WO2025163294A1

WO2025163294A1 - Cartridge for aerosol provision system and air pressure adjustable aerosol provision system

Info

Publication number: WO2025163294A1
Application number: PCT/GB2025/050125
Authority: WO
Inventors: Haigang QU; Jian Wang; Bingquan Li
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2024-01-31
Filing date: 2025-01-24
Publication date: 2025-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-31
Also published as: CN221949231U

Abstract

There is provided a cartridge (10) for an aerosol provision system and an air pressure adjustable aerosol provision system. The cartridge (10) comprises a housing (100) provided with a mouthpiece outlet (120) and an air inlet (130); an air passage extending from the air inlet (130) to the mouthpiece outlet (120); a liquid storage chamber (200) for storing liquid aerosol generating material; an air vent hole (240) connecting the liquid storage chamber (200) and the air passage, configured to allow gas to flow from the air passage to the liquid storage chamber (200) to maintain the internal pressure balance of the liquid storage chamber (200); and a waterproof and breathable structure (260) arranged at the air vent hole (240), configured to allow gas to pass through while preventing liquid from passing through. The technical problem of achieving ventilation in the liquid storage chamber (200) to maintain air pressure balance while avoiding leakage of the liquid aerosol generating material in the liquid storage chamber (200) has been solved.

Description

CARTRIDGE FOR AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM AND AIR PRESSURE ADJUSTABLE AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of aerosol supply technology, particularly to a cartridge for an aerosol provision system and an air pressure adjustable aerosol provision system.

Technical Background

The aerosol provision system refers to a system that contains aerosol generating materials and generates aerosols by heating rather than burning the aerosol generating materials (such as tobacco) for users to puff.

The aerosol provision system generally comprises a housing, a liquid storage chamber arranged inside the housing and used to contain liquid aerosol generating materials, a cartomizer, and a power source for supplying power to the cartomizer. The liquid storage chamber is designed to allow the liquid aerosol generating material inside to leave and reach the cartomizer, so as to be evaporated when the cartomizer is powered on for heating. To achieve smooth delivery of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber from the inside to the outside, it is required to maintain pressure balance between the inside and outside of the storage chamber.

At present, it is necessary to design separate ventilation channels for the liquid storage chamber to introduce airflow into the chamber and maintain pressure balance inside and outside. But the design of the ventilation channel also brings the risk of leakage of the liquid aerosol generating materials inside the liquid storage chamber.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for a ventilation channel design for the storage chamber of an aerosol provision system to solve one or more of these technical issues.

Summary

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a cartridge for an aerosol provision system and an air pressure adjustable aerosol provision system, to solve the technical problems of liquid leakage caused by gas exchange in the storage chamber in the existing technology.

In the first aspect, the present application provides a cartridge for an aerosol provision system, the cartridge comprising: a housing, provided with a mouthpiece outlet and an air inlet; an air passage extending from the air inlet to the mouthpiece outlet; a liquid storage chamber for storing liquid aerosol generating material; an air vent hole connecting the liquid storage chamber and the air passage, configured to allow gas to flow from the air passage to the liquid storage chamber to maintain the internal pressure balance of the liquid storage chamber; a waterproof and breathable structure arranged at the air vent hole, configured to allow gas to pass through while preventing liquid from passing through.

In some embodiments of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the liquid storage chamber is axially provided with opposing first and second covers, which may also be labelled interchangeably as top and bottom covers.

In this specification, the terms ‘top’ and ‘bottom’ generally relate to the orientation of the figures, which depict the components in a generally upright or vertical orientation, e.g. with a mouthpiece above a liquid storage compartment. In some examples, the direction close to the mouthpiece is considered as the top, and the direction away from the mouthpiece is considered as the bottom. Thus, in some examples, the cover close to the mouthpiece is considered as the top cover, and the cover away from the mouthpiece is considered as the bottom cover.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the liquid storage chamber is axially provided with opposing first and second covers, with the first cover arranged near the mouthpiece outlet and the second cover arranged away from the mouthpiece outlet; the air passage comprises a first channel arranged between the mouthpiece outlet and the first cover; the air vent hole penetrates the first cover, airflow goes from the first channel through the air vent hole to the liquid storage chamber.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the liquid storage chamber is axially provided with opposing top and bottom covers, with the top cover arranged near the mouthpiece outlet and the bottom cover arranged away from the mouthpiece outlet; the air passage comprises a first channel arranged between the mouthpiece outlet and the top cover; the air vent hole penetrates the top cover, airflow goes from the first channel through the air vent hole to the liquid storage chamber.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the cartridge comprises a mouthpiece provided with the mouthpiece outlet; the first channel is formed inside the mouthpiece.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the interior of the mouthpiece is also provided with a first liquid-absorbing breathable material and a first airway seal; the first airway seal is arranged at least partially above the top cover, the first liquidabsorbing breathable material is arranged above the first airway seal and defines the first channel; the air vent hole penetrates both the first airway seal and the top cover.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the air passage comprises a second channel that either surrounds at least part of the periphery of the liquid storage chamber or is arranged at least partially within the periphery of the liquid storage chamber; the cartridge comprises a component that define the liquid storage chamber and the second channel; the air vent hole penetrates the peripheral wall arranged between the liquid storage chamber and the second channel in the component, airflow goes from the second channel through the air vent hole to the liquid storage chamber.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the component comprises: a first component, used to define and form either the liquid storage chamber or the second channel; a second component that surrounds the periphery of the first component, the second component has an inner wall close to the first component and an outer wall distant from the first component, the inner wall and the outer wall define and form the other of the two, liquid storage chamber and the second channel; the air vent hole penetrates the peripheral wall of the first component and the inner wall of the second component; the waterproof and breathable structure is interference-fitted between the peripheral wall of the first component and the inner wall.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the liquid storage chamber is axially provided with opposing top and bottom covers, with the top cover arranged near the mouthpiece outlet and the bottom cover arranged near the air inlet; the air passage comprises a third channel arranged between the air inlet and the bottom cover; the air vent hole penetrates the bottom cover, airflow goes from the third channel through the air vent hole to the liquid storage chamber.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the liquid storage chamber is axially provided with opposing top and bottom covers, with the top cover arranged near the mouthpiece outlet and the bottom cover arranged away from the mouthpiece outlet, within the housing, there is a cartomizer bracket arranged between the bottom cover and the air inlet, which is used to define an atomizing chamber; the air passage comprises a fourth channel arranged within the atomizing chamber; the bottom cover is provided with an oil-down hole, and the cartomizer bracket is provided with an oil-in hole, the bottom cover and the cartomizer bracket define an oil-guiding space between the oil-down hole and the oil-in hole; the cartomizer bracket is provided with an air vent hole arranged above the oil-in hole, connecting the atomizing chamber and the oil-guiding space; airflow successively passes through the fourth channel, the air vent hole, the oilguiding space, and the oil-down hole to the liquid storage chamber.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, a branch airflow channel is formed between the cartomizer bracket and the housing, dispersion holes are also provided on the cartomizer bracket, the fourth channel is in fluid communication with the branch airflow channel through these dispersion holes, the branch airflow channel is in communication with the oil-guiding space through the air vent hole; airflow sequentially passes through the fourth channel, the dispersion holes, the branch airflow channel, the air vent hole, the oil-guiding space, and the oil-down hole into the liquid storage chamber.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the air vent hole is arranged on a tubular wall, the waterproof and breathable structure is arranged around at least part of the circumference of the tubular wall.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the waterproof and breathable structure is installed at the air vent hole by at least one of the following methods: bonding, snapping and pressing.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the waterproof and breathable structure may be a waterproof and breathable membrane.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the waterproof and breathable membrane comprises a single-layer or multi-layer structure.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the waterproof and breathable membrane comprises a central microporous layer and polymer polypropylene material layers on both sides of the microporous layer.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the waterproof and breathable membrane may be a nanofilm.

