EP4179897A1 - Systèmes de génération d'aérosol - Google Patents
Systèmes de génération d'aérosol Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4179897A1 EP4179897A1 EP21207439.7A EP21207439A EP4179897A1 EP 4179897 A1 EP4179897 A1 EP 4179897A1 EP 21207439 A EP21207439 A EP 21207439A EP 4179897 A1 EP4179897 A1 EP 4179897A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- liquid
- aerosol generating
- cartridge
- liquid storage
- storage passage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000000443 aerosol Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 115
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 232
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 97
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- WYTGDNHDOZPMIW-RCBQFDQVSA-N alstonine Natural products C1=CC2=C3C=CC=CC3=NC2=C2N1C[C@H]1[C@H](C)OC=C(C(=O)OC)[C@H]1C2 WYTGDNHDOZPMIW-RCBQFDQVSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 13
- DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propylene glycol Chemical compound CC(O)CO DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000003571 electronic cigarette Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 3
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000796 flavoring agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- SNICXCGAKADSCV-JTQLQIEISA-N (-)-Nicotine Chemical compound CN1CCC[C@H]1C1=CC=CN=C1 SNICXCGAKADSCV-JTQLQIEISA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010146 3D printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 241000506680 Haemulon melanurum Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000208125 Nicotiana Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000002637 Nicotiana tabacum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC#N.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000019634 flavors Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000011187 glycerol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229960002715 nicotine Drugs 0.000 description 1
- SNICXCGAKADSCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N nicotine Natural products CN1CCCC1C1=CC=CN=C1 SNICXCGAKADSCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000391 smoking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
- A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
- A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
- A24F40/485—Valves; Apertures
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to handheld aerosol generating systems, which are configured to convert a liquid into an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the system. More specifically, it relates to such aerosol generating systems, in which the aerosol is generated in a device and the aerosol generating liquid is supplied from a cartridge that is removably coupled to the device.
- aerosol generating system refers to handheld electronic apparatus that is intended to simulate the feeling or experience of smoking tobacco in a traditional cigarette.
- Electronic cigarettes typically work by heating an aerosol generating liquid to generate a vapour that cools and condenses to form an aerosol which is then inhaled by the user. Accordingly, using e-cigarettes is also sometimes referred to as "vaping".
- the aerosol generating liquid usually comprises nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine and flavourings.
- vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas.
- Typical e-cigarettes generate the aerosol from liquid stored in a capsule, tank or reservoir.
- liquid from the reservoir is transported along a fluid flow path to an aerosol generating unit.
- the aerosol generating unit comprises a liquid transfer element, e.g. a cotton wick or a permeable ceramic block, to control the rate at which the liquid enters a mixing chamber.
- a heating element e.g. a cotton wick or a permeable ceramic block
- the liquid is heated by a heating element to produce a vapour, which mixes with air drawn into the device by the user.
- the vapour then cools and condenses to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user.
- the reservoir of aerosol generating liquid is often housed in a removable cartridge, which can be replaced when its supply of liquid is exhausted or when the user wishes to change to a different type or flavour of liquid.
- a removable cartridge may be disposable, i.e. not intended to be capable of reuse after the supply of liquid in the reservoir has been exhausted.
- they may be reusable, being provided with means allowing the reservoir to be refilled with a new supply of liquid.
- the supply of liquid may be sensitive to the orientation of the aerosol generating device. Specifically, liquid may be unable to enter the fluid flow path from the reservoir if the device is used in an orientation such that the liquid in the reservoir does not cover an outlet leading to the fluid flow path.
- a “handheld” aerosol generating system is meant one that is small enough and light enough to be held comfortably in one hand during use. Because of their small size - typically no more than 15cm long or 6cm wide - handheld aerosol generating systems are limited in battery power and in space to accommodate complex components. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to”.
- orientation such as “upper”, “lower”, “top” and “bottom” are used in this specification, they are intended (unless the context requires otherwise) to refer to the orientation of the device as shown in the drawing under discussion, or during normal use. It is understood that cartridges and devices according to the invention may be manufactured, transported, stored and used in any orientation, while remaining within the scope of the appended claims.
- a cartridge for an aerosol generating device comprising a liquid store for storing an aerosol generating liquid, the liquid store consisting of a liquid storage passage having an inlet open to atmosphere and an outlet for supplying aerosol generating liquid to the aerosol generating device, the liquid storage passage being configured to retain aerosol generating liquid by capillary action.
- the liquid storage passage retains the aerosol generating liquid by capillary action, there is a reduced risk that the liquid may leak from the liquid storage passage, for example under the force of gravity or as a result of mechanical shocks to the cartridge.
