CARTRIDGE WITH AIRFLOW DIRECTING ELEMENT

Description

The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device. The present disclosure further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the cartridge and the aerosol-generating device.

It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such devices may heat an aerosol-forming substrate contained in a cartridge without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating arrangement. The heating arrangement may be an induction heating arrangement and may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor. The susceptor may be part of the device or may be part of the cartridge.

Upon heating to a target temperature, the aerosol-forming substrate vaporises to form an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be present in solid form or in liquid form. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be comprised in a liquid storage portion and may be delivered to the heating element via a capillary component. The liquid storage portion may form part of a replaceable or refillable cartridge. The cartridge may comprise manually removable liquid storage portion sealing means, for example a removable sealing cap or a disposable sealing foil, to avoid leakage of aerosol-forming substrate prior to use. Aerosolization may take place only partially. This may lead to the recondensation of liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be insufficiently evaporated. This may impair the user's experience during consumption of the aerosol.

It would be desirable to provide a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device which may improve the evaporation of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. It would be desirable to provide a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device which may improve the formation of an aerosol. It would be desirable to provide a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device which may improve the user experience. It would be desirable to provide a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device which may be more comfortably handled by a user.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge may comprise a liquid storage portion for holding liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may comprise an inner airflow path extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a tubular internal unit circumscribing at least a portion of the inner airflow path. A tubular heater component may be present in the internal unit. The tubular heater component may comprise a susceptor element arranged in the inner airflow path. The internal unit may furthermore comprise a distal airflow management component comprising an airflow directing element arranged in the inner airflow path. The airflow directing element may be configured for directing an airflow over a surface of the susceptor element.

According to another embodiment a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device is provided. The cartridge comprises a liquid storage portion for holding liquid aerosol-forming substrate. An inner airflow path is present within the cartridge, the inner airflow path extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge. The cartridge furthermore comprises a tubular internal unit circumscribing at least a portion of the inner airflow path. The tubular internal unit comprises a tubular heater component comprising a susceptor element arranged in the inner airflow path. The internal unit furthermore comprises a distal airflow management component. The airflow management component comprises an airflow directing element arranged in the inner airflow path. The airflow directing element is configured for directing an airflow over a surface of the susceptor element.

Formation of an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be improved owing to the presence of the airflow directing element. The airflow directing element may improve the supply of air to a surface of the susceptor element. The airflow directing element may also reduce or avoid the occurrence of droplets of liquid aerosol-forming substrate in the inner airflow path which may leak out of the cartridge.

As used herein, the terms ‘tubular’, ‘tubular unit’, ‘tubular component’, ‘tubular element’, and ‘tubular shape’ refer to three-dimensional objects and three-dimensional geometric shapes comprising a bottom basal plane, a top basal plane, and a sidewall circumscribing a hollow interior, the sidewall being arranged between the bottom basal plane and the top basal plane. The sidewall extends along a longitudinal axis of the tubular element between the bottom basal plane and the top basal plane. The longitudinal axis may be perpendicular to one or both of the bottom basal plane and the top basal plane.

A bottom base of the tubular element lies within the bottom basal plane. A top base of the tubular element lies within the top basal plane. A cross-sectional shape of one or both of the bottom and top bases may be circular. A cross-sectional shape of one or both of the bottom and top bases may be non-circular, for example elliptic, stadium-shaped, or rectangular. One or both of the bottom base and the top base may be open.

The tubular element may have the shape of a right circular hollow cylinder. The tubular element may have the shape of a non-circular hollow cylinder, for example an elliptic hollow cylinder, or a stadium-shaped hollow cylinder. The tubular element may have the shape of a hollow cuboid.

The longitudinal axis of the tubular element may be arranged in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. A longitudinal center axis of the tubular element may coincide with a longitudinal center axis of the cartridge.

The airflow management component of the cartridge may comprise a tubular sidewall circumscribing the inner airflow path. The airflow directing element may comprise at least one partition wall element extending from the tubular sidewall into the inner airflow path.

The partition wall element extending from the tubular sidewall may improve the formation of an airstream being directed towards the surface of the susceptor element. The partition wall element extending from the tubular sidewall may also provide an easy way of forming a partition wall element within the airflow management component.

The airflow directing element may comprise a first partition wall element extending from the tubular sidewall into the inner airflow path. The airflow directing element may also comprise an opposing second partition wall element extending from the tubular sidewall into the inner airflow path.

The first and second partition wall elements may increase the airflow towards the susceptor element.

The partition wall element may extend between opposing wall portions of the tubular sidewall.

This may present an easy way to generate two separate air streams separated by the partition wall. The two separate air streams may be directed over different surfaces of the susceptor element.

The susceptor element may comprise at least one first planar surface. The airflow directing element may be configured for directing the airflow over the at least one first planar surface.

This may enhance the formation of an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and the air delivered from the airflow directing element involving the first planar surface of the susceptor element.

Preferably, the susceptor element further may comprise a second planar surface and the airflow directing element may be further configured for directing the airflow over the second planar surface.

