[go: up one dir, main page]

EP4366567A1 - Racleur microfluidique manuel pour système d'aérosol à fumer à technologie de jet de bulles thermique - Google Patents

Racleur microfluidique manuel pour système d'aérosol à fumer à technologie de jet de bulles thermique

Info

Publication number
EP4366567A1
EP4366567A1 EP22747761.9A EP22747761A EP4366567A1 EP 4366567 A1 EP4366567 A1 EP 4366567A1 EP 22747761 A EP22747761 A EP 22747761A EP 4366567 A1 EP4366567 A1 EP 4366567A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mouthpiece
aerosol
die
outer periphery
wiper
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP22747761.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Simon Dodd
James Alan Mott
Steve BURNEY
Bruce Michael Eckard
Jeffrey John GLASSETT
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
JT International SA
Original Assignee
JT International SA
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 SA filed Critical JT International SA
Publication of EP4366567A1 publication Critical patent/EP4366567A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • 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
    • 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
    • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a thermal bubble jet technology aerosol smoking system, more specifically to a manual microfluidic wiper for this system.
  • Aerosol smoking systems are configured to generate aerosol as a result of heat generated by electrical power sources, and to deliver aerosol that is intended to be drawn into the mouth of a user. Aerosol smoking systems may provide components of tobacco in an aerosol form. Aerosol smoking systems as used by smokers are commonly referred to as electronic cigarettes. As used herein, the term “aerosol” is meant to include vapors, gases and aerosols of a form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible, and whether or not of a form that might be considered to be “smoke-like.”
  • a bubble jet head is a component configured to heat a fluid, e.g., an aerosol precursor composition, to produce a bubble of vapor that applies pressure to the fluid and ejects one or more droplets of the fluid therefrom.
  • Bubble jet heads may be defined as including an inlet, e.g., a precursor inlet, an ejection heating element, and a nozzle, e.g., a precursor nozzle, which may be housed within, or defined by, a wafer, substrate, or housing.
  • the aerosol delivery device may include a reservoir at least partially filled with the aerosol precursor composition.
  • the aerosol delivery device may include a bubble jet head in fluid communication with the reservoir.
  • the bubble jet head may be configured to dispense the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir.
  • the aerosol delivery device may include an atomizer configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition dispensed by the bubble jet head to produce an aerosol.
  • the bubble jet head and the atomizer may be fixedly coupled to one another.
  • a typical aerosol delivery system comprises a control body which may be reusable, and a cartridge with the reservoir for the aerosol precursor composition, whereby the cartridge may be disposable. In this regard, whereas certain components within the cartridge may degrade or be depleted, other components such as the bubble jet head within the control body may maintain full functionality despite repeated use.
  • the aerosol generating system including the bubble jet head and all related technology is comparatively costly and may under circumstances be used to consume a plurality of cartridges. It is therefore reasonable to integrate the bubble jet head in the reusable part of the aerosol smoking system, i.e., the aerosol generation apparatus, rather than including it in a disposable cartridge.
  • This may pose technical design challenges as a die from the bubble jet head may be exposed “in the open” on an outer periphery surface of the aerosol smoking apparatus and become soiled with time as the plurality of cartridges are successively consumed. Indeed, smoking liquid can deposit on the die and build up. The smoking liquid attracts other particles and can clog nozzles or create a layer of semi-evaporated fluid with certain components permanently residing on the dies
  • the invention aims at providing an alternative aerosol smoking system utilizing the bubble jet technology in a design where it is attached to the reusable part of the aerosol smoking system, which provides improved hygiene and sustainability of use.
  • the invention provides an aerosol smoking system, comprising a mouthpiece and a thermal bubble jet technology aerosol generation apparatus, wherein the aerosol generation apparatus is configured with a die located on its outer periphery, the mouthpiece is configured to be removably mountable on the outer periphery of the aerosol generation apparatus, by sliding the mouthpiece over the die on the outer periphery to an operating position.
