RU2813011C2 - Cartridge for use with aerosol-generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aerosol-generating systems.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to consumables for use with an aerosol-generating article. A cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device comprises a housing and an aerosol-generating substrate located in the housing. The aerosol-generating substrate comprises a first portion that contains tobacco powder, wherein the tobacco powder constitutes a major portion of the first portion, and a second portion that contains a gel, wherein the gel contains an aerosol-generating agent. In this case, the first part is located adjacent to the second part. The aerosol-generating device system comprises the above cartridge and an aerosol-generating device comprising a receiver configured to accommodate at least a closed end of the housing, and a heater operably connected to the receiver and configured to heat the cartridge when placed in the receiver.

EFFECT: reduction in tobacco content while providing a taste characteristic of consumables with a higher tobacco content.

15 cl, 10 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a consumable for use with an aerosol generating article (an aerosol generating article). The consumable material contains an aerosol-forming substrate that contains a portion containing tobacco and a gel portion containing an aerosol-forming substance such as glycerin. In use, the consumable may be heated by the aerosol generating article to melt the gel, which may form a mixture with the tobacco, to generate the aerosol. The consumable may also include a flow control device that allows efficient delivery of the aerosol.

Consumables are known for use with aerosol-generating products. Such devices are typically "heat-not-burn" devices in which the tobacco is heated to a temperature sufficient to release an aerosol without burning the tobacco. Since tobacco does not burn, aerosol-forming compounds such as glycerin can enhance aerosol production at lower temperatures.

Heat-not-burn aerosol-generating products often use significant amounts of tobacco. This is partly due to the fact that tobacco is often not completely consumed.

It would be desirable to provide a consumable for use in aerosol generating products that contains a lower amount of tobacco while still providing the taste and user experience of consumables with a higher tobacco content.

In various aspects of the present invention, a cartridge is provided for use with an aerosol generating device (aerosol generating device). The cartridge includes a housing and an aerosol-forming substrate (aerosol-forming substrate) located in the housing. The aerosol-forming substrate comprises a first part containing plant material, in particular tobacco, and a second part adjacent to the first part. The second part contains the gel. The gel contains a substance to form an aerosol. The plant material preferably contains plant material powder, in particular tobacco powder.

Tobacco powder may make up most of the first part. Having a high percentage of tobacco powder, as opposed to, for example, a small percentage in a gel, provides ease of manufacture and flexibility. In addition or in an alternative embodiment, the mixture in the gel may create compatibility problems and may affect shelf life.

The housing may be configured to receive heat, for example, from a heating element of an aerosol generating device with which the cartridge may be used. When heated, the gel in the second part melts and forms a mixture with plant material, in particular tobacco powder, in the adjacent first part. When heated sufficiently, the mixture can form an aerosol containing volatile plant material, particularly tobacco components. Preferably, the housing is heated to a degree sufficient to generate an aerosol without burning the aerosol-forming substrate or components of the aerosol-forming substrate.

In some embodiments, the housing includes an open end, a closed end, and defines an opening between the closed end and the open end. The aerosol-forming substrate may be located in the housing near the closed end. The cartridge may further include a flow control device located in the housing. The flow control device includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal passage for air flow between the distal end and the proximal end. The proximal end is located closer to the open end of the housing than the distal end. The flow control device further includes a seal between the outer portion of the flow control device and the interior portion of the housing. The seal is located between the open end of the housing and the housing opening. Additionally, the flow control device includes a passage between a portion of the outer portion of the flow control device and an interior portion of the housing. The channel is in communication with the hole and directs air towards the substrate, forming an aerosol. The flow control device may increase the efficiency with which the aerosol is delivered to the user.

Various aspects or embodiments of cartridges for use with aerosol generating devices described herein may provide one or more advantages over currently available or previously described cartridges for aerosol generating devices. For example, using tobacco powder and gel in separate parts provides ease of manufacture and flexibility, since combining gel and tobacco powder in a mixture can be difficult in terms of compatibility, may affect shelf life, etc. In addition, using tobacco powder allows for easier production. For example, the need to convert tobacco powder into a sheet form or a rod form, such as using a sheet casting process, can be avoided. In addition, the aerosol-forming substrates that comprise the separate portions of the tobacco powder and aerosol-forming gel may provide more efficient substrate consumption or depletion, allowing smaller quantities of tobacco to be used to provide an effect similar to that observed with high-tobacco content products. In addition, when heated, an aerosol can form quickly (shortly before the first puff) due to the aerosolizing agent in the gel. The use of a gel may also serve to prevent leakage that may occur when using a liquid composition. As another example, a flow control device, if used, can provide efficient aerosol transfer. These and other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the description herein.

The cartridge of the present invention may contain any suitable aerosol-forming substrate comprising a first portion containing tobacco and an adjacent second portion containing a gel containing an aerosol-forming agent.

The first portion may contain tobacco and one or more optional additional ingredients. Preferably the tobacco contains tobacco powder. As used herein, the term "tobacco powder" is a particulate material derived from tobacco plant material. Preferably, the particulate material forming the tobacco powder has an average size of from about 0.01 millimeters to about 2 millimeters. More preferably, the particulate material forming the tobacco powder has an average size of from about 0.015 millimeters to about 0.12 millimeters. In some embodiments, the tobacco powder comprises an agglomeration of particles with an average particle size of from about 0.02 millimeters to about 0.08 millimeters, wherein the agglomerated particles have an average size greater than the size of the individual particles that comprise the agglomerated particles.

The plant material, particularly tobacco powder, may comprise material from any suitable part of the tobacco plant, such as leaves, stems, lamina, midribs and petioles. The plant or a suitable part of the plant, particularly the tobacco plant, can be crushed, crushed, pulverized, ground, disintegrated or otherwise processed into particulate material to produce tobacco powder.

The tobacco powder may be the sole tobacco or may comprise a majority of the tobacco used in part or all of the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridges of the present invention.

The tobacco powder may contain a mixture of one or more types of tobacco. As used herein, the term “tobacco type” or “tobacco type” means a variety of tobacco. These different types of tobacco can be divided into three main groups: light tobacco, dark tobacco and aromatic tobacco. The distinction between these three groups can be based on the drying process that the tobacco undergoes before it is further processed into a tobacco product.

Light-colored tobacco varieties are types of tobacco that typically have large, light-colored leaves. Throughout the description, the term “light tobacco” is used for types of tobacco that have been subjected to fire-curing. Examples of light tobacco varieties are Chinese flue-cured tobacco, Brazilian flue-cured tobacco, American flue-cured tobacco such as Virginia tobacco, Indian flue-cured tobacco, flue-cured tobacco from Tanzania, or other African flue-cured tobaccos. Light tobacco is characterized by a high ratio of sugar to nitrogen. From a sensory perspective, light tobacco is a type of tobacco that, once cured, is associated with a spicy and rich sensation. Light tobacco varieties typically have reducing sugars of about 2.5 percent to about 20 percent by leaf dry weight and a total ammonia content of less than about 0.12 percent by leaf dry weight. Reducing sugars contain, for example, glucose or fructose. The total ammonia content consists of, for example, ammonia and ammonia salts.