This may enhance the formation of an aerosol originating from the second planar surface.

Providing one or both of a first planar surface and second planar surface of the susceptor element may increase the surface of the susceptor element which is available for evaporating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. One or both of the first planar surface and the second planar surface of the susceptor element may also increase the overall formation rate of an aerosol.

The at least one partition wall element may comprise a first planar surface. The first planar surface of the susceptor element may be aligned with the first planar surface of the partition wall element.

This may enhance the overall airflow towards the first planar surface of the susceptor element.

The at least one partition wall element may further comprise a second planar surface. The second planar surface of the partition wall element may be arranged opposite to the first planar surface of the partition wall element. The second planar surface of the susceptor element may be aligned with the second planar surface of the partition wall element.

Having two opposing first and second planar surfaces of the susceptor element may increase the overall formation of an aerosol from the susceptor element. A partition wall element having opposing first and second planar surfaces may increase the overall airflow from the partition wall element towards the opposing first and second planar surfaces of the susceptor element.

The first planar surface of the partition wall element and the first planar surface of the susceptor element may be located in a common plane. The partition wall element and the susceptor element may extend along a common plane.

This may increase the overall airflow from the first planar surface of the partition wall element towards the first planar surface of the susceptor element.

The susceptor element may comprise one of a mesh, a foam or a grid.

This may increase the overall surface of the susceptor element which is available for evaporating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. This may increase the overall surface of the susceptor element available for aerosol formation.

The susceptor element may comprise one or more of metal, alloy, a susceptive wick element comprising susceptor particles interspersed within the wick element and an electrically conductive ceramic.

These materials are particularly well suited in order to be inductively heated.

The susceptive wick element comprising susceptor particles interspersed therein may comprise one or more of a cotton-based material, a porous ceramic-based material, a porous graphite-based material. These materials may transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate towards the susceptor particles via capillary action. The susceptor particles interspersed within the wick material may comprise particles comprising one or more of metal, alloy and an electrically conductive ceramic.

The cartridge may furthermore comprise a tubular sleeve element circumscribing at least a portion of the internal unit. A liquid supply channel may be arranged between the internal unit and the sleeve element. The heater component may comprise a wick element arranged to transfer the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel to the susceptor element.

The heater component may comprise a fluid permeable wall portion arranged to allow migration of liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel to the inner airflow path. The fluid permeable wall portion may be formed by two slits in opposing sidewalls of the tubular heater component.

The cartridge may comprise a wick element arranged to transfer liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel to the susceptor element.

The heater component may comprise the wick element. The wick element may extend from the inner airflow path through the two slits in opposing sidewalls of the tubular heater component into the liquid supply channel.

The wick element may extend transversely through the inner airflow path and may protrude from the inner airflow path through the slits into the liquid supply channel.

This may allow an easy transfer of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel to the susceptor element via capillary action.

The wick element may comprise one or more of a cotton-based material, a porous ceramic-based material, a porous graphite-based material.

The wick element may be in direct contact with the susceptor element. Preferably, the wick element may be sandwiched between two layers of the susceptor element.

This may allow a sufficient contact between the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and the susceptor element. This may facilitate an easy formation of an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate by evaporating the substrate via the susceptor element.

The wick element may be in the form of a sheet and the susceptor element may be U-shaped. The U-shaped susceptor element may be mounted on the wick element within the airflow path.

This may provide spatial arrangement between the wick element and the susceptor element with a large interface between both elements. This may increase the formation of an aerosol.

The internal unit may further comprise a tubular sealing component provided proximal to the tubular heater component. The sealing component may comprise a tubular element circumscribing a portion of the airflow path. The sealing component may comprise a proximal sealing element arranged on an outer surface of the tubular element. The internal unit may be axially movable with respect to the sleeve element from a blocking position in which the proximal sealing element is arranged to block a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel. The internal unit may be axially movable with respect to the sleeve element to an open position in which the proximal sealing element is moved to open a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel.

Movement of the internal unit with respect to the sleeve element therefore may allow the internal unit to move between the blocking position and the open position for blocking and allowing fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel.

A distal end of the heater component may be connected to a proximal end of the airflow management component. A proximal end of heater component may be connected to a distal end of the sealing component.

The sealing component, the heater component, and the airflow management component may be connected by plug connections.

The airflow management component may comprise at least one air inlet. The at least one air inlet may be configured for providing air towards the airflow directing element. Preferably, the airflow management component may comprise at least two air inlets.

The at least two air inlets may provide an airstream towards different surfaces of airflow directing element. This may enhance the airstream towards the susceptor element. This may enhance the formation of an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

The airflow management component may comprise a tubular sidewall circumscribing the inner airflow path. The at least one air inlet may be located in the tubular sidewall. Preferably the at least two air inlets are located in the tubular sidewall.

The at least two air inlets may be located at opposing areas of the tubular sidewall.

This may provide an easy way to deliver an airstream to two different surfaces of the airflow directing element.

