WO2021089656A1

WO2021089656A1 - A cartridge for an electronic cigarette

Info

Publication number: WO2021089656A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/081026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Glenn Harrison; Kyle ADAIR
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2019-11-07
Filing date: 2020-11-05
Publication date: 2021-05-14

Abstract

A cartridge (12) for an electronic cigarette (1) comprises a housing (22) configured to contain a vapor generating liquid and a connecting portion (24) configured to mechanically connect to a cartridge seating (10) of the electronic cigarette (1) and to fluidically connect to a vaporizing unit (16) of the electronic cigarette (1). The housing (22) is collapsible and is configured to deform from an initial shape in response to an increasing negative pressure as liquid is depleted from the cartridge (12) and to at least partly return to its initial shape such that liquid present in a heating block of the vaporizing unit (16) can flow back into the cartridge (12).

Description

A CARTRIDGE FOR AN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic cigarettes, and in particular to a liquid-containing cartridge for an electronic cigarette. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic cigarette comprising such a cartridge and a micro- electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) vaporizing unit.

Technical Background The term electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is usually applied to a handheld electronic device that simulates the feeling or experience of smoking tobacco in a traditional cigarette. Common e-cigarettes work by heating an aerosol-generating liquid to generate a vapor that cools and condenses to form an aerosol which is then inhaled by the user.

Accordingly, using e-cigarettes is also sometimes referred to as “vaping”. The aerosol-generating liquid in the electronic cigarette usually comprises nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin and flavorings. Typical electronic cigarette vaporizers, i.e. systems or sub-systems for vaporizing the liquid, utilize a cotton wick and heating element to produce vapor from liquid stored in a capsule or tank. When a user operates the e-cigarette, liquid that has soaked into the wick is heated by the heating element, producing a vapor which cools and condenses to form an aerosol which may then be inhaled. To facilitate the ease of use of e-cigarettes, cartridges are often used. These cartridges are configured as “cartomizers”, which means an integrated component formed from a liquid store, a fluid transfer element (a wick), a heater and electrical connectors to establish a connection between the heating element and the power supply unit. The complexity and numerous components of these traditional cartridges are associated with drawbacks, such as a costly manufacturing process. In view of the above, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an electronic cigarette which comprises a reduced number of components and where the main electrical components can be recycled, re-used and easily maintained by the user.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge for an electronic cigarette, the cartridge comprising a housing configured to contain a vapor generating liquid and a connecting portion configured to mechanically connect to a cartridge seating of the electronic cigarette and to fluidically connect to a vaporizing unit of the electronic cigarette, wherein the housing is collapsible and configured to deform from an initial shape in response to an increasing negative pressure as liquid is depleted from the cartridge, and wherein the housing is configured to at least partly return to its initial shape.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic cigarette comprising a cartridge according to the first aspect and a main body, wherein the main body comprises a micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) vaporizing unit.

The present disclosure is based on a realization that the collapsible cartridge can be configured to transfer liquid to a vaporizing unit and establish a secure fluidic connection and at the same time establish a secure mechanical connection to the cartridge seating. This reduces the need for additional components between the housing (i.e. liquid store) and the vaporizing unit and results in a simplified and recyclable cartridge.

By configuring the housing to at least partly return to its initial shape, liquid present in the vaporizing unit, such as in a heating block of the vaporizing unit (e.g. in microfluidic channels in a heating block of the vaporizing unit), can flow back into the cartridge. This arrangement may allow liquid in the heating block of the vaporizing unit to be sucked back into the cartridge, and is particularly advantageous in the case that the vaporizing unit comprises a MEMS vaporizing unit in which the heating block includes microfluidic channels. With this arrangement, the microfluidic channels can be easily cleaned without any user intervention. As used herein, the term “electronic cigarette” may include an electronic cigarette configured to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for smoking. An aerosol for smoking may refer to an aerosol with particle sizes of 0.5 to 10 pm. The particle size may be less than 10 or 7 pm. The electronic cigarette may be portable.

In general terms, a vapor is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapor can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should, however, be noted that the terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapor’ may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user.

