Component for an aerosol supply system

Abstract

There is provided a component for an aerosol delivery system, the component comprising: a plate configured to be attached to the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; a nozzle disposed downstream of an air inlet of the aerosol delivery system and upstream of an atomizer of the aerosol delivery system with respect to an air flow direction along an air flow path; wherein the plate comprises: an air flow restricting region comprising a first plurality of apertures through the plate, and wherein, when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system, the first plurality of apertures are aligned with the first plurality of apertures, and the first plurality of apertures are aligned with the first plurality of apertures. At least a subset of the first plurality of apertures is positioned to overlap a cross-sectional area of the air flow path at locations immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate; and an absorbent element retention surface configured to abut the first contact surface of an absorbent element to retain the absorbent element in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to components for aerosol delivery systems. Background Art

[0002] Aerosol delivery systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) typically include an aerosol-generating material supply (such as a source liquid reservoir), the source liquid may contain active substances and / or flavoring agents, and an aerosol or vapor is generated from the source liquid by heating and vaporization for inhalation by the user. Therefore, the aerosol supply system typically includes an aerosol generating chamber, which accommodates an aerosol generator, which is arranged to vaporize or aerosolize a portion of the precursor material to generate a vapor or aerosol in the aerosol generating chamber. When the user draws on the device and electrical power is supplied to the vaporizer, air is drawn into the device through the inlet orifice and along the inlet air channel connected to the aerosol generating chamber, where the air mixes with the vaporized precursor material to form a condensed aerosol.

[0003] In some aerosol delivery systems, the aerosol generator includes an electrically operated atomizer, which may include, for example, a heating element, which is arranged to be in fluid communication with an air flow channel extending between an air inlet orifice and a mouthpiece, from which a user can inhale vapor / aerosol. In an aerosol delivery system arranged to generate an aerosol, and particularly in an aerosol delivery system that generates an aerosol from a liquid (e.g., by heating a liquid to form a vapor, which is then condensed into a condensed aerosol), the management of free liquid in the (one or more) air flow paths and / or air spaces of the system may be a problem. For example, liquid stored in a reservoir may flow out into the (one or more) air flow paths due to leakage, or liquid in a component (e.g., a core that performs capillary action) that is configured to deliver liquid from a reservoir to an aerosol generator may escape into the air flow path due to pressure changes within the system and / or under the influence of knocks or vibrations on the system. In addition, vapor and / or aerosol in the (one or more) air flow paths of the system may condense to form droplets. Free liquid created in these or other ways may migrate to portions of the system where it may damage components (such as electronic components) and / or interfere with air flow through the system and / or come into direct contact with a user.

[0004] This article describes various approaches that seek to help solve or alleviate at least some of the problems discussed above. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a component for an aerosol delivery system is provided; the component includes: a plate, which is constructed to be arranged downstream of an air inlet of the aerosol delivery system and upstream of an aerosol delivery system atomizer relative to an air flow direction along an air flow path when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; wherein the plate includes: an air flow restriction area, which air flow restriction area includes a first plurality of holes passing through the plate, wherein, when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system, at least a subset of the first plurality of holes is positioned to overlap with a cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path at positions immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate; and an absorption element retaining surface, which absorption element retaining surface is constructed to be adjacent to a first contact surface of an absorption element to hold the absorption element in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol delivery system is provided, which includes a reservoir for storing an aerosol generating liquid, an air flow path arranged between an air inlet and an air outlet, and an aerosol generator for vaporizing a source liquid from the reservoir and delivering the vapor into the air flow path; wherein the aerosol delivery system includes a component according to the first aspect, which is arranged along the air flow path at a position downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the aerosol generator.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a component of an aerosol delivery system is provided; the method comprises: providing a plate, the plate being constructed to be arranged downstream of an air inlet of the aerosol delivery system and upstream of an atomizer of the aerosol delivery system relative to an air flow direction along an air flow path when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; wherein providing the plate comprises the following steps: providing an air flow restriction area comprising a first plurality of holes passing through the plate, wherein when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system, at least a subset of the first plurality of holes are positioned to overlap with a cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path at positions immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate; providing an absorption element retaining surface on the plate, the absorption element retaining surface being constructed to be adjacent to a first contact surface of an absorption element so as to hold the absorption element in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system.

[0008] It should be understood that the features and aspects of the present invention described above with respect to the first and other aspects of the present invention are also applicable to the embodiments of the present invention according to other aspects of the present invention, and can be appropriately combined with the embodiments of the present invention according to other aspects of the present invention, rather than just the specific combinations described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2a and Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of a cartridge portion of an aerosol delivery system illustrating certain subcomponents according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the plates included in the components of the aerosol delivery system.

[0013] Figure 4a is a schematic illustration of a section through a housing element of an aerosol delivery system to which an absorbent element and a plate included in the components of the aerosol delivery system may be mounted.

[0014] Figure 4b and Figure 4c yes Figure 4a Schematic diagram of a housing element on which an absorption element is mounted.

[0015] Figure 4d is a schematic cross-sectional view through a subassembly including a housing element, an absorbent element, and a plate mounted to the housing element to retain the absorbent element.

[0016] Figure 5a is a schematic diagram of a housing element of an aerosol delivery system to which an absorbent element and a plate included in the components of the aerosol delivery system may be mounted.

[0017] Figure 5b yes Figure 5a Schematic diagram of a housing element on which an absorption element is mounted.

[0018] Figure 5c is a schematic diagram of a subassembly including a housing element, an absorbent element, and a plate mounted to the housing element to retain the absorbent element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be conventionally implemented, and for the sake of brevity, these aspects and features are not discussed / described in detail. Therefore, it should be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented according to any conventional techniques for implementing these aspects and features.

[0020] the term

[0021] As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to include systems that deliver at least one substance to a user in use, and the system includes: a non-flammable aerosol supply system that releases compounds from an aerosol generating material without igniting the aerosol generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems that use a combination of aerosol generating materials to generate an aerosol.

[0022] According to the present disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol supply system is one in which the constituent aerosol generating materials of the aerosol supply system (or components thereof) do not ignite or burn to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0023] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-flammable aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-flammable aerosol supply system. In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also referred to and interchangeably referred to herein as a vaporizing device, an aerosol delivery system, or an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not required. In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also referred to as a heating but not burning system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0024] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that uses a composition of an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol, and one or more aerosol generating materials in the composition can be heated. Each aerosol generating material can be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and can contain or not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol generating material and a solid aerosol generating material. The solid aerosol generating material can include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0025] Typically, the non-flammable aerosol supply system may include a non-flammable aerosol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-flammable aerosol supply device. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that contain aerosol generating materials and are configured to be used with a non-flammable aerosol supply device. These consumables are sometimes referred to as products, cartridges, or atomizer cartridges throughout the disclosure, and these terms should be understood as interchangeable herein.

[0026] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system (such as a non-flammable aerosol supply device thereof) may include a power source and a controller.

[0027] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system may include an area for receiving consumables, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier. In some embodiments, consumables used with the non-flammable aerosol supply device may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material transmission component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a packaging, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0028] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol generating material, which may contain one or more active ingredients, one or more flavoring agents, one or more aerosol former materials, and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0029] In some embodiments, the material to be delivered includes an active substance. The active substance used herein can be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance physiological reactions. The active substance can be, for example, selected from nutritional supplements, nootropics, psychoactive substances. The active substance can be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance can include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, caffeine, vitamins (such as B6 or B12 or C), melatonin, or components, derivatives or combinations of these substances. The active substance can include one or more components, derivatives or extracts of tobacco or another plant product.

[0030] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

[0031] As described herein, active substances may include or be derived from one or more plant products or components, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "plant product" includes any material derived from a plant, including but not limited to extracts, leaves, skins, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husks, shells, etc. Alternatively, the material may contain active compounds naturally present in the plant, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, fragments, strips, sheets, etc.

[0032] Exemplary botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay, liquorice (licorice root), matcha, mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea (such as green or black tea), thyme, cloves, cinnamon, coffee, anise seed (fennel), basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, zest, Safflower, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, holly, basil, turmeric, turmeric root, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, black currant, valerian, bell pepper, nutmeg, damselfly, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, caraway, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theanine, maca, ashwagandha, damina, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab, or any combination thereof. Mint can be selected from the following mint varieties: alventis mint, nelika mint, peppermint, citronella mint, balsam mint, crisp leaf mint, heart leaf mint, long leaf mint, variegated mint, lip calyx mint, balsam mint, and apple mint.

[0033] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plant products or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the plant product is tobacco. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the plant is selected from eucalyptus, anise and cocoa. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plant products or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the plant product is selected from rooibos and fennel.

[0034] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered includes flavoring agents. As used herein, the terms "flavoring agents" and "flavoring agents" refer to materials that can be used to create desired tastes, aromas, or other physical sensations for adult consumers in products, where permitted by local regulations. These materials can include naturally occurring flavoring materials, plant products, extracts of plant products, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, licorice (licorice root), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white magnolia leaves, chamomile, fenugreek, cloves, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, anise seed (fennel), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, holly, cherries, berries, red berries, cranberries, peaches, apples, oranges, mangoes, clementines, lemons, Lime, tropical fruits, papaya, rhubarb, grapes, durian, pitaya, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Durham, bourbon, scotch, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe, cardamom, celery, balsam pear, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, Arabic tea, nava, betel nut, shisha, pinewood, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cinnamon, caraway, cognac Brandy, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, horseradish, bell pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa powder, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange peel, rose, tea such as green or black, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, basil, turmeric, cilantro, myrtle, black currant, valerian, bell pepper, Mace, damiana, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, caraway, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, sodium cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol) and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals or breath fresheners. These materials can be imitations, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. These materials can be in any suitable form, for example, liquids (such as oils), solids (such as powders), or gases.