In one embodiment of the cartridge for the aerosol provision system, the cartridge also comprises a second liquid-absorbing breathable material, arranged either between the air vent hole and the waterproof and breathable structure or on the side of the waterproof and breathable structure that is distant from the air vent hole.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an air pressure adjustable aerosol provision system, comprising: a cartridge according to the first aspect; the cartridge comprises a cartomizer, configured to electrically heat the aerosol generating material contained within; an aerosol provision device, the aerosol provision device is provided with a power source for supplying power to the cartomizer.

The above one or more technical solutions of the present application have at least one or more beneficial effects as follows:

The embodiment of the present application connects the air passage of the cartridge with the liquid storage chamber by providing an air vent hole, achieving internal air pressure balance in the liquid storage chamber. By providing a waterproof and breathable structure installed at the air vent hole, it is configured to allow gas to pass through and prevent liquid from passing through, thereby achieving pressure balance and reducing the risk of leakage of the liquid aerosol generating material in the liquid storage chamber.

Additional aspects and advantages of the application will be partially described in the following description, some will become apparent from the following description, and others will be learned through the practice of the application.

Drawings

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the disclosed content of the present application will become more understandable. It is easily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Moreover, similar numbers in the figures are used to represent similar components, among which:

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional structural diagram of a first type of a cartridge;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of point A in Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional structural diagram of a second type of the cartridge;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of Figure 5;

Figure 8 shows a three-dimensional structure of partial internal components of the cartridge; Figure 9 is an enlarged view of point B in Figure 7;

Figure 10 shows a three-dimensional structural diagram of a third type of the cartridge;

Figure 11 is an exploded view of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a sectional view of Figure 10;

Figure 13 shows a partial three-dimensional structural diagram of a third type of cartridge, including a cartomizer and a bottom cover.

Description of Drawings Label:

(10, 10, 10): cartridge; (100, 100, 100): housing; (110, 110, 110): mouthpiece; 111 : first chamber; (112, 112, 112): outlet pipe; (120, 120, 120): mouthpiece outlet; (130, 130, 130): air inlet; (200, 200, 200): liquid storage chamber; (210, 210): top cover; (211 , 211): opening; (220, 220, 220): bottom cover; (221 , 221 , 221): first pore; 222: oil-down hole; (230, 230): porous liquid storage structure; (231 , 231): first-through-hole; (240, 240, 240): air vent hole; 250: first airway seal; 251 : second pore; (260, 260, 260): waterproof and breathable structure; (271 , 271): first component; (272, 272): second component; (273, 273): second chamber; (280, 280): first liquid-absorbing breathable material; 300: cartomizer; (310, 310, 310): atomizing chamber; (320, 320, 320): cartomizer bracket; (321 , 321 , 321): oil-in hole; 322: oil-guiding space; (330, 330, 330): heating assembly; (331 , 331 , 331): heating element; (332, 332, 332): inner oil-guiding body: 333: outer oil-guiding body; 401 : first channel; 402: second channel; 403: branch airflow channel.

Specific Description

The following describes some embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only for explaining the technical principles of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user in use, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material); non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosolgenerating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a component for use in a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a filter, a filter rod, a filter segment, a tobacco rod, a spill, an aerosol-modifying agent release component such as a capsule, a thread, or a bead, or a paper such as a plug wrap, a tipping paper or a cigarette paper.

According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product. Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosolgenerating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non- combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosolmodifying agent.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosolformer materials, and/or one or more other functional materials.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance. The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like.

Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, Wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour. As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, 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 fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.

In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.

Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a“monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

The one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

The material may be present on or in a support, to form a substrate. The support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the support comprises a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosolmodifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosolgenerating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems (which may also be referred to as vapour delivery systems) such as nebulisers or e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery system I device and electronic aerosol delivery system I device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms "aerosol" and "vapour", and related terms such as "vaporise", "volatilise" and "aerosolise", may generally be used interchangeably.

Aerosol delivery systems (e-cigarettes) often, though not always, comprise a modular assembly comprising a reusable device part and a replaceable (disposable/consumable) cartridge part. Often, the replaceable cartridge part will comprise the aerosol-generating material and the vaporiser (which may collectively be called a “cartomizer”) and the reusable device part will comprise the power provision (e.g. rechargeable power source) and control circuitry. It will be appreciated these different parts may comprise further elements depending on functionality. For example, the reusable device part will often comprise a user interface for receiving user input and displaying operating status characteristics, and the replaceable cartridge device part in some cases comprises a temperature sensor for helping to control temperature. Cartridges are electrically and mechanically coupled to the control unit for use, for example using a screw thread, bayonet, or magnetic coupling with appropriately arranged electrical contacts. When the aerosol-generating material in a cartridge is exhausted, or the user wishes to switch to a different cartridge having a different aerosol-generating material, the cartridge may be removed from the reusable part and a replacement cartridge attached in its place. Systems and devices conforming to this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-part systems/devices.

It is common for electronic cigarettes to have a generally elongate shape. For the sake of providing a concrete example, certain embodiments of the disclosure will be taken to comprise this kind of generally elongate two-part system employing disposable cartridges. However, it will be appreciated that the underlying principles described herein may equally be adopted for different configurations, for example single-part systems or modular systems comprising more than two parts, refillable devices and single-use disposables, as well as other overall shapes, for example based on so-called box-mod high performance devices that typically have a boxier shape. More generally, it will be appreciated certain embodiments of the disclosure are based on aerosol delivery systems which are operationally configured to provide functionality in accordance with the principles described herein and the constructional aspects of systems configured to provide the functionality in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure is not of primary significance.

