Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising a reservoir with a failure area. The invention also relates to such first reservoir with the failure area.

There are several e-vapor devices known and available on the market and the most of them have issues such as leakage of the e-liquid. It is typically caused by the liquid flowing of the air inlet of and excessive flow to the vapor generating unit which than floods and leaks from the mouthpiece. The leaked liquid prepares also several problems in the device. One of them is the sticking together of the mechanical, electrical and/or electronic components thereby lead ing to the fact that the device can no longer be used

It is therefore the objective of the invention to improve the liquid flow from one reservoir to another reservoir within an aerosol generating device thereby avoiding the leakage. Further more, the objective of the invention is to provide such an aerosol generating device and a corresponding reservoir.

The above-mentioned requirement is met by the object of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are objects of the dependent claims.

An aerosol generating device according to the invention comprises a first reservoir, a second reservoir and a mouthpiece sequentially arranged one after another along a predefined direc tion. Preferably the predefined direction runs along a fictional axis, preferably an y-axis. The first reservoir comprises an aerosolisable liquid which is transportable towards the second reservoir through at least one opening thereby creating a liquid flow path.

Preferably the second reservoir comprises at least the aerosolized liquid. The aerosol gener ating device further comprises at least one aerosol generating unit arranged in the second reservoir for generating inhalable aerosol which flows to the mouthpiece thereby creating an aerosol flow path. Preferably the liquid flow path and the aerosol flow path are both parallel to the y-axis. Preferably the aerosol generating unit is arranged directly next to the opening of the first reservoir. In this context “directly next to the opening” means that the aerosol gen erating unit is in liquid connection at least during the use of the device.

The aerosol generating device according to the invention is characterized in that the first res ervoir comprises a mechanically deformable failure area, preferably several deformable fail ure areas, which allows a predefined transportation of the aerosolisable liquid along the liquid flow path as consequence of a force application on the first reservoir.

The aerosolisable liquid comprised in the first reservoir is preferably heated up by the aerosol generating unit thereby generating a vapor. Preferably the generated vapor cools down and condenses thereby forming an inhalable aerosol. Due to this, the first reservoir preferably comprises a flavored liquid with which a smokable or inhalable aerosol can be formed.

In a preferred embodiment, the applied force on the first reservoir leads to a reversible elastic deformation of the failure area. In this case, the deformation of the failure area is preferably non-permanent. The failure area preferably returns to the original state, when the force appli cation no longer lasts. Due to this, preferably the first reservoir and/or its failure areas com prises at least a material with a high elasticity. The advantage of the reversible deformation is, that the first reservoir, in particular its opening, is preferably closed again as soon as the force no longer acts. This can be achieved by the opening which can be opened during the force application. The elastic material of the failure area preferably expands during the force application and thus exposes the opening.

Preferably the first reservoir comprises a rigid surrounding wall with a non-rigid part being the failure area. In this context a surrounding wall means that one or a number of walls surround a volume thereby forming a reservoir with at least one opening for supplying the aerosol gen- erating unit and another opening as an air inlet. Preferably the primary reservoir with a great est fullness or fill level comprises a volume in range of 5 ml and 30 ml, preferably 7 ml and 20 ml, also preferably 8 ml and 15 ml, most preferred 10 ml. It is advantageous to provide a first reservoir with a volume surrounded by the non-rigid wall with at least a usual volume for reservoirs fur use in the aerosol generating devices.

In another preferred embodiment, the applied force on the first reservoir leads to an irreversi ble plastic deformation of the failure area. In this case, the deformation of the failure area is preferably permanent. Preferably the failure area does not return to the original state, when the force application no longer lasts. Also preferably the reservoir and/or its failure area com prises at least a material with a high plasticity. The advantage of the irreversible deformation is, that the first reservoir is preferably safe from tampering. Preferably the failure area serves as an internal safety mark or indicator.

