Abstract
A cartridge includes a body with a side wall and at least one lid arranged to cover a top or a bottom, or both. The cartridge comprises a cavity inside the body configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. The lid includes an inner layer facing the cavity and an outer layer facing an outside of the body. The inner layer comprises a weakened region. When the outer layer is removed, the weakened region of the inner layer forms an aperture. The cavity is in fluid communication with an outside of the cartridge body via the formed aperture. The aerosol-forming substrate may include tobacco. The cartridge may be a shisha cartridge and the aerosol-forming substrate may be a shisha substrate, such as hookah tobacco.
Claims
1. A cartridge for housing an aerosol-forming substrate, the cartridge comprising: a body comprising a side wall and at least one lid arranged to cover a top, a bottom, or both the top and the bottom; and a cavity inside the body, wherein the at least one lid comprises an inner layer facing the cavity and an outer layer facing an outside of the body, the inner layer comprising a weakened region, and wherein removing the outer layer removes a portion of material of the inner layer.
2. A cartridge according to claim 0, wherein when the outer layer is removed, the weakened region of the inner layer forms an aperture.
3. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer and the inner layer are joined by an adhesive.
4. A cartridge according claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises a pull tab.
5. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the weakened region is formed by scoring the inner layer.
6. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the weakened region is formed by pressing the region on an inner side of the lid.
7. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the weakened region comprises a plurality of weakened regions, preferably wherein the plurality of weakened regions is arranged in a pattern.
8. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the pattern of weakened regions comprises a pattern of dots.
9. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the pattern of weakened regions comprises a pattern of parallel lines or non-parallel lines.
10. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer forms a part of an outer packaging at least partially surrounding the body of the cartridge.
11. A cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the outer packaging forms a single outer packaging for a plurality of cartridges.
12. A cartridge according to claim 10, wherein removing the cartridge from the outer packaging causes the outer layer to be removed from the body and an aperture to be formed in the inner layer.
13. A cartridge according to claim 1 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate disposed in the cavity, preferably wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises tobacco, preferably wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a shisha aerosol-forming substrate.
14. A shisha system comprising: a cartridge according to claim 1 with an aerosol-generating substrate disposed in the cartridge; and a shisha device comprising: a receptacle for receiving the cartridge; a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating substrate when the cartridge is received in the receptacle of the shisha device; a vessel having a liquid fill level and defining a head space above the liquid fill level; an aerosol conduit for conveying aerosol from the receptacle to the vessel; and an outlet in fluid communication with the head space.
Description
[0091] Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one or more embodiments described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other embodiments not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. The use of different numbers to refer to components in different figures is not intended to indicate that the different numbered components cannot be the same or similar to other numbered components. The figures are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Schematic drawings presented in the figures are not necessarily to scale.
[0092] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a shisha device.
[0093] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of the body of a shisha cartridge for use in the shisha device of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.
[0094] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic bottom and top views of a cartridge.
[0095] FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic perspective views of a cartridge in a closed state and an open state, respectively, according to an embodiment.
[0096] FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views of a cartridge in a closed state and an open state, respectively, according to an embodiment.
[0097] FIGS. 6A and 6B are partial cross-sectional views of a lid of a cartridge in a closed state and an open state, respectively, according to an embodiment.
[0098] FIGS. 7A and 7B are partial cross-sectional views of a lid of a cartridge in a closed state and an open state, respectively, according to an embodiment.
[0099] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a cartridge in an open state according to an embodiment.
[0100] FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic perspective views of a cartridge in a closed state and an open state, respectively, according to an embodiment.
[0101] FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic perspective views of a cartridge in a closed state and an open state, respectively, according to an embodiment.
[0102] FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic perspective views of a cartridge in a closed state and an open state, respectively, according to an embodiment.
[0103] FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of cartridges in an outer packaging according to an embodiment.
[0104] FIG. 13A is a schematic perspective view of cartridges in an outer packaging according to an embodiment.
[0105] FIGS. 13B and 13C are schematic side views of a cartridge of FIG. 13A in a closed state and an open state, respectively, according to an embodiment.
[0106] FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic perspective views of cartridges in an outer packaging according to an embodiment.
[0107] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of cartridges in an outer packaging according to an embodiment.
[0108] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a shisha device 100. The device 100 includes a vessel 17 defining an interior volume configured to contain liquid 19 and defining a headspace outlet 15 above a fill level for the liquid 19. The liquid 19 preferably includes water, which may optionally be infused with one or more colorants, one or more flavorants, or one or more colorants and one or more flavorants. For example, the water may be infused with one or both of botanical infusions and herbal infusions.