As described in the technical background, the liquid storage chamber of existing aerosol provision system has ventilation channel to maintain air pressure balance, which brings about the problem of leakage of liquid aerosol generating materials in the liquid storage chamber. These leaked liquids may flow into the power supply and circuits in the housing, causing damage to the power supply and circuits and affecting the use of the system. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application creatively propose a ventilation design for a cartridge and system applied to an aerosol provision system. A air vent hole is provided to connect the air passage inside the cartridge/system with the gas path between the liquid storage chamber, and a waterproof and breathable structure is arranged at the air vent hole to allow air flow to pass through to maintain the pressure balance inside the liquid storage chamber and prevent liquid from passing through to reduce the risk of leakage of the liquid aerosol generating materials in the liquid storage chamber, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the power supply, circuits, etc. inside the housing by liquid and improving the service life.

In the embodiments of the present application, there are multiple options for the position of the air vent hole, as long as it can connect the air passage and the liquid storage chamber. In one example, the air vent hole may be arranged at the top surface of the liquid storage chamber to transport the airflow in the air passage above the top surface of the liquid storage chamber to the liquid storage chamber through the air vent hole; In another example, the air vent hole may be arranged at the side of the liquid storage chamber to transport the airflow in the air passage surrounding the side of the liquid storage chamber to the liquid storage chamber through the air vent hole; In another example, the air vent hole may be arranged at the bottom of the liquid storage chamber to transport the airflow in the air passage below the bottom of the liquid storage chamber to the liquid storage chamber through the air vent hole; In another example, the air vent hole can be arranged on the cartomizer to transport the airflow from the atomizing chamber to the liquid storage chamber through the air vent hole.

It should be noted that the air vent hole is connected to the air passage and the liquid storage chamber. In one embodiment, the air vent hole is provided to penetrate the wall of the air passage and the liquid storage chamber. In an alternative embodiment, the air passage or liquid storage chamber itself already has holes for other functions, and in this case, the connection between the air passage and the liquid storage chamber can be achieved through these existing holes and the air vent hole. For example, if the liquid storage chamber has already had an oil-down hole, the air vent hole can only penetrate the wall of the air passage and be connected to the oil-down hole to transport the airflow from the air passage to the liquid storage chamber through the air vent hole and the oil-down hole. The following embodiments of the present application will provide a detailed description of specific cartridges and system structures.

In the following embodiments of the present application, the direction close to the mouthpiece is considered as the top, and the direction away from the mouthpiece is considered as the bottom.

Embodiment 1

The embodiment 1 of the present application discloses a cartridge for an aerosol provision system.

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional structural diagram of a first type of the cartridge; Figure 2 is an exploded view of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a sectional view of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is an enlarged view of point A in Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 1-4, the cartridge 10 comprises a housing 100, a mouthpiece 110 is arranged at one end of the housing 100 and a mouthpiece outlet 120 is arranged at the mouthpiece 110. The housing 100 is also provided with an air inlet 130. As shown in Figure 1 -3, the air inlet 130 can be arranged at one end of the housing 100 away from the mouthpiece 110. In an alternative embodiment, the air inlet 130 may also be arranged at other positions of the housing 100. In some embodiments, a packaging material can also be provided to covering the housing 100 and the mouthpiece 110.

A storage space is formed inside the housing 100, which is provided with a liquid storage chamber 200 for storing liquid aerosol generating materials (such as e-liquid or oil) and a cartomizer. The cartomizer is provided with an atomizing chamber 310 for accommodating at least part of the heating assembly 330. The atomizing chamber 310 is in fluid communication with the liquid storage chamber 200, and the liquid aerosol generating material in the liquid storage chamber 200 can enter the atomizing chamber 310 and be heated by the heating assembly 330.

The mouthpiece 110 may be integrally formed with the housing 100, and the mouthpiece 110 may also be detachable from the housing 100. The detachable mouthpiece 110 helps to clean the mouthpiece 110. In addition, providing a detachable mouthpiece 110 can help enter the interior of the housing 100 to facilitate the replacement of aerosol generating materials inside the housing 100.

As shown in Figure 2-4, the liquid storage chamber 200 comprises a top cover 210 and a bottom cover 220 arranged opposite each other along the length direction, and a peripheral wall extending between the top cover 210 and the bottom cover 220. The top cover 210 is arranged near the mouthpiece 110 and below the mouthpiece outlet 120. The bottom cover 220 is arranged away from the mouthpiece 110, and may be arranged near the air inlet 130.

An air passage for airflow is formed in the cartridge 10, and the air passage comprises a first channel 401 arranged between the mouthpiece outlet 120 and the top cover 210. As shown in Figure 2-4, the top cover 210 penetrating the liquid storage chamber 200 is provided with an air vent hole 240 to introduce the airflow of the first channel 401 into the liquid storage chamber 200 to maintain the internal air pressure balance of the liquid storage chamber 200.

In one embodiment, the liquid aerosol generating material may be directly poured into the liquid storage chamber 200 or contained in a liquid storage structure placed in the liquid storage chamber 200. As shown in Figure 2-4, a porous liquid storage structure 230 extending along the length direction of the cartridge 10 is provided inside the liquid storage chamber 200, and the porous liquid storage structure 230 can contain liquid aerosol generating materials. As an example, the porous liquid storage structure 230 is a liquid storage cotton. There is a certain gap between the top of the porous liquid storage structure 230 and the top cover 210 to form a space for accommodating airflow in the liquid storage chamber 200.

In one embodiment, the peripheral wall of the liquid storage chamber 200 comprises an outer peripheral wall and an inner peripheral wall extending between the top cover 210 and the bottom cover 220. As shown in Figure 2-4, the cartridge 10 comprises a component extending along its length direction, which is used to define a part of the air passage and the liquid storage chamber 200. The component comprises a hollow first component 271. The first component 271 has a top wall and a peripheral wall. Its top wall forms the top cover 210 of the storage chamber 200, which is used to define the top surface of the storage chamber 200, and its peripheral wall is used to define the outer peripheral wall of the storage chamber 200. The first component 271 may be a separate component independent of the housing 100 and the mouthpiece 110, or it may be at least a part of the housing 100 or the mouthpiece 110. In one embodiment, the first component 271 is independently provided from the housing 100 and the mouthpiece 110, and a part is arranged inside the mouthpiece 110 and a part is arranged inside the housing 100. The cartridge 10 further comprises a bottom cover 220, which is arranged at the bottom surface of the first component 271 to define the bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber 200. The bottom cover 220 may be provided as an airway seal. The middle of the porous liquid storage structure 230 can be provided with a first-through hole 231 , which extends along the length direction of the cartridge 10. A hollow second component 272 is arranged at the first-through hole 231 along the length extension direction. The peripheral wall of the second component 272 defines the inner peripheral wall of the liquid storage chamber 200. The first component 271 , the bottom cover 220, and the second component 272 jointly define the liquid storage chamber 200.

