WO2022018649A1 - A cartridge for a heating apparatus for smoking material - Google Patents

A cartridge for a heating apparatus for smoking material Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022018649A1
WO2022018649A1 PCT/IB2021/056573 IB2021056573W WO2022018649A1 WO 2022018649 A1 WO2022018649 A1 WO 2022018649A1 IB 2021056573 W IB2021056573 W IB 2021056573W WO 2022018649 A1 WO2022018649 A1 WO 2022018649A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
septum
flange
cartridge
smoking material
compartment
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2021/056573
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Dario LISCIANDRA
Alberto Pio FISCI
Original Assignee
Wires S.R.L.S.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wires S.R.L.S. filed Critical Wires S.R.L.S.
Publication of WO2022018649A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022018649A1/en

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Classifications

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

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to cartridges for heating apparatuses for smoking material, hereby defining those kinds of apparatus which substitute traditional cigarettes and which are known in the field as "heat-not-burn” devices, i.e. devices substituting traditional cigarettes which are configured for heating smoking material, typically tobacco, without enabling the combustion thereof.
  • the electronic cigarette devices which are currently known and commercially available may be classified into two categories having diametrally opposite features.
  • a first category consists in the devices commonly known as "vaping" devices, i.e. devices substituting a traditional cigarette wherein the smoking material is a flavoured liquid which is adapted to generate an aerosol, and which is stored in a vial or a reservoir which is inserted into the device.
  • the device comprises an atomizer, which is basically a resistive element configured for heating a wick of capillary elements adapted to drain the liquid from the vial or reservoir through capillarity.
  • the resistive element is heated via Joule heating, the liquid stored in the capillary elements (specifically in the portion which contacts the heating element) is vaporized and gets suspended in the air flow created by the user's inhaling action, thereby generating an aerosol.
  • the advantage of this first category of devices substantially consists in the possibility of flavouring at will the liquid constituting the smoking material, therefore offering the user a very wide range of essences and flavours which may not be obtained by flavouring a smoking material which is already very aromatic in itself, such as tobacco.
  • a further advantage consists in the possibility of modulating the amount of nicotine present in the smoking material, which also comprises the option of omitting nicotine altogether.
  • the atomizer in such devices degrades very rapidly, because the interaction between the heating element and the wick of capillary elements leads to the formation of gunk and sludge which jeopardize the atomizer operation, with the undesirable consequence of requiring regular substitutions of the atomizer as a whole.
  • the second category of devices consists in the devices substituting traditional cigarettes which are configured for heating a cartridge of smoking material, typically tobacco, without leading to the combustion thereof.
  • Such devices are usually denoted as "heat-not- burn” devices, and comprise a resistive element which typically consists of a ceramic plate.
  • Such devices of the advantages of a haptic feedback (the feeling experienced by the user when he takes the device, specifically an interface portion of the cartridge, to his/her lips is very similar to that of a conventional cigarette) and of a simplicity of use which are more similar to a traditional cigarette.
  • haptic feedback the feeling experienced by the user when he takes the device, specifically an interface portion of the cartridge, to his/her lips is very similar to that of a conventional cigarette
  • Such devices are fundamentally based on the use of tobacco as a smoking material. This seriously limits the flavouring possibilities of the smoking material (and makes it impossible to modulate the amount of nicotine), because the flavour of tobacco often covers every artificial flavouring.
  • the object of the invention consists in providing a cartridge for a heating device for smoking material which may offer the user the same haptic experience as traditional cigarette smoking (and the same simplicity of use), while at the same time allowing for any flavouring of the smoking material, and while offering the possibility of choosing the amount of nicotine, without incurring in the problem of degradation of the device itself.
  • Figure 1 is a partially cut-away view of a cartridge according to a first embodiment of the invention, inserted into a "heat-not-burn" heating apparatus,
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded and partially cut-away view of the cartridge in Figure 1
  • Figure 3A and Figure 3B respectively show a perspective view and a longitudinal section view of a component of the cartridge according to the first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 4A and Figure 4B are similar to Figures 3A and 3B, but they refer to a second embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 5A and 5B are similar to Figures 3A, 4A and 3B, 4B, but they refer to a third embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 6A, 6B respectively show a perspective view and a plan view (along arrow VI-B in Figure 6A) of a cartridge component according to a fourth embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a cartridge component according to a fifth embodiment of the invention
  • Figures 8A and 8B respectively show a perspective view and a plan view of a cartridge component according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 shows a perspective view and a side view (along arrow IX-B) of a cartridge component according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.
  • Reference number 1 in Figure 1 and in Figure 2 designates as a whole a cartridge for a heating apparatus for smoking material according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • cartridge 1 is shown inserted into a heat-not-burn heating apparatus S, which is provided with a heating element H in the form of a flat plate.
  • cartridge 1 comprises a smoking material storage portion 2 and an interface portion 4, configured for the interaction with the user.
  • the interface portion 4 is specifically the portion adapted to contact the user's mouth, and may include, according to the embodiments, either a sequence of a heat exchange element and a filter element, or a filter element only. Further details will be given in the description below.
  • the embodiments differ from one another essentially in the structure of the storage portion 2. For this reason, Figures 3 to 9 annexed to the present description essentially show the component(s) of the storage portion 2 which are modified. This implies that each embodiment will be dealt with while resorting to consistent reference numbers, which will simply add a hundred units from one embodiment to another.
  • Figures 1, 2, 3 show a first embodiment of the invention associated with reference number 1, wherein the storage portion 2 of cartridge 1 comprises a support element 6 configured for housing a substrate for smoking material SM, which according to the invention comprises a plurality of capillary elements arranged to form a wick and soaked in an aerosol liquid which constitutes the smoking material.
  • SM substrate for smoking material
  • Support element 6 includes a septum 8 which extends in a longitudinal direction of the storage portion 2, defined by a longitudinal axis XI of cartridge 1.
  • a first flange 10 is arranged at a first end of septum 8, and a second flange 12 is arranged at a second end of septum 8, opposite to the end where flange 10 is located along the direction defined by axis XI.
  • Septum 8 defines a compartment C8 configured for receiving the heating element H, as can be seen in Figure 1.
  • the compartment C8 is essentially shaped as a sheath adapted to house element H, in a condition wherein the coupling of the heating element takes play a minimal play, which is only provided to enable insertion.
  • Compartment C8 is defined by a pair of opposite walls A8, B8 of septum 8, which are arranged parallel to each other, spaced by a distance W, and which are fixed to flanges 10, 12 along two opposite sides of the periphery of the apertures of compartment C8 in correspondence of the flanges.
  • compartment Cl is continuous, i.e. it extends without interruptions from the first end to the second end of septum 8 and it open in correspondence of both flanges 10, 12. Modifications are possible wherein compartment C8 is closed in correspondence of flange 12, while remaining open in correspondence of flange 10 to enable the insertion of heating element H.
  • both septum 8 and flanges 10, 12 have an apertured structure, i.e. they are traversed by a plurality of through apertures 8H.
  • both walls A8, B8 of septum 8 are traversed by through apertures 8H, which are preferably arranged in a quincunx pattern or in the nodes of a square-mesh lattice, while flanges 10, 12 are traversed by a plurality of through apertures respectively denoted by reference numbers 10H, 12H.
  • reference SM denotes as a whole the substrate of smoking material housed in support element 6.
  • the substrate of smoking material is preferably arranged into two distinct portions located on opposite sides of septum 8, bridging the latter and heating element H.
  • Each portion of substrate SM is configured as a semicylindrical wick, made of capillary elements which are oriented parallel to axis XI and are soaked in an aerosol liquid which constitutes the smoking material.
  • Each semicylindrical wick is housed in the portion of the support element 6 included between wall A8 or B8 and the respective flange portion 10 and 12 facing towards wall A8, B8.
  • the capillary elements of each of both semicylindrical wicks would not be able by themselves to ensure shape stability, especially when they are soaked in liquid, but this is made up for by the flanges 10, 12 and the septum 8, which act as containment and shape retaining means both during the storage of cartridge 1 in a packaging for sale and during the operation of apparatus S.
  • the cartridge 1, in all presently shown embodiments, may be assembled in a layered structure, wherein the assembly of the support element 6 and the (double) substrate of smoking material SM is coated by a first sheet wrapping 14, preferably of a metal material, specifically aluminium, which extends axially along the whole storage portion 2.
  • the assembly of storage portion 2 and interface portion 4 is in turn wrapped in a second sheet wrapping 16, preferably of a paper material.
  • a third sheet wrapping 18, again made of paper material, may be provided at the end of the interface portion 4 opposite to storage portion 2, so as to cover the region which will contact the user's lips.
  • interface portion 4 includes either a single filter element 20 extending along axis XI throughout the extension of interface portion 4, or else a sequence including a heat exchange element and a filter element, wherein the heat exchange element is located near the storage portion 2, while the filter element is located near the heat exchange element, so as to include the latter between the storage portion 2 and the element itself.
  • the interface portion 4 it is always a hollow structure. Modifications are however possible wherein the interface portion has a solid structure.
