Vaporizer cartridge and inhaler with such a vaporizer cartridge

Abstract

Vaporizer cartridge (10) as a component of an inhaler, comprising a hollow body (11) with a continuous chimney (13) forming an air flow channel (12) and a storage tank (14) for storing liquid, wherein the storage tank (14) has at least one access opening (15) to the chimney (13) and in the region of each access opening (15) an evaporator unit (16) extending over the entire access opening (15) is arranged, which evaporator unit has a wick element (17) and a heating element (18) for forming aerosols from the liquid supplied from the storage tank (14), wherein the evaporator unit (16) is designed to be liquid-permeable for this purpose, such that liquid is at least initially drawn capillary from the storage tank (14) through the evaporator unit (16) in the direction of the chimney (13) and as an aerosol within the chimney (13) in the direction of a mouthpiece (19) is conveyable,wherein in the region of the hollow body (11) in the flow direction of the aerosol, behind the evaporator unit (16) and in front of the mouthpiece (19), at least in sections, at least one additive-carrying element (22) is formed and / or arranged, which is designed and configured to release the additive to the aerosol flowing within the chimney (13), wherein the additive-carrying element (22) at most partially narrows the cross-section of the chimney (13), and wherein the evaporator cartridge (10) comprises, on the side of the mouthpiece (19), a cap-like lid (23) which is detachably fastened to the storage tank (14) in such a way that free access to the region of the hollow body (11) can be achieved, whereby the additive-carrying element (22), which is designed and configured to be exchangeable, can be replaced,and wherein the additive-carrying element (22) is formed from a carrier material and a flavoring substance to be released from the carrier material by the aerosol flowing past the additive-carrying element (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vaporizer cartridge as a component of an inhaler, comprising a hollow body with a continuous chimney forming an air flow channel and a storage tank for storing liquid, wherein the storage tank has at least one access opening to the chimney and in the region of each access opening there is arranged an vaporizer unit extending over the entire access opening, which has a wick element and a heating element for forming aerosols from the liquid supplied from the storage tank, wherein the vaporizer unit is designed to be liquid-permeable for this purpose, such that liquid can be conveyed at least initially by capillary action from the storage tank through the vaporizer unit in the direction of the chimney and as an aerosol within the chimney in the direction of a mouthpiece.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to an inhaler designed and configured for inhaling aerosol enriched with active ingredients, comprising a cartridge carrier comprising at least one electronic control unit and an energy source, as well as an evaporator cartridge.

[0003] A corresponding prior art technology is described, for example, in US 2019 / 0183183 A1.

[0004] Such vaporizer cartridges and inhalers are used in the consumer goods industry, particularly in connection with an electronic cigarette, the so-called e-cigarette, as well as in the medical field in order to be able to inhale liquid consumer goods and / or fluid medical products. In the context of this invention, the term aerosol also includes vapor or an aerosol-vapor mixture. During consumption, a person usually sucks on a mouthpiece of the inhaler, whereby a negative pressure is created in the air flow channel, which generates an air flow through the air flow channel. The air flow can also be generated mechanically, e.g. by a pump. In the air flow channel, a vaporized liquid produced and provided by the vaporizer unit is added to the air flow as a gas phase in order to administer an aerosol or an aerosol-vapor mixture to the consumer.The liquid is stored on or in the vaporizer cartridge. Various mixtures with different components of the same or different vapor densities are used. A typical mixture for use in an e-cigarette, for example, contains components of glycerin and propylene glycol. For medical or therapeutic use, such as inhaling asthma medications, the mixture can be formulated accordingly.

[0005] The access opening between the storage tank and the vent or air flow channel, in which the evaporator unit is located, provides fluid communication between a receiving space of the storage tank and the hollow body or its vent or the air flow channel in which the aerosol is formed and flows toward the mouthpiece. The hollow body can be formed in one or more parts and, in particular, can also comprise a head adapter in addition to the vent. The head adapter can also comprise the vent or sections of the vent, with the access opening with the evaporator unit in this case being located in the region of the vent section associated with the head adapter.

[0006] The individual components of the vaporizer cartridge, namely the hollow body or its components, the storage tank, and the vaporizer unit, can be combined into a single component. This component is then a disposable item designed for a finite number of inhalations by a user and, together with a cartridge carrier as a reusable, multi-use item comprising at least one electronic control unit and a power source, forms an inhaler. However, the vaporizer cartridge can also be formed by assembling several components, with individual components, namely in particular the hollow body and the vaporizer unit, being arranged in the cartridge carrier as a reusable item, and the storage tank as a separate component forming the disposable item. Ultimately, the inhaler can be used variably by replacing the disposable item, which usually contains the liquid.