Dark tobacco species are types of tobacco that typically have large, dark-colored leaves. Throughout this description, the term “dark tobacco” is used for types of tobacco that have been air-cured. Additionally, types of dark tobacco can be fermented. Types of tobacco that are used primarily for chewing, snorting, cigar and pipe blends are also included in this category. From a sensory perspective, dark tobacco is a type of tobacco that, when cured, is associated with the smoky feel of dark cigars. Dark tobacco is characterized by a low sugar to nitrogen ratio. Examples of dark tobacco are Malawi burley or other types of African burley, dark cured Brazilian Galpao, sun-cured or air-cured Indonesian Kasturi. According to the present invention, dark tobacco species are those with a reducing sugar content of less than about 5 percent based on dry weight of the leaves and a total ammonia content of no more than about 0.5 percent based on the dry weight of the leaves.

Aromatic tobacco species are types of tobacco that often have small, light-colored leaves. Throughout the description, the term “aromatic tobacco” is used to refer to other types of tobacco that are characterized by a high content of aromatic substances, for example, a high content of essential oils. From a sensory perspective, aromatic tobacco is a type of tobacco that, after drying, is associated with a spicy and aromatic sensation. Examples of types of aromatic tobacco are Greek oriental, Turkish oriental, semi-oriental tobacco, but also fire-cured tobacco, American Burley, for example Perique, Shag, American Burley or Maryland.

In some preferred embodiments, the tobacco powder contains at least about 30 percent light tobacco by dry weight of the total tobacco in the mixture; from about 0 percent to about 40 percent dark tobacco by dry weight of the total tobacco in the mixture; and from about 0 percent to about 40 percent aromatic tobacco by dry weight of the total tobacco in the mixture.

Powdered tobacco may also contain tobacco filler. Tobacco fillers are not specific types of tobacco, but rather include types of tobacco that are primarily used to complement other types of tobacco used in the blend and that generally do not impart any particular characteristic flavor property to the final product. Examples of tobacco fillers are the stems, midribs, or stems of other types of tobacco. A specific example would be fire-cured stems from the lower petioles of fire-cured Brazilian tobacco.

Within each type of tobacco, tobacco leaves can be further sorted, for example, by place of origin, position on the plant, color, surface texture, size and shape. These and other properties of tobacco leaves can be used to obtain a tobacco mixture. The tobacco mixture is a mixture of types of tobacco belonging to the same or different types, so that the tobacco mixture has an agglomerated characteristic. This property may be, for example, a unique taste or a specific aerosol composition resulting from heating or combustion. The mixture contains specific types and varieties of tobacco in a given quantitative ratio to each other.

In accordance with the present invention, different varieties within the same type of tobacco can be cross-blended to reduce the variability of each component of the mixture. Different types of tobacco can be selected to obtain the desired blend with specific preset properties. For example, the mixture may have target levels of reducing sugars, total ammonia, and total alkaloids based on the dry weight of the homogenized tobacco material. The total alkaloid content includes, for example, the content of nicotine and minor alkaloids, including nornicotine, anatabine, anabasine and myosmin.

The tobacco powder may be produced by any suitable method. In some embodiments, tobacco powder is produced by a process that includes coarsely grinding tobacco and finely grinding coarsely ground tobacco. The tobacco may be ground as described, for example, in PCT patent application publication WO2016/050469A1.

If more than one type of tobacco is used, the tobacco may be mixed at any suitable stage of the process. For example, tobacco types can be mixed before coarse grinding or after coarse grinding but before fine grinding. Alternatively or additionally, the types of tobacco may be mixed after fine grinding.

In some embodiments, at least 95 percent of the ingredients in the tobacco powder are known. This is a significant advantage over conventional tobacco powders used in reconstituted tobacco leaves, in which the exact composition of the tobacco dust used for preparation is not fully known. Mixing tobacco types to produce tobacco powder accordingly allows predetermined target values for certain properties of the resulting mixture of different types of tobacco, such as, for example, aroma properties, to be set and achieved. Preferably, the starting material for the production of tobacco powder is primarily tobacco leaf, which is thus characterized by the same size and physical properties as tobacco for creating cut filler mixtures, that is, tobacco leaves.

Preferably, the tobacco powder contains only small amounts, for example, less than about 5 percent by dry weight of the total tobacco in the waste mixture from other tobacco manufacturing processes. Mainly a tobacco mixture is a mixture of different types and varieties of tobacco, which is obtained in a similar way to the method of obtaining a mixture for cigarettes. In particular, this means that different types of tobacco are selected to produce the desired specific blend having specific, predetermined properties. For example, the selected properties may be: the content of one or more reducing sugars, the total ammonia content, and the total alkaloid content of the tobacco mixture.

Tobacco powder may also, to some extent, contain dust generated as a by-product of the processing of tobacco material, for example, as a result of the handling and processing of tobacco leaves in the manufacture of tobacco products. Preferably the plant material contains less than 5 wt. % plant material of tobacco dust, which is formed as a by-product during the processing of tobacco material.

The first portion of the aerosol-forming substrate, which contains tobacco powder, may contain one or more internal binders, one or more additional binders, or a combination thereof to facilitate agglomeration of the tobacco particles. For example, the first portion of the aerosol-forming substrate that contains tobacco powder may range from about 1 percent to about 5 percent based on dry weight of tobacco. Although any binder can be used, preferred binders are natural pectins such as fruit, citrus or tobacco pectins; guar gums such as hydroxyethylguar and hydroxypropylguar; locust bean gums such as hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl locust bean gums; alginate; starches such as modified or derivatized starches; celluloses such as methyl, ethyl, ethylhydroxymethyl and carboxymethylcellulose; tamarind gum; dextran; pullalan; konjac flour; xanthan gum and the like.

The first portion may contain other additives, including, but not limited to, tobacco and non-tobacco fibers, aerosol formers, humectants, plasticizers, flavoring agents, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof.

The first part may optionally contain an aerosol-forming agent. The aerosol-forming agent, if present, may be present in any suitable amount, such as from about 5 percent to about 30 percent, preferably from about 8 percent to about 25 percent, preferably from about 10 percent to about 22 percent on a dry basis weight. Suitable aerosol-forming agents are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: monohydric alcohols such as menthol, polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerin; polyhydric alcohol esters such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. In preferred embodiments, the first portion contains glycerin as an aerosol-forming agent. Separating the aerosolizing agent from the powdered plant material may be advantageous because the mixture of the aerosolizing agent and the powdered plant material may become sticky or otherwise difficult to process during production.

The aerosol-forming substrate contained in the cartridges of the present invention contains a second portion adjacent to the first portion that contains tobacco. The second part contains a gel containing a substance to form an aerosol.

The gel may contain any suitable aerosol-forming substance. The aerosol generating agent may be any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, when used, promotes the formation of a dense and stable aerosol and is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the gel when used with a cartridge with an aerosol generating device configured to heat the cartridge . Suitable aerosol formers include: polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerol; polyhydric alcohol esters such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Particularly preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and most preferably glycerol. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the gel contains only glycerol as the aerosol-forming agent.

The gel may contain any suitable amount of substance to form an aerosol. Preferably, the gel contains from about 50 wt.% to about 95 wt.% aerosol forming agent. For example, the gel may contain glycerin in an amount of from about 50 wt% to about 95 wt%, such as from about 65 wt% to about 70 wt%.

The gel may contain any suitable amount of water. Preferably, the gel contains an amount of water that is less than about 40% by weight of the gel, such as less than about 30% by weight of the gel. In some embodiments, the gel contains from 0 wt.% to about 5 wt.%. In some embodiments, the gel contains from about 20 percent to about 40 percent water.