[0109] The device 100 also includes an aerosol-generating element 130. The aerosol-generating element 130 includes a receptacle 140 configured to receive a cartridge 200 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating element 130 may also include a heating element 160. The heating element 160 may form at least one surface of the receptacle 140. In the depicted embodiment, the heating element 160 defines the side surfaces of the receptacle 140. The aerosol-generating element 130 also includes a fresh air inlet channel 170 that draws fresh air into the device 100. In some embodiments, portion of the fresh air inlet channel 170 is formed by the heating element 160 to heat the air before the air enters the receptacle 140. The pre-heated air then enters the cartridge 200, which is also heated by heating element 160, to carry aerosol generated by the aerosol former and the aerosol-forming substrate. The air exits an outlet of the aerosol-generating element 130 and enters a conduit 190.
[0110] The conduit 190 carries the air and aerosol into the vessel 17 below the level of the liquid 19. The air and aerosol may bubble through the liquid 19 and exit the headspace outlet 15 of the vessel 17. A hose 20 may be attached to the headspace outlet 15 to carry the aerosol to the mouth of a user. A mouthpiece 25 may be attached to, or form a part of, the hose 20.
[0111] An exemplary air flow path of the device, in use, is depicted by thick arrows in FIG. 1.
[0112] The mouthpiece 25 may include an activation element 27. The activation element 27 may be a switch, button or the like, or may be a puff sensor or the like. The activation element 27 may be placed at any other suitable location of the device 100. The activation element 27 may be in wireless communication with the control electronics 30 to place the device 100 in condition for use or to cause control electronics to activate the heating element 160; for example, by causing power supply 35 to energize the heating element 160.
[0113] The control electronics 30 and power supply 35 may be located in any suitable position of the aerosol-generating element 130, including locations other than the bottom portion of the element 130 as depicted in FIG. 1.
[0114] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, schematic depictions of the body 210 are shown. The body 210 may include a side wall 212, a top wall 215, and a bottom wall 213 defining a cavity 218. The side wall 212 may be cylindrical or frustoconical, as shown. FIG. 2A shows the body 210 without a top, showing the cavity 218 inside the body. The body 210 may define a center axis A extending through the body 210. The top may comprise a flange 219 that extends from the sidewall 212 as shown in FIG. 2B. The flange 219 may rest on shoulder of a receptacle of a shisha device so that cartridge 200 may be readily removed from the receptacle after use by grasping the flange.
[0115] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the top 215 and bottom 213 of the body may generally have a plurality of apertures 217, 216 to allow air flow through the cartridge when the cartridge is in use. According to some embodiments, the apertures are present when the cartridge is in an open state. The apertures 216, 217 of the top 215 and bottom 213 may be aligned with each other. The cartridge 200 may also or alternatively include apertures along the sidewall 212. The apertures 217, 216 may be blocked by an outer layer of the lid or by a peelable seal or liner when the cartridge is stored prior to use.
[0116] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict schematic perspective views of a cartridge 200 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 4A, the cartridge 200 is in a closed state. The cartridge 200 includes a lid 220 with an inner layer 221 facing the cavity 118 and an outer layer 222 facing the outside of the body 210 of the cartridge 200. The inner layer 221 has a weakened region 223, or a plurality of weakened regions 223, as shown. The lid 220 can cover the top, as shown, or the bottom, or both the top and bottom of the cartridge 200. When the outer layer 222 is removed as shown in FIG. 4B, the weakened regions 223 of the inner layer 221 form apertures 217 and the cartridge 200 is in an open state. The apertures 217 provide fluid communication between the cavity 118 inside the body 210 and the exterior or the cartridge 200. The apertures 217 may function as an inlet, an outlet, or both an inlet and an outlet of the cartridge 200. The cartridge 200 may additionally include a peelable film 230 or sticker covering pre-made openings 216 at the bottom (or at any wall that does not include the lid).
[0117] FIGS. 5A-7B show various examples of weakened regions and apertures. Referring now to FIG. 5A, the weakened regions 223 may be provided or formed by pressing or embossing an area of the inner side 228 of the lid 220. The inner and outer layers 221, 222 may be first laminated together. The pressing may cause a thinner (frangible) region of the inner layer 221 to form. The pressing may cause a portion of the inner layer 221 to be compressed into the outer layer 222, as shown. Removal of the outer layer 222 from the cartridge may cause the portion compressed into the outer layer to be removed (removed portion 243), forming an aperture 217 in the inner layer 221, as shown in FIG. 5B. The apertures 217 allow airflow 270 through the wall (in this case, through the inner layer 221 of the lid 220) of the cartridge 220. The apertures 217 provide fluid communication between the cavity 118 inside the body 210 and the exterior or the cartridge 200.
