AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH LEAK PREVENTION

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device has a receptacle configured to receive an aerosol-generating substrate; a heating element configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate; a power supply operably coupled to the heating element; a vessel comprising an interior configured to contain liquid; and a conduit in fluid communication with the vessel and the receptacle. A valve may be positioned between the conduit and an airflow outlet of the receptacle. The aerosol-generating device may have a tilt detector configured to detect tilting of the device, and a controller configured to shut off power to electrical components.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device comprising: a receptacle configured to receive an aerosol-generating substrate; a heating element configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate; and a power supply operably coupled to the heating element; a vessel comprising an interior configured to contain liquid; a conduit in fluid communication with the vessel and the receptacle; and a valve positioned between the conduit and an airflow outlet of the receptacle, wherein the valve is configured to prevent egress of liquid from the interior of the vessel through the valve, wherein the vessel is in fluid communication with the receptacle when the device is upright, and wherein the valve is configured to close fluid communication between the vessel and the receptacle when the device is tilted.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the valve is in an open position when the device is vertically upright and wherein the valve is in a closed position when the device is tilted.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the valve is in a closed position when the device is tilted 15° or greater from a vertically upright position.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a ball valve.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 4, wherein the ball valve comprises a ball and a seat configured to receive the ball, and a sensor configured to determine whether the ball is seated in the seat.

6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the sensor comprises an emitter configured to emit a signal or beam and a detector configured to detect the signal or beam.

7. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a tilt sensor.

8. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the valve is positioned between the vessel and the electrical components.

9. The aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim claim 1, wherein the device is a shisha device and the conduit comprises a stem pipe extending from the receptacle to the vessel, and wherein the valve is configured to prevent liquid from the vessel from entering the receptacle through the stem pipe.

10. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a second valve, positioned at an airflow outlet of the conduit.

11. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller; and a tilt sensor configured to sense a tilt of the device and to send a signal to the controller, when tilting is sensed, wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal from the tilt sensor and to control the electrical components in response to the signal.

12. An aerosol-generating device comprising: a receptacle configured to receive an aerosol-generating substrate; a heating element configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate; a power supply operably coupled to the heating element; a vessel comprising an interior configured to contain liquid; a controller; and a tilt sensor configured to sense a tilt of the device and to send a signal to the controller, when tilting is sensed; wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal from the tilt sensor and to control the electrical components in response to the signal.

13. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to shut off power to the heating element in response to the signal.

14. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11, wherein the tilt sensor comprises: an emitter to emit an electromagnetic beam; a detector to detect the electromagnetic beam; and a blocking member configured to block the electromagnetic beam when the device is tilted.

15. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11, wherein the tilt sensor comprises: at least one gyroscope; at least one accelerometer; or at least one gyroscope and at least one accelerometer.

16. A method for using an aerosol-generating device, the device comprising: a receptacle comprising an aerosol-generating substrate; electrical components comprising: a heating element configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate; and a power supply operably coupled to the heating element; a vessel comprising an interior containing liquid; a tilt sensor configured to sense a tilt of the device; and a controller operably coupled to the tilt sensor and the electrical components; the method comprising: receiving a signal from the tilt sensor indicating that the device is tilted; and shutting off one or more of the electrical components in response to the signal.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the device comprises a valve configured to prevent egress of liquid from the interior of the vessel when the device is tilted.

Description

[0108] 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.

[0109] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a shisha device.

[0110] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic side and bottom perspective views, respectively, of the body of a shisha cartridge for use in the shisha device of FIG. 1.

[0111] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment.

[0112] FIG. 4 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a top portion of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment.

[0113] FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views of a valve and tilt sensor of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment.

[0114] FIG. 6 is a partial schematic view of a top portion of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

[0115] FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of a tilt position of the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment.

[0116] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an example of an aerosol-generating device 100 (for example, a shisha device). 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. The device 100 has a longitudinal axis 110. When the device 100 is in an upright position, the longitudinal axis 110 is substantially vertical.

[0117] 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.

