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WO2024126247A1 - Cartridge with capillary tube - Google Patents

Cartridge with capillary tube Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024126247A1
WO2024126247A1 PCT/EP2023/084687 EP2023084687W WO2024126247A1 WO 2024126247 A1 WO2024126247 A1 WO 2024126247A1 EP 2023084687 W EP2023084687 W EP 2023084687W WO 2024126247 A1 WO2024126247 A1 WO 2024126247A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
capillary
aerosol
forming substrate
airflow path
cartridge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2023/084687
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kyle Robert Adair
Andrew Robert John ROGAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Philip Morris Products SA
Original Assignee
Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philip Morris Products SA filed Critical Philip Morris Products SA
Priority to EP23820870.6A priority Critical patent/EP4633402A1/en
Priority to KR1020257018715A priority patent/KR20250122460A/en
Priority to CN202380068204.6A priority patent/CN119923202A/en
Priority to JP2025522753A priority patent/JP2025540518A/en
Publication of WO2024126247A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024126247A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/05—Devices without heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
    • A24F40/485—Valves; Apertures

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising an atomizing unit and a liquid storage portion with liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the present disclosure further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the cartridge and an aerosol-generating device.
  • a cartridge comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate for generating an inhalable vapor.
  • Such systems may heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which the substrate is volatilised without burning the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • a liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be delivered from a liquid storage portion to an atomizing unit. Upon heating to a target temperature, the aerosol-generating substrate vaporises to form an aerosol.
  • the liquid storage portion may be formed as a replaceable or refillable cartridge comprising a liquid aerosolforming substrate.
  • the cartridge may be attached to the aerosol-generating device for supplying the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the device for aerosol generation. Droplets of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in the aerosol-generating device.
  • droplets may leak out of the aerosol-generating device impairing the user’s experience.
  • the droplets may reach a user’s mouth negatively affecting the user’s experience when consuming the aerosol vapor.
  • These droplets also may reduce the overall amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate being evaporated for forming an aerosol. Any droplets formed in the aerosolgenerating device in the airflow tube of the device may contaminate the device.
  • the aerosolgenerating device may also not be able to re-evaporate any drops of aerosol-forming substrate condensed in the airflow tube.
  • a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device may comprise a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the cartridge may comprise an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion.
  • An airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit and at least one capillary tube may be present in the cartridge.
  • the at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary forces.
  • a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device is provided.
  • the cartridge comprises a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the cartridge also comprises an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion.
  • the cartridge furthermore comprises an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit and at least one capillary tube.
  • the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary force.
  • the at least one capillary tube may transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path. This may ensure that liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be transported by the at least one capillary tube in the direction of the airflow. This may provide another mode of transport of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. This may reduce leakage of the liquid aerosolforming substrate from the cartridge. This may reduce leakage of liquid aerosol-forming substrate re-condensed from the airflow path from the cartridge.
  • the at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate comprising aerosol former.
  • Suitable aerosol-formers include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.
  • Aerosol formers may be polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine.
  • the aerosol-former may be propylene glycol.
  • the aerosol former preferably may comprise both glycerine and propylene glycol.
  • the at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate comprising between 70 weight percent and 100 weight percent of an aerosol former, preferably up to 95 weight percent of an aerosol former.
  • the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may furthermore comprise between 30 weight percent and 5 weight percent of additional compounds from a group selected of: flavorings, nicotine and water.
  • the at least one capillary tube may have a circular cross-sectional area.
  • the at least one capillary tube may have a diameter of between 0.01 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.
  • the at least one capillary tube may have a length of between 5 millimeters to 25 millimeters.
  • the atomizing unit may be provided to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol, which can subsequently be inhaled by a user.
  • the atomizing unit may be configured as any device which is able to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the atomizing unit may comprise a nebulizer or an atomizer nozzle based on the Venturi effect to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the atomizing unit may comprise a heating element, in which case the atomizing unit may be configured to vaporize liquid-forming substrate.
  • the atomizing unit comprises a heating element as described in more detail below.
  • the airflow path may provide a path for air to pass through the cartridge.
  • the air passing through the cartridge through the airflow path may be employed for aerosol formation.
  • the air passing through the airflow path may be employed for aerosol formation together with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the airflow path may be arranged along the atomizing unit.
  • the at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport the aerosol-forming substrate from an upstream airflow path portion to a downstream airflow path portion.
  • the upstream airflow path portion may be located upstream of the atomizing unit.
  • the downstream airflow path portion may be located downstream of the atomizing unit.
  • the cartridge may further comprise a retention reservoir for receiving liquid aerosolforming substrate from the airflow path.
  • This retention reservoir may be configured to store liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from the atomizing unit.
  • This retention reservoir may be configured to store liquid aerosol-forming substrate re-condensed from the airflow path.
  • the retention reservoir may be configured to temporarily receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from one or both of the atomizing unit and the airflow path.
  • the retention reservoir also may be configured to temporarily receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from the liquid storage portion.
  • the retention reservoir preferably may be arranged in the upstream airflow path portion. This may allow the retention reservoir to at least temporarily store liquid aerosolforming substrate upstream of the atomizing unit.
  • the retention reservoir may include a retention material for storing the liquid aerosolforming substrate.
  • the retention material may comprise sponge-like or foam-like material able to store the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the structure of the retention material may form a plurality of small bores or tubes, through which the liquid substrate can be transported and stored by capillary action.
  • suitable materials are a sponge or foam material, ceramic- or graphite-based materials in the form of fibres or sintered powders, foamed metal or plastics materials, a fibrous material, for example made of spun or extruded fibres, such as cellulose acetate, polyester, or bonded polyolefin, polyethylene, ethylene or polypropylene fibres, nylon fibres or ceramic.
  • the at least one capillary tube may be in fluid communication with the retention reservoir.
  • the at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the retention reservoir to the downstream airflow path portion.
  • the retention reservoir may be different from the liquid storage portion.
  • the retention reservoir may be configured to store liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from one or more of the atomizing unit, the airflow path and the liquid reservoir.
  • the cartridge may comprise an upstream air inlet.
  • the retention reservoir may be arranged around the upstream air inlet.
  • the upstream air inlet may be configured to allow air to enter the cartridge.
  • the upstream air inlet may be the upstream end of the airflow path through the cartridge.
  • the upstream air inlet may be circumscribed by a baffle. This may allow the retention reservoir to be arranged around the upstream air inlet without liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking out of the cartridge through the upstream air inlet.
  • the baffle may be arranged in the interior of the cartridge.
  • the cartridge may comprise a base.
  • the baffle may protrude from the base towards the atomizing unit of the cartridge.
  • the baffle may be configured to direct air entering through the upstream air inlet towards the at least one capillary tube.
