240 of, according to some embodiments, each air inlet channel 236 has a maximum width to maximum height ratio of at least 1.5 to 1. It may include a cross-sectional area (XA1) for air passage including. Stated differently, according to such embodiments, each air inlet channel 236 may _include a cross- _sectional area , the maximum width (W _CHANNEL ) is greater than the maximum height (H _CHANNEL ). Stated another way, according to some embodiments, each air inlet channel 236 may include a cross-sectional area XA1 for passage of air that is elongated or non-circular, and/or each air inlet It can be seen that it defines a slot extending through receptacle 8 (e.g., second receptacle wall 254 of receptacle 8, as described).

With regard to the location of any provided air inlet channel(s) 236, it can be understood that this may vary depending on the configuration and features of the aerosol delivery system 200. However, for convenience, if a receptacle 8 and body 2/cartridge 4 type arrangement is used, according to some embodiments thereof (e.g. in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7D), respectively The air inlet channel 236 may extend through the wall of the receptacle 8 and, in certain embodiments, may define a slot through the wall of the receptacle 8.

In particular, in embodiments where the receptacle 8 is utilized, improved, and less turbid, the air inlet channel 236 into the receptacle 8 is positioned at certain predetermined locations in the receptacle 8. It was found that air flow occurs, which will now be explained.

Accordingly, in this respect, and at the general level at which the receptacle 8 is used, according to some embodiments the receptacle has a first end 248; and an open second end 250 (which may be opposite the first end 248) that allows cartridge 2 to be inserted into receptacle 8. To help define the receptacle 8, the receptacle may include a first receptacle wall 252 located at the first end 248 of the receptacle 8. And, according to some embodiments, the receptacle also includes at least one extending between the first end 248 and the second end 250 of the receptacle, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 7A-7D. It may include a second receptacle wall 254. Here, and according to some specific embodiments to provide a closer/tight releasable fit of the cartridge 2 inside the receptacle 8, the first receptacle wall 252 is connected to at least one second receptacle. Each of the walls 254 may be substantially perpendicular.

Thus, understanding this more general geometry of the receptacle 8, and returning to the respective air inlet channel(s) 236, according to some embodiments, each air inlet 14 (and/or air channel 236 ) may extend through at least one second receptacle wall 254 and/or the first receptacle wall 252 does not include at least one air inlet 14 . In this way, the turbidity of the air flowing into the receptacle 8 (between the first receptacle wall 252 and the lower surface of the cartridge 2 when the cartridge 2 is received by the receptacle 8) is reduced. To achieve this, each air inlet (and/or air inlet channel) may be located no more than 10 mm from the first end 248 of the receptacle and/or the first receptacle wall 252. To further enhance air flow, each air inlet (and/or air inlet channel) is no more than 8 mm from the first end 248 of the receptacle 8 and/or the first receptacle wall 252; 5 mm or less; and/or may be located no more than 3 mm. The phrase 'no more than' herein refers to each air inlet 14 and/or a portion of the respective inlet channel 236 being separated by only a specified distance. This may be understood to mean that the entirety of each inlet channel 236 is separated by a specified distance or less. Regarding the above positioning of each inlet channel 236 , this also means that in some embodiments the air inlet 14 is located at the first end of the receptacle 8 rather than at the second end 250 of the receptacle 8 . It may be appreciated that one may provide each air inlet to be effectively located closer to end 248.

The improved air flow into the receptacle and ultimately into the plenum chamber 202 also provides a first air flow in which at least one air inlet 14 extends in the first direction D1 through the wall 254 of the receptacle 8. a second air inlet comprising a first air inlet 14A defining an inlet channel 236A and at least one air inlet 14 extending in a second direction D2 through the wall 254 of the receptacle 8 This has been found to occur in embodiments that include a second air inlet 14B defining an inlet channel 236B. In this way, to help provide improved air flow by providing air flow that can be better directed toward all parts of the plenum chamber 202, according to some embodiments, a first direction D1 ) may not be parallel to the second direction (D2). More specifically, according to some more specific embodiments, the separation angle α between the first direction D1 and the second direction D1 may be between 50 degrees and 170 degrees (and in some cases , the two directions (D1; D2) may not be 90 degrees to avoid directly intersecting each other at right angles, which would otherwise provide a particularly turbid air flow).

With respect to such air flow from each air inlet 14 into the plenum chamber 202, in these cases, the receptacle wall 12 may also cause the air flow to impinge on the receptacle wall 12 and cause the receptacle wall ( 12), thereby functioning to help redirect the air flow (or at least a portion of the air flow) into the plenum chamber 202 from each such air inlet. It can be seen from Example 7c. This can be seen, for example, in the area where 'α' is illustrated in Figure 7C, i.e. a location just upstream of one of the inlet orifices 216 from the plenum chamber 202.

In addition to air flow considerations, this separation angle α between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 was also found to be synergistic with the geometry/position of each inlet channel 236. 7C, where each air inlet channel 236 has a first inlet end 244 for receiving air flow into the air inlet channel 236 from outside the receptacle 8. In particular, this first end 244 is located on the chamfered portion 258 of the second receptacle wall 254. In this respect, the presence of the chamfered portion 258 not only allows the above angular ranges to be realized, but also allows the respective air inlet channel 236 to be When positioned in other positions of the receptacle (e.g., positions X1 and In comparison, it was found to position each air inlet channel 236 in a position where it is less likely to be inadvertently blocked by the user's hand. In other words, it has been found that the chamfered portion 258 better ensures that the air intake channel is positioned in such a way that it is less likely to be covered by the user's hand during use. Accordingly, through this chamfered portion 258, it can be understood that in those and potentially other embodiments, the receptacle 8 may therefore include a non-circular cross-section. More specifically, according to some embodiments, it can be seen that the cross-section can be equally defined as comprising any combination of the following:

i) Non-rectangular or non-square cross-section;

ii) a cross section with at least one line of symmetry;

iii) cross-section without rotational symmetry; and/or

iv) A cross section defining a polygon with five or more sides, such as a hexagon (shown in the figures).

With respect to any such hexagon, where it is used, according to some of the more specific embodiments (e.g., the embodiments shown in the figures), the hexagon has a first side (the upper side shown in Figure 7C) ; second side (lower side shown in Figure 7C); A third side connected to the first end of the first side and extending in a direction away from it (the side shown in FIG. 7C comprising a first air inlet 14A/first inlet channel 236A; i.e. chamfered portions 258 ) one of); 7C connected to and extending in a direction away from the second end of the first side and including a fourth side (second air inlet 14B/second inlet channel 236B) extending in a direction away from the third side. side shown in; i.e. the other one of the chamfered portions 258); a third side, and a fifth side connected to the first end of the second side (i.e., portion X1 as shown in Figure 7C); and a fourth side, and a sixth side connected to the second end of the second side opposite the first end of the second side (i.e., portion X2 as shown in FIG. 7C). You can. At least in this way, it can be understood that in some embodiments, the fifth side and the sixth side may be parallel to each other, and the third side and the fourth side are respectively the first side, second side, fifth side, and It can also be understood that the length may be shorter than each of the sixth sides.

Due to this complex geometry, this has been found to better ensure that each air inlet channel is positioned in such a way that it is less likely to be covered by the user's hand during use (wherein these air inlet channels are located on the third side and located on the fourth side), which also allows for more optimized air flow between each of these sides within the plenum chamber 202 when the plenum chamber 202 is oriented according to the orientation shown in FIG. 7C. It was found that the first inlet orifice 216 of the plenum chamber 202 is located closest to the first of the six sides, and the second inlet orifice 216 of the plenum chamber 202 is located at 6 sides. It is located closest to the second side among the sides.

As best shown with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 7C , according to some embodiments in which chamfered portion(s) 258 are utilized, chamfered portion(s) 258 may be located on the outer surface of second receptacle wall 254 ( 262), and/or the second end of each air inlet channel 236 may include a first chamfered portion 260 located on the second receptacle wall 254. The second chamfered portion 264 may be positioned on the interior surface 266 of the second receptacle wall 254 in certain embodiments.

Therefore, in summary, through the introduction of a respective chamfer portion 258 associated with each air inlet channel 236, it has been found that not only does this provide improved air flow into the receptacle 8 (if any of the provided (better oriented towards the over chamber 202), it has also been found to allow each air inlet channel 236 to be located in a position that is less likely to be inadvertently covered by the user's hand during use.

To express the above in a more geometrical sense, according to some embodiments, there are provided optional chamfered portions 258; air inlets (14); Alternatively, the air inlet channels 236 may be separated from the remaining chamfered portions 258 to further assist in providing the aforementioned advantages. air inlets (14); and/or on the same side or half (H1) of the plenum chamber 202 as the air inlet channels 236. Moreover, in embodiments in which an air flow receiving orifice 220 is utilized, according to some embodiments, the air flow receiving orifice 220 is located in the same area of the plenum chamber 202 as the at least one air inlet 14. It can also be seen that the plenum chamber 202 may be positioned on the side or on half H1, which extends towards and enters the other half H2 of the plenum chamber 202, as best shown with reference to FIG. 7C. In contrast to receiving a primary air flow, air flow receiving orifices 220 may be configured to receive a secondary (branched) air flow from each air inlet 14. Thus advantageously, the air flow receiving orifice 220 extends towards the other half H2 of the plenum chamber 202 without necessarily relying on and/or interfering with the incoming primary air flow. , it can still function well with divergent air flow.

In a more general view, the above function of the aerosol presentation system 200 is to allow airflow to pass through both the first and second inlet orifices 216 of any provided plenum chamber 202 from outside the aerosol presentation system 200. It can be seen that each air inlet channel 236 can be configured to allow air to pass into the air. In this manner, and even if one of the air inlet channels 236 is inadvertently blocked or rendered inoperable, the remaining air inlet channel(s) 236 will remain in place, as best shown with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 7C. ) can still advantageously provide air flow into each of the first and second inlet orifices 216 of the plenum chamber 202.

