WO2023066776A1

WO2023066776A1 - Cartridge for inductively heated aerosol-generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2023066776A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/078475
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rui Nuno Rodrigues Alves BATISTA; Ricardo CALI; Cheng Peng; Yiu Chi CHEUNG
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2021-10-20
Filing date: 2022-10-13
Publication date: 2023-04-27

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge comprises a distal region comprising a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, a proximal region comprising a hollow tubular susceptor element, and a wick element comprising a distal part and a proximal part. At least a portion of the distal part of the wick element extends into the liquid storage portion. At least a portion of the proximal part of the wick element is coaxially circumscribed by the susceptor element. The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system.

Description

CARTRIDGE FOR INDUCTIVELY HEATED AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE

The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device. The present disclosure further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosolgenerating device and one or both of a cartridge and an aerosol-generating article.

It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such devices may heat an aerosol-forming substrate contained in an aerosol-generating article or cartridge without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating arrangement may be an induction heating arrangement and may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor. The susceptor may be part of the device or may be part of the article or cartridge.

The aerosol-generating article may have a shape suitable for insertion of the aerosolgenerating article into a heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. For example, the aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape. A heating element may be arranged in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosol-forming substrate once the aerosolgenerating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. Upon heating to a target temperature, the aerosol-forming substrate vaporises to form an aerosol.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a solid aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively, a liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be delivered from a liquid storage portion to an electrical heating element. The liquid substrate may be delivered to the heating element via a capillary component. The liquid storage portion may be formed as replaceable or refillable cartridge comprising the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may be attached to the aerosol-generating device for supplying the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the device for aerosol generation.

It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system, in which the user experience is modifiable. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system, in which the flavor of the generated aerosol is modifiable. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system which may be used with or without an optional removable cartridge, which may contain a liquid. It would be desirable to provide an optional cartridge for use with an induction heating aerosol-generating device.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge may comprise a distal region comprising a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may comprise a proximal region comprising a hollow tubular susceptor element. The cartridge may comprise a wick element comprising a distal part and a proximal part. At least a portion of the distal part of the wick element may extend into the liquid storage portion. At least a portion of the proximal part of the wick element may be coaxially circumscribed by the susceptor element. According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge comprises a distal region comprising a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge comprises a proximal region comprising a hollow tubular susceptor element. The cartridge comprises a wick element comprising a distal part and a proximal part. At least a portion of the distal part of the wick element extends into the liquid storage portion. At least a portion of the proximal part of the wick element is coaxially circumscribed by the susceptor element.

The cartridge may be used with an induction heating aerosol-generating device comprising one or more inductor coils. An alternating electrical current in the inductor coil induces an alternating magnetic field. This alternating magnetic field is referred to as an induction field, because it can induce alternating ring currents (eddy currents) in a susceptor if the susceptor is conductive. If the susceptor is magnetic, then hysteresis losses would occur in the susceptor. In a susceptor which is both electrically conductive and magnetic, both effects (eddy currents and hysteresis losses) will cause the susceptor to heat. Generally, a material which heats up when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field is called a susceptor. Heat generated in this manner is then propagated to the aerosol-generating substrate causing it to heat and therefore generate an aerosol. The hollow tubular susceptor element of the cartridge of the invention may be heated by means of an inductor coil of the aerosol-generating device. A further inductor coil of the aerosol-generating device may heat another susceptor, for example a susceptor of a heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device or a susceptor of an aerosol-generating article inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

When the hollow tubular susceptor element of the cartridge of the invention is heated, heat will be conducted to the wick element circumscribed by the hollow tubular susceptor element. In turn, the proximal part of the wick element will heat up. The proximal part of the wick element is soaked with liquid aerosol-forming substrate, or with liquid sensorial media which is supplied from the liquid storage portion of the cartridge via the distal part of the wick element by means of capillary forces. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate or liquid sensorial media is thus evaporated at the hot proximal end of the wick element.

The wick element of the cartridge may have an elongate cylindrical shape.

The proximal region of the cartridge may comprise a proximal outer sidewall coaxially surrounding the susceptor element to form a recess or cavity between the proximal sidewall and the susceptor element. The proximal end of the recess or cavity may be open such that the susceptor element is visible from the outside.

The cartridge may comprise an open proximal end. The cartridge may comprise a removable sealing foil to close the proximal end of the cartridge prior to use. Such sealing foil may protect the cartridge and the mouthpiece during shipping and in particular before use from debris or other undesired contaminations.

The cartridge may comprise one or more air inlets provided in the proximal sidewall. The one or more air inlets may be arranged at a distal portion of the proximal sidewall.

The hollow tubular susceptor element may comprise a transversally extending diskshaped rim at a distal end thereof.

The transversally extending disk-shaped rim of the hollow tubular susceptor element may be fixed to a transversally extending wall element of a housing of the cartridge.

The transversally extending disk-shaped rim of the hollow tubular susceptor element may be made of a susceptor material. The hollow tubular susceptor element together with its transversally extending disk-shaped rim may be made of the same material. The hollow tubular susceptor element together with its transversally extending disk-shaped rim may be a monolithic piece.

The fixing of the transversally extending disk-shaped rim of the hollow tubular susceptor element to the transversally extending wall element of the housing of the cartridge may be accomplished by means of an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may be arranged between the disk-shaped rim and the wall element.

The hollow tubular susceptor element may comprise an inclined proximal end face. The inclined proximal end face is non-parallel to a plane which is perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the hollow tubular susceptor element.

The distal region of the cartridge may comprise a distal outer sidewall coaxially circumscribing the liquid storage portion.

The distal region of the cartridge may comprise a distal end wall comprising a refill inlet opening in fluid connection with the liquid storage portion. The cartridge may be connected to a refill unit for refilling liquid aerosol-forming substrate into the liquid storage portion of the cartridge via the refill inlet opening.