An air passage for airflow is formed inside the cartridge 10. Specifically, a first chamber

111 is formed on the inner surface of the mouthpiece 110 facing the top cover 210, and an outlet pipe 112 extends from the mouthpiece outlet 120 into the first chamber 111. The end of the outlet pipe 112 away from the mouthpiece outlet 120 in air communication with the first chamber 111. The second component 272 internally defines a second chamber 273 extending along the length direction of the cartridge 10 and having openings at both ends. The top cover 210 is provided with an opening 211. The first chamber 111 is connected to the second chamber 273 through the opening 211. The cartomizer is arranged inside the first-through- hole 231 and is arranged along the length direction below the second chamber 273, which is connected to the atomizing chamber 310. A first pore 221 is provided through the bottom cover

220, and the air inlet-end of the first pore 221 is connected to the air inlet 130, and the air outlet-end is connected to the atomizing chamber 310. The above air inlet 130, the first pore

221 , the atomizing chamber 310, the second chamber 273, the first chamber 111 , the outlet pipe 112, and the mouthpiece outlet 120 are sequentially connected to form the air passage inside the cartridge 10. When the user puffs, external air enters through the air inlet 130, passes through the first pore 221 and the atomizing chamber 310 to take away the aerosol inside, and then flows out from the second chamber 273, the first chamber 111 , the outlet pipe

112 in sequence to the mouthpiece outlet 120.

In one embodiment, part of the air passages is arranged below the bottom cover 220 of the liquid storage chamber 200, part of the air passages such as the air passage formed by the atomizing chamber 310 and the second chamber 273 is arranged at the inner side of the liquid storage chamber 200 in the circumferential direction, and part of the air passages such as the air passage formed by the first chamber 111 and the outlet pipe 112 is arranged above the top cover 210 of the liquid storage chamber 200. In one embodiment, the air passage can be divided into a plurality of channels according to the positional relationship between the air passage and the liquid storage chamber 200. Wherein the air passage between the top cover 210 of the liquid storage chamber 200 and the first chamber 111 defined by the mouthpiece 110 is the first channel 401 .

A part of the liquid storage chamber 200 (including the bottom cover 220) is arranged inside the housing 100, and another part (including the top cover 210) is arranged inside the first chamber 111 defined by the mouthpiece 110. In order to achieve airway sealing, a first airway seal 250 is also arranged inside the first channel 401 and above the top cover 210, and its shape and size are adapted to the size and shape of the top cover 210, without specific limitations here. The wall cover of mouthpiece 110 is arranged at the periphery of the first airway seal 250, and the part in contact with the first airway seal 250 is interference-fitted to achieve airway sealing in the circumferential direction. The air vent hole 240 penetrates the top cover 210 and the first airway seal 250 at the same time, thereby achieving communication between the first channel 401 and the liquid storage chamber 200. In addition, in order to achieve air communication between the first chamber 111 , the outlet pipe 112, and the second chamber 273, a second pore 251 is also provided through the first air airway seal 250, with one end connected to the first chamber 111 and the outlet pipe 112, and the other end connected to the opening 211 of the top cover 210 for connection with the second chamber 273.

In an embodiment, as shown in the figure, in the first chamber 111 , the first airway seal 250 is provided with a receiving chamber toward the mouthpiece 110 to accommodate a first liquid-absorbing breathable material 280. The first liquid-absorbing breathable material 280 is configured to absorb condensate, and can specifically be a liquid-absorbing cotton, etc. The first liquid-absorbing breathable material 280 is provided with a hole that is coaxial with the second pore 251 and communicates with the air passage to connect the outlet pipe 112 and the second chamber 273. The first liquid-absorbing breathable material 280 is provided with breathable holes, which themselves define a first channel 401 arranged inside the first chamber 111. At this time, the airflow enters the first channel 401 (first liquid-absorbing breathable material 280) from the outlet pipe 112 or the second chamber 273, and passes through the air vent hole 240 arranged at the first airway seal 250 and the top cover 210 to enter the liquid storage chamber.

To prevent the liquid in the storage chamber 200 from leaking through the air vent hole 240, as shown in Figure 2-4, a waterproof and breathable structure 260 is arranged at the air vent hole 240. The waterproof and breathable structure 260 is configured to allow gas to pass through and prevent liquid from passing through, thereby achieving ventilation of the liquid storage chamber and avoiding liquid leakage through the air vent hole.

In the embodiments of the present application, the waterproof and breathable structure 260 may be arranged at one end of the air vent hole 240 facing the first chamber 111. In an alternative embodiment, the waterproof and breathable structure can be arranged at one end facing the liquid storage chamber 200 or within the air vent hole 240.

In an embodiment, the waterproof and breathable structure 260 is arranged between the first airway seal 250 and the top cover 210, and between the first airway seal 250 and the first liquid-absorbing breathable material 280, so as to be arranged at the air vent hole 240 by pressing the two together.

As shown in Figure 2-4, in the embodiments of the present application, the cartomizer comprises an atomizing chamber 310, a cartomizer bracket 320, and a heating assembly 330. The heating assembly 330 comprises a heating element 331 , an inner oil-guiding body 332, and an outer oil-guiding body 333.

In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 2-4, the heating element 331 is configured to be at least partially annular, and the outer oil-guiding 333, the cartomizer bracket 320, and the inner oil-guiding 332 are sequentially arranged around the outer side of the heating element

331 in the direction close to the heating element 331. The outer oil-guiding body 333 is in circumferential contact with the porous liquid storage structure 230. The cartomizer is provided with a liquid inlet channel, which is configured to deliver the liquid aerosol generating material on the outer oil-guiding body 333 to the inner oil-guiding body 332, so as to further deliver the liquid aerosol generating material to the heating element 331. The heating element 331 is used for electrically heating to aerosolize the liquid aerosol generating material.

In one embodiment, the liquid inlet channel may specifically be an oil-in hole 321 that penetrates the side wall of the cartomizer bracket 320. In an alternative embodiment, the liquid inlet channel may be a gap between a plurality of cartomizer brackets arranged at intervals. The present application does not impose any specific limitations on this.

