Cartridge element, vaporiser cartridge, vaporiser system comprising a cartridge element, and method for manufacturing such a cartridge element

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge element (10) for an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler, said cartridge element comprising: a hollow body (11) having a continuous airflow channel (12) for forming a chimney (13) which extends within the hollow body (11) from an air inlet opening (14) to an air outlet opening (15), preferably into the region of a mouthpiece (16) of the electronic cigarette or of the portable inhaler, wherein the hollow body (11) is associated with a pressure equalisation element (17) which is formed by at least one radially oriented equalisation opening (18) in the hollow body (11) and a flexible cover (19) that completely covers each equalisation opening (18), characterised in that a one-way valve (20) acting as a ventilation valve is associated with the cover (19). The invention also relates to a vaporiser cartridge (21), to a vaporiser system (22) comprising such a cartridge element (10), and to a method for manufacturing cartridge elements (10).

Description

[0001] Körber Technologies GmbH, Kurt-A.-Körber-Chaussee 8-32, 21033 Hamburg, Germany Cartridge element, vaporizer cartridge and vaporizer system with a cartridge element and method for producing such a cartridge element Description The invention relates to a cartridge element for an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler, comprising a hollow body with a continuous air flow channel for forming a chimney, which extends within the hollow body from an air inlet opening to an air outlet opening, preferably in the region of a mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette or the portable inhaler, wherein the hollow body is assigned a pressure compensation element which is formed from at least one radially directed compensation opening in the hollow body and a flexible cover which completely covers each compensation opening.Furthermore, the invention relates to a vaporizer cartridge as a component of an inhaler, comprising at least one rigid storage tank for receiving and storing a liquid, a cartridge element arranged within the storage tank and having an air flow channel, which is sealingly connected to the storage tank to form a closed receiving space as a reservoir for the liquid, and a vaporizer unit designed and configured to vaporize at least portions of the liquid. The invention also relates to a vaporizer system, in particular an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler, designed and configured for inhaling an aerosol, aerosol-vapor mixture, or the like enriched with active ingredients, comprising a cartridge carrier comprising at least one electronic control unit and an energy source, as well as a vaporizer cartridge.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a cartridge element for an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler.