The cartridge may comprise a one-way valve arranged fluidly between the refill inlet opening and the liquid storage portion. The one-way valve may help in preventing leakage of liquid aerosol-forming substrate out of the refill inlet opening.

The cartridge may comprise a filter element arranged between the refill inlet opening and the liquid storage portion. The filter element may soak amounts of liquid aerosol-forming substrate that may accumulate when a user is refilling the cartridge. Thereby, the filter element may assist in leakage prevention.

The proximal region of the cartridge may comprise a proximal coupling means for removably attaching the cartridge to an aerosol-generating device. The proximal coupling means may comprise a male or a female portion of a coupling means and the aerosolgenerating device may comprise the respective corresponding other female or male portion of the coupling means. The coupling means may be, for example, a form-fit connection, a bayonet connection or a screw connection.

The distal region of the cartridge may comprise a distal coupling means for removably attaching the cartridge to, for example, a liquid-refill unit. The distal coupling means may comprise one or more coupling recesses. The distal coupling means may comprise a male or a female portion of a coupling means and the refill-unit or other unit may comprise the respective corresponding other female or male portion of the coupling means. The coupling means may be, for example, a form-fit connection, a bayonet connection or a screw connection.

The proximal region of the cartridge may have a cylindrical outer shape. The wick element may extend along a center axis of the cylindrical proximal region. A longitudinal axis of the wick element may thus be parallel to the center axis of the cylindrical proximal region.

An outer diameter of the cylindrical proximal region may be between 6.7 millimeters and 15.4 millimeters, preferably between 6.7 millimeters and 12.5 millimeters.

The distal region of the cartridge may have a cylindrical outer shape. The wick element may extend along a center axis of the cylindrical distal region. A longitudinal axis of the wick element may thus be parallel to the center axis of the cylindrical distal region.

An outer diameter of the cylindrical distal region may be between 8.3 millimeters and 26.1 millimeters, preferably between 10 millimeters and 21 millimeters.

The susceptor element may have a protective external layer, for example a protective ceramic layer or protective glass layer. The protective external layer may encapsulate the susceptor element.

The cartridge may be replaceable. The cartridge may be refillable. When the aerosolforming substrate is consumed, the user may refill the cartridge such that the refillable cartridge can be re-used. Designing parts to be re-usable helps to reduce waste and reduces the ecological impact of the device or the system or the cartridge on the environment.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising a cartridge as described herein and an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device comprises a heating chamber at least partly circumscribed by an inductor coil. The heating chamber comprises a proximal region for insertion of at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article and a distal region for insertion of at least a portion of the proximal region of the cartridge.

In a disassembled configuration of the aerosol-generating system, the aerosolgenerating device may be detached and separate from the cartridge and the aerosol- generating article. In an assembled configuration of the aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-generating device may be in physical contact with one or both of the cartridge and the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating device may be an induction heating device comprising one or more inductor coils. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating chamber. The heating chamber may have a cylindrical outer sidewall. An outer sidewall of the heating chamber may be coaxially circumscribed by the one or more inductor coils. The aerosolgenerating device may comprise more than one inductor coil and different conductor coils may be located at different longitudinal position of the heating chamber. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a device susceptor element. The device susceptor element may coaxially circumscribe the heating chamber. The one or more inductor coils may coaxially circumscribe the device susceptor element.

More than a single inductor coil may be provided. A first induction coil and a second induction coil may be provided. The first and second inductor coils may be provided at different longitudinal positions of the heating chamber.

The aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosolgenerating article may be reconstituted tobacco, preferably cast leaf, more preferably RRP cast leaf.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may be removably attachable to the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device when no aerosol-generating article is received in the heating chamber.

The heating chamber may have an open end into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted. The open end may be a proximal end. The heating chamber may have an open distal end opposite the open proximal end. The heating chamber may have an elongate extension. The heating chamber may have a longitudinal central axis. A longitudinal direction may be the direction extending between the proximal end and the distal end along the longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal central axis of the heating chamber may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device. In an assembled configuration of the aerosol-generating system, the longitudinal central axis of the heating chamber may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of one or both of the cartridge and the aerosol-generating article.

The heating chamber may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The heating chamber may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received in the heating chamber. The heating chamber may have a circular cross-section. The heating chamber may have an elliptical or rectangular cross-section. The heating chamber may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

The heating chamber may be adapted such that air may flow through the heating chamber. The proximal end of the wick element may be fluidly connected with the heating chamber via the airflow path. Ambient air may be drawn into the aerosol-generating device or the cartridge, into the cheating chamber and towards the user. The open end of the heating chamber may comprise the air outlet. Downstream of the heating chamber, a mouthpiece may be arranged or a user may directly draw on the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating device may be configured to removably attach the cartridge. Thereby, the cartridge may be easily replaced by the user. The user may replace an emptied cartridge. The user may select between different cartridges holding different liquids. The different cartridges may be colour-coded with different colours such that the user may easily distinguish between the different liquids.

The aerosol-generating system may allow for different modes of operation enabling variable user experiences for a user. The system may be used with an aerosol-generating article only, without a cartridge or with a closed or empty cartridge, such that the generated aerosol comprises volatized compounds from only the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article. The system may be used with an aerosol-generating article and a cartridge, such that the generated aerosol comprises volatized compounds from both the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article and the liquid aerosol-forming substrate or liquid sensorial media comprised of the cartridge. The system may be used with a cartridge only, without an aerosol-generating article or with a dummy article without aerosolforming substrate, such that the generated aerosol comprises volatized compounds from only the liquid aerosol-forming substrate or liquid sensorial media comprised of the cartridge. Different aerosol-generating articles with different flavors, different retention-to-draw values, etc. may be used. Different cartridges with different flavors, different intensities of a flavor, etc may be used. Accordingly, countless combinations of different articles and/ or different cartridges are possible. A highly modifiable and unique user experience may be provided. For example, the nicotine-content of the generated aerosol is modifiable. A multi-functional system may be provided by enabling different modes of operation. A user may choose between the different modes of operation. Thus, it is not necessary for a user to carry multiple different devices for each mode of operation, but only one device. Also, a user may not need to buy multiple different devices, but only one device, which may be cost saving.