  • the at least one capillary tube may be located downstream of the upstream air inlet.
  • the baffle may protrude from the base towards the at least one capillary tube.
  • the baffle may protrude from the base towards the at least one capillary tube and the atomizing unit of the cartridge.
  • the cartridge may comprise a housing.
  • the base of the cartridge may be part of the housing.
  • the housing may be made of one or more of plastic, metal or wood.
  • the housing may comprise or be made of polymers such as one or more of polypropylene, polycarbonate or polyethylene.
  • the baffle may be separate from the housing.
  • the housing of the cartridge and the baffle may form a monolithic part of the cartridge.
  • the baffle may be made of the same materials as the housing.
  • the housing of the cartridge may comprise the base and one or more walls extending from the base.
  • the term “wall” refers more generally to a facet of the housing, and a wall may be formed from a single panel, or a wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels.
  • the base and the one or more walls may be integrally formed.
  • the base and one or more walls may be distinct elements that are attached or secured to each other.
  • the housing may be a rigid housing.
  • the term ‘rigid housing’ is used to mean a housing that is self-supporting.
  • the at least one capillary tube may be arranged in the interior of the cartridge, preferably in the interior of the housing of the cartridge.
  • the at least one capillary tube may comprise a capillary transport portion extending along the airflow path.
  • the at least one capillary tube may furthermore comprise a capillary output portion extending transversally to the capillary transport portion.
  • the capillary output portion may be configured to release liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported by the capillary transport portion into the airflow path of the cartridge. This may facilitate the atomization of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported by the at least one capillary tube in the airflow path.
  • the capillary output portion may be in fluid communication with the capillary transport portion.
  • the capillary output portion may be located downstream of the atomizing unit. This may allow the capillary output portion to release liquid aerosol-forming substrate into the airflow path downstream of the atomizing unit for vaporization.
  • the capillary output portion may be configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a portion of the airflow path downstream of the atomizing unit.
  • the capillary output portion may be configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the downstream airflow path portion.
  • the at least one capillary tube may comprise a capillary intake portion.
  • the capillary intake portion may be configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the capillary transport portion.
  • the capillary intake portion may be in fluid communication with the capillary transport portion.
  • the capillary intake portion may be in fluid communication with the retention reservoir.
  • the capillary intake portion is configured to transport liquid aerosolforming substrate to the capillary transport portion from the retention reservoir.
  • the capillary intake portion may extend transversely to the capillary transport portion.
  • the capillary intake portion may be located upstream of the atomizing unit.
  • the capillary intake portion may run parallel to the capillary output portion.
  • the capillary transport portion may comprise a plurality of capillary tubes.
  • the plurality of capillary tubes may extend parallel to each other.
  • the plurality of capillary tubes may comprise at least 2, more preferably at least 4 capillary tubes.
  • the plurality of capillary tubes may comprise between 2 and 16 capillary tubes.
  • the plurality of capillary tubes in the capillary transport portion may enable the storage and the transport of a larger portion of liquid aerosol-forming substrate in the capillary transport portion.
  • the plurality of capillary tubes in the capillary transport portion may be in fluid communication with one capillary tube in the capillary output portion.
  • the plurality of capillary tubes in the capillary transport portion may be in fluid communication with one capillary tube in the capillary intake portion. This may ensure that the capillary intake portion can transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the retention reservoir to the capillary transport portion.
  • a cross-sectional area of a capillary tube in the capillary intake portion may be larger or equal to a cross-sectional area of the capillary tube in the capillary transport portion.
  • a cross- sectional area the capillary tube in the capillary transport portion may be larger or equal to a cross-sectional area a capillary tube in the capillary output portion.
  • Cross-sectional area of the at least one capillary tube may have any shape. For example it may be rectangular, polygonal, circular or oval. Preferably, the cross-sectional area may be oval or circular, more preferred circular.
  • a diameter of the capillary tube in the intake portion may be smaller than a height of the baffle circumscribing the upstream air inlet. This may ensure that liquid aerosol-forming substrate does not leak out of the cartridge through the upstream air inlet.
  • the cross-sectional area of the at least one capillary tube may be circular.
  • a diameter of a capillary tube in the capillary intake portion may be between 0.01 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.
  • a diameter of a capillary tube in the capillary transport portion may be between 0.01 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.
  • a diameter of a capillary tube in the capillary output portion may be between 0.01 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.
  • the cartridge may further comprise a downstream air inlet.
  • the downstream air inlet may be configured to direct air to a portion of the airflow path being located downstream of the atomizing unit.
  • the portion of the airflow path located downstream of the atomizing unit may be the downstream airflow path portion.
  • the downstream air inlet may provide air to the downstream airflow path portion.
  • the downstream air inlet may assist in the vaporization of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported to the downstream airflow path portion by the at least one capillary tube, preferably by the capillary output portion.
  • the downstream air inlet may be configured to direct air adjacent to the capillary output portion. This may facilitate the generation of an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported by the capillary output portion.
  • the atomizing unit may comprise a heating element and a porous body.
  • the porous body may be made from a ceramic material.
  • the porous body may be configured to absorb liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the heating element may be arranged on a heating surface of the porous body.
  • the heating element may be formed as a heating track configured to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the heating element may be configured to evaporate the liquid aerosol-forming substrate absorbed by the porous body of the atomizing unit for vaporization.
  • the heating element of the atomizing unit may be in electrical contact with electrical heating element contacts.
  • the electrical heating element contacts may also be arranged on the heating surface of the porous body.
  • the electrical heating element contacts may be configured to allow an electrical contact to an aerosol-generating device when the cartridge is attached to the device.
  • An absorption surface of the porous body of the atomizing unit may be in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion of the cartridge.
  • the absorption surface may be separate from the heating surface of the porous body.
  • the absorption surface may absorb liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion of the cartridge.
  • the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be further transported within the porous body of the atomizing unit to the heating surface for evaporation.
  • the heating surface of the porous body of the atomizing unit may be located in the downstream airflow path portion.
  • the at least one capillary tube, in particular the capillary output portion may transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the downstream airflow path portion adjacent to the heating surface of the porous body. This may ease the formation of an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported by the at least one capillary tube involving the heating surface of the porous body.
  • the porous body may have a substantially cuboid shape comprising six surfaces.
  • the heating element may be substantially flat.
  • the heating element may be arranged at one of the six surfaces of the porous body.
  • a distance between the base of the cartridge and the heating surface of the atomizing unit may be smaller than a distance between the base of the cartridge and the capillary of the capillary output portion.
  • the distance between the base of the cartridge and the heating surface of the atomizing unit may be between 5 millimeters to 25 millimeters.
  • the invention also provides an aerosol-generating system.