[0007] Accordingly, the disposable article and the reusable article are detachably connected to one another. The cartridge carrier as a reusable article usually comprises at least the electronic control unit and the energy source. The energy source can be, for example, a disposable electrochemical battery or a rechargeable electrochemical accumulator, e.g. a Li-ion battery, by means of which the heating element is supplied with energy via the electrical contacts of the vaporizer unit. The electronic and / or electrical control unit serves to control the vaporizer unit within the vaporizer cartridge. The cartridge carrier can, however, also comprise components of the vaporizer cartridge. The disposable article can be designed as a plug-in part that can be plugged onto the reusable article or as an insert part that can be inserted into the reusable article. Instead of a plug-in connection, screw connections or other quick-connectors can also be used.By combining the disposable and reusable items, a mechanical and electrical connection is created to form a functional inhaler.

[0008] The central component that ultimately determines use (e.g. as an e-cigarette or as a medical inhaler) is the storage tank filled with a liquid (hereinafter also referred to as fluid) as part of the vaporizer cartridge. By means of the liquid-permeable vaporizer unit, the fluid is guided from the storage tank through the wick element and the heating element due to at least initial capillary transport. The voltage generated by the energy source, which is applied to the heating element, leads to a current flow in the heating element. Due to the heating resistance, preferably the ohmic resistance of the heating element, the current flow leads to heating of the heating element and ultimately to vaporization of the fluid in the vaporizer unit or guided through the vaporizer unit. The gas or vapor produced in this way.The vapor, aerosol, and / or aerosol-vapor mixture escapes from the evaporator unit toward the air flow channel of the vent or is formed therein. In the air flow channel formed by the vent, the formation of aerosols or aerosol-vapor mixtures is specifically encouraged by mixing with the air flow within the air flow channel. The fluid therefore has a predetermined path with a predetermined flow direction: as a fluid through the wick element to and through the heating element, and as a gas / vapor / mist and / or aerosol or aerosol-vapor mixture from the heating element into the air flow channel of the vent. In the air flow channel, the vaporized fluid is entrained by the air flow when the air flow channel is subjected to pressure / negative pressure, e.g. when a consumer sucks on the air flow channel through the mouthpiece or when negative pressure is generated by a pump.

[0009] To prevent the fluid from flowing directly from the storage tank into the air flow channel, the vaporizer unit completely covers the access from the storage tank to the air flow channel. Completely covered in this context means that the liquid is forced through the vaporizer unit, so that the fluid cannot flow directly from the storage tank into the air flow channel, but must take a "detour" via the wick element and the heating element. The wick element serves, on the one hand, to temporarily store fluid in order to provide sufficient fluid for a few puffs on the inhaler, especially when the storage tank is almost empty. On the other hand, the wick element serves in particular to transport the fluid from the storage tank towards the air flow channel and simultaneously acts as a type of backflow protection to prevent the fluid and / or vapor from flowing back towards the storage tank.

[0010] Different inhalation properties can be achieved, for example, by additives in the liquid. These additives can be nicotine and / or almost any other flavoring and / or active ingredients that are described in connection with the invention under the term “additive”. On the one hand, adding the aforementioned additives to the liquid is prohibited by law in some countries, particularly with regard to nicotine, for example. On the other hand, adding additives to the liquid leads to variations in the viscosity of the liquid, which leads to a change in the permeability of the wick element, which can change and, in particular, impair the inhalation properties. Furthermore, mixing the liquid with additives can lead to demixing effects in the area of ​​the heating element, which also has a detrimental effect on the inhalation properties.Ultimately, the evaporation process and / or the material of the wick must always be adapted to the specific liquid used. Furthermore, the addition of thermally fragile additives to the liquid must be avoided, which limits the use of the evaporator cartridge. Adding additives to the liquid stored in the storage tank therefore has a number of disadvantages.

[0011] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a universally applicable vaporizer cartridge that ensures a standardized vaporization process, including the administration of thermally fragile additives. The object is also to propose a corresponding inhaler.