The aerosol-generating article may have a cylindrical outer shape. The proximal region of the cartridge may have a hollow cylindrical outer shape and the outer diameter of the cylindrical article may be smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical proximal region of the cartridge for allowing insertion of a distal end of the article into at least a portion of the hollow cylindrical proximal region of the cartridge.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a recess at a distal end thereof for insertion of at least a portion of the hollow tubular susceptor element of the cartridge.

The aerosol-generating article may have a cylindrical outer shape, the proximal region of the cartridge may have a cylindrical outer shape, and the outer diameters of the cylindrical article and the cylindrical proximal region of the cartridge may be substantially identical.

The liquid storage portion of the cartridge may comprise one or both of a liquid aerosolforming substrate and a liquid sensorial media. The liquid sensorial media may comprise a flavorant. The liquid sensorial media may comprise nicotine. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate or liquid sensorial media may comprise a flavoring, for example menthol or herbal compounds. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate or the liquid sensorial media may comprise nicotine. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate or the liquid sensorial media may comprise a botanical content, for example CBD.

The wick element may comprise cotton. The wick element may be made of cotton.

The wick element may be a porous element. The wick element may be capable of absorbing liquid from the airflow. The wick element may comprise a capillary material. The capillary material may have a fibrous or spongy structure. The capillary material preferably comprises a bundle of capillaries. For example, the capillary material may comprise a plurality of fibres or threads or other fine bore tubes. The fibres or threads may be generally aligned to convey liquid from the distal part of the wick element to the proximal part of the wick element. Alternatively, the capillary material may comprise sponge-like or foam-like material. The structure of the capillary material may form a plurality of small bores or tubes, through which the liquid can be transported by capillary action. The capillary material may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials are a sponge or foam material, ceramic- or graphite-based materials in the form of fibres or sintered powders, foamed metal or plastics materials, a fibrous material, for example made of spun or extruded fibres, such as cellulose acetate, polyester, or bonded polyolefin, polyethylene, ethylene or polypropylene fibres, nylon fibres or ceramic. The capillary material may have any suitable capillarity and porosity so as to be used with different liquid physical properties. The liquid has physical properties, including but not limited to viscosity, surface tension, density, thermal conductivity, boiling point and vapour pressure, which allow the liquid to be transported through the capillary material by capillary action. The capillary material may be configured to convey the aerosol-forming substrate to the proximal part of the wick element and to the susceptor element. The capillary material may extend into interstices in the susceptor element. As used herein the term ‘liquid sensorial media’ relates to a liquid composition capable of modifying an airflow in contact with the liquid sensorial media. The modification of the airflow may be one or more of forming an aerosol or a vapor, cooling an airflow, and filtering an airflow. For example, the liquid sensorial media may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol or a vapor. Preferably, the aerosolforming substrate in the liquid sensorial media is a flavorant or comprises a flavorant. Alternatively or in addition, the liquid sensorial media may comprise one or both of a cooling substance for cooling an airflow passing through the liquid sensorial media and a filter substance for capturing unwanted components in the airflow. Water may be used as a cooling substance. Water may be used as a filtering substance for capturing particles such as dust particles from the airflow. The liquid sensorial media may serve as one or more of a nicotine providing liquid, a flavor enhancer, and a volume enhancer.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol or a vapor. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be in solid form or may be in liquid form. The terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapor’ are used synonymously.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of the liquid held in the liquid storage portion of the cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of the liquid sensorial media held in the liquid storage portion of the cartridge. The liquid storage portion may contain a liquid aerosolforming substrate. Alternatively or in addition, the liquid storage portion may contain a solid aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the liquid storage portion may contain a suspension of a solid aerosol-forming substrate and a liquid. Preferably, the liquid storage portion contains a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate described in the following may be one or both of the aerosol-forming substrate contained in the liquid storage portion and the aerosol-forming substrate comprised in the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, a liquid nicotine or flavor/flavorant containing aerosol-forming substrate may be employed in the liquid storage portion of the cartridge, while a solid tobacco containing aerosol-forming substrate may be employed in the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The nicotine-containing aerosolforming substrate may be a nicotine salt matrix.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant-based material. The aerosolforming substrate may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material including volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised tobacco material. Homogenised tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered crimped sheet of homogenised tobacco material. As used herein, the term 'crimped sheet' denotes a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. An aerosolformer is any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense and stable aerosol and that is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the temperature of operation of the device. Suitable aerosol-formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1 , 3-butanediol. Preferably, the aerosol former is glycerine. Where present, the homogenised tobacco material may have an aerosolformer content of equal to or greater than 5 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, and preferably from 5 percent to 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavourants.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating article’ refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be an article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable by the user drawing or puffing on a mouthpiece at a proximal or userend of the device. An aerosol-generating article may be disposable. The aerosol-generating article may be insertable into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, the term ‘liquid storage portion’ refers to a storage portion comprising a liquid sensorial media and, additionally or alternatively, an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The liquid storage portion may be configured as a container or a reservoir for storing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