The housing may be deformable in a radial direction. The housing may be deformable in an axial direction, such that it shortens in length. The housing may comprise bellows. This arrangement may provide a controlled deformation of the housing.

The housing may be provided with a shape memory and the shape memory may be configured to expel liquid from the housing. This arrangement may allow liquid to be delivered to the vaporizing unit of the electronic cigarette to prime the vaporizing unit, and is particularly advantageous in the case that the vaporizing unit comprises a MEMS vaporizing unit that includes microfluidic channels. In embodiments in which the housing comprises bellows, a pre-tension in the bellows facilitates the delivery of liquid into the microfluidic channels.

The connecting portion may be sealed by a membrane. The provision of a membrane ensures that the cartridge can be opened only when the cartridge is properly mechanically connected to the cartridge seating of the electronic cigarette. This reduces the user’s exposure to e-liquid. The membrane may be pierceable to permit liquid to flow from the cartridge. The membrane may be positioned inside the connecting portion. By locating the membrane inside the connecting portion, the risk of accidentally opening the membrane, e.g. due to accidental piercing, can be minimized.

The membrane may be resealable. The membrane may comprise a flexible material, for example silicone or rubber. The cartridge can be removed from the electronic cigarette without the risk of liquid leakage by a simple disconnection of the connecting portion from the cartridge seating.

The cartridge may further comprise a peel-off tab. The use of a peel-off tab may further help to eliminate the risk of liquid leakage from the cartridge prior to connecting the connecting portion to the cartridge seating.

The connecting portion may further comprise a second connector which may be configured to hermetically seal against the inner surface of the cartridge seating. The provision of a second connector may further enhance the fluidic connection (e.g. hermetic seal) between the cartridge and the electronic cigarette.

In one configuration, the cartridge may comprise a sealing groove, which may be configured to receive a mating annular seal located in the cartridge seating of the electronic cigarette. In another configuration, the cartridge may comprise an annular seal, which may be configured to be received in a mating sealing groove in the cartridge seating of the electronic cigarette. In both configurations, the cooperation between the sealing groove and annular seal ensures a liquid-tight connection between the cartridge and the electronic cigarette.

The connecting portion may be configured to attach to the cartridge seating of the electronic cigarette in a screwed or bayonet connection. The cartridge can be connected to an electronic cigarette in a simple manner that ensures a liquid-tight connection and enables liquid to be expelled from the cartridge.

The electronic cigarette according to the second aspect may further comprise a biasing member which may be configured to compress the collapsible housing to expel liquid therefrom. This arrangement may facilitate the delivery of liquid from the housing to the vaporizing unit of the electronic cigarette.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1a and 1b are schematic perspective and cross-sectional views respectively of an electronic cigarette according to the present disclosure;

Figures 2a to 2c are schematic views of examples of vaporizing units suitable for use in an electronic cigarette according to the present disclosure;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a cartridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 4a and 4b are schematic cross-sectional views of examples of an electronic cigarette in combination with the cartridge of Figure 3, and in which the flow of vapour through the electronic cigarette is shown diagrammatically by the arrows; Figure 5 shows another exemplary embodiment of a cartridge and vaporizing unit according to the present disclosure, in which the flow of vapour is shown diagrammatically by the arrows;

Figures 6a to 6c illustrate the cartridge of Figures 3 and 4 in different compression states; and

Figures 7a to 7c illustrate another exemplary cartridge of the present disclosure in different compression states.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like features are denoted with the same reference numerals.

Referring to Figures 1a and 1b, there is shown an electronic cigarette 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic cigarette 1 comprises a mouthpiece portion 2, a power supply portion 4 and an exterior housing 5a, 5b. The power supply portion 4 can also be referred to as a main body 4 of the electronic cigarette 1, and is advantageously configured as a re-usable unit. The main body 4 comprises a power supply unit 9 (e.g. a battery) and control circuitry 7 to operate the electronic cigarette 1. The mouthpiece portion 2 comprises a mouthpiece 6 having a vapor outlet 8 for delivering vapor or aerosol to the user and a cartridge seating 10 configured to receive a replaceable cartridge 12 having a liquid store 18. The liquid contained inside the liquid store 18 of the cartridge 12 is preferably configured to generate a visible vapor and may for instance comprise propylene glycol or glycerin and may additionally contain other active ingredients such as nicotine and flavors.

