WO2023041259A1

WO2023041259A1 - Cartridge element, vaporiser cartridge, and vaporiser system having a pressure equalisation element, and method for production

Info

Publication number: WO2023041259A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/072447
Authority: WO
Inventors: Niklas ROMMING; Max Bergmann; Christof Schuster; Lennart KOCK; Timo Seidel; Volkmar Voigtländer; Arne ROSENBOHM
Original assignee: Körber Technologies Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-09-14
Filing date: 2022-08-10
Publication date: 2023-03-23
Also published as: DE102021123746A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge element (10) for an electronic cigarette (11) or a portable inhaler, comprising a hollow body (12) having a continuous airflow channel (13) for forming a funnel (14) which extends inside the hollow body (12) from an air intake opening (15) to an air outlet opening (16), preferably in the region of a mouthpiece (17) of the electronic cigarette (11) or the portable inhaler. The cartridge element is characterised in that a pressure equalisation element (21) is associated with the hollow body (12). The invention also relates to a vaporiser cartridge (22) having such a cartridge element (10), to a vaporiser system (34) having such a vaporiser cartridge (22), and to a method for producing such a vaporiser cartridge (22).

Description

Hauni machine building GmbH

Cartridge element, evaporator cartridge and evaporator system with pressure compensation element and method for production

Description

The invention relates to a cartridge element for an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler, comprising a hollow body with a continuous air flow channel to form a chimney, which extends inside the hollow body from an air inlet opening to an air outlet opening, preferably in the area of a mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette or the portable inhaler.

The invention also relates to an evaporator cartridge as part of an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler, comprising at least one rigid storage tank for receiving and storing a liquid and a cartridge element comprising an evaporator unit, which - to form a closed receiving space for the liquid - seals with the storage tank is connected, wherein the cartridge element has a hollow body with a continuous air flow channel to form a chimney.

The invention also relates to an evaporator system, in particular an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler, designed and set up for inhaling an aerosol enriched with active substances, aerosol-vapour mixture or the like, comprising a cartridge carrier comprising at least one electronic control unit and an energy source and an evaporator cartridge.

The invention also relates to a method for producing an evaporator cartridge, in particular according to one or more of claims 17 to 21, with the steps: providing a hollow body which includes a continuous air flow channel for forming a chimney with an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, providing a one Evaporator unit supporting component, providing a rigid, a receiving space for receiving and Storing a liquid-forming storage tank, providing a pressure equalization element, such that the pressure equalization element acts in the assembled state of the hollow body, the component carrying the evaporator unit and the storage tank to equalize the pressure between the air flow channel and the receiving space, and final assembly of the evaporator cartridge by the hollow body and the evaporator unit bearing Component to form a closed receiving space for receiving the liquid are sealingly connected to the storage tank.

Such cartridge elements, evaporator cartridges and evaporator systems are used in different areas, in particular in the area of the luxury food industry, here in particular in connection with an electronic cigarette, the so-called e-cigarette (also referred to as ENDS = Electronic Nicotine Delivery System) and in the pharmaceutical/medical sector Area to be able to inhale, in particular, fluid stimulants and/or fluid pharmaceutical/medical products as a mist, in vapor form, as an aerosol or vapor-aerosol mixture. The cartridge element is a central component of an evaporator cartridge, since the cartridge element forms the chimney with the air flow channel, which extends continuously from an air inlet opening to an air outlet opening. In the installed state, the cartridge element, together with the rigid storage tank of the evaporator cartridge, also forms the volume or the receiving space for the liquid. In other words, the liquid is stored in a reservoir/accommodating space formed between the outer wall of the hollow body and the inner wall of the storage tank, the term wall also including base and cover elements. The cartridge element is a modular, one-piece or multi-piece component of the evaporator cartridge, wherein the cartridge element comprises an evaporator unit when the evaporator cartridge is in the assembled state. The evaporator cartridge comprising the cartridge element with the evaporator unit is a central component of the evaporator system for forming a functional electronic cigarette (hereinafter referred to as e-cigarette) or a functional portable inhaler.

When consuming, a person usually sucks on a mouthpiece of the e-cigarette or the portable inhaler, which creates a suction pressure in the continuous air flow channel with an air inlet opening and in the area of the mouthpiece with an air outlet opening, which generates an air flow through the air flow channel. However, the air flow can also be done mechanically, for example by a pump are generated. Inhalation medium in the form of vapor, mist, aerosol or mixtures thereof provided or generated by an evaporator unit is added to the air flow channel in the air flow channel in order to administer the aerosol or the aerosol-vapour mixture to the consuming person. The evaporator unit is synonymous with all components that provide an inhalable vapor and/or mist and/or an aerosol or mixtures thereof, in particular from a liquid inhalable medium. The evaporator unit can, for example, comprise a heating element and a wick element. However, the evaporator unit can also have a laser light source or the like as an evaporating element. Within the scope of the present invention, devices for generating mechanical driving forces, compressors or the like for generating inhalation mist or the like also come under the term evaporator unit.

It is known that the administration of active ingredients via the respiratory tract is an efficient and gentle method of supplying the human or animal body with physiologically active substances, with particular focus on classic inhalation methods, which can be carried out with some of the simplest means, both in conventional medicine and under have found a permanent place in home remedies. In these simple processes, an active substance dissolved in a carrier substance, often water, is usually heated in a pot or similar vessel and thereby evaporated.

Due to the increasingly critical assessment of smoking in many parts of the world, i.e. the consumption of tobacco products by burning them and inhaling the resulting smoke, for example in the form of cigarettes or cigars, such inhalation methods have increasingly become the focus of interest in recent years , in which the physiologically active substances that are traditionally absorbed through tobacco smoke are instead applied via corresponding inhalation methods that do not burn tobacco, whereby this concept is also transferred to other active substances that are otherwise often associated with smoking, such as such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids.

Progressive technical development has made it possible to design corresponding evaporator systems for evaporating a composition containing an active ingredient that are smaller and smaller, so that evaporator systems are available today with which the vaporization of a composition containing an active ingredient can be carried out in a portable hand-held device which may be the size of a traditional cigar or a packet of cigarettes, for example. The most prominent applications for corresponding evaporator systems are electronic cigarettes and preferably portable inhalers for medical applications. The systems known today are mostly based on the fact that a composition stored in a storage tank, which is regularly referred to as liquid/liquid, is vaporized by a more or less controlled supply of thermal energy from a heating element, e.g. a filament, so that the user can can inhale fumes.

For this it is necessary that the liquid provided for the evaporation can be stored in the storage tank safely and for as long a period of time as possible. The use of closed evaporator cartridges for this purpose is known from the prior art. For practical handling, these evaporator cartridges regularly have a rigid storage tank for holding the liquid, which is closed by a heating element with a wick element at least to the extent that the liquid cannot escape from the storage tank past the wick element without external influence. This means that these storage tanks practically have a predetermined, closed volume available for storing the liquid. In addition to the liquid, this volume usually includes a gas bubble after filling and sealing, the volume of which increases as the liquid evaporates, which can lead to pressure fluctuations/pressure changes within the storage tank.

Changing ambient conditions, in particular pressure and temperature, meaning in particular a pressure and/or temperature change outside the electronic cigarette or the portable inhaler, both the liquid and the gas in the storage tank experience a change in volume or pressure. In the range of pressures between 70 kPa to 108 kPa and temperatures between -20 °C and +60 °C, which is mostly relevant in practice, the liquid can be assumed to be almost incompressible, but is subject to a temperature-dependent volume expansion of up to approx. 5%.

