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Patent 3188844 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 3188844
(54) English Title: CARTOMIZER FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE WITH LEAKAGE PREVENTION
(54) French Title: CARTOMISEUR POUR UN DISPOSITIF DE GENERATION D'AEROSOL AVEC PREVENTION DE FUITE
Status: Compliant
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A24F 40/40 (2020.01)
  • A24F 40/85 (2020.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • LOVEDAY, PETER (United Kingdom)
(73) Owners :
  • JT INTERNATIONAL SA (Switzerland)
(71) Applicants :
  • JT INTERNATIONAL SA (Switzerland)
(74) Agent: SMART & BIGGAR LP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2021-09-01
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2022-03-10
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/EP2021/074124
(87) International Publication Number: WO2022/049120
(85) National Entry: 2023-02-08

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
20194597.9 European Patent Office (EPO) 2020-09-04

Abstracts

English Abstract

The present invention relates to a cartomizer (1) for an aerosol generating device (100), in particular an electronic cigarette or vaporizer, the cartomizer including: a container (10) for holding at least one reservoir (11) configured to containing a vaporizable material; a vaporizing chamber (12) fluidly connected to a mouth end (13) by a vapor passage (14); a liquid transport element (15), in particular a porous capillary member, extending from inside the at least one reservoir (11) to inside the vaporizing chamber (12) in order to convey the vaporizable material from the at least one reservoir (11) to the inside of the vaporizing chamber (12); and an air inlet (16) arranged to supply the vaporizing chamber (12) with air in use; wherein a leakage collecting chamber (20) is arranged between the vaporizing chamber (12) and the air inlet (16) to collect vaporizable material from the vaporizing chamber (12) and the leakage collecting chamber (20) includes at least one liquid stopping or barrier wall (23, 24), in particular a first liquid stopping or barrier wall (23), arranged between the leakage collecting chamber (20) and the air inlet (16), in particular at least one through-hole (16a) of the air inlet (16), forming an overflow.


French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un cartomiseur (1) pour un dispositif de génération d'aérosol (100), en particulier une cigarette électronique ou un vaporisateur, le cartomiseur comprenant : un récipient (10) destiné à contenir au moins un réservoir (11) conçu pour contenir un matériau vaporisable ; une chambre de vaporisation (12) en communication fluidique avec un embout buccal (13) par un passage de vapeur (14) ; un élément de transport de liquide (15), en particulier un élément capillaire poreux, s'étendant à partir de l'intérieur du ou des réservoirs (11) vers l'intérieur de la chambre de vaporisation (12) afin de transporter le matériau vaporisable à partir du ou des réservoirs (11) vers l'intérieur de la chambre de vaporisation (12) ; et une entrée d'air (16) agencée pour alimenter la chambre de vaporisation (12) avec de l'air lors de l'utilisation ; une chambre de collecte de fuite (20) étant agencée entre la chambre de vaporisation (12) et l'entrée d'air (16) pour collecter un matériau vaporisable à partir de la chambre de vaporisation (12) et la chambre de collecte de fuite (20) comprend au moins une paroi formant barrière ou d'arrêt de liquide (23, 24), en particulier une première paroi formant barrière ou d'arrêt de liquide (23), agencée entre la chambre de collecte de fuite (20) et l'entrée d'air (16), en particulier au moins un trou traversant (16a) de l'entrée d'air (16), formant un trop-plein.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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CLAIMS
1. A cartomizer (1) for an aerosol generating device (100),
in particular an electronic cigarette or vaporizer, the
cartomizer comprising:
a container (10) for holding at least one reservoir (11)
configured to contain a vaporizable material;
a vaporizing chamber (12) fluidly connected to a mouth
end (13) by a vapor passage (14);
a liquid transport element (15), in particular a porous
capillary member, extending from inside the at least one
reservoir (11) to inside the vaporizing chamber (12) in order
to convey the vaporizable material from the at least one
reservoir (11) to the inside of the vaporizing chamber (12);
an air inlet (16) arranged to supply the vaporizing
chamber (12) with air in use;
wherein a leakage collecting chamber (20) is arranged
between the vaporizing chamber (12) and the air inlet (16) to
collect vaporizable material from the vaporizing chamber
(12), and the leakage collecting chamber (20) comprises at
least one liquid stopping or barrier wall (23, 24), in
particular a first liquid stopping or barrier wall (23),
arranged between the leakage collecting chamber (20) and the
air inlet (16), in particular at least one through-hole (16a)
of the air inlet (16), forming an overflow, and
the cartomizer (1) further comprises a center leakage
collecting chamber (22) that is provided between the air
inlet (16) and the leakage collecting chamber (20).