  • the cartridge 1 is inserted into a housing of heating apparatus S (which is implemented in a way known in itself: indeed, cartridge 1 is preferably adapted to operate with commercially available apparatuses S) in such a way as to locate the inlet of heating element H into compartment C8 in a position comprised between walls A8 and B8.
  • the heating apparatus S is therefore activated in such a way as to perform a Joule effect heating H.
  • the heat flow radiating from element H heats the structure of support element 6 and substrate SM, therefore gradually causing the evaporation of the aerosol liquid wherein the capillary elements of substrate SM are soaked.
  • the apertured structure of both flanges 10, 12 ensures an axial permeability of the storage portion with respect to the inhaling action of the user, and specifically ensures that the aerosol generated by the evaporation of the smoking material and by the transport thereof into the inhaling flow may leave the storage portion 2 without difficulty, heading towards the interface portion 4, the hollow structure whereof further favours flow with a reduced inhaling effort.
  • the storage portion may be subjected to the simultaneous presence of three main aerosol flows, denoted by references FI, F2, F3 in Figure 3B and shown partially (only due to the section view representation) in the view of Figure 2.
  • Flow FI takes place within compartment C8 and exhibits a smaller flow rate (of air and aerosol as a whole) than flows F2 and F3, which on the contrary run in substrate SM from opposite parts of septum 8.
  • Flows FI, F2, F3 have a common origin from air inhalation by the user through the apertured structure of flange 10, and they divide immediately downstream.
  • Flows FI, F2 and F3 leave storage portion 2 - while by traversing the latter they absorb liquid, therefore generating the aerosol inhaled by the user - and they keep the same division in space while flowing through a part of interface portion 4, within which an unavoidable mixing may take place.
  • the advantages connected with the use of a heat-not-burn device are complemented with the advantages typical of the devices employing liquid smoking material with an atomizer.
  • the cartridge 1 may be flavoured with any liquid essence filled into substrate SM (and with any amount of nicotine, which in this case is only a further component of the smoking material) without requiring a contact atomizer, and therefore eliminating any problem of degradation in the atomizer as described in the introduction to the present description.
  • cartridge 1 comprises a support element 106.
  • the cartridge 1 according to the second embodiment of the invention retains all the features which have already been described with reference to the first embodiment in Figures 1 to 3, including the layered structure of Figure 2, while only differing in the (internal) structure of storage portion 2.
  • a first flange 110 is arranged at a first end of a septum 108 extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, and a second flange 112 is arranged at a second end of septum 108, opposite to the end where flange 110 is located along the direction defined by axis XI.
  • Septum 108 defines a compartment C108 adapted to receive the heating element H, as already shown in Figure 1.
  • Compartment C108 has exactly the same general geometry and structure as compartment C8, being substantially shaped as a sheath adapted to receive element H.
  • compartment C108 is defined by a pair of opposite walls A108, B108 which have no through apertures and which are arranged parallel to each other, spaced by a distance W, and fixed to flanges 110, 112 along two opposite sides of the periphery of the apertures of compartment C108 in correspondence of the flanges.
  • Compartment C108 preferably has a through structure, i.e. it extends continuously from the first end to the second end of septum 108, and is open in correspondence of both flanges 110, 112; as a matter of fact, as walls A108, B108 are deprived of apertures, it is necessary for the septum to exhibit an axial permeability, in order to ensure cooling of the heating element H.
  • Flanges 110, 112 have the same apertured structure as already described for flanges 10, 12, being traversed by a plurality of through apertures which are respectively denoted by reference numbers 110H, 112H: in this way it is possible to retain the axial permeability of the support element and generally of the storage portion 2.
  • the substrate of smoking material SM is preferably arranged in two distinct portions, located on opposite sides of septum 108, bridging the same and the heating element
  • Each portion of substrate SM is configured as a semicylindrical wick made of capillary elements which are oriented parallel to axis XI and which are soaked in an aerosol liquid which is the smoking material.
  • Each semicylindrical wick is housed in the portion of support element 106, in a space defined between wall A108 or B108 and the respective portion of flange 110 or 112 facing towards wall A108, B108.
  • the distribution of flows FI, F2, F3 in the storage portion is substantially similar to what has already been described for the first embodiment, but flow FI may be considered substantially free from aerosol, because the walls A108, B108, having no apertures, prevent an exchange of material between compartment C108 and substrate SM. Therefore, the walls A108, B108 essentially act as extensions of heating element H being in direct contact with substrate SM, therefore heating the smoking material and generating the aerosol, which leaves the storage portion through flange 112.
  • cartridge 1 in a third embodiment of the invention includes a support element 206.
  • the cartridge 1 according to the third embodiment of the invention retains all the features already described with reference to the first embodiment in Figures 1 to 3, including the layered structure of Figure 2, while only differing in the (internal) structure of storage portion 2.
  • a first flange 210 is arranged at a first end of a septum 208 extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, and a second flange 212 is arranged at a second end of septum 208, opposite to the end where flange 210 is located, along the direction defined by axis XI.
  • Septum 208 defines a compartment C208 adapted to receive the heating element H, as already shown in Figure 1.
  • Compartment C208 has the same general geometry and structure as compartment C8, being substantially shaped as a sheath for housing element H.
  • septum C208 is defined by a pair of opposite walls A208, B208 having an apertured structure, i.e. being traversed by a plurality of through apertures 208H arranged in a quincunx pattern or in a square-mesh lattice.
  • Walls A208, B208 are arranged parallel to each other, spaced by a distance W, and fixed to the flanges 110, 112 along two opposite sides of the periphery of the apertures of compartment C208, in correspondence of the flanges.
  • Compartment C208 may be configured with a through structure, i.e. extending continuously from the first end to the second end of septum 208 and being open in correspondence of both flanges 210, 212, or else it may be configured blind in correspondence of flange 212.
  • Flanges 210, 212 retain the apertured structure which has already been described with reference to flanges 10, 12, being traversed by a plurality of through apertures which are respectively denoted by reference numbers 210H, 212H; however, unlike the previous constructions, the through apertures on flanges 210, 212 not only ensure the axial permeability of the storage portion, but they also serve as inlet (210) and outlet (210) openings, respectively, for bundles of porous hollow elements 213 arranged parallel to axis XI and immersed in the substrate of smoking material SM, always including capillary elements soaked in an aerosol liquid as smoking material. The latter is shaped with a geometry similar to what has already been described, except for a smaller total volume despite the same size of support element 206, because of the need to accommodate the porous hollow elements 213.
  • substrate SM consists in two semicylindrical elements, starting from a bundle of porous hollow elements 213 around which a bundle of capillary elements SM is wound or arranged, in such a way as to form a semicylindrical element which is housed on one side of septum 208 in a position located between flanges 210, 212. While forming substrate SM, the position of the bundle of porous hollow elements 213 is chosen as coincident with the position of the holes 212H, 210H when the support element 206 is assembled.
  • the third embodiment is characterized by a path of flows F2 and F3 which runs exclusively within the porous hollow elements 213, because the axial permeability is not present elsewhere.
  • the aerosol which is formed by mixing the air inhaled by the user with the liquid heated by element H may only flow within the porous hollow elements 213, and therefore the liquid suspended in the air flow F2 or F3 penetrates the porous walls of elements 213 being driven by the slight vacuum created by the flow of air drawn within elements 213.
  • a cartridge 1 according to the third embodiment of Figure 5 has a better aerosol yield, because the amount of aerosol which may be imprisoned in the substrate of capillary elements SM is physiologically reduced.
  • a fourth embodiment of cartridge 1 includes a support element 306.
  • Figures 6A, 6B substantially comprises a modification of the support element 106.
  • the support element 306 includes a first flange 310, arranged at a first end of a septum 308, and a second flange 312 arranged at a second end of septum 308, extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, opposite to the end where flange 310 is located along the direction defined by axis XI.
  • Septum 308 defines a compartment C308 adapted to receive the heating element H, as already shown in Figure 1.
  • Compartment C308 is substantially shaped as a sheath adapted to house element H, and is defined by a pair of opposite walls A308, B308 which have no through apertures and which are arranged in parallel to each other, spaced by a distance W, and fixed to the flanges 310, 312 along two opposite sides of the periphery of the apertures of compartment C308 in correspondence of the flanges.
  • Compartment C308 differs from compartment C108 substantially because it is traversed by a plurality mutually parallel axial grooves 315, the concavity whereof faces inwards of compartment C308, while a convex backside of grooves 315 faces outwards of septum 308, thereby forming a plurality of reliefs on the external surface of walls A308 and B308.
  • Compartment C308 preferably has a through structure, i.e. it extends continuously from the first end to the second end of septum 308 and is open in correspondence of both flanges 310, 312.
  • Flanges 310, 312 have the same apertured structure already described for flanges 110, 112, being traversed by a plurality of through apertures respectively denoted by the reference numbers 310H, 312H: this enables keeping the axial permeability of the support element and more generally of storage portion 2.
  • the substrate of smoking material SM is preferably arranged in two distinct portions located on opposite sides of septum 308, bridging the same and the heating element
  • Each portion of substrate SM is configured as a semicylindrical wick of capillary elements, which are oriented parallel to axis XI and are soaked in an aerosol liquid which constitutes the smoking material.
  • Each semicylindrical wick is housed in the portion of support element 306 in the space between wall A308 or B308 and the respective flange portion 310 or 312 which faces towards wall A308, B308.
  • the support element 306 it is possible to achieve an enhanced cooling of element H within compartment C308 by the air flow FI, thanks to the bigger volume of the compartment due to the grooves 315.