The behavior of the gas contained in the storage tank, mostly air mixed with small amounts of the vapor above the liquid, can be approximated using the ideal gas law, whereby pure air is assumed for the sake of simplicity: p V = m R _S ,LT, where p der pressure in the storage tank, V the volume of gas in the Storage tank, m is the mass of the gas in the storage tank, RS,L is the specific gas constant of air (RS,L = 287 J/(kg*K)) and T is the temperature of the contained gas.

Between the extreme cases of environmental conditions that can be realistically assumed in practice for electronic cigarettes and medical inhalers between 70 kPa pressure at 60 °C (e.g. on the Zugspitze or in an airplane with long-lasting direct sunlight on the cartridge) and 108 kPa pressure at -20 °C ( e.g. in a cold high-pressure area), a given amount of air would change its volume by a factor of about two without a change in pressure.

For example, in a closed, rigid storage tank, i.e. in a constant volume, the change between these extreme cases can lead to a pressure change of almost 30 kPa. Even in less extreme situations, a change in pressure and/or temperature compared to the conditions prevailing at the time of filling can lead to significant pressure differences between the interior of the vaporizer cartridge and the ambient pressure.

Since there must at least be the possibility that liquid can get from the storage tank to the evaporator unit, so that it can be vaporized at this point and e.g. converted into an aerosol, which can reach the person using it, there is only one possibility for pressure regulation in the otherwise closed, rigid storage tank , which consists in forcing liquid towards the heating element via the relevant supply, usually a wicking organ, or in sucking liquid from the wicking organ back into the storage tank, i.e. away from the evaporator unit. Both of these cases are disadvantageous, since an even supply of liquid to the evaporator unit is a key requirement that is intended to ensure a consistent vaping experience and/or a controlled and consistent supply of medicinal active ingredients.

When liquid is removed from the storage tank as intended, a vacuum is created in the closed volume of the storage tank. A negative pressure developing in the storage tank can, for example, impair the supply of liquid to the vaporizer unit and, in the worst case, even prevent it, so that too little or no aerosol is generated (so-called "dry puff"). Since each evaporation process further reduces the amount of liquid in the storage tank, it can happen that no more liquid is evaporated although there is still sufficient liquid in the storage tank. In other cases, there may be over-pressurization in the sealed volume of the storage tank. For example, entering a tunnel, the take-off phase of an airplane or other external circumstances can lead to the expansion of air or gas bubbles in the storage tank. The excess pressure can result in the liquid being undesirably pressed out in the direction of the heating element, with the result that too much aerosol is generated or that the aerosol unintentionally carries large quantities of unevaporated liquid with it. Liquid can escape from the chimney without evaporating and, for example, soil the clothing of the person using it or get into the mouth of the person using it. Even without activating the evaporator unit, liquid can pass through the evaporator unit in the direction of the air flow channel.

For this reason, the use of sealed evaporator cartridges with rigid, sealed storage tanks in evaporator systems regularly leads to an impairment of the vaping properties. No fully satisfactory solutions have been available in the prior art to solve this problem. In many systems, especially in cheaper ones, the disadvantages are usually accepted, since a suboptimal vape experience and the heating element running dry before the storage tank is completely emptied are compensated for by the price. In such prior art systems that address the problem, only a relatively simple solution has been used to date. Conventional evaporator cartridges are intentionally designed to be leaky, so that there are predetermined breaking points and/or leaks away from the actual removal openings, through which liquid can escape when a threshold value of the overpressure inside the storage tank is exceeded. However, this leakage from the storage tank is undesirable, especially with high-quality products, with some cartridge concepts from the prior art therefore providing additional intermediate chambers to collect the leaked liquid, which do not solve the problem at all, but instead only combat the symptoms.

A known solution provides for the storage tank not to be rigid overall, but to be designed entirely as a kind of bag which consists of a flexible material and is reversibly deformable in order to compensate for the pressure fluctuations occurring inside the bag. Appropriate configurations do indeed solve the printing problem, but are regularly perceived as disadvantageous for numerous reasons. In contrast to rigid storage tanks, which also include thin-walled, flexible embodiments can count, these bags are regularly more difficult to install in typical evaporator systems and usually require a surrounding rigid support structure, which increases the number of required components and manufacturing costs. In addition, corresponding reversibly deformable bags are mostly fragile and susceptible to damage, for example when they come into contact with objects or the impact of the people using them. Last but not least, in some cases there has been less end customer acceptance for corresponding bag systems, with the look and feel of the bag reservoir in particular being felt to be disadvantageous.

In other solutions, the evaporator cartridge includes pressure compensation elements. The pressure compensation elements are arranged within the evaporator cartridge and assigned to a wall section of the evaporator cartridge and in particular to the storage tank. For example, a flexible/movable airbag or the like is assigned to a wall section. However, it has been shown that the manufacture and assembly of such air bags or the like assigned to the wall sections of the evaporator cartridge is complex and technically demanding, which makes series production more expensive. Another disadvantage of known solutions is that the placement of such pressure compensation elements in the wall area is spatially limited and there is also the risk of the pressure compensation elements covering other components of the evaporator cartridge, in particular the evaporator unit, which impairs the functionality of the entire evaporator system.

The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing an evaporator cartridge that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, which enables constant evaporation behavior regardless of changing pressure conditions within the evaporator cartridge. The task is furthermore to propose a corresponding evaporator system and a corresponding method.

This object is achieved by a cartridge element of the type mentioned in that the hollow body is associated with a pressure compensation element. In a complete departure from the prior art, in which the or each pressure compensation element is assigned to the wall of the storage tank of the evaporator cartridge, the assignment of the or each pressure compensation element to the hollow body of the separate cartridge element enables simple and inexpensive series production of the or each Pressure compensation element carrying cartridge element, since the hollow body of the cartridge element for attaching the pressure compensation element is easily accessible and the individual hollow body including the attachment of the pressure compensation elements can be made, for example, on an endless strand. The design of the cartridge element according to the invention also enables a particularly simple and favorable (pre)assembly of the evaporator cartridge, since ultimately only the two components, the cartridge element and the storage tank, are connected to one another in a sealed manner. Complex assembly steps for pressure compensation elements within the storage tank on or in its walls can thus be dispensed with. The cartridge element according to the invention thus makes an elementary contribution to simplifying the manufacture and assembly of cost-effective evaporator cartridges/evaporator systems. The assignment of the or each pressure equalization element to the hollow body, i.e. separate from and separate from the wall of the storage tank of the evaporator cartridge, ensures - in combination with the rigid storage tank, which also includes thin-walled, flexible embodiments of the evaporator cartridge - furthermore a reliable and efficient pressure equalization, since the or each pressure compensation element is arranged directly at the interface of the different pressure levels, namely between the inner area - facing the air flow channel - and the outer area of the hollow body - facing the environment or, in the assembled state, the volume/receptacle of the storage tank.

Advantageously, the or each pressure compensation element is formed on and in the hollow body. This ensures a particularly space-saving and simple design of the cartridge element on the one hand and the evaporator cartridge on the other hand, with the design according to the invention also ensuring that further components of the cartridge element and the evaporator cartridge are kept free, so that the risk of covering by components of the cartridge protruding into the receiving space of the storage tank Pressure compensation element is reduced or avoided. A further advantage is that the design and arrangement of the pressure compensation element on and in the hollow body enables the production of the cartridge element and its assembly into an evaporator cartridge as a common part for use in different evaporator cartridges and independently of their external shape.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the pressure compensation element consists of a radially directed compensation opening in the hollow body and a flexible one that completely covers the compensation opening and / or movable cover is formed. The compensation opening is like a "hole" in the wall of the hollow body and enables or provides the necessary (compensation) volume to compensate for potential pressure fluctuations. The cover creates a variable and reversibly deformable separation between the environment of the hollow body and the air flow channel in the hollow body, in that the "hole" is completely covered by the cover. When the cartridge element is in the installed state, the cover separates the air flow channel from the liquid in the storage tank.