2. Cartomizer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the air
inlet (16) comprises an air conduit or chimney (19) at the
bottom of the container (10) and upstream the at least one
through-hole (16a), forming a second liquid stopping or
barrier wall (24) arranged between the first liquid stopping
or barrier wall (23) and the at least one through-hole (16a).
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3. Cartomizer (1) according to claim 2, wherein the air
conduit or chimney protrudes inside the leakage collecting
chamber (20).
4. Cartomizer (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the
center leakage collecting chamber (22) is defined or formed
by the air conduit or chimney (19) and the first liquid
stopping or barrier wall (23).
5. Cartomizer (1) according to claim 4, wherein the center
leakage collecting chamber (22) and the leakage collecting
chamber(s) (20) are at least partially separated from each
other by the first liquid stopping or barrier wall (23)
including at least one connecting hole or groove (25)
(fluidly) connecting the center leakage collecting chamber
(22) with the leakage collecting chamber(s) 20, wherein the
connecting hole or groove (25) is preferably arranged with a
predetermined axial distance to the bottom of the container
(10).
6. Cartomizer (1) according to claim 5, wherein the
predetermined axial distance from the at least one connecting
hole or groove (25) to the bottom of the container is smaller
than an axial distance of the at least one through-hole 16a)
to the bottom of the container (10).
7. Cartomizer according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the leakage collecting chamber (20) further comprises
at least one air outlet (21) arranged at an axial distance
relative to the through-hole (16a) of the air inlet (16),
wherein the at least one air outlet (21) of the leakage
collecting chamber (20) is preferably arranged axially closer
to the bottom of the container (10) than the through-hole
(16a) of the air inlet (16).
8. Cartomizer (1) according to claim 7, wherein the air
outlet (21) of the leakage collecting chamber (20) is
transversally distant from the air inlet (16).
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9. Cartomizer (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the
air outlet (21) of the leakage collecting chamber (20)
protrudes by a conduit inside the leakage collecting chamber
(20) and/or inside the vaporizing chamber (12).
10. Cartomizer (1) according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the leakage collecting chamber (20) comprises
two air outlets (21) communicating with the vaporizing
chamber (12) and arranged on each side of the air inlet (16),
wherein the air outlets (21) are preferably aligned in a
plane of extension of the liquid transport element (15).
11. Cartomizer (1) according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the leakage collecting chamber (20) is
arranged between a first seal (30) arranged for holding the
liquid transport element (15) and a bottom holder (17) of the
container (10) arranged for holding electrical connectors
(18).
12. Cartomizer (1) according to claim 11, wherein the liquid
transport element (15) is held by the first seal (30) and a
second seal (31), wherein the second seal (31) preferably at
least partially, in particular completely, separates the at
least one reservoir (11) from the vaporizing chamber (12).
13, Cartomizer (1) according to claim 12, wherein the at
least one air outlet (21) is formed inside the first seal
(30).
14. Cartomizer (1) according to any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the leakage collecting chamber (20) has a
larger transversal cross section than the vaporizing chamber
(12).
15. Cartomizer (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11
and claim 12, wherein the first seal (30) includes air
channels (30a) that fluidly connect the center leakage
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collecting chamber (22) with the leakage collecting chamber
(20) or the leakage collecting chambers (20).
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Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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CARTOMIZER FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE
WITH LEAKAGE PREVENTION
CROSS REFERENCE
Any features essential to the European patent applications
titled "CARTOMIZER FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE WITH
FINS" and "CARTOMIZER FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE WITH
COMBINED ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC CONTACTS" all filed
September 4, 2020 having application numbers 20 194 596.1 and
20 194 595.3, as well as the corresponding PCT applications
all filed September 1, 2021, such as the claims thereof,
and/or contained therein and corresponding to and/or relating
to features of the present application are incorporated
herein by this reference and can be combined with feature
combinations disclosed herein in order to provide an improved
aerosol generating device, and protection may be sought for
the resulting feature combinations.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a cartomizer for an aerosol
generating device, in particular an electronic cigarette or
vaporizer, with a leakage prevention system, in particular a
double leakage chamber arrangement.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
Aerosol generating devices, such as electronic cigarettes or
"e-cigarettes" as they are also known, have gained in
popularity over the past ten years as an alternative to
traditional smoking articles, like cigarettes, cigars, and
cigarillos. Developments in the design and configuration of
such aerosol generating devices or vaporizer devices are on-
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going to improve their performance and their reliability, as
well as their ease of production and their production costs.