[0002] 1559941.docx Such cartridge elements, vaporizer cartridges, and vaporizer systems are used in a variety of areas, particularly in the consumer goods industry, particularly in connection with electronic cigarettes, the so-called e-cigarette (also known as ENDS = Electronic Nicotine Delivery System), and in the pharmaceutical / medical sector, in particular to enable the inhalation of liquid consumer goods and / or fluid pharmaceutical / medical products as mist, vapor, aerosol, or vapor-aerosol mixture. The cartridge element is a central component of a vaporizer cartridge because it forms the vent with the air flow channel, which extends continuously from an air inlet to an air outlet. When assembled, the cartridge element, together with the rigid storage tank of the vaporizer cartridge, also forms the volume or holding space for the liquid.In other words, the liquid is stored in a reservoir / receiving space formed between the outer wall of the hollow body and the inner wall of the storage tank, whereby the term "wall" also includes the base and lid elements. The cartridge element is a modular, one-piece, or multi-piece component of the vaporizer cartridge. A vaporizer unit can be associated with the cartridge element or the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer cartridge, comprising the cartridge element and the vaporizer unit, is a central component of the vaporizer system for forming a functional electronic cigarette (hereinafter referred to as an e-cigarette) or a functional portable inhaler.During consumption, a person usually sucks on the mouthpiece of the e-cigarette or portable inhaler, whereby suction pressure is created in the continuous air flow channel with an air inlet opening and in the area of ​​the mouthpiece with an air outlet opening, 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, an inhalation medium in the form of vapor, mist, aerosol or mixtures thereof, provided or generated by a vaporizer unit, is added to the air flow in order to administer the aerosol or aerosol-vapor mixture to the consumer. The vaporizer unit is a synonym for all components which, in particular from liquid inhalation medium, provide an inhalable vapor and / or mist and / or an aerosol or mixtures thereof. The vaporizer unit can, for example, comprise a heating element and a wick element.However, the vaporizer unit can also comprise a laser light source or the like as a vaporization element. Within the scope of the present invention, devices for generating mechanical driving forces, compressors, or the like for generating inhalation mist or the like also fall under the term vaporizer unit. Currently known vaporizer systems are generally based on the vaporization of a composition stored in a storage tank, which is regularly referred to as liquid, through the more or less controlled supply of thermal energy from a heating element, e.g., a filament, so that the user can inhale the resulting vapors. For this purpose, it is necessary that the liquid intended for vaporization can be stored safely in the storage tank for as long as possible. The use of closed vaporizer cartridges is known from the prior art for this purpose.For practical handling, these vaporizer cartridges typically feature a rigid storage tank for the liquid, which is sealed by a heating element with a wick at least to the extent that the liquid cannot escape from the storage tank past the wick without external influence. These storage tanks thus essentially have a predetermined, enclosed volume for storing the liquid. In addition to the liquid, this volume, after filling and sealing, usually contains a gas bubble, the volume of which increases as the liquid evaporates, which can lead to pressure fluctuations / changes within the storage tank.With changing ambient conditions, particularly pressure and temperature (in particular, pressure and / or temperature changes outside the electronic cigarette or portable inhaler), both the liquid and the gas in the storage tank experience a change in volume or pressure. In the range of pressures between 70 kPa and 108 kPa and temperatures between -20 °C and +60 °C, which is most relevant in practice, the liquid can be assumed to be approximately incompressible, but is subject to a temperature-dependent volume expansion of up to approximately 5%. The behavior of the gas contained in the storage tank, usually air mixed with small amounts of the vapor above the liquid, can be approximated using the ideal gas law, assuming pure air for simplicity: p V = m RS,LT, where p is the pressure in the storage tank, V is the gas volume in the storage tank, m is the mass of the gas in the storage tank, and RS,L is the specific gas constant 1559941.docx of air (R. S,L= 287 J / (kg*K)) and T is the temperature of the contained gas. Between the extreme cases of ambient conditions realistically assumed in practice for electronic cigarettes and medical inhalers, between 70 kPa pressure at 60 °C (e.g. on the Zugspitze or in an airplane with prolonged direct sunlight on the vaporizer cartridge) and 108 kPa pressure at -20 °C (e.g. in a cold high-pressure area), a given amount of air would change its volume by a factor of about two without any change in pressure. In a closed, rigid storage tank, i.e. in a constant volume, the change between these extreme cases can, for example, lead to a pressure change of almost 30 kPa. Even in less extreme situations, a change in pressure and / or temperature compared to the conditions prevailing at the time of filling can lead to significant pressure differences between the interior of the vaporizer cartridge and the ambient pressure. Since at leastThe possibility must exist for liquid to reach the vaporizer unit from the storage tank so that it can be vaporized at this point and, for example, converted into an aerosol, which reaches the user. In the otherwise closed, rigid storage tank, there is only one possibility for pressure regulation, which consists in pressing liquid via the corresponding supply, usually a wick element, towards the heating element, or sucking liquid from the wick element back into the storage tank, i.e. away from the vaporizer unit. Both of these cases are disadvantageous, since a consistent supply of liquid to the vaporizer unit is a central requirement to ensure a consistent vaping experience and / or a controlled and consistent supply of medicinal substances. When liquid is withdrawn from the storage tank as intended, a negative pressure is created in the closed volume of the storage tank.A negative pressure developing in the storage tank can, for example, impair the supply of liquid to the vaporizer unit and, in the worst case, even prevent it, so that too little or no aerosol is generated (so-called "dry puff"). Since each evaporation process further reduces the amount of liquid in the storage tank, this can result in no more liquid being vaporized even though there is still sufficient liquid in the storage tank. 1559941.docx In other cases, overpressure can occur in the enclosed volume of the storage tank. For example, entering a tunnel, the takeoff phase of an aircraft, or other external conditions can lead to the expansion of air or gas bubbles in the storage tank. The overpressure can lead to an undesired extrusion of the liquid towards the heating element, so that too much aerosol is generated or the aerosol unintentionally carries large amounts of unvaporized liquid.Liquid can escape from the vent unevaporated and, for example, contaminate the clothing of the user or even enter the user's mouth. Even without activation of the vaporizer unit, liquid can pass through the vaporizer unit towards the air flow channel. For this reason, the use of sealed vaporizer cartridges with rigid, sealed storage tanks in vaporizer systems regularly leads to an impairment of the vaporization properties. There are currently no entirely satisfactory solutions available to solve this problem in the state of the art. In many systems, especially cheaper ones, the disadvantages are usually accepted, as a suboptimal vapor experience and the heating element running dry before the storage tank is completely empty are compensated for by the price. In such state-of-the-art systems that address this problem, only aA comparatively simple solution is used. Conventional vaporizer cartridges are intentionally designed to be leaky, so that there are predetermined breaking points and / or leaks and / or design- and manufacturing-related openings away from the actual dispensing openings, through which liquid can escape if a threshold value of overpressure is exceeded inside the storage tank. However, this leakage from