Abstract
An aerosol-generating system is provided, including: an aerosol-forming substrate; and a venturi element including an airflow channel, the airflow channel including an inlet portion, a central portion, and an outlet portion, and the inlet portion is configured to converge towards the central portion with an inlet angle of between 1° and 19°, and the outlet portion is configured to diverge from the central portion.
Claims
1.-28. (canceled)
29. An aerosol-generating system, comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate; and a venturi element comprising an airflow channel, wherein the airflow channel comprises an inlet portion, a central portion, and an outlet portion, wherein the inlet portion is configured converging towards the central portion with an inlet angle of between 1° and 19°, and wherein the outlet portion is configured diverging from the central portion.
30. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 29, further comprising an aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-forming substrate.
31. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 30, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises the venturi element.
32. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 30, wherein the venturi element is configured to be removably attachable to the aerosol-generating article.
33. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 32, wherein the aerosol-generating article further comprises a connection portion, wherein the venturi element comprises an airflow channel comprising an inlet portion, wherein the inlet portion of the venturi element comprises a connection element, and wherein the connection portion of the aerosol-generating article is configured to removably receive the connection element of the venturi element.
34. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 33, wherein the connection portion of the aerosol-generating article has a substantially tubular shape configured for insertion of the connection element of the venturi element therein.
35. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 33, wherein the connection element of the venturi element comprises mechanical retaining means configured for retaining the connection element of the venturi element within the connection portion of the aerosol-generating article.
36. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 29, wherein the venturi element is configured as a mouthpiece.
37. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 30, wherein the aerosol-generating article is configured rod shaped, and wherein a wrapping material is arranged wrapping the aerosol-generating article.
38. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 29, wherein the inlet portion is configured converging towards the central portion with an inlet angle of between 16° and 19°.
39. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 29, wherein the outlet portion is diverging from the central portion with an outlet angle of between 2° and 10°.
40. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 29, wherein one or more of: an axial length of the inlet portion is between 3 mm and 10 mm, an axial length of the outlet portion is between 14 mm and 35 mm, an axial length of the central portion is between 2 mm and 5 mm, an inner diameter of the central portion is between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.
41. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 29, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a non-liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
42. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 41, wherein the non-liquid aerosol-forming substrate is an Electrically Heatable Tobacco Product (EHTP).
43. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 29, wherein the inlet portion is configured converging towards the central portion with an inlet angle of between 2° and 10°.
44. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 43, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.
45. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 43, wherein the inlet portion is configured converging towards the central portion with an inlet angle of between 4° and 8°.
46. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 43, wherein the outlet portion is diverging from the central portion with an outlet angle of between 10° and 20°.
47. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 43, wherein one or more of: an axial length of the inlet portion is between 14 mm and 35 mm, an axial length of the outlet portion is between 3 mm and 10 mm, an axial length of the central portion is between 2 mm and 5 mm, an inner diameter of the central portion is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
48. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 29, wherein one or more of: the outlet portion comprises threads, the venturi element further comprises a central axial tube having a relatively smaller outer diameter than a diameter of the central portion, the venturi element further comprises a propeller at or downstream of the outlet portion, the venturi element further comprises a ventilation hole, the venturi element further comprises a second airflow channel parallel to the first airflow channel, the second airflow channel comprising a second inlet portion, a second central portion, and a second outlet portion, wherein the second inlet portion is configured converging towards the second central portion and the second outlet portion is configured diverging from the second central portion.
49. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 29, further comprising an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-forming substrate therein, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to heat the received aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate, substantially without combusting the aerosol-forming substrate.
50. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 49, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a heating element, and wherein the heating element is arranged to at least partially penetrate an internal portion of the aerosol-forming substrate.
51. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 49, further comprising a heating element, wherein the heating element is arranged to heat at least an external surface of the aerosol-forming substrate or of an article comprising the aerosol-forming substrate.
52. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 49, wherein the venturi element is part of the aerosol-generating device.
53. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 30 and a kit of venturi elements for the aerosol-generating system, the kit comprising at least one venturi element and at least one different venturi element, wherein each venturi element is configured to be removably attachable to one or both of: the aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate, and the aerosol-generating device, wherein said each venturi element is configured with different characteristics, being one or both of physical properties and mechanical properties of the venturi elements, wherein said each venturi element is configured with different characteristics by means of different outlet angles, wherein the outlet angles of said each of the venturi elements differ by at least 0.5°, and/or wherein said each venturi element is configured with different characteristics by means of different inlet angles, wherein the inlet angles of each of the venturi elements differ by at least 0.5°.
54. The aerosol-generating system and kit of venturi elements according to claim 53, wherein one or more venturi element comprises at least one of: threads at the outlet portion, a central axial tube having a relatively smaller outer diameter than a diameter of the central portion, a propeller at or downstream of the outlet portion, a ventilation hole, and a second airflow channel parallel to the first airflow channel, the one or more venturi element comprising a second inlet portion, a second central portion, and a second outlet portion, wherein the second inlet portion is configured converging towards the second central portion and the second outlet portion is configured diverging from the second central portion.
Description
[0168] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0169] FIG. 1 shows a system comprising an aerosol-generating article and a venturi element, in which the aerosol-generating article and the venturi element are permanently fixed to each other;
[0170] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment, in which the aerosol-generating article and the venturi element are configured detachable by means of a connection portion of the aerosol-generating article and a connection element of the venturi element;
[0171] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the venturi element;
[0172] FIG. 4 shows an aerosol-generating device comprising a mouthpiece with a venturi element;
[0173] FIG. 5 shows an explosion view of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 4;
[0174] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the venturi element with threads in the outlet portion;
[0175] FIG. 7 shows two embodiments of the venturi element with a central axial tube;
[0176] FIG. 8 shows various views of an embodiment of the venturi element with a propeller;
[0177] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the venturi element with a combination of a central axial tube and a propeller;
[0178] FIG. 10 shows various embodiments of the venturi element with a ventilation hole in various different locations along the venturi element;
[0179] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the venturi element with two airflow channels; and
[0180] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the venturi element with a central portion of negligible length.
[0181] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating article 10 as well as a venturi element 12. The aerosol-generating article 10 comprises a substrate portion 14 as well as a filter portion 16. The filter portion 16 is preferably configured as a hollow acetate tube. Attached to the aerosol-generating article 10, FIG. 1 shows a venturi element 12. The venturi element 12 is in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 preferably permanently attached to the aerosol-generating article 10, more precisely to the filter portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 10. An outer wrapper may be provided surrounding the aerosol-generating article 10 and the venturi element 12.
[0182] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment, in which the venturi element 12 is configured removably attachable to the aerosol-generating article 10. The filter portion 16 of the aerosol-generating article 10 comprises a connection portion 18 for connecting the venturi element 12 to the aerosol-generating article 10. The connection portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 10 may also be a filter, preferably a hollow acetate tube. Alternatively, the connection portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 10 can be provided in addition to a filter portion 16. A filter portion 16 may be arranged between the substrate portion 14 and the connection portion 18.
[0183] The venturi element 12 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a connection element 20 for insertion into the connection portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 10. The connection element 20 of the venturi element 12 preferably has a tapered shape. A step 22 surrounds the outer perimeter of the connection element 20. The tapered configuration of the connection element 20 enables an easy insertion of the connection element 20 of the venturi element 12 into the connection portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 10. The step 22 surrounding the outer perimeter of the connection element 20 of the venturi element 12 is configured to securely hold the connection element 20 inside of the connection portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 10. The connection portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 10 is preferably configured hollow so that the connection element 20 of the venturi element 12 can easily be inserted into the hollow connection portion 18. An upstream end 24 of the connection element 20 of the venturi element 12 preferably has a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the hollow connection portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 10. The upstream end 24 of the connection element 20 may be the upstream end 24 of the venturi element 12. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the connection element 20 of the venturi element 12 is tapered so that the outer diameter of the connection element 20 of the venturi element 12 increases towards a downstream end. Preferably, the maximum outer diameter of the connection element 20 of the venturi element 12 is larger than the inner diameter of the hollow connection portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 10. Thus, the connection element 20 of the venturi element 12 is securely held within the hollow connection portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 10 after insertion of the connection element 20 into the connection portion 18. Retaining the connection element 20 of the venturi element 12 is further aided by the step 22. The inner wall of the hollow connection portion 18 of the aerosol-generating article 10 may comprise elements not shown in FIG. 2 which may interlock with the step 22 of the connection element 20 of the venturi element 12.
