RU2826283C2 - Aerosol delivery system, cartridge for aerosol delivery system and method for determining level of aerosol-generating material inside cartridge tank - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aerosol systems.

SUBSTANCE: aerosol supply system cartridge comprises a mouthpiece outlet, an air channel passing from the air inlet of the cartridge to the mouthpiece outlet through the aerosol generation area, a reservoir for storing aerosol-generating material, an aerosol outlet tube passing between the aerosol generation area and the mouthpiece outlet. The reservoir is located around this tube. The cartridge contains a means for indicating the level of aerosol-generating material, which is a part of the cartridge that forms the first section of the container wall, the first surface, the second surface, the first and second side surfaces located between the first and second surfaces. The surface of the outlet tube is visible through the specified part of the cartridge. The first and second side surfaces are made with an inclination towards the outlet. Part of the cartridge is located on both side surfaces and contains the first elongated window for determining the content level in the tank, located on the first side surface, and the second elongated window for determining the content level in the tank, located on the second side surface. The maximum size of each of these windows is no more than 20 mm.

EFFECT: providing the ability to control the level of aerosol-generating material.

18 cl, 32 dwg

Description

Field of technology

The present invention relates to aerosol-generating systems, such as nicotine delivery systems (e.g. electronic cigarettes, etc.).

State of the art

Electronic aerosol-generating systems, such as electronic cigarettes, typically comprise an aerosol-forming source material, such as a container with a refill liquid containing a substance typically including nicotine, or a solid material, such as a tobacco-derived product, from which an aerosol inhaled by the user is generated, such as by vaporization using heat. Thus, the aerosol-generating system typically comprises an evaporator, such as a heating element, which serves to vaporize a portion of the source material to generate an aerosol in an aerosol-generating region of an air passage passing through the aerosol-generating system. When the user inhales, the evaporator is energized, air is introduced through one or more inlet openings and through an air passage into the aerosol-generating region of the device, where it mixes with the vaporized source material, forming a condensation aerosol. Air passing through the aerosol generation area continues to flow further along the air passage to the mouthpiece opening, picking up and entraining some of the aerosol, then exits through the mouthpiece opening and is inhaled by the user.

Aerosol delivery systems are typically a modular assembly, often with two main functional parts, namely the control unit and the disposable/replaceable cartridge. Typically, the cartridge contains the aerosol precursor consumable and the heating element (atomizer), while the control unit contains the longer-lasting components such as the battery, the device control circuit, the activation sensors, and the user interface. The control unit may also be referred to as the refillable part or battery section, and the replaceable cartridge may also be referred to as the consumable part or cartomizer.

The control unit and cartridge are mechanically connected together at the interface for use, such as by means of a screw thread, a bayonet connection, a snap lock, or a friction fit lock. When the aerosol precursor material in the cartridge is exhausted or the user wishes to switch to another cartridge containing a different aerosol precursor material, the cartridge can be separated from the control unit and a replacement cartridge can be connected in its place.

Document RU 2608915 C2 describes an aerosol delivery system in the form of an electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette comprises a heater, a mouthpiece insert, an air flow diverter, an outer cylindrical tube, an inner cylindrical tube, a liquid supply means containing a liquid substance and located in the outer annular space between the outer and inner cylindrical tubes, a wick, and a power source. The wick is connected to the liquid supply means and the heater so as to supply the liquid substance to the heater in order to heat the liquid substance by the heater to a temperature sufficient for its evaporation and the formation of steam in the inner cylindrical tube. In such an electronic cigarette, the wick partially passes through the heater, so there is a risk of liquid leakage into the air channel.

Document US 2019174831 A1 describes a system for providing an aerosol in the form of an electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette includes a liquid storage device with a liquid storage chamber, a spray device with a spray chamber, a controller, and a drive mechanism. When the controller controls the inlet of the electronic cigarette liquid, the controller controls the drive mechanism to direct the electronic cigarette liquid into the liquid storage chamber into the spray chamber, thereby implementing control of the amount of electronic cigarette liquid into the spray device. In such an electronic cigarette, there is a risk of liquid leakage into the air passage during the liquid supply by the drive mechanism to the spray chamber.

Document CN 103584287 A describes an aerosol delivery system in the form of an electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette is formed by a liquid storage unit of a suction nozzle, an atomizer head unit and a battery unit. The liquid is stored in a cup closed by a perforated sealing lid. In such an electronic cigarette, there is a risk of liquid leakage during the transfer of liquid to the heating wire.

A potential disadvantage of cartridges containing a liquid aerosol precursor (e-liquid) is the risk of leakage. An e-cigarette cartridge typically has a mechanism, such as a capillary wick, for drawing liquid from a liquid reservoir and delivering it to a heating element located in an air path/channel connecting the air inlet to the outlet of the aerosol cartridge. Since there is a path for liquid to be transferred from the liquid reservoir to the open air channel through the cartridge, there is a corresponding risk of liquid leakage from the cartridge. Leakage is undesirable both from the end user's perspective, who naturally does not want e-liquid on their hands or other objects, and from a reliability perspective, since leakage from the end of the cartridge connected to the control unit may damage the control unit, for example by corrosion. Some approaches to reducing the risk of leakage may involve restricting the flow of liquid to the heating element, such as by tightly crimping the wick where it enters the air passage, but in some scenarios this may run the risk of insufficient liquid flow to the heating element (drying out), which can cause overheating and unwanted odours.

This paper describes various approaches that are intended to help address or mitigate some of the problems mentioned above.

Disclosure of invention

The first object of the invention is a cartridge for an aerosol supply system comprising a cartridge, a control unit and an evaporator for evaporating an aerosol-forming material, wherein the cartridge comprises an air channel extending from the air inlet of the cartridge to the outlet through the aerosol generation area, and a reservoir for storing the aerosol-forming material for evaporating it. According to the invention, the cartridge additionally comprises a means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material to provide the user with the possibility of determining the level of the aerosol-forming material in the reservoir.

A second object of the invention is an aerosol delivery system comprising the above-described cartridge and a control unit comprising a section for inserting the cartridge, which comprises an interface for connection to the cartridge, providing a detachable connection of the cartridge to the control unit, wherein the control unit comprises a power source and a controller.

It should be understood that the distinctive features described above in relation to various objects of the invention are equally applicable and, if necessary, can be combined with the distinctive features of other objects of the invention, and not only in the specific combinations described.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example with reference to the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows an aerosol delivery system including a cartridge and a control unit (shown separately) according to some embodiments of the invention, in a perspective view;

Fig. 2 - a cartridge of the aerosol delivery system shown in Fig. 1, a perspective view with spatial separation of parts;

in Fig. 3A-3C - sectional views of the cartridge housing of the aerosol delivery system shown in Fig. 1;

in Fig. 4A and 4B - a partition wall of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system shown in Fig. 1, views in perspective and from above;

in Fig. 5A-5C - an elastic plug of a cartridge of the aerosol delivery system shown in Fig. 1, two perspective views and a top view;

in Fig. 6A and 6B - the lower cover of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system shown in Fig. 1, perspective and top views;

Fig. 7A and 7B are sectional and perspective views of a modified cartridge for use with the control unit shown in Fig. 1 to form an aerosol delivery system in some embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 7C is a sectional view of another modified cartridge for use with the control unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8A and 8B are sectional and perspective views of a second modified cartridge for use with the control unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9A and 9B are sectional and perspective views of a third modified cartridge for use with the control unit shown in Fig. 1;

in Fig. 10A and 10B - a fourth modified cartridge for use with the control unit shown in Fig. 1, sectional and perspective views;

in Fig. 10C-10E - a fifth modified cartridge for use with the control unit shown in Fig. 1, front views and perspective views from both sides;

in Fig. 10F-10H - a sixth modified cartridge for use with the control unit shown in Fig. 1, front views and perspective views from both sides;

in Fig. 11A and 11B - a seventh modified cartridge for use with the control unit shown in Fig. 1, sectional and perspective views;

in Fig. 11C - a seventh modified cartridge for use with the control unit shown in Fig. 1, a perspective view;

Fig. 12A and 12B show an eighth modified cartridge for use with the control unit shown in Fig. 1, perspective view.

Implementation of the invention

Some aspects and features of some embodiments of the invention may be implemented in a conventional manner, and for brevity they are not described in detail. Accordingly, it should be understood that aspects and features of the device and methods discussed in this description that are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional technologies.

The invention relates to combustion-free aerosol delivery systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol delivery systems, such as electronic cigarettes. A combustion-free aerosol delivery system is a system in which the constituent aerosol-forming material of the aerosol delivery system (or a component thereof) is not combusted or burned to provide delivery of the aerosol to the user. An aerosol-forming material, which may also be referred to as an aerosol-forming material or an aerosol precursor material, is a material that is capable of forming an aerosol, for example, when heated, irradiated, or excited in any other way.

In the following description, the term "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it should be understood that this term can be used interchangeably with the terms "aerosol delivery system/device" and "electronic aerosol delivery system/device". An electronic cigarette may also be known as a vaping device or as an Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-forming material is not required. In some cases, the combustion-free aerosol delivery system is a hybrid aerosol generating system that uses a combination of aerosol-forming materials, one or more of which can be heated. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises an aerosol-forming material in the form of a liquid or gel and in the form of a solid. The solid aerosol-forming material can be, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, a combustion-free aerosol delivery system may include a combustion-free aerosol delivery device and an article for use with the combustion-free aerosol delivery device. However, articles that themselves contain means for actuating an aerosol-generating component are considered to be able to themselves form an aerosol delivery system.

In some embodiments of the invention, an article for use with a combustion-free aerosol delivery device may comprise an aerosol-forming material (or aerosol precursor material), an aerosol-generating component (or vaporizer), an aerosol-generating region, a mouthpiece, and/or a region for receiving the aerosol-forming material.

In some embodiments of the invention, the aerosol generating component is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosol-forming material to release one or more volatile components from the aerosol-forming material to form an aerosol. In some cases, the aerosol generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosol-forming material without heating. For example, the aerosol generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosol-forming material without applying heat to it, such as by one or more means such as vibration, mechanical, pumping, or electrostatic means.

In some embodiments, the delivered substance may be an aerosolizable material that may contain an active component, a carrier component, and, optionally, one or more other functional components.

