WO2023110760A1 - Dispositif de génération d'aérosol avec transfert local de chaleur et/ou de liquide amélioré - Google Patents

Dispositif de génération d'aérosol avec transfert local de chaleur et/ou de liquide amélioré Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023110760A1
WO2023110760A1 PCT/EP2022/085420 EP2022085420W WO2023110760A1 WO 2023110760 A1 WO2023110760 A1 WO 2023110760A1 EP 2022085420 W EP2022085420 W EP 2022085420W WO 2023110760 A1 WO2023110760 A1 WO 2023110760A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
compartment
liquid
aerosol
cartridge
aerosol generating
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/085420
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jaakko MCEVOY
Christoph Lungenschmied
Madoka HASEGAWA
Original Assignee
Jt International S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jt International S.A. filed Critical Jt International S.A.
Publication of WO2023110760A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023110760A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/05—Devices without heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/44—Wicks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
    • A24F40/465—Shape or structure of electric heating means specially adapted for induction heating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors

Definitions

  • Aerosol generating device with enhanced local heat and/or liquid transfer
  • the present invention concerns an aerosol generating device with enhanced local heat and/or liquid transfer.
  • aerosol generating devices comprise a storage portion for storing an aerosol forming precursor, also called aerosol generating material, which can comprise for example a liquid and/or a solid.
  • the storage portion may be integrated into a removable cartridge.
  • a heating system is formed of one or more electrically activated resistive heating elements arranged to heat said precursor to generate the aerosol.
  • the aerosol is released into a flow path extending between an inlet and outlet of the device.
  • the outlet may be arranged as a mouthpiece, through which a user inhales for delivery of the aerosol.
  • the cartridge stores liquid and solid aerosol generating materials separately in a first and a second portions in order to avoid mixing these aerosol generating materials within a same storage portion.
  • the compartment for storing a liquid aerosol forming material comprises a liquid retention element, such as a porous material, typically a porous glass or ceramic, a foam, a sponge or a fibrous wicking material.
  • the compartment for storing a liquid aerosol forming material is disposed at the upstream of the compartment for storing a solid aerosol forming material in the cartridge such that aerosol vapor generated from the liquid aerosol generating material is delivered through the solid aerosol generating material to the mouthpiece air outlet.
  • the cartridge may comprise a heating element to heat the liquid aerosol forming material.
  • the heating element may be integrated in the liquid retention element.
  • the heating element may be a separate detachable element attached to the reusable part of the aerosolgenerating system and may be inserted in the liquid retention element during use.
  • the liquid retention element further comprises a cavity configured to receive the heater when the cartridge is inserted in the device, which may complicate the manufacturing process. Fabrication of the cavity in the porous materials may not be straightforward because the porous material can fracture under stress. The manufacturing process may also produce residual particulates which may give rise to safety concerns during the use of the aerosol generating device. The brittle nature of the porous material may further limit the design of a liquid retention element.
  • such known cartridges has limitations in controlling a liquid flow rate within the liquid retention element.
  • the liquid flow in a conventional porous structure cannot be modified because the liquid transfer is only dependent on the design and material (pore size, porosity, surface tension etc.).
  • a too low wicking rate may result in dry puffs, while a too large wicking rate may contribute to unwanted leakage, which deteriorates the user experience.
  • One of the aims of the present invention is to provide an aerosol generating device which solves the above-mentioned issues.
  • the device according to the invention aims to improve heat and/or liquid transfer through the associated cartridge.
  • the invention concerns an aerosol generating device configured to operate with a cartridge comprising a first compartment for storing a solid aerosol forming material and a second compartment for storing a liquid aerosol forming substrate, said liquid aerosol forming substrate comprising a liquid aerosol forming material and a liquid retention structure configured to retain the liquid aerosol forming material;
  • the aerosol generating device comprising:
  • a device body defining a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge comprising the second compartment; - a heating element configured to evaporate the liquid aerosol forming material from the second compartment to the first compartment, when said portion of the cartridge is received in the cavity and the aerosol generating device is operated to generate aerosol;
  • a vibrating element configured to generate excitation waves inside the second compartment of the cartridge to enhance heat and/or liquid transfer in the second compartment, when said portion of the cartridge is received in the cavity and the aerosol generating device is operated to generate aerosol.
  • the device according to the invention ensures that the liquid leakage from the cartridge is minimized thanks to the liquid retention structure, which retains the liquid aerosol forming material essentially by means of capillary pressure when the vibrating element is not generating any excitation wave and/or the heating element is not activated.
