IMPROVED CARTRIDGE AND AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM
Aerosol-generating system (1000) comprising an aerosol-generating device (1100) comprising a heating element (1102), and a cartridge (1200) comprising a housing (1202), a wicking element (1204), and a biasing means (1206). The cartridge is engageable with, and disengageable from, the device. When the cartridge is not engaged with the device, the wicking element is in a disengaged wicking element position and is not in contact with the heating element. When the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element is in an engaged wicking element position, different to the disengaged wicking element position relative to the housing, and is in contact with the heating element, and the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position such that the wicking element applies a force to the heating element in a force direction non-parallel with the engagement direction.
The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device, and to an aerosol-generating system.
Some aerosol-generating systems comprise an aerosol-generating device and a cartridge comprising a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Other aerosol-generating systems comprise an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate. In use, the aerosol-generating device typically engages with the cartridge or aerosol-generating article to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.
Aerosol-generating articles with solid aerosol-forming substrates typically have an advantage of being able to generate an aerosol with a taste which closely resembles that of a conventional cigarette. This may make it easier for smokers of conventional cigarettes to switch to systems which use such aerosol-generating articles.
Cartridges with liquid aerosol-forming substrates typically have an advantage of allowing more precise control over the components of the substrate, and greater consistency between substrates.
It would be beneficial to provide a cartridge useable with an aerosol-generating device configured to be used with an aerosol-generating article comprising a solid substrate. Then, an owner of the device may be able to choose whether to use a cartridge comprising a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, or an article comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate, with the device. For example, it would be beneficial to provide a cartridge useable with an aerosol-generating device having an elongate (internal) heating element, which would typically penetrate and heat a solid aerosol-forming substrate from within, or a tubular (external) heating element, which would typically be positioned around, and heat, a solid aerosol-forming substrate.
According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system. The system may comprise an aerosol-generating device and a cartridge. The device may comprise a heating element. The cartridge may comprise a housing. The cartridge may comprise a wicking element. The cartridge may comprise a biasing means. The cartridge may be engageable with, the device. The cartridge may be disengageable from the device. When the cartridge is disengaged from the device, the wicking element may be in a disengaged wicking element position. In the disengaged wicking element position, the wicking element may not be in contact with the heating element. When the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element may be in an engaged wicking element position. The engaged wicking element position may be different to the disengaged wicking element position relative to the housing. In the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element may be in contact with the heating element. In the engaged wicking element position, the biasing means may bias the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position. In the engaged wicking element position, the biasing means may bias the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position such that the wicking element applies a force to the heating element in a force direction.
As would be understood by the skilled person after reading this disclosure, the force applied by the wicking element to the heating element in the force direction may be the total resultant force applied by the wicking element to the heating element.
The cartridge may be engageable with, and disengageable from, the device by movement of the cartridge relative to the device in an engagement direction.
The force direction may be non-parallel with the engagement direction, for example substantially perpendicular to the engagement direction.
Thus, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and a cartridge. The aerosol-generating device comprises a heating element. The cartridge comprises a housing, a wicking element, and a biasing means. The cartridge is engageable with, and disengageable from, the device by movement of the cartridge relative to the device in an engagement direction. When the cartridge is not engaged with the device, the wicking element is in a disengaged wicking element position in which the wicking element is not in contact with the heating element. When the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element is in an engaged wicking element position, different to the disengaged wicking element position relative to the housing, in which the wicking element is in contact with the heating element and the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position such that the wicking element applies a force to the heating element in a force direction which is non-parallel with the engagement direction.
Advantageously, when the wicking element is in an engaged wicking element position, the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position such that the wicking element applies a force to the heating element. This force may provide a consistent and tight contact between the wicking element and the heating element. This may allow a relatively quick formation of aerosol when the heating element is activated.
Advantageously, the force direction is non-parallel with the engagement direction. So the total resultant force applied by the wicking element to the heating element is non-zero in a direction non-parallel with the engagement direction. Where the heating element extends in the engagement direction, this may advantageously mean that the wicking element contacts and applies a force to a side face of the heating element. This may be advantageous since, in some aerosol-generating devices, the side face of the heating element is the primary heating surface of the heating element and provides a relatively large area for the wicking element to contact. In addition, this arrangement may allow the wicking element to contact the heating element at a desired location along the length of the heating element. This may be particularly advantageous where the temperature of the heating element varies along its length.
The heating element may comprise an outer heating surface. The wicking element may comprise an outer contact surface. When the cartridge is engaged with the device, the outer heating surface of the heating element may contact the outer contact surface of the wicking element. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the outer heating surface of the heating element may contact the outer contact surface of the wicking element.
Advantageously, this arrangement may allow a liquid aerosol-forming substrate to be wicked from within the wicking element towards the outside of the wicking element for heating. This arrangement may also advantageously allow liquid aerosol-forming substrate at or near the outer contact surface of the wicking element to be quickly evaporated by the heating element, and entrained in an airflow across or past the wicking element.
The heating element may be an elongate heating element. The heating element may have a length extending in a heating element direction. The heating element may have a width extending in a width direction perpendicular to the heating element direction. The heating element may have a thickness extending in a thickness direction perpendicular to one or both of the heating element direction and the width direction. The length of the heating element may be at least 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, or 100 times one or both of its width and thickness. The width of the heating element may be at least 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, or 30 times its thickness. The force direction may be non-parallel with the heating element direction, for example perpendicular to the heating element direction.
Advantageously, the force direction being non-parallel, for example perpendicular, with the heating element direction may mean that, in use, the wicking element contacts and applies a force to a side face of the heating element. This may be advantageous since, in some aerosol-generating devices, the side face of the heating element is the primary heating surface of the heating element and provides a relatively large area for the wicking element to contact. In addition, this arrangement may allow the wicking element to contact the heating element at a desired location along the length of the heating element. This may be particularly advantageous where the temperature of the heating element varies along its length.
The heating element may be substantially flat. The heating element may comprise a side face. The outer heating surface may comprise or be the side face. The side face may be defined by the width and the length of the heating element. The side face of the heating element may face a direction substantially perpendicular to the heating element direction. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element may contact the side face of the heating element. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element may apply the force to the side face of the heating element.
It may be advantageous for the wicking element to contact the side face of the heating element in use because, in some aerosol-generating devices, the side face of the heating element is the primary heating surface of the heating element and provides a relatively large area for the wicking element to contact. In addition, this arrangement may allow the wicking element to contact the heating element at a desired location along the length of the heating element. This may be particularly advantageous where the temperature of the heating element varies along its length.
When the cartridge is engaged with the device, the force applied to the heating element by the wicking element may be greater than 0.1 Newtons.
Advantageously, a force greater than 0.1 Newtons may provide a sufficiently tight contact between the wicking element and the heating element.
When the cartridge is engaged with the device, the force applied to the heating element by the wicking element may be less than 10 Newtons.
Depending on the heating element, a force greater than 10 Newtons could risk breaking or otherwise damaging the heating element. It may therefore be advantageous for the force to be no larger than 10 Newtons in order to reduce the risk of breaking the heating element.
The aerosol-generating device may comprise a chamber. The chamber may be for receiving at least a portion of the cartridge. The heating element may be located at least partially within the chamber. Engaging the cartridge with the aerosol-generating device may comprise receiving at least a portion of the cartridge in the chamber, for example by moving the cartridge relative to the device in the engagement direction.
Advantageously, the chamber may reduce the likelihood of a user touching the heating element. Advantageously, the chamber may help to protect the heating element. Advantageously, the chamber may help to guide the cartridge so as to locate the wicking element in the engaged wicking element position.
The cartridge may be engageable with the device in only one particular orientation, or in only a predetermined number of orientations, for example in only two, three or four orientations. The cartridge may be keyed to the device. The cartridge may be keyed to the device such that the cartridge is engageable with the device in only one particular orientation, or in only a predetermined number of orientations, for example in only two, three or four orientations.
The device may comprise a device guide member. The cartridge may comprise a cartridge guide member. When the cartridge is being engaged with the device, the cartridge guide member may engage the device guide member. Engagement between the cartridge guide member and the device guide member may allow the cartridge to be engaged with the device in only one particular orientation, or in only a predetermined number of orientations, for example in only two, three or four orientations.
As an example, the cartridge, for example the housing of the cartridge, may be shaped such that the cartridge may be at least partially received in the chamber in only one orientation. Alternatively, the cartridge, for example the housing of the cartridge, may be shaped such that the cartridge may be at least partially received in the chamber in only two orientations.
As another example, the chamber of the device may comprise two recesses extending along a length of the chamber. The cartridge may comprise a corresponding protrusion. The protrusion may need to be inserted into one of the two recesses for the cartridge to be received in the device. Thus, the cartridge may be engageable with the device in only two orientations—a first orientation corresponding to the protrusion being received in the first recess, and a second orientation corresponding to the protrusion being received in the second recess.
Advantageously, the cartridge being engageable with the device only in one of a predetermined number of orientations may ensure that the wicking element contacts a desired surface of the heating element when in the engaged wicking element position. For example, where the heating element is a substantially flat, blade-like heating element with two opposing side faces, it may be desirable for engagement of the cartridge with the device to result in the wicking element contacting one of the side faces of the heating element. In order to reliably facilitate this contact, the cartridge may be engageable with the device in only one orientation, or in only two orientations—orientations in which the wicking element contacts one of the two side faces of the heating element.
The engagement direction may be parallel with the heating element direction.
The device may define a device longitudinal direction. The device may have a length extending in the device longitudinal direction. The length of the device may be greater than, for example at least 100, 200, 300, 500 or 1,000% greater than, one or both of a width and a thickness of the device. The device longitudinal direction may be parallel with one or both of the heating element direction and the engagement direction.
The chamber may define a chamber longitudinal direction. The chamber longitudinal direction may be parallel with one or both of the engagement direction and the heating element direction. The chamber longitudinal direction may be parallel with the device longitudinal direction.
