AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of aerosol generation devices, and more particularly to electronic cigarettes configured to generation aerosol from aqueous nicotine formulations.

BACKGROUND

Electronic cigarettes typically function as condensation aerosol generators, which operate by vaporizing a liquid such as a nicotine-based composition via heat applied by a heat source. Upon cooling, the vapor condenses to form an aerosol comprising droplets of liquid or particles which can be inhaled by a user through a mouthpiece.

The heated liquid in electronic cigarettes usually includes a composition or mixture of nicotine with humectants, having relatively low latent heat of vaporization, such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG). Said composition is typically referred to as“e -juice”. The liquid mixture is typically drawn into a wicking material that is in contact with a heating element, which may consist a coil of a conducting material to be heated when electric current is driven there through. When not contacted with a liquid, or after the liquid is substantially evaporated the temperature of the coil can reach in some instances a temperature of over 800 degrees Celsius.

In some e-cigarettes, nicotine is provided as a propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin formulation, and evaporated together with said solvents. The condensation of nicotine vapor is facilitated by formation of nucleation sites comprising condensed PG and/or VG. Thus, in this type of e-cigarettes PG and/or VG provides the necessary nucleation centers for nicotine condensation.

One particular drawback stems from the fact that such products, while carrying a smaller risk than that associated with conventional cigarettes, still present health risks due to the evolution of hazardous compounds arising from heating propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin to elevated temperatures, as well as pyrolysis products of over-heated nicotine.

WO 2016/059630 discloses a nebulizer comprising a porous medium configured to produce aerosols, a displaceable wetting mechanism configured to spread a liquid over the porous medium thereby to wet the porous medium and a gas channel configured to introduce pressure gradient to the porous medium.

There is an unmet need for an e-cigarette device that can generate nicotine containing aerosol, which is substantially devoid of hazardous compounds, such as those stemming from the prolonged and intensive heating of PG, VG and nicotine. Such unmet need also requires that the generation of such aerosol follows condensation of nicotine vapor from condensation centers, of a non-hazardous liquid, such as water.

SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above- described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other advantages or improvements.

According to some embodiments, there is provided an aerosol generating device, such as e-cigarette, comprising an evaporation medium configured to receive a portion of a liquid for evaporation within or there upon. Preferably, the liquid comprises an aqueous nicotine formulation. The aerosol generating device further comprises and at least one heating element configured to heat the evaporation medium to a temperature high enough to facilitate creation and rupture of bubbles within the portion of the liquid for evaporation. According to some alternative embodiments, the heating element and the evaporation medium constitute a single element, evaporation heater, which acts both as a heater and facilitates the vaporization of said portion of liquid. Preferably, the aerosol generating device comprises a heater control unit, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), configured to regulate the temperature of the evaporation medium or evaporation heater, such the evaporation of the liquid progresses at a fast rate and without formation of unwanted decomposition products. Advantageously, the liquid evaporates and then condenses into small droplets that act as nucleation sites for vapor deposition, and lead to the formation of aerosol.

According to one aspect, there is provided an aerosol generating device, comprising: an evaporation heater comprising a high liquid-contact area, and configured generate heat, such that it is elevated to an evaporation temperature of at least 95°C; a first trigger configured to generate a first trigger activation signal; a CPU configured to receive at least one operation signal and to control operation of the evaporation heater upon receiving the at least one operation signal, such that the temperature of the evaporation heater does not exceed 500°C; and an outlet, wherein the at least one operation signal comprises the first trigger activation signal; and wherein the high liquid- contact area comprises a surface area for contacting liquid being at least one order of magnitude higher than the surface area of a flat non-porous element having the same external dimensions as those of the evaporation heater.

According to one aspect, there is provided an aerosol generating device, comprising an evaporation medium comprising a high liquid-contact area; a first trigger configured to generate a first trigger activation signal; at least one heating element configured to generated heat and transfer sufficient heat to elevate the temperature of the evaporation medium to an evaporation temperature of at least 95°C; a CPU configured to receive at least one operation signal and to control operation of the at least one heating unit upon receiving the at least one operation signal, such that the temperature of the evaporation medium does not exceed 500°C; and an outlet, wherein the at least one operation signal comprises the first trigger activation signal; and wherein the high liquid- contact area comprises a surface area for contacting liquid being at least one order of magnitude higher than the surface area of a flat non-porous medium having the same external dimensions as those of the evaporation medium. The term "evaporation temperature" refers to a temperature which enables at least partial evaporation of a liquid or a solid. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature enables the substantial evaporation of a liquid composition. According to some embodiments, the liquid is water and the evaporation temperature is at least 95°C. The terms "liquid" and "liquid compositions" as used herein are intended to encompass both pure liquids; mixtures of two liquids, such as solutions and emulsions; and mixtures of a liquid and a solid, such as solutions and suspensions. According to some embodiments, the liquid compositions referred herein include liquid compositions for smoking. According to some embodiments, liquid compositions referred herein include aqueous compositions. It is to be understood that liquid aqueous compositions include water-base solutions, suspensions or emulations, wherein the mass of water in the composition is at least 50%, at least 65%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 97% of the total mass of the liquid compositions. According to some embodiments, the liquid composition comprises at least one biologically active compound selected from the group consisting of nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and combinations thereof. According to some embodiments, the liquid composition comprises at least one biologically active compound selected from the group consisting of nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and combinations thereof. According to some embodiments, the liquid composition comprises at least tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). According to some embodiments, the liquid composition comprises nicotine.

According to some embodiments, the liquid comprises water and the evaporation temperature is at least 95°C. According to some embodiments, the liquid comprises water and the evaporation temperature is at least 95.5°C. According to some embodiments, the liquid comprises water and the evaporation temperature is at least 96°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 96.5°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 97°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 97.5°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 98°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 98.5°C. According to some embodiments the evaporation temperature is at least 99°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 99.25°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 99°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 99.5°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 100°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 105°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 120°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 160°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 180°C. According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is about 180°C. According to some embodiments, the liquid is an aqueous solution. According to some embodiments, the liquid is an aqueous formulation of nicotine. According to some embodiments, the liquid is an aqueous solution of nicotine. According to some embodiments, the liquid comprises at least one cannabis ingredient. According to some embodiments, the liquid comprises at least one cannabis ingredient selected from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). According to some embodiments, the liquid comprises at least one compound selected from tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). According to some embodiments, the liquid comprises tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). According to some embodiments, the evaporation temperature is at least 165°C, 170°C, 175°C, 180°C or 185°C.

According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to regulate the temperature of the evaporation medium, such that said temperature is maintained in the range of 95°C to 400°C, through said control of the operation of the at least one heating unit. According to some embodiments, the temperature is maintained in the range of 96°C to 380°C, 97°C to 360°C, 98°C to 340°C, or 99°C to 320°C. Each option represents a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the temperature is maintained in the range of 99.5°C to 300°C. According to some embodiments, the at least one operation signal comprises the temperature signal.

According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to regulate the temperature of the evaporation medium based on the temperature signal, such that said temperature is maintained in the range of 95°C to 400°C, through said control of the operation of the at least one heating unit. According to some embodiments, the temperature is maintained in the range of 96°C to 380°C, 97°C to 360°C, 98°C to 340°C, or 99°C to 320°C. Each option represents a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the temperature is maintained in the range of 99.5°C to 300°C. According to some embodiments, the device further comprises a wetting mechanism, configured to transfer liquid to the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the device further comprises a wetting mechanism, configured to transfer a thin layer of liquid to the evaporation medium.

The terms "thin layer of liquid", "thin film of liquid" and "film of liquid" refer to layers of liquid having thickness in the range of 0.01 mm to 1 mm, 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm or 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is configured to transfer a layer of liquid having thickness in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm to the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is configured to transfer a layer of liquid having thickness in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm to the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is configured to transfer a layer of liquid having thickness of not more than 1 mm to the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is configured to transfer a layer of liquid having thickness of not more than 0.75 mm to the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is configured to transfer a layer of liquid having thickness of not more than 0.6 mm to the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is configured to transfer a layer of liquid having thickness of not more than 0.5 mm to the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is configured to transfer a layer of liquid having thickness of at least 5pm to the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is configured to transfer a layer of liquid having thickness of at least 10pm to the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is configured to transfer a layer of liquid having thickness of at least 20pm to the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is configured to transfer a layer of liquid having thickness of at least 30pm to the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is configured to transfer a layer of liquid having thickness of at least 50pm to the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control operation of the wetting mechanism upon receiving at least one operation signal. According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a second trigger configured to generate a second trigger activation signal.

According to some embodiments, the at least one operation signal comprises the second trigger activation signal.

According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control operation of the wetting mechanism upon receiving the second trigger activation signal.

According to some embodiments, the second trigger comprises a sensor selected from a pressure sensor and a flow sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the air pressure or air flow in an internal compartment of the aerosol generating device, indicative of an inhalation, and to generate signals indicative thereof. According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises an outlet for allowing fluids in and out of the aerosol generating device. According to some embodiments, the outlet is a mouthpiece. Fluids flowing in and out of the system include, but not limited to, gasses, such as air or compressed air; and aerosols.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the evaporation medium and generate a temperature signal.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium comprises high liquid- contact area, configured to elevate the Leidenfrost temperature so as to avoid or diminish the Leidenfrost effect.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater comprises high liquid- contact area, configured to elevate the Leidenfrost temperature so as to avoid or diminish the Leidenfrost effect.

In order to further improve the understanding of the present invention additional information regarding the Leidenfrost effect is given below. The Leidenfrost effect is a phenomenon in which a liquid, in near contact with a surface significantly hotter than the liquid's boiling temperature, produces an insulating vapor layer which keeps that liquid from boiling rapidly. US Patent No. 6,450, 183 provides a thorough explanation of the Leidenfrost effect.

The term“Leidenfrost temperature”, as used herein, refers to the temperature threshold at which the Leidenfrost effect occurs at given conditions. According to some embodiments, the Leidenfrost temperature is determined for a pair of a solid and a liquid materials. For example, for a saturated water-copper interface, the Leidenfrost temperature is 257°C.

One of the problems associated with evaporation of aqueous compositions is having to overcome the Leidenfrost effect, which is prominent in water. Specifically, upon evaporation of water, the water on the hot evaporation surface, turn into gas bubbles and create bubble bounces, also referred as chaotic boiling, which results in unstable squirting of the liquid water layer atop. This problem is pronounced with aqueous formulations, as water has high Leidenfrost temperature. On the other hand, the Leidenfirost temperatures for glycerol and other common alcohols and glycols are significantly smaller compared to that of water, because of the lower surface tension values of these solvents. As a result, "e-juice" compositions are typically based on alcohols, rather than on aqueous solutions/ emulsions, despite the health hazard associated with alcohol burning.

The term "liquid-contact area" refers to the total area of an evaporation medium configured to contact a portion of the liquid for evaporation.

The term "evaporation medium" refers to a medium configured to evaporate a liquid. As the vapors of the current invention are to be subsequently condensed into aerosol droplets, the term evaporation medium is not limited to production of vapors, but it also covers instant formation of aerosol. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium is an aerosolization medium. The term "evaporation heater" refers to an evaporation medium, which is further configured to generated heat, e.g. by passage of electric current therethrough.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium is a solid medium having one surface with high roughness, wherein the high-roughness surface comprises the liquid-contact area. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is a solid medium having one surface with high roughness, wherein the high-roughness surface comprises the liquid-contact area.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium is a porous medium or a mesh, wherein the pores within the porous medium or the mesh comprise the liquid- contact area. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is a porous medium or a mesh, wherein the pores within the porous heater or the mesh comprise the liquid-contact area.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium comprises a distal surface with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness forms the high liquid- contact area; or wherein the evaporation medium comprises a porous medium, wherein pores of the porous medium forms the high liquid-contact area. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater comprises a distal surface with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness forms the high liquid-contact area; or wherein the evaporation heater comprises a porous medium, wherein pores of the porous medium forms the high liquid-contact area.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium is a coating disposed over the heating element.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium comprises a distal surface with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness forms the high liquid- contact area. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater comprises a distal surface with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness forms the high liquid- contact area.

According to some embodiments, the roughness of the surface of the evaporation medium is produced through bead-blasting. According to some embodiments, the roughness of the surface of the evaporation heater is produced through bead-blasting.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium comprises a porous medium, wherein pores of the porous medium forms the high liquid-contact area. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater comprises a porous medium, wherein pores of the porous medium forms the high liquid-contact area. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is selected from a resistive heater, positioned in direct contact with the evaporation medium; and a radio frequency heater, distanced from the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater comprises a resistive heater.

According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element comprises an induction coil heater. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater comprises an induction coil heater. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium comprises a thermally- conductive material. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater comprises a thermally-conductive material.

According to some embodiments, the thin layer of liquid has a volume in the range of 5 to 50 microliters, 8 to 40 micro liters, 10 to 30 micro liters, 15 to 20 microliters or about 20 microliters.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to generate power in the range of 6.2 to 4.2 Watts per microliter of the liquid. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to generate power in the range of 6.2 to 4.2 Watts per microliter of the liquid.

According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured provide from 3W to 7W per every pi of liquid deposited on the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured provide from 4W to 6W per every mΐ of liquid deposited on the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide about 5.2W per every mΐ of liquid deposited on the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide 5.2W per every mΐ of liquid deposited on the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured provide from 3W to 7W per every mΐ of liquid deposited thereon. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured provide from 4W to 6W per every mΐ of liquid deposited thereon. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide about 5.2W per every mΐ of liquid deposited thereon. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide 5.2W per every mΐ of liquid deposited thereon.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a projected surface area of 2.3 mm per every mΐ of liquid deposited onto it. According to some 2

embodiments, the evaporation heater has a projected surface area of 2.3 mm per every pi of liquid deposited onto it.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a projected surface

2

area in the range of 1mm to 100mm . According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a projected surface area in the range of 5mm to 90mm . According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a projected surface area in the range of 10mm to 80mm . According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a projected surface area in the range of 20mm to 70mm . According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a projected surface area in the range of 30mm to 60mm . According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a

2 2

projected surface area in the range of 40mm to 50mm . According to some embodiments, the heater surface has a projected surface area of about 45 mm .

According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has a projected surface

2 2

area in the range of 1mm to 100mm . According to some embodiments, the evaporation

2 2

heater has a projected surface area in the range of 5mm to 90mm . According to some

2 embodiments, the evaporation heater has a projected surface area in the range of 10mm to 80mm . According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has a projected surface area in the range of 20mm to 70mm . According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has a projected surface area in the range of 30mm to 60mm . According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has a projected surface area in the range of 40mm to 50mm . According to some embodiments, the heater surface has a projected surface area of about 45 mm .

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has heat capacity of no more than 1000 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has heat capacity of no more than 900 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has heat capacity of no more than 800 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has heat capacity of no more than 700 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has heat capacity of no more than 600 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has heat capacity of no more than 1000 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has heat capacity of no more than 900 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has heat capacity of no more than 800 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has heat capacity of no more than 700 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has heat capacity of no more than 600 Jkg

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has surface heat flux in

_2 _2

the range of 170Wcm to 290Wcm . According to some embodiments, the evaporation

-2

medium has surface heat flux in the range of 200Wcm to 260Wcm . According to some

_2 embodiments, the evaporation medium has surface heat flux in the range of 210Wcm to

_2

250Wcm .According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has surface heat flux in the range of 220Wcm -2 to 240Wcm -2. According to some embodiments, the

_2

evaporation medium has surface heat flux of about 228 Wcm . According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has surface heat flux in the range of 170Wcm -2 to 290Wcm -2. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has surface heat flux in the range of 200Wcm -2 to 260Wcm -2. According to some

_2 embodiments, the evaporation heater has surface heat flux in the range of 210Wcm to

_2

250Wcm .According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has surface heat flux in the range of 220Wcm -2 to 240Wcm -2. According to some embodiments, the

_2

evaporation heater has surface heat flux of about 228 Wcm .