[0035] In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises menthol, spearmint and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises the flavoring agent component of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruit and / or cranberry. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises the flavoring agent component extracted from tobacco.

[0036] In some embodiments, in addition to or in place of aroma nerves or taste nerves, flavoring agents may include sensates that are intended to achieve somatic sensations that are usually chemically induced and sensed by stimulating the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), and these sensates may include agents that provide heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effects. Suitable thermal effect agents may be, but are not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and suitable cooling agents may be, but are not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

[0037] Aerosol generating materials are materials that are capable of generating aerosols, for example, when heated, irradiated, or stimulated in any other way. Aerosol generating materials can, for example, be in the form of solids, liquids, or gels, which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may include an "amorphous solid", which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid (such as a liquid) inside. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may, for example, contain about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% of an amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% of an amorphous solid.

[0038] The aerosol-generating material may include one or more active substances and / or flavoring agents, one or more aerosol former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0039] The aerosol forming agent material may include one or more ingredients capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol forming agent material may include one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetate, diacetate mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyric acid, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0040] The one or more other functional materials may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a binder, a filler, a stabilizer and / or an antioxidant.

[0041] The material may be present on or in a carrier to form a substrate. The carrier may, for example, be or include paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, a reconstructed material, a plastic material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the carrier includes a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded in the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is located on one or both sides of the material.

[0042] A consumable is an article containing or consisting of an aerosol generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed by a user during use. A consumable may include one or more other components, such as an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material transmission component, an aerosol generating area, a housing, packaging, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol modifier. A consumable may also include an aerosol generator (such as a heater) that emits heat to cause the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol during use. For example, a heater may include a material or a receptor that can be heated by electrical conduction.

[0043] A susceptor is a material that can be heated by passing a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field, through it. The susceptor can be a conductive material, such that passing a varying magnetic field through the susceptor produces inductive heating of the heated material. The heated material can be a magnetic material, such that passing a varying magnetic field through the heated material results in hysteresis heating of the heated material. A susceptor can be both conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor can be heated by both heating mechanisms. In this document, a device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator.

[0044] Aerosol modifiers are substances that are typically located downstream of the aerosol generation region and are configured to modify the generated aerosol, for example by changing the taste, flavor, acidity or other characteristics of the aerosol. The aerosol modifier can be provided in an aerosol modifier release component that is operable to selectively release the aerosol modifier. The aerosol modifier can be, for example, an additive or an adsorbent. The aerosol modifier can, for example, include one or more of a flavoring agent, a colorant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol modifier can be, for example, a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol modifier can be in the form of a powder, a string, or particles. The aerosol modifier can be free of filter material.

[0045] An aerosol generator is a device configured to cause an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol generating material to thermal energy so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol without heating. For example, the aerosol generator can be configured to subject the aerosol generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0046] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery system (which may also be referred to as a vapor delivery system), such as a nebulizer or an electronic cigarette. In the following description, the term "electronic cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it should be understood that the term can be used interchangeably with an aerosol delivery system / device and an aerosol delivery system / device. In addition, as is common in the art, the terms "aerosol" and "vapor" and related terms such as "gasification", "volatization" and "aerosolization" are often used interchangeably.

[0047] Aerosol delivery systems (electronic cigarettes) typically (although not always) include a modular assembly that includes a reusable device portion and a replaceable (disposable / consumable) cartridge portion. Typically, the replaceable cartridge portion will include an aerosol generating material and a vaporizer / atomizer / aerosol generator (which may be collectively referred to as a "atomizing cartridge"), and the reusable device portion will include a power supply (e.g., a rechargeable power source) and a control circuit. It should be understood that these different components may include further elements according to the function. For example, the reusable device portion typically includes a user interface for receiving user input and displaying operating status features, and in some cases, the replaceable cartridge device portion includes a temperature sensor for helping to control the temperature. For example, using a thread, a bayonet, or a magnetic coupling with appropriately arranged electrical contacts, the cartridge is electrically and mechanically connected to the control unit for use. When the aerosol generating material in the cartridge is exhausted, or when the user wishes to switch to a different cartridge with a different aerosol generating material, the cartridge can be removed from the reusable portion and a replacement cartridge can be attached at the location of the cartridge. Systems and devices that conform to this type of two-piece modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-piece systems / devices. The aerosol delivery system may alternatively include a single unit that does not include a cartridge portion and a reusable device portion that are configured to be detachably connected together by a user. Such an aerosol delivery system may be referred to as a "single-piece" aerosol delivery system or device. In such a system / device, it may be intended to be discarded after the electrical power supply in the battery and / or the supply of aerosol generating materials supplied by the system / device are exhausted without refilling or recharging the device, including a reservoir of aerosol generating materials, an aerosol generator, a power supply (e.g., a battery), and components of a control circuit may all be contained within a single housing. Such an aerosol delivery system or device may be referred to as "disposable".

[0048] Electronic cigarettes typically have a generally elongated shape. To provide a specific example, certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be considered to include such a generally elongated two-piece system using a disposable cartridge. However, it should be understood that the basic principles described herein can be equally used for different configurations, such as a one-piece system or a modular system comprising more than two parts, a refillable device and single-use disposables, and other overall shapes, such as a so-called box-type high-performance device based on a generally boxy shape. More generally, it should be understood that certain embodiments of the present disclosure are based on an aerosol delivery system that is operationally configured to provide functionality according to the principles described herein, and that the structural aspects of the system configured to provide functionality according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure are not of primary significance.

[0049] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary aerosol delivery system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The aerosol delivery system 1 shown includes two main components, namely a reusable device portion 50 and a cartridge / consumable portion 40. However, in other embodiments, the aerosol delivery system 1 includes a one-piece device in which a power source 501, a controller 502, an atomizer 20, and a reservoir 2 for aerosol generating material are disposed within a single housing. It should be understood that aspects of the present disclosure that are not specifically related to the detachable connection of the reusable device portion 50 and the cartridge portion 40 are applicable to one-piece device embodiments, which are within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, reference to component 10 (configured to be disposed in an external housing of the cartridge portion 40 of the aerosol delivery system) that optionally includes an absorption element 70 and a housing element 80 also applies to the case where these components are to be disposed in an external housing of a one-piece device.

[0050] In such Figure 1 In normal use of the two-piece device shown, the reusable device portion 50 and the cartridge / consumable product portion 40 are releasably coupled together at the interface. Figure 1In a non-limiting example, the interface is provided by a cartridge receiving recess 507 of the reusable device portion 50, into which a portion of the cartridge portion 40 is configured to be received. When the cartridge portion is exhausted or the user simply wishes to switch to a different cartridge portion, the cartridge portion 40 can be removed from the reusable portion 50 and a replacement cartridge portion 40 attached in place on the reusable portion. The interface provides a structural connection and an electrical connection between the two parts, and optionally provides an air flow connection, and can be established according to conventional techniques, such as based on a threaded, magnetic or bayonet fixture, having appropriately arranged electrical contacts and openings for appropriately establishing an electrical connection and an optional air flow path between the two parts. In the case of a two-piece device, the specific manner in which the cartridge portion 4 is mechanically mounted to the reusable device portion 2 is not important to the principles described herein, but for the sake of specific example, it is assumed herein to include a magnetic coupling provided by magnets of opposite polarity disposed on or near the end of the cartridge portion 40 and the end of the reusable device portion 50, the cartridge portion and the reusable device portion being configured to be connected together (at Figure 1 ). It should also be understood that in some embodiments, the interface may not support electrical and / or air flow path connections between the various parts. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol generator / atomizer may be disposed in the reusable portion 50 rather than in the cartridge portion 40, and the cartridge portion 40 / consumable / article includes a supply of aerosol generating material, and when the consumable and reusable device portion 50 are connected for use, the aerosol generating material is brought to the vicinity of the aerosol generator. In addition, in some embodiments, the air flow through the delivery system 1 may not pass through the reusable portion 50, so that no air flow path connection is required between the reusable portion 50 and the cartridge portion 40. In some examples, such as in Figure 1 In the embodiment, when the reusable portion 50 and the cartridge portion 40 are connected together for use, an air inlet channel for providing air to the cartridge portion 40 can be defined at an interface between a portion of the reusable portion and a portion of the cartridge portion, as further described herein.

[0051] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the external structure of the cartridge portion 40 may be a widely used conventional structure. Figure 1In the embodiment, the cartridge portion 40 includes an outer shell 6 formed of a plastic material, but in an embodiment, the outer shell may include metal, glass, or any other material known to those skilled in the art for use in the shell of an aerosol delivery system. The outer shell 6 can generally support the other components of the cartridge portion and can provide at least a portion of the mechanical docking with the reusable portion 50, because when the reusable portion 50 and the cartridge portion 40 are connected together for use, a portion of the outer surface of the outer shell 6 can engage a portion of the reusable portion 50. The outer shell 6 of the cartridge portion 40 can have any cross-sectional shape, such as: circular, oval, square, diamond or rectangular. In this example, the maximum dimension of the cartridge portion 40 is about 4 cm in length and about 2 cm in diameter. However, it should be understood that the specific geometric shape and the overall shape and material used more generally are not particularly meaningful for the principles described herein.

[0052] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the cartridge part 40 includes a reservoir 2, which is configured to accommodate a supply of aerosol generating materials, including, for example, liquid materials. In this example, the reservoir 2 has an annular shape, and its outer wall is defined by the cartridge outer shell 6 and the inner wall is defined by an air flow / aerosol passage 41, which passes downward along the longitudinal centerline of the cartridge part 40. The reservoir 2 is closed at each end by an end wall that accommodates aerosol generating materials. At the distal end of one end including the contact 32, the wall at the mouthpiece end can be formed integrally with other regions of the outer shell 6. The reservoir 2 can be formed according to conventional techniques, for example, the reservoir can include a plastic material and be integrally molded with the outer shell 6 of the cartridge part 40. The structural relationship between the air flow path 41 and the reservoir 2 is exemplary and can be arranged in other ways, so that, for example, the air flow path 41 does not pass through the reservoir, and / or the air flow path 41 can branch into a plurality of sub-paths.