The mouthpiece portion 2 can be provided with a separate mouthpiece housing 5a which is configured to connect to a separable main body housing 5b of the main body 4. In an embodiment, the mouthpiece portion 2 and the main body portion 4 are connectable to each other by a releasable connection 14. The releasable connection 14 can be for example a threaded connection or a bayonet connection.

The electronic cigarette 1 further comprises a vaporizing unit 16 configured to vaporize the liquid from the liquid store 18 by heating the liquid to a temperature at which vaporization occurs (typically between 190°C and 290°C).

As illustrated in Figure 2a, in an embodiment the vaporizing unit 16 may be a flat component having a layered structure with open channels 50 formed between a first (e.g. top) surface S1 and a second (e.g. bottom) surface S2 of the vaporizing unit 16. The first surface S1 of the vaporizing unit 16 is fluidically connected to the liquid store 18 (shown diagrammatically by the arrow in Figure 2a) and the second surface S2 is configured as a vaporization/evaporation surface enabling the vapor to leave the surface of the vaporizing unit 16. The first surface S1 and the second surface S2 may be positioned at a distance from each other by at least one spacer element 53. The channels 50 can be heated by resistive heating elements 52 which are embedded at a distance of thermal contact with the liquid channels 50.

In another embodiment shown in Figure 2b, the channels 50 can be configured as tubular (closed) channels 50 arranged inside a block-shaped substrate 54. The channels 50 can be heated along their entire length. The vaporizing unit 16 may be formed from electrically conductive material, which can be heated up in segments or heated up in its entirety. Alternatively, the channels 50 may be heated only at their outlets 56.

In yet another embodiment shown in Figure 2c, the channels 50 may alternatively be formed by plates 58. The plates 58 are provided at a distance d from each other such that a capillary gap is created, and liquid can be drawn into the channels 50 as shown diagrammatically by the arrow in Figure 2c. The plates 58 may be heatable and can be provided in a high-resistivity material such as Titanium or an alloy thereof.

The plates 58 can be provided with a first end 60 configured for electrical connection to the electrical circuit of the power supply unit 9 and a second end 62 comprising an elongate extension of the plates 58. The plates may be held together as a stack by an insulating element (not shown). The stacked structure can be easily assembled as plates stacked side-by-side. This enables small channels 50 to be formed in a simple manufacturing process and with high precision.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the liquid store 18 is configured as a liquid cartridge 12 which excludes the vaporizing unit 16. This has the advantage that the structure of the cartridge 12 is simple and economical to produce and can also be more easily recycled due to a more homogenous material construction (no metals included). The cartridge 12 further comprises a connecting portion 24 configured to fluidically connect to a vaporizing unit 16, for example as previously described with reference to Figures 2a to 2c.

The cartridge 12 comprises a collapsible housing 22, configured to deform in response to an increased negative pressure caused by depletion of liquid from the cartridge 12. Hence, the volume of the liquid store 18 is variable, and may depend on the amount of liquid present in the liquid store 18. This maintains a consistent flow of liquid from the cartridge 12 and avoids the need to replace the dispensed liquid with air.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the collapsible housing 22 is deformable in the axial direction, such that it shortens in length. The collapsible housing 22 can comprise bellows as illustrated, which enable the collapsible housing 22 to act as a resilient member. The collapsible housing can have a spring constant k in the axial direction of the cartridge 12. One or more of the pitch P, amplitude Ab and the wall thickness t of the cartridge 12 can be varied to achieve a desired spring constant k of the bellow-shaped collapsible housing 22. The spring constant k is advantageously selected so that the collapsible housing 22 deforms in response to the negative pressure in the liquid store 18 as liquid is depleted from the liquid store 18.