According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a hydrophilic surface. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has a hydrophilic surface. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide an energy output of at least 35 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide an energy output of at least 40 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide an energy output of at least 45 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide an energy output of at least 50 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide an energy output of at least 51 Joules within half a second.

According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide an energy output of at least 70 Watts. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide an energy output of at least 80 Watts. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide an energy output of at least 90 Watts. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide an energy output of at least 100 Watts. According to some embodiments, the at least one heating element is configured to provide an energy output of at least 102 Watts.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide an energy output of at least 35 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide an energy output of at least 40 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide an energy output of at least 45 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide an energy output of at least 50 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide an energy output of at least 51 Joules within half a second.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide an energy output of at least 70 Watts. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide an energy output of at least 80 Watts. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide an energy output of at least 90 Watts. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide an energy output of at least 100 Watts. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to provide an energy output of at least 102 Watts. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a total resistance in the range of 0.10W to 0.20W. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a total resistance in the range of 0.12W to 0.17W. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a total resistance in the range of 0.13W to 0.16W. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a total resistance in the range of 0.14W to 0.15W. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a total resistance of about 0.13 W.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has a total resistance in the range of 0.10W to 0.20W. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has a total resistance in the range of 0.12W to 0.17W. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has a total resistance in the range of 0.13W to 0.16W. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has a total resistance in the range of 0.14W to 0.15W. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater has a total resistance of about 0.13 W. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium is configured to drive current in the range of 10A and 40 A. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium is configured to drive current in the range of 15 A and 35 A. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium is configured to drive current in the range of 20A and 30A. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium is configured to drive current in the range of 25A and 30A. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium is configured to drive current of about 28A.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to drive current in the range of 10A and 40 A. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to drive current in the range of 15 A and 35 A. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to drive current in the range of 20A and 30A. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to drive current in the range of 25A and 30A. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is configured to drive current of about 28A. The term "high liquid-contact area" pertains to an evaporation medium or evaporation heater, as used herein, and refers to a surface area for contacting liquid being at least one order of magnitude higher than the surface area of a flat non-porous medium having the same external dimensions. For example, a study published Geraldi et. A1 ("Leidenfirost transition temperature for stainless steel meshes", Materials Letters, 2016) showed that increasing the open area of a metal mesh pushes up the Leidenfrost temperature from 265 C for an open area of 0.004 mm to 315°C for open area of 0.100mm ² .

According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises a liquid container and a liquid drawing element extending from the liquid container to the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises a liquid container and a liquid drawing element extending from the liquid container to the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the liquid container is configured to contain the liquid. According to some embodiments, the liquid container contains the liquid.

According to some embodiments, the liquid drawing element is a wick. According to some embodiments, the liquid drawing element is a sponge.

According to some embodiments, the liquid drawing element is in contact with the liquid in the liquid container. According to some embodiments, the liquid drawing element is positioned partially inside the liquid container, such that it draws liquid therefrom, when the liquid container contains liquid. According to some embodiments, the liquid drawing element is in placed partially inside the liquid container, such that it absorbs liquid therefrom, when the liquid container contains liquid. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism further comprises an actuator, configured to move the evaporation medium towards the liquid drawing element and away therefrom. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism further comprises an actuator, configured to move the evaporation medium towards the liquid drawing element and away therefrom.

According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism further comprises an actuator, configured to move the evaporation heater towards the liquid drawing element and away therefrom.

According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control the actuator.

According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control the actuator, such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, the actuator moves the evaporation medium towards the liquid drawing element. According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control the actuator, such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, the actuator moves the evaporation medium towards the liquid drawing element, such that the evaporation medium and the liquid drawing element are in contact. According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control the actuator, such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, the actuator moves the evaporation medium towards the liquid drawing element; the evaporation medium and the liquid drawing element are in contact, and a thin layer of liquid is formed on the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control the actuator, such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, the actuator moves the evaporation medium towards the liquid drawing element for a predetermined period of time and moves the evaporation medium away from the liquid drawing element after said predetermined period of time, wherein the evaporation medium and the liquid drawing element are in contact for said predetermined period of time. According to some embodiments, said predetermined period of time is determined such that a thin layer of liquid is formed on the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control the actuator, such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, the actuator moves the evaporation heater towards the liquid drawing element. According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control the actuator, such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, the actuator moves the evaporation heater towards the liquid drawing element, such that the evaporation heater and the liquid drawing element are in contact. According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control the actuator, such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, the actuator moves the evaporation heater towards the liquid drawing element; the evaporation heater and the liquid drawing element are in contact, and a thin layer of liquid is formed on the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control the actuator, such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, the actuator moves the evaporation heater towards the liquid drawing element for a predetermined period of time and moves the evaporation heater away from the liquid drawing element after said predetermined period of time, wherein the evaporation heater and the liquid drawing element are in contact for said predetermined period of time. According to some embodiments, said predetermined period of time is determined such that a thin layer of liquid is formed on the evaporation heater.

According to some embodiments, the actuator comprises a motor and a shaft, wherein the shaft is connected to the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the actuator comprises a motor and a shaft, wherein the shaft is connected to the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises a collapsible liquid container; a compression spring and an escapement mechanism.

According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises a collapsible liquid container; a compression spring and an escapement mechanism comprising a flap. According to some embodiments, the flap is pressure sensitive and positioned in proximity to the mouthpiece.

According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises a collapsible liquid container; a compression spring and an escapement mechanism comprising a flap, an escapement element and an escapement rack. According to some embodiments, the flap is functionally connected to the escapement element. According to some embodiments, the escapement element is configured to control the movement of the escapement rack. According to some embodiments, the escapement rack is configured to control the expansion of the compression spring. According to some embodiments, the expansion of the compression spring entails reducing the volume of the collapsible liquid container.

According to some embodiments, the reducing the volume of the collapsible liquid container entails flow of liquid contained therein from the collapsible liquid container to the evaporation heater through a nozzle extending from the collapsible liquid container to the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, said flow of liquid is in an amount to form a thin layer of the liquid on the evaporation heater.

According to some embodiments, the reducing the volume of the collapsible liquid container entails flow of liquid contained therein from the collapsible liquid container to the evaporation medium through a nozzle extending from the collapsible liquid container to the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, said flow of liquid is in an amount to form a thin layer of the liquid on the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the reducing the volume of the collapsible liquid container entails flow of liquid contained therein from the collapsible liquid container to the evaporation heater through a nozzle extending from the collapsible liquid container to the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the reducing the volume of the collapsible liquid container entails flow of liquid contained therein from the collapsible liquid container to the evaporation medium through a nozzle extending from the collapsible liquid container to the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, said flow of liquid is in an amount to form a thin layer of the liquid on the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, said flow of liquid is in an amount to form a thin layer of the liquid on the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism is designed such that reduced pressure experienced by the flap (e.g. due to inhalation through the mouthpiece) results in the reducing the volume of the collapsible liquid container.

According to some embodiments, the collapsible liquid container comprises a nozzle having an orifice located in close proximity with the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the collapsible liquid container comprises a nozzle having an orifice located in close proximity with the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises a nozzle fluidly connected to the collapsible liquid container.

According to some embodiments, the collapsible liquid container comprises a nozzle having an orifice located in close proximity with the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the collapsible liquid container comprises a nozzle having an orifice located in close proximity with the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation heater, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container. According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation medium, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container.

According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation heater, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container, such that upon expansion of the spring, the evaporation heater is moved away from the mouthpiece. According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation medium, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container, such that upon expansion of the spring, the evaporation medium is moved away from the mouthpiece. According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation heater, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container, such that upon expansion of the spring, the collapsible liquid container is squeezed, thereby reducing in volume and delivering liquid contained therein through the nozzle and orifice to the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation medium, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container, such that upon expansion of the spring, the collapsible liquid container is squeezed, thereby reducing in volume and delivering liquid contained therein through the nozzle and orifice to the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation heater, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container. According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation medium, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container.

According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation heater, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container, such that upon expansion of the spring, the evaporation heater is moved away from the mouthpiece. According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation medium, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container, such that upon expansion of the spring, the evaporation medium is moved away from the mouthpiece.

According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation heater, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container, such that upon expansion of the spring, the collapsible liquid container is squeezed, thereby reducing in volume and delivering liquid contained therein through the nozzle and orifice to the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the compression spring comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to a spring base facing the mouthpiece and the proximal end is mounted to the support, wherein the support is connected to the evaporation medium, and in fluid contact with the collapsible liquid container, such that upon expansion of the spring, the collapsible liquid container is squeezed, thereby reducing in volume and delivering liquid contained therein through the nozzle and orifice to the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the escapement mechanism is configured to restrain the spring from expanding. According to some embodiments, the escapement mechanism is further configured to allow the spring to expand. According to some embodiments, the escapement mechanism comprises a flap movable upon an axis and located in proximity with the mouthpiece. According to some embodiments, the flap is elongated and has a first and second ends, wherein the a flap movable upon an axis in the first end, and free in the second end. According to some embodiments, the flap and the axis are located such that when in atmospheric pressure the flap is parallel to the evaporation heater; and upon application of reduced pressure on the mouthpiece (e.g. by inhalation) the flap is drawn to be vertical or diagonal to the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the flap and the axis are located such that when in atmospheric pressure the flap is parallel to the evaporation medium; and upon application of reduced pressure on the mouthpiece (e.g. by inhalation) the flap is drawn to be vertical or diagonal to the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the escapement mechanism a flap movable upon an axis an located in proximity with the mouthpiece. According to some embodiments, the flap and the axis are located such that when in atmospheric pressure the flap is parallel to the evaporation heater; and upon application of reduced pressure on the mouthpiece (e.g. by inhalation) the flap is drawn to be vertical to the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the flap and the axis are located such that when in atmospheric pressure the flap is parallel to the evaporation medium; and upon application of reduced pressure on the mouthpiece (e.g. by inhalation) the flap is drawn to be vertical to the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, upon the flap moving to be vertical to the evaporation heater, the second end moves towards the mouthpiece. According to some embodiments, upon the flap moving to be vertical to the evaporation medium, the second end moves towards the mouthpiece.

According to some embodiments, the flap comprises an inner position located between the first and second end. According to some embodiments, upon the flap moving to be vertical to the evaporation heater, the inner position moves towards the mouthpiece. According to some embodiments, the flap comprises an inner position located between the first and second end. According to some embodiments, upon the flap moving to be vertical to the evaporation medium, the inner position moves towards the mouthpiece.

According to some embodiments, the escapement mechanism comprises a drawbar having a first end connected to the inner position of the flap and a second end connected to a shaft through an axis. According to some embodiments, upon application of reduced pressure and moving of the inner position towards the mouthpiece, the drawbar is also moved towards the mouthpiece.

According to some embodiments, the shaft comprises a first end connected to the drawbar though the axis and a second side rigidly connected to an escapement element, which is vertical thereto.

According to some embodiments, the escapement element is located over an escapement rack having a plurality of teeth, such that when the escapement element is aligned parallel to the escapement rack, the escapement rack is movable, and when the escapement element is aligned diagonally to the escapement rack, the escapement element located between two of the plurality of teeth, thereby blocking the movement of the escapement rack.

According to some embodiments, upon application of reduced pressure and moving of the drawbar is towards the mouthpiece, the escapement element is rotated from parallel alignment to diagonal alignment with respect to the escapement rack.

According to some embodiments, the escapement rack is connected to the support. According to some embodiments, when the escapement rack is movable, the support may be moved by the compression spring, and when the escapement rack is blocked, the support is fixed, such that the compression spring is restrained. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises a collapsible liquid container, an escapement mechanism and a compression spring having a pressure sensitive flap, such that upon inhalation the pressure sensitive flap operates the escapement mechanism to allow the spring to expand and squeeze the collapsible liquid container, such that it spreads a thin layer of liquid over the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises a collapsible liquid container, an escapement mechanism and a compression spring having a pressure sensitive flap, such that upon inhalation the pressure sensitive flap operates the escapement mechanism to allow the spring to expand and squeeze the collapsible liquid container, such that it spreads a thin layer of liquid over the evaporation medium.

According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises a liquid container, a diaphragm pump and a conduit extending from the liquid container to the diaphragm pump.

According to some embodiments, the conduit is a unidirectional flow pipe configured to deliver liquids from the liquid container to the diaphragm pump. According to some embodiments, the diaphragm pump is controlled by the CPU. According to some embodiments, the flow of liquid from the liquid container to the diaphragm pump through the unidirectional flow pipe is controlled by the CPU.

According to some embodiments, the diaphragm pump comprises a nozzle extending towards the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the diaphragm pump comprises a nozzle extending towards the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the nozzle comprises an orifice for allowing liquids to flow from the diaphragm pump to the evaporation medium According to some embodiments, the nozzle comprises an orifice for allowing liquids to flow from the diaphragm pump to the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the diaphragm pump is configured to deliver a thin layer of liquid to the evaporation medium. According to some embodiments, the diaphragm pump is configured to deliver a thin layer of liquid to the evaporation heater.

According to some embodiments, the first trigger comprises a proximity sensor configured to detect proximity of a user's mouth to the aerosol generating device and to generate signals indicative thereof.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a main housing and cartridge having an internal cartridge compartment, the cartridge configured to detachably attach to the housing. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium is disposed within the internal cartridge compartment.

According to one aspect, there is provided an aerosol generating device, comprising: an evaporation heater comprising a high liquid-contact area, and configured generate heat, such that it is elevated to an evaporation temperature of at least 95°C; a first trigger configured to generate a first trigger activation signal; a CPU configured to receive at least one operation signal and to control operation of the evaporation heater upon receiving the at least one operation signal, such that the temperature of the evaporation heater does not exceed 500°C; and an outlet, wherein the at least one operation signal comprises the first trigger activation signal; and wherein the high liquid- contact area comprises a surface area for contacting liquid being at least one order of magnitude higher than the surface area of a flat non-porous element having the same external dimensions as those of the evaporation heater.

According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to regulate the temperature of the evaporation heater, such that said temperature is maintained in the range of 95°C to 400°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature is maintained in the range of 96°C to 380°C, 97°C to 360°C, 98°C to 340°C, or 99°C to 320°C. Each option represents a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the temperature is maintained in the range of 99.5°C to 300°C. According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the evaporation medium and generate a temperature signal. According to some embodiments, the at least one operation signal comprises the temperature signal.

According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to regulate the temperature of the evaporation heater based on the temperature signal, such that said temperature is maintained in the range of 95°C to 400°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature is maintained in the range of 96°C to 380°C, 97°C to 360°C, 98°C to 340°C, or 99°C to 320°C. Each option represents a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the temperature is maintained in the range of 99.5°C to 300°C.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a wetting mechanism as disclosed hereinabove. According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control operation of the wetting mechanism upon receiving at least one operation signal. According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a second trigger configured to generate a second trigger activation signal. According to some embodiments, the at least one operation signal comprises the second trigger activation signal. According to some embodiments, the CPU is configured to control operation of the wetting mechanism upon receiving the second trigger activation signal.

