Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Consumable Cartridge for an Aerosol Generation Device
The present invention relates to a consumable cartridge for use with an
aerosol
generation device.
A number of new generation smoking devices have been introduced that seek to
provide an alternative to conventional cigarettes. One such device is
described in
EP 2772148A2. In this arrangement a smoking device is provided with a
mouthpiece, a casing, an electrical heater and a battery. A consumable
cartridge
can be installed in the device adjacent the heater. The consumable cartridge
has a
casing which encloses tobacco material. The cartridge also includes
perforations
and aeration wells. The heater can heat the casing of the cartridge, causing
the
tobacco contained within to heat without burning, which releases an aerosol.
This
aerosol or vapour can then be inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
After a period of use the consumable cartridge becomes depleted. A user can
then
remove and replace the consumable cartridge.
It may be desirable to improve the efficiency of the heat transfer to the
tobacco
within the cartridge. It may also be desirable to be able to securely and
removably
attach the cartridge within the device.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a consumable
cartridge for
an aerosol generation device, the consumable cartridge comprising: a threaded
casing arranged to threadably engage with the aerosol generation device; an
aerosol forming material adapted to form an aerosol upon receiving heat, the
aerosol forming material located within the threaded casing.
In this way, heat may be transferred conductively through the outer casing to
the
aerosol forming material.
Advantageously, having the threaded casing provides a secure attachment when
the cartridge is provided within the aerosol generation device. This further
provides
an easy way to remove the cartridge once the aerosol forming material has been
consumed.
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Advantageously, having the aerosol forming material within the outer casing
allows
improved transfer of heat between the aerosol generation device and the
cartridge,
as the heat is transferred conductively through the outer casing to the
aerosol
forming material.
Preferably, the aerosol forming material can form an aerosol upon receiving
heat
from the aerosol generation device via the threaded casing. Having a threaded
connection to transfer heat from the aerosol generation device to the
cartridge can
increase the surface area of the cartridge that is in contact with the aerosol
generation device. This enables better heat transfer to the aerosol forming
material.
This provides an efficient system as less energy may be required to heat the
aerosol
forming material.
The aerosol forming material may include a carrier material, which may include
a
mixture of propylene glycol (PG) and/or glycerin (G). Preferably, the carrier
material
has a composition of at least 20wr/o. The aerosol forming material may include
ground tobacco particles (e.g. in addition to the carrier material). The
aerosol
forming material may include other materials, such as a flavouring and water
etc.
Preferably the threaded casing is configured to engage a complementary thread
on
the aerosol generation device. This can provide a more secure connection
between
the consumable cartridge and the aerosol generation device. Furthermore, the
surface area of contact can be increased further leading to a more efficient
transfer
of heat.
The gender of the complementary threaded regions may be opposite to one
another. The threaded casing may be a male thread and the complementary thread
on the aerosol generation device may be a female thread, or vice versa.
The pitch of the threaded casing and the complementally threaded regions may
be
selected for purpose. Preferably, they may comprise at least two threads.
Alternatively, they may include three, four, five, or more threads. Preferably
the
mentioned threads are arranged along a pod slide length of 5 ¨ 20 mm. This may
ensure optimum heat transmission balanced against ease of insertion of the
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cartridge. Having a pitch that is too fine (lots of threads per axial
distance) may not be
not optimal as removal and replacement of the cartridge may take too long.
In one arrangement the aerosol generation device may comprise a region with no
thread into which the threaded casing can be screwed. For instance, this
region may
be made of a soft material such as rubber or soft plastic. Alternatively, a
rim may be
provided onto which the threaded casing can be screwed and attached.
Preferably, the casing is externally threaded. Advantageously, this can
provide a
secure connection and efficient transfer of heat to the cartridge. In other
embodiments the casing may comprise a recessed region which is threaded. In
this
instance the casing may be internally threaded.
Preferably, the cartridge comprises a top portion comprising one or more vent
holes,
and a bottom threaded portion, such that heat causes the aerosol to exit the
cartridge through the one or more vent holes. This may enable the flow of
aerosol to
be directed in one direction towards the mouthpiece of the aerosol generation
device. For instance, the heat may be received from the aerosol generation
device
via the bottom threaded portion causing the aerosol to exit through the vent
holes in
the top portion.
