AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH SENSORIAL MEDIA CARTRIDGE

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol-generating device (10) comprising a top portion (20), a main portion (70), and a cartridge (50). The top portion comprises a proximal end comprising a cavity (22) for receiving an aerosol-generating article (12). The top portion further comprises a distal end comprising a top cartridge connector (24) and a top airflow channel extending from the top cartridge connector to the cavity. The main portion comprises a proximal end comprising a main cartridge connector (72). The main portion furthers comprises a main air inlet and a main airflow channel extending from the main air inlet to the main cartridge connector. The top cartridge connector is removably attachable to a proximal end of the cartridge and the main cartridge connector is removably attachable to a distal end of the cartridge enabling a first mode of operation. The top cartridge connector is directly removably attachable to the main cartridge connector enabling a second mode of operation.

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. An aerosol-generating device comprising a top portion, a main portion, and a cartridge, the top portion comprising: a top housing, a heating element, a proximal end comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article, a distal end comprising a top cartridge connector, and a top airflow channel extending from the top cartridge connector to the cavity; the main portion comprising: a main housing, a power supply, a proximal end comprising a main cartridge connector, a main air inlet, and a main airflow channel extending from the main air inlet to the main cartridge connector; the cartridge comprising: a proximal end comprising a liquid outlet, a distal end comprising an air inlet, and a liquid storage portion arranged between the proximal end and the distal end; wherein the top cartridge connector of the top portion is removably attachable to the proximal end of the cartridge and the main cartridge connector of the main portion is removably attachable to the distal end of the cartridge such that when the cartridge is attached to both the top portion and the main portion, a continuous airflow route in fluid connection is provided along the main and top airflow channels from the main air inlet to the cavity through the liquid contained in the liquid storage portion of the cartridge enabling a first mode of operation, and wherein the top cartridge connector is directly removably attachable to the main cartridge connector enabling a second mode of operation.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the top portion comprises a top air inlet, and an additional airflow channel extending from the top air inlet to the cavity.

24. The device according to claim 22, wherein the proximal end of the top portion is adapted to allow attachment of a mouthpiece when no aerosol-generating article is received in the cavity enabling a third mode of operation.

25. The device according to claim 22, further comprising a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece is removably attachable to the proximal end of the top portion when no aerosol-generating article is received in the cavity.

26. The device according to claim 22, wherein both the top cartridge connector and the main cartridge connector comprise electrically conductive elements being adapted to establish electric contact between the top portion and the main portion when the top cartridge connector is directly attached to the main cartridge connector according to the second mode of operation.

27. The device according to claim 22, wherein the heating element of the top portion comprises an induction heating element.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein the induction heating element comprises a peripheral induction coil and a tubular susceptor, the tubular susceptor circumscribing at least a portion of the top airflow channel.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein the top portion comprises a top air inlet, and an additional airflow channel extending from the top air inlet to the cavity; and wherein the induction heating element comprises an additional tubular susceptor, the additional tubular susceptor circumscribing at least a portion of the cavity.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein the induction coil, the tubular susceptor, and the additional tubular susceptor are coaxially aligned.

31. The device according to claim 22, wherein the top portion comprises a wick being arranged at least partly within the top airflow channel, and wherein the wick is arranged spaced from the distal end of the top airflow channel.

32. The device according to claim 31, wherein the wick is a porous element.

33. The device according to claim 22, wherein the main portion comprises a high retention material being arranged in proximity to the main cartridge connector for absorbing potential leaks of the cartridge.

34. The device according to claim 22, wherein the liquid outlet of the proximal end of the cartridge comprises a one-way valve.

35. The device according to claim 22, wherein the air inlet of the distal end of the cartridge comprises a one-way valve.

36. The device according to claim 22, wherein the liquid storage portion of the cartridge comprises a liquid sensorial media.

37. The device according to claim 36, wherein the liquid sensorial media comprises a flavorant.

38. The device according to claim 36, wherein the liquid sensorial media comprises nicotine.

39. The device according to claim 22, wherein the liquid storage portion of the cartridge comprises two or more series-connected liquid storage compartments.

40. The device according to claim 22, wherein the liquid storage portion of the cartridge comprises two or more parallel-connected liquid storage compartments.

