Aerosol supply system with condensate capture

Abstract

A component of an aerosol supply system, comprising: a chamber for receiving a consumable; an airflow channel connecting the air inlet to the chamber; the covering part is used for the opening of the airflow channel, the covering part is provided with an inner face, and when the covering part is closed and covers the opening, the inner face is communicated with the airflow channel in a liquid flowing mode; and a textured surface on the interior face, the textured surface configured such that liquid falling on the textured surface adheres to the textured surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a component of an aerosol supply system having the feature of capturing condensate, and also to an aerosol supply system including such a component. Background Technology

[0002] One type of aerosol delivery system (e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems) is sometimes referred to as a heated tobacco aerosol delivery system, heated tobacco product, or heated non-combustible product. These systems generate an atomized gas, or aerosol, by heating a consumable containing a tobacco component (in the form of tobacco leaves or other forms) to a temperature below the tobacco's combustion temperature, causing a nicotine-containing vapor to exit the tobacco and be inhaled. The user inhales through the tobacco component to create an airflow, and the atomized gas is entrained in the airflow passing through the tobacco component to form an aerosol, which is then delivered for inhalation.

[0003] A heated tobacco aerosol supply system includes one or more heaters or heating elements configured to heat a tobacco component and powered by a battery within the system. The tobacco component may be configured as a tobacco material stick housed within a wrapper, optionally also including a filter portion, similar to a conventional cigarette. A chamber or cavity is provided in the system into which a consumable containing tobacco is inserted. The heater may have an annular shape surrounding the chamber. Other designs may employ one or more heating blades that engage inside the tobacco stick when it is inserted into the chamber. An airflow passage runs through the aerosol supply system, connecting an air inlet to the chamber, such that when a user inhales (puffs or exhales) onto the inserted consumable, airflow enters the air inlet, flows along the airflow passage, and passes over the heated tobacco in the consumable. The flowing air collects atomized gas as it passes through the heated tobacco to form an aerosol, which is then delivered to the user. The power supply from the battery to the heater can be triggered by an airflow sensor that detects the user's inhalation and activates the power supply in response. The user can also activate the heater by operating a power switch while inhaling.

[0004] The presence of air in the airflow channels and chambers, and the temperature changes experienced by the air, can cause water vapor to condense from the air. The vapor leaving the tobacco vapor can also condense into a liquid form. Therefore, liquid condensate from various sources can accumulate within the chambers and / or airflow channels. To prevent undesirable dripping of condensate from the airflow channels, a cover can be provided to close the openings in the airflow channels (this opening can be an air inlet or some other opening). To enable the removal of accumulated condensate from the airflow channels, the cover can be configured to be removable or openable. In designs where the cover cannot fit tightly when closed (e.g., in designs where the cover is arranged to cover an air inlet but requires air to enter), condensate may escape or leak around the edges of the cover. Condensate that can flow freely within the airflow channels and chambers may not be near the openings when the cover is open, making it difficult to reach during cleaning. Conversely, condensate very close to the openings may escape rapidly in a relatively large volume when the cover is open, thus soiling the user.

[0005] Therefore, the methods for managing condensates in aerosol supply systems are of concern. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply system component is provided, the component comprising: a chamber for receiving consumables; an airflow passage connecting an air inlet to the chamber; a cover for an opening in the airflow passage, the cover having an inner surface in liquid flow communication with the airflow passage when the cover is closed and covers the opening; and a textured surface located on the inner surface, the textured surface being configured such that liquid falling onto the textured surface adheres to the textured surface.

[0007] According to a second aspect of some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply system including components according to the first aspect is provided.

[0008] These and other aspects of certain embodiments are set forth in the appended independent and dependent claims. It should be understood that features of the dependent claims may be combined with each other, and features of the independent claims may also be combined with those not expressly set forth in the claims. Furthermore, the methods described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments set forth below, but include and contemplate any suitable combination of features presented herein. For example, the methods described herein may provide a component or an aerosol supply system including such a component, comprising any one or more of the various features described below, as appropriate. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail by way of example only, with reference to the following accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A simplified schematic longitudinal section is shown, taken through an exemplary heated tobacco aerosol supply system that can be applied to various aspects of this disclosure; Figure 2 A simplified schematic longitudinal section is shown, taken through an exemplary liquid-based aerosol delivery system that can be applied to various aspects of this disclosure; Figure 3 A simplified schematic longitudinal section is shown taken through an end portion of an aerosol supply system or component thereof, which has a cover for an airflow passage, according to an example to which aspects of the present disclosure may be applied. Figure 4 A simplified schematic longitudinal section is shown through an end portion of another aerosol supply system or component thereof, according to an example which may be applied to various aspects of this disclosure, the other aerosol supply system or component thereof having a cover for an airflow passage; Figure 5A and Figure 5B A simplified schematic longitudinal section is shown taken through an end portion of a first embodiment of an aerosol supply system or component thereof according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the aerosol supply system or component thereof having a cover for an airflow channel and a textured surface for liquid capture, wherein the cover is in a closed position and an open position, respectively. Figure 6 A simplified schematic plan view of the cover of an airflow channel in an aerosol supply system according to various aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 7 A simplified schematic plan view of the cover of an airflow channel in an aerosol supply system according to another example of various aspects of this disclosure is shown; Figure 8 A simplified schematic plan view of the cover of an airflow channel in an aerosol supply system according to another example of various aspects of this disclosure is shown; Figure 9 A simplified schematic longitudinal section is shown through an end portion of another aerosol supply system or component thereof, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, having a cover for an airflow channel and an additional textured surface for the direction of liquid flow. Figure 10 The example shown has an additional textured surface according to the first example. Figure 9 A simplified schematic cross-section of the airflow channel in an example; Figure 11 An example of an additional textured surface is shown. Figure 9 A simplified schematic cross-section of the airflow channel in an example; Figures 12A to 12E A highly schematic and non-scaled plan view representation of a portion of various instances of textured surfaces is shown; Figure 13 and Figure 14 The diagram shows a highly schematic, non-scaled cross-sectional view taken through a portion of two exemplary textured surfaces; and Figure 15 and Figure 16 Photographic images of portions of two exemplary textured surfaces are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0010] This document discusses / describes aspects and features of certain instances and implementations. Some aspects and features of certain instances and implementations can 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 devices discussed herein that are not described in detail can be implemented according to any conventional techniques used to implement such aspects and features.