Preferably, the total amount of water and aerosol agent in the gel ranges from about 90 wt.% to about 98 wt.%.

The gel contains a gelling agent. The gelling agent may provide a solid medium in which the material may be dispersed to form an aerosol.

The gel may contain any suitable gelling agent. For example, the gelling agent may contain one or more biopolymers, for example two or three biopolymers. Preferably, if the gel contains more than one biopolymer, the biopolymers are present in substantially equal amounts by weight. Biopolymers can be formed from polysaccharides. Biopolymers that can be used as gelling agents include, for example, gellan gums (natural low-acylated gellan gum, high-acylated gellan gums, with low-acylated gellan gum being preferred), xanthan gum, alginates (alginic acid), agar, guar gum, etc. .P. Preferably the gel contains agar.

The gel may contain any suitable amount of gelling agent. For example, the gel contains a gelling agent ranging from about 0.5% by weight to about 7% by weight of the gel. Preferably, the gel contains a gelling agent in the range of from about 1 wt.% to about 5 wt.%, for example, from about 1.5 wt.% to about 2.5 wt.%.

In some preferred embodiments, the gel contains agar in the range of about 0.5 wt% to about 7 wt%, or in the range of about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, or in an amount of about 2 wt%.

In some preferred embodiments, the gel contains xanthan gum in the range of about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, or in the range of about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, or in an amount of about 3 wt%.

In some preferred embodiments, the gel contains xanthan gum, gellan gum and agar. The gel may contain xanthan gum, low acyl gellan gum and agar. The gel may contain xanthan gum, gellan gum and agar in substantially equal amounts by weight. The gel may contain xanthan gum, low acyl gellan gum and agar in substantially equal amounts by weight. The gel may contain xanthan gum, low acyl gellan gum and agar in the range of from about 1 wt.% to about 5 wt.% (for the total weight of xanthan gum, low acyl gellan gum and agar in the gel) or in the range of about 1 wt. .% to about 4 wt.% or in an amount of about 2 wt.%. The gel may contain xanthan gum, low acyl gellan gum and agar in the range of from about 1 wt.% to about 5 wt.% or in an amount of about 2 wt.%, and xanthan gum, gellan gum and agar have substantially equal weight values.

The gel may contain a divalent cation. Preferably, the divalent cation contains calcium ions such as calcium lactate in solution. Divalent cations (such as calcium ions) can help form the gel of compositions that include biopolymers (polysaccharides) such as gellan gums (natural low-acylated gellan gum, high-acylated gellan gums), xanthan gum, alginates (alginic acid), agar, guar gum and etc. The ionic effect may promote gel formation. The divalent cation may be present in the gel composition in the range of from about 0.1 wt.% to about 1 wt.% or about 0.5 wt.%. In some embodiments, the gel does not contain a divalent cation.

The gel may contain a carboxylic acid. The carboxylic acid may contain a ketone group. Preferably, the carboxylic acid contains a ketone group containing less than 10 carbon atoms. Preferably, this carboxylic acid contains five carbon atoms (as in levulinic acid). Levulinic acid can be added to obtain a neutral pH gel. It may also promote the formation of a gel that contains biopolymers (polysaccharides) such as gellan gums (low acyl gellan gum, high acyl gellan gum), xanthan gum, particularly alginates (alginic acid), agar, guar gum and the like. Levulinic acid also provides the ability to improve the organoleptic characteristics of the gel composition. In some embodiments, the gel does not contain a carboxylic acid.

The gel may optionally contain nicotine, tobacco extract, eg liquid tobacco extract, flavoring and combinations thereof.

The gel may contain any suitable amount of nicotine. The term "nicotine" refers to nicotine and its derivatives, such as free nicotine base, nicotine salts, etc. For example, the gel may contain from about 1 wt.% to about 5 wt.% nicotine, for example, from about 1. 5 wt.% to approximately 2.5 wt.% nicotine. Since the tobacco in the first portion may contain nicotine, in some embodiments the gel may not contain nicotine.

The gel may contain one or more agents to improve organoleptic properties. Any suitable organoleptic enhancement agent may be included in the gel. Suitable agents for improving organoleptic properties include flavoring agents and sensory agents. Suitable flavoring agents include aromatic or fragrant molecules typically used in aromatic or fragrant compositions. Preferably, the flavoring agent is an aromatic, terpene or sesquiterpene hydrocarbon. The flavoring agent may be an essential oil, an alcohol, an aldehyde, a phenolic molecule, a carboxylic acid in their various forms, an aromatic acetal and ether, a nitrogen-containing heterocycle, a ketone, a sulfide, a disulfide and a mercaptan, which may be aromatic or non-aromatic. Examples of flavoring agents include natural or synthetic fragrances or fragrances. Suitable sensory agents include refreshing agents, cooling agents, or warming agents that provide a refreshing effect, a cooling effect, or a warming effect, respectively. Suitable refreshing agents may include, but are not limited to, menthyl succinate and derivatives thereof. A suitable warming agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether.

Other examples of suitable sensory enhancers that may be included in the gel include 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, ethyl butyrate, ethyl maltol, ethyl propionate, furaneol, isobutyraldehyde, isovaleric acid, maltol, benzaldehyde, dimethyl sulfide, 2-methylbutyric acid, isovaleraldehyde, phenethyl alcohol, phenylacetic acid, heliotropin, valeric acid, valeraldehyde, butyl alcohol, butyric acid, benzyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, isobutyl alcohol, isobutyric acid, cyclotene, caffeine dione, acetoin, sorbitol, ethyl lactate, citric acid, alpha ionone, lactic acid and pyruvic acid.

In some embodiments, the sensory enhancer includes one or more of the following: tobacco flavor, menthol, wintergreen, peppermint, herb flavors, nut flavors, liqueur flavors, and combinations thereof.

The gel may contain one or more tobacco extracts as an organoleptic enhancer. Tobacco extracts preferably enhance the tobacco aroma of the aerosol-forming substrate. Because the tobacco in the first portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is preferably not burned, the flavor profile created by the aerosol-forming substrate of the present invention may differ from a tobacco product that contains tobacco that burns during use, such as a cigarette. Thus, the addition of one or more tobacco extracts to the gel may advantageously alter the organoleptic profile of the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridges of the present invention.

The gel may contain any suitable amount of one or more organoleptic properties enhancing agents. For example, the gel may contain one or more sensory enhancers in an amount of from about 0.01 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, for example, from about 1 wt.% to about 12 wt.%, from about 2 wt. % to about 10 wt.% or from about 5 wt.% to about 8 wt.%. In some embodiments, the gel does not contain a sensory enhancer.

The gel may be the only material or may constitute the majority of the material in the second portion of the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridges of the present invention.

The first tobacco-containing portion and the adjacent second gel-containing portion may be disposed within the cartridge body in any suitable configuration. The materials of the first and second parts are preferably in contact with each other. Preferably, the tobacco of the first part is in contact with the gel of the second part. In some preferred embodiments, the first portion consists of or essentially consists of tobacco powder, or tobacco powder constitutes a majority of the first portion; and the second part consists of or essentially consists of a gel; and the gel comes into contact with tobacco powder.

In some embodiments, the first and second portions may be located substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing or may be located substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

If the housing includes an open end and a closed end, preferably the aerosol-forming substrate may be located adjacent to the closed end of the housing. The first part may be located closer to the closed end than the second part, or the second part may be located closer to the closed end than the first part. In some embodiments, each of the first portion and the second portion extends from a closed end to an open end.