In one embodiment, the outer oil-guiding body 333 is provided to be longer than the inner oil-guiding body 332 to provide a larger contact area with the porous liquid storage structure 230. The inner oil guiding body 332 and the outer oil guiding body 333 may be oil guiding bodies such as cotton or ceramics to achieve oil guiding.

In one embodiment, the oil conductivity of the inner oil-guiding body 332 is lower than that of the outer oil-guiding body 333, and the oil absorption rate of the inner oil-guiding body

332 is higher than that of the outer oil-guiding body 333, so that the oil conductivity of the part close to the heating element 331 is higher, thereby improving its oil transmission efficiency, while the oil absorption rate of the part far away from the heating element 331 is higher, thereby increasing the oil absorption at the heating element 331 .

Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional structural diagram of a second type of the cartridge; Figure 6 is an exploded view of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a sectional view of Figure 5; Figure 8 shows the three-dimensional structure of the internal components of the cartridge. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of point B in Figure 7. Referring to Figure 5-9, the cartridge 10' comprises a housing 100', a mouthpiece 110' is arranged at one end of the housing 100' and a mouthpiece outlet 120' is arranged at the mouthpiece 110'. The housing 100' is also provided with an air inlet 130'. The air inlet 130' can be arranged at one end of the housing 100' away from the mouthpiece 110'. In an alternative embodiment, the air inlet 130' may also be arranged at other positions of the housing 100'.

A storage space is formed inside the housing 100', which is provided with a liquid storage chamber 200' for storing liquid aerosol generating materials (such as e-liquid or oil) and a cartomizer. The cartomizer is provided with an atomizing chamber 310' for accommodating at least part of the heating assembly 330'. The atomizing chamber 310' is in fluid communication with the liquid storage chamber 200', and the liquid aerosol generating material in the liquid storage chamber 200' can enter the atomizing chamber 310' and be heated by the heating assembly 330'.

The mouthpiece 110' may be integrally formed with the housing 100', and the mouthpiece 110' may also be detachable from the housing 100'. The detachable mouthpiece 110' helps to clean the mouthpiece 110'. In addition, providing a detachable mouthpiece 110' can help enter the interior of the housing 100' to facilitate the replacement of aerosol generating materials inside the housing 100'. The bottom of the mouthpiece 110 may be arranged to extend into the housing 100, and the bottom of the mouthpiece 110 may be wrapped around the top of the housing 100. The bottom end face of the mouthpiece 110 may also be configured to engage with the top end surface of the housing 100.

As shown in Figure 6-9, the liquid storage chamber 200' comprises a top cover 210' and a bottom cover 220' arranged opposite each other along the length direction, and a peripheral wall extending between the top cover 210' and the bottom cover 220'. The top cover 210' is arranged near the mouthpiece 110', and the bottom cover 220' is arranged away from the mouthpiece 110'. Specifically, it may be arranged near the air inlet 130'.

To achieve airway sealing, both the top cover 210' and the bottom cover 220' can use airway seals. The shapes and sizes of the top cover 210' and the bottom cover 220' are respectively adapted to the size and the shape of the top and bottom openings of the liquid storage chamber 220', and there is no specific limitation here. The wall cover of the housing 100' is arranged at the periphery of the top cover 210' and the bottom cover 220', and the part in contact with the top cover 210' and the bottom cover 220' is interference-fitted to achieve airway sealing in the circumferential direction.

In an embodiment, the liquid aerosol generating material may be directly poured into the liquid storage chamber 200' or contained in a liquid storage structure placed in the liquid storage chamber 200'. As shown in Figure 6-8, a porous liquid storage structure 230' extending along the length direction of the cartridge 10' is arranged inside the liquid storage chamber 200', and the porous liquid storage structure 230' can contain liquid aerosol generating materials. As an example, the porous liquid storage structure 230' is a liquid storage cotton.

In an embodiment, as shown in Figures 6-9, the air passage of the cartridge 10' comprises a second channel 402 that surrounds at least a part of the liquid storage chamber 200' in the circumferential direction. In an alternative embodiment, the second channel 402 is provided to surround at least a part of the circumference of the liquid storage chamber 200'. The cartridge 10' comprises a component defining the liquid storage chamber 200' and the second channel 402. The air vent hole 240' penetrates the peripheral wall of the component between the storage chamber 200' and the second channel 402, and the airflow passes from the second channel 402 through the air vent hole 240' to the storage chamber 200'. To prevent the liquid in the storage chamber 200' from leaking through the air vent hole 240', a waterproof and breathable structure 260' is arranged at the air vent hole 240'. The waterproof and breathable structure 260' is configured to allow gas to pass through and prevent liquid from passing through, thereby achieving ventilation of the liquid storage chamber and avoiding liquid leakage through the air vent hole.

Specifically, the storage chamber 200' has an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall. As shown in Figure 6-9, the component comprises a hollow first component 27 T extending along the length direction of the cartridge. The first component 27T has a peripheral wall that forms the outer peripheral wall of the liquid storage chamber 200'. The first component 27T may be a separate component independent of the housing 100' and the mouthpiece 110', or it may be at least a part of the housing 100' or the mouthpiece 110'. In an embodiment, the first component 27T is independently provided from the housing 100' and the mouthpiece 110', and all of the first component 27T is arranged inside the housing 100', with part of the structure of the mouthpiece 110' also arranged inside the housing 100'.

A first-through hole 23T is arranged in the middle of the porous liquid storage structure 230', which extends along the length direction of the cartridge 10'. A hollow second component 272' is provided in the first-through hole 23T along the length extension direction. The peripheral wall of the second component 272' defines the inner peripheral wall of the liquid storage chamber 200'. The top cover 210', the first component 27T, the bottom cover 220', and the second component 272' jointly define the liquid storage chamber 200'.

An air passage for airflow is formed inside the cartridge 10'. Specifically, a first chamber 11 T is formed on the inner surface of the mouthpiece 110' facing the top cover 210', and an outlet pipe 112' extends from the mouthpiece outlet 120' into the first chamber 11 T. The end of the outlet pipe 112' away from the mouthpiece outlet 120' is in air communication with the first chamber 11 T. The second component 272' internally defines a second chamber 273' extending along the length direction of the cartridge 10' and having openings at both ends. The top cover 210' is provided with an opening 21 T, and the opening 21 T of the top cover is in air communication with the second chamber 273'. The cartomizer is arranged at the bottom of the second chamber 273', and the second chamber 273' is connected to the atomizing chamber 310'. A first pore 22V is provided through the bottom cover 220', and the air inletend of the first pore 22V is connected to the air inlet 130', and the air outlet-end is connected to the atomizing chamber 310'. The above air inlet 130', the first pore 22V, the atomizing chamber 310', the second chamber 273', the first chamber 11 T, the outlet pipe 112', and the mouthpiece outlet 120' are sequentially connected to form the air passage inside the cartridge 10'. When the user puffs, external air enters through the air inlet 130', passes through the first pore 22V and the atomizing chamber 310' to take away the aerosol inside, and then flows out from the second chamber 273', the first chamber 11 T, the outlet pipe 112' in sequence to the mouthpiece outlet 120'. Wherein the interior of the second chamber 273' defined by the second component 272' constitutes the second channel 402. The peripheral wall of the second component 272' is formed as the peripheral wall of the second channel 402.