  • the operation is the same as already described for the cartridge 1 equipped with support element 106.
  • a fifth embodiment of cartridge 1 according to the invention comprises a support element denoted by reference number 406.
  • a first flange 410 is arranged at a first end of a septum 408 extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, and a second flange 412 is arranged at a second end of septum 408, opposite to the end where flange 410 is located along the direction defined by axis XI.
  • the septum 408 defines a compartment C408 adapted to receive the heating element H, as can be seen in Figure 1.
  • Compartment C408 is configured exactly as compartment C8, and it is substantially shaped as a sheath adapted to receive element H.
  • Compartment C408 is defined by a pair of opposite walls A408, B408 of septum 408, which are arranged parallel to each other, spaced by a distance W, and fixed to the flanges 410, 412 along two opposite sides of the periphery of the apertures of compartment C408 in correspondence of the flanges.
  • compartment C408 has a through structure, i.e. it extends continuously from the first end to the second end of septum 408, and is open in correspondence of both flanges 410, 412. Modifications are possible wherein compartment C408 is closed in correspondence of flange 412, while remaining open in correspondence of flange 410 to enable the insertion of heating element H.
  • both septum 408 and flanges 410, 412 have an apertured structure, i.e. they are traversed by a plurality of through apertures.
  • both walls A408, B408 of septum 408 are traversed by through apertures 408H, preferably arranged in a quincunx pattern or as the nodes of a square-mesh lattice, while flanges 410, 412 are traversed by a plurality of through apertures respectively denoted by the reference numbers 410H, 412H.
  • the substrate of smoking material SM is preferably arranged in two distinct portions, located on opposite sides of septum 408, bridging the same and heating element H.
  • Each portion of substrate SM is configured as a semicylindrical wick of capillary elements, which are oriented parallel to axis XI and are soaked in an aerosol liquid, which constitutes the smoking material.
  • Each semicylindrical wick is housed in the portion of support element 306 between the wall A408 or B408 and the respective portion of flange 410 e 412 facing towards wall A408, B408.
  • the distribution of the holes 410H and 412H on the flanges 410 and 412 is chosen in such a way as to accommodate the arrangement of grooves 415 in a radial direction (in the present exemplary case having a cruciform arrangement) on flange 410.
  • the grooves 415 may moreover be traversed by holes 410H and 412H, in a modification of the embodiment of Figure 7, so as to increase the flow rate of flows F2-F3.
  • grooves 415 have a concavity facing outwards of support element 406, and a convexity facing inwards of support element 406 where substrate SM is housed.
  • grooves 415 on flange 410 enables improving the access of flow F to compartment C408.
  • the passage section for flow FI is widened in correspondence of flange 410, so as to improve cooling the heating element H.
  • a sixth embodiment of cartridge 1 comprises a support element denoted by reference number 506.
  • the support element 506 is representative of embodiments of the cartridge 1 which are adapted to operate with a heating element H having a different geometry from the plate-like shape shown in Figure 1.
  • a first flange 510 is arranged at a first end of septum 508, extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, and a second flange 512 is arranged at a second end of septum 508, opposite to the end where flange 510 is located along the direction defined by axis XI.
  • septum 508 has a cruciform section, and it is defined by the assembly of four dihedral elements A508, B508, D508, E508 instead of the flat and parallel walls described so far.
  • each dihedral element A508, B508, D508, E508 has an aperture of 90° and defines a correspondent quadrant of the cruciform section of compartment C508.
  • Each dihedral element has an apertured structure, traversed by a plurality of through apertures 508H, so as to impart septum 508 a totally apertured structure.
  • the dihedral elements A508, B508, D508, E508 may, as an alternative, have no through apertures, in such a way as to impart septum 508 a blind structure in the radial direction.
  • the holes 510H and 512H are therefore located in the quadrants, in the positions between the arms of the cruciform section, and specifically in a position between the arms of respective cruciform openings through which compartment C508 opens outwardly in correspondence of flanges 510 and 512.
  • support element 506 may in addition include, in combination or as an alternative, all further features which have already been described for the embodiments of the previous Figures, and specifically it may comprise radial grooves similar to grooves 415 on flange 510, and axial groves similar to grooves 315 on the walls of dihedral elements A508, B508, D508, E508, the latter being adapted to configure a septum 508 with a non-apertured structure .
  • a seventh embodiment of cartridge 1 comprises a support element denoted by reference 606.
  • the support element 606 comprises a septum 608 extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, and defined by a conical wall extending around axis XI (which is the axis of the associated cone as well).
  • a compartment C608 is formed which has a conical shape and a circular section which gradually decreases from one flange 610 to the other flange 612, each of which is located at an opposite end of septum 608 along axis XI (compartment C608 is therefore a through compartment).
  • the flanges 610 and 612 retain an apertured structure, with the presence of through openings 610H and 612H, in such a way as to ensure the axial permeability of support element 606, in the same way as the septum 608 has an apertured structure, being traversed by a plurality of through apertures 608H.
  • the substrate of smoking material SM therefore acquires a different shape from the embodiments described in the foregoing, being now configured as a cylindrical skirt arranged around septum 608 in a position between the flanges 610 and 612.
  • the substrate is always formed by capillary elements, but preferably they may be oriented parallel to the conical surface of septum 608, and not parallel to axis XI.
  • the preferred material for support element 6 - 606 of the presently described embodiments consists in a sheet of aluminium or steel (or metal alloys) having a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, preferably 0.1 mm.
  • the apertures 8H - 608H, 10H - 610H, 12H - 612H have a diameter of 0.3 to 0.6 mm, preferably 0.5 mm.
  • Septum 8 - 608 may be obtained, in accordance with the embodiments, by folding the steel or aluminium sheet, or by simply juxtaposing in parallel the sheets which define the walls of the septum, and subsequently coupling them with the flanges 10 - 310 and 12 - 612.
  • the coupling between the septum and the flanges is preferably achieved via soldering, but embodiments may be envisaged wherein the flanges are obtained by cutting and forming the ends of the septum.
  • Figure 10 shows a first shape of a sheet BL1, which may be employed for obtaining the support elements 6 - 606.
  • the shape BL1 does not show the detailed geometrical features, such as the holes 10H - 610H, 12H - 612H, 8H - 608H or the grooves, because such elements are simply formed within the contour of shape BL1.
  • Shape BL1 comprises a first and a second wing 1002, 1004 which substantially have the shape of a biscuit, and which are united by a single or double bridge 1006.
  • Each wing 1002, 1004 comprises a first semicircular end 1008 and a second semicircular end 1010, between which there is comprised a flat quadrangular (and preferably rectangular) portion 1012.
  • Folding lines FI, F2 are parallel to one another and arranged at the boundaries between the semicircular ends 1010, 1008, respectively, and portion 1012;
  • Figure 12 shows a second shape of sheet BL2, which may be employed for forming support elements 6 - 606.
  • the shape BL2 does not show the detailed geometrical features, such as the holes 10H - 610H, 12H - 612H, 8H - 608H or the grooves, as such elements are simply formed within the contour of shape BL2.
  • Shape BL2 comprises a first and a second wing 2002, 2004 having an octagonal contour and being united by a single or double bridge 2006. Shape BL2 also comprises a first and a second disk 2008, 2010, each having a diametral slot.
  • Each wing 2002, 2004 comprises a first trapezoidal end 2012 and a second trapezoidal end 2014, which enclose between them a flat quadrangular (preferably rectangular) portion. On the whole, portion 1012 and ends 2014, 2016 define the previously mentioned octagonal contour.
  • the trapezoidal ends 2014, 2016 are all folded on the same side of shape BL2 along the lines FI, F2, then portions 1012 are folded one towards the other along lines F3, F4, with the bridge 2006 defining the compartment C8 and the ends 2014, 2016 facing outwards.
  • completing the support element requires a connection by welding, soldering or glueing disks 2008, 2010 to folded ends 2014, 2016, so that the disks and the ends together define the flanges 10, 12. In this way, the shape of every support element according to the invention is completely defined.
  • Each wing 3002, 3004 comprises a first semicircular end 3012 and a second semicircular end 3014, which enclose between them a flat quadrangular (preferably rectangular) portion 3010.
  • the semicircular ends 3012, 3014 are all folded on the same side of shape BL3 along lines F3, F4, F5, F6, and the already folded ends 3014 are again folded along lines FI, F2 on disk element 3006.
  • ends 3014 and disk 3006 define flange 12 (refer to a part of the distribution of holes 12H in brackets; the holes are not all depicted on shape BL3 for clarity of representation), and the ends 3012 define flange 10 (refer to a part of the distribution of holes 10H in brackets), with the slots being deformed into a dihedral shape and/or being aligned with the diametral slot of disk element 3006, so as to form the openings of compartment C8 in correspondence of flanges 10, 12.
  • the shape of every support element according to the invention is completely defined.
  • Figure 15 shows a fourth shape of a sheet BL4, which may be employed for obtaining the support elements 6 - 606.
  • shape BL4 does not show the detailed geometrical features, such as the holes 10H - 610H, 12H - 612H, 8H - 608H or the grooves, as such elements are simply formed within the contour of shape BL4.
  • Each wing 4002, 4004 comprises a first trapezoidal end 4008 and a second semicircular end 4010, between which there is comprised a flat quadrangular (and preferably rectangular) portion 4012.
  • Shape BL4 also comprises a disk 4014 provided with a diametral slot.
  • - Folding lines FI, F2 are parallel to one another and arranged at the boundaries between the trapezoidal end 4010 and the semicircular end 4008, respectively, and portion 4012;
  • the semicircular ends 4008 and the trapezoidal ends 4010 are all folded on the same side of shape BL4 along the lines FI, F2, then portions 4012 are folded one towards the other along lines F3, F4, with the bridge (s) 4006 defining the compartment C8 and the ends 4008, 4010 facing outwards.
  • Completing the support element requires a connection by welding, soldering or glueing disk 4014 to folded ends 4010, so that the disk and the ends together define flange 10 or 12. In this way, the shape of every support element according to the invention is completely defined.