The liquid storage portion may be configured as a replaceable tank or container. The liquid storage portion may be any suitable shape and size. For example, the liquid storage portion may be substantially cylindrical. The cross-section of the liquid storage portion may, for example, be substantially circular, elliptical, square or rectangular. As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating device’ refers to a device that interacts with one or both of an aerosol-generating article and a cartridge to generate an aerosol.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating system’ refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device with one or both of a cartridge and an aerosol-generating article. In the system, the aerosol-generating device and one or both of the aerosol-generating article and the cartridge cooperate to generate a respirable aerosol.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device is portable. The aerosol-generating device may have a size comparable to a conventional cigar or cigarette. The device may be an electrically operated smoking device. The device may be a handheld aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may have a total length between 30 millimetres and 150 millimetres. The aerosol-generating device may have an external diameter between 5 millimetres and 30 millimetres.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing. The housing may be elongate. The housing may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics or composite materials containing one or more of those materials, or thermoplastics that are suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyethylene. Preferably, the material is light and non-brittle.

The housing may comprise at least one air inlet. The housing may comprise more than one air inlet.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating element. The heating element may comprise at least one inductor coil for inductively heating one or more susceptors.

Operation of the heating element may be triggered by a puff detection system. Alternatively, the heating element may be triggered by pressing an on-off button, held for the duration of the user’s puff. The puff detection system may be provided as a sensor, which may be configured as an airflow sensor to measure the airflow rate. The airflow rate is a parameter characterizing the amount of air that is drawn through the airflow path of the aerosol-generating device per time by the user. The initiation of the puff may be detected by the airflow sensor when the airflow exceeds a predetermined threshold. Initiation may also be detected upon a user activating a button. The sensor may also be configured as a pressure sensor.

The aerosol-generating device may include a user interface to activate the aerosolgenerating device, for example a button to initiate heating of the aerosol-generating device or a display to indicate a state of the aerosol-generating device or of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may include additional components, such as, for example a charging unit for recharging an on-board electric power supply in an electrically operated or electric aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, the term ‘proximal’ refers to a user-end, or mouth-end of the aerosolgenerating device or system or a part or portion thereof, and the term ‘distal’ refers to the end opposite to the proximal end. When referring to the heating chamber, the term ‘proximal’ refers to the region closest to the open end of the cavity and the term ‘distal’ refers to the region closest to the closed end.

As used herein, the terms ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device in relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating device during use thereof.

The term ‘airflow path’ as used herein denotes a channel suitable to transport gaseous media. An airflow path may be used to transport ambient air. An airflow path may be used to transport an aerosol. An airflow path may be used to transport a mixture of air and aerosol.

As used herein, a ‘susceptor’ or ‘susceptor element’ means an element that heats up when subjected to an alternating magnetic field. This may be the result of eddy currents induced in the susceptor element, hysteresis losses, or both eddy currents and hysteresis losses. During use, the susceptor element is located in thermal contact or close thermal proximity with an aerosol-forming substrate received in the aerosol-generating device or cartridge. In this manner, the aerosol-forming substrate is heated by the susceptor such that an aerosol is formed.

The susceptor material may be any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to aerosolize an aerosol-forming substrate. The following examples and features concerning the susceptor may apply to one or both of the susceptor element of the cartridge, a susceptor of an aerosol-generating device, and a susceptor of an aerosolgenerating article. Suitable materials for the susceptor material include graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steels, niobium, aluminium, nickel, nickel containing compounds, titanium, and composites of metallic materials. Preferred susceptor materials comprise a metal or carbon. Advantageously the susceptor material may comprise or consists of a ferromagnetic or ferri-magnetic material, for example, ferritic iron, a ferromagnetic alloy, such as ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel, ferromagnetic particles, and ferrite. A suitable susceptor material may be, or comprise, aluminium. The susceptor material may comprise more than 5 percent, preferably more than 20 percent, more preferably more than 50 percent, or more than 90 percent of ferromagnetic, ferri-magnetic or paramagnetic materials. Preferred susceptor materials may be heated to a temperature in excess of 250 degrees Celsius without degradation.

The susceptor material may be formed from a single material layer. The single material layer may be a steel layer.

The susceptor material may comprise a non-metallic core with a metal layer disposed on the non-metallic core. For example, the susceptor material may comprise metallic tracks formed on an outer surface of a ceramic core or substrate.

The susceptor material may be formed from a layer of austenitic steel. One or more layers of stainless steel may be arranged on the layer of austenitic steel. For example, the susceptor material may be formed from a layer of austenitic steel having a layer of stainless steel on each of its upper and lower surfaces. The susceptor element may comprise a single susceptor material. The susceptor element may comprise a first susceptor material and a second susceptor material. The first susceptor material may be disposed in intimate physical contact with the second susceptor material. The first and second susceptor materials may be in intimate contact to form a unitary susceptor. In certain embodiments, the first susceptor material is stainless steel and the second susceptor material is nickel. The susceptor element may have a two-layer construction. The susceptor element may be formed from a stainless steel layer and a nickel layer.

Intimate contact between the first susceptor material and the second susceptor material may be made by any suitable means. For example, the second susceptor material may be plated, deposited, coated, clad or welded onto the first susceptor material. Preferred methods include electroplating, galvanic plating and cladding.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply for powering the heating element. The power supply may comprise a battery. The power supply may be a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, for example a lithium-cobalt, a lithium-iron- phosphate, lithium titanate or a lithium-polymer battery. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

The power supply may be a direct current (DC) power supply. In one embodiment, the power supply is a DC power supply having a DC supply voltage in the range of 2.5 Volts to 4.5 Volts and a DC supply current in the range of 1 Amp to 10 Amps (corresponding to a DC power supply in the range of 2.5 Watts to 45 Watts). The aerosol-generating device may advantageously comprise a direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) inverter for converting a DC current supplied by the DC power supply to an alternating current. The DC/AC converter may comprise a Class-D, Class-C or Class-E power amplifier. The AC power output of the DC/AC converter is supplied to the induction coil.