[0012] This object is achieved by an evaporator cartridge of the type mentioned above in that, in the region of the hollow body in the flow direction of the aerosol, at least one additive-carrying element is formed and / or arranged at least partially behind the evaporator unit and in front of the mouthpiece, which additive-carrying element is designed and configured to release the additive to the aerosol flowing within the chimney, wherein the additive-carrying element only partially constricts the cross-section of the chimney. With this embodiment according to the invention, a standardized evaporation process is easily realized, since the additive is only mixed with the already formed aerosol flowing towards the mouthpiece after the evaporation process, i.e. spatially behind the evaporator unit.In other words, a liquid with consistently consistent properties can be used, allowing for the use of a standardized material for the wick and standardized software settings for the electronic control unit. The evaporation process can be standardized and optimized to the properties of the (carrier) liquid. Supplementation and individualization are then achieved by the additive, which is only added in the air flow channel and "refined" the aerosol. Because the additive, or each additive, is excluded from the evaporation process by the spatial separation of the additive addition from the evaporator unit, even thermally fragile additives can be used. This greatly reduces the heating of the additive, as the aerosol flows past the additive-carrying element with only residual heat.On the one hand, the residual heat is not high enough to affect thermally fragile additives, and on the other hand, it is high enough to detach any additives from the additive-carrying element and carry them further towards the mouthpiece.

[0013] In the vaporizer cartridge according to the invention, the vent or air flow channel is continuous and barrier-free despite the presence of the additive-carrying element. The vent forms a continuous air flow channel. This means that the aerosols or aerosol-vapor mixtures can flow freely within the vent or air flow channel toward the mouthpiece. The cavity enclosed by the vent is free of obstructions, allowing a direct and unobstructed channel connection from the area of ​​the vaporizer unit to the mouthpiece. The aerosols or aerosol-vapor mixtures fed to the vent or formed therein flow unhindered toward the mouthpiece. Barrier-free within the meaning of the invention ideally means that the air flow channel has a constant cross-section and a smooth surface to enable laminar flow.However, "barrier-free" expressly includes embodiments in which the cross-section of the air flow channel, from the evaporator unit to the mouthpiece, is variable or non-constant, and / or in which projections, edges, elevations, or the like are provided in the air flow channel, which, however, only partially extend across the cross-section of the air flow channel and can be flowed around by the aerosols or aerosol-vapor mixtures. In other words, the barrier-free air flow channel enables the aerosols or aerosol-vapor mixtures to flow toward the mouthpiece without having to pass through—in the sense of penetrating—components or the like located in the air flow channel.

[0014] The or each additive-carrying element can be permanently installed in the vaporizer cartridge. According to the invention, the vaporizer cartridge is characterized in that the vaporizer cartridge comprises a cap-like lid on the mouthpiece side, which is detachably attached to the storage tank in such a way that free access to the area of ​​the hollow body is possible, whereby the additive-carrying element, which is designed and configured to be replaceable, is replaceable. For this purpose, the lid, cap, flap, or the like is attached to a body, preferably to the storage tank, in a detachable or at least partially openable manner.The lid or any other closure element allows access to the hollow body to replace the additive-bearing element(s), and is also designed and configured to hold and secure the hollow body and / or parts thereof and / or the additive-bearing element(s) to create a structural unit of the vaporizer cartridge. Due to the modular design of the vaporizer unit with the replaceable additive-bearing element, the user can, for example, renew or change the aroma note by replacing the additive-bearing element.

[0015] According to the invention, the additive-carrying element is formed from a carrier material and a flavoring agent to be released from the carrier material by the aerosol flowing past the additive-carrying element. The flavoring agent is preferably a dissolved or to-be-dissolved additive stored in an absorbent material, e.g., a filter fleece, and is dissolved and entrained by the aerosol flowing past it upon contact with the aerosol. This ensures, on the one hand, uniform and sufficient mixing of the additive with the aerosol, or vice versa, downstream of the evaporator unit. On the other hand, the additive is effectively kept away from the evaporator unit, so that even thermally fragile additives can be used safely and reliably.

[0016] The additive-carrying element is preferably a substance carrier, preferably referred to as an aroma stick. The design of the substance carrier or aroma stick can vary, particularly with regard to dimensions and cross-section. Optionally, the aroma stick can be cylindrical, ellipsoidal, or in almost any other (cross-sectional) shape, as a solid material or a (partially) hollow body. The aroma stick can also be adapted, in particular, to the outer or inner shape of the hollow body. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge is characterized in that the additive-carrying element is a hollow-cylindrical aroma stick, which is assigned to the vent of the hollow body. The aroma stick is an independent and separate component that can be inserted into or onto the hollow body or instead of the hollow body or parts thereof. This creates a particularly simple and easily replaceable additive-carrying element.

