Abstract
A piercing system for use in aerosol-generating devices may be used to form one or more openings in a shisha cartridge. The piercing system includes a piercing assembly and stem pipe. The stem pipe may be incorporated as part of an aerosol-generating device. The piercing assembly comprises a body with a through opening. The opening may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem pipe. The piercing assembly comprises a plurality of piercing elements at its upstream end. The piercing elements are configured for piercing a cartridge. The piercing assembly may be operated by placing a cartridge onto the piercing assembly and pressing down on the cartridge.
Claims
1. A piercing system for a shisha device, the piercing system comprising: a stem pipe comprising a hollow tube extending from an upstream end to a downstream end along a longitudinal axis; and a piercing assembly at the upstream end of the stem pipe, the piercing assembly comprising: a body with a through opening coaxial with the hollow tube, the body comprising an upstream body end; and a plurality of piercing elements at the upstream body end, wherein each of the plurality of piercing elements has a piercing end extending from the body, and wherein one or more of the piercing ends extend from the upstream body end to at least a first distance and one or more of the piercing ends extend to a second distance, wherein the first distance is different from the second distance.
2. The piercing system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of piercing elements comprise a piercing edge oriented radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis and optionally extending longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis.
3. The piercing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the piercing ends extends from the upstream body end to a distance different from each of the other piercing ends.
4. The piercing system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of piercing elements comprises a triangular shape in a cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis.
5. The piercing system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of piercing elements comprises, in a cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis, a curved shape.
6. The piercing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of piercing elements are retractable.
7. The piercing system according to claim 1, wherein the piercing assembly is removably attachable to the stem pipe.
8. The piercing system according to claim 1, wherein the piercing assembly is rotatable about the longitudinal center axis.
9. The piercing system according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a sealing ring configured to sealingly mate with a cartridge.
10. The piercing system according to claim 1 further comprising an absorption element housed within the body.
11. An aerosol-generating device comprising: a vessel comprising an interior volume configured for housing a liquid, the vessel comprising a mouth in fluid communication with the interior volume; and a piercing system mounted at the mouth, the piercing system comprising: a stem pipe comprising a hollow tube extending from an upstream end to a downstream end along a longitudinal axis; and a piercing assembly at the upstream end of the stem pipe, the piercing assembly comprising: a body with a through opening coaxial with the hollow tube, the body comprising an upstream body end; and a plurality of piercing elements at the upstream body end, wherein each of the plurality of piercing elements has a piercing end extending from the body, and wherein one or more of the piercing ends extend from the upstream body end to at least a first distance and one or more of the piercing ends extend to a second distance, wherein the first distance is different from the second distance, wherein the downstream end of the stem pipe extends into the interior volume.
12. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11 further comprising a cap removably mountable at the mouth of the vessel and the cap is configured to receive a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.
13. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 12, wherein the piercing assembly of the piercing system is configured to pierce a first wall of the cartridge and wherein when the cap comprises a cap piercing element configured to pierce a second wall of the cartridge.
14. A method of using the aerosol-generating device of claim 12, the method comprising: inserting a cartridge into the cap of the aerosol-generating device or into the body of the piercing assembly; placing the cap at the mouth of the vessel such that the cartridge is received in a receptacle of the cap and is oriented toward the upstream end of the piercing stem pipe; and pushing the cap against the piercing assembly, causing the piercing assembly to pierce a wall of the cartridge.
Description
[0103] 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.
[0104] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a shisha device.
[0105] 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.
[0106] FIG. 2C is a schematic bottom view of a shisha cartridge after having been pierced by the piercing assembly according to an embodiment.
[0107] FIG. 2D is a schematic top view of a shisha cartridge for use in the shisha device of FIG. 1.
[0108] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic cross-sectional views of a piercing assembly and shisha device cap according to an embodiment.
[0109] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a cartridge and the piercing system according to an embodiment.
[0110] FIGS. 5A-5C are schematic views of parts of the piercing assembly according to an embodiment.