The power supply may be adapted to power an inductor coil and may be configured to operate at high frequency. A Class-E power amplifier is preferable for operating at high frequency. As used herein, the term ‘high frequency oscillating current’ means an oscillating current having a frequency of between 500 kilohertz and 30 megahertz. The high frequency oscillating current may have a frequency of from 1 megahertz to 30 megahertz, preferably from 1 megahertz to 10 megahertz, and more preferably from 5 megahertz to 8 megahertz.

In another embodiment the switching frequency of the power amplifier may be in the lower kHz range, e.g. between 100 kHz and 400 KHz. In the embodiments, where a Class-D or Class-C power amplifier is used, switching frequencies in the lower kHz range are particularly advantageous.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller. The controller may be electrically connected to the inductor coil. The controller may be electrically connected to the first induction coil and to the second induction coil. The controller may be configured to control the electrical current supplied to the induction coil(s), and thus the magnetic field strength generated by the induction coil(s).

The power supply and the controller may be connected to the inductor coil(s).

The controller may be configured to be able to chop the current supply on the input side of the DC/AC converter. This way the power supplied to the inductor coil(s) may be controlled by conventional methods of duty-cycle management.

Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example A: A cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device, comprising a distal region comprising a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosolforming substrate; a proximal region comprising a hollow tubular susceptor element; and a wick element comprising a distal part and a proximal part; wherein at least a portion of the distal part of the wick element extends into the liquid storage portion; and wherein at least a portion of the proximal part of the wick element is coaxially circumscribed by the susceptor element.

Example B: The cartridge according to Example A, wherein the wick element has an elongate cylindrical shape. Example C: The cartridge according to Example A or Example B, wherein the proximal region of the cartridge comprises a proximal outer sidewall coaxially surrounding the susceptor element to form a cavity between the proximal sidewall and the susceptor element.

Example D: The cartridge according to Example C, comprising one or more air inlets provided in the proximal sidewall.

Example E: The cartridge according to Example D, wherein the one or more air inlets are arranged at a distal portion of the proximal sidewall.

Example F: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the hollow tubular susceptor element comprises a transversally extending disk-shaped rim at a distal end thereof.

Example G: The cartridge according to Example F, wherein the transversally extending disk-shaped rim of the hollow tubular susceptor element is fixed to a transversally extending wall element of a housing of the cartridge, preferably, wherein the fixing is by means of an adhesive layer arranged between the disk-shaped rim and the wall element.

Example H: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the hollow tubular susceptor element comprises an inclined proximal end face.

Example I: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the distal region of the cartridge comprises a distal outer sidewall coaxially circumscribing the liquid storage portion.

Example J: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the distal region of the cartridge comprises a distal end wall comprising a refill inlet opening in fluid connection with the liquid storage portion.

Example K: The cartridge according to Example J, comprising a one-way valve arranged fluidly between the refill inlet opening and the liquid storage portion.

Example L: The cartridge according to Example J or Example K, comprising a filter element arranged between the refill inlet opening and the liquid storage portion.

Example M: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the cartridge comprises an open proximal end.

Example N: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the proximal region of the cartridge comprises a proximal coupling means for removably attaching the cartridge to an aerosol-generating device.

Example O: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the distal region of the cartridge comprises a distal coupling means for removably attaching the cartridge to a liquid-refill unit.

Example P: The cartridge according to Example O, wherein the distal coupling means comprises one or more coupling recesses. Example Q: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the proximal region of the cartridge has a cylindrical outer shape, and wherein the wick element extends along a center axis of the cylindrical proximal region.

Example R: The cartridge according to Example Q, wherein an outer diameter of the cylindrical proximal region is between 6.7 millimeters and 15.4 millimeters, preferably between 6.7 millimeters and 12.5 millimeters.

Example S: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the distal region of the cartridge has a cylindrical outer shape, and wherein the wick element extends along a center axis of the cylindrical distal region.

Example T : The cartridge according to Example S, wherein an outer diameter of the cylindrical distal region is between 8.3 millimeters and 26.1 millimeters, preferably between 10 millimeters and 21 millimeters.

Example U: An aerosol-generating system, comprising a cartridge according to any of the preceding examples; and an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating chamber at least partly circumscribed by an inductor coil, wherein the heating chamber comprises a proximal region for insertion of at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article and a distal region for insertion of at least a portion of the proximal region of the cartridge.

Example V: The aerosol-generating system according to Example II, comprising an aerosol-generating article comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate.

Example W: The aerosol-generating system according to Example V, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a cylindrical outer shape, wherein the proximal region of the cartridge has a hollow cylindrical outer shape, and wherein the outer diameter of the cylindrical article is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical proximal region of the cartridge for allowing insertion of a distal end of the article into at least a portion of the hollow cylindrical proximal region of the cartridge.

Example X: The aerosol-generating system according to Example V or Example W, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a recess at a distal end thereof for insertion of at least a portion of the hollow tubular susceptor element of the cartridge.

Example Y: The aerosol-generating system according to Example V, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a cylindrical outer shape; wherein the proximal region of the cartridge has a cylindrical outer shape; and wherein the outer diameters of the cylindrical article and the cylindrical proximal region of the cartridge are substantially identical.

Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention. The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cartridge;

Fig. 2a shows a cartridge;

Fig. 2b shows a portion of a cartridge;

Figs. 3a and 3b show portions of cartridges;

Figs. 4a and 4b show an aerosol-generating system;

Fig. 5 shows an airflow path in an aerosol-generating system;

Figs. 6a and 6b show an aerosol-generating system; and

Fig. 7a and 7b show dimensions of a cartridge.