Preferably the failure area or the first reservoir comprises a predetermined breaking point de fined by a structure, shape or design that preferably breaks predictably under applied force. Preferably such breaking point is a notch, a perforation or a scribe mark which decisively weakens the failure area by the notch effect. Also preferably the failure area is preferably connected to an external safety mark or indicator. In this case, the consequence is that the user can see, if the first reservoir is tampered from the outside of the aerosol generating de vice. Such external safety mark could preferably be an external deformation of a housing of the device which is visible from the outside.

Preferably the second reservoir particularly meets the purpose of an aerosolization chamber. The aerosolisable liquid leaded to the second reservoir preferably touches or reaches the aer osol generating unit which preferably represents an end section of the liquid flow path. Fur thermore, the aerosol generating unit also preferably represents an initial section of the aerosol flow path.

Preferably the aerosolisable liquid is extractable by a mechanical force application on the first reservoir and/or a housing of the aerosol generating device. Also preferably the force applica tion on the first reservoir and/or the housing results by pressing on at least one predefined pressing area or by displacing of the mouthpiece regarding to the housing of the aerosol gen erating device. Additionally or alternatively, the first reservoir is preferably sealed in a gas-tight manner. The aerosolisable liquid comprised in the sealed first reservoir is preferable extractable by pressing the liquid into at least the second reservoir. As the user pushes the aerosolisable liquid himself to the aerosol generating unit and the second reservoir, he has the control about supplying the aerosol generating unit with liquid.

Additionally or alternatively, the second reservoir preferably comprises at least one protrusion being an actuator. Preferably the protrusion or actuator applies force to the failure area of the first reservoir.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device, especially the first reservoir, preferably comprises means for determining the fill level of the aerosolisable liquid in the first reservoir. It is conceivable to determine the fill level of the first reservoir by several methods, for example weight change of the first reservoir.

According to another embodiment, the force can be effected at least in part along a longitudinal and/or transversal direction of the aerosol generating device resulting a compression of the aerosol generating device and extraction of the aerosolisable liquid. The longitudinal and trans versal directions are perpendicular to the predefined direction of the aerosol generating device and to each other.

Preferably the failure area of the first reservoir is irreversible or reversible deformable due to the compression. In case of the irreversible deformation, the first reservoir preferably supplies the aerosol generating unit with the aerosolisable liquid after a breakage of the failure area. Preferably the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir comprise means for liquid transpor tation. Preferably the second reservoir comprises a tube being a liquid leading channel which is insertable into the first reservoir immediately after failing and/or breaking the failure area. It is also conceivable that the second or first reservoir comprise a porous material which supplies the aerosol generating unit with liquid due to the capillary force. Preferably the porous material is a part of the aerosol generating unit, wherein at least this part is insertable into the first reservoir after breaking the failure area.

According to another embodiment, the first reservoir of the aerosol generating device is de formable at least in part along the longitudinal and/or transversal direction. Preferably the aer- osol generating device further comprises one or more failure areas which are deformable sim ilar to the failure areas of the first reservoir. Due to this, the aerosol generating device is pref erably compressible along the longitudinal and/or transversal direction thereby causing the deformation of the first reservoir.

According to another embodiment, a housing of the aerosol generating device is deformable at least in part along the longitudinal and/or transversal direction. Also preferably the housing comprises failure areas for transmitting the applied force on the first reservoir. Preferably the failure areas of the device and/or the housing comprise at least buttons or pressure points which exert the force on the first reservoir.

According to another embodiment, the force can be effected at least in part along or against the predefined direction. Preferably the mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device is mova ble connected to the housing of the aerosol generating device. Preferably the aerosolisable liquid is extractable off the first reservoir by shifting the mouthpiece along the predefined direc tion, preferably y-axis, regarding to the housing. It is conceivable that the second reservoir is mechanically connected to the mouthpiece. In this case, the second reservoir is preferably moveable simultaneously to the mouthpiece. Preferably the movement of the second reservoir causes the irreversible or reversible deformation of the failure area of the first reservoir.

In a preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that the mouthpiece is preferably fixable to the housing. In this case, preferably the failure area of the first reservoir is irreversible deformed.