[0118] In the depicted embodiment, the heating element 160 defines the side surfaces of the receptacle 140. The aerosol-generating element 130 also includes an air inlet channel 170 that draws air into the device 100. In some embodiments, portion of the air inlet channel 170 is formed by the heating element 160 to heat the air before the air enters the receptacle 140.

[0119] 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.

[0120] The air exits an outlet of the aerosol-generating element 130 and enters a conduit 190.

[0121] The conduit 190 carries the air and aerosol into the vessel 17 below the level of the liquid 19.

[0122] 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.

[0123] An exemplary air flow path of the device, in use, is depicted by thick arrows in FIG. 1.

[0124] 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 controller 30 to place the device 100 in condition for use or to cause controller to activate the heating element 160; for example, by causing power supply 35 to energize the heating element 160.

[0125] The controller 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.

[0126] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, various views of the cartridge body 210 are shown. The cartridge 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 cartridge body 210 with a portion of the top 215 removed, showing the cavity 218 inside the body. The body 210 may define a center axis A extending through the cartridge 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.

[0127] An aerosol-generating device 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 3. The aerosol-generating device 101 is generally similar to the aerosol-generating device 100 of FIG. 1 and additionally comprises at least one valve. As shown, the aerosol-generating device 101 comprises a valve 90. The valve 90 may be positioned at the aerosol inlet of the stem pipe 190. The valve 90 may be positioned between the receptacle 140 and the stem pipe 190. The valve 90 may be a one-way valve configured to allow aerosol to pass from the cartridge 200 to the stem pipe 190, while preventing liquid 19 from passing from the vessel 17 to the aerosol-generating element 130. The aerosol-generating device 101 may further comprise a seal 98. The seal 98 may be disposed adjacent the valve 90. The seal 98 may be configured to further help prevent or reduce leaks of liquid 19 into the aerosol-generating element 130.

[0128] The device 101 has a longitudinal axis 110. When the device 101 is in an upright position, the longitudinal axis 110 is substantially vertical.

[0129] The aerosol-generating device 101 may optionally comprise one or more additional valves 21, for example, at the outlet 15 connecting to the hose 20. The additional valves 21 may be configured to allow aerosol to pass through. The additional valves 21 may be configured to prevent liquid from passing through. In some embodiments, the additional valves 21 may be configured to be in an open position when the aerosol-generating device 101 is upright and in a closed position when the aerosol-generating device 101 is tilted. The additional valves 21 may be configured to be in a closed position if the aerosol-generating device 101 falls on its side. The additional valves 21 may comprise, for example, a ball valve.

[0130] A cross sectional view of the top portion of the aerosol-generating device 101 is shown in FIG. 4. As discussed with regard to FIG. 1 above, the top portion of the aerosol-generating device 101 may comprise an aerosol-generating element 130. The aerosol-generating element 130 may comprise a cap (not shown) removably placeable on the aerosol-generating device 101. The aerosol-generating element 130 may comprise a housing 131 configured to house at least the heating element 160 and a receptacle 140 for receiving the cartridge 200. According to an embodiment, the valve 90 is positioned below the aerosol-generating element 130. For example, the valve 90 may be positioned directly below the receptacle 140. In some embodiments, the valve 90 is positioned at the airflow inlet end 191 of the stem pipe 190. The valve 90 may be a one-way valve that is open from the receptacle to the vessel and closed from the vessel to the receptacle. The valve 90 may have an open position and a closed position. For example, the valve 90 may be in the open position when the device is upright and in the closed position when the device is tilted. The valve 90 may be a smart valve configured to detect when the device is tilted and to perform an action when a tilt is detected. For example, the valve 90 may send a signal to a controller when a tilt is detected.

[0131] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating device 101 comprises a valve with a sensor capable of detecting if the aerosol-generating device 101 is tilted. A schematic detail view of a valve 901 comprising a sensor 920 is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The valve 901 may be disposed in the stem pipe 190 or at an end (for example, the airflow inlet end 191) of the stem pipe 190. Alternatively or in addition, the valve 901 may be disposed at the outlet 15.