[0011] As described above, this disclosure relates to electronic aerosol supply systems or electronic vaporization gas supply systems, such as electronic cigarettes. Throughout the following description, the terms "electronic cigarette" and "electronic cigarette" may be used interchangeably; however, it should be understood that these terms are used interchangeably with aerosol (vaporization gas) supply systems or devices. Some of these systems are designed to generate an inhalable aerosol by atomizing an aerosol-forming matrix in liquid or gel form, which may or may not contain nicotine. Other systems are designed to generate an inhalable aerosol by heating (but not burning) a solid matrix to form a vaporization gas. The solid matrix may be, for example, a tobacco product or other non-tobacco product, which may or may not contain nicotine. Furthermore, systems capable of heating a mixture of both liquid or gel matrices and solid matrices are known. The term "aerosolizable matrix material" as used herein is intended to refer to a matrix material capable of forming an aerosol. In the current context, aerosols are formed by applying heat to the matrix, but other means of forming aerosols may also be used. The term "aerosol" is used interchangeably with "vaporization gas."

[0012] As used herein, the term "component" refers to a part, segment, unit, module, component, or similar structure of an electronic cigarette or similar device, which includes several smaller parts or elements that may be located within an outer housing or wall. An electronic cigarette may be formed or constituted by one or more such components, and these components may be removably or detachably connected to each other, or may be permanently bonded together during manufacturing to define the entire electronic cigarette. The invention is applicable to systems comprising at least two components permanently bonded together to form an integrated aerosol supply system, and also to systems comprising at least two components detachably connected to each other, and these components are configured, for example, to hold an aerosolizable matrix material carrier component, and a control unit or device component having a battery for providing power to operate elements for generating atomized gas from the matrix material. For the purpose of providing concrete examples, this disclosure describes a tobacco cartridge or atomizing cartridge (cartridge component) as an example of an aerosolizable matrix material carrying portion or component; however, this disclosure is not limiting in this regard, and any configuration of an aerosolizable matrix material carrying portion or component is applicable. Furthermore, such components may include more or fewer parts than those included in the examples. The same applies to device components. For the applicability to heated tobacco aerosol supply systems, the system (when integral) or the cartridge component (when the system includes multiple separable components) receives a consumable containing an aerosolizable matrix material in the form of a portion of tobacco.

[0013] This disclosure relates in particular to an aerosol supply system for generating atomized gas by heating a portion of a solid aerosolizable matrix material (such as tobacco). However, this disclosure also relates to an atomized gas supply system and components thereof utilizing an aerosolizable matrix material in liquid or gel form, wherein the aerosolizable matrix material is contained in a reservoir, canister, container, or other receiver included in the system and is delivered to an atomizer for atomization. The terms “liquid,” “gel,” “fluid,” “source liquid,” “source gel,” “source fluid,” etc., are used interchangeably with “aerosolizable matrix material” and “matrix material” to refer to an aerosolizable matrix material having a form capable of being stored and delivered according to embodiments of this disclosure. This disclosure relates to the capture of condensates that may form within the aerosol supply system, and this may occur in heated tobacco systems and systems based on liquid aerosolizable matrix materials, and may also occur in mixed systems.

[0014] Figure 1This is a high-resolution schematic diagram (not drawn to scale) of a typical exemplary aerosol / vapor supply system of the "heated non-combustible" or "heated tobacco product" (THP) type, presented for the purpose of illustrating the relationships between the various parts of a typical system and explaining general operating principles. The aerosol supply system 10 can be described as having two components, for ease of reference to, etc., the following references Figure 2 The described atomizer-based aerosol supply system is compared to another system, where the two components can be understood as a device, control or power unit, section or unit 20, and a cartridge component or unit 30 operating as an aerosol generating component. The device component 20 and the cartridge component 30 can be permanently combined to form an integrated aerosol supply system, or they can be detachably connected. The boundary between components 20 and 30 is indicated by a dashed line. In this illustration, the device component 20 and the cartridge component 30 are arranged side-by-side, a common arrangement in THP systems, and can be used instead of an end-to-end arrangement to provide a more elongated system.

[0015] The cartridge component 30 is the portion of the aerosol supply system 10 that generates atomized gas, achieved by heating the portion to generate heat. The cartridge component 30 includes a deep, narrow chamber or cavity 11 extending from one end (which is the tip or mouthpiece end in use) of the cartridge component 30 into its interior. The chamber 11 is shaped to receive and tightly contain a portion of consumable tobacco, typically formed as a part of a tobacco stick or rod 12, which can be inserted into the chamber 11 such that only the end portion of the tobacco stick 12 protrudes from the cartridge component 30. The protruding end portion of the tobacco stick 12 is placed in the user's mouth for aerosol inhalation, and this protruding end portion may include a filter 12b. The other end of the tobacco stick 12, inserted into the chamber 11 and occupying a larger portion of its length, includes a tobacco material portion 12a, which is contained in an outer layer (such as paper packaging) in the form of tobacco leaves or some other form. The tobacco component provides a solid aerosolizable matrix material for use in aerosol delivery systems. Alternatives to tobacco or materials other than tobacco may also be used as solid aerosolizable matrix materials. For convenience, the term "tobacco" is used herein to refer to both tobacco and non-tobacco solid matrix materials, and "solid" means that the matrix material is not a liquid or gel.

[0016] The chamber 11 has an associated annular electric heater or one or more heating elements 4 surrounding the chamber 11 and thus also surrounding the tobacco portion 12a of the inserted tobacco rod 12. The heater 4 itself may form or define all or part of the sidewall of the chamber 11, or it may be arranged outside the sidewall of the chamber 11. For example, the heater 4 may comprise a tube of metal or other conductive material, or it may comprise a coil of metal or other conductive material. The heater 4 can be operated by ohmic / resistance (joule) heating and includes an electrical connector (not shown) allowing current to flow through the heater, where the resistance of the heater material generates heat when the current flows. Alternatively, and as shown in the depicted example, the heater 4 can be operated by induction heating. In this arrangement, the heater 4 acts as a sensor, and one or more induction heating coils 7 are arranged around the outside of the heater 4. In induction heating, the induction coil 7 operates as an electromagnet when a high-frequency alternating current passes through to generate a magnetic field. The heater 4, located inside the induction coil 7, is a conductive component within the magnetic field flux, allowing the magnetic field to penetrate the heater 4 and induce eddy currents. Eddy currents flow within heater 4 and generate heat via Joule heating. Operation of the heater exposes the tobacco portion 12a to external heat, causing the tobacco material to heat and thus producing vapor. In other alternatives (not shown), heater 4 may include one or more heating blades mounted inside chamber 11, which pierce the tobacco portion 12a when the tobacco rod 12 is inserted into chamber 11. These heating blades may be heated resistively or inductively and transfer heat energy to the tobacco portion 12a from the inside. Other arrangements of one or more heaters suitable for heating the tobacco portion of an inserted tobacco rod will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0017] In order to enable the inhalation of atomized gas / aerosol generated by tobacco material, the cartridge component 30 includes one or more air inlets 26 located in the outer wall of the cartridge component 30 (or at other locations on the atomized gas supply system 10). The air inlets 26 are in airflow communication with the chamber 11 via an airflow channel or airflow passage 8. In other words, the airflow passage 8 connects the air inlets 26 to the chamber 11. Therefore, when the user inhales at the protruding end of the inserted tobacco rod, the air A inhaled into the air inlets 26 flows along the airflow passage 8 into the chamber 11 and into the tobacco rod 12, thus forming an airflow through the cartridge component. The air flows through the heated tobacco portion 12a to collect the atomized gas and form an aerosol, and then carries the aerosol through the filter 12b to be delivered to the user for inhalation.