  • the mouthpiece further comprises a wiper that protrudes from the mouthpiece on a side facing the die when the mouthpiece in mounted on the outer periphery, and the wiper is configured to wipe fluid from the die during the sliding of the mouthpiece before the mouthpiece reaches the operating position.
  • the aerosol smoking system further comprises a piece of foam positioned in fluidic contact with the wiper and configured to absorb fluid from the wiper.
  • the piece of foam is mounted on the outer periphery of the aerosol generation system.
  • the piece of foam is mounted on the mouthpiece.
  • the aerosol smoking system further comprises a further piece of foam mounted on the outer periphery in proximity to the die and configured to absorb fluid displaced by the wiper during the sliding of the mouthpiece when the mouthpiece is mounted on the outer periphery.
  • the die By creating a mechanical wiper for the aerosol smoking system, the die can be cleaned at certain intervals, minimizing the long-term build-up.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol smoking system according to an example embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2A-2D illustrate how a mouthpiece may be mounted on an aerosol smoking apparatus according to an example embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a view from above toward an outer periphery of the aerosol generation apparatus, and a mouthpiece, according to an example embodiment of the invention
  • figure 4 illustrates a configuration similar to that of figure 3, in which the mouthpiece engages a sliding motion towards an operating position
  • figure 5 illustrates example views of a printed circuit board with a die
  • FIG. 6 shows the printed circuit board of figure 5 in conjunction with a smoking liquid cartridge, according to an example embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a flow of air and a flow of smoking liquid through an assembly of a smoking liquid cartridge and a die, on the way to be nebulized into an aerosol, according to an example embodiment of the invention.
  • “smoking liquid” includes materials that provide vaporized components upon heating, typically in the form of an aerosol.
  • “Smoking liquid” includes any tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes.
  • “Smoking liquid” also may include other, non-tobacco, products.
  • “Smoking liquid” may for example be in the form of a liquid. “Smoking liquid” may for example also be a combination or a blend of liquids.
  • a “smoking liquid cartridge” is an article or component that includes or contains in use the smoking liquid which in use is heated to volatilize.
  • Bubble jet technology is used herein to designate all components necessary in conjunction with a bubble jet head or die required as a part of an aerosol generation apparatus to produce the aerosol from the smoking liquid.
  • bubble jet technology is discussed in the above referenced US publication US10548351 B2, but this is merely one embodiment of prior art, and many variations and different embodiment may be known from prior art or future developments in the field of bubble jet technology for use in aerosol smoking systems.
  • FIG. 1 contains a schematic illustration of an example embodiment of an aerosol smoking system 100 according to the invention.
  • the system 100 comprises an aerosol generation apparatus 101 , which because of its specificity may also be denominated as a thermal bubble jet technology aerosol generation apparatus.
  • the system 100 further comprises a mouthpiece 102 mounted on the aerosol generation apparatus 101.
  • the system further comprises a compartment 103 closed by a door 104 that opens and closes the compartment 103.
  • the compartment 103 is integral with or inside the aerosol generation apparatus 101 .
  • the system 100 is illustrated in transparency, i.e., the illustration allows to see through an outer periphery 106 of a casing 107 of the aerosol generating apparatus 101.
  • an electrical power source or battery 108 and a smoking liquid cartridge 109 located inside the compartment 103 may be seen, such as for example an electrical power source or battery 108 and a smoking liquid cartridge 109 located inside the compartment 103.
  • the example illustrated here is one possible embodiment, but many further embodiments may be conceived for the aerosol smoking system, knowing that a person skilled in the art will be knowledgeable about manners of assembling key components of such an aerosol smoking system and its cartridge.
  • One feature specific to the present invention is the mouthpiece 102 for which a more detailed description is given hereinunder, particularly in respect of the manner in which it is mounted on the aerosol generation apparatus 101, and a number of features that it is equipped with.
  • Another specific feature of the present invention is a die of the bubble jet technology (not illustrated in figure 1 , but located between the aerosol generation apparatus 101 and the mouthpiece 102, and more particularly the specific manner in which the die is located in the aerosol generation apparatus 101.
  • Figures 2A-2D illustrate how the mouthpiece 102 may be mounted on the aerosol smoking apparatus 101 .
