The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device. The present disclosure further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the cartridge and the aerosol-generating device.

It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such devices may heat an aerosol-forming substrate contained in a cartridge without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating arrangement. The heating arrangement may be an induction heating arrangement and may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor. The susceptor may be part of the device or may be part of the cartridge.

Upon heating to a target temperature, the aerosol-forming substrate vaporises to form an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be present in solid form or in liquid form. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be comprised in a liquid storage portion and may be delivered to the heating element via a capillary component. The liquid storage portion may form part of a replaceable or refillable cartridge. The cartridge may comprise manually removable liquid storage portion sealing means, for example a removable sealing cap or a disposable sealing foil, to avoid leakage of aerosol-forming substrate prior to use.

Vaporization may only partially take place. This may be due to insufficient air being delivered. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be insufficiently evaporated. This may impair the user’s experience during consumption of the aerosol.

It would be desirable to provide a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device which may improve delivery of air for aerosol formation. It would be desirable to provide a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device which may improve the evaporation of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. It would be desirable to provide a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device which may improve the formation of an aerosol. It would be desirable to provide a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device which may improve the user experience. It would be desirable to provide a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device which may be more comfortably handled by a user. It would be desirable to provide a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device which may reduce or avoid leakage of aerosol-forming substrate. It would be desirable to provide a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device which allows preventing or reducing oxidation of the aerosol-forming substrate of the cartridge prior to the first use.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge may comprise a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may include an inner airflow path extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge. The cartridge may furthermore comprise a tubular internal unit circumscribing at least a portion of the inner airflow path. The internal unit may comprise a tubular heater component comprising a susceptor element arranged in the inner airflow path. The internal unit may comprise a tubular heater component. The tubular heater component may comprise a susceptor element arranged in the inner airflow path. Furthermore, the cartridge may comprise a tubular sleeve element circumscribing at least a portion of the internal unit. A liquid supply channel arranged between the internal unit and the sleeve element may be present. The liquid supply channel may be configured for supplying the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the susceptor element. The internal unit may further comprise an airflow management component provided distal of the tubular heater component. The airflow management component may comprise at least one air inlet configured for providing air into the inner airflow path. The airflow management component may comprise a tubular sidewall circumscribing the inner airflow path. A distal sealing element arranged on an outer surface of the tubular sidewall may be present. The distal sealing element may be configured for sealing a distal end of the liquid supply channel.

Another embodiment provides a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge comprises a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge comprises an inner airflow path extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge. The cartridge also includes a tubular internal unit circumscribing at least a portion of the inner airflow path. The internal unit comprises a tubular heater component comprising a susceptor element arranged in the inner airflow path. A tubular sleeve element is present circumscribing at least a portion of the internal unit. A liquid supply channel is arranged between the internal unit and the sleeve element. The liquid supply channel is configured for supplying the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the susceptor element. The internal unit furthermore comprises an airflow management component provided distal of the tubular heater component. The airflow management component comprises at least one air inlet configured for providing air into the inner airflow path. A tubular sidewall of the airflow management component circumscribes the inner airflow path. A distal sealing element is arranged on an outer surface of the tubular sidewall. The distal sealing element is configured for sealing a distal end of the liquid supply channel.

The distal end of the cartridge may be configured for engaging with an aerosolgenerating device. A distal portion of the cartridge may be configured for being received by an aerosol-generating device.

The cartridge may provide one single component, the airflow management component which provides both air into the inner airflow path and also sealing means for sealing the liquid supply channel. This allows for an easy entry of air into the inner airflow path. This also allows to seal the liquid supply channel in an easy way.

The tubular sidewall of the airflow management component may coaxially circumscribe the inner airflow path. As used herein, the terms ’tubular’, ’tubular unit’, ’tubular component’, ’tubular element’, and ’tubular shape’ refer to three-dimensional objects and three-dimensional geometric shapes comprising a bottom basal plane, a top basal plane, and a sidewall circumscribing a hollow interior, the sidewall being arranged between the bottom basal plane and the top basal plane. The sidewall extends along a longitudinal axis of the tubular element between the bottom basal plane and the top basal plane. The longitudinal axis may be perpendicular to one or both of the bottom basal plane and the top basal plane.

A bottom base of the tubular element lies within the bottom basal plane. A top base of the tubular element lies within the top basal plane. A cross-sectional shape of one or both of the bottom and top bases may be circular. A cross-sectional shape of one or both of the bottom and top bases may be non-circular, for example elliptic, stadium-shaped, or rectangular. One or both of the bottom base and the top base may be open.

The tubular element may have the shape of a right circular hollow cylinder. The tubular element may have the shape of a non-circular hollow cylinder, for example an elliptic hollow cylinder, or a stadium-shaped hollow cylinder. The tubular element may have the shape of a hollow cuboid.

The longitudinal axis of the tubular element may be arranged in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. A longitudinal center axis of the tubular element may coincide with a longitudinal center axis of the cartridge.

The airflow management component may comprise a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal sealing element may be arranged in the proximal portion of the airflow management component.