[0018] Device component 20 (also referred to as a control unit or simply device or device component) includes a battery or battery 5 (hereinafter referred to as a battery, and which may be rechargeable) for supplying power to heater 4 (the associated induction coil being the power supply component in an induction heating design) and other electrical components of aerosol supply system 10. Additionally, a controller 28, such as a printed circuit board and / or other electronic devices or circuits, is present for overall control of aerosol supply system 10. When aerosol is needed, for example in response to a signal from an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor (not shown) detecting intake air on aerosol supply system 10, the control electronics / circuit 28 utilizes power from battery 5 to operate heater 4, during which air A flows in through one or more air inlets 26.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a high-resolution schematic diagram (not drawn to scale) of a general exemplary aerosol / vapor supply system or electronic cigarette / e-cigarette of a liquid or atomizer type, wherein an aerosolizable matrix material of liquid or gel is atomized. It is also presented for the purpose of illustrating the relationships between the various parts of a typical system and explaining general operating principles. In this example, the electronic cigarette 10 has a generally elongated shape extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by dashed lines and includes two main components: a device, a control or power component, segment or unit 20, and a cartridge component, assembly, or segment 30 (sometimes referred to as an atomizing cartridge or transparent atomizer) that carries the aerosolizable matrix material and operates as an atomizing gas generating component.

[0020] The cartridge component 30 includes a reservoir 3 containing a source liquid or other aerosolizable matrix material, which comprises formulations such as liquids or gels for generating aerosols, for example containing nicotine. As an example, the source liquid may contain about 1% to 3% nicotine and 50% glycerin, with the remainder comprising approximately equal amounts of water and propylene glycol, and may also contain other components such as flavorings. Nicotine-free source liquids may also be used, for example, to deliver flavorings. In the mixing system, a solid matrix (not shown), such as a portion of tobacco or other flavoring elements, may also be included through which the atomized gas generated by the liquid passes. The reservoir 3 has the form of a storage canister, which is a container or receiver in which the source liquid can be stored, allowing the liquid to move and flow freely within the canister. For consumable cartridge components, the reservoir 3 may be filled during manufacturing and then sealed for disposal after the source liquid is depleted, or the reservoir may have an inlet port or other opening through which a user can add new source liquid. In the context of a liquid-based system, a "consumable" can be defined as a replaceable reservoir 3 received in a chamber within the cartridge component 30 and replaced when empty, or more broadly as the entire cartridge component 30 received in or by the device component 20 and also replaced when the reservoir 3 is empty. The cartridge component 30 also includes an electrically powered heating element or heater 4 located outside the reservoir 3 for generating an aerosol by heating the source liquid. A liquid transfer or delivery device (liquid delivery element), such as a wick or other porous element or component 6, is also provided for delivering the source liquid from the reservoir 3 to the heater 4. The wick 6 may have one or more portions located inside the reservoir 3, or otherwise in fluid communication with the liquid in the reservoir 3, thereby enabling it to absorb the source liquid and transfer it by wicking or capillary action to other portions of the wick 6 adjacent to or in contact with the heater 4. Thus, the liquid is heated and atomized, and then replaced by a new source liquid transferred from the reservoir to the heater 4 via the core 6.

[0021] The combination of heater and coil (or similar structure) can be referred to as an atomizer or atomizer assembly, and the reservoir and its source liquid plus the atomizer can be collectively referred to as an aerosol source. "Consumables" can also take the form of an aerosol source received in the chamber of the cartridge component and replaced when empty. Other terms may include liquid delivery assembly or liquid transport assembly, wherein in this context, these terms are used interchangeably to refer to an atomizing element (atomizer) plus a coil or similar component or structure (porous component) that delivers or transports liquid from the reservoir to the atomizer for generating atomized gas / aerosol. Various designs are possible, in which the arrangement of the components may differ. Figure 2 The diagram is highly schematic. The heater and wick can be separate components, or a single component configured for both wicking and heating can be used, such as a porous and conductive component, like a mesh or grid of metal fibers or wires, or a porous and conductive ceramic material. Generally, an atomizer can be considered as one or more elements that perform the functions of: an atomizing element or atomizing element capable of generating atomized gas from a supplied source liquid; and a liquid delivery or conveying element capable of conveying or transferring liquid from a reservoir or similar liquid reservoir to an atomizing generator via wicking / capillary action. In this context, the atomizer operates to generate atomized gas by heating an aerosolizable matrix material, such that the atomizing element can be an electrically heated element (heater) operating by ohmic / resistive (joule) heating or by induction heating. The atomizer is typically, but not necessarily, housed within the cartridge component of an aerosol generation system. Embodiments of this disclosure apply to all and any such configurations consistent with the examples and descriptions herein.

[0022] The cartridge component 30 also includes a mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion 35 having an opening or aerosol outlet through which the user inhales the aerosol generated by the atomizer 4.