  • the aerosol-generating system may comprise a cartridge as described herein.
  • the aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating device.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a power source and a controller.
  • the power source may be configured to supply power to the atomizing unit.
  • the controller may be configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
  • an aerosol-generating system comprising a cartridge as described herein and an aerosol-generating device.
  • the aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller.
  • the power source is configured to supply power to the atomizing unit.
  • the controller is configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
  • Such an aerosol-generating system may be configured to generate an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate contained in the cartridge.
  • the aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may be connected to the cartridge and may control operation of the atomizing unit.
  • the power source of the aerosol-generating device may also supply power to the atomizing unit, in particular to its heating element.
  • the cartridge may comprise at least two electrical contacts, in particular the electrical heating element contacts already mentioned above.
  • the electrical contacts may be configured to provide an electrical contact to the heating element of the atomizing unit.
  • the at least two electrical contacts may be in electrical contact with the heating element of the atomizing unit.
  • the cartridge as described herein may be configured to be detachably connectable to the aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system. This may allow the cartridge to be replaced when the aerosol-forming substrate in the liquid reservoir is depleted.
  • the ceramic body of the atomizing unit may comprise or be made of one or both of Ca2SiC>4 and SiC>2.
  • the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material.
  • Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material.
  • Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics.
  • suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides.
  • suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold and silver.
  • suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titaniumzirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- , gold- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetai® and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys.
  • the heating element may comprise or be made of a nickel-chromium alloy (NiCr).
  • the heating element also may be made of alloys of titanium or SUS stainless steel or be made of pure nickel, SUS stainless steel or titanium.
  • the electrical contacts may comprise or made of electrically conducting metals or alloys, such as one or more of Cu, Ag, Zn or Au.
  • the heating element may comprise a susceptor heating element for heating the aerosol-generating substrate by induction.
  • the susceptor may be part of the aerosolgenerating device, or part of the aerosol-generating article, as described above.
  • the susceptor may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate.
  • a preferred susceptor may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, for example a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron, or a ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel.
  • a suitable susceptor may be, or comprise, aluminium.
  • susceptors are metal susceptors, for example stainless steel.
  • susceptor materials may also comprise or be made of any one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, aluminum, niobium, Inconel alloys (austenite nickel-chromium-based superalloys), metallized films, ceramics such as for example zirconia, transition metals such as for example iron, cobalt, nickel, or metalloids components such as for example boron, carbon, silicon, phosphorus, aluminium, or combinations or alloys of materials.
  • the susceptor may be heated by an induction coil.
  • the induction coil may provide an alternating magnetic field.
  • the induction coil may be part of the aerosol-generating device or may be included in the cartridge.
  • When located in an alternating electromagnetic field typically eddy currents are induced and hysteresis losses occur in the susceptor causing heating of the susceptor.
  • the heating element is a resistive heating element as described above.
  • the aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may comprise electric circuitry.
  • the electric circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor.
  • the microprocessor may be part of the controller.
  • the electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components.
  • the electric circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current.
  • the electric circuitry may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.
  • the aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery.
  • the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-lron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery.
  • the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor.
  • the power supply may power for example an induction coil comprised in the aerosol-generating article.
  • the power supply may provide power to a resistive heating element comprised in the cartridge via electrical connections.
  • Aerosol-generating devices comprise a proximal end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the device.
  • the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the mouth end or the downstream end.
  • the mouth end is downstream of the distal end.
  • the mouth end may comprise a mouthpiece.
  • the distal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end.
  • Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions with respect to the airflow path through the aerosol-generating device.
  • Example 1 A cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion, an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit and at least one capillary tube, wherein the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary force.
  • Example 2 The cartridge according to example 1 , wherein the airflow path is arranged along the atomizing unit and wherein the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport the aerosol-forming substrate from an upstream airflow path portion being located upstream of the atomizing unit to a downstream airflow path portion being located downstream of the atomizing unit.
  • Example 3 The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a retention reservoir for receiving liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the airflow path, preferably according to the preceding example, wherein the retention reservoir is arranged in the upstream airflow path portion, more preferably, wherein the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the retention reservoir to the downstream airflow path portion.
  • Example 4 The cartridge according to the preceding example, further comprising an upstream air inlet, wherein the retention reservoir is arranged around the upstream air inlet, preferably wherein the upstream air inlet is circumscribed by a baffle.
  • Example 5 The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one capillary tube comprises a capillary transport portion extending along the airflow path and a capillary output portion extending transversally to capillary transport portion, preferably wherein the capillary output portion is located downstream of the atomizing unit.
  • Example 6 The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the capillary output portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a portion of the airflow path downstream of the atomizing unit, preferably according to example 3, wherein the capillary output portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the downstream airflow path portion.
  • Example 7 The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples 5 or 6, wherein the at least one capillary tube comprises a capillary intake portion, wherein the capillary intake portion is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the capillary transport portion, preferably according to example 3, wherein the capillary intake portion is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the capillary transport portion from the retention reservoir.
  • Example 8 The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the capillary intake portion extends transversally to the capillary transport portion.
  • Example 9 The cartridge according any of the preceding examples 5 to 8, wherein the capillary transport portion comprises a plurality of capillary tubes extending parallel to each other, preferably wherein the plurality of capillary tubes comprises at least two, more preferably at least four capillary tubes.
  • Example 10 The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the plurality of the capillary tubes is in fluid communication with one capillary output portion, preferably according to any of the examples 7 or 8, wherein the plurality of the capillary tubes is in fluid communication with one capillary intake portion.
  • Example 11 The cartridge according any of the preceding examples, further comprising a downstream air inlet being configured to direct air to a portion of the airflow path being located downstream of the atomizing unit, preferably according to any of the examples 3 or 4, wherein the downstream air inlet is configured to direct air to the downstream airflow path portion.
  • Example 12 The cartridge according to the preceding example, further being dependent on any of the examples 5 to 10, wherein the downstream air inlet is configured to direct air adjacent to the capillary output portion.
  • Example 13 The cartridge according any of the preceding examples, wherein the atomizing unit comprises a heating element and a porous body, preferably wherein the porous body is made from a ceramic material, more preferably wherein the porous body is configured to absorb liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • Example 14 The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the heating element is arranged on a heating surface of the porous body, preferably wherein the heating element is formed as a heating track configured to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • Example 15 The cartridge according any of the preceding examples 13 or 14, wherein an absorption surface of the porous body is in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion.