Advantageously, the hollow body is designed either in one piece or in multiple parts, with the hollow body in a multi-part design comprising at least one chimney body to form a first chimney section and a head adapter preferably detachably connected to the chimney body to form a second chimney section. With the one-piece design, there is a single chimney section that forms and defines the chimney. In the case of the multi-part design, the chimney is formed from several sections. The chimney body as the first chimney section forms the chimney with the head adapter as the second chimney section. For this purpose, the head adapter also has a duct segment, which is formed separately from the duct body of the first duct section and is connected to it or is connected to it in one piece, e.g. by injection molding. The air inlet opening is preferably located in the area of the second chimney section, ie in the area of the chimney segment of the head adapter. The air outlet opening is preferably located in the area of the first chimney section, ie in the area of the chimney body.

A radially directed compensating opening is expediently formed at least in the first chimney section, which establishes a connection between the surroundings of the cartridge element and the air flow channel. The radial compensating opening is formed in the chimney body, namely preferably as an opening in a wall of the chimney body.

In the region of a wall surrounding and delimiting the air flow channel, the hollow body advantageously has a radially directed through-opening to form a passage between the surroundings of the cartridge element and the air flow channel for receiving an evaporator unit of the electronic cigarettes or the portable inhaler. The passage opening is particularly preferably formed in the area of the second chimney section. For this purpose, there is an opening in the wall of the vent segment that is assigned to the head adapter is, trained. However, other positions and configurations of the through openings are also possible.

Preferably, the radially directed compensation opening is formed in the hollow body in the wall surrounding the air flow channel in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body between the passage opening for the evaporator unit and the air outlet opening of the chimney. This positioning and design ensures a particularly space-optimized and simple functional structure. In the longitudinal direction of the air flow channel, the compensating opening extends over part of the length of the hollow body. The shape and/or size and/or positioning of the equalization opening can vary. There is also the possibility that a plurality of equalization openings are provided, for example in the radial direction on opposite sides of the air flow duct, the and each equalization opening being completely covered by the or each cover.

The cover is advantageously a flexible and/or moveable membrane, film or the like, which covers the equalizing opening in a sealing manner. The membrane, film or the like seals the or each compensation opening over the entire cross section, so that in the area of the or each compensation opening there is a preferably gas-tight and in any case fluid-tight decoupling between the air flow channel within the hollow body and the environment of the hollow body. The membrane or the like is preferably mounted on the hollow body in such a way that a type of bubble forms over or around the equalization opening. In other words, the membrane or the like is fixed in a bulging manner over or around the compensation opening. If the pressure (overpressure) in the external environment increases (corresponds to the space outside the storage space of the evaporator cartridge and thus outside the electronic cigarette when the cartridge element is in the installed state), pressure equalization can take place via access to the vent to the external environment by the membrane , Foil or the like is pushed further away from the compensating opening, which reduces the volume of space within the receiving space of the evaporator cartridge. The bulge or bubble is more or less inflated. If the pressure (negative pressure) in the external environment drops, a pressure equalization can take place via the access to the vent to the external environment by pulling the membrane, foil or the like in the direction of the equalization opening. In other words, the negative pressure in the external environment causes the bulge to collapse, thereby increasing the volume of space inside the accommodating space of the evaporator cartridge. When assembled, the volume of the Storage tanks “breathe” via the pressure compensation element in order to quickly and precisely compensate for pressure fluctuations in the external environment within the storage tank _– by pulling the membrane in the direction of the compensation opening or pushing it away from it. This “breathing” can be used to compensate for pressure fluctuations that result from pressure changes outside of an evaporator cartridge that includes such a cartridge element or inside the evaporator cartridge.

In a particularly preferred development, the cover is preferably tubular and completely surrounds the hollow body at least in the region of the compensation opening, the tubular cover extending in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body - starting from the compensation opening - in the direction of the through-opening in front of the same and in the direction of the air outlet opening in front of the same is firmly and sealingly connected to the peripheral surface of the wall of the hollow body. The tubular design is also particularly suitable for embodiments with a number of equalizing openings. Furthermore, this embodiment also simplifies series production, since the individual hollow bodies, including the attachment of the pressure compensation elements, can be manufactured on an endless strand. Instead of a tubular design of the cover, it can also be flat, for example, e.g. pocket-shaped. The cover can be rotationally symmetrical around the compensating opening or asymmetrical.

Advantageously, the cover is connected to the hollow body by means of welding and/or soldering and/or gluing and/or by means of any other connection technique for firm and tight connection. A mechanical connection of the cover to the hollow body is also possible.

Expediently, the hollow body is preferably tubular and cylindrical, at least in sections. This design supports simple series production from the endless strand. The hollow body or the funnel body and/or the funnel segment can also have other cross-sections in whole or in part. For example, the cross sections can also be ellipsoidal or diamond-shaped.

A particularly preferred further development is characterized in that the hollow body is assigned a base plate on the side opposite the air outlet opening, the base plate for sealingly fastening the cartridge element to a rigid storage tank of the electronic cigarette or of the portable inhaler is designed and set up to receive and store a liquid. The base plate can be a simple plate. However, the base plate is preferably the head adapter with the chimney segment. The base plate or the head adapter can have, among other things, the air inlet opening into the air flow channel. The base plate or the head adapter preferably forms the cover for the storage tank of the evaporator cartridge of the evaporator system or closes the end face of the storage tank of the evaporator cartridge. The base plate or the head adapter can be designed in one piece with the socket body of the hollow body. Preferably, however, it is firmly but detachably connected as a separate component to the vent body of the hollow body to form the continuous vent. The base plate or the head adapter is designed and set up for sealing connection with the storage tank in order to enable a fluid-tight connection with the wall of the storage tank.

In a corresponding manner, the hollow body is preferably designed and set up at the end facing the air outlet opening for sealing attachment of the cartridge element to a rigid storage tank of the electronic cigarette or the portable inhaler for receiving and storing a liquid, in order to enable a fluid-tight connection with the wall of the storage tank .

In preferred embodiments, the reversibly deformable cover consists of a rubber-elastic plastic which comprises one or more elastomers made from rubbers selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber, preferably selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and styrene -Butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber and silicone rubber, or preferably made of a thermoplastic preferably from the group of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene ( PE) or the like. Other fluid-tight and preferably also gas-tight materials or combinations of materials can also be used. In particularly preferred developments, thin thermoplastic films can be used, e.g. in the form of already stretched, slack bags that can be easily deformed to form folds.

In a preferred embodiment of the cartridge element that is ready for assembly, there is a liquid-permeable opening in the through-opening of the hollow body Arranged evaporator unit, which extends over the entire passage opening, wherein the evaporator unit has a wick element facing the environment and a heating element facing the air flow channel. The evaporator unit is particularly preferably assigned to the head adapter or the chimney segment thereof.

