Patent Publication Number: US-2020281266-A1

Title: Consumable Cartridge For An Aerosol Generation Device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/075755, filed Sep. 24, 2018, published in English, which claims priority to European Application No. 17192995.3 filed Sep. 25, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     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 is desirable to improve the efficiency of the cartridges in order to extend their life and to ensure that tobacco is fully depleted when the cartridge is replaced. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a consumable cartridge for an aerosol generation device, the consumable cartridge comprising: an aerosol forming material adapted to form an aerosol upon receiving heat from the aerosol generation device; and a partitioning element configured to partition the aerosol forming material into a first portion and a second portion, wherein an airflow path extends in a first direction in the first portion and a second direction in the second portion, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction. 
     In this way, an airflow can be directed along the airflow path by the partitioning element through the first portion and the second portion of the aerosol forming material. By directing an airflow in the first direction and in an opposite (second) direction the aerosol forming material can be exposed to the airflow better. The interaction between the aerosol forming material and the airflow can therefore be improved which can improve the efficiency of the cartridge. 
     The airflow path may enter the cartridge at one end and may exit the cartridge at the same end, or at an opposite end. 
     Preferably the partitioning element is configured to partition the aerosol forming material into first, second and third portions, wherein the airflow extends in the third portion in the first direction. In a further preferable arrangement the partitioning element is configured to partition the aerosol forming material into a fourth portion, wherein the airflow extends in the fourth portion in the second direction. 
     The partitioning element may be substantially cross-shaped so that the aerosol forming material is divided into substantially equally sized portions. The partitioning element may include components that are angled at substantially 90 degrees with respect to one another. 
     Preferably the airflow is sinuous between the first and second portions. Thus, the airflow may extend in a substantially linear direction in the respective portions, and may be curved between the portions. In particular, the airflow may be curved around the ends of the partitioning element. When a cross-shaped partitioning element is used, the airflow may extend circumferentially around a central axis of the cross with a sinuous profile. 
     Preferably the cartridge comprises an outer casing, and the partitioning element is attached to the outer casing. In this way, the partitioning element can be integral with the outer casing. The partitioning element can therefore be part of the consumable cartridge even when it is not installed in the aerosol generation device. 
     The partitioning element may comprise a heating element. The heating element is preferably part of the aerosol generation device. In some arrangements, there may be a plurality of partitioning elements. One partitioning element may be attached to the outer shell and integral with the consumable cartridge, and another partitioning element may be part of the aerosol generation device and present when the consumable cartridge is installed in the aerosol generation device. 
     The aerosol forming material may be arranged to form a guide within which the partitioning element can be positioned. Thus, the partitioning element may be inserted into the guide or slot in the aerosol forming material. For example, a heating device in the aerosol generating device may be received in the guide in order to function as the partitioning element. 
     The first and second portions have first and second lengths that are parallel to the first and second directions, and the length of the partitioning element may be less than the first and second lengths of the portions of aerosol forming material. This can facilitate the sinuous airflow profile because the airflow can loop around the ends of the partitioning element. 
     According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an aerosol generation device, comprising: a heater; a consumable cartridge comprising an aerosol forming material adapted to form an aerosol upon receiving heat from the heater; and a partitioning element configured to partition the aerosol forming material into a first portion and a second portion, wherein an airflow path extends in a first direction in the first portion and in a second direction in the second portion, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction. 
     Preferably the aiflow path extends within the aerosol generation device. In particular, the aerosol generation device may be used to generate the airflow and supply the airflow to the aerosol forming material. In this way, the airflow can be generated within the aerosol generation device, supplied to the consumable cartridge, and exhausted from the consumable cartridge. 
     There may be a plurality of partitioning elements. In some arrangements the heater may function as the partitioning element. In other arrangements the partitioning element may be integral with the consumable cartridge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a cartridge in an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the cartridge depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a cartridge and a complementary heater in another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the cartridge depicted in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a heater for use with the cartridges shown in any of  FIGS. 1-4, 6 and 7 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a cartridge in another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the cartridge depicted in  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a heater for use with the cartridge depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a cartridge  10  in a first embodiment of the invention. The cartridge  10  has a generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section and a domed top. The cartridge  10  has an outer metal casing which accommodates 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 20 wt %. 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. 
     The cartridge  10  includes vent holes  12  in an upper surface  20  and entry/exit holes  14 ,  16  in a bottom surface  18 . A rectangular slot  22  is provided in the bottom surface  18 . The slot  22  extends in the interior of the cartridge  10  such that it provides a first partition wall  24 , dividing the tobacco into a first portion  26  and a second portion  28 . 