- some types of device may exert their own capillary forces that tend to draw liquid from the outlet of the cartridge but the capillary action of the liquid storage passage according to the present invention is able to balance the capillary forces from the device, such that liquid only flows from the storage passage when a supply of liquid is required during use of the device.
- the cross section of the liquid storage passage is substantially uniform along the length of the liquid storage passage. This keeps the capillary action that retains the aerosol generating liquid in the liquid storage passage at a substantially constant level, no matter how much of the liquid remains in the liquid storage passage. This is because the supply of a given volume of liquid from the liquid storage passage always results in the same the change in the area of surface contact between the liquid and the walls of the liquid storage passage.
- the length of the liquid storage passage is preferably at least 50 times the maximum dimension of the uniform cross section.
- the liquid storage passage is in the form of a long, narrow tube (narrow in proportion to its length) which, for any given volume of liquid in the storage passage, results in a large area of surface contact between the liquid and the walls and contributes to a high level of capillary action to retain the liquid in the storage passage.
- the liquid storage passage may comprise a plurality of passage sections fluidly connected to form a continuous liquid storage passage between the inlet and the outlet. Because the liquid storage passage is preferably a long, narrow tube, it is not practical for it to be formed as a single, straight passage section within the confines of a cartridge to be received in a handheld aerosol generating device. Therefore the passage is configured to have a convoluted form capable of packing a long passage into an overall envelope of modest dimensions. This could be done in various ways, including a coiled or continuously curving passage, but a plurality of passage sections connected in series represents a preferred solution.
- the passage sections may be substantially straight, with connections between them that are angled or curved.
- the length of each passage section is preferably at least 10 times the maximum dimension of the uniform cross section. Therefore, the liquid storage passage does not change direction too frequently, which reduces the complexity of the structure and increases passage density and volumetric efficiency (i.e. the amount of fluid that can be contained in a given container).
- the cartridge comprises a first end and a second end together defining a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end.
- Each passage section extends between the first end and the second end, substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. Configuring the plurality of passage sections to extend substantially parallel to one another is an efficient way of packing them into the available volume of the cartridge.
- the passage sections are preferably connected alternately at opposite ends to form a continuous serpentine liquid storage passage. Thus, to travel along the liquid storage passage, liquid must flow alternately in opposite directions. This provides a benefit that external forces such as gravity or mechanical shocks, which act generally uniformly on the whole cartridge, are substantially cancelled out between successive passage sections when considered relative to the direction of flow along the passage. As a result, such forces have a greatly reduced tendency to urge the liquid to move towards the inlet or outlet of the liquid storage passage, which could result in leakage.
- the liquid storage passage may contain the aerosol generating liquid and a non-evaporating liquid between the aerosol generating liquid and the inlet.
- a drop or small volume of such a non-evaporating liquid can act as a barrier to prevent or reduce wastage of the aerosol generating liquid by evaporating into air that has been admitted via the inlet.
- the liquid store consists of a plurality of said liquid storage passages, each liquid storage passage having an inlet open to atmosphere and an outlet for supplying aerosol generating liquid to the aerosol generating device, and each liquid storage passage being configured to retain aerosol generating liquid by capillary action.
- Providing a plurality of the liquid storage passages may be more convenient than configuring a single liquid storage passage in a manner sufficiently convoluted to occupy a substantial proportion of the volume of the cartridge.
- providing each liquid storage passage with its own outlet offers some redundancy, whereby if one of the passages becomes blocked or exhausted so that it can longer supply aerosol generating liquid to the device, the other passages can continue to do so.
- the respective liquid storage passages may each be connected to a separate aerosol generating unit of the device. Alternatively, they may be connected to a common manifold, which in turn supplies the liquid to one or more aerosol generating units.
- the cartridge comprises a first surface, a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface, and a plurality of said tiers between the first and second surfaces, and one of said liquid storage passages is arranged in each tier.
- an aerosol generating system comprises an aerosol generating device and a cartridge as previously described, the cartridge being releasably connectable to the aerosol generating device.
- the aerosol generating device comprises an aerosol generating unit and the liquid outlet of the liquid storage passage is positioned adjacent to the aerosol generating unit to supply aerosol generating liquid to the aerosol generating unit.
- the aerosol generating unit of the aerosol generating device is a liquid jet head.
- a liquid jet head works in a similar way to inkjet heads used in printing to expel droplets of the aerosol generating liquid into the mixing chamber.
- One type of liquid jet head is a thermal jet head, in which one or more heating elements superheat a very small volume (less than 1%) of the aerosol generating liquid to vaporize it and push a drop of the remaining liquid drop out of the jet head and into the air in the mixing chamber.