  • the excitation waves generated by the vibrating element vibrates (or oscillates) the surface of the heating element, which in turn enhance heat transfer from the heating element to the liquid aerosol forming material.
  • the surface vibration caused by the excitation waves may induce a forced liquid convection in the area near the vibrating surface, resulting in enhancement of liquid supply toward the evaporation surface of the heating element when the heating element is activated.
  • the excitation wave is known to cause a reduction in liquid viscosity, which may also contribute to the flow rate enhancement of the liquid aerosol forming material.
  • said excitation waves are infrasonic, ultrasonic or sonic waves.
  • the vibrating element is configured to generate said excitation waves with an excitation frequency comprised between 0,5 Hz and 60 kHz.
  • said liquid retention structure comprises loosely- packed solid particles configured to retain the liquid aerosol forming material in the interstices of particles and/or on their surfaces; preferably, said excitation waves have an amplitude sufficiently large to cause structural reorganization of solid particles contained in the second compartment.
  • the solid particles are agglomerated together to form a loosely packed particles when the liquid aerosol forming material is absorbed in the nonagglomerated particles.
  • the hydraulic diameters of capillary channels defined by the agglomerated solid particles are small enough to effectively retained the liquid aerosol forming material by capillary pressure such that the liquid leakage from the cartridge is minimized when the aerosol generating system is not in use.
  • excitation frequency comprised between 0,5 Hz and 60 kHz enables a sufficient amplitude to cause the liquefaction of the liquid retention structure.
  • the excitation frequency and amplitude may be adjusted by variation of the input power to the excitation source, providing real-time control of the heat transfer enhancement and wicking rate.
  • the vibrating element and the heating element are integrated in a same protuberant element.
  • the vibrating element is configured to penetrate into the second compartment of the cartridge.
  • the vibrating element and the heating element form a heating blade.
  • the heating element and the vibrating element may be integrated in a same blade-shaped element.
  • the vibrating element directly vibrates the blade-shaped element, allowing for more effective control of liquid convection induced by acoustic streaming especially in the vicinity of the heater surface where the liquid aerosol forming material may be depleted upon vaporization of the liquid aerosol forming material.
  • generation of the excitation waves within the liquid retention structure may facilitate liquefaction of the liquid retention structure in a controlled manner, which promote the liquid supply from the bulk of the retention structure towards the surface of the blade-shaped element where vaporization of the liquid aerosol forming material occurs.
  • the cavity is delimited by an internal surface; and the vibrating element is arranged adjacent to the internal surface and is separated from the heating element.
  • the vibrating element is a transducer.
  • the vibrating element such as a transducer
  • a separated heating element such as an induction heating system which uses susceptors.
  • the waves generated by the transducer may be generated in such a direction that they interact with the susceptors in a preferred way, notably by maximizing the surface of the suspect facing the incident waves. This enables more acoustic energy to be transferred into the susceptor which in turn can vibrate to enhance the efficiency of vaporization of the liquid aerosol forming material.
  • the inventions also concerns an aerosol generating system comprising:
  • a cartridge comprising a first compartment for storing a solid aerosol forming material and a second compartment for storing a liquid aerosol forming substrate, said liquid aerosol forming substrate comprising a liquid aerosol forming material and a liquid retention structure configured to retain the liquid aerosol forming material;
  • an aerosol generating device configured to operate with the cartridge, the aerosol generating device being according to any one of the preceding claims.
  • said liquid retention structure comprises loosely- packed solid particles configured to retain the liquid aerosol forming material in the interstices of particles and/or on their surfaces; preferably, the solid particles sizes are comprised between 0,05 mm and 2 mm with maximum dimension and/or the solid particles have densities between 10 kg/m 3 and 20 000 kg/m 3 , preferably between 1 000 kg/m 3 and 4 000 kg/m 3 .
  • the solid particles are made of one or several elements chosen in the group comprising: silica gel; aerographite; tungsten; ceramics; silica; glass; pearlite; metal such as Al, Fe, mild steel, etc.; tobacco or tobacco-derived material.
  • the mass of the particles i.e., the density and size of the particles influences how much energy is required for liquefaction to occur upon exposure to an excitation wave with given properties, such as frequency and intensity.
  • the density of the particles may be chosen between 10 kg/m 3 for example by using silica gel or aerographite, and 20,000 kg/m 3 by using tungsten or other dense metals.