The active component may be one or more physiologically and/or olfactory active components that are included in the aerosol-forming material to achieve a physiological and/or olfactory sensation in the user. The active component may be selected, for example, from nutraceuticals, nootropics and psychoactive substances. The active component may be of natural origin or obtained artificially. The active component may be, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, a vitamin such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, a cannabinoid or a component derived from them, or combinations thereof. The active component may be a component derived from tobacco or an extract of tobacco or another plant. In some embodiments of the invention, the active component is a physiologically active component and may be selected from nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g., nicotine ditartrate/nicotine bitartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the active component is an olfactory active component and may be selected from a "flavor" and/or "flavoring agent" that, if local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatosensory sensation in a product for adult consumers. In some cases, such components may be referred to as aromas, flavors, cooling agents, warming agents, and/or sweetening agents. They may include natural flavors, botanicals, plant extracts, synthetically derived materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, mattu, menthol, Japanese mint, anise, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus, drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, mint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel nut, hookah, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, any type of mint oil of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, bay leaf, mate, orange peel, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderberry, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, pepper, rosemary, saffron, lemon zest, mint, perilla, turmeric, cilantro, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, allspice, nutmeg, damien, marjoram, olive oil, lemon balm, lemon basil, garlic, curry, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitterness receptor blockers, sensory receptor activators or stimulators, sugar and/or sugar substitutes (e.g. sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol) and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals or breath freshening agents. These may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They can be in any suitable form, such as oil, liquid or powder.

In some embodiments, the flavoring agent is menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent includes cucumber, blueberry, citrus and/or red berry flavor components. In some cases, the flavoring agent is eugenol. In some cases, the flavoring agent includes flavor components extracted from tobacco. In some cases, the flavoring agent may be a component for creating a somatosensory sensation, which is usually chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or instead of the aroma or taste nerves, and it may include agents that cause a sensation of heating, cooling, tingling, numbness. A suitable thermal effect agent may be, for example, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable cooling agent may be, for example, eucalyptol, WS-3.

The carrier component may be one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the carrier component may be one or more substances such as glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, mesoerythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a mixture of diacetin, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

The one or more other functional components may be one or more of pH regulators, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers and/or antioxidants.

As noted above, aerosol delivery systems (electronic cigarettes) often represent a modular assembly that includes both a reusable part (control unit) and a replaceable (disposable) part - a cartridge. Devices corresponding to this type of configuration consisting of two parts can usually be called two-component devices. Electronic cigarettes usually have an elongated shape. As a specific example, some described embodiments of the invention represent the mentioned type of a conventional elongated two-component device, which uses disposable cartridges. However, it should be noted that the basic principles presented in the present description can also be used in other configurations of electronic cigarettes, for example, in modular devices consisting of more than two parts, as well as in devices corresponding to other general shapes, for example, based on the so-called high-performance devices of the box-mod type, which usually have a box-shaped shape.

Fig. 1 shows a general view of the aerosol delivery system/device 1 (electronic cigarette) in some embodiments of the invention. Terms relating to the relative positioning of various aspects of the electronic cigarette (such as, for example, upper, lower, above, below, top, bottom, etc.) are used in reference to the orientation of the electronic cigarette shown in Fig. 1 (unless the context otherwise requires). However, it should be understood that this is done solely for ease of explanation and is not an indication that the electronic cigarette must have any particular orientation when in use.

The electronic cigarette 1 consists of two main components, namely: a cartridge 2 and a control unit 4. The control unit 4 and the cartridge 2 are shown separately in Fig. 1, but they are connected to each other during use.

The cartridge 2 and the control unit 4 are connected by establishing a mechanical and electrical connection between them. The specific method by which the mechanical and electrical connection is established is not of primary importance, and may be one of the conventional methods, for example, based on a screw thread, a bayonet connection, a mechanical fastening with a snap or a friction fit with suitably located electrical contacts/electrodes for establishing an electrical connection between the two parts. For example, for the electronic cigarette 1 shown in Fig. 1, the cartridge has a mouthpiece end 52 and an interface end 54 and is connected to the control unit by inserting a portion 6 of the interface end of the cartridge into a corresponding socket/receiving section 8 of the control unit. The section 6 of the interface end of the cartridge fits tightly to the socket 8 and has projections 56 which engage with corresponding locks on the inner surface of the wall 12 of the socket, limiting the socket 8, to ensure a mechanical detachable engagement between the cartridge and the control unit. An electrical connection is established between the control unit and the cartridge through a pair of electrical contacts in the lower part of the cartridge (not shown in Fig. 1) and corresponding spring-loaded contact pins in the base of the socket 8 (not shown in Fig. 1).

As noted above, the particular manner in which the electrical connection is established is not essential, and in some embodiments of the invention there may be no electrical connection at all between the cartridge and the control unit, for example because the transfer of electrical energy from the reusable part to the cartridge may be carried out wirelessly (for example, by electromagnetic induction).

The electronic cigarette 1 has a generally elongated shape that continues along the longitudinal axis L. When the cartridge is connected to the control unit, the total length of the electronic cigarette in the example under consideration (along the longitudinal axis) is about 12.5 cm. The total length of the control unit is about 9 cm, and the total length of the cartridge is about 5 cm (i.e., there is an overlap of about 1.5 cm between the interface end portion 6 of the cartridge and the receiving section 8 of the control unit when they are connected together). The electronic cigarette has a generally oval cross-section that is largest approximately in the middle of the electronic cigarette and smoothly tapers toward the ends of the cigarette. The cross-section of the electronic cigarette has a width of about 2.5 cm and a thickness of about 1.7 cm. The end of the cartridge has a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 0.6 cm, and the other end of the electronic cigarette has a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 1.2 cm. The outer casing of the electronic cigarette in this example is made of plastic. It should be understood that the specific size and shape of the electronic cigarette and the material from which it is made are not of primary importance and may differ in different embodiments of the invention. In other words, the principles described herein can be equally adapted to electronic cigarettes of different sizes, shapes and/or materials.

The control unit 4 in some embodiments of the invention may be generally conventional in terms of its functionality and general design principles. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 4 has a plastic outer casing 10 including a wall 12 of the receiving section, which defines a receiving section 8 intended for receiving the end of the cartridge, as mentioned above. The outer casing 10 of the control unit 4 in this example has a generally oval cross-section corresponding to the shape and size of the cartridge 2 at the boundary of their division in order to provide a smooth transition between the two parts. The receiving section 8 and the end section 6 of the cartridge 2 are symmetrical when rotated by 180°, so that the cartridge can be inserted into the control unit in two different orientations. The wall 12 of the receiving section has two openings 14 for air intake (i.e. openings in the wall). These openings 14 are arranged so as to coincide with the opening 50 of the cartridge for inlet of air, when the cartridge is connected to the control unit. The second of the openings 14 is aligned with the opening 50 of the cartridge for inlet of air in another orientation. It should be understood that in some embodiments of the invention there may not be any degree of rotational symmetry, so that the cartridge can be connected to the control unit only in one orientation, while in other embodiments of the invention there may be a higher degree of rotational symmetry, so that the cartridge can be connected to the control unit in more orientations.

The control unit also comprises a battery 16 for providing operating power to the electronic cigarette, a control circuit 18 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette, a user input button 20, a light indicator 22 and a charging port 24.

The battery 16 in this example is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type that is commonly used in electronic cigarettes and other applications that require relatively high currents to be provided for relatively short periods of time. The battery 16 may be charged via the charging port 24, which may be, for example, a USB connector.

The input button 20 in this example is a conventional mechanical button, for example, comprising a spring-loaded component that can be pressed by the user to establish an electrical contact in the electrical circuit. In this regard, the input button can be considered as an input device for detecting user input, for example, to initiate the aerosol generation process, and the specific embodiment of the button is not important. For example, in other embodiments of the invention, other forms of a mechanical or sensory button can be used (for example, based on capacitive or optical detection methods), or the button can be completely absent, and the device can have a puff detector for starting the aerosol generation process.

The light indicator 22 is intended to provide the user with a visual indication of various parameters associated with the electronic cigarette, such as an indication of the operating state (e.g. on/off/standby) and other parameters, such as the battery charge level or a fault condition. The various parameters can be displayed, for example, in different colors and/or different flash sequences in accordance with generally accepted technologies.

The control circuit 18 is configured/programmed accordingly to control the operation of the electronic cigarette in order to ensure the execution of the usual operating functions in accordance with the established methods of controlling the electronic cigarettes. It can be considered that the control circuit (processor) 18 includes various subunits/circuit elements associated with various aspects of the operation of the electronic cigarette. For example, depending on the functionalities provided in various embodiments of the invention, the control circuit 18 can comprise a power supply control circuit for controlling the supply of energy from the battery to the cartridge in response to a user input, a user programming circuit for setting configuration parameters (for example, user-defined power settings) in response to a user input, as well as other functionalities associated with functional blocks/circuits in accordance with the principles presented in the present description and the usual operating aspects of the electronic cigarettes, such as a circuit for controlling the display of a light indicator and a circuit for detecting a user input. It should be noted that the functionality of the control circuit 18 may be provided in various ways, for example, using one or more suitably programmed programmable computers and/or one or more suitable configurations of specialized integrated circuits/circuits/chips/chipsets configured to provide the desired functionality.

Fig. 2 shows a cartridge 2 comprising a housing 32, an air duct seal 34, a partition 36, an outlet tube 38, a heating element 40, a liquid transfer element 42, a plug 44 and an end cap 48 with contact electrodes 46. In Figs. 3-6, some of these components are shown in more detail.

Fig. 3A is a schematic sectional view along the longitudinal axis L of the housing 32 in a plane in which the housing 32 is the thinnest. Fig. 3B is a schematic sectional view along the longitudinal axis L of the housing 32, in a plane in which the housing 32 is the widest. Fig. 3C is a schematic view of the cartridge housing along the longitudinal axis L from the side of the interface end 54 (i.e., a bottom view in the orientation shown in Figs. 3A and 3B).

Fig. 4A is a schematic perspective view of the partition wall 36 as viewed from below. Fig. 4B is a schematic cross-section of the upper portion of the partition wall 36 as viewed from below.

Fig. 5A is a schematic perspective view from above of the plug 44, and Fig. 5B is a schematic perspective view from below of the plug 44. Fig. 5C is a schematic view of the plug 44 along the longitudinal axis L, as viewed from the end 52 of the mouthpiece of the cartridge (i.e., as viewed from above in the orientation shown in Figs. 1 and 2).

Fig. 6A is a schematic perspective view from above of the end cap 48. Fig. 6B is a schematic view of the end cap 48 along the longitudinal axis L, as viewed from the side of the end 52 of the cartridge mouthpiece (i.e., from above).

The housing 32 in this example comprises an outer wall 64 and an inner tube 62, which in this example are made as a single molded part from polypropylene. The outer wall 64 of the housing defines the appearance of the cartridge 2, and the inner tube 62 defines a portion of the air passage passing through the cartridge. The housing is open at the interface end 54 of the cartridge and closed at the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge, with the exception of an opening 60 for releasing the aerosol, which is in fluid communication with the inner tube 62 of the housing. The housing 32 has an opening in the side wall, which is an inlet opening 50 of the cartridge for air. The inlet opening 50 in this example has an area of about 2 mm ² . The outer surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing 32 has the above-described projections 56, which engage with the corresponding locks on the inner surface of the wall 12 of the receiving section, limiting the receiving section 8, serving to provide a detachable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the control unit. The inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing has additional projections 66, which serve as a stop for placing the dividing partition 36 along the longitudinal axis L, when the cartridge is assembled. The outer wall 64 of the housing 32 also has openings, which are recesses 68 for latches, intended to receive the corresponding projections 70 of the latches in the end cover for fixing the end cover in the housing during the assembly of the cartridge.