With respect to air flow through any provided plenum chamber 202, according to some embodiments, any provided main chamber 204 of plenum chamber 202 may have a It can be seen that it can be configured to be located below or next to the air inlet 50 of the cartridge 4 when coupled with the cartridge engaging portion 210 of ). In this way, this may promote easier and less inhibited air flow from the plenum chamber 202 into the cartridge 4. Also synergistically, and if the plenum chamber 202 includes a basin 226, this also more optimally positions the basin in a position that is also located below or next to the air inlet 50 of the cartridge 4. You can do it. In this way, basin 226 can be configured to more effectively collect any aerosolizable material that inadvertently leaks from the air inlet 50 of cartridge 4.

While maintaining the theme of better suppressing any inadvertent leakage of aerosolizable material, such as from the air inlet 50, or other location downstream of the plenum chamber 202, an air flow receiving orifice 220 may be used. It can be seen that, according to some embodiments, the air flow receiving orifice 220 may be located outside the main chamber 204. In this respect, or expressed differently, according to some additional or alternative embodiments, the air flow receiving orifice 220 is located in the central portion 270 of the plenum chamber 202 (in a very specific embodiment, the main chamber 204 ) and/or below the air inlet 50 of the cartridge 4 when the cartridge 4 engages the cartridge engaging portion 210 of the plenum chamber 202. or may be offset from the central portion 270 configured to be positioned next to the central portion 270 . With respect to any such central portion 270 , according to some embodiments, it can be used to move from each inlet chamber 206, inside the main chamber 204, out of the main chamber 204 of the plenum chamber 202. To better ensure that it provides a suitable air redirection area for the air to be redirected towards the extending direction D3, it may be substantially feature-free or smooth, for example as shown in the embodiment of Figure 7e. .

Again maintaining the theme of better suppressing any inadvertent leakage of aerosolizable material, this may be achieved at least through the plenum chamber comprising the aerosolizable material directing portion 224 and/or basin 226. To the extent partially achievable, without adequately creating an excessively tall/high cavity 240 between the surface 241 of the body 2/receptacle 8 and the surface 242 of the cartridge 4. To help achieve this, according to some embodiments (as shown in dashed lines in the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B ), plenum chamber 202 (and/or main chamber 204 thereof) It may be at least partially recessed into the first receptacle wall 252 .

With regard to any provided receptacle (8) of the aerosol delivery system (200), it may be understood that the receptacle is configured to releasably receive a cartridge (2) configured to hold an aerosolizable material for aerosolization into an aerosol. there is. In this way, the receptacle can properly support the cartridge 2 to allow air passing through the air inlet(s) 14 to pass effectively into the cartridge 2. To help further provide this support, according to some embodiments, receptacle 8 may include at least one cartridge receiving surface 272, wherein at least one cartridge receiving surface 272 is a receptacle ( 8) is positioned between the first end 248 and the second end 250 of the receptacle 8 to enable the cartridge to engage against the cartridge receiving surface 272 when receiving the cartridge 2. To support the cartridge 2 more uniformly in this manner, according to some embodiments, each cartridge receiving surface 272 may be substantially flat. Additionally, to provide less turbid flow through cavity 240, cavity 240 may have a more uniform height throughout all portions of each cartridge receiving surface 272, according to some embodiments. may also be substantially parallel to first receptacle wall 252.

Achieving less turbid flow through the above-mentioned cavities 240 can be seen more generally with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 7C , wherein from each air inlet channel 236 to the plenum chamber 202 The air flow between the relatively narrowly spaced surface 241 of the body 2/receptacle 8 (i.e. the first receptacle wall 252) and the (lower) surface 242 of the cartridge 4. Through being guided through cavity 240, it is configured to be substantially planar.

Stated another way, according to some embodiments of the aerosol delivery system 200 described herein, at a general level, the aerosol delivery system 200 is a portion of the plenum chamber 202 (e.g., in some embodiments according to a portion of the main chamber 202 and a portion of each inlet chamber 206) and a plane P1 intersecting each of the at least one air inlet channel 236 (in the embodiment of FIG. 7B such plane P1 is It can be seen that it may include (shown by a dashed line). Here by intersecting each of the at least one air inlet channel 236 , this means that the plane P1 intersects at least the first end 244 and the second end 246 of the air inlet channel 236 - these ends. It can be interpreted to mean that it does not intersect with only one of (244; 246).

If such a plane P1 is provided, according to some embodiments this plane may also optionally include a peripheral wall 212 as described herein; first peripheral wall 212A; second peripheral wall 212B; inlet orifice(s) 216; Basin (226); second receptacle wall 254; and/or any combination of cavities 240.

To the extent that any such cartridge receiving surface 272 is used, according to some embodiments it may be a portion of at least one cartridge support portion 273 configured to engage against a cartridge 2 received by the receptacle 8 It is envisioned that it can be formed as. According to some embodiments, at least one cartridge support is provided to provide even more support to the cartridge 2 when in use and to provide more uniform support of the cartridge 2 relative to the plenum chamber 202. Portion 273 may include a first cartridge support portion 273A and a second cartridge support portion 273B, and the plenum chamber 202 may include a first cartridge support portion 273A and a second cartridge support portion ( 273B). When cartridge support portions 273 are used, each cartridge support portion 273 may extend from first receptacle wall 252, according to some embodiments.

Accordingly, understanding the foregoing disclosure, the aerosol delivery system 200, when comprising a plenum chamber 202, is configured to allow an air flow to pass from each air inlet 14 into the plenum chamber 202. It was noted that it could be configured. Referring to some of such embodiments (e.g., at least the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7A-7E), channeling air from at least one air inlet 14 toward the plenum chamber 202. An external chamber 276 may be provided between the at least one air inlet 14 and the plenum chamber 202 for this purpose. Referring to such embodiments, according to some embodiments thereof, outer chamber 276 may form part of cavity 240 and outer chamber 276 may additionally or alternatively form part of plenum chamber 202. ) extends around; and/or may include any utilized cartridge support portion(s) 273.

With respect to the relative direction of air flow through the aerosol presentation system 200, any provided plenum chamber 200 may have a direction of air flow through each air inlet 14/air inlet channel 236A; 236B (D1). ; D2) in a third direction D3 which is non-parallel and/or substantially perpendicular to the direction of air flow through each of the air inlets 14/air inlet channels 236A; 236B (D1; D2), respectively. It can also be seen that the flow can be more effectively allowed to be redirected efficiently/effectively. Accordingly, in this manner, and when cartridges 2 are utilized, according to some embodiments, each air inlet of receptacle 8 is configured to provide a It can be seen that the air inlet 50 may be configured to extend in a longitudinal direction (D1; D2) that is not parallel and/or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (D3) of the air inlet 50 (e.g., Figures 7b and shown in the example in Figure 7C).

While maintaining the relative direction of air flow through the aerosol delivery system 200, as previously discussed, each air inlet channel 236 is positioned in a width direction (e.g., maximum width W) such that its width is greater than its height. It can be seen that it may include a cross-sectional area (XA1) for air passage, including _CHANNEL )) and a height direction (eg, maximum height (H _CHANNEL )).

In this way, and insofar as any provided receptacle 8 can extend between the first end 248 and the second end 250 about the longitudinal axis L (e.g. FIGS. 7A and 7B best shown by reference), according to some embodiments thereof, the width direction (e.g., maximum width W _CHANNEL ) of cross-sectional area ) of the height direction (eg, maximum height (H _CHANNEL )) may be parallel to the longitudinal axis (L). It has therefore been found that, due to this geometry, it provides a particularly effective set of pressure conditions inside the plenum chamber 202.

This advantageous geometry contrasts with the geometry of the air inlet channel 236 in which the cross-sectional area XA1 is circular and/or whose height is greater than the width of the cross-sectional area XA1 with respect to the longitudinal axis L. Using these latter geometries, they are the geometry for the cross-sectional area It has been found that a larger size of cross-sectional area

Accordingly, understanding the foregoing, it is understood that the width direction (e.g., maximum width W _CHANNEL ) of each air inlet channel 236 has a cross-sectional area The provision of has been found to be particularly advantageous for creating more optimal pressure conditions inside the plenum chamber 202 compared to other geometries for the cross-sectional area XA1/air inlet channel 236 .

In view of the above, it should also be understood that the longitudinal axis L referred to above may be applicable not to the receptacle 8 but also to the body 4 of the aerosol delivery system 200. Thus in this way, and according to some embodiments, the body 4 has a first end; and a second end opposite the first end, for releasably receiving a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol; For example, as best shown with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, body 4 may be configured to extend between a first end and a second end about the longitudinal axis L. According to such embodiments, in some specific embodiments thereof, the width direction (e.g., maximum width W _CHANNEL ) of the cross-sectional area It may be vertical, and the height direction (eg, maximum height H _CHANNEL ) of the cross-sectional area XA1 for each air inlet channel 236 is parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Therefore, due to this geometry, as mentioned above, it has been found to provide a particularly effective set of pressure conditions inside the plenum chamber 202 compared to other geometries as described above.

Insofar as the above geometries can be used in relation to the longitudinal axis L of the receptacle 8 or the body 4, the air flow into the plenum chamber 202 and the pressure conditions inside the plenum chamber 202 To further enhance these, according to some even narrower embodiments, the longitudinal direction of each air inlet channel 236 may also be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L (e.g. in FIGS. 7A and 7B can be seen in the examples).

Accordingly, understanding the foregoing, through implementation of plenum chamber 202 as described herein; and/or using specific orientations and geometries of the air inlet 14, various different arrangements are described herein to better redirect air flow from the air inlet 14 of the aerosol delivery system 200. You can see that Additionally, a mechanism to better optimize the position of these air inlets, using appropriate chamfer(s) to better prevent inadvertent blocking of these air inlets by the user's hands when using the aerosol delivery system. These are described herein. Directing aerosolizable material to direct aerosolizable material leaking from an upstream location (e.g., the air inlet of the cartridge) away from any utilized air flow receiving orifice that may be used to operate the aerosol delivery system 200. Provision of portions is additionally provided herein.