In other arrangements the top portion may be open and the bottom threaded
portion
may be closed. Alternatively, or in addition, the top portion may be closed by
a
perforable member.
Preferably, the threaded casing comprises a thermally conductive material.
Advantageously, this enables efficient transfer of heat from the aerosol
generation
device to the cartridge. The thermally conductive material may be selected
from the
group comprising containing Aluminium, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Nickel, Chrome or
alloys thereof. Alternatively, the thermally conductive material may be
ceramic.
Preferably, the bottom threaded portion is longer than the top portion. By
providing
the threaded portion along substantially the entire length of the casing may
improve
the transfer of heat from the aerosol generation device to the aerosol forming
material, improving the efficiency of the device.
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Preferably, the casing of the consumable cartridge comprises metal.
Advantageously, metal casing provides reliable protection for the contents of
the
cartridge. Metal casing is also capable of withstanding the temperatures at
which the
device operates and for conducting heat towards the aerosol forming material.
Alternatively, the consumable cartridge may be comprised of another type of
material, such as ceramic or high temperature plastic.
In one arrangement the casing comprises an electrically resistive portion,
which can
be energised to generate heat. In this way the heating is directly generated
by the
consumable cartridge and there is an efficient uniform transfer of heat to the
aerosol
forming material.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an aerosol
generation system, comprising: the consumable cartridge of any preceding
claim; an
aerosol generation device, comprising: a region for engaging with the threaded
casing of the consumable cartridge.
Advantageously, having the threaded casing provides a secure attachment when
the cartridge is inserted within the aerosol generation device. This further
provides
an easy way to remove the cartridge once the aerosol forming material has been
consumed.
Preferably, the region for engaging with the threaded casing comprises a
complementary thread. Preferably, the aerosol generation device further
comprises
a heater, wherein the region for engaging with the threaded casing is in
thermal
contact with a heater, the heater configured to heat the aerosol forming
material via
the threaded casing.
In some instances, the region for engaging with the threaded casing and the
heater
may be unitary. Alternatively, they may be separate components.
Preferably, the aerosol generation device further comprises an electrical
power
source electrically connectable to the consumable cartridge, such that the
consumable cartridge can generate heat through resistive heating.
Advantageously,
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as the heating is directly generated by the consumable cartridge there is an
efficient
uniform transfer of heat to the aerosol forming material. In some embodiments
heating may be provided by both a heater in the aerosol generation device and
through resistive heating of the cartridge.
5
According to a further aspect there is provided a method of generating vapour
comprising: threadably connecting a consumable cartridge to an aerosol
generation
device; and applying heat through said threads to generate an aerosol from an
aerosol generating material arranged in the consumable.
The method may be performed using the consumable cartridge and the aerosol
generation device of the previous aspects.
Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with
reference
to the drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a front view of a cartridge in an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a side on perspective view of the cartridge depicted in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top down perspective view of a portion of an aerosol generation
device
configured to receive the cartridge depicted in Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a side on perspective view of a cartridge according to a further
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 5 is a schematic view of an electronic cigarette according to an
embodiment
of the present invention;
Figures 6a to 6d are schematic views of a connection system between a
mouthpiece
portion and a cartridge according to an embodiment, and wherein 6a is a detail
of
the connection portion of the mouthpiece portion, 6b and 6c represent a
schematic
top view and a schematic perspective view showing the cooperating connection
portion of the cartridge, and figure 6d is a detailed schematic perspective
view of the
connection portion of the mouthpiece portion;
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Figure 7a is a schematic perspective view of connection portion of a cartridge
according to another embodiment of the invention; and
.. Figure 7b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection system
between the
cartridge of figure 7a and a cooperating mouthpiece portion.
Figures 1 and 2 show a cartridge 10 in a first embodiment of the invention.
The
cartridge 10 has a generally cylindrical shape. The cartridge 10 has an outer
metal
.. casing 13 which accommodates the aerosol generating material, which may be
tobacco (11) illustrated using dotted lines as it is located within the
cartridge The
tobacco material may occupy a portion of the cartridge 10 or may fill the
entire of the
inside of the cartridge. The aerosol generating material may also comprise
tobacco
and an aerosol-forming substance such as propylene glycol or glycerine. The
.. tobacco material may also comprise additional components such as
flavourings,
benzoic acid, tobacco derivatives such as nicotine. A number of other products
and
ingredients may be provided within the outer casing 13, as will be appreciated
by a
person skilled in the art.