The object is also achieved by an evaporator cartridge of the type mentioned in that the hollow body of the cartridge element is assigned a pressure equalization element which is designed and set up to equalize the pressure between the surroundings of the cartridge element and the air flow channel. The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the cartridge element. By assigning the or each pressure compensation element to the hollow body, ie at a distance and detached from the storage tank and in particular from its wall, the assembly of the evaporator cartridge is significantly simplified. The evaporator cartridges according to the invention also have a more compact design due to the space-optimized arrangement of the or each pressure compensation element and the simple functional design. Furthermore, the covering of the evaporator unit in particular by the pressure compensation element or by parts thereof can be effectively prevented.

When the evaporator cartridge is in the installed state, the receiving space of the storage tank forms the environment for the cartridge element. The hollow body is thus within the storage tank. Vaporizer cartridges according to the invention are particularly suitable for use in electronic cigarettes or portable inhalers and therefore include a rigid storage tank in which the liquid to be vaporized can be stored. The person skilled in the art is able to assess whether a storage tank can be described as rigid on the basis of his general knowledge. In the context of the present invention, the term rigid designates in particular those storage tanks which undergo a deformation of 10% or less, preferably 1% to 0.1% or less, when a pressure of 200 kPa is applied over the surface. Examples of rigid storage tanks are known to those skilled in the art and include, for example, those made of glass, metal, or non-elastic plastic. Storage tanks that are designed to be thin-walled and flexible can also be expressly described as rigid.

The pressure-equalizing element associated with the hollow body separates the air flow channel within the hollow body from the liquid in the storage tank, which is released exclusively via the evaporator unit as vapor or the like can get into the air flow channel. If the pressure in the external environment changes, ie in particular outside of the evaporator cartridge or as a result of the use of the evaporator cartridge, the resulting pressure differences can be compensated for reliably and directly via the pressure compensation element. A volume increase or decrease in volume within the living space can be achieved by the pressure compensation element in order to compensate for the pressure difference between the external environment U′ outside the evaporator cartridge and the environment U inside the evaporator cartridge.

For this purpose, the pressure compensation element preferably covers the air flow channel at least in a liquid-tight manner, optionally also gas-tight, with respect to the receiving space of the storage tank containing the liquid. The pressure compensation element of the cartridge element is expediently designed and set up to change the volume of the region of the receiving space that receives the liquid. The pressure compensation element is preferably designed to be movable and particularly preferably flexible, so that it can be moved and/or stretched to increase or decrease the volume.

The cartridge element of the evaporator cartridge according to the invention is particularly advantageously designed and set up according to one or more of claims 1 to 16.

The object is also achieved by an evaporator system of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is characterized in that the evaporator cartridge is designed and set up according to one or more of claims 17 to 21. To avoid repeating the advantages, reference is made to the statements on the cartridge element and the evaporator cartridge.

Advantageously, the evaporator cartridge forms a first part, in particular a disposable part, and the cartridge carrier forms a second part, in particular a reusable part, with the first part and the second part being reversibly and non-destructively detachable, so that an electrical contact between the electrical energy source of the Cartridge carrier and an electrical heating element of the evaporator cartridge and a fluid-conducting contact between the storage tank and the electrical heating element.

The object is also achieved by a method with the initially mentioned characterized in that the method is characterized by the following steps in that the pressure compensation element is pre-assembled immediately and directly on the hollow body before the final assembly of the evaporator cartridge. The hollow body is light accessible and in particular also suitable for series production, e.g. of an endless strand, so that the or each pressure compensation element can be (pre-)assembled on the hollow body quickly, reliably and in a space-saving manner with little effort, before the hollow body is sealed with the storage tank and/or other components for final assembly is connected.

The liquid is expediently filled into the storage tank before the vaporizer cartridge is finally installed. The liquid can, for example, be quickly and reliably filled into the storage tank that is still open, before it is sealed by the cartridge element and/or other components to form the closed receiving space.

Advantageously, a (prefabricated) hollow body is provided which, in addition to the air inlet and air outlet openings, has an equalization opening as part of the pressure equalization element. This ensures rapid and space-saving production or prefabrication of the cartridge element or the hollow body for simplified production or assembly of the evaporator cartridge.

A preferred further development is characterized in that for the pre-assembly of the pressure equalization element, each equalization opening is sealed with a flexible and/or movable cover. The final completion or attachment of the pressure compensation element is thus significantly simplified and particularly space-saving. The connection can be made, for example, by welding, soldering, gluing or other common connection techniques.

A particularly advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the closing of each compensation opening with the cover has the following sequence of steps: a fluid-tight membrane is pulled over each compensation opening as a cover, liquid-tight connection of the membrane to the hollow body in the area of a first connection point, liquid-tight connection of the membrane to the hollow body in the area of a second connection point. This sequence of steps enables the series production of the cartridge elements or the hollow bodies carrying the pressure equalization element in a particularly efficient and precise manner, which ultimately enables the manufacture/assembly of the evaporator cartridge to be carried out quickly and in a cost-optimized manner.

Advantageously, an endless hose is inflated with air and/or gas as a fluid-tight membrane, pulled over the hollow body to cover each equalization opening and placed on it before the membrane is connected to the hollow body, with the end of the endless hose is separated with the creation of the second connection point or afterwards. This further supports the advantages explained above.

After being connected to the hollow body, the cover is optionally processed radially outwards by deep-drawing to reduce the material thickness of the cover and/or to increase the volume of a bubble created by the cover. Deep-drawing can, for example, be carried out with a heated tool using a vacuum.

A thinner material or wall thickness reacts more sensitively to pressure fluctuations, so that even small pressure changes can be effectively compensated.

Further expedient and/or advantageous features and developments of the device and of the method result from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawing. In the drawing shows:

1 shows a schematic representation of a first preferred embodiment of the cartridge element according to the invention with a pressure compensation element in a side view, the hollow body of the cartridge element essentially comprising a funnel body,

2 a) to d) show a sequence of steps for producing a further preferred embodiment of the cartridge element, namely the cartridge element according to FIG. 1 with a head adapter, the hollow body of the cartridge element essentially comprising the head adapter comprising a funnel segment and the funnel body

3 shows a schematic representation of an evaporator cartridge with a cartridge element according to FIG. 2 in a (partial) sectional representation, and

4 shows a schematic representation of an evaporator system with an evaporator cartridge according to FIG. 3 in a (partial) sectional representation.

The cartridge element shown in the drawing is designed and set up for use in an evaporator cartridge of an evaporator system to be used as an e-cigarette. Correspondingly, the cartridge element, the evaporator cartridge and the evaporator system as a portable inhaler for inhaling other active substances, in particular those for pharmaceutical and/or medical purposes, are suitable and appropriately designed and set up.

A cartridge element 10 for an electronic cigarette 11 is shown in FIG. Optionally, the cartridge element 10 can also be designed and suitable for portable inhalers or other inhalation systems. The cartridge element 10 comprises a hollow body 12 with a continuous air flow channel 13 to form a vent 14, which extends inside the hollow body 12 from an air inlet opening 15 to an air outlet opening 16, preferably in the area of a mouthpiece 17 of the electronic cigarette 11 or the portable inhaler. extends.

According to the invention, this cartridge element 10 is characterized in that a pressure compensation element 21 is assigned to the hollow body 12 . In the illustrated embodiment, a single pressure compensation element 21 is shown. In other developments, two or more pressure compensation elements 21 can also be provided.

The features and developments described below, considered individually or in combination with one another, represent preferred embodiments of the cartridge element 10 (see in particular Figures 1 and 2) or of an evaporator cartridge 22 comprising a cartridge element 10 (see in particular Figure 3) and of the e-cigarette 11 ( see in particular Figure 4). It is expressly pointed out that features that are summarized in the claims and/or the description and/or the drawing or are described in a common embodiment also function independently of the cartridge element 10 or an evaporator cartridge comprising such a cartridge element 10 or a corresponding evaporator system.