According to another embodiment, the aerosol generating unit comprises means for generating aerosol, preferably a coil, also preferably a heater.

The aerosol generating unit preferably comprises a heater and/or another components for aer- osolization of the liquid. Preferably the leaded aerosolisable liquid of the first reservoir touches a surface of the aerosol generating unit, particularly of the heater. It is therefore particularly advantageous to arrange the aerosol generating unit parallel to the opening of the first reser voir. This eliminates the need for mechanical guiding the aerosolisable liquid via liquid channel.

It is possible to use an aerosol generating unit which is formed as a heating ring especially with a narrow through-hole. The through-hole preferably comprises a diameter in range of 0.5 mm and 3 mm, also preferably of 0.8 and 1.5 mm. The heating ring preferably comprises at least heating surfaces which aerosolize the aerosolisable liquid by getting in contact. Prefera bly the liquid flow path passes through the heating ring and ends there. Due to this, the user can control the liquid flow between two reservoirs and additionally minimize leakage by only drawing on the mouthpiece. The reliable liquid supply of the aerosol generating unit is prefer ably guaranteed.

Preferably the heater vaporizes the aerosolisable liquid to produce aerosol or vapor. Also pref erably the heater comprises at least one resistive heater coil and a wick, which extends therethrough. Preferably the wick delivers the aerosolisable liquid via capillary force thereby supplying the coil or heater with the liquid. It is conceivable that such heater is arranged in the second reservoir. In this case the second reservoir is in fluid connection to the first reservoir at least during and/or after applying force on the first reservoir. Preferably the aerosolisable liquid is collectable at least in a part of the second reservoir which supplies the aerosol generating unit, preferably the heater or wick and coil, with the liquid. Due to this, it is conceivable that the aerosol generating unit, preferably the heater, is in fluid connection at least to the second res ervoir.

According to another embodiment, the mouthpiece is movable with respect to the housing of the aerosol generating device along and/or against the predefined direction, wherein the mouthpiece provides force on the first reservoir and/or the failure area.

In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece is preferably shiftable along the predefined direc tion of the device together with the second reservoir. It is conceivable that the whole first res ervoir comprises flexible material which is compressible thereby causing extracting of the aer osolisable liquid. It is also conceivable that the mouthpiece, preferably but not necessarily with the second reservoir, are movable to the initial position thereby causing relaxation of the failure area or the first reservoir. Preferably a shifting distance of the mouthpiece and/or the second reservoir is proportional to a fill level of the first reservoir.

According to another embodiment, a fibrous material, preferably a wick, comprised in the sec ond reservoir supplies the aerosol generating unit with the aerosolisable liquid. Preferably the wick comprises cotton or other fibrous materials for suppling the coil with the liquid.

According to another embodiment, the first reservoir comprises a non-rigid material at least in part. Preferably the non-rigid material comprises flexible polymers, silicons or elastic rubber. According to another embodiment, the second reservoir comprises at least one channel which leads the generated aerosol from the aerosol generating unit to the mouthpiece. Preferably the aerosol leading channel is mechanically connected to the mouthpiece and/or the second res ervoir.

According to another embodiment, the opening is a nozzle, preferably a one way nozzle, which seals the first reservoir against the liquid flow path. Preferably the nozzle is an annular nozzle. Also preferably the nozzle comprises a cone body with an interior fluid manifold. The cone preferably comprises a retaining groove and a fluid groove. Preferably the opening or nozzle allows the liquid flow only in one direction along the liquid flow path preventing flow back through the opening or the nozzle. It is also conceivable to use other nozzles or valves for preventing the flow back of the aerosolisable liquid against the liquid flow path and allowing it to flow along the liquid flow path.

According to another embodiment, the opening is a mechanical and fluidic connection between the first reservoir and the second reservoir. Preferably the opening or the nozzle are sealed in a fluid tight manner, if the first reservoir does not receive force. Due to this, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the aerosol generating device.