  • the preferred particles density is chosen between 1 000 kg/m 3 and 4 000 kg/m 3 by using for example materials as ceramics, silica, glass or pearlite.
  • the second compartment comprises susceptors; and the aerosol generating device further comprises an induction heating system configured to heat the liquid aerosol forming substrate comprised in the second compartment of the cartridge by electromagnetic interaction with said susceptors.
  • the susceptors are configured to generate vibrations in the second compartment by absorption of at least a part of the excitation waves formed by the vibrating element.
  • the susceptors are made in a form of acoustic metamaterials.
  • the inventions also concerns a method of operating an aerosol generating system comprising steps of:
  • a cartridge comprising a first compartment for storing a solid aerosol forming material and a second compartment for storing a liquid aerosol forming substrate, said liquid aerosol forming substrate comprising a liquid aerosol forming material and a liquid retention structure configured to retain the liquid aerosol forming material;
  • the aerosol generating device configured to operate with a cartridge, the aerosol generating device being according to any one of the preceding claims, the aerosol generating device comprising further a mouthpiece air outlet ;
  • Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of an aerosol generating system according to a first embodiment of the invention comprising a cartridge received in an aerosol generating device;
  • Figure 2 is a cross sectional partial view of the cartridge of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the aerosol generating device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a cross sectional partial view of the cartridge of Figure 2 cooperating with the aerosol generating device of Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of an aerosol generating system according to a second embodiment of the invention comprising a cartridge received in an aerosol generating device;
  • Figure 6 is a cross sectional partial view of the cartridge cooperating with the aerosol generating device of Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is a cross sectional partial view of an aerosol generating system according to a third embodiment of the invention comprising a cartridge received in an aerosol generating device;
  • Figure 8 is a cross sectional partial view of an aerosol generating system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention comprising a cartridge received in an aerosol generating device.
  • the term “aerosol generating device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of aerosol generating unit (e.g. an aerosol generating element which generates vapor which condenses into an aerosol before delivery to an outlet of the device at, for example, a mouthpiece, for inhalation by a user).
  • the device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user.
  • the device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating a heater system for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger.
  • the trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor.
  • the inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapor to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.).
  • the device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.
  • aerosol may include a suspension of precursor as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapor. Aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor.
  • FIG 1 shows an aerosol generating system 1 comprising a cartridge 10 and an aerosol generating device 30 according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the aerosol generating device 30 is configured to operate with the cartridge 10.
  • the aerosol generating device 30 comprises a device body 31 extending along a longitudinal device axis X.
  • the device body 31 defines a cavity 35 configured to receive the cartridge 10.
  • the cartridge 10 and the aerosol-generating device 30 can be detachably engaged in a functioning relationship.
  • Various mechanisms may be used to connect the cartridge 10 and the aerosol generating device 30 that include a threaded engagement, a press-fit engagement, an interference fit, a magnetic engagement, or the like.
  • the aerosol generating system 1 may be substantially rod-like shaped when the cartridge 10 and the aerosol generating device 30 are assembled, as shown on Figure 1 .
  • FIG 2 shows a part of the cartridge 10, separated from the aerosol generating device 30.
  • the cartridge 10 comprises a cartridge housing 11 extending along a longitudinal cartridge axis Y and an air permeable separating element 14 which divides the inner volume of the cartridge housing 11 into a first compartment 12 and a second compartment 13.
  • the first compartment 12 is disposed at downstream of the second compartment 13. “Downstream” and “upstream” are defined with reference to an airflow flowing out of the cartridge 10.
  • the first compartment 12 comprises a solid aerosol forming material 20 and the second compartment 13 comprises a liquid aerosol forming substrate 21 .
  • the cartridge housing 11 presents a tubular shape, extending along the longitudinal cartridge axis Y.
  • the cartridge housing 1 1 comprises an upstream end 18 and a downstream end 17.
  • the downstream end 17 of the cartridge 10 may comprise a filter 15.
  • the filter 15 retains the solid aerosol forming material 20 in the cartridge housing 11 .
  • the filter 15 may comprise a rod or plug of filter material such as cellulose acetate tow and polylactic acid fibers
  • the upstream end 18 of the cartridge housing 11 is a closed end.
  • the closed end comprises a pierceable element 16.