The outer wall 64 of the housing 32 has a section 74 with double walls, which defines a gap 76, communicating through a fluid medium with the air inlet 50. The gap 76 is part of the air channel through the cartridge. In this example, the section 74 with double walls of the housing 32 is arranged in such a way that the gap defines an air channel, passing inside the outer wall 64 of the housing parallel to the longitudinal axis, with a cross-section of approximately 3 mm ² in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The gap/section 76 of the air channel, formed by the section with double walls of the housing, extends downwardly to the open end of the housing 32.

The air duct seal 34 is a silicone molding, typically in the form of a tube with a through hole 80. The outer wall of the air duct seal 34 has peripheral projections 84 and an upper cuff 82. The inner wall of the air duct seal 34 also has peripheral projections, but they are not visible in Fig. 2. When the cartridge is assembled, the air duct seal 34 is mounted on the inner tube 62 of the housing, wherein the end of the inner tube 62 of the housing partially passes into the through hole 80 of the air duct seal 34. The through hole 80 in the air duct seal has a diameter of approximately 5.8 mm in a free state, while the end of the inner tube 62 of the housing has a diameter of approximately 6.2 mm, so that the seal is formed by stretching the air duct seal 34 to receive the inner tube 62 of the housing. Such a seal is facilitated by the projections on the inner surface of the air duct seal 34.

The outlet tube 38 is a tubular section of ANSI 304 stainless steel with an internal diameter of approximately 8.6 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 0.2 mm. The lower end of the outlet tube 38 has a pair of diametrically opposed slots 88, and the end of each slot has a semicircular recess 90. When the cartridge is assembled, the outlet tube 38 is attached to the outer surface of the air duct seal 34. The outer diameter of the air duct seal is about 9.0 mm in a free state, so that a seal is formed when the air duct seal 34 is compressed to fit into the outlet tube 38. This seal is facilitated by projections 84 on the outer surface of the air duct seal 34. The collar 80 on the air duct seal 34 provides a stop for the outlet tube 38.

The liquid transfer element 42 is a capillary wick, and the heating element 40 is a resistive wire heater wound around the capillary wick. In addition to the section of the resistive wire wound around the capillary wick, the heating element comprises electrical leads 41 that pass through openings in the plug 44 to contact electrodes 46 mounted on the end cap 48 to provide energy to the heating element through an electrical interface that is installed when connecting the cartridge to the control unit. The leads 41 of the heating element can be made of the same material as the resistive wire wound around the capillary wick, or can be made of another material (for example, a material with a lower resistance), connected to the resistive wire wound around the capillary wick. In this example, the heater coil 40 is made of a wire that is a nickel-iron alloy, and the wick 42 is a fiberglass bundle. The heating element and the liquid transfer element may be made according to any conventional technology and may have different shapes and/or be made of different materials. For example, in some cases, the wick may be a fibrous or hard ceramic material, and the heater may be made of another alloy. In other examples, the heater and wick may be combined, for example, in the form of a porous resistive material. More generally, it should be understood that the specific nature of the liquid transfer element and the heating element is not of primary importance.

When the cartridge is assembled, the wick 42 fits into the semicircular recesses 90 of the outlet tube 38, so that the central portion of the wick, around which the heating coil is located, is inside the outlet tube, while the end portions of the wick are outside the outlet tube 38.

The plug 44 in this example is a single piece silicone molding that may be elastic. The plug includes a base 100 and an outer wall 102 extending upward from it (i.e., in the direction of the mouthpiece end of the cartridge). The plug has an inner wall 104 extending upward from the base 100 and surrounding a through hole 106 in the base 100.

The outer wall 102 of the plug 44 corresponds to the inner surface of the housing 32, so that when the cartridge is assembled, the plug 44 forms a seal with the housing 32. The inner wall 104 of the plug 44 corresponds to the inner surface of the outlet tube 38, so that when the cartridge is assembled, the plug 44 also forms a seal with the outlet tube 38. The inner wall 104 has a pair of diametrically opposite slots 108, wherein the end of each slot has a semicircular recess 110. From the bottom of each slot in the inner wall 104, a trough section 112 extends outward (i.e. in the direction from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge), the shape of which allows it to receive the liquid transfer element 42 when the cartridge is assembled. The slots 108 and the semicircular recesses 110 in the inner wall of the plug 44, and the slots 88 and the semicircular recesses 90 in the outlet pipe 38 are aligned in such a way that the slots 88 in the outlet pipe 38 accommodate the corresponding trays 112 with the corresponding semicircular recesses made in the outlet pipe and the plug, forming openings through which the liquid transfer element passes. The size of the openings formed by the semicircular recesses through which the liquid transfer element passes practically corresponds to the size and shape of the liquid transfer element, but is slightly smaller, so that the degree of compression of the liquid transfer element depends on the elasticity of the plug 44. This allows the liquid to move along the liquid transfer element due to capillary action, while limiting the degree of passage of liquid through the openings, which is not transferred due to capillary action. As indicated above, the plug 44 has additional openings 114 in the base 100, through which the contact terminals 41 of the heating element pass when the cartridge is assembled. The lower part of the base of the plug has spacers 116, which provide a gap between the remaining surface of the lower part of the base and the end cap 48. The mentioned spacers 116 have openings 114, through which the electrical contact terminals 41 of the heating element pass. The end cap 48 is a polypropylene casting with a pair of gold-plated copper electrode pins 46 installed in it.

The ends of the electrode pins 44 on the lower side of the end cap are flush with the interface end 54 of the cartridge formed by the end cap 48. These are the sections of the electrodes to which the correspondingly aligned spring-loaded contacts of the control unit are connected when the cartridge is assembled and connected to the control unit. The ends of the electrode pins on the inner side of the cartridge extend from the end cap 48 and enter the openings 114 in the plug 44, through which the contact terminals 41 pass. The diameter of the electrode pins slightly exceeds the diameter of the openings 114, and they have a chamfer at their upper ends to facilitate insertion into the openings 114 in the plug, where they are maintained in contact with the contact terminals of the heating element due to the plug.

The end cap has a base 124 and a vertical wall 120 which corresponds to the inner surface of the housing 32. The vertical wall 120 of the end cap 48 is inserted into the housing 32 so that the projections 70 of the latch engage with the recesses 68 of the latch of the housing 32 for snapping the end cap 48 to the housing when assembling the cartridge. The upper part of the vertical wall 120 of the end cap 48 rests against the peripheral part of the plug 44, and the lower surface of the spacers 116 on the plug also rests against the base 124 of the cap so that when the end cap 48 is attached to the housing, it is pressed against the elastic plug 44 to maintain it in a slightly compressed state.

The base 124 of the end cap 48 has a peripheral edge 126 beyond the base of the vertical wall 112, the thickness of which corresponds to the thickness of the outer wall of the housing at the interface end of the cartridge. The end cap also has a vertical mounting pin 122, which is aligned with a corresponding mounting hole 128 in the plug to help correctly install them relative to each other during assembly.

The partition 36 is a one-piece molded product made of polypropylene and includes a partition wall 130 and a collar 132 formed by projections on the partition wall 130 in the direction of the interface end of the cartridge. The partition 36 has a central opening 134 through which the outlet tube 38 passes (i.e. the partition wall is located around the outlet tube 38). When the cartridge is assembled, the upper surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44 interacts with the lower surface of the partition wall 130, and the upper surface of the partition wall 130, in turn, interacts with the projections 66 on the inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing 32. Thus, the partition wall 130 prevents the plug from being pressed too deeply into the housing 32, i.e. the dividing wall 130 is fixedly fixed along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge by the projections 66 of the housing and, thus, provides a fixed surface against which the plug can rest. The collar 132 formed by the projections on the dividing wall has a first pair of opposite projections/tongues 134, which interact with corresponding recesses on the inner surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44. The projections on the dividing wall 130 additionally form a pair of trough sections 136, configured with the possibility of interacting with the corresponding trough sections 112 of the plug 44, when the cartridge is assembled, in order to further limit the opening through which the liquid transfer element passes.

When the cartridge is assembled, an air channel is formed, passing through the cartridge from the air inlet 50 to the aerosol outlet 60. Starting from the air inlet 50 in the side wall of the housing 32, the first section of the air channel is formed by the gap 76 formed by the double-walled section 74 in the outer wall 64 of the housing 32, and passes from the air inlet 50 in the direction of the interface end 54 of the cartridge and through the plug 44. The second section of the air channel is formed by the gap between the base of the plug 44 and the end cap 48. The third section of the air channel is formed by the opening 106 of the plug 44. The fourth section of the air channel is formed by the region inside the inner wall 104 of the plug and the outlet tube around the heating element 40. This fourth section of the air channel can also be called the aerosol generation region, since it is the main region in which the aerosol is generated during use. The air passage from the air inlet 50 to the aerosol generation area may be called the air inlet section of the air passage. The fifth section of the air passage is formed by the remaining part of the outlet tube 38. The sixth section of the air passage is formed by the outer body of the inner tube 62, which connects the air passage to the outlet opening 60 for the aerosol. The air passage from the aerosol generation area to the outlet opening for the aerosol may be called the aerosol outlet section of the air passage.

In addition, when the cartridge is assembled, the space outside the air passage and inside the housing 32 forms a reservoir for the liquid. It can be filled during production, for example, through a filling hole, which is then hermetically sealed, or in other ways. The specific nature of the liquid, for example in terms of its composition, is not of primary importance, and, as a rule, any liquid commonly used in electronic cigarettes can be used. The reservoir is closed by a plug 44 at the interface end of the cartridge. The reservoir includes a first region above the dividing wall 130 and a second region below the dividing wall 130 within the space formed between the air passage and the outer wall of the plug. The liquid transfer element (capillary wick) 42 passes through the openings in the wall of the air channel formed by the semicircular recesses 108, 90 in the plug 44 and the outlet tube 38, as well as in the tray sections 112, 136 of the plug 44 and the dividing partition 36, which interact with each other as described above. Thus, the ends of the liquid transfer element pass into the second region of the reservoir, from which they draw liquid through the openings in the air channel to the heating element 40 for subsequent evaporation.