the storage tank is undesirable, especially in high-quality products. Some state-of-the-art cartridge concepts therefore provide additional intermediate chambers to collect the leaked liquid. These do not, however, solve the problem at all, but instead merely combat the symptoms. Silicone plugs or similar devices are also known, which ensure a tight seal upon delivery of the products, but must be removed by the consumer before use. In other solutions, the vaporizer cartridge containsPressure compensation elements to compensate for operational fluctuations on the one hand and environmental fluctuations on the other. For this purpose, cartridge elements are known that comprise a hollow body as a vent, around which a flexible cover is arranged in a completely sealed manner in the area of ​​a radially directed outlet opening. The one-way valve as a vent valve is provided as an additional component to the bag as a cover, which interacts with the outlet opening in the hollow body, and is designed separately from the bag and arranged in the area of ​​a wall of the storage tank of the evaporator cartridge. Such a solution is, on the one hand, complex and therefore costly to manufacture and assemble, since several components must be handled. The susceptibility to errors when assembling with multiple components is high. On the other hand, the regulation of the pressure via delicate vent valves is complex and imprecise. The invention therefore has the taskThe aim is to propose a cartridge element that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble, which enables consistent evaporation behavior with improved ventilation regardless of changing pressure conditions within an evaporator cartridge. The task also consists in proposing a corresponding evaporator cartridge and a corresponding evaporator system, as well as a simple method for producing such cartridge elements. This task is achieved by a cartridge element of the type mentioned above in that a one-way valve is assigned to the cover as a ventilation valve. The direct assignment of the one-way valve to the cover ensures reliable and precise ventilation, which can be used to react immediately to operational and environmental influences. Pressure equalization from the area below the cover to the environment U is ensured by the ventilation valve, whilea pressure equalization from the ambient area to the area below the cover is ensured by deforming the cover. If there is an overpressure in the area U of the cover, the one-way valve prevents the penetration of media, in particular air and / or liquid, into the area below the cover. The overpressure in the environment U - in the operating mode of the evaporator cartridge, an overpressure in the reservoir of the storage tank - caused, for example, by air accumulation in the environment U due to an incomplete filling of the storage tank or after a pressure equalization towards the environment U, only leads to the cover being pressed towards or against the hollow body with a higher contact pressure 1559941.docx. If there is a negative pressure in the area U - equivalent to overpressure in the area below the cover - a pressure equalization can take place by air flowing through the one-way valve into the environment U. With the inventiveThe solution is to achieve pressure equalization both through elastic deformation of the cover and through the one-way valve. By associating the one-way valve with the cover, assembly is also simplified, as fewer components must be handled in fewer steps. Advantageously, the one-way valve is an integral part of the cover. This further simplifies assembly. Particularly preferably, the one-way valve is formed by the cover itself. With this design, maximum material and manufacturing cost savings can be achieved, as individual components, namely the separate one-way valve, can be eliminated. The assembly of the cartridge element – ​​as part of a vaporizer cartridge – is significantly simplified, as only one component, namely the cover containing the vent valve, needs to be mounted. A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the cover is designed as a fixedand a bag sealed to the hollow body, wherein the bag shields the compensation opening from the environment outside the bag. The bag is a simple and secure cover option. A flexible bag is, on the one hand, securely and easily connected to the hollow body and, on the other hand, is predestined for forming a compensation volume. Furthermore, a ventilation valve can be easily assigned to a bag. However, the cover can also be designed in any other form of a flexible and ventilated construction. The bag expediently comprises at least two bag sections that are connected to one another in the region of a connecting seam. The two bag sections can be formed, for example, by a folded-over film or the like. Preferably, the two bag sections to be connected to one another are formed by two separate films that can be placed on top of one another to form the bag.The bag can also be formed from more than two sections, e.g., to form multiple chambers. 1559941.docx Advantageously, the connecting seam has a width S, wherein the width S is preferably in a range from 0.2 to 1 mm and particularly preferably in a range from 0.4 to 0.7 mm. The width S of the connecting seam is a parameter that influences the sealing effect of the one-way valve. By varying the width S during the manufacture of the bag, different sealing effects can be achieved. A particularly preferred development is characterized in that the connecting seam is spaced by a length L from an outer edge of the bag formed by the two bag sections lying one above the other. The length L is an important parameter that influences the sealing effect. The length L essentially determines the length of the ventilation valve. The bag sections lying flat on top of one another preferably havein plan view, there is no offset. The length L determines – among other parameters – the sealing effect. By varying the length L, i.e. the distance from the outer edge to the connecting seam, different sealing effects can be achieved during the production of the bag. The length L is expediently in a range from 0.5 to 15 mm and preferably from 0.5 to 6 mm and particularly preferably from 1 to 1.5 mm. Other lengths are also possible. With these preferred lengths, on the one hand, a sufficient sealing effect can be achieved. On the other hand, the preferred lengths also ensure a compact design and enable simple production. A particularly advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the connecting seam is interrupted in at least one section to form an opening area. This means that the superimposed bag sections are connected to one another almost completely around the circumference by the connecting seam.The interruption of the connecting seam is very small in relation to the total length, the bag sections only lie loosely against and on top of each other in the area of ​​the interruption, an opening area is formed as a one-way valve, which ensures an effect or a passage exclusively from the inside to the outside. In the event of excess pressure within the bag, air can flow out through the opening area to equalize the pressure into the environment U. Excess pressure in the environment U causes the opening area to be compressed and thus closed. If the excess pressure in the environment leads to compression of the bag, the pressure within the bag increases. If the pressure within the bag becomes too great, this can then be controlled via the one-way valve. As mentioned, the opening area of ​​the superimposed and only partially sealed bag sections forms the one-way valve, which is designed andis designed so that pressure equalization can be carried out from the interior of the bag towards the environment. In other embodiments, the connecting seam can also have two or more interruptions, so that then several valves are formed. Advantageously, the connection-free section of the connecting seam has a width D, wherein the width D is preferably in a range of 0.2 to 2 mm and particularly preferably in a range of 0.5 to 1.6 mm. The width D is an essential parameter that influences the sealing effect. By varying the width D during the manufacture of the bag, different sealing effects can be achieved. The opening area is expediently positioned in the area of ​​the or each compensation opening of the hollow body. This means that the opening area is designed in a radially directed alignment with the outlet opening. This realizes direct pressure equalization with short paths. The positionThe opening area can, of course, vary within the bag. An advantageous further