At least two air inlets may be located in the tubular sidewall wherein the at least two air inlets are located at opposing sides of the airflow directing element. This may provide an easy way to deliver an airstream to the two opposing sides of the airflow directing element. Preferably, the airflow directing element comprises at least one partition wall element with two opposing sides of the partition wall.

The airflow management component may comprise a distal end wall. The distal end wall may be located in the inner airflow path. The at least one air inlet may be located in the distal end wall.

This may provide one possibility of delivering air through the at least one air inlet into the inner airflow path of the cartridge.

The airflow management component and the tubular heater component may be configured as separate structural components. These separate structural components may be connected along a longitudinal axis of the internal unit. Preferably, the airflow management component may be connected to the tubular heater component via a plug connection.

The tubular sealing component may be configured as a separate structural component.

The tubular sealing component may be connected with the tubular heater component along the longitudinal axis of the internal unit.

A proximal end portion of the cartridge may be configured as a mouthpiece. This may allow a compact design of the cartridge without the need to attach a separate mouthpiece to the cartridge. In particular, a proximal end portion of the cartridge may be formed as a mouthpiece.

Preferably the liquid storage portion is at least partly comprised in the mouthpiece. In particular, a part of the liquid storage portion may be formed as a mouthpiece. This may enable an advantageous design of the cartridge wherein the cartridge includes a mouthpiece and wherein at least a part of the liquid storage portion is included in the mouthpiece.

The liquid storage portion of the cartridge may circumscribe a portion of the inner airflow path. This may allow a compact design of the cartridge wherein portions of the tubular sidewall circumscribing the inner airflow path also form a portion of the liquid storage portion.

The distal airflow management component may comprise a retention element for receiving liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The retention element may be configured to prevent leakage of liquid aerosol-forming substrate from one or both of the susceptor element and the inner airflow path of the cartridge.

Preferably, the retention element may comprise a closed distal end wall of the distal airflow management component. The retention element may be formed as a trough.

The distal end of the cartridge may be configured for engaging with the aerosol-generating device. The distal end of the cartridge may be configured for being inserted into a cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The distal end of the cartridge may comprise connection means configured to be releasably connectable to the aerosol-generating device. The connection means may be mechanical. The connection means may comprise one or more springs. The one or more springs may be made of plastic material or metallic material or a combination thereof. The connection means may comprise magnetic connection means.

The proximal end of the cartridge may be a mouth end. The proximal end of the cartridge may comprise a mouthpiece. The proximal end of the cartridge may comprise an air outlet.

The invention also provides an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system may comprise a cartridge as described herein. The aerosol generating system may also comprise an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity arranged for receiving at least a distal portion of the cartridge. The cavity may at least partly be circumscribed by an inductor coil.

The invention also provides an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system comprises a cartridge as described herein. The aerosol-generating system furthermore comprises an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity arranged for receiving at least a distal portion of the cartridge. The cavity is at least partly circumscribed by an inductor coil.

The inductor coil may be configured to heat the susceptor element included in the cartridge. This may allow the generation of an aerosol formed from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and air.

The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may be a heating chamber.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a pin element. The pin element may protrude from the distal end face of the cavity. The pin element may be arranged to push against the distal airflow management component of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity.

This may allow the internal unit of the cartridge to be axially moved with respect to the sleeve element in order to open the liquid supply channel for fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel. When purchasing the cartridge, the airflow management component of the cartridge may protrude from the sleeve element of the cartridge. In this position the internal unit may be in the blocking position with respect to the sleeve element. This may block a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel when the cartridge is not inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol or a vapor. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be in liquid form. The terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapor’ are used synonymously.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of a cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of the liquid held in the liquid storage portion of the cartridge. The liquid storage portion may contain a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

Preferably, a liquid nicotine or flavor/flavorant containing aerosol-forming substrate may be employed in the liquid storage portion of the cartridge.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. An aerosol-former is any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense and stable aerosol and that is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the temperature of operation of the device. Suitable aerosol-formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol. Preferably, the aerosol former is glycerine.

As used herein, the term ‘cartridge’ refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, a cartridge may be an article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable by the user drawing or puffing on a mouthpiece at a proximal or user-end of the device or at a mouthpiece of the cartridge itself. A cartridge may be disposable. A cartridge may be reusable. A cartridge may be refillable. The cartridge may be insertable into a cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, the term ‘liquid storage portion’ refers to a storage portion comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The liquid storage portion may be configured as a container or a reservoir for storing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

The liquid storage portion may be configured as a replaceable tank or container. The liquid storage portion may be any suitable shape and size. For example, the liquid storage portion may be substantially cylindrical. The cross-section of the liquid storage portion may, for example, be substantially circular, elliptical, square or rectangular. The liquid storage portion may form part of the cartridge.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating device’ refers to a device that interacts with a cartridge to generate an aerosol.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating system’ refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device with a cartridge. In the system, the aerosol-generating device and the cartridge cooperate to generate a respirable aerosol.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device is portable. The aerosol-generating device may have a size comparable to a conventional cigar or cigarette. The device may be an electrically operated smoking device. The device may be a handheld aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may have a total length between 30 millimeters and 150 millimeters. The aerosol-generating device may have an external diameter between 5 millimeters and 30 millimeters.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing. The housing may be elongate. The housing may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics or composite materials containing one or more of those materials, or thermoplastics that are suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyethylene. Preferably, the material is light and non-brittle.