The cartridge may define a cartridge longitudinal direction. The cartridge longitudinal direction may be parallel with one or both of the engagement direction and the heating element direction. The cartridge longitudinal direction may be parallel with one or both of the chamber longitudinal direction and the device longitudinal direction.
The heating element may be for penetrating a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element may comprise a free end. The free end may be tapered. Advantageously, a tapered free end may make it easier for the heating element to penetrate a solid aerosol-forming substrate.
The heating element may comprise a base. The base may be located at an opposite end of the heating element to the free end. The base of the heating element may be located at a base of the chamber of the device. The heating element, for example the base of the heating element, may be fixed to the device, for example the chamber of the device, for example the base of the chamber of the device. Advantageously, this fixing may anchor the heating element in place to prevent movement of the heating element during engagement and disengagement of the cartridge with the device.
The heating element may comprise or be a heating blade, pin, or rod, for example a heating blade, pin or rod for penetrating a solid aerosol-forming substrate.
The heating element may be located substantially centrally within the chamber of the device. The heating element may be located in a radially central position within the chamber of the device. A length of the heating element may extend in the chamber longitudinal direction.
In addition, or as an alternative to an internal heating element configured to penetrate a solid aerosol-forming substrate and heat the substrate from within, the device may comprise an external heating element configured to heat a solid aerosol-forming substrate from the outside. This is explained more below.
The chamber may be defined at least in part by an outer chamber wall. The heating element may be located at or near the outer chamber wall. The heating element may define at least a portion of the chamber wall. The heating element may be located closer to the outer chamber wall than a centre of the chamber. The heating element may comprise a heating surface facing a radially inward direction. The heating element may comprise a heating surface facing a centre of the chamber. The heating element may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface may be configured to be heated to a higher temperature than the outer surface. The heating element may be a tubular heating element. A radial centre of the tubular heating element may coincide with a radial centre of the chamber.
In addition to the heating element, the device may comprise a second heating element. One or both of the heating element and the second heating element may be configured to heat a solid aerosol-forming substrate from the outside. This is explained more below.
The device may comprise a second heating element. The second heating element may oppose the heating element. The device may be configured to receive an aerosol-forming substrate between the heating element and the second heating element. The second heating element may be located at or near the outer chamber wall. The second heating element may define at least a portion of the chamber wall. The second heating element may be located closer to the outer chamber wall than a centre of the chamber. The second heating element may comprise a heating surface facing a radially inward direction. The second heating element may comprise a heating surface facing a centre of the chamber. The second heating element may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface may be configured to be heated to a higher temperature than the outer surface.
Regardless of the type of heating element used, the heating element may comprise a heating surface. In use, the heating surface may provide a non-uniform temperature surface. A temperature of the heating surface may vary along the heating element direction. A temperature of the heating surface may vary along a length of the heating element.
The heating element may comprise a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be configured to be heated to a higher temperature than the second portion, for example to a temperature at least 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 75, or 100 degrees Celsius higher than the second portion. The first portion may be spaced from the second portion along the heating element direction. The first portion may be spaced from the second portion along the length of the heating element.
Advantageously, having a temperature which varies along a length of the heating element may allow one to select the temperature at the point at which the wicking element contacts the heating element by selecting the where along the length of the heating element the wicking element contacts the heating element. For example, a first cartridge may comprise a long wicking element configured to contact the heating element at a first point where the temperature is expected to be around 280 degrees Celsius. This temperature may be optimal for vaporising the particular liquid aerosol-forming substrate of the first cartridge. A second cartridge may comprise a short wicking element configured to contact the heating element at a second point, further from a base and closer to a free end of the heating element than the first point, where the temperature is expected to be around 320 degrees Celsius. This temperature may be optimal for vaporising the particular liquid aerosol-forming substrate of the second cartridge.
The heating element may comprise a base. The heating element may comprise a free end. The second portion may be located closer to the base than the first portion. The first portion may be located closer to the free end than the second portion. The second portion may be located closer to the base than to the free end. The first portion may be located closer to the free end than to the base. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element may be in contact with the second portion of the heating element.
Advantageously, in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element may contact and apply the force to the second portion of the heating element, and the second portion of the heating element may be closer to the base than the free end. The force may apply a smaller moment to the heating element about the base if the wicking element contacts the heating element closer to the base. A smaller moment being applied to the heating element about the base may reduce a likelihood of the heating element breaking. Thus, the wicking element contacting the second portion of the heating element may advantageously reduce a likelihood of the heating element breaking under the force applied to the heating element by the wicking element. In addition, the second portion of the heating element may operate at a lower temperature than the first portion of the heating element. This lower temperature may be more suitable for vaporising some liquid aerosol-forming substrates.
A non-uniform temperature heating surface may be achieved in a number of ways. For example, where the heating element is an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive track on a substrate. The track may be located on the outer heating surface of the heating element. In use, a current may be passed through the track to heat up the heating element. The non-uniform temperature heating surface may be achieved by varying a thickness of the track as it extends along the length of the heating element, thereby varying a resistivity of the track along the length of the heating element. Alternatively, the track may take a meandering path along the length of the heating element and the spacing between adjacent turns may be varied. In this case, where adjacent turns are located closer together, more heat may be generated and the temperature of the heating element in this region may be greater than a temperature of the heating element in a region where adjacent turns are spaced further apart. As another alternative, the track may comprise different materials having different electrical resistivities, and this may be used to provide a non-uniform temperature heating surface. Where the heating element is an inductively heatable heating element, the heating element may comprise or be formed from a susceptor material and a thickness of the heating element may vary along a length of the heating element. Thus, thinner regions of the heating element may generate less heat than thicker regions of the heating element when exposed to a fluctuating electromagnetic field. As another example, where the heating element is an inductively heatable heating element, a material composition of the heating element may vary along a length of the heating element. For example, some regions may comprise a greater proportion of a susceptor element than other regions, and therefore be heated to higher temperatures in the presence of a fluctuating electromagnetic field. Having read this disclosure, the skilled person would be aware of various ways of providing a non-uniform temperature heating surface.
According to the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device. The device may comprise a heating element. The cartridge may comprise a wicking element. The cartridge may comprise a housing. The cartridge may comprise a biasing means. The wicking element may be moveable relative to the housing, for example between a disengaged wicking element position and an engaged wicking element position. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the biasing means may bias the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position.
Thus, according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device having a heating element. The cartridge comprises a wicking element, a housing, and a biasing means. The wicking element is moveable relative to the housing between a disengaged wicking element position and an engaged wicking element position. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position.
Advantageously, when the wicking element is in an engaged wicking element position, the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position. In use, this may mean that, in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element contacts and applies a force to the heating element of the device. This force may provide a consistent and tight contact between the wicking element and the heating element. This may allow a relatively quick formation of aerosol when the heating element is activated.
As with the cartridge of the system of the first aspect, the cartridge of the second aspect may be configured to engage with, and disengage from, the aerosol-generating device, for example by movement of the cartridge relative to the device in the engagement direction. When the cartridge is not engaged with the device, the wicking element may be in the disengaged wicking element position and may not be in contact with the heating element. When the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element may be in the engaged wicking element position and may be in contact with the heating element.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the biasing means may bias the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the biasing means may bias the wicking element towards the heating element.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the biasing means may bias the wicking element towards one or both of the disengaged wicking element position and the heating element such that the wicking element applies a force to the heating element in a force direction.
Advantageously, the force may provide a consistent and tight contact between the wicking element and the heating element. This may allow relatively quick formation of aerosol from liquid aerosol-forming substrate held by the wicking element when the heating element is activated.
The force direction may be non-parallel with the engagement direction, for example substantially perpendicular to the engagement direction. The force applied by the wicking element to the heating element in the force direction may be the total resultant force applied by the wicking element to the heating element.
Advantageously, the force direction may be non-parallel with the engagement direction. Where the heating element extends in the engagement direction, this may advantageously mean that the wicking element contacts and applies a force to a side face of the heating element. This may be advantageous since, in a typical aerosol-generating device having an elongate, internal heating element, the side faces of the heating element provide a relatively large area for the wicking element to contact.
The biasing means may be provided, at least in part, by the wicking element. At least part of the biasing means may be integral with the wicking element. The wicking element may bias the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position. As such, the biasing means may be considered part of the wicking element, or the wicking element may be considered to comprise the biasing means.
Advantageously, where the biasing means is provided in full by the wicking element, there may be no need for an additional biasing means. Advantageously, where the biasing means is provided in part by the wicking element, a greater force may be applied to the heating element than if the biasing means were not provided at all by the wicking element.
When the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element may be elastically deformed. When the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element may be elastically deformed such that the resilience of the wicking element biases the wicking element towards one or both of the heating element and the disengaged wicking element position, for example to apply at least part of the force to the heating element. The wicking element may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to the housing. A portion of the wicking element may be fixed to the housing. For example, an end of the wicking element may be fixed to the housing. Another end of the wicking element may not be fixed to the housing. In this sense, the wicking element may act like a cantilever.
Advantageously, use of the resilience of the wicking element may provide a reliable way to apply a force of a predetermined magnitude to the heating element. This may be because the wicking element may be expected to elastically deform by the same amount, and thus apply the same force to the heating element, each time the cartridge is engaged with a device.
The biasing means may be provided, at least in part, by a resistance component. When the cartridge is engaged with the device, the resistance component may bias the wicking element towards one or both of the heating element and the disengaged wicking element position, for example to apply at least part of the force to the heating element.
Advantageously, where the biasing means is provided in full by the resistance component, there may be greater design freedom for the wicking element as the wicking element no longer provides the biasing means. Advantageously, where the biasing means is provided in part by the resistance component, a greater force may be applied to the heating element than if the biasing means were not provided at all by the resistance component.
The resistance component may be separate to the wicking element. The resistance component may contact the wicking element. The resistance component may be coupled to the wicking element.