[0023] The power unit or control unit, or simply the device or device component 20, includes a battery or battery 5 (hereinafter referred to as a battery, and which may be rechargeable) to provide power to the electrical components of the electronic cigarette 10, specifically to operate the heater 4. Additionally, a controller 28, such as a printed circuit board and / or other electronic devices or circuits, is present for overall control of the electronic cigarette. When atomized gas is needed, for example, in response to a signal from an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor (not shown) on the detection system 10, the control electronics / circuit 28 utilizes power from the battery 5 to operate the heater 4, during which air A flows in through one or more air inlets 26 in the wall of the control unit 20. When the heating element 4 operates, it atomizes the source liquid supplied from the reservoir 3 via the liquid delivery element 6 to generate an aerosol, which the user then inhales through an opening in the mouthpiece 35. When a user inhales through the mouthpiece 35, the aerosol is delivered from the aerosol source along an airflow channel (not shown) that connects one or more air inlets 26 to the aerosol source and an aerosol outlet to the mouthpiece 35. In other designs, the air inlets may be located within the outer wall of the atomizing cartridge 30, allowing air to flow directly into the atomizing cartridge 30 instead of reaching it via the power unit 20. Therefore, compared to Figure 1 Similar to heated tobacco aerosol supply systems, Figure 2 The liquid-based aerosol supply system (i.e., all or part of the cartridge component 30 as defined above as a consumable) also includes an airflow channel connecting an air inlet to a chamber or other area for receiving or inserting the consumable.

[0024] In this example, the device component (control unit) 20 and the cartridge component 30 are separate connectable components, which can be connected in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (e.g., Figure 2 (As indicated by the solid arrows in the diagram) they are separated and detachable from each other. When the device 10 is in use, components 20 and 30 are connected together by mating engagement elements 21 and 31 (e.g., threaded or bayonet fittings), which provide a mechanical connection between device component 20 and cartridge component 30 and, in some cases, an electrical connection. If the heater 4 operates by ohmic heating, an electrical connection is required so that current can flow through the heater when the heater 4 is connected to the battery 5. In systems using induction heating, if no power-requiring component is located in cartridge component 30, the electrical connection can be omitted. The induction working coil can be housed in device component 20 and powered by the battery 5, and cartridge component 30 and device component 20 are shaped such that when they are connected, heater 4 is appropriately exposed to the magnetic flux generated by the coil, thereby generating current in the material of the heater. Figure 2The design is merely an exemplary arrangement, and the various parts and features can be distributed differently between the device component 20 and the cartridge component 30, and may include other components and elements. These two components can be arranged as follows: Figure 2 The longitudinal configuration shown is connected end-to-end, but it can also be connected in different configurations (such as parallel and side-by-side arrangements). The system may or may not be generally columnar, and / or may or may not have a generally longitudinal shape. Any one or two sections or components may be intended to be discarded and replaced when depleted (e.g., when the reservoir becomes empty or the battery is depleted), or intended for multiple uses achieved through actions such as refilling the reservoir and recharging the battery. In other instances, system 10 may be integral, wherein the portions of device component 20 and cartridge component 30 are housed in a single housing and cannot be separated. Embodiments and examples of this disclosure are applicable to any of these configurations and other configurations known to those skilled in the art.

[0025] Liquids may be present in the airflow channels of an aerosol supply system. In the case of heated tobacco aerosol supply systems, the liquid is in the form of condensate. This could be water condensate, formed by the condensation of water vapor in the air present in the system into liquid water, or it could be condensate formed by the condensation of components present in the atomized gas generated by heating the tobacco portion. Water condensate may also form in liquid-based aerosol supply systems. Furthermore, due to various factors, including reservoir leakage, liquid dripping from a supersaturated wick, and liquid condensation from any uninhaled atomized gas, liquid aerosolizable matrix material may exist as free liquid outside the reservoir. Liquids generated for all these reasons may be present in or reach the airflow channels. Liquids in the airflow channels may undesirably seep, leak, or drip from the aerosol supply system through openings in the airflow channels (e.g., air inlets). To address this issue, some systems (especially heated tobacco aerosol supply systems) may include covers for the openings in the airflow channels designed to suppress liquid escape and protect the user.

[0026] Figure 3A simplified schematic cross-sectional view is shown taken through a portion of an exemplary aerosol supply system with such a cover (typically the lower portion of the system when it is vertically oriented, such as when placed on a table). This portion includes components 20 and 30 having airflow channels 8 through which components 20 and 30 are as described above. For clarity, other parts or elements that may be housed in components 20 and 30 are omitted. The airflow channel 8 has an opening 9 located in the lower end face of components 20 and 30, which in this example serves as an air inlet 26 for the aerosol supply system through which air A is drawn into the system when a user inhales on it. A cover 40 is provided, which fits over the opening 9 to close it, thereby preventing any liquid L that may have collected in the airflow channel 8 from leaking out of the opening 9. To allow air A to still enter through the air inlet 26, the cover 40 is suitably fitted in a looser manner, or one or more gaps (or similar structures) are provided around the edge of the cover, such that the cover closes the opening 9 in a non-airtight manner. To allow for the removal of any liquid L from the airflow passage 8, the cover 40 is configured to open, allowing a user to access the interior of the airflow passage 8 via the opening 9. In this example, the cover 40 is removable from components 20, 30 such that when the cover 40 is removed, exposing the opening 9, the cover separates from components 20, 30. This can be achieved, for example, by a cover 40 that can be attached to components 20, 30 by means of threads, push-in fits, snap-fits, or other interference fits to close the opening 9. A fully removable cover allows easy access to the airflow passage for cleaning because it does not create an obstruction near the opening 9. In the depicted example, the cover 40, when closed, is arranged in a recess in the end face of components 20, 30 to provide a flush surface to the component. These features are not essential, and the cover 40 can be configured in other ways that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0027] Figure 4 A simplified schematic cross-sectional view is shown, taken through a portion of another exemplary aerosol supply system also equipped with a cover. Features with similar markings correspond to... Figure 3Features in this example. In this example, components 20 and 30 have air inlets 26 separated from the opening 9 of the airflow passage 8. Air inlets 26 are located in the sidewalls of components 20 and 30 and lead to an initial airflow passage 8a, which connects to the main airflow passage 8 downstream of the opening 9. This configuration allows liquid L that may be present in the airflow passage 8 to be collected upstream of the air inlet 26, near the opening 9, so that the presence of any liquid L does not interfere with the inward flow of air A. This separation of the air inlet 26 from the opening 9 also allows the cover 40 to better close the opening 9 or close it in a substantially airtight manner, thereby reducing the risk of liquid leakage from the opening 9. In this example, the cover 40 cannot be completely removed from components 20 and 30, such that when the cover 40 is opened, the cover remains attached to components 20 and 30. This can be achieved by connecting the cover 40 to the components 20 and 30 via a hinge or similar flexible connection structure or joint 42, or by using a flexible member such as a rope or plastic strip, one end of which is fixed to the components 20 and 30 and the other end to the cover 40. This type of arrangement reduces the risk of the cover 40 being lost when opened.