development is characterized in that the opening area is defined by the distance L of the connecting seam from the outer edge of the bag and the width D of the connection-free section of the connecting seam, where L / D is in a ratio of 0.5 to 10 and preferably in a ratio of 0.5 to 2. A larger L / D ratio means that a higher sealing effect is achieved. In other words, with a larger L / D ratio, higher pressures are required to allow air to escape from the opening area. The sealing effect can be varied very simply and precisely via the L / D ratio. In other words, the L / D ratio determines the opening pressure of the bag. Furthermore, the influence of the liquid on the sealing effect can be compensated or adjusted via the L / D ratio. Advantageously, the bag sectionsTwo film layers that are welded and / or glued and / or clamped to the hollow body in the area of ​​the or each compensation opening. Welding and gluing, in particular, are simple joining techniques that simplify the manufacture of cartridge elements, even in mass production, and above all, they have a high joining strength and high tightness. The films preferably comprise at least thermoplastics. Optionally, the films can be made of thermoplastics. This creates a bag that is both flexible and robust. Advantageously, the films are bonded to one another in the area of ​​the connecting seam, in particular welded and / or glued. The bonded connections can be produced by means of thermal welding or ultrasonic welding, among other methods. Other sealing connections between the films are also usable. A useful further development is thuscharacterized in that, in the opening region, opposite and spaced-apart free edges of the connecting seam interrupted in the opening region can have different geometries and are preferably formed with butt-facing end faces. In other words, the geometry of the connecting seam in the opening region can be contoured differently via the shape of the corresponding tool. The mutually facing free edges can also be sloping or rising. The free edges can also be curved to form a nose-like opening. The object is also achieved by an evaporator cartridge of the type mentioned at the outset in that the cartridge element is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 17. The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the cartridge element, which is why, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the corresponding passages.Particular advantages arise from the fact that the cartridge element is completely prefabricated, i.e., including the vent valve, and can be easily and quickly mounted in the storage tank of the evaporator cartridge. Since the one-way valve is arranged at a distance from a wall and detached from a wall of the storage tank 1559941.docx, assembly is simplified and inexpensive. The separation of the vent valve from the storage tank and the assignment of the vent valve to the bag of the cartridge element lead to consistent evaporation behavior with improved ventilation. In a preferred embodiment, the air flow channel, in addition to the or each compensation opening completely covered by the cover, has a radially directed through-opening to form a passage between the surroundings of the cartridge element and the air flow channel of the cartridge element, wherein the evaporator unit in the region of thisthrough-opening and completely covers it. This solution creates a particularly compact and easily (pre-)assembled evaporator cartridge. The object is further achieved by an evaporator system of the type mentioned above in that the evaporator cartridge is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 18 to 20. The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the cartridge element and the evaporator cartridge, which is why, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the relevant passages. Furthermore, the object is achieved by the method mentioned above with the following steps: providing at least one section of a hollow body having a flow channel, providing two film sections, feeding the hollow body or the section thereof between the two film sections arranged at a distance from one another into a connecting region,Completely enclosing the hollow body or the section thereof with the two film sections, connecting the two film sections to one another in a predetermined region of the hollow body or the section thereof to form a closed cover for a radially directed compensation opening in the predetermined region of the hollow body or the section thereof, wherein a connecting seam for connecting the two film sections is only partially implemented, such that an opening region is formed in the closed cover as a one-way valve, connecting the cover comprising the one-way valve and formed from the two film sections to the hollow body or the section thereof outside the predetermined region of the hollow body or the section thereof having the radial outlet opening, and dispensing 1559941.docx of the finished cartridge element. An advantage of the inventive manufacturing method for cartridge elements isin the technical simplicity of a one-piece production of the cartridge element with an integrated pressure compensation element. On the one hand, the method enables cost-effective production and, in particular, assembly of the cartridge element in conjunction with an evaporator cartridge. On the other hand, the method ensures the provision of a leak-free evaporator cartridge during operation and independent of pressure fluctuations in the environment. Advantageously, the two film sections with the hollow body or section thereof in between are passed between two connecting bodies that create the connecting seam. In this sandwich-like arrangement, both the film sections and the hollow bodies or sections thereof can be provided for a continuous or quasi-continuous manufacturing process in cost-effective mass production. The joining of the two film sections to form the cover and the joiningThe cover can be connected to the hollow body or sections thereof in any desired order. It is also possible for the two connecting steps to be carried out simultaneously. The film sections can be pulled off a single film web, wherein the single film web is folded and / or formed into the two film sections. A preferred further development, however, is characterized in that the film sections are each pulled off a reel as separate films and fed to the connecting area, where they are joined together, in particular welded and / or glued, to form a bag covering the compensation opening. This ensures a simple and preferably continuous manufacturing process. An advantageous embodiment of the method provides that the hollow body is provided by the hollow body forming a chimney from a plastic granulate in aThe continuous strand is extruded and then guided as such in the longitudinal direction of its length between the two films into the connecting area. In this type of cartridge element production, individual cartridge elements are separated from the continuous strand at the end of the production process. The conveying direction in this type of production and provision is in the longitudinal direction of the extruded continuous strand. In an alternative embodiment of the process, the continuous strand of the hollow body can be produced separately and then separated into individual cartridge elements. The hollow body is prepared for the production of the cartridge element by guiding the hollow bodies forming a chimney as individual elements transversely to their length between the two films into the connecting area. The continuous strand or individual elements are advantageously placed between two welding drums or welding plates.between the two film sections, whereby the welding drums or the welding plates carry out both the connection of the two film sections to one another and the connection of the cover formed from the film sections to the endless strand or the individual elements. As mentioned, the order of the connection steps is arbitrary. Preferably, the two film sections are first connected to one another to form the cover, and then the formed cover is connected to the hollow body or a section thereof. A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that when the film sections are connected to one another and the cover formed therefrom is connected to the endless strand or the individual elements, bag-like covers are formed by mold cavities located in the welding drums or the welding plates and are attached to the endless strand or the individual elements. The formation of bags as a cover is by means ofThe mold cavities are particularly simple and reliable and are particularly suitable for continuous mass production. Particularly preferably, the mold cavities form an incomplete connecting seam to form the opening area. Ultimately, this allows the cover in the form of a bag with the integrated one-way valve to be produced in one process step, which simplifies the production of the cartridge elements and later also the assembly to the evaporator unit, thus ensuring cost-effectiveness and reliability. 