In normal use, the cartridge 2 is connected to the control unit 4, and the control unit is activated to supply energy to the cartridge via the contact electrodes 46 in the end cap 48. Then, energy is supplied via the connecting terminals 41 to the heating element 40. Thus, the heating element is heated electrically and evaporates a portion of the liquid from the liquid transfer element near the heating element. This creates an aerosol in the aerosol generating area of the air path. The liquid evaporated from the liquid transfer element is replaced by liquid sucked from the reservoir due to capillary action. When the heating element is activated, the user inhales through the end 52 of the mouthpiece of the cartridge. This causes air to be drawn in through that inlet opening 14 of the control unit that is aligned with the inlet opening 50 of the cartridge for air (which depends on the orientation in which the cartridge was inserted into the receiving section 8 of the control unit). In this case, air enters the cartridge through the air inlet 50, passes through the gap 76 in the double-walled section 74 of the housing 32, passes between the plug 44 and the end cap 48, before entering the aerosol generating area surrounding the heating element 40, through the opening 106 in the base 100 of the plug 44. The incoming air mixes with the aerosol generated by the heating element to form a condensation aerosol, which is then drawn through the outlet tube 38 and the interior 62 of the housing before exiting through the outlet opening 60 of the mouthpiece/the outlet opening 60 for aerosol inhalation by the user.

In Fig. 7A and 7B, a modified cartridge 200 for use with the control unit 4 shown in Fig. 1 is schematically shown to form an aerosol delivery system in some embodiments of the invention. The cartridge 200 shown in Fig. 7A and 7B is based on the design of the cartridge 2 shown in Fig. 1-6B and contains similar components designated by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1-6B. For example, the cartridge 200 forms a reservoir 31 located around the outlet tube 38. In the considered embodiments, the reservoir 31 can have an annular shape and can be configured to store an aerosol-forming material therein.

According to some embodiments, the reservoir 31 may comprise a first end 31A located closer to the outlet 60 of the cartridge 200, and a second end 31B located closer to the evaporator 40. The cross-section 206 of the cartridge 200 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L may have an elliptical shape (as shown in Fig. 7B) with major and minor axes passing perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the cartridge 200.

The embodiment of the cartridge 200 shown in Fig. 7 differs from the cartridge 2 shown in Figs. 1-6B in that it has a means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material, allowing the user to monitor the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31. The means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material may include one or more elements, which will be discussed below. According to some embodiments, the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material includes part 208 of the cartridge 200. According to some embodiments, part 208 of the cartridge contains a window 210 for observing the interior of the reservoir 31. This window is best seen in Fig. 7B. In order to ensure the ability to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir, part 208 of the cartridge and/or window 210 may be made transparent or translucent. Plastic, such as polypropylene, may be used as a material for making part 208 of the cartridge.

It is contemplated that the portion 208 of the cartridge 200 may be located in any region of the cartridge or in a combination of such regions (it is meant that these regions may be located both next to each other and at a distance from each other). In some specific embodiments, the portion 208 of the cartridge 200 may be located on any visible surface(s) and/or on a visible edge(s) of the cartridge 200. For example, in some embodiments, the portion 208 of the cartridge 200 may be located in any (or several) of the following regions: on the first (front) surface 209A; on the second (rear) surface 209B opposite the front surface 209B, and/or on the side surface/surfaces 209C, 209D located between the front surface 209A and the rear surface 209B of the cartridge 200. Additionally or alternatively, the portion 208 of the cartridge 200 can be located on any of the edges (or on a combination of edges) of the cartridge 200, for example, on the first edge 211A and/or on the second edge 211B between the first surface 209A and the second surface 209B, i.e. at one or both places of intersection of the elliptical cross-section 206 with the major and/or minor axis/axes.

According to some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 7A, part 208 of cartridge 200 can form a first section 212 of reduced wall thickness of reservoir 31. In such cases, first section 212 of wall can have a maximum thickness T ₁ of no more than 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5 or 1 mm. The reduced thickness can provide the user with the ability to determine the level of aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir. In some embodiments of cartridge 200, the reservoir can further comprise a second section 214 of wall. In such a case, first section 212 of wall can be made more transparent/translucent than second section 214 of wall. Thus, part 208 of cartridge 200 and first section 212 of wall form a means for indicating the level of aerosol-forming material. With regard to the shape/design of the first and second sections 212 and 214 of the wall of the cartridge 200, it is contemplated that each part of the wall may include any section or combination of sections (it is meant that such sections may be located next to each other or at a distance from each other). For example, in one of the possible embodiments, the first and/or second sections 212, 214 of the wall may be located at one or both intersections of the elliptical cross-section 206 with the major axis. Similarly, the first and/or second sections 212, 214 of the wall may be located at one or both intersections of the elliptical cross-section 206 with the minor axis.

In some embodiments, such as those shown in Fig. 7A and 7B, the first wall portion 212 may form a recess 220 in the outer surface 222 of the cartridge 200. In some embodiments, such as those shown in Fig. 7C, the first wall portion 212 may form a recess 224 inside the reservoir 31. As shown in this embodiment and in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7A and 7B, the maximum thickness of the first wall portion 212 is less than the maximum thickness of the second wall portion 214. In some cases, the thickness of the first wall portion 212 is constant along the entire length of this portion, which is done in order to ensure constant transparency/translucency along the entire length of the first wall portion 212.

The aerosol-forming material level indicator, allowing the user to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31, in some embodiments may be implemented by changing the degree of coloring, which allows the user to better see the level of the aerosol-forming material through this part of the cartridge 200. Accordingly, using the embodiments of the cartridge shown in Fig. 7A-7C as an example, it should be noted that in some cases the first portion 212 of the wall may have a first concentration of the coloring pigment, and the second portion 214 of the wall may have a second concentration of the coloring pigment, wherein the first concentration is less than the second concentration. In such cases, in order to provide the indicator of the level of the aerosol-forming material, the first portion 212 of the wall does not necessarily have to be thinner than the second portion 214 of the wall, since said indicator may be provided by reduced concentrations of the coloring pigment in the first portion of the wall.

In particular embodiments, the first concentration of the coloring pigment may be no more than 1 g of pigment per 1 kg of the material of the first wall section. In other embodiments, the first concentration of the coloring pigment may be no more than 0.9 or 0.85 g per 1 kg of the material of the first wall section. Such reduced levels of the coloring material content in the first wall section 212 provide for the creation of a surprisingly effective means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material with good transparency characteristics.

In order to create a contrast in the visibility level provided by the first wall section 212 due to the reduced levels of concentration of the coloring pigment, the second concentration of the coloring pigment in the second wall section 214 in some cases may be more than 1 g of coloring pigment per 1 kg of material of the second wall section. In other embodiments, the second concentration of the coloring pigment in the second wall section 214 may be 1.3 or 1.6 g per 1 kg of material of the second wall section.

It should be understood that in the above embodiments, any specific coloring pigment/pigments may be used to provide the required transparency characteristics for each of the above-mentioned parts of the cartridge. The coloring pigment may contain one or more dyes and/or be made of an opaque material/materials that affect the transparency characteristics of the part of the cartridge. For example, a black pigment made of manganese ferrite (CAS No. 68186-94-7) may be used as a coloring pigment.

With regard to the material of the cartridge 200, in some cases the first wall section 212 and/or the second wall section 214 may comprise or be made of plastic. In some cases the first wall section 212 may be made of a material different from the material of the second wall section 214. By selecting an appropriate material for each part of the cartridge, an appropriate means of indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material may be effectively provided.

In Fig. 8A and 8B, an embodiment of a cartridge 200 is shown, modified in comparison with the embodiment shown in Fig. 7A and 7B. As shown in Fig. 8A and 8B, the cartridge 200 can comprise a second window 240 for transmitting light into the reservoir 31. As shown in Fig. 8A, the second window 240 can have a shape different from the shape of the first window 210 (for example, be round), although from an aesthetic point of view, it may be preferable for the second window 240 to have the same or a similar shape as the first window 210. In fact, each of the windows can have several different shapes. For example, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7A and 8A, the first window 210 has an elongated shape. With such a shape of the first window 210, it is possible for the user to determine a plurality of different levels of aerosol-forming material as its amount in the reservoir 31 decreases during use of the cartridge 200.

In order to prevent the possibility of the user blocking the second window 240 when using the first window 210, in some cases the first window 210 can be located on the first side 242 of the reservoir 31, and the second window 240 is located on the second side 244, opposite the first side 242 of the reservoir 31, as shown in Fig. 8A. The arrangement of the first and second windows opposite each other makes it possible to increase the amount of light passing through the second window 242 into the reservoir 31, and then from the first window, for example, into the user's eye. This can be compared with the case when the windows 210, 240 are offset relative to each other in such a way that any light entering the cartridge 200 can interact with the walls of the reservoir 31 before exiting the first window 210. Increasing the amount of light exiting the first window 210 can increase the user's ability to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material.

The dimensions of each window may vary depending on the application and the size of the cartridge 200. In some cases, the maximum dimension of the first window 210 and/or the second window 240 may be no more than 30 mm, preferably no more than 20 mm, and more preferably no more than 10 mm. The term "maximum dimension" here means that none of the dimensions, namely the maximum length (L _max ), the maximum width (W _max ) and/or the maximum thickness (T _max ) of the corresponding window, should exceed the above-specified value in millimeters.

With respect to the cartridge 200 shown in Fig. 9A and 9B, according to some embodiments, it may further comprise a cover element 250 that limits the user's ability to see at least one part 252 of the cartridge 200. The cover element 250 may be an opaque sheet(s) of material attached to the surface of the cartridge, such as a label 252, as shown in Fig. 9A. In some cases, an opaque material, such as opaque plastic or metal, forming part of the cartridge may be used as the cover element.

The presence of the closing element 250 allows the user to concentrate on the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material, which allows him to more accurately determine the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31. Thus, the presence of the closing element 250 allows the user to more accurately determine the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31.

In order to increase the functionality of the closing element 250 and to increase the user's ability to concentrate on the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material, the closing element 250 covers at least one part 252 of the cartridge 200. In some cases, at least one of the components of the device is located in the region 252, namely, the evaporator 40, the aerosol generation region and/or the air channel.

Another possible embodiment of the cartridge 200 is shown in Fig. 10A and 10B. As shown in these figures, the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material may comprise a plurality of marks 256 located on the cartridge 200 and allowing the user to measure the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31 by this plurality of marks 256. The marks 256 may have any shape/size suitable for a given cartridge 200 and may be located on the outer and/or inner surface (for example, on any of the surfaces 209A, 209B, 209C; 209D) or on the edge (for example, on the edges 211A, 211B between the front surface 209A and the back surface 209B) of the cartridge 200, for example, on the surface inside the reservoir 31, also visible from the part 208 of the cartridge 200. In a particular embodiment, the plurality of marks 256 may be applied to the surface of the outlet tube 38, 62. In some In some cases, the set of marks can be made in the form of a set of parallel lines 258.