[0118] FIGS. 6A and 6B show partial cross-sectional views of a lid, where the weakened region 223 has been provided or formed by scoring, cutting, or laser cutting the inner layer 221. The scoring, cutting, or laser cutting may result in a partial cut. When the outer layer 222 is removed as shown in FIG. 6B, a portion 243 of the inner layer 221 at the weakened region 223 may be removed with the outer layer 222, resulting in the formation of an aperture 217. The lid 220 may include an adhesive between the inner layer 221 and the outer layer 222. The lid 220 may include an adhesive in the area of the weakened region 223.
[0119] In some embodiments, shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the weakened region 223 has been provided or formed by applying an adhesive 242 in some areas and not applying the adhesive in other areas. Weakened regions 223 may be formed in the areas adjacent the adhesive 242. The inner layer 221 may be made from a weaker material (for example, aluminum foil) than the outer layer 222 to facilitate breakage of the inner layer 221 at the weakened regions 223. When the outer layer 222 is removed as shown in FIG. 7B, a portion 243 of the inner layer 221 at the weakened region 223 may be removed with the outer layer 222, resulting in the formation of an aperture 217.
[0120] Referring now to FIG. 8, the outer layer 222 of the lid 220 may be attached to the cartridge 200 so that when the lid is opened (when the outer layer 222 is removed), the outer layer 222 remains attached. The outer layer 222 may include a tab 244 to facilitate pulling, peeling, or tearing the outer layer 222 off. The cartridge may include with slot-shaped weakened regions 223 and apertures 217.
[0121] The weakened region 223 may be provided in any suitable shape. The weakened region 223 and the resulting aperture(s) 217 may comprise a plurality of dots, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, or one or more lines or slots, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. The lines or slots of the weakened region 223 and the resulting aperture(s) 217 may be substantially parallel.
[0122] In one exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the weakened region 223 and the resulting aperture(s) 217 may comprise elongated slots in a cross- or X-shape.
[0123] The weakened region 223 may assume various regular or irregular patterns or shapes. In one exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the weakened region 223 and the resulting aperture(s) 217 may comprise a spiral shape.
[0124] In some embodiments, a plurality of cartridges 200 may be housed in an outer packaging 300, as shown in FIGS. 12-15. The outer packaging 300 may at least partially surround the plurality of cartridges 200. For example, the outer packaging 300 may surround or cover the top and the bottom of the cartridges 200, as shown. The outer packaging 300 may form a connected top, a connected bottom, or both a connected top and bottom for a plurality of cartridges. Although a package of four cartridges is shown, the package may include any desired number of cartridges. For example, the outer layer 222, 332 may be part of an outer packaging 300 that houses two or more, three or more, or four or more cartridges 200, or up to six, up to eight, or up to ten cartridges 200. The outer packaging 300 may form the outer layer 222, 332 of the lid 220. In embodiments where the outer packaging 300 surrounds or covers the top and the bottom of the cartridges 200, the outer packaging 300 may form the outer layer 222, 332 of the lid 220 at both the top and the bottom. The outer packaging 300 may further surround or cover at least one side of the cartridges 200 (see FIGS. 13A-13C). Each of the cartridges 200 in the outer packaging 300 may comprise an inner layer 221, 231 disposed between the outer layer 222, 332 and the body 210 of the cartridge 200.
[0125] In some embodiments shown in FIGS. 13C and 14B, when a cartridge 200 is removed from the outer packaging 300, the cartridge body 210 becomes separated from the packaging 300, while the outer layer 222, 332 remains attached to the packaging 300. Removal of the cartridge 200 causes the apertures 217 to form, allowing airflow 270 through the inner layer 221, 331.
[0126] In some embodiments, a cartridge 200 may be removed from the outer packaging 300 such that the cartridge 200, the inner layer 221, 331, and the portion 322 of the packaging that forms the outer layer 222, 332 of the lid remain intact on the cartridge, as shown in FIG. 15. The outer packaging 300 may include features that facilitate separating a portion, comprising only one cartridge, of the outer packaging 300, such as scoring or perforations 323. The outer layer 222, 332 remaining on the cartridge 200 may then be removed later from the cartridge body 210 to form apertures 217 in the weakened region 223 of the inner layer 221, 331.
[0127] Thus, cartridges for aerosol-generating devices, such as shisha devices are described. Various modifications and variations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are apparent to those skilled in the mechanical arts, chemical arts, and aerosol-generating article manufacturing or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