  • Example 16 An aerosol-generating system comprising a cartridge according to any of the preceding examples and an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller, wherein the power source is configured to supply power to the atomizing unit and wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
  • Example 17 The aerosol-generating system according to the preceding example, wherein the cartridge is configured to be detachably connectable to the aerosol-generating device.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge including the at least one capillary tube
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the capillary tube system for circulating liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • Fig. 3a and 3b depict a cross-sectional front view and side view of a cartridge including the at least one capillary tube for transporting liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path;
  • Fig. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system including the cartridge and an aerosol-generating device.
  • Fig. 1 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge 10 including a liquid storage portion 12 which contains liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • the cartridge 10 also includes an atomizing unit 20 which comprises a porous body 14 and heating element contacts 18 and a heating element 16 which are located on the heating surface 20A of the atomizing unit.
  • the electrical heating element contacts are electrically connected to the heating element and therefore allow the resistive heating element to be heated.
  • the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit 20 is in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion (not shown in Fig. 1) and therefore receives liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion 12. This liquid aerosol-forming substrate is evaporated at the heating surface 20A of the atomizing unit via heating with the heating element 16.
  • An airflow path, indicated by the dashed arrows 32 runs through the cartridge 10 and provides air for evaporation of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
  • An upstream air inlet 28 is present in the cartridge which allows air to enter the cartridge from the exterior. The air passes from the upstream airflow path portion 32B along the airflow path 32 and can be mixed with the evaporated liquid aerosol-forming substrate for the formation of an aerosol above the heating surface 20A in the downstream airflow path portion 32A.
  • a baffle 30 circumscribes the upstream air inlet 28 and prevents liquid aerosolforming substrate being present in the retention reservoir 26 to leak out of the cartridge. The formed aerosol passes then through the airflow tube 33 to be inhaled by a user.
  • liquid aerosol-forming substrate may leak from the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit by so-called “spitting”. Furthermore, liquid aerosol-forming substrate can be re-condensed in the airflow path 32. The leaked liquid aerosol-forming substrate can be received in the retention reservoir 26 which is located in the upstream airflow path portion 32B of the cartridge 10.
  • a plurality of capillary tubes 22 in a capillary transport portion is in fluid communication with the retention reservoir and is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate via capillary force from the retention reservoir 26 in the direction 22A indicated by the arrow.
  • the plurality of capillary tubes 22 of the capillary transport portion are in fluid communication with one capillary tube 24 of the capillary output portion.
  • the tube 24 of the capillary output portion transports the liquid aerosol-forming substrate received by the capillary transport portion in a direction indicated by the arrow 24A to the downstream airflow path portion 32A above the heating surface 20A of the atomizing unit.
  • the liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported by the capillary output portion can mix with air from the airflow path 32 and with air which additionally can enter the cartridge through the downstream air inlet 34 to form an aerosol.
  • the plurality of capillary tubes in the capillary transport portion and the capillary tube in the capillary output portion therefore enable an effective re-circulation of liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from the cartridge.
  • Fig. 2 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of another plurality of capillary tubes which can be used in the cartridge 10 of Fig. 1 instead of the capillary tubes shown in Fig. 1.
  • This capillary structure also contains the capillary tubes 22 in the capillary transport portion and the respective capillary 24 in the capillary output portion. Additionally, a capillary tube 36 of the capillary intake portion is present.
  • This capillary tube 36 is in fluid communication with the retention reservoir shown in Fig. 1 and is able to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the retention reservoir in a direction shown by the arrow 36A to the capillary tubes of the capillary transport portion.
  • Fig. 3a depicts a cross-sectional view of a cartridge 10 which also includes cartridge electrical contacts 38. These cartridge electrical contacts 38 are configured for contacting an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge electrical contacts 38 are connected to electrical wires 40 which are able to make an electrical contact to the heating element contacts 18 located on the heating surface 20A of the atomizing unit.
  • Fig. 3b shows a cross-sectional side view of Fig. 3a. It can clearly be seen that the liquid storage portion 12 contacts the back of the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit. This allows liquid aerosol-forming substrate to be transported from the liquid storage portion to the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit.
  • Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system including the cartridge 10 and an aerosol-generating device 42.
  • the aerosol-generating device 42 includes device electrical contacts 44 which can contact the cartridge electrical contacts 38 for providing an electrical connection.
  • the aerosol-generating device normally includes a power source, for example a battery which can provide power to the heating element contacts 18.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge (10) comprising a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising a liquid storage portion (12) comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an atomizing unit (20) in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion, an airflow path (32) in fluid communication with the atomizing unit and at least one capillary tube (24), wherein the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary force.

Description

CARTRIDGE WITH CAPILLARY TUBE
The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising an atomizing unit and a liquid storage portion with liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The present disclosure further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the cartridge and an aerosol-generating device.
It is known to provide a cartridge comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate for generating an inhalable vapor. Such systems may heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which the substrate is volatilised without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. In aerosol-generating systems devices a liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be delivered from a liquid storage portion to an atomizing unit. Upon heating to a target temperature, the aerosol-generating substrate vaporises to form an aerosol. The liquid storage portion may be formed as a replaceable or refillable cartridge comprising a liquid aerosolforming substrate. The cartridge may be attached to the aerosol-generating device for supplying the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the device for aerosol generation. Droplets of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in the aerosol-generating device. These droplets may leak out of the aerosol-generating device impairing the user’s experience. The droplets may reach a user’s mouth negatively affecting the user’s experience when consuming the aerosol vapor. These droplets also may reduce the overall amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate being evaporated for forming an aerosol. Any droplets formed in the aerosolgenerating device in the airflow tube of the device may contaminate the device. The aerosolgenerating device may also not be able to re-evaporate any drops of aerosol-forming substrate condensed in the airflow tube.
It would be desirable to provide a cartridge reducing the leakage of liquid aerosolforming substrate. It would be desirable to provide a cartridge which may reduce the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate reaching a user’s mouth. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system which allows re-evaporating drops of liquid aerosol-forming substrate condensed in the airflow. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system which allows for an easy way for a user to avoid leakage of liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge may comprise a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may comprise an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion. An airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit and at least one capillary tube may be present in the cartridge. The at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary forces. According to another embodiment a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device is provided. The cartridge comprises a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge also comprises an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion. The cartridge furthermore comprises an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit and at least one capillary tube. The at least one capillary tube is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary force.
The at least one capillary tube may transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path. This may ensure that liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be transported by the at least one capillary tube in the direction of the airflow. This may provide another mode of transport of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. This may reduce leakage of the liquid aerosolforming substrate from the cartridge. This may reduce leakage of liquid aerosol-forming substrate re-condensed from the airflow path from the cartridge.
The at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate comprising aerosol former. Suitable aerosol-formers include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Aerosol formers may be polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine. The aerosol-former may be propylene glycol. The aerosol former preferably may comprise both glycerine and propylene glycol.