In some embodiments, the first portion surrounds at least a portion of the second portion, or the second portion surrounds at least a portion of the first portion. For example, the first part may include an internal opening in which the second part is located, or the second part may contain an internal opening in which the first part is located.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a plurality of first portions, a plurality of second portions, or a plurality of first and second portions. The first and second parts can alternate. The alternating first and second parts may be articulated with each other. For example, the first and second alternating parts may be articulated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body in which the parts are located. The first and second alternating parts may be articulated parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body in which the parts are located. The first and second parts may be arranged so that they are adjacent to each other and alternate in a direction from the outer part of the housing to the central inner part of the housing. For example, the alternating first and second portions may be articulated in a concentric manner.

In some preferred embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a first portion located between two second portions.

The aerosol-forming substrate located in the cartridge body may contain any suitable amount of gel and plant material, in particular tobacco. In some embodiments, the total weight of plant material, particularly tobacco, in the aerosol-forming substrate is from about 10 milligrams to about 100 milligrams. Preferably, the total weight of plant material, particularly tobacco, in the aerosol-forming substrate is from about 10 milligrams to about 50 milligrams. Preferably, the total weight of plant material, particularly tobacco, in the aerosol-forming substrate is from about 20 milligrams to about 40 milligrams, such as about 30 milligrams.

Such amounts of plant material, particularly tobacco, are significantly less than the amount of tobacco used in currently available heat-not-burn consumables.

In some preferred embodiments, the cartridges of the present invention, when used with a suitable aerosol generating device, provide a number of puffs similar to those provided by Philip Morris International, HEETS® or Heatstick® products intended for use in an iQOS™ aerosol generating device system manufactured by Philip Morris International. As an example, the cartridges of the present invention preferably provide 8 to 12 puffs before the tobacco is used up.

The aerosol-forming substrate located in the cartridge body may contain any suitable amount of gel. In some embodiments, the total mass of gel in the aerosol-forming substrate is from about 50 milligrams to about 500 milligrams. Preferably, the total weight of tobacco in the aerosol-forming substrate is from about 100 milligrams to about 400 milligrams. Preferably, the total weight of tobacco in the aerosol-forming substrate is from about 150 milligrams to about 250 milligrams, such as about 200 milligrams.

Regardless of the actual manner in which the first and second aerosol-forming substrate portions are arranged in the housing and the total amount of gel and tobacco in the aerosol-forming substrate, the portions are preferably arranged such that heating of the housing causes the gel in one or more second portions to melt and form a mixture with tobacco in the first part. Once the gel has melted, the aerosol forming agent can be mixed with the tobacco to form a dense and stable aerosol containing the volatile components of the tobacco.

The cartridge may be placed in an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device may include a heating element configured to heat the housing to cause the gel to melt and generate an aerosol.

The cartridge may include a mouthpiece end and a distal end that may be received in an aerosol generating device having a heating element configured to heat the distal end of the cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate may be located in the housing near the distal end of the cartridge. The aerosol generating device may heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge to generate an aerosol containing volatile tobacco components.

The cartridge or cartridge parts containing the aerosol-forming substrate may be disposable cartridges or reusable cartridges. In some embodiments, some parts of the cartridges are reusable and other parts are replaceable after a single use. For example, the cartridges may include a mouthpiece, which may be reusable, and a disposable portion that contains an aerosol-forming substrate. In embodiments containing both reusable and disposable parts, the reusable parts may be capable of being separated from the disposable parts.

The cartridge contains a housing. The housing may contain one part or several parts. The body may define an open end and a closed end. The aerosol-forming substrate may be located near the closed end. In some embodiments, the open end of the housing may serve as a mouthpiece. The housing may define at least one opening between the open end and the closed end. The at least one opening defines at least one air inlet opening such that when negative pressure is applied at the open end of the housing, air enters the housing through the opening.

The cartridge may include a flow control device located in the housing. The flow control device may include a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal passage for air flow between the distal end and the proximal end. The proximal end may be located closer to the open end of the housing than the distal end. A seal may be provided between the outside of the flow control device and the inside of the housing. Preferably, the seal is located between the open end of the housing and the opening of the housing. A channel may be formed between a portion of the outer portion of the flow control device and the interior portion of the housing. The channel may be in communication with the opening and may direct air toward the aerosol-forming substrate. That is, when negative pressure is applied at the mouth end of the housing, air is drawn into the housing through the opening and can flow through the channel towards the aerosol-forming substrate at the distal end, then through the internal air flow passage of the flow control device from the distal end to the proximal end, and outward from the cartridge at the open end facing the user.

The internal air flow passage of the flow control device may allow aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate to be drawn out of the housing through the open end. The path defined by the air flow passage of the flow control device may have an air flow cross-section that is constant or varies along the length of the passage. This may improve the flow of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate from the closed end of the housing to the open end of the housing. That is, the cross-sectional area normal to the longitudinal axis of the track can vary along the length of the track.

In some embodiments, the airflow cross-section of the airflow passage may be substantially constant from the distal end to the proximal end. The air flow passage may have any suitable internal diameter. For example, the inner diameter of the air flow passage may be from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, such as about 2 mm. The air flow passage typically has an air flow cross-section that is smaller than the air flow cross-section within the housing around the distal end of the flow control device. Thus, the flow control device provides a narrowed air flow cross-section to accelerate the entry of air into the air flow passage at the distal end.

In some embodiments, the air flow cross-section of the air flow passage may vary from a distal end to a proximal end. For example, the air flow cross-section at the distal end of the air flow passage may be larger than the air flow cross-section at the proximal end of the air flow passage. In case the cross-section of the air flow in the air flow passage is larger at the distal end than at the proximal end, the diameter of the proximal end air flow passage may be from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, such as about 1 mm, and the diameter of the distal end air flow passage may be from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, such as about 2 mm.

The flow control device may be of any suitable length. For example, the flow control device may have a length of from about 3 mm to about 50 mm, such as from about 4 mm to about 30 mm, such as about 25 mm.

The internal air flow passage of the flow control device may include one or more portions located between a distal end and a proximal end configured to control air flow through the air flow passage from the far end to the proximal end.

The air flow passage of the flow control device may include a first portion between a proximal end and a distal end configured to accelerate the air as it flows from the distal end to the proximal end of the flow control device. The first portion of the air flow passage may be configured in any suitable manner to accelerate the air as it passes through the air flow passage from a distal end to a proximal end of the air flow passage. For example, the first portion of the air flow passage may include guides defining a constricted cross-section of the air flow that cause the air to accelerate in a substantially axial direction from the distal end to the proximal end.

In some embodiments, the air flow cross-section of the first portion of the air flow passage may be narrowed from a location closer to the distal end of the flow control device to a location closer to the proximal end of the flow control device to cause the air to accelerate as it passes from the far end. end to near end. In other words, the air flow cross-section of the first portion may narrow from a distal end of the first portion to a proximal end of the first portion. Preferably, the distal end of the first portion of the air flow passage (a location toward the distal end of the flow control device) has an internal diameter greater than the diameter of the proximal end of the first portion (a location toward the proximal end of the flow control device).

In some embodiments, the cross-section of the air flow in the first part of the air flow passage may be substantially constant from the distal end of the first part to the proximal end of the first part. In such embodiments, the substantially constant air flow cross-section in the first portion of the air flow passage may be smaller than the air flow cross-section at the distal end of the air flow passage.