The resistance component may comprise or be a spring, such as a helical spring, a spiral spring, a gas spring, a leaf spring or another type of spring. The resistance component may comprise or be a spring-like component. The resistance component may comprise or be an elastically deformable material, such as an elastically deformable polymer or foam. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the resistance component may be in a higher energy state than when the wicking element is in the disengaged engaged wicking element position. For example, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the resistance component may be compressed. In such a compressed condition, the resistance component may act to expand, thereby providing the at least part of the biasing means.
The wicking element may comprise a structure, for example an elastically deformable structure. The elastically deformable structure may provide, at least in part, the biasing means.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the elastically deformable structure may be elastically deformed.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the elastically deformable structure may be elastically deformed such that the resilience of the elastically deformable structure biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the elastically deformable structure may be elastically deformed such that the resilience of the elastically deformable structure biases the wicking element towards the heating element.
Advantageously, the elastically deformable structure may provide a reliable way to apply a force of a particular size to the heating element. This may be because the elastically deformable structure may be expected to elastically deform by the same amount, and thus apply the same force to the heating element, each time the cartridge is engaged with a device.
The wicking element, for example the elastically deformable structure of the wicking element, may comprise one or more wires. The wicking element, for example the elastically deformable structure of the wicking element, may comprise a network of one or more wires, for example a network of interwoven wires.
The wicking element, for example the elastically deformable structure of the wicking element, may comprise a mesh. The mesh may be formed by a network of one or more wires, for example a network of interwoven wires. The mesh may be formed by forming a plurality of holes in one or more sheets of material.
Advantageously, a mesh may provide suitable physical properties that allow the wicking element to provide, at least in part, the biasing means and also suitable wicking properties that allow the wicking element to wick a liquid aerosol-forming substrate towards the heating element of the device in use.
The mesh may define a plurality of apertures. Each aperture may have a dimension of less than 1000, 800, 600, 400, 200, 100, 80, 60, 40, or 20 microns. Each aperture may have a dimension of greater than 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 200, 400 or 600 microns. Each aperture may have a dimension of between 10 and 600, 10 and 400, 10 and 200, 10 and 150, or 10 and 100 microns.
Advantageously, such aperture dimensions may provide suitable wicking properties for the wicking element.
The wicking element, for example the mesh or wires of the wicking element, may comprise or be formed from a material having a Young's modulus, also known as a modulus of elasticity, of at least 0.01, 1, 5, 50, 100, or 150 Giga Pascals (GPa).
Advantageously, a greater modulus of elasticity may allow the wicking element to apply a greater force for a given deflection.
The wicking element, for example the mesh or wires of the wicking element, may comprise or be formed from a material having an electrical conductivity at 20 degrees Celsius of less than 20, 15, 10, 5, 2 or 0.1 Mega Siemens per metre (10{circumflex over ( )}6 S/m).
In some arrangements, it may be possible that a current flows through, or is induced in, the wicking element. For example, where the heating element is configured to be inductively heated due to the presence of a fluctuating electromagnetic field, it is possible that the fluctuating electromagnetic field will result in eddy currents in the wicking element. Alternatively, where the heating element comprises an electrically resistive track through which a current is passed in use to heat the heating element, it is possible that, if the wicking element contacts this track, some current may flow through the wicking element. In such scenarios, it may be advantageous to reduce a current flowing through the wicking element, so as to reduce the amount of heat generated by this current flow in parts of the wicking element located relatively far from the heating element. Thus, a lower electrical conductivity may be advantageous.
The wicking element, for example the mesh or wires of the wicking element, may comprise or be formed from a material having thermal conductivity at 20 degrees Celsius of less than 400, 200, 100, 50, 30 or 20 Watts per metre Kelvin (W/mK).
Advantageously, a lower thermal conductivity may reduce the amount of heat being transferred into the wicking element from the heating element, particularly the portions of the wicking element located relatively far from the heating element.
The wires may be non-magnetic. The wires may be metallic wires, for example steel wires, such as stainless steel wires.
Advantageously, metallic wires, such as steel or stainless steel wires, may provide suitable physical properties for the wicking element, such as a suitable modulus of elasticity, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity.
The wicking element may comprise a supporting material. The supporting material may increase the rigidity of the wicking element. One or more of the elastically deformable structure, the mesh, and the wires of the wicking element may comprise or be formed from the supporting material. The supporting material may be or comprise a polymer or a plastic material. Advantageously, the supporting material may allow the wicking element to apply a greater force for a given deflection.
At least a portion of an outer surface of the wicking element may comprise or be formed from the supporting material. At least a portion of the wicking element may be covered or laminated by the supporting material. The wicking element may comprise a liquid retention material, as discussed in more detail later. The supporting material may have a greater Young's modulus than the liquid retention material. At least a portion of the liquid retention material may be covered or laminated by the second material. Advantageously, a polymer or a plastic material may help to provide the wicking element with a suitable level of flexibility. A thickness of each of the wires may be at least 10, 15, 25 or 50 microns. A thickness of each of the wires may be less than 200, 150, 100, or 75 microns. A thickness of each of the wires may be between 10 and 200 microns, or 10 and 150 microns, or 10 and 100 microns, or 10 and 75 microns, or 15 and 200 microns, or 15 and 150 microns, or 15 and 100 microns, or 15 and 75 microns.
It may be preferable that a thickness of each of the wires is between 10 and 200 microns, and it may be particularly preferable that the thickness of each of the wires is between 15 and 75 microns.
Advantageously, wires having such thicknesses may be sufficiently malleable for forming into a desired shape for the wicking element but also be sufficiently resistant to elastic deformation that they are able to apply a suitably sized force to the heating element in use.
Each aperture may have a dimension greater than the thickness of each of the wires. Each aperture may have a dimension greater than the thickness of each of the wires bounding that particular aperture. Each aperture may have a dimension no greater than three times the thickness of each of the wires. Each aperture may have a dimension no greater than three times the thickness of each of the wires bounding that particular aperture.
Advantageously, such aperture dimensions, particularly in combination with the wire thicknesses listed above, may ensure that the wicking element has suitable wicking properties.
The wicking element may comprise a liquid retention material. The liquid retention material may be in contact with the elastically deformable structure. At least part of the liquid retention material may be held within the elastically deformable structure. The liquid retention material may be in contact with, or form part of, the mesh.
Advantageously, the use of a liquid retention material may allow the wicking element to hold more liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The mesh may comprise one or more filaments, for example non-metallic filaments. Each filament may comprise, or may be formed from, a liquid retention material.
The liquid retention material may comprise, or may be formed from, one or more of cotton, wool, glass fibre, viscose thread, and rayon.
Advantageously, such liquid retention materials are able to retain high volumes of liquid.
The wicking element may comprise one or more wires formed of a first material. The wicking element may comprise one or more filaments formed of a second material. The second material may be different to the first material. The mesh may be a hybrid mesh comprising one or more wires formed of a first material and one or more filaments formed of a second material, different to the first material. One or more of the one or more wires may be in contact with one or more of the one or more filaments. The one or more wires may be interwoven with the one or more filaments.
Advantageously, the use of a hybrid mesh may allow the use of different materials to accomplish different aims of the mesh. For example, the first material may be a metallic material and may provide the mesh with an appropriate resilience such that the wicking element is able to provide, at least in part, the biasing means. The second material may be a liquid retention material and may allow the mesh to hold more liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The first material may comprise, or may be, a metal such as steel or stainless steel. Advantageously, metals such as steel and stainless steel may provide suitable physical properties for the wicking element, such as a suitable modulus of elasticity, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity.
The second material may comprise or be a liquid retention material. The second material may comprise one or more of cotton, wool, glass fibre, viscose thread, and rayon. The second material may be any one of cotton, wool, glass fibre, viscose thread, and rayon. Advantageously, such materials may allow the wicking element to hold more liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The wicking element may comprise a plurality of filaments. The filaments may be as described above, so may be formed from a liquid retention material. The plurality of filaments may be entwined, for example in the form of a rope.
The plurality of filaments may be reinforced by one or both of a reinforcing mesh and one or more reinforcing wires. Features described herein in relation to a mesh may be applicable to the reinforcing mesh. Features described herein in relation to wires may be applicable to the reinforcing wires.
Advantageously, this arrangement may provide a wicking element with a suitable resilience and suitable wicking properties.
The wicking element may comprise two strips of mesh. Features described herein in relation to a mesh may be applicable to the strips of mesh.
The wicking element may comprise a liquid retention material sandwiched between the two strips of mesh.
Advantageously, this arrangement may provide a wicking element with a suitable resilience and suitable wicking properties.
The wicking element may comprise a folded mesh strip. Features described herein in relation to a mesh may be applicable to the folded mesh strip.
The wicking element may comprise a liquid retention material between a fold of the folded mesh strip.
The folded mesh strip may be folded so as to provide a space between two substantially opposing surfaces. The wicking element may comprise a liquid retention material in the space between the opposing surfaces.
Advantageously, this arrangement may provide a wicking element with a suitable resilience and suitable wicking properties.
The wicking element may comprise a multi-folded mesh strip. That is, the wicking element may comprise a mesh strip comprising one or more folds. Features described herein in relation to a mesh may be applicable to the multi-folded mesh strip.
The wicking element may comprise a liquid retention material between one or more folds of the multi-folded mesh strip.
The mesh strip may be folded multiple times to provide at least two spaces between substantially opposing surfaces. The wicking element may comprise a liquid retention material in one or more or each of the spaces between the opposing surfaces.
Advantageously, this arrangement may provide a wicking element with a suitable resilience and suitable wicking properties.
The wicking element may comprise a rolled or scrolled mesh. An end-view of the rolled or scrolled mesh may appear substantially spiral-like. Features described herein in relation to a mesh may be applicable to scrolled mesh.
The wicking element may comprise a liquid retention material within or wrapped into the rolled or scrolled mesh.