[0053] exist Figure 1In the example shown, the cartridge part 40 also includes an aerosol generator / atomizer 20. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater, which is configured to subject the aerosol generating material from the reservoir 2 to thermal energy, so as to release one or more volatile materials from the aerosol generating material to form a vapor / aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator 20 is configured to generate an aerosol generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator can be configured to subject the aerosol generating material to vibration (e.g., piezoelectric atomization), increased pressure or electrostatic energy. One or more. Although in order to provide a specific example, the examples herein can describe an aerosol generator 20 including a wicking element 202 and a heating element 201, it should be understood that a specific type of aerosol generator / atomizer 20 should not be considered to be limited to other aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] It should be understood that in Figure 1 In the two-piece device shown in the example of , the aerosol generator 20 can be located in either the reusable portion 50 or the cartridge portion 40. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol generator 20 (e.g., a heater) can be included in the reusable portion 50, and when the cartridge is engaged with the reusable portion 50, the aerosol generator is close to a portion of the aerosol generating material in the cartridge 40. In such an embodiment, the cartridge 40 can include a portion of the aerosol generating material, and when the cartridge 40 is engaged with the reusable device portion 50, the aerosol generator 20 is at least partially inserted into a portion of the aerosol generating material or at least partially surrounds a portion of the aerosol generating material. In these embodiments, the aerosol generator 20 in the reusable device portion 50 can include an inductive drive coil that is configured to electromagnetically couple with a susceptor within the atomizer 20 in the reusable device portion 50 or in the cartridge portion 40.

[0055] To provide a specific example, Figure 1 An aerosol generator 20 is shown, which includes a porous capillary element 202 (interchangeably referred to herein as a "wick"), wherein a planar heater 201 is disposed on an outer surface and is configured to aerosolize a liquid aerosol-forming material held in the pore space of the porous capillary element 202. The aerosol generator 20 extends laterally across the air flow path 41 through the cartridge portion 40. As shown, a portion of the wick 202 is in fluid communication with a reservoir 2 of liquid aerosol-generating material to allow the liquid aerosol-generating material to be drawn into the wick 202 from the reservoir 2 by capillary action.

[0056] The aerosol generator / atomizer 20 is arranged in the air flow path 41 of the cigarette cartridge so that the area in the air flow path 41 of the cigarette cartridge near the aerosol generator 20 actually defines the vaporization area (or referred to herein as the aerosol generating chamber) of the cigarette cartridge portion 40. In use, the aerosol generating material from the reservoir 2 penetrates the core and is drawn along the core by surface tension / capillary action (i.e., wicking). In the case where the aerosol generator 20 includes a heating element 201, the heating element may include a plate, coating and / or trace of conductive material disposed on the outer surface of the core 202 and / or at least partially embedded in the outer surface of the core 202. Figure 1 In the example of , the heating element 201 may include a nickel-chromium alloy (Cr20Ni80) and the core may include a sintered porous ceramic or glass block. However, although embodiments of components including plates as described herein may be used in conjunction with an aerosol generator 20 (including a ceramic core 202 having a planar heating element 201), it should be understood that this particular aerosol generator / atomizer 20 configuration is not essential to the principles described herein. In use, electrical power is supplied to the aerosol generator 20 to vaporize a certain amount of aerosol generated by the core 202 to the vicinity of the heating element 201. Figure 1 In the example of , the connection between the cartridge 40 and the reusable device part 50 causes the contact 506 of the reusable device part to contact the contact 32 of the cartridge, and a circuit is formed between the power supply 501 and the heating element 201 via the electrical lead 21 connected between the cartridge contact 32 and the heating element 201. When the current from the power supply 501 is applied to the contact 32 through the controller 502, the aerosol generating material in the core 202 is vaporized by the heating element 201, and is sandwiched in the air inhaled from the vaporization area / aerosol generating chamber along the cartridge air flow path 41, for the user to inhale at the outlet provided at the mouthpiece end of the cartridge part 40.

[0057] exist Figure 1In the example shown, the subassembly 90 of the cartridge includes a component 10, which includes a plate, as further described herein, which includes an air flow restriction area and an absorbent element retaining surface; and optionally also includes an absorbent element 70 and a shell element 80. In some embodiments, the shell element 80 forms a base surface of the cartridge portion 40 and thus includes at least one cartridge contact pad 32, each of which is configured to engage a corresponding electrical contact 506 of the reusable device portion 50 to provide electrical connectivity between the cartridge portion and the reusable device portion when the cartridge portion 40 and the reusable device portion 50 are connected to form the aerosol delivery system 1. As further described herein, the shell element 80 and the absorbent element 70 may include separately formed elements that are configured to be assembled with the plate of component 10 or may include subcomponents of component 10 that provide the functionality of the shell element 80 and the absorbent element 70, respectively, as described herein. As Figure 1 As schematically shown, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plate of component 10 is mounted to a shell element 80 to retain an absorption element 70 between the plate and the shell element, thereby forming a subassembly 90 that defines an air flow path, which forms a portion of the air flow path downstream and upstream of the air inlet of an aerosol generator 20 of an aerosol delivery system 1 (interchangeably referred to herein as an electronic aerosol delivery system 1).

[0058] The rate at which aerosol generating material from the reservoir 2 is vaporized by the aerosol generator 20 will depend on the amount (level) of power supplied to the aerosol generator 20 from the power supply 501 of the aerosol delivery system by the controller 502 of the aerosol delivery system. Figure 1 In the two-piece device shown, electrical power is sent from a power supply 501 in the reusable part 50 to an aerosol generator 20 in the cartridge part 40 to selectively generate an aerosol, and in addition, the rate of aerosol generation can be changed by, for example, changing the amount of power supplied to the aerosol generator 20 by pulse width and / or frequency modulation techniques known in the art, and implemented by a controller 502 disposed on an electrical path between the power supply 501 and the aerosol generator 20.

[0059] exist Figure 1 In the example of , the reusable part 50 includes an outer housing 505, a power supply 501 (e.g., a battery) for providing operating power to the aerosol delivery system 1, and a control circuit 502 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the aerosol delivery system 1. The reusable part 50 may also include optional elements, such as a first user input button 504 and one or more visual display elements 503.

[0060] The outer shell 505 can be formed, for example, from a plastic or metal material and will generally have a cross-sectional shape that substantially conforms to the outer shell 6 of the cartridge portion 40 so as to provide a smooth transition between the cartridge portion and the device portion at the connection interface of the cartridge portion and the device portion. In this example, the reusable portion 50 has a length of about 8 cm, so when the cartridge portion 40 and the reusable portion 50 are connected, the total length of the aerosol delivery system 1 is about 12 cm. However, as already noted, it should be understood that the specific overall shape and size of the aerosol delivery system 1 of the present disclosure is not important to the principles described herein.

[0061] The power source 501 in this example is rechargeable and can be of a conventional type, such as a lithium ion or similar battery cell or battery commonly used in aerosol delivery systems / electronic cigarettes and / or other applications requiring relatively high currents to be provided in a relatively short period of time. The power source 501 can be charged according to methods known in the art, such as through a suitable charging connector in the reusable part housing 12, such as a USB connector.

[0062] One or more user inputs 504 may be provided, such as conventional mechanical buttons, for example including a spring-mounted component that a user may press to establish electrical contact, but the specific manner in which the user input 504 is implemented is not important. The user input 504 may be assigned to functions such as turning the aerosol delivery system 1 on and off and adjusting user settings such as the power level supplied from the power source 501 to the aerosol generator 20. However, the inclusion of the user input 504 is optional, and in some embodiments, the user input may not be included.

[0063] One or more display elements 503 may be provided to provide a user with visual indications of various characteristics associated with the aerosol delivery system 1, such as current power setting information, the remaining power level available in the power source 501, and the like. The display element 503 may be implemented in various ways, such as including a pixelated LCD screen that can be driven by the controller 502 according to conventional techniques to display the desired information. In other embodiments, the display element 503 may include one or more discrete indicators (e.g., LEDs) that are arranged to display the desired information, such as by a specific color and / or flash sequence. More generally, providing one or more display elements 503 and the manner in which these elements are used to display information to the user are not important to the principles described herein. For example, some embodiments may not include any visual display element 503, and may optionally include other means for providing information related to the operating characteristics of the aerosol delivery system to the user, such as using audio or tactile signals known to those skilled in the art, or may not include any means for providing information related to the operating characteristics of the aerosol delivery system to the user.

[0064] Typically, the controller 502 is suitably configured / programmed to control the operation of the aerosol delivery system 1 to provide functionality according to embodiments of the present disclosure as further described herein as well as for providing conventional operating functionality of the aerosol delivery system 1 in accordance with established techniques for controlling such devices. The controller (processor circuit) 502 may be considered to logically include various subunits / circuit elements associated with different aspects of the operation of the aerosol delivery system 1. Figure 1 In the example shown, the controller 502 includes a power supply control circuit for controlling the supply of power from the power source 501 to the aerosol generator 20 in response to user input, a user programming circuit for establishing a configuration setting (e.g., a user-defined power setting) in response to user input (e.g., from one or more user input devices 504), and other functional units / circuits related to the functions according to the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects of the electronic cigarette, such as a display driver circuit and a user input detection circuit. It should be understood that the functions of the controller 502 can be provided in a variety of different ways (e.g., using one or more appropriately programmed programmable computers and / or one or more appropriately configured application-specific integrated circuits / circuits / chips / chip sets configured to provide the desired functions). By way of non-limiting example, the control logic of the controller 502 can be implemented as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) or MCU (microcontroller unit) configured in a manner known in the art.