With regard to the general disclosure for providing effective air flow through the aerosol delivery system 200 described herein, it may best be referred to through the flow diagram of FIG. 8 . In this respect, Figure 8 discloses the steps of a method of directing an air flow through an aerosol provision system 200, wherein the air flow is passing through the inlet 14; delivering an air flow from at least one air inlet into the plenum chamber (202) of the body (4); and (optionally, thus indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 8 ) transferring an air flow from the plenum chamber 202 into the air inlet 50 of the cartridge 2 coupled to a portion of the plenum chamber 202. Includes.

In connection with any such method, according to some embodiments, the method includes delivering an air flow from at least one air inlet (14) into a receptacle (8) of the body (4), wherein the receptacle (8) is a cartridge (2), the receptacle comprising a plenum chamber (202); and transferring the air flow from the receptacle 8 into the plenum chamber 202 of the body 2.

Also referring to such embodiments, according to some embodiments thereof, the method may also direct a flow of air from at least one air inlet into the outer chamber 276 (or cavity 240) of the receptacle 8. steps; and transferring an air flow from external chamber 276 (or cavity 240) into plenum chamber 202.

Accordingly, understanding the foregoing, there is disclosed a body for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, the body comprising:

a receptacle for releasably receiving a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolization, the receptacle comprising:

at least one receptacle wall;

at least one air inlet, each air inlet extending through at least one receptacle wall; and

Contains a plenum chamber;

The receptacle allows the cartridge to engage against a portion of the plenum chamber when the receptacle releasably receives the cartridge, and then allows air flow from outside the receptacle through the at least one air inlet into the receptacle and then into the plenum chamber. It is configured to allow passage through the interior.

An aerosol delivery system is also described comprising a body as described above, the aerosol delivery system further comprising a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system comprising a plenum chamber. is configured to allow air flow to pass from the plenum chamber into the air inlet of the cartridge when coupled to a portion of the cartridge.

A method of directing air flow through an aerosol delivery system is also described, comprising:

causing an air flow to pass through at least one air inlet of the body of the aerosol delivery system;

Directing an air flow from at least one air inlet into a plenum chamber of the body; and

and delivering a flow of air from the plenum chamber into an air inlet of a cartridge coupled to a portion of the plenum chamber.

A body 4 for an aerosol delivery system 200 for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material is also described. The body 4 includes a receptacle 8 for releasably receiving the cartridge 2. Receptacle 8 includes at least one air inlet 14 and a plenum chamber 202. In this way, the receptacle 8 allows the cartridge 2 to engage against a portion of the plenum chamber 202 when the receptacle 8 releasably receives the cartridge 2, and then the air flow It is configured to allow air to pass from outside the receptacle 8 through at least one inlet 14 into the receptacle 8 and then into the plenum chamber 202.

Embodiments as presented in the sections mentioned below are also described.

In order to resolve various issues and advance the art, this disclosure presents, by way of example, various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely a representative sample of embodiments and are not limited and/or exclusive. These advantages and features are presented solely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed invention(s). The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the disclosure as defined by the claims/items, or the claims. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims/clauses provided herein and should not be considered limitations on equivalents of the clauses/clauses. Various embodiments may include or consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein, as appropriate. or may consist essentially of them, so that the features of the dependent claims or dependent items are equivalent to the features of any of the independent claims or independent items herein. It will be understood that the fields/items may be combined in combinations other than those explicitly stated. For example, in this way, the features of any of the claims or items provided herein may be combined with any particular combination or permutation of features otherwise recited in the sets of claims or items 1 through 6 referred to below. It will be understood that it may include . This disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any of the aerosol delivery system 200 described herein and any potential features thereof described herein—e.g., at least the plenum chamber 202 described herein, air Any of the inlets 14, air inlet channels 236 and/or basin 226 - need not be explicitly used as part of a body 2/cartridge 4 type arrangement; Accordingly, it will be appreciated that any of the necessary components for aerosol delivery system 200 may equally be utilized as part of a single aerosol delivery device according to some embodiments.

Finally, if a cartridge 2 type arrangement is used, the components of the cartridge (e.g. Optional evaporator 40 may be powered using power supply 16 (shown in the embodiment of Figure 1) or may be powered by its own power source (not shown in the figures). will be understood. For example, in this regard, and purely for precautionary reasons, according to some embodiments a receptacle 8 is used, which, when in use, e.g. by providing power to the contact electrodes of the cartridge. (e.g. shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7B), and may further include at least one electrode 46A configured to supply power to the cartridge 2 housed in the receptacle 8. According to such embodiments, each electrode(s) 46A may be positioned between the plenum chamber 202 and one of the at least one cartridge support portion 273.

Just to be safe, it can also be seen from the figures that according to some embodiments any provided plenum chamber 202 may include at least one line of symmetry (center of plenum chamber 202 7c and that there is a line of symmetry bisecting the angle α in the direction towards the second surface 228B).

Also in this way, in embodiments where there is a first air inlet 14A/first inlet channel 236A and a second air inlet 14B/second air inlet channel 236B, among these embodiments In some, first air inlet 14A (or first inlet channel 236A) is located further away from plenum chamber 202 than second air inlet 14B (or second air inlet channel 236B). It can be equally understood that it can be separated from the plenum chamber 202 by the same distance. For example, in even more specific embodiments (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7C ), first air inlet 14A (or first inlet channel 236A) is connected to second air inlet 14B (or first inlet channel 236A). 2 air inlet channels 236B) and the line of symmetry extending between them. In some embodiments, this line of symmetry may bisect plenum chamber 202 (i.e., may be the same line of symmetry as the line of symmetry for plenum chamber 202 as noted above).

Through the provision of any such lines of symmetry as mentioned above, this allows air flow from the left/right sides of the plenum chamber 202 (respective first and second air inlets 14A, 14B) 7C where an even distribution of air can be seen, which can contribute to providing a more uniform/distributed air flow into the plenum chamber 202.

Also with respect to the plenum chamber 202, according to some embodiments, the plenum may help prevent moisture or debris from entering the plenum chamber 202 through any provided air inlet or air inlet channel. Between chamber 202 and each air inlet (or each air inlet channel), according to some embodiments, 1 mm; 2 mm; 3 mm; 4 mm; 5 mm; 6 mm; Alternatively, it may be understood that in some even narrower embodiments there may be a minimum gap of 8 mm. The term 'minimum spacing' herein may be understood to mean that there is at least a specified distance between each air inlet (or each air inlet channel) and any part of the plenum chamber 202.

While maintaining the ability to prevent moisture or debris from entering the plenum chamber 202 through any provided air inlet or air inlet channel, according to some embodiments (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7C) , at least one perimeter wall 212 (e.g., first perimeter wall 212A or second perimeter wall 212B as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7C) is located in the main chamber 204 of the plenum chamber 202. ) and each air inlet or air inlet channel. In other words, to the extent that a straight line extending between (any portion of) the main chamber 204 of the plenum chamber 202 and (any portion of) any provided air inlet or air inlet channel can be defined, It can be appreciated that in such embodiments, at least one peripheral wall 212 of the plenum chamber 202 may bisect this straight line. Or, put even more differently, between any provided air inlet (or air inlet channel) and either i) the interior of the plenum chamber 202 and/or ii) the main chamber 204 of the plenum chamber 202. It can be understood that there may not be a direct line-of-sight. In this way, entry of moisture or foreign matter into the plenum chamber 202 can be suppressed.

With respect to the width of any utilized perimeter wall(s) 212 associated with the plenum chamber 202, according to some embodiments, to avoid such perimeter walls taking up too much space, each perimeter The maximum width of the wall is less than or equal to 8 mm in some embodiments; 6 mm or less; 5 mm or less; 4 mm or less; 3 mm or less; 2 mm or less; or in some even narrower embodiments it may be understood that it may include 1 mm or less.

Referring to the main chamber 204 of the plenum chamber 202, it can also be appreciated that according to some embodiments this main chamber 204 may be featureless. The term 'featureless' herein refers to any electrode(s) of the aerosol delivery system that may impede/impede the air flow positioned within the main chamber 204 when the main chamber 204 is in use. 46A) or other components may be understood to mean that this main chamber 204 does not include. Similarly, to improve airflow of air within main chamber 204, according to some embodiments (e.g., the embodiment shown in Figure 7C), the first/lower surface of main chamber 204 is flat and and/or it may be understood that it may be smooth. This first/lower surface is positioned below the air inlet 50 of the cartridge 2 when the cartridge 2 is engaged against a portion of the plenum chamber 202, for example in FIGS. 7A and 7B. It is shown to be a constructed surface.

Items of the first set

Item 1. A plenum chamber for use in an aerosol delivery system, comprising:

at least one inlet chamber, each inlet chamber including at least one inlet orifice configured to receive an air flow;

a main chamber for receiving air from each inlet chamber; and

a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall comprising a first perimeter wall surrounding a first portion of the plenum chamber, and a second perimeter wall surrounding a second portion of the plenum chamber, the first perimeter wall comprising: A plenum chamber, wherein the wall is separate from the second peripheral wall.

Item 2. The method of item 1, wherein the plenum chamber includes at least one inlet orifice that allows air flow to pass into the plenum chamber from the at least one air inlet;

Each inlet chamber includes one of the at least one inlet orifice;

The plenum chamber, wherein the peripheral wall at least partially defines each inlet orifice.

Clause 3. The plenum chamber of clause 2, wherein the first perimeter wall and the second perimeter wall at least partially define a respective inlet orifice.

Clause 4. The plenum chamber of clause 2 or clause 3, wherein the first perimeter wall and the second perimeter wall terminate at a respective inlet orifice.

Item 5. The method of any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the at least one inlet chamber comprises a first inlet chamber and a second inlet chamber;

wherein each of the first perimeter wall and the second perimeter wall at least partially bounds both the first inlet chamber and the second inlet chamber.

Item 6. The plenum chamber of item 5, wherein the main chamber is located between the first inlet chamber and the second inlet chamber.

Clause 7. The plenum chamber of any of clauses 1-6, wherein each inlet chamber comprises an interface surface located adjacent the main chamber.