Conventional aerosol generating devices usually include a
heater powered by an electrical power source and a liquid
reservoir containing flavoured liquid (vaporizable material)
that can be volatized using the heater and transferred to a
user of the aerosol generating device in an airflow, which is
preferably guided through a mouthpiece of the device.
In order to provide a convenient way for a user to load the
vaporizable material into the aerosol generating device and
to avoid the need for the user to handle the vaporizable
material (liquid) directly, thereby reducing the likelihood
of spillage and waste, conventionally exchangeable capsules
are provided. In this way, the integrity, safety and quality
of the vaporizable material can also be assured, because it
is loaded into the shell or container during manufacture to
form a pre-manufactured capsule.
Correct dosing of the
vaporizable material is also assured.
Moreover, in order to avoid that the heating element is worn
out over time, the heating element is often provided within
the capsule, thereby forming a so called "cartomizer". As
the heating element (heater) is provided with the cartomizer,
it is each time the cartomizer (capsule) is replaced, hence,
there is no reduction in performance over time.
However, since in general a liquid transport element, in
particular a wick, is used to transport the vaporizable
material to the heater, in particular a coil that is wound
around the wick, it is unavoidable that vaporizable material
(liquid) leaks from the reservoir via the liquid transport
element into the vaporization chamber and thereby into the
air path of the cartomizer. Whilst it is ideal to eliminate
leakage, measures should be put in place that contain leaked
vaporizable material within the capsule, should leakage
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occur.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a cartomizer
with means that can prevent leaking vaporizable material to
affect either the device or consumer.
US 9,737,093 52 is related to an electronic cigarette
comprising from a first, vaping end and a second end distal
from the user's mouth, a cartridge, a vaporizer and a
battery.
It is further disclosed to provide a circular
chamber that has direct access to the vaporizing chamber in
order to collect leaking vaporizable material.
A similar
device is shown in US 2019/0335813 Al.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, there is the desire to provide a
cartomizer for an aerosol generating device, in particular an
electronic cigarette or vaporizer, capable of preventing
leakage of vaporizable material or liquid from the heater or
the liquid transport element (wick) to the outside of the
cartomizer, in particular via an air inlet of the cartomizer,
thereby ensuring that leaked vaporizable material or liquid
affects either the device or consumer.
This aim may be achieved by a cartomizer as defined in claim
1.
Embodiments may be found in the dependent claims, the
following description and the accompanying drawings.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a cartomizer for an aerosol generating device, in
particular an electronic cigarette or vaporizer, the
cartomizer including: a container for holding at least one
reservoir configured to contain a vaporizable material, a
vaporizing chamber fluidly connected to a mouth end by a
vapor passage, a liquid transport element, in particular a
porous capillary member, extending from inside the at least
one reservoir to the inside of the vaporizing chamber in
order to convey or wick or otherwise transport the
vaporizable material from the at least one reservoir to the
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inside of the vaporizing chamber and an air inlet arranged to
supply the vaporizing chamber with air in use, wherein a
leakage collecting chamber is arranged, in particular in an
airflow direction from the air inlet to the vaporizing
chamber, between the vaporizing chamber and the air inlet to
collect vaporizable material (leaking) from the vaporizing
chamber, and the leakage collecting chamber includes at least
one liquid stopping or barrier wall, in particular a first
liquid stopping or barrier wall, arranged between the leakage
collecting chamber and the air inlet, in particular at least
one through-hole of the air inlet, wherein the at least one
liquid stopping or barrier wall forms an overflow.