The housing may comprise at least one air inlet. The housing may comprise more than one air inlet.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating element. The heating element may comprise at least one inductor coil for inductively heating one or more susceptors.

Operation of the heating element may be triggered by a puff detection system. Alternatively, the heating element may be triggered by pressing an on-off button, held for the duration of the user's puff. The puff detection system may be provided as a sensor, which may be configured as an airflow sensor to measure the airflow rate. The airflow rate is a parameter characterizing the amount of air that is drawn through the airflow path of the aerosol-generating device per time by the user. The initiation of the puff may be detected by the airflow sensor when the airflow exceeds a predetermined threshold. Initiation may also be detected upon a user activating a button. The sensor may also be configured as a pressure sensor.

The aerosol-generating device may include a user interface to activate the aerosol-generating device, for example a button to initiate heating of the aerosol-generating device or a display to indicate a state of the aerosol-generating device or of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-generating device may include additional components, such as, for example a charging unit for recharging an on-board electric power supply in an electrically operated or electric aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, the term ‘proximal’ refers to a user-end, or mouth-end of the cartridge or aerosol-generating device or system or a part or portion thereof, and the term ‘distal’ refers to the end opposite to the proximal end. When referring to the cavity, the term ‘proximal’ refers to the region closest to the open end of the cavity and the term ‘distal’ refers to the region closest to the closed end.

As used herein, the terms ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device in relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating device during use thereof.

The term ‘airflow path’ as used herein denotes a channel suitable to transport gaseous media. An airflow path may be used to transport ambient air. An airflow path may be used to transport an aerosol. An airflow path may be used to transport a mixture of air and aerosol.

As used herein, a ‘susceptor’ or ‘susceptor element’ means an element that heats up when subjected to an alternating magnetic field. This may be the result of eddy currents induced in the susceptor element, hysteresis losses, or both eddy currents and hysteresis losses. During use, the susceptor element is located in thermal contact or close thermal proximity with an aerosol-forming substrate received in the aerosol-generating device or cartridge. In this manner, the aerosol-forming substrate is heated by the susceptor such that an aerosol is formed.

The susceptor material may be any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to aerosolize an aerosol-forming substrate. The following examples and features concerning the susceptor may apply to the susceptor element of the cartridge. Suitable materials for the susceptor material include graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steels, niobium, aluminium, nickel, nickel containing compounds, titanium, and composites of metallic materials. Preferred susceptor materials comprise a metal or carbon. Advantageously the susceptor material may comprise or consists of a ferromagnetic or ferri-magnetic material, for example, ferritic iron, a ferromagnetic alloy, such as ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel, ferromagnetic particles, and ferrite. A suitable susceptor material may be, or comprise, aluminium. The susceptor material may comprise more than 5 percent, preferably more than 20 percent, more preferably more than 50 percent, or more than 90 percent of ferromagnetic, ferri-magnetic or paramagnetic materials. Preferred susceptor materials may be heated to a temperature in excess of 250 degrees Celsius without degradation.

The susceptor material may be formed from a single material layer. The single material layer may be a steel layer.

The susceptor material may comprise a non-metallic core with a metal layer disposed on the non-metallic core. For example, the susceptor material may comprise metallic tracks formed on an outer surface of a ceramic core or substrate.

The susceptor material may be formed from a layer of austenitic steel. One or more layers of stainless steel may be arranged on the layer of austenitic steel. For example, the susceptor material may be formed from a layer of austenitic steel having a layer of stainless steel on each of its upper and lower surfaces. The susceptor element may comprise a single susceptor material. The susceptor element may comprise a first susceptor material and a second susceptor material. The first susceptor material may be disposed in intimate physical contact with the second susceptor material. The first and second susceptor materials may be in intimate contact to form a unitary susceptor. In certain embodiments, the first susceptor material is stainless steel and the second susceptor material is nickel. The susceptor element may have a two-layer construction. The susceptor element may be formed from a stainless steel layer and a nickel layer.

Intimate contact between the first susceptor material and the second susceptor material may be made by any suitable means. For example, the second susceptor material may be plated, deposited, coated, clad or welded onto the first susceptor material. Preferred methods include electroplating, galvanic plating and cladding.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply for powering the heating element. The power supply may comprise a battery. The power supply may be a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, for example a lithium-cobalt, a lithium-iron-phosphate, lithium titanate or a lithium-polymer battery. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

The power supply may be a direct current (DC) power supply. In one embodiment, the power supply is a DC power supply having a DC supply voltage in the range of 2.5 Volts to 4.5 Volts and a DC supply current in the range of 1 Amp to 10 Amps (corresponding to a DC power supply in the range of 2.5 Watts to 45 Watts). The aerosol-generating device may advantageously comprise a direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) inverter for converting a DC current supplied by the DC power supply to an alternating current. The DC/AC converter may comprise a Class-D, Class-C or Class-E power amplifier. The AC power output of the DC/AC converter is supplied to the induction coil.