  • the pierceable element 16 is attached on the cartridge housing 11 such that the pierceable element 16 is penetrated by a protuberant element 32, such as a blade, of the aerosol-generating device 30 when the cartridge 10 is inserted in the cavity 35 of the aerosol-generating device 30.
  • the downstream end 17 of the cartridge housing 1 1 may comprise a mouthpiece 19 detachably attached to the downstream end 17 of the cartridge 10.
  • the mouthpiece 19 defines at least one airflow channel comprising at least one air outlet.
  • the air outlet is in fluid communication with air outlets of the cartridge through the filter 15 which may be integrated in the mouthpiece 19.
  • the mouthpiece 19 may alternatively be detachably attached to a portion of the housing of the aerosol generating device 30 such that the mouthpiece covers the air outlet on the filter disposed at the downstream end of the cartridge.
  • the mouthpiece 19 may be a part of the cartridge 10. In use, a user may draw the air from the mouthpiece to cause the air to flow into the aerosol generating system 1 from the air inlet 37 of the aerosol generating device 30 through the cartridge 10.
  • the air permeable separating element 14 is disposed within the inner volume of the tubular cartridge housing 11 to separate the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 13.
  • the air permeable element 14 is in a shape of a disc.
  • the diameter of the disc is similar to the inner diameter of the cartridge housing 11 such that the air permeable separating element 14 fits in the inner tubular body of the air permeable separating element 14.
  • the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 13 are defined by inner walls of the cartridge housing 11 and surfaces of the air permeable element 14.
  • the air permeable separating element 14 may comprise a mesh or a perforated plate.
  • the air permeable separating element 14 may be positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal cartridge axis Y.
  • the separating element 14 provides physical separation of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 13 while, maintaining aerosol vapor communication therebetween.
  • the liquid aerosol forming substrate 21 comprises a liquid retention structure 25 and a liquid aerosol forming material 27 stored in the liquid retention element 25.
  • the liquid retention structure 25 comprises loosely-packed solid particles 26.
  • the loosely-packed particles 26 are a granular material which is a conglomeration (or an aggregation) of small macroscopic solid particles.
  • microscopic liquid bridges are formed in interstices of adjacent particles and the capillary force of the liquid bridges keeps the aggregated particles together.
  • the network of particles 26 is therefore flexible, and it is reorganizable when mechanical stress is applied.
  • a solid protuberant element 32 for example a blade, is inserted in the agglomeration, the particles 26 move to change the coordination to fit to the element shape.
  • the loosely-packed solid particles 26 comprise particles with maximum dimension comprised between 0,05 mm and 2 mm.
  • the maximum dimension of the particles 16 may range from about 100 pm to about 1 mm, or they may range from about 200 pm to about 800 pm, preferably they may range from about 250 pm to about 600 pm.
  • the maximum dimension is, for example, about 500 pm.
  • the maximum dimension of the loosely-packed solid particles 26 are substantially uniform. Particles 26 exhibiting a roughly spherical shape and mono-disparity in their size distribution are advantageous for achieving liquefaction. In this way, the size of interstices of adjacent particles 26 are substantially uniform which causes a uniform transport of liquid by capillary force across the liquid retention element.
  • the maximum dimension in case of elongated particles like rods, for example, the maximum dimension is length of the rods. For particles with oval cross section, the maximum dimension is a large dimeter along the major axis. In case the particles are substantially spherical, the maximum dimension corresponds to the diameter.
  • the solid particles 26 have densities between 10 kg/m 3 and 20 000 kg/m 3 , preferably between 1 000 kg/m 3 and 4000 kg/m 3 .
  • the solid particles 26 are made of: silica gel, aerographite, tungsten, ceramics, silica, glass, pearlite, metal such as Al, Fe or mild steel, tobacco or tobacco-derived material.
  • the density and therefore the mass of the particles influence how much energy is required to generate movement and liquefaction.
  • the density of the particles 26 may therefore be adjusted according to the needs, choosing densities between 10 kg/m 3 for example by using silica gel or aerographite, to 20,000 kg/m 3 by using tungsten or another dense metals.
  • the preferred particles density is chosen between 1 000 kg/m 3 and 4 000 kg/m 3 by using for example materials as ceramics, silica, glass or pearlite.
  • the loosely-packed solid particles 26 are stable at least up to a temperature of vaporization of the liquid aerosol forming material, for example up to 350°C.
  • a material is “stable” when that the material properties are unchanged or at least do not undergo any significant change.