The or each pressure compensation element 21 is formed on and in the hollow body 12 . Individual components of the pressure compensation element 21 protrude beyond the hollow body 12, while other components of the pressure compensation element 21 protrude into the hollow body 12 or are embedded in it. The pressure compensation element 21 can be designed in one piece or in several pieces. Preferably, the pressure compensation element 21 consists of a radially directed compensation opening 23 in the hollow body 12 - the compensating opening 23 forms the part of the pressure equalizing element 21 that protrudes into the hollow body 12 - and a flexible and/or movable cover 24 that completely covers the compensating opening 23 - the cover 24 forms the component that protrudes beyond the hollow body 12. The compensation opening 23 can vary in shape, contour, size. The compensating opening 23 is preferably designed in the form of an elongated hole and extends in the longitudinal direction of the central axis MH of the hollow body 12. The number of compensating openings 23 can also vary.

The hollow body 12 can optionally be designed in one piece or in multiple parts, with the hollow body 12 in a multi-part design comprising at least one chimney body 42 to form a first chimney section and a head adapter 43, which is preferably detachably connected to the chimney body 42, to form a second chimney section. With the one-piece design, there is a single chimney section that forms and defines the chimney 14 . The hollow body 12 then only comprises the funnel body 42, as shown in FIG. 1, for example. In the case of the multi-part design, the funnel 14 is formed from several sections. The chimney body 42 as the first chimney section forms the chimney 14 with the head adapter 43 as the second chimney section may be connected to this.

The hollow body 12 then comprises, as can be seen, for example, in FIG. The air inlet opening 15 is preferably located in the area of the second chimney section, i.e. in the area of the chimney segment 44 of the head adapter 43. The air outlet opening 16 is preferably located in the area of the first chimney section, i.e. in the area of the chimney body 42.

At least in the first chimney section, ie in the chimney body 42 , a radially directed compensating opening 23 is formed, which establishes a connection between the environment U of the cartridge element 10 and the air flow channel 13 . Further compensation openings 23 can be formed in the chimney body 42 and/or in the chimney segment 44 .

In the region of a wall 18 surrounding and delimiting the air flow channel 13, the hollow body 12 has a radially directed through-opening 19 for forming a passage between the surroundings U of the cartridge element 10 and the Air flow channel 13 for receiving an evaporator unit 20 of the electronic cigarettes 11 or the portable inhaler. There are different options for forming and/or positioning the or each through-opening 19. The through-opening 19 is particularly preferably formed in the area of the second duct section, ie along the duct segment 44 of the head adapter 43.

The radially directed compensation opening 23 is formed in the hollow body 12 in the wall 18 surrounding the air flow channel 13 in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body 12 between the passage opening 19 for the evaporator unit 20 and the air outlet opening 16 of the chimney 14 . The compensating opening 23 thus extends, on the one hand, in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body 12 and, on the other hand, radially inwards transversely to the longitudinal extension. Various options are possible with regard to the length of the compensation opening 23 in the longitudinal direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the compensation opening 23 is arranged approximately in the middle between the passage opening 19 and the air outlet opening 16 and extends over approximately one third of the total length of the section between the passage opening 19 and the air outlet opening 16. Of course, the compensation opening 23 can also be made shorter or longer . Optionally, small, round bores are also possible as a compensating opening 23 .

The cover 24 can be a preferably actively controlled, movable, mechanical element. The cover 24 is preferably a flexible and/or moveable membrane 25, foil or the like, which completely and sealingly covers the compensation opening 23 or each compensation opening 23 . The membrane 25 is preferably formed in one piece. A multi-part membrane 25 or several individual membranes 25 can also be used. The cover 24, in the exemplary embodiment shown the membrane 25, is particularly preferably of tubular design and completely surrounds the hollow body 12 at least in the area of the equalization opening 23, with the tubular cover 24 in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body 12 in the direction of the through-opening 19 in front of the same and in the direction of the Air outlet opening 16 is fully connected in front of the same firmly and sealingly with the peripheral surface 26 of the wall 18 of the hollow body 12. Instead of a tubular design of the cover 24/membrane 25, a pocket-shaped design is also possible. Other configurations and shapes of the cover 24 can also be used. The cover 24/membrane 25 is designed and set up to perform a compensating movement/stretching in a tubular configuration according to the arrows 27. The compensating movement/stretching is given over the entire circumference of the hollow body 12 in all directions and is therefore virtually rotationally symmetrical. In other - not explicitly shown - embodiments in which the equalization opening 23 is positioned and/or configured differently and/or the cover 24 is configured differently than tubular, the cover 24/membrane 25 can be stretched/stretched in directions other than those shown in the figure. are unfolded, in particular not rotationally symmetrical.

The cover 24 is connected to the hollow body 12 by means of welding and/or soldering and/or gluing and/or by means of any other connection technique for firm and tight connection. The connection points 28, 29 are preferably each formed in the edge region of the tubular membrane 25. For example, the membrane 25 that is heated on the surface can be pressed with the peripheral surface 26 of the hollow body 12 . The type of connection is freely selectable, as long as the connection points 28, 29 are tight. The membrane 25 itself is liquid-tight and preferably also gas-tight.

The hollow body 12 itself is optionally tubular and cylindrical, at least in sections. The cross section of the hollow body 12 is particularly preferably elliptical or diamond-shaped, at least in the area of the connection points 28, 29, which form the sealing surfaces between the cover 24/membrane 25 on the one hand and the hollow body 12 on the other. In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow body 12 is made in one piece from a solid material, such as a metal, plastic, composite material or the like. The air flow channel 13 within the hollow body 12 can run linearly, namely parallel to the central axis MH. However, the course of the air flow channel 13 can vary.

A base plate 30 or the like is preferably assigned to the hollow body 12 on the side opposite the air outlet opening 16, i.e. preferably in the area of the air inlet opening 15, which can however also be formed at a different position, with the base plate 30 for the sealing attachment of the cartridge element 10 a rigid storage tank 31 of the electronic cigarette 11 or the evaporator cartridge 22 or the portable inhaler for receiving and storing a liquid can be designed and set up. The base plate 30 can be a simple plate. However, the base plate 30 is preferably the head adapter 43 with the chimney segment 44. The base plate 30 or the head adapter 43 closes off the storage tank 31 at the end in a sealing manner. With or without a base plate 30 or head adapter 43, a sealing connection of the hollow body 12 to the storage tank 31 is ensured. For this purpose, the hollow body 12 is adapted and designed at both opposite ends to create a sealing connection, optionally with the storage tank 31 and/or the mouthpiece 17 of the e-cigarette 11. On the side facing the air inlet opening 15, the seal is preferably made by means of the Base plate 30 or the head adapter 43. At the end of the hollow body 12 facing the air outlet opening 16, this is designed and set up for sealingly fastening the cartridge element 10 to the rigid storage tank 31 of the electronic cigarette 11 or the portable inhaler or the corresponding mouthpiece 17.

The reversibly deformable cover 24, in the example shown the membrane 25, consists optionally of a rubber-elastic plastic which comprises one or more elastomers which have been produced from rubbers which are selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber, preferably selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and silicone rubber, or preferably made of a thermoplastic preferably from the group of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene ( PP), polyethylene (PE) or the like. Other materials or combinations of materials can also be used. Thin, thermoplastic plastic films can be used with particular preference, e.g. in the form of already stretched, slack bags that can be easily deformed with the formation of folds.