According to some embodiments, the second trigger comprises a sensor selected from a pressure sensor and a flow sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the air pressure or air flow in an internal compartment of the aerosol generating device, indicative of an inhalation, and to generate signals indicative thereof. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises a liquid container and a liquid drawing element fluidly attached thereto, configured to deliver liquid from the liquid container towards the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, the liquid drawing element is a nozzle, configured to form a pendant droplet upon activation of the wetting mechanism. According to some embodiments, the liquid drawing element is a wick.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a driving unit configured to move the liquid container between a first position and a second position. According to some embodiments, the driving unit is further configured to move the liquid container in the lateral directions. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises: a liquid container; a stationary wick fluidly connected to the liquid container; a mobile wick movable by a rack between an absorption position and a wetting position; and a gear configured to be driven by a gear motor, and configured to fit with the rack and move it upon activation of the wetting mechanism. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises: a collapsible liquid container; a liquid conduit fluidly connected to the collapsible liquid container; a plunger attached to the collapsible liquid container; and a piston element configured to be driven by a piston motor, and configured to contact and push the plunger upon activation of the wetting mechanism, thereby reducing the volume of the collapsible liquid container.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater comprises a distal surface with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness forms the high liquid- contact area; or the evaporation heater comprises a porous medium, wherein pores of the porous medium forms the high liquid-contact area. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater comprises a distal surface with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness forms the high liquid-contact area. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater comprises a porous medium, wherein pores of the porous medium forms the high liquid-contact area. According to some embodiments, the wetting mechanism comprises: a support porous medium in contact with the evaporation heater; and a gas pump configured to deliver compressed gas to the support porous medium via a gas conduit, wherein the support porous medium is configured to be pre-soaked with liquid.

According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is a resistive heater. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater comprises an induction coil heater. According to some embodiments, wherein the evaporation heater comprises a thermally-conductive material.

According to some embodiments, the first trigger comprises a proximity sensor configured to detect proximity of a user's mouth to the aerosol generating device and to generate signals indicative thereof.

According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating device further comprises a main housing and cartridge having an internal cartridge compartment, the cartridge configured to detachably attach to the housing. According to some embodiments, the evaporation heater is disposed within the internal cartridge compartment.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include some, all, or none of the above advantages. One or more technical advantages may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions and claims included herein. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples illustrative of embodiments are described below with reference to figures attached hereto. In the figures, identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with a same numeral in all the figures in which they appear. Alternatively, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure may be labeled with different numerals in the different figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown in scale. The figures are listed below.

Figs. 1A-B constitutes schematic illustrations of aerosol generating device, according to some embodiments;

Figs. 2A-C constitute schematic illustrations of components of an aerosol generating devices at different positions, according to some embodiments; Figs. 3A-B constitute schematic illustrations of components of aerosol generating devices at different positions, according to some embodiments; Fig. 4 constitutes a schematic illustration of components of an aerosol generating device, according to some embodiments;

Figs. 5A-B constitute schematic illustrations of an aerosol generating device, according to some embodiments; Figs. 6A-C constitute schematic illustrations of a top view of parts of an aerosol generating device, according to some embodiments;

Figs. 7A-B constitute schematic illustrations of an aerosol generating device, according to some embodiments;

Fig. 8 constitutes a schematic illustration of an aerosol generating device, according to some embodiments;

Figs. 9A-B constitute schematic illustrations of an aerosol generating device, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various aspects of the disclosure will be described.

For the purpose of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the different aspects of the disclosure. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the disclosure may be practiced without specific details being presented herein. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the disclosure. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Throughout the figures of the drawings, different superscripts for the same reference numerals are used to denote different embodiments of the same elements. Embodiments of the disclosed devices and systems may include any combination of different embodiments of the same elements. Specifically, any reference to an element without a superscript may refer to any alternative embodiment of the same element denoted with a superscript. Components having the same reference number followed by different lowercase letters may be collectively referred to by the reference number alone. If a particular set of components is being discussed, a reference number without a following lowercase letter may be used to refer to the corresponding component in the set being discussed.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1A. Fig. 1A constitutes a schematic illustration of an aerosol generating device 100, according to some embodiments. Aerosol generating device 100 comprises a main housing 102 having an internal main compartment 104, an evaporation medium 120, at least one heating element 130 and an outlet 110. According to some embodiments, outlet 110 is formed on main housing 102.

According to some embodiments, outlet 110 is configured to deliver the aerosols to a respiratory system of a user of aerosol generating device 100. According to some embodiments, outlet 110 is connected to a mouthpiece. According to some embodiments, outlet 110 is mechanically connected to a mouthpiece. According to some embodiments, the mouthpiece is detachable.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 and at least one heating element 130 are housed within internal main compartment 104.

Within the context of this specification the term“distal” generally refers to the side or end of any device or a component of a device, which is closer to outlet 110. Within the context of this specification the term“proximal” generally refers to the side or end of any device or a component of a device, which is opposite to the "distal end" and farther from outlet 110.

The terms 'medium' and 'material' as used herein are interchangeable.

According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 is an aerosol generation electronic cigarette. As used herein the terms "aerosol", "aerosolized composition" or "aerosolized drug" refer to a dispersion of solid or liquid particles in a gas. As used herein "aerosol", "aerosolized composition" or "aerosolized drug" may be used generally to refer to a material that has been vaporized, nebulized, being in a form of spray or jet or otherwise converted from a solid or liquid form to an inhalable form including suspended solid or liquid drug particles. According to some embodiments, the drug particles include nicotine particles.

As used herein, the terms "vaporization" and "evaporation" are interchangeable.

Without wishing to be bound by any theory or mechanism of action, upon heating of evaporation medium 120 by heating element 130, the liquid is at least partially vaporized into vapor. Subsequently, the vapor in condensed into aerosol, which may be inhaled by a user in need thereof, such as an e-cigarette user.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises a medium having a distal surface (not numbered) with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness is configured to form a high liquid-contact area.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises a non- porous medium having a distal surface (not numbered) with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness is configured to form a high liquid-contact area.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises a porous medium, wherein pores of the porous medium are configured to form a high liquid- contact area.

A porous medium is understood to be a two-phase product with voids and solid portions. Generally, in an open cell porous media the voids are interconnected, and the solid portions, which define the voids, are also interconnected. As a result, such structures have a plurality of pores where inner surfaces of individual pores may be accessible from neighboring pores. In contrast, in closed cell porous media individual pores are separate and self- contained. As used herein, the term "porous" refers to any material that includes one or more of pores, cracks, fissures, vugs and voids extending into the material from external surfaces thereof. Further, the term“pore” includes and encompasses cracks, fissures, vugs and voids. Porous materials may include, for example, sponge, felt, paper, sand, cotton- wool silica, concrete, alumino- silicates, metals, minerals, polymers, ceramics, composites, asphalt and brick. Typically, the pores allow a fluid flow therethrough, including liquid materials, such as aqueous solutions.

The term‘porous medium’ as used herein refers to any material that is capable of incorporating, taking in, drawing in or soaking liquids, and upon applying physical pressure thereto, release a portion or the entire amount/volume of the absorbed liquid. The physical pressure may be achieved for example by pressing the material against a solid structure.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is a sponge, a tissue, a foam material, a fabric, a porous metal or any other material capable of fully or partially retrievably absorbing liquids. Each possibility is a separate embodiment of the invention.

The term‘non-porous medium’, as used herein, refers to any material that is not capable of incorporating, taking in, drawing in or soaking liquids, and is devoid of the characteristics of a porous medium elaborated in the current disclosure.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is rigid. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is made of metal. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has two flat sides, which remain flat when liquid is pressed there through. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 formed as a porous medium is rigid where liquid is absorbed, or partially absorbed, therein. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a proximal flat surface (not numbered) and a distal high-roughness surface, which do not deform when liquid is pressed there through or pressed against at least one of the proximal surface or the distal surface. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises a distal surface with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness forms the high liquid- contact area; or wherein evaporation medium 120 comprises a porous medium, wherein pores of the porous medium forms the high liquid-contact area. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is a coating disposed over heating element 130.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is produced through a process, which comprises a step of bead- blasting, thereby achieving surface roughness.

According to some embodiments, heating element 130is configured to provide 3- 7W, 4-6W, 4.5-5.5W, 4.9-5.5W, or 5.1-5.3W per every pi of liquid deposited on evaporation medium 120.

According to some embodiments, heating element 130is configured to provide 5.2W per every mΐ of liquid deposited on evaporation medium 120.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a projected surface area of 1-3 or 1.5-2.7 mm per every mΐ of liquid deposited onto it.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a projected surface area in the range of 1 mm 2 to 100mm 2. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a projected surface area in the range of 5 mm to 90mm . According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a projected surface area in the range of 10mm to 80mm . According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a projected surface area in the range of 20mm to 70mm . According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a projected surface area in the range of

30mm to 60mm . According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a projected surface area in the range of 40mm 2 to 50mm 2. According to some embodiments, the heater surface has a projected surface area of about 45 mm .

According to some embodiments evaporation medium 120 has heat capacity of no more than 1000 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has heat capacity of no more than 900 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments evaporation medium 120 has heat capacity of no more than 800 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has heat capacity of no more than 700 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has heat capacity of no more than 600 Jkg 'C ¹ _.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has surface heat flux

_2 _2

in the range of 170Wcm to 290Wcm . According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has surface heat flux in the range of 200Wcm -2 to 260Wcm -2. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has surface heat flux in the range of 210Wcm -2 to 250Wcm -2.According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has surface heat flux in the range of 220Wcm -2 to 240Wcm -2. According to some

_2 embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has surface heat flux of about 228 Wcm .

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a total resistance in the range of 0.10W to 0.20W. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a total resistance in the range of 0.12W to 0.17W. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a total resistance in the range of 0.13W to 0.16W. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a total resistance in the range of 0.14W to 0.15W. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has a total resistance of about 0.13 W. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is configured to drive current in the range of 10A and 40 A. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is configured to drive current in the range of 15A and 35A. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is configured to drive current in the range of 20A and 30A. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is configured to drive current in the range of 25A and 30A. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is configured to drive current of about 28A.

According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of not more than 75mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side 2

of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of not more than 100mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of not more than 1 0mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of not more than 200mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of not more than 250mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of not more than 300mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of not more than 325mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of not more than 350mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of not more than 375mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of not more than 400mm .

According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of at least 10mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of at least 15mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of at least 20mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of at least 25mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of at least 30mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of at least 35mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of at least 40mm .

According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area in the range of 25-75 mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area in the range of 30-70 mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area in the range of 35-65 mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area in the range of 40-60 mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area in the range of 45-55 mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of about 50mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation medium 120 has a projected area of about 45mm ² .

The term about refers to ±5% of a specified value. For example, the phrase "a

2 2 2 projected area of about 50mm " refers to the area between 47.5mm and 52.5mm .

The term "projected area" refers to the two dimensional area of the distal flat surface of evaporation medium 120, which comes in contact with the liquid arriving from wetting mechanism 160.

The term "partially absorbed" and “partially saturated”, as used herein, are interchangeable and refer to the percentage of liquid absorbed in the pores of the porous material, wherein 0% refers to a porous material where all of its pores are vacant of liquid. Thus, the term "partially absorbed " may refer to a porous material wherein at least 0.005% of the pores contain liquid, or wherein the overall contents of the vacant space within the porous material occupied with liquid is 0.005%. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 0.001% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 0.05% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 0.01% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 0.5% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 0.1% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 1% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 5% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 10% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 20% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 30% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 40% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, partially absorbed refers to at least 50% liquid contents within the porous material. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is configured to enable small diameter droplets to pass through the structure thereof and to obstruct large diameter droplets from passing through the material thereof.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is disposable. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is in the form of a rod, a capsule or a flat disc.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises a thermally-conductive material, such as metal.

An additional obstacle encountered when dealing with evaporation aqueous composition, is the slow evaporation thereof, which stems from the high specific heat capacity of water as well as from the high latent heat of water. Both these high values entail investment of a substantial amount of energy, which in turn, is slower than when using organic formulations (i.e. PG or VG). Thus, a possible requirement evaporation medium 120 is directed to it low thermal mass. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has thermal mass of not more than 0.3 J/C. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has thermal mass of not more than 0.2 J/C. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has thermal mass of not more than 0.1 J/C. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 has thermal mass of less than 0.1 J/C.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is made of a uniform material. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is made of metal. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises a metal and/or a metal alloy. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises a metal alloy. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises at least one metal selected from iron, nickel, titanium, chromium, aluminum, molybdenum and manganese. According to some embodiments, the alloy comprises at least one metal selected from iron, nickel, titanium, chromium, aluminum, molybdenum, silver palladium and manganese. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises a metal having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.3· 10 ⁶ - 3· 10 ⁶ W·pi at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises a metal having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.4· 10 ⁶ - 2.5· 10 ⁶ W-m at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises a metal having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.5· 10 ⁶ - 2· 1 (G W· m at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises a metal having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.6· 10 ⁶ - 1.5· 10 ⁶ W·ih at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises an alloy having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.3· 10 ⁶ - 3· 10 ⁶ W W-m at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises an alloy having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.4· 10 ⁶ - 2.5· 10 ⁶ W· PI at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises an alloy having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.5· 10 ⁶ - 2· 1 (G Ώ· m at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 comprises an alloy having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.6· 10 ⁶ - 1.5· 10 ⁶ W· PI at room temperature. According to some embodiments, the alloy is selected from Kanthal, Nichrome and stainless steel. According to some embodiments, the alloy is Nichrome.

Generally, when heated in air, most metals then oxidize quickly, become brittle, and break. Nichrome alloy, however, when heated in the presence of air, develops an outer layer of chromium oxide, which is thermodynamically stable in air, mostly impervious to oxygen, and protects the heating element from further oxidation. Porous Nichrome can be prepared by making layered coatings of nickel and chrome and annealing at high temperatures, according to some embodiments. The patterned porous Nichrome will heat when subjected to an electrical current. Without wishing to be bound by any theory or mechanism, when a solution, such as an aqueous nicotine formulation is applied to the surface of porous Nichrome alloy, the mixture boils rapidly, producing vapors that condense to form an aerosol. The porous/rough surface of the Nichrome will enable it to overcome the problems in heat transfer brought about by the Leidenfrost effect, according to some embodiments. A resistive porous material, such as the material for constructing evaporation medium 120, can be produced by curing so called conductive inks in which the degree of conductivity (or resistivity) are controlled by the ratio of metallic to ceramic micro and nanoparticles. Porous structures can be directly obtained by choosing certain geometries and sizes of the nanoparticles. Alternatively a porous structure can be achieved by first obtaining a non-porous structure and subsequently subjecting it to controlled etching.

According to some embodiments, the alloy is a nicotine-passivated alloy. According to some embodiments, the metal is a nicotine -passivated metal. According to some embodiments, the Nichrome is a nicotine-passivated Nichrome.

According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to rapidly transfer heat to evaporation medium 120. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to transfer sufficient heat to elevate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 to evaporation temperature.

According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to transfer sufficient heat to evaporation medium 120 so as to elevate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 to a value high enough to at least partially evaporate the liquid contained by or in direct contact with evaporation medium 120, thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100 to produce vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to transfer sufficient heat to evaporation medium 120 so as to elevate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 to a value high enough to at least partially evaporate water contained by or in direct contact with evaporation medium 120, thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100 to produce water vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to transfer sufficient heat to evaporation medium 120 so as to elevate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 to a value high enough to at least partially nicotine contained by or in direct contact with evaporation medium 120, thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100 to produce nicotine vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to transfer sufficient heat to evaporation medium 120 so as to elevate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 to a value high enough to substantially evaporate the liquid contained by or in direct contact with evaporation medium 120, thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100 to produce vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to transfer sufficient heat to evaporation medium 120 so as to elevate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 to a value high enough to substantially evaporate water contained by or in direct contact with evaporation medium 120, thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100 to produce water vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to transfer sufficient heat to evaporation medium 120 so as to elevate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 to a value high enough to substantially evaporate nicotine contained by or in direct contact with evaporation medium 120, thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100 to produce nicotine vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose.

The phrase "substantially evaporate" is intended to mean that at least 95%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, at least 99.5% or at least 99.9% of the liquid is transformed from liquid to gaseous state. The phrase "at least partially evaporate" is intended to mean that at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 45% or at least 50% of the liquid is transformed from liquid to gaseous state.