Clause 8. The plenum chamber of clause 7 as at least further dependent on clause 6, wherein the interface surface to the first inlet chamber is steeper than the interface surface to the second inlet chamber.

Clause 9. The plenum chamber of any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the main chamber includes a substantially flat portion in a central or interior portion of the main chamber.

Clause 10. The plenum chamber of any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the main chamber comprises a substantially featureless or smooth portion in a central or interior portion of the main chamber.

Item 11. The method of any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the maximum width of the main chamber is configured to gradually increase as the main chamber extends from each of the at least one inlet chamber toward a central portion of the main chamber. Being a plenum chamber.

Item 12. The method of any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the maximum width of the main chamber is configured such that the main chamber does not decrease as the main chamber extends from each of the at least one inlet chamber toward a central portion of the main chamber. , plenum chamber.

Clause 13. The plenum chamber of any of clauses 1-12, wherein the main chamber comprises a substantially circular cross-section.

Item 14. The method of any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the main chamber includes a central portion, the central portion comprising:

at least partially surrounded by a first recessed portion of the first peripheral wall exposed to the main chamber;

A plenum chamber, at least partially surrounded by a second recessed portion of the second peripheral wall exposed to the main chamber.

Clause 15. The plenum chamber of any of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the main chamber comprises a maximum height greater than the maximum height of each inlet chamber.

Item 16. The method of any one of items 1 through 15, wherein each of the first and second perimeter walls comprises:

a straight portion bordering each inlet chamber; and

A plenum chamber comprising a curved portion bordering the main chamber.

Item 17. The method of item 16, wherein the plenum chamber comprises:

a first minimum gap between a straight portion of the first peripheral wall and a straight portion of the second peripheral wall; and

comprising a second minimum spacing between the curved portion of the first peripheral wall and the curved portion of the second peripheral wall;

and wherein the first minimum spacing is less than the second minimum spacing.

Item 18. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising:

A plenum chamber according to any one of items 1 to 17;

comprising a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol, the cartridge comprising an air inlet;

wherein the first peripheral wall and the second peripheral wall are each configured to engage against the cartridge when the cartridge is received by the receptacle.

Item 19. A method of directing air flow through an aerosol delivery system, comprising:

causing air flow to pass from at least one inlet chamber of the plenum chamber of the aerosol delivery system into the main chamber of the plenum chamber;

directing airflow within the plenum chamber using a perimeter wall of the plenum chamber, the perimeter wall comprising: a first perimeter wall surrounding a first portion of the plenum chamber; and A method comprising a second peripheral wall surrounding a second portion of the chamber, wherein the first peripheral wall is separate from the second peripheral wall.

Item 20. In item 19,

further comprising the initial step of coupling a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol to the first and second peripheral walls;

Directing the air flow inside the plenum chamber using a peripheral wall of the plenum chamber includes using the peripheral wall of the plenum chamber to direct the air flow inside the plenum chamber into an air inlet of the cartridge. A method comprising the step of doing so.

Item 21. The method of item 20, wherein the peripheral wall at least partially surrounds an air inlet of the cartridge when the cartridge is engaged against the first and second peripheral walls.

Item 22. The method of item 20 or item 21, wherein the air inlet of the cartridge is located between the first and second peripheral walls when the cartridge is engaged against the first and second peripheral walls. .

Second set of items

Item 1. A plenum chamber for use in an aerosol delivery system, comprising:

at least one inlet chamber, each inlet chamber including at least one inlet orifice configured to receive an air flow;

a main chamber for receiving air from each inlet chamber; and

a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall comprising a first perimeter wall surrounding a first portion of the plenum chamber, and a second perimeter wall surrounding a second portion of the plenum chamber, the first and wherein each of the second peripheral walls is configured to couple to a cartridge containing an aerosolizable material.

Item 2. The plenum chamber of item 1, wherein the first and second peripheral walls are resilient.

Clause 3. The plenum chamber of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the first perimeter wall and the second perimeter wall are located on opposite sides of the plenum chamber.

Clause 4. The plenum chamber of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the main chamber comprises a basin for receiving aerosolizable material.

Clause 5. The plenum chamber of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the main chamber comprises a maximum height that is between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

Item 6. The plenum chamber of any one of items 1-5, wherein the at least one inlet chamber comprises a first inlet chamber and a second inlet chamber.

Item 7. The method of item 6, wherein the inlet orifice of the first inlet chamber is located on a first side of the main chamber, the inlet orifice of the second inlet chamber is located on a second side of the main chamber, and A plenum chamber, the second side being opposite the first side.

Clause 8. The plenum chamber of any of clauses 1-7, wherein the first and second perimeter walls at least partially define a respective inlet orifice.

Clause 9. The plenum chamber of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the first and second perimeter walls terminate at a respective inlet orifice.

Item 10. The method of any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the maximum width of the main chamber is configured to gradually increase as the main chamber extends from each of the at least one inlet chamber toward a central portion of the main chamber. Being a plenum chamber.

Item 11. The method of any one of items 1 through 10, wherein the maximum width of the main chamber is configured such that the main chamber does not decrease as the main chamber extends from each of the at least one inlet chamber toward a central portion of the main chamber. , plenum chamber.

Clause 12. The plenum chamber of any of clauses 1-11, wherein the main chamber comprises a substantially circular cross-section.

Item 13. The method of any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the main chamber includes a central portion, the central portion comprising:

at least partially surrounded by a first recessed portion of the first peripheral wall exposed to the main chamber;

A plenum chamber, at least partially surrounded by a second recessed portion of the second peripheral wall exposed to the main chamber.

Clause 14. The plenum chamber of any of clauses 1-13, wherein the main chamber comprises a maximum height greater than the maximum height of each inlet chamber.

Item 15. The method of any one of items 1 through 14, wherein each of the first and second perimeter walls comprises:

a straight portion bordering each inlet chamber; and

A plenum chamber comprising a curved portion bordering the main chamber.

Item 16. The method of item 15, wherein the plenum chamber comprises:

a first minimum gap between a straight portion of the first peripheral wall and a straight portion of the second peripheral wall; and

comprising a second minimum spacing between the curved portion of the first peripheral wall and the curved portion of the second peripheral wall;

and wherein the first minimum spacing is less than the second minimum spacing.

Item 17. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising:

A plenum chamber according to any one of items 1 to 16;

a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol, the cartridge comprising an air inlet;

An aerosol delivery system comprising a body for releasably receiving the cartridge, the body including the plenum chamber.

Item 18. The aerosol delivery system of item 17, wherein the body comprises a receptacle for releasably receiving the cartridge, the receptacle comprising the plenum chamber.

Item 19. The receptacle of item 18, wherein the receptacle includes a first end and an open second end that allows the cartridge to be inserted into the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is located at the first end of the receptacle. An aerosol delivery system comprising a first receptacle wall, the first receptacle wall comprising the plenum chamber.

Clause 20. The aerosol delivery system of clause 19, wherein the plenum chamber is at least partially recessed into the first receptacle wall.

Item 21. The method of any one of items 17-20, wherein the first peripheral wall and the second peripheral wall surround an air inlet of the cartridge when the first and second peripheral walls are engaged relative to the cartridge. An aerosol delivery system configured to:

Item 22. The method of any one of items 17 to 21, wherein the main chamber is configured to be positioned below and/or next to the air inlet of the cartridge when the first and second peripheral walls are engaged relative to the cartridge. , aerosol delivery system.

Item 23. A method of directing air flow through an aerosol delivery system, comprising:

coupling a cartridge configured to hold an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol to first and second peripheral walls of a peripheral wall of a plenum chamber of the aerosol delivery system; and

Directing an air flow from an inlet orifice of an inlet chamber of the plenum chamber into a main chamber of the plenum chamber.

Item 24. The method of item 23, further comprising delivering the air flow from at least one air inlet channel to the inlet orifice.

Item 25. The method of item 24, wherein the at least one air inlet channel comprises a first air inlet channel and a second air inlet channel.

Item 26. The method of item 25, wherein there is no direct line of sight between each air inlet channel and the main chamber of the plenum chamber.

Clause 27. The method of any one of clauses 23 to 26, wherein delivering the air flow from an inlet orifice of an inlet chamber of the plenum chamber into a main chamber of the plenum chamber comprises:

delivering a first air flow from a first inlet orifice of a first inlet chamber of the plenum chamber into a main chamber of the plenum chamber; and

A method comprising delivering a second air flow from a second inlet orifice of a second inlet chamber of the plenum chamber into a main chamber of the plenum chamber.

Item 28. The method of item 27, wherein the main chamber is located between the first inlet orifice and the second inlet orifice.

Clause 29. The method of clause 27 or clause 28 as further dependent on any one of clauses 24 to 26, wherein delivering the air flow from the at least one air inlet channel to the inlet orifice comprises:

delivering a first portion of the air flow to the first inlet orifice such that the first portion of the air flow can be delivered as part of the first air flow; and

delivering a second portion of the air flow to the second inlet orifice such that the second portion of the air flow can be delivered as part of the second air flow.

Clause 30. The method of any of clauses 23-29, wherein the main chamber is free of features.

Clause 31. The method of any of clauses 23-30, wherein the plenum chamber comprises a line of symmetry.

Item 32. The method of item 31, wherein the line of symmetry passes through each inlet orifice.

Third set of items

Item 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising:

a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol, the cartridge comprising an air inlet;

a body for releasably receiving the cartridge, the body including an air flow receiving orifice that allows air flow to pass to an air flow detection sensor;

The body includes an aerosolizable material directing portion for directing aerosolizable material leaking from an air inlet of the cartridge away from the air flow receiving orifice when the cartridge is releasably received in the body. aerosol delivery system.

Item 2. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising:

a reservoir of aerosolizable material for aerosolization into an aerosol;

an air flow receiving orifice that allows the air flow to pass to the air flow detection sensor; and

an aerosolizable material directing portion for directing aerosolizable material leaking from the reservoir toward the air flow receiving orifice in a direction away from the air flow receiving orifice, wherein the aerosolizable material directing portion is positioned between the reservoir and the aerosolizable material directing portion. An aerosol delivery system positioned between said air flow receiving orifices.