Abstract

There is described a cartridge (1) for a heating apparatus (S) for smoking material, the cartridge (1) comprising : - a smoking material storage portion (2), an interface portion (4) configured for interaction with a user, wherein the storage portion (2) comprises a support element (6; 106; 206; 306; 406; 506; 606) configured for housing a substrate (SM) for smoking material, the support element (6; 106; 206; 306; 406; 506; 606) comprising: a septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608) extending in a longitudinal direction (X1) of the storage portion (2) - a first flange (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610) at a first end of the septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608), - a second flange (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612) at a second end of the septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608), wherein the septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608) defines a compartment (C8; C108; C208; C308; C408; C508; C608) configured for receiving a heating element (H) of a heating apparatus (S) for smoking material, and wherein said first flange (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610) and said second flange (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612) comprise a plurality of through apertures (10H; 110H; 210H; 310H; 410H; 510H; 610H; 12H; 112H; 212H; 312H; 412H; 512H; 612H).

Description

"A cartridge for a heating apparatus for smoking material"
★★★★
TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention refers to cartridges for heating apparatuses for smoking material, hereby defining those kinds of apparatus which substitute traditional cigarettes and which are known in the field as "heat-not-burn" devices, i.e. devices substituting traditional cigarettes which are configured for heating smoking material, typically tobacco, without enabling the combustion thereof.
Prior Art and General Technical Problem
The electronic cigarette devices which are currently known and commercially available may be classified into two categories having diametrally opposite features.
A first category consists in the devices commonly known as "vaping" devices, i.e. devices substituting a traditional cigarette wherein the smoking material is a flavoured liquid which is adapted to generate an aerosol, and which is stored in a vial or a reservoir which is inserted into the device. The device comprises an atomizer, which is basically a resistive element configured for heating a wick of capillary elements adapted to drain the liquid from the vial or reservoir through capillarity. When the resistive element is heated via Joule heating, the liquid stored in the capillary elements (specifically in the portion which contacts the heating element) is vaporized and gets suspended in the air flow created by the user's inhaling action, thereby generating an aerosol. The advantage of this first category of devices substantially consists in the possibility of flavouring at will the liquid constituting the smoking material, therefore offering the user a very wide range of essences and flavours which may not be obtained by flavouring a smoking material which is already very aromatic in itself, such as tobacco. A further advantage consists in the possibility of modulating the amount of nicotine present in the smoking material, which also comprises the option of omitting nicotine altogether. On the other hand, the atomizer in such devices degrades very rapidly, because the interaction between the heating element and the wick of capillary elements leads to the formation of gunk and sludge which jeopardize the atomizer operation, with the undesirable consequence of requiring regular substitutions of the atomizer as a whole.
The second category of devices consists in the devices substituting traditional cigarettes which are configured for heating a cartridge of smoking material, typically tobacco, without leading to the combustion thereof. Such devices are usually denoted as "heat-not- burn" devices, and comprise a resistive element which typically consists of a ceramic plate.
Such devices of the advantages of a haptic feedback (the feeling experienced by the user when he takes the device, specifically an interface portion of the cartridge, to his/her lips is very similar to that of a conventional cigarette) and of a simplicity of use which are more similar to a traditional cigarette. However, such devices are fundamentally based on the use of tobacco as a smoking material. This seriously limits the flavouring possibilities of the smoking material (and makes it impossible to modulate the amount of nicotine), because the flavour of tobacco often covers every artificial flavouring.
Object of the Invention The invention aims at solving the technical problems of both previously outlined solutions, without giving up the respective advantages. Specifically, the object of the invention consists in providing a cartridge for a heating device for smoking material which may offer the user the same haptic experience as traditional cigarette smoking (and the same simplicity of use), while at the same time allowing for any flavouring of the smoking material, and while offering the possibility of choosing the amount of nicotine, without incurring in the problem of degradation of the device itself.
Summary of the Invention
The object of the present invention is achieved by a cartridge having the features included in the claims that follow, which are an integral part of the technical disclosure provided herein with reference to the invention.
Brief Description of the Figures
The invention will now be described with reference to the annexed Figures, which are provided by way of non-limiting example only, wherein:
Figure 1 is a partially cut-away view of a cartridge according to a first embodiment of the invention, inserted into a "heat-not-burn" heating apparatus,
- Figure 2 is an exploded and partially cut-away view of the cartridge in Figure 1,
Figure 3A and Figure 3B respectively show a perspective view and a longitudinal section view of a component of the cartridge according to the first embodiment of the invention,
- Figure 4A and Figure 4B are similar to Figures 3A and 3B, but they refer to a second embodiment of the invention, - Figures 5A and 5B are similar to Figures 3A, 4A and 3B, 4B, but they refer to a third embodiment of the invention,
- Figures 6A, 6B respectively show a perspective view and a plan view (along arrow VI-B in Figure 6A) of a cartridge component according to a fourth embodiment of the invention,
- Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a cartridge component according to a fifth embodiment of the invention,
Figures 8A and 8B respectively show a perspective view and a plan view of a cartridge component according to a sixth embodiment of the invention,
- Figure 9 shows a perspective view and a side view (along arrow IX-B) of a cartridge component according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description
Reference number 1 in Figure 1 and in Figure 2 designates as a whole a cartridge for a heating apparatus for smoking material according to a first embodiment of the invention.
In the view of Figure 1, cartridge 1 is shown inserted into a heat-not-burn heating apparatus S, which is provided with a heating element H in the form of a flat plate.
In every embodiment of the invention, cartridge 1 comprises a smoking material storage portion 2 and an interface portion 4, configured for the interaction with the user. The interface portion 4 is specifically the portion adapted to contact the user's mouth, and may include, according to the embodiments, either a sequence of a heat exchange element and a filter element, or a filter element only. Further details will be given in the description below. The embodiments differ from one another essentially in the structure of the storage portion 2. For this reason, Figures 3 to 9 annexed to the present description essentially show the component(s) of the storage portion 2 which are modified. This implies that each embodiment will be dealt with while resorting to consistent reference numbers, which will simply add a hundred units from one embodiment to another.
Figures 1, 2, 3 show a first embodiment of the invention associated with reference number 1, wherein the storage portion 2 of cartridge 1 comprises a support element 6 configured for housing a substrate for smoking material SM, which according to the invention comprises a plurality of capillary elements arranged to form a wick and soaked in an aerosol liquid which constitutes the smoking material.
Support element 6 includes a septum 8 which extends in a longitudinal direction of the storage portion 2, defined by a longitudinal axis XI of cartridge 1.
A first flange 10 is arranged at a first end of septum 8, and a second flange 12 is arranged at a second end of septum 8, opposite to the end where flange 10 is located along the direction defined by axis XI.
Septum 8 defines a compartment C8 configured for receiving the heating element H, as can be seen in Figure 1. The compartment C8 is essentially shaped as a sheath adapted to house element H, in a condition wherein the coupling of the heating element takes play a minimal play, which is only provided to enable insertion. Compartment C8 is defined by a pair of opposite walls A8, B8 of septum 8, which are arranged parallel to each other, spaced by a distance W, and which are fixed to flanges 10, 12 along two opposite sides of the periphery of the apertures of compartment C8 in correspondence of the flanges.
In the presently shown embodiment, compartment Cl is continuous, i.e. it extends without interruptions from the first end to the second end of septum 8 and it open in correspondence of both flanges 10, 12. Modifications are possible wherein compartment C8 is closed in correspondence of flange 12, while remaining open in correspondence of flange 10 to enable the insertion of heating element H.
In this embodiment, both septum 8 and flanges 10, 12 have an apertured structure, i.e. they are traversed by a plurality of through apertures 8H. Specifically, both walls A8, B8 of septum 8 are traversed by through apertures 8H, which are preferably arranged in a quincunx pattern or in the nodes of a square-mesh lattice, while flanges 10, 12 are traversed by a plurality of through apertures respectively denoted by reference numbers 10H, 12H.
Referring to Figures 3A, 3B, reference SM denotes as a whole the substrate of smoking material housed in support element 6. The substrate of smoking material is preferably arranged into two distinct portions located on opposite sides of septum 8, bridging the latter and heating element H.
Each portion of substrate SM is configured as a semicylindrical wick, made of capillary elements which are oriented parallel to axis XI and are soaked in an aerosol liquid which constitutes the smoking material.