The at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate comprising between 70 weight percent and 100 weight percent of an aerosol former, preferably up to 95 weight percent of an aerosol former. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may furthermore comprise between 30 weight percent and 5 weight percent of additional compounds from a group selected of: flavorings, nicotine and water.
The at least one capillary tube may have a circular cross-sectional area. The at least one capillary tube may have a diameter of between 0.01 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters. The at least one capillary tube may have a length of between 5 millimeters to 25 millimeters.
The atomizing unit may be provided to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol, which can subsequently be inhaled by a user. The atomizing unit may be configured as any device which is able to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the atomizing unit may comprise a nebulizer or an atomizer nozzle based on the Venturi effect to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively, the atomizing unit may comprise a heating element, in which case the atomizing unit may be configured to vaporize liquid-forming substrate. Preferably, the atomizing unit comprises a heating element as described in more detail below. The airflow path may provide a path for air to pass through the cartridge. The air passing through the cartridge through the airflow path may be employed for aerosol formation. The air passing through the airflow path may be employed for aerosol formation together with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The airflow path may be arranged along the atomizing unit. The at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport the aerosol-forming substrate from an upstream airflow path portion to a downstream airflow path portion. The upstream airflow path portion may be located upstream of the atomizing unit. The downstream airflow path portion may be located downstream of the atomizing unit.
This may allow the at least one capillary tube to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate located upstream of the atomizing unit to a downstream airflow path portion located downstream of the atomizing unit. This may allow the at least one capillary tube to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a region of the airflow path where it can be atomized by the atomizing unit, thereby forming an aerosol. This may allow liquid aerosol-forming substrate re-condensed in the airflow path to be re-circulated for aerosol formation.
The cartridge may further comprise a retention reservoir for receiving liquid aerosolforming substrate from the airflow path.
This retention reservoir may be configured to store liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from the atomizing unit. This retention reservoir may be configured to store liquid aerosol-forming substrate re-condensed from the airflow path. The retention reservoir may be configured to temporarily receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from one or both of the atomizing unit and the airflow path. The retention reservoir also may be configured to temporarily receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from the liquid storage portion.
The retention reservoir preferably may be arranged in the upstream airflow path portion. This may allow the retention reservoir to at least temporarily store liquid aerosolforming substrate upstream of the atomizing unit.
The retention reservoir may include a retention material for storing the liquid aerosolforming substrate. The retention material may comprise sponge-like or foam-like material able to store the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The structure of the retention material may form a plurality of small bores or tubes, through which the liquid substrate can be transported and stored by capillary action. Examples of suitable materials are a sponge or foam material, ceramic- or graphite-based materials in the form of fibres or sintered powders, foamed metal or plastics materials, a fibrous material, for example made of spun or extruded fibres, such as cellulose acetate, polyester, or bonded polyolefin, polyethylene, ethylene or polypropylene fibres, nylon fibres or ceramic. The at least one capillary tube may be in fluid communication with the retention reservoir. The at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the retention reservoir to the downstream airflow path portion.
This may enable the at least one capillary tube to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate stored in the retention reservoir to a downstream airflow path portion being located downstream of the atomizing unit.
The retention reservoir may be different from the liquid storage portion. The retention reservoir may be configured to store liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from one or more of the atomizing unit, the airflow path and the liquid reservoir.
The cartridge may comprise an upstream air inlet. The retention reservoir may be arranged around the upstream air inlet.
The upstream air inlet may be configured to allow air to enter the cartridge. The upstream air inlet may be the upstream end of the airflow path through the cartridge.
This may allow the retention reservoir to be located adjacent to the upstream end of the airflow path. This may allow the upstream air inlet to be located at the upstream airflow path portion of the airflow path.
The upstream air inlet may be circumscribed by a baffle. This may allow the retention reservoir to be arranged around the upstream air inlet without liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking out of the cartridge through the upstream air inlet.
The baffle may be arranged in the interior of the cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a base. The baffle may protrude from the base towards the atomizing unit of the cartridge. The baffle may be configured to direct air entering through the upstream air inlet towards the at least one capillary tube. The at least one capillary tube may be located downstream of the upstream air inlet. The baffle may protrude from the base towards the at least one capillary tube. The baffle may protrude from the base towards the at least one capillary tube and the atomizing unit of the cartridge.
This may allow the baffle to direct the air entering the cartridge through the upstream air inlet towards the atomizing unit for vaporization and towards the capillary tube.
The cartridge may comprise a housing. The base of the cartridge may be part of the housing. The housing may be made of one or more of plastic, metal or wood. The housing may comprise or be made of polymers such as one or more of polypropylene, polycarbonate or polyethylene. The baffle may be separate from the housing. The housing of the cartridge and the baffle may form a monolithic part of the cartridge. The baffle may be made of the same materials as the housing.
The housing of the cartridge may comprise the base and one or more walls extending from the base. As used herein, the term “wall” refers more generally to a facet of the housing, and a wall may be formed from a single panel, or a wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels. The base and the one or more walls may be integrally formed. The base and one or more walls may be distinct elements that are attached or secured to each other. The housing may be a rigid housing. As used herein, the term ‘rigid housing’ is used to mean a housing that is self-supporting. The at least one capillary tube may be arranged in the interior of the cartridge, preferably in the interior of the housing of the cartridge.
The at least one capillary tube may comprise a capillary transport portion extending along the airflow path. The at least one capillary tube may furthermore comprise a capillary output portion extending transversally to the capillary transport portion.
The capillary output portion may be configured to release liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported by the capillary transport portion into the airflow path of the cartridge. This may facilitate the atomization of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported by the at least one capillary tube in the airflow path. The capillary output portion may be in fluid communication with the capillary transport portion.
Preferably, the capillary output portion may be located downstream of the atomizing unit. This may allow the capillary output portion to release liquid aerosol-forming substrate into the airflow path downstream of the atomizing unit for vaporization.
The capillary output portion may be configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a portion of the airflow path downstream of the atomizing unit. Preferably, the capillary output portion may be configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the downstream airflow path portion.
The at least one capillary tube may comprise a capillary intake portion. The capillary intake portion may be configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the capillary transport portion. The capillary intake portion may be in fluid communication with the capillary transport portion. The capillary intake portion may be in fluid communication with the retention reservoir. Preferably, the capillary intake portion is configured to transport liquid aerosolforming substrate to the capillary transport portion from the retention reservoir.
The capillary intake portion may extend transversely to the capillary transport portion.
The capillary intake portion may be located upstream of the atomizing unit.
The capillary intake portion may run parallel to the capillary output portion.
The capillary transport portion may comprise a plurality of capillary tubes. The plurality of capillary tubes may extend parallel to each other. Preferably, the plurality of capillary tubes may comprise at least 2, more preferably at least 4 capillary tubes. The plurality of capillary tubes may comprise between 2 and 16 capillary tubes.