Clause 3. The aerosol delivery system of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the aerosolizable material directing portion comprises a basin, and the air flow receiving orifice is located external to the basin.

Item 4. The aerosol delivery system of item 3, wherein the depth of the basin is at least 0.25 mm.

Item 5. The aerosol delivery system of item 3 or item 4, wherein the depth of the basin is 1 mm or less.

Item 6. The method of any one of items 3 to 5, wherein the basin is:

a first surface for directing aerosolizable material out of the basin in a direction away from the air flow receiving orifice; and

a second surface located closer to the air flow receiving orifice than the first surface is located to the air flow receiving orifice;

wherein the second surface is steeper than the first surface to cause aerosolizable material to flow out of the basin through the first surface rather than through the second surface.

Item 7. The method of any one of items 1 through 6, wherein the aerosol delivery system comprises a plenum chamber for directing air flow through the aerosol delivery system, the plenum chamber directing the aerosolizable material. An aerosol delivery system comprising a portion.

Item 8. The aerosol delivery system of item 7, wherein the plenum chamber comprises a main chamber, a first inlet chamber, and a second inlet chamber.

Clause 9. The aerosol delivery system of clause 8, wherein the second inlet chamber comprises the air flow receiving orifice.

Item 10. The aerosol delivery system of item 8 or item 9, wherein the air flow receiving orifice is located closer to the second inlet chamber than the air flow receiving orifice is located to the first inlet chamber.

Clause 11. An aerosol delivery system according to clause 9 or clause 10 as further dependent from clause 3, wherein the main chamber comprises the basin.

Clause 12. Clause 11 as further dependent upon clause 6, wherein the plenum chamber comprises, for each inlet chamber, an interface surface positioned adjacent the main chamber;

The interface surface to the first inlet chamber comprises the first surface, and the interface surface to the second inlet chamber comprises the second surface, such that the aerosolizable material is directed to the first surface rather than the second surface. An aerosol delivery system that flows out of the basin through an aerosol delivery system.

Item 13. The method of any one of items 7 through 12, wherein the plenum chamber has a first direction in which the aerosolizable material extends away from the air flow receiving orifice than a second direction extending toward the air flow receiving orifice. An aerosol delivery system configured to flow more preferentially.

Item 14. A method of directing aerosolizable material at an aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge holding aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol, and a body for releasably receiving said cartridge, comprising:

Using an aerosolizable material directing portion, directing aerosolizable material leaking from an air inlet of the cartridge away from an air flow receiving orifice of the body when the cartridge is releasably received by the body. A method comprising: wherein the air flow receiving orifice is for allowing the air flow to pass to the air flow detection sensor.

Item 15. A method of directing aerosolizable material in an aerosol delivery system, comprising:

directing, using an aerosolizable material directing portion, aerosolizable material leaking from the reservoir of aerosolizable material in a direction away from an air flow receiving orifice, wherein the air flow receiving orifice directs the air flow into the air stream. To allow passage to the flow detection sensor;

The method of claim 1, wherein the aerosolizable material directing portion is positioned between the reservoir and the air flow receiving orifice.

Fourth set of items

Item 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising:

at least one air inlet channel; and

Contains a plenum chamber;

the aerosol presentation system is configured to allow air flow to pass from outside the aerosol presentation system through the at least one air inlet channel and then into the plenum chamber;

wherein the aerosol delivery system includes a plane intersecting each of the at least one air inlet channel and a portion of the plenum chamber.

Item 2. The method of item 1, wherein each air inlet channel comprises:

a first inlet end allowing air flow to enter the air inlet channel; and

comprising a second outlet end allowing air flow to exit the air inlet channel;

wherein the plane intersects a first end and a second end of each air inlet channel.

Clause 3. The aerosol delivery system of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein each air inlet channel defines a slot extending through a wall of the aerosol delivery system.

Item 4. The method of item 3, wherein the aerosol delivery system comprises a receptacle for releasably receiving a cartridge configured to hold an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol;

wherein the receptacle includes the wall.

Clause 5. The aerosol delivery system of any of clauses 1-4, wherein each air inlet channel is straight.

Clause 6. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a cross-sectional area for passage of air that is greater in width than height.

Item 7. The aerosol delivery system of any one of items 1 to 6, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a first air inlet channel and a second air inlet channel.

Item 8. The aerosol delivery system of item 7, wherein the first air inlet channel and the second air inlet channel are located on the same side or same half of the plenum chamber.

Item 9. At least in Item 7 or Item 8 if they are further dependent on Item 3,

the first air inlet channel extends through the wall in a first direction;

and the second air inlet channel extends through the wall in a second direction.

Clause 10. The aerosol delivery system of clause 9, wherein the first direction is not parallel to the second direction.

Clause 11. The aerosol delivery system of clause 9 or clause 10, wherein the angle of separation between the first direction and the second direction is from 50 degrees to 170 degrees.

Item 12. The method of any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the plenum chamber comprises at least one inlet orifice that allows air flow to pass into the plenum chamber from the at least one air inlet channel;

the at least one inlet orifice includes a first inlet orifice on a first side of the plenum chamber and a second inlet orifice on a second side of the plenum chamber;

wherein each air inlet channel is configured to allow air flow to pass from outside the aerosol presentation system into both the first and second inlet orifices.

Item 13. The method of item 12, wherein the aerosol delivery system further comprises an air flow receiving orifice that allows the air flow to pass to the air flow detection sensor;

The air flow inlet orifice is located closer to the first inlet orifice than the air flow inlet orifice is located to the second inlet orifice, such that air flow passing through the first inlet orifice is positioned closer to the air flow receiving orifice. An aerosol delivery system that allows passage to the stomach.

Clause 14. The aerosol delivery system of clause 13, wherein the air flow receiving orifice is located on the same side or same half of the plenum chamber with each air inlet channel.

Clause 15. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a cross-sectional area for passage of air comprising a maximum width to maximum height ratio of at least 1.5 to 1.

Clause 16. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a maximum width of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

Clause 17. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 16, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a maximum height of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm.

Clause 18. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 17, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a maximum length of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm from a first end of the channel to a second end of the channel. .

Clause 19. The method of any one of clauses 1 through 18, wherein the plenum chamber is configured to receive airflow from the exterior of the plenum chamber in at least one first direction, substantially in each first direction. An aerosol delivery system configured to redirect the air flow to exit the plenum chamber in a second vertical direction.

Item 20. The method of any one of items 1 to 19, wherein the aerosol delivery system comprises:

first end;

a first receptacle wall located at a first end of the receptacle;

an open second end allowing a cartridge to be inserted into the receptacle; and

further comprising a second receptacle wall extending between the first and second ends of the receptacle, the second receptacle wall configured to surround the cartridge when the receptacle releasably receives the cartridge;

wherein the at least one air inlet channel extends through the second receptacle wall.

Item 21. The method of item 20, wherein the receptacle extends between the first end and the second end about a longitudinal axis;

Each air inlet channel includes a cross-sectional area for air passage comprising a maximum width and a maximum height, wherein the maximum width is greater than the maximum height, the maximum width is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the maximum height is relative to the longitudinal axis. Parallel, aerosol delivery system.

Item 22. A body for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising:

at least one air inlet channel; and

Contains a plenum chamber;

the aerosol presentation system is configured to allow air flow to pass from outside the aerosol presentation system through the at least one air inlet channel and then into the plenum chamber;

The body of claim 1, wherein the aerosol delivery system includes a plane intersecting each of the at least one air inlet channel and a portion of the plenum chamber.

Item 23. The method of item 22, wherein the main body is:

first end; and

further comprising a second end opposite the first end for releasably receiving a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol;

the body extends between the first end and the second end about a longitudinal axis;

Each air inlet channel includes a cross-sectional area for air passage comprising a maximum width and a maximum height, wherein the maximum width is greater than the maximum height, the maximum width is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the maximum height is relative to the longitudinal axis. Parallel, body.

Fifth set of items

Item 1. A receptacle for releasably receiving a cartridge configured to hold an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol, comprising:

first end;

a first receptacle wall located at a first end of the receptacle;

an open second end allowing a cartridge to be inserted into the receptacle;

a second receptacle wall extending between the first and second ends of the receptacle, the second receptacle wall configured to surround the cartridge when the receptacle releasably receives the cartridge;

comprising at least one air inlet channel extending through the second receptacle wall;

Each air inlet channel includes a first inlet end, the first end of each air inlet channel for receiving air flow into the air inlet channel from outside the receptacle, and the first end of each air inlet channel is located on a chamfered portion of the second receptacle wall.

Item 2. The receptacle of item 1, wherein the chamfered portion comprises a first chamfered portion located on an exterior surface of the second receptacle wall.

Item 3. The method of item 1 or item 2, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a second outlet end, and the second end of each air inlet channel is configured to allow the air flow to exit the air inlet channel. and wherein the second end of each air inlet channel is located on a second chamfered portion of the second receptacle wall.

Item 4. The receptacle of item 3, wherein the second chamfer portion is located on an interior surface of the second receptacle wall.

Item 5. The method of any one of items 1 through 4, wherein each air inlet channel is configured to supply an air flow into a chamber or cavity within the receptacle, the chamber comprising: the first receptacle wall and the second receptacle. A receptacle, defined at least in part by a wall.

Item 6. The receptacle of item 5, wherein the chamber or cavity is further configured to be defined at least in part by the cartridge when the receptacle receives the cartridge.

Clause 7. The receptacle of clause 5 or clause 6, wherein the chamber or cavity comprises a maximum height of less than 1 mm.

Clause 8. The receptacle of any of clauses 1-7, further comprising a plenum chamber for receiving air flow from the at least one air inlet channel.

Item 9. The receptacle of item 8, wherein the first receptacle wall comprises the plenum chamber.