The distal sealing element may abut an inner wall of the tubular sleeve element. This may allow the sealing element to reliably seal the distal end of the liquid supply channel.

The at least one air inlet may be located in the distal portion of the airflow management component. This may allow the airflow management component to provide two different functions for the cartridge in the distal portion and in the proximal portion.

The proximal portion of the airflow management component may include the distal sealing element. The distal portion of the airflow management component may comprise the at least one air inlet.

An outer surface of the proximal portion of the airflow management component may comprise a first and a second protrusion. The distal sealing element may be arranged between the first and second protrusion. This may allow the airflow management component to reliably hold the distal sealing element in place.

The distal sealing element also may be permanently attached to the airflow management component by an adhesive. In this case, the first and second protrusion for holding the distal sealing element in place may be avoided. An outer diameter of the distal portion of the airflow management component may be smaller than an outer diameter of the proximal portion of the airflow management component. A larger outer diameter of the proximal portion of the airflow management component may allow a reliable sealing of the liquid supply channel with the distal sealing element.

The distal portion of the airflow management component may include the at least one air inlet. The distal portion therefore does not necessarily have to have an outer diameter which is sufficiently large for sealing the liquid supply channel. Therefore, the outer diameter of the distal portion of the airflow management may be smaller than the outer diameter of the proximal portion of the airflow management component.

In the cartridge, the distal portion of the airflow management component may protrude from a distal end of the tubular sleeve element.

This may allow the distal portion of the airflow management component to be pushed into the cartridge when the cartridge is received by a cavity of an aerosol-generating device. This may open a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel as explained further down below.

The airflow management component may comprise a distal end wall. The distal end wall may form a distal end of the tubular internal unit. The distal end wall may be the part of the distal portion of the airflow management component protruding from the distal end of the tubular sleeve element. The distal end wall of the airflow management component may be pushed into the cartridge when the cartridge is received by an aerosol-generating device.

The at least one air inlet may be located in the distal end wall. This may provide an easy way of introducing air through the at least one air inlet into the inner airflow path of the cartridge.

The distal end wall may be a closed distal end wall. The closed distal end wall may be configured as a retention element for receiving liquid aerosol-forming substrate. This may prevent leakage from one or both of the susceptor element and the inner airflow path.

The at least one air inlet may be spaced apart from the distal end of the airflow management component. This may allow air to enter the inner airflow path of the cartridge through the at least one air inlet without interfering with the retention element for receiving the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

The airflow management component may comprise a tubular sidewall. The at least one air inlet may be located in the tubular sidewall. Preferably, the at least one air inlet may be located in a distal portion of the tubular sidewall of the airflow management component.

Preferably, at least two air inlets are located in the tubular sidewall of the airflow management component. The at least two air inlets may allow air to pass into the inner airflow path of the cartridge from different directions. The at least two air inlets may provide air to different parts of the susceptor element. The distal sealing element may be provided as a seal lip or as an O-ring. This may provide a particular reliable sealing of the distal end of the liquid supply channel. An O-ring may provide a reliable sealing between the inner walls of the tubular sleeve element and the tubular airflow management component.

The airflow management component may comprise an airflow directing element arranged in the inner airflow path. The airflow directing element may be configured for directing an airflow over a surface of the susceptor element. This may enhance the formation of an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate evaporated from the susceptor element.

The airflow directing element may be located upstream of the susceptor element in the inner airflow path of the cartridge. The airflow directing element may be located downstream of the at least one air inlet configured for providing air into the inner airflow path.

The airflow directing element may comprise at least one partition wall element extending from the tubular sidewall of the airflow management component.

The internal unit may further comprise a tubular sealing component provided proximal to the tubular heater component. The sealing component may comprise a tubular element circumscribing a portion of the airflow path. The sealing component may comprise a proximal sealing element arranged on an outer surface of the tubular element. The internal unit may be axially movable with respect to the sleeve element from a blocking position in which the proximal sealing element is arranged to block a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel. The internal unit may be axially movable with respect to the sleeve element to an open position in which the proximal sealing element is moved to open a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel.

Movement of the internal unit with respect to the sleeve element therefore may allow the internal unit to move between the blocking position and the open position for blocking and allowing fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel.

The heater component may comprise a fluid permeable wall portion arranged to allow migration of liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel to the inner airflow path. The fluid permeable wall portion may be formed by two slits in opposing sidewalls of the tubular heater component.

The cartridge may comprise a wick element arranged to transfer liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel to the susceptor element.

The heater component may comprise the wick element. The wick element may extend from the inner airflow path through the two slits in opposing sidewalls of the tubular heater component into the liquid supply channel.

The wick element may extend transversely through the inner airflow path and may protrude from the inner airflow path through the slits into the liquid supply channel. This may allow an easy transfer of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel to the susceptor element via capillary action.

The wick element may comprise one or more of a cotton-based material, a porous ceramic-based material, a porous graphite-based material.

The wick element may be in direct contact with the susceptor element. Preferably, the wick element may be sandwiched between two layers of the susceptor element.

This may allow a sufficient contact between the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and the susceptor element. This may facilitate an easy formation of an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate by evaporating the substrate via the susceptor element.