- An alternative to a thermal jet head is a piezoelectric jet head, which uses a piezoelectric element to generate pressure pulses in the aerosol generating liquid and push drops of it out of the jet head and into the air in the mixing chamber.
- Liquid jet heads have the advantage that the delivery of the vapour generating liquid into the mixing chamber can be carefully controlled. They may also enable the system to operate at a lower temperature and therefore with a lower energy requirement because they do not depend on heat to vaporize at least the majority of the liquid. Because liquid jet heads generate an aerosol directly, the size of droplets in the aerosol can be more carefully controlled and more uniform compared with traditional aerosol generating devices that form an aerosol indirectly by condensing vapour. Traditional devices may need to be designed to promote the condensation of vapour, e.g. by providing a passage downstream from the mixing chamber in which this can occur, but this is not necessary with jet head technology, thereby removing a constraint on the design of such devices. Traditional devices can also suffer from vapour condensing preferentially on internal surfaces of the device, where it collects into liquid that can flow out of the device and cause leakage. Because jet head technologies inject droplets directly into the air, this problem may be avoided.
- Figure 1 illustrates a handheld vapour generating system, comprising a vapour generating device 2 and a replaceable cartridge 4 that is removably received in the vapour generating device 2.
- the device 2 is enclosed by a housing 6.
- a door 8 in the housing 6 may be opened to permit access to the interior of the housing 6 for the insertion or removal of the cartridge 4.
- the cartridge 4 provides a supply of vapour generating liquid, which can be consumed by the device 2 to generate an aerosol.
- a proximal end of the device 2 comprises a mouthpiece 10, through which a user of the system can inhale the aerosol generated by the system.
- a distal end 12 of the housing 6 contains a battery (not visible in the drawing) to provide a power supply for the system and electronic circuits (not visible in the drawing) for controlling the operation of the system.
- the configuration and operation of the system during normal use to generate an aerosol may be conventional; they are not the subject of the present invention and are not described in any detail here.
- the device 2 may heat the liquid from the cartridge 4 to form a vapour, which subsequently condenses to form an aerosol.
- the device may use liquid jet head technology to form the aerosol directly by injecting droplets of the liquid into air in a mixing chamber.
- the system may take forms that are very different from that illustrated in Figure 1 , provided it can accommodate removable cartridges 4, which are coupled via a fluid flow path to a mixing chamber in the vapour generating device 2.
- FIG. 2 schematically shows a cartridge 4 according to the invention, installed in an aerosol generating device 2. Details of the device, such as a power supply and control electronics, are not illustrated.
- a mixing chamber 14 At the proximal end of the device 2 is a mixing chamber 14, which receives air from the atmosphere via one or more air inlets 16, and which is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece 10 so that a user can draw air through the mixing chamber by inhaling through the mouthpiece 10.
- the air inlets 16 and the aperture 17 between the mixing chamber 14 and the mouthpiece 10 are illustrated as simple openings, they may take other forms, including conduits, and may be provided with features such as baffles to reduce leakage of liquid from the device or filters to prevent particles being drawn into the device.
- a conduit between the mixing chamber and the mouthpiece may provide space for such condensation to take place.
- a heater (not shown) may be provided to cause vaporization of the liquid or simply to condition the air in the mixing chamber to bring the aerosol to a preferred temperature for inhalation by the user.
- the cartridge 4 shown in Figure 2 stores the liquid 18 in a liquid storage passage 20.
- the passage 20 extends in a convoluted shape from an inlet 22 that is open to atmosphere to an outlet 24, from which the aerosol generating liquid 18 can be introduced into the mixing chamber 14 of the aerosol generating device 2.
- the air inlet 22 does not necessarily need to be exposed directly to the atmosphere at the exterior of the device 2. It is sufficient if, as shown, the air inlet opens to a space inside the housing 6 of the device, which is substantially equalized with ambient atmospheric pressure.
- the outlet 24 of the liquid storage passage 20 is adjacent to and in fluid communication with an aerosol generating unit of the aerosol generating device 2.
- Coupling means are provided to ensure that such fluid communication is established in an air- and liquid-tight manner.
- the aerosol generating unit of the device 2 comprises one or more liquid transfer elements to control the rate at which the liquid 18 enters the mixing chamber 14.
- the liquid transfer elements are liquid jet heads 28.
- the aerosol generating unit further comprises a manifold 26 for distributing liquid 18 from the storage passage 20 to the respective jet heads 28.
- the manifold 26 may be omitted.