The power supply may be adapted to power an inductor coil and may be configured to operate at high frequency. A Class-E power amplifier is preferable for operating at high frequency. As used herein, the term ‘high frequency oscillating current’ means an oscillating current having a frequency of between 500 kilohertz and 30 megahertz. The high frequency oscillating current may have a frequency of from 1 megahertz to 30 megahertz, preferably from 1 megahertz to 10 megahertz, and more preferably from 5 megahertz to 8 megahertz.

In another embodiment the switching frequency of the power amplifier may be in the lower kHz range, e.g. between 100 kHz and 400 KHz. In the embodiments, where a Class-D or Class-C power amplifier is used, switching frequencies in the lower kHz range are particularly advantageous.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller. The controller may be electrically connected to the inductor coil. The controller may be electrically connected to the first induction coil and to the second induction coil. The controller may be configured to control the electrical current supplied to the induction coil(s), and thus the magnetic field strength generated by the induction coil(s).

The power supply and the controller may be connected to the inductor coil(s).

The controller may be configured to be able to chop the current supply on the input side of the DC/AC converter. This way the power supplied to the inductor coil(s) may be controlled by conventional methods of duty-cycle management.

Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example E1. A cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device, comprising

• • a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate;
  • an inner airflow path extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge; and
  • a tubular internal unit circumscribing at least a portion of the inner airflow path;
  • wherein the internal unit comprises a tubular heater component comprising a susceptor element arranged in the inner airflow path,
  • wherein the internal unit comprises a distal airflow management component comprising an airflow directing element arranged in the inner airflow path, and
  • wherein the airflow directing element is configured for directing an airflow over a surface of the susceptor element.

Example E2. The cartridge according to example E1, wherein the airflow management component comprises a tubular sidewall circumscribing the inner airflow path, and wherein the airflow directing element comprises at least one partition wall element extending from the tubular sidewall into the inner airflow path.

Example E3. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the airflow directing element comprises a first partition wall element extending from the tubular sidewall into the inner airflow path and an opposing second partition wall element extending from the tubular sidewall into the inner airflow path.

Example E4. The cartridge according to example E2, wherein the partition wall element extends between opposing wall portions of the tubular sidewall.

Example E5. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the susceptor element comprises at least one first planar surface, wherein the airflow directing element is configured for directing the airflow over the at least one first planar surface, preferably wherein the susceptor element further comprises a second planar surface and the airflow directing element is further configured for directing the airflow over the second planar surface.

Example E6. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the at least one partition wall element comprises a first planar surface, and wherein the first planar surface of the susceptor element is aligned with the first planar surface of the partition wall element, preferably wherein the at least one partition wall element further comprises a second planar surface and the second planar surface of the susceptor element is aligned with the second planar surface of the partition wall element.

Example E7. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the first planar surface of the partition wall element and the first planar surface of the susceptor element are located in a common plane.

Example E8. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the susceptor element comprises one of a mesh, a foam or a grid.

Example E9. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the susceptor element comprises one or more of a metal, an alloy, an electrically conductive ceramic.

Example E10. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a tubular sleeve element circumscribing at least a portion of the internal unit; and

• • a liquid supply channel arranged between the internal unit and the sleeve element, and
  • wherein the heater component comprises a wick element arranged to transfer the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel to the susceptor element.

Example E11. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the wick element comprises one or more of a cotton-based material, a porous ceramic-based material, and a porous graphite-based material.

Example E12. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples E10 or E11, wherein the wick element is in direct contact with the susceptor element, preferably wherein the wick element is sandwiched between two layers of the susceptor element.

Example E13. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the wick element is in the form of a sheet and, wherein the susceptor element is U-shaped and is mounted on the wick element within the airflow path.

Example E14. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples E10 to E13, wherein the tubular heater component comprises a tubular wall circumscribing the inner airflow path, and wherein the tubular wall comprises a fluid permeable wall portion arranged to allow migration of liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel to the inner airflow path.

Example E15. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the fluid permeable wall portion is formed by two slits in opposing sidewalls of the tubular heater component.

Example E16. The cartridge according to a combination of example E12 and the preceding example, wherein the wick element extends transversally through the inner airflow path and protrudes from the inner airflow path through the slits into the liquid supply channel.

Example E17. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples E10 to E16, wherein the internal unit furthermore comprises a tubular sealing component provided distal to the tubular heater component, the sealing component comprising a tubular element circumscribing a portion of the airflow path and a proximal sealing element arranged on an outer surface of the tubular element; and

• • wherein the internal unit is axially movable with respect to the sleeve element from a blocking position in which the proximal sealing element is arranged to block a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel, to an open position in which the proximal sealing element is moved to open a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel.

