METHOD FOR HEATING A MEDIUM, EVAPORATION MODULE, CARTRIDGE AND INHALATION DEVICE - Patent application

Abstract

The invention relates to the service sector and can be used in the creation of a device for inhaling a mixture of air, steam and particles of an active substance. The device includes a container containing a liquid, for example, a smoking device, in particular a hookah. The object of the invention is to expand the scope of devices for inhaling a mixture of air, steam and particles of an active substance with a container containing a liquid by developing a new, effective and safe method, by which it is possible to generate a mixture of air, steam and particles of an active substance without combustion. This object is achieved by a method for heating a medium that releases particles of an active substance, for use in a device with a cartridge containing the medium, characterized in that the air entering the inhalation device is heated up to 400 degrees Celsius and then the heated air passes around the cartridge and through the medium. Also claimed is an evaporation module for carrying out this method, a cartridge for a medium that releases particles of an active substance and a device for inhaling a mixture of air steam and particles of an active substance.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to the service sector and can be used to create inhalation devices with a container containing a liquid, such as smoking devices (mainly hookahs). [Background technology]

[0002] The smoking device, known as the water pipe, first appeared in oriental countries and has become very popular in recent years, especially among the younger generation, and is widely used as an alternative to regular cigarettes. The smoking device includes a container partially filled with water or other liquid medium. By sucking on the tip, the air pressure in the container is reduced. Furthermore, a smoke pipe reaches the water level, the tip part of which is located near the top end where the tobacco is placed, and is heated by charcoal from the top. As a result of the heating of the tobacco, a mixture of air vapor and smoke particles is generated, and this mixture is inhaled by the smoker. It is clear that the heat generated by the burning of the coal can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, burns, or in extreme cases, fire. Since the water pipe is filled manually, a high-quality preparation of the water pipe before use is also not guaranteed. For this reason, the water pipes more commonly used today should only be used outdoors or in rooms where a supply of fresh air is guaranteed. Furthermore, water pipes according to the prior art are very heavy, bulky and consist of several parts, which make the transportation of the individual parts inconvenient. They are also difficult to clean and often do not meet hygiene standards.

[0003] E-hookahs are known from patent documents US4133318 published on September 1, 1979, US010820626 published on November 2, 2020, or application for an invention US2012 / 0199572 published on August 9, 2012. Although some of the above problems may be alleviated by using them, the results are still not fully satisfactory. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The closest technical solution to the claimed method, evaporation module and apparatus is the method and apparatus described in Eurasian Patent EA034667 dated October 11, 2016.

[0005] The patented device for inhaling a mixture of active ingredient particles and air vapor (smoking device - hookah) is a compact device with a reservoir-like container for filling with water or other liquid. Such a device comprises at least one suction device for the user to inhale the air vapor and, in this case, in particular the smoke particles. A heating chamber for the smoke-emitting medium (e.g. tobacco) is located opposite the body of the container and contains an air inlet. The heating chamber comprises a slot for a capsule for the smoke-emitting medium.

[0006] The smoking unit of the smoking device is characterized by the fact that the slot for the capsule of the smoke-emitting medium is designed to be in close contact with the capsule wall, and the heating element is also in direct contact with the capsule wall. Heating of the smoke-emitting medium is carried out only through the designated wall. The disadvantages of such a technical solution are the difficulty of keeping the temperature of the medium constant, the high probability of overheating of the medium and the possibility of combustion of the medium with the emission of undesirable substances, as well as high power consumption.

[0007] The closest to the claimed cartridge is a cartridge for a medium releasing particles of an active ingredient described in US10820626. This cartridge is composed of an outer wall, a cover and a bottom with a first opening in the center. The first opening is made in the form of a hollow projection consisting of a side wall extending to the top of the body for contact with the cartridge slot and is provided with a number of second openings for the passage of heated air. These openings are provided in the walls of the hollow projection and in the cover.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to expand the range of devices for inhaling a mixture of particles of an active ingredient and air vapor with a container containing a liquid, to develop a new, effective and safe method of heating the medium releasing the active ingredient without combustion, ensuring the generation of a mixture of air vapor and particles of the active ingredient, and to provide an evaporation module and cartridge for implementing this method, as well as a device for inhaling this mixture using such a module.