- the liquid jet heads 28 expel droplets of the liquid 18 into the mixing chamber 14 to form an aerosol in the air that is drawn through the mixing chamber 14 by inhalation of the user.
- Control electronics in the device 2 may be coupled to airflow or pressure sensors (not illustrated) in the mixing chamber 14 or in the mouthpiece 10 such that the control electronics can determine when the user inhales and activate the jet heads 28 only at those times.
- a filter for example stainless steel mesh filter, polymer filter, not illustrated
- the liquid storage passage 20 is configured to retain the aerosol generating liquid 18 by capillary action.
- the affinity between the liquid 18 and the internal walls of the liquid storage passage 20 is sufficient to retain the liquid 18 in the passage 20 against the force of gravity that might tend to cause leakage.
- the liquid jet heads 28 with which the liquid storage passage 20 is in fluid communication comprise narrow conduits that can exert their own capillary action tending to draw the liquid 18 out of the storage passage 20.
- the capillary action of the liquid storage passage 20 is able to balance that tendency and retain the liquid 18 when the system is not in use to generate an aerosol.
- the liquid jet heads 28 expel liquid 18 into the mixing chamber 14 and deplete the quantity of liquid 18 in the manifold 26, which causes a reduced pressure at the outlet 24.
- the difference between atmospheric pressure at the inlet 22 and reduced pressure at the outlet 24 is sufficient to overcome the capillary action that retains the liquid 18 in place so the pressure difference causes liquid to flow along the storage passage 20 and replenish the manifold 26.
- the strength of the capillary force that retains the aerosol generating liquid 18 in the liquid storage passage 20 depends on various factors, including in particular: the affinity between the liquid 18 and the material of the passage walls, the viscosity of the liquid 18, and the cross section of the liquid storage passage 20.
- the liquid 18 must have a positive affinity for the material of the walls.
- the aerosol generating liquid 18 is typically hydrophilic so the walls should be made from a compatible material that attracts such a liquid, for example polycarbonate, ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), polyethylene, more specifically PET .
- the capillary sections or tubes have diameters from 2 to 5mm, preferably from 3 to 4mm, more preferably 3mm. In this way the capillary tubes provide resistive forces to the gravity and to the opposite capillary force of the MEMS jet heads 28.
- the liquid storage passage 20 is formed as a long, narrow tube having a substantially uniform cross-section.
- the cross-section is a circle but in other embodiments it may, for example, be a square or other rectangle.
- the greatest dimension of the cross-section is no more than twice the smallest dimension.
- the cross-section is a rectangle, it preferably has an aspect ratio no greater than 2:1.
- the total length of the liquid storage passage 20 is at least 50 times the maximum dimension of the uniform cross section.
- the fluid storage passage 20 comprises a plurality of passage sections 30 fluidly connected to form a continuous liquid storage passage 20 between the inlet 22 and the outlet 24.
- the cartridge 4 comprises a first end 32 and a second end 33 together defining a longitudinal direction between the first end 32 and the second end 33.
- Each of the five passage sections 30 extends between the first end 32 and the second end 33, substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. Successive passage sections 30 are connected alternately at opposite ends to form the continuous liquid storage passage 20.
- connection does not imply that the form of the passage must result from a physical process of connecting together sections that were originally separate (although that is not excluded from the scope of the invention). It simply means that the passage sections 30 are in fluid communication with one another via the connecting sections 34.
- each passage section 30 is preferably at least 10 times the maximum dimension of the uniform cross section. It will be understood that the number of passage sections 30 may be greater or fewer than five. By increasing the number of sections 30, it would be possible for a greater proportion of the volume of the cartridge 4 to be occupied by the liquid storage passage 20 so that a cartridge of a given size can store a greater volume of the liquid 18. It is convenient, but not essential, for successive passage sections 30 along the length of the liquid storage passage 20 to be positioned adjacent to one another within the cartridge.
- cartridges 4 according to the present invention may be used in different orientations, with a greatly reduced risk that the stored liquid 18 may flow away from the outlet 24 and interrupt the supply of aerosol generating liquid 18 to the device 2.
- the cross-section of the inlet 22 and the outlet 24 may be smaller than the uniform cross-section over the majority of the length of the liquid storage passage 20. This also helps to avoid leakage of liquid 18 from the inlet 22 or the outlet 24.
- the smaller cross-section of the inlet 22 also helps to reduce possible evaporation of the liquid 18 to the atmosphere via the inlet 22.
- a further way of doing this is to provide a drop or a small volume of a non-evaporating liquid 36 in the liquid storage passage 20 between the aerosol generating liquid 18 and the inlet 22.
- the drop 36 acts as a barrier to prevent or reduce evaporation from the surface of the liquid 18 towards the upstream end of the passage 20.