1559941.docx Advantageously, the joining of the two film sections to one another and / or the joining of the cover formed from the film sections to the endless strand or the individual elements can take place continuously, preferably with the welding drums, or intermittently, preferably with the welding plates. The process for producing cartridge elements is preferably carried out according to one or moreof claims 1 to 17. Further expedient and / or advantageous features and developments of the cartridge element, the vaporizer cartridge, the vaporizer core and the method for producing the cartridge elements emerge from the subclaims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a cartridge element according to the invention in plan view, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a cartridge element according to the invention in plan view with an enlarged detail of the opening area of ​​the bag, wherein the cartridge element is inserted into a storage tank, Fig. 3 the enlarged detail according to Figure 2 with three variants of the edge design of the connecting seam in the opening area, Fig. 4 a preferred embodiment of an vaporizer cartridge with aCartridge element according to the invention, Fig. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of a vaporizer system with a cartridge element according to the invention, Fig. 6 shows an exemplary arrangement for carrying out the method according to the invention for producing cartridge elements, Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a section of the outer surface of welding drums with mold cavities, 1559941.docx Fig. 8 shows a further exemplary arrangement for carrying out the method according to the invention for producing cartridge elements, and Fig. 9 shows a further exemplary arrangement for carrying out the method according to the invention for producing cartridge elements. The cartridge element shown in the drawing is designed and configured for use in a vaporizer cartridge of a vaporizer system to be used as an e-cigarette. In a corresponding manner, the cartridge element, the vaporizer cartridge, and the vaporizer system can be used as a portable inhaler for inhaling other active ingredients,in particular those for pharmaceutical and / or medical purposes, suitable and designed accordingly. The cartridge element 10 shown in the drawing for an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler comprises a hollow body 11 with a continuous air flow channel 12 for forming a chimney 13, which extends within the hollow body 11 from an air inlet opening 14 to an air outlet opening 15, preferably into the region of a mouthpiece 16 of the electronic cigarette or the portable inhaler, wherein the hollow body 11 is assigned a pressure compensation element 17, which is formed from at least one radially directed compensation opening 18 in the hollow body 11 and a flexible cover 19 completely covering each compensation opening 18. This cartridge element 10 is characterized according to the invention in that the cover 19 is assigned a one-way valve 20 as a venting valve. TheThe following described features and developments, considered individually or in combination with one another, represent preferred embodiments of the cartridge element 10 (see in particular Figures 1 and 2) or of a vaporizer cartridge 21 comprising a cartridge element 10 (see in particular Figure 3) as well as of an e-cigarette 22 (see in particular Figure 4). 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 cartridge element 10 described above or of a vaporizer cartridge 21 comprising such a cartridge element 10 or of a corresponding vaporizer system 22. In the embodiment shown, the cartridge element 10 consists of an extruded plastic granulate and is hollow-cylindrical in shape, with a longitudinal extension of the hollow body 11extending central axis M. The cover 19 completely surrounds the compensation opening 18 and is sealingly connected to the hollow body 11 on both sides of the compensation opening 18 in the longitudinal direction of the latter. The cover 18 delimits an interior space 23 below the cover 18 from the environment U. The interior space 23 is connected to the air flow channel 12 via the compensation opening 18. The one-way valve 20 is an integral component of the cover 19 and is formed by the cover 19 itself. The cover 19 is designed as a bag 24 that is firmly and sealingly connected to the hollow body 11, the bag 24 shielding the compensation opening 18 from the environment U located outside the bag 24. The bag 24 forms a kind of bubble around the compensation opening 18 and can be flexibly and reversibly pressed, among other things, solely by an overpressure according to the arrows Ü away from the hollow body 11 (overpressure in the interior 23) or in the direction of the hollow body 11 (overpressure in the environment U).The bag 24 comprises two bag sections 25, 26 which are connected to one another in the region of a connecting seam 27. The connecting seam 27 has a width S, wherein the width S is preferably in a range from 0.2 to 1 mm and particularly preferably in a range from 0.4 to 0.7 mm. The bag sections 25, 26 lie flat on one another. The connecting seam 27 is spaced by a length L from an outer edge 28 of the bag 24 formed by the two superimposed bag sections 25, 26. The length L is in a range from 1 to 15 mm and preferably from 3 to 10 mm and particularly preferably from 6 to 8 mm. The connecting seam 27 is interrupted in at least one section 30 to form an opening region 29. The double-layered bag 24 can be seen in particular in Figures 2 and 3. The opening area 29 of the bag sections 25, 26 lying on top of one another and only partially sealingly connected to one another forms the one-way valve 20, whichis designed and configured such that pressure equalization can be carried out from the interior 23 of the bag 24 in the direction of the 1559941.docx environment U. The opening region 29, i.e. the one-way valve 20, extends in the image plane. The connection-free section 30 of the connecting seam 27 has a width D, wherein the width D is preferably in a range from 0.2 to 2 mm and particularly preferably in a range from 0.5 to 1 mm. The opening region 29 is positioned in the region of the or each equalization opening 18 of the hollow body 11. In the described embodiment, the opening region 29 is positioned starting from the outlet opening 18 and directed radially to the central axis M. The opening area 29 is defined by the distance L of the connecting seam 27 from the outer edge 28 of the bag 24 and the width D of the connection-free section 30 of the connecting seam 27, where L / D is in a ratio of 2 to 20 and preferably in a ratio of 5to 10. The bag sections 25, 26 are two film layers that are welded to the hollow body 11 in the area of ​​the or each compensation opening 18. The films 31, 32 are materially connected to one another, in particular welded, in the area of ​​the connecting seam 27. The films 31, 32 comprise thermoplastics or consist entirely of them. The contour of the opening area 29 is variable, particularly due to the tool. In the embodiment shown, free edges 33, 34 of the connecting seam 27, which is interrupted in the opening area 29, are opposite one another and spaced from one another and have butt-facing end faces. Figure 2 shows examples a) to c) of optional geometries. The cartridge element 10 can be manufactured and used as an independent component. Preferably, however, the cartridge element 10 is a component of a vaporizer cartridge 21 as a component of an inhaler.Evaporator cartridge 21 comprises at least one rigid storage tank 35 for receiving and storing a liquid, a cartridge element 10 arranged within the storage tank 35 and having an air flow channel 12, which is sealingly connected to the storage tank 35 to form a closed receiving space as a reservoir for the liquid, and an evaporator unit 36, designed and configured to evaporate at least parts of the liquid. 