Clause 10. The receptacle of clause 8 or clause 9, wherein the plenum chamber is at least partially recessed into the first receptacle wall.

Item 11. The method of any one of items 1 through 10, wherein the at least one air inlet channel comprises:

a first air inlet channel extending in a first direction through the second wall of the receptacle; and

A receptacle comprising a second air inlet channel extending in a second direction through a second wall of the receptacle.

Item 12. The receptacle of item 11, wherein the first direction is not parallel to the second direction.

Clause 13. The receptacle of clause 11 or clause 12, wherein the angle of separation between the first direction and the second direction is from 50 degrees to 170 degrees.

Clause 14. The receptacle of any of clauses 1-13, wherein each air inlet defines a slot extending through the second receptacle wall.

Clause 15. The receptacle of any of clauses 1 through 14, wherein each air inlet channel is straight.

Clause 16. The receptacle of any of clauses 1 to 15, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a cross-sectional area for passage of air that is greater in width than in height.

Clause 17. The receptacle of any of clauses 1-16, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a cross-sectional area for passage of air comprising a maximum width to maximum height ratio of at least 1.5 to 1.

Clause 18. The receptacle of any of clauses 1-17, wherein the first receptacle wall is substantially perpendicular to each of the at least one second receptacle wall.

Clause 19. A body for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising a receptacle according to any one of clauses 1 to 18.

Clause 20. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising a receptacle according to any one of clauses 1 to 19.

6th set of items

Item 1. A receptacle for releasably receiving a cartridge configured to hold an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol, comprising:

first end;

a first receptacle wall located at a first end of the receptacle;

an open second end allowing a cartridge to be inserted into the receptacle;

a second receptacle wall extending between the first and second ends of the receptacle, the second receptacle wall configured to surround the cartridge when the receptacle releasably receives the cartridge;

comprising at least one air inlet channel extending through the second receptacle wall;

the receptacle extends between the first end and the second end about a longitudinal axis;

Each air inlet channel includes a cross-sectional area for air passage comprising a maximum width and a maximum height, wherein the maximum width is greater than the maximum height, the maximum width is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the maximum height is relative to the longitudinal axis. Parallel, aerosol delivery system.

Item 2. The receptacle of item 1, wherein the first receptacle wall does not include the at least one air inlet channel.

Item 3. The receptacle of item 1 or item 2, wherein each air inlet channel is straight.

Clause 4. The receptacle of any of clauses 1-3, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a cross-sectional area for passage of air comprising a maximum width to maximum height ratio of at least 1.5 to 1.

Clause 5. The receptacle of any of clauses 1-4, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a maximum width of between 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm.

Clause 6. The receptacle of any of clauses 1-5, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a maximum height of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm.

Clause 7. The receptacle of any of clauses 1 to 6, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a maximum length/thickness of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

Clause 8. The receptacle of any one of clauses 1 to 7, further dependent on clause 3, wherein the maximum length is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Clause 9. The receptacle of any of clauses 1-8, wherein each air inlet channel is located no more than 10 mm from a first end of the receptacle.

Clause 10. The receptacle of any of clauses 1-9, wherein the at least one air inlet channel comprises a plurality of air inlet channels.

Item 11. The method of any one of items 1 through 10, wherein the at least one air inlet channel comprises:

a first air inlet channel extending in a first direction through the second receptacle wall; and

A receptacle comprising a second air inlet channel extending in a second direction through the second receptacle wall.

Item 12. The receptacle of item 11, wherein the first direction is not parallel to the second direction.

Clause 13. The receptacle of clause 11 or clause 12, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Clause 14. The receptacle of any of clauses 11-13, wherein the angle of separation between the first direction and the second direction is from 50 degrees to 170 degrees.

Clause 15. The receptacle of any of clauses 1-14, wherein the receptacle comprises a non-circular cross-section.

Item 16. The method of any one of items 1 through 15, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a first inlet end, and the first end of each air inlet channel directs air flow from outside the receptacle to the air inlet channel. A receptacle for receiving into a receptacle, wherein a first end of each air inlet channel is located on a chamfered portion of the receptacle.

Item 17. The receptacle of item 16, wherein the chamfer portion comprises a first chamfer portion located on an exterior surface of the receptacle.

Clause 18. The receptacle of clause 16 or clause 17, wherein the second receptacle wall comprises the chamfer portion.

Item 19. The method of any one of items 16-18, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a second outlet end, and the second end of each air inlet channel is configured to allow the air flow to exit the air inlet channel. wherein the second end of each air inlet channel is located on a second chamfered portion of the receptacle.

Item 20. The receptacle of item 19, wherein the second receptacle wall comprises the second chamfer portion.

Item 21. A body for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising:

first end;

a second end opposite the first end for releasably receiving a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol; and

comprising at least one air inlet channel;

the body extends between the first end and the second end about a longitudinal axis;

Each air inlet channel includes a cross-sectional area for air passage comprising a maximum width and a maximum height, wherein the maximum width is greater than the maximum height, the maximum width is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the maximum height is relative to the longitudinal axis. Parallel, body.

Items of the 7th (Consistory) Set

Item 1. A body for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising:

a receptacle for releasably receiving a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol, the receptacle comprising:

at least one air inlet; and

Contains a plenum chamber;

The receptacle allows the cartridge to engage against a portion of the plenum chamber when the receptacle releasably receives the cartridge, and then allows a flow of air to flow into the receptacle from outside the receptacle through the at least one air inlet. A body configured to allow passage into and then into the plenum chamber.

Item 2. The body of item 1, wherein the at least one air inlet comprises a plurality of air inlets.

Item 3. The body of item 2, wherein the plurality of air inlets are located on the same side or half of the plenum chamber.

Clause 4. The body of any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the plenum chamber includes at least one inlet orifice that allows air flow to pass into the plenum chamber from the at least one air inlet. .

Item 5. The body of item 4, wherein the at least one inlet orifice comprises a plurality of inlet orifices.

Clause 6. The body of clause 5, wherein the plurality of inlet orifices comprises a first inlet orifice on a first side of the plenum chamber and a second inlet orifice on a second side of the plenum chamber.

Item 7. The body of item 6, wherein the first side of the plenum chamber is located opposite the second side of the plenum chamber.

Item 8. The body of any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the receptacle includes an air flow receiving orifice that allows air flow to pass from the receptacle to the air flow detection sensor.

Clause 9. The body of clause 8 as further dependent on any one of clauses 4 to 7, wherein the air flow receiving orifice is located at or next to one of the at least one inlet orifice.

Clause 10. The body of clause 8 or clause 9, wherein the air flow reception orifice is located on the same side or half of the plenum chamber as the at least one air inlet.

Clause 11. The body of any of clauses 1-10, wherein the plenum chamber comprises a perimeter wall.

Item 12. The method of item 11, wherein the perimeter wall is:

a first peripheral wall surrounding a first portion of the plenum chamber; and

a second peripheral wall surrounding the second portion of the plenum chamber;

The body, wherein the first peripheral wall is separate from the second peripheral wall.

Clause 13. The body of clause 12, wherein the first perimeter wall and the second perimeter wall are located on opposite sides of the plenum chamber.

Clause 14. The body of any of clauses 11-13, wherein the peripheral wall is configured to engage against the cartridge when the cartridge is received by the receptacle.

Clause 15. The body of any one of clauses 11 to 14, wherein the peripheral wall is elastic.

Clause 16. The body of any of clauses 11-15, wherein the peripheral wall is at least partially annular.

Clause 17. The body of any of clauses 11 to 16, wherein the peripheral wall comprises an annular portion.

Clause 18. The method of any one of clauses 11 to 17, at least as further dependent on clause 4, wherein the peripheral wall comprises at least one gap, each gap corresponding to a respective one of the at least one inlet orifice. A body that at least partially defines an inlet orifice.

Item 19. The method of any one of items 1 to 18, wherein the receptacle comprises:

first end;

an open second end allowing a cartridge to be inserted into the receptacle; and

A body comprising a first receptacle wall located at a first end of the receptacle.

Item 20. The body of item 19, wherein the first end of the receptacle is located opposite the second end of the receptacle.

Clause 21. The body of clause 19 or clause 20, wherein the receptacle further comprises at least one second receptacle wall extending between the first and second ends of the receptacle.

Item 22. The body of item 21, wherein the first receptacle wall is substantially perpendicular to each of the at least one second receptacle wall.

Clause 23. The body of any of clauses 19-22, wherein each air inlet extends through the at least one second receptacle wall.

Clause 24. The body of any of clauses 19-23, wherein the plenum chamber is at least partially recessed into the first receptacle wall.

Item 25. The method of any one of items 19 through 24, wherein the receptacle includes at least one cartridge receiving surface positioned between a first end and a second end of the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is configured to accommodate the cartridge. A body configured to enable the cartridge to engage against the cartridge receiving surface when receiving.

Item 26. The body of item 25, wherein each cartridge receiving surface is at least one of i) substantially flat, and/or ii) elastic.

Clause 27. The body of clause 25 or clause 26, wherein each cartridge receiving surface is substantially parallel to the first receptacle wall.

Clause 28. The body of any of clauses 19-27, wherein each air inlet is located closer to the first end of the receptacle than the air inlet is located to the second end of the receptacle.

Clause 29. The body of any of clauses 19-28, wherein each air inlet is located no more than 10 mm from the first end of the receptacle.

Clause 30. The body of any of clauses 19-29, wherein the first receptacle wall does not include the at least one air inlet.

Clause 31. The body of any one of clauses 19 to 30 as at least as further dependent as clause 21, wherein each air inlet defines a slot extending through said second receptacle wall.

Clause 32. The body of any one of clauses 1 to 31, wherein each air inlet comprises an air inlet channel.

Item 33. The body of item 32, wherein each air inlet channel is straight.

Clause 34. The body of clause 32 or clause 33, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a cross-sectional area for passage of air that is greater in width than height.

Clause 35. The body of any of clauses 32-34, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a cross-sectional area for passage of air comprising a maximum width to maximum height ratio of at least 1.5 to 1.