Advantageously, this arrangement may provide a wicking element with a suitable resilience and suitable wicking properties.
The wicking element may comprise a substantially tubular mesh. Features described herein in relation to a mesh may be applicable to the substantially tubular mesh.
The wicking element may comprise a liquid retention material within the substantially tubular mesh.
The substantially tubular mesh may provide a space between surfaces forming the substantially tubular mesh. The wicking element may comprise a liquid retention material in the space.
Advantageously, this arrangement may provide a wicking element with a suitable resilience and suitable wicking properties.
The wicking element may comprise a mesh and, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the mesh may be in contact with the heating element.
The mesh may comprise a plural number of wires. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, at least 60, 80, or 90% of the number of wires, for example each of the wires, may be in contact with the heating element. Thus, as an example, the mesh may comprise 10 wires and at least 6, 8, or 9 of those wires, or all 10 of those wires, may be in contact with the heating element. Advantageously, a greater proportion of the number of wires being in contact with the heating element may allow the wicking element to apply a greater force to the heating element for a given deflection of the wicking element.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, an area of contact between the wicking element and the heating element may be less than 2,000 millimetres squared, more specifically less than 500 millimetres squared.
Advantageously, a relatively small contact area between the wicking element and the heating element may minimise heat dissipation into the wicking element. Instead, more of the heat generated by the heating element may be used to evaporate liquid aerosol-forming substrate in close proximity to the contact area between the wicking element and the heating element.
The cartridge may comprise a counter element. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the counter element may contact the heating element. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the counter element may apply a counterforce to the heating element in a counterforce direction, for example to at least partially counter the force applied to the heating element by the wicking element.
Advantageously, the counter element may reduce a net bending moment produced by the force on the heating element. Thus, the counter element may reduce a likelihood of the force breaking or otherwise damaging the heating element.
The counterforce direction may be substantially opposite to the force direction. Advantageously, this may allow the force and the counterforce to have a resultant net force of zero.
The counter element may be a second wicking element. Advantageously, this may allow the cartridge to efficiently utilise heat generated from two heating element, or from two heating surfaces of a heating element, to generate an aerosol.
The wicking element and the counter element may be separate. The wicking element and the counter element may be connected. The wicking element and the counter element may be connected such that a liquid is able to be wicked from the wicking element to the counter element or from the counter element to the wicking element.
The heating element, for example the elongate heating element, may have a first surface, for example a first heating surface, facing a first direction. The heating element may have a second surface, for example a second heating surface, facing a second direction. The second direction may substantially oppose the first direction.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element may contact the first surface. The wicking element may apply the force to the first surface. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the counter element may contact the second surface. The counter element may apply the counterforce to the second surface.
The wicking element may comprise a wicking element contact portion. The counter element may comprise a counter element contact portion. When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion may contact the heating element. For example, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion may contact the first surface of the heating element and the counter element contact portion may contact the second surface of the heating element.
Advantageously, in such an arrangement, the counterforce applied by the counter element may substantially oppose the force applied by the wicking element.
When the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion may be in contact or may be separated by a distance of less than 5, 3, 2, or 1 millimetres. In the engaged wicking element position, the heating element may be received between the wicking element and the counter element, for example between the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion.
Advantageously, a small separation distance, or no separation distance, in the resting positions of the wicking element and counter element may mean that, when a heating element is received between the wicking element and the counter element, both the wicking element and the counter element apply forces to the heating element.
When the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion may be configured to resist being separated. When the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion may be configured to resist being separated by more than a predetermined distance, for example 1, 2, or 3 mm.
When the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position, the biasing means may resist separation of the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion. When the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position, the biasing means may resist separation of the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion by more than a predetermined distance, for example 1, 2, or 3 mm.
Thus, advantageously, when a heating element is received between the wicking element and the counter element so as to increase a separation therebetween, both the wicking element and the counter element may apply forces to the heating element.
Features described in relation to the wicking element may be applicable to the counter element. The counter element may be substantially identical to the wicking element. For example, features described in relation to the structure, materials, and shape of the wicking element may be applicable to the counter element.
The wicking element may comprise a first portion. The first portion may extend in the cartridge longitudinal direction. The wicking element may comprise a protruding portion protruding from the first portion in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the cartridge longitudinal direction. The protruding portion may comprise the wicking element contact portion.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the protruding portion of the wicking element may be configured to contact the heating element.
The wicking element, for example the protruding portion of the wicking element, may comprise a curved, outer portion. The wicking element contact portion may be adjacent to or part of the curved, outer portion.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the heating element may be in an engaged heating element position.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, at least part of the curved, outer portion may curve away from the heating element, for example at least part of the curved, outer portion may curve away from the heating element direction as the curved, outer portion extends in the heating element direction.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, at least part of the curved, outer portion may curve away from the heating element direction as the curved, outer portion extends in the heating element direction towards a base, or away from a free end, of the heating element.
Advantageously, the curved outer portion may act to guide the heating element into the engaged heating element position. This may reduce a likelihood of the heating element getting stuck on the wicking element, for example a tapered end of the heating element getting stuck in an aperture of a mesh of the wicking element.
When the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, at least part of the curved, outer portion may curve away from the heating element direction as the curved, outer portion extends in the heating element direction away from a base, or towards a free end, of the heating element.
Advantageously, this may reduce a contact area between the wicking element and the heating element.
At least part of the curved, outer portion may curve away from the engagement direction as the curved, outer portion extends in the engagement direction. Advantageously, this may act to guide the heating element into the engaged heating element position.
At least part of the curved, outer portion may curve away from the engagement direction as the curved, outer portion extends in a direction opposite to the engagement direction. Advantageously, this may reduce a contact area between the wicking element and the heating element.
The outer, curved portion of the wicking element may be curved so as to guide the heating element towards the engaged heating element position as the cartridge is engaged with the device.
The cartridge may comprise a reservoir for a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The reservoir may hold a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with the wicking element. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with the counter element.
Advantageously, the reservoir may allow the cartridge to hold more liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The cartridge may comprise a second reservoir for a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The second reservoir may hold a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The second reservoir may be in fluid communication with the counter element.
The cartridge may be refillable, for example with liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The reservoir may be refillable, for example with liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The second reservoir may be refillable, for example with liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
Advantageously, this may allow the cartridge to be re-used.
The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power source, for example a battery. The power source may be connected to the heating element. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller. The controller may be connected to the power source. The controller may be connected to the heating element. The controller may control the supply of power from the power source to the heating element. The controller may control a temperature of the heating element.
The aerosol-generating device may be handheld. The aerosol-generating device may be portable. The aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may have a size comparable to a conventional cigar or cigarette. The aerosol-generating device may be substantially right cylindrical in shape. The aerosol-generating device may have a total length between 30 and 150 millimetres. The aerosol-generating device may have an external diameter between 5 and 30 millimetres.
The heating element may be an electric heating element. The heating element may be configured to be electrically resistively heated. 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 and metals from the platinum group. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, Constantan, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium-titanium-zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, tantalum-, tin-, molybdenum-, tungsten-, gallium-, manganese- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetal®, iron-aluminium based alloys and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys. Timetal® is a registered trade mark of Titanium Metals Corporation, 1999 Broadway Suite 4300, Denver Colorado. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required. The heating element may comprise a metallic etched foil insulated between two layers of an inert material. In that case, the inert material may comprise Kapton®, all-polyimide or mica foil. Kapton® is a registered trade mark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19898, United States of America.
The heating element may be configured to be inductively heated. The heating element may comprise a susceptor material. In use, susceptor materials may convert electromagnetic energy into heat. Suitable susceptor materials include but are not limited to: carbon, carbon-based materials, graphene, graphite, expanded graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steels, niobium, aluminium, nickel, nickel-containing compounds, titanium, and composites of metallic materials. Suitable susceptor materials may comprise a ferromagnetic material, for example, ferritic iron, a ferromagnetic alloy, such as ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel, ferromagnetic particles, and ferrite. A suitable susceptor material may be, or comprise, aluminium. A susceptor material may comprise more than 5, 10, 20, 50, 70, or 90 percent ferromagnetic or paramagnetic materials by weight.
The wicking element may be formed from, or consist of, non-susceptor materials. The counter element may be formed from, or consist of, non-susceptor materials. The cartridge may be formed from, or consist of, non-susceptor materials. Advantageously, this may minimise or prevent the wicking element or the cartridge from heating up substantially when exposed to a fluctuating electromagnetic field. This may allow the cartridge to be used efficiently with devices configured to inductively heat the heating element.
The cartridge may comprise an air inlet. The cartridge may comprise an air outlet. The cartridge may comprise an air flow passage. The air flow passage may connect the air flow inlet to the air flow outlet. In use, air may flow through the air inlet, across, through or past the wicking element, and then through the air outlet.
The cartridge may comprise a mouthpiece or a mouth end. The mouthpiece or mouth end may comprise the air outlet. In use, the mouthpiece or the mouth end may be placed into a mouth of a user in order for the user to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating system.
Features described in relation to the first aspect may be applicable to the second aspect. Features described in relation to the second aspect may be applicable to the first aspect.
For example, the cartridge according to the second aspect may comprise any of the features described in relation to the cartridge of the system of the first aspect. The cartridge according to the second aspect may be the cartridge of the system of the first aspect.
As another example, the cartridge of the system of the first aspect may comprise any of the features described in relation to the cartridge according to the second aspect. The cartridge of the system of the first aspect may be the cartridge according to the second aspect.
As used herein, the term “aerosol” may refer to a dispersion of solid particles, or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets, in a gas. The aerosol may be visible or invisible. The aerosol may include vapours of substances that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature as well as solid particles, or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets.
As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” may refer to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The volatile compounds may be released by heating or combusting the aerosol-forming substrate.
The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material. The tobacco-containing material may contain volatile tobacco flavour compounds. These compounds may be released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavourants. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more of water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts and natural or artificial flavours. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol.