1559941.docx Such an evaporator cartridge 21 is characterized according to the invention in that the cartridge element 10 is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 17. Preferably, a base plate 37 or the like is assigned to the hollow body 11 on the side opposite the air outlet opening 15, thus preferably in the region of the air inlet opening 14, which, however, can also be formed in a different position, wherein the base plate 37 is for sealingThe cartridge element 10 can be designed and configured to hold and store a liquid by attaching it to the rigid storage tank 35 of the electronic cigarette or vaporizer cartridge 21 or portable inhaler. The base plate 37 can be a simple plate. However, the base plate 37 is preferably a head adapter 38 with the vent 13. The base plate 37 or head adapter 38 seals off the front of the storage tank 35. With or without the base plate 37 or head adapter 38, a sealed connection between the hollow body 11 and the storage tank 35 is ensured. For this purpose, the hollow body 11 is adapted and configured at both opposite ends to establish a sealed connection, optionally with the storage tank 35 and / or the mouthpiece 16 of the e-cigarette. On the side facing the air inlet opening 14, the sealing is preferably carried out by means of the base plate 37 or the head adapter 38.The end of the hollow body 11 facing the air outlet opening 15 is designed and configured for sealingly attaching the cartridge element 10 to the rigid storage tank 35 of the electronic cigarette or portable inhaler or the corresponding mouthpiece 16. The one-way valve 20 is arranged at a distance from a wall 39 and detached from the wall 39 of the storage tank 35. The air flow channel 12 runs inside the storage tank 35. In addition to the or each compensation opening 18 completely covered by the cover 19, the air flow channel 12 has a radially directed through-opening 40 for forming a passage between the environment U of the cartridge element 11 and the air flow channel 12 of the cartridge element 10, wherein the evaporator unit 36 ​​is arranged in the region of this through-opening 40 and completely covers it. 1559941.docx As a modular spare or replacement part, the cartridge element 10 is a common partversatile and almost universally applicable, particularly regardless of the external shape. For use in a vaporizer cartridge 22, the liquid-permeable vaporizer unit 36 ​​is arranged in the through-opening 40 of the hollow body 11 and extends over the entire through-opening 40, wherein the vaporizer unit 36 ​​has a wick element 41 facing the environment and a heating element (not explicitly shown) facing the air flow channel 12. The vaporizer unit 36 ​​is designed to supply liquid by means of the wick element 41 to the heating element, which releases the vaporized liquid into the air flow channel 12. The vaporizer cartridge 21 can be used as a standalone modular component. However, the vaporizer cartridge 21 is preferably a component of a vaporizer system 22, in particular an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler. The vaporizer system 22 is designed and configured for inhalingActive ingredient-enriched aerosol, aerosol-vapor mixture or the like, and comprises a cartridge carrier 44 comprising at least one electronic control unit 42 and an energy source 43, as well as a vaporizer cartridge 21. This vaporizer system is characterized in that the vaporizer cartridge 21 is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 18 to 20. The vaporizer system 22 can be designed in one piece or in several pieces. It can be designed as a single-use or reusable part, with one or more storage tanks 35. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the vaporizer cartridge 21 forms a first part, in particular a single-use part, and the cartridge carrier 44 forms a second part, in particular a reusable part, wherein the first part and the second part are reversibly and non-destructively detachably connected to one another, so that an electrical contact between the electrical energy source 43 of the cartridge carrier 44and the electrical heating element of the vaporizer cartridge 21, as well as a fluid-conducting contact between the storage tank 35 or the receiving space and the electrical heating element. 1559941.docx The cartridge element 10 can be manufactured in various ways, manually, semi-automatically, or fully automatically. The following describes a method for automatically manufacturing a cartridge element 10 for an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler, which is characterized by the following steps. First, at least one section of a hollow body 11 having a flow channel 12 is provided. In addition, two film sections are provided. The provision can be delayed or simultaneous. Both the hollow body 11 or the section thereof and the film sections are conveyed into a connecting area 45. The hollow body 11 or the section thereof is inserted between the two spaced-apartFoil sections are guided into the connecting region 45. In the connecting region 45, the hollow body 11 or the section thereof is completely enclosed by the two foil sections. The two foil sections are then connected to one another in a predetermined region of the hollow body 11 or the section thereof, forming a closed cover 19 for a radially directed compensation opening 18 in the predetermined region of the hollow body 11 or the section thereof. During the connection, a connecting seam 27 is created, wherein the connecting seam 27 for connecting the two foil sections is only partially implemented, such that an opening region 29 is formed in the closed cover 19 as a one-way valve 20. The cover 19 comprising the one-way valve 20 and formed from the two foil sections is then connected to the hollow body 11 or the section thereof outside the predetermined region of theHollow body 11 or the section thereof. The order of the previously described joining steps is arbitrary and can vary. In particular, the joining steps can also be carried out simultaneously. After all joining steps have been carried out, the finished cartridge element 10 is dispensed. For joining, the two film sections with the hollow body 11 or the section thereof in between are passed between two joining bodies 46, 47 that create the connecting seam 27. In the preferred embodiment, the film sections are each pulled off as separate films 48, 49 from a reel 50, 51 and fed to the joining area 45, where they are joined, in particular welded, to form a bag 24 covering the compensation opening 18. In an arrangement 54 for producing cartridge elements 10, schematically indicated in Figure 6, the hollow body is provided.11, in that the hollow body 11 forming a chimney 13 is extruded from a plastic granulate 52 in a continuous strand 53 and as such is then guided in the longitudinal direction of its longitudinal extent in the conveying direction T between the two films 48, 49 into the connecting area 45. After all connection steps in the connecting area 45 have been carried out, individual cartridge elements 10 can then be separated from the continuous strand 53 at the end of the manufacturing process. In an optional embodiment, the hollow bodies 11 are prefabricated. The hollow body 11 is then provided in that the hollow bodies 11 forming a chimney 13 are guided as individual elements transversely to their longitudinal extent between the two films 48, 49 into the connecting area 45. For connection, the endless strand 53 or individual elements are placed between two welding drums 55, 56 (see especially Figure 6) or welding plates 57, 58 (see especially Figure 8) between the two film sections of the films48, 49, whereby the welding drums 55, 56 or the welding plates 57, 58 carry out both the connection of the two film sections to one another and the connection of the cover 19 formed from the film sections to the endless strand 53 or the individual elements. During the connection process, the films 48, 49 are inevitably guided through mold cavities 59. When the film sections are connected to one another and the cover 19 formed therefrom to the endless strand 53 or the individual elements by mold cavities 59 located in the welding drums 55, 56 or the welding plates 57, 58, bag-like covers 19 are formed and fastened to the endless strand 53 or the individual elements. An incomplete connecting seam 27 is formed by the mold cavities 49 to form the opening area 29. The connection of the two film sections to each other and / or the connection of the cover 19 formed from the film sections to the endless strand 53 or theThe joining of individual elements takes place continuously, preferably with the welding drums 55, 56. For the example of the welding plates 57, 58, the joining takes place intermittently. 1559941.docx The method for producing cartridge elements 10 according to one or more of claims 1 to 17 is preferably used. 1559941.docx