Example E18. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the airflow management component comprises at least one air inlet, the at least one air inlet being configured for providing air towards the airflow directing element, preferably wherein the airflow management component comprises at least two air inlets.

Example E19. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the airflow management component comprises a tubular sidewall circumscribing the inner airflow path, and wherein the at least one air inlet is located in the tubular sidewall, preferably wherein the at least two air inlets are located in the tubular sidewall.

Example E20. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein at least two air inlets are located in the tubular sidewall, the at least two air inlets being located at opposing areas of the tubular sidewall.

Example E21. The cartridge according to example E19, wherein at least two air inlets are located in the tubular sidewall and wherein the at least two air inlets are located at opposing sides of the airflow directing element, preferably wherein the airflow directing element comprises at least one partition wall element.

Example E22. The cartridge according to example E18, wherein the airflow management component comprises a distal end wall, the distal end wall being located in the inner airflow path, wherein the at least one air inlet is located in the distal end wall.

Example E23. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the airflow management component and the tubular heater component are configured as separate structural components connected along a longitudinal axis of the internal unit, preferably wherein the airflow management component is connected to the tubular heater component via a plug connection.

Example E24. The cartridge according to the preceding example, further being dependent on claim 17, wherein the tubular sealing component is configured as a separate structural component, wherein the tubular sealing component is connected with the tubular heater component along the longitudinal axis of the internal unit.

Example E25. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein a proximal end portion of the cartridge is configured as a mouthpiece, preferably wherein the liquid storage portion is at least partly comprised in the mouthpiece.

Example E26. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the liquid storage portion circumscribes a portion of the inner airflow path.

Example E27. An aerosol-generating system, comprising

• • the cartridge according to any of the preceding examples; and
  • an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity arranged for receiving at least a distal portion of the cartridge, wherein the cavity is at least partly circumscribed by an inductor coil.

Example E28. The aerosol-generating system according to the preceding example, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a pin element protruding from a distal end face of the cavity and being arranged to push against the distal airflow management component, when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity.

Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

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

FIGS. 1a to 1c show a tubular internal unit of a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device of one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2a and 2b show a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device;

FIGS. 3a and 3b show a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device;

FIGS. 4a and 4b show an aerosol-generating system;

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a heater component of a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device;

FIGS. 6a and 6b show a heater component and an airflow management component of a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device;

FIGS. 7a and 7b show a perspective side view and the respective top view of an airflow management component with an airflow directing element;

FIGS. 8a to 8c show different airflow management components with various air inlets and airflow directing elements; and

FIGS. 9a and 9b show different airflow management components with distal end walls including air inlets which direct an airflow on the airflow directing element of the airflow management components.

In the following elements with the same functionality are marked with the same reference numerals throughout all the figures.

In the following FIGS. 1 to 6 an embodiment of the cartridge is described wherein the internal unit comprises a proximal tubular sealing component, an intermediate heater component and a distal airflow management component. The further FIGS. 7 to 9 show various embodiments of airflow management components with airflow directing elements.

FIG. 1a shows a tubular internal unit 10 of the aerosol-generating device in disassembled configuration. The internal unit 10 comprises a proximal tubular sealing component 20, an intermediate tubular heater component 40 comprising a susceptor element in its hollow interior (not shown), and a distal tubular airflow management component 60.

The sealing component 20 comprises a tubular element 22 and a proximal sealing element 24 arranged on an outer surface of the tubular element 22. The proximal sealing element 24 is provided as a continuous protrusion arranged circumferentially around the tubular element 22 of the sealing component 20. The proximal sealing element 24 is provided as a seal lip.

The airflow management component 60 comprises a tubular sidewall 62 and a distal sealing element 64 provided as an O-ring arranged on an outer surface of the tubular sidewall 62. The O-ring is axially held in position between a first protrusion 66 and a second protrusion 67 of the airflow management component 60.

FIG. 1b shows the tubular internal unit 10 of FIG. 1a in assembled configuration. The sealing component 20, the heater component 40, and the airflow management component 60 are connected in series along a longitudinal axis 12. A distal end of the heater component 40 is plugged into proximal end of the airflow management component 60. A proximal end of the heater component 40 is plugged into a distal end of the sealing component 20. The plugging action is indicated by arrows in FIG. 1a.

FIG. 1c shows the assembled tubular internal unit 10 of FIG. 1b in cross-sectional view. The airflow management component 60 comprises air inlets 68 allowing air to enter the hollow tubular interior of the tubular internal unit 10. The air inlets 68 are spaced apart from the distal end of the airflow management component which includes a retention element 70 formed as a closed distal end wall of the airflow management component 60. An airflow directing element 72 protrudes from the distal end wall of the airflow management component. The airflow directing element 72 comprises a partition wall element which is configured to direct an airflow over a surface of the susceptor element. Both the surface 43 of the susceptor element 42 and the surface 71 of the airflow directing element 72 are located in the same plane 15. This allows a constant air stream to be directed from the surface of the airflow directing element towards the surface of the susceptor element in order to increase the formation of an aerosol. An inner airflow path 14 is circumscribed by the tubular internal unit 10. The inner airflow path 14 passes the airflow directing element 72 towards the susceptor 42 of the heater component 40.