[0028] The various alternative features of the cover 40 mentioned above are not essential, and the cover 40 can be configured in other ways that will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Generally, the cover 40 covers the opening 9 of the airflow passage 8 and is completely or partially removable, allowing the cover to be in a closed position with the opening 9 closed, or in an open position with the opening 9 open. The cover 40 can be considered a closure, cap, lid, door, or similar structure, provided at least in part for allowing access to the interior of the airflow passage 8 for cleaning. The cover 40 has an inner surface 41 that faces inward toward the airflow passage 8 when the cover 40 is in place and the opening 9 is closed. Therefore, the inner surface may be exposed to any liquid L present in the airflow passage 8 and is thus in liquid communication with the airflow passage 8.

[0029] When the aerosol supply system is in a state of... Figure 4In orientations similar to those depicted in Figure 5, any liquid present in the airflow channel can travel towards the lower end of the component and may therefore accumulate on the inner surface of the cover. While this makes the liquid easily accessible for cleaning when the cover is open, it can also cause the accumulated liquid to suddenly spill out of the cover, thus soiling the user. Conversely, when the aerosol supply system is in other orientations, the liquid may move away from the cover. This may place the liquid in areas difficult to access from the openings in the airflow channel during cleaning and may also allow the liquid to reach parts of the system that could be damaged by the liquid (such as corrosion or contamination), such as the heater or heating element, or electrical contacts or connections. The liquid may be absorbed by the tobacco portion of the inserted consumable, causing the tobacco to become damp, which may hinder vapor generation. Liquid may also leak from the mouthpiece end of the airflow channel opposite the cover.

[0030] This disclosure aims to address the problems of liquid flow within the airflow channel and liquid leakage from the airflow channel in an aerosol supply system by providing a textured surface on the inner surface of the opening cover of the airflow channel. Specifically, the textured surface is configured such that liquid falling onto the textured surface adheres to it. It has been determined that forming or providing a suitably configured texture on a surface can provide this effect. The ability of the textured surface to retain liquid allows liquid reaching the opening and cover in the airflow channel to be collected and held in place. This prevents liquid backflow along the airflow channel (i.e., prevents liquid from moving downstream), thereby protecting components downstream of the air inlet from liquid exposure, and also conveniently retaining liquid on the inner surface of the cover so that the liquid can be easily removed when the cover is opened, and that liquid does not overflow or drip from the cover when the cover is opened.

[0031] Examples of suitable textured surfaces will be described in more detail below. However, generally speaking, a textured surface comprises a region or area defining a plurality of protruding and / or recessed or concave surface features of micrometer-scale size. These features can be considered as textured features including, for example, protrusions / recesses, recesses / convexities, or peaks / valleys. In the case of a small amount of free or escaping liquid formed within an aerosol supply system, surface features of this size, arranged in two dimensions (such that the texture has peaks and valleys along all directions across the entire surface), act as a barrier to the free movement or flow of liquid on the surface, while also causing liquid to adhere to or be held onto the surface. This is due to the surface tension in the liquid and the interaction between the liquid and the surface. Therefore, liquid can be trapped or captured on the textured surface. Thus, in this present case, liquid can be held on the inner surface of the cover and is generally prevented from flowing freely out or away from the inner surface.

[0032] Using textured surfaces to capture liquids that may be present in airflow channels enables a simple, compact, and durable way to prevent liquid exposure, spills, and leaks without the need for additional components, such as absorbent pads used in some aerosol supply systems to absorb free liquids. Textured surfaces can be applied to existing surfaces of existing components in the aerosol supply system, thus not occupying space within the system itself.

[0033] Figure 5A A simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a first exemplary cover configured in this manner is shown. The cover 40, connected to components 20, 30 via a hinge or connector 42, is shown in a closed position, in which the cover is secured over the opening 9 of the airflow passage 8. A textured surface 25 is provided on the inner surface 41 of the cover 4. Liquid L is captured by the textured surface 25 and adheres to the textured surface in small volumes or bead-like formations. This allows for the retention of a single volume of liquid or several separate volumes, depending on the total amount of liquid present and / or the manner in which the liquid reaches the inner surface 41.

[0034] Figure 5B It is shown in the open position. Figure 5A An exemplary cover. Surface tension allows the liquid L to remain trapped by the textured surface 25, making the liquid L easily removable by wiping the textured surface.

[0035] Figure 6 A plan view of an exemplary cover as seen when looking at the interior surface is shown. In this example, a textured surface 25 is disposed over the entire area of ​​the interior surface 41 of the cover 40, such that the textured surface extends substantially over the entire interior surface 41. The textured surface 25 is shown by shading, but this is merely to show the location and extent of the textured surface 25; the nature of the shading does not indicate any particular arrangement of the features constituting the texture. The textured surface 25 is shown extending directly to the outer perimeter of the interior surface 41, but this is not required, and in other instances, there may be boundary areas without features. The cover 40 is shown having a circular shape, but this is merely an example. Other shapes are not excluded, and the cover can take any external shape. The cover 40 has an extension beyond the interior surface 41 (also... Figure 5A and 5B The outer flange 44 (shown in the figure) is for the purpose of fitting and adapting to the component, but is not required and does not exclude other or different features of the cover outside the inner surface.

[0036] In other instances, the textured surface may be set on an area smaller than the entire area of ​​the cover's inner surface, such that the textured surface extends over an area smaller than the entire inner surface. This setting may be to avoid other features on the inner surface, such as protrusions or recesses that cooperate with forming features on the part to engage the cover with the part when the cover is closed; or simply because the expected liquid volume is small, thus deeming a smaller area of ​​textured surface sufficient.

[0037] Figure 7 A plan view of another exemplary cover is shown. In this example, a textured surface 25 covers an area of ​​the inner surface having the form or shape of a ring or band concentrically arranged on the inner surface 41 (but an offset position may also be used where appropriate), and is positioned toward the outer periphery of the inner surface 41 (a position closer to the inside may also be used where appropriate). The annular shape of the textured surface 25 depicted is circular, but this shape is not limiting and may be other forms depending on the overall shape of the inner surface and / or the cover and any other features. The central portion 43 of the inner surface 41 has no textured surface. In addition to trapping liquid by allowing it to adhere, textured surfaces typically present a barrier that prevents liquid from moving on the textured surface. Thus, the surrounding ring of the textured surface 25 can contain any liquid on the inner surface 41 within the untextured central region 43. This arrangement also helps to keep the liquid in a single location for easy removal during cleaning. Furthermore, the liquid can be kept away from the edge portions of the cover, thereby reducing the risk of leakage between any gaps between the closed cover and the component. In other instances, the ring-shaped or roughly encircling regions of the textured surface can be interrupted, rather than as... Figure 6 As shown, it is continuous, for example, to accommodate other surface features (not shown) on the internal surface. It is also conceivable, and not excluded, for textured surfaces of other shapes and areas (not depicted), and these textured surfaces may be used on the internal surface as appropriate.