The wick element may be in the form of a sheet and the susceptor element may be II- shaped. The U-shaped susceptor element may be mounted on the wick element within the airflow path.

This may provide spatial arrangement between the wick element and the susceptor element with a large interface between both elements. This may increase the formation of an aerosol.

A distal end of the heater component may be connected to a proximal end of the airflow management component. A proximal end of the heater component may be connected to a distal end of the sealing component.

The sealing component, the heater component, and the airflow management component may be connected by plug connections.

The airflow management component and the tubular heater component may be configured as separate structural components. Additionally, the tubular sealing component may be configured as a separate structural component.

The sealing component, the heater component, and the airflow management component may be connected along a longitudinal axis of the tubular internal unit.

The proximal sealing element may be provided as an O-ring. The tubular element may comprise a guiding means to hold the O-ring in position. The O-ring may exhibit a compression ratio of between 15 percent and 25 percent, preferably of between 18 percent and 22 percent, more preferably of about 20 percent, when the internal unit is in the blocking position.

The proximal sealing element may comprise polymeric material, preferably elastomeric material. The elastomeric material may be selected from one or more of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Nitrile, Neoprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM Rubber), fluorocarbon, silicone, low density polyethylene (LDPE), and polypropylene (PP). The elastomeric material may comprise soft polymers, for example one or both of LDPE and PP. The elastomeric material may comprise thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). The TPE may have a hardness from between 30 to 90 Shore A. The tubular element of the sealing component and the proximal sealing element may be made from the same material. The tubular element of the sealing component and the proximal sealing element may be configured as a monolithic piece.

A proximal end portion of the cartridge may be configured as a mouthpiece. This may allow compact design of the cartridge without the need to attach a separate mouthpiece to the cartridge. In particular, a proximal end portion of the cartridge may be formed as a mouthpiece.

Preferably the liquid storage portion is at least partly comprised in the mouthpiece. In particular, a part of the liquid storage portion may be formed as a mouthpiece. This may enable an advantageous design of the cartridge wherein the cartridge includes a mouthpiece and wherein at least a part of the liquid storage portion is included in the mouthpiece.

The liquid storage portion of the cartridge may circumscribe a portion of the inner airflow path. This may allow a compact design of the cartridge wherein portions of the tubular side wall circumscribing the inner airflow path also form a portion of the liquid storage portion.

The distal end of the cartridge may be configured for engaging with the aerosolgenerating device. The distal end of the cartridge may be configured for being inserted into a cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The distal end of the cartridge may comprise connection means configured to be releasably connectable to the aerosol-generating device. The connection means may be mechanical. The connection means may comprise one or more springs. The one or more springs may be made of plastic material or metallic material or a combination thereof. The connection means may comprise magnetic connection means.

The proximal end of the cartridge may be a mouth end. The proximal end of the cartridge may comprise a mouthpiece. The proximal end of the cartridge may comprise an air outlet.

The invention also provides an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system may comprise a cartridge as described herein. The aerosol generating system may also comprise an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity arranged for receiving at least a distal portion of the cartridge. The cavity may at least partly be circumscribed by an inductor coil.

The invention also provides an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system comprises a cartridge as described herein. The aerosol-generating system furthermore comprises an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity arranged for receiving at least a distal portion of the cartridge. The cavity is at least partly circumscribed by an inductor coil.

The inductor coil may be configured to heat the susceptor element included in the cartridge. This may allow the generation of an aerosol formed from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and air.

The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may be a heating chamber. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a pin element. The pin element may protrude from the distal end face of the cavity. The pin element may be a spring-loaded pin. The pin element may be a rigid pin. The pin element may be arranged to push against the airflow management component of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity.

This may allow the internal unit of the cartridge to be axially moved with respect to the sleeve element in order to open the liquid supply channel for fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel. When purchasing the cartridge, the distal portion of the airflow management component of the cartridge may protrude from the sleeve element of the cartridge. In this position the internal unit may be in the blocking position with respect to the sleeve element. This may block a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel when the cartridge is not inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol or a vapor. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be in liquid form. The terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapor’ are used synonymously.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of a cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of the liquid held in the liquid storage portion of the cartridge. The liquid storage portion may contain a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

Preferably, a liquid nicotine or flavor/flavorant containing aerosol-forming substrate may be employed in the liquid storage portion of the cartridge.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. An aerosolformer is any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense and stable aerosol and that is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the temperature of operation of the device. Suitable aerosol-formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1 , 3-butanediol. Preferably, the aerosol former is glycerine.

As used herein, the term ‘cartridge’ refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, a cartridge may be an article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable by the user drawing or puffing on a mouthpiece at a proximal or user-end of the device or at a mouthpiece of the cartridge itself. A cartridge may be disposable. A cartridge may be reusable. A cartridge may be refillable. The cartridge may be insertable into a cavity of the aerosolgenerating device.