[0184] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the venturi element 12. The venturi element 12 comprises an inlet portion 26, a central portion 28 and an outlet portion 30. The inlet portion 26 is tapered towards the central portion 28. In FIG. 3, the inlet portion 26 has a conical shape. The inner diameter of the inlet portion 26 decreases from an upstream end of the venturi element towards a downstream end of the venturi element. The central portion 28 forms a constricted airflow passage for air flowing through the venturi element 12. The axial length L.sub.central of the central portion 28 may be between 2 mm and 5 mm, preferably 3.2 mm. The central portion 28 has a constant inner diameter of preferably 2 mm. Downstream of the central portion 28, the outlet portion 30 is arranged. The outlet portion 30 diverges from the central portion 28 towards a downstream end 32 of the venturi element 12. The outlet portion 30 also has a conical shape, however orientated in an opposite direction in comparison to the inlet portion 26.
[0185] If the aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate, preferably non-liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the inlet angle a of the inlet portion 26 may be between 16° and 20°, preferably between 17° to 19°, more preferably 18°. The inlet angle is the angle between the longitudinal axis of the inlet portion and the inner wall of the inlet portion. The axial length L.sub.inlet of the inlet portion 26 may be between 3 mm and 10 mm, preferably 7.7 mm.
[0186] The outlet portion 30 may have an outlet angle θ of between 2° and 10°, preferably between 4° to 8°, more preferably 6°. The outlet angle is the angle between the longitudinal axis of the outlet portion and the inner wall of the outlet portion. The axial length L.sub.outlet of the outlet portion 30 may be between 14 mm and 35 mm, preferably 23 mm. The maximum inner diameter of the outlet portion 30 at the downstream end 32 is, for example, 6 mm.
[0187] If the aerosol-generating article comprises liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the dimensions and angles of the venturi element are different from the case that the aerosol-generating article comprises non-liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably, the inlet angle a of the inlet portion 26 may in this case be between 2° and 10°, preferably between 4° to 8°, more preferably 6°. The axial length L.sub.inlet of the inlet portion 26 may be between 14 mm and 35 mm, preferably 23 mm. The maximum inner diameter of the inlet portion 26 may be, for example 3 mm. The maximum inner diameter of the outlet portion 30 at the downstream 32 may, for example, be 3 mm. The outlet angle θ is between 16° and 20°, preferably 18°. The axial length L.sub.outlet of the outlet portion 30 may be between 3 mm and 10 mm, preferably 7.7 mm.
[0188] The inlet portion 26, the central portion 28 and the outlet portion 30 together form the airflow channel in the venturi element 12 from the upstream end 24 of the venturi element 12 towards a downstream end 32 of the venturi element 12. The downstream end 32 of the venturi element 12 is configured such that a user may take the downstream end 32 of the venturi element 12 between his lips for inhalation of an aerosol formed in the outlet portion 30 of the venturi element 12. The venturi element may comprise an external shape adapted for the purpose of holding the downstream end 32 of the venturi element 12 between lips of a user, e.g. an ergonomic shape for comfort. Air containing vaporized aerosol-forming substrate from the aerosol-generating article 10 may flow into the inlet portion 26 of the venturi element 12. This air is then compressed in the central portion 28, thereby reducing the pressure and increasing the velocity of the air. When the air is drawn out of the central portion 28 and into the outlet portion 30, the air expands and cools down such that optimized droplets can form in the aerosol. The aerosol can then subsequently be inhaled by a user.