  • the material properties are, for example, phase (solid, liquid, gas), mechanical properties (strength, hardness etc.), crystal structure, and chemical properties (chemical compositions, chemical structure of constituents etc.).
  • the loosely-packed solid particles 26 or at least the surface of the loosely packed solid particles 26 comprises a material chemically inert to the liquid aerosol forming material.
  • the chemically inert surface may be a chemically inert surface of a solid particle itself.
  • the chemically inert surface may be a chemically inert coating that encapsulates each solid particle.
  • the chemical inertness is herein understood with respect to chemical substances stored in the cartridge as well as chemical substances generated during heating the aerosol forming substrates.
  • the chemically inert coating as well as the particle should withstand at least up to the temperature for vaporization of the aerosol forming material 27.
  • the loosely-packed solid particles 26 are configured to retain the aerosol forming material 27 in the interstices of particles and their surfaces.
  • the particles 26 are agglomerated together by the liquid bridges formed between the particles 26. This phenomenon in turn maintains the liquid in the agglomerated particle structure.
  • the absorbing ability is related to the volume of liquid bridges formed in interstices of adjacent particles, which also determine the agglomeration force of particles 26.
  • the loosely-packed solid particles 26 in the liquid aerosol forming substrate are not rigidly interconnected, they may be separated by, for example, dispersing them into a liquid. This may be advantageous in terms of reusability of the cartridge 10 because individually separated particles 26 can be effectively cleaned by any cleaning methods established for small particles.
  • the liquid aerosol forming material 27 comprises an aerosol former. Suitable aerosol formers include polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine.
  • the liquid aerosol forming substrate may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts and natural or artificial flavours.
  • the liquid aerosol forming material 27 comprises a tobacco-containing material comprising volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the liquid upon heating.
  • the liquid aerosol forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material.
  • the liquid aerosol forming material 27 may be free from nicotine.
  • the liquid aerosol forming substrate may comprise nicotine.
  • the solid aerosol forming material 20 may comprise a tobacco or tobacco-derived material such as tobacco leaf or reconstituted tobacco in the form of granules, sheets, strips, shreds, pellets or any other form of tobacco material.
  • the solid aerosol forming material 20 may be an aerated tobacco mousse or an equivalent tobacco foam such as described in WO 2018/122375 or WO 2020/002607 or a soft aerosol generating substrate having a granular texture such as described in WO 2021/094366.
  • the solid aerosol forming material 20 may comprise a non-tobacco material such as a flavorant in the form of granules, capsules, gel or any other forms of flavorant.
  • the solid aerosol forming material 20 may comprise tobacco-containing material and nontobacco containing material.
  • the tobacco-containing material can be tobacco leaves, powdered tobacco plant, tobacco mousse, reconstituted tobacco material and any forms of tobacco material.
  • the solid aerosol forming material 20 may include at least one aerosol former.
  • Suitable aerosol-formers include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol, 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 may comprise propylene glycol and glycerine.
  • FIG. 3 shows the aerosol-generating device 30.
  • the aerosol-generating device 30 further comprises a heating element, a vibrating element, a power supply 33 and a controller 34.
  • the cavity 35 is configured to receive at least a part of the second compartment 13 of the cartridge 10 by insertion of the cartridge 10 along the longitudinal device axis X.
  • the device body 31 further comprises at least one airflow inlet 37in fluid communication with the air inlet channels 23 of the cartridge 10.
  • the heating element and the vibrating element are here integrated in the same protuberant element 32.
  • the vibrating element and the heating element form a protuberant element 32 being a heating blade.
  • the protuberant element 32 is arranged at a bottom end 36 (or the distal end) of the cavity 35.
  • the protuberant element 32 projects into the cavity 35, advantageously along the longitudinal device axis X.
  • the protuberant element 32 is disposed in the substantially center of the cross-section of the cavity 35.
  • the heating element is configured to evaporate the liquid aerosol 27 forming material from the second compartment 13 to the first compartment 12 when the cartridge 10 is received in the cavity 35 and the aerosol generating device 10 is operated to generate aerosol, as it will be explained below.
  • the vibrating element is configured to generate excitation waves inside the second compartment 13 of the cartridge 10 to enhance local heat and/or liquid transfer in the second compartment 13 when the cartridge 10 is received in the cavity 35 and the aerosol generating device is operated to generate aerosol.
  • the vibrating element is here configured to penetrate into the second compartment 13 of the cartridge 10, as shown on Figure 1 .