The plurality of capillary tubes in the capillary transport portion may enable the storage and the transport of a larger portion of liquid aerosol-forming substrate in the capillary transport portion. The plurality of capillary tubes in the capillary transport portion may be in fluid communication with one capillary tube in the capillary output portion.
This may ensure that the plurality of capillary tubes in the capillary transport portion can store and transport a large amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate which then is transported to one capillary tube of the capillary output portion in order to be released into the airflow path of the cartridge.
The plurality of capillary tubes in the capillary transport portion may be in fluid communication with one capillary tube in the capillary intake portion. This may ensure that the capillary intake portion can transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the retention reservoir to the capillary transport portion.
A cross-sectional area of a capillary tube in the capillary intake portion may be larger or equal to a cross-sectional area of the capillary tube in the capillary transport portion. A cross- sectional area the capillary tube in the capillary transport portion may be larger or equal to a cross-sectional area a capillary tube in the capillary output portion. Cross-sectional area of the at least one capillary tube may have any shape. For example it may be rectangular, polygonal, circular or oval. Preferably, the cross-sectional area may be oval or circular, more preferred circular.
This may ensure a reliable transport of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate through the capillary intake portion, the capillary transport portion and the capillary output portion. This may ensure a reliable transport of particular the liquid aerosol-forming substrates described herein which include polyhydric alcohols as aerosol-formers. This may ensure a reliable transport of liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the capillary intake portion via the capillary transport portion to the capillary output portion. A diameter of the capillary tube in the intake portion may be smaller than a height of the baffle circumscribing the upstream air inlet. This may ensure that liquid aerosol-forming substrate does not leak out of the cartridge through the upstream air inlet.
The cross-sectional area of the at least one capillary tube may be circular. A diameter of a capillary tube in the capillary intake portion may be between 0.01 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters. A diameter of a capillary tube in the capillary transport portion may be between 0.01 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters. A diameter of a capillary tube in the capillary output portion may be between 0.01 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.
The cartridge may further comprise a downstream air inlet. The downstream air inlet may be configured to direct air to a portion of the airflow path being located downstream of the atomizing unit. The portion of the airflow path located downstream of the atomizing unit may be the downstream airflow path portion.
The downstream air inlet may provide air to the downstream airflow path portion. The downstream air inlet may assist in the vaporization of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported to the downstream airflow path portion by the at least one capillary tube, preferably by the capillary output portion.
The downstream air inlet may be configured to direct air adjacent to the capillary output portion. This may facilitate the generation of an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported by the capillary output portion.
The atomizing unit may comprise a heating element and a porous body. The porous body may be made from a ceramic material. The porous body may be configured to absorb liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The heating element may be arranged on a heating surface of the porous body. The heating element may be formed as a heating track configured to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element may be configured to evaporate the liquid aerosol-forming substrate absorbed by the porous body of the atomizing unit for vaporization. The heating element of the atomizing unit may be in electrical contact with electrical heating element contacts. The electrical heating element contacts may also be arranged on the heating surface of the porous body. The electrical heating element contacts may be configured to allow an electrical contact to an aerosol-generating device when the cartridge is attached to the device.
An absorption surface of the porous body of the atomizing unit may be in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion of the cartridge.
The absorption surface may be separate from the heating surface of the porous body.
The absorption surface may absorb liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion of the cartridge. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be further transported within the porous body of the atomizing unit to the heating surface for evaporation.
The heating surface of the porous body of the atomizing unit may be located in the downstream airflow path portion. The at least one capillary tube, in particular the capillary output portion may transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the downstream airflow path portion adjacent to the heating surface of the porous body. This may ease the formation of an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported by the at least one capillary tube involving the heating surface of the porous body.
The porous body may have a substantially cuboid shape comprising six surfaces. The heating element may be substantially flat. The heating element may be arranged at one of the six surfaces of the porous body.
A distance between the base of the cartridge and the heating surface of the atomizing unit may be smaller than a distance between the base of the cartridge and the capillary of the capillary output portion. In particular, the distance between the base of the cartridge and the heating surface of the atomizing unit may be between 5 millimeters to 25 millimeters.
The invention also provides an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system may comprise a cartridge as described herein. The aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may be configured to supply power to the atomizing unit. The controller may be configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
According to a further embodiment of the invention an aerosol-generating system is provided. The aerosol-generating system comprises a cartridge as described herein and an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller. The power source is configured to supply power to the atomizing unit. The controller is configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
Such an aerosol-generating system may be configured to generate an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate contained in the cartridge. The aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may be connected to the cartridge and may control operation of the atomizing unit. The power source of the aerosol-generating device may also supply power to the atomizing unit, in particular to its heating element.
The cartridge may comprise at least two electrical contacts, in particular the electrical heating element contacts already mentioned above. The electrical contacts may be configured to provide an electrical contact to the heating element of the atomizing unit. The at least two electrical contacts may be in electrical contact with the heating element of the atomizing unit.
The cartridge as described herein may be configured to be detachably connectable to the aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system. This may allow the cartridge to be replaced when the aerosol-forming substrate in the liquid reservoir is depleted.
The ceramic body of the atomizing unit may comprise or be made of one or both of Ca2SiC>4 and SiC>2.
The heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titaniumzirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- , gold- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetai® and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys. Preferably, the heating element may comprise or be made of a nickel-chromium alloy (NiCr). The heating element also may be made of alloys of titanium or SUS stainless steel or be made of pure nickel, SUS stainless steel or titanium. The electrical contacts may comprise or made of electrically conducting metals or alloys, such as one or more of Cu, Ag, Zn or Au.
The heating element may comprise a susceptor heating element for heating the aerosol-generating substrate by induction. The susceptor may be part of the aerosolgenerating device, or part of the aerosol-generating article, as described above. The susceptor may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate. A preferred susceptor may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, for example a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron, or a ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel. A suitable susceptor may be, or comprise, aluminium.
Preferred susceptors are metal susceptors, for example stainless steel. However, susceptor materials may also comprise or be made of any one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, aluminum, niobium, Inconel alloys (austenite nickel-chromium-based superalloys), metallized films, ceramics such as for example zirconia, transition metals such as for example iron, cobalt, nickel, or metalloids components such as for example boron, carbon, silicon, phosphorus, aluminium, or combinations or alloys of materials.
The susceptor may be heated by an induction coil. The induction coil may provide an alternating magnetic field. The induction coil may be part of the aerosol-generating device or may be included in the cartridge. When located in an alternating electromagnetic field, typically eddy currents are induced and hysteresis losses occur in the susceptor causing heating of the susceptor.