In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 6-9, the cartomizer comprises an atomizing chamber 310', a cartomizer bracket, and a heating assembly 330'. The heating assembly 330' comprises a heating element 33T and an inner oil-guiding body 332'. The cartomizer bracket is integrated with the second component 272'. The cartomizer is provided with an oil-down hole 32V, which is configured to deliver the liquid aerosol generating material on the inner oilguiding body 332' to the heating element 33T. The heating element 33T is used for electrically heating to aerosolize the liquid aerosol generating material.

The inner peripheral wall of the liquid storage chamber 200' and the peripheral wall of the second channel 402 share the peripheral wall of the second component 272'.

As shown in Figure 6-9, an air vent hole 240' is provided through the peripheral wall of the second component 272' to introduce the airflow of the second channel 402 into the liquid storage chamber 200' to maintain the internal air pressure balance of the liquid storage chamber 200'. A waterproof and breathable structure 260 is provided at the air vent hole 240'.

In an alternative embodiment, the air passage 402 surrounds the outer side of the periphery of the liquid storage chamber 200'. In this case, the first component 27V defines the outer peripheral wall of the second channel, and the peripheral wall of the second component 272' defines the peripheral wall of the storage chamber 200' and the inner peripheral wall of the second channel 402. An air vent hole 240' is provided through the peripheral wall of the second component 272' to introduce the airflow of the second channel 402 into the liquid storage chamber 200' to maintain the internal air pressure balance of the liquid storage chamber 200'.

Different from the two embodiments mentioned above, in another embodiment, the walls of the components are not shared. The first component is used to define one of the liquid storage chamber and the second channel, and is arranged at the inner side; The second component 272' has an inner wall close to the first component 27T and an outer wall away from the first component 27 T, the inner wall and the outer wall define the other one of the liquid storage chamber and the second channel, and are arranged at the outer side. The air vent hole 240' penetrates the peripheral wall of the first component and the inner wall of the second component; The waterproof and breathable structure 260' is interference-fitted between the peripheral wall of the first component 27T and the inner wall of the second component 272', achieving stability of the waterproof and breathable structure 260.

In an embodiment, in order to prevent the condensate formed by the cooling of the aerosol from entering the atomizing chamber 310 through the second chamber 273. As shown in the figure, the top cover 210 is provided with a first liquid-absorbing breathable material 280 toward the mouthpiece 110. The first liquid-absorbing breathable material 280 is configured to absorb condensate, and can specifically be a liquid-absorbing cotton, etc.

It can be understood that the airflow in the second channel 402 can enter through the air inlet 130' or can enter through the mouthpiece outlet 120'.

In an embodiment, the waterproof and breathable structure 260' can be arranged at one end of the air vent hole 240' facing the second chamber 273'. In an alternative embodiment, the waterproof and breathable structure 260' can be arranged at one end of the vent hole 240' facing the storage chamber 200' or within the channel of the vent hole 240'.

Figure 10 shows a three-dimensional structural diagram of a third type of the cartridge; Figure 11 is an exploded view of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a sectional view of Figure 10; Figure 13 shows a partial three-dimensional structural diagram of the third type of cartridge, including the cartom izer and the bottom cover.

Referring to Figure 10-13, the cartridge 10" comprises a housing 100", a mouthpiece 110" is arranged at one end of the housing 100" and a mouthpiece outlet 120" is arranged at the mouthpiece 110". The housing 100" also provided with an air inlet 130". The air inlet 130" can be arranged at one end of the housing 100" away from the mouthpiece 110". In an alternative embodiment, the air inlet 130" may also be arranged at other positions of the housing 100'.

A storage space is formed inside the housing 100", which is provided with a liquid storage chamber 200" for storing liquid aerosol generating materials (such as e-liquid or oil) and a cartomizer 300". The cartomizer 300" is provided with an atomizing chamber 310" for accommodating at least part of the heating assembly 330". The atomizing chamber 310" is in fluid communication with the liquid storage chamber 200", and the liquid aerosol generating material in the liquid storage chamber 200" can enter the atomizing chamber 310" and be heated by the heating assembly 330".

As shown in Figure 10-12, the liquid storage chamber 200" comprises a top cover 210" and a bottom cover 220" arranged opposite each other along the length direction, and an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall extending between the top cover 210" and the bottom cover 220". Wherein the mouthpiece 110" can be integrally formed with the housing 100", jointly defining the first chamber. An outlet pipe 112" extends from the mouthpiece outlet 120" into the first chamber. The peripheral wall of the outlet pipe 112" defines the inner peripheral wall of the storage chamber 200", and the housing 100" and the mouthpiece 110" jointly define the outer peripheral wall of the storage chamber 200". At the same time, the top surface of the mouthpiece 110" forms the top cover of the liquid storage chamber 200". The liquid aerosol generating material can be directly poured into the liquid storage chamber 200".

To achieve airway sealing, the bottom cover 220" can use airway seal. The shape and size of the bottom cover 220" are respectively adapted to the size and the shape of the top and bottom openings of the liquid storage chamber 200", and there is no specific limitation here. The wall cover of the housing 100" is arranged at the periphery of the bottom cover 220", and the part in contact with the bottom cover 220" is interference-fitted to achieve airway sealing in the circumferential direction.

The cartomizer 300" is arranged below the bottom cover 220". Specifically, the cartomizer 300" comprises a cartomizer bracket 320" for defining an atomizing chamber 310" and a cartomizer base 340" for defining the bottom surface of the atomizing chamber 310". A heating assembly 330" is arranged in the atomizing chamber 310". The heating assembly 330" comprises a heating element 331" and an inner oil-guiding body 332".

In the embodiments of the present application, the cartridge 10" further comprises a liquid inlet channel for delivering aerosol generating material from the storage chamber 200" to the atomizing chamber 310". Specifically, the liquid inlet channel comprises an oil-down hole 222" arranged at the bottom cover 220", an oil-guiding space 322" jointly defined by the bottom cover 220" and the cartomizer bracket 320", and an oil-in hole 321" provided on the cartomizer bracket 320". The bottom cover 220" is arranged above the cartomizer 300", and the oil-down hole 222" is connected to the oil-guiding space 322". The oil-in hole 321" is connected to the atomizing chamber 310" and the oil-guiding space 322". The aerosol generating material enters the oil-guiding space 322" through the oil-down hole 222", and then enters the oil-in hole 321" so as to be delivered into the atomizing chamber 310". The heating assembly 330' of the atomizing chamber 310" can be powered to heat the aerosol generating material to generate aerosol.