For purposes of the present invention, "diameter" or "width" is the maximum transverse dimension of a cartridge, cartridge portion, or part. As an example, "diameter" is the diameter of an object having a circular cross-section, or is the diagonal length of an object having a rectangular cross-section.

For purposes of the present invention, an airflow cross-section that is “narrowed” from a first location to a second location means that the airflow cross-section decreases in diameter from the first location to the second location.

In case the cross-section of the air flow in the first part of the air flow passage is narrowed from the distal end to the proximal end, the narrowing of the cross-section of the air flow generally includes reducing the diameter of the air flow passage from the distal end of the first part to the proximal end of the first part. The narrowing of the cross-section of the air flow from the distal end to the proximal end may be continuous. For example, the reduction in diameter of the air flow passage may be linear from a distal end to a proximal end of the first portion. The narrowing may be uniform or uneven. For example, the rate of contraction of the cross-section of the air flow may increase from a distal end to a proximal end of the first portion. The narrowing of the cross-section of the air flow can be stepped. In other words, the cross-section of the air flow may be narrowed in discrete increments, or steps, from the distal end to the proximal end. In some embodiments, the constriction is linear and uniform around the circumference of the air flow passage from the distal end to the proximal end of the first portion.

The first portion (air accelerating portion) of the air flow passage may have any suitable shape. The inner surface of the flow control device forming the first part (air accelerating part) of the air flow passage may be shaped like a truncated cone.

The proximal end of the first portion of the air flow passage may have any suitable internal diameter. For example, the inner diameter of the proximal end of the first portion of the air flow passage may be from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, such as about 1 mm.

The distal end of the first portion of the air flow passage may have any suitable internal diameter. For example, the inner diameter of the distal end of the first portion of the air flow passage may be from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, such as about 2 mm.

The ratio of the diameter of the proximal end of the first portion of the air flow passage to the diameter of the distal end of the first portion of the air passage may be any suitable ratio. For example, the ratio may be from about 1:4 to about 3:4 or from about 2:5 to about 3:5, or may be about 1:2.

The first portion of the air flow passage may be of any suitable length. In other words, the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the first portion of the air flow passage may be any suitable distance. For example, the length of the first portion of the air flow passage may be from about 3 mm to about 15 mm, such as from about 4 mm to about 7 mm, or about 5.5 mm.

The internal air flow passage of the flow control device may optionally include a second portion closer to the proximal end of the flow control device than the first portion. In other words, the second part may be located downstream of the first part. The second portion of the air flow passage may be configured to slow down air flowing from the distal end to the proximal end of the flow control device. The air flow cross-section of the second portion of the air flow passage may extend from a location closer to the distal end of the flow control device to a location closer to the proximal end of the flow control device to cause the air to slow down as it passes from the distal end to the proximal end . In other words, the second portion of the air flow passage may include a distal end and a proximal end, and the cross-section of the air flow in the second portion may expand from the distal end to the proximal end. Thus, a location closer to the proximal end may have an internal diameter larger than the diameter closer to the distal end.

For purposes of the present invention, an airflow cross-section that "expands" from a first location to a second location means that the airflow cross-section increases in diameter from the first location to the second location.

The expansion of the cross-section of the air flow from the distal end of the second part of the air flow passage to the proximal end of the air flow passage may be continuous. The expansion may be uniform or uneven. For example, the expansion may be stepwise. For example, the expansion can be linear. For example, the rate of expansion of the cross-section of the air flow may increase from a distal end to a proximal end of the first portion. In some embodiments, the expansion is continuous and uniform from a location closer to the distal end to a location closer to the proximal end.

The second portion (air slowing portion) of the air flow passage may have any suitable shape. The inner surface of the flow control device forming the second part (air slowing part) of the air flow passage may be shaped like a truncated cone.

The proximal end of the second portion of the air flow passage may have any suitable internal diameter. For example, the inner diameter of the proximal end may be from about 2 mm to about 6 mm, such as from about 3 mm to about 5.5 mm, such as about 5 mm.

The distal end of the second portion of the air flow passage may have any suitable internal diameter. In some embodiments, the distal end of the second portion may have the same diameter as the distal end of the first portion. For example, the inner diameter of the distal end of the second portion may be from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, such as about 1 mm. In some embodiments, the distal end of the second portion may have a different diameter than the proximal end of the first portion. For example, the inner diameter of the distal end may be from about 1 mm to about 6 mm, such as from about 2 mm to about 5 mm, such as about 4.2 mm.

The second portion of the air flow passage, if present, may be of any suitable length. For example, the second portion of the air flow passage may have a length of from about 0.2 mm to about 20 mm, for example from about 1 mm to about 10 mm, for example from about 3 mm to about 7 mm, for example about 4.5 mm.

In some embodiments, the internal air flow passage of the flow control device may optionally include a third portion located closer to a distal end of the flow control device than the first portion. In other words, the third part may be located upstream of the first part.

The third portion may comprise a chamber having a substantially constant internal diameter along its length relative to the first and optionally second portions. The third portion may provide a chamber to allow the air, vapor, and aerosol to cool before it reaches the air accelerating portion. The third part may also provide additional control over the pull resistance (RTD) of the flow control device.

The third part may have a substantially constant inner diameter of from about 2 mm to about 6 mm, for example about 5 mm or, in particular, about 4.8 mm or about 5.1 mm. The third portion may have a distal end located toward the distal end of the flow control device and a proximal end located toward the proximal end of the flow control device. In some embodiments, the third portion may taper slightly from the distal end to the proximal end. For example, the inner diameter at the distal end of the third portion may be approximately 5.1 mm, and the distal portion at the proximal end of the third portion may be approximately 4.8 mm. Slightly tapering the inner diameter from the distal end to the proximal end can simplify fabrication of the flow control device.

The third portion of the air flow passage may be of any suitable length. For example, the third portion of the air flow passage may have a length of from about 1 mm to about 50 mm, such as from about 5 mm to about 30 mm, or about 15 mm.

In some embodiments, the air flow passage of the flow control device is formed only by the first portion. In some embodiments, the air flow passage of the flow control device includes a first portion and a second portion located closer to the proximal end of the flow control device than the first portion (i.e., downstream of the first portion). In some embodiments, the air flow passage of the flow control device comprises a first portion, a second portion located closer to a proximal end of the flow control device than the first portion (i.e., downstream of the first portion), and a third portion located toward a distal end. end of the flow control device than the first part (that is, upstream of the first part).

The cartridge may include a seal between the exterior of the flow control device and the interior of the housing. If the housing and the flow control device, or housing parts, are formed from the same part, a seal can be formed by integrating the components into one part. If the housing and the flow control device are formed from separate parts, the seal may be formed by, for example, an interference fit of the flow control device in the housing. In particular, the seal may be formed by an interference fit in a position between the proximal portion of the outer portion of the flow control device and the interior portion of the housing. A spacer, such as an O-ring, may be used between the housing and the flow control device to form a seal or assist in the formation of a seal. The seal is located between the open end of the housing and at least one opening.

In some embodiments, the flow control device is removably attached to the housing. For example, the flow control device may be housed in the housing by an interference fit, threaded connection, or the like such that the flow control device can be firmly inserted into and removed from the housing without damaging the housing or the flow control device. Firmly inserting the flow control device into the housing may provide a seal between the flow control device and the housing.