As used herein, the term ‘liquid storage portion’ refers to a storage portion comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The liquid storage portion may be configured as a container or a reservoir for storing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

The liquid storage portion may be configured as a replaceable tank or container. The liquid storage portion may be any suitable shape and size. For example, the liquid storage portion may be substantially cylindrical. The cross-section of the liquid storage portion may, for example, be substantially circular, elliptical, square or rectangular. The liquid storage portion may form part of the cartridge.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating device’ refers to a device that interacts with a cartridge to generate an aerosol.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating system’ refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device with a cartridge. In the system, the aerosol-generating device and the cartridge cooperate to generate a respirable aerosol.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device is portable. The aerosol-generating device may have a size comparable to a conventional cigar or cigarette. The device may be an electrically operated smoking device. The device may be a handheld aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may have a total length between 30 millimeters and 150 millimeters. The aerosol-generating device may have an external diameter between 5 millimeters and 30 millimeters.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing. The housing may be elongate. The housing may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics or composite materials containing one or more of those materials, or thermoplastics that are suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyethylene. Preferably, the material is light and non-brittle.

The housing may comprise at least one air inlet. The housing may comprise more than one air inlet.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating element. The heating element may comprise at least one inductor coil for inductively heating one or more susceptors.

Operation of the heating element may be triggered by a puff detection system. Alternatively, the heating element may be triggered by pressing an on-off button, held for the duration of the user’s puff. The puff detection system may be provided as a sensor, which may be configured as an airflow sensor to measure the airflow rate. The airflow rate is a parameter characterizing the amount of air that is drawn through the airflow path of the aerosol-generating device per time by the user. The initiation of the puff may be detected by the airflow sensor when the airflow exceeds a predetermined threshold. Initiation may also be detected upon a user activating a button. The sensor may also be configured as a pressure sensor.

The aerosol-generating device may include a user interface to activate the aerosolgenerating device, for example a button to initiate heating of the aerosol-generating device or a display to indicate a state of the aerosol-generating device or of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-generating device may include additional components, such as, for example a charging unit for recharging an on-board electric power supply in an electrically operated or electric aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, the terms ‘proximal end of the cartridge’ and ‘distal end of the cartridge’ may refer to opposing ends of the cartridge. The terms ‘proximal end’ and ‘first end’ may be used synonymously. The terms ‘distal end’ and ‘second end’ may be used synonymously.

As used herein, the term ‘proximal’ generally refers to a user-end, or mouth-end of the cartridge or aerosol-generating device or system or a part or portion thereof, and the term ‘distal’ generally refers to the end opposite to the proximal end. When referring to the cavity, the term ‘proximal’ refers to the region closest to the open end of the cavity and the term ‘distal’ refers to the region closest to the closed end.

As used herein, the terms ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device in relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating device during use thereof.

The term ‘airflow path’ as used herein denotes a channel suitable to transport gaseous media. An airflow path may be used to transport ambient air. An airflow path may be used to transport an aerosol. An airflow path may be used to transport a mixture of air and aerosol.

As used herein, a ‘susceptor’ or ‘susceptor element’ means an element that heats up when subjected to an alternating magnetic field. This may be the result of eddy currents induced in the susceptor element, hysteresis losses, or both eddy currents and hysteresis losses. During use, the susceptor element is located in thermal contact or close thermal proximity with an aerosol-forming substrate received in the aerosol-generating device or cartridge. In this manner, the aerosol-forming substrate is heated by the susceptor such that an aerosol is formed.

The susceptor material may be any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to aerosolize an aerosol-forming substrate. The following examples and features concerning the susceptor may apply to the susceptor element of the cartridge. Suitable materials for the susceptor material include graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steels, niobium, aluminium, nickel, nickel containing compounds, titanium, and composites of metallic materials. Preferred susceptor materials comprise a metal or carbon. Advantageously the susceptor material may comprise or consists of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, for example, ferritic iron, a ferromagnetic alloy, such as ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel, ferromagnetic particles, and ferrite. A suitable susceptor material may be, or comprise, aluminium. The susceptor material may comprise more than 5 percent, preferably more than 20 percent, more preferably more than 50 percent, or more than 90 percent of ferromagnetic, ferri-magnetic or paramagnetic materials. Preferred susceptor materials may be heated to a temperature in excess of 250 degrees Celsius without degradation.

The susceptor material may be formed from a single material layer. The single material layer may be a steel layer.

The susceptor material may comprise a non-metallic core with a metal layer disposed on the non-metallic core. For example, the susceptor material may comprise metallic tracks formed on an outer surface of a ceramic core or substrate.

The susceptor material may be formed from a layer of austenitic steel. One or more layers of stainless steel may be arranged on the layer of austenitic steel. For example, the susceptor material may be formed from a layer of austenitic steel having a layer of stainless steel on each of its upper and lower surfaces. The susceptor element may comprise a single susceptor material. The susceptor element may comprise a first susceptor material and a second susceptor material. The first susceptor material may be disposed in intimate physical contact with the second susceptor material. The first and second susceptor materials may be in intimate contact to form a unitary susceptor. In certain embodiments, the first susceptor material is stainless steel and the second susceptor material is nickel. The susceptor element may have a two-layer construction. The susceptor element may be formed from a stainless steel layer and a nickel layer.