[0111] FIGS. 6A-6C are schematic views of a piercing element for the piercing assembly according to an embodiment.
[0112] FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective and top views, respectively, of a piercing assembly according to an embodiment.
[0113] FIGS. 8A and 8B are top and perspective views, respectively, of a piercing system according to an embodiment.
[0114] FIGS. 9A-9E are side, top, and bottom views of a piercing element according to an embodiment.
[0115] FIG. 10A is a top view of a piercing assembly according to an embodiment.
[0116] FIGS. 10B-10F are side, top, and bottom views of the piercing element of FIG. 10A according to an embodiment.
[0117] FIGS. 11A and 11B are top and perspective views, respectively, of a piercing system according to an embodiment.
[0118] FIG. 12A is a top view of a piercing assembly according to an embodiment.
[0119] FIGS. 12B-12F are side, top, and bottom views of the piercing element of FIG. 12A according to an embodiment.
[0120] FIGS. 13A and 13B are various views of a spring actuated piercing system according to an embodiment.
[0121] FIGS. 14A and 14B are top and perspective views, respectively, of a piercing system according to an embodiment.
[0122] FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the piercing assembly of FIGS. 14A and 14B according to an embodiment.
[0123] FIG. 15B is a detailed cross-sectional side view of a piercing element of the piercing assembly of FIGS. 14A and 14B according to an embodiment.
[0124] FIG. 15C is a sectional side view of a cartridge for use in the piercing assembly of
[0125] FIGS. 14A and 14B according to an embodiment.
[0126] FIG. 16A is a rolled-open view of piercing elements of a piercing assembly according to an embodiment.
[0127] FIG. 16B is a perspective view of a piercing assembly comprising the piercing elements of FIG. 16A according to an embodiment.
[0128] FIGS. 17A-17D are top and side views of a piercing assembly according to an embodiment.
[0129] FIGS. 18A and 18B are top and perspective views, respectively, of a piercing assembly with an absorption element according to an embodiment.
[0130] FIGS. 19A and 19B are schematic view of a shisha device and cap with piercing assembly in use according to an embodiment.
[0131] FIG. 20A is cross-sectional side view of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.
[0132] FIG. 20B is an exploded view of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 20A.
[0133] FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of the cap frame of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.
[0134] FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view of the outer shroud of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.
[0135] FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view of the spring of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.
[0136] FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view of the inner shroud of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.
[0137] FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view of the support ring of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.
[0138] FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view of the grip element of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.
[0139] FIGS. 27A and 27B are schematic cross sectional side and bottom views, respectively, of the outer shroud of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.
[0140] FIGS. 28A-28D are side views of the track and pin in different positions during use of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.
[0141] 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.
[0142] 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 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. 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. The conduit 190 may be a stem pipe.
[0143] The conduit (for example, stem pipe) 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.
[0144] An exemplary air flow path of the device, in use, is depicted by thick arrows in FIG. 1.
[0145] 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.
[0146] 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.
[0147] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D, various embodiments of the body 210 of a cartridge 200 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 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 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. The bottom wall 213 (or the top wall 215 or both the bottom 213 and the top 215) may have a plurality of apertures 216 (217) to allow air flow through the cartridge when the cartridge is in use. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the apertures 216 are formed upon piercing of the cartridge 200 with the piercing system. A schematic bottom view of the cartridge 200 is shown in FIG. 2C, where the pierced openings 216 can be seen along the corner of the bottom wall 213 and side wall 212.
[0148] 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.
[0149] FIG. 3A shows a schematic partial view of a shisha device 100 comprising the piercing system 300. An exploded view of the piercing system 300 is shown in FIG. 4 and views of the individual parts are shown in FIGS. 5A-5C. The piercing system 300 includes a stem pipe 190 and a piercing assembly 301. The stem pipe 190 comprises a hollow tube with an upstream end 191 and a downstream end 192 and an airflow path extending through the hollow tube from the upstream end 191 to the downstream end 192. The piercing assembly 301 may be mounted onto the upstream end 191 or may be integrally formed as a part of the stem pipe 190.