Claims

1. Cartridge element (10) for an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler, comprising a hollow body (11) with a continuous air flow channel (12) for forming a chimney (13) which extends within the hollow body (11) from an air inlet opening (14) to an air outlet opening (15), preferably into the region of a mouthpiece (16) of the electronic cigarette or the portable inhaler, wherein the hollow body (11) is assigned a pressure compensation element (17) which is formed from at least one radially directed compensation opening (18) in the hollow body (11) and a flexible cover (19) which completely covers each compensation opening (18), characterized in that the cover (19) is assigned a one-way valve (20) as a ventilation valve.

2. Cartridge element (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the one-way valve (20) is an integral part of the cover (19). 3.Cartridge element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the one-way valve (20) is formed by the cover (19) itself.

4. Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover (19) is designed as a bag (24) firmly and sealingly connected to the hollow body (11), wherein the bag (24) shields the compensation opening (18) from the environment U located outside the bag (24).

5. Cartridge element (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the bag (24) comprises at least two bag sections (25, 26) which are connected to one another in the region of a connecting seam (27).

6. Cartridge element (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting seam (27) has a width S, wherein the width S is preferably in a range from 0.2 to 1 mm and particularly preferably in a range from 0.4 to 0.7 mm. 7.Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the connecting seam (27) has a length L 1559941.docx. spaced from an outer edge (28) of the bag (24) formed by the two superimposed bag sections (25, 26).

8. Cartridge element (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the length L is in a range from 0.5 to 15 mm and preferably from 0.5 to 6 mm and particularly preferably from 1 to 1.5 mm.

9. Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the connecting seam (27) is interrupted in at least one section (30) to form an opening region (29).