  • the excitation waves are preferably infrasonic, ultrasonic or sonic waves.
  • the vibrating element is configured to generate said excitation waves with an excitation frequency comprised between 0,5 Hz and 60 kHz.
  • the excitation waves have an amplitude sufficiently large to cause structural reorganization of solid particles 26 contained in the second compartment 13.
  • the vibrating element is configured to generate excitation waves when the heating element is heating the liquid aerosol 27 to evaporate it.
  • the upstream end portion of the cartridge 10, which corresponds to the portion of the second compartment 13, is inserted in the cavity 35 of the aerosol generating device 30 as shown in Figure 1.
  • the device body 31 extends to cover the portion of the second compartment 13 in the example illustrated in Figure 1.
  • the device body 31 may extend until at least a portion of the first compartment 12 or it may extend to the downstream end 17 of the cartridge 10 such that the cartridge 10 is completely disposed within the cavity 35.
  • the pierceable element 16 on the cartridge 10 is penetrated by the protuberant element 32.
  • the pierceable element 16 allows to insert the protuberant element 32, comprising the heating element and the vibrating element, into the second compartment 13.
  • the pierceable element 16 and/or the downstream end 18 preferably form a sealing arrangement so that substantially no particles and/or liquid is able to leak out of the cartridge.
  • the loosely-packed solid particles 26 instantly reorganize their arrangement to fit to the shape of the protuberant element 32 when inserting it in the liquid aerosol forming substrate 21 .
  • the length of the protuberant element 32 is shorter than the longitudinal length of the second compartment 32 of the cartridge 10 such that the protuberant element 32 inserted in the cartridge 10 does not extend beyond the second compartment 13, as shown on Figure 4.
  • the volume of the liquid aerosol forming substrate 21 stored in the second compartment 13 is smaller than the inner cavity volume of the second compartment 13 such that the total volume of the liquid aerosol forming substrate 21 and the inserted portion of the protuberant element 32 does not exceed the inner cavity volume of the second compartment 13 during and after insertion of the heating element into the cartridge.
  • the solid particles 26 are agglomerated together thanks to the presence of the liquid aerosol forming material.
  • the hydraulic diameters of capillary channels defined by the agglomerated solid particles are small enough to effectively retained the liquid aerosol forming material by capillary pressure such that the liquid leakage from the cartridge is minimized when the aerosol generating system is not in use.
  • the liquid aerosol forming substrate 21 comprising liquid aerosol forming material 27 and loosely- packed particles 26 retaining the liquid aerosol forming material 27 is heated to a temperature at or above the vaporization temperature of the liquid aerosol forming material 27.
  • This heat transfer is represented by symbol H on Figure 4.
  • the vapor generated in the second compartment 13 is subsequently mixed with air from the air inlet 37, 23 and delivered through the first compartment 12 to the air outlet of the filter 15.
  • the aerosol from the solid aerosol forming material 20 is entrained in the mixture of air and vapor.
  • the combination of the heating and the vibrations enables enhanced thermal transfer and material transfer. In particular, it enhances heat transfer and the number of nucleation sites on the surface of the heating element.
  • the vibrations enhance the convection of liquid, represented by symbol C on Figure 4, within the second compartment 13 so that the liquid is consistently supplied to the surface of the heating element.
  • the excitation waves also reduce the viscosity of the liquid, increasing its flow.
  • liquid in the second compartment 13 is vaporized by the heating element arranged in the protuberant element 32, liquid in the area close to the protuberant element 32 exterior surface may be locally depleted.
  • the vibration of the vibrating element enables to enhance the convection of liquid within the second compartment 13 so that liquid is consistently supplied to the surface of the protuberant element 32, improving therefore the heat transfer.
  • the vibrating element and the heating element are each connected to the power supply 33 providing the energy for generating the excitation waves and the heat.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show an aerosol generating system 2 comprising a cartridge 40 and an aerosol generating device 50 according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • the aerosol generating system 2 according to the second embodiment is similar to the aerosol generating system 1 according to the first embodiment explained above except the features described below.
  • the cartridge 40 comprises a second compartment 43.
  • the second compartment 43 comprises a liquid aerosol forming substrate 21 comprising loosely-packed solid particles 26 and a liquid aerosol forming material 27.
  • the second compartment 43 of the cartridge 40 further comprises at least a susceptor 44 which is configured to heat the liquid aerosol forming substrate 21 .