[0017] Advantageously, the hollow-cylindrical aroma stick is replaceably attached to the cylindrical vent of the hollow body such that the inside of the aroma stick faces the outside of the vent, with the wall of the vent being perforated at least in the area where the aroma stick surrounds the vent. In this embodiment, the additive-carrying element does not reduce the free cross-section of the air flow channel at all. The aerosol can flow across the full cross-section of the air flow channel towards the mouthpiece, detaching and entraining additive from the additive-carrying element on the way there. The aroma stick can be attached to the hollow body loosely, i.e. in particular at a distance from the hollow body, or firmly, i.e. in particular adjacent to the hollow body.Ultimately, the aroma stick encloses the hollow body, which preferably has several openings, holes, perforations, or the like, in such a way that the aerosol flowing in the air flow channel can make contact with the aroma stick located outside the air flow channel. The perforation can be evenly distributed over the circumference of the wall of the hollow body. Of course, virtually any perforation pattern is also possible, either along the entire length of the wall encased by the aroma stick or over partial lengths.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge is characterized in that the hollow body is double-walled, at least in sections, at least in the region of the vent. The vent comprises an inner wall facing the air flow channel and an outer wall facing away from the air flow channel, spaced from the inner wall to form an intermediate space. The hollow-cylindrical aroma stick is replaceably inserted in this intermediate space. The vent thus has an inner channel through which the aerosol flows, and an outer channel in which the aroma stick is replaceably arranged. The intermediate wall separating the inner channel from the outer channel has the perforation.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge is characterized in that the additive-carrying element is a hollow-cylindrical aroma stick, which at least partially forms the vent of the hollow body. In other words, the hollow body, at least in the area of ​​the vent, is designed, entirely or partially, to serve a dual function as an additive-carrying element, specifically in an integral form as a one-piece component. In this embodiment, too, the additive-carrying element does not reduce the cross-section of the air flow channel at all. The aerosol can flow across the full cross-section of the air flow channel toward the mouthpiece, detaching and entraining additive from the additive-carrying element on its way there.

[0020] The hollow-cylindrical aroma stick preferably comprises a carrier layer and an aroma layer, with the aroma layer facing the airflow channel. The carrier layer provides stability as a hollow body or parts thereof and can be made of, for example, a plastic, while the aroma layer containing the additive carries a detachable reservoir of additive, applied to the carrier layer or attached to it. The carrier layer is preferably coated with the additive over its entire surface on its inside, so that the aerosol flows along the entire length of the aroma stick, dissolving the additive and carrying it toward the mouthpiece.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge is characterized in that the additive-carrying element is a hollow-cylindrical aroma stick that is replaceably inserted into the vent of the hollow body. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the air flow channel is reduced by the additive-carrying element, but not completely closed. Rather, the hollow-cylindrical design of the aroma stick still provides a barrier-free passage, allowing the aerosol to flow directly and immediately toward the mouthpiece without having to pass through other components. The aroma stick is simply inserted into the air flow channel formed by the hollow body.

[0022] The object is also achieved by an inhaler of the type mentioned above in that the vaporizer cartridge is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 9. The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the vaporizer cartridge, which is why reference is made to the relevant passages to avoid repetition.

[0023] Further useful and / or advantageous features and developments of the vaporizer cartridge and the inhaler are set out in the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge and the inhaler are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge according to the invention in section, which can be combined with an adapted cartridge carrier to form an inhaler according to the invention, and Fig. 2 a schematic representation of another preferred embodiment of an evaporator cartridge according to the invention in section.

[0024] The vaporizer cartridge shown in the drawing, in conjunction with a cartridge carrier to form an inhaler, serves for inhaling aerosols enriched with active ingredients, e.g., nicotine, or aerosol-vapor mixtures from liquids. It is therefore described in connection with an e-cigarette. The vaporizer cartridge and an inhaler comprising such a vaporizer cartridge can be used in the same way for inhaling aerosols enriched with medicinal active ingredients or aerosol-vapor mixtures from pharmaceutical and / or nutritional supplement products.