[0150] The piercing assembly 301 comprises a body 310 with an upstream end 311 and a downstream end 312. The body 310 comprises a through opening 313 extending from the upstream end 311 to the downstream end 312 along a center axis A. The opening 313 may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem pipe 190. The piercing assembly 301 comprises a plurality of piercing elements 330 at its upstream end 311. The piercing elements 330 are configured for piercing (for example, creating one or more holes in) the cartridge 200.
[0151] The piercing element 330 may have any suitable shape that is capable of piercing the cartridge 200. The piercing element 330 has an upstream end 331 and a downstream end 332. The upstream end 331 is the piercing end. In some embodiments, the piercing element 330 has a piercing edge 333, as shown in FIG. 5B. In some embodiments, the piercing element 330 has a piercing point 334, as shown in FIG. 5C. The piercing element 330 may also have a piercing edge 333 that terminates in a piercing point 334.
[0152] In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, the piercing element 330 has a curved or cupped shape when viewed from above (see top view in FIG. 6B). The piercing element 330 may include a center portion 336. The center portion 336 may define a piercing point 334. The center portion 336 may also define at least a portion of a piercing edge 333. The center portion 336 may be flanked by two side portions 337. The side portions 337 may be bent or folded inward toward the center axis A. The piercing element 330 may further comprise a base 338. The base 338 may be used to attach the piercing element 330 to the body 310 of the piercing assembly 301. The piercing element 330 may be formed from a flat piece of material shown in FIG. 6C. The side portions 337 and base 338 may be bent or folded along the dotted lines toward one side of the center portion 336 to form the cupped shape.
[0153] The piercing system 300 may be operated by placing a cartridge 200 onto the piercing assembly 301 disposed at the mouth of the shisha device vessel. The cartridge may be pressed down toward the piercing assembly 301, causing the piercing elements 330 to pierce a wall (for example, the bottom wall 213 or the side wall 212) of the cartridge 200. If a cap 400 is used, the cartridge 200 may be pressed down by pressing on the cap 400. Cap 400 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 19A, 19B, 20A, 20B, 21-26, 27A, 27B, and 28A-D.
[0154] The piercing elements 330 of the piercing assembly 301 may pierce the cartridge 200 to create one or more inlets or outlets in the cartridge 200. FIG. 3B shows a partial view of the top of the shisha device with the piercing assembly and cap, where airflow through the cap and the pierced cartridge 200 are shown with arrows.
[0155] An embodiment of the piercing assembly 301 is shown in FIGS. 7A and 76B. The piercing assembly 301 comprises a plurality of piercing elements 330. Although eight piercing elements 330 are shown, the number of piercing elements may vary. Further, the types of piercing elements may vary, and the piercing assembly 301 may include more than one type of piercing element 330.
[0156] The piercing elements 330 are disposed at the upstream end 311 of the body 310. The piercing elements 330 are oriented such that the piercing end (upstream end 331) of the piercing element 330 is oriented upward when the upstream end 311 of the body 310 is oriented upward. If the piercing element 330 has a piercing edge 333, the piercing edge 333 may be oriented toward the through opening 313 of the body 310. The piercing elements 330 are located on the body 310 such that they may come into contact with the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is moved axially toward the body 310.
[0157] In some embodiments, the piercing elements 330 are symmetrical or symmetrically placed such that the piercing edge 333 is oriented toward the center axis A of the piercing assembly body 310, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.
[0158] An exemplary embodiment of a piercing element 330 is shown in FIGS. 9A-9E. The piercing element 330 extends from an upstream end 331 to a downstream end 332. The piercing element 330 comprises a piercing edge 333, as seen in the front view in FIG. 9A and side view in FIG. 9B. The piercing edge 333 may be present at the upstream end 331 of the piercing element 330. The piercing edge 333 may extend from the upstream end 331 to the downstream end 332 along the length of the piercing element 330. The bottom portion of the back side may be tapered toward the front, as seen in the side view in FIG. 9B. The piercing element 330 may comprise a triangular shape in its cross section, as seen in the top and bottom views in FIGS. 9D and 9E. In the embodiment shown, the piercing element 330 comprises a substantially flat triangular top.