[0065] Optionally, the reusable portion 50 may include an air flow sensing unit 508 electrically connected to the controller 502. Typically, the air flow sensing unit 508 includes a so-called "puff sensor" because the air flow sensing unit 508 is configured to detect a user puffing / inhaling on the device. Figure 1 Schematically shown in FIG, but can be implemented according to known techniques. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the air flow sensing unit includes a pressure sensor or microphone that is fluidically and / or acoustically and / or pressure-connected to the air flow path 41 through the aerosol delivery system 1, so that pressure changes and / or acoustic signals caused by the user sucking / inhaling on the mouthpiece of the system can be detected by the air flow sensing unit. Figure 1 In the example shown, the airflow enters the aerosol delivery system at the interface of the cartridge portion 40 and the reusable portion 50, passing between the outer shell 6 of the cartridge 40 and the inner surface of the cartridge receiving recess 507 of the reusable device portion 50, but this is only one air inlet that can be used in the aerosol delivery system 1 according to the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the air flow sensing unit 508 is configured as a chamber containing a microphone, which is open to the cartridge receiving recess 507, and the opening is covered by a waterproof membrane. In other embodiments, the controller 502 can be configured to detect a user interacting with the user input device 504, and when a user interaction is detected, start supplying current to the atomizer 20.

[0066] A nebulizer / aerosol generator 20 (such as a nebulizer) for use with the aerosol delivery system 1 will now be described. Figure 1 It should be understood that although Figure 1The context of a two-piece device in which the atomizer 20 includes a heating element is described, but these aspects are exemplary, and in embodiments of the present disclosure, the component 10 for an aerosol delivery system described herein may be configured for use in a one-piece device (e.g., a so-called "disposable" device in which all device parts are included in an integral housing and in which the device is intended to be discarded after the supply of aerosol generating material provided with the device is exhausted). It should also be understood that the component 10 for an aerosol delivery system as described herein may be configured for use in an aerosol delivery system in which the atomizer 20 is located in a reusable device portion 50 and is configured to generate an aerosol (e.g., by heating) from a consumable (e.g., a consumable containing solid aerosol generating material) connected to the reusable device portion 50 for use. It should also be understood that the component 10 according to the present disclosure may be configured for use with an aerosol delivery system that includes a nebulizer / aerosol generating element 20 based on heating, piezoelectric vibration, or any other principle for aerosol or vapor generation known to those skilled in the art. Although the present disclosure describes an example in which an atomizer includes a heater, this is to provide a specific example and should not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0067] Thus, according to aspects of the present disclosure, a component for an aerosol delivery system is described; the component comprising: a plate configured to be arranged downstream of an air inlet of the aerosol delivery system and upstream of an atomizer of the aerosol delivery system relative to an air flow direction along an air flow path when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; wherein the plate comprises: an air flow restriction region comprising a first plurality of holes extending through the plate, wherein at least a subset of the first plurality of holes are positioned to overlap a cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path at positions immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; and an absorbent element retaining surface configured to abut a first contact surface of an absorbent element to retain the absorbent element in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system. Component 10 may be interchangeably referred to as an air flow restrictor 10, an air flow regulating component 10, or an air flow blocking component 80. As further described herein, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, component 10 may include an absorbent element and a housing element configured to retain a panel.

[0068] Figure 2a and Figure 2bA side view and a perspective assembly view of a cartridge portion 40 of an exemplary aerosol delivery system 1 are shown, respectively, in which a component 10 according to the present disclosure may be implemented. It should be understood that this is intended to provide a specific example of a use environment for the component 10 as described herein, and that in other aerosol delivery systems in which the component 10 may be used, elements such as the outer shell 6 and the shell element 80 may not be present. The cartridge 40 shown in FIG. 2 is described in detail. Figure 1 More specific aspects of the cartridge 40 schematically shown in FIG. The cartridge portion 40 includes an outer shell 6, which is formed of a metal or plastic material (e.g., by injection molding) and includes a mouthpiece at an upper end, in which an aerosol outlet is provided for the user to inhale an aerosol from the aerosol delivery system 1 during use. In the example of FIG. 2 , a subassembly including a component 10, an absorbent element 70, and a shell element 80 is configured to be inserted into the base opening of the outer shell 6 of the cartridge portion 40. In this example, the shell element 80 is configured to have a cross-sectional shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of the base opening of the outer shell 6 of the cartridge portion 40, so that when the shell element is received in the opening, the peripheral outer wall of the shell component engages against the inner wall of the base opening of the outer shell 6. In an embodiment, the size of the shell element 80 in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge can be larger than the size in a cross section of the base opening of the outer shell, thereby providing an interference fit between the shell element 80 and the outer shell 6 to hold the shell element. Alternatively or additionally, cooperating mechanical fixing means (e.g., snap fittings) on the housing element 80 and the outer housing may be used to retain the housing element 80 in the base opening of the outer housing 6. Figure 2a and Figure 2b As shown, a flange is provided around the base of the housing element 80 to prevent over-insertion of the housing element 80 into the outer housing 6 of the cartridge portion 40. Thus, the base surface of the housing element 80 can form the outer base surface of the assembled cartridge 40. As further described herein, the housing element 80 can include a conduit that provides air from the cartridge air inlet on the base of the housing element to the opposite surface ( Figure 2a and Figure 2b The base surface of the housing element 80 may include the base outer surface of the assembled cartridge 40, which is formed by the air flow passage of the outlet on the uppermost surface of the housing element 80. Figure 1 507 of the reusable device portion 50 of the aerosol delivery system 1. Thus, the cartridge contact pad 32 can be disposed on the base surface of the housing element 80 to contact the corresponding electrical contact 506 of the reusable device portion 50 when the cartridge portion 40 is received in the receiving recess 507. As further described herein (and in Figure 1 , Figures 4a to 4d and Figure 5a ), in this example, a contact pad position and an opposing surface (in Figure 2a and Figure 2b The uppermost surface of the contact pad 32 is connected to the aerosol generating element of the cartridge 40 to provide a route for the electrical leads to be routed between the contact pad 32 and the aerosol generating element of the cartridge 40.

[0069] Figure 2a and Figure 2b The exemplary aerosol delivery system cartridge portion of further illustrates an absorbent element 70, which in this example is planar and is configured to be supported on an absorbent element retaining area of ​​a housing element 80. A component 10 is provided that includes a plate as further described herein, which in this example includes a plurality of mechanical engagement features in the form of holes that are configured to couple with at least a plurality of mechanical engagement features in the form of bosses of the housing element to retain the plate and retain at least a portion of the absorbent element 70 on the absorbent element retaining surface of the plate (at Figure 2a and Figure 2b The lowermost surface in the housing element 80) and the absorption element holding area of ​​the housing element 80 (for example, located at Figure 2a and Figure 2b Between the upper side of the housing element 80).

[0070] Figure 3 An exemplary component 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown for use in applications such as Figure 1 and the aerosol delivery system schematically shown in Figure 2. The component includes a plate, and in an embodiment, the plate may include a metal such as stainless steel. In an embodiment, the plate may include a ceramic material. In an embodiment, the plate may include a plastic material, such as a temperature-resistant polymer, such as a polyimide. In an embodiment, the plate has a uniform thickness, which can simplify manufacturing because the plate can be stamped or laser cut from a sheet of material. In other embodiments, the plate may have an uneven thickness (e.g., thicker around the edge). In other embodiments, the plate may be molded or machined. In an embodiment, the thickness of the plate may be between 0.05 mm and 0.6 mm, or 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, or 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm. However, based on, for example, a specific degree of thermal shielding to be provided, the plate may be thicker or thinner than these ranges.

[0071] The plate of component 10 may include multiple layers of different materials. For example, a coating such as a ceramic may be applied to a plate comprising a first material such as a metal. Where a coating is applied, this may provide heat resistance or corrosion resistance to the first material. Alternatively, different forms of surface treatment (e.g., polishing or oxidation treatment) may be applied to provide heat resistance or corrosion resistance to the first material. When a surface treatment (such as a coating) is applied to the plate, this may be applied to the entire surface of the plate or only to only one of the major surfaces. For example, a heat-resistant surface treatment may be applied to a surface of the plate that is configured to face the heating element when assembled into an aerosol delivery system, which surface may include a surface opposite to the absorption element retaining surface of the plate (described further herein). Thus, the plate may protect an absorption element positioned on the side of the plate opposite to the heating element from degradation caused by excessive temperatures.

[0072] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plate comprises an air flow restriction region comprising at least one hole through the plate. In an embodiment, a plurality of holes are provided. Figure 3 A plurality of holes 120 are shown forming an air flow restriction area of ​​the plate. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the holes form a regular grid, but in embodiments, the holes can be arranged around a line, a circle, or any other shaped path. The holes can be circular (e.g. Figure 3 As shown), or may be square, or include slits. In an embodiment, the air flow restriction area includes a mesh. As further described herein, when the components are assembled into an aerosol delivery system, at least a subset of the plurality of holes may be positioned to overlap a cross-sectional area of ​​an air flow path of the aerosol delivery system at a position immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate.

[0073] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plate of component 10 includes one or more holes 110 configured to allow at least one electrical lead to pass from one side of the plate to the other side. Thus, when the plate of component 10 is assembled into an aerosol delivery system at a location between the electrical contacts 32 and the aerosol generator 20, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As schematically shown, electrical leads providing a current path between the electrical contacts and the heater may be routed through the plate. In an embodiment, two holes may be provided, the two holes being configured to receive a positive electrical lead and a negative electrical lead associated with the aerosol generator. In an embodiment, one or more holes of the plate include at least one notch. Figure 3 The illustrated component 10 includes a plate having two notches 110, but in embodiments, one or more holes of the plate may include apertures. The number of holes may be configured to match the number of electrical leads to be routed through the plate, or alternatively, one or more holes may be configured to receive multiple electrical leads through at least one of the holes.