An air passage for airflow is formed inside the cartridge 10". Specifically, the cartomizer base 340" is provided with an air inlet 130" connected to the atomizing chamber 310", and the bottom cover 220" is provided with a first pore 221" connected to the atomizing chamber 310". The atomizing chamber 310" is connected to one end of the outlet pipe 112" away from the mouthpiece outlet 120" through the first pore 221". The above air inlet 130" of the cartomizer base 340", the atomizing chamber 310", the first pore 221", the outlet pipe 112", and mouthpiece outlet 120" are sequentially connected to form the air passage inside the cartridge 10". When the user puffs, air enters through the air inlet 130", passes through the atomizing chamber 310" to take away the aerosol inside, and then flows out from the first pore 221", the air outlet pipe 112", and finally to the mouthpiece outlet 120".

In addition, there is a gap between the peripheral wall of cartomizer 300" and housing 100", which forms a branch airflow channel 403. The cartomizer bracket 320" is also provided with a dispersion hole 323", and the atomizing chamber 310" is connected to the branch airflow channel 403 through the dispersion hole 323".

In an embodiment, the air passage inside the atomizing chamber 310" is used as a fourth channel. And an air vent hole 240" higher than the oil-in hole 321" is arranged at the cartomizer bracket 320", and the air vent hole 240" is connected to the branch airflow channel 403 and the oil-guiding space 322". Based on the above arrangement, the airflow in the fourth channel, i.e. , the atomizing chamber 310", can be sequentially delivered to the liquid storage chamber 200" through the dispersion hole 323", the branch airflow channel 403, the air vent hole 240" the oil-guiding space 322", and the oil-down hole 222".

The above embodiments aim to transport the airflow inside the atomizing chamber to the liquid storage chamber through the air vent hole, utilizing the liquid inlet channel between the atomizing chamber and the liquid storage chamber. In an alternative embodiment, an air vent hole 240 directly connecting the atomizing chamber 310" and the oil-guiding space 322" can be arranged at the cartomizer bracket 320". At this time, the airflow in the fourth channel, i.e., the atomizing chamber 310", is successively transported to the liquid storage chamber 200" through the air vent hole 240", the oil-guiding space 322", and the oil-down hole 222".

To prevent the liquid in the storage chamber 200" from leaking through the air vent hole 240", a waterproof and breathable structure 260" is arranged at the air vent hole 240". The waterproof and breathable structure 260" is configured to allow gas to pass through and prevent liquid from passing through, thereby achieving ventilation of the liquid storage chamber and avoiding liquid leakage through the air vent hole.

In an embodiment, the waterproof and breathable structure 260" can be arranged at one end of the air vent hole 240" facing the oil-guiding space 322". In an alternative embodiment, the waterproof and breathable structure 260" can be arranged at one end of the air vent hole 240" away from the oil-guiding space 322" or within the air vent hole 240".

In another embodiment, the liquid storage chamber is axially provided with opposing top and bottom covers, with the top cover arranged near the mouthpiece outlet and the bottom cover arranged near the air inlet. The air passage comprises a third channel arranged between the air inlet and the bottom cover. The air vent hole penetrates the bottom cover, airflow goes from the third channel through the air vent hole to the liquid storage chamber. In this embodiment, the air passage below the storage chamber is directly in air communication with the storage chamber. To prevent the liquid in the storage chamber from leaking through the air vent hole, a waterproof and breathable structure is provided at the air vent hole. The waterproof and breathable structure is configured to allow gas to pass through and prevent liquid from passing through, thereby achieving ventilation of the liquid storage chamber and avoiding liquid leakage through the air vent hole.

In the above embodiments, the waterproof and breathable structure may be installed at the air vent hole by at least one of the bonding, snapping and pressing. In an embodiment, the waterproof breathable structure may be arranged between the airway seal and the top cover, and between the airway seal and the first liquid absorbing breathable material, so as to be arranged at the air vent hole by pressing the two together.

In an embodiment, the waterproof and breathable structure may have a shape that matches the air vent hole, or be able to completely cover the air vent hole to avoid liquid leakage from the storage chamber due to structural reasons.

In an embodiment, the waterproof breathable structure can specifically be a waterproof and breathable membrane. In one embodiment, the waterproof breathable membrane is a nanofilm.

In an embodiment, the waterproof and breathable film may be provided with a singlelayer or multi-layer structure. As an example, and not a limitation, the waterproof and breathable membrane may be a microporous layer including but not limited to PTFE film, Pll film, PE film, etc., with a single layer achieving waterproof and breathable effects. As another example, the waterproof and breathable membrane can comprise a composite membrane, such as a central microporous layer and polymer polypropylene material layers on both sides of the microporous layer. Breathable, waterproof, and supportive effects are achieved through the polymer polypropylene layers, while breathable and waterproof effects are achieved through the central microporous layer.

In the embodiments of the present application, as shown in Figure 6, the air vent hole 240' is at a tubular wall, and the waterproof and breathable structure 260' may be arranged around at least part of the circumference of the tubular wall.

In the embodiments of the present application, the cartridge further comprises a second liquid-absorbing breathable material, arranged either between the air vent hole and the waterproof and breathable structure or on the side of the waterproof and breathable structure that is distant from the air vent hole, to absorb the condensate near the air vent hole.

Embodiment 2

The second embodiment of the present application discloses an air pressure adjustable aerosol provision system, comprising:

The cartridge described in the embodiment 1 , the cartridge comprises a cartomizer, configured to electrically heat the aerosol generating material contained within; and an aerosol provision device, the aerosol provision device is provided with a power source for supplying power to the cartomizer.

As an example, the aerosol provision device comprises a device housing, and an air inlet of the device can be provided on the device housing and connected to the air inlet of the cartridge. In an alternative embodiment, the air inlet of the device is the same as the air inlet of the cartridge.

As an example and not a limitation, the device housing of the aerosol provision device is integrally formed with the housing of the cartridge.

For the specific structure of the cartridges included in the system, please refer to the description of embodiment 1 , which will not be repeated here.

Corresponding to the above embodiments, the present application also discloses a method for adjusting the air pressure of an aerosol provision system, which is applied in the aerosol provision system described in embodiment two. The method comprises:

Using the air vent hole to connect the air passage with the liquid storage chamber to maintain the internal pressure balance of the liquid storage chamber by circulating gas from the air passage to the liquid storage chamber;

Using the configuration of the waterproof and breathable structure to allow gas to pass through the air vent hole while preventing liquid from passing through.