Each semicylindrical wick is housed in the portion of the support element 6 included between wall A8 or B8 and the respective flange portion 10 and 12 facing towards wall A8, B8. The capillary elements of each of both semicylindrical wicks would not be able by themselves to ensure shape stability, especially when they are soaked in liquid, but this is made up for by the flanges 10, 12 and the septum 8, which act as containment and shape retaining means both during the storage of cartridge 1 in a packaging for sale and during the operation of apparatus S.
Referring to Figure 2, the cartridge 1, in all presently shown embodiments, may be assembled in a layered structure, wherein the assembly of the support element 6 and the (double) substrate of smoking material SM is coated by a first sheet wrapping 14, preferably of a metal material, specifically aluminium, which extends axially along the whole storage portion 2.
The assembly of storage portion 2 and interface portion 4 is in turn wrapped in a second sheet wrapping 16, preferably of a paper material.
Preferably, moreover, a third sheet wrapping 18, again made of paper material, may be provided at the end of the interface portion 4 opposite to storage portion 2, so as to cover the region which will contact the user's lips.
In all embodiments of cartridge 1, interface portion 4 includes either a single filter element 20 extending along axis XI throughout the extension of interface portion 4, or else a sequence including a heat exchange element and a filter element, wherein the heat exchange element is located near the storage portion 2, while the filter element is located near the heat exchange element, so as to include the latter between the storage portion 2 and the element itself. Whatever the structure of the interface portion 4, it is always a hollow structure. Modifications are however possible wherein the interface portion has a solid structure.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the operation of cartridge 1 will now be described, specifically with reference to the interaction with heating apparatus S.
The cartridge 1 is inserted into a housing of heating apparatus S (which is implemented in a way known in itself: indeed, cartridge 1 is preferably adapted to operate with commercially available apparatuses S) in such a way as to locate the inlet of heating element H into compartment C8 in a position comprised between walls A8 and B8.
The heating apparatus S is therefore activated in such a way as to perform a Joule effect heating H. The heat flow radiating from element H heats the structure of support element 6 and substrate SM, therefore gradually causing the evaporation of the aerosol liquid wherein the capillary elements of substrate SM are soaked.
The apertured structure of both flanges 10, 12 ensures an axial permeability of the storage portion with respect to the inhaling action of the user, and specifically ensures that the aerosol generated by the evaporation of the smoking material and by the transport thereof into the inhaling flow may leave the storage portion 2 without difficulty, heading towards the interface portion 4, the hollow structure whereof further favours flow with a reduced inhaling effort.
In further detail, with reference to Figures 3A, 3B, the storage portion may be subjected to the simultaneous presence of three main aerosol flows, denoted by references FI, F2, F3 in Figure 3B and shown partially (only due to the section view representation) in the view of Figure 2.
Flow FI takes place within compartment C8 and exhibits a smaller flow rate (of air and aerosol as a whole) than flows F2 and F3, which on the contrary run in substrate SM from opposite parts of septum 8. Flows FI, F2, F3 have a common origin from air inhalation by the user through the apertured structure of flange 10, and they divide immediately downstream.
Flows FI, F2 and F3 leave storage portion 2 - while by traversing the latter they absorb liquid, therefore generating the aerosol inhaled by the user - and they keep the same division in space while flowing through a part of interface portion 4, within which an unavoidable mixing may take place.
Therefore, it will be appreciated that, thanks to the cartridge 1, the advantages connected with the use of a heat-not-burn device are complemented with the advantages typical of the devices employing liquid smoking material with an atomizer. The cartridge 1 may be flavoured with any liquid essence filled into substrate SM (and with any amount of nicotine, which in this case is only a further component of the smoking material) without requiring a contact atomizer, and therefore eliminating any problem of degradation in the atomizer as described in the introduction to the present description.
Referring to Figure 4, in a second embodiment of the invention cartridge 1 comprises a support element 106. The cartridge 1 according to the second embodiment of the invention retains all the features which have already been described with reference to the first embodiment in Figures 1 to 3, including the layered structure of Figure 2, while only differing in the (internal) structure of storage portion 2.
A first flange 110 is arranged at a first end of a septum 108 extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, and a second flange 112 is arranged at a second end of septum 108, opposite to the end where flange 110 is located along the direction defined by axis XI. Septum 108 defines a compartment C108 adapted to receive the heating element H, as already shown in Figure 1. Compartment C108 has exactly the same general geometry and structure as compartment C8, being substantially shaped as a sheath adapted to receive element H. Unlike septum 8 of support element 6, compartment C108 is defined by a pair of opposite walls A108, B108 which have no through apertures and which are arranged parallel to each other, spaced by a distance W, and fixed to flanges 110, 112 along two opposite sides of the periphery of the apertures of compartment C108 in correspondence of the flanges.
Compartment C108 preferably has a through structure, i.e. it extends continuously from the first end to the second end of septum 108, and is open in correspondence of both flanges 110, 112; as a matter of fact, as walls A108, B108 are deprived of apertures, it is necessary for the septum to exhibit an axial permeability, in order to ensure cooling of the heating element H.
Flanges 110, 112 have the same apertured structure as already described for flanges 10, 12, being traversed by a plurality of through apertures which are respectively denoted by reference numbers 110H, 112H: in this way it is possible to retain the axial permeability of the support element and generally of the storage portion 2.
In the same way as support element 6, the substrate of smoking material SM is preferably arranged in two distinct portions, located on opposite sides of septum 108, bridging the same and the heating element
H.
Each portion of substrate SM is configured as a semicylindrical wick made of capillary elements which are oriented parallel to axis XI and which are soaked in an aerosol liquid which is the smoking material.
Each semicylindrical wick is housed in the portion of support element 106, in a space defined between wall A108 or B108 and the respective portion of flange 110 or 112 facing towards wall A108, B108.
In this embodiment, the distribution of flows FI, F2, F3 in the storage portion is substantially similar to what has already been described for the first embodiment, but flow FI may be considered substantially free from aerosol, because the walls A108, B108, having no apertures, prevent an exchange of material between compartment C108 and substrate SM. Therefore, the walls A108, B108 essentially act as extensions of heating element H being in direct contact with substrate SM, therefore heating the smoking material and generating the aerosol, which leaves the storage portion through flange 112.
Referring to Figure 5, in a third embodiment of the invention cartridge 1 includes a support element 206. The cartridge 1 according to the third embodiment of the invention retains all the features already described with reference to the first embodiment in Figures 1 to 3, including the layered structure of Figure 2, while only differing in the (internal) structure of storage portion 2.
A first flange 210 is arranged at a first end of a septum 208 extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, and a second flange 212 is arranged at a second end of septum 208, opposite to the end where flange 210 is located, along the direction defined by axis XI.
Septum 208 defines a compartment C208 adapted to receive the heating element H, as already shown in Figure 1. Compartment C208 has the same general geometry and structure as compartment C8, being substantially shaped as a sheath for housing element H. In the same way as septum 8, septum C208 is defined by a pair of opposite walls A208, B208 having an apertured structure, i.e. being traversed by a plurality of through apertures 208H arranged in a quincunx pattern or in a square-mesh lattice.
Walls A208, B208 are arranged parallel to each other, spaced by a distance W, and fixed to the flanges 110, 112 along two opposite sides of the periphery of the apertures of compartment C208, in correspondence of the flanges.
Compartment C208 may be configured with a through structure, i.e. extending continuously from the first end to the second end of septum 208 and being open in correspondence of both flanges 210, 212, or else it may be configured blind in correspondence of flange 212.
Flanges 210, 212 retain the apertured structure which has already been described with reference to flanges 10, 12, being traversed by a plurality of through apertures which are respectively denoted by reference numbers 210H, 212H; however, unlike the previous constructions, the through apertures on flanges 210, 212 not only ensure the axial permeability of the storage portion, but they also serve as inlet (210) and outlet (210) openings, respectively, for bundles of porous hollow elements 213 arranged parallel to axis XI and immersed in the substrate of smoking material SM, always including capillary elements soaked in an aerosol liquid as smoking material. The latter is shaped with a geometry similar to what has already been described, except for a smaller total volume despite the same size of support element 206, because of the need to accommodate the porous hollow elements 213.
More specifically, substrate SM consists in two semicylindrical elements, starting from a bundle of porous hollow elements 213 around which a bundle of capillary elements SM is wound or arranged, in such a way as to form a semicylindrical element which is housed on one side of septum 208 in a position located between flanges 210, 212. While forming substrate SM, the position of the bundle of porous hollow elements 213 is chosen as coincident with the position of the holes 212H, 210H when the support element 206 is assembled.