41. The device according to claim 39, wherein at least one liquid storage compartment comprises a liquid composition which differs from a liquid composition of another liquid storage compartment.

42. The device according to claim 22, wherein the cartridge comprises electrically conductive elements being adapted to establish electric contact between the top portion and the main portion when the cartridge is attached to both the top portion and the main portion.

43. An aerosol-generating system comprising the device according to claim 22 and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

Description

[0150] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0151] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an aerosol-generating device of the invention in three different modes of operation;

[0152] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an aerosol-generating device of the invention;

[0153] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a top portion of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating device of the invention;

[0154] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of a top portion of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating device of the invention;

[0155] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a cartridge of the invention;

[0156] FIG. 6 shows three different embodiments of cartridges of the invention;

[0157] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating device of the invention.

[0158] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol-generating device 10 of the invention in three different modes of operation. The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a top portion 20 comprising a top housing and a heating element and a main portion 70 comprising a main housing and a power supply. The top portion 20 comprises a proximal end comprising a cavity 22 for receiving an aerosol-generating article 12, a distal end comprising a top cartridge connector 24, and a top airflow channel extending from the top cartridge connector 24 to the cavity 22. The main portion 70 comprises a proximal end comprising a main cartridge connector 72, a main air inlet (not shown) and a main airflow channel extending from the main air inlet to the main cartridge connector 72. As shown at the left-hand side of FIG. 1, the top cartridge connector 24 is removably attachable to a proximal end of a cartridge 50 and the main cartridge connector 74 is removably attachable to a distal end of a cartridge 50 enabling a first mode of operation. According to the first mode of operation, an inhalable aerosol may contain substances which are derived from the cartridge 50 and, additionally, substances derived from the aerosol-forming substrate comprised in the aerosol-generating article 12.

[0159] As shown in the middle of FIG. 1, the top cartridge connector 24 is also directly removably attachable to the main cartridge connector 72 enabling a second mode of operation. According to the second mode of operation, an inhalable aerosol may contain substances derived from the aerosol-forming substrate comprised in the aerosol-generating article 12, only.

[0160] As shown at the right-hand side of FIG. 1, the proximal end of the top portion is adapted to allow attachment of a mouthpiece 14 when no aerosol-generating article 12 is received in the cavity 22 enabling a third mode of operation. According to the third mode of operation, an inhalable aerosol may contain substances which are derived from the cartridge 50, only.

[0161] A user may choose between the different modes of operation. Thereby, a multi-functional aerosol-generating device 10 may be provided advantageously enabling three different modes of operations in one single device. Thus, it is not necessary for a user to carry three different devices for each mode of operation, but only one device. Also, a user may not need to buy three different devices, but only one device, which may be cost saving.

[0162] FIG. 2 shows an aerosol-generating device 10 of the invention. The left-hand side of FIG. 2 shows the aerosol-generating device 10 in an assembled state. An aerosol-generating article 12 is inserted into the cavity 22. The middle of FIG. 2 shows the aerosol-generating device 10 in an exploded view, wherein top portion 20, cartridge 50, and main portion 70 are not attached to each other. The distal end of the main portion 70 comprises a main cartridge connector 72 for removably attaching the main portion 70 to the cartridge 50. The proximal end of the top portion 20 comprises a corresponding top cartridge connector (not shown) for removably attaching the top portion 20 to the cartridge 50. The right-hand side of FIG. 2 shows an optional mouthpiece 14 which may be removably attached onto the cavity 22 when no aerosol-generating article 12 is inserted into the cavity 22.

[0163] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a top portion 20 of an aerosol-generating device 10 of the invention. The top airflow channel extends from the top cartridge connector 24 to the cavity 22. The top portion 20 further comprises a wick 36 being arranged within the top airflow channel. The wick 36 is arranged spaced from the top cartridge connector 24. The wick 36 is arranged spaced from the distal end of the top airflow channel.