  • the susceptors 44 may comprises an inductively heatable material in the form of e.g. strips, discs, rings, plates, particles, flakes, and coils. Suitable materials for the susceptor element may be ferromagnetic metals, alloys and oxides such as iron, nickel, cobalt, iron-alloys, nickel-alloys, cobalt-alloys, ferrites, or any other electrically conductive metals and alloys such as aluminum, stainless steels.
  • the susceptors 44 comprises three ring-shaped susceptor plates 44a, 44b, 44c, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal cartridge axis Y.
  • any number of susceptors 44 may be used and the type of susceptor may be any other form such as disks, strip, plates or a combination of thereof.
  • the susceptors 44 may be disposed around at least a portion of the liquid aerosol forming substrate.
  • the housing of at least a part of the second compartment 13 may comprises a susceptor material.
  • the susceptors 44 are made in a form of acoustic metamaterials, i.e. materials which are able to absorb acoustic waves and to vibrate in response.
  • the cartridge housing 41 may comprises one or more air inlet channels (not shown) configured to deliver the air into the second compartment 43.
  • the air inlet channels may be disposed in the tubular body of the cartridge housing 41 .
  • FIGS 5 and 6 show the aerosol generating device 50 configured to receive the cartridge 40.
  • the aerosol generating device 50 comprises a device body 51 defining a cavity 35, a heating element, a vibrating element, a power supply 33 and a controller 34.
  • the cavity 35 is configured to receive at least a part of the second compartment 43 of the cartridge 40 by insertion of the cartridge 40 along the longitudinal device axis X.
  • the heating element is here an induction coil 52.
  • the induction coil 52 is configured to transfer the energy to susceptor element 44 in the cartridge 40 by induction heating.
  • the induction coil 52 is arranged such that the coil is disposed in the proximity of the second compartment 43 (the liquid aerosol forming substrate 21) of the cartridge 40 when the cartridge 40 is inserted in the heating chamber 55.
  • the induction coil 52 may be embedded in the housing 51 , typically the tubular side wall portion of the heating chamber 55. In this example, the induction coil extends from the upstream end of the second compartment to the downstream end the second compartment.
  • the housing 51 of the aerosol generating device 50 further comprises an airflow inlet (not shown) which is in fluid communication with the air inlet channels of the cartridge 40.
  • the vibrating element is here separated from the heating element.
  • the vibrating element is a transducer 57.
  • the transducer 57 is configured to convert the electrical electricity provided by the power supply 33 in acoustic waves.
  • the cavity 35 is delimited by an internal surface of the device body 51 .
  • the vibrating element is arranged adjacent to the internal surface.
  • the transducer 57 is arranged on the bottom end 36 of the cavity 35.
  • the susceptors 44 are configured to generate vibrations in the second compartment 13 by absorption of at least a part of the excitation waves formed by the vibrating element.
  • the second compartment 43 of the cartridge 40 is inserted in the cavity 35 of the aerosol generating device 50.
  • the induction coil 52 surrounds at least a portion of the liquid aerosol forming substrate 21 in the second compartment 55 of the cartridge 50.
  • the transducer 57 faces here the bottom end of the second compartment 13.
  • the electrical power from the power supply 33 is delivered to the induction coil 52.
  • the controller 34 controls the delivery of the electrical power to the induction coil 52 at a frequency to allow for the induction coil 52 to generate an electromagnetic field to heat up the susceptors 44 at or above a target temperature.
  • the transducer 57 is also activated, receiving electrical power from the power supply 33.
  • the transducer 57 generates acoustic excitation waves which are absorbed by the susceptors 44.
  • the susceptors 44 vibrate and move the particles 26, in order to obtain a liquefaction of the liquid retention structure 25 as in the first embodiment.
  • the liquid aerosol forming substrate Upon heating and exciting the susceptors 44, at least a portion of the liquid aerosol forming substrate is heated at or above a temperature to vaporize the liquid aerosol forming material stored in the liquid aerosol forming substrate 21.
  • the vapor generated in the second compartment 43 is then mixed with air flowing through the cartridge 40.
  • the mixture of vapor from the liquid aerosol forming substrate 21 and air is subsequently transferred through the air permeable separating element 14 to the first compartment 42.
  • the aerosol from the solid aerosol forming material 20 is entrained in the mixture of air and aerosol vapor.
  • the mixture of air and aerosol vapor is delivered through the first compartment 42 to the air outlet on the downstream end 47 of the cartridge 40 through the filter 15.