According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to heat evaporation medium 120 to a temperature in the range between 50 and 600 degrees Celsius. According to some embodiments, the temperature is at least 95°C, at least 96°C, at least 97°C, at least 98°C, at least 98.5°C, at least 99°C, at least 99.5°C, or at least 100°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature is not more than 600°C, not more than 550°C, not more than 500°C, not more than 450°C, not more than 400°C, not more than 350°C or not more than 300°C.

According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 comprises a resistive heater. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 comprises a radio-frequency heater. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 comprises an induction-coil heater.

According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is in direct contact with evaporation medium 120, so as to conduct heat thereto. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 35 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 40 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 45 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 50 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 51 Joules within half a second.

According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 70 Watts. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 80 Watts. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 90 Watts. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 100 Watts. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 102 Watts.

Without wishing to be bound by any theory or mechanism of action, at least one heating element 130 is required to include a relatively strong heater. Specifically, aerosol generating device 100 is designed to evaporate aqueous compositions, according to some embodiments. Thus use of water, however, may pose several obstacles. Importantly, water has a high latent heat value, meaning that substantial energy has to be invested in order to evaporate water. Thus, according to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is a strong heater configured to generated enough heat so as to vaporize an aqueous solution of nicotine (2-5%) at a rate of at least 0.4mg nicotine per second, which is considered to provide satisfying consumer experience. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to generate at least 30W power. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to generate at least 32W power. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to generate at least 34W power. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to generate at least 36W power. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to generate at least 8W power. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to generate at least 40W power.

An additional obstacle encountered when dealing with evaporation aqueous composition, is the slow evaporation thereof, which stems from the high specific heat capacity of water as well as from the high latent heat of water. Both these high values entail investment of a substantial amount of energy, which in turn, is slower than when using organic formulations (i.e. PG or VG). Thus, together with high electrical power, an additional requirement from at least one heating element 130 is directed to it low thermal mass. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 has thermal mass of not more than 0.3 J/C. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 has thermal mass of not more than 0.2 J/C. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 has thermal mass of not more than 0.1 J/C. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 has thermal mass of less than 0.1 J/C.

Figs. 1A, 2A-C and 3A-B depict an embodiment of an aerosol generating device 100 comprising two heating elements 130a and 130b, being placed in direct contact with the distal surface of evaporation medium 120. It will be clear that any other number of heating elements 130 is possible, and that contact location between at least one heating element 130 and evaporation medium 120 may vary, for example to the proximal surface of evaporation medium 120, to a portion of the circumference of evaporation medium 120, or even embedded within evaporation medium 120.

According to some embodiments, the contact area between at least one heating element 130 and evaporation medium 120 is configured to enable an efficient predefined heat transfer there between.

According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is positioned in close proximity to evaporation medium 120. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to heat evaporation medium 120 by at least one of: heat conduction, heat convection and heat radiation.

According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is provided in the form of straight line, a foil, a foam, discs, spirals (e.g., single spiral, double spiral, cluster or spiral cluster), fibers, wires, films, yarns, strips, ribbons, or cylinders, as well as irregular shapes of varying dimensions.

According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 further comprises a first trigger 140, generate a first trigger activation signal. According to some embodiments, first trigger activation signal, generated by first trigger 140, is received by CPU 190, which in response, triggers activation or deactivation of at least one heating element 130. Thus, first trigger 140 may indirectly trigger activation or deactivation of at least one heating element 130.

According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is a switch. According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is a knob. According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is a dial. According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is a lever. According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is a button. According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is a touch interface. According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is a force sensor. According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is a pressure sensor. According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is a flow sensor.

It is to be understood that first trigger 140 may be operated by an e-cigarette user. For example, in case that first trigger 140 is a switch or a button, the user may press or switch trigger 140 in order to initiate the operation of aerosol generating device 100; and in case that first trigger 140 is a proximity sensor, the user induces initiation of the operation be bringing e.g. his/her lips or fingers closer to trigger 140, which may be in the vicinity of outlet 110.

According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is a proximity sensor 140 ^a . According to some embodiments, proximity sensor 140 ^a is attached to an exterior surface of main housing 102. According to some embodiments, proximity sensor 140 ^a is positioned in the vicinity of outlet 110. According to some embodiments, proximity sensor 140 ^a is configured to detect proximity to a user's mouth.

According to some embodiments, proximity sensor 140 ^a comprises at least one resistive touch sensor. According to some embodiments, proximity sensor 140 ^a comprises at least one piezo touch sensor. According to some embodiments, proximity sensor 140 ^a comprises at least one capacitive sensor. Capacitive sensors detect anything that is conductive or has a dielectric different from that of air, by detecting the internal frequency change to the capacitive circuit caused by a change in capacitance. In accordance with some embodiments, the at least one capacitive sensor is configured to detect changes in at least one of: surface capacitance and projected capacitance.

According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 further comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 190. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to receive at least one operation signal and to control operation of at least one heating element 130 upon receiving the at least one operation signal. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation medium 120. According to some embodiments, the regulation entails maintaining the temperature of evaporation medium 120 in the range of 95°C to 400°C. Preferably, the temperature of evaporation medium 120 is maintained in the range of 99.5°C to 300°C. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to control operation of at least one heating element 130, which transfers heat to evaporation medium 120, thereby regulating the temperature of evaporation medium 120.

Without wishing to be bound by any theory or mechanism of action, one of the challenges of evaporating aqueous compositing in e-cigarettes stems from the pronounce Leidenfirost effect on water, as detailed hereinabove. In order the circumvent the obstacles associated with the Leidenfrost effect on water, preferably a relatively thin layer of liquid needs to be dispersed over evaporation medium 120, as thin layers generally evaporate quickly. In addition, a thin layer of liquid may be generally required for maintain evaporation medium 120 above a lower temperature limit, as detailed hereinbelow with respect to wetting mechanism 160. Thus, in contrast with conventional e-cigarettes, which evaporate PG or VG- containing formulations that allow the soaking of their evaporation elements in the formulation; aerosol generating device 100 comprises evaporation medium 120, which 'dries' quickly. Evaporation medium 120 evaporates the thin layer of liquid and dries quickly, since the thin layer contains small amount of material. A possible problem stemming from the quick drying is the overheating of evaporation medium 120, when it is not soaked in a liquid, which cools it. Specifically, evaporation medium 120 absorbs heat from heating element 130. Said heat is absorbed by the liquid in contact with evaporation medium 120. Accordingly, the liquid is evaporated, such that the absorbed energy is maintained as kinetic energy in the formed vapor. However, upon evaporating, evaporation medium 120 is dried from the liquid and the formed heat is accumulated and its temperature begins to rise. Moreover, when dealing with aqueous compositions, a relatively strong heater is required as heating element 130 in order to overcome the substantial latent heat of water. As a result, overheating is an obstacle to overcome. Importantly, such overheating, which may occur with conventional heaters and control systems, may lead to pyrolysis of e.g. nicotine, cannabis or any material intended to smoking, and thus, to formation of toxic decomposition products. Such overheating is avoided according to some embodiments, by the regulation of CPU 190, which operates heating element 130 in a manner that maintains the temperature of evaporation medium 120 below 300-450°C. For example, CPU 190, may activate/ deactivate heating element 130 alternately to maintain this temperature, according to some embodiments. CPU 190, may apply differential current to heating element 130 so as to maintain the required temperature range, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to receive signals from at least one of first trigger 140 and second trigger 150. According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is configured to generate at least a first trigger activation signal. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is configured to generate a second trigger activation signal. According to some embodiments, the at least one operation signal comprises both first trigger activation signal and second trigger activation signal. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to generate heat when first trigger 140 generates the first trigger activation signal. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to operate at least one heating element 130, such that it generates heat, upon receipt of first trigger activation signal, when generated by first trigger 140.

According to some embodiments, first trigger activation signal is generated by proximity sensor 140 ^a upon proximity detection of a user's mouth thereto. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to control operation at least one heating element 130. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to activate at least one heating element 130 upon receiving first trigger activation signal from first trigger 140. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate at least one heating element 130 upon stopping receiving first trigger activation signal from first trigger 140.

According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is further configured to generate a deactivation signal. According to some embodiments, the at least one operation signal comprises the deactivation signal. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate at least one heating element 130 upon receiving first trigger deactivation signal from first trigger 140. According to some embodiments, second trigger activation signal is generated by pressure sensor 152 ^a upon detection of a pressure drop indicative of suction by a user via outlet 110. According to some embodiments, the at least one operation signal comprises the deactivation signal. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to control operation wetting mechanism 160. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to activate wetting mechanism 160 upon receiving second trigger activation signal from second trigger 150. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate wetting mechanism 160 upon stopping receiving second trigger activation signal from second trigger 150. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is configured to generate a variable second trigger activation signal, varying in at least one of: amplitude, wavelength or frequency of the signals. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to provide varying activation signals to wetting mechanism 160, thereby controlling various parameters of wetting mechanism 160 as a function of the second trigger activation signals generated by second trigger 150. Varying activation signals of wetting mechanism 160 may include, but are not limited to: variations in the amount of liquid drawn by wetting mechanism 160 towards evaporation medium 120, or rate of liquid transfer from wetting mechanism 160 towards evaporation medium 120.

According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is further configured to generate a deactivation signal. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate wetting mechanism 160 upon receiving second trigger deactivation signal from second trigger 150.

According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 is devoid of a second trigger, such that first trigger 140 is configured to generate a first trigger activation signal functioning according to all embodiments of both first trigger activation signal and second trigger activation signal, disclosed hereinabove. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to activate both at least one heating element 130 and wetting mechanism 160 upon receiving first trigger activation signal. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate wetting mechanism 160 upon stopping receiving second trigger activation signal from second trigger 150. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate both at least one heating element 130 and wetting mechanism 160 upon stopping receiving first trigger activation signal from first trigger 140. As detailed above, according to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 in the range of 95°C to 400°C, through proper operation of heating element 130. Specifically, at least one heating element 130 is configured to generate heat, and as long as it is in contact with a liquid, the heat is absorbed by the liquid, which in turn is evaporated. Thus, as explained, when the liquid is evaporated, the generated heat cannot be absorbed, and there is the risk that heating element 130 gets overheated and from hazardous decomposition products. An additional mechanism for avoiding overheating of heating element 130 is the application of additional liquid. Thus, according to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 in the range of 95°C to 400°C, through control of the operation of wetting mechanism 160. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 below 400°C, below 350°C, or below 300°C, through control of the operation of wetting mechanism 160. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 configured to receive at least one operation signal and to control operation of is configured to control wetting mechanism 160. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to receive at least one operation signal, comprising first and second trigger activation signal, and to control operation of wetting mechanism 160 unit upon receiving the at least one operation signal.

In addition to regulating the upper temperature limit, it is also important to regulate to lower limit. Specifically, in order to maintain evaporation and subsequent aerosolization of the liquid formulation, the temperature of evaporation medium 120 needs to be kept at least at evaporation temperature. However, there is risk of evaporation medium 120 going below evaporation temperature, stemming from the application of liquid thereon, as the liquid is generally kept at room temperature. Thus, according to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 in the range of 95°C to 400°C, through control of the operation of wetting mechanism 160. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 above 95°C, above 99°C, or above 99.5°C, through control of the operation of wetting mechanism 160. Specifically, according to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 above the nicotine-water azeotropic temperature of 99.5°C. According to some embodiments, the regulation entails maintaining the temperature of evaporation medium 120. According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is configured to generate a variable first trigger activation signal, varying in at least one of: amplitude, wavelength or frequency of the signals. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to provide varying activation signals to wetting mechanism 160, thereby controlling various parameters of wetting mechanism 160 as a function of the first trigger activation signals generated by first trigger 140.

According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to initiate activation of wetting mechanism 160 upon receiving signals from pressure sensor 152 ^a indicating inhalation. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to initiate deactivation of wetting mechanism 160 upon receiving signals from pressure sensor 152 ^a indicating that inhalation has stopped.

According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is further configured to generate a deactivation signal, such that CPU 190 is configured to deactivate both at least one heating element 130 and wetting mechanism 160 upon receiving first trigger deactivation signal from first trigger 140. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to activate at least one heating element 130 upon receiving signals from proximity sensor 140 ^a indicating proximity to a user's mouth. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate at least one heating element 130 upon receiving signals from proximity sensor 140 ^a indicating no proximity to a user's mouth.

According to some embodiments, signals indicative of proximity or no-proximity to a user's mouth are preset to detect proximity within a predefined distance. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to heat evaporation medium 120 up to at least evaporation temperature within a predefined time period from activation thereof. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to heat evaporation medium 120 up to at least azeotropic temperature within a predefined time period from activation thereof. According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 further comprises a power source compartment 192, configured to house at least one power source, such as a battery. The at least one power source is configured to provide electric current to at least one of: CPU 190, at least one heating element 130, first trigger 140, second trigger 150 and liquid container 162. According to some embodiments, power source compartment 192 is configured to house at least one disposable power source, such as a battery. According to some embodiments, power source compartment 192 is configured to house at least one rechargeable power source, such as a rechargeable battery. Specifically, a relatively strong power source may be required, according to some embodiments, since, as detailed herein, at least one heating element 130 is configured to generate high electrical wattage. According to some embodiments, the power source is at least one Lipo battery. According to some embodiments, the power source has voltage of about 3.7V. According to some embodiments, the power source is a battery having voltage of about 3.7V. According to some embodiments, the battery has maximum discharge current of about 40A. According to some embodiments, the battery has capacity of about 1400m Ah (milli-Amper-hour). According to some embodiments, the battery has C-rating value of about 30. The term "C-rating value" is defined by the formula: C-rating (Amperes) = Battery capacity (Ah)/Number of hours for full charge or discharge (h). According to some embodiments, power source compartment 192 comprises the power source.

The term 'about', as used herein refers to ±10% of a specified vale. For example, the phrase " the power source has voltage of about 3.7v " is intended to refer to the range of 3.33v to 4.07v.

According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 further comprises a wetting mechanism 160, configured to transfer liquid to evaporation medium 120. According to some embodiments, the liquid comprises a nicotine formulation. According to some embodiments, the nicotine formulation is an aqueous nicotine formulation. According to some embodiments, the nicotine formulation is an aqueous nicotine solution.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is controlled by CPU 190. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a thin film or layer of the liquid to evaporation medium 120. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation medium 120 having a thickness in the range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm. According to some embodiments, the film has a thickness in the range of 0.1 mm to 2 mm. According to some embodiments, the film has a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm. According to some embodiments, the film has a thickness in the range of 0.75 mm to 1.5 mm.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation medium 120 having a thickness in the range of 5 pm to 1 mm. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation medium 120 having a thickness in the range of 10 pm to 0.5 mm. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation medium 120 having a thickness in the range of 25 pm to 0.5 mm. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation medium 120 having a thickness in the range of 50 pm to 0.5 mm. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation medium 120 having a thickness in the range of 100 pm to 0.5 mm. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation medium 120 having a thickness in the range of 200 pm to 0.5 mm.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation medium 120 having a volume in the range of 30 pL to 900 pL. According to some embodiments, the film has a volume in the range of 50 pL to 800 pL. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation medium 120 having a volume in the range of 2 pL to 100 pL. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation medium 120 having a volume in the range of 3 pL to 150 pL. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation medium 120 having a volume in the range of 5 pL to 50 pL.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 comprises liquid container 162 configured to contain the liquid therein.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 further comprises a liquid drawing element 164. According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 is fluidly attached to liquid container 162. According to some embodiments, liquid is provided in liquid container 162 for deliverance towards evaporation medium 120 via liquid drawing element 164.

