CARTRIDGE FOR AN AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM

Abstract

There is provided a cartridge for an aerosol-generating system, the cartridge including a liquid storage container containing: a first liquid composition and a second composition; a plurality of capsules, each capsule encapsulating the second composition to separate the second composition from the first liquid composition, each capsule including a frangible shell encapsulating the second composition; a capsule retainer; and an outlet in the liquid storage container configured to deliver liquid from the liquid storage container, the capsule retainer substantially preventing any frangible shells, or parts thereof, from exiting the cartridge through the outlet. An aerosol-generating device configured to receive the cartridge to form an aerosol-generating system is also provided.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system, the cartridge comprising: a liquid storage container containing a first liquid composition and a second composition; a plurality of capsules, each capsule encapsulating the second composition to separate the second composition from the first liquid composition, wherein each capsule comprises a frangible shell encapsulating the second composition; a capsule retainer; and an outlet in the liquid storage container configured to deliver liquid from the liquid storage container, wherein the capsule retainer substantially prevents any frangible shells, or parts thereof, from exiting the cartridge through the outlet.

17. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the second composition is a liquid.

18. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the second composition is a liquid, and each capsule further comprises a porous element having the second liquid composition sorbed thereon.

19. The cartridge according to claim 16, further comprising at least two sets of capsules, the first set comprising the plurality of capsules encapsulating the second composition, and the second set comprising another plurality of capsules comprising a shell encapsulating a third composition.

20. The cartridge according to claim 16, further comprising a solid body freely movable within the liquid storage container.

21. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the liquid storage container comprises a flexible wall and the capsule retainer is an adhesive configured to adhere the capsules to at least one wall of the liquid storage container.

22. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the capsule retainer comprises a filter element.

23. The cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the filter element is movable between a first position adjacent the outlet to a second position remote from the first position.

24. The cartridge according to claim 23, further comprising a liquid transport element coupled to the filter element, the liquid transport element extending through the outlet.

25. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the first liquid composition comprises an aerosol-forming substrate.

26. An aerosol-generating system, comprising: a cartridge comprising: a liquid storage container containing a first liquid composition and a second composition, a plurality of capsules, each capsule encapsulating the second composition to separate the second composition from the first liquid composition, wherein each capsule comprises a frangible shell encapsulating the second composition, a capsule retainer, and an outlet in the liquid storage container configured to deliver liquid from the liquid storage container, wherein the capsule retainer substantially prevents any frangible shells, or parts thereof, from exiting the cartridge through the outlet; and a device configured to receive the cartridge, the device comprising: a housing having a cavity configured to receive the cartridge, a liquid transport element comprising a first portion insertable into the outlet of the cartridge, and a second portion, a heating element adjacent the second portion of the liquid transport element, and a power supply configured to supply power to the heating element.

27. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 26, further comprising an actuator configured to engage the cartridge with the liquid transport element when the cartridge is received in the cavity.

28. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 26, further comprising a capsule rupturing device, the device being at least one of: an ultrasonic generator, an ultraviolet light, and a crusher.

Description

[0112] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0113] FIG. 1 shows a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0114] FIG. 2 shows an aerosol-generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0115] FIG. 3 shows a system comprising the aerosol-generating device of FIG. 2 with the cartridge of FIG. 1;

[0116] FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) shows the system of FIG. 3 in use;

[0117] FIG. 5 shows a cartridge according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0118] FIG. 6 shows an aerosol-generating device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0119] FIG. 7 shows a cartridge according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

[0120] FIG. 8 shows a cartridge according to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] FIG. 1 shows a cartridge 100, comprising a liquid storage container in the form of canister 102, a lid 104 having an orifice 106, and a filter element 108. The canister 102 comprises a liquid aerosol-forming substrate 110 having a plurality of capsules 112. The liquid aerosol-generating substrate comprises an aerosol former, such as glycerine and propylene glycol and water, which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The capsules 112 comprise a frangible shell encapsulating a second liquid aerosol-forming substrate comprising, for example, nicotine. The frangible shell may be formed from glycerine or a similar material, preferably glycerine which is solid up to about 50 degrees C.