[0164] The top portion 20 comprises a top air inlet 26, and an additional airflow channel extending from the top air inlet 26 to the cavity 22. The proximal end of the top portion 20 is adapted to allow reversible attachment of a mouthpiece 14 when no aerosol-generating article is received in the cavity enabling a third mode of operation. The heating element of the top portion 20 comprises an induction heating element. The induction heating element comprises a peripheral induction coil 28 and a tubular susceptor 30. The tubular susceptor 30 circumscribes a portion of the top airflow channel. The induction heating element further comprises an additional tubular susceptor 32. The additional tubular susceptor 32 circumscribes a portion of the cavity 22. The induction coil 28, the tubular susceptor 30, and the additional tubular susceptor 32 are coaxially aligned. Also shown is a thermal insulator 34 positioned between the induction coil 28, the additional tubular susceptor 32.

[0165] In an alternative embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 3, instead of the induction heating element a resistive heating element is used. In the alternative embodiment, the induction coil 28 is omitted. Further in the alternative embodiment, the tubular susceptor 30 is replaced by a resistive heating tube of the same shape as the tubular susceptor 30 and the additional tubular susceptor 32 is replaced by an additional resistive heating tube of the same shape as the additional tubular susceptor 32. The resistive heating tube and the additional resistive heating tube may comprise flexible heating foils on a dielectric substrate, such as polyimide.

[0166] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of a top portion 20 of an aerosol-generating device 10 of the invention. Also shown in FIG. 4 is a proximal portion of a cartridge 50 being reversibly attached to the top portion 20. The liquid outlet 52 of the proximal end comprises a one-way valve. Meandering arrows indicate the airflow along the top airflow channel and along the additional airflow channel.

[0167] An aerosol-generating article to be inserted into the cavity 22 may comprise a hollow cylindrical tube comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate at its distal end thereof and a mouthpiece including a mouthpiece filter at its proximal end thereof. The distal end of the aerosol-generating article may be inserted into the cavity 22 such that the hollow cylindrical tube is arranged between the tubular susceptor 30 and the additional tubular susceptor 32. The aerosol-generating article can thus be sandwiched between the two susceptors. The aerosol-generating article may be heated by the additional tubular susceptor 32. The aerosol-generating article may be additionally heated by the tubular susceptor 30.

[0168] The top air inlet 26 is fluidly connected with the cavity 22 along the additional airflow channel via apertures in the additional tubular susceptor 32. For example, the additional tubular susceptor 32 may comprise a plurality of separate heating blades arranged in a cylindrical configuration, and the space between neighbouring heating blades may define the apertures. The heating blades may comprise a susceptor material.

[0169] The top airflow channel extends within the hollow tube of the tubular susceptor 30. The wick 36 is placed within the tubular susceptor 30. The top airflow channel is fluidly connected with the cavity 22 via a top aperture 38 in the tubular susceptor 30.

[0170] FIG. 5 shows a cartridge 50 of the invention for use with the aerosol-generating device 10 as described herein. The cartridge 50 comprises a proximal end comprising a liquid outlet 52 and being removably attachable to the top cartridge connector 24 of the top portion 20. The cartridge 50 comprises a distal end comprising an air inlet 54 and being removably attachable to the main cartridge connector 72 of the main portion 70. The cartridge 50 further comprises a liquid storage portion 56 arranged between the proximal end and the distal end, such that when the cartridge 50 is attached to both the top portion 20 and the main portion 70, a continuous fluid connection is provided along the main and top airflow channels from the main air inlet to the cavity 22 via the liquid storage portion 56 of the cartridge 50.

[0171] FIG. 6 shows three different cartridges 50 according to different embodiments of the invention. The cartridges 50 shown in FIG. 6 each comprise a liquid storage portion 56 comprising a first liquid storage compartment 58 and a second liquid storage compartment 60. The liquid storage portion 50 thus comprises two individual liquid storage compartments 58, 60. Both of the first and second liquid storage compartments 58, 60 comprise a compartment air inlet 62 and a compartment liquid outlet 64. The first liquid storage compartment 58 comprises a different liquid sensorial media compared to the second liquid storage compartment 60. Thus, the first liquid storage compartment 58 comprises a liquid composition which differs from the composition of second liquid storage compartment 60.