[0009] The objective set out in the method of heating a medium used in a device for inhaling a mixture of particles of an active ingredient and air vapour using a cartridge containing a medium which releases particles of the active ingredient is characterized in that the air entering the device is heated up to a maximum of 400 degrees Celsius and then the heated air passes around the cartridge and through the medium.

[0010] The problem set out in the evaporation module for a device for inhaling a mixture of particles of active ingredient and air vapor through an inhalation hose with a container containing a liquid (the inhalation device includes a heating unit, a cartridge for a medium releasing particles of active ingredient and a slot adapted for the cartridge for the medium releasing particles of active ingredient, a tube between this slot and the container) is solved, the cartridge is composed of a bottom with a hollow projection in the middle, the cartridge is provided with an unbroken cover with a plurality of second openings for the passage of heated air. The slot for the cartridge has a wall surrounding the cartridge from the sides and from below, a gap is formed between the wall and the bottom of the cartridge for the passage of heated air, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the gap is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the inhalation hose. The heating unit includes an upper heating element with the function of passing and heating the external air, the upper heating element being arranged above the cover of the cartridge with a gap.

[0011] The module may be provided with a lower heating element disposed below and parallel to the bottom surface of the cartridge slot.

[0012] The upper and lower heating elements are preferably adjustable.

[0013] The cartridge for the medium releasing particles of active substance is made up of an outer wall, a cover and a bottom with a hollow projection formed in the center, which projection consists of a side wall extending toward the top of the body to contact the cartridge slot, and is provided with a plurality of second openings for the passage of heated air. The second openings are provided in the outer wall of the cartridge and in the side wall of the body, and are made in a form that is closed at the top, and the cover and bottom of the cartridge are not damaged.

[0014] Preferably, the second opening in the upper third of the side wall of the body has a total cross-sectional area of ​​50 to 201 mm 2 and a second opening in the central portion of the outer wall of the cartridge also has a total cross-sectional area of ​​50 to 201 mm 2 It is.

[0015] The problem set out in a device for inhaling a mixture of particles of an active ingredient and air vapour through an inhalation hose equipped with a container containing a liquid, comprising an opening for the hose, a cartridge for a medium emitting particles, an evaporation module including a heating unit and an electronic unit including a slot adapted for the cartridge for the medium emitting particles and a tube between the slot and the container, and an electronic unit including a power supply unit and a programmable controller, is solved by the evaporation module and / or cartridge being made according to the claimed invention, said controller being preferably developed to supply a controlled power to the heating unit.

[0016] This controller is developed to provide controlled power to the heating unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] The claimed invention is illustrated in the following non-limiting drawings. [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the claimed device for inhaling a mixture of particles of active ingredient and air vapour. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the spatial layout of the device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the spatial arrangement of filled containers in the device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the filled vessel and forced cooling assembly of the apparatus of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of an embodiment of the claimed cartridge for a medium releasing particles of an active ingredient without a cover. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the claimed cartridge for a medium releasing particles of an active ingredient with a cover. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional layout of the claimed cartridge for a medium releasing particles of an active ingredient and a slot with an air passage. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the spatial arrangement of the upper heating elements. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the air path through the upper heating element in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a tube system of the claimed device for inhaling a mixture of particles of an active ingredient and air vapor. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a tube system of the claimed device for inhaling a mixture of particles of an active ingredient and air vapor. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a tube system of the claimed device for inhaling a mixture of particles of an active ingredient and air vapor. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an example of a check valve in the upper part of the transition section of the claimed device for inhaling a mixture of particles of an active ingredient and air vapor. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an example of a check valve in the lower part of the transition section of the claimed device for inhaling a mixture of particles of an active ingredient and air vapor. [Figure 15]FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the spatial arrangement of slots with another example of a cartridge for a medium releasing particles of an active ingredient. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a spatial arrangement with another cartridge example for a medium releasing particles of an active ingredient. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The device for inhalation of a mixture of air, vapour and particles of an active substance (hereinafter referred to as "aerosol") is represented in this particular example in the form of a hookah or smoking pipe (Figures 1, 2, 3), which comprises a container 1 containing the liquid, an evaporation module 2, a power adapter 3 and an electronic module comprising a programmable controller 4. The container 1 has an opening 5 for an aerosol inhalation hose 6 (for smoke in this particular example), which is equipped with a tip 7.