According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 comprises a material that is capable of incorporating, taking in, drawing in or soaking liquids, and upon applying physical pressure thereto or being in contact with another material, release a portion or the entire amount/volume of the absorbed liquid. According to some embodiments, a liquid drawing element 164 comprises a nozzle 164 ^a , configured to release a droplet 50 of the liquid contained in liquid container 162 ^a . According to some embodiments, nozzle 164 ^a is further configured to retain droplet 50 released thereto, at least until an external force such as friction or contact with evaporation medium 120 facilitates detachment of the droplet from nozzle 164 ^a

(elaborated more thoroughly in Figs. 2A-F herein below).

According to some embodiments, internal compartment 104 is exposed to ambient pressure such as atmospheric pressure when outlet 110 is openly exposed to the environment, and is exposed to pressure exerted thereon from the mouth of a user of aerosol generating device 100 when the user inhales or exhales through outlet 110.

According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 further comprises a second trigger 150, configured to at least trigger activation or deactivation of wetting mechanism 160. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is a switch. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is a knob. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is a dial. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is a lever. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is a button.

According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is a touch interface. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is a force sensor. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is a pressure sensor. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 is a flow sensor.

Activation of wetting mechanism 160, as used herein, refers to providing liquid from wetting mechanism 160 to evaporation medium 120. Deactivation of wetting mechanism 160, as used herein, refers to stopping providing liquid from wetting mechanism 160 to evaporation medium 120. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 comprises a flow sensor or a pressure sensor 152 ^a , configured to detect the flow or the pressure, respectively, in internal compartment 104, and to generate signals indicative thereof. According to some embodiments, the at least one operation signal comprises the generate signals indicative of the flow or pressure. According to some embodiments, pressure sensor 152 ^a comprises a differential pressure sensor. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to control wetting mechanism 160, based on the signals indicative of the pressure or flow. According to some embodiments, flow sensor or pressure sensor 152 ^a is positioned within internal compartment 104, distal to evaporation medium 120. According to some embodiments, flow sensor or pressure sensor 152 ^a is attached to a sidewall of aerosol generating device 100. According to some embodiments, second trigger 150 further comprises a measurement conduit 154 ^a , open at one end thereof to internal compartment 104, distal to evaporation medium 120, and connected at the other end thereof to flow sensor or pressure sensor 152 ^a (see Fig. 1A).

The term“conduit”, as used herein, is interchangeable with any one or more of the terms channel, port, passage, opening, pipe and the like.

According to some embodiments, liquid container 162 further comprises a driving unit (not shown), configured to displace liquid container 162 at least in the proximal and distal directions.

According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 further comprises a support 122. According to some embodiments, support 122 is rigidly attached to main housing 102. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is attached to support 122 such that unintentional displacement of evaporation medium 120 in the distal or proximal directions is prevented. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is attached to support 122 such that displacement of evaporation medium 120 in the distal or proximal directions is avoided.

According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 is mobile. According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 is portable. According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 is handheld. According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 is powered by a mobile power source.

According to some embodiments, support 122 comprises a high-temperature resistant with low thermal conductivity material, such as: conventional ceramics or aluminum silicate ceramics, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, yttrium oxide ceramics, molten silicon, silicon dioxide and molten aluminum oxide.

According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 further comprises a communication element (not shown) configured to enable wireless communication of aerosol generating device 100 with servers, databases and personal devices (e.g. computers, mobile phones) among others.

According to some embodiments, the communication element provides wireless communication through Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee and/or Z-wave.

According to some embodiments, there is provided an aerosol generating device 100’ comprising an evaporation heater 120’. Evaporation heater 120’ is configured to function both as an evaporation element 120 and as a heating element 130, according to any embodiment of the evaporation element 120 and the heating element 130 disclosed throughout the current specification. CPU 190 is configured to control of evaporation heater 120 and to regulate its temperature. Advantageously, incorporating the heating functionality elaborated for heating element 130 within evaporation element 120, together forming a evaporation heater 120’, reduces the number of components within aerosol generating device 100’, thereby potentially reducing both space and costs.

Reference is now made to Fig. IB. Fig. IB constitutes a schematic illustration of an aerosol generating device 100’, according to some embodiments. Aerosol generating device 100’ is similar to aerosol generating device 100 in function and structure, except that the at least one heating element 130 and evaporation medium 120 are replaced by evaporation heater 120’. Aerosol generating device 100’ is devoid of additional heating elements. Specifically, other than evaporation heater 120 aerosol generating device 100 does not include heaters which are configured to elevate a temperature to an evaporation temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a medium having a distal surface (not numbered) with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness is configured to form a high liquid-contact area.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is housed within internal main compartment 104.

Without wishing to be bound by any theory or mechanism of action, upon heating of evaporation heater 120 the liquid is at least partially vaporized into vapor. Subsequently, the vapor in condensed into aerosol, which may be inhaled by a user in need thereof, such as an e-cigarette user. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a medium having a distal surface (not numbered) with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness is configured to form a high liquid-contact area.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a non-porous medium having a distal surface (not numbered) with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness is configured to form a high liquid-contact area.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a distal surface with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness forms the high liquid- contact area; or wherein evaporation heater 120 comprises a porous medium, wherein pores of the porous medium forms the high liquid-contact area. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is produced through a process, which comprises a step of bead- blasting, thereby achieving surface roughness.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a porous medium, wherein pores of the porous medium are configured to form a high liquid- contact area. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is rigid. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is made of metal. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has two flat sides, which remain flat when liquid is pressed there through. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' formed as a porous medium is rigid where liquid is absorbed, or partially absorbed, therein. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has a proximal flat surface (not numbered) and a distal high-roughness surface, which do not deform when liquid is pressed there through or pressed against at least one of the proximal surface or the distal surface.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to provide 3-7W, 4-6W, 4.5-5.9W, 4.8-5.6W, 5.0-5.4W or 5.1-5.3W per every pi of liquid deposited thereon.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to provide about 5.2W per every mΐ of liquid deposited thereon.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has a projected surface area of 1-3 or 1.5-2.7 mm per every mΐ of liquid deposited onto it. According to some embodiments, the evaporation medium has a projected surface area of about 2.3 mm per every mΐ of liquid deposited onto it.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has a projected surface

2 2

area in the range of 1mm to 100mm . According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has a projected surface area in the range of 5 mm to 90mm . According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 has a projected surface area in the range of

10mm to 80mm . According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has a

2 2

projected surface area in the range of 20mm to 70mm . According to some

2 embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has a projected surface area in the range of 30mm to 60mm . According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has a projected

2 2

surface area in the range of 40mm to 50mm . According to some embodiments, the

2

heater surface has a projected surface area of about 45 mm . According to some embodiments evaporation heater 120' has heat capacity of no more than 1000 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has heat capacity of no more than 900 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments evaporation heater 120' has heat capacity of no more than 800 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has heat capacity of no more than 700 Jkg 'C ¹ _. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has heat capacity of no more than 600 Jkg

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has surface heat flux in

_2 _2

the range of 170Wcm to 290Wcm . According to some embodiments, evaporation

-2

heater 120' has surface heat flux in the range of 200Wcm to 260Wcm . According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 has surface heat flux in the range of

-2

210Wcm to 250Wcm .According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has surface heat flux in the range of 220Wcm -2 to 240Wcm -2. According to some

_2 embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has surface heat flux of about 228 Wcm . According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to provide an energy output of at least 35 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 40 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to provide an energy output of at least 45 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to provide an energy output of at least 50 Joules within half a second. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to provide an energy output of at least 51 Joules within half a second.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to provide an energy output of at least 70 Watts. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to provide an energy output of at least 80 Watts. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 is configured to provide an energy output of at least 90 Watts. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to provide an energy output of at least 100 Watts. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to provide an energy output of at least 102 Watts.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has a total resistance in the range of 0.10W to 0.20W. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has a total resistance in the range of 0.12W to 0.17W. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has a total resistance in the range of 0.13W to 0.16W. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 has a total resistance in the range of 0.14W to 0.15W. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has a total resistance of about 0.13 W. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to drive current in the range of 10A and 40 A. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to drive current in the range of 15A and 35A. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 is configured to drive current in the range of 20A and 30A. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to drive current in the range of 25A and 30A. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to drive current of about 28 A.

According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of not more than 75mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of not more than 100mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120 has a projected area of not more than 1 0mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of not more than 200mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120 has a projected area of not more than 250mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of not more than 300mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of not more than 325mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of not more than 350mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of not more than 375mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120 has a projected area of not more than 400mm .

According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of at least 10mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of at least 1 mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120 has a projected area of at least 20mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of at least 25mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of at least 30mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120 has a projected area of at least 35mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of at least 40mm .

According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area in the range of 25-75 mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area in the range of 30-70 mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area in the range of 35-65 mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area in the range of 40-60 mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area in the range of 45-55 mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120' has a projected area of about 50mm . According to some embodiments, distal flat side of evaporation heater 120 has a projected area of about 45mm ² .

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to enable small diameter droplets to pass through the structure thereof and to obstruct large diameter droplets from passing through the material thereof. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is disposable. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is in the form of a rod, a capsule or a flat disc.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a thermally- conductive material, such as metal.

As detailed with respect to evaporation medium 120, a possible requirement evaporation heater 120' is directed to it low thermal mass. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has thermal mass of not more than 0.3 J/C. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has thermal mass of not more than 0.2 J/C. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has thermal mass of not more than 0.1 J/C. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' has thermal mass of less than 0.1 J/C.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is made of a uniform material. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is made of metal. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a metal and/or a metal alloy. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a metal alloy. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises at least one metal selected from iron, nickel, titanium, chromium, aluminum, molybdenum and manganese. According to some embodiments, the alloy comprises at least one metal selected from iron, nickel, titanium, chromium, aluminum, molybdenum, silver palladium and manganese. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a metal having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.3· 10 ⁶ - 3· 10 ⁶ W W- m at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a metal having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.4· 10 ⁶ - 2.5· 10 ⁶ W· pi at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a metal having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.5· 10 ⁶ - 2· 10 ⁶ Ώ· m at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a metal having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.6· 10 ⁶ - 1.5· 10 ⁶ W·ih at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 comprises an alloy having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.3· 10 ⁶ - 3· 10 ⁶ W W-m at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 comprises an alloy having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.4· 10 ⁶ - 2.5· 10 ⁶ W· PI at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 comprises an alloy having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.5· 10 ⁶ - 2· 1 (G Ώ· m at room temperature. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 comprises an alloy having electrical resistivity in the range of 0.6· 10 ⁶ - 1.5· 10 ⁶ W· PI at room temperature. According to some embodiments, the alloy is selected from Kanthal, Nichrome and stainless steel. According to some embodiments, the alloy is Nichrome.

Generally, when heated in air, most metals then oxidize quickly, become brittle, and break. Nichrome alloy, however, when heated in the presence of air, develops an outer layer of chromium oxide, which is thermodynamically stable in air, mostly impervious to oxygen, and protects the evaporation heater from further oxidation. Porous Nichrome can be prepared by making layered coatings of nickel and chrome and annealing at high temperatures, according to some embodiments. The patterned porous Nichrome will heat when subjected to an electrical current. Without wishing to be bound by any theory or mechanism, when a solution, such as an aqueous nicotine formulation is applied to the surface of porous Nichrome alloy, the mixture boils rapidly, producing vapors that condense to form an aerosol. The porous/rough surface of the Nichrome will enable it to overcome the problems in heat transfer brought about by the Leidenfrost effect, according to some embodiments.

A resistive porous material, such as the material for constructing evaporation heater 120', can be produced by curing so called conductive inks in which the degree of conductivity (or resistivity) are controlled by the ratio of metallic to ceramic micro and nanoparticles. Porous structures can be directly obtained by choosing certain geometries and sizes of the nanoparticles. Alternatively a porous structure can be achieved by first obtaining a non- porous structure and subsequently subjecting it to controlled etching. According to some embodiments, the alloy is a nicotine-passivated alloy. According to some embodiments, the metal is a nicotine -passivated metal. According to some embodiments, the Nichrome is a nicotine-passivated Nichrome.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate heat rapidly, such that its temperature elevate rapidly. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate sufficient heat to elevate its temperature to evaporation temperature.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate sufficient heat so as to elevate its temperature to a value high enough to at least partially evaporate the liquid contained by or in direct contact with evaporation heater 120', thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100' to produce vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate sufficient heat so as to elevate its temperature to a value high enough to at least partially evaporate water contained by or in direct contact with evaporation heater 120', thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100' to produce water vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate sufficient heat so as to elevate its temperature to a value high enough to at least partially nicotine contained by or in direct contact with evaporation heater 120', thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100' to produce nicotine vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate sufficient heat so as to elevate its temperature to a value high enough to substantially evaporate the liquid contained by or in direct contact with evaporation heater 120', thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100' to produce vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate sufficient heat so as to elevate its temperature to a value high enough to substantially evaporate water contained by or in direct contact with evaporation heater 120', thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100' to produce water vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate sufficient heat to so as to elevate its temperature to a value high enough to substantially evaporate nicotine contained by or in direct contact with evaporation heater 120' , thereby enabling aerosol generating device 100' to produce nicotine vapor comprising a constant and reproducible dose. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate heat, so as to reach a temperature in the range between 50 and 600 degrees Celsius. According to some embodiments, the temperature is at least 95°C, at least 96°C, at least 97°C, at least 98°C, at least 98.5°C, at least 99°C, at least 99.5°C, or at least 100°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature is not more than 600°C, not more than 550°C, not more than 500°C, not more than 450°C, not more than 400°C, not more than

350°C or not more than 300°C.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a resistive heater. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a radio- frequency heater. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises an induction-coil heater.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is in direct contact with evaporation heater 120', so as to conduct heat thereto.

Without wishing to be bound by any theory or mechanism of action, evaporation heater 120 is required to include a relatively strong heater, as explained with respect to at least one heating element 130. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is a strong heater configured to generated enough heat so as to vaporize an aqueous solution of nicotine (2-5%) at a rate of at least 0.4mg nicotine per second, which is considered to provide satisfying consumer experience. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate at least 30W power. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate at least 32W power. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate at least 34W power. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate at least 36W power. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate at least 8W power. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate at least 40W power.

According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100' further comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 190. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to receive at least one operation signal and to control operation of evaporation heater 120' upon receiving the at least one operation signal. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, the regulation entails maintaining the temperature of evaporation heater 120' in the range of 95°C to 400°C. Preferably, the temperature of evaporation heater 120' is maintained in the range of 99.5°C to 300°C. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to control operation of evaporation heater 120', which generates heat and elevates it temperature, thereby regulating the temperature of evaporation heater 120'.

As detailed with respect to evaporation medium 120, preferably a relatively thin layer of liquid needs to be dispersed over evaporation heater 120'. A thin layer of liquid may be generally required for maintain evaporation heater 120' above a lower temperature limit, as detailed herein with respect to wetting mechanism 160. Aerosol generating device 100' comprises evaporation heater 120', which 'dries' quickly. Evaporation heater 120' evaporates the thin layer of liquid and dries quickly, since the thin layer contains small amount of material. A possible problem stemming from the quick drying is the overheating of evaporation heater 120', when it is not soaked in a liquid, which cools it. Specifically, evaporation heater 120' generates heat. Said heat is absorbed by the liquid in contact therewith. Accordingly, the liquid is evaporated. Upon evaporating, evaporation heater 120' is dried from the liquid and the formed heat is accumulated and its temperatures begins to rise. Moreover, when dealing with aqueous compositions, a relatively strong heater is required as evaporation heater 120' in order to overcome the substantial latent heat and specific heat capacity of water. Such overheating is avoided according to some embodiments, by the regulation of CPU 190, which operates evaporation heater 120' in a manner that maintains its temperature below 300- 450°C. For example, CPU 190, may activate/ deactivate evaporation heater 120' alternately to maintain this temperature, according to some embodiments. CPU 190, may apply differential current to evaporation heater 120 so as to maintain the required temperature range according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate heat when first trigger 140 generates the first trigger activation signal. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to operate evaporation heater 120', such that it generates heat, upon receipt of first trigger activation signal, when generated by first trigger 140. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to control operation evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to activate evaporation heater 120 upon receiving first trigger activation signal from first trigger 140. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate evaporation heater 120 upon stopping receiving first trigger activation signal from first trigger 140.