It should be understood that each part of the present application may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware or combinations thereof. In the above implementations, multiple steps or methods may be implemented with software or firmware stored in memory and executed by an appropriate instruction execution system. For example, if it is implemented by hardware, as in another implementation, it can be implemented by any one of the following technologies known in the art or combinations thereof: discrete logic circuits with logic gate circuits for implementing logic functions for data signal, special integrated circuits with appropriate combined logic gate circuits, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

In this specification, the term ‘aerosol generating material’ encompasses e-liquids and oils. Any features described with reference to ‘oil’ are also equally applicable to other liquid aerosol generating materials, such as e-liquids. In the description of this specification, the referential terminology "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" means that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are comprised in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the indicative expression of the above-mentioned terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the described specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable way in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Moreover, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used merely for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the characteristics defined as "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly comprise at least one such characteristic. In the description of the present application, the term "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

In the present application, unless explicitly defined and limited, terms such as "mounting," "connecting," "connection," "fixing," etc., should be understood broadly. For instance, the connection can be a fixed connection or a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediary medium, it can be the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless explicitly defined otherwise. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of these terms in the context of the application based on the circumstances.

Although the embodiments of the application have been shown and described above, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and should not be considered as limiting the application. Those skilled in the art within the scope of the application can make variations, modifications, replacements, and variations to the abovedescribed embodiments.

Claims

1. A cartridge for an aerosol provision system, the cartridge comprising: a housing, provided with a mouthpiece outlet and an air inlet; an air passage extending from the air inlet to the mouthpiece outlet; a liquid storage chamber for storing liquid aerosol generating material; an air vent hole connecting the liquid storage chamber and the air passage, configured to allow gas to flow from the air passage to the liquid storage chamber to maintain the internal pressure balance of the liquid storage chamber; a waterproof and breathable structure arranged at the air vent hole, configured to allow gas to pass through while preventing liquid from passing through.

2. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to claim 1 , wherein: the liquid storage chamber is axially provided with opposing top and bottom covers, with the top cover arranged near the mouthpiece outlet and the bottom cover arranged away from the mouthpiece outlet; the air passage comprises a first channel arranged between the mouthpiece outlet and the top cover; the air vent hole penetrates the top cover, airflow goes from the first channel through the air vent hole to the liquid storage chamber.

3. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge comprises a mouthpiece provided with the mouthpiece outlet; the first channel is formed inside the mouthpiece.

4. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to claim 3, wherein the interior of the mouthpiece is also provided with a first liquid-absorbing breathable material and a first airway seal; the first airway seal is arranged at least partially above the top cover, the first liquidabsorbing breathable material is arranged above the first airway seal and defines the first channel; the air vent hole penetrates both the first airway seal and the top cover.

5. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the air passage comprises a second channel that either surrounds at least part of the periphery of the liquid storage chamber or is arranged at least partially within the periphery of the liquid storage chamber; the cartridge comprises a component that define the liquid storage chamber and the second channel; the air vent hole penetrates the peripheral wall arranged between the liquid storage chamber and the second channel in the component, airflow goes from the second channel through the air vent hole to the liquid storage chamber.

6. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to claim 5, wherein the component comprises: a first component, used to define and form either the liquid storage chamber or the second channel; a second component that surrounds the periphery of the first component, the second component has an inner wall close to the first component and an outer wall distant from the first component, the inner wall and the outer wall define and form the other of the two, liquid storage chamber and the second channel; the air vent hole penetrates the peripheral wall of the first component and the inner wall of the second component; the waterproof and breathable structure is interference-fitted between the peripheral wall of the first component and the inner wall.

7. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the liquid storage chamber is axially provided with opposing top and bottom covers, with the top cover arranged near the mouthpiece outlet and the bottom cover arranged near the air inlet; the air passage comprises a third channel arranged between the air inlet and the bottom cover; the air vent hole penetrates the bottom cover, airflow goes from the third channel through the air vent hole to the liquid storage chamber.

8. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the liquid storage chamber is axially provided with opposing top and bottom covers, with the top cover arranged near the mouthpiece outlet and the bottom cover arranged away from the mouthpiece outlet, within the housing, there is a cartomizer bracket arranged between the bottom cover and the air inlet, which is used to define an atomizing chamber; the air passage comprises a fourth channel arranged within the atomizing chamber; the bottom cover is provided with an oil-down hole, and the cartomizer bracket is provided with an oil-in hole, the bottom cover and the cartomizer bracket define an oil-guiding space between the oil-down hole and the oil-in hole; the cartomizer bracket is provided with an air vent hole arranged above the oil-in hole, connecting the atomizing chamber and the oil-guiding space; airflow successively passes through the fourth channel, the air vent hole, the oilguiding space, and the oil-down hole to the liquid storage chamber.

9. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to claim 8, wherein a branch airflow channel is formed between the cartomizer bracket and the housing, dispersion holes are also provided on the cartomizer bracket, the fourth channel is in fluid communication with the branch airflow channel through these dispersion holes, the branch airflow channel is in communication with the oil-guiding space through the air vent hole; airflow sequentially passes through the fourth channel, the dispersion holes, the branch airflow channel, the air vent hole, the oil-guiding space, and the oil-down hole into the liquid storage chamber.

10. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the air vent hole is arranged on a tubular wall, the waterproof and breathable structure is arranged around at least part of the circumference of the tubular wall.

11. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 1-

10, wherein the waterproof and breathable structure is arranged at the air vent hole by at least one of the following methods: bonding, snapping and pressing.

12. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 1-

11 , wherein the waterproof and breathable structure is a waterproof and breathable membrane.

13. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 1-

12, wherein the waterproof and breathable membrane comprises a single-layer or multi-layer structure.

14. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to claim 13, wherein the waterproof and breathable membrane comprises a central microporous layer and polymer polypropylene material layers on both sides of the microporous layer.

15. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to claim 13, wherein the waterproof and breathable membrane is a nanofilm.

16. The cartridge for the aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 1- 15, wherein the cartridge also comprises a second liquid-absorbing breathable material, arranged either between the air vent hole and the waterproof and breathable structure or on the side of the waterproof and breathable structure that is distant from the air vent hole.

17. An air pressure adjustable aerosol provision system, wherein the system comprises: a cartridge as described in any one of claims 1-16; the cartridge comprises a cartomizer, configured to electrically heat the aerosol generating material contained within; an aerosol provision device, the aerosol provision device is provided with a power source for supplying power to the cartomizer.