Preferably, the heating element is a resistive heating element as described above.
The aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may comprise electric circuitry. The electric circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of the controller. The electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components. The electric circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current. The electric circuitry may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.
The aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-lron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may power for example an induction coil comprised in the aerosol-generating article. Alternatively, the power supply may provide power to a resistive heating element comprised in the cartridge via electrical connections.
As used herein, the terms “upstream”, and “downstream”, are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device in relation to the direction in which air flows through the aerosol-generating device during use thereof along the airflow path. Aerosol-generating devices according to the invention comprise a proximal end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the device. The proximal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the mouth end or the downstream end. The mouth end is downstream of the distal end. The mouth end may comprise a mouthpiece. The distal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions with respect to the airflow path through the aerosol-generating device.
Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.
Example 1 : A cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion, an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit and at least one capillary tube, wherein the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary force.
Example 2: The cartridge according to example 1 , wherein the airflow path is arranged along the atomizing unit and wherein the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport the aerosol-forming substrate from an upstream airflow path portion being located upstream of the atomizing unit to a downstream airflow path portion being located downstream of the atomizing unit.
Example 3: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a retention reservoir for receiving liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the airflow path, preferably according to the preceding example, wherein the retention reservoir is arranged in the upstream airflow path portion, more preferably, wherein the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the retention reservoir to the downstream airflow path portion. Example 4: The cartridge according to the preceding example, further comprising an upstream air inlet, wherein the retention reservoir is arranged around the upstream air inlet, preferably wherein the upstream air inlet is circumscribed by a baffle.
Example 5: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one capillary tube comprises a capillary transport portion extending along the airflow path and a capillary output portion extending transversally to capillary transport portion, preferably wherein the capillary output portion is located downstream of the atomizing unit.
Example 6: The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the capillary output portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a portion of the airflow path downstream of the atomizing unit, preferably according to example 3, wherein the capillary output portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the downstream airflow path portion.
Example 7: The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples 5 or 6, wherein the at least one capillary tube comprises a capillary intake portion, wherein the capillary intake portion is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the capillary transport portion, preferably according to example 3, wherein the capillary intake portion is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the capillary transport portion from the retention reservoir.
Example 8: The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the capillary intake portion extends transversally to the capillary transport portion.
Example 9: The cartridge according any of the preceding examples 5 to 8, wherein the capillary transport portion comprises a plurality of capillary tubes extending parallel to each other, preferably wherein the plurality of capillary tubes comprises at least two, more preferably at least four capillary tubes.
Example 10: The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the plurality of the capillary tubes is in fluid communication with one capillary output portion, preferably according to any of the examples 7 or 8, wherein the plurality of the capillary tubes is in fluid communication with one capillary intake portion.
Example 11 : The cartridge according any of the preceding examples, further comprising a downstream air inlet being configured to direct air to a portion of the airflow path being located downstream of the atomizing unit, preferably according to any of the examples 3 or 4, wherein the downstream air inlet is configured to direct air to the downstream airflow path portion.
Example 12: The cartridge according to the preceding example, further being dependent on any of the examples 5 to 10, wherein the downstream air inlet is configured to direct air adjacent to the capillary output portion. Example 13: The cartridge according any of the preceding examples, wherein the atomizing unit comprises a heating element and a porous body, preferably wherein the porous body is made from a ceramic material, more preferably wherein the porous body is configured to absorb liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
Example 14: The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the heating element is arranged on a heating surface of the porous body, preferably wherein the heating element is formed as a heating track configured to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
Example 15: The cartridge according any of the preceding examples 13 or 14, wherein an absorption surface of the porous body is in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion.
Example 16: An aerosol-generating system comprising a cartridge according to any of the preceding examples and an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller, wherein the power source is configured to supply power to the atomizing unit and wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
Example 17: The aerosol-generating system according to the preceding example, wherein the cartridge is configured to be detachably connectable to the aerosol-generating device.
Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge including the at least one capillary tube; and
Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the capillary tube system for circulating liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
In the following elements with the same functionality are marked with the same reference numerals throughout all the figures;
Fig. 3a and 3b depict a cross-sectional front view and side view of a cartridge including the at least one capillary tube for transporting liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path; and
Fig. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system including the cartridge and an aerosol-generating device.
Fig. 1 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge 10 including a liquid storage portion 12 which contains liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge 10 also includes an atomizing unit 20 which comprises a porous body 14 and heating element contacts 18 and a heating element 16 which are located on the heating surface 20A of the atomizing unit. The electrical heating element contacts are electrically connected to the heating element and therefore allow the resistive heating element to be heated. The porous body 14 of the atomizing unit 20 is in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion (not shown in Fig. 1) and therefore receives liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion 12. This liquid aerosol-forming substrate is evaporated at the heating surface 20A of the atomizing unit via heating with the heating element 16. An airflow path, indicated by the dashed arrows 32 runs through the cartridge 10 and provides air for evaporation of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. An upstream air inlet 28 is present in the cartridge which allows air to enter the cartridge from the exterior. The air passes from the upstream airflow path portion 32B along the airflow path 32 and can be mixed with the evaporated liquid aerosol-forming substrate for the formation of an aerosol above the heating surface 20A in the downstream airflow path portion 32A. A baffle 30 circumscribes the upstream air inlet 28 and prevents liquid aerosolforming substrate being present in the retention reservoir 26 to leak out of the cartridge. The formed aerosol passes then through the airflow tube 33 to be inhaled by a user.
During operation of the cartridge liquid aerosol-forming substrate may leak from the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit by so-called “spitting”. Furthermore, liquid aerosol-forming substrate can be re-condensed in the airflow path 32. The leaked liquid aerosol-forming substrate can be received in the retention reservoir 26 which is located in the upstream airflow path portion 32B of the cartridge 10. A plurality of capillary tubes 22 in a capillary transport portion is in fluid communication with the retention reservoir and is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate via capillary force from the retention reservoir 26 in the direction 22A indicated by the arrow. The plurality of capillary tubes 22 of the capillary transport portion are in fluid communication with one capillary tube 24 of the capillary output portion. The tube 24 of the capillary output portion transports the liquid aerosol-forming substrate received by the capillary transport portion in a direction indicated by the arrow 24A to the downstream airflow path portion 32A above the heating surface 20A of the atomizing unit. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported by the capillary output portion can mix with air from the airflow path 32 and with air which additionally can enter the cartridge through the downstream air inlet 34 to form an aerosol. The plurality of capillary tubes in the capillary transport portion and the capillary tube in the capillary output portion therefore enable an effective re-circulation of liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from the cartridge.