Hence, a cartomizer for an aerosol generating device is
provided, capable of reducing the likelihood that vaporizable
material or liquid, leaking from the liquid transport element
or a heater of the cartomizer reaches the outside of the
cartomizer via the air inlet. Thereby, ensuring that leaked
vaporizable material or liquid is prevented from affecting
the device or a user of the device.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention,
the air inlet may comprise or may be formed by an air conduit
or chimney that is arranged at the bottom of the container
and upstream the through-hole of the air inlet, wherein the
air conduit or chimney, in particular a sidewall thereof,
forms a second liquid stopping or barrier wall that is
arranged between the first liquid stopping or barrier wall
and the at least one through-hole.
Moreover, in some embodiments of the present invention, the
air conduit or chimney may protrude inside the leakage
collecting chamber.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the cartomizer
may further include a center leakage collecting chamber that
is provided between the air inlet and the leakage collecting
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chamber, in particular in an airflow direction from the air
inlet to the vaporizing chamber, wherein the center leakage
collecting chamber is preferably defined or formed by the air
conduit or chimney and the first liquid stopping or barrier
wall.
Furthermore, the center leakage collecting chamber and the
leakage collecting chamber or the leakage collecting
chambers, in case two or more collecting chambers are
provided, are at least partially separated from each other by
the first liquid stopping or barrier wall including at least
one connecting hole or groove (fluidly) connecting the center
leakage collecting chamber with the leakage collecting
chamber or chambers, wherein the connecting hole or groove is
preferably arranged with a predetermined axial distance to
the bottom of the container.
It is further preferred that the predetermined axial distance
from the at least one connecting hole or groove to the bottom
of the container is smaller than an axial distance of the at
least one through-hole to the bottom of the container.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention,
the leakage collecting chamber may further include at least
one air outlet arranged at an axial distance relative to the
through-hole of the air inlet, wherein the at least one air
outlet of the leakage collecting chamber is preferably
arranged axially, in particular in an axial direction of the
cartomizer, closer to the bottom of the container than the
through-hole of the air inlet.
As regards the "axial direction of the cartomizer", said
direction defines in the present application in general a
longitudinal direction of the cartomizer.
However, as the
shape of the cartomizer might vary, the "axial direction of
the cartomizer" also refers to a direction in which the air
flows in general through the cartomizer, namely from the air
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inlet of the cartomizer to the mouth end of the cartomizer,
which is configured to come into contact with the lips of a
user during use of the aerosol generating device.
Furthermore, the air outlet of the leakage collecting chamber
may be transversally distant from the air inlet.
In other
words, the air outlet might be arranged with a predetermined
distance to the air inlet when seen in a plane perpendicular
to the axial direction of the cartomizer. Therefore, in use,
liquid entering the leakage collecting chamber through the
air outlet has no straight path to the air inlet and becomes
collected in the collecting chamber instead.
Moreover, in some embodiments, the air outlet of the leakage
collecting chamber may protrude by a conduit inside the
leakage collecting chamber and/or inside the vaporizing
chamber.
Additionally, the leakage collecting chamber may include two
air outlets communicating with the vaporizing chamber and
arranged on each side of the air inlet.
Furthermore, or alternatively, the cartomizer may be provided
with two leakage collecting chambers, which are each arranged
on each side of the air inlet and provided with a separate
air outlet communicating with the vaporizing chamber.
Moreover, in case of two air outlets, the air outlets may be
aligned in a plane of extension of the liquid transport
element, which preferably is perpendicular to the axial
direction of the device.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention,
the leakage collecting chamber is arranged between a first
seal arranged or configured for holding the liquid transport
element and a wall of the container, preferably a bottom
holder of the container arranged for holding electrical
connectors.
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Furthermore, in some embodiments, the liquid transport
element is held by the first seal and a second seal. Both
seals may be made of silicone rubber.
Additionally, the second seal may at least partially, in
particular completely, separate the at least one reservoir
from the vaporizing chamber.
Same applies in case the
cartomizer is provided with two or more reservoirs.
Moreover, the at least one air outlet may be formed inside
the first seal.
In a preferred embodiment, the leakage collection chamber is
demarcated by the first seal and the bottom holder of the
container.
In some embodiments, the leakage collecting chamber may have
a larger transversal cross section than the vaporizing
chamber. In other words, in a plane that is perpendicular to
the axial direction of the cartomizer, the cross-sectional
area of the leakage collecting chamber or collecting chambers
is larger than the cross-sectional area of the vaporizing
chamber.