[0189] FIG. 4 shows an aerosol-generating device, into which the venturi element 12 may be incorporated. Preferably, the venturi element 12 may be part of a mouthpiece 34 of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device comprises further elements such as a heating chamber 36, in or around which a heating element may be provided. The heating element may be powered by a power supply 38. The supply of electrical energy from the power supply 38 to the heater element may be controlled by electric circuitry 40.
[0190] FIG. 5 shows the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 4 in an explosion view. The venturi element 12 is shown to be arranged along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise two main parts: the mouthpiece 34 and a main body 42 of the aerosol-generating device. The mouthpiece 34 may comprise the venturi element 12, while the main body 42 may comprise the further elements such as the power supply 38 and the electric circuitry 40. The heating chamber 36 may be partly formed in the mouthpiece 34 and the main body 42 or in each of one of these main parts. The mouthpiece 34 and the main body 42 may be configured detachable from each other. In the detached state, an aerosol-generating article 10 may be inserted into the heating chamber 36. The mouthpiece 34 may be attached to the main body 42 so that the aerosol-generating article 10 is surrounded or at least partially surrounded or enclosed in the heating chamber 36 by the mouthpiece 34 and the main body 42. The venturi element 12 may then be arranged downstream of the aerosol-generating article 10. The main body 42 of the aerosol-generating device may comprise one or more air inlets 44 which enable ambient air to enter the aerosol-generating device. The air inlet 44 can best be seen in FIG. 4. The air may flow through the one or more air inlets 44 into the heating chamber 36, in which the heating of the air as well of the aerosol-forming substrate contained in the aerosol-generating article 10 takes place. Vaporized aerosol-forming substrate may be entrained in the air flowing through the heating chamber 36. Subsequently, the air containing vaporized aerosol-forming substrate flows through the venturi element 12. The aerosol can then be inhaled by a user downstream of the venturi element 12.
[0191] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the venturi element 12, in which the outlet portion 30 of the venturi element 12 has threads 46. The threads 46 are preferably configured as helical threads 46. The pitch 48 of the threads 46 is indicated in FIG. 6 and is preferably around 5 mm. The threads 46 create a swirling airflow in the outlet portion 30, as indicated in the bottom part of FIG. 6. This may create a pleasant usage experience for a user inhaling the swirling aerosol at the downstream end 32 of the venturi element 12.
[0192] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment, in which a central axial tube 50 is provided along the longitudinal axis of the venturi element 12. The central axial tube 50 provides a second airflow path. Air flows in a laminar flow towards the mouth of a user through the central axial tube 50. In addition to this central airflow through the central axial tube 50, air may flow around the central axial tube 50 for aerosol generation. The air flowing around the central axial tube 50 may flow in a turbulent flow. The air flowing around the central axial tube 50 flows through the constricted part of the central portion 28 and into the outlet portion 30, in which the air may expand. Thus, optimized droplets may be generated in the outlet portion 30 around the central axial tube 50 and merge with the aerosol flowing through the central axial tube 50 downstream of the venturi element 12 into the mouth of the user. This arrangement may lead to a pleasant sensorial usage experience of a user. The top part of FIG. 7 shows an embodiment, in which the central axial tube 50 extends all the way through the length of the venturi element 12. The bottom part of FIG. 7 shows an embodiment, in which the central axial tube 50 extends through the inlet portion 26 as well as the central portion 28 of the venturi element 12 and not through the outlet portion 30. In another embodiment not illustrated, the central axial tube 50 may extend through only the outlet portion 30. In another embodiment, the central axial tube 50 may extend through only the central portion 28 and the outlet portion 30, but not through the inlet portion 26.
[0193] FIG. 8 shows a configuration, in which a propeller 52 is provided in the outlet portion 30 of the venturi element 12. The propeller 52 creates a swirling aerosol airflow downstream of the venturi element 12 into the mouth of user. The propeller 52 is therefore arranged adjacent to the downstream end 32 of the venturi element 12. The propeller 52 may comprise multiple blades. Embodiments with three or four blades are shown in the bottom part of FIG. 8. A configuration with three blades is particularly preferred, however it will be appreciated that more than three or even more than four blades may be used within the scope of the invention.