The cartridge contains at least one channel communicating with the housing opening. The channel is formed at least in part by the housing. The channel directs air from the hole towards the substrate, forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, a channel is formed between the outer surface of the flow control device and the inner surface of the housing.

A cartridge may contain more than one channel. In some embodiments, the cartridge contains from about 2 to about 20 channels between the outer surface of the flow control device and the inner surface of the housing. For example, a cartridge may contain from about 5 to about 15 channels, such as from about 10 to 12 channels.

Preferably, each channel communicates with at least one opening through the housing. However, the cartridge may contain one or more channels that are not in direct communication with the opening.

The hole may be located at any suitable location on the housing. In some embodiments, the housing may include more than one opening. For example, the housing may contain from about 2 to about 20 openings. The number of holes can be equal to the number of channels. If the number of holes is equal to the number of channels, each hole can correspond to a separate channel. If the housing contains more than one opening, the openings may be arranged in any suitable manner. Preferably the holes are arranged in a circumferential manner around the housing. The openings may be arranged in a circumferential manner around the housing and may be spaced equidistant from the closed end of the housing.

The channels may include side walls. Preferably the side walls extend along the length of the channel.

In some embodiments, the side walls extend between the exterior of the flow control device and the interior of the housing. The side walls may extend from the outside of the flow control device, the inside of the housing, or the outside of the flow control device and the inside of the housing. The side walls may be made from the same part as the outer part of the flow control device or the inner part of the housing.

The channels can be of any suitable width. For example, the channel may extend entirely around the interior of the housing. The channel may extend less than completely around the housing, such as less than about 90 percent around the housing, less than about 70 percent around the housing, or less than about 50 percent around the housing. In some embodiments, the passage extends at least about 2 percent around the housing, such as at least about 5 percent around the housing.

The channels may have a distal end located at a distance from the closed end of the housing. The far end of the channels may be at the far end of the flow control device. The distal end of the channel may be at any suitable distance from the closed end of the housing. For example, the distal end of the channel may be located at a distance from about 2 mm to about 20 mm from the closed end of the housing, for example, from about 7 mm to about 17 mm from the closed end of the housing or about 15 mm from the closed end of the housing.

If the channel has side walls, the channel may have a width determined by the distance between the side walls. The channels can be of any suitable width. For example, the width of the channels may vary from about 0.5 to about 2 mm, for example from about 0.75 mm to about 1.5 mm, for example about 1.5 mm.

The channel may have a depth defined from the interior surface of the housing to the exterior surface of the flow control device. The channels can be of any suitable depth. The depth of the channel may be constant along the length of the channel. The depth of the channel can vary along the length of the channel. In some embodiments, the depth of the channel increases from a location near the opening to the distal end of the channel, which is the end of the channel closest to the closed end of the housing. For example, the outer surface of the flow control device defining the channel may taper inwardly from a location proximal to the opening toward the distal end of the channel. This may simplify the manufacture of at least one of the flow control device and the housing.

Whether the depth of the channel is constant or varies along the length of the channel, the channel may have a depth of from about 0.3 mm to about 1.5 mm, for example from about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm or about 0.75 mm .

The distal end of the flow control device may be positioned at a suitable distance from the closed end of the housing so that the aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate can be entrained by air that enters the opening, flows through the channel and through the internal passage of the flow control device to the user for inhalation when the user takes a puff on the cartridge. Preferably, at least 5 percent of the air that flows through the cartridge contacts the aerosol-forming substrate. More preferably, at least 25 percent of the air that flows through the cartridge contacts the aerosol-forming substrate.

In some embodiments, the distal end of the flow control device is located at a distance of from about 2 mm to about 20 mm, such as from about 7 mm to about 17 mm or about 15 mm from the closed end of the housing.

The cartridge can be of any suitable size and shape. The cartridge may be of a size and shape similar to Philip Morris International, HEETS® or Heatstick® products intended for use in an iQOS™ aerosol device system manufactured by Philip Morris International. Preferably the cartridge is generally cylindrical. The cartridge may have an outer diameter of, for example, about 5 mm to about 15 mm, for example, from about 5 mm to about 10 mm, or from about 7 mm to about 8 mm. The cartridge may have a length, for example, from about 10 mm to about 60 mm, for example from about 50 mm to about 15 mm, for example about 20 mm or about 45 mm.

The cartridges may have any suitable pull resistance (RTD) and may vary depending on the length and dimensions of the channels, the size of the openings, the dimensions of the most restricted cross-section of the internal passage, etc. In many embodiments, the RTD of the cartridges is from about 50 to about 140 mm H ₂ O, from about 60 to about 120 mm H ₂ O or about 90 mm H ₂ O. The RTD of a cartridge refers to the difference in static pressure between one or more openings and the mouth end of the cartridge while air flow passes through it under steady-state conditions, at of which the volumetric flow is 17.5 milliliters per second at the mouthpiece end. The RTD of a sample can be measured using a method suitably adapted from the method set out in ISO 6565:2002.

The cartridge may be made from any one or more suitable materials. For example, the flow control device may be made of a plastic material, a metal material, a cellulosic material such as cellulose acetate, paper, cardboard, or a combination thereof. For example, the housing or housing portion may be made of metal material, plastic material, cardboard, or combinations thereof. If the body is made of cardboard, holes can be made in the cardboard by laser cutting. If the closed end of the body is made of cardboard, the end may be closed by folding the cardboard, placing an end cap on the cardboard tube, pinching and folding the cardboard, or the like.

In some embodiments, the cartridge includes a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may include a flow control device or a portion thereof and may form at least a proximal portion of the cartridge body. The mouthpiece may be connected to the housing or distal portion of the housing in any suitable manner, such as by an interference fit, a threaded connection, or the like.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be placed into the housing near the closed end before final assembly of the cartridge. The flow control device or portion containing the proximal housing portion, which may include the flow control device, may be coupled to the housing or housing portion containing the closed end.

Once fully assembled, the cartridge forms an air flow path through which air flows when the user draws on the mouthpiece end of the cartridge. When a user draws on the mouth end of the cartridge, air can enter the cartridge through an opening in the housing, which can then flow through a channel to the closed end of the housing, where it can capture the aerosol generated by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The entrained aerosol air can then flow through the internal passage of the flow control device and through the open mouth end of the housing.

The cartridge may be configured to be housed in an aerosol generating device such that a heating element of the device may heat the cartridge body, such as the closed end of the cartridge body, and thus may heat the aerosol generating substrate that is disposed in the housing.

The cartridge may be shaped and sized for use with any suitable aerosol generating device comprising a receptacle for receiving the cartridge and a heating element configured and positioned to heat at least a portion of the cartridge, such as a distal end of the cartridge, when the cartridge is placed in the generating device. aerosol.

The aerosol generating device preferably includes electronic control circuits operably coupled to the heating element. Electronic control circuits may be configured to control the heating of the heating element. Electronic control circuits may be internal to the device body.

The electronic control circuits may be provided in any suitable form and may, for example, comprise a controller or memory device and a controller. The controller may comprise one or more of the following: an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) state machine, a digital signal processor, a gate array, a microprocessor, or an equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuit. The electronic control circuit may include a memory that stores instructions that cause one or more components of the circuit to perform a function or aspect of the electronic control circuit. The functions assigned to the electronic control circuit in the present invention may be implemented as one or more of software, firmware and hardware.

The electronic circuits may include a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The electronic circuits may be configured to regulate the supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current. Electronic control circuits may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and control the supply of power to the heating element depending on the electrical resistance of the heating element. In this way, electronic control circuits can regulate the temperature of the resistive element.