Moreover, the first seal may include air channels that
fluidly connect the center leakage collecting chamber with
the leakage collecting chamber or the leakage collecting
chambers.
Additionally, the container, shell or outside casing of the
cartomizer may be formed of a rigid material, in particular a
rigid thermoplastic material, glass or metal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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A more complete appreciation of the present invention and
many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily
obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference
to the following detailed description when considered in
connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a conventional aerosol
generating device having a housing consisting of a
control body and a tank;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the interior of
a cartomizer for an aerosol generating device
according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a detail of the
device shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 shows a vertical and a horizontal schematic
sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 2,
illustrating the air flow through the cartomizer;
Fig. 5 shows a schematic spatial view of the bottom part of
the device shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a detail of the
device shown in Fig. 2 when inserted into an aerosol
generating device; and
Fig. 7 shows a schematic spatial view of a whole aerosol
generating device including the carton-117er according
to the present invention without the outside casing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be explained
with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those
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skilled in the field of aerosol generating devices from this
disclosure that the following description of the embodiments
is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of
limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
Features of the embodiments described below can also be used
to further characterize the device defined in the claims.
Modifications of features can be combined to form further
embodiments.
Features described in individual embodiments
can be provided in a single embodiment if they are not
incompatible.
Likewise, features described in a single
embodiment can be provided in several embodiments
individually or in any suitable sub-combination. As used in
the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms
"a", "an", "the" and the like include plural referents unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The same reference numerals listed in different figures refer
to identical, corresponding or functionally similar elements.
As described hereinafter, example implementations of the
present disclosure relate to cartomizers for aerosol
generating devices or aerosol delivery devices.
Aerosol
generating devices according to the present invention use
electrical energy to heat a material (preferably without
combusting the material to any significant degree and/or
without significant chemical alteration of the material) to
form an inhalable substance or vapor; and components of such
device have the form of articles that most preferably are
sufficiently compact to be considered hand-held devices.
That is, use of components of preferred aerosol generating
devices does not result in the production of smoke in the
sense that aerosol results principally from by-products of
combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, use of those
devices preferably results in the production of vapors
resulting from volatilization or vaporization of certain
components incorporated therein.
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In some example implementations, components of aerosol
generating devices may be characterized as electronic
cigarettes, and those electronic cigarettes preferably
incorporate aerosolisable liquid (e.g. propylene glycol,
polyhydric alcohol), tobacco and/or tobacco materials derived
at least partially from tobacco, and hence deliver tobacco
derived components in aerosol or vapor form to a user.
In
more detail, aerosol generating devices within the meaning of
the present invention may transport the volatilized particles
in an airflow through the aerosol generating device, in
particular through the cartomizer, to a user of the device,
the user of the device being able to activate or deactivate
the generation of aerosol and to control the duration,
velocity and volume of the airflow by means of puffing or
inhaling action.
Figure 1 illustrates a known aerosol generating or delivery
device 200 including a control body 202 and a tank 204. As
shown in Figure 1, the control body 202 can be formed of a
control body shell 206 that can include a control component
208 (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB), an integrated
circuit, a memory component, a microprocessor, individually
or as part of a micro-controller, and the like), a flow
sensor 210, a battery 212, and one or more light-emitting
diodes (LEDs) 214, and such components can be variably
aligned.
Moreover, the tank 204 can be formed of a tank
shell 216 enclosing a reservoir 218 that is in fluid
communication with a liquid transport element 220 adapted to
wick or otherwise transport an aerosol precursor composition
stored in the reservoir housing to a heater 222 (sometimes
referred to as a heating element). A valve may be positioned
between the reservoir and heater and configured to control an
amount of aerosol precursor composition passed or delivered
from the reservoir to the heater.
The known device is
provided with a mouthpiece 224 having an opening defined
therein and which may be coupled to the tank shell 216 to
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allow for egress of formed aerosol from the tank 204.
The
shown device 200, in particular the control body 202 and the
tank 204, include a coupler 230 having a cavity 232 therein.
A base 228 of the tank is adapted to engage the coupler and
includes a projection 234 to fit within the cavity.
Aerosol generating devices of the present invention generally
include a number of components provided within an outer body
or shell, which may be referred to as an outside casing or
housing. The overall design of the outside casing can vary,
and the format or configuration of the outside casing that
can define the overall size and shape of the aerosol
generating device can vary.