Intimate contact between the first susceptor material and the second susceptor material may be made by any suitable means. For example, the second susceptor material may be plated, deposited, coated, clad or welded onto the first susceptor material. Preferred methods include electroplating, galvanic plating and cladding.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply for powering the heating element. The power supply may comprise a battery. The power supply may be a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, for example a lithium-cobalt, a lithium-iron- phosphate, lithium titanate or a lithium-polymer battery. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

The power supply may be a direct current (DC) power supply. In one embodiment, the power supply is a DC power supply having a DC supply voltage in the range of 2.5 Volts to 4.5 Volts and a DC supply current in the range of 1 Amp to 10 Amps (corresponding to a DC power supply in the range of 2.5 Watts to 45 Watts). The aerosol-generating device may advantageously comprise a direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) inverter for converting a DC current supplied by the DC power supply to an alternating current. The DC/AC converter may comprise a Class-D, Class-C or Class-E power amplifier. The AC power output of the DC/AC converter is supplied to the induction coil.

The power supply may be adapted to power an inductor coil and may be configured to operate at high frequency. A Class-E power amplifier is preferable for operating at high frequency. As used herein, the term ‘high frequency oscillating current’ means an oscillating current having a frequency of between 500 kilohertz and 30 megahertz. The high frequency oscillating current may have a frequency of from 1 megahertz to 30 megahertz, preferably from 1 megahertz to 10 megahertz, and more preferably from 5 megahertz to 8 megahertz.

In another embodiment the switching frequency of the power amplifier may be in the lower kHz range, e.g. between 100 kHz and 400 KHz. In the embodiments, where a Class-D or Class-C power amplifier is used, switching frequencies in the lower kHz range are particularly advantageous.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller. The controller may be electrically connected to the inductor coil. The controller may be electrically connected to the first induction coil and to the second induction coil. The controller may be configured to control the electrical current supplied to the induction coil(s), and thus the magnetic field strength generated by the induction coil(s).

The power supply and the controller may be connected to the inductor coil(s).

The controller may be configured to be able to chop the current supply on the input side of the DC/AC converter. This way the power supplied to the inductor coil(s) may be controlled by conventional methods of duty-cycle management.

Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example E1 . A cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device, comprising a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; an inner airflow path extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge; and a tubular internal unit circumscribing at least a portion of the inner airflow path, wherein the internal unit comprises a tubular heater component comprising a susceptor element arranged in the inner airflow path; a tubular sleeve element circumscribing at least a portion of the internal unit; and a liquid supply channel arranged between the internal unit and the sleeve element, wherein the liquid supply channel is configured for supplying the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the susceptor element, wherein the internal unit further comprises an airflow management component provided distal of the tubular heater component, the airflow management component comprising at least one air inlet configured for providing air into the inner airflow path, a tubular sidewall of the airflow management component circumscribing the inner airflow path, and a distal sealing element arranged on an outer surface of the tubular sidewall, wherein the distal sealing element is configured for sealing a distal end of the liquid supply channel.

Example E2. The cartridge according to Example E1 , wherein the airflow management component comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion, and wherein the distal sealing element is arranged in the proximal portion of the airflow management component, preferably wherein the distal sealing element abuts an inner wall of the tubular sleeve element.

Example E3. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein an outer surface of the proximal portion of the airflow management component comprises a first and a second protrusion and wherein the distal sealing element is arranged between the first and the second protrusion.

Example E4. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples E2 or E3, wherein an outer diameter of the distal portion of the airflow management component is smaller than an outer diameter of the proximal portion of the airflow management component.

Example E5. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples E2 to E4, wherein the distal portion of the airflow management component protrudes from a distal end of the tubular sleeve element.

Example E6. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the airflow management component comprises a distal end wall, preferably wherein the distal end wall forms a distal end of the tubular internal unit.

Example E7. The cartridge according to the preceding example, wherein the at least one air inlet is located in the distal end wall.

Example E8. The cartridge according to example E6, wherein the distal end wall is a closed distal end wall, preferably wherein the closed distal end wall is configured as a retention element for receiving liquid aerosol-forming substrate to prevent leakage from one or both of the susceptor element and the inner airflow path. Example E9. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one air inlet is located in the tubular sidewall of the airflow management component, preferably wherein the at least two air inlets are located in the tubular sidewall of the airflow management component.

Example E10. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the distal sealing element is provided as a seal lip, or wherein the distal sealing element is provided as an O-ring.

Example E11. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the internal unit comprises a tubular sealing component provided proximal to the tubular heater component, the sealing component comprising a tubular element circumscribing a portion of the airflow path and a proximal sealing element arranged at an outer surface of the tubular element; and wherein the internal unit is axially movable with respect to the sleeve element from a blocking position in which the proximal sealing element is arranged to block a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel, to an open position in which the proximal sealing element is moved to open a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply channel.

Example E12. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the airflow management component and the tubular heater component are configured as separate structural components connected along a longitudinal axis of the internal unit, preferably wherein the airflow management component is connected to the tubular heater component via a plug connection.