[0074] In an embodiment, the plate of component 10 includes at least one mechanical engagement feature configured to couple with at least one mechanical engagement feature of a housing element, the plate being configured to be retained by the housing element when assembled into an aerosol delivery system. The mechanical engagement feature may include at least one aperture, wherein each aperture is configured to receive a boss of the housing element with an interference fit when the plate is mounted to the housing element. Figure 3 An example plate is shown that includes four mechanical engagement features 130a to 130d (including holes through the plate). It should be understood that in other embodiments, at least one mechanical engagement feature may include at least one notch located on an edge of the plate, or one or more slots through the plate. Figure 3 Four mechanical engagement features are shown, but it will be appreciated that this number is exemplary and any number of mechanical engagement features may be provided.

[0075] Figures 4a to 5c An exemplary housing element 80 is schematically shown to which a panel as described herein may be configured to be attached. In embodiments, a housing element 80 as described herein may be part of a component 10 including a panel, or the panel may be provided as a separate component 10 including only the panel, or including the panel and the absorbent element 70, as will also be further described herein.

[0076] Figure 4a An exemplary housing element 80 of an aerosol generating system is shown, which housing element may, in some embodiments, be formed as described further herein. Figure 1 and the base of the cartridge portion 40 schematically shown in FIG. 2 . Figures 4a to 4d is a schematic longitudinal section through an exemplary housing element 80 for holding a plate included in component 10 when assembled into an aerosol generating system. The housing element may comprise an electrical insulator such as a plastic or ceramic material or a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel and may be formed by injection molding or machining or other forming processes known to those skilled in the art. Where a plastic material is used, this may include an engineering polymer such as polyetherketone (PEEK), polycarbonate, or polyimide, or ABS. In an embodiment, the housing element includes a conduit 815 defining an air flow passage 841 including an inlet 850 and an outlet 870, the air flow passage 841 being configured to form a portion of an air flow path disposed between an air inlet and an air outlet of the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system. Figure 4aIn the example of FIG. 8 , the conduit 815 is configured to have an offset air inlet 850 and an air outlet 870 and to provide a tortuous path, which can reduce the possibility of liquid flowing out through the air inlet 850 and leaking into the air outlet 870. However, in other embodiments, the conduit 815 can provide a straight path between the air inlet 850 and the air outlet 870.

[0077] In an embodiment, the housing element 80 includes at least one mechanical engagement feature 816 configured to couple with at least one mechanical engagement feature of a plate of the component 10 to retain the plate to the housing element 80 when assembled into the aerosol delivery system. Figures 4a to 5c In the example of FIG. 8 , the mechanical engagement features 816 include bosses that are positioned and sized to engage with Figure 3 The apertures 130 shown in FIG. 1 are interference fit, but it should be understood that where the size, shape and / or location of the mechanical engagement features 130 of the plate are different, the size, shape and location of the mechanical engagement features 816 of the shell element 80 will be different from each other for mechanical engagement. In an embodiment, the shell element 80 includes an absorbent element retaining area 840 configured to abut a surface of the absorbent element. Figures 4a to 5c In the example of FIG. 8 , the absorbent element retaining area 840 includes a surface of the housing element 80 that is positioned on a side opposite to the base wall 890 including the air inlet 850 and is configured to face the interior of the cartridge 40 when the housing element 80 is received in the outer housing 6 of the cartridge portion 40, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and schematically shown in Figure 2. Figures 4a to 4d In the example of , the absorbent element retaining area 840 includes the upper edge of the peripheral wall 880 of the shell element 80, and the peripheral wall 880 extends upward from the base wall 890. When the shell element 80 is assembled into the cartridge portion 40 for use, the peripheral wall can be configured to abut the periphery of the inner wall of the base opening of the outer shell 6 of the cartridge portion 40. One or more grooves 860 can be arranged around the periphery of the peripheral wall to partially receive an annular sealing element of an elastic material (e.g., silicone rubber) to provide a liquid-tight seal between the shell element 80 and the outer shell 6 of the cartridge portion 40, helping to prevent liquid from leaking out of the cartridge portion 40. The conduit 815 may include: a first portion 815a, which extends between the air inlet 850 and a position that coincides with the portion of the absorbent element retaining area 840 farthest from the air inlet 850 along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge; and a second portion 815b, which extends beyond the portion of the absorbent element retaining area 840 farthest from the air inlet 850. The dimension D 1 .like Figure 4aAs shown, at least some, and in some embodiments all, of the mechanical engagement features 816 may be positioned around an edge of the conduit 815 defining an outlet 870 of the air flow passage 841 .

[0078] In an embodiment, the housing element 80 may include holes 860 for receiving electrical leads routed between electrical contacts (which may be at least partially received in the holes 860) and an aerosol generator of an aerosol delivery system to which the housing element 80 is assembled. Thus, when at least a portion of the housing element 80 is configured to be disposed at an electrical contact (such as Figure 1 The smoke cartridge contact 32 schematically shown in FIG. Figure 1 When the heater 201 is schematically shown in Figure 1, the hole 860 provides a path for the electrical leads to be routed through the housing element 80 between these electrical contacts and the aerosol generator. Figure 4a In the example shown, two holes 860a and 860b are provided on a base wall 890 of the shell element 80, which is configured to form a base outer surface of the assembled cartridge 40, but the number of holes and the location of the holes will depend on the specific configuration of the aerosol generating system for which the shell element 80 is configured.

[0079] In an embodiment, the housing element 80 may include at least one internal recess 846 that forms a space within the peripheral wall 880 of the housing and is bounded by the base wall 890. As further described herein, the at least one internal recess 846 may be configured to receive a portion of the absorptive element. In an embodiment, the at least one internal recess 846 is not provided, and the only open volume in the housing element 80 may be defined by the hole(s) 860 for routing at least one electrical lead (if present) and the air flow path 841 formed by the conduit 815. In such an embodiment, the absorptive element retaining area 840 may include a substantially flat surface extending from the wall of the conduit 815 to the peripheral wall 880 of the housing component along an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the extension axis of the peripheral wall and / or the main axis of the conduit 815.

[0080] As further described herein, the plate of component 10 is configured to abut a first contact surface of the absorbent element to hold the absorbent element in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system. In an embodiment, the absorbent element may include a woven or non-woven material, such as cotton or fiberglass. In an embodiment, the absorbent element includes a porous material, such as a ceramic or a foam. In an embodiment where the absorbent element includes a foam, the foam may include a plastic material, such as silicone. The absorbent element is configured to collect liquid present in an aerosol delivery system to which the absorbent element is installed by drawing the liquid into the pores of the absorbent element and retaining the liquid by capillary action.

[0081] In an embodiment, the absorption element may be retained in the fixed position by being held by a plate of the component 10 against an absorption element retaining region of the housing element 80 . Figure 4b Shows Figure 4a The housing element is adjacent to the contact surface of the absorption element 70. Figure 4a The absorbent element retaining region 840 is shown. In this example, the absorbent element 70 has a uniform thickness, which may be equal to or greater than the dimension D of the absorbent element retaining region 840 of the second portion 815b of the conduit protruding beyond the housing element 80. 1 In an embodiment, if Figure 4b As shown, the second portion 815b of the conduit can be configured to pass through a hole in the absorbent element 70 mounted on the absorbent element receiving area 840. As further described herein, routing the air flow path 41 through the absorbent element 70 via the conduit 815 provides separation between the air flow path 41 and the absorbent element 70 via the conduit wall, which can help prevent liquid retained by the absorbent element 70 from flowing out into the air flow path 41.

[0082] In an embodiment, the absorbent element 70 may include an aperture 710 for receiving an electrical lead disposed between an electrical contact and an aerosol generator of an aerosol delivery system to which the absorbent element 70 is mounted. Thus, when the absorbent element is configured to be disposed at an electrical contact (a cartridge contact 32, such as Figure 1 ) and an aerosol generator (such as Figure 1 When the heater 201 is schematically shown in FIG. 1 , the hole 710 provides a path for the electrical leads to be routed through the absorbent element between the electrical contacts and the aerosol generator. Figure 4b In the example of FIG. 1 , two holes 710 a and 710 b are provided, which are positioned to align with holes 860 a and 860 b of the housing element 80 (eg, Figure 4a ), but the number of holes and the location of the holes will depend on the specific configuration of the aerosol generating system for which the absorbent element 70 is configured. In an embodiment, the one or more holes provided for routing one or more electrical leads through the absorbent element include at least one notch, and in an embodiment, the one or more holes include at least one orifice.

[0083] Figure 4c Another example of an absorbent element 70 is shown which is configured to be held in the fixed position by being held by a plate of component 10 against an absorbent element holding region of a housing element 80, which in this embodiment is non-planar. The absorbent element is partially held in place by a first portion of the absorbent element holding region (including Figure 4aThe upper edge of the peripheral wall 880 shown is supported and partially supported by a second portion of the absorbent element retaining area (including the inner surface of at least one internal recess of the shell element 80). Figure 4c In the example of the embodiment, the absorbent element 70 is shaped relative to the inner recess such that the absorbent element 70 substantially fills the at least one inner recess (except for the volume occupied by the aperture 710). In an embodiment, the absorbent element 70 is configured to partially but not completely fill the at least one inner recess, leaving an open volume located, for example, between the base wall 890 and the outer portion of the absorbent element 70. Figure 4b In the example of FIG. 1 , the at least one recess (in Figure 4a The absorbent element 70 may be provided with an open volume portion (represented as at least one recess 846) into which the absorbent element 70 does not extend. This configuration may increase the liquid holding capacity of the subassembly including the plate, absorbent element, and housing element (as described herein) while reducing the likelihood that the held liquid will escape from the subassembly.