For some aerosol generating
devices, an elongated body resembling the shape of a
cigarette or cigar can be formed from a single, unitary
housing, or the elongated housing can be formed of two or
more separable bodies.
For example, an aerosol generating
device can include an elongated shell or body (outside
casing) that can be substantially tubular in shape and, as
such, resemble the shape of conventional cigarettes or
cigars. In one implementation, all of the components of the
aerosol generating device are contained within a single
housing.
Alternatively, an aerosol delivery device can
comprise two or more housings that are joined and are
separable.
Aerosol generating devices of the present invention can be
formed of an outside casing or shell that is not
substantially tubular in shape but may be formed to
substantially greater transversal dimensions.
The outside
casing or shell can be configured to include a mouthpiece
and/or may be configured to receive a separate shell (e.g. a
cartridge, a tank) that can include consumable elements, such
as a liquid aerosol former, and can include a vaporizer.
Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the interior of
a cartomizer 1 for an aerosol generating device 100 according
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to a first embodiment of the present invention. As can be
taken from Figure 2, the cartomizer 1 is generally a
container 10 or cartridge that can be at least partially
inserted into a receiving cavity of an aerosol generating
device and that provides the functionalities of generating an
aerosol or vapor from a vaporizable material or liquid stored
therein. For example, a cartomizer can be a pre-manufactured
and pre-tilled cartridge that comprises at least one
reservoir 11 for containing the vaporizable material or
liquid from which the aerosol or vapor can be generated. For
the purpose of generating said aerosol or vapor, the
cartomizer 1 may further comprise a heater which is arranged
to heat at least a fraction of the vaporizable material or
liquid so as to vaporize an amount of it for, in turn,
generating the aerosol or vapor. The heater may comprise any
one and combination of a wire, a resistive element, a coil,
and a susceptor being heatable by induction. The cartomizer
1 further comprises an air conduct and/or a mouthpiece (mouth
end) 13 so as to allow a user to inhale the generated
aerosol, preferably as a mixture with air from the
environment.
In the shown embodiment the heater is formed by a wire that
is wound around a liquid transport element 15, in particular
a capillary-type wick, such as bundle of cotton filaments,
and located within a vaporizing chamber 12.
It should
further be mentioned that the vaporizing chamber 12 is
fluidly connected to the mouth end 13, in particular an
opening provided in the mouth end 13, via a vapor passage 14.
In other words, vapor generated by the heater can be provided
via the vapor passage 14 and the opening in the mouth end 13
to a user. In the shown embodiment the cartomizer 1 is only
provided with one reservoir 11 which surrounds the vapor
passage 14, the heater and the liquid transport element 15.
Both ends of the wick 15 reach into the reservoir 11, in
particular into the vaporizable material stored inside the
reservoir 11, on opposing sides and thereby convey, wick or
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13
otherwise transport the vaporizable material from the
reservoir 11 to the heater which is positioned inside the
vaporizing chamber 12.
As also can be seen in Figure 2, the cartomizer 1 is provided
with an air inlet 16 which is arranged on the bottom, in
particular in a bottom holder 17, of the container 10. The
air inlet 16 is configured to supply the vaporizing chamber
12 with ambient air, which is sucked into the vaporizing
chamber 12 during use of the aerosol generating device 100.
Figure 2 also shows that the cartomizer 1 is additionally
provided with a leakage collecting chamber 20 that is
arranged in an airflow direction of the ambient air sucked
into the cartomizer, namely from the air inlet 16 towards the
vaporizing chamber, between the vaporizing chamber 12 and the
air inlet 16 to collect vaporizable material leaking from the
vaporizing chamber 12.
Since the air path of the ambient air sucked into the
cartomizer 1 through the air inlet 16 is the only unsealed
connection between the environment and the vaporizing chamber
12, besides the vapor passage 14, the air path is the main
source of possible leakage.
As indicated in Figure 3, which is a schematic sectional view
of a detail of the device 1 shown in Fig. 2, by the arrows,
vaporizable material or liquid leaking from the wick 15 drops
onto a first sealing 30 that is configured to hold or fix the
wick 15 within the vaporizing chamber 12, in particular
together with a second sealing 31, and to form a part, in
particular a bottom portion, of the vaporizing chamber 12.