10. Cartridge element (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the opening region (29) of the superimposed and only partially sealingly connected bag sections (25, 26) forms the one-way valve (20), which is designed and configured such that pressure equalization can be carried out from the interior of the bag (24) toward the environment U. 11.Cartridge element (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the connection-free section (30) of the connecting seam (27) has a width D, wherein the width D is preferably in a range from 0.2 to 2 mm and particularly preferably in a range from 0.5 to 1.6 mm.

12. Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the opening region (29) is positioned in the region of the or each compensating opening (18) of the hollow body (11).

13. Cartridge element (10) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the opening area (29) is defined by the distance L of the connecting seam (27) from the outer edge (28) of the bag (24) and the width D of the connection-free section (30) of the connecting seam (27), wherein L / D is in a ratio of 0.5 to 10 and preferably in a ratio of 0.5 to 2. 14.Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the bag sections (25, 26) comprise two film layers 1559941.docx. which are welded and / or glued and / or clamped to the hollow body (11) in the region of the or each compensation opening (18).

15. Cartridge element (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that the films (31, 32) comprise at least thermoplastics and are preferably made thereof.

16. Cartridge element (10) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the films (31, 32) are integrally connected to one another, in particular welded and / or glued, in the region of the connecting seam (27).

17. Cartridge element (10) according to one or more of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that, in the opening region (29), opposite and spaced-apart free edges (33, 34) of the connecting seam (27) interrupted in the opening region (29) can have different geometries and are preferably formed with butt-facing end faces.A vaporizer cartridge (21) as a component of an inhaler, comprising at least one rigid storage tank (35) for receiving and storing a liquid, a cartridge element (10) arranged within the storage tank (35) and having an air flow channel (12), which is sealingly connected to the storage tank (35) to form a closed receiving space as a reservoir for the liquid, and a vaporizer unit (36) designed and configured to vaporize at least portions of the liquid, characterized in that the cartridge element (10) is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 17.

19. A vaporizer cartridge (21) according to claim 18, characterized in that the one-way valve (20) is arranged spaced from a wall (39) and detached from the wall (39) of the storage tank (35). 20.Evaporator cartridge (21) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the air flow channel (12) in addition to the or each compensation opening (18) completely covered by the cover (19) 1559941.docx. a radially directed through-opening (40) for forming a passage between the environment U of the cartridge element (10) and the air flow channel (12) of the cartridge element (10), wherein the vaporizer unit (36) is arranged in the region of this through-opening (40) and completely covers it.

21. A vaporizer system (22), in particular an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler, designed and configured for inhaling an aerosol, aerosol-vapor mixture, or the like enriched with active ingredients, comprising a cartridge carrier (44) comprising at least one electronic control unit (42) and an energy source (43), as well as a vaporizer cartridge (21), characterized in that the vaporizer cartridge (21) is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 18 to 20.

22. A method for producing a cartridge element (10) for an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler,characterized by the following steps: - providing at least one section of a hollow body (11) having a flow channel (12), - providing two film sections, - feeding the hollow body (11) or the section thereof between the two spaced-apart film sections into a connecting region, - completely enclosing the hollow body or the section thereof with the two film sections, - connecting the two film sections to one another in a predetermined region of the hollow body or the section thereof, forming a closed cover for a radially directed compensation opening in the predetermined region of the hollow body or the section thereof, - wherein a connecting seam for connecting the two film sections is only partially implemented, such that an opening region is formed in the closed cover as a one-way valve,- Connecting the cover comprising the one-way valve and formed from the two foil sections to the hollow body or the 1559941.docx, Section thereof outside the predetermined region of the hollow body or the section thereof having the radial outlet opening, and - dispensing the finished cartridge element.

23. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the two film sections with the hollow body or the section thereof lying therebetween are guided between two connecting bodies producing the connecting seam.

24. Method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the film sections are each pulled off a reel as separate films and fed to the connecting area, where they are joined together in a material-to-material manner, in particular welded and / or glued, to form a bag covering the compensation opening. 25.Method according to one or more of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the hollow body is provided by extruding the hollow body forming a chimney from plastic granulate in a continuous strand and then guiding it as such in the longitudinal direction of its length between the two films into the connecting region.

26. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that at the end of the manufacturing process, individual cartridge elements are separated from the continuous strand.

27. Method according to one or more of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the hollow body is provided by guiding the hollow bodies forming a chimney as individual elements transversely to their length between the two films into the connecting region. 28.Method according to one or more of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the endless strand or individual elements are guided between two welding drums or welding plates between the two film sections, wherein the welding drums or the welding plates both 1559941.docx. the connection of the two film sections to one another as well as the connection of the cover formed from the film sections to the continuous strand or the individual elements.

29. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that when the film sections are connected to one another and the cover formed therefrom to the continuous strand or the individual elements, bag-like covers are formed by mold cavities located in the welding drums or the welding plates and are attached to the continuous strand or the individual elements.

30. Method according to claim 29, characterized in that an incomplete connecting seam is formed by the mold cavities to form the opening area. 31.Method according to one or more of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that the joining of the two film sections to one another and / or the joining of the cover formed from the film sections to the continuous strand or the individual elements takes place continuously, preferably with the welding drums, or intermittently, preferably with the welding plates.

32. Method according to one or more of claims 22 to 31, characterized in that it is used for the production of cartridge elements according to one or more of claims 1 to 17. 1559941.docx.

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