As a modular spare or replacement part, the cartridge element 10 can be used in a variety of ways as a common part and can be used almost universally, in particular regardless of the external shape. For use in an evaporator cartridge 22, a liquid-permeable evaporator unit 20 is arranged in the passage opening 19 of the hollow body 12, which extends over the entire passage opening 19, the evaporator unit 20 having a wick element 32 facing the environment and a wick element (not explicitly shown) facing the air flow channel 13. has heating element. The evaporator unit 20 is designed to supply liquid by means of the wicking element 32 to the heating element, which discharges the evaporated liquid into the air flow channel 13 .

Such an evaporator cartridge 22 is described below with reference to FIG. The evaporator cartridge 22 is part of an electronic Cigarette 11 (see in particular Figure 4) or a portable inhaler and comprises at least one rigid storage tank 31 for receiving and storing a liquid and a cartridge element 10 comprising an evaporator unit 20 which - to form a closed receiving space 33 for the liquid, which surrounds the environment U represents for the hollow body 12 - is sealingly connected to the storage tank 31, wherein the cartridge element 10 has a hollow body 12 with a continuous air flow channel 13 to form a chimney 14.

Such an evaporator cartridge 22 is characterized according to the invention in that the hollow body 12 of the cartridge element 10 is assigned a pressure equalization element 21, which is designed and set up to equalize the pressure between the environment U, i.e. the receiving space 33, of the cartridge element 10 and the air flow channel 13. The receiving space 33 of the storage tank 31 forms the environment U for the cartridge element 10 and the reservoir for the liquid, air/gas bubbles also being able to occur within the receiving space 33 . The formation and/or enlargement of the air/gas bubbles, e.g. due to the intended use of the evaporator cartridge 22 and/or external influences, i.e. pressure changes in the environment U′ outside the evaporator cartridge 22, leads to changing pressure conditions that are compensated for by the pressure equalization element 21 . The pressure compensation element 21 covers the air flow channel 13 in a liquid-tight and preferably also gas-tight manner in relation to the receiving space 33 of the storage tank 31 containing the liquid. In the embodiment shown, the pressure equalization element 21 of the cartridge element 10 is designed and set up to change the volume of the region of the receiving space 33 receiving the liquid. If the pressure (overpressure) increases in the external environment U', i.e. outside the receiving space 33 of the storage tank 31 of the evaporator cartridge 22, pressure equalization can take place via the access to the vent 14 to the external environment U', i.e. in particular via the or each equalization opening 23 by the membrane 25, foil or the like being pushed further away from the equalizing opening 23, whereby the volume of space within the receiving space 33 of the evaporator cartridge 22 is reduced. The bulge or bubble is more or less inflated. If the pressure (negative pressure) in the external environment U′ drops, a pressure equalization can take place via the access to the vent to the external environment U′ by pulling the membrane 25 , film or the like in the direction of the equalization opening 23 . In other words, the negative pressure in the external environment U' causes the bump or bubble to collapse, whereby the volume of space within the receiving space 33 of the evaporator cartridge 22 increases.

The reversibly stretchable membrane 25 as a cover 24 can be pulled in the direction of the equalization opening 23 (see arrow 27) when there is or developing negative pressure in the environment U' and leads to the volume increase of the receiving space 33. When there is or developing overpressure in the environment The membrane 25 can be pushed away from the compensating opening 23 (see arrow 27) and leads to the reduction in volume of the receiving space 33, as a result of which constant pressure conditions within the receiving space 33 can ultimately be realized “online”. Even small pressure differences can be compensated for by the configuration according to the invention. In other words, even small pressure differences lead to a deformation of the pressure compensation element 21 and a change in volume within the receiving space 33. The cover 24 or membrane 25 is designed and set up to be “sensitive” in such a way that even small pressure fluctuations, i.e. the creation of overpressure or underpressure outside the evaporator cartridge 22 , especially in the area U 'of preferably less than 15hPa and particularly preferably less than 5hPa by means of the pressure equalization element 21 can be compensated.

In the illustrated, preferred evaporator cartridge 22 according to FIG. 3, the cartridge element 10 is designed and set up according to one or more of claims 1 to 12.

The evaporator cartridge 22 is an independent module, but is preferably part of an evaporator system 34, in particular an electronic cigarette 11 or a portable inhaler. The evaporator system 34, i.e. the e-cigarette 11 in the drawing, is designed and set up for inhaling an aerosol enriched with active substances, aerosol-vapor mixture or the like and comprises a cartridge carrier 37 comprising at least one electronic control unit 35 and an energy source 36 as well as the Evaporator cartridge 22. According to the invention, this evaporator system 34 is characterized in that the evaporator cartridge 22 is designed and set up according to one or more of claims 13 to 17. The evaporator system 34 can be designed in one piece or in multiple pieces. It can be designed as a whole as a disposable or reusable part, with one or more storage tanks 31. In the embodiment shown, the evaporator cartridge 22 forms a first part, in particular a disposable part, and the cartridge carrier 37 forms a second part, in particular a Reusable part, the first part and the second part being reversibly and non-destructively releasably connected to one another, so that there is electrical contact between the electrical energy source 36 of the cartridge carrier 37 and the electrical heating element of the evaporator cartridge 22, as well as fluid-conducting contact between the storage tank 31 and the receiving space 33 and the electric heating element.

When using the e-cigarette 11 as intended, the person using it sucks on the mouthpiece 17, as a result of which liquid gradually gets from the storage tank 31 or receiving space 33 via the evaporator unit 20 as an aerosol, aerosol-vapor mixture or the like into the flow channel 13 and from the user person is inhaled. Due to the decreasing amount of liquid in the receiving space 33 and/or external influences, i.e. changes in the pressure conditions outside the e-cigarette in the environment U', the pressure conditions between the external environment U' and the receiving space 33, i.e. the internal environment U, change In particular, when the e-cigarette 11 is used properly, a negative pressure is created in the receiving space 33, which is compensated for by the mobility or flexibility of the membrane 25, in that the membrane 25 is pulled radially outwards to reduce the volume of the receiving space 33, whereby the negative pressure is compensated . Since the membrane 25 may not be sufficiently stretchable to ensure pressure equalization until the storage tank 31 is completely empty, a ventilation valve—not explicitly shown—can optionally be provided by means of which the pressure equalization can be carried out.

If, for example, the ambient pressure of the e-cigarette 11 and thus also the evaporator cartridge 22 changes, the pressure conditions inside the storage tank 31 also change of the receiving space 33 are from. This results in an increase in the volume of the air/gas bubbles within the receiving space 33 , which is compensated for by the mobility or flexibility of the membrane 25 . The membrane 25 is in fact pressed radially inwards and possibly also pressed into the compensation opening 23 . By equalizing the overpressure, liquid is effectively prevented from being “squeezed out” or escaping through the evaporator unit 20 into the air flow channel 13 . The method for producing an evaporator cartridge 22 is described in more detail below. The term "manufacturing" expressly also includes the prefabrication and assembly of prefabricated components of the evaporator cartridge 22.