- the non-evaporating liquid 36 does not itself evaporate, or at least does so slowly enough that the remaining liquid 36 can continue to act as a barrier during the expected life of the cartridge 4 until the liquid 18 is exhausted.
- a suitable non-evaporating liquid is propylene glycol .
- the aerosol generating liquid 18 As the aerosol generating liquid 18 is consumed, it moves forwards along the liquid storage passage 20 and its volume is replaced by air from the inlet 22. The drop of non-evaporating liquid 36 similarly moves forwards, remaining in contact with the surface of the aerosol generating liquid 18.
- the liquid storage passage 20 shown in Figure 2 is formed as a passage within a solid block of the material of the cartridge, which may be done by a manufacturing process such as 3D printing.
- Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a different way of forming serpentine liquid storage passages 20 in a cartridge 4, which may be more suitable for mass production.
- the cartridge 4 comprises one or more generally rectangular layers or tiers 40. By way of example, three of the tiers 40 are shown in Figures 3 and 4 .
- a liquid storage passage 20 is formed through the thickness of each tier 40, for example by moulding or machining, so as to be open to the upper and lower surfaces of the tier 40.
- the tier 40 is then sandwiched between a pair of solid rectangular plates 42, which close the top and bottom of the storage passage 20 to form a structure substantially similar to that in Figure 2 , except that that the liquid storage passage 20 has a rectangular cross-section.
- the inlet 22 and outlet 24 of the liquid storage passage 20 are formed as bores in the ends of each tier 40. In this case, the inlet 22 and outlet 24 are at opposite ends of the tier 40 but that is not essential. If the liquid storage passage 20 comprises an even number of the longitudinal passage sections 30, then the inlet 22 and the outlet 24 will naturally be located at the same end of the tier 40.
- each tier 40 provides an independent liquid storage passage 20.
- the outlets 24 of the respective passages 20 may each be coupled to a separate jet head 28.
- the outlets 24 may all be coupled to a common manifold 26, which supplies the liquid 18 to one or more jet heads 28.
- the liquid storage passage 20 could be formed in each tier 40 so as to be open to only the upper surface of the tier 40. Then no plate 42 would be needed to close the passage 20 at its lower surface or seal between the layers; and all of the plates 42 in the stack except for the uppermost one would be redundant.
- the structure of the cartridge 4 of such an embodiment would be identical to that in Figures 3 and 4 .
- Figures 3 and 4 comprises a plurality of tiers 40 forming a corresponding plurality of liquid storage passages 20 that operate in parallel
- Figures 5 to 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the tiers 40 are connected in series to form a single, extra long liquid storage passage 20.
- the construction of the cartridge 4 is essentially the same as in the previous embodiment but there are some changes in detail.
- an inlet 22 is formed at the first end 32 in the same way as in Figure 3 .
- the liquid storage passage 20 continues through an aperture 44 in the plate 42 below to communicate with the passage 20 in the middle tier 40 ( Figure 6 ).
- the liquid storage passage 20 continues through a further aperture 44 in the plate 42 below to communicate with the passage 20 in the bottom tier 40 ( Figure 7 ). Then at the second end of the bottom tier 40, the liquid storage passage 40 is coupled to an outlet 24 ( Figure 6 ). Thus the liquid storage passage 20 follows a single, convoluted path through all three tiers 40 of the cartridge 4.
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- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP21207439.7A EP4179897A1 (fr) | 2021-11-10 | 2021-11-10 | Systèmes de génération d'aérosol |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP21207439.7A EP4179897A1 (fr) | 2021-11-10 | 2021-11-10 | Systèmes de génération d'aérosol |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4179897A1 true EP4179897A1 (fr) | 2023-05-17 |
Family
ID=78592733
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP21207439.7A Withdrawn EP4179897A1 (fr) | 2021-11-10 | 2021-11-10 | Systèmes de génération d'aérosol |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP4179897A1 (fr) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102014114133A1 (de) * | 2014-09-29 | 2016-03-31 | Aie Investments S.A. | Elektrische Zigarette |
US20210186100A1 (en) * | 2017-10-13 | 2021-06-24 | Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh | Liquid store for an inhaler, in particular for an electronic cigarette product |
-
2021
- 2021-11-10 EP EP21207439.7A patent/EP4179897A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102014114133A1 (de) * | 2014-09-29 | 2016-03-31 | Aie Investments S.A. | Elektrische Zigarette |
US20210186100A1 (en) * | 2017-10-13 | 2021-06-24 | Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh | Liquid store for an inhaler, in particular for an electronic cigarette product |
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