Unlike the embodiments which have previously been described, the third embodiment is characterized by a path of flows F2 and F3 which runs exclusively within the porous hollow elements 213, because the axial permeability is not present elsewhere. In other words, the aerosol which is formed by mixing the air inhaled by the user with the liquid heated by element H may only flow within the porous hollow elements 213, and therefore the liquid suspended in the air flow F2 or F3 penetrates the porous walls of elements 213 being driven by the slight vacuum created by the flow of air drawn within elements 213.
This makes it possible to reduce the inhaling effort of the user, because the path followed by the aerosol within the storage portion 2 runs along elements, such as elements 213, which exhibit a minimum drag, which is anyway very low if compared to the resistance offered by the capillary elements. Moreover, a cartridge 1 according to the third embodiment of Figure 5 has a better aerosol yield, because the amount of aerosol which may be imprisoned in the substrate of capillary elements SM is physiologically reduced.
With reference to Figures 6A, 6B, a fourth embodiment of cartridge 1 includes a support element 306.
The embodiment of Figures 6A, 6B substantially comprises a modification of the support element 106.
The support element 306 includes a first flange 310, arranged at a first end of a septum 308, and a second flange 312 arranged at a second end of septum 308, extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, opposite to the end where flange 310 is located along the direction defined by axis XI.
Septum 308 defines a compartment C308 adapted to receive the heating element H, as already shown in Figure 1. Compartment C308 is substantially shaped as a sheath adapted to house element H, and is defined by a pair of opposite walls A308, B308 which have no through apertures and which are arranged in parallel to each other, spaced by a distance W, and fixed to the flanges 310, 312 along two opposite sides of the periphery of the apertures of compartment C308 in correspondence of the flanges.
Compartment C308 differs from compartment C108 substantially because it is traversed by a plurality mutually parallel axial grooves 315, the concavity whereof faces inwards of compartment C308, while a convex backside of grooves 315 faces outwards of septum 308, thereby forming a plurality of reliefs on the external surface of walls A308 and B308.
Compartment C308 preferably has a through structure, i.e. it extends continuously from the first end to the second end of septum 308 and is open in correspondence of both flanges 310, 312.
Flanges 310, 312 have the same apertured structure already described for flanges 110, 112, being traversed by a plurality of through apertures respectively denoted by the reference numbers 310H, 312H: this enables keeping the axial permeability of the support element and more generally of storage portion 2.
In the same way as support elements 6, 106, the substrate of smoking material SM is preferably arranged in two distinct portions located on opposite sides of septum 308, bridging the same and the heating element
H.
Each portion of substrate SM is configured as a semicylindrical wick of capillary elements, which are oriented parallel to axis XI and are soaked in an aerosol liquid which constitutes the smoking material.
Each semicylindrical wick is housed in the portion of support element 306 in the space between wall A308 or B308 and the respective flange portion 310 or 312 which faces towards wall A308, B308.
Thanks to the support element 306 it is possible to achieve an enhanced cooling of element H within compartment C308 by the air flow FI, thanks to the bigger volume of the compartment due to the grooves 315. As for the other features, the operation is the same as already described for the cartridge 1 equipped with support element 106.
Referring to Figure 7, a fifth embodiment of cartridge 1 according to the invention comprises a support element denoted by reference number 406.
A first flange 410 is arranged at a first end of a septum 408 extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, and a second flange 412 is arranged at a second end of septum 408, opposite to the end where flange 410 is located along the direction defined by axis XI.
The septum 408 defines a compartment C408 adapted to receive the heating element H, as can be seen in Figure 1. Compartment C408 is configured exactly as compartment C8, and it is substantially shaped as a sheath adapted to receive element H. Compartment C408 is defined by a pair of opposite walls A408, B408 of septum 408, which are arranged parallel to each other, spaced by a distance W, and fixed to the flanges 410, 412 along two opposite sides of the periphery of the apertures of compartment C408 in correspondence of the flanges.
In the presently described embodiment, compartment C408 has a through structure, i.e. it extends continuously from the first end to the second end of septum 408, and is open in correspondence of both flanges 410, 412. Modifications are possible wherein compartment C408 is closed in correspondence of flange 412, while remaining open in correspondence of flange 410 to enable the insertion of heating element H.
In this embodiment, both septum 408 and flanges 410, 412 have an apertured structure, i.e. they are traversed by a plurality of through apertures. Specifically, both walls A408, B408 of septum 408 are traversed by through apertures 408H, preferably arranged in a quincunx pattern or as the nodes of a square-mesh lattice, while flanges 410, 412 are traversed by a plurality of through apertures respectively denoted by the reference numbers 410H, 412H.
The substrate of smoking material SM is preferably arranged in two distinct portions, located on opposite sides of septum 408, bridging the same and heating element H.
Each portion of substrate SM is configured as a semicylindrical wick of capillary elements, which are oriented parallel to axis XI and are soaked in an aerosol liquid, which constitutes the smoking material.
Each semicylindrical wick is housed in the portion of support element 306 between the wall A408 or B408 and the respective portion of flange 410 e 412 facing towards wall A408, B408.
In the support element 406, the distribution of the holes 410H and 412H on the flanges 410 and 412 is chosen in such a way as to accommodate the arrangement of grooves 415 in a radial direction (in the present exemplary case having a cruciform arrangement) on flange 410. The grooves 415 may moreover be traversed by holes 410H and 412H, in a modification of the embodiment of Figure 7, so as to increase the flow rate of flows F2-F3. Similarly to grooves 315, grooves 415 have a concavity facing outwards of support element 406, and a convexity facing inwards of support element 406 where substrate SM is housed.
The presence of grooves 415 on flange 410 enables improving the access of flow F to compartment C408. Specifically, the passage section for flow FI is widened in correspondence of flange 410, so as to improve cooling the heating element H.
Referring to Figure 8, a sixth embodiment of cartridge 1 according to the invention comprises a support element denoted by reference number 506. The support element 506 is representative of embodiments of the cartridge 1 which are adapted to operate with a heating element H having a different geometry from the plate-like shape shown in Figure 1.
A first flange 510 is arranged at a first end of septum 508, extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, and a second flange 512 is arranged at a second end of septum 508, opposite to the end where flange 510 is located along the direction defined by axis XI.
Unlike the embodiments so far described, septum 508 has a cruciform section, and it is defined by the assembly of four dihedral elements A508, B508, D508, E508 instead of the flat and parallel walls described so far. In this embodiment, each dihedral element A508, B508, D508, E508 has an aperture of 90° and defines a correspondent quadrant of the cruciform section of compartment C508. Each dihedral element has an apertured structure, traversed by a plurality of through apertures 508H, so as to impart septum 508 a totally apertured structure. The dihedral elements A508, B508, D508, E508 may, as an alternative, have no through apertures, in such a way as to impart septum 508 a blind structure in the radial direction.
The holes 510H and 512H are therefore located in the quadrants, in the positions between the arms of the cruciform section, and specifically in a position between the arms of respective cruciform openings through which compartment C508 opens outwardly in correspondence of flanges 510 and 512.
It will moreover be observed that support element 506 may in addition include, in combination or as an alternative, all further features which have already been described for the embodiments of the previous Figures, and specifically it may comprise radial grooves similar to grooves 415 on flange 510, and axial groves similar to grooves 315 on the walls of dihedral elements A508, B508, D508, E508, the latter being adapted to configure a septum 508 with a non-apertured structure .
The advantage of this embodiment consists in enlarging the heat exchange surface between the heating element and the substrate of smoking material SM, which in the present case comprises four cylindrical sectors having an aperture of 90 degrees, which are housed in the space between the wings of each dihedral element A508, B508, D508, E508 and the flanges 510, 512. Of course, the number of dihedral elements (and the aperture angle thereof) may vary according to the cross section of compartment C508, and the number and the arrangement of the cylindrical sectors of substrate SM will vary accordingly.
Finally, referring to Figures 9A and 9B, a seventh embodiment of cartridge 1 according to the invention comprises a support element denoted by reference 606. The support element 606 comprises a septum 608 extending in the longitudinal direction XI of cartridge 1, and defined by a conical wall extending around axis XI (which is the axis of the associated cone as well). As a consequence, a compartment C608 is formed which has a conical shape and a circular section which gradually decreases from one flange 610 to the other flange 612, each of which is located at an opposite end of septum 608 along axis XI (compartment C608 is therefore a through compartment). This implies that also the openings through which compartment C608 opens on the flanges 610, 612 have a different size, due to the conical shape of the conical wall of septum 608.