  • FIG. 7 shows partially an aerosol generating system 3 comprising a cartridge 60 and an aerosol generating device 70 according to a third embodiment of the invention.
  • the aerosol generating system 3 according to the third embodiment is similar to the aerosol generating system 1 according to the first embodiment explained above except the features described below.
  • the transducer 57 forming the vibrating element is here arranged adjacent to the internal surface of the cavity 35 and is separated from the heating element.
  • the protuberant element 32 here comprises only the heating element and not the vibrating element.
  • the vibrating element may be a cylindrical transducer 57 surrounding the cavity 35.
  • the vibrating element may comprises two transducer plates 57 facing each other on two opposite faces of the internal surface forming the cavity 35.
  • Figure 8 shows an aerosol generating system 4 comprising a cartridge 80 and an aerosol generating device 90 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
  • the aerosol generating system 4 according to the fourth embodiment is similar to the aerosol generating system 3 according to the third embodiment explained above except that the transducer 57 is here arranged on the bottom end 36 of the cavity 35.
  • a cartridge comprising susceptors 44 may cooperate with a device comprising a protuberant element 32.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de génération d'aérosol (30) conçu pour fonctionner avec une cartouche (10) comprenant un premier compartiment (12) pour stocker un matériau de formation d'aérosol solide (20) et un second compartiment (13) pour stocker un substrat de formation d'aérosol liquide (21) comprenant un matériau de formation d'aérosol liquide et une structure de rétention de liquide conçue pour retenir le matériau de formation d'aérosol liquide. Le dispositif (30) comprend les éléments suivants : - un corps de dispositif (31) délimitant une cavité conçue pour accueillir une partie de la cartouche (10) comprenant le second compartiment (13) ; - un élément chauffant conçu pour évaporer la matière liquide formant l'aérosol du second compartiment (13) vers le premier compartiment (12) ; - un élément vibrant conçu pour générer des ondes d'excitation à l'intérieur du second compartiment (13) de la cartouche (10) afin d'améliorer le transfert de chaleur et/ou de liquide dans le second compartiment (13).
PCT/EP2022/085420 2021-12-14 2022-12-12 Dispositif de génération d'aérosol avec transfert local de chaleur et/ou de liquide amélioré WO2023110760A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21214421.6 2021-12-14
EP21214421 2021-12-14

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WO2023110760A1 true WO2023110760A1 (fr) 2023-06-22

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018122375A1 (fr) 2016-12-29 2018-07-05 Jt International S.A. Mousse de tabac
US20190191781A1 (en) * 2016-07-01 2019-06-27 Guangrong Lin Electronic cigarette atomizer employing ultrasonic atomizing unit
EP3058978B1 (fr) * 2005-12-28 2019-07-24 Philip Morris Products S.a.s. Dispositif aérosol de distribution de poudre
WO2020002607A1 (fr) 2018-06-28 2020-01-02 Jt International S.A. Procédé de production de mousse de tabac
EP3370551B1 (fr) * 2015-11-02 2020-12-30 Philip Morris Products S.a.s. Système de génération d'aérosol comprenant un élément capable de vibrer
WO2021094366A1 (fr) 2019-11-15 2021-05-20 Jt International Sa Substrat de tabac en miettes
WO2021215650A1 (fr) * 2020-04-20 2021-10-28 주식회사 케이티앤지 Appareil de génération d'aérosol à ultrasons

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3058978B1 (fr) * 2005-12-28 2019-07-24 Philip Morris Products S.a.s. Dispositif aérosol de distribution de poudre
EP3370551B1 (fr) * 2015-11-02 2020-12-30 Philip Morris Products S.a.s. Système de génération d'aérosol comprenant un élément capable de vibrer
US20190191781A1 (en) * 2016-07-01 2019-06-27 Guangrong Lin Electronic cigarette atomizer employing ultrasonic atomizing unit
WO2018122375A1 (fr) 2016-12-29 2018-07-05 Jt International S.A. Mousse de tabac
WO2020002607A1 (fr) 2018-06-28 2020-01-02 Jt International S.A. Procédé de production de mousse de tabac
WO2021094366A1 (fr) 2019-11-15 2021-05-20 Jt International Sa Substrat de tabac en miettes
WO2021215650A1 (fr) * 2020-04-20 2021-10-28 주식회사 케이티앤지 Appareil de génération d'aérosol à ultrasons

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