FIG. 2a shows a cartridge 100 in disassembled configuration. The cartridge 100 comprises the internal unit 10 of FIGS. 1a to 1c. The cartridge 100 comprises a tubular sleeve element 80 and the mouthpiece 90.

FIG. 2b shows the cartridge 100 of FIG. 2a in assembled configuration in cross-sectional view. The tubular sleeve element 80 circumscribes a portion of the internal unit 10. A liquid supply channel 82 is formed by an empty space between the internal unit 10 and the sleeve element 80. The distal sealing element 64 of the airflow management component 60 is configured for closing and sealing a distal end of the liquid supply channel 82.

The mouthpiece 90 comprises a liquid storage portion 92 circumscribing a portion of the inner airflow path 14. The liquid storage portion 92 is provided by an empty space between an inner tubular wall portion 96 of the mouthpiece 90 coaxially circumscribing the inner airflow path 14 and an outer tubular wall portion 98 of the mouthpiece 90 coaxially circumscribing the liquid storage portion 92. A proximal end 94 of the mouthpiece 90 comprises an air outlet. A distal end 99 of the mouthpiece 90 is attached to a proximal end 84 of the sleeve element 80. For example, a permanent attachment may be achieved by ultrasonic welding.

FIG. 3a shows a cartridge 100 wherein the air inlets 68 are located in the tubular sidewall 62 of the airflow management component 60. The air inlets 68 are thus located spaced apart from the distal end of the airflow management component 60. Thereby, the airflow management component 60 comprises a retention element 70 provided at the distal end of the airflow management component 60, wherein the retention element 70 comprises a closed distal end wall of the airflow management component 60. Additionally, the airflow directing element 72 is present. The airflow directing element 72 is arranged between the air inlets 68 and the susceptor element 42.

The internal unit 10 is axially movable with respect to the sleeve element 80 from a blocking position shown in FIG. 3a, in which the proximal sealing element 24 is arranged to block a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion 92 and the liquid supply channel 82, to an open position shown in FIG. 3b, in which the proximal sealing element 24 is moved to open a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion 92 and the liquid supply channel 82. In the blocking position shown in FIG. 3a, the proximal sealing element 24 is in contact with an internal wall of the sleeve element 80 to block a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion 92 and the liquid supply channel 82. The cartridge in the blocking position can be purchased and is configured to be inserted into the cavity of an aerosol-generating device.

In the open position shown in FIG. 3b, the proximal sealing element 24 is moved away from the internal wall to open a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion 92 and the liquid supply channel 82. In the open position shown in FIG. 3b, a liquid passageway 16 has formed, allowing liquid aerosol-forming substrate to migrate from the liquid storage portion 92 into the liquid supply channel 82. The distal sealing element 64 of the airflow management component 60 seals a distal end of the liquid supply channel 82 preventing liquid aerosol-forming substrate from exiting the liquid supply channel 82 at a distal end thereof in the open position. The airflow directing element 72 directs the inner airflow path 14 entering the cartridge through the air inlets 68 towards the susceptor element 42.

A distal portion of the inner tubular wall portion 96 of the mouthpiece 90 may slide within a proximal portion of the tubular element 22 of the sealing component 20 when the internal unit 10 is axially moved from the blocking position shown in FIG. 3a to the open position shown in FIG. 3b. This axial movement may take place when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity of an aerosol-generating device.

The heater component 40 comprises a fluid permeable wall portion 44 arranged to allow migration of liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel 82 into the inner airflow path 14 and towards the susceptor element 42.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show an aerosol-generating system in cross-sectional view. The aerosol-generating system comprises a cartridge, for example the cartridge 100 of FIGS. 2 and 3, and an aerosol-generating device 200. The aerosol-generating device 200 comprises a cavity 210 arranged for receiving at least a distal portion of the cartridge 100. The cavity 210 is at least partly circumscribed by an inductor coil 220.

The aerosol-generating device 200 comprises a pin element 230 protruding from a distal end face of the cavity 210. The pin element 230 is arranged to push the internal unit 10 of the cartridge 100 from the blocking position into the open position when the distal portion of the cartridge 100 is inserted into the cavity 210. In particular, the pin element 230 is arranged to push the retention element 70 of the internal unit 10. It is also possible that the pin element 230 can push the distal airflow management component 60 in the case that the retention element 70 is not present in the cartridge. FIG. 4b shows the configuration, where the distal portion of the cartridge 100 has been inserted into the cavity 210 and the internal unit 10 is in the open position. Consequently, liquid aerosol-forming substrate may migrate towards the susceptor 42.

Further, with the distal portion of the cartridge 100 being inserted into the cavity 210 as shown in FIG. 4b, the susceptor 42 of the cartridge 100 is placed within the cavity 210 such that an alternating electric current applied to the inductor coil 220 creates an alternating magnetic field which induces an electric current in the susceptor 42 to heat the susceptor 42.