According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is further configured to generate a deactivation signal. According to some embodiments, the at least one operation signal comprises the deactivation signal. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate evaporation heater 120' upon receiving first trigger deactivation signal from first trigger 140.

According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to activate both evaporation heater 120' and wetting mechanism 160 upon receiving first trigger activation signal. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate both evaporation heater 120' and wetting mechanism 160 upon stopping receiving first trigger activation signal from first trigger 140.

Thus, according to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation heater 120' in the range of 95°C to 400°C, through control of the operation of wetting mechanism 160. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation heater 120' below 400°C, below 350°C, or below 300°C, through control of the operation of wetting mechanism 160. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 configured to receive at least one operation signal and to control operation of is configured to control wetting mechanism 160. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to receive at least one operation signal, comprising first and second trigger activation signal, and to control operation of wetting mechanism 160 unit upon receiving the at least one operation signal.

According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation heater 120' in the range of 95°C to 400°C, through control of the operation of wetting mechanism 160. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation heater 120' above 95°C, above 99°C, or above 99.5°C, through control of the operation of wetting mechanism 160. Specifically, according to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to regulate the temperature of evaporation heater 120' above the nicotine-water azeotropic temperature of 99.5°C. According to some embodiments, the regulation entails maintaining the temperature of evaporation heater 120' .

According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is further configured to generate a deactivation signal, such that CPU 190 is configured to deactivate both evaporation heater 120' and wetting mechanism 160 upon receiving first trigger deactivation signal from first trigger 140.

According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to activate evaporation heater 120' upon receiving signals from proximity sensor 140 ^a indicating proximity to a user's mouth. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate at least one evaporation heater 120' upon receiving signals from proximity sensor 140 ^a indicating no proximity to a user's mouth.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate heat, such that its temperature is elevated up to at least evaporation temperature within a predefined time period from activation thereof. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 is configured to generate heat, such that its temperature is elevated up to at least azeotropic temperature within a predefined time period from activation thereof.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to transfer liquid to evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a thin film or layer of the liquid to evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 is configured to deliver a film liquid to evaporation heater 120 having a thickness in the range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm. According to some embodiments, the film has a thickness in the range of 0.1 mm to 2 mm. According to some embodiments, the film has a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm. According to some embodiments, the film has a thickness in the range of 0.75 mm to 1.5 mm.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is attached to support 122 such that unintentional displacement of evaporation heater 120 in the distal or proximal directions is prevented. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120 is attached to support 122 such that displacement of evaporation heater 120 in the distal or proximal directions is avoided.

According to some embodiments, in order to produce high quality aerosol, the evaporation heater 120 should have good wetting characteristics with respect to the formulation used, preferably an aqueous nicotine solution. One way to achieve this is to make sure that the surface of the porous material is passivated/coated with a film of nicotine molecules beforehand as known in the art.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is configured to generate sufficient heat such that it reaches a temperature in the range between 50 and 250 degrees Celsius. According to some embodiments, the temperature is at least 95°C, at least 100°C, at least 110°C, at least 125°C or at least 150°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature is at least 90°C, at least 100°C, at least 110°C, at least 125°C, at least 150°C, at least 160°C, at least 170°C, at least 180°C or at least 190°C. According to some embodiments, the temperature is about 100°C.

According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to control heat generation operation of evaporation heater 120’. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to initiate heat generation operation of evaporation heater 120’ upon receiving first trigger activation signal from first trigger 140. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to cease heat generation operation of evaporation heater 120’ upon stopping receiving first trigger activation signal from first trigger 140.

According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is further configured to generate a deactivation signal. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to deactivate heat generation of evaporation heater 120 upon receiving first trigger deactivation signal from first trigger 140.

According to some embodiments, the at least one power source is configured to provide electric current to at least evaporation heater 120’. According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100' further comprises further comprises a power source compartment 192, configured to house at least one power source, such as a battery. The at least one power source is configured to provide electric current to at least one of: CPU 190, at least one heating element 130, first trigger 140, second trigger 150 and liquid container 162. According to some embodiments, power source compartment 192 is configured to house at least one disposable power source, such as a battery. According to some embodiments, power source compartment 192 is configured to house at least one rechargeable power source, such as a rechargeable battery. Specifically, a relatively strong power source may be required, according to some embodiments, since, as detailed herein, at least one heating element 130 is configured to generate high electrical wattage. According to some embodiments, the power source is at least one Lipo battery. According to some embodiments, the power source has voltage of about 3.7V. According to some embodiments, the power source is a battery having voltage of about 3.7V. According to some embodiments, the battery has maximum discharge current of about 40A. According to some embodiments, the battery has capacity of about 1400m Ah (milli-Amper-hour). According to some embodiments, the battery has C-rating value of about 30. According to some embodiments, power source compartment 192 comprises the power source. Reference is now made to Figs. 2A-F. Figs. 2A-C schematically depict components of aerosol generating device 100 ^a (not fully shown) at different positions, according to some embodiments. Figs. 2D-F schematically depict components of aerosol generating device 100 ^,a (not fully shown) at different positions, according to some embodiments. Aerosol generating device 100 ^,a is similar to aerosol generating device 100 ^a in function and structure, except that the at least one heating element 130 and evaporation medium 120 are replaced by evaporation heater 120’ as detailed herein.

Figs. 2A and 2D depict wetting mechanism 160 ^a comprising liquid container 162 ^a and liquid drawing element 164 in the form of a nozzle 164 ^a at a first position in a deactivated mode, being distanced from evaporation medium 120 (Fig. 2A) or from evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 2D), wherein liquid is contained within liquid container 162 ^a without being exposed therefrom. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^a is configured to provide a thin film of liquid having thickness and/or volume as described above with respect to wetting mechanism 160.

Figs. 2B and 2E depict a beginning of activation of wetting mechanism 160 ^a comprising liquid container 162 ^a and nozzle 164 ^a , wherein a pendant droplet 50 is formed at the proximal opening (not numbered) of nozzle 164 ^a , while wetting mechanism 160 ^a is still positioned at a first position..

Fig. 2C and 2F depict a second position of wetting mechanism 160 ^a , moved in the proximal direction via the driving unit, such that droplet 50 is in direct contact with evaporation medium 120 (Fig. 2C) or with evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 2F), being evaporated if evaporation medium 120 (Fig. 2C) or evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 2F) is heated up to an evaporation temperature. As each drop evaporates in the second position, a new droplet is released by nozzle 164 ^a , contacts heated evaporation medium 120 (Fig. 2C) or heated evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 2F) and evaporates as well.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^a is further configured to return upon deactivation thereof, via the driving unit, back to the first position while halting further droplet release therefrom.

According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 is configured to absorb liquid in an amount which is at least 100% of its weight. According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 is configured to absorb liquid in an amount which is at least 50% of its weight. According to some embodiments, the at least one stationary liquid absorbing element is configured to absorb liquid in an amount which is at least 200% of its weight.

According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 comprises cloth, wool, felt, sponge, foam, cellulose, yarn, microfiber or a combination thereof, having high tendency to absorb aqueous solutions. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the sponge is an open cell sponge. According to some embodiments, the sponge is a closed cell sponge.

According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 comprises a capillary valve, configured to allow fluid passage there through in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end thereof, while preventing gas or air flow in the opposite direction.

According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 comprises fabric. Specifically, fibrous and/or woven fabric, such as a wick, is a hydrophilic and liquid absorbing material, which may be used as the stationary liquid absorbing element(s), according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 is a hydrophilic liquid drawing element. According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 is a hydrophilic sponge. Without wishing to be bound by any theory or mechanism of action, when liquid drawing element 164 comprises a hydrophilic sponge, at it comes in contact with the liquid in liquid container 162, capillary action within and among the pores of the sponge lead to it being absorbed. Reference is now made to Figs. 3A-D. Figs. 3A-B schematically depict components of aerosol generating device 100 ^b (not fully shown) at different positions, according to some embodiments. Aerosol generating device 100 ^b is similar in structure and function to aerosol generating device 100, except that wetting mechanism 160 ^b comprises liquid container 162 ^b and a wick 164 ^b , configured to draw liquid from liquid container 162 ^b . Figs. 3C-D schematically depict components of aerosol generating device 100’ ^a (not fully shown) at different positions, according to some embodiments. Aerosol generating device 100 ^,a is similar to aerosol generating device 100 ^a in function and structure, except that the at least one heating element 130 and evaporation medium 120 are replaced by evaporation heater 120’ as detailed herein. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^b is configured to provide a thin film of liquid having thickness and/or volume as described above with respect to wetting mechanism 160.

Fig. 3A and 3C depict wetting mechanism 160 ^b at a first position in a deactivated mode, being distanced from evaporation medium 120 (fig. 3A) or from evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 3C). Upon activation of wetting mechanism 160 ^b it is configured to move in the proximal direction 80 via the driving unit, towards the second position. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^b is configured to provide a thin film of liquid having thickness and/or volume as described above with respect to wetting mechanism 160. Fig. 3B and 3D depict the second position of wetting mechanism 160 ^b , wherein wick 164 ^b is in direct contact with evaporation medium 120 (fig. 3B) or from evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 3D), allowing at least a portions of the liquid soaked therein to evaporate if evaporation medium 120 (Fig. 3B) or evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 3D) is heated up to an evaporation temperature. According to some embodiments, wick 164 ^b is pressed against evaporation medium 120 (Fig. 3B) or evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 3D) in the second position.

According to some embodiments, the driving unit is configured to move wetting mechanism 160 in the vertical direction, between a first position and a second position. According to some embodiments, the driving unit is further configured to move wetting mechanism 160 in the lateral directions 82. According to some embodiments, the driving unit is configured to move wetting mechanism 160 in the lateral directions 82 when in the second position, allowing liquid drawing element 164 to spread a portion of the liquid along evaporation medium 120 (Fig. 3B) or along evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 3D). The term "vertical", as used herein, refers to a direction perpendicular to the distal surface of evaporation medium 120 (Fig. 3B) or of evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 3D).

The term "lateral", as used herein, refers to a direction parallel to the distal surface of evaporation medium 120 (Fig. 3B) or of evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 3D).

The terms "spread", as used herein, refers to discharge a liquid from one element to another to create a liquid layer for evaporation thereof. Spreading of a liquid along evaporation medium 120 (Fig. 3B) or along evaporation heater 120’ (Fig. 3D) from liquid drawing element 164 may be achieved through application of pressure, or by delicate contact between the two elements.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^b is further configured to return upon deactivation thereof, via the driving unit, back to the first position.

Reference is now made to Fig. 4, schematically depicting components of aerosol generating device 100 ^c (not fully shown) at different positions, according to some embodiments. Aerosol generating device 100 ^c is similar in structure and function to aerosol generating device 100 ^b , except that it comprises two heating elements 130 ^b a and 130 ^b b, each comprising a radio-frequency heater, distanced from evaporation medium

120. According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 comprises a cartridge 106 having an internal cartridge compartment 108, such that main housing 102 is configured to host cartridge 106. According to some embodiments, main housing 102 comprises a receptacle configured to receive a cartridge 106. According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 is removably connectable to main housing 102. According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 is disposable. According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 is recyclable. According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 is reusable.

According to some embodiments, aerosol generating device 100 is assembled by introducing a cartridge 106 into the main housing 102.

According to some embodiments, outlet 110 is formed on cartridge 106. According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is housed within internal main compartment 104. According to some embodiments, support 122 is rigidly attached to cartridge 106. According to some embodiments, there is provided aerosol generating device 100 comprising cartridge 106 and main housing 102, such that evaporation medium 120, at least one heating element 130 and wetting mechanism 160 are housed within cartridge 106, while CPU 190 and power source compartment 192 are housed within or attached to main housing 102. According to some embodiments, there is provided aerosol generating device 100 comprising cartridge 106 and main housing 102, such that evaporation medium 120 and wetting mechanism 160 are housed within cartridge 106, while CPU 190, power source compartment 192 and at least one heating element 130 are housed within or attached to main housing 102. According to some embodiments, there is provided aerosol generating device 100 comprising cartridge 106 and main housing 102, such that evaporation medium 120, at least one heating element 130 and a portion of wetting mechanism 160 are housed within cartridge 106, while CPU 190, power source compartment 192 and a remaining portion of wetting mechanism 160 are housed within or attached to main housing 102.

According to some embodiments, there is provided aerosol generating device 100 comprising cartridge 106 and main housing 102, such that evaporation medium 120 and a portion wetting mechanism 160 are housed within cartridge 106, while CPU 190, power source compartment 192, at least one heating element 130 and a remaining portion of wetting mechanism 160 are housed within or attached to main housing 102.

According to some embodiments, there is provided aerosol generating device 100 comprising cartridge 106 and main housing 102, such that main housing 102 comprises at least one of: first trigger 140 and second trigger 150.

According to some embodiments, there is provided aerosol generating device 100 comprising cartridge 106 and main housing 102, such that cartridge 106 comprises at least one of: first trigger 140 and second trigger 150.

According to some embodiments, there is provided aerosol generating device 100' comprising cartridge 106 and main housing 102, such that evaporation heater 120', and wetting mechanism 160 are housed within cartridge 106, while CPU 190 and power source compartment 192 are housed within or attached to main housing 102.

According to some embodiments, there is provided aerosol generating device 100' comprising cartridge 106 and main housing 102, such that evaporation heater 120' and wetting mechanism 160 are housed within cartridge 106, while CPU 190, and power source compartment 192 are housed within or attached to main housing 102.

According to some embodiments, there is provided aerosol generating device 100' comprising cartridge 106 and main housing 102, such that evaporation heater 120', and a portion of wetting mechanism 160 are housed within cartridge 106, while CPU 190, power source compartment 192 and a remaining portion of wetting mechanism 160 are housed within or attached to main housing 102. According to some embodiments, there is provided aerosol generating device 100' comprising cartridge 106 and main housing 102, such that evaporation heater 120' and a portion wetting mechanism 160 are housed within cartridge 106, while CPU 190, power source compartment 192 and a remaining portion of wetting mechanism 160 are housed within or attached to main housing 102.

According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 is electrically connectable to main housing 102, so as to provide electric charge from at least one power source housed within power source compartment 192 to at least one component housed within cartridge 106 in need thereof, such as at least one heating element 130, evaporation heater 120' or a wetting mechanism 160.

According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 is electrically connectable to main housing 102, so as to transfer electric signals from CPU 190 to at least one component housed within cartridge 106, such as at least one heating element 130, evaporation heater 120' or a wetting mechanism 160. According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 is electrically connectable to main housing 102, so as to transfer electric signals from at least one of: first trigger 140 and second trigger 150, to CPU 190.

According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 further comprises a first electrical contact 132, and main housing 102 further comprises a second electrical contact 134, such that when cartridge 106 is received within main housing 102, first electrical contact 132 and second electrical contact 134 , allowing transfer there through of at least one of: electric power supply from power source compartment 192 to at least one component housed within cartridge 106, electric signals from CPU 190 to at least one component housed within cartridge 106, electric signals from first trigger 140 to CPU 190 and electric signals from second trigger 150 to CPU 190.

According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 further comprises at least one cartridge opening 112 allowing passage there through from main housing 102 towards internal cartridge compartment 108 or components housed therein. According to some embodiments, there is provided aerosol generating device 100 comprising cartridge 106 and main housing 102, wherein at least one heating element 130 is housed within of attached to main housing 102, further comprising heat transfer mechanism (not shown) between at least one heating element 130 and evaporation medium 120 housed within cartridge 106. According to some embodiments, heat transfer mechanism comprises a conductive heat transfer mechanism.