[0019] The evaporation module 2 (FIG. 1) comprises a heating unit, a slot 8 and a tube 10 between the slot 8 and the container 1 for a cartridge 9. The slot 8 is adapted for the cartridge 9 for a medium releasing particles of an active substance (e.g. a tobacco mixture releasing smoke).

[0020] The cartridge 9 (one of the embodiments (FIG. 16)) for the medium 11 releasing particles of active substance has a bottom 12 with a central hollow projection 13 forming a first opening 14 for connection with the tube 10 and a number of second openings 15 for the passage of heated air. The cartridge also has an unbroken cover 16.

[0021] The slot 8 (FIG. 15) for the embodiment of the cartridge 9 described has a wall 17 surrounding the cartridge 9 from the sides and bottom, forming a gap with the outer wall 18 and the bottom 12 of the cartridge 9 for the passage of heated air. The total cross-sectional area of ​​this gap is not less than the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction hose 6.

[0022] The heating unit (FIGS. 2, 3) includes an upper heating element 19 (FIGS. 5, 6) which allows the passage and heating of external air and is spaced above the cover 16 of the cartridge 9.

[0023] In this example, the heating unit comprises a lower heating element 20 arranged below the slot 8 for the cartridge 9 and parallel to the bottom surface.

[0024] The upper heating element 19 and the lower heating element 20 are made adjustable. The control of heating, cooling and other ongoing processes (charging and discharging the battery, networking and communication protocols with external devices, switching the device on and off) is performed according to specified algorithms using a programmable controller 4.

[0025] The heating element and other electronics are powered by a power supply unit 3 consisting of a Li-Ion battery 121 (FIG. 2) and / or an external power source (not shown in the drawings).

[0026] The status of the device is shown on a display 22, which can be integrated into the shell of the claimed device, as shown in Fig. 1. The user can issue commands using touch buttons 23 on the front panel, an application on a mobile device (not shown in the figure), or other human-machine interaction methods. The connection with the mobile device is based on Bluetooth or other wireless connection.

[0027] The main purpose of the upper heating element 19 (Figure 8) is to heat the air passing through it to a specified temperature. To solve this problem, the upper heating element 19 is provided with a complex shape, for example in the form of a stack of ceramic plates. The cold air is sucked in through at least one opening 24 (in this example two openings 24 are shown in Figure 8, in reality there are several openings, which are arranged in a circle) in the upper ceramic plate 25 and then passes through the tunnel 26 formed by the plates 25 and 27. Due to the proximity of the intermediate ceramic plate 27 to the thermoelectric element 28, the mass of air is preheated. The curvature of the lower ceramic plate 29 makes it possible to enlarge the preheating area by increasing the length of the air passage. The thermoelectric element 28 is placed in the camera 30 formed by the plates 27 and 29, through which the temperature of the air increases from 10 to 400 degrees Celsius. The heated air then passes through the channel 31 into the slot 8, which is placed directly below the upper heating element 19. No gaps are formed between these elements and the precise alignment of the faces of the plates 28 and the slots 8 eliminates air infiltration which bypasses the system.

[0028] The tube 10 between the slot 8 for the cartridge 9 and the container 1 may be made as a tube system with a diameter of 10-60 mm in aluminum, copper, stainless steel, glass, ceramic, various plastics, or other materials, or may be made as part of a multi-segment tube 32 (Figs. 10-12) with a diameter of 10-60 mm in aluminum, copper, stainless steel, glass, ceramic, various plastics, or other materials. When using a multi-segment tube 32, production by extrusion and subsequent processing is used. In this example, the cross section of the tube 32 is divided into three sectors (Fig. 11). Sector 33 fulfills the function of the previously shown tube 10 and is a channel for transporting the aerosol from the slot 8 or cartridge 9 to the container 1. Sector 34 fulfills the function of the previously shown part of the hose 6 and is a channel for transporting the aerosol from the container 1 through the hose 6 to the tip 7. Sector 35 is a cable channel for laying the power and signal cables from the power supply unit 3 and the programmable controller 4 to the upper heating element 19. The shape and arrangement of the sectors may vary depending on the design features of this particular aerosol inhalation device.