To improve visibility, a plurality of marks may be surrounded by an area 208 of the cartridge 200 that is made transparent and/or translucent. In this case, the marks of said plurality may be made opaque.

In order to measure/quantify the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31, in some cases, the plurality of marks may comprise textual designations. It is expected that the textual designations will depend on the application of the cartridge 200. Accordingly, in some cases, the textual designations may be any of the following: a plurality of percentage values from 0 to 100%; a plurality of fractions from 0 to 1; a plurality of volume values in units of the British system; and a plurality of volume values in the metric system of measures (as shown in Fig. 10B, in units from V ₁ ml to V ₉ ml).

The plurality of marks may be recessed into the surface of the cartridge 200 or, alternatively, projecting relative to the surface of the cartridge 200 (as shown in Fig. 10B). In some cases, the plurality of marks 256 may project outward from the surface of the reservoir 31 and/or project into it. In the particular embodiment under consideration, the plurality of marks 256 are located on the first section 212 of the wall of the reservoir 31, wherein they project into the reservoir 31.

The dimensions of the plurality of marks 256 may vary depending on the application and the size of the cartridge 200. In some cases, the total maximum dimension of the plurality of marks 256 may be no more than 30 mm, preferably no more than 20 mm, and more preferably no more than 10 mm. The term "maximum dimension" here means that none of the dimensions, namely the maximum length, maximum width and/or maximum thickness of the plurality of marks 256, should exceed the specified value in millimeters.

With regard to the orientation of the plurality of marks 256, in some cases the plurality of marks and/or textual designations 260 may be oriented in such a way that the cartridge 200 must be rotated/inverted from the first position (the operating position during normal use of the cartridge 200) to a second position different from the first position and allowing the user to measure the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir by the said plurality of marks/textual designations. Such an embodiment of the cartridge is shown in Fig. 10C-10E, as well as in Fig. 10F-10H, where the cartridge must be moved from the first position to the second (inverted relative to the first) position so that the user can measure the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir by the textual designations 260. As shown in Fig. 10C-10E, the region 208 of the cartridge 200 may be located on at least one side surface 209C, 209D of the cartridge 200. In some cases, the side surfaces 209C, 209D may be configured to slope toward the outlet 60. As shown in Fig. 10C-10E and Fig. 10F-10H, the region 208 is located on two side surfaces 209C, 209D, each of which is located between the first (front) surface 209A and the second (rear) surface 209B located opposite the front surface 209B of the cartridge 200. The region 208 of the cartridge in such embodiments as shown in Fig. 10C-10E, forms a first wall section 212 and comprises a pair of windows 210, such as one window 210, on each of the side surfaces 209C, 209D, intended for determining the volume of aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31.

In such embodiments, the region 208 or each window 210 of the cartridge 200 can extend from a first position located near the outlet 60 to a second position located closer to the evaporator 40. In the embodiments shown in Fig. 10C-10E and Fig. 10F-10H, a plurality of marks 256 and text designations 260 are located on the first section 212 of the wall of the reservoir 31. The location of the region 208 or window 210 near the outlet 60 allows the user to more accurately determine the level of the aerosol-forming material remaining inside the reservoir 31 when the cartridge 200 is positioned so that the outlet 60 is directed downwards (for example, the residual level of the aerosol-forming material remaining in the reservoir 31 L ₁ , as shown in Fig. 10D and 10G, which is visible when the cartridges 200 are oriented with the outlet downwards).

In the cartridge shown in Fig. 10A, the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material may comprise at least one light source 260 for illuminating the contents of the reservoir 31. The light source 260 may be located inside the reservoir and/or attached to the wall of the reservoir 31, as shown in Fig. 10A. Electric power is preferably used to power the light source, and the light source may receive power from the power source 16 of the control unit 4, when the cartridge 200 is connected to the control unit 4 (for example, via contact electrodes 46).

With respect to the cartridge 200 shown in Fig. 11A-11C, the optical properties of the region 208 of the cartridge 200 or the first section 212 of the wall can be adjusted by the user of the cartridge 200. Thus, the indicating means can provide an indication of the level of the aerosol-forming material, allowing the user to selectively determine the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31 by changing the optical properties of the region 208, 212 of the cartridge 200. The optical properties of a portion of the cartridge 200 can be changed by applying an electric current to a portion of the cartridge 200 (for example, via the contact electrodes 46) and/or changed by receiving an electric signal. In some cases, changing the optical properties of a portion of the cartridge can be performed by pressing a button or switch 262, which in some specific embodiments can be located on the cartridge 200, as shown in Fig. 11A. When the aerosol-forming material level indicator requires electrical power, for example in the embodiments described above, the aerosol-forming material level indicator can in such cases receive power from the power source 16 of the control unit 4 when the cartridge 200 is connected to the control unit 4 (for example, via the contact electrodes 46).

The optical properties that can be changed can be the translucency and/or transparency of the part 208, 212 of the cartridge 200. In this regard, for example, the part of the cartridge 200 can change/switch between a first state, in which the user cannot see the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31, and a second state (for example, a state in which the region 208, 212 has a greater degree of translucency/transparency than in the first state), in which the user can see the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31. In such embodiments, an electrochromic material 260 can be used as a material for the region 208, 212 of the cartridge, which can be electrochromic glass, electrochromic plastic and/or electrochromic ink. For such embodiments, in Fig. 11C shows the region 208, 212 of the cartridge in a first state in which the user cannot see the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31, and Fig. 11B shows the region 208, 212 of the cartridge in a second state in which the user can see the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31.

Another modified embodiment of the cartridge 200 is shown in Fig. 12A-12B. As shown in these figures, the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material may comprise at least one embossed surface 300 located on the surface of the cartridge 200 (including, for example, any of the following surfaces or combinations thereof: the first (front) surface 209A, the second (rear) surface 209B opposite the front surface 209B, and/or the side surface 209C, 209D of the cartridge 200 that are not located between the front surface 209A and the rear surface 209B). The function of the embossed surface 300, which is a structured/non-smooth surface, is to improve the visibility of the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir due to the interaction of light with the embossed surface.

In some cases, such as shown in Fig. 12A and 12B, the first relief surface 301 may be located inside the tank 31. As shown in the above drawings, the relief surface is not smooth and structured and may extend from the first end 31A of the tank 31 to the second end 31B located opposite the first end 31A of the tank 31. Depending on the embodiment, the first relief surface 301 may or may not extend along the entire perimeter of the inner surface of the tank 31. For example, in some cases, the first relief surface 301 may extend along half the perimeter of the inner surface of the tank 31.

If the tank 31 has an elliptical cross-section 206 having a major and a minor axis, the first relief surface 301 inside the tank 31 can be located at one or both intersections of the elliptical cross-section 206 with the major axis. Similarly, the first relief surface 301 may not be located at one or both intersections of the elliptical cross-section 206 with the minor axis.

In some cases, the embossed surface 302 may be located on the outer surface of the cartridge 200, as shown in Fig. 12A. The presence of the embossed surface 302 on the outer surface of the cartridge 200 not only makes it easier for the user to hold the cartridge during use, but also, when the outer surface is not opaque, improves the visibility of the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31 due to the interaction of light with the embossed surface 302. Depending on the need, the embossed surface 302 in some cases may (as in the case shown in Fig. 12A) or may not (as in other embodiments) extend along the entire circumference of the outermost surface of the cartridge 200. In some cases, the embossed surface 302 may extend approximately along half the circumference of the outer surface of the cartridge 200.

With regard to the shape/profile of each relief surface 301, 302, one or more relief surfaces 301, 302 may comprise a plurality of surface elements, such as grooves. In some cases, one or more relief surfaces 301, 302 may comprise a plurality of surface elements in the form of protrusions and/or depressions 303. As indicated above, the surface elements of these relief surfaces 301, 302 improve the visibility of the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31 due to the interaction of light with the relief surface.

The relief surfaces 301, 302 in some cases may be longer in the first direction (length) than in the second direction (width), perpendicular to the first direction. In some cases, the first direction of the relief surface may be parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the cartridge 200.

In some cases, the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material may comprise a smooth surface 304 located on the surface of the cartridge 200 inside the reservoir 31 and/or on the outer surface of the cartridge 200. If necessary, these smooth surfaces may be polished. In some specific embodiments, the smooth surface 304 may be located on the first side of the reservoir 31, and the relief surface 301 is located on the second side opposite the first side of the reservoir 31. In Fig. 12A shows a specific embodiment of the cartridge 200. In this embodiment, two opposite embossed and smooth surfaces 301, 304 can further improve the visibility of the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir 31 due to the interaction of light with the two surfaces 301 and 304. In addition, the presence of only one or more sides of the reservoir having embossed surfaces, as opposed to the case where all sides of the reservoir have embossed surfaces, facilitates the processing and manufacture of the cartridge 200.

With regard to the material of the cartridge 200, in some of the above-described embodiments, the first wall section 212 and/or the second wall section 214 may comprise plastic or may be made of it. In some embodiments, the first wall section 212 may comprise/be made of a material different from the material of the second wall section 214. In such cases, the cartridges may be manufactured using a two-component molding technology, in which both different materials are injected simultaneously. Although this may increase the cost, complexity of production and/or increase the amount of material used, such technology makes it possible to select a suitable material for each part of the cartridge to form a corresponding means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material with the required characteristics. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the same material may be used for the first and second wall sections 210, 212. In such cases, the cartridges may be manufactured using a one-component molding technology.

In the specific embodiments described above, the reservoir 31 and/or the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material may be made of plastic. The use of plastic for the manufacture of the said parts of the cartridge 200 makes the cartridge 200 light and easy to manufacture.

Thus, according to the invention, a cartridge for an aerosol delivery system may typically comprise a housing having a mouthpiece end and an interface end, wherein the mouthpiece end comprises an aerosol outlet opening, and the interface end comprises an interface for connecting the cartridge to a control unit. The wall of the air channel (which may be formed by various components of the cartridge) extends from the air inlet of the cartridge to the aerosol outlet opening through the aerosol generation region near the evaporator. The cartridge comprises a reservoir located in the housing, inside which an aerosol-forming material is contained. The reservoir is formed by an area inside the housing, located outside the air channel, wherein the end of the reservoir at the interface end of the housing is closed by an elastic plug, and the outer wall of the elastic plug forms a seal with the inner surface of the housing. The corresponding ends of the aerosol-forming material supply element extend through openings in the air channel or into the reservoir in order to transport the aerosol-forming material from the reservoir to the evaporator.