[0084] It should be understood that an absorbent element 70 as described herein may be included in a component 10 that includes a plate (including an air flow restriction region and an absorbent element retaining surface as described herein) or may be provided separately to such a component 10.

[0085] Figure 4d Will be from Figure 4b is identified and shown in Figure 4b The housing element 80 and the absorbent element 70 and the plate included in the component 10 are positioned such that the absorbent element retaining surface of the plate of the component 10 abuts against the first contact surface of the absorbent element 70 to hold the absorbent element in a fixed position relative to the housing element 80. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the present invention with respect to the absorbent element being held in a fixed position relative to the housing element 80. Figure 4b The description of the plate of the component 10 holding the absorption element 70 to the housing element 80 applies where necessary to the case where the absorption element 70 is configured to extend into at least one recess of the housing element 80, such as Figure 4c The absorbent element retaining surface of the plate abuts the first contact surface of the absorbent element 70 (at Figure 4b and Figure 4d 70) to maintain the absorbent element 70 in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the components are assembled into the aerosol delivery system. Figure 4b As described above, the second contact surface of the absorption element 70 opposite to the first contact surface (i.e., Figure 4b and Figure 4d The plate is held by the shell element 80 by engagement of cooperating mechanical engagement features included in the plate and the shell element, respectively. Figure 4d In the example of the embodiment of the present invention, the mechanical engagement features of the shell element 80 include bosses protruding from the terminal edge of the conduit outlet, which are received in the mechanical engagement features (including holes or grooves) of the plate by an interference fit. However, it should be understood that any mechanical engagement features known to those skilled in the art (such as resilient clips on the shell element 80) that retain the outer edge portion of the plate to retain the plate in a fixed position relative to the absorbent element retaining area of ​​the shell element 80 may be used. In an embodiment, an adhesive or sealant may be used to retain the plate of the component 10 to the shell element 80 of the aerosol delivery system in place of or in addition to the mechanical engagement features. In an embodiment, the cooperating mechanical engagement features of the plate of the component 10 and the shell element 80 respectively retain the plate to the shell element 80, thereby defining a space between the absorbent element retaining area of ​​the shell element 80 and the absorbent element retaining surface of the plate, and when the plate of the component 10 is assembled with the absorbent element 70 and the shell element 80, at least a portion of the absorbent element 70 is disposed in the space. Thus, during assembly, the absorption element may first be positioned on the absorption element holding region of the housing element, such as Figure 4b and Figure 4c The plate of component 10 may then be coupled to shell element 80 via cooperating mechanical engagement features of the plate and shell element 80, thereby retaining at least a portion of the absorbent element between the absorbent element retaining surface of the plate and the absorbent element retaining region of the shell element, as shown in FIG. Figure 4d Shown schematically.

[0086] like Figure 4b to Figure 4d As schematically shown in the example of FIG. 8 , the absorption element 70 may include a hole (such as an orifice or a slot) configured to receive a portion of the conduit of the housing element 80 that passes through the hole, thereby isolating the air flow path within the conduit from direct contact with the absorption element 70 and reducing the possibility of liquid present in the absorption element 70 flowing out into the air flow path. Figure 4a and Figure 4b As shown and further described herein, the second portion 815b of the conduit 815 can extend beyond the portion dimension D1 of the absorbent element retaining region 840 that is farthest from the air inlet 850 in a direction parallel to the centerline of the conduit 815 (in this embodiment, the centerline of the conduit is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the aerosol delivery system into which the housing element 80 is configured to be assembled). In embodiments such as Figure 4b As shown, the thickness of the absorbent element 70 may be equal to the dimension D 1 The first contact surface of the second portion 815b of the conduit is matched so that when the absorption element 70 is mounted on the absorption element holding area of ​​the housing element 80, the edge of the outlet of the second portion 815b of the conduit coincides with and abuts the first contact surface of the absorption element 70. In other embodiments, such as Figure 4b As shown, wherein the absorption element 70 extends into at least one recess of the absorption element holding area, the shape and size of the absorption element 70 can still be configured so that when the absorption element 70 is mounted to the absorption element holding area of ​​the housing element 80, the edge of the outlet of the second portion 815b of the conduit coincides with the first contact surface of the absorption element 70. Figure 4d As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , when the plate of component 10 is mounted on housing element 80 , the absorption element 70 fills the space defined by dimension D 1 A space is defined between the absorbent element retaining area of ​​the housing element 80 and the absorbent element retaining surface of the plate.

[0087] The absorption element can include any absorption material, such as an open-porous material that can absorb material by capillary action. The absorption element can include a sintered porous ceramic material, a porous glass (e.g., a glass fiber mat), an organic material (such as cotton), a cellulose or paper-based material. In the case where the absorption element includes fibers, the absorption element can include a woven or non-woven element. The absorption element can include a plastic material, such as a foamed plastic material, such as, for example, foamed polyurethane or silicone. In an embodiment where the absorption element 70 includes an elastic material, such as a plastic material (e.g., silicone or polyurethane foam), the size of the absorption element 70 can be determined relative to the absorption element holding area of ​​the shell element 80 and the size range of the conduit 815 above / outside the absorption element holding area, so that when the absorption element 70 is installed on the absorption element holding area of ​​the shell element 80, the first contact surface of the absorption element 70 (as opposed to the second contact surface that is constructed to contact the absorption element holding area of ​​the shell) protrudes beyond the edge of the outlet of the second portion 815b of the conduit. For example, in Figure 4a and Figure 4b In the configuration of 1 Thus, mounting the plate of component 10 to housing element 80 may compress absorbent element 70 between the absorbent element retaining surface of the plate and the absorbent element retaining region of housing element 80 .

[0088] As further described herein, in an embodiment, the plate of component 10 includes an air flow restriction region including a first plurality of holes extending through the plate, wherein when the component is assembled into an aerosol delivery system, at least a subset of the first plurality of holes are positioned to overlap a cross-sectional area of ​​an air flow path through the aerosol delivery system at locations immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate. In an embodiment, the aerosol delivery system includes a housing element 80 including a conduit 815 defining an air flow passage including an inlet and an outlet, the conduit being configured to form a portion of the air flow path disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet of the aerosol delivery system, the plurality of holes 120 of the plate of component 10 being configured to span the outlet of the conduit when the plate is held by the housing element 80, as shown. Figure 4d As shown, at least a subset of the first plurality of holes 120 overlaps the cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path 41 at the opening of the conduit 815. In an embodiment, the first plurality of holes 120 are arranged so that the open area of ​​the first plurality of holes 120 completely overlaps the cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path 41 at the opening of the conduit 815. In an embodiment, at least some of the first plurality of holes 120 extend beyond the cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path 41 at the opening of the conduit 815. The appropriate number and size of the first plurality of holes 120 can be determined based on experiments or numerical simulations relative to the cross-sectional area of ​​the portion of the air flow path through the aerosol delivery system (the plate is configured to be disposed at the aerosol delivery system) (e.g., in an embodiment where the plate of the shell element 80 is configured to be held by the shell element 80 described herein, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path 41 at the opening of the conduit 815 of the shell element 80) to provide a specific suction resistance for the aerosol delivery system. In embodiments, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of apertures is configured to occupy 10% to 90%, or 20% to 80%, or 30% to 70%, or 40% to 60%, or 5% to 15%, or 10% to 25%, or 35% to 45% of the cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path through the aerosol delivery device at the plate location, and in some embodiments, this cross-sectional area includes the cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path 41 at the outlet of the conduit 815 of the housing element 80. In embodiments, as Figure 4d , the mechanical engagement features of the housing element 80 are configured to hold the plate in a position where the surface of the plate abuts the edge of the conduit outlet. In these embodiments, the conduit wall and plate combine to form a barrier that prevents liquid from the absorbent element 70 from flowing out into the air flow path 41 of the housing element 80. Sealing material (e.g., a silicone O-ring) may be disposed between the plate of the component 10 and the conduit edge of the housing element to provide a further barrier to prevent liquid from flowing out.

[0089] Figure 5a to Figure 5cA top view of a housing element 80 is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing various aspects of a plate mounting an absorbent element 70 and a component 10, and is to be understood as showing Figures 4a to 4d . Figure 5a A view orthogonal to the side of the housing element 80 is shown where the absorbent element retaining area 840 and the outlet of the conduit 815 are located. The features shown correspond generally to Figure 4a In an embodiment, as combined with Figures 4a to 4d As described, the housing element is provided with mechanical engagement features for retaining the plate of component 10, in Figure 5a to Figure 5c In the example of FIG. 8 , these mechanical engagement features include four bosses disposed around the edge of the outlet of the conduit 815. The absorbent element retaining region 840 includes an upper surface of a peripheral wall, optionally defining at least one recess 846 in the upper surface, the at least one recess being disposed between the inner surface of the peripheral wall and the outer surface of the conduit 815. At least one hole 860 is defined in the base wall of the absorbent element retaining region 840 for routing at least one electrical lead through the housing element. In an embodiment, as Figure 5a As shown, two holes 860a and 860b are defined on opposite sides of the conduit, but in other embodiments, other numbers of holes may be provided depending on the number of electrical leads to be routed in a given aerosol delivery system (note that a single hole may be used to route multiple electrical leads). The air inlet 850 allows air to enter the air flow path 41 defined within the conduit 815. In an embodiment, as shown Figure 5a As shown in the example of FIG. , the air inlet is not offset from the outlet, but in embodiments, an offset may be provided, such as Figure 4a In an embodiment, as shown in the schematic example of Figure 2a and Figure 2b As schematically shown in FIG. 8 , a flange 870 may protrude from the peripheral wall to abut an edge of a base opening of the outer housing 6 of the cartridge portion 40 of the aerosol delivery system.