Fig. 1 shows a cartridge 10 for use with an aerosol-generating device in cross-sectional view. The cartridge 0 comprises a distal region 12 and a proximal region 14. The distal region 12 of the cartridge 10 comprises a liquid storage portion 16 holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The proximal region 14 of the cartridge 10 comprises a comprises a hollow tubular susceptor element 18. The hollow tubular susceptor element 18 comprises a longitudinally extending tubular portion 18a and a transversally extending, or radially extending, disk-shaped rim 18b at a distal end thereof. The cartridge 10 comprises an elongate cylindrical wick element 20 comprising a distal part and a proximal part. The distal part of the wick element 20 extends into the liquid storage portion 16. The proximal part of the wick element 20 is coaxially circumscribed by the susceptor element 18.

The cartridge 10 comprises a cartridge housing 22. The susceptor element 18 is attached to the cartridge housing 22 by means of a sealing element 24 that attaches the diskshaped rim 18b of the susceptor element 18 to the cartridge housing 22. The sealing element 24 may be an adhesive. Alternatively, the disk-shaped rim 18b of the susceptor element 18 may be attached to the cartridge housing 22 by other means, for example by ultrasonic welding. In such embodiments, the sealing element 24 may be omitted.

The proximal region 12 of the cartridge 10 comprises a proximal outer sidewall 26 of the cartridge housing 22. The proximal outer sidewall 26 coaxially surrounds the susceptor element 18 to form a cavity between the proximal sidewall 26 and the susceptor element 18. The cartridge 10 comprises an open proximal end. The proximal sidewall 26 of the cartridge 10 may function as a proximal coupling means for removably attaching the cartridge 10 to an aerosol-generating device.

The distal region 12 of the cartridge 10 comprises a distal outer sidewall 28 of the cartridge housing 22 coaxially circumscribing the liquid storage portion 16. The distal region 12 of the cartridge 10 comprises a distal end wall 30 comprising a refill inlet opening 32 in fluid connection with the liquid storage portion 16. The cartridge 10 comprises a one-way valve 34 arranged in fluid connection between the refill inlet opening 32 and the liquid storage portion 16. The cartridge 10 comprises a filter element 36 arranged between the refill inlet opening 32 and the liquid storage portion 16.

The distal region 12 of the cartridge 10 comprises a distal coupling means for removably attaching the cartridge 10 to a liquid-refill unit. The distal coupling means comprises coupling recesses 38.

The proximal region 14 of the cartridge 10 has a cylindrical outer shape. The wick element 20 extends along a center axis 40 of the cylindrical proximal region 14. The distal region 12 of the cartridge 10 also has a cylindrical outer shape, and the wick element 20 extends along a center axis 40 of the cylindrical distal region 12. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 , the center axis 40 of the cylindrical proximal region 14 is identical to the center axis 40 of the distal region and of the whole cartridge 10. The outer diameter of the cylindrical distal region 12 exceeds the outer diameter of the cylindrical proximal region 14.

Fig. 2a schematically shows a cartridge 10 for use with an aerosol-generating device in perspective view. The cartridge 10 comprises a hollow tubular proximal region 14 with an open proximal end formed by the proximal outer sidewall 26. The cartridge 10 comprises a cylindrical distal region 12 formed by distal outer sidewall 28 coaxially circumscribing the liquid storage portion (not shown). Optionally, one or more auxiliary coupling recesses 42 are located at the proximal end of the distal portion 12 and form part of the distal coupling means for removably attaching the cartridge to a liquid-refill unit.

Further shown in Fig. 2a is an optional cartridge air inlet 44 arranged at a distal portion of the proximal sidewall 26. There may be one or more further optional cartridge air inlets arranged at different circumferential positions at the distal portion of the proximal sidewall 26.

Also shown in Fig. 2a is a proximal part of the longitudinally extending tubular portion 18a of the hollow tubular susceptor element 18 located within the cavity circumscribed by the proximal sidewall 26. The end face of the tubular portion 18a is inclined with respect to a transversal plane. The wick element 20 is not depicted in Fig. 2a.

Fig. 2b shows a cross-sectional view of the susceptor element 18 of Fig. 2a together with the wick element 20. The inclined surface at the end face of the tubular portion 18a is also shown in the cross-section of Fig. 2b. The inclined surface may help in reducing the forces needed to insert the tubular portion 18a into a tubular element of an aerosol-generating article. By means of the inclined surface, the insertion force progressively increases during insertion, mainly due to friction between outer surfaces of the tubular potion 18a and inner surfaces of a tubular element into which the tubular potion 18a is inserted. Such progressive increase of the insertion force may allow for a smooth insertion. Also, self-centering during insertion may be promoted as the inclined shape may help to automatically adjust to the inner shape of a tubular element into which the tubular susceptor portion 18a is inserted. This may also help compensating for manufacturing tolerances in size of the tubular element into which the tubular susceptor portion 18a is inserted. The angle of the inclined surface with respect to a transversal plane may be about 10° to 40°, preferably about 25° to 35°. A transversal plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongate cylindrical wick element 20. This inclined shape is also versatile. For example, the inclined surface enables to rupture foils in case the cartridge 10 is to be used in an aerosol-generating system together with an aerosolgenerating article with a sealing foil at distal end thereof.

Additionally, using an inclined surface as shown in Fig. 2b, the surface area of the wick element 20 which is exposed to the airflow path and which is not covered by the tubular susceptor portion 18a may be higher in comparison to a non-inclined surface. Such enlarged exposed surface area of the wick element 20 may advantageously provide a higher surface for aerosolization.