Fig. 2 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of another plurality of capillary tubes which can be used in the cartridge 10 of Fig. 1 instead of the capillary tubes shown in Fig. 1. This capillary structure also contains the capillary tubes 22 in the capillary transport portion and the respective capillary 24 in the capillary output portion. Additionally, a capillary tube 36 of the capillary intake portion is present. This capillary tube 36 is in fluid communication with the retention reservoir shown in Fig. 1 and is able to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the retention reservoir in a direction shown by the arrow 36A to the capillary tubes of the capillary transport portion.
Fig. 3a depicts a cross-sectional view of a cartridge 10 which also includes cartridge electrical contacts 38. These cartridge electrical contacts 38 are configured for contacting an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge electrical contacts 38 are connected to electrical wires 40 which are able to make an electrical contact to the heating element contacts 18 located on the heating surface 20A of the atomizing unit.
Fig. 3b shows a cross-sectional side view of Fig. 3a. It can clearly be seen that the liquid storage portion 12 contacts the back of the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit. This allows liquid aerosol-forming substrate to be transported from the liquid storage portion to the porous body 14 of the atomizing unit.
Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system including the cartridge 10 and an aerosol-generating device 42. The aerosol-generating device 42 includes device electrical contacts 44 which can contact the cartridge electrical contacts 38 for providing an electrical connection. The aerosol-generating device normally includes a power source, for example a battery which can provide power to the heating element contacts 18.

Claims

1 . A cartridge for an aerosol-generating device comprising a liquid storage portion comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an atomizing unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion, an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit and at least one capillary tube, wherein the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary force, further comprising a retention reservoir for receiving liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the airflow path.
2. The cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the airflow path is arranged along the atomizing unit and wherein the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport the aerosol-forming substrate from an upstream airflow path portion being located upstream of the atomizing unit to a downstream airflow path portion being located downstream of the atomizing unit.
3. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retention reservoir is arranged in the upstream airflow path portion, preferably, wherein the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the retention reservoir to the downstream airflow path portion.
4. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an upstream air inlet, wherein the retention reservoir is arranged around the upstream air inlet, preferably wherein the upstream air inlet is circumscribed by a baffle.
5. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one capillary tube comprises a capillary transport portion extending along the airflow path and a capillary output portion extending transversally to capillary transport portion, preferably wherein the capillary output portion is located downstream of the atomizing unit.
6. The cartridge according to the preceding claim, wherein the capillary output portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a portion of the airflow path downstream of the atomizing unit, preferably according to claim 3, wherein the capillary output portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the downstream airflow path portion.
7. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims 5 or 6, wherein the at least one capillary tube comprises a capillary intake portion, wherein the capillary intake portion is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the capillary transport portion, preferably according to claim 3, wherein the capillary intake portion is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the capillary transport portion from the retention reservoir.
8. The cartridge according to the preceding claim, wherein the capillary intake portion extends transversally to the capillary transport portion.
9. The cartridge according any of the preceding claims 5 to 8, wherein the capillary transport portion comprises a plurality of capillary tubes extending parallel to each other, preferably wherein the plurality of capillary tubes comprises at least two, more preferably at least four capillary tubes.
10. The cartridge according to the preceding claim, wherein the plurality of the capillary tubes is in fluid communication with one capillary output portion, preferably according to any of the claims 7 or 8, wherein the plurality of the capillary tubes is in fluid communication with one capillary intake portion.
11. The cartridge according any of the preceding claims, further comprising a downstream air inlet being configured to direct air to a portion of the airflow path being located downstream of the atomizing unit, preferably according to any of the claims 3 or 4, wherein the downstream air inlet is configured to direct air to the downstream airflow path portion.
12. The cartridge according to the preceding claim, further being dependent on any of the claims 5 to 10, wherein the downstream air inlet is configured to direct air adjacent to the capillary output portion.
13. The cartridge according any of the preceding claims, wherein the atomizing unit comprises a heating element and a porous body, preferably wherein the porous body is made from a ceramic material, more preferably wherein the porous body is configured to absorb liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
14. An aerosol-generating system comprising a cartridge according to any of the preceding claims and an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller, wherein the power source is configured to supply power to the atomizing unit and wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the atomizing unit.
15. The aerosol-generating system according to the preceding claim, wherein the cartridge is configured to be detachably connectable to the aerosol-generating device.
PCT/EP2023/084687 2022-12-14 2023-12-07 Cartridge with capillary tube Ceased WO2024126247A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP23820870.6A EP4633402A1 (en) 2022-12-14 2023-12-07 Cartridge with capillary tube
KR1020257018715A KR20250122460A (en) 2022-12-14 2023-12-07 Cartridge with capillary tube
CN202380068204.6A CN119923202A (en) 2022-12-14 2023-12-07 Cartridge with capillary
JP2025522753A JP2025540518A (en) 2022-12-14 2023-12-07 Capillary cartridge

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22213504 2022-12-14
EP22213504.8 2022-12-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024126247A1 true WO2024126247A1 (en) 2024-06-20

Family

ID=84535915

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2023/084687 Ceased WO2024126247A1 (en) 2022-12-14 2023-12-07 Cartridge with capillary tube

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4633402A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2025540518A (en)
KR (1) KR20250122460A (en)
CN (1) CN119923202A (en)
WO (1) WO2024126247A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170360093A1 (en) * 2014-12-15 2017-12-21 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol-generating system using the venturi effect to deliver substrate to a heating element
US10226076B2 (en) * 2014-11-17 2019-03-12 Mcneil Ab Disposable cartridge for use in an electronic nicotine delivery system
CN109892702A (en) * 2011-12-08 2019-06-18 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 Inhalator generator with internal heater
WO2022189579A1 (en) * 2021-03-12 2022-09-15 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol-generating arrangement for generating an inhalable aerosol from an aerosol-forming liquid
WO2022208078A1 (en) * 2021-03-31 2022-10-06 Nicoventures Trading Limited Delivery system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109892702A (en) * 2011-12-08 2019-06-18 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 Inhalator generator with internal heater
US10226076B2 (en) * 2014-11-17 2019-03-12 Mcneil Ab Disposable cartridge for use in an electronic nicotine delivery system
US20170360093A1 (en) * 2014-12-15 2017-12-21 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol-generating system using the venturi effect to deliver substrate to a heating element
WO2022189579A1 (en) * 2021-03-12 2022-09-15 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol-generating arrangement for generating an inhalable aerosol from an aerosol-forming liquid
WO2022208078A1 (en) * 2021-03-31 2022-10-06 Nicoventures Trading Limited Delivery system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN119923202A (en) 2025-05-02
EP4633402A1 (en) 2025-10-22
KR20250122460A (en) 2025-08-13
JP2025540518A (en) 2025-12-15

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