.. The cartridge 10 includes vent holes 12 in an upper surface 14. The
cartridge
includes a bottom portion 16 which includes a bottom surface 18. The outer
metal
casing 13 on the bottom portion 16 of the cartridge comprises external threads
20.
The upper surface of the cartridge may comprise a rim 13. The threaded region
20
can be seen as protruding sections 20a, 20b, 20c that form the thread 20 that
extend around the outer casing 13 of the cartridge 10.
As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2 the threading 20 extends along the length
of
the bottom portion 16. However, in other embodiments the threading may only
extend along only a portion of the bottom portion 16. The threading 20 extends
in
the radial direction of the cartridge 10. This enables the threading 20 to
penetrate
into the tobacco material such that heat is transferred to and dispersed
within the
tobacco material.
Figure 3 shows a receiving portion 30 of an aerosol generation device for
receiving
the cartridge 10 of Figures 1 and 2. The receiving portion 30 has a top region
32
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with an opening 34. The receiving portion 30 has a cylindrical inner region
extending
from opening 34 that is matched to receive the cartridge 10. Any shape of
inner
region could be envisaged so long as that it is matched to, and can
accommodate,
the shape of the cartridge 10.
The inner region of the receiving portion 30 is internally threaded 36. The
thread 36
can be seen as protruding sections 36a, 36b that form the thread 36 that
extends
around the inner surface of the inner region of the receiving portion 30. The
thread
36 of the receiving portion 30 is complimentary to the thread 20 on the
cartridge 10.
A heater 38 is attached to the bottom region 40 of the receiving portion 30.
In other
embodiments, the heater may be attached between the bottom region 40 and the
top region 42 of the receiving portion 30, as the skilled person would
understand.
In use, the cartridge 10 is inserted into the receiving portion 30 of the
aerosol
generation device. The cartridge 10 is screwed into the receiving portion 30
through
the opening 34, such that the thread 20 on the cartridge 10 engages with the
thread
36 on the receiving portion 30. The threads 20, 32 provide a secure attachment
between the cartridge 10 and the receiving portion 30, such that the cartridge
10 is
securely attached in the aerosol generation device.
Figure 5 illustrates an electronic cigarette 50 according to an embodiment of
the
present invention. The electronic cigarette 50 comprises a mouthpiece portion
52
and a main body portion 54. The main body portion 52 comprises a cartridge
seating
56, a power supply unit 58 and a control circuitry 60. The cartridge seating
56 is
configured to receive cartridges 10 as described in relation to figures 1 to
4. The
mouthpiece portion comprises a mouthpiece 53 and a vapour flow channel 55. The
mouthpiece portion 52 may further comprise a piercing element 80. The piercing
element 80 is configured to open the cartridge 10 by piercing a vent hole 12
in the
top portion 14 of the cartridge 10, such that the vapour can exit the
cartridge 10
through the vent hole 12 in the top portion 14.
As seen in figures 6a to 6d, 7a and 7b, the electronic cigarette 50 may
comprise
connection system 62 configured to facilitate the insertion and removal of the
cartridge 10 into and from the cartridge seating 56.
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As seen in figures 6a to 6d, the connection system 62 comprises a first
connector 64
located on the cartridge 10 and a second connector 66 located on the
mouthpiece
portion. The first 64 and the second connector 66 may be configured as
cooperating
male and female connectors.
The connection system 62 is thus configured to lock the cartridge 10 to the
mouthpiece portion 52 such that the cartridge 10 and mouthpiece portion 52 are
locked from relative rotation in at least one rotational direction. This
connection
system 62 can be a bayonet coupling as illustrated in figure 6a.
The rim 13 of the cartridge 10 can be provided with a radial protrusion 64.
The
mouthpiece portion 52 can be provided with the second connector 66 comprising
a
cooperating cut-out 67 and a guide slot 68, having an entry 70 and an end 72.
The
cartridge 10 can be connected to the mouthpiece portion 52 when the radial
protrusion 64 is aligned with the cut-out 67, and locked from rotation when
the radial
protrusion 64 is in abutment with the end 72 of the guide slot 68.