[0090] Figure 5b Shows Figure 5a The housing element 80, wherein the absorption element 70 is mounted to the absorption element holding area of ​​the housing element 80, such as relative to Figure 4b and Figure 4c In an embodiment, as described. Figure 5b As shown, the absorption element includes: a hole configured to receive a conduit of the housing element 80 passing through the hole; and / or at least one hole ( Figure 5b Two openings 710a and 710b are shown for routing at least one electrical lead through the absorptive element 70. Figure 5bAs shown, the surface area of ​​each major surface of the absorbent element 70 can match the surface area of ​​the absorbent element retaining area of ​​the shell element 80, but in embodiments, the surface area of ​​each major surface can be sized to be smaller than the surface area of ​​the absorbent element retaining area. In addition, in any embodiment herein, the absorbent element 70 can be provided as a plurality of sub-elements that are not integrally formed with each other. For example, a first absorbent sub-element can be provided on a first side of the conduit of the shell element 80, and a second absorbent sub-element can be provided on a second side of the conduit of the shell element 80 opposite the first side. This can simplify assembly and allow for greater flexibility in the positioning of the absorbent material area provided by the absorbent element 70.

[0091] Figure 5c Shows Figure 5b The shell element 80 and the absorbent element 70, wherein the plate of the component 10 is mounted to the mechanical engagement feature of the shell element 80 to hold the absorbent element 70 between the absorbent element holding surface of the plate and the absorbent element holding area of ​​the shell element, as described herein Figure 4d As described. Figure 1 As schematically shown, the surface of the plate of component 10 opposite the absorbent element retaining surface of the plate can be configured to face the aerosol generator of an aerosol delivery system with which component 10 is configured for use. Thus, the plate represents at least a partial barrier between liquid present in the air flow path downstream of component 10 and the absorbent element 70 retained by the plate. In an embodiment, the plate is configured to allow liquid present on the side of the plate opposite the absorbent element retaining surface to bypass and / or pass through the plate, allowing the liquid to be absorbed and retained by the absorbent element 70. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 5c As shown in the example of , the plate is constructed to be smaller than the absorbent element 70 in at least one direction defined in the plane of the plate, so as to allow liquid present on the surface of the plate disposed opposite the absorbent element to pass directly to the peripheral area of ​​the absorbent element. Figure 5c In the embodiment, the long dimension of the plate is less than the long dimension of the absorbent element 70, so that the exposed area 720 of the absorbent element 70 is transverse to the plate, and liquid flowing out of the plate can be absorbed by the absorbent element 70 at this exposed area. Alternatively or additionally, holes or grooves can be provided in the area of ​​the plate configured to coincide with the absorbent element (i.e., in the area defining the absorbent element retaining surface configured to abut the first contact surface of the absorbent element) to provide a path for liquid to pass through the plate and enter the absorbent element 70. In an embodiment, as in Figure 5c In the example of FIG. 1 , the hole 110 for receiving the electrical lead may be oversized for the cross-section of the electrical lead to allow the hole for receiving the electrical lead to also provide a path for liquid to pass through the plate.

[0092] The major surface area of ​​the plate of the component 10 can be configured relative to the surface area of ​​the side of the absorbent element 70 contacted by the plate to provide a trade-off between the ability of liquid to pass through the plate into the absorbent element 70 and the degree of liquid retention by the absorbent element (and optionally, where the aerosol generator includes a heater, the degree of heat shielding provided by the plate to the absorbent element 70). Thus, in embodiments, when the component is assembled into an aerosol delivery system, the plate is configured to abut the absorbent element over between 20% and 80%, or between 30% and 70%, or between 40% and 60%, or between 45% and 55% of its major surface.

[0093] In a subassembly comprising a plate of component 10, a shell element 80 and an absorbent element 70, each of the at least one hole 860 of the shell element 80 can be constructed to overlap with the corresponding hole 710 of the absorbent element of component 10 and the corresponding hole 110 of the plate in a direction parallel to the centerline of the conduit 815 of the shell element (in an embodiment, the centerline is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol delivery system or its cartridge portion to which the shell element is constructed to be assembled) to allow the electrical lead to be laid along a straight path through the subassembly.

[0094] As described in the embodiments herein, the subassembly including the plate of component 10, the absorbent element 70 and the housing element 80 can be assembled and as described in Figure 2a and Figure 2b In the example shown schematically in FIG, the closure member 2 is inserted into the open end of the outer shell 6 during assembly of the aerosol delivery system to close the open end of the outer shell.

[0095] It should be understood that a component 10 including a plate according to embodiments herein may include only a plate including features as described herein, or may include such a plate and an absorbent element 70 according to embodiments described herein, or may include such a plate and an absorbent element 70 according to embodiments described herein and a housing element 80. In embodiments, an aerosol delivery system as described herein (i.e., with respect to Figure 1 ), the aerosol delivery system includes component 10 according to an embodiment described herein.

[0096] Thus, a component for an aerosol delivery system has been described; the component comprising: a plate configured to be arranged downstream of an air inlet of the aerosol delivery system and upstream of an atomizer of the aerosol delivery system relative to an air flow direction along an air flow path when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; wherein the plate comprises: an air flow restriction region comprising a first plurality of holes extending through the plate, wherein at least a subset of the first plurality of holes are positioned to overlap a cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path at positions immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; and an absorbent element retaining surface configured to abut a first contact surface of an absorbent element to retain the absorbent element in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system. As described herein, the component may comprise an absorbent element and a housing element.

[0097] An aerosol delivery system is also described, which includes a reservoir for storing an aerosol generating liquid, an air flow path arranged between an air inlet and an air outlet, and an aerosol generator for vaporizing a source liquid from the reservoir and delivering the vapor into the air flow path; wherein the aerosol delivery system includes a component including a plate as described herein, which is arranged along the air flow path at a position downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the aerosol generator.

[0098] A method for manufacturing a component of an aerosol delivery system is also described; the method includes: providing a plate, the plate being constructed to be arranged downstream of an air inlet of the aerosol delivery system and upstream of a nebulizer of the aerosol delivery system relative to an air flow direction along an air flow path when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; the plate being included in the aerosol delivery system; wherein providing the plate includes the following steps: providing an air flow restriction area including a first plurality of holes extending through the plate, wherein when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system, at least a subset of the first plurality of holes are positioned to overlap with a cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path at positions immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate; providing an absorption element retaining surface on the plate, the absorption element retaining surface being constructed to be adjacent to a first contact surface of the absorption element to hold the absorption element in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system.

[0099] The various embodiments described herein are only used to help understand and teach the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of embodiments, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments can be utilized and can be modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. In addition to those specifically described herein, various embodiments of the present invention may appropriately include appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc., consisting of or substantially consisting of them. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future. The delivery system described herein may be implemented as a flammable aerosol supply system, a non-flammable aerosol supply system, or an aerosol-free delivery system.

[0100] Various aspects of the disclosure are defined by the following numbered paragraphs.

[0101] Paragraph 1. A component for an aerosol delivery system; the component comprises: a plate, which is constructed to be arranged downstream of an air inlet of the aerosol delivery system and upstream of an atomizer of the aerosol delivery system relative to an air flow direction along an air flow path when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; wherein the plate comprises: an air flow restriction area, which air flow restriction area comprises a first plurality of holes passing through the plate, wherein, when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system, at least a subset of the first plurality of holes are positioned to overlap with a cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path at positions immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate; and an absorption element retaining surface, which absorption element retaining surface is constructed to be adjacent to a first contact surface of an absorption element to hold the absorption element in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system.

[0102] Paragraph 2. A component according to Paragraph 1, wherein the first plurality of holes are arranged in a regular grid.

[0103] Paragraph 3. A component according to any of paragraphs 1 to 2, wherein the surface of the plate opposite the absorbent element retaining surface is provided with a heat reflective surface treatment.

[0104] Paragraph 4. A component according to any of paragraphs 1 to 3, wherein the plate includes at least one liquid transfer hole to enable liquid present on the surface of the plate opposite to the absorbent element retaining surface to pass through the plate to the absorbent element retaining surface.

[0105] Paragraph 5. The component of any of paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein the plate comprises one or more second holes configured to allow at least one electrical lead to pass through the plate.

[0106] Paragraph 6. The component of Paragraph 5, wherein the one or more second holes of the plate include at least one notch.

[0107] Paragraph 7. The component of Paragraph 5, wherein the one or more second holes of the plate include at least one orifice.

[0108] Paragraph 8. The component of any of Paragraphs 1 to 7, wherein the plate comprises a metallic material.

[0109] Paragraph 9. The component of Paragraph 8, wherein the metal material comprises stainless steel.

[0110] Paragraph 10. A component according to any of paragraphs 1 to 9, wherein the plate is stamped or cut from a sheet of stock.

[0111] Paragraph 11. The component of any of paragraphs 1 to 10, wherein the plate has a uniform thickness between 0.05 mm and 0.3 mm.

[0112] Paragraph 12. The component according to any of Paragraphs 1 to 11, further comprising the absorbent element.

[0113] Paragraph 13. The component of Paragraph 12, wherein the absorptive element further comprises one or more holes configured to allow at least one electrical lead to pass through the absorptive element.

[0114] Paragraph 14. The component of paragraph 13, wherein the one or more apertures of the absorbent element include at least one notch.

[0115] Paragraph 15. The component of paragraph 13, wherein the one or more holes of the absorbent element include at least one orifice.

[0116] Paragraph 16. The component of any of paragraphs 12 to 15, wherein the absorbent element comprises a nonwoven material.

[0117] Paragraph 17. The component of Paragraph 16, wherein the absorbent element comprises a foam material.