[0159] In another embodiment, the piercing edge 333 is disposed at the top (at the upstream or piercing end 331) of the piercing element 330, as shown in FIGS. 10A-10F.
[0160] In some embodiments, the piercing elements 330 are asymmetrical or are asymmetrically placed along the edge of the body 310 such that the piercing edge 333 is not oriented toward the center axis A of the piercing assembly body 310, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.
[0161] An exemplary embodiment of an asymmetrical piercing element 330 is shown in FIGS. 12A-12F. As can be seen in FIG. 12A, although the piercing edge 333 is oriented toward the inside (the through opening 313) of the body, the piercing edge 333 does not point toward the center axis A. In other words, the angle bisector of the piercing edge 333 in a transverse cross section does not run through the center axis A.
[0162] The piercing edge 333 may have a curved shape, as shown in FIG. 12B. The curved piercing edge 333 may be present at the upstream end 331 of the piercing element 330. The curved piercing edge 333 may extend from the upstream end 331 to the downstream end 332 along the length of the piercing element 330. The bottom portion of the back side may be tapered toward the front, as seen in the side view in FIG. 12C. The piercing element 330 may comprise a triangular shape in its cross section, as seen in the top and bottom views in FIGS. 12E and 12F. The triangular shape may have curved sides. In the embodiment shown, the piercing element 330 comprises a substantially flat triangular top.
[0163] The curved piercing edge 333 may be combined with a piercing assembly 301 configured to move rotatably about the center axis A when pushed down with the cartridge 200. The piercing system 300, shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, may include a track 194 on the stem pipe 190 and a corresponding pin 314 on the body 310 of the assembly. Alternatively the track may be on the body 310 and the pin may be on the stem pipe 190. The track 194 and pin 314 cooperate to guide the rotational motion of the body 310 about the center axis A when the body 310 is moved downward. The piercing system 300 may further include a compression spring 340. The compression spring 340 may be configured to bias the body 310 upward. The stem pipe 190 may include a flange 195 that supports the spring. The body 310 may include a ledge 335 that rests or pushes down on the spring 340.
[0164] In some embodiments, the piercing elements are integrally formed with the body 310 of the piercing assembly. Further, in some embodiments, the piercing elements 330 may be recessed into the body 310 of the piercing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. In such embodiments, the piercing elements 330 may be disposed inside the cavity of the body 310, and the piercing ends 351 of the piercing elements 330 do not extend past the upstream end 311 of the body 310. The piercing elements 330 may be integral with the body 310 such that the inside wall 316 forms the piercing elements 330. The piercing elements 330 may comprise an extension 350 extending inward from the inside wall 316 of the body 310, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. The piercing elements 330 may comprise a piercing edge, a piercing point, or both.
[0165] The body 310 may further comprise a sealing ring 315 configured to seal against the wall of the cartridge 200. A portion 316A of the inside wall 316 of the body 310 may be angled relative to a vertical line parallel to the center axis A. The sealing ring 315 may be disposed below or downstream of the angled portion 316A. The angled portion 316A may have an angle a as shown in FIG. 15B. The angle a may be the same as the angle of the side wall 212 of the cartridge 200 shown in FIG. 15C. The sealing ring 315 may be made of an elastic material that may be compressed by the cartridge 200 as the cartridge is pushed down into the body 310 of the piercing assembly 301. The cartridge 200 may be pushed down past the sealing ring 315 until the bottom and side walls of the cartridge engage the piercing elements 330 pointing inwardly below the sealing ring 315.