[0122] The canister 102 is cylindrical and has a closed end 114 and an open end 116. The canister is sealed by the lid 104, and a frangible film disposed over the orifice 106. The lid comprises a protrusion 118 around the circumference of the lid which engages with a corresponding lip 120 adjacent the open end of the canister. The lid further comprises a flexible gasket 122 configured to received a liquid transport element, which is described in further detail below.

[0123] The canister 102 may be substantially transparent to allow the user to view the contents of the cartridge 100.

[0124] The filter element 108 comprises a porous disc 124 and a filter 126. The porous disc 124 comprises a porous base 128 in the form of a coarse mesh. The filter 126 is formed of capillary fibres which are ultrasonically welded together. The filter is affixed to the underside of the porous base 128. The porous disc 124 further comprises a through hole 130 configured to receive a liquid transport element.

[0125] In use, the filter element is configured to be movable to burst the capsules and strain the resultant frangible shell material from the liquid, and move the resultant frangible shell material away from the orifice 106.

[0126] As can be seen, the filter element 108 has an external diameter such that a close sliding fit is provided in the canister 102. In this way, the capsules are prevented from passing around the filter element as the filter element moves along the canister. The thickness of the porous disc 124 is such that the disc remains substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge as it moves from the position shown in FIG. 1, the first position, to a position adjacent the closed end 114, the second position.

[0127] Such a cartridge enables the nicotine containing liquid to remain separate from the other components of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate in the main portion of the liquid storage container until just before use in an aerosol-generating device. Once the capsules have been burst the two liquid aerosol-forming substrates mix to form the composition to be aerosolised by an aerosol-generating device.

[0128] FIG. 2 shows an aerosol-generating device 200 configured to receive and use the cartridge 100. The device 200 comprises an outer housing 202, a removable mouthpiece 204, a power supply 206 in the form of a rechargeable battery, control circuitry 208, and a cavity 210 configured to receive a cartridge 100. The cavity 210 comprises a liquid transport element 212 having a first, free, end 214 and a second end 216 attached to the device 200. The liquid transport element 212 comprises a resistive heating element 218 adjacent the second end 216. The heating element 218 is electrically coupled to the power supply 206 via the control circuitry 208. The first end 214 of the liquid transport element 212 comprises ridges configured to both pierce the frangible seal on the cartridge 100, and to engage with the filter 126. The liquid transport element 212 is a capillary wick for transporting liquid from the canister 102 of a cartridge 100 to the heating element 218.

[0129] The cavity further comprises a shield 220. The shield is biased, for example by a spring, towards the mouthpiece end of the device, and is configured to slide over the liquid transport element 212. The shield protects the liquid transport element 212 from damage and contamination when the device is not in use. An air inlet (not shown), and an air outlet in the mouthpiece (not shown) are provided, together with an airflow pathway which extends from the air inlet to the air outlet via the cavity.

[0130] FIG. 3 shows the device 200 with a cartridge 100 inserted in the cavity 210. FIGS. 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) show the process of the user inserting the cartridge 100 into the device 200. In use, the user removes the mouthpiece 204 to open the cavity 210. The user then inserts the cartridge 100 into the cavity 210. The cartridge engages with the shield 220 which guides the cartridge 100 such that the liquid transport element 212 first pierces the frangible seal, and then moves through the flexible gasket 122, and engages with the through hole 130 of the porous disc 124. As the cartridge 100 is inserted further into the cavity, the liquid transport element 212 moves the filter element 108 from the first position (shown in FIG. 1) to the second position (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(c)) such that the capsules are burst and strained from the liquid 110 and thus moved away from the heating element 216. If the capsule shell fragments 222 are not moved away from the heating element, they may burn in use. As can be seen, the ridges on the first end 214 of the liquid transport element 212 enable liquid to be drawn into the end of the liquid transport element.