The objective is also reached by a first reservoir for an aerosol generating device. The first reservoir, a second reservoir and a mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device are sequen tially arranged one after another along a predefined direction. The first reservoir comprises an aerosolisable liquid which is transportable towards the second reservoir through at least one opening thereby creating a liquid flow path.

Thus, preferably the first reservoir for the aerosol generating device comprises the aerosolisa ble liquid which is transportable through at least one opening thereby creating the liquid flow path.

The first reservoir according to the invention is characterized in that the first reservoir com prises a mechanically deformable failure area which allows a predefined transportation of the aerosolisable liquid along the liquid flow path as a consequence of a force application on the first reservoir. Such first reservoirs are preferably used at least in electronic smoking articles or the aerosol generating devices as a consumable supply. It is conceivable that the first reservoir is refillable and/or replaceable, if the reservoir is empty. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device comprises more than one first reservoirs. In such a case, preferably the second reser voir is in fluid connection to all first reservoirs for ensuring the aerozolization of the liquid. It is particularly advantageous to use different flavors of the aerosolisable liquids for delivering dif ferent aerosol tastes with only one device. In this case, the user has no need to change the reservoirs if he would like to consume another aerosolisable liquid. Therefore, it is conceivable that the aerosol generating device further comprises means for connecting and/or disconnect ing the different first reservoirs with at least the second reservoir or the aerosol generating unit. Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, in the following description with reference to the appended figures. In the figures, like components in different embodiments can exhibit the same reference sym bols.

The figures show:

Fig. 1 schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device comprising a first reservoir being compressible along the longitudinal and/or transversal di rection;

Fig. 2 schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device comprising a mouthpiece which is shiftable along the predefined direction;

Fig. 3 schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device with shifted mouthpiece.

Figure 1 shows schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device 1 comprising a first reservoir 2 being compressible along the longitudinal and/or transversal direction L, T. Preferably the shown aerosol generating device 1 further comprises a second reservoir 3 and a housing 11 which preferably covers all components of the device 1. The housing 11 preferably comprises deformable predefined pressing areas 12. Preferably the first reservoir 2 comprises aerosolisable liquid. Preferably the housing 11 comprises a mouthpiece espe cially as a part of the housing 11. Preferably the first reservoir 2 comprises predefined pressing areas 12 which are reversible or irreversible deformable, if the user applies force cf on them along the longitudinal and/or transversal axis L, T. Preferably the pressing areas of the housing 11 are in direct contact to the pressing areas 12 of the first reservoir 2 during the force application cf. During the force application cf, the first reservoir 2 preferably extracts an aerosolisable liquid through an opening 5.

Preferably the first reservoir 2 comprises at least one air inlet 4 for pressure equalization in side the reservoir 2 after pressing on the predefined pressing areas 12. It is conceivable that the air inlet 4 is arranged parallel to the opening 5 in the bottom of the first reservoir. But it is also possible to arrange the air inlet in another position. Also preferably, an air flow path 6 is defined by the air which is ingested in the air inlet 4. Preferably the air flow path 6 pasts the first 2 and second 3 reservoirs.

Preferably the first reservoir 2 further comprises a failure area or point 9. It is conceivable that the failure area 9 comprises a tearable foil which covers the opening 5 of the first reser voir 2. In case of the preferred embodiment with the irreversible deformation of the failure area 9, it is conceivable that the first reservoir 2 is sealed with the failure area 9. After apply ing force cf at the first time, the failure area 9 breaks. Preferably in this case the predefined pressing areas 12 of the housing and/or the first reservoir 2 comprise buttons or other inter locking means which achieve the irreversible deformation.

In another preferred embodiment, the failure area 9 comprises an elastic foil. It is conceiva ble that the failure area 9 covers the opening 5 or comprises the opening 5. In this case, the failure area 9 is preferably expandable and/or contractible. During the force application cf, the failure area 9 expands and uncovers the opening 5 of the first reservoir 2. At the same time, preferably the first reservoir 2 extracts the aerosolisable liquid along a liquid flow path to an aerosol generating unit 8. When the force cf no longer acts, the failure area 9 prefera bly contracts and thereby covers the opening 5.