[0166] Referring now to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the piercing ends 333 of the piercing elements 330 may be at different levels when viewed from the side of the piercing assembly 301. For example, one or more of the piercing ends 333 may extend to a first distance D1 from the upstream end 311 of the body 310, and one or more of the piercing ends 333 may extend to a second distance D2 from the upstream end 311, where the first distance D1 is different from the second distance D2. In one embodiment, a third piercing end and optionally further piercing ends extend to different distances. In one embodiment, each of the piercing ends extends to a distance different from other piercing ends.
[0167] In some embodiments, the piercing elements 330 are needle-like such that the piercing ends 333 of the piercing elements 330 comprise a piercing point 334 as shown in FIGS. 17A-17D. The piercing elements 330 comprising a piercing point 334 may be attached directly to the body 310, or alternatively may be attached to a disc 354 as shown. The disc 354 may comprise a domed surface and an outer edge 356 to which the piercing elements 330 are attached. The disc 354 may be mounted onto the upstream end 191 of the stem pipe 190 by space bars 358. The space bars 358 may provide a gap between the disc 354 and the upstream end 191 of the stem pipe 190 to allow for air flow.
[0168] In some embodiments, shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the piercing assembly comprises an absorption element 360. The absorption element 360 may comprise a ring-shaped element. The ring-shaped element may be configured to fit around the stem pipe 190. The absorption element 360 may be disposed adjacent the upstream end 191 of the stem pipe 190 in a space between the stem pipe 190 and the body 310 of the piercing assembly 301.
[0169] A partial schematic view of a shisha device with the cap 400 and piercing assembly 401 is shown in FIG. 19A. The cap 400 may include an outer frame 410 housing the piercing assembly 401. The piercing assembly 401 may include an outer shroud 420 and a piercing element 440 on the inside wall of the outer shroud 420. In some embodiments, such as those illustrated for example, the piercing element 440 may be disposed on the inside end wall 421. The piercing assembly 401 may further include an inner shroud 430 at least partially disposed within the outer shroud. The piercing element 440 may be oriented toward a cartridge 200 placed within a receptacle of the shisha device 100. Once the cartridge 200 has been pierced by the piercing assembly 401, an airflow path is established through the cartridge 200, as shown in FIG. 19B.
[0170] An example of a cap 400 and piercing assembly 401 is shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B. Detailed views of each of the elements of the cap 400 and piercing assembly 401 are shown in FIGS. 21-26. The cap 400 and piercing assembly 401 may define a longitudinal axis A. The longitudinal axis A may be a center axis. The longitudinal axis A may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem pipe 190.
[0171] The cap outer frame 410, shown in FIG. 21, may comprise a cylindrical outer wall 413 extending between a first end wall 411 and an open second end 412. The outer frame 410 may define a cavity 419 for housing the piercing assembly 401. The first end wall 411 may have a protrusion 414 extending from the inside wall. The protrusion 414 may be configured for pressing on the outer shroud 420 while leaving a gap between the cap outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420.
[0172] The cap 400 may include a grip element 450, shown in FIG. 26, configured to grip the cartridge 200. The grip element 450 may include a ring member 451 and one or more grip fingers 452. The one or more grip fingers 452 extend from the ring member 451 to upper ends 453. The grip element 450 may be positioned within the inner shroud 430, as shown in FIG. 20A. The one or more grip fingers 452 may be configured such that the ends of the grip fingers 452 abut against an upper flange of the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is received in the inner shroud 430.
[0173] The outer frame 410 may optionally include screw holes 462 configured for fastening a support plate 460 (FIG. 25) to the bottom of the outer frame 410. Alternatively, the support plate 460 may be fastened by other means, such as by an adhesive. The support plate 460 may be a substantially round plate with a center hole 461 extending through the plate. The support plate 460 may be sized to hold the piercing assembly 401 inside the cavity 419 of the outer frame 410, as shown in FIG. 20A.