Example E13. The cartridge according to the preceding example, further being dependent on example 11 , wherein the tubular sealing component is configured as a separate structural component, wherein the tubular sealing component is connected with the tubular heater component along the longitudinal axis of the internal unit.

Example E14. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein a proximal end portion of the cartridge is configured as a mouthpiece, preferably wherein the liquid storage portion is configured as a mouthpiece.

Example E15. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the liquid storage portion circumscribes a portion of the inner airflow path.

Example E 16. An aerosol-generating system, comprising the cartridge according to any of the preceding examples; and an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity arranged for receiving at least a distal portion of the cartridge, wherein the cavity is at least partly circumscribed by an inductor coil.

Example E17. The aerosol-generating system according to the preceding example, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a pin element protruding from a distal end face of the cavity and being arranged to push the airflow management component, when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity.

Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figs. 1a to 1c show a tubular internal unit of a cartridge for use with an aerosolgenerating device of one embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 2a and 2b show a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device;

Figs. 3a and 3b show a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device;

Figs. 4a and 4b show an aerosol-generating system;

Figs. 5a and 5b show a heater component of a cartridge for use with an aerosolgenerating device;

Figs. 6a and 6b show a heater component and an airflow management component of a cartridge for use with an aerosol-generating device;

Figs. 7a and 7b show cross-sectional views of different retention elements at the distal end of the airflow management component;

Figs. 8a and 8b show a perspective side view and front view of an airflow management component with an airflow directing element and protrusions for the distal sealing element;

Figs. 9a to 9c show different airflow management components with various air inlets, and protrusions for the distal sealing element and airflow directing elements; and

Figs. 10a and 10b show different airflow management components with distal end walls including air inlets which direct an airflow on the airflow directing element of the airflow management components also including protrusions for the distal sealing element.

In the following elements with the same functionality are marked with the same reference numerals throughout all the figures.

In the following Figs. 1 to 6 an embodiment of the cartridge is described wherein the internal unit comprises a proximal tubular sealing component, an intermediate heater component and the distal airflow management component. The further Figs. 7a and 7b show cross-sectional views of various airflow management components with different retention elements. The further Figs. 8 to 10 show various embodiments of airflow management components with airflow directing elements.

Fig. 1a shows a tubular internal unit 10 of the aerosol-generating device in disassembled configuration. The internal unit 10 comprises a proximal tubular sealing component 20, an intermediate tubular heater component 40 comprising a susceptor element in its hollow interior (not shown), and a distal tubular airflow management component 60. The sealing component 20 comprises a tubular element 22 and a proximal sealing element 24 arranged on an outer surface of the tubular element 22. The proximal sealing element 24 is provided as a continuous protrusion arranged circumferentially around the tubular element 22 of the sealing component 20. The proximal sealing element 24 is provided as a seal lip.

The airflow management component 60 comprises a tubular sidewall 62 and a distal sealing element 64 provided as an O-ring arranged on an outer surface of the tubular sidewall 62. The O-ring is axially held in position between a first protrusion 66 and a second protrusion 67 of the airflow management component 60. The distal sealing element 64 is configured for sealing a distal end of the liquid supply channel as explained further below.

Fig. 1 b shows the tubular internal unit 10 of Fig. 1a in assembled configuration. The sealing component 20, the heater component 40, and the airflow management component 60 are connected in series along a longitudinal axis 12. A distal end of the heater component 40 is plugged into proximal end of the airflow management component 60. A proximal end of the heater component 40 is plugged into a distal end of the sealing component 20. The plugging action is indicated by arrows in Fig 1a.

Fig. 1c shows the assembled tubular internal unit 10 of Fig. 1b in cross-sectional view. The airflow management component 60 comprises air inlets 68 allowing air to enter the hollow tubular interior of the tubular internal unit 10. The air inlets 68 are spaced apart from the distal end of the airflow management component which includes the retention element 70. An inner airflow path 14 is circumscribed by the tubular internal unit 10. The inner airflow path 14 passes the susceptor 42 of the heater component 40.

Fig. 2a shows a cartridge 100 in disassembled configuration. The cartridge 100 comprises the internal unit 10 of Figs. 1a to 1c. The cartridge 100 comprises a tubular sleeve element 80 and the mouthpiece 90.

Fig. 2b shows the cartridge 100 of Fig. 2a in assembled configuration in cross-sectional view. The tubular sleeve element 80 circumscribes a portion of the internal unit 10. A liquid supply channel 82 is formed by an empty space between the internal unit 10 and the sleeve element 80. The distal sealing element 64 of the airflow management component 60 is configured for closing and sealing a distal end of the liquid supply channel 82.

The mouthpiece 90 comprises a liquid storage portion 92 circumscribing a portion of the inner airflow path 14. The liquid storage portion 92 is provided by an empty space between an inner tubular wall portion 96 of the mouthpiece 90 coaxially circumscribing the inner airflow path 14 and an outer tubular wall portion 98 of the mouthpiece 90 coaxially circumscribing the liquid storage portion 92. A proximal end 94 of the mouthpiece 90 comprises an air outlet. A distal end 99 of the mouthpiece 90 is attached to a proximal end 84 of the sleeve element 80. For example, a permanent attachment may be achieved by ultrasonic welding. Fig. 3a shows a cartridge 100 wherein the air inlets 68 are located in the tubular sidewall 62 of the airflow management component 60. The air inlets 68 are thus located spaced apart from the distal end of the airflow management component 60. Thereby, the airflow management component 60 comprises a retention element 70 provided at the distal end of the airflow management component 60, wherein the retention element 70 comprises a closed distal end wall of the airflow management component 60.