The method is designed and suitable in particular for producing an evaporator cartridge 22 according to one or more of Claims 17 to 21 and comprises the following steps: A hollow body 12 is provided which has a continuous air flow channel 13 to form a chimney 14 with an air inlet opening 15 and an air outlet opening 16 included. Furthermore, a component carrying an evaporator unit 20 is provided. Furthermore, a rigid storage tank 31 forming a receiving space 33 for receiving and storing a liquid is provided. In addition, a pressure equalization element 21 is provided and such that the pressure equalization element 21 acts to equalize the pressure between the air flow channel 13 and the receiving space 33 in the assembled state of the hollow body 12 , the component carrying the evaporator unit 20 and the storage tank 31 . These provided and possibly preassembled components are then finally assembled to form the finished evaporator cartridge 22 in that the hollow body 12 and the component carrying the evaporator unit 20 are sealingly connected to the storage tank 31 to form a closed receiving space 33 for receiving the liquid. In the finally assembled evaporator cartridge 22, the pressure compensation element 21 is positioned within the receiving space 33 in order to compensate for the pressure fluctuations occurring therein which are due to use and/or occurring as a result of external influences.

According to the invention, the pressure equalization element 21 is preassembled immediately and directly on the hollow body 12 before the evaporator cartridge 22 is finally installed.

The preparation and/or pre-assembly of the components "hollow body 12", preferably as a chimney body 42, "component carrying the evaporator unit 20", preferably as a head adapter 43 comprising a chimney segment 44, "storage tank 31" and "pressure equalization element 21" can be done in different ways and/or or at least partly executed in a different order.

In a first variant, the hollow body 12 can be provided as an individual component, for example as an injection molded part. At this hollow body 12 and the chimney body 42 is the pressure compensation element 21 attached. This can be done, for example, by pulling a tubular membrane 25 onto the hollow body 12 and then connecting it to the same. The storage tank 31 is then injection molded onto the hollow body 12 . The component carrying the evaporator unit 20 or the head adapter carrying the evaporator unit 20 in a funnel segment 44 then becomes

43 placed and fastened as a kind of cover on the unit formed from the hollow body 12 with the pressure compensation element 21 and the storage tank 31 .

In a second variant, the hollow body 12 is also provided as an individual component, e.g. as an injection molded part. The pressure compensation element 21 is attached to this hollow body 12 or chimney body 42 . This can be done, for example, by pulling a tubular membrane 25 onto the hollow body 12 and then connecting it to the same, or in some other way. A separately manufactured storage tank 31 is provided for this purpose. It can also be manufactured using the injection molding process, for example. The hollow body 12 provided with the pressure-equalizing element 21 is then inserted into the storage tank 31 and is firmly and sealingly connected to the storage tank 31 with its end pointing into the storage tank 31 . Finally, the component carrying the evaporator unit 20 or the head adapter 43 carrying the evaporator unit 20 in a chimney segment 44 is placed and fastened as a kind of cover on the unit formed from the hollow body 12 with the pressure compensation element 21 and the storage tank 31 .

In a third variant, a hollow body 12, ie the chimney body 42, together with the component carrying the evaporator unit 20, ie the one chimney segment

44 comprehensive head adapter 43, produced by injection molding and provided with the evaporator unit 20. Thereafter, the pressure compensation element 21 is attached to the hollow body 12 . This can be done, for example, by pulling a tubular membrane 25 onto the hollow body 12 and then connecting it to the same, or in some other way. A separately manufactured storage tank 31 is provided for this purpose. This can be produced, for example, using the injection molding process. Finally, the hollow body 12 produced and preassembled in this way and carrying the pressure equalization element 21 is placed with the component carrying the evaporator unit 20 quasi as a cover in or on the storage tank 31 and fastened.

Other variants of production and pre-assembly and final assembly are of course possible. The membrane 25 can be further inflated to form an airbag or to form the bladder 21 . Inflation is preferably via the air flow channel 13 of the hollow body 12 and can already take place on the pre-assembled hollow body 12. Alternatively, the inflation can also take place after the vaporizer cartridge 22 has been finally installed.

Finally, the evaporator cartridge 22 can be sealed in order to close possible leaks, particularly in the area of the assembly gaps.

For a ready-to-use evaporator cartridge 22, a liquid is optionally filled into the storage tank 31 before the evaporator cartridge 22 is finally installed. The filling can, for example, take place directly in the storage tank 31 that is still open. However, filling can also take place subsequently, e.g. via a filling needle or a filling valve or the like, when the evaporator cartridge 22 has already been finally installed.

A hollow body 12 is preferably provided which, in addition to the air inlet and air outlet openings 15, 16, has a compensation opening 23 as part of the pressure compensation element 21. For pre-mounting the or each pressure equalization element 21, this or each equalization opening 23 is sealed with a flexible and/or movable cover 24. The components or parts equalization opening 23 and cover 24 form the pressure equalization element 21 in operative connection with one another and are both assigned to the hollow body 12 .

The closing of each compensation opening 23 with the cover 24 optionally has the following sequence of steps: First, a fluid-tight membrane 25 is pulled over each compensation opening 23 as a cover 24 . This membrane 25 is then preferably in close contact with the hollow body 12 and can then be inflated. The membrane 25 is pulled onto the hollow body 12 until the or each compensation opening 23 is completely covered and other components remain free, ie uncovered. Then the membrane 25 is connected to the hollow body 12 in a liquid-tight manner in the region of a first connection point 28 . The connection can take place by means of a connection tool 38, 39. For example, the membrane 25 can be fused, welded, soldered, glued or otherwise connected to the surface of the hollow body 12 in a fluid-tight and optionally also gas-tight manner. The membrane 25 is then connected in a liquid-tight manner to the hollow body 12 in the area of a second connection point 29 . The connection takes place in a corresponding manner by means of a connection tool 38, 39. The membrane 25 can optionally also be connected at the same time at both connection points 28, 29 or vice versa order. A single connection tool 38 or 39 can also be used to produce both connection points 28, 29.

In the sequence of steps described in Figure 2, to cover the e.g. tubular membrane 25, an endless tube 40 is inflated with air and/or gas as a fluid-tight membrane 25, pulled over the hollow body 12 to cover each equalizing opening 23 and placed on it before the membrane 25 is firmly and sealingly connected to the hollow body 12, the (free) end of the endless tube 40 not connected to the hollow body 12 being severed when the second connection point 29 is created or afterwards and pulled off the hollow body 12. The inner diameter of the hose 40 increases as a result of the inflation, so that it can be pulled onto the hollow body 12 quickly and easily.

Optionally, the cover 24, in the example shown the hose-like membrane 25, after the - complete and final - connection to the hollow body 12 to reduce the material thickness of the cover 24 and / or to increase the volume of a bubble 41 created by the cover 24 radially be machined on the outside by deep drawing. However, the membrane 25 can also be stretched and elastically and/or plastically deformed in other ways.

The cartridge element 10 according to the invention is particularly preferably produced and prefabricated with the method described, which is then assembled with the storage tank 31 to form the evaporator cartridge 22 according to the invention. The evaporator cartridge 22 manufactured or assembled in this way can then be assembled easily and quickly, e.g. by means of a plug-in or quick-release fastener, with the cartridge carrier 37 to form the e-cigarette 11 according to the invention.

Claims

Expectations

1. Cartridge element (10) for an electronic cigarette (11) or a portable inhaler, comprising a hollow body (12) with a continuous air flow channel (13) to form a chimney (14) which extends inside the hollow body (12) from an air inlet opening (15) up to an air outlet opening (16), preferably in the area of a mouthpiece (17) of the electronic cigarette (11) or the portable inhaler, so that the hollow body

(12) is associated with a pressure compensation element (21).

2. cartridge element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure compensation element (21) is formed on and in the hollow body (12).

3. The cartridge element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressure equalization element (21) consists of a radially directed equalization opening (23) in the hollow body (12) and a flexible and/or moveable equalization opening (23) that completely covers it Cover (24) is formed.

4. Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hollow body (12) is optionally designed in one piece or in multiple parts, with the hollow body (12) having at least one funnel body (42) in the case of a multi-part design a first duct section and a head adapter 43, which is preferably detachably connected to the duct body 42, to form a second duct section.

5. cartridge element (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least in the first chimney section a radially directed compensation opening (23) is formed, which is a connection between the environment (U) of the cartridge element (10) and the air flow channel

(13) manufactures.

6. cartridge element (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the hollow body (12) in the region of a wall (18) surrounding and delimiting the air flow channel (13) has a radially directed through-opening (19) to form a Passage between the environment of the cartridge element (10) and the

29 Air flow channel (13) for receiving an evaporator unit (20) of the electronic cigarettes (11) or the portable inhaler. Cartridge element (10) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the through-opening (19) is preferably formed in the region of the second funnel section. Cartridge element (10) according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the radially directed compensating opening (23) in the hollow body (12) in the wall (18) surrounding the air flow channel (13) in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body (12) between the through-opening ( 19) for the evaporator unit (20) and the air outlet opening (16) of the chimney (14). Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of Claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the cover (24) is a flexible and/or moveable membrane (25), film or the like which covers the equalization opening (23) in a sealing manner. Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the cover (24) is preferably of tubular design and completely surrounds the hollow body (12) at least in the region of the equalization opening (23), the tubular cover (24 ) in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body (12) in the direction of the through-opening (19) in front of the same and in the direction of the air outlet opening (16) in front of the same, is firmly and sealingly connected to the peripheral surface (26) of the wall (18) of the hollow body (12) over the entire circumference. Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of Claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the cover (24) is connected to the hollow body (12 ) connected is. Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the hollow body (12) is preferably tubular and cylindrical at least in sections. Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the hollow body (12) has a base plate (30) on the side opposite the air outlet opening (16).

30 is assigned, wherein the base plate (30) for sealing attachment of the cartridge element (10) to a rigid storage tank (31) of the electronic cigarette (11) or the portable inhaler for receiving and storing a liquid is designed and set up.

14. Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the hollow body (12) at the end facing the air outlet opening (16) for sealing attachment of the cartridge element (10) to a rigid storage tank (31). electronic cigarette (11) or the portable inhaler for receiving and storing a liquid is designed and set up.

15. cartridge element (10) according to one or more of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that the reversibly deformable cover (24) optionally made of a rubber-elastic plastic, which comprises one or more elastomers, which were made of rubbers that are selected from from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber, preferably selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and silicone rubber, or preferably one thermoplastic preferably from the group of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or the like

16. Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of Claims 6 to 15, characterized in that a liquid-permeable vaporizer unit (20) is arranged in the through-opening (19) of the hollow body (12) and extends over the entire through-opening (19). , wherein the evaporator unit (20) has a wick element (32) facing the environment (U) and a heating element facing the air flow channel (13).

17. Evaporator cartridge (22) as part of an electronic cigarette (11) or a portable inhaler, comprising at least one rigid storage tank (31) for receiving and storing a liquid and an evaporator unit (20) comprehensive cartridge element (10), which - for forming a closed receiving space (33) for the liquid - is sealingly connected to the storage tank (31), wherein the cartridge element (10) has a hollow body (12) with a continuous Air flow channel (13) for forming a chimney (14), da ru r hge kenn ze ichn et that the hollow body (12) of the cartridge element (10) is associated with a pressure equalization element (21) for pressure equalization between the environment ( U) of the cartridge element (10) and the air flow channel (13) is designed and set up. Evaporator cartridge (22) according to Claim 17, characterized in that the receiving space (33) of the storage tank (31) forms the environment (U) for the cartridge element (10). Evaporator cartridge (22) according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the pressure compensation element (21) covers the air flow channel (13) in a liquid-tight manner in relation to the receiving space (33) of the storage tank (31) containing the liquid. Evaporator cartridge (22) according to one or more of claims 17 to

19, characterized in that the pressure compensation element (21) of the cartridge element (10) is designed and set up to change the volume of the region of the receiving space (33) receiving the liquid. Evaporator cartridge (22) according to one or more of claims 17 to

20, characterized in that the cartridge element (10) is designed and set up according to one or more of claims 1 to 16. Evaporator system (34), in particular an electronic cigarette (11) or a portable inhaler, designed and set up for inhaling an aerosol enriched with active substances, aerosol-vapour mixture or the like, comprising at least one electronic control unit (35) and an energy source (36 ) Comprehensive cartridge carrier (37) and an evaporator cartridge (22), dadu rch ge kenn ze i ch n et that the evaporator cartridge (22) is designed and set up according to one or more of claims 17 to 21. Evaporator system (34) according to Claim 22, characterized in that the evaporator cartridge (22) forms a first part, in particular a disposable part, and the cartridge carrier (37) forms a second part, in particular a reusable part, the first part and the second Part are reversibly and non-destructively releasably connected to each other, so that an electrical contact between the electrical energy source (36) of the cartridge carrier (37) and a electrical heating element of the evaporator cartridge (22) and em fluid-conducting contact between the storage tank (31) and the electrical heating element. Method for producing an evaporator cartridge (22), in particular according to one or more of claims 17 to 21, with the steps:

- Providing a hollow body (12) which comprises a continuous air flow channel (13) to form a chimney (14) with an air inlet opening (15) and an air outlet opening (16),

- providing a component carrying an evaporator unit (20),

- Providing a rigid storage tank (31) forming a receiving space (33) for receiving and storing a liquid,

- Providing a pressure equalization element (21), such that the pressure equalization element (21) in the assembled state of the hollow body (12), the component carrying the evaporator unit (20) and the storage tank (31) for pressure equalization between the air flow channel (13) and the receiving space (33) works, and

- Final assembly of the evaporator cartridge (22) by the hollow body (12) and the evaporator unit (20) supporting component forming a closed receiving space (33) for receiving the liquid sealingly connected to the storage tank (31), da through g e ke n n ze i ch n et that the pressure compensation element (21) before the final assembly of the evaporator cartridge (22) is preassembled immediately and directly on the hollow body (12). Method according to Claim 24, characterized in that the liquid is filled into the storage tank (31) before the evaporator cartridge (22) is finally installed. Method according to Claim 24 or 25, characterized in that a hollow body (12) is provided which, in addition to the air inlet and air outlet openings (15, 16), has a compensation opening (23) as part of the pressure compensation element (21). Method according to Claim 26, characterized in that for the pre-assembly of the pressure equalization element (21) each equalization opening (23)

33 is sealed with a flexible and/or movable cover (24). Method according to Claim 27, characterized in that the closing of each equalization opening (23) with the cover (24) comprises the following sequence of steps:

- a fluid-tight membrane (25) is pulled over each equalizing opening (23) as a cover (24),

- liquid-tight connection of the membrane (25) to the hollow body (12) in the area of a first connection point (28),

- liquid-tight connection of the membrane (25) to the hollow body (12) in the region of a second connection point (29). Method according to Claim 28, characterized in that an endless hose (40) as a fluid-tight membrane (25) is inflated by air and/or gas, pulled over the hollow body (12) to cover each equalizing opening (23) and placed on it, before the membrane (25) is connected to the hollow body (12), the end of the endless tube (40) not connected to the hollow body (12) being severed when the second connection point (29) is created or afterwards. Method according to one or more of Claims 27 to 29, characterized in that the cover (24) after being connected to the hollow body (12) to reduce the material thickness of the cover (24) and/or to increase the volume of a through the cover ( 24) resulting bubble (41) is processed radially outwards by deep drawing.

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