According to some embodiments, heat transfer mechanism comprises a conductive heat transfer mechanism. According to some embodiments, heat transfer mechanism comprises at least one heat conductive element (not shown), such as metal, disposed between at least one heating element 130 and evaporation medium 120. According to some embodiments, main housing 102 comprises at least one heat conducting element positioned in contact or in close proximity to at least one heating element 130. According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 comprises at least one heat conducting element positioned in contact or in close proximity to evaporation medium 120. According to some embodiments, each one of main housing 102 and cartridge 106 comprises at least one heating element, configured to contact each other or be positioned in close proximity to one another, when cartridge 106 is received within main housing 102.

According to some embodiments, heat transfer mechanism comprises electrically conductive heat conduction.

Reference is now made to Figs. 5A-5C and 6A-C. Fig. 5A-C constitute a schematic illustration of an aerosol generating device 100' ^c , according to some embodiments. Aerosol generating device 100' ^c comprises main housing 102 ^c and cartridge 106 ^c configured to detachably attach thereto. According to some embodiments, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: an evaporation heater comprising a high liquid-contact area, and configured generate heat, such that it is elevated to an evaporation temperature of at least 95°C; a wetting mechanism comprising a liquid drawing element, a liquid container and an actuator, wherein the liquid drawing element is configured to absorb liquid from the liquid container, wherein the actuator is configured to move the evaporation heater towards the liquid drawing element to create contact there between, and away therefrom; and an outlet, wherein the high liquid-contact area comprises a surface area for contacting liquid being at least one order of magnitude higher than the surface area of a flat non- porous element having the same external dimensions as those of the evaporation heater.

Aerosol generating device 100' ^c further comprises a wetting mechanism 160 ^c , having elements located in main housing 102 ^c and cartridge 106 ^c as detailed below.

Cartridge 106 ^c comprises internal cartridge compartment 108 ^c , liquid container 162 ^c and liquid drawing element 164 ^c . According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 ^c comprises outlet 110 ^c . According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 ^c comprises air inlet 124 ^c .

Main housing 102 ^c comprises evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^c further comprises flow or pressure sensor 152 ^c , first trigger 140 ^c , CPU 190 ^c and power source compartment 192 ^c . According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^c further comprises solenoid actuator 170 ^c and shaft 172 ^c .

According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 ^c is a fingerprint sensor.

According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^c further comprises a niche 128, for introducing Cartridge 106 ^c . Fig 5A constitutes a first phase, when the main housing 102 ^c and cartridge 106 ^c are detached. Cartridge 106 ^c is configured to attach to main housing 102 ^c through moving and/or pressing cartridge 106 ^c in the direction of arrow 126. Figs 5B-C constitute different phases, when main housing 102 ^c and cartridge 106 ^c are attached, as described below.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' comprises a distal surface with high roughness, wherein the degree of roughness forms the high liquid- contact area; or wherein evaporation heater 120 comprises a porous medium, wherein pores of the porous medium forms the high liquid-contact area.

Aerosol generating device 100 ^,c is devoid of additional heating elements. Specifically, other than evaporation heater 120’ aerosol generating device 100 ^,c does not include heaters which are configured to elevate a temperature to an evaporation temperature.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^c comprises liquid container 162 ^c and a liquid drawing element 164 ^c .

Liquid drawing element 164 ^c is partially inserted in liquid container 162 ^c , and is configured to absorb liquids therefrom. Liquid drawing element 164 ^c comprises a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end is located inside liquid container 162 ^c and the proximal end extends therefrom, such that the proximal end is not inside liquid container 162 ^c . Liquid drawing element 164 ^c is configured to absorb liquids from liquid container 162 ^c , through the distal end. According to some embodiments, liquids absorbed to distal end of liquid drawing element 164 ^c flow from the distal end to the proximal end of liquid drawing element 164 ^c , such that proximal end of liquid drawing element 164 ^c is absorbed with liquid. According to some embodiments, liquids absorbed to distal end of liquid drawing element 164 ^c flow from the distal end to the proximal end of liquid drawing element 164 ^c , such that liquid drawing element 164 ^c is absorbed with liquid. Fig 6A constitutes a top view of main housing 102 ^c , through niche 128 corresponding to Fig 5A. Fig 6B constitutes a top view of main housing 102 ^c , through niche 128 corresponding to Fig 5B. Fig 6C constitutes a top view of main housing 102 ^c , through niche 128 corresponding to Fig 5C.

According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is connected to main housing 102 ^c , while being out of its frame. According to some embodiments, evaporation heater 120' is connected to main housing 102 ^c , while in niche 128 area. When main housing 102 ^c and cartridge 106 ^c are attached liquid drawing element 164 ^c is extending from liquid container 162 ^c towards evaporation heater 120' inside niche 128. Fig 6A constitutes a top view of main housing 102 ^c , and shows a top view of evaporation heater 120' when main housing 102 ^c and cartridge 106 ^c are detached. As shown in Fig 6A, in this phase, liquid container 164 ^c is not in proximity with evaporation medium 120'. Figs 6B and 6C constitute top views of main housing 102 ^c , and show a top view of evaporation heater 120' when main housing 102 ^c and cartridge 106 ^c are attached. As shown in Fig 6B, in this phase, liquid drawing element 164 ^c is in proximity with evaporation medium 120'. As shown in Fig 6C, in this phase, liquid drawing element 164 ^c is in contact with evaporation medium 120'.

According to some embodiments, liquid container 162 ^c is configured to contain liquids. According to some embodiments, liquid container 162 ^c contains liquids.

According to some embodiments, liquid is provided in liquid container 162 ^c for deliverance towards evaporation heater 120' via liquid drawing element 164 ^c . According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 ^c comprises a material that is capable of incorporating, taking in, drawing in or soaking liquids, and upon applying physical pressure thereto or being in contact with another material, release a portion or the entire amount/volume of the absorbed liquid.

According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 ^c is a wick. According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 ^c is configured to absorb liquid in an amount which is at least 100% of its weight. According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 ^c is configured to absorb liquid in an amount which is at least 50% of its weight.

According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 ^c comprises cloth, wool, felt, sponge, foam, cellulose, yarn, microfiber or a combination thereof, having high tendency to absorb aqueous solutions. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the sponge is an open cell sponge. According to some embodiments, the sponge is a closed cell sponge. According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 ^c comprises fabric. Specifically, fibrous and/or woven fabric, such as a wick, is a hydrophilic and liquid absorbing material, which may be used as the stationary liquid absorbing element(s), according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 ^c is a hydrophilic liquid drawing element. According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 ^c is a hydrophilic sponge.

Without wishing to be bound by any theory or mechanism of action, when liquid drawing element 164 ^c comprises a hydrophilic sponge, at it comes in contact with the liquid in liquid container 162 ^c , capillary action within and among the pores of the sponge lead to it being absorbed.

According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 ^c is in contact with the liquid in liquid container 162 ^c . According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 ^c is positioned partially inside liquid container 162 ^c , such that it draws liquid therefrom, when liquid container 162 ^c contains liquid. According to some embodiments, liquid drawing element 164 ^c is in placed partially inside liquid container 162 ^c , such that it absorbs liquid therefrom, when liquid container 162 ^c contains liquid.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^c comprises solenoid actuator 170 ^c configured to move evaporation heater 120' towards the liquid drawing element and away therefrom. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^c comprises solenoid actuator 170 ^c configured to move evaporation heater 120' towards the liquid drawing element and away therefrom, when main housing 102 ^c and cartridge 106 ^c are attached.

Figs 5B and 6B show a phase when main housing 102 ^c and cartridge 106 ^c are attached. In this phase, liquid drawing element 164 ^c is in proximity with evaporation heater 120'. As shown in Figs 5B and 6B the surfaces of liquid drawing element 164 ^c and evaporation heater 120' are parallel. Upon actuation of solenoid actuator 170 ^c , evaporation heater 120' is moved towards liquid drawing element 164 ^c , such that there is contact between evaporation heater 120' is moved towards liquid drawing element 164 ^c .

The phase of contact between evaporation heater 120' is moved towards liquid drawing element 164 ^c is described in Figs 5C and 6C. Upon the contact, a thin layer of liquid in delivered from liquid drawing element 164 ^c , to evaporation heater 120'. After the contact has occurred for a pre-determined period of time sufficient for providing evaporation heater 120' with a thin layer of liquid. After the pre-determined period of time solenoid actuator 170 ^c moves evaporation heater 120' to the position shown in Figs 5B and 6B. According to some embodiments, the actuation may be repeated a plurality of times. According to some embodiments, upon evaporation of the liquid from evaporation heater 120' solenoid actuator 170 ^c is configured to displace evaporation heater 120', such that it is in further contact with liquid drawing element 164 ^c .

The term "thin layer of liquid" refers to a layer of liquid having thickness in the range of 0.01 to 0.5mm. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^c further comprises actuator 170 ^c , configured to move evaporation heater 120' towards liquid drawing element 164 ^c and away therefrom.

According to some embodiments, CPU 190 ^c is configured to control actuator

170 ^c . According to some embodiments, CPU 190 ^c is configured to control actuator

170 ^c , such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, actuator 170 ^c moves evaporation heater 120' towards liquid drawing element 164 ^c . According to some embodiments, CPU 190 ^c is configured to control actuator 170 ^c , such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, actuator 170 ^c moves evaporation heater 120' towards liquid drawing element 164 ^c , such that evaporation heater 120' and liquid drawing element 164 ^c are in contact. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 ^c is configured to control actuator 170 ^c , such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, actuator 170 ^c moves evaporation heater 120' towards liquid drawing element 164 ^c ; evaporation heater 120' and liquid drawing element 164 ^c are in contact, and a thin layer of liquid is formed on evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 ^c is configured to control actuator 170 ^c , such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, actuator 170 ^c moves evaporation heater 120' towards liquid drawing element 164 ^c for a predetermined period of time and moves evaporation heater 120' medium away from liquid drawing element 164 ^c after said predetermined period of time, wherein evaporation heater 120' and liquid drawing element 164 ^c are in contact for said predetermined period of time. According to some embodiments, said predetermined period of time is determined such that a thin layer of liquid is formed on evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 ^c is configured to control actuator

170 ^c , such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, actuator 170 ^c moves evaporation heater 120' towards liquid drawing element 170 ^c . According to some embodiments, CPU 190 ^c is configured to control actuator 170 ^c , such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, actuator 170 ^c moves evaporation heater 120' towards liquid drawing element 170 ^c , such that evaporation heater 120' and liquid drawing element 170 ^c are in contact. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 ^c is configured to control actuator 170 ^c , such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, actuator 170 ^c moves evaporation heater 120' towards liquid drawing element 170 ^c ; evaporation heater 120' and liquid drawing element 170 ^c are in contact, and a thin layer of liquid is formed on evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, CPU 190 ^c is configured to control actuator 170 ^c , such that upon receiving first trigger activation signal, actuator 170 ^c moves evaporation heater 120' towards liquid drawing element 170 ^c for a predetermined period of time and moves evaporation heater 120' away from liquid drawing element 170 ^c after said predetermined period of time, wherein evaporation heater 120' and liquid drawing element 170 ^c are in contact for said predetermined period of time. According to some embodiments, said predetermined period of time is determined such that a thin layer of liquid is formed on evaporation heater 120'.

According to some embodiments, actuator 170 ^c comprises shaft 172 ^c , wherein shaft 172 ^c is connected to evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, the actuator 170 ^c moving evaporation heater 120' entails actuator 170 ^c moving shaft 172 ^c entails moving evaporation heater 120' .

Reference is now made to Figs. 7A-7B. Figs. 7A-7B constitute a schematic illustration of an aerosol generating device 100' ^d , according to some embodiments. Aerosol generating device 100' ^d comprises main housing 102 ^d and cartridge 106 ^d configured to detachably attach thereto.

According to some embodiments, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: an outlet, an evaporation heater comprising a high liquid-contact area, and configured generate heat, such that it is elevated to an evaporation temperature of at least 95°C; a wetting mechanism comprising a collapsible liquid container, compression spring configured to press the collapsible liquid container, and escapement mechanism configured to block and allow operation of the escapement mechanism and a flap movable upon variation of pressure in the outlet, wherein movement of the flap entails operation of the escapement mechanism; wherein the high liquid-contact area comprises a surface area for contacting liquid being at least one order of magnitude higher than the surface area of a flat non-porous element having the same external dimensions as those of the evaporation heater.

Aerosol generating device 100' ^d further comprises a wetting mechanism 160 ^d , having elements located in main housing 102 ^d and cartridge 106 ^d as detailed below. Cartridge 106 ^d comprises collapsible liquid container 162d and liquid drawing element in the form of a nozzle 164 ^d . According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 ^d comprises outlet 110 ^d . According to some embodiments, cartridge 106 ^d comprises air inlet 124 ^d .

Main housing 102 ^d comprises evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^d further comprises flow or pressure sensor 152 ^d , first trigger 140 ^d , CPU 190 ^d and power source compartment 192 ^d . According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^c further comprises an out let in the form of a mouthpiece 110 ^d . According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^d further comprises compression spring 174 ^d and an escapement mechanism 176 ^d . According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^c further comprises a flap 177 ^d .

According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^d further comprises an electrical contact 134 ^d , allowing transfer there through of at least one of: electric power supply from power source compartment 192 ^d to at evaporation heater 120' and electric signals from CPU 190 ^d to evaporation heater 120'.

According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 ^d is a switch.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^d comprises a collapsible liquid container 162 ^d ; a compression spring 174 ^d and an escapement mechanism 176 ^d .

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^d comprises collapsible liquid container 162 ^d ; compression spring, 174 ^d escapement mechanism 176 ^d and flap 177 ^d . According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^d comprises collapsible liquid container 162 ^d ; compression spring 174 ^d and escapement mechanism 176 ^d comprising a flap 177 ^d . According to some embodiments, flap 177 ^d is pressure sensitive and positioned in proximity to mouthpiece 110 ^d (Figs. 7A and 7B).

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^d comprises collapsible liquid container 162 ^d ; compression spring 174 ^d and escapement mechanism 176 ^d comprising flap 177 ^d , escapement element 183 ^d and escapement rack 184 ^d . According to some embodiments, flap 177 ^d is functionally connected to escapement element 183 ^d . According to some embodiments, escapement element 183 ^d is configured to control the movement of escapement rack 184 ^d . According to some embodiments, escapement rack 184 ^d is configured to control the expansion of compression spring 174 ^d . According to some embodiments, the expansion of compression spring 174 ^d entails reducing the volume of collapsible liquid container 162d.

Figure 7A constitutes a phase when flap 177 ^d is not experiencing differential pressure between its two sides. As a result, and as detailed below, escapement rack 184 ^d is blocked and restrains compression spring 174 ^d from expansion, such that collapsible liquid container 162 ^d is not compressed to exert liquid through nozzle 164 ^d .

Figure 7B constitutes a phase when flap 177 ^d is experiencing differential pressure between its two sides, as a result of an inhalation through mouthpiece 110 ^d . As a result, and as detailed below, escapement rack 184 ^d is released and allows expansion of compression spring 174 ^d , such that collapsible liquid container 162 ^d is compressed to exert liquid through nozzle 164 ^d .

According to some embodiments, reducing the volume of collapsible liquid container 162 ^d entails flow of liquid contained therein from collapsible liquid container 162 ^d to evaporation heater 120' through a nozzle 164 ^d extending from collapsible liquid container 162 ^d to evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, said flow of liquid is in an amount to form a thin layer of the liquid on evaporation heater 120' . According to some embodiments, reducing the volume of collapsible liquid container 162 ^d entails flow of liquid contained therein from collapsible liquid container 162 ^d to the evaporation heater through nozzle 164 ^d extending from collapsible liquid container 162 ^d to the evaporation heater. According to some embodiments, said flow of liquid is in an amount to form a thin layer of the liquid on evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^d is designed such that reduced pressure experienced by flap 177 ^d (e.g. due to inhalation through mouthpiece 110 ^d ) results in reducing the volume of collapsible liquid container 162 ^d .