Clause 36. The body of any of clauses 32-35, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a maximum width of between 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm.

Clause 37. The body of any of clauses 32-36, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a maximum height of between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm.

Clause 38. The body of any of clauses 32-37, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a maximum length/thickness of between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

Clause 39. The body of any one of clauses 32 to 38, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a cross-sectional area for passage of air that is elongated or non-circular.

Clause 40. The body of any of clauses 32 to 39, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a cross-sectional area for passage of air comprising a maximum width and a maximum height, wherein the maximum width is greater than the maximum height. .

Clause 41. The body of any of clauses 32-40, wherein each air inlet channel defines a slot through a wall of the receptacle.

Item 42. The method of any one of items 1 to 41, wherein the at least one air inlet comprises:

a first air inlet defining a first air inlet channel extending in a first direction through a wall of the receptacle; and

A body comprising a second air inlet defining a second air inlet channel extending in a second direction through a wall of the receptacle.

Item 43. The body of item 42, wherein the first direction is not parallel to the second direction.

Item 44. The body of item 42 or item 43, wherein the angle of separation between the first direction and the second direction is from 50 degrees to 170 degrees.

Clause 45. The body of any of clauses 1-44, wherein the receptacle comprises a non-circular cross-section.

Clause 46. The body of any of clauses 1-45, wherein the plenum chamber comprises a main chamber and at least one inlet chamber.

Clause 47. The body of clause 46 as further dependent from clause 4, wherein each inlet chamber comprises one of said at least one inlet orifice.

Item 48. The method of item 46 or item 47, wherein the main chamber comprises a main chamber maximum width, each inlet chamber comprises an inlet chamber maximum width, and the main chamber maximum width is the size of each inlet chamber maximum width. 1.4 to 2.6 times the body.

Item 49. The body of item 48, wherein the main chamber maximum width is 1.7 to 2.3 times the size of each inlet chamber maximum width.

Clause 50. The body of any of clauses 46-49, wherein the main chamber comprises a maximum height greater than the maximum height of each inlet chamber.

Item 51. The body of item 50, wherein the main chamber comprises a maximum height greater than the maximum height of each inlet chamber.

Clause 52. The body of any of clauses 46-51, wherein the main chamber comprises a maximum height that is 1.4 to 2.6 times the size of the maximum height of each inlet chamber.

Clause 53. The body of any of clauses 46-52, wherein the main chamber comprises a maximum height that is 1.7 to 2.3 times the size of the maximum height of each inlet chamber.

Clause 54. The body of any of clauses 46 to 53, wherein the main chamber comprises a maximum height that is between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

Clause 55. The body of any of clauses 46-54, wherein each inlet chamber comprises a maximum height that is between 0.2 mm and 0.45 mm.

Clause 56. The body of any of clauses 46-55, wherein the at least one inlet chamber comprises a plurality of inlet chambers.

Item 57. The method of any one of items 46-56, wherein the at least one inlet chamber comprises a first inlet chamber on a first side of the plenum chamber and a second inlet chamber on a second side of the plenum chamber. A body comprising an inlet chamber.

Item 58. The body of item 57, wherein the main chamber is located between the first inlet chamber and the second inlet chamber.

Clause 59. The body of any of clauses 46-58, wherein the plenum chamber comprises, for each inlet chamber, an interface surface located adjacent the main chamber.

Item 60. The method of item 59 as further dependent of item 56 or item 57, wherein the interface surface to one of the plurality of inlet chambers is steeper than the interface surface to the other one of the plurality of inlet chambers. main body.

Clause 61. The clause of clause 60, wherein the air flow reception orifice is further dependent on clause 8, wherein the air flow reception orifice is located at an interface surface to another of the plurality of inlet chambers. A body positioned closer to the interface surface to one of the inlet chambers of the body.

Clause 62. The body of any of clauses 46-61, wherein each inlet chamber is substantially straight.

Item 63. The body of any of items 46-62, wherein each inlet chamber is elongated.

Clause 64. The body of any of clauses 46-63, wherein the main chamber comprises a substantially circular cross-section.

Item 65. The body of any one of items 46 to 64, wherein the main chamber is cylindrical.

Item 66. The body of any of items 46-65, wherein the main chamber is configured to be covered by the cartridge when the cartridge engages a portion of the plenum chamber.

Item 67. The body of item 66, wherein each inlet chamber is further configured to be covered by the cartridge when the cartridge engages a portion of the plenum chamber.

Item 68. The method of any one of items 46 to 67, wherein the main chamber is. The body configured to be positioned below or next to the air inlet of the cartridge when the cartridge engages a portion of the plenum chamber.

Clause 69. The body of any one of clauses 46 to 68 as at least further dependent on clause 11, wherein the peripheral wall at least partially bounds the main chamber.

Clause 70. The body of any one of clauses 46 to 69 as at least further dependent on clause 11, wherein the peripheral wall at least partially bounds each inlet chamber.

Item 71. The body of any of items 46-70, wherein the main chamber includes a substantially flat portion in a central portion of the main chamber.

Item 72. The body of any of items 46-71, wherein the main chamber comprises a substantially featureless portion, or a smooth portion, in a central portion of the main chamber.

Clause 73. The body of any one of clauses 46 to 72, at least as further dependent on clause 8, wherein the air flow receiving orifice is located external to the main chamber.

Clause 74. The body of any one of clauses 46 to 73 as at least further dependent on clause 8, wherein the air flow receiving orifice is offset from a central portion of the plenum chamber.

Clause 75. The body of any of clauses 1 through 74, wherein the plenum chamber is configured to be covered by the cartridge when the cartridge engages a portion of the plenum chamber.

Item 77. The method of any one of items 1 to 76, at least as further dependent on item 8, wherein when the cartridge is releasably received by the receptacle, the aerosolizable material is directed away from the air flow receiving orifice. A body further comprising an aerosolizable material directing portion for directing.

Item 78. The body of item 77, wherein the plenum chamber comprises the aerosolizable material directing portion.

Clause 79. The body of clause 78 as further dependent on clause 59, wherein the interface surface to each inlet chamber comprises an aerosolizable material directing portion.

Clause 80. The body of any of clauses 77-79, wherein the aerosolizable material directing portion includes a basin, and the air flow receiving orifice is located external to the basin.

Item 81. The body of item 80, wherein the depth of the basin is at least 0.25 mm.

Clause 82. The body of any of clauses 1-81, wherein the receptacle further comprises an external chamber between the at least one air inlet and the plenum chamber.

Item 83. The body of item 82, wherein the outer chamber extends around the plenum chamber.

Clause 84. The body of clause 82 or clause 83, wherein the outer chamber comprises at least one cartridge support portion configured to couple to a cartridge received by the receptacle.

Item 85. The method of item 84, wherein the at least one cartridge support portion includes a first cartridge support portion and a second cartridge support portion, and the plenum chamber is between the first cartridge support portion and the second cartridge support portion. Located in the main body.

Clause 86. The body of any one of clauses 84 to 86 as further dependent from clause 19, wherein each cartridge support portion extends from said first receptacle wall.

Item 87. The body of any one of items 1 to 86, wherein the receptacle further comprises at least one electrode configured to power a cartridge housed in the receptacle when in use.

Clause 88. The body of clause 87 as at least as further dependent in clause 84, wherein each electrode is positioned between the plenum chamber and one of the at least one cartridge support portion.

Clause 89. The body of any of clauses 1-88, wherein the body further comprises a plane intersecting each of the portion of the plenum chamber and the at least one air inlet.

Item 90. The method of any one of items 1 to 89, wherein each air inlet comprises an air inlet channel;

Each air inlet channel includes a first inlet end, the first end of each air inlet channel for receiving air flow into the air inlet channel from outside the receptacle, and the first end of each air inlet channel is located on the chamfered portion of the receptacle.

Item 91. The body of item 90, wherein the chamfer portion comprises a first chamfer portion located on an exterior surface of the receptacle.

Clause 92. The body of clause 90 or clause 91 as at least as further dependent as clause 21, wherein the second receptacle wall comprises the chamfer portion.

Item 93. The method of any one of items 90 through 92, wherein each air inlet channel comprises a second outlet end, and the second end of each air inlet channel allows a flow of air to exit the air inlet channel. wherein the second end of each air inlet channel is located on the second chamfered portion of the receptacle.

Clause 94. The body of clause 93 as at least further dependent on clause 21, wherein the second receptacle wall comprises the second chamfer portion.

Item 95. An aerosol delivery system comprising a body according to any one of items 1 to 94, wherein the aerosol delivery system further comprises a cartridge configured to hold an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol, comprising: wherein the delivery system is configured to allow air flow to pass from the plenum chamber into the air inlet of the cartridge when the cartridge is engaged against a portion of the plenum chamber.

Item 96. The method of item 95, wherein each air inlet of the receptacle extends through a wall of the receptacle in a longitudinal direction that is not parallel to the longitudinal direction of the air inlet of the cartridge when the receptacle receives the cartridge. An aerosol delivery system comprising:

Item 97. The method of item 95 or item 96, wherein each air inlet of the receptacle is configured to extend in a longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the air inlet of the cartridge when the receptacle receives the cartridge. , aerosol delivery system.

Item 98. A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system, comprising:

causing an air flow to pass through at least one air inlet of the body of the aerosol delivery system;

delivering the air flow from the at least one air inlet into a plenum chamber of the body; and

Directing the air flow from the plenum chamber into an air inlet of a cartridge coupled to a portion of the plenum chamber.

Item 99. In item 98,

delivering the air flow from the at least one air inlet into a receptacle of the body, the receptacle being configured to releasably receive the cartridge, the receptacle comprising the plenum chamber; and

The method further comprising delivering the air flow from the receptacle into a plenum chamber of the body.

Item 100. In item 99,

delivering the air flow from the at least one air inlet into an external chamber of the receptacle; and

The method further comprising transferring the air flow from the external chamber into the plenum chamber.

Item 101. A plenum chamber for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, wherein the body is as described in any one of items 1 to 100 and/or comprises the components of the first to sixth sets. A plenum chamber, comprising any feature as described in any one of the items, or any combination or permutation of features.