Thereby, the leaked vaporizable material or liquid is
collected at the bottom of the vaporizing chamber 12.
The
first sealing 30 is provided with two air outlets 21 that are
formed by two channels or through-holes that go through the
first sealing 30, in particular in a direction parallel to
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the axial direction of the cartomizer 1. It should also be
noted that the two air outlets 21 are arranged at an axial
distance relative to a through-hole 16a of the air inlet 16.
Accordingly, the leaked vaporizable material or liquid
collected at the bottom of the vaporizing chamber 12 flows
through one of the air outlets 21 to the leakage collecting
chamber 20 or one of the leakage collecting chambers 20.
As can be taken from Figure 4, the air inlet 16 is provided
with two through-holes 16a, which are aligned in a direction
perpendicular to the axial direction of the cartomizer 1,
which extends in Figure 4 in view direction, in other words,
in a direction into the paper.
Figures 3 and 4 also show that the two air outlets 21 are
arranged on each side of the air inlet 16, in particular an
air conduit or chimney 19 that forms the air inlet 16 and is
provided at the bottom of the container 10. Moreover, the
two air outlets 21 are aligned in a vertical plane (in Figs.
3 and 4) of extension of the liquid transport element 15.
Hence, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3, the leaked
vaporizable material flows through the two air outlets 21 and
reaches the leakage collecting chambers 20, which are also
provided on each side of the air conduit or chimney 19 of the
air inlet 16.
It should also be noted that the second
sealing 31 separates the reservoir 11 from the vaporizing
chamber 12, ensuring that the vaporizable material only
reaches the heater via the wick 15.
Figure 4 shows a vertical and a horizontal schematic
sectional view of the cartomizer 1 shown in Fig. 2,
illustrating the air flow through the cartomizer 1. As shown
in the right view, the ambient air entering the cartomizer 1
through the two through-holes 16a reaches a center leakage
collecting chamber 22 that is provided in the bottom holder
17 of the container 10.
In airflow direction, the center
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leakage collecting chamber 22 is arranged between the air
inlet 16 and the (main) leakage collecting chamber(s) 20.
Meaning, the center leakage collecting chamber 22 is arranged
between a side wall of the chimney 19 and a transversal wall
of the first seal 30, forcing air to travel to the sides (as
indicated by arrows in Fig. 4). In other words, as shown in
the right view, the air entering the center leakage
collecting chamber 22 flows through tour air channels 30a
which are provided in the first seal 30 thereby reaching the
(main) leakage collecting chamber(s) 20. As shown in the
right view of Figure 4, the four air channels 3a are arranged
in a double-T form.
Figure 5 shows a schematic spatial view of the bottom part of
the device shown in Fig. 2, in particular of the bottom
holder 17 of the container 10. It should also be noted that
the conduit or chimney 19 of the air inlet 16 forms part of
the bottom holder 17. Moreover, as Figure 5 illustrates, the
center leakage collecting chamber 22 and the two (main)
leakage collecting chambers 20, which are arranged on each
side of the center leakage collecting chamber 22, are
separated from each other by at least one liquid stopping or
barrier wall (here a first liquid stopping or barrier wall
23) including four connecting holes 25 (in this embodiment
formed by cuts or grooves formed in the partition wall) that
fluidly connect the center leakage collecting chamber 22 with
the leakage collecting chambers 20.
Since the connecting
holes (cuts or grooves) are provided with a predetermined
distance to the bottom of the container 10, leaked
vaporizable material that is collected inside the (main)
leakage collecting chambers 20 is prevented from entering the
center leakage collecting chamber 22, even in extreme
cartomizer orientations.
In other words, the two first
liquid stopping or barrier walls 23, each provided on one
side of the chimney 19, form overflows between the two (main)
leakage collecting chambers 22 and the center leakage
collecting chamber 22.
Hence, ensuring that leaked
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16
vaporizable material accumulated in the two (main) leakage
collecting chambers 22 does not or at least only very
unlikely reach the center leakage collecting chamber 22.
Moreover, as it is also apparent from Figures 3, 4 and 5, the
two air outlets 21, in particular bottom or upstream openings
of them, are provided closer to the bottom of the container
than the through-holes 16a of the air inlet 16, thereby
ensuring that leaked vaporizable material collected inside
the (main) leakage collecting chambers 20 does not close the
air path, in particular the air path connecting the through-
holes 16a of the air inlet 16 with the air outlets 21 via the
leakage collecting chambers 20.