[0038] In addition, two or more textured surface regions can be provided on the inner surface of the cover. These textured surface regions can be two or more separate and discrete textured surface regions with the same configuration and / or distribution of textured features, i.e., protrusions / recesses, recesses / convexities, or peaks / valleys.

[0039] In other instances, two or more textured surface regions with different configurations of textured features can be provided. The ability of a textured surface to allow liquid to hang or adhere to it stems from the surface tension in a smaller volume of liquid and depends on the relationship between the size and / or configuration of the textured feature and the viscosity of the liquid. Therefore, textured surfaces can be designed to maximize or enhance the adhesion of liquids with a specific viscosity or a specific viscosity range. For many aerosol supply systems, particularly heated tobacco aerosol supply systems, water is likely the primary liquid of concern collected at the cover, as it is a condensate from the air. Therefore, textured surfaces can be configured to allow water to adhere. However, in liquid-based aerosol supply systems, the liquid present in the airflow channels can be an aerosolizable matrix material derived from the reservoir. This liquid matrix material typically has a higher viscosity than water and can therefore be better captured by textured surfaces with different configurations (e.g., larger textured features). Therefore, textured surfaces on internal surfaces can be configured to allow the adhesion of liquid aerosolizable matrix materials. Since water condensate and liquid aerosolizable matrix material may exist in a single system, it is proposed that, in some instances, the textured surface may include at least two regions with distinct texture features, such that each region is configured to facilitate the adhesion of liquids of different viscosities to the textured surface within that region. More generally, the different regions may each be designed to enhance or facilitate the adhesion of liquids with a specific viscosity or a specific viscosity range, rather than other liquids of different viscosities. In particular, a first region may be configured to allow water to adhere, while a second region may be configured to allow the liquid aerosolizable matrix material to adhere. Other regions may be included to replicate existing adhesion characteristics, or, for example, for other viscosities in cases where more than one type of aerosolizable matrix material is provided. These regions may be separate from each other or connected throughout the textured surface.

[0040] Figure 8 A plan view of an exemplary cover configured in this manner is shown. In this example, the textured surface 25 substantially covers all the interior surfaces (but is not required to do so), and the textured surface is divided into a first region 25a and a second region 25b. The first region 25a is configured to collect liquids with a first viscosity (e.g., water produced by air condensation) by appropriately selecting the size and / or shape of the textured features, and the second region 25b is configured to collect liquids with a second viscosity (e.g., aerosolizable matrix material) by appropriately selecting textured features of different sizes and / or shapes. The first region 25a and the second region 25b are shown as continuous, but this is not required; in other words, as previously stated, the textured surface may or may not extend over the entire interior surface 41.

[0041] Since the function of the textured surface on the inner surface of the cover is to collect liquid within the airflow channels, in another instance, a design is proposed to facilitate the movement of liquid toward the cover. As described above, the textured surface on the inner surface of the cover is configured as a plurality of textured features, which include protrusions and / or recesses extending in two dimensions over the area occupied by the textured surface to facilitate the adhesion of falling liquid to the textured surface. However, the textured surface can be configured differently, particularly in this context, to facilitate the movement or flow of liquid along a selected direction. This is achieved by forming the textured features as a plurality of generally parallel ridges and / or grooves, which also have micron-scale dimensions except that the ridges / grooves are along their oriented length direction. This form of texture inhibits the movement of liquid in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (i.e., across the ridges / grooves) and facilitates the movement of liquid along the length direction (i.e., along the length direction). Therefore, this type of textured surface is proposed to facilitate the movement of any liquid in the airflow channels in a direction along the length of the airflow channels (i.e., parallel to the airflow direction) to guide the liquid toward the cover. This is achieved by creating such a textured surface on the inner surface of one or more walls that define the airflow channel (and therefore on the surface where liquid in the airflow channel may be present). These grooves / ridges are oriented such that their length direction is along the length of the airflow channel.

[0042] Figure 9 A simplified schematic cross-sectional view is shown, taken through a portion of an exemplary aerosol supply system configured in this manner. Features with similar labels correspond to... Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B Features in the example. As previously described, the cover 40 has a textured surface 25 on its inner surface. Furthermore, the airflow channel 8 defined by the sidewall 13 has an additional textured surface 26 disposed on the inner surface of the sidewall 13. The additional textured surface 26 includes a plurality of generally parallel ridges / grooves (as described above) extending along the length of the airflow channel 8 to facilitate the movement of any liquid on the inner surface of the sidewall toward the textured surface 25 on the inner surface of the cover 40, where the liquid can be trapped. The additional textured surface 26 may be configured to extend entirely along the length of the airflow channel 8, or may extend only along a portion of the length of the airflow channel 8, as needed or convenient, for example, taking into account other portions and features that may exist on or on the inner surface of the airflow channel 8. However, preferably, the additional textured surface 26 is disposed at least on the portion of the airflow channel adjacent to or toward the opening 9 to enhance the facilitation of liquid flow toward the cover 40 at the most relevant location.

[0043] Figure 10A simplified schematic cross-sectional view taken through the airflow channel in an exemplary configuration of the additional textured surface is shown. In this example, the additional textured surface extends entirely around the inner surface of the sidewall 13 of the airflow channel 8. Therefore, the additional textured surface is uninterrupted around the inner periphery of the airflow channel 8. Thus, liquid appearing at any location around the inner surface can be guided toward the cover.

[0044] Figure 11 A simplified schematic cross-sectional view taken through the airflow channel in an alternative exemplary configuration of the additional textured surface is shown. In this example, the additional textured surface 26 does not extend completely around the inner surface of the airflow channel. Instead, the additional textured surface 26 is configured as two spaced-apart portions located on opposite sides of the airflow channel 8. Each portion of the additional textured surface 26 extends only around a portion of the inner periphery of the airflow channel 8, with untextured regions between these portions. However, this concept is not limited to the depicted configuration and may include one or more regions, which may be regularly or irregularly spaced around the inner surface and may have the same or different widths around the circumferential direction. For example, this arrangement of regions may be chosen to avoid other features (not shown) that may be present on the inner surface and / or to concentrate the guiding effect on the region where the liquid is most desired.