The flanges 610 and 612 retain an apertured structure, with the presence of through openings 610H and 612H, in such a way as to ensure the axial permeability of support element 606, in the same way as the septum 608 has an apertured structure, being traversed by a plurality of through apertures 608H.
The substrate of smoking material SM therefore acquires a different shape from the embodiments described in the foregoing, being now configured as a cylindrical skirt arranged around septum 608 in a position between the flanges 610 and 612. The substrate is always formed by capillary elements, but preferably they may be oriented parallel to the conical surface of septum 608, and not parallel to axis XI.
The advantage of this embodiment is its ability to operate together with a heating element having a axially symmetrical shape which is complementary to compartment C608, which as such does not require any collimation intervention in order to perform the insertion into compartment 608. A further advantage consists in an enlarged surface for the heat exchange with substrate SM.
Whatever the embodiment in consideration, the preferred material for support element 6 - 606 of the presently described embodiments consists in a sheet of aluminium or steel (or metal alloys) having a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, preferably 0.1 mm. The apertures 8H - 608H, 10H - 610H, 12H - 612H have a diameter of 0.3 to 0.6 mm, preferably 0.5 mm.
Septum 8 - 608 may be obtained, in accordance with the embodiments, by folding the steel or aluminium sheet, or by simply juxtaposing in parallel the sheets which define the walls of the septum, and subsequently coupling them with the flanges 10 - 310 and 12 - 612. The coupling between the septum and the flanges is preferably achieved via soldering, but embodiments may be envisaged wherein the flanges are obtained by cutting and forming the ends of the septum.
In this regard, Figures 10 - 16 show exemplary embodiments of shapes of metal sheets which may be employed in order to implement the support elements 6 - 606.
Figure 10 shows a first shape of a sheet BL1, which may be employed for obtaining the support elements 6 - 606. The shape BL1 does not show the detailed geometrical features, such as the holes 10H - 610H, 12H - 612H, 8H - 608H or the grooves, because such elements are simply formed within the contour of shape BL1.
Shape BL1 comprises a first and a second wing 1002, 1004 which substantially have the shape of a biscuit, and which are united by a single or double bridge 1006. Each wing 1002, 1004 comprises a first semicircular end 1008 and a second semicircular end 1010, between which there is comprised a flat quadrangular (and preferably rectangular) portion 1012.
Five folding lines, denoted by references F1-F5, are drawn on shape BL1: they are arranged parallel and orthogonal to one another.
Specifically:
- Folding lines FI, F2 are parallel to one another and arranged at the boundaries between the semicircular ends 1010, 1008, respectively, and portion 1012;
- Folding lines F3, F4, F5 are all parallel to one another and orthogonal to lines FI, F2, with lines F4, F5 running along the edges of bridge 1006 and line F3 arranged along the border of a portion 1012 to distinguish the latter from an (optional) extension having a shape similar to bridge 1006.
Referring to Figures 11A-11C, the result of the folding operations along lines F1-F5 is shown by enclosing in brackets the reference numbers referring to support element 6 (obviously, the same applies to elements 106 - 606, but for clarity of representation only one series of numbers is presented, i.e. the references of element 6).
The semicircular ends 1008, 1010 are all folded on the same side of shape BL1 along the lines FI, F2, then portions 1012 are folded one towards the other along lines F4, F5, with the bridge 1006 defining the compartment C8 (optionally, the extension defined by line F3 is folded towards the compartment C8 so as to close the latter on the side) and the ends 1008, 1010 facing outwards. In this way, the shape of every support element according to the invention is completely defined.
Figure 12 shows a second shape of sheet BL2, which may be employed for forming support elements 6 - 606. Again, the shape BL2 does not show the detailed geometrical features, such as the holes 10H - 610H, 12H - 612H, 8H - 608H or the grooves, as such elements are simply formed within the contour of shape BL2.
Shape BL2 comprises a first and a second wing 2002, 2004 having an octagonal contour and being united by a single or double bridge 2006. Shape BL2 also comprises a first and a second disk 2008, 2010, each having a diametral slot.
Each wing 2002, 2004 comprises a first trapezoidal end 2012 and a second trapezoidal end 2014, which enclose between them a flat quadrangular (preferably rectangular) portion. On the whole, portion 1012 and ends 2014, 2016 define the previously mentioned octagonal contour.
Four folding lines, denoted by references F1-F4, are drawn on shape BL2: they are arranged parallel and orthogonal to one another.
Specifically:
- Folding lines FI, F2 are parallel to one another and arranged at the boundaries between the trapezoidal ends 2014, 2016, respectively, and portion 2012;
- Folding lines F3, F4 are all parallel to one another and orthogonal to lines FI, F2, with lines F3, F4 running along the edges of bridge 2006.
With reference to Figures 13A-13B, the result of the folding operations along lines F1-F4 is shown by enclosing in brackets the reference numbers referring to support element 6 (obviously, the same applies to elements 106 - 606, but for clarity of representation only one series of numbers is presented, i.e. the references of element 6).
The trapezoidal ends 2014, 2016 are all folded on the same side of shape BL2 along the lines FI, F2, then portions 1012 are folded one towards the other along lines F3, F4, with the bridge 2006 defining the compartment C8 and the ends 2014, 2016 facing outwards. Unlike shape BL1, completing the support element requires a connection by welding, soldering or glueing disks 2008, 2010 to folded ends 2014, 2016, so that the disks and the ends together define the flanges 10, 12. In this way, the shape of every support element according to the invention is completely defined.
Figure 14 shows a third shape of sheet BL3, which may be employed for forming support elements 6 - 606. Again, the shape BL3 does not show (or only partially shows) the detailed geometrical features, such as the holes 10H - 610H, 12H - 612H, 8H - 608H or the grooves, as such elements are simply formed within the contour of shape BL3.
Shape BL3 comprises a first and a second wing 3002, 3004 having substantially a biscuit-shaped contour and being united to a disk element 3006 (traversed by a diametral slot) by a pair of bridges 3008.
Each wing 3002, 3004 comprises a first semicircular end 3012 and a second semicircular end 3014, which enclose between them a flat quadrangular (preferably rectangular) portion 3010.
Six folding lines, denoted by references F1-F6, are drawn on shape BL3: they are arranged parallel to one another.
Specifically:
- Folding lines FI, F2 are parallel to one another and arranged at the bridges 3008;
- Folding lines F3, F4, F5, F6 are all parallel to one another and to lines FI, F2, and each of them is located in correspondence of a respective slot.
The semicircular ends 3012, 3014 are all folded on the same side of shape BL3 along lines F3, F4, F5, F6, and the already folded ends 3014 are again folded along lines FI, F2 on disk element 3006.
The various folds deform the dihedral slots and, as regards ends 3014, align the latter with the slot of disk element 3006. In this way, ends 3014 and disk 3006 define flange 12 (refer to a part of the distribution of holes 12H in brackets; the holes are not all depicted on shape BL3 for clarity of representation), and the ends 3012 define flange 10 (refer to a part of the distribution of holes 10H in brackets), with the slots being deformed into a dihedral shape and/or being aligned with the diametral slot of disk element 3006, so as to form the openings of compartment C8 in correspondence of flanges 10, 12. In this way, the shape of every support element according to the invention is completely defined.
Figure 15 shows a fourth shape of a sheet BL4, which may be employed for obtaining the support elements 6 - 606. Once again, shape BL4 does not show the detailed geometrical features, such as the holes 10H - 610H, 12H - 612H, 8H - 608H or the grooves, as such elements are simply formed within the contour of shape BL4.
Shape BL4 comprises a first and a second wing 4002, 4004, which are united by a single or double bridge 4006.
Each wing 4002, 4004 comprises a first trapezoidal end 4008 and a second semicircular end 4010, between which there is comprised a flat quadrangular (and preferably rectangular) portion 4012. Shape BL4 also comprises a disk 4014 provided with a diametral slot.
Four folding lines, denoted by references F1-F4, are drawn on shape BL4: they are arranged parallel and orthogonal to one another.
Specifically: - Folding lines FI, F2 are parallel to one another and arranged at the boundaries between the trapezoidal end 4010 and the semicircular end 4008, respectively, and portion 4012;
- Folding lines F3, F4, are all parallel to one another and orthogonal to lines FI, F2, with lines F3, F4 arranged along the border of bridge(s) 4006.
Referring to Figures 16A-16B, the result of the folding operations along lines F1-F4 is shown by enclosing in brackets the reference numbers referring to support element 6 (obviously, the same applies to elements 106-606, but for clarity of representation only one series of numbers is presented, i.e. the references of element 6).
The semicircular ends 4008 and the trapezoidal ends 4010 are all folded on the same side of shape BL4 along the lines FI, F2, then portions 4012 are folded one towards the other along lines F3, F4, with the bridge (s) 4006 defining the compartment C8 and the ends 4008, 4010 facing outwards. Completing the support element requires a connection by welding, soldering or glueing disk 4014 to folded ends 4010, so that the disk and the ends together define flange 10 or 12. In this way, the shape of every support element according to the invention is completely defined.
All embodiments offer the advantage, explained in the foregoing, of the possibility of flavouring the smoking material with any liquid essence (in addition to the option of modulating the amount of nicotine) without soiling the interior of apparatus S, because cartridge 1 is disposable: when it is exhausted it must be replaced with a new one.
Of course, the implementation details and the embodiments may vary, even appreciably, with respect to what has been described and illustrated herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the annexed claims.