  • FIG 2A the aerosol smoking apparatus 101 already illustrated in figure 1 , is shown from an elevated view towards the side on which the mouthpiece 102 is removably mounted.
  • the mouthpiece 102 is dismounted from the aerosol smoking apparatus after having been slid off from its operating position in which it was illustrated in figure 1 .
  • the mouthpiece 102 comprises a hollow part 200 configured to allow a flow of aerosol (aerosol not illustrated) from the aerosol generation apparatus 101 towards the user (user not illustrated) for inhalation of the aerosol.
  • the sliding away of the mouthpiece 102 uncovers the die 201 of the bubble jet technology, which is mounted on the outer periphery 106 of the casing 107
  • Figure 2B illustrates a view from above the opening 200 of the mouthpiece 102 as this is removably mounted on the outer periphery 106, to be positioned in operating position.
  • the die 201 is visible at the bottom of the opening 200.
  • the die 201 ultimately enables a nebulization of smoking liquid into the aerosol for inhalation, when the mouthpiece 102 is in operation position.
  • Figure 2B also illustrates an optional piece of foam 202 that covers a lateral border and a part of an upper surface 204 of the mouthpiece 102.
  • smoking liquid (not illustrated) can deposit on the die 201 and build up.
  • the foam 202 is configured to absorb such smoking liquid, after the smoking liquid is wiped from the die 201 by a wiper of the mouthpiece 102, which will be discussed with reference to figure 3 below.
  • Figure 2C illustrates a view from oblique above towards the side indicated with an arrow 203 in figure 2B.
  • the view shows the mouthpiece 102 slightly retracted by motion of sliding from the operating position in which it was in figure 2B, uncovering the outer periphery 106 and a part of the die 201 .
  • Figure 2D illustrates a further view similar to that of figure 2C, in which the mouthpiece 102 is retracted a bit more from the operating position than in figure 2C, by motion of sliding.
  • Figure 2D also illustrates an example of holding means comprising a hollow rail 205 mounted on the outer periphery 106, which cooperates with corresponding sliding sides 206 of the mouthpiece 102, thereby enabling the sliding motion by which the mouthpiece 102 may be removably mounted into operating position.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a further view from oblique above toward the outer periphery 106 of the aerosol generation apparatus 101 , which is configured with the die 201.
  • Figure 3 further illustrate the mouthpiece 102 with one of its sliding sides 206 and the wiper 300 that protrudes from the mouthpiece 102 on a side facing the die 201 when the mouthpiece 102 is mounted on the outer periphery 106.
  • the foam 202 is not illustrated in figure 3, but in actual operation the foam may be optionally included and in fluidic contact with the wiper 300.
  • the wiper 300 is configured to wipe fluid from the die 201 during the sliding of the mouthpiece 102 and before the mouthpiece 102 reaches the operating position.
  • this may optionally the mounted onto the outer periphery 106 of the aerosol generation system 101.
  • a further piece of foam may be mounted on the outer periphery 106 in proximity to the die 201 and configured to absorb fluid displaced by the wiper 300 during the sliding of the mouthpiece 102 when the mouthpiece 102 is mounted on the outer periphery 106.
  • the mouthpiece 102 is shown at the beginning of the engagement of the sliding sides 206 into the hollow rails 205 when the mouthpiece 102 is being slid towards operating position.
  • Figure 5 contains 2 views 5A and 5B of respectively a lower side 5A and upper side 5B of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 500 that is configured to carry parts of the bubble jet technology 501 , including the die 201.
  • the PCB 500 may be mounted on the outer periphery 106 (not illustrated in figure 5) such that the die 106 presents itself at the outer periphery as illustrated in figure 2-4.
  • On the lower side illustrated in view 5A are 2 hollow needles 502 that are configured to conduct smoking fluid to the die 201 (smoking fluid not illustrated in figure 5).
  • Figure 6 shows the PCB 500 with its hollow needles 502 inserted into the smoking liquid cartridge 109.
  • smoking liquid from the cartridge 109 may flow to the die 201 through the hollow needles 502.
  • An optional filter 600 located between the hollow needles 502 and the die 201 may be used to filter the smoking liquid before it reaches the die 201.
  • Figure 7 schematically illustrates a flow of air700 and a flow of smoking liquid 701 through the assembly of smoking liquid cartridge 109 and die 201 , with the aim of producing an aerosol 703.
  • the flow of air 700 enter the smoking liquid cartridge 109 and exerts pressure on a surface of the smoking liquid 704 present in the cartridge 109.
  • the smoking liquid 704 is then forced to flow through a central channel 705 of the smoking liquid cartridge 109, and through the hollow needle 502 to reach the die 201 where the smoking liquid is nebulized into the aerosol 703.