[0132] The valve 901 may by a ball valve comprising a ball 910 and a valve seat 912. The valve seat 912 may be positioned upstream of the ball 910 during normal operation of the aerosol-generating device 101. The valve seat 912 may have a valve opening 913 that is smaller than the diameter of the ball 910. When the aerosol-generating device 101 is tilted (for example, falls on its side), the ball 910 becomes seated in the valve seat 912 and blocks the valve opening 913.

[0133] The valve 901 may comprise a sensor 920 constructed to detect whether the ball 910 is seated in the valve seat 912. For example, the sensor 920 may comprise an emitter 921 and a detector 923. The emitter 921 may be configured to emit a signal or beam 922 that can be detected by the detector 923. For example, the emitter 921 may be configured to emit an electromagnetic ray (for example, a beam of light) that can be detected by the detector 923.

[0134] When the ball 910 is not seated in the valve seat 912, as shown in FIG. 5A, the beam 922 reaches the detector 923. When the aerosol-generating device 101 is tilted (for example, falls on its side), the ball 910 may become seated in the valve seat 912 and blocks the beam 922 as shown in FIG. 5B. The detector 923 is capable detecting the blocking of the beam 922 and may be configured to send a signal to a controller. In response to the signal, the controller may shut off powder to one or more electronic components of the aerosol-generating device 101.

[0135] The valve 901 may comprise a porous plate 930. The porous plate 930 may support the ball 910 when the ball 910 is not seated in the valve seat 912. The porous plate 930 may be configured to allow aerosol and liquid to pass through. When the aerosol-generating device 101 is tilted (for example, falls on its side), liquid may flow through the porous plate 930 and push the ball 910 toward the valve seat 912. The ball 910 may be made of a material that is denser than the liquid 19 in the vessel 17 so that the ball 910 sinks when submerged in the liquid 19.

[0136] The valve 901 may comprise a rest seat 932 for the ball 910. The rest seat 932 may be disposed on top of the porous plate 930. The rest seat 932 may be configured to maintain the ball 910 in place when the aerosol-generating device 101 is upright, for example during normal operation.

[0137] Referring now to FIG. 6, a partial schematic of an aerosol-generating device 101 with a tilt sensor 32 is shown. The aerosol-generating device 100 may comprise a system configured to protect the electronic components of the device from leaks and spills. The system may comprise a tilt sensor 32 and a controller 30. The tilt sensor 32 may be configured to detect the position of the aerosol-generating device 100. For example, the tilt sensor 32 may comprise an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or another device capable of assessing the position (for example, deviation from an upright position) of the device. The tilt position is graphically demonstrated in FIG. 7. The ordinary or upright position 111 of the aerosol-generating device 100 is normal (perpendicular) to a horizontal plane 115. The longitudinal axis 110 aerosol-generating device 100 may be tilted by any angle 112, 113, 114, etc., as shown.

[0138] The tilt sensor 32 may be configured to send a signal to the controller when the aerosol-generating device 100 is tilted. The aerosol-generating device 100 may have a threshold tilt, such as 10° or greater, 15° or greater, 20° or greater, 25° or greater, 30° or greater, 35° or greater, 45° or greater, 60° or greater, or 75° or greater from the upright position. The tilt sensor 32 may be configured to send a signal to the controller when the angle a of the aerosol-generating device 100 is greater than the threshold tilt. The tilt sensor 32 may be operably coupled with the controller 30. In some embodiments, the tilt sensor 32 is coupled via an electrical connection, a data connection, or both an electrical connection and a data connection to the controller 30. The tilt sensor 32 may send the signal via the electrical or data connection or may send a wireless signal to the controller 30. The controller 30 may be operably coupled with the power supply 35. In some embodiments, the controller 30 may be configured to control the operation of the power supply 35. For example, the controller 30 may shut off power to the electrical components (for example, the heating element 160) of the aerosol-generating device 100 upon receiving a signal from the tilt sensor 32.

[0139] Thus, aerosol-generating devices capable of preventing or reducing leaks are described.

[0140] 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.

[0141] 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.