An Aerosolization Module for an Aerosol Generating System Having an Optimized Configuration

Abstract

An aerosolization module for an aerosol generating device includes a reservoir configured to contain a vaporizable material, a heater including a wick which is configured to imbibe liquid by capillarity, and a liquid path for providing liquid from the reservoir to the heater that includes at least one liquid channel that fluidically connects the reservoir to the wick, the liquid channel including a porous pad in contact with the wick. The porous pad improves the reliability in the supply of vaporizable material to the heater.

Claims

1. An aerosolization module for an aerosol generating device comprising: a reservoir configured to contain a vaporizable material arranged near a mouthpiece end of the aerosolization module, a heater configured for liquid aerosolization; the heater comprising a wick which is configured to imbibe liquid by capillarity, the heater being arranged between the reservoir and a power supply connecting end, a liquid path for providing liquid from the reservoir to the heater, the liquid path comprising at least one liquid channel fluidically connecting the reservoir to the wick, the at least one liquid channel comprising a porous pad in contact with the wick, wherein the porous pad is arranged between the heater and the power supply connecting end, such that the liquid flows substantially in a direction from the power supply connecting end toward the mouthpiece end over a portion of the liquid path.

2. The aerosolization module according to claim 1, wherein the porous pad is made of cotton.

3. The aerosolization module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid channel extends from the reservoir to a chamber located between the heater and the power supply connecting end, said chamber containing the porous pad.

4. The aerosolization module according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is formed as a single part having at least one external wall, and the at least one liquid channel is arranged along said at least one external wall of the reservoir.

5. The aerosolization module according to claim 1, wherein further comprising a heater holder, the porous pad being interposed between a side portion of the heater holder and a lateral end portion of the heater.

6. The aerosolization module according to claim 5, wherein the heater and/or the heater holder comprises embedded contacts for electrical connection.

7. The aerosolization module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid channel comprises two liquid channels and the aerosolization module further comprises a second porous pads, each of said porous pads being in contact with a respective extremity of the wick of the heater.

8. The aerosolization module according to claim 7, wherein the reservoir comprises a central tube, the heater being placed at a bottom of said central tube.

9. The aerosolization module according to claim 8, wherein the reservoir comprises a first volume and a second volume having a symmetrical arrangement around the central tube, each of the first volume and the second volume being connected to a distinct one of the two liquid channels.

10. The aerosolization module according to claim 8, wherein the heater has an elongated shape and extends substantially orthogonally to the central tube.

11. The aerosolization module according to claim 8, wherein further comprising a heater cover which comprises a hole sealingly fastened to the central tube.

12. The aerosolization module according to claim 11, wherein further comprising a spacer interposed between the heater and the heater cover.

13. The aerosolization module according to claim 11, wherein each of the at least one liquid channel is formed between external walls of a part forming the reservoir and the heater cover.

14. The aerosolization module according to claim 11, wherein a silicone seal is interposed between the hole of the heater cover and the central tube.

15. The aerosolization module according to claim 11, wherein further comprising a silicone part interposed between the heater cover and the heater.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Other particularities and advantages of the invention will also emerge from the following description.

[0036] In the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples:

[0037] FIG. 1 represents, in a schematic sectional view, an aerosolization module according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0038] FIG. 2 represents, in a schematic exploded view, the aerosolization module of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] FIG. 1 represents an aerosolization module according to an embodiment of the invention, whose assembly will be better understood thanks to FIG. 2.

[0040] The aerosolization module comprises a reservoir 1. The reservoir 1 has at least one wall 2. The reservoir 1 defines an inner volume 3 that is adapted to contain a vaporizable material. The reservoir can be, by way of example, a one-piece plastic part, for example obtained by injection moulding.

[0041] The vaporizable material can be in liquid form, in solid form, or in a semi liquid form (paste, gel, wax, etc.), or in a combination thereof.

[0042] Thus, the vaporizable material can be a liquid or a non-liquid material that can be transformed into a liquid to be aerosolized.

[0043] Vaporisation is obtained by heating the vaporizable material. To this end, the aerosolization comprises a heater 4. The heater 4 is configured to perform aerosolization of the vaporizable material.

[0044] The heater 4 comprises heating means such as a resistive element, such as a resistive wire that can be coiled.

[0045] The heater 4 also comprises a wick 5. The wick 5 is made of a material that is adapted to imbibe liquid by capillarity, for example a textile material.

[0046] The wick 5 of the heater 4 is provided with liquid from the reservoir by a liquid path. The liquid path comprises a channel 6 that fluidically connects the reservoir 1 (and more particularly the inner volume 3 of the reservoir 1) and the wick 5 of the heater 4.

[0047] The capillary displacement of the vaporizable material is effected on the material in a liquid state. If not already provided by the reservoir as a liquid, the heat energy of the heater induces the transformation of the vaporizable material into a liquid state. This may for example be the case if the reservoir 1 contains a vaporizable material consisting of or comprising a wax.

[0048] The liquid channel comprises a porous pad 7 which is in contact with the wick 5. The porous pad 7 is formed of a material that can imbibe and retain liquid. The porous pad is advantageously made of cotton, but many fibrous and/or textile materials can be used with success.

[0049] The porous pad 7 regulates the flow of liquid that imbibes the wick 5, and retains a small quantity of liquid, regardless of the orientation of the aerosolization module. This small quantity of liquid is thus available for imbibing the wick 5 of the heater 4.

[0050] In the represented embodiment, the heater 4 is supported by a heater holder 8. The heater 5 and the heater holder 8 constitute a heater assembly which is rigidly fixed to the reservoir 1. More particularly, in the represented embodiment, the heater holder 8 closes, in combination with a sleeve 9 and with an optional bottom plate 10, the bottom end of the reservoir 1.