One aspect of the present invention is the method by which the elastic plug 44 forms a seal with the housing 32. In particular, according to some possible embodiments, the outer wall 102 of the elastic plug 44, adjacent to the inner surface of the housing 32, forming the end of the reservoir with the aerosol-forming material, extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, to a position located further from the interface end of the cartridge than from the element for feeding the aerosol-forming material/evaporator. In other words, the ends of the element for feeding the aerosol-forming material enter the reservoir with the aerosol-forming material in the region surrounded by the outer sealing wall of the elastic plug. This not only helps to seal the reservoir and prevent leakage of the aerosol-forming material from it, but also allows the geometry of the reservoir in the region of the element for feeding the aerosol-forming material to be determined by the geometry of the elastic plug. For example, the radial thickness of the reservoir in this region can easily be made smaller than the radial thickness at other locations along the length of the air passage, which can help trap the aerosol-forming material near the aerosol-forming material delivery element, thereby helping to reduce the risk of drying out of that element at various orientations of the cartridge during use.

The outer wall of the elastic stopper may, for example, contact the inner surface of the housing at locations located at a distance of at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 mm in the direction from the interface end to the mouthpiece end (i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis). The outer wall of the elastic stopper may contact the inner surface of the housing over most of this distance, or the outer wall of the elastic stopper may comprise a number of peripheral ribs 140 (for example, four outer ribs) to improve the seal. The size of the elastic stopper may be slightly larger than the size of the opening in the housing so that when the stopper is inserted, it is somewhat compressed. For example, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3B, the internal width (in the plane of the drawing) of the part of the housing into which the elastic plug is inserted is about 17.5 mm, and the corresponding width of the elastic plug is about 18 mm, as a result of which, when the elastic plug is inserted into the housing, it is compressed. As can be seen most clearly in Fig. 5A-5C, while the external cross-section of the cartridge housing is symmetrical when rotated by 180°, the elastic plug 44 does not have the same symmetry, since it has a flat surface 142 on one side to accommodate the gap 76 of the air channel formed by the double-wall section 74 of the housing (i.e., the elastic plug is made asymmetrical in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, so that the double-wall section of the housing can fit in the cavity formed due to this).

As for the size/width of the reservoir in the annular region where the aerosol-forming material feed element enters the reservoir, the distance between the air duct wall and the outer wall of the elastic plug in this region may be, for example, from 3 to 8 mm. For the above-considered embodiment of the cartridge with a generally oval-shaped housing and a generally round air duct, it should be borne in mind that the thickness of the reservoir is different in different places around the air duct. In the example under consideration, the aerosol-forming material feed element enters the reservoir in the region in which the reservoir has a maximum width in the axial direction, i.e. in the region of the "protrusions" of the oval reservoir around the air duct. The parts of the aerosol-forming material feed element entering the reservoir may have a length from the inner wall of the air duct in the range from 2 to 8 mm, for example from 3 to 7 mm or from 4 to 6 mm. The specific geometry in this regard (and for other aspects of the configuration) may be selected taking into account the required transport rate of the aerosol-forming material, for example, taking into account the capillary force of the aerosol-forming material delivery element and the viscosity of the aerosol-forming material, and may be established for a specific cartridge design by modeling or empirical testing.

Another aspect of the present invention is the configuration of the passage of the air channel along the cartridge, in particular, from the air inlet to the region near the evaporator (the aerosol generation region). In particular, while in conventional cartridges the air inlet is usually located at the interface end of the cartridge, according to some embodiments of the present invention the air inlet of the cartridge is located in the side wall of the housing at a location located further from the interface end than at least a part of the elastic plug sealing the end of the reservoir. Thus, the air channel in the cartridge first passes from the air inlet to the interface end and bypasses the elastic plug before changing direction and entering the aerosol generation chamber through the elastic plug. This makes it possible to close the outer surface of the cartridge at the interface end closest to the evaporator, thereby reducing the risk of leakage from the cartridge of both the aerosol-forming material passing through the openings in the air channel, not retained by the element for supplying the aerosol-forming material in the air channel (for example, during saturation/mixing), and the aerosol-forming material that has evaporated, but condensed again, forming an aerosol-forming material in the air channel during use. In some embodiments, the distance from the air inlet to the interface end of the housing can be at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 mm.

In some embodiments, between the air inlet and the aerosol generating chamber, for example, in the region of the air channel formed between the base of the elastic plug and the end cap, an absorbent element may be located, for example, a portion of a spongy material or a series of channels forming a capillary trap to further reduce the risk of leakage by absorbing the aerosol-forming material formed in the air channel, and thus helping to prevent possible movement of the aerosol-forming material around the air channel through the air inlet or to the aerosol outlet opening.

In some embodiments, the air passage from the air inlet to the aerosol outlet may have the smallest cross-sectional area at the point where it passes through the opening 106 in the elastic stopper. In other words, the overall draw resistance of the electronic cigarette may be primarily determined by the size of the opening in the elastic stopper.

Another aspect of the present invention is how the dividing element divides the air reservoir into two regions, namely, into a main region above the dividing wall (i.e. closer to the mouth end of the cartridge), and a region for feeding an aerosol-forming material under the dividing wall (i.e. on that side of the dividing wall on which the aerosol-forming material feeding element entering the reservoir is located). Openings are formed in the dividing wall for regulating the flow rate of the aerosol-forming material from the main region to the region for feeding the aerosol-forming material. The dividing wall can help to retain the aerosol-forming material in the region for feeding the aerosol-forming material of the reservoir, for example, when the electronic cigarette is tilted in different directions, which can help to avoid drying out. The separating wall may also provide a convenient mechanical stop for pressing the elastic plug to correctly position it during assembly and for holding the elastic plug in a slightly compressed state between the separating wall and the end plug when the cartridge is in the assembled state.

In the embodiment described above, the dividing wall is an element separate from the housing, and on the inner surface of the housing there are one or more projections that contact the side of the dividing wall facing the mouthpiece end of the cartridge, for installing the dividing wall in the required position along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, but in other embodiments, the dividing wall can be made as a single unit with the housing.

In the example considered above, the dividing wall is made in the form of a ring strip around the air channel and contains four hydraulically connecting holes 150, located in the corresponding quadrants of this strip. However, in other embodiments, a greater or lesser number of such connecting holes can be made, passing through the dividing wall. The area of the individual holes can be, for example, from 4 to 15 mm ² .

The total area of said at least one opening as a percentage of the total area of the dividing wall in the area of supply of the aerosol-forming material can be, for example, from 20 to 80%, from 30 to 70%, or from 40 to 60%.

It should be understood that although the above description has discussed only some specific configurations of cartridges having a number of different distinctive features, cartridges according to other possible embodiments of the present invention may not contain all of these distinctive features. For example, in some cases, an air channel, generally of the type described above, i.e. with an air inlet formed in the side wall of the cartridge and located closer to the mouthpiece end of the cartridge than the evaporator, may be formed in a cartridge that does not contain an elastic plug with a seal along the outer wall passing around the evaporator and/or does not contain a separating element of the type described above. Similarly, a cartridge that does not contain an elastic plug with a seal along the outer wall passing around the evaporator may contain an air inlet into the cartridge that is located not on the side wall, but at the interface end of the cartridge, and which may also not contain a separating element of the type described above. In addition, a cartridge that does not contain a separating element may not have an air inlet located further from the interface end of the cartridge than the evaporator, and/or may not have the above-described outer sealing wall of the elastic plug.

Thus, a cartridge for an aerosol delivery system is described, comprising a cartridge, a control unit and an evaporator for evaporating an aerosol-forming material, wherein said cartridge comprises an air channel passing from the air inlet of the cartridge to the outlet through the aerosol generation region; a reservoir for storing the aerosol-forming material and a means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material to provide the user with the possibility of determining the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir.

A cartridge 200 for an aerosol delivery system is also described, including a cartridge 200 and a control unit 4. The cartridge 200 comprises an air channel extending from an air inlet into the cartridge to an outlet through an aerosol generation area, and a reservoir 31 for storing an aerosol-forming material. The system comprises an evaporator 40 for heating an aerosol-forming material from the reservoir 31 in order to generate an aerosol in the aerosol generation area, and the cartridge comprises an aerosol-forming material level indicator to provide the user with the possibility of determining the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir. The aerosol-forming material level indicator may comprise at least one embossed surface 300 located on the surface of the cartridge 200, such as a surface located inside the reservoir 31. The embossed surface 300 improves the visibility of the level 207 of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir due to the interaction of light with the embossed surface 300.

Also described is a cartridge 2, 200 for an aerosol delivery system 1, which includes a cartridge 2, 200, a control unit 4 and an evaporator for evaporating an aerosol-forming material. The cartridge 2, 200 comprises an air channel passing from the air inlet 50 into the cartridge to the outlet 60 through the aerosol generating region, and a reservoir 31 for containing the aerosol-forming material 207. The cartridge 2, 200 further comprises a means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material, allowing the user to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material 207 inside the reservoir 31. The means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material may be a region 208 of the cartridge 2, 200, in which a window 210 for determining the level of contents in the reservoir 31 may be located. The region 208 of the cartridge 2, 200 may be located on the first side surface 209C and on the second side surface 209D of the cartridge 2, 200 and/or may be located on another surface 209A, 209B of the cartridge 2, 200.

Although the above-described embodiments of the invention in some respects focus on specific examples of the implementation of aerosol delivery systems, it should be understood that the same principles can be applied to aerosol delivery systems based on other technologies. In other words, the specific way of implementing various aspects of the aerosol delivery, for example in terms of the specific shape of the evaporator or the evaporator technology used, do not directly relate to the principles underlying the invention.

Thus, it is clear that various changes can be made to the above-described embodiments of the aerosol delivery system. For example, although in the above-described embodiments the evaporator 40 was considered to be located in the cartridge, in some embodiments the evaporator can be located in the control unit of the aerosol delivery system.

It is also understood that the described inventive concepts, such as the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material (as well as any more specific features, such as the embossed surface 300, the region 208, the window 210 and/or the light source 260), can also be applied to other forms of the aerosol delivery system 1, which do not explicitly comprise the cartridge 2, 200 and the control unit 4. Thus, the invention also relates to an aerosol delivery system comprising an evaporator for evaporating the aerosol-forming material; an air channel extending from the air inlet of the system to the outlet through the aerosol generation region; a reservoir for storing the aerosol-forming material; wherein said system further comprises a means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material, allowing the user to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir. In accordance with such embodiments, it is envisaged that any distinctive features of the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material, such as the relief surface 300, the region 208, the window 210, may constitute not only a part of the cartridge 2, 200, but also a part of the aerosol supply system 1 itself.

The present description shows, by way of illustration, various embodiments of the invention in which the claimed invention may be practiced. The advantages and features of the invention relate only to a representative sample of its embodiments and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to help understand and explain the claimed invention. It is to be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and/or other aspects of the invention are not to be considered limitations of the invention defined by its claims and that other embodiments of the invention may be used and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The various embodiments of the invention may accordingly include, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described above, and thus it is to be understood that the features of some embodiments of the invention may be combined with the features of other embodiments of the invention in combinations other than those expressly set forth in the claims. Any combination of the distinctive features of any claim may be combined with any other distinctive features according to the following set of provisions.