[0045] As mentioned above, water condensation is perhaps the most concerning issue; therefore, the grooves / ridges on the additional textured surface can be configured to be appropriately sized to accommodate water flow by taking into account the viscosity of water. Alternatively, in the case of a liquid-based aerosol supply system, the grooves / ridges can be configured for the movement of aerosolizable matrix materials that are typically of higher viscosity.

[0046] In another alternative, and similar to the description of textured surfaces on a cover, additional textured surfaces may include regions with grooves / ridges of different sizes / shapes, designed to suit different viscosities of liquids such as water and aerosolizable matrix materials, thereby enhancing their effect.

[0047] In the foregoing description and appended claims, the textured surface may be present in the cartridge component, in the device component, or in both the cartridge component and the device component. Therefore, any reference to "component" applies equally to either the cartridge component or the device component, unless the specific details indicate that only one component or the other is involved. In the context of the entire aerosol supply, the two components may be considered as one component and a second component, one component and an additional component, one component and another component, or a first component and a second component. The component or the first component may be a cartridge component or a device component. The second component, the additional component, or the other component may be a device component or a cartridge component. Alternatively, the textured surface may be present in an integrated aerosol supply system comprising components permanently assembled for use.

[0048] One or more textured surfaces include a plurality of textured features with dimensions on the micrometer scale. These features are distributed over a two-dimensional region or area of ​​a surface on which the textured surface is disposed. Within this region, the textured features include a plurality of protrusions / recesses, recesses / convexities, peaks / valleys, or similar structures scattered across the region. Relative to a reference plane of the surface surrounding the region, the textured features may include protrusions / convexities / peaks that stand upright above the reference plane of the surface (such that the space between these features lies at the reference plane), textured features may also include recesses / recesses / valleys that are below the reference plane of the surface (such that the space between these features lies at the reference plane), or both (such that the reference plane of the surface lies between the height of the protrusions / convexities / peaks and the depth of the recesses / recesses / valleys). The textured surface may be disposed on the surface by being directly manufactured on the surface or manufactured as part of the surface, i.e., formed in the material used for the component having the surface; or applied to the surface as a surface coating or overlay (of the same or different materials).

[0049] It has been determined that textured features with different configurations are used to suppress the flow or movement of liquids on textured surfaces in different ways, due to the different interactions between the surface tension of the liquid and the shape, size, configuration, etc., of the different features. In particular, by selecting different textured features, surface textures can be configured to suppress the passage of liquids by either adhering the liquid falling on the surface to the textured surface, or by causing the liquid falling on the surface to flow or move in one direction, at the cost of restricting or preventing the liquid falling on the surface from moving in a direction substantially orthogonal to that direction.

[0050] Figure 12AA highly schematic, non-scale plan view representation of a first example of a textured surface configured for liquid adhesion is shown. To enable liquid adhesion, the textured surface has a plurality of discrete textured features 100 on a surface 101 on which the textured surface is disposed. The textured features 100 are arranged spaced apart from each other in two dimensions of the plane of the surface 101 over the area occupied by the textured surface. In this example, the textured features 100 are arranged at regular or periodic intervals in the form of a triangular array. Because the textured features 100 are discrete and separated from each other, each feature may include a protrusion or peak extending from the plane of the surface 101, or a recess or depression “cut out” below the plane of the surface 100, or a combination of both. The textured features 100 are depicted as having a generally circular cross-section parallel to the plane of the surface 101, but this is not mandatory; the features may also have any cross-sectional shape, for example, determined by the method of forming or providing the textured surface.

[0051] Figure 12B A highly schematic, non-scaled plan view representation of a second instance of a textured surface configured for liquid adhesion is shown. This is similar to... Figure 12A This is an example, but in this case, the texture features 100 are arranged at regular intervals in the form of a square array. Other periodic distributions conforming to other regular arrays can also be used if desired. Alternatively, irregular or non-periodic distributions can be used.

[0052] Figure 12C A highly schematic, non-scale plan view representation of a third example of a textured surface configured for liquid adhesion is shown. In this example, textured features 100 are randomly distributed on surface 101 with irregular and non-constant spacing, lacking any intended periodicity. The choice of a regular or irregular distribution of textured features can be determined by the method of forming the textured features. Alternatively, a regular arrangement with constant spacing may be best suited for achieving adhesion of liquids with specific viscosities, allowing the spacing and regularity to be selected accordingly for specific liquids (such as water or selected types of aerosolizable matrix materials). Conversely, a non-periodic arrangement of textured features with a certain range of spacing can be used to provide some adsorption for liquids with viscosities within a certain range, allowing a single textured surface to manage different liquids.

[0053] Figure 12DThe diagram shows a highly schematic, non-scaled plan view representation of a first example of a textured surface configured to guide or control the direction of movement of a liquid flow falling onto the textured surface. To manage the direction of liquid movement in this manner, the textured surface may have a plurality of continuous textured features 100 on the surface 101 on which the textured surface is provided. The textured features 100 include a plurality of generally parallel ridges 102 extending from the plane of the surface 101, and / or grooves / valleys / channels “carved out” below the plane of the surface 100, or a combination of both. In this example, the ridges / grooves are substantially straight. Therefore, the textured features 102 are continuous along one direction (i.e., the length direction along which the ridges / grooves extend) and spaced apart from each other in an orthogonal direction (with a substantially constant spacing). The effect of this configuration of the textured features 102 is to interrupt or impede any movement of falling liquid in the orthogonal direction indicated by arrow X, while enabling or facilitating any movement of falling liquid in the length direction indicated by arrow Y. In the context of the functionality required by the concept proposed in this paper, the "orthogonal direction" is considered the "lateral" direction, and it is necessary to inhibit the flow of liquid along this "lateral" direction so that the textured surface can inhibit the liquid from reaching the distal side of the textured surface. Therefore, the distal side of the textured surface can be protected from exposure to any liquid passing over the surface with the textured surface. Conversely, the falling liquid is encouraged to move along the length of the ridge / groove, so that the falling liquid can be guided away from the lateral direction, or the falling liquid can be intentionally encouraged to move along the length direction, or both.

[0054] Figure 12E A highly schematic, non-scale plan view representation of a second example of a textured surface configured to control the direction of liquid movement is shown. The textured feature 102 also includes a plurality of generally parallel ridges / grooves, but in this example, the ridges / grooves are formed in annular shapes and arranged generally concentrically. The depicted example shows the annular shape in a circular form, but this is not mandatory; other shapes may be used where the grooves / ridges are not defined as straight within the textured surface. The concentric arrangement defines the lateral direction X of the textured surface between the center and the outer edge of the area covered by the textured surface. In this way, liquid movement outward from a position near the center of the textured surface can be suppressed, as can liquid movement inward towards the center from a position across the textured surface. The direction Y along which the textured surface allows liquid movement is the circumferential direction.

