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.

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 generaton 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.

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 bottom view of the cartridge depicted in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a front view of a cartridge and a complementary heater in another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the cartridge depicted in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view of a heater for use with the cartridges shown in any of Figures 1 -4, 6 and 7.

Figure 6 is a front view of a cartridge in another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a bottom view of the cartridge depicted in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a heater for use with the cartridge depicted in Figures 6 and 7.

Figures 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 20wt%. 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 Figure 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.

Figures 3 and 4 show a cartridge 1 10 in a second embodiment of the invention. The cartridge 1 10 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 1 18 of the cartridge 1 10 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 1 18 of the cartridge 1 10 and the bottom of the second and third partition walls 134, 136.

The cartridge 1 10 in the second embodiment is compatible for use with the heater 30 shown in Figure 5, which can extend into the slot 122. In use, an airflow is directed into the entry hole 1 14. The airflow extends upwards in the cartridge 1 10 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 1 18, 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 1 10 through the exit hole 1 16. Vapours and/or aerosols that are produced by the tobacco can exit the cartridge 1 10 through the exit hole 1 16 and/or the vent holes 1 12. 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 1 10 through the exit hole 1 16.

Figures 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 Figure 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, 1 10, 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.