Preferably the aerosol generating unit 8 is comprised in the second reservoir 3. Also prefera bly the aerosol generating unit 8 comprises wick and coil 8a for generating aerosol. It is con ceivable that a part of the aerosol generating unit 8, preferably the wick 8a, soaks the ex tracted aerosolisable liquid thereby supplying the aerosol generating unit 8 with the liquid. Preferably the coil 8a heats the soaked liquid in the wick thereby creating vapor which cools down and generates inhalable aerosol.

In another embodiment, the applied force cf achieves that the liquid bursts out of the first res ervoir 2 thereby reaching the aerosol generating unit 8 or the coil 8a directly.

Preferably the generated aerosol flows along an aerosol flow path af to the mouthpiece 7, in particular to an opening in the mouthpiece.

Figures 2 and 3 show a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device 1 comprising a mouthpiece 7 which is shiftable or movable along the predefined direction V. The shown aerosol generating device 1 comprises a first 2 and second 3 reservoir with the aerosol generating unit 8. In particular, the shown aerosol generating device 1 is similar to the device 1 shown in figure 1. The only difference between shown devices 1 is that the first reservoir 2 receives force cf along the predefined direction V, preferably via the mouthpiece 7.

In the shown embodiment, the mouthpiece 7 is a separated component of the aerosol gener ating device 1. Preferably the mouthpiece 7 is mechanically connected to the second reser voir 3 thereby acting as force transmission. The second reservoir 3 preferably comprises at least one actuator 10, preferably a protrusion which transmits the applied force cf on the fail ure point 9.

In figure 2 is shown that no force cf is applied to the mouthpiece 7 and the first reservoir 2. The opening 5 of the first reservoir 2 is preferably sealed or closed (as described above in figure 1). The failure area 9 is preferably in mechanical connection to the actuator 10, but the actuator 10 does not apply the force cf on the failure area 9.

In figure 3 is shown that the mouthpiece 7 applies force cf on the first reservoir 2, preferably the failure area 9. The failure area 9 is preferably pressed under the effect of force cf of the mouthpiece 7. In particular, the failure area 9 is elastically deformed due to the mechanical connection to the second reservoir 3 which comprises the actuator 10. Thus, the first reser voir 2 extracts the liquid along the liquid flow path If to the aerosol generating unit 8. The mouthpiece 7 comprises preferably a common shape for aerosol generating devices.

But it is also conceivable that the mouthpiece 7 further comprises at least one flexible part which is extendable during the force application cf (not shown). In this case, the flexible part of the mouthpiece 7 preferably extends proportional to the force application cf. However, it is conceivable that only a part of the mouthpiece 7 is movable regarding the housing 11 (not shown). In this case it is advantageous, that the movable part of the mouthpiece 7 is con nected to the second reservoir 3.

In another embodiment, the mouthpiece 7 comprises a rigid material and glides along the y- axis. It is conceivable that the mouthpiece 7 is fixable in a predefined position on the housing 11 of the device 1. Therefore, the housing 11 preferably comprises fixing positions (not shown) on which the mouthpiece 7 is attachable.

The applicant reserves his right to claim all features disclosed in the application document as being an essential feature of the invention, as long as they are new, individually or in combi nation, in view of the prior art. Furthermore, it is noted that in the figures features are described, which can be advantageous individually. Someone skilled in the art will directly recognize that a specific feature being disclosed in a figure can be advantageous also without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, someone skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can evolve from a combination of diverse features being disclosed in one or vari ous figures.

List of reference symbols 1 aerosol generating device

2 first reservoir

3 second reservoir

4 air inlet

5 opening / valve / nozzle 6 air flow path

7 mouthpiece

8 aerosol generating unit

8a wick and coil

9 failure point / failure area 10 actuator

11 housing of the device

12 predefined pressing area af aerosol flow path

If liquid flow path cf compressing force

V predefined direction

Y y-axis

T transversal axis / transversal direction

L longitudinal axis / longitudinal direction