Item 102. A body for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, said body being as described in any one of items 1 to 100 and/or the items of the first to sixth sets. A body comprising any feature as described in any one of the items, or any combination or permutation of features.

Item 103. A receptacle for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, said body being as described in any one of items 1 to 100 and/or items of the first to sixth sets. A receptacle comprising any feature as described in any one of the items, or any combination or permutation of features.

Item 104. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, wherein the body is as described in any one of items 1 to 100 and/or any of the items in the first to sixth sets of items. An aerosol delivery system comprising any of the features, or any combination or permutation of features, as described in any one paragraph.

Item 105. Decorative design for plenum chamber as shown.

Item 106. Decorative design for an aerosol delivery system as shown.

Item 107. Decorative design for the body of an aerosol delivery system as shown.

Claims (45)

A body for an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosolizable material, comprising:
a receptacle for releasably receiving a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolization, the receptacle comprising:
at least one receptacle wall;
at least one air inlet, each air inlet extending through the at least one receptacle wall; and
Contains a plenum chamber;
The receptacle allows the cartridge to engage against a portion of the plenum chamber when the receptacle releasably receives the cartridge, and then allows a flow of air to flow into the receptacle from outside the receptacle through the at least one air inlet. configured to allow passage into, and then into, the plenum chamber,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to claim 1,
the plenum chamber includes a plurality of inlet orifices that allow air flow to pass into the plenum chamber from the at least one air inlet;
the plurality of inlet orifices include a first inlet orifice on a first side of the plenum chamber and a second inlet orifice on a second side of the plenum chamber;
The first side of the plenum chamber is located opposite the second side of the plenum chamber,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to clause 2,
The receptacle includes an air-flow receiving orifice that allows air flow to pass from the receptacle to an air-flow detection sensor;
The air flow inlet orifice is located closer to the first inlet orifice than the air flow inlet orifice is located to the second inlet orifice, such that air flow passing through the first inlet orifice is positioned closer to the air flow receiving orifice. Allowing passage to the top,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to clause 3,
wherein the air flow receiving orifice is located on the same side or half of the plenum chamber as the at least one air inlet.
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to claim 3 or 4,
The body further comprises an aerosolizable material directing portion for directing aerosolizable material away from the air flow receiving orifice when the cartridge is releasably received by the receptacle.
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to clause 5,
the plenum chamber comprising the aerosolizable material directing portion,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to claim 4 or 5,
wherein the aerosolizable material directing portion includes a basin, and the air flow receiving orifice is located external to the basin.
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein the plenum chamber includes a peripheral wall, and a portion of the plenum chamber includes the peripheral wall.
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to clause 8,
wherein the surrounding wall is elastic,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to claim 8 or 9,
wherein the peripheral wall has a maximum width of less than 5 mm,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
wherein the perimeter wall prevents line-of-sight between each air inlet and the interior of the plenum chamber.
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The receptacle is,
first end; and
comprising an open second end allowing insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle;
The at least one receptacle wall includes:
a first receptacle wall located at a first end of the receptacle; and
comprising at least one second receptacle wall extending between a first end and a second end of the receptacle;
each air inlet extending through the at least one second receptacle wall,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to claim 12,
wherein each air inlet is located closer to the first end of the receptacle than the air inlet is located to the second end of the receptacle.
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method of claim 12 or 13,
wherein the body further comprises a plane that intersects each of the portion of the plenum chamber and the at least one air inlet,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
The at least one air inlet is,
a first air inlet defining a first air inlet channel extending through a wall of the receptacle in a first direction; and
a second air inlet defining a second air inlet channel extending through a wall of the receptacle in a second direction;
The first direction is not parallel to the second direction,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to claim 15,
the separation angle between the first direction and the second direction is 50 degrees to 170 degrees,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to claim 16,
The separation angle between the first direction and the second direction is not 90 degrees,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17,
Each air inlet channel includes a first inlet end, the first end of each air inlet channel is for receiving air flow into the air inlet channel from outside the receptacle, and the first end of each air inlet channel is for receiving air flow into the air inlet channel from outside the receptacle. The end is located on a first chamfered portion of the receptacle,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to clause 18,
the first chamfer portion includes a first chamfer portion located on an exterior surface of the receptacle;
Each air inlet channel includes a second outlet end, the second end of each air inlet channel is for allowing air flow to pass from the air inlet channel into the receptacle, and the second end of each air inlet channel is configured to allow air flow to pass from the air inlet channel into the receptacle. the second end is located on the second chamfered portion of the receptacle;
wherein the second chamfer portion is located on the inner surface of the receptacle,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
The receptacle includes a non-circular cross-section,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 20,
The receptacle is,
a first side including a first end and a second end;
a second side including a first end and a second end;
a third side connected to the first end of the first side and extending in a direction away from the first end of the first side;
a fourth side connected to a second end of the first side, extending in a direction away from the second end of the first side, and extending in a direction away from the third side;
a fifth side connected to first ends of the third side and the second side; and
Comprising a cross-section including the fourth side and a sixth side connected to a second end of the second side,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to claim 21,
The fifth side and the sixth side are parallel to each other, and the third side and the fourth side are each the first side; 2nd side; Fifth side; and a length shorter than each of the sixth sides,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method of claim 21 or 22,
wherein the third side and/or the fourth side comprises the at least one air inlet,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23,
The plenum chamber includes a main chamber and at least one entrance chamber.
Body for an aerosol delivery system. According to clause 24,
the at least one inlet chamber includes a first inlet chamber on a first side of the plenum chamber and a second inlet chamber on a second side of the plenum chamber;
The main chamber is located between the first inlet chamber and the second inlet chamber,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 25,
wherein the plenum chamber is configured to be covered and/or at least partially defined by the cartridge when the cartridge engages a portion of the plenum chamber.
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 26,
The receptacle further includes an outer chamber between the at least one air inlet and the plenum chamber, the outer chamber extending around the plenum chamber, the outer chamber coupled to the cartridge received by the receptacle. Comprising at least one cartridge support portion configured to,
Body for an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 27,
wherein the receptacle further comprises at least one electrode configured to supply power to a cartridge housed in the receptacle when in use.
Body for an aerosol delivery system. 29. An aerosol delivery system comprising a body according to any one of claims 1 to 28,
The aerosol delivery system further includes a cartridge configured to retain an aerosolizable material for aerosolizing into an aerosol, wherein when the cartridge is coupled to a portion of the plenum chamber, the air flow is configured to allow passage of air from the plenum chamber into the inlet of the cartridge,
Aerosol delivery system. According to clause 29,
Each air inlet of the receptacle is configured to extend through a wall of the receptacle in a longitudinal direction that is not parallel to the longitudinal direction of the air inlet of the cartridge when the receptacle receives the cartridge.
Aerosol delivery system. 1. A method of directing air flow through an aerosol delivery system, comprising:
causing an air flow to pass through at least one air inlet of the body of the aerosol delivery system;
delivering the air flow from the at least one air inlet into a plenum chamber of the body; and
Directing the air flow from the plenum chamber into an air inlet of a cartridge coupled to a portion of the plenum chamber.
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. According to claim 31,
delivering the air flow from the at least one air inlet into a receptacle of the body, the receptacle being configured to releasably receive the cartridge, the receptacle comprising the plenum chamber; and
Directing the air flow from the receptacle into a plenum chamber of the body,
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. According to clause 32,
delivering the air flow from the at least one air inlet into an external chamber of the receptacle; and
further comprising transferring the air flow from the external chamber into the plenum chamber,
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33,
The at least one air inlet includes a first air inlet and a second air inlet, and directing the air flow from the at least one air inlet into a plenum chamber of the main body comprising:
delivering a first portion of the air flow from the first inlet into the plenum chamber; and
delivering a second portion of the air flow from the second inlet into the plenum chamber,
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. According to clause 34,
Directing a first portion of the air flow from the first inlet into the plenum chamber comprises:
delivering a first part of the first portion of the air flow from the first inlet into a first inlet orifice of the plenum chamber; and
delivering a second part of the first portion of the air flow from the first inlet into a second inlet orifice of the plenum chamber;
Directing a second portion of the air flow from the second inlet into the plenum chamber comprising:
delivering a first part of the second portion of the air flow from the second inlet into a first inlet orifice of the plenum chamber; and
delivering a second portion of the second portion of the air flow from the second inlet into a second inlet orifice of the plenum chamber.
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 35,
There is no direct line of sight between each air inlet and the interior of the plenum chamber.
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 36,
A surface of the plenum chamber located below the air inlet of the cartridge when the cartridge is engaged against a portion of the plenum chamber is unfeatured.
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 37,
A surface of the plenum chamber located below the air inlet of the cartridge when the cartridge is engaged against a portion of the plenum chamber is flat,
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 38,
A surface of the plenum chamber located below the air inlet of the cartridge when the cartridge is engaged against a portion of the plenum chamber is smooth,
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 39,
The plenum chamber includes a line of symmetry,
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. 40. At least in cases where it is further dependent on paragraph 35,
The line of symmetry passes through each inlet orifice,
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 41,
further comprising a minimum gap of 3 mm between the plenum chamber and each air inlet,
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 42,
Directing the air flow from the plenum chamber into the air inlet of the cartridge further comprises redirecting the air flow from the plenum chamber into the air inlet of the cartridge through an angle of 90 degrees.
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 43,
Directing the flow of air from the at least one air inlet into a plenum chamber of the body comprises directing the flow of air from the at least one air inlet to at least one electrode configured to power the cartridge in use. and then delivering this air flow into a plenum chamber of the body.
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 44,
Directing the air flow from the at least one air inlet into the plenum chamber of the body may include redirecting a portion of the air flow from the at least one air inlet such that a portion of the air flow impinges on the receptacle wall. directing from the receptacle wall to the plenum chamber;
wherein the receptacle wall defines a receptacle releasably receiving the cartridge, the receptacle comprising the plenum chamber.
A method of directing airflow through an aerosol delivery system.