Ambient air may enter the aerosol-generating system via a gap between the cartridge 100 and the aerosol-generating device 200. Alternatively, or in addition, the aerosol-generating device 200 may comprise air inlets (not shown) in fluid connection with the cavity 210.

The airflow route 240 is shown as dotted lines in FIG. 4b. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate located in proximity to, or in contact with, the heated susceptor 42 may be volatized due to the elevated temperature in the area of the susceptor 42. Volatized material may be taken up by the airflow and may travel downstream along the airflow route 240 and through the air outlet at the proximal end 94 of the cartridge 100 where a ripened aerosol may be inhaled by a user.

The distal end of the cartridge 100 may comprise connection means (not shown), for example magnetic connection means, configured to be releasably connectable to the aerosol-generating device 200. The aerosol-generating device 200 may comprise corresponding connection means (not shown).

FIGS. 5a and 5b show an embodiment of the heater component 40 in perspective view (FIG. 4a) and in front view (FIG. 4b). The fluid permeable wall portion 44 is formed by two slits in opposing sidewalls of the tubular heater component 40. A wick element 46 extends between and through the slits. The wick element 46 is arranged to transfer liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel 82 to the susceptor element 42 when the heater component 40 is arranged within the sleeve element 80. A center portion of the wick element 46 within the inner airflow path 14 is sandwiched by the susceptor element 42 which describes a U-shape.

FIGS. 6a and 6b shows an alternative embodiment of the heater component 40 and the airflow management component 60 in disassembled configuration (FIG. 6a) and in assembled configuration (FIG. 6b). In difference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1a to 1c, in the embodiment of FIGS. 6a and 6b the sealing element 64 provided as an O-ring is axially held in position between a first protrusion 48 being part of the heater component 40 and a second protrusion 67 being part of the airflow management component 60.

FIG. 7a shows a side view of an airflow management component 60 including air inlets 68 in the sidewall 62. The airflow management component 60 also includes a first protrusion 66 and a second protrusion 67 which are able to hold a distal sealing element 64 in place. FIG. 7b shows a top view of the airflow management component 60 of FIG. 7a. This top view shows that an airflow directing element 72 with the sidewall 62 is present in the inner airflow path 14 of the airflow management component 60. The top view also shows the second protrusion 67. The airflow directing element 72 is configured for directing the airflow in a targeted way onto the surface of the susceptor element 42 which is part of the heating component 40 of the cartridge 100.

As shown for example in FIGS. 5a and 5b the sandwich of the susceptor element 42 and the wick element 46 also may have a flat elongated form similar to the form of the airflow directing element 72. This may allow the airflow directing element 72 to direct the airflow onto both opposing main surfaces of the susceptor element 42.

FIG. 8a shows in the upper figure part a side view of an airflow management component 60 including two air inlets 68 in a first side of the tubular sidewall 62. Two further air inlets 68 are present on the other side of the tubular sidewall 62 which are not shown. The figure in the middle part of FIG. 8a shows an isometric perspective front view of the airflow management component 60. A first partition wall element 72a and an opposing second partition wall element 72b are visible which form one airflow directing element and which extend from the tubular sidewall 62 into the inner airflow path 14. This first partition wall elements and second partition wall element are configured to direct the ambient air entering the inner airflow path through the air inlets 68 towards the susceptor element 42. The bottom figure part of FIG. 8a shows in a cross-sectional view the airflow path indicated by arrows with air entering the inner airflow path 14 through the four air inlets 68. This airstream is further directed by the first and second partition wall elements in the direction of the susceptor element 42.

FIG. 8b shows in the upper figure part a side view of a different airflow management component 60, which in contrast to the airflow management component shown in FIG. 8a only includes one air inlet 68 on one side of the tubular sidewall 62. A second air inlet is present on the other side of the tubular sidewall 62 (not shown in FIG. 8b). The airflow directing element including the first partition wall element 72a and the second partition wall element 72b are the same as in FIG. 8a as shown in the middle part of the figure. The lower part of FIG. 8b shows that the airflow through the air inlets 68 indicated by the arrows is directed towards the first and second partition wall elements to be further directed onto the susceptor element 42.

FIG. 8c shows an embodiment of an airflow management component 60 which is similar to the airflow management component 60 shown in FIG. 8b. In contrast to FIGS. 8a and 8b one airflow directing element 72 is present, which extends between the opposing wall portions of the tubular sidewall 62. This airflow directing element 72 forms a continuous bridge between opposing wall portions of the tubular sidewall 62 and therefore can divide the airstream in the inner airflow path 14 into two separate parts.

The embodiments of the airflow management component 60 shown in FIG. 9 both include a distal end wall. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9a, two air inlets 68 are present in the distal end wall which are configured to allow air to enter the inner airflow path 14 towards the airflow directing element 72. Only one air inlet 68 is present in the distal end wall of the airflow management component 60 shown in FIG. 9b.