The connection system 62 is configured to lock the cartridge 10 to the
mouthpiece
portion 52. When rotating the cartridge 10 in relation to the mouthpiece
portion 52 in
a first direction, the mouthpiece portion 52 and the cartridge 10 are locked
together.
When rotating the cartridge 10 in relation to the mouthpiece portion 52 in a
second
direction, the mouthpiece portion 52 and the cartridge 10 are unlocked (or
disconnected) from each other.
In another embodiment illustrated in figures 7a and 7b, a magnetic connection
system 62 between the cartridge 10 and the mouthpiece portion is provided. The
magnetic connection system 62 facilitates the insertion and removal of the
cartridge
10. The cartridge 10 can be dislodged from the cartridge seating 56 without
having
to touch the cartridge 10. This is particularly advantageous if the cartridge
10 is still
warm after use. The cartridge 10 comprises a connection portion 63 of a
ferromagnetic material. The connection portion 63 can be a located on the
upper
portion (lid) 14 of the cartridge 10 and may be provided around the rim 13. In
other
embodiments, the cartridge casing is made of a ferromagnetic material and may
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therefore act as the cartridge connector. The mouthpiece portion comprises a
second connector 65 in the form of a magnet 65.
In other embodiments, the receiving portion 30 may not have a threaded region
36.
For instance, the inner region may be made of plastic or rubber material. The
cartridge 10 can then be screwed into the receiving portion 30 with the thread
20 of
the cartridge 10 engaging with the soft inner region of the receiving portion
30. In
other embodiments rather than the thread, the receiving portion may comprise a
lip.
The thread 20 of the consumable cartridge 30 is screwed past the lip, such
that the
entire length of the threaded portion 20 is not engaged with the lip when the
cartridge is fully inserted into the receiving portion 30.
In use, when the cartridge 10 is received within the receiving portion 30 of
the
aerosol generation device, heat is applied from the aerosol generation device
to the
cartridge 10. This causes the tobacco within the cartridge 30 to be heated.
Vapours
that are produced by the tobacco can exit the cartridge 10 through the vent
holes
12. It should be understood that although it is shown that the vent holes 12
are on
the upper surface 14, the vent holes 12 may be present in any section of the
outer
casing 13 of the cartridge 10.
Heat is transferred from the aerosol generation device through the receiving
portion
being in contact with the threaded 20 outer casing 13 of the cartridge 10. For
the
embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3, heat is transferred via the complimentary
threaded regions 20, 36 of the cartridge 10 and the receiving portion 30 which
are in
contact with one another. This provides an increase surface area of contact
between
25 the cartridge 10 and the receiving portion 30.
In embodiments where there is no threaded region 34 in the receiving portion
30,
heat is transferred through the contact of the threaded portion 20 of the
cartridge 10
being engaged with the inner surface of the receiving portion 30.
Heat is provided from a heater 38 in the aerosol generation device, which is
in
thermal contact with the receiving portion 30. The heater 38 causes the
receiving
portion 30 to heat enabling the transfer of the heat through the receiving
portion 30
to the cartridge 10 through the threaded casing 13.
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A further embodiment is shown in Figure 4 which shows an embodiment where the
cartridge itself is a heater. In this embodiment the receiving portion 30 may,
or may
not, have a heater 38.
5 As can be seen a wire 40 is helically wound around the cartridge 10
following the
direction of the thread 20. In Figure 4 the wire 40 is located within a recess
of the
thread 20, such that the wire 40 does not interfere with the threading action
of the
thread 20. In other embodiments the wire 40 may be located inside the casing
13 of
the cartridge 10. A first end of the wire 42 is attached to a positive
polarity and the
10 second end of the wire 44 is attached to the opposite negative polarity.
An electric current is applied to the wire 40 via an electrical power source.
This
causes the wire 40 to heat through resistive heating, transferring heat to the
cartridge 10 causing the aerosol generation material contained therein to be
heated.
Alternatively, the wire 40 may be two wires, which are insulated from one
another
along the length of the cartridge 10 to prevent a short circuit. The wires
being
electrically connected to one another near one end of the cartridge 10. This
means
the electrical power only needs to be supplied at one end of the cartridge 10.