[0055] Figure 13A highly schematic, non-scaled cross-sectional view taken through an exemplary textured surface is shown to illustrate some parameters of interest. In this example, the textured features include recesses or grooves formed in the facet where the textured surface is disposed. Three textured features are shown, but in reality, more features may exist along a line through the textured surface. The first parameter of interest is the spacing s, which is shown as the center-to-center distance or spacing between adjacent textured features. By way of example only, the spacing s may be about 20 µm or about 25 µm. More generally, the spacing may range from 15 µm to 30 µm, but larger and smaller spacings are not excluded, such as spacings in the range of 10 µm to 50 µm. Within the textured surface or in a region within the textured surface, the spacing may be constant (within manufacturing tolerances, which may depend on the technique used to form the textured features, and may be in the range of, for example, 2 µm or 5 µm), or it may be chosen to take a range of values ​​varying up to 10 µm to better manage liquids of different viscosities. The second parameter of interest is the size or dimension of a single texture feature, i.e., in Figure 13 The width *w* is expressed as the width *w* in a plane parallel to the textured surface and in a direction parallel to the surface on which the textured surface is provided, but more generally also includes the height of the protruding feature and the depth of the recessed or concave feature. These dimensions may be substantially the same or different within a single feature, such that the width may be substantially the same as the height / depth, or the width may be smaller or larger than the height / depth, but usually within the same order of magnitude. For example, a single dimension may be about 2 µm or about 3 µm, but larger or smaller dimensions are not excluded, and may be, for example, at least 1 µm, or up to 5 µm, or up to 10 µm. For example, in some cases, the dimensions of the textured feature may be in the range of 2 µm to 5 µm, or in the range of 1 µm to 10 µm. Within the textured surface or within a region of the textured surface, the dimensions of all textured features may be constant (within manufacturing tolerances, which may depend on the technique used to form the textured feature, and may be in the range of, for example, 0.5 µm or 1 µm), or may be selected to take a range of values ​​varying within a range, for example, to better manage liquids of different viscosities.

[0056] Since the size of individual features and the spacing between adjacent features can be chosen, another parameter that may be of interest when characterizing textured surfaces is the density of textured features within the textured surface. This density can be defined as the number of textured features per unit area, or more usefully, to encompass both discrete textured features and parallel grooves / ridges, it can be defined as the number of textured features per unit length in the direction across the surface texture. For example, this density can be chosen such that there are approximately 3, 4, or 5 features per 100 µm (and therefore per 100 µm...). 2 There are approximately 9, 16, or 25 feature segments, but higher or lower values ​​can also be used as needed, such as in the range of approximately 2 to 10 feature segments per µm. Furthermore, this density can be substantially constant across the entire textured surface, or it can be selected to be variable to provide a textured surface more capable of handling liquids within a certain viscosity range.

[0057] Figure 14 A highly schematic and non-scaled cross-sectional view is shown, taken through another exemplary textured surface, wherein individual textured features have the form of protrusions or ridges extending outward from the face bearing the textured surface.

[0058] Figure 15 A photographic image of a portion of a non-limiting example of a textured surface is shown, comprising multiple discrete textured features in the form of spaced-apart recesses. A scale bar of 100 µm is shown.

[0059] Figure 16 A photographic image of a portion of a non-limiting example of a textured surface is shown, comprising multiple textured features in the form of spaced-apart parallel grooves. A scale bar of 100 µm is shown.

[0060] In summary, to address various problems and promote technological progress, this disclosure illustrates, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which one or more of the claimed inventions can be implemented. The advantages and features of this disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are intended only to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed one or more inventions. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of this disclosure should not be considered as limitations on this disclosure as defined by the claims or on equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. In addition to the various combinations of elements, components, features, portions, steps, means, etc., specifically described herein, various embodiments may suitably include, consist of, or substantially consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, portions, steps, means, etc. This disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A component of an aerosol supply system, the component comprising: A chamber used to receive consumables; An airflow channel connects the air inlet to the chamber; A cover for the opening of the airflow channel, the cover having an inner surface that is in liquid flow communication with the airflow channel when the cover is closed and covers the opening; and A textured surface located on the inner surface, the textured surface being configured such that liquid falling on the textured surface adheres to the textured surface.

2. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The textured surface includes a plurality of discrete texture features, which are in the form of recesses and / or protrusions spaced apart from each other in two dimensions.

3. The component according to claim 2, wherein, The size of the texture feature is in the range of 1 µm to 10 µm.

4. The component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The textured surface extends substantially throughout the entire interior surface.

5. The component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The textured surface extends over a region smaller than the entire interior surface.

6. The component according to claim 5, wherein, The textured surface is formed into a ring shape on the inner surface.

7. The component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, The textured surface includes at least a first region and a second region, each configured such that liquids of different viscosities adhere to the textured surface.

8. The component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, The cover is arranged to cover the air inlet when closed.

9. The component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, The cover can be accessed from outside the aerosol supply system.

10. The component according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The cover can be removed from the component.

11. The component according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The cover remains attached to the component when it is opened.

12. The component according to claim 11, wherein, The cover is connected to the component via a hinge or a flexible joint.

13. The component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, The cover is located at the end of the component opposite the opening of the chamber for inserting consumables into the chamber.

14. The component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, The textured surface is configured such that liquids in the form of water condensed from air flowing along the airflow channel adhere to the textured surface.

15. The component according to any of the preceding claims further includes an additional textured surface located on the inner surface of the airflow channel, the additional textured surface being configured such that liquid falling on the additional textured surface flows along the additional textured surface toward the cover.

16. The component according to claim 15, wherein, The additional textured surface extends fully along the length of the airflow channel.

17. The component according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein, The additional textured surface extends completely around the inner surface of the airflow channel.

18. The component according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein, The additional textured surface includes a plurality of textured features, which are in the form of grooves and / or ridges that are generally parallel to each other and extend along the length of the airflow channel.

19. The component according to claim 18, wherein, The size of the texture feature is in the range of 1 µm to 10 µm.

20. The component according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein, The additional textured surface is configured such that liquid, in the form of water condensed from air flowing along the airflow channel, flows toward the cover.

21. The component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, The aerosol supply system is a heated tobacco system, and the chamber is used to receive consumables containing tobacco portions to be heated.

22. The component of claim 19 further includes one or more heating elements for heating the tobacco portion received in the chamber.

23. An aerosol supply system comprising the components according to any of the preceding claims.

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