Fig. 3a recites the cross-sectional view of Fig. 2b with the exception that Fig. 3a additionally depicts liquid droplets 46. During use of the cartridge 10 with an aerosolgenerating device, there may be some overflow of liquid aerosol-forming substrate out of the proximal end of the wick element 20. In case excessive liquid exits the wick, liquid droplets 46 may attach to the surfaces of the susceptor element 18, for example due to capillarity and surface tension natural effects. The liquid droplets 46 may then be volatized when the susceptor element 18 heats up by an alternating magnetic field generated in an inductor coil of the aerosol-generating device.

Although, the tubular cylindrical portion 18a of the susceptor 18 may be in a more efficient spatial alignment with respect to the inductor coil, also the disk-shaped rim 18b will be heated by the alternating magnetic field generated by the inductor coil and by means of heat dissipation. Thereby, the disk-shaped rim 18b may act like a hot plate surrounding the tubular core susceptor element 18a. This way, the disk-shaped rim 18b may act as an aerosolization portion of liquid droplets 44. Also, the disk-shaped rim 18b helps keeping the surroundings of the wick 20 and susceptor 18 free of liquid droplets 44 which elsewise might provide a potential leak source. The transversally extending disk-shaped rim 18b may thus advantageously assist in leakage prevention.

Additionally, the transversally extending disk-shaped rim 18b may advantageously provide mechanical stability to the assembly of the cartridge 10. The transversally extending disk-shaped rim 18b may help in withstanding transversal forces which may occur, for example during manufacturing of the cartridge 10, or during handling of the cartridge 10 by a user. The disk-shaped rim 18b may assist in assuring that the susceptor element 18 keeps straight and coaxially aligned with the wick element 20 in the presence of such transversal forces.

Fig. 3b shows an alternative embodiment wherein the end face of the tubular portion 18a is not inclined. The proximal end of portion 18a comprises a curved edge which is bent inwards towards the wick element 20. The curved edge may help in reducing the forces needed to insert the tubular portion 18a into a tubular element of an aerosol-generating article.

Similar to the embodiment of Fig. 3a, also in the embodiment of Fig. 3b the transversally extending disk-shaped rim 18b may advantageously assist in leakage prevention and in providing stability to the cartridge assembly.

Figs. 4a and 4b show an aerosol-generating system in cross-sectional view. Fig. 4a shows the aerosol-generating system in a disassembled configuration. The aerosol-generating system of Fig. 4 comprises a cartridge 10 as shown in Fig. 1 , with the sole exception that the cartridge 10 of Fig. 4 comprises optional air inlets 44 arranged at a distal portion of the proximal sidewall 26.

The aerosol-generating system of Fig. 4 further comprises an aerosol-generating device 50. The aerosol-generating device 50 comprises a device housing 52 circumscribing a cylindrical heating chamber 54. The heating chamber 54 is coaxially circumscribed by a tubular device susceptor 56. The tubular device susceptor 56 is coaxially circumscribed by two inductor coils 58, 60 which are located at different longitudinal positions of the heating chamber 54. The transversal distance between the device susceptor 56 and the surrounding inductor coils 58, 60 may be greater than the distance shown in the schematic drawing of Fig. 4 in order to avoid excessive passive heating of the inductor coils 58,60 by the heated device susceptor 56 via thermal conduction. Generally, distances and thermal conductance between the device susceptor 56 and the inductor coils 58, 60 may be chosen such that heat dissipated from the heated device susceptor 56 will not cause excessive heating of the surrounding inductor coils 58, 60. Also, a layer of a thermally isolating material may be provided between the device susceptor 56 and the surrounding inductor coils 58, 60.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), no device susceptor 56 may be existent and, instead, the aerosol-generating article 70 may comprise a susceptor material for heating an aerosol-forming substrate 72 comprised in the aerosol-generating article 70.

A proximal end of the device housing 52 comprises an opening for insertion of an aerosol-generating article 70 into a proximal portion of the heating chamber 54 as indicated by an arrow in Fig. 4a. A distal end of the device housing 52 comprises an opening for insertion of the cartridge 10 into a distal portion of the heating chamber 54 as indicated by another arrow in Fig. 4a. The distal end of the device housing 52 comprises cartridge connecting means 62 for reversibly attaching the cartridge 10 to the aerosol-generating device 50. The cartridge reconnecting means 62 may be configured in form of a generally ring-shaped slit into which the proximal outer sidewall 26 of the cartridge may be inserted to provide a form-fit connection, or a bayonet-type connection, or a screw connection, or a magnetic connection.

The aerosol-generating system of Fig. 4 further comprises an aerosol-generating article 70. The aerosol-generating article 70 comprises a solid aerosol-forming substrate portion 72 at a distal end thereof, a hollow acetate tube 74 and a proximal mouthpiece filter 76. These elements may be circumscribed by one or more outer wrappers (not shown).

Fig. 4b shows the aerosol-generating system of Fig. 4a in an assembled configuration as indicated by the arrows of Fig. 4a. Below the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 70, at the very distal end of the heating chamber 54, a hollow cavity 78 can be seen which is surrounded by the inner side walls of the housing 52. The portion of the wick 20 circumscribed by the susceptor 18 is located in the center of the cavity 78.

An even deeper insertion of the aerosol-generating article 70 into the heating chamber 54 may be blocked by the presence of wick 20 and susceptor 18 arrangement of the cartridge 10. Alternatively, one or both of the cartridge 10 and the heating chamber 54 may comprise a stopper element, for example a pin, to prevent a deeper insertion of the aerosol-generating article 70 into the heating chamber 54.

Fig. 5 exemplarily shows the airflow path in an aerosol-generating system. Depicted is the assembled aerosol-generating system of Fig. 4b.