As used herein, the term “dimension of an aperture”, or any synonymous term, may refer to a dimension measured between two opposing surfaces of an aperture. Thus, where an aperture is bounded by wires, for example, the dimension of the aperture does not include a thickness of the wires. The dimension may pass through the centroid of the cross-section of the aperture. For example, where the aperture has a substantially square cross-section, the dimension of the aperture may be the side-length of the square. Where the aperture has a substantially circular cross-section, the dimension of the aperture may be the diameter of the circular cross-section. Where the aperture has a substantially rectangular cross-section, the dimension of the aperture may be the longer side-length, or the shorter side-length, of the rectangular cross-section. Where the aperture has an irregular cross-section, the dimension of the aperture may be the average opening dimension. The dimensions of apertures referred to herein have been measured using a microscope, though any suitable method could be used.
As used herein, the term “elongate” may refer to a component having a length at least 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, or 100 times one or both of its width and thickness.
The invention is defined in the claims. However, 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 EX1An aerosol-generating system comprising:
-
- an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating element; and
- a cartridge comprising a housing, a wicking element, and a biasing means,
- wherein the cartridge is engageable with, and disengageable from, the device,
- and wherein:
- when the cartridge is disengaged from the device, the wicking element is in a disengaged wicking element position in which the wicking element is not in contact with the heating element; and
- when the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element is in an engaged wicking element position, different to the disengaged wicking element position relative to the housing, in which the wicking element is in contact with the heating element and the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position such that the wicking element applies a force to the heating element in a force direction.
- an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating element; and
An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex1, wherein the cartridge is engageable with, and disengageable from, the device by movement of the cartridge relative to the device in an engagement direction.
EXAMPLE EX3An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex2, wherein the force direction is non-parallel with the engagement direction.
EXAMPLE EX4An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex3, wherein the force direction is substantially perpendicular to the engagement direction.
EXAMPLE EX5An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element comprises an outer heating surface.
EXAMPLE EX6An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises an outer contact surface which contacts the heating element when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position.
EXAMPLE EX7An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex5, wherein the wicking element comprises an outer contact surface and, when the cartridge is engaged with the device, the outer heating surface of the heating element contacts the outer contact surface of the wicking element.
EXAMPLE EX8An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element is an elongate heating element having a length extending in a heating element direction and the force direction is non-parallel with the heating element direction.
EXAMPLE EX9An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein, when the cartridge is engaged with the device, the force applied to the heating element by the wicking element is greater than 0.1 Newtons and optionally less than 10 Newtons.
EXAMPLE EX10An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the cartridge.
EXAMPLE EX11An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex10, wherein the heating element is located at least partially within the chamber.
EXAMPLE EX12An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex10 or Ex11, wherein engaging the device with the cartridge comprises receiving at least a portion of the cartridge in the chamber, for example by moving the cartridge relative to the device in the engagement direction.
EXAMPLE EX13An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element is an elongate heating element.
EXAMPLE EX14An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element is an elongate heating element having a length extending in a heating element direction.
EXAMPLE EX15An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex14, wherein the device defines a device longitudinal direction and the heating element direction is parallel with the device longitudinal direction.
EXAMPLE EX16An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex14 or Ex15, when dependent on any of Examples Ex10 to Ex12, wherein the chamber defines a chamber longitudinal direction and the heating element direction is parallel with the chamber longitudinal direction.
EXAMPLE EX17An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element is for penetrating a solid aerosol-forming substrate.
EXAMPLE EX18An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element comprises a free end.
EXAMPLE EX19An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex18, wherein the free end is tapered, for example tapered to a line or point.
EXAMPLE EX20An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element comprises a base.
EXAMPLE EX21An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex20, when dependent on example Ex18 or Ex19, wherein the base is located at an opposite end of the heating element to the free end.
EXAMPLE EX22An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex19 or Ex20, when dependent on any of examples Ex10 to Ex12, wherein the base of the heating element is located at a base of the chamber of the device.
EXAMPLE EX23An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element is a heating blade, pin, or rod, for example a heating blade, pin or rod for penetrating a solid aerosol-forming substrate.
EXAMPLE EX24An aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex10 to Ex12, or any of examples Ex13 to Ex23 when dependent on any of examples Ex10 to Ex12, wherein the heating element is located substantially centrally within the chamber.
EXAMPLE EX25An aerosol-generating system according to and preceding example, wherein the device comprises a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the cartridge and the chamber is defined at least in part by an outer chamber wall.
EXAMPLE EX26An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex25, wherein the heating element is located at or near the outer chamber wall, or defines at least a portion of the chamber wall.
EXAMPLE EX27An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex25 or Ex26, wherein the heating element is located closer to the outer chamber wall than a centre of the chamber.
EXAMPLE EX28An aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex25 to Ex27, wherein the heating element comprises a heating surface facing a radially inward direction.
EXAMPLE EX29An aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex25 to Ex28, wherein the heating element comprises a heating surface facing a centre of the chamber.
EXAMPLE EX30An aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex25 to Ex29, wherein the heating element comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface is configured to be heated to a higher temperature than the outer surface.
EXAMPLE EX31An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element is a tubular heating element.
EXAMPLE EX32An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the device comprises a second heating element.
EXAMPLE EX33An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex32, wherein the second heating element opposes the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX34An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex32 or Ex33, wherein the device is configured to receive an aerosol-forming substrate between the heating element and the second heating element.
EXAMPLE EX35An aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex32 to Ex34, wherein the second heating element is located at or near the outer chamber wall, or defines at least a portion of the chamber wall.
EXAMPLE EX36An aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex32 to Ex35, wherein the second heating element is located closer to the outer chamber wall than a centre of the chamber.
EXAMPLE EX37An aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex32 to Ex36, wherein the second heating element comprises a heating surface facing a radially inward direction.
EXAMPLE EX38An aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex32 to Ex37, wherein the second heating element comprises a heating surface facing a centre of the chamber.
EXAMPLE EX39An aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex32 to Ex38, wherein the second heating element comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface is configured to be heated to a higher temperature than the outer surface.
EXAMPLE EX40An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element comprises a heating surface.
EXAMPLE EX41An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex40, wherein, in use, the heating surface provides a non-uniform temperature surface.
EXAMPLE EX42An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element comprises a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion is configured to be heated to a higher temperature than the second portion, for example to a temperature at least 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 75, or 100 degrees Celsius higher than the second portion.
EXAMPLE EX43An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex42, wherein the heating element comprises a base and the second portion is located closer to the base than the first portion.
EXAMPLE EX44An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex42 or Ex43, wherein the heating element comprises a free end and the first portion is located closer to the free end than the second portion.
EXAMPLE EX45An aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex42 to Ex44, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element is in contact with the second portion of the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX46A cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device having a heating element, the cartridge comprising a wicking element, a housing, and a biasing means,
-
- wherein the wicking element is moveable relative to the housing between a disengaged wicking element position and an engaged wicking element position,
- and wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position.
A cartridge according to example Ex46, wherein the cartridge is configured to engage with, and disengage from, the aerosol-generating device, for example by movement of the cartridge relative to the device in an engagement direction.
EXAMPLE EX48A cartridge according to example Ex46 or Ex47, wherein the cartridge is configured such that when the cartridge is not engaged with the device, the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position and is not in contact with the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX49A cartridge according to any of examples Ex46 to Ex48, wherein, when the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position and is in contact with the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX50A cartridge according to any of examples Ex46 to Ex49, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the biasing means biases the wicking element towards one or both of the disengaged wicking element position and the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX51A cartridge according to any of examples Ex46 to Ex50, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the biasing means biases the wicking element towards one or both of the disengaged wicking element position and the heating element such that the wicking element applies a force to the heating element in a force direction.
EXAMPLE EX52A cartridge according to example Ex51, wherein the force direction is non-parallel with the engagement direction.
EXAMPLE EX53A cartridge according to example Ex51, wherein the force direction is substantially perpendicular to the engagement direction.
EXAMPLE EX54A cartridge or system according to any preceding example, wherein the biasing means is provided, at least in part, by the wicking element.
EXAMPLE EX55A cartridge or system according to any preceding example, wherein, when the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element is elastically deformed such that the resilience of the wicking element biases the wicking element towards to the disengaged wicking element position, for example to apply at least part of the force to the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX56A cartridge or system according to any preceding example, wherein the biasing means is provided, at least in part, by a resistance component.
EXAMPLE EX57A cartridge or system according to example Ex56, wherein, when the cartridge is engaged with the device, the resistance component biases the wicking element towards to the disengaged wicking element position, for example to apply at least part of the force to the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX58A cartridge or system according to example Ex56 or Ex57, wherein the resistance component comprises one or more of a spring, such as a helical spring, a spiral spring or a leaf spring, and an elastically deformable material.
EXAMPLE EX59A cartridge or system according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises an elastically deformable structure.
EXAMPLE EX60A cartridge or system according to example Ex59, wherein the elastically deformable structure provides the biasing means.
EXAMPLE EX61A cartridge or system according to example Ex59 or example Ex60, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the elastically deformable structure is elastically deformed such that the resilience of the elastically deformable structure biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position.
EXAMPLE EX62A cartridge or system according to any of examples Ex59 to Ex61, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the elastically deformable structure is elastically deformed such that the resilience of the elastically deformable structure biases the wicking element towards the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX63A cartridge or system according to any of examples Ex59 to Ex62, wherein the elastically deformable structure of the wicking element comprises one or more wires.
EXAMPLE EX64A cartridge or system according to any of examples Ex59 to Ex63, wherein the elastically deformable structure of the wicking element comprises a mesh.
EXAMPLE EX65A cartridge or system according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises a mesh.
EXAMPLE EX66A cartridge or system according to example Ex64 or Ex65, wherein the mesh defines a plurality of apertures.