The internal unit 10 is axially movable with respect to the sleeve element 80 from a blocking position shown in Fig. 3a, in which the proximal sealing element 24 is arranged to block a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion 92 and the liquid supply channel 82, to an open position shown in Fig. 3b, in which the proximal sealing element 24 is moved to open a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion 92 and the liquid supply channel 82. In the blocking position shown in Fig.3a, the proximal sealing element 24 is in contact with an internal wall of the sleeve element 80 to block a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion 92 and the liquid supply channel 82. The airflow management component allows air to enter the inner airflow path 14 through the two air inlets 68 as indicated by the dashed arrow 14. Additionally, the distal sealing element 64 of the distal airflow management component seals the distal end of the liquid supply channel 82. The cartridge in the blocking position can be purchased and is configured to be inserted into the cavity of an aerosol-generating device.

In the open position shown in Fig. 3b, the proximal sealing element 24 is moved away from the internal wall to open a fluid connection between the liquid storage portion 92 and the liquid supply channel 82. In the open position shown in Fig. 3b, a liquid passageway 16 has formed, allowing liquid aerosol-forming substrate to migrate from the liquid storage portion 92 into the liquid supply channel 82. The distal sealing element 64 of the airflow management component 60 seals a distal end of the liquid supply channel 82 preventing liquid aerosolforming substrate from exiting the liquid supply channel 82 at a distal end thereof in the open position.

A distal portion of the inner tubular wall portion 96 of the mouthpiece 90 may slide within a proximal portion of the tubular element 22 of the sealing component 20 when the internal unit 10 is axially moved from the blocking position shown in Fig. 3a to the open position shown in Fig. 3b. This axial movement may take place when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity of an aerosol-generating device.

The heater component 40 comprises a fluid permeable wall portion 44 arranged to allow migration of liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel 82 into the inner airflow path 14 and towards the susceptor element 42.

Figs. 4a and 4b show an aerosol-generating system in cross-sectional view. The aerosol-generating system comprises a cartridge, for example the cartridge 100 of Figs. 2 and 3, and an aerosol-generating device 200. The aerosol-generating device 200 comprises a cavity 210 arranged for receiving at least a distal portion of the cartridge 100. The cavity 210 is at least partly circumscribed by an inductor coil 220.

The aerosol-generating device 200 comprises a pin element 230 protruding from a distal end face of the cavity 210. The pin element 230 is arranged to push the internal unit 10 of the cartridge 100 from the blocking position into the open position when the distal portion of the cartridge 100 is inserted into the cavity 210. In particular, the pin element 230 is arranged to push the retention element 70 of the internal unit 10. If the retention element 70 is not present in the distal airflow management component 60, then the distal portion of the airflow management component can be pushed by the pin element 230. Fig. 4b shows the configuration, where the distal portion of the cartridge 100 has been inserted into the cavity 210 and the internal unit 10 is in the open position. Consequently, liquid aerosol-forming substrate may migrate towards the susceptor 42.

Further, with the distal portion of the cartridge 100 being inserted into the cavity 210 as shown in Fig. 4b, the susceptor 42 of the cartridge 100 is placed within the cavity 210 such that an alternating electric current applied to the inductor coil 220 creates an alternating magnetic field which induces an electric current in the susceptor 42 to heat the susceptor 42.

Ambient air may enter the aerosol-generating system via a gap between the cartridge 100 and the aerosol-generating device 200. Alternatively, or in addition, the aerosol-generating device 200 may comprise air inlets (not shown) in fluid connection with the cavity 210.

The airflow route 240 is shown as dotted lines in Fig. 4b. Liquid aerosol-forming substrate located in proximity to, or in contact with, the heated susceptor 42 may be volatized due to the elevated temperature in the area of the susceptor 42. Volatized material may be taken up by the airflow and may travel downstream along the airflow route 240 and through the air outlet at the proximal end 94 of the cartridge 100 where a ripened aerosol may be inhaled by a user.

The distal end of the cartridge 100 may comprise connection means (not shown), for example magnetic connection means, configured to be releasably connectable to the aerosolgenerating device 200. The aerosol-generating device 200 may comprise corresponding connection means (not shown).

Figs. 5a and 5b show an embodiment of the heater component 40 in perspective view (Fig. 4a) and in front view (Fig. 4b). The fluid permeable wall portion 44 is formed by two slits in opposing sidewalls of the tubular heater component 40. A wick element 46 extends between and through the slits. The wick element 46 is arranged to transfer liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid supply channel 82 to the susceptor element 42 when the heater component 40 is arranged within the sleeve element 80. A center portion of the wick element 46 within the inner airflow path 14 is sandwiched by the susceptor element 42 which describes a U-shape. Figs. 6a and 6b shows an alternative embodiment of the heater component 40 and the airflow management component 60 in disassembled configuration (Fig. 6a) and in assembled configuration (Fig. 6b). In difference to the embodiment of Figs. 1a to 1c, in the embodiment of Figs. 6a and 6b the sealing element 64 provided as an O-ring is axially held in position between a first protrusion 48 being part of the heater component 40 and a second protrusion

67 being part of the airflow management component 60.