The connection between the cartridge 12 and the vaporizing unit 16 is preferably hermetic. This enables a better control the liquid transfer to the vaporizing unit 16 and reduces the presence of stray liquid in the cartridge seating 10. The connection may comprise a sealing surface 40 (best seen in Figure 3) and/or sealing element such as an annular seal 42 (or O-ring). The sealing surface 40 may also be provided as a coating surrounding the cartridge seating 10. In a preferred embodiment, the hermetic connection further includes a fastener arrangement. The connection may be a rotation lock, such as a threaded connection driven into engagement by a rotating movement.

The cartridge seating 10 may further comprise a liquid distribution cavity 45 which is configured to receive liquid from the cartridge 12 and divert the liquid into the liquid channels 50 of the vaporizing unit 16. This ensures a hermetic seal between the liquid outlet of the liquid cartridge 12 and the plurality of channels 50.

In other embodiments as shown in Figures 7a to 7c, the cartridge 12 may be formed with an elastic housing 22. The liquid store 18 may therefore comprise an elastic bladder or pouch, wherein the elasticity of the wall of the bladder or pouch enables the liquid store 18 to reduce in volume as liquid is depleted from the liquid store 18.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 5, the connecting portion 24 of the cartridge 12 may comprise a groove 66, configured to connect with a mating annular seal 68 located in the cartridge seating 10 of the electronic cigarette 1. In a further embodiment, the cartridge 12 may comprise a connecting portion 24 provided with an area of higher flexibility such that it can be compressed in the radial direction and achieve a liquid-tight connection to the corresponding connecting portion in the cartridge seating 10 of the electronic cigarette 1.

As illustrated in Figures 6a to 6c and 7a to 7c, the cartridge housing 22 can be set into different states, including overpressure (Figures 6a and 7a), equilibrium (Figures 6b and 7b) and under pressure (Figures 6c and 7c). The inventors have found that these stages are particularly advantageous when using a vaporizing unit 16 provided with microfluidic vaporization channels 50, such as a MEMS vaporizing unit 16.

The housing 22 is provided with an equilibrium state, which corresponds to a shape memory of the housing 22 when the liquid store 18 is empty. This is the shape, and i.e. the resting position of the liquid cartridge 12, that the housing 22 strives to get back to when no other forces are acting on the cartridge 12, and is illustrated in Figures 6b and 7b.

It is desirable to be able to prime the microfluidic channels 50 in a MEMS-type vaporizing unit 16 in order to avoid the presence of “dry hits” and bad taste, because the microfluidic channels 50 typically take longer to prime than traditional cotton and silica wicks that have commonly been used in prior art electronic cigarettes. This will create a more satisfactory experience for the user, who tends to immediately activate the vaporizing unit 16 after replacing the liquid cartridge 12.

The collapsible cartridge housing 22 is, therefore, preferably filled to an overpressure as illustrated in Figures 6a and 7a. Hence, the pressure difference makes the liquid flow out and fill the microfluidic channels 50 when the cartridge 12 is initially connected to the cartridge seating 10. This results in an instantaneous higher liquid flow or “burst” when the cartridge 12 is initially opened.

The shape memory also enables a reverse flow of liquid from the microfluidic channels 50 of the vaporizing unit 16 and back into the liquid store 18. This occurs because the volume of the liquid store 18 can be reduced to a volume that is substantially equal to the equilibrium state. This causes the liquid store 18 to generate a reverse flow once the hermetic seal between the collapsible cartridge housing 22 and the cartridge seating 10 is broken. This creates a cleaning effect on the microfluidic channels 50 such that liquid and potentially any debris present in the channels 50 is inspired and transferred back into the liquid store 18, and can be disposed as the cartridge 12 is replaced. This cleaning operation is also advantageous to avoid mixing of flavors if, for instance, the user desires to change from a first flavor to a second flavor and wants to avoid any flavor contamination.

The reverse liquid flow can be achieved by configuring the connecting portion 24 between the cartridge 12 and the cartridge seating 10 such that the connection is overcome at a negative pressure threshold Pt when the cartridge 12 is depleted. This will cause the cartridge 12 to suddenly disconnect and inspire a burst of liquid and air. Alternatively, the connection can be broken as the user disconnects the cartridge 12 from the cartridge seating 10, for example by turning the cartridge 12.