[0025] The illustrated vaporizer cartridge 10, in particular as a component of an inhaler, comprises a hollow body 11 with a continuous chimney 13 forming an air flow channel 12 and a storage tank 14 for storing liquid, wherein the storage tank 14 has at least one access opening 15 to the chimney 13 and in the region of each access opening 15 there is arranged an vaporizer unit 16 extending over the entire access opening 15, which has a wick element 17 and a heating element 18 for forming aerosols from the liquid supplied from the storage tank 14, wherein the vaporizer unit 16 is designed to be liquid-permeable for this purpose, such that liquid can be conveyed at least initially by capillary action from the storage tank 14 through the vaporizer unit 16 in the direction of the chimney 13 and as an aerosol within the chimney 13 in the direction of a mouthpiece 19.

[0026] For the sake of simplicity, the term "aerosol" in the context of this invention also includes aerosol-vapor mixtures. Even when referring to vapor or gas, aerosols and aerosol-vapor mixtures are always also meant.

[0027] The hollow body 11 with its chimney 13 forms at least one air flow channel 12. The shape of the hollow body 11, as well as the course of each air flow channel 12, can be almost arbitrary. It is crucial that the inlet side Es of each air flow channel 12 is open to the environment, for example, to be able to suck in air, and that the outlet side A S is open in order to create a negative pressure, for example, especially through the suction of a consuming person. Open in this context means that the inlet side E S and the exit side A S are permeable to air. Two or more air flow channels 12 with corresponding inlet sides E Sand exit sides A S be provided.

[0028] The fluid connection between a receiving space 20 of the storage tank 14 and the hollow body 11 or its chimney 13 or the air flow channel 12, in which the evaporator unit 16 is located, is established via the access opening 15 between the storage tank 14 and the chimney 13 or air flow channel 12, in which the aerosol is formed and flows towards the mouthpiece 19. The hollow body 11 can be formed in one or more parts and, in particular, can comprise a head adapter 21 in addition to the chimney 13. The head adapter 21 can also comprise the chimney 13 or sections of the chimney 13, wherein the access opening 15 with the evaporator unit 16 is arranged in the region of the chimney section assigned to the head adapter 21.

[0029] In the area of ​​the access opening 15 between the storage tank 14 and the air flow channel 12, the evaporator unit 16 forms a type of liquid barrier that prevents liquid from flowing directly from the storage tank 14 into the air flow channel 12. Regardless of the shape and design of the storage tank 14 (two or more storage tanks 14 may be provided) and the hollow body 11, as well as the arrangement / positioning of the storage tank 14 relative to the hollow body 11, the evaporator unit 16 ensures that liquid is inevitably guided from the storage tank 14 toward the air flow channel 12 and, upon exiting the evaporator unit 16, is released into the or each air flow channel 12 as vapor, aerosol, or aerosol-vapor mixture. The mouthpiece 19 can be a separate component or an integral part of the evaporator cartridge 10.

[0030] This vaporizer cartridge 10 is characterized according to the invention in that, in the region of the hollow body 11, downstream of the vaporizer unit 16 and upstream of the mouthpiece 19, at least one additive-carrying element 22 is formed and / or arranged at least in sections in the direction of flow of the aerosol. This element is designed and configured to deliver the additive to the aerosol flowing within the vent 13. The additive-carrying element 22 only partially constricts the cross-section of the vent 13. The additive-carrying element 22 thus extends transversely to the flow direction, at most, over only a portion of the cross-section of the air flow channel 12.The arrangement and design of the additive-carrying element 22 ensures, on the one hand, that the aerosol can flow barrier-free, i.e. without having to penetrate through other components, in the direction of the mouthpiece 19, and, on the other hand, it ensures that the aerosol inevitably comes into contact with the additive-carrying element 22 behind the evaporator unit 16 on its way towards the mouthpiece 19.

[0031] The vaporizer cartridge 10 according to the invention can be a disposable article, comprising a structural unit that includes the components hollow body 11, storage tank 14, and vaporizer unit 16. However, the vaporizer cartridge 10 can also be designed in multiple parts, with components of the vaporizer cartridge 10 being distributed between the disposable article and the reusable article, such that, for example, the storage tank 14 is a disposable article that only forms the structural unit of the vaporizer cartridge 10 when combined with a cartridge carrier, which can be a reusable article and can comprise, in addition to an electronic control unit and an energy source, components of the vaporizer cartridge 10, such as, for example, the hollow body 11 and the vaporizer unit 16.The evaporator cartridge 10 is defined accordingly by its components, namely hollow body 11 with chimney 13 forming the air flow channel 12, storage tank 14 and evaporator unit 16, and not by the constructive / structural assignment of the components to the reusable article or disposable article.