     In use, an airflow is directed into the entry hole  14 . The airflow extends through the first portion  26  of the tobacco, loops over top of the first partition wall  24 , and extends in an opposite direction though the second portion  28  of the tobacco. Air can then exit the cartridge  10  through the exit hole  16 . Vapours that are produced by the tobacco can exit the cartridge  10  through the exit hole  16  and/or the vent holes  12 . The airflow therefore traverses the first portion  26  before entering the second portion  28 , which is located on an opposite side of the first partition wall  24 . The airflow traverses the second portion  28  of the tobacco before exiting the cartridge  10  through the exit hole  16 . 
     The cartridge  10  is compatible for use with a conventional heater, having a planar surface that abuts the bottom surface  18  of the cartridge. Additionally, the cartridge  10  can be used with the heater  30  shown in  FIG. 5 . The heater  30  is shaped like an inverted T, having a projection  32  that matches the shape of the slot  22 . This can advantageously increase the surface area of the cartridge  10  that is in contact with the heater  30 . This can improve the efficiency of heating. In addition, heating can be provided more effectively to tobacco within the interior of the cartridge. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show a cartridge  110  in a second embodiment of the invention. The cartridge  110  is similar to the cartridge  10  in the first embodiment, except that second and third partition walls  134 ,  136  are provided. The second and third partition walls  134 ,  136  extend in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first partition wall  124 . The second and third partition walls  134 ,  136  extend from a position that is slightly above the bottom surface  118  of the cartridge  110  to a height that is slightly less than the height of the first partition wall  124 . Thus, a slight gap is provided between the bottom surface  118  of the cartridge  110  and the bottom of the second and third partition walls  134 ,  136 . 
     The cartridge  110  in the second embodiment is compatible for use with the heater  30  shown in  FIG. 5 , which can extend into the slot  122 . 
     In use, an airflow is directed into the entry hole  114 . The airflow extends upwards in the cartridge  110  through a first portion  126  of the tobacco, loops over the top of the first partition wall  124 , and extends in an opposite direction though a second portion  128  of the tobacco. The airflow then loops under the third partition wall  136 , between the bottom of the third partition wall  136  and the bottom surface  118 , and extends upwards in a third portion  130  of the tobacco. The airflow then loops once more over the top of the first partition wall  124  to extend downwards in a fourth portion  132  of the tobacco before it can exit the cartridge  110  through the exit hole  116 . Vapours and/or aerosols that are produced by the tobacco can exit the cartridge  110  through the exit hole  116  and/or the vent holes  112 . In this way, the airflow traverses the first portion  126  before entering the second portion  128 , and traverses the second portion  128  before entering the third portion  130 . The airflow traverses the third portion  130  before entering the fourth portion  132 , and traverses the fourth portion  132  before exiting the cartridge  110  through the exit hole  116 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show a cartridge  210  in a third embodiment of the invention. In this arrangement a cross-shaped slot  222  is provided in the bottom surface  218 . The cross-shaped slot  222  extends upwards within the cartridge  210  to divide the tobacco into first, second, third and fourth portions  226 ,  228 ,  230 ,  232 . The cross-shaped slot  222  includes a first partition wall  224  that extends across the full diameter of the bottom surface  218 . Second and third partition walls  234 ,  236  extend in a direction that is perpendicular to the first partition wall  224 . The second and third partition walls  234 ,  236  extend radially away from the first partition wall  224 , but do not extend as far as the circumferential edge of the bottom surface  218 . 
     Thus, a gap is provided between the edges of the second and third partition walls  234 ,  236  and an inner surface of the casing. The second and third partition walls  234 ,  236  extend from the bottom surface  218  of the cartridge  210  to a height that is slightly less than the height of the first partition wall  224 . 
     The cartridge  210  in the third embodiment is compatible for use with the heater  330  shown in  FIG. 8 . The heater  330  is cross-shaped and includes walls that match the shape of the cross-shaped slot  222 . The heater  330  can therefore be fitted into the cross-shaped slot  222  in order to provide even heating of the tobacco in the cartridge  210 . 
     In use, an airflow is directed into the entry hole  214 . The airflow extends upwards in the cartridge  210  through a first  226  of the tobacco, loops over the top of the first partition wall  224 , and extends in an opposite direction though a second portion  228  of the tobacco. The airflow then loops circumferentially around the third partition wall  236 . The airflow then loops once more over the top of the first partition wall  224  to extend downwards in a fourth portion  232  of the tobacco before it can exit the cartridge  210  through the exit hole  216 . Vapours that are produced by the tobacco can exit the cartridge  210  through the exit hole  216  and/or the vent holes  212 . 
     In the embodiments described above the cartridges  10 ,  110 ,  210  include internal walls, connected to the outer casing, that define the slots  22 ,  122 ,  222 . In another embodiment the slots  22 ,  122 ,  222  may be defined simply by a gap in the packed tobacco. Thus, partition walls may be defined by the heater  30 ,  330  when it is received in the relevant slot  22 ,  122 ,  222 .