Claims

1. A cartridge (1) for a heating apparatus for smoking material, the cartridge (1) comprising:
- a smoking material storage portion (2), an interface portion (4) configured for interaction with a user, wherein the storage portion (2) comprises a support element (6; 106; 206; 306; 406; 506; 606) housing a substrate (SM) for smoking material, the support element (6; 106; 206; 306; 406; 506; 606) comprising: a septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608) extending in a longitudinal direction of the storage portion (2), a first flange (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610) at a first end of the septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408;
508; 608), a second flange (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612) at a second end of the septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408;
508; 608), wherein the septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608) defines a compartment (C8; C108; C208; C308; C408;
C508; C608) configured for receiving a heating element (H) of a heating apparatus (S) for smoking material, and wherein said first flange (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610) and said second flange (12; 112; 212; 312; 412;
512; 612) comprise a plurality of through apertures
(1OH; 11OH; 210H; 310H; 410H; 510H; 610H; 12H; 112H;
212H; 312H; 412H; 512H; 612H).
2. The cartridge (1) according to Claim 1, wherein said substrate for smoking material (SM) comprises capillary elements soaked in an aerosol liquid, said aerosol liquid defining said smoke material.
3. The cartridge (1) according to claim 1 or claim
2, wherein said substrate (SM) for smoking material is arranged at a location comprised among said first flange (10; 110; 210; 310; 310; 410; 510; 610), said second flange (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612) and said septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608).
4. The cartridge (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said septum has an apertured structure comprising a plurality of through apertures (8H; 208H; 408H; 508H; 608H).
5. The cartridge (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408) comprises a first wall (A8; A108; A208; A308;
A408) and a second wall (B8; B108; B208; B308; B408) arranged parallel to one another and spaced by a distance (W) defining a dimension of said compartment (C8; C108; C208; C308; C408; C508; C608).
6. The cartridge (1) according to claim 5, wherein each of said first wall (A308) and second wall (B308) is traversed by a plurality of axial grooves (315) parallel to each other, said axial grooves having a concavity facing inward of said compartment (C308) and a convexity facing outwards of said compartment (C308).
7 . The cartridge (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising bundles of porous hollow elements (213) extending from said first flange (210) to said second flange (212), each bundle of porous hollow elements (213) having an inlet in correspondence of a through opening (210H) of said first flange (210) and an outlet in correspondence of a through opening (212H) of said second flange (212), said porous hollow elements (213) being immersed in the substrate (SM) for smoking material.
8. The cartridge (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said septum (508) comprises a plurality of dihedral elements (A508, B508, D508, E508) arranged side by side to define said compartment (C508), said dihedral elements (A508, B508, D508, E508) being placed side by side to define a cruciform geometry.
9. The cartridge (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said septum (608) comprises a conical wall extending around a longitudinal axis (XI) of said storage portion (2).
10 . A support element (6; 106; 206; 306; 406; 506; 606) for a cartridge according to any of the previous claims, the support element (6; 106; 206; 306; 406; 506; 606) being configured for housing a substrate (SM) for smoking material, the support element (6; 106; 206; 306; 406; 506; 606) comprising: - a septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608),
- a first flange (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610) at a first end of the septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608), - a second flange (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512;
612) at a second end of the septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608), wherein the septum (8; 108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608) defines a compartment (C8; <3108; C208; C308; C408; C508; C608) configured for receiving a heating element (H) of a heating apparatus (S) for smoking material, and wherein said first flange (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610) and said second flange (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612) comprise a plurality of through apertures (10H; 110H; 210H; 310H; 410H; 510H; 610H;
12H; 112H; 212H; 312H; 412H; 512H; 612H).
PCT/IB2021/056573 2020-07-21 2021-07-21 A cartridge for a heating apparatus for smoking material WO2022018649A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102020000017692 2020-07-21
IT102020000017692A IT202000017692A1 (en) 2020-07-21 2020-07-21 CARTRIDGE FOR A SMOKE HEATING APPLIANCE

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022018649A1 true WO2022018649A1 (en) 2022-01-27

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ID=72709697

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IT (1) IT202000017692A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2022018649A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN204217888U (en) * 2014-11-25 2015-03-25 云南中烟工业有限责任公司 Microwave is utilized to carry out the pipe type low temperature cigarette aspirator dividing into groups to heat
US20180360124A1 (en) * 2015-12-22 2018-12-20 Philip Morris Products S.A. A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system and an aerosolgenerating system comprising a cartridge
WO2019021119A1 (en) * 2017-07-25 2019-01-31 Philip Morris Products S.A. Heat transfer adaptor for aerosol generating device
US20200214344A1 (en) * 2017-08-11 2020-07-09 Philip Morris Products S.A. Vapor insert

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN204217888U (en) * 2014-11-25 2015-03-25 云南中烟工业有限责任公司 Microwave is utilized to carry out the pipe type low temperature cigarette aspirator dividing into groups to heat
US20180360124A1 (en) * 2015-12-22 2018-12-20 Philip Morris Products S.A. A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system and an aerosolgenerating system comprising a cartridge
WO2019021119A1 (en) * 2017-07-25 2019-01-31 Philip Morris Products S.A. Heat transfer adaptor for aerosol generating device
US20200214344A1 (en) * 2017-08-11 2020-07-09 Philip Morris Products S.A. Vapor insert

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