Yet, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, even in case leaked
vaporizable material would reach the center leakage
collecting chamber 22, since the through-holes 16a of the
inlet 16 are provided on the top of the conduit or chimney,
the distance between the bottom of the center leakage
collecting chamber 22 and the through-holes 16a is maximized,
thereby reducing the likelihood of leaked vaporizable
material reaching the through-holes 16a. In other words, the
air conduit or chimney 19, in particular a side wall thereof,
forms a second liquid stopping or barrier wall 24 that is
arranged between the first liquid stopping or barrier wall 23
and the two through-holes 16a of the air inlet 16. Hence, in
the unlikely event that a very small amount of leaked
vaporizing material reaches the center leakage collecting
chamber 22, the second liquid stopping or barrier wall forms
a further overflow that ensures that no leaked vaporizing
material reaches the air inlet 16.
Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a detail of the
cartomizer 1 shown in Fig. 2 when inserted into an aerosol
generating device 100.
It should also be noted that the
aerosol generating device 100 is provided with electrical
contacts 105 such as "pogo pins" that are configured to
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17
contact the electrical connectors 18 of the cartomizer in
order to provide the heater of the cartomizer 1 with
electrical power. As Figure 6 also shows, the electrical
connectors 18 also contact magnets 104 which are provided
within an inner frame 102 of the aerosol generating device
100. Yet, in order to provide the wire of the heater with
electrical power, the cartomizer 1 is further provided with
lead wires 40 that electrically connect the wire with the
electrical connectors 18.
Figure 7 shows a schematic spatial view of a whole aerosol
generating device 100 including the cartomizer according to
the present invention, where only the outside casing of the
aerosol generating device is not shown for illustrating
purposes. The shown aerosol generating device 100 includes a
mouthpiece which is part of the cartomizer 1 for guiding the
generated vapor to a user, the cartomizer 1, a battery 101, a
sealing arrangement 103 and an inner frame 102 for holding
the battery 101 inside the device 100.
It should also be
noted that the aerosol generating device 100 has an elongated
shape, in which a receiving cavity for the cartomizer 1, a
power supply device, in particular the battery 101, and a
main electronic circuit board are arranged in this order from
a first, proximal end (mouth end) to a second, distal end.
Consequently, the power supply device, in particular battery
101, is located at approximately the center of the device
100, so that it is particularly well balanced.
REFERENCE LIST
1 Cartomizer
Container (Shell)
11 Reservoir
12 Vaporizing chamber
13 Mouth end
14 Vapor passage
Liquid transport element (Wick)
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18
16 Air inlet
16a Through-hole (of the air inlet)
17 Bottom holder (of the container)
18 Electrical connectors
19 Air conduit or chimney
20 Leakage collecting chamber(s)
21 Air outlet (of the leakage collecting chamber)
22 Center leakage collecting chamber
23 First liquid stopping or barrier wall
24 Second liquid stopping or barrier wall
25 Connecting hole or groove
30 First seal
30a Air channels
31 Second seal
40 Lead Wires
100 Aerosol generating device
101 Battery
102 Inner frame
103 Sealing arrangement
104 Magnets
105 Electrical contacts
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Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

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Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(86) PCT Filing Date 2021-09-01
(87) PCT Publication Date 2022-03-10
(85) National Entry 2023-02-08

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2024-03-01 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE

Maintenance Fee


 Upcoming maintenance fee amounts

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Next Payment if small entity fee 2023-09-01 $50.00
Next Payment if standard fee 2023-09-01 $125.00

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Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $421.02 2023-02-08
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
JT INTERNATIONAL SA
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
National Entry Request 2023-02-08 3 92
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) 2023-02-08 1 33
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) 2023-02-08 1 63
Representative Drawing 2023-02-08 1 25
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) 2023-02-08 1 69
Description 2023-02-08 18 688
Drawings 2023-02-08 4 98
Claims 2023-02-08 4 115
International Search Report 2023-02-08 2 74
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) 2023-02-08 1 35
Correspondence 2023-02-08 2 48
Abstract 2023-02-08 1 26
National Entry Request 2023-02-08 9 267
Cover Page 2023-06-30 1 51