[0032] The features and developments described below represent preferred embodiments, considered individually or in combination with one another. It is expressly pointed out that features which are summarized in the claims and / or the description and / or the drawing or described in a common embodiment can also functionally independently develop the vaporizer cartridge 10 described above.

[0033] In the embodiments shown, the vaporizer cartridge 10 comprises a cap-like lid 23 on the side of the mouthpiece 19, which is detachably attached to the storage tank 14 in such a way that free access to the area of ​​the hollow body 11 is possible, whereby the additive-carrying element 22, which is designed and configured to be replaceable, is replaceable. The lid 23 can be attached, for example, by means of a locking element or other quick-release system to the storage tank 14 or other housing parts of the vaporizer cartridge 10. In the embodiment shown, the lid 23 is formed in one piece. However, it can also be formed in several parts and, for example, also be designed and configured to be foldable or sliding.

[0034] The additive-carrying element 22 is formed from a carrier material and an aroma substance to be released from the carrier material by the aerosol flowing past the additive-carrying element. The aroma substance can also contain a mix of additives. The carrier material is, for example, an absorbent filter fleece impregnated with a liquid additive as the aroma substance. Both the carrier material and the aroma substance can also be provided in other forms. In all embodiments shown, the additive-carrying element 22 is a hollow-cylindrical substance carrier, preferably referred to as an aroma stick, which is assigned to the vent 13 of the hollow body 11. However, the geometric shape, design, and positioning of the aroma stick can vary in other embodiments not shown.

[0035] In the Fig. Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment in which the hollow-cylindrical aroma stick is replaceably attached to the cylindrical vent 13 of the hollow body 11, such that the inside of the aroma stick faces the outside of the vent 13, with the wall 24 of the vent 13 being perforated at least in the area where the aroma stick surrounds the vent 13. Shown is a perforation 25 formed from a plurality of openings 26 distributed over the entire circumference of the vent 13.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow body 11 is at least partially double-walled at least in the region of the chimney 13, wherein the chimney 13 comprises an inner wall 27 facing the air flow channel 12 and an outer wall 29 facing away from the air flow channel 12 at a distance from the inner wall to form an intermediate space 28, and the hollow cylindrical aroma stick is replaceably inserted in this intermediate space 28.

[0037] The Fig.1 describes a preferred embodiment in which the additive-carrying element 22 is a hollow-cylindrical aroma stick, which at least partially forms the vent 13 of the hollow body 11. The additive-carrying element 22 is an extension of a vent segment 30 of the head adapter 21, so that the vent 13 is formed entirely from the vent segment 30 and the additive-carrying element 22. In this embodiment, the hollow-cylindrical aroma stick comprises, as the additive-carrying element 22, a carrier layer 31 and an aroma layer 32, wherein the aroma layer 32 faces the air flow channel 12.

[0038] In an embodiment not explicitly shown, the additive-carrying element 22 can be a hollow-cylindrically shaped aroma stick which is replaceably inserted into the slot 13 of the hollow body 11.

[0039] Preferably, the vaporizer cartridge 10 is designed and configured for mechanical and electrical connection to the cartridge carrier comprising at least the electronic control unit and the energy source to form the inhaler, wherein the vaporizer unit 16 comprises electrical contacts for electrically contacting the energy source. The inhaler can be activated, for example, by an inhaling person, for example as an e-cigarette, or activated, for example, by a pump, for example as a medical instrument in the event that the person can no longer or cannot sufficiently inhale themselves.

[0040] The functional principle of the inhaler according to the invention is described using an e-cigarette as an inhaler, for example. The inhaler is designed and configured for inhaling an aerosol or aerosol-vapor mixture enriched with active ingredients and comprises a cartridge carrier containing at least the electronic control unit and the energy source, as well as a vaporizer cartridge 10, which is characterized according to the invention in that it is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 9.