Landscapes

  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système d'aérosol à fumer, comportant un embout buccal et un appareil de génération d'aérosol à technologie de jet de bulles thermique, l'appareil de génération d'aérosol étant configuré avec une pastille située sur sa périphérie extérieure, l'embout buccal étant configuré pour pouvoir être monté de façon amovible sur la périphérie extérieure de l'appareil de génération d'aérosol, en faisant coulisser l'embout buccal par-dessus la pastille sur la périphérie extérieure jusqu'à une position de fonctionnement. L'embout buccal comporte en outre un racleur qui fait saillie à partir de l'embout buccal sur un côté faisant face à la pastille lorsque l'embout buccal est monté sur la périphérie extérieure, et le racleur est configuré pour essuyer un fluide de la pastille pendant le coulissement de l'embout buccal avant que l'embout buccal n'atteigne la position de fonctionnement.
EP22747761.9A 2021-07-08 2022-07-07 Racleur microfluidique manuel pour système d'aérosol à fumer à technologie de jet de bulles thermique Withdrawn EP4366567A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21184412 2021-07-08
PCT/IB2022/056281 WO2023281437A1 (fr) 2021-07-08 2022-07-07 Racleur microfluidique manuel pour système d'aérosol à fumer à technologie de jet de bulles thermique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4366567A1 true EP4366567A1 (fr) 2024-05-15

Family

ID=76845035

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22747761.9A Withdrawn EP4366567A1 (fr) 2021-07-08 2022-07-07 Racleur microfluidique manuel pour système d'aérosol à fumer à technologie de jet de bulles thermique

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20240315326A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP4366567A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2023281437A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10292424B2 (en) 2013-10-31 2019-05-21 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Aerosol delivery device including a pressure-based aerosol delivery mechanism
CN206714097U (zh) 2017-07-27 2017-12-08 深圳市余看智能科技有限公司 一种加热不燃烧烟草吸食装置
KR20210104746A (ko) * 2018-12-21 2021-08-25 제이티 인터내셔널 소시에떼 아노님 전자 담배 및 전자 담배를 위한 카트리지
WO2021133851A1 (fr) * 2019-12-23 2021-07-01 Pax Labs, Inc. Cartouche de vaporisateur

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2023281437A1 (fr) 2023-01-12
US20240315326A1 (en) 2024-09-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP7597858B2 (ja) バブルジェットヘッドを含むエアロゾル送達デバイス及び関連する方法
WO2018188640A1 (fr) Atomiseur de cigarette électronique ultrasonore
JPWO1997048293A1 (ja) 香味生成物品
CA3013331A1 (fr) Systeme de generation d'aerosol avec pompe
CN113631053A (zh) 用于蒸汽供应系统的雾化器外壳
CN209346104U (zh) 一种电子烟
US20240315326A1 (en) Manual Microfluidic Wiper for a Thermal Bubble Jet Technology Aerosol Smoking System
CN217609612U (zh) 储液容器、雾化器以及气溶胶生成装置
US20240245117A1 (en) Top Loading Cartridge for an Inkjet Technology Aerosol Smoking System
US20240292907A1 (en) Method for Cleaning an Aerosol Generating Apparatus Using Inkjet Technology
US7364267B2 (en) Liquid ejection head
RU2806171C2 (ru) Устройство для доставки аэрозоля, содержащее пузырьково-струйную головку, и относящийся к нему способ
JP2007099334A (ja) 液体噴霧機構及び液体噴霧装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20231215

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20250201