As illustrated in Figure 4b, the electronic cigarette 1 may further comprise a liquid expelling mechanism 30 configured to deform the cartridge 12 and increase the flow rate of liquid from the cartridge 12. The cartridge seating 10 may therefore be provided with a biasing member 32, such as a compression spring, as the liquid expelling mechanism 30 that is configured to exert a force Fc in the deformation direction of the cartridge 12. To achieve a substantially uniform flow of liquid from the liquid store 18, the shape of the liquid cartridge 12 can be configured to comprise a plurality of compression zones with different deformation behavior. For example, the compression force from the biasing member 32 may be greatest when the cartridge is in its initial length (at the beginning of use) and may reduce as the volume of liquid in the liquid store 18 decreases.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the cartridge seating 10 is preferably configured to open the cartridge 12 only when it is hermetically seated in the cartridge seating 10. The connecting portion 24 of the liquid cartridge 12 may comprise a pierceable surface or membrane 26 such that it can be introduced into the cartridge seating 10 of the electronic cigarette without the risk of liquid leaking out. The membrane 26 may be resealable such that it closes when the cartridge 12 is disconnected from the cartridge seating 10. The membrane 26 may comprise a flexible material such as silicone or rubber. The membrane 26 can be placed flush with the connecting portion 24 outlet, or inside a tubular connection of the connecting portion 24. The cartridge seating 10 may thus comprise a piercing member 70, configured to open the cartridge 12 by piercing the membrane 26, when the cartridge 12 is properly seated in the cartridge seating 10. The cartridge 12 may also comprise a peel-off tab (not shown) to further reduce the risk of leakage from the connecting portion 24 before the cartridge 12 is used.

The skilled person will realize that the present disclosure is by no means is limited to the described exemplary embodiments. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Moreover, the expression "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps. Other non-limiting expressions include that "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality and that a single unit may fulfil the functions of several means. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. Finally, while the disclosure has been illustrated in detail in the drawings and in the foregoing description, such illustration and description is considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. A cartridge (12) for an electronic cigarette (1), the cartridge (12) comprising a housing (22) configured to contain a vapor generating liquid and a connecting portion (24) configured to mechanically connect to a cartridge seating (10) of the electronic cigarette (1) and to fluidically connect to a vaporizing unit (16) of the electronic cigarette (1), wherein the housing (22) is collapsible and configured to deform from an initial shape in response to an increasing negative pressure as liquid is depleted from the cartridge (12), and wherein the housing (22) is configured to at least partly return to its initial shape.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the housing (22) is deformable in a radial direction.

3. The cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing (22) is deformable in an axial direction, such that it shortens in length.

4. The cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing (22) comprises bellows.

5. The cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing (22) is provided with a shape memory, wherein the shape memory is configured to expel liquid from the housing (22).

6. The cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting portion (24) is sealed by a membrane (26).

7. The cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the membrane (26) is positioned inside the connecting portion (24).

8. The cartridge according to the claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the membrane (26) is resealable.

9. The cartridge according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the membrane (26) comprises a flexible material such as silicone or rubber.

10. The cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge (12) further comprises a peel-off tab.

11. The cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting portion (24) further comprises a second connector, configured to hermetically seal against the inner surface of a cartridge seating (10).

12. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the cartridge (12) comprises a sealing groove (66), configured to receive a mating annular seal (68) located in the cartridge seating (10) of the electronic cigarette (1).

13. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the cartridge comprises an annular seal, configured to be received in a mating sealing groove in the cartridge seating (10) of the electronic cigarette (1).

14. The cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting portion (24) is configured to attach to the cartridge seating (10) of the electronic cigarette (1) in a screwed or bayonet connection.

15. An electronic cigarette (1) comprising a cartridge (12) according to any one of the preceding claims and a main body (4), wherein the main body (4) comprises a micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) vaporizing unit (16).

16. The electronic cigarette according to claim 15, further comprising a biasing member (32) configured to compress the collapsible housing (22) to expel liquid therefrom.