Patent ID: 12185758

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “covering” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or covering the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of example embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG.1shows an example embodiment of a cartridge. The cartridge comprises a first liquid storage portion10. The cartridge may also include a second liquid storage portion10.1. The first liquid storage portion10and the second liquid storage portion10.1are provided separate from each other such that each liquid storage portion separately encloses a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The first liquid storage portion10may hold an aerosol-forming substrate comprising 40% by weight glycerine, 40% by weight propylene glycol, 20% by weight water, and flavourings. The second liquid storage portion10.1may hold an aerosol-forming substrate comprising nicotine and no flavourings.

The first liquid storage portion10comprises a first housing12and the second liquid storage portion10.1comprises a second housing12.1. The first housing12comprises a first opening14and the second housing12.1comprises a second opening14.1. Through the openings14,14.1, liquid aerosol-forming substrate can flow from the inside of the housings12,12.1to the outside of the housings12,12.1. The openings14,14.1are covered with permeable heater assemblies16,16.1. In other words, a first permeable heater assembly16extends across the first opening14and a second permeable heater assembly16.1extends across the second opening14.1.

The permeable heater assemblies16,16.1are provided to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, thereby generating an aerosol. By providing two permeable heater assemblies16,16.1, twice the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate can be vaporized. Adjacent to the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1inside the housings12,12.1, capillary elements (not shown in the Figures) can be provided. The capillary elements can be provided to convey the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the inside of the housings12,12.1to the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1.

In order to heat the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1, the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1are provided with contact portions19,19.1such that an electric current can flow through the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1, thereby heating the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1. Furthermore, the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1may be provided as a mesh wherein the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1each comprise multiple electrically conductive filaments22. The electrically conductive filaments22are provided to enable liquid aerosol-forming substrate to permeate through the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1. The surface of the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1, which can be utilized for vaporising the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, are thus enlarged. The electrically conductive filaments22run parallel to the side surfaces of the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1. The electrically conductive filaments22may also run diagonal to the side surfaces of the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1.

The aerosol is generated adjacent to the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1in an airflow channel20. The airflow channel20is arranged between the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1within the cartridge. The airflow channel20may be provided as a central channel within the cartridge.

Due to the airflow channel20being arranged between the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is heated and vaporised from two sides. Thus, a relatively homogeneous aerosol is created in the airflow channel. To facilitate a more homogeneous generation of aerosol, more than two permeable heater assemblies16,16.1can be provided. For example, three heater assemblies can be provided to form an airflow channel with a triangular shape.

InFIG.1, the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1do not extend along the full height of the cartridge. Thus, an aerosol is created by the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1in a first portion24of the cartridge and the aerosol can cool while flowing through the rest of the cartridge, i.e. through a second portion26of the cartridge in the flow direction28. While cooling, larger droplets form in the aerosol. The length of the first portion24cartridge may be 5 millimeters and the length of the second portion26cartridge may be 3 centimeters. The length of the first portion24may be around 16 percent of the length of the second portion26.

The permeable heater assemblies16,16.1are electrically connected to each other by means of an electrical connection30. Thus, the first permeable heater assembly16and the second permeable heater assembly16.1may each be connected at the first contact portion19to a power supply of an aerosol-generating system. The first contact portion19is connected to the power supply by means of electric connectors18,18.1.

The electrical connection30is provided to preheat the flow of air, flowing through the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1in the flow direction28. Thus, less air cools on the mesh of the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1, which in turn leads to a smaller temperature gradient along the mesh patches. Consequently, more uniform thermal conditions of vaporization and narrower droplet size distribution of the produced aerosol is/are achieved.

Depicted inFIG.4are two electrical connections30,30.1. Multiple electrical connections may be provided between the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1. Thus, the preheating of the flow of air may be improved.

InFIG.4, the first electrical connection30is provided with a first contact32and the second electrical connection30.1is provided with a second contact32.1. By the contacts32,32.1and the voltage applied by means of the two contact portions19, a wheatstone bridge is created. The wheatstone bridge is utilized to measure the electrical resistance of the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1. In this regard, the voltage between the first contact32and the second contact32.1is measured. If a non-zero voltage is measured, a nonuniform resistance of the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1is detected. In other words, if a non-zero voltage is measured, the electrical resistance of the first permeable heater assembly16is different from the electrical resistance of the second permeable heater assembly16.1. Consequently, also a different temperature of the two permeable heater assemblies16,16.1is detected, since a different electrical resistance leads to different temperatures during heating of the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1. Thus, by means of the contacts32,32.1, the resistance and temperature of the two permeable heater assemblies16,16.1is monitored.

The cartridge is provided connectable to the aerosol-generating system. The cartridge may be provided as a one-use cartridge, which is disposed once the liquid aerosol-forming substrate in the liquid storage portions10,10.1is depleted. Alternatively, the cartridge may be configured for refilling and reuse.

During use, an application of negative pressure on the aerosol-generating system activates the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1such that the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1vaporise the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. A flow sensor may be provided to sense the application of negative pressure on the aerosol-generating system. Upon detection of the application of negative pressure on the aerosol-generating system, the electric circuitry controls a flow of electric current through the permeable heater assemblies16,16.1.

While a number of example embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations may be possible. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.