EXAMPLE EX67A cartridge or system according to example Ex66, wherein each aperture has a dimension of less than 1000, 800, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, or 100 microns.
EXAMPLE EX68A cartridge or system according to any of examples Ex64 to Ex67 wherein the mesh comprises a network of wires, for example a network of interwoven wires.
EXAMPLE EX69A cartridge or system according to any preceding example wherein the wicking element, or the wires of the wicking element, or the mesh of the wicking element, comprises or is formed from a material having a Young's modulus, or modulus of elasticity, of at least 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, or 150 Giga Pascals (GPa).
EXAMPLE EX70A cartridge or system according to any preceding example wherein the wicking element, or the wires of the wicking element, or the mesh of the wicking element, comprises or is formed from a material having an electrical conductivity at 20 degrees Celsius of less than 20, 15, 10, 5, or 2 Mega Siemens per metre (10{circumflex over ( )}6 S/m).
EXAMPLE EX71A cartridge or system according to any preceding example wherein the wicking element, or the wires of the wicking element, or the mesh of the wicking element, comprises or is formed from a material having thermal conductivity at 20 degrees Celsius of less than 100, 50, 30 or 20 Watts per metre Kelvin (W/mK).
EXAMPLE EX72A cartridge or system according to any of examples Ex63 to Ex71, wherein the wires are metallic wires, for example steel wires, such as stainless steel wires.
EXAMPLE EX73A cartridge or system according to any of examples Ex63 to Ex72, wherein a thickness of each of the wires is between 10 and 200 microns, or 10 and 150 microns, or 10 and 100 microns, or 10 and 75 microns, or 15 and 200 microns, or 15 and 150 microns, or 15 and 100 microns, or 15 and 75 microns.
EXAMPLE EX74A cartridge or system according to example Ex68 or any of examples Ex69 to Ex73 when dependent on example Ex68, wherein the mesh has a plurality of apertures, each aperture having a dimension which is no greater than three times the thickness of each of the wires.
EXAMPLE EX75A cartridge or system according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises a liquid retention material.
EXAMPLE EX76A cartridge or system according to example Ex64 or Ex65, or any of examples Ex66 to Ex75 when dependent on example Ex64 or Ex65, wherein the mesh comprises one or more filaments, for example non-metallic filaments.
EXAMPLE EX77A cartridge or system according to example Ex76, wherein each filament comprises, or is formed from, a liquid retention material.
EXAMPLE EX78A cartridge or system according to example Ex75 or Ex77, wherein the liquid retention material comprises, or is formed from, one or more of cotton, wool, glass fibre, viscose thread, and rayon.
EXAMPLE EX79A cartridge or system according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises one or more wires formed of a first material and one or more filaments formed of a second material, different to the first material.
EXAMPLE EX80A cartridge or system according to example Ex79, wherein the one or more wires are in contact with the one or more filaments.
EXAMPLE EX81A cartridge or system according to example Ex64 or Ex65, or any of examples Ex66 to Ex80 when dependent on example Ex64 or Ex65, wherein the mesh is a hybrid mesh comprising one or more wires formed of a first material and one or more filaments formed of a second material, different to the first material.
EXAMPLE EX82A cartridge or system according to example Ex81, wherein the one or more wires are interwoven with the one or more filaments.
EXAMPLE EX83A cartridge or system according to any of examples Ex79 to Ex82, wherein the first material comprises, or is, a metal such as steel or stainless steel.
EXAMPLE EX84A cartridge or system according to any of examples Ex79 to Ex83, wherein the second material comprises one or more of cotton, wool, glass fibre, viscose thread, and rayon, or wherein the second material is any one of cotton, wool, glass fibre, viscose thread, and rayon.
EXAMPLE EX85A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises a plurality of filaments and the plurality of filaments are entwined, for example in the form of a rope.
EXAMPLE EX86A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex85, wherein the plurality of filaments are reinforced by one or more wires or a mesh.
EXAMPLE EX87A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises two strips of mesh.
EXAMPLE EX88A cartridge or system according to example Ex87, wherein the wicking element comprises a liquid retention material sandwiched between the two strips of mesh.
EXAMPLE EX89A cartridge or system according to according any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises a folded mesh strip.
EXAMPLE EX90A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex89, wherein the wicking element comprises a liquid retention material between a folding of the folded mesh strip.
EXAMPLE EX90A cartridge or system according to example Ex89 or Ex90, wherein the mesh strip is folded to provide a space between two substantially opposing surfaces and the wicking element comprises a liquid retention material in the space between the opposing surfaces.
EXAMPLE EX91A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises a multi-folded mesh strip.
EXAMPLE EX92A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex91, wherein the wicking element comprises a wicking material between one or more foldings of the multi-folded mesh strip.
EXAMPLE EX93A cartridge or system according to example Ex91 or Ex92, wherein the mesh strip is folded multiple times to provide at least two spaces between substantially opposing surfaces and the wicking element comprises a liquid retention material in one or more or each of the spaces between the opposing surfaces.
EXAMPLE EX94A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises a scrolled mesh.
EXAMPLE EX95A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex94, wherein the wicking element comprises a liquid retention material within or wrapped into the scrolled mesh.
EXAMPLE EX96A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises a substantially tubular mesh.
EXAMPLE EX97A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex96, wherein the wicking element comprises a liquid retention material within the substantially tubular mesh.
EXAMPLE EX98A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex96 or Ex97, wherein the substantially tubular mesh provides a space between surfaces forming the substantially tubular mesh, and the wicking element comprises a liquid retention material in the space.
EXAMPLE EX99A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element comprises a mesh and, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the mesh is in contact with the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX100A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex64 or Ex65, or any of examples Ex66 to Ex98 when dependent on example Ex64 or Ex65, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the mesh is in contact with the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX101A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex99 or Ex100 wherein the mesh comprises a plurality of wires and, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, at least 60, 80, or 90% of the wires, for example each of the plurality of wires, are in contact with the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX102A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, an area of contact between the wicking element and the heating element is less than 2,000 or 500 millimetres squared.
EXAMPLE EX103A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the cartridge comprises a counter element.
EXAMPLE EX104A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex103, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the counter element is configured to contact the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX105A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex103 or Ex104, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the counter element is configured to apply a counterforce to the heating element in a counterforce direction, for example to at least partially counter the force applied to the heating element by the wicking element.
EXAMPLE EX106A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex105, wherein the counterforce direction is substantially opposite to the force direction.
EXAMPLE EX107A cartridge or system according to according to any of examples Ex103 to Ex106, wherein the counter element is a second wicking element.
EXAMPLE EX108A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the heating element is an elongate heating element having a first heating surface facing a first direction and a second heating surface facing a second direction, optionally wherein the second direction is substantially opposite to the first direction.
EXAMPLE EX109A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex108, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element is configured to contact the first heating surface and the counter element is configured to contact the second heating surface.
EXAMPLE EX110A cartridge or system according to according to any of examples Ex103 to Ex107, or Example Ex108 or Ex109 when dependent on any of examples Ex103 to Ex107, wherein the wicking element comprises a wicking element contact portion and the counter element comprises a counter element contact portion, and wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion are configured to contact the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX111A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex110, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion is configured to contact the first heating surface of the heating element and the counter element contact portion is configured to contact the second heating surface of the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX112A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex110 or Ex111, wherein, when the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion are in contact or are separated by a distance of less than 5, 3, 2, or 1 millimetres.
EXAMPLE EX113A cartridge or system according to any of examples Ex110 to Ex112, wherein, when the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion are configured to resist being separated or being separated by more than a predetermined distance, for example 1, 2, or 3 mm.
EXAMPLE EX114A cartridge or system according to according to any of examples Ex110 to Ex113, wherein, when the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position, the biasing means resists separation of the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion, or resists separation of the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion by more than a predetermined distance, for example 1, 2, or 3 mm.
EXAMPLE EX115A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the cartridge defines a cartridge longitudinal direction and the wicking element comprises a first portion extending in the cartridge longitudinal direction.
EXAMPLE EX116A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex115, wherein the wicking element comprises a protruding portion protruding from the first portion in a direction transverse to the cartridge longitudinal direction.
EXAMPLE EX117A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex115 or Ex116, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the protruding portion of the wicking element is configured to contact the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX118A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element, for example the protruding portion of the wicking element of example Ex116 or Ex117, comprises a curved, outer portion.
EXAMPLE EX119A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex118, wherein the wicking element comprises a wicking element contact portion configured to contact the heating element when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, and the wicking element contact portion is adjacent to or part of the curved, outer portion.
EXAMPLE EX120A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex118 or Ex119, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, at least part of the curved, outer portion curves away from the heating element.
EXAMPLE EX121A cartridge or system according to according to any of examples Ex118 to Ex120, wherein the heating element extends in a heating element direction, for example where the heating element is an elongate heating element having a length extending in the heating element direction, and at least part of the curved, outer portion curves away from the heating element direction as the curved, outer portion extends in the heating element direction.
EXAMPLE EX122A cartridge or system according to according to any of examples Ex118 to Ex121, wherein at least part of the curved, outer portion curves away from the engagement direction as the curved, outer portion extends in the engagement direction.
EXAMPLE EX123A cartridge or system according to according to any of examples Ex118 to Ex122, wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element, the heating element is in an engaged heating element position, and wherein the curved, outer portion of the wicking element is curved so as to guide the heating element towards the engaged heating element position as the cartridge is engaged with the device.
EXAMPLE EX124A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the cartridge comprises a reservoir for a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
EXAMPLE EX125A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex124, wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with the wicking element.
EXAMPLE EX126A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex124 or Ex125, wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with the counter element.
EXAMPLE EX127A cartridge or system according to according to any of examples Ex124 to Ex126, wherein the cartridge comprises a second reservoir for a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
EXAMPLE EX128A cartridge or system according to according to example Ex127, wherein the second reservoir is in fluid communication with the counter element.