Fig. 7a shows an enlarged cutout of a cross-sectional view of the distal airflow management component 60 located in the tubular sleeve component 80. The distal airflow management component 60 includes the retention element 70 with the airflow management element 72. The airflow management component separates the retention element into two separate troughs for receiving liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The arrows indicated with the reference sign 61 show the flow of leaked liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the susceptor element 42 and the inner airflow path 14 into the retention element 70. The retention element 70 therefore can receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the susceptor or condensed droplets of liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the inner airflow path. The retention element 70 can be formed by a closed distal end wall of the tubular internal unit, in particular a closed distal end wall of the distal airflow management component 60. The airflow directing element 72 is configured to direct ambient air entering the inner airflow path 14 through the air inlets 68 over the surface of the susceptor element 42. The distal sealing element 64 seals the distal end of the liquid supply channel so that the liquid passageway 16 is sealed.

Fig. 7b shows an enlarged cutout of a cross-sectional view of another distal airflow management component 60 located in the tubular sleeve component 80. In this embodiment, the distal airflow management component 60 only includes the retention element 70 but lacks the airflow management element 72. The retention element 70 is configured to receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate either leaking from the susceptor element 42 or from the inner airflow path 14 as indicated by the arrows 61. The distal sealing element 64 seals the liquid supply channel similar to the distal airflow management component of Fig. 7a.

Fig. 8a shows a side view of an airflow management component 60 including air inlets

68 in the sidewall 62. The airflow management component 60 also includes a first protrusion 66 and a second protrusion 67 which are able to hold a distal sealing element in place (distal sealing element not shown). Fig. 8b shows a top view of the airflow management component 60 of Fig. 8a. This top view shows that an airflow directing element 72 with the inner sidewall 62 is present in the inner airflow path 14 of the airflow management component 60. The top view also shows the second protrusion 67. The airflow directing element 72 is configured for directing the airflow in a targeted way onto the surface of the susceptor element 42 which is part of the heating component 40 of the cartridge 100. As shown for example in Figs. 5a and 5b the sandwich of the susceptor element 42 and the wick element 46 also may have a flat elongated form similar to the form of the airflow directing element 72. This may allow the airflow directing element 72 to direct the airflow onto both opposing main surfaces of the susceptor element 42.

Fig. 9a shows in the upper figure part a side view of an airflow management component 60 including two air inlets 68 in a first side of the tubular sidewall 62. Two further air inlets 68 are present on the other side of the tubular sidewall 62 which are not shown. The figure in the middle part of Fig. 9a shows an isometric perspective front view of the airflow management component 60. A first partition wall element 72a and an opposing second partition wall element 72b are visible which form one airflow directing element and which extend from the tubular sidewall 62 into the inner airflow path 14. This first partition wall elements and second partition wall element are configured to direct the ambient air entering the inner airflow path through the air inlets 68 towards the susceptor element 42. The bottom figure part of Fig. 9a shows in a cross-sectional view the airflow path indicated by arrows with air entering the inner airflow path 14 through the four air inlets 68. This airstream is further directed by the first and second partition wall elements in the direction of the susceptor element 42.

Fig. 9b shows in the upper figure part a side view of a different airflow management component 60, which in contrast to the airflow management component shown in Fig. 9a only includes one air inlet 68 on one side of the tubular sidewall 62. A second air inlet is present on the other side of the tubular sidewall 62 (not shown in Fig. 9b). The airflow directing element including the first partition wall element 72a and the second partition wall element 72b are the same as in Fig. 9a as shown in the middle part of the figure. The lower part of Fig. 9b shows that the airflow through the air inlets 68 indicated by the arrows is directed towards the first and second partition wall elements to be further directed onto the susceptor element 42.

Fig. 9c shows an embodiment of an airflow management component 60 which is similar to the airflow management component 60 shown in Fig. 9b. In contrast to Figs. 9a and 9b one airflow directing element 72 is present, which extends between the opposing wall portions of the tubular sidewall 62. This airflow directing element 72 forms a continuous bridge between opposing wall portions of the tubular sidewall 62 and therefore can divide the airstream in the inner airflow path 14 into two separate parts. The distal sealing element is not shown in any of the figures of Fig. 9, but the first and second protrusions for holding the distal sealing element. The distal sealing element, for example an O-ring can simply be arranged in between both protrusions.

The embodiments of the airflow management component 60 shown in Fig. 10 both include a distal end wall. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10a, two air inlets 68 are present in the distal end wall which are configured to allow air to enter the inner airflow path 14 towards the airflow directing element 72. Only one air inlet 68 is present in the distal end wall of the airflow management component 60 shown in Fig. 10b.