[0118] Paragraph 18. The component of Paragraph 16, wherein the absorbent element comprises silicone foam.

[0119] Paragraph 19. A component according to any of paragraphs 12 to 18, wherein the plate is constructed to be smaller than the absorbent element in at least one direction defined in the plane of the plate to allow liquid present on the surface of the plate opposite to the absorbent element to pass directly to the peripheral area of ​​the absorbent element.

[0120] Paragraph 20. The component of paragraph 19, wherein, when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system, the plate is configured to abut the absorbent element over at least 50% of a major surface of the absorbent element.

[0121] Paragraph 21. A component according to any of paragraphs 1 to 20, wherein the plate includes at least one mechanical engagement feature, the at least one mechanical engagement feature being configured to connect to at least one mechanical engagement feature of a shell element, wherein the plate is configured to be held by the shell element when assembled into the aerosol delivery system.

[0122] Paragraph 22. The component of Paragraph 21, further comprising the housing element.

[0123] Paragraph 23. The component of Paragraph 22, wherein the at least one mechanical engagement feature of the plate comprises a hole, and the at least one mechanical engagement feature of the housing element comprises a boss sized to interference fit within the hole.

[0124] Paragraph 24. The component of any of paragraphs 22 to 23, wherein the housing element includes an absorption element retaining region configured to abut a second contact surface of the absorption element disposed opposite the first contact surface.

[0125] Paragraph 25. A component according to any of paragraphs 22 to 24, wherein the housing element comprises a conduit defining an air flow passage comprising an inlet and an outlet, the air flow passage being configured to form a portion of an air flow path disposed between an air inlet and an air outlet of the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system;

[0126] Wherein, when the plate is held by the housing element, the plurality of holes are configured to straddle an outlet of the conduit.

[0127] Paragraph 26. The component of paragraph 25, wherein the total cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of apertures is configured to account for 35% to 45% of the cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path at the outlet of the duct.

[0128] Paragraph 27. The component of any of paragraphs 22 to 26, wherein the mechanical engagement feature of the housing element is configured to retain the plate in a position in which a surface of the plate abuts an edge of the outlet of the conduit.

[0129] Paragraph 28. A component according to any of paragraphs 22 to 27, wherein, when the plate is retained by the shell element by coupling at least one mechanical engagement feature of the plate to at least one mechanical engagement feature of the shell element, the plate and the shell element are constructed to retain at least a portion of the absorption element between the absorption element retaining surface of the plate and the absorption element retaining area of ​​the shell element.

[0130] Paragraph 29. The component of Paragraph 28, wherein the absorbent element is configured to be compressed between an absorbent element retaining surface of the plate and an absorbent element retaining region of the housing element when the plate is retained by the housing element.

[0131] Paragraph 30. The component of any of paragraphs 22 to 29, wherein the absorbent element includes an aperture configured to receive a conduit of the housing element therethrough.

[0132] Paragraph 31. The component of any of paragraphs 22 to 30, wherein the absorbent element retaining region of the shell element includes at least one recess configured to receive a portion of the absorbent element.

[0133] Paragraph 32. The component of Paragraph 31, wherein the absorbent element is configured to extend only partially into the recess when held between the absorbent element holding surface of the plate and the absorbent element holding region of the housing element.

[0134] Paragraph 33. An aerosol delivery system, comprising a reservoir for storing an aerosol generating liquid, an air flow path arranged between an air inlet and an air outlet, and an aerosol generator for vaporizing a source liquid from the reservoir and delivering the vapor to the air flow path; wherein the aerosol delivery system includes the component described in any of paragraphs 1 to 32, which is arranged along the air flow path at a position downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the aerosol generator.

[0135] Paragraph 34. An aerosol delivery system according to Paragraph 33, wherein the aerosol delivery system comprises a cartridge that is reversibly attachable to an electronic aerosol generating system comprising a power supply and a controller.

[0136] Paragraph 35. An aerosol delivery system according to any of paragraphs 33 to 34, when subject to any of paragraphs 22 to 32, comprises an outer shell, wherein the shell element is constructed to be inserted into the open end of the outer shell during assembly of the aerosol delivery system to close the open end of the outer shell.

[0137] Paragraph 36. A method for manufacturing a component of an aerosol delivery system; the method comprising: providing a plate, the plate being constructed to be arranged downstream of an air inlet of the aerosol delivery system and upstream of an atomizer of the aerosol delivery system relative to an air flow direction along an air flow path when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; wherein providing the plate comprises the following steps: providing an air flow restriction area comprising a first plurality of holes extending through the plate, wherein when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system, at least a subset of the first plurality of holes are positioned to overlap with a cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path at positions immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate; providing an absorption element retaining surface on the plate, the absorption element retaining surface being constructed to be adjacent to a first contact surface of an absorption element so as to hold the absorption element in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system.

Claims

1. A component for an aerosol delivery system, the component comprising: a plate configured to be disposed downstream of an air inlet of the aerosol delivery system and upstream of an atomizer of the aerosol delivery system relative to an air flow direction along an air flow path when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; The board comprises: an air flow restriction region comprising a first plurality of holes extending through the plate, wherein at least a subset of the first plurality of holes are positioned to overlap a cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path at locations immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate when the component is assembled into the aerosol delivery system; and An absorbent element retaining surface is configured to abut the first contact surface of the absorbent element to retain the absorbent element in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the components are assembled into the aerosol delivery system.

2. The component according to claim 1, wherein The first plurality of holes are arranged in a regular grid.

3. The component according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The plate includes at least one liquid transfer hole to enable liquid present on the surface of the plate opposite the absorbent element retaining surface to pass through the plate to the absorbent element retaining surface.

4. A component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The plate includes one or more second holes configured to allow at least one electrical lead to pass through the plate.

5. The component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The plate comprises a metallic material.

6. The component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the absorption element.

7. The component according to claim 6, wherein The absorptive element further includes one or more apertures configured to allow at least one electrical lead to pass through the absorptive element.

8. A component according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein The absorbent element comprises a foam material.

9. A component according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein The plate is configured to be smaller than the absorbent element in at least one direction defined in the plane of the plate to allow liquid present on a surface of the plate disposed opposite the absorbent element to pass directly onto a peripheral region of the absorbent element.

10. A component according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein The plate comprises at least one mechanical engagement feature configured to couple with at least one mechanical engagement feature of a housing element, whereby the plate is configured to be retained by the housing element when assembled into the aerosol delivery system.

11. The component of claim 10, further comprising the housing element.

12. The component according to claim 11, wherein The at least one mechanical engagement feature of the plate comprises a hole, and the at least one mechanical engagement feature of the housing element comprises a boss sized to interference fit within the hole.

13. A component according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein The housing element comprises an absorption element holding region which is configured to abut a second contact surface of the absorption element which is arranged opposite the first contact surface.

14. A component according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the housing element including a conduit thereby defining an air flow passage including an inlet and an outlet, the air flow passage being configured to form a portion of an air flow path disposed between an air inlet and an air outlet of the aerosol delivery system when the components are assembled into the aerosol delivery system; Wherein, when the plate is held by the housing element, a plurality of holes are configured to span an outlet of the conduit.

15. The component according to claim 14, wherein The total cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of holes is configured to occupy 35% to 45% of the cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path at the outlet of the duct.

16. A component according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein The mechanical engagement features of the housing element are configured to retain the plate in a position in which a surface of the plate abuts an edge of an outlet of the conduit.

17. A component according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein When the plate is retained by the shell element by coupling at least one mechanical engagement feature of the plate with at least one mechanical engagement feature of the shell element, the plate and the shell element are configured to retain at least a portion of the absorbent element between the absorbent element retaining surface of the plate and the absorbent element retaining region of the shell element.

18. The component according to claim 17, wherein When the plate is held by the housing element, the absorbent element is configured to be compressed between the absorbent element holding surface of the plate and the absorbent element holding region of the housing element.

19. A component according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein The absorbent element includes an aperture configured to receive the conduit of the housing element therethrough.

20. A component according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein The absorption element retaining region of the housing element includes at least one recess configured to receive a portion of the absorption element.

21. The component according to claim 20, wherein The absorption element is configured to extend only partially into the recess when held between the absorption element holding surface of the plate and the absorption element holding region of the housing element.

22. An aerosol delivery system comprising a reservoir for storing an aerosol generating liquid, an air flow path disposed between an air inlet and an air outlet, and an aerosol generator for vaporizing a source liquid from the reservoir and delivering vapor into the air flow path; in, The aerosol delivery system comprises a component according to any one of claims 1 to 21 arranged along the air flow path at a position downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the aerosol generator.

23. The aerosol delivery system of claim 22, wherein: The aerosol delivery system includes a cartridge reversibly attachable to an electronic aerosol generating system including a power supply and a controller.

24. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of claims 22 to 23, when dependent on any one of claims 11 to 21, comprising an outer housing, wherein The housing element is configured to be inserted into the open end of the outer housing to close the open end of the outer housing during assembly of the aerosol delivery system.

25. A method of manufacturing a component of an aerosol delivery system, the method comprising: providing a plate configured to be arranged downstream of an air inlet of the aerosol delivery system and upstream of an atomizer of the aerosol delivery system relative to an air flow direction along an air flow path when the components are assembled into the aerosol delivery system; Wherein providing the board comprises the following steps: providing an air flow restriction region comprising a first plurality of apertures extending through the plate, wherein at least a subset of the first plurality of apertures are positioned to overlap a cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow path at locations immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate when the components are assembled into the aerosol delivery system; An absorbent element retaining surface is provided on the plate, the absorbent element retaining surface being configured to abut the first contact surface of the absorbent element to retain the absorbent element in a fixed position within the aerosol delivery system when the components are assembled into the aerosol delivery system.

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