[0051] The aerosolization module comprises electrical contacts 11 that are configured to provide the heater with electricity.

[0052] The electrical contacts can be electrical plugs configured to mate with spring pin connectors, usually called “pogo pins.sup.TM”. A spring pin connector is usually made up of two sliding cylinders constrained against each other by an internal spring. Other types of electrical contact can be used, for example electrical contacts configured to cooperate with plate spring contacts. In the represented embodiment, the electrical contacts are embedded, e.g. by insert molding, in the heater holder 8. The bottom face of the aerosolization module thus forms a power supply connecting end 12.

[0053] The connection of the aerosolization module to a corresponding battery module constitutes an aerosol generating device.

[0054] It should be noted that the aerosolization module can be a consumable item of the aerosol generating device. It can also be designated by the term “cartridge”. Once the vaporizable material initially contained in the reservoir has been consumed, and the reservoir is empty, the aerosolization module is replaced by another aerosolization module with a full reservoir. The old module can be discarded, preferably for recycling. A change of aerosolization module can also be carried out, even before the reservoir is empty, in order to change the product to be vaped. This allows for example the user to choose the taste of the product consumed.

[0055] The reservoir 1 can comprise or can form a mouthpiece 13 at an upper end which is an opposite end to the power supply connecting end 12. The mouthpiece is the part of the aerosol generating device where the user's mouth is placed to vape, i.e. to inhale the aerosolized product.

[0056] A central tube 14 connects the mouthpiece 13 to the heater 4 where the aerosol is formed. Air is provided to the heater 4 for example from the bottom of the aerosolization module, through a check valve 15.

[0057] In the represented embodiment, the central tube 14 is mainly formed by the reservoir 1.

[0058] The heater 4 is placed at the bottom of the central tube 14.

[0059] The heater 4 is capped by a heater cover 16. The heater cover 16 comprises a hole 17 that is aligned with the central tube 14. A seal 16 is interposed between the bottom end of the central tube 14 and the heater cover 16. The seal 18 provides good and reliable fluid-tightness between the inner volume 3 of the reservoir 1 and the central tube and the heater cover 16. The seal 18 also provides a good and reliable fluid-tightness between the central tube 14 and the hole 17 of the heater cover 16. The seal is preferably made of silicone. Other materials having sealing properties can be used alternatively.

[0060] A spacer, for example a silicone part 18, is interposed between the heater 4 and the heater cover 16. The silicone part 18 comprises a central aperture 19, allowing the aerosol formed by the heater to reach the central tube 14.

[0061] The heater 4 has an elongated shape. The wick 5 extends substantially in the same direction as the heater. In the represented embodiment, the heater 4 extends substantially orthogonally to the central tube 14. This saves space in the longitudinal direction (i.e. from the bottom or supply connecting end of the vaporization module to its top end comprising the mouthpiece 13). While other configurations of the heater can be used, for example vertical configurations in which the heater extends in the longitudinal direction, the heater configuration of FIG. 1 is preferred.

[0062] In this configuration, the liquid channel is formed between external surface of the walls 2 of the reservoir and the heater cover. The channel can thus be formed along the inner surface of the wall 2, or it can be formed in the wall 2.

[0063] More particularly, the channel 6 issues into a chamber 20 located under the heater 4, i.e. between the heater 4 and the power supply connecting end 12. The porous pad 7 is contained in this chamber 20. The porous pad has a shape that is adapted to the chamber 20, and completely fills this chamber. The porous pad can be slightly compressed in the chamber 20, but must be able to imbibe liquid.

[0064] In such configuration, the wick 5 comes out from under the heater, and, more particularly, from a lateral end portion 21 of the heater 4.

[0065] The position of the porous pad under the heater has many advantages. It saves space in the transverse direction. Furthermore, because the wick is supplied with liquid by capillarity, the liquid distribution is regular and smooth.

[0066] The represented embodiment of the invention has an advantageous symmetrical arrangement. The reservoir 1, and more particularly its inner volume 3 thus comprises a first volume 22 and a second volume 23 having a symmetric arrangement around the central tube 14. The first volume 22 and the second volume 23 can be independent, but are preferably in fluidic communication to ensure that the level of vaporizable material in each volume of the reservoir remains equal at all times.

[0067] In this configuration, each of the first volume and the second volume of the reservoir 1 is fluidically connected with a distinct liquid channel 6 configured to supply vaporizable material to the heater 4. The aerosolization module thus comprises two liquid channels 6, two chambers 20, and two porous pads 7. The wick 5 of the heater is so imbibed from each of its two ends. Indeed, the wick 5 is exposed at each end of the heater, e.g. under each end portion of the heater. This enhances the reliability of provision of liquid whatever the orientation of the module.

[0068] The aerosolization module provided in the invention, which comprises a porous pad that forms a small liquid buffer makes it possible to imbibe the wick of the heater in a regular and smooth manner. Furthermore, the provision of vaporizable material to the heater is reliable, and can be continued a certain time despite unfavorable orientations of the aerosolization module.

TABLE-US-00001 References used for the figures 1 Reservoir 2 Wall 3 Inner volume 4 Heater 5 Wick 6 Liquid channels 7 Porous pads 8 Heater holder 9 Sleeve 10 Bottom plate 11 Electrical contact 12 Power supply connecting end 13 Mouthpiece 14 Central tube 15 Check valve 16 Heater cover 17 Hole 18 Silicone part 19 Central aperture 20 Chamber 21 Lateral end portion 22 First volume 23 Second volume