The first group of provisions

1. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge, a control unit and an evaporator for evaporating an aerosol-forming material, comprising:

an air passage extending from the air inlet of the cartridge to the outlet through the aerosol generation area;

a reservoir for storing aerosol-forming material for its evaporation;

wherein the cartridge additionally comprises a means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material to provide the user with the ability to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material is part of the cartridge.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein the side surfaces are located between the first surface and the second surface.

4. The cartridge according to item 3, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface are made with an inclination towards the outlet opening.

5. A cartridge according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a portion of the cartridge is located on at least one of the side surfaces.

6. The cartridge according to item 5, wherein a part of the cartridge is located on both side surfaces.

7. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 3-6, in which a portion of the cartridge is located on the first surface.

8. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 3-7, a part of the cartridge is located on the second surface.

9. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-8, in which a part of the cartridge is located closer to the outlet opening.

10. A cartridge according to any of paragraphs 2-9, characterized in that part of the cartridge contains a window for determining the level of contents in the reservoir.

11. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 2-10, in which a portion of the cartridge is translucent.

12. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-11, in which a portion of the cartridge is transparent.

13. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-12, in which part of the cartridge forms a first section of the wall of the reservoir, the maximum thickness of which does not exceed 1 mm.

14. A cartridge according to any one of claims 2-12, wherein a portion of the cartridge forms a first portion of a wall of a reservoir, and the reservoir also comprises a second portion of a wall.

15. The cartridge according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the first wall portion forms a first cavity within the reservoir.

16. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 13-15, in which the first wall portion forms a second cavity in the outer surface of the cartridge.

17. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 14-16, in which the first wall portion is more transparent than the second wall portion.

18. A cartridge according to any one of claims 14-17, wherein the first wall portion is more translucent than the second wall portion.

19. A cartridge according to any one of claims 14-18, wherein the first wall portion comprises a coloring pigment in a first concentration, and the second wall portion comprises a coloring pigment in a second concentration, wherein the first concentration is less than the second concentration.

20. The cartridge according to claim 19, wherein the first concentration of the coloring pigment is no more than 1 g of pigment per 1 kg of material of the first wall section.

21. A cartridge according to any one of claims 19 or 20, wherein the first concentration of the coloring pigment is no more than 0.9 g of pigment per 1 kg of material of the first wall section.

22. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 19-21, in which the first concentration of the coloring pigment is no more than 0.85 g of pigment per 1 kg of material of the first wall section.

23. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 19-22, wherein the second concentration of the coloring pigment is no more than 1 g of pigment per 1 kg of material of the second wall section.

24. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 19-23, wherein the second concentration of the coloring pigment is no more than 1.3 g of pigment per 1 kg of material of the second wall section.

25. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 19-24, wherein the second concentration of the coloring pigment is no more than 1.6 g of pigment per 1 kg of material of the second wall section.

26. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 13-25, wherein the first wall section is made of plastic.

27. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 14-26, in which the second wall section is made of plastic.

28. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 14-27, in which the maximum thickness of the first wall section is less than the maximum thickness of the second wall section.

29. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 14-28, in which the first wall portion comprises a material different from the material of the second wall portion.

30. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-29, further comprising an aerosol outlet tube extending from the aerosol generating region to the outlet opening and serving to discharge aerosol generated in the aerosol generating region to the outlet opening.

31. The cartridge of claim 30, wherein the reservoir is located around the aerosol outlet tube.

32. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-31, in which the reservoir has an annular shape.

33. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-32, wherein the reservoir contains an aerosol-forming material for evaporation thereof.

34. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 1-33, in which an evaporator is located.

35. An aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge according to any one of claims 1-34 and a control unit comprising a section for inserting the cartridge, which comprises an interface for connection with the cartridge to provide a detachable connection of the cartridge to the control unit, wherein the control unit further comprises a power source and a controller.

36. The system according to claim 35, wherein the controller is configured to selectively supply power from the power source to the evaporator located in the cartridge through their engaging interfaces.

The second group of provisions

1. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge, a control unit and an evaporator for evaporating an aerosol-forming material, comprising:

an air passage extending from the air inlet of the cartridge to the outlet through the aerosol generation area;

a reservoir for storing aerosol-forming material for its evaporation;

wherein the cartridge additionally comprises a means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material to provide the user with the ability to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir.

2. The cartridge according to item 1 additionally containing a closing element that prevents the user from seeing part of the cartridge.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the closing element is a sheet of opaque material attached to the surface of the cartridge.

4. The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein said sheet of opaque material is made in the form of a label.

5. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-4, the closing element being an opaque material forming part of the cartridge.

6. The cartridge of claim 5, wherein the opaque material is opaque plastic.

7. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-6, wherein said part of the cartridge comprises an evaporator.

8. A cartridge according to any one of claims 2-7, wherein a portion of the cartridge comprises an aerosol generating region.

9. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 2-8, in which a portion of the cartridge comprises an air channel.

10. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, in which the reservoir is made of plastic.

11. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material additionally comprises the specified part of the cartridge.

12. The cartridge of claim 11, wherein a portion of the cartridge is translucent.

13. A cartridge according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein a portion of the cartridge is transparent.

14. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising an aerosol outlet tube extending from the aerosol generation area to the outlet opening and serving to discharge the aerosol generated in the aerosol generation area to the outlet opening.

15. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein the reservoir is located around the aerosol outlet tube.

16. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-15, in which the reservoir has an annular shape.

17. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein the reservoir contains an aerosol-forming material for evaporation thereof.

18. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 1-17, in which an evaporator is located.

19. An aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge according to any one of claims 1-18 and a control unit comprising a section for inserting the cartridge, which comprises an interface for connection with the cartridge to ensure a detachable connection of the cartridge to the control unit, wherein the control unit further comprises a power source and a controller.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the controller is configured to selectively supply power from the power source to the evaporator located in the cartridge through their engaging interfaces.

The third group of provisions

1. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge, a control unit and an evaporator for evaporating an aerosol-forming material, comprising:

an air passage extending from the air inlet of the cartridge to the outlet through the aerosol generation area;

a reservoir for storing aerosol-forming material for its evaporation;

wherein the cartridge additionally comprises a means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material to provide the user with the ability to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material is part of the cartridge.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein a portion of the cartridge comprises a window for determining the level of contents in the reservoir.

4. A cartridge according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the optical properties of a portion of the cartridge can be adjusted by the user.

5. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-4, in which the optical properties of a portion of the cartridge can be adjusted by applying an electric current to the portion of the cartridge.

6. A cartridge according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the optical property is translucency of a portion of the cartridge.

7. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 4-6, in which the optical property is transparency of a part of the cartridge.

8. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 4-7, in which the optical properties of a part of the cartridge can be adjusted by applying an electrical signal.

9. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 4-8, in which the optical properties of a part of the cartridge can be adjusted by pressing a button or switch.

10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the button or switch is located on the cartridge.

11. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 2-10, in which a portion of the cartridge comprises an electrochromic material.

12. The cartridge of claim 11, wherein the electrochromic material is electrochromic glass.

13. The cartridge according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the electrochromic material is electrochromic plastic.

14. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 11-13, wherein the electrochromic material is electrochromic ink.

15. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-14, further comprising an aerosol outlet tube extending from the aerosol generation area to the outlet opening and serving to discharge the aerosol generated in the aerosol generation area to the outlet opening.

16. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein the reservoir is located around the aerosol outlet tube.

17. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the reservoir has an annular shape.

18. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein the reservoir contains an aerosol-forming material for evaporation thereof.

19. A cartridge according to any of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that an evaporator is located in the cartridge.

20. An aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge according to any one of claims 1-19 and a control unit comprising a section for inserting the cartridge, which comprises an interface for connection with the cartridge to ensure a detachable connection of the cartridge to the control unit, wherein the control unit further comprises a power source and a controller.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the controller is configured to selectively supply power from the power source to the evaporator located in the cartridge through their engaging interfaces.

22. The system according to any one of claims 20 or 21, in which the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material is designed to receive power from the power source of the control unit when the cartridge is connected to the control unit.

The fourth group of provisions

1. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge, a control unit and an evaporator for evaporating an aerosol-forming material, comprising:

an air passage extending from the air inlet of the cartridge to the outlet through the aerosol generation area;

a reservoir for storing aerosol-forming material for its evaporation;

wherein the cartridge additionally comprises a means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material to provide the user with the ability to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material is part of the cartridge.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein a portion of the cartridge comprises a first window for determining the level of contents in the reservoir.

4. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein a portion of the cartridge comprises a second window for passing light into the reservoir.

5. The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the second window has a shape different from the shape of the first window.

6. A cartridge according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the first window is located on a first side of the reservoir and the second window is located on a second side opposite the first side of the reservoir.

7. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 3-6, in which the maximum size of each window is no more than 30 mm, preferably no more than 20 mm, and more preferably no more than 10 mm.

8. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 3-7, in which the first window has an elongated shape.

9. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 2-8, in which a portion of the cartridge is translucent.

10. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 2-9, in which a part of the cartridge is transparent.

11. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-10, in which part of the cartridge forms a first section of the wall of the reservoir, the maximum thickness of which does not exceed 1 mm.

12. A cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein a portion of the cartridge forms a first portion of a wall of a reservoir, and the reservoir also comprises a second portion of a wall.

13. The cartridge according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first wall portion forms a first cavity within the reservoir.

14. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 11-13, in which the first wall portion forms a second cavity in the outer surface of the cartridge.

15. A cartridge according to any one of claims 12-15, wherein the first wall portion is more transparent than the second wall portion.

16. A cartridge according to any one of claims 12-15, wherein the first wall portion is more translucent than the second wall portion.

17. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 12-16, in which the maximum thickness of the first wall section is less than the maximum thickness of the second wall section.

18. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 12-17, in which the first wall section comprises a material different from the material of the second wall section.

19. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-18, further comprising an aerosol outlet tube extending from the aerosol generation area to the outlet opening and serving to discharge the aerosol generated in the aerosol generation area to the outlet opening.

20. The cartridge of claim 19, wherein the reservoir is located around the aerosol outlet tube.

21. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-20, wherein the reservoir has an annular shape.

22. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the reservoir contains an aerosol-forming material for evaporation.

23. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 1-22, in which an evaporator is located.

24. An aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge according to any one of claims 1-23 and a control unit comprising a section for inserting the cartridge, which comprises an interface for connection with the cartridge to ensure a detachable connection of the cartridge to the control unit, wherein the control unit further comprises a power source and a controller.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the controller is configured to selectively supply power from the power source to the evaporator located in the cartridge through their engaging interfaces.