The aerosol generating device may include a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple, operably coupled to electronic control circuitry to regulate the temperature of the heating elements. The temperature sensor can be located in any suitable location. For example, a temperature sensor may be in contact with or adjacent to a heating element. The sensor can transmit signals regarding the measured temperature to electronic control circuits, which can adjust the heating of the heating element to achieve a suitable temperature at the sensor.

Regardless of whether the aerosol generating device includes a temperature sensor, the device may be configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate located in the cartridge to a level sufficient to generate an aerosol.

The electronic control circuits may be operatively coupled to a power supply, which may be internal to the housing. The aerosol generating device may comprise any suitable power source. For example, the power source of the aerosol generating device may be a battery or battery pack. The batteries or power supply unit may be rechargeable and may also be removable and replaceable. Any suitable battery may be used.

The aerosol generating device may include any suitable heating element. Preferably, the heating element includes a resistive heating component, such as one or more resistive wires or other resistive elements. Resistance wires can be placed in contact with a thermally conductive material to distribute the heat produced over a wider area. Examples of suitable conductive materials include aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, and combinations thereof. For purposes of the present invention, if the resistance wires are in contact with a thermally conductive material, then both the resistance wires and the thermally conductive material are part of the heating element.

The heating element can have any suitable form. The heating element may include a cavity configured to receive and surround the closed end of the cartridge. The heating element may include an elongated element configured to extend along the side of the cartridge body when the closed end of the cartridge is inserted into the device. In some embodiments, the heating element of the device is an elongated heating element, and an adapter may be used to transfer heat from the heating element to the cartridge. For example, the adapter may include a cavity configured to receive and surround the cartridge. The adapter can be made of thermally conductive material. For example, the adapter may be made of aluminum, sheet metal, etc.

In some embodiments, the cartridge may include more than one internal sub-cartridge, and each sub-cartridge may include a flow control device and housing as generally described above. The sub-cartridges may be held in an outer housing. The cartridge may include a manifold for connecting flow control devices of the plurality of sub-cartridges to one open end of the outer housing.

In some embodiments, all sub-cartridges may contain the same aerosol-forming substrate. In some embodiments, one sub-cartridge contains an aerosol-forming substrate and the other sub-cartridge contains a fragrance-containing composition.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device may be configured to accommodate more than one cartridge described herein. For example, the aerosol generating device may include a reservoir into which an elongated heating element extends. One cartridge may be placed in a reservoir on one side of the heating element, and the other cartridge may be placed in a reservoir on the other side of the heating element.

Next, consider drawings that illustrate one or more aspects described in the present invention. However, it should be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Like reference numbers in the figures designate similar components, steps, etc. It should be understood, however, that the use of a reference number to designate a component in a particular figure is not intended to limit a component in another figure designated by the same reference number. In addition, the use of different reference numbers to designate components in different figures is not intended to indicate that components with different reference numbers may not be the same or similar to otherwise numbered components. The figures are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The schematic representations shown in the figures are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1A is a schematic sectional view of an aerosol generating device and a schematic side view of a cartridge that can be inserted into the aerosol generating device.

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 1A , and a schematic side view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 1A inserted into the aerosol generating device.

FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an adapter and an aerosol generating device into which the adapter can be inserted.

FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the adapter shown in FIG. 2A inserted into the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 2B .

FIG. 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the adapter and aerosol generating device depicted in FIG. 2B , and a schematic side view of the cartridge inserted into the adapter.

FIG. 3-6 are schematic cross-sectional views of various cartridge embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a cartridge heated by a heating element.

In FIG. 1A-B illustrate an example of a cartridge 100 and an aerosol generating device 200 . The cartridge 100 has a mouth end 101 and a closed distal end 103 . As shown in FIG. 1B , the distal end 103 of the cartridge 100 is housed in a reservoir 220 of the device 200. The device 200 includes a housing 210 defining a reservoir 220 that is configured to receive the cartridge 100 . The device 200 also includes a heating element 230 that defines a cavity 235 configured to receive the cartridge 100 , preferably through an interference fit. Heating element 230 may include an electrical resistive heating component. In addition, the device 200 includes a power supply 240 and control electronics 250 that interact to control the heating of the heating element 230 .

The heating element 230 may heat the distal end 103 of the cartridge 100 that contains the aerosol-forming substrate. Heating the cartridge 100 causes the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol that can be drawn through the mouth end 101 of the cartridge 100 .

In FIG. 2A-C illustrate an example of an aerosol generating device 200 , a cartridge 100, and an adapter 300 . The aerosol generating device 200 includes a housing 210 defining a reservoir 220 for housing the aerosol generating articles. Device 200 includes an elongated heating element 230 that extends into reservoir 230 . Heating element 230 is operatively coupled to electronic control circuits 250 and power supply 240 , which cooperate to heat heating element 230 . The device 200 may be, for example, an iQOS® Philip Morris International aerosol-generating device, or another commercially available aerosol-generating device that may be configured to accommodate aerosol-generating articles other than the cartridges described in the present invention.

An adapter 300 may be used to enable the device 200 to be used with the cartridge 100 described in the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, adapter 300 includes a housing 310 containing thermally conductive material for transferring heat from heating element 230 to cartridge 100 . The housing 310 of the adapter 300 defines a cavity 320 for receiving the cartridge 100 and a receptacle 330 for receiving the heating element 230 of the device 200 . The adapter 300 may be inserted into the reservoir 220 of the device 200 such that the heating element 230 fits into the socket 330 , as shown in FIG. 2B . Preferably, the heating element 230 contacts the housing 310 forming the seat 330 to realize good thermal contact.

The distal end of the cartridge 100 may be inserted into a cavity 320 of the adapter 300 , as shown in FIG. 2C . When the cartridge 100 is placed in the cavity 320 of the adapter 300 and the heating element 230 of the device 200 is placed in the socket 330 of the adapter 300 , the heating element 230 of the device 200 can heat the cartridge 100 through the adapter 300 .

When using a suitable adapter, one example of which is shown in FIG. 2A-C , any suitable aerosol generating device may be used to heat the cartridge of the present invention.

In FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a cartridge 100 including a housing 110 and a flow control device 400 . The housing 110 and the flow control device 400 may be made of one piece or multiple pieces. Flow control device 400 has a proximal end 401 , a distal end 403 , and an inner passage 430 from the distal end 403 to the proximal end 401 . The flow control device 400 has a first portion 410 and a second portion 420 . The first portion 410 defines a first portion of a passage 430 that extends from a distal end 413 of the first portion 410 to a proximal end 411 of the first portion 410 . The second portion 420 defines a second channel portion 430 that extends from a distal end 423 of the second portion 420 to a proximal end 421 of the second portion 420 . The first portion of the passage 430 has a narrowed cross-section extending from the distal end 413 to the proximal end 411 of the first portion 410 so as to cause the air passing through that portion of the passage 430 to accelerate when negative pressure is applied at the mouth end 101 of the cartridge 100 . In other words, the cross-section of the first portion of the passage tapers from the distal end 413 to the proximal end 411 . The second portion of the channel 430 has a widening cross-section from the distal end 423 to the proximal end 421 of the second portion 420 of the flow control device 400 . In the second part of the passage 430, the air flow may slow down.