EXAMPLE EX129A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the cartridge is refillable with liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
EXAMPLE EX130A cartridge or system according to according to any of examples Ex124 to Ex128, wherein the reservoir is refillable with liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
EXAMPLE EX131A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the wicking element is formed from, or consists of, non-susceptor materials.
EXAMPLE EX132A cartridge or system according to according to any preceding example, wherein the cartridge is formed from, or consists of, non-susceptor materials.
Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:
The device 1100 comprises a resistive heating element 1102, a power supply 1104 in the form of a battery, and a controller 1106. The power supply 1104 is connected to the heating element 1102 and the controller 1106 is connected to the heating element 1102 and the power supply 1104. The heating element 1102 is located in a radially central position in a cylindrical chamber 1108 of the device 1100. The chamber 1108 is configured to receive a portion of the cartridge 1200.
The cartridge 1200 comprises a housing 1202, a wicking element 1204, a biasing means 1206, a counter element 1208 in the form of a second wicking element, a counter element biasing means 1210, a first, refillable reservoir 1212 of liquid aerosol-forming substrate and a second, refillable reservoir 1214 of liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The wicking element 1204 is in fluid communication with the first reservoir 1212 and the counter element 1208 is in fluid communication with the second reservoir 1214.
The cartridge 1200 is engageable with, and disengageable from, the device 1100 by movement of the cartridge 1200 relative to the device 1100 in an engagement direction. In the embodiment shown in
The cartridge 1200 is keyed to the chamber 1108 so as to be receivable in the chamber in only one orientation—the orientation shown in
The cartridge 1200 is also temporarily fixable at a particular depth in the chamber 1108. In the embodiment shown in
When the cartridge 1200 is disengaged from the device 1100 (not shown), the wicking element 1204 is in a disengaged wicking element position in which the wicking element 1204 is not in contact with the heating element 1102, and the counter element 1208 is in a disengaged counter element position in which the counter element 1208 also is not in contact with the heating element 1102.
When the cartridge 1200 is engaged with the device 1100 (as shown in
In the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element 1204 is in contact with the heating element 1102 and the biasing means 1206 biases the wicking element 1204 towards the disengaged wicking element position such that the wicking element 1204 applies a force to the heating element 1102 in a force direction perpendicular to the engagement direction. This force ensures consistent, tight contact between the heating element 1102 and the wicking element 1204 at a desired location on the heating element 1102.
Similarly, in the engaged counter element position, the counter element 1208 is in contact with the heating element 1102 and the counter element biasing means 1210 biases the counter element 1208 towards the disengaged counter element position such that the counter element 1208 applies a counterforce to the heating element 1102 in a counterforce direction perpendicular to the engagement direction and opposite to the force direction. This counterforce ensures consistent, tight contact between the heating element 1102 and the counter element 1208 in a desired location on the heating element 1102. The counterforce also opposes the force so as to reduce a bending moment acting on the heating element 1102 about the base of the heating element 1102.
In use, after engaging the cartridge 1200 with the device 1100, a user may puff on a mouth end 1203 of the cartridge 1200. This causes air to flow in the directions indicated by arrows in
The various components of the device 1100 and the cartridge 1200 will now be described in more detail.
The heating element 1102 of the device 1100 is an elongate heating element having a length extending in a heating element direction. In the embodiment shown in
The heating element 1102 comprises a tapered free end and a base located at an opposite end of the heating element 1102 to the free end. The base of the heating element 1102 is located at, and fixed to, a base of the chamber 1108.
The heating element 1102 comprises an electrically insulating, ceramic substrate and an electrically resistive, platinum track located on the ceramic substrate. The heating element 1102 is in the form of a substantially flat blade and comprises a first, flat, outer heating surface, and a second, flat, outer heating surface. The first outer heating surface opposes the second outer heating surface. The first and second outer heating surfaces are defined by the width and length of the heating element 1102.
In use, the power supply 1104 passes a current through the electrically resistive track. This causes the heating element 1102, in particular both the first and second outer heating surfaces of the heating element 1102, to be resistively heated to operating temperatures.
In use, the first and second outer heating surfaces provide non-uniform temperature surfaces. In particular, a substantially central region of the first outer heating surface reaches a maximum temperature of around 350 degrees Celsius. Points further from this region are generally cooler. The temperature profile of the second outer heating surface is similar to the temperature profile of the first outer heating surface. Temperatures at the base and the free end of the heating element 1102 may be as low as around 220 degrees Celsius during operation. When the wicking element 1204 is in the engaged wicking element position, as shown in
Thus, the heating element 1102 may be considered to comprise a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being configured to be heated to a higher temperature than the second portion. With reference to the embodiment shown in
The wicking element 1204 comprises an outer contact surface which contacts the first outer heating surface of the heating element 1102 when the wicking element 1204 is in the engaged wicking element position. The counter element 1208 is essentially a mirrored version of the wicking element 1204, and comprises an outer contact surface which contacts the second outer heating surface of the heating element 1102 when the counter element 1208 is in the engaged counter element position, as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
Similarly, the counter element biasing means 1210 is provided by the counter element 1208. Specifically, when the cartridge 1200 is engaged with the device 1100, a mesh of the counter element 1208 is elastically deformed such that the resilience of the counter element 1208 biases the counter element 1208 towards to the disengaged counter element position to apply the counterforce to the heating element 1102.
The meshes of the wicking element 1204 and the counter element 1208 are hybrid meshes formed by networks of interwoven wires and filaments. The wires are made of stainless steel and have a wire diameter of around 70 microns. The filaments are made of a liquid retention material, in particular woven viscose rayon threads.
The meshes each define a plurality of apertures, each aperture being roughly square in shape and having an aperture dimension, in this case a square side length, of around 100 microns.
To form the wicking element 1204, the mesh of the wicking element 1204, which is originally substantially flat, is rolled with a second liquid retention material. This gives the wicking element 1204 a scroll-like appearance, with the second liquid retention material wrapped into a scrolled mesh. This mesh is then bent into the shape shown in
When the wicking element 1204 is in the engaged wicking element position, the counter element 1208 is in the engaged counter element position and applies the counterforce to the heating element 1102 in a counterforce direction, opposite to the force direction, thereby countering the force applied to the heating element 1102 by the wicking element 1204. The force applied to the heating element 1102 by the wicking element 1204 is around 1 Newton. The counterforce applied to the heating element 1102 by the counter element 1208 is also around 1 Newton.
Prior to engagement of the cartridge 1200 with the device 1100, the wicking element 1204 is in the disengaged wicking element position and the counter element 1208 is in the disengaged counter element position, and the outer contact surface of the wicking element 1204 and the outer contact surface of the counter element 1208 are in contact with each other. By engaging the cartridge 1200 with the device 1100, the heating element 1102 is inserted between the wicking element 1204 and the counter element 1208, thereby separating the outer contact surface of the wicking element 1204 and the outer contact surface of the counter element 1208 by the thickness of the heating element 1102, which is around 3 millimetres.
The biasing means 1206 and the counter element biasing means 1210 (in this embodiment, the resiliences of the meshes of these elements) resist this separation of the outer contact surface of the wicking element 1204 and the outer contact surface of the counter element 1208. These resiliences thus provide the force and the counterforce applied to the heating element 1102.
The cartridge 1200 defines a cartridge longitudinal direction and the wicking element 1204 comprises a first portion 1216 extending in the cartridge longitudinal direction. This first portion extends into the first reservoir 1212 of liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The wicking element 1204 comprises a protruding portion 1218 protruding from the first portion 1216 in a direction transverse to the cartridge longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 1218 is formed as the mesh is bent into shape, as described above. However, the wicking element 1204, and the protruding portion 1218 of the wicking element 1204, may be formed by other suitable methods. The outer contact surface of the wicking element 1204 is located on the protruding portion 1218.
The protruding portion 1218, including the outer contact surface, is curved. Specifically, the protruding portion 1218 curves away from the heating element direction as the protruding portion 1218 extends in the heating element direction, and also as the protruding portion 1218 extends in a direction opposite to the heating element direction.
The counter element 1208 similarly comprises a counter element first portion 1220 which extends in the cartridge longitudinal direction and into the second reservoir 1214 of liquid aerosol-forming substrate, as well as a counter element protruding portion 1222 which curves away from the heating element direction as the counter element protruding portion 1222 extends in the heating element direction, and also as the counter element protruding portion 1222 extends in a direction opposite to the heating element direction.
This curvature ensures that only a small contact area is maintained between the wicking element 1204 and the heating element 1102, and between the counter element 1208 and the heating element 1102. The curvature of the protruding portions 1218, 1222 closest to the base of the chamber 1108 in
The device 2100 comprises a heating element 2102, a power supply 2104 in the form of a battery, an induction coil 2105, and a controller 2106. The power supply 2104 is connected to the induction coil 2105 and the controller 2106 is connected to the induction coil 2105 and the power supply 2104. The heating element 2102 is a tubular heating element located at a radial periphery of a cylindrical chamber 2108 of the device 2100. The chamber 2108 is configured to receive a portion of the cartridge 2200.
The cartridge 2200 comprises a housing 2202, a wicking element 2204, a biasing means 2206, a counter element 2208 in the form of a second wicking element, a counter element biasing means 2210, and a refillable reservoir 2212 of liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The cartridge 2200 is engageable with, and disengageable from, the device 2100 by movement of the cartridge 2200 relative to the device 2100 in an engagement direction. In the embodiment shown in
The cartridge 2200 is keyed to the chamber 2108 so as to be receivable in the chamber in only one orientation—the orientation shown in
When the cartridge 2200 is disengaged from the device 2100 (not shown), the wicking element 2204 is in a disengaged wicking element position in which the wicking element 2204 is not in contact with the heating element 2102, and the counter element 2208 is in a disengaged counter element position in which the counter element 2208 also is not in contact with the heating element 2102.