According to some embodiments, collapsible liquid container 162 ^d comprises nozzle 164 ^d having an orifice (not shown) located in close proximity with evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^d comprises a nozzle fluidly connected to collapsible liquid container 162 ^d . According to some embodiments, collapsible liquid container 162 ^d comprises nozzlel64 ^d having an orifice located in close proximity with evaporation heater 120'.

According to some embodiments, compression spring 174 ^d comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to spring base 175 ^d facing mouthpiece 110 ^d and the proximal end is mounted to the support 186 ^d , wherein support 186 ^d is connected to evaporation heater 120', and in fluid contact with collapsible liquid container 162 ^d . According to some embodiments, compression spring 174 ^d comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to spring base 175 ^d facing 110 ^d and the proximal end is mounted to support 186 ^d , wherein support 186 ^d is connected to evaporation heater 120', and in fluid contact with collapsible liquid container 162 ^d , such that upon expansion of the spring, evaporation heater 120' is moved away from mouthpiece 110 ^d . According to some embodiments, compression spring 174 ^d comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to spring base 175 ^d facing mouthpiece 110 ^d and the proximal end is mounted to support 186 ^d , wherein support 186 ^d is connected to evaporation heater 120', and in fluid contact with collapsible liquid container 162 ^d , such that upon expansion of spring 174 ^d , collapsible liquid container 162 ^d is squeezed, thereby reducing in volume and delivering liquid contained therein through nozzle 164 ^d and orifice to evaporation heater 120'.

According to some embodiments, compression spring 174 ^d comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to spring base 175 ^d facing mouthpiece 110 ^d and the proximal end is mounted to support 186 ^d , wherein support 186 ^d is connected to the evaporation heater 120', and in fluid contact with collapsible liquid container 162 ^d . According to some embodiments, compression spring 174 ^d comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to spring base 175 ^d facing mouthpiece 110 ^d and the proximal end is mounted to support 186 ^d , wherein support 186 ^d is connected to evaporation heater 120', and in fluid contact with collapsible liquid container 162 ^d , such that upon expansion of spring 174 ^d , evaporation heater 120' is moved away from mouthpiece 110 ^d . According to some embodiments, compression spring 174 ^d comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is mounted to spring base 175 ^d facing mouthpiece 110 ^d and the proximal end is mounted to support 186 ^d , wherein support 186 ^d is connected to evaporation heater 120', and in fluid contact with collapsible liquid container 162 ^d , such that upon expansion of the spring, collapsible liquid container 162 ^d is squeezed, thereby reducing in volume and delivering liquid contained therein through nozzle 164 ^d and orifice to evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, escapement mechanism 176 ^d is configured to restrain compression spring 174 ^d from expanding. According to some embodiments, escapement mechanism 176 ^d is further configured to allow compression spring 174 ^d to expand. According to some embodiments, escapement mechanism 176 ^d comprises flap

177 ^d movable upon axis 178 ^d and located in proximity with mouthpiece 110 ^d . According to some embodiments, flap 177 ^d is elongated and has a first and second ends, wherein the flap 177d movable upon axis 178 ^d in the first end, and free in the second end.

According to some embodiments, flap 177d and axis 178 ^d are located such that when in atmospheric pressure flap 177 ^d is substantially parallel to evaporation heater 120' (see Fig. 7A) and upon application of reduced pressure on mouthpiece 110 ^d (e.g. by inhalation) flap 177 ^d is drawn to be vertical or diagonal to evaporation heater 120' (Fig. 7B). According to some embodiments, flap 177d is movable upon an axis 178 ^d located in proximity with mouthpiece 110 ^d . According to some embodiments, flap 177 ^d and axis 178 ^d are located such that when in atmospheric pressure flap 177d is parallel to evaporation heater 120' (Fig. 7A); and upon application of reduced pressure on mouthpiece 110 ^d (e.g. by inhalation) flap 177 ^d is drawn to be vertical or diagonal to evaporation heater 120' (Fig. 7B). According to some embodiments, upon flap 177 ^d moving to be vertical to evaporation heater 120' (Fig. 7B), the second end moves towards mouthpiece llOd. According to some embodiments, flap 177 ^d comprises an inner position 179 ^d located between the first and second end. According to some embodiments, upon flap 177 ^d moving to be vertical to evaporation heater 120' (Fig. 7B), inner position 179 ^d moves towards mouthpiece 110 ^d .

According to some embodiments, escapement mechanism 176d comprises drawbar 180 ^d having a first end connected to inner position 179 ^d of flap 177d and a second end connected to a shaft 181 ^d through an axis 182 ^d . According to some embodiments, upon application of reduced pressure and moving of inner position 179 ^d towards mouthpiece 110 ^d (Fig. 7B), drawbar 180 ^d is also moved towards mouthpiece 110 ^d . According to some embodiments, shaft 181 ^d comprises a first end connected to drawbar 180 ^d though axis 182 ^d and a second side rigidly connected to an escapement element 183 ^d , which is vertical thereto.

According to some embodiments, escapement element 183 ^d is located over escapement rack 184 ^d having a plurality of teeth 189 ^d , such that when escapement element 183 ^d is aligned parallel to escapement rack 184 ^d (Fig. 7B), escapement rack 184 ^d is movable, and when escapement element 183 ^d is aligned diagonally to escapement rack 184 ^d (Fig. 7A), escapement element 183 ^d located between two of plurality of teeth 189 ^d , thereby blocking the movement of escapement rack 184 ^d . According to some embodiments, upon application of reduced pressure and moving of drawbar 180 ^d towards mouthpiece 110 ^d , escapement element 183 ^d is rotated from parallel alignment to diagonal alignment with respect to escapement rack 184 ^d .

According to some embodiments, escapement rack 184 ^d is connected to support 186 ^d . According to some embodiments, when escapement rack 184 ^d is movable(Fig. 7B), support 186 ^d may be moved by compression spring 174 ^d , and when escapement rack 184 ^d is blocked (Fig. 7A), support 186 ^d is fixed, such that compression spring 174 ^d is restrained.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^d comprises collapsible liquid container 162 ^d , escapement mechanism 176 ^d and compression spring 175 ^d having a pressure sensitive flap 177 ^d , such that upon inhalation flap 177 ^d operates escapement mechanism 176 ^d to allow compression spring 174 ^d to expand and squeeze collapsible liquid container 162 ^d , such that it spreads a thin layer of liquid over evaporation heater 120' (Fig. 7B).

Reference is now made to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 constitutes a schematic illustration of an aerosol generating device 100' ^e , according to some embodiments. Aerosol generating device 100' ^e comprises main housing 102 ^e and cartridge 106 ^e configured to detachably attach thereto. According to some embodiments, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: an outlet, an evaporation heater comprising a high liquid-contact area, and configured generate heat, such that it is elevated to an evaporation temperature of at least 95°C; a wetting mechanism comprising a diaphragm pump, a liquid container and unidirectional flow pipe configured to deliver liquids from the liquid container to the diaphragm pump; wherein the high liquid-contact area comprises a surface area for contacting liquid being at least one order of magnitude higher than the surface area of a flat non-porous element having the same external dimensions as those of the evaporation heater. Aerosol generating device 100' ^e further comprises a wetting mechanism 160 ^e , having elements located in main housing 102 ^e and cartridge 106 ^e as detailed below.

Cartridge 106 ^e comprises liquid container 162 ^e .

Main housing 102 ^e comprises evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^e further comprises flow or pressure sensor 152 ^d , first trigger 140 ^e , CPU 190 ^e and power source compartment 192 ^e . According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^e further comprises an outlet 110 ^e . According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^e comprises air inlet 124 ^e . According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^e comprises liquid drawing element in the form of a unidirectional pipe 164 ^e . According to some embodiments, main housing 102 ^e comprises diaphragm pump 163 ^e .

According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 ^e is a switch.

According to some embodiments, wetting mechanism 160 ^e comprises liquid container, diaphragm pump 163 ^e and unidirectional flow pipe 163 ^e extending from liquid container 162 ^e to diaphragm pump 163 ^e . According to some embodiments, unidirectional pipe 163 ^e is configured to deliver liquids from liquid container 162 ^e to diaphragm pump 163 ^e . According to some embodiments, diaphragm pump 163 ^e is controlled by CPU 190 ^e . According to some embodiments, the flow of liquid from liquid container 162 ^e to diaphragm pump 163 ^e through unidirectional flow pipe 164 ^e is controlled by CPU 190 ^e .

According to some embodiments, diaphragm pump 163 ^e comprises a nozzle (not numbered) extending towards evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, the nozzle comprises an orifice for allowing liquids to flow from diaphragm pump 163 ^e to evaporation heater 120'. According to some embodiments, diaphragm pump 163 ^e is configured to deliver a thin layer of liquid to evaporation heater 120'.

Reference is now made to Figures 9A-9B. Figures 9A and 9B constitute partial views of aerosol generating device 100 ^h during phases I-II of a mode of operation for providing aerosolized composition to a subject in need thereof.

Phase I shown in Figure 9A exhibits an initialization configuration of aerosol generating device 100 ^h . According to some embodiments, first trigger 140 is a switch 140 ^b . During phase I, the user operates switch 140 ^b , by pushing switch 140 ^b with his/her finger. Switch 140 ^b is configured to at least trigger activation or deactivation of at least one heating element 130, according to some embodiments. As a result of the user pushing switch 140 ^b , first trigger 140 is activated. In addition, an e-cigarette user is drawing from aerosol generating device 100 ⁸ by inserting outlet 110 into his/her mouth and drawing an inhalation. As a result of the drawing a pressure decrease is felt inside the confines of main housing 102 and a flow of air commences (shown in Figure 9A as broken-line arrow). As detailed above, according to some embodiments, flow sensor or a pressure sensor 152 ^a is configured to detect flow or the pressure, respectively. As a result, flow sensor or a pressure sensor 152 ^a detects the flow or the pressure, which results from the drawing, and activates second trigger 150.

As detailed above, according to some embodiments, CPU 190 is configured to receive signals from both first trigger 140 and from second trigger 150 and is further configured to control operation at least one heating element 130. Thus, the result of the user pushing switch 140 ^b and inhaling from outlet 110 is the operation of least one heating element 130. According to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to rapidly transfer heat to evaporation medium 120. Specifically, according to some embodiments, at least one heating element 130 is configured to transfer sufficient heat to elevate the temperature of evaporation medium 120 to evaporation temperature.

According to some embodiments, evaporation medium 120 is having a distal surface, which is in contact with temperature sensor 131. According to some embodiments, temperature sensor 131 is configured to detect the temperature of evaporation medium 120 and to send a temperature signal, indicative of said temperature to CPU 190. Thus, upon elevation of the temperature of evaporation medium 120 to evaporation temperature, CPU 190 receives a signal indicative of the temperature and controls the current delivered to at least one heating element 130, such that overheating of evaporation medium 120 is avoided.

Phase II shown in Figure 9B exhibits a wetting configuration of aerosol generating device 100 ^h . As detailed above, both first trigger 140 and first trigger 150 are configured to trigger activation or deactivation of wetting mechanism 160. As further detailed above, CPU 190 is configured to control operation wetting mechanism 160. The drawing from outlet 110 and pushing of switch 140 ^b results in the activation of wetting mechanism 160. Wetting mechanism 160 is configured to provide liquid from liquid container 162 to evaporation medium 120. As shown in Figure 9B, CPU 190 operates wetting mechanism 160, such that it approaches evaporation medium 120, such that wetting mechanism 160 is in close proximity or in contact with evaporation medium 120. As a result, during Phase II a film of liquid contained in liquid container 162 is provided to evaporation medium 120, which is present at evaporation temperature, after the drawing from outlet 110 and pushing of switch 140 ^b . As evaporation medium 120 is both wet with the liquid and present at evaporation temperature, evaporation may initiate. In addition to the initiation of evaporation, the temperature of evaporation medium 120 begins to decline as a result of the contact with the cold liquid (which is maintained at ambient temperature before operation). Upon decline of the temperature of evaporation medium 120, CPU 190 receives a signal indicative of the decreased temperature and, if it declines close to evaporation temperature, CPU 190 controls the current delivered to at least one heating element 130, such that heating evaporation medium 120 is amplified.

Thereafter, the liquid form wetting mechanism 160 may be exhausted. In such case, the heat energy formed in heating element 130 and transferred to evaporation medium 120 is beginning to be absorbed in evaporation medium 120, thereby raising it temperature. Upon possible elevation of the temperature of evaporation medium 120 to the elevated temperature, CPU 190 receives a signal indicative of the temperature from temperature sensor 131 and controls the current delivered to at least one heating element 130, such that overheating of evaporation medium 120 is avoided. Phase III, similar in its configuration to the configuration of Figure 9A, exhibits an evaporation configuration of aerosol generating device 100 ^h . Specifically, as above, CPU 190 is configured to control operation wetting mechanism 160. After operating wetting mechanism 160 towards evaporation medium 120, CPU 190 operates to move to its previous position. As detailed when referring to Phase II, evaporation medium 120 is ready for initiation of vaporization of the liquid dispersed thereon of the beginning of Phase III. Thus, upon returning of wetting mechanism 160 to the position shown in Figure 9A, flow of evaporated liquid flows, now present as gaseous evaporated composition towards outlet 110 (shown in Figure 9A as broken-line arrow). During the course of flow of gaseous evaporated composition towards outlet 110, it experiences lower temperature than the evaporation temperature experienced adjacent to evaporation medium 120. As a result of the decreased temperature, some of the gaseous evaporated composition is condensed to small droplets. Said droplets act as nucleation sites for the condensation of the remaining gaseous evaporated composition, such that an aerosol is generated. The aerosol proceed in the flow direction through outlet 110, to the mouth of the user.

Phase IV, similar in its configuration to the configuration of Figure 9A, is optional, and exhibits a configuration of aerosol generating device 100 ^h in which it either commences terminates the evaporation. Specifically, in scenario (i) the user stops drawing the aerosol, resulting in the pressure inside aerosol generating device 100 ^h reaching approximately atmospheric pressure.

Similarly to Phase I above, flow sensor or a pressure sensor 152 ^a detects the flow or the pressure, which results from the drawing termination, and activates second trigger 150. CPU 190 is configured to receive termination signals second trigger 150 and is further configured to terminate the operation at least one heating element 130. Thus, the result of the user terminating the inhalation is the termination of operation of least one heating element 130, resulting in a temperature decrease.

In scenario (ii) the user continues drawing the aerosol, resulting in the pressure inside aerosol generating device 100 ^h being sub-atmospheric pressure. Similarly to Phase I above, flow sensor or a pressure sensor 152 ^a detects the flow or the pressure, which results from the drawing commencement, and activates second trigger 150. CPU 190 is configured to receive signals second trigger 150 and is further configured to continue the operation at least one heating element 130. Thus, the result of the user continuing the inhalation is the continuation of operation of least one heating element 130, resulting in an evaporation temperature, and provision of additional aerosol, as described when referring to Phase III.

While some embodiments of Figs. 1A, 2A-C and 3A-B and depict an embodiment of an aerosol generating device 100 comprising two heating elements 130a and 130b (e.g. as in Fig. 1A) being placed in direct contact with the distal surface of evaporation medium 120, it will be clear that any other number of heating elements 130 is possible (e.g. one heating element, as in Figs. 9A-B), and that contact location between at least one heating element 130 and evaporation medium 120 may vary, for example to the proximal surface of evaporation medium 120, to a portion of the circumference of evaporation medium 120, or even embedded within evaporation medium 120.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. 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“comprises” or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude or rule out the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, additions and sub combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced be interpreted to include all such modifications, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.