The body 110 defines an open mouthpiece end 101 of the cartridge 100 and a closed distal end 103 . The aerosol-forming substrate 500 includes a first portion 510 containing tobacco powder and a second portion 520 containing an aerosol-forming agent. The second portion 520 contains a gel that melts when heated, allowing the aerosol forming agent to mix with the tobacco powder in the first portion 510 . The aerosol-forming substrate 500 is located near the closed distal end 103 of the housing 110 . The aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate 500 may, when heated, enter an upper space 140 in the housing 110 above the aerosol-forming substrate 500 to move through the passage 430 .

Holes 150 extend through housing 110 . At least one opening 150 communicates with a channel 440 formed between the outer surface of the flow control device 400 and the inner surface of the housing 110 . A seal is formed between the flow control device 400 and the housing 110 at a location between the holes 150 and the mouth end 101 .

When the user draws on the mouthpiece end 101 of the cartridge 100 , air enters the holes 150 , flows through the channel 440 into the upper space 140 above the aerosol-forming substrate 500 , where air can entrain the aerosol when the aerosol-forming substrate 500 is heated. Air can then flow through the air flow passage 430 and through the mouthpiece end. As air flows through the first portion of passage 430, the air flow accelerates. As air passes through the second portion of passage 430, the air flow slows down. The second portion of the air flow passage 430 is optional. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing defines a cavity 130 between the proximal end 401 of the flow control device 400 and the mouth end 101 of the cartridge 100 , which may serve to slow the flow of air before exiting the mouth end 101 .

In FIG. 3, the aerosol-forming substrate 500 contains two parts, with the first part 510 containing tobacco powder and the second part 520 containing the aerosol-forming agent. The second portion 520 contains the gel and is in contact with the first portion 510 . The first portion 510 is located toward the closed distal end 103 of the housing 110 . The first 510 and second 520 portions are articulated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 110 .

In FIG. 4-6 show additional orientations of the aerosol-forming substrate 500 within the cartridge body. Since the components of the cartridge other than the aerosol-forming substrate 500 are the same in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4-6 , these other components are not indicated in FIG. 4-6 for the sake of brevity.

In FIG. 4, the aerosol-forming substrate 500 contains two parts, with the first part 510 containing tobacco powder and the second part 520 containing the aerosol-forming agent. The second portion 520 contains the gel and is in contact with the first portion 510 . The second portion 510 is located closer to the closed distal end 103 of the housing 110 . The first 510 and second 520 portions are articulated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 110 .

In FIG. 5, the aerosol-forming substrate 500 contains two parts, with the first part 510 containing tobacco powder and the second part 520 containing the aerosol-forming agent. The second portion 520 contains the gel and is in contact with the first portion 510 . The second portion 520 defines an internal opening 525 . In other words, the second portion 520 may have a ring shape. The first part 510 is located in the inner hole 525 of the second part 520 . The first 510 and second 520 portions are oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 110 .

In FIG. 6, the aerosol-forming substrate 500 contains three parts, with the first part 510 containing tobacco powder and the second two parts 520 containing the aerosol-forming agent. The second portions 520 contain the gel and are in contact with the first portion 510 . The first part 510 is located between the two second parts 520 . The first 510 and second 520 portions are articulated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 110 .

In FIG. 7, a distal portion of the cartridge 100 is in contact with a heating element 230 configured to heat the closed end 103 of the housing. Upon application of heat from the heating element 230, the gel of the second portion melts to form a tobacco powder mixture 600 . When heated sufficiently, the aerosolizing agent from the gel and tobacco powder components forms an aerosol 610 . When negative pressure is applied to the mouth end 101 of the cartridge 100 , air enters the opening 150 , flows through the passage 440 between the outside of the flow control device 400 and the inside of the housing 110 , flows into the upper space 140 , entrains the aerosol 610 , and then flows through the central opening 430 flow control devices 400 for inhalation by the user. The mixture 600 may be a mixture obtained by heating an aerosol-forming substrate, as shown in any of FIGS. 3-6 .

All scientific and technical terms used herein have the meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise noted. The definitions provided in this document are intended to make it easier to understand certain terms that are frequently used in this document.

As used herein and in the claims, the singular form includes embodiments containing plural references unless the content clearly indicates otherwise.

As used in the present specification and claims, the conjunction “or” is generally used in its meaning to include “and/or” unless the content clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the expressions “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” “contain,” “comprising,” or the like are used in their broadest sense and generally mean “including without limitation.” It should be understood that the expressions “consisting essentially of”, “consisting of”, etc. refer to the category “comprising”, etc.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to those embodiments of the present invention that may provide certain benefits under certain conditions. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. Moreover, the description of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the present invention, including the claims.

Any direction mentioned in this document, such as "up", "down", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", and other directions or orientations are described herein for clarity and brevity and are not intended to to limit the actual device or system. The devices and systems described in this document may be used in a variety of directions and orientations.

The embodiments exemplified above are not limiting. Other embodiments in addition to the above-described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (22)

1. A cartridge for use with a device for generating an aerosol, containing: frame; And an aerosol-forming substrate disposed in the housing, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a first portion containing tobacco powder, wherein the tobacco powder constitutes a major portion of the first portion, and a second portion containing a gel, wherein the gel contains an aerosol-forming agent, and wherein the first part is located adjacent to the second part. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing defines an open end, a closed end, and an opening between the closed end and the open end, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is located proximate the closed end, and wherein the cartridge further comprises: a flow control device located in the housing, the flow control device comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal passage for air flow between the distal end and the proximal end, the proximal end being located closer to the open end of the housing than the distal end. 3. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing defines an open end, a closed end, and an opening between the closed end and the open end, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is located proximate the closed end, and wherein the cartridge further comprises: a seal between the outside of the flow control device and the inside of the housing, the seal being between the open end of the housing and the opening of the housing. 4. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing defines an open end, a closed end, and an opening between the closed end and the open end, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is located proximate the closed end, and wherein the cartridge further comprises: a passage between a portion of the exterior portion of the flow control device and an interior portion of the housing, the passage communicating with the opening and directing air toward the aerosol-forming substrate. 5. The cartridge according to any of the previous claims, wherein the housing is configured to receive heat such that the gel in the second part melts and forms a mixture with the tobacco powder in the adjacent first part. 6. A cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, containing from 10 to 50 mg of tobacco powder, preferably the cartridge containing from 20 to 40 mg of tobacco powder. 7. The cartridge according to any of the previous claims, wherein the aerosol forming agent contains glycerin, preferably the gel contains from 50 to 95 wt.% glycerol, preferably the gel contains from 65 to 70 wt.% glycerol. 8. A cartridge according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which the gel contains from 1 to 5% of a binder, preferably agar. 9. The cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is comprised of two second portions, and wherein the first portion is positioned between said two second portions such that each of said two second portions is in contact with the first portion. 10. The cartridge according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which the first and second parts are articulated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. 11. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, in which the first and second parts are articulated parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. 12. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, wherein the second part includes an internal opening and the first part is located in the second opening. 13. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the air flow passage is configured to accelerate the air as it passes from a distal end to a proximal end of the flow control device. 14. The cartridge according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which the tobacco powder contains less than 5 wt.% tobacco dust, which is formed as a by-product during the processing of tobacco material. 15. An aerosol generating device system containing: cartridge according to any of the previous paragraphs; And a device for generating an aerosol, comprising a receiver configured to accommodate at least a closed end of the housing, and a heater operatively connected to the receiver and configured to heat the cartridge when it is placed in the receiver.

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