When the cartridge 2200 is engaged with the device 2100 (as shown in
In the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element 2204 is in contact with the heating element 2102 and the biasing means 2206 biases the wicking element 2204 towards the disengaged wicking element position such that the wicking element 2204 applies a force to the heating element 2102 in a force direction substantially perpendicular to the engagement direction. This force ensures consistent, tight contact between the heating element 2102 and the wicking element 2204.
Similarly, in the engaged counter element position, the counter element 2208 is in contact with the heating element 2102 and the counter element biasing means 2210 biases the counter element 2208 towards the disengaged counter element position such that the counter element 2208 applies a counterforce to the heating element 2102 in a counterforce direction substantially perpendicular to the engagement direction and opposite to the force direction. This counterforce ensures consistent, tight contact between the heating element 2102 and the counter element 2208.
In use, after engaging the cartridge 2200 with the device 2100, a user may puff on a mouth end 2203 of the cartridge 2200. This causes air to flow in the directions indicated by arrows in
The various components of the device 2100 and the cartridge 2200 will now be described in more detail.
The heating element 2102 of the device 2100 is a tubular heating element having a length extending in a heating element direction. In the embodiment shown in
The heating element 2102 comprises a heating surface facing radially inwards, towards a centre of the chamber 2108 of the device 2100.
The wicking element 2204 comprises an outer contact surface which contacts the heating surface of the heating element 2102 when the wicking element 2204 is in the engaged wicking element position. The counter element 2208 is essentially a mirrored version of the wicking element 2204, and comprises an outer contact surface which contacts an opposing portion of the heating surface of the heating element 2102 when the counter element 2208 is in the engaged counter element position, as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
Similarly, the counter element biasing means 2210 is provided by a counter element resistance component, also in the form of a helical spring. When the cartridge 2200 is engaged with the device 2100, the counter element 2208 is pushed radially inwards by the tubular heating element 2102 of the device 2100. The helical spring resists this inward movement. Thus, the helical spring biases the counter element 2208 towards to the disengaged counter element position to apply the counterforce to the heating element 2102.
When the wicking element 2204 is in the engaged wicking element position, the counter element 2208 is in the engaged counter element position and applies the counterforce to the heating element 2102 in a counterforce direction, opposite to the force direction. The force applied to the heating element 2102 by the wicking element 2204 is around 1 Newton. The counterforce applied to the heating element 2102 by the counter element 2208 is also around 1 Newton.
The wicking element 2204 comprises a mesh. The counter element 2208 also comprises a mesh. The meshes of the wicking element 2204 and the counter element 2208 are hybrid meshes formed by networks of interwoven wires and filaments. The wires are made of stainless steel and have a wire diameter of around 30 microns. The filaments are made of a liquid retention material, in particular woven viscose rayon threads.
The meshes each define a plurality of apertures, each aperture being roughly square in shape and having an aperture dimension, in this case a square side length, of around 50 microns.
The cartridge 2200 defines a cartridge longitudinal direction. The wicking element 2204 comprises a first portion 2216 extending in the cartridge longitudinal direction. This first portion extends into the reservoir 2212 of liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
The wicking element 2204 comprises a protruding portion 2218 protruding from the first portion 2216 in a direction transverse to the cartridge longitudinal direction. The outer contact surface of the wicking element 2204 is located on the protruding portion 2218 of the wicking element 2204.
The protruding portion 2218, including the outer contact surface, is curved. Specifically, the protruding portion 2218 curves away from the heating element direction as the protruding portion 2218 extends in the heating element direction, and also as the protruding portion 2218 extends in a direction opposite to the heating element direction.
The counter element 2208 similarly comprises a counter element first portion 2220 which extends in the cartridge longitudinal direction and into the reservoir 2212 of liquid aerosol-forming substrate, as well as a counter element protruding portion 2222 which curves away from the heating element direction as the counter element protruding portion 2222 extends in the heating element direction, and also as the counter element protruding portion 2222 extends in a direction opposite to the heating element direction.
This curvature ensures that only a small contact area is maintained between the wicking element 2204 and the heating element 2102, and between the counter element 2208 and the heating element 2102.
Advantageously, the cartridges described herein are useable with devices for use with solid aerosol-forming substrates. The cartridge 1200 of the system 1000 of
There are numerous options for the shape, structure, and materials of the wicking elements and counter elements of the cartridges described herein. Some options for wicking elements are discussed below with reference to
The plurality of filaments are reinforced by a plurality of reinforcing wires 3004, 3006. The reinforcing wires 3004, 3006 are formed of a non-magnetic stainless steel, specifically AISI 304 (American Iron and Steel Institute 304) stainless steel.
The second alternative wicking element 4000 comprises a liquid retention material 4006 sandwiched between the two strips of mesh 4002, 4004. In this embodiment, the liquid retention material 4006 is cotton, though any suitable liquid retention material could be used.
The two strips of mesh 4002, 4004 may be fused together at one or more points to secure them together, or may be coupled to the liquid retention material 4006 or each other by other means.
The fourth alternative wicking element 6000 also comprises a first liquid retention material 6004 between a first fold of the multi-folded mesh strip 6002, and second liquid retention material 6006 between a second fold of the multi-folded mesh strip 6002. In other words, the mesh strip has been folded twice to provide two spaces between substantially opposing surfaces, and the first liquid retention material 6004 is located in a first space between two opposing surfaces created by the first fold, and the second liquid retention material 6006 is located in a second space between two opposing surfaces created by the second fold.
Whilst each of the wicking elements shown in
For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A±10% of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.
Claims
1. An aerosol-generating system comprising:
- an aerosol-generating device comprising a heating element; and
- a cartridge comprising a housing, a wicking element, and a biasing means,
- wherein the cartridge is engageable with, and disengageable from, the device by movement of the cartridge relative to the device in an engagement direction,
- and wherein:
- when the cartridge is not engaged with the device, the wicking element is in a disengaged wicking element position in which the wicking element is not in contact with the heating element; and
- when the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element is in an engaged wicking element position, different to the disengaged wicking element position relative to the housing, in which the wicking element is in contact with the heating element and the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position such that the wicking element applies a force to the heating element in a force direction which is non-parallel with the engagement direction, the force being a total resultant force applied by the wicking element to the heating element,
- wherein the wicking element comprises a mesh.
2. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises an outer heating surface and the wicking element comprises an outer contact surface, and wherein, when the cartridge is engaged with the device, the outer heating surface of the heating element abuts the outer contact surface of the wicking element.
3. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein the force direction is substantially perpendicular to the engagement direction.
4. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein, when the cartridge is engaged with the device, the force applied to the heating element by the wicking element is greater than 0.1 Newtons.
5. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is an elongate heating element having a length extending in a heating element direction and the force direction is non-parallel with the heating element direction.
6. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being configured to be heated to a higher temperature than the second portion, and wherein, when the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element is in contact with the second portion of the heating element.
7. A cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device having a heating element, the cartridge comprising a wicking element, a housing, and a biasing means,
- wherein the wicking element is moveable relative to the housing between a disengaged wicking element position and an engaged wicking element position,
- and wherein, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position,
- wherein the cartridge is configured to engage with, and disengage from, the aerosol-generating device by movement of the cartridge relative to the device in an engagement direction,
- and wherein the cartridge is configured such that:
- when the cartridge is not engaged with the device, the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position and is not in contact with the heating element; and
- when the cartridge is engaged with the device, the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position and is in contact with the heating element, and the biasing means biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position such that the wicking element applies a force to the heating element in a force direction which is non-parallel with the engagement direction, the force being a total resultant force applied by the wicking element to the heating element,
- wherein the wicking element comprises a mesh.
8. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge comprises a counter element configured to contact the heating element and apply a counterforce to the heating element in a counterforce direction.
9. A cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the counter element is a second wicking element.
10. A cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the wicking element comprises a wicking element contact portion and the counter element comprises a counter element contact portion, and:
- when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion are in contact with the heating element, and
- when the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion are in contact or are separated by a distance of less than 3 millimetres.
11. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the wicking element comprises a wicking element contact portion configured to contact the heating element when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, and a curved, outer portion adjacent to the wicking element contact portion, and
- wherein the curved, outer portion curves away from the engagement direction as the curved, outer portion extends in one or both of the engagement direction and a direction opposite to the engagement direction.
12. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the mesh comprises a plurality of wires defining a plurality of apertures, each of the plurality of wires having a thickness of between 10 and 200 microns.
13. A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of apertures has a dimension less than three times the thickness of each of the plurality of wires.
14. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the wicking element provides the biasing means such that, when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element is elastically deformed and resilience of the wicking element biases the wicking element towards the disengaged wicking element position.
15. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises a counter element configured to contact the heating element and apply a counterforce to the heating element in a counterforce direction.
16. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 15, wherein the counter element is a second wicking element.
17. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 15, wherein the wicking element comprises a wicking element contact portion and the counter element comprises a counter element contact portion, and:
- when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion are in contact with the heating element, and
- when the wicking element is in the disengaged wicking element position, the wicking element contact portion and the counter element contact portion are in contact or are separated by a distance of less than 3 millimetres.
18. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein the wicking element comprises a wicking element contact portion configured to contact the heating element when the wicking element is in the engaged wicking element position, and a curved, outer portion adjacent to the wicking element contact portion, and
- wherein the curved, outer portion curves away from the engagement direction as the curved, outer portion extends in one or both of the engagement direction and a direction opposite to the engagement direction.
19. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises a plurality of wires defining a plurality of apertures, each of the plurality of wires having a thickness of between 10 and 200 microns.
20. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of apertures has a dimension less than three times the thickness of each of the plurality of wires.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 26, 2022
Publication Date: Dec 5, 2024
Inventors: Emeric Grandjean (Lausanne), Ihar Nikolaevich Zinovik (Peseux)
Application Number: 18/695,055