[0174] The outer shroud 420, shown in FIGS. 22, 27A, and 27B, is constructed to at least partially fit within the cavity 419 of the cap outer frame 410. The outer shroud 420 may comprise a cylindrical outer wall 423 extending between a first end wall 421 and an open second end 422. The outer shroud 420 may define a cavity 429 for housing the piercing element 440 and the inner shroud 430. The outer shroud 420 comprises the piercing element 440. The piercing element 440 extends axially downward inside the cavity of the outer shroud 420. The piercing element 440 is centered with respect to a longitudinal axis A of the outer shroud 420. The piercing element 440 may be integral with the outer shroud 420 or may be attached to the inside of the first end wall 421 of the outer shroud 420. The piercing element 440 may comprise one or more piecing edges or piercing points 441. The piecing edges or piercing points 441 are configured to pierce a wall (for example, top wall) of the cartridge 200. The piercing element 440 may have a width W440. The width W440 may be configured such that the piercing element 440 is able to fit through an opening 437 on the inner shroud 430. The outer shroud 420 may comprise a bottom flange 427. The bottom flange 427 may extend outwardly from the bottom of the outer wall 423.
[0175] The inner shroud 430, shown in FIG. 24, is constructed to at least partially fit within the cavity 429 of the outer shroud 420. The inner shroud 430 may have an outer wall comprising first part 433 and a second part 434. The first part 433 may be a cylindrical wall with a first diameter, and the second part 434 may be a cylindrical wall with a second diameter. The second diameter may be greater than the first diameter. The first and second parts 433, 434 may be separated by a shoulder 435. The shoulder 435 may be constructed to support the compression spring 470. The compression spring 470 may fit around the first part 433. The end of the compression spring 470 may be supported on the shoulder 435, so that the spring may be compressed against the shoulder 435. The outer wall of the inner shroud 430 may extend between a first end wall 431 and an open second end 432. The inner shroud 440 may define a cavity 439 for receiving a cartridge 200. The inner shroud 430 may have an opening 437 at the first end wall 431. The opening 437 may be configured to receive the piercing element 440. The opening 437 may further include one or more channels 438 for facilitating airflow through the inner shroud 430 while the piercing element 440 is received in the opening 437.
[0176] The outer and inner shrouds 420, 430 may include a track and pin system to guide the movement of the outer shroud 420. The outer shroud 420 may comprise one or more pins 425 extending radially inwardly from its cylindrical outer wall 423. The inner shroud 430 may include one or more tracks 436 corresponding to the one or more pins 425. An exemplary track 436 and the path guided by the track 436 are shown in FIGS. 28A-28D. At first, the cap outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420 are in a first position P1. The first position P1 may be considered a rest position. The guide track may comprise a first portion and a second portion. The guide track may comprise a second position P2, which may be a piercing position of the piercing element. The first portion may define a first distance between the first position P1 and a second position P2. The first portion may define a third position P3. The third position P3 may be a use position. The second portion may define a second distance between the third position P3 and a fourth position P4. The second distance may be shorter than the first distance. The first portion may guide the track pin in an axial direction and in a radial direction. A force may be applied to the cap outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420, for example, the cap 410 may be pressed down (for example, by a user) to move the pin from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (see arrow in FIG. 28A), where the piercing element 440 engages and pierces the cartridge 200. When the force removed, for example, when pressure is released from (for example, the user lets go of) the cap outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420, the compression spring 470 returns the cap outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420 up to a third position P3. The movement of the cap during the initial pushing down of the cap to pierce the cartridge and the release of the cap to allow the cap to return to the third (use) position is defined by the first portion of the track. In the third position P3, an airflow path is open through the openings formed in the cartridge 200, and is open between an exterior of the shisha device and the vessel. To release and remove the cap 400, the user may again press on the cap outer frame 410, causing the cap outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420 to move to a fourth position P4, from where the compression spring 470 returns the cap outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420 to the initial first position P1. The movement of the cap during the second instance of pushing down on the cap to release the cap is defined by the second portion of the track.
[0177] Thus, piercing systems for 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.