[0172] At the left-hand side of FIG. 6, a cartridge 50 is shown comprising two parallel-connected liquid storage compartments 58, 60 such that, when the cartridge 50 is attached to both the top portion and the main portion, a continuous fluid connection is provided along the main and top airflow channels from the main air inlet to the cavity via the parallel-connected liquid storage compartments 58, 60 of the liquid storage portion 56 of the cartridge 50. An airflow exiting both the compartment liquid outlets 64 of each of the parallel-connected liquid storage compartments 58, 60 may mix in an upstream mixing region before exiting the cartridge 50 via the liquid outlet 52.

[0173] Alternatively, additional means may be comprised for selectively providing a continuous fluid connection along the main and top airflow channels from the main air inlet to the cavity via only one of the two liquid storage compartments 58, 60, when the cartridge is attached to both the top portion and the main portion. For example, individually controllable shutters may be provided at the compartment air inlets 62 and, alternatively or in addition, at the compartment liquid outlets 64 of one or both of the individual liquid storage compartment 58, 60. A user may choose between the parallel-connected liquid storage compartments 58, 60 to provide the fluid connection.

[0174] The compartment air inlets 62 may, at the same time, serve as the air inlet 54 of the cartridge 50.

[0175] The middle of FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the cartridge 50 comprising two individual liquid storage compartments 58, 60 in another configuration. The two liquid storage compartments 58, 60 are series-connected such that, when the cartridge is attached to both the top portion and the main portion, a continuous fluid connection is provided along the main and top airflow channels from the main air inlet to the cavity via the liquid storage portion of the cartridge. The compartment liquid outlet 64 of the first liquid storage compartment 58 is fluidly connected to the compartment air inlet 62 of the second liquid storage compartment 60. The fluid connection is thus provided subsequently through the two series-connected liquid storage compartments 58, 60 of the liquid storage portion 56 of the cartridge 50.

[0176] The compartment air inlet 62 of the first liquid storage compartment 58 may, at the same time, serve as the air inlet 54 of the cartridge 50. The compartment liquid outlet 64 of the second liquid storage compartment 60 may, at the same time, serve as the liquid outlet 52 of the cartridge 50.

[0177] The right-hand side of FIG. 6 similarly shows an embodiment with two series-connected liquid storage compartments 58, 60. However, both the first and second the liquid storage compartments 58, 60 have a cylindrical shape such that a cylindrical shape of the liquid storage portion 56 and of the cartridge 50 results.

[0178] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of an aerosol-generating device 10 of the invention. The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a top portion 20 and a main portion 70. A cavity 22 for receiving an aerosol-generating article (not shown) is provided in the top portion 20. A cartridge 50 is connected to the aerosol-generating device 10. The cartridge 50 is arranged between the top portion 20 and the main portion 70. Top portion 20 of FIG. 7 corresponds to top portion 20 of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

[0179] The main portion 70 comprises a main air inlet 74 and is attached to the cartridge 50 via the main cartridge connector 72. The main portion 70 comprises a high retention material 76 being arranged in proximity to the air inlet 54 of the cartridge 50 for absorbing potential leaks of the cartridge 50. The main portion 70 further comprises a power supply 78 for powering the heating element in the top portion 20. Electrically connected to the power supply 78, the main portion 70 further comprises a controller 80 for controlling the power supply 78. Additionally, the aerosol-generating device 10 comprises electrically conductive elements 82 being adapted to establish electric contact between the top portion 20 and the main portion 70 when the cartridge 50 is attached to both the top portion 20 and the main portion 70 and when the top portion 20 is directly attached to the main portion 70. Electrically conductive elements 82 are provided in both the top portion 20, the main portion 70, and the cartridge 50. The electrically conductive elements 82 connect the heating element in the top portion 20 to the controller 80 and the power supply 78 in the main portion 70.

[0180] The aerosol-generating device 10 provides different routes for the airflow as indicated by meandering arrows in FIG. 7. First and second routes for the airflow extend along the top airflow channel and the additional airflow channel as shown and explained above with respect to the top portion of FIG. 4. A third airflow route extends along a main airflow channel extending from the main air inlet 74 to the main cartridge connector 72. The third airflow route further extends through the liquid contained in the liquid storage portion 56. By means of the third airflow route extraction of liquid from the liquid storage portion 56 via the liquid outlet 52 may be advantageously promoted.

[0181] 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 ±five percent 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.