[0194] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment, in which the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 are combined. In more detail, a central axial tube 50 is provided together with a propeller 52 surrounding the central axial tube 50. The propeller 52 is arranged adjacent to the downstream end 32 of the venturi element 12. Around the central axial tube 50 and the outlet portion 30 of the venturi element 12, optimized droplets are created and the airflow of the aerosol is further optimized by the propeller 52. This airflow merges with the air coming from the central axial tube 50 into the mouth of a user for a pleasant usage experience.
[0195] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment, in which a ventilation hole 54 is provided. The top part of FIG. 10 shows an embodiment, in which the ventilation hole 54 is provided in the inlet portion 26 of the venturi element 12. In all embodiments shown in FIG. 10, the ventilation hole 54 enables air to flow from outside of the venturi element 12 into the airflow channel through the venturi element 12. The middle part of FIG. 10 shows an embodiment, in which the ventilation hole 54 is arranged in the central portion 28, while the bottom part of FIG. 10 shows an embodiment, in which the ventilation hole 54 is arranged in the outlet portion 30 of the venturi element 12. The middle part of FIG. 10 shows a preferred embodiment, since the air pressure in the central portion 28 of the venturi element 12 is reduced when air flows through the venturi element 12. In this regard, the venturi effect leads to reduced pressure and increased velocity in the central portion 28 of the venturi element 12, since this central portion 28 is a constricted airflow passage in comparison to the inlet portion 26 and the outlet portion 30 of the venturi element 12. Hence, air may be sucked from the outside of the venturi element 12 through the ventilation hole 54 into the central portion 28. This outside air may then merge with the air flowing through the venturi element 12 from the upstream end 24 of the venturi element 12 towards the downstream end 32 of the venturi element 12. This may lead to a pleasant usage experience.
[0196] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the venturi element 12 with two airflow channels. The airflow channel shown in the right part of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 essentially corresponds to the airflow channel described above with regard to the venturi element 12 used in conjunction with the aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate, preferably non-liquid aerosol-forming substrate. In this airflow channel, the inlet portion 26 is relatively short in comparison to the outlet portion 30. In this airflow channel, the inlet angle α is relatively larger than the outlet angle θ. In addition to this airflow channel, the second airflow channel, provided on the left of the first airflow channel in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, has a flipped configuration. This means that the second airflow channel essentially corresponds to the first airflow channel, if the first airflow channel would be arranged reversed. In this reversed airflow channel, the outlet portion 30 is relatively short in comparison to the inlet portion 36. In this reversed airflow channel, the inlet angle α is relatively smaller than the outlet angle θ. The airflow channel shown in the left part of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 essentially corresponds to the airflow channel described above with regard to the venturi element 12 used in conjunction with the aerosol-generating article comprising liquid aerosol-forming substrate. In this airflow channel, the inlet portion 26 is relatively large in comparison to the outlet portion 30. In this airflow channel, the inlet angle α is relatively smaller than the outlet angle θ. In addition to this airflow channel, the second airflow channel, provided on the right of the first airflow channel in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, has a flipped configuration. This means that the second airflow channel essentially corresponds to the first airflow channel, if the first airflow channel would be arranged reversed. In this reversed airflow channel, the outlet portion 30 is relatively large in comparison to the inlet portion 36. In this reversed airflow channel, the inlet angle α is relatively larger than the outlet angle θ. This arrangement of the airflow channels may create an optimized usage experience, since the two airflow channels may create slightly different experiences. One of the airflow channels may create a smooth usage experience, while the other airflow channel may create a kick or a stronger delivery profile. In combination, a desired delivery profile may be combined with a smooth usage experience. For distributing the air between the first airflow channel and the second airflow channel, a common upstream portion 56 may be provided in the venturi element 12.
[0197] FIG. 12 shows a preferred embodiment, in which the central portion 28 is configured as the transition between the inlet portion 26 and the outlet portion 30. The central portion 28 of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12 constitutes a constricted airflow passage and thus leads to the venturi effect when air flows from the inlet portion 26 to the outlet portion 28.