[0041] A consumer sucks, for example, on the mouthpiece 19 of the inhaler, which is formed from the cartridge carrier and the vaporizer cartridge 10, wherein the storage tank 14 of the vaporizer cartridge 10 contains a liquid containing, for example, glycerol, propylene glycol. By sucking, a negative pressure is generated in the air flow channel 12, which in turn activates the control unit, for example via a sensor (not shown). The control unit controls the heating element 18, which is supplied with energy from the energy source. Liquid from the storage tank 14 is transported by means of the wick element 17, at least initially by capillary action, through microchannels from the storage tank 14 towards the heating element 18. At or in the heated heating element 18, the liquid is converted to vapor, wherein the heating element 18 heats the liquid orThe resulting vapor is transported toward the air flow channel 12 due to its liquid- and vapor-permeable structure and released thereto. When the vapor enters the air flow channel 12, aerosols or an aerosol-vapor mixture are created by the air flow. The aerosols or aerosol-vapor mixtures flow toward the mouthpiece 19 and come into contact with the additive-carrying element 22 during transport. As the aerosol or aerosol-vapor mixture flows past, additives are released from the additive-carrying element 22 and entrained by this flow, whereby the aerosols or aerosol-vapor mixtures mix with the or each of the substances in the air flow channel 12 and are thus inhaled by the user.

Claims

[1] Vaporizer cartridge (10) as a component of an inhaler, comprising a hollow body (11) with a continuous chimney (13) forming an airflow channel (12) and a storage tank (14) for storing liquid, wherein the storage tank (14) has at least one access opening (15) to the chimney (13) and in the area of ​​each access opening (15) a vaporizer unit (16) extending over the entire access opening (15) is arranged, which has a wicking element (17) and a heating element (18) for forming aerosols from the liquid supplied from the storage tank (14), wherein the vaporizer unit (16) is designed to be liquid-permeable, such that liquid flows at least initially by capillary action from the storage tank (14) through the vaporizer unit (16) towards the chimney (13) and as an aerosol within the chimney (13) direction of a mouthpiece (19) is conveyable,wherein in the region of the hollow body (11) in the direction of flow of the aerosol, at least one additive-carrying element (22) is formed and / or arranged at least sectionally behind the evaporator unit (16) and in front of the mouthpiece (19), which is designed and configured to release the additive to the aerosol flowing within the chimney (13), wherein the additive-carrying element (22) may partially narrow the cross-section of the chimney (13), and wherein the evaporator cartridge (10) comprises a cap-like cover (23) on the side of the mouthpiece (19), which is detachably attached to the storage tank (14) in such a way that free access to the region of the hollow body (11) is possible, thereby making the additive-carrying element (22), which is designed and configured to be replaceable, replaceable.and wherein the additive-carrying element (22) is formed from a carrier substance and an aroma substance to be dissolved from the carrier substance by the aerosol flowing past the additive-carrying element (22). [2] Evaporator cartridge (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the additive-carrying element (22) is a hollow cylindrical substance carrier, preferably referred to as an aroma stick, which is associated with the chimney (13) of the hollow body (11). [3] Evaporator cartridge (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the hollow cylindrical aroma stick is interchangeably attached to the cylindrical chimney (13) of the hollow body (11) in such a way that the inside of the aroma stick faces the outside of the chimney (13), wherein the wall (24) of the chimney (13) is perforated at least in the area in which the aroma stick surrounds the chimney (13). [4] Evaporator cartridge (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the hollow body (11) is formed at least in the area of ​​the chimney (13) as having at least partial double walls, wherein the chimney (13) comprises an inner wall (27) facing the airflow channel (12) and an outer wall (29) facing away from the airflow channel (12) and spaced apart from the inner wall (27) to form an intermediate space (28), and the hollow cylindrical aroma stick is inserted replaceably in this intermediate space (28). [5] Evaporator cartridge (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the additive-carrying element (22) is a hollow cylindrical flavor stick which forms at least section by section the chimney (13) of the hollow body (11). [6] Evaporator cartridge according to claim 5, characterized by , that the hollow cylindrical aroma stick comprises a carrier layer (31) and an aroma layer (32), wherein the aroma layer (32) faces the airflow channel (12). [7] Evaporator cartridge (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the additive-carrying element (22) is a hollow cylindrically shaped aroma stick which is interchangeably inserted into the chimney (13) of the hollow body (11). [8] Inhaler designed and equipped for inhaling an aerosol enriched with active substances, comprising a cartridge carrier including at least one electronic control unit and a power source, and a vaporizer cartridge (10), characterized by that the evaporator cartridge (10) is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 7.

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