Fifth group of provisions

1. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge, a control unit and an evaporator for evaporating an aerosol-forming material, comprising:

an air passage extending from the air inlet of the cartridge to the outlet through the aerosol generation area;

a reservoir for storing aerosol-forming material for its evaporation;

wherein the cartridge additionally comprises a means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material to provide the user with the ability to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material is located on the wall of the reservoir.

3. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material comprises a plurality of marks located on the cartridge to provide the user with the ability to measure the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir using said plurality of marks.

4. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein the plurality of marks comprises a plurality of parallel lines.

5. A cartridge according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a plurality of marks are made recessed into the surface of the cartridge.

6. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 3-5, in which a plurality of marks are formed protruding from the surface of the cartridge.

7. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 3-6, in which a plurality of marks are formed protruding from the surface of the reservoir.

8. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 3-7, in which the plurality of marks are made opaque.

9. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 3-8, in which the plurality of marks are surrounded by a part of the cartridge that is made transparent.

10. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 3-9, in which the plurality of marks are surrounded by a part of the cartridge that is made translucent.

11. A cartridge according to item 9 or 10, wherein part of the cartridge is made of plastic.

12. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 3-11, in which a plurality of marks are located on the first section of the wall of the reservoir, and the marks of said plurality of marks are made to protrude into the reservoir.

13. A cartridge according to any one of claims 2-12, wherein the plurality of marks comprise text designations for measuring the level of aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir.

14. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the text designations represent a plurality of percentage values from 0 to 100%.

15. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 13-14, in which the text designations represent a set of fractions from 0 to 1.

16. A cartridge according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the text designations represent a plurality of volume values in imperial units.

17. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 13-16, in which the text designations represent a plurality of volume values in the metric system of measures.

18. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-17, in which the total maximum size of the plurality of marks is no more than 30 mm.

19. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-18, wherein the reservoir contains an aerosol-forming material for evaporation thereof.

20. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-19, wherein the means for indicating the level of aerosol-forming material comprises a light source for illuminating the contents of the reservoir.

21. A cartridge according to claim 20, in which electrical energy is used to power the light source.

22. A cartridge according to any one of claims 20 or 21, wherein the light source is located inside the reservoir.

23. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 20-22, in which the light source is attached to the wall of the reservoir.

24. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-23, further comprising an aerosol outlet tube extending from the aerosol generation area to the outlet opening and serving to discharge the aerosol generated in the aerosol generation area to the outlet opening.

25. The cartridge of claim 24, wherein the reservoir is located around the aerosol outlet tube.

26. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-25, in which the reservoir has an annular shape.

27. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 1-26, in which an evaporator is located.

28. An aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge according to any one of claims 1-27 and a control unit comprising a section for inserting the cartridge, which comprises an interface for connection with the cartridge to ensure a detachable connection of the cartridge to the control unit, wherein the control unit further comprises a power source and a controller.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the controller is configured to selectively supply power from the power source to the evaporator located in the cartridge through their engaging interfaces.

30. The system according to any one of claims 28 or 29, in which the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material is designed to receive power from the power source of the control unit when the cartridge is connected to the control unit.

31. The system according to any one of claims 28 or 29, with additional dependence on any one of claims 20-23, in which the light source is configured to receive power from a power source of the control unit when the cartridge is connected to the control unit.

32. A method for determining the level of an aerosol-forming material inside a cartridge reservoir for an aerosol delivery system, the cartridge of which comprises:

aerosol outlet hole;

an air passage extending from the air inlet of the cartridge to the aerosol outlet opening through the aerosol generation area;

an aerosol-forming material level indicator means for providing the user with the ability to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir; said method includes using the aerosol-forming material level indicator means to determine its level inside the reservoir.

33. The method according to claim 32, according to which the cartridge additionally comprises a reservoir located in the housing, inside which an aerosol-forming material is contained for its evaporation, and an element for feeding the aerosol-forming material from the reservoir to the evaporator;

wherein said method further includes feeding an aerosol-forming material from the reservoir through an aerosol-forming material feeding element and generating an aerosol in the aerosol generation region using an evaporator.

Identifying provisions

1. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge, a control unit and an evaporator for evaporating an aerosol-forming material, comprising:

an air passage extending from the air inlet of the cartridge to the outlet through the aerosol generation area;

a reservoir for storing aerosol-forming material for its evaporation;

wherein the cartridge additionally comprises a means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material to provide the user with the ability to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material inside the reservoir.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material comprises at least one relief surface located on the surface of the cartridge.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the cartridge comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein the side surfaces are located between the first surface and the second surface.

4. The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the relief surface is located on at least one of the side surfaces.

5. The cartridge according to item 4, wherein the relief surface is located on both side surfaces.

6. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 3-5, in which the relief surface is located on the first surface.

7. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 3-6, in which the relief surface is located on the second surface.

8. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-7, in which the relief surface is located near the outlet opening.

9. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-8, in which the relief surface is located inside the reservoir.

10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the reservoir has a cross-section in the form of an ellipse with a major axis and a minor axis, and the relief surface is located at the intersection of the elliptical cross-section with the major axis.

11. The cartridge of claim 10, wherein the relief surface is not located at the intersection of the elliptical cross-section with the minor axis.

12. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 2-11, in which the relief surface extends from the first end of the reservoir to a second end of the reservoir located opposite the first end.

13. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-12, in which the relief surface does not extend around the entire circumference of the reservoir.

14. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-13, in which the relief surface is located on the outer surface of the cartridge that is most distant from the center.

15. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein the relief surface does not extend along the entire circumference of the outer surface of the cartridge that is most distant from the center.

16. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-16, wherein the relief surface comprises a plurality of grooves.

17. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 2-16, wherein the relief surface comprises a plurality of protrusions and/or depressions.

18. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein the means for indicating the level of aerosol-forming material comprises a smooth surface located on the surface of the cartridge.

19. The cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the smooth surface is located inside the reservoir.

20. The cartridge according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the smooth surface is located on the outer surface of the cartridge.

21. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-20, wherein the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material comprises a smooth surface located inside the reservoir and a relief surface located inside the reservoir.

22. The cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the smooth surface is located on the first side of the reservoir, and the relief surface is located on the second side of the reservoir, located opposite the first side of the reservoir.

23. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 18-22, in which the smooth surface is polished.

24. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-23, in which the reservoir is made of plastic.

25. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 1-24, in which the means for indicating the level of the aerosol-forming material is made of plastic.

26. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-25, wherein the means for indicating the level of aerosol-forming material comprises a part of the cartridge.

27. The cartridge of claim 26, wherein a portion of the cartridge is translucent.

28. A cartridge according to claim 26 or 27, wherein a portion of the cartridge is transparent.

29. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-28, further comprising an aerosol outlet tube extending from the aerosol generation area to the outlet opening and serving to discharge the aerosol generated in the aerosol generation area to the outlet opening.

30. The cartridge of claim 29, wherein the reservoir is located around the aerosol outlet tube.

31. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-30, in which the reservoir has an annular shape.

32. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-31, in which the reservoir comprises a first end located closer to the outlet of the cartridge, and a second end located closer to the evaporator.

33. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1-32, wherein the reservoir has an elliptical cross-section.

34. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-33, in which the reservoir contains an aerosol-forming material for evaporation thereof.

35. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 1-34, in which an evaporator is located.

36. An aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge according to any one of claims 1-35 and a control unit comprising a section for inserting the cartridge, which comprises an interface for connection with the cartridge to ensure a detachable connection of the cartridge to the control unit, wherein the control unit further comprises a power source and a controller.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein the controller is configured to selectively supply power from the power source to the evaporator located in the cartridge through their engaging interfaces.

Claims (26)

1. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system comprising said cartridge, a control unit and an evaporator for evaporating an aerosol-forming material, wherein the cartridge includes: mouthpiece outlet; an air passage extending from the air inlet of the cartridge to the outlet of the mouthpiece through the aerosol generation area; a reservoir for storing aerosol-forming material; an aerosol outlet tube extending between the aerosol generation region and the outlet opening of the mouthpiece for directing the aerosol generated in the aerosol generation region to the outlet opening of the mouthpiece, wherein the reservoir is located around said tube; characterized in that it additionally contains an aerosol-forming material level indicator means for providing the user with the ability to determine the level of the aerosol-forming material in the reservoir, wherein the aerosol-forming material level indicator means is a part of the cartridge that forms the first section of the container wall, and the surface of the outlet tube is visible through said part of the cartridge; a first surface, a second surface, and also first and second side surfaces located between the first and second surfaces, wherein the first and second side surfaces are made with an inclination toward the outlet; wherein said part of the cartridge is located on both side surfaces and contains a first window of elongated shape for determining the level of contents in the tank, located on the first side surface, and a second window of elongated shape for determining the level of contents in the tank, located on the second side surface, wherein the maximum size of each of said windows is no more than 20 mm. 2. A cartridge according to item 1, characterized in that said part of the cartridge is translucent. 3. A cartridge according to item 1, characterized in that said part of the cartridge is transparent. 4. A cartridge according to any of paragraphs 1-3, characterized in that the maximum thickness of the first wall section is no more than 3.5 mm. 5. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 1-4, characterized in that the first section of the wall forms a first cavity inside the reservoir. 6. A cartridge according to any of paragraphs 1-5, characterized in that the first section of the wall is made of plastic. 7. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 1-6, characterized in that the reservoir additionally contains a second wall section. 8. The cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that the first section of the wall contains a coloring pigment in a first concentration, and the second section of the wall contains a coloring pigment in a second concentration, wherein the first concentration is less than the second concentration. 9. A cartridge according to any of paragraphs 7 or 8, characterized in that the second section of the wall is made of plastic. 10. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 7-9, characterized in that the first wall section contains a material different from the material of the second wall section. 11. A cartridge according to any of paragraphs 1-10, characterized in that the reservoir has an annular shape. 12. A cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 1-11, characterized in that the reservoir contains an aerosol-forming material for its evaporation. 13. A cartridge according to any of paragraphs 1-12, characterized in that an evaporator is located in the cartridge. 14. The cartridge according to claim 13, characterized in that it additionally contains a closing element that prevents the user from seeing the cartridge evaporator, wherein this closing element contains an opaque material that forms part of the cartridge. 15. The cartridge according to claim 14, characterized in that the closing element is designed to prevent the user from seeing the aerosol generation area in the cartridge. 16. An aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge according to any one of claims 1-15 and a control unit comprising a section for inserting the cartridge, which comprises an interface for connection to the cartridge, providing a detachable connection of the cartridge to the control unit, wherein the control unit comprises a power source and a controller. 17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to selectively supply power from the power source to the evaporator located in the cartridge through their engaging interfaces. 18. A method for determining the level of an aerosol-forming material inside a cartridge reservoir for an aerosol delivery system, the cartridge of which is a cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 1-15, according to which means for indicating the level of an aerosol-forming material are used to determine its level inside the reservoir.