When a user puffs on the mouthpiece filter 76, ambient air 80 may be drawn into the aerosol-generating system via air inlets 44 of the cartridge 10. A controller of the aerosolgenerating device 50 supplies power to the inductor coils 58, 60 which in turn generate alternating magnetic fields that induce electric currents within the susceptor 56 of the device 50 and within the susceptor 18 of the cartridge 10. This may be triggered, for example, by a puff sensor detecting the puffing action of the user. In turn, both the susceptors 58, 18 heat up. Heat generated by the susceptor element 18 will be conducted to the proximal part of the wick element 20 which is circumscribed by the susceptor element 18. Thereby, the proximal part of the wick element 20 will also heat up. The proximal part of the wick element 20 is soaked with liquid aerosol-forming substrate which is supplied from the liquid storage portion 16 via the distal part of the wick element 20 by means of capillary forces. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate is thus evaporated at the hot proximal end of the wick element 20. Evaporated compounds of the liquid substrate are taken up by the incoming air 80, where it condenses to form an aerosol component 84. Also, compounds from the solid aerosol-forming substrate 72 evaporate because the aerosol-forming substrate 72 is heated by the device susceptor 56. The evaporated compounds of the solid substrate 72 are taken up by the airflow to form aerosol components 86. The airflow then passes along within hollow acetate tube 74 where the vapor from both the liquid and solid aerosol-generating substrate is mixed and cools down to form an aerosol. Finally, a mixed aerosol 88 exiting mouthpiece 76 may be inhaled by the user.

Fig. 6 shows an aerosol-generating system in cross-sectional view, particularly a disassembled configuration is shown in Fig. 6a and an assembled configuration is shown in Fig. 6b. The embodiment of Fig. 6 is highly similar to the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5 with the exceptions that optional air inlets 44 are not shown in Fig. 6, that the device susceptor 56 of Fig. 6 extends somewhat closer to the distal end of the heating chamber 54, and that the aerosol-generating article 70 of Fig. 6 comprises a cylindrical recess 90 at a distal end of the solid aerosol-forming substrate portion 72. As shown in Fig. 6b, in the assembled configuration, the recess 90 surrounds at least a portion of the tubular susceptor element 18a. Consequently, there is no such cavity 78 as shown in Fig. 4b. In this embodiment, the susceptor 18 may, in addition to heating the proximal part of the wick 20, also heat portions of the solid aerosolforming substrate 72. The susceptor portion 18a may additionally function as an internal heating element for the solid aerosol-forming substrate 72. Moreover, the disk-shaped rim 18b of the susceptor 18 may function as an end heater for the solid aerosol-forming substrate 72.

In an alternative embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate 72 does not comprise a recess 90. In such case, the susceptor 18 and proximal part of wick 20 may be pierced into the distal end of the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is fully inserted into the heating chamber 54 as shown in Fig. 6b. In such embodiments, the solid aerosol-forming substrate 72 preferably comprises a flexible or compressible material.

The airflow route in the system of Fig. 6 may be highly similar to the airflow route shown in Fig. 5. However, instead of entering a cavity 78, ambient air 80 may directly enter the aerosol-forming substrate 72 at a distal end thereof.

Figs. 7a and 7b show cross-sectional views of a portion of a cartridge 10 of Fig. 1 comprising the susceptor 18 and the wick 20, and of a complete cartridge 10 of Fig. 1 , respectively. Suitable ranges of lengths and preferred lengths of specific parts are indicated are listed in Table 1 below.

Table 1 : suitable dimensions of cartridge components as indicated in in Figs. 7a and 7b.

Claims

-23- CLAIMS

1 . A cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device, comprising a distal region comprising a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosolforming substrate; a proximal region comprising a hollow tubular susceptor element; and a wick element comprising a distal part and a proximal part; wherein at least a portion of the distal part of the wick element extends into the liquid storage portion; wherein at least a portion of the proximal part of the wick element is coaxially circumscribed by the susceptor element; wherein the hollow tubular susceptor element comprises a transversally extending disk-shaped rim at a distal end thereof; and wherein the transversally extending disk-shaped rim of the hollow tubular susceptor element is fixed to a transversally extending wall element of a housing of the cartridge.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the wick element has an elongate cylindrical shape.

3. The cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the proximal region of the cartridge comprises a proximal outer sidewall coaxially surrounding the susceptor element to form a cavity between the proximal sidewall and the susceptor element.

4. The cartridge according to claim 3, comprising one or more air inlets provided in the proximal sidewall.

5. The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the one or more air inlets are arranged at a distal portion of the proximal sidewall.

6. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transversally extending disk-shaped rim of the hollow tubular susceptor element is fixed to the transversally extending wall element of the housing of the cartridge by means of an adhesive layer arranged between the disk-shaped rim and the wall element.

7. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow tubular susceptor element comprises an inclined proximal end face.

8. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge comprises an open proximal end.

9. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the proximal region of the cartridge comprises a proximal coupling means for removably attaching the cartridge to an aerosol-generating device.

10. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the proximal region of the cartridge has a cylindrical outer shape, and wherein the wick element extends along a center axis of the cylindrical proximal region.

11. An aerosol-generating system, comprising a cartridge according to any of the preceding claims; and an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating chamber at least partly circumscribed by an inductor coil, wherein the heating chamber comprises a proximal region for insertion of at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article and a distal region for insertion of at least a portion of the proximal region of the cartridge.

12. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 11 , comprising an aerosolgenerating article comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate.

13. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 12, wherein the aerosolgenerating article has a cylindrical outer shape, wherein the proximal region of the cartridge has a hollow cylindrical outer shape, and wherein the outer diameter of the cylindrical article is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical proximal region of the cartridge for allowing insertion of a distal end of the article into at least a portion of the hollow cylindrical proximal region of the cartridge.

14. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a recess at a distal end thereof for insertion of at least a portion of the hollow tubular susceptor element of the cartridge.