[0131] In use, the user activates the device, either by drawing on the mouthpiece which activates a puff sensor, or by a switch. The heating element 218 is then provided with power from the power supply 206, liquid in the capillary wick is vaporised by the heating element to form a supersaturated vapour. The vapour is then entrained in the airflow generated by the user drawing on the device, and forms an aerosol. Further liquid is drawn along the liquid transport 212 element by capillary action.

[0132] The outer housing 202 in the region of the cavity 210 may be substantially transparent to allow the user to view the contents of the cartridge 100.

[0133] An alternative example of a cartridge 500 is shown in FIG. 5(a). The cartridge 500 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1. The cartridge 500 again comprises a canister 502, lid 504 having an orifice 506, filter element 508, and liquid aerosol-forming substrate 510 comprising capsules 512 comprising a frangible shell encapsulating a second liquid aerosol-forming substrate. In this example the cartridge 500 comprises the liquid transport element 514 coupled to the filter element 508. The liquid transport element 514 may be the same as the liquid transport element 212 of device 200, or it may not be formed from a capillary wick. In the example, shown the liquid is transported by a tube 516 provided at the second end of the liquid transport element. The tube 516, shown in detail in FIG. 5(b), has a pair of inlets 518 in the shaft of the liquid transport element, and an outlet 520 at the second end of the liquid transport element. As will now be appreciated, in use, the liquid transport element is moved from the first position shown in FIG. 5(a) to a second position such that the pair of inlets for the tube 516 are within the canister and are able to transport liquid to an external heating element.

[0134] The cartridge may be used in a device 600 such as that shown in FIG. 6. The device is similar to that shown in FIG. 2, and comprises an outer housing 602, a mouthpiece 604, a power supply 606 and control electronic 608. The housing 602 comprises a cavity 610 for receiving a cartridge having an integral liquid transport element, such as cartridge 500 described above. The cavity is provided with a lid 612 configured to cover and close the cavity in use. The lid comprises a mechanism 614 for forcing the liquid transport element from the first position to the second position when the lid is closed by the user. The lid may be substantially transparent to enable the user to view the bursting and straining process as the lid is closed. The device 600 further comprises a heating element disposed in the cavity 610 for heating the liquid transported by the tube 516.

[0135] Once the lid is closed, the device 600 operates in the same manner as described above in relation to the device of FIG. 2.

[0136] FIG. 7 shows an alternative example of a cartridge 700. The cartridge 700 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1. The cartridge 700 again comprises a canister 702, lid 704 having an orifice 706, and liquid aerosol-forming substrate 708 comprising capsules 710 comprising a frangible shell encapsulating a second liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The capsules 710 are affixed to the inner surface of the sidewall 712 using adhesive. The sidewall 712 is flexible and, in use, the user exerts a compressive force to the canister 702 such that the sidewall 712 deforms and exerts a force on the capsules 710 so that they burst releasing the second liquid aerosol-forming substrate to mix with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 708. The cartridge 700 may be used in a device shown in FIG. 2.

[0137] FIG. 8 shows an alternative example of a cartridge 800. The cartridge 800 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1. The cartridge 800 again comprises a canister 802, a lid 804 having an orifice 806, and a liquid aerosol-forming substrate 808 comprising capsules 112. The capsules 112 comprise a frangible shell encapsulating a second liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The capsules 112 are free to move within the liquid aerosol-forming substrate 808. The cartridge 800 further comprises a solid body 810 which is also free to move within the canister 802. When the user mechanically agitates the cartridge the solid body impacts the capsules 112 to cause them to burst and release the second liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The two liquids then mix, and the cartridge can be used in an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge 800 may be used in a device such as that shown in FIG. 2.