[0029] The upper sector 33 of the tube 32 has an opening 36 for transferring the aerosol from the container 1 via the hose 6 to the tip 7. The lower sector 34 of the tube 32 has an opening 37 for transferring the aerosol from the cartridge 9 to the container 1. For the system based on the multi-segment tube 32 to work correctly, it is necessary to plug the sectors 34 and 35 at the upper part of the tube 32 and the sectors 33 and 35 at the lower part of the tube 32. For this purpose, plugs 38 of silicone, rubber or other heat-resistant material are used.

[0030] The container 1 is designed for liquid, which acts as a coolant filter for filtering and cooling the aerosol. The amount of liquid depends on the shape and size of the container 1 and ranges from 10% to 80% of its total volume. In this case, an upper "water-free" volume 39 is formed in the container 1.

[0031] In this example, in a device claimed for aerosol inhalation, the container 1 is equipped with a forced cooling unit 40 (see FIG. 2). Forced cooling of the liquid increases the filtration effect, improves the taste of the aerosol and reduces the amount of filtrate required. The forced cooling unit consists of a liquid cooling radiator 41, a thermoelectric element 42 based on the Peltier effect, an additional heat dissipation radiator 43 and a hot air exhaust fan 44. The liquid cooling radiator 41 can occupy the entire bottom of the container 1 or only a part of it. The forced cooling unit is controlled using a programmable controller 4. The user can turn on or off the forced cooling of the liquid at will using the touch button 23 on the front panel of the inhalation device or a special application (not shown in the figure) launched on the user's third-party device. The forced cooling can be turned on / off during the inhalation process and can also be turned on beforehand from a sleep mode, either manually or automatically (using a timer).

[0032] In this embodiment of the inhalation device, an upper part 45 of the transition section is provided in order to match the sector-shaped cross section of the tube 32 in the sector 33 with the radial cross section of the slot 8 and the opening 14 of the cartridge 9 (see FIG. 3). The upper part 45 may include a first check valve 46 (FIG. 13). This valve may be made on the principle of a ball check valve, a mushroom check valve, a cone check valve or a membrane check valve or may have any other design capable of realizing the function of preventing the transfer of liquid from the container 1 through the tube 10 to the heating element in case of the device being tipped over or in case of overpressure occurring in the "water-free" volume 39 of the container 1.

[0033] In this embodiment of the inhalation device, a lower part 47 of the transition section is provided in order to match the radial cross section of the hose 6 with the sector cross section of the tube 32 (see FIG. 3). The lower part 47 may include a second check valve 48 (FIG. 14). This valve may also be made on the principle of a ball check valve, a mushroom check valve, a cone check valve, a membrane check valve or have any other design capable of realizing the function of preventing an excess pressure from arising in the "water-free" volume 39 of the container 1, which would cause the liquid to move through the tube 10 to the heating element. This design is a step of protection to prevent the liquid from adhering to the heating element. Also, thanks to this valve, the possibility of viruses and bacteria entering the container 1 from the user may be reduced.

[0034] All processes occurring in the claimed device for inhaling aerosols are controlled by a programmable controller 4, the purpose of which includes monitoring and controlling the temperature of the heating elements 19 and 20, the liquid temperature, charging and discharging the battery 21, networking and communication protocols with external devices, and switching the aerosol inhalation device on and off.

[0035] The status of the device is shown on a display 22, which in this example is integrated into the wall of the body of the inhalation device, as shown in Fig. 1. The user can issue commands via touch buttons 23 on the front panel of the inhalation device, or through a special application (not shown in the figure) launched on the user's third-party device, or using other human-machine interaction methods. The connection with the user's device is based on Bluetooth or other wireless connection.

[0036] An embodiment of the claimed cartridge is shown in Figures 5-7, and identical feature numbering has been retained.

[0037] According to the claimed embodiment, a cartridge 9 (Figs. 6, 7) for a medium 11 releasing particles of an active substance comprises an outer wall 18, an unbroken bottom 12 with a hollow projection 13 formed in the middle, forming a first opening 14 in the middle for connection with a tube 10 and a number of second openings 15 for the passage of heated air, the cartridge 9 comprises an unbroken cover 16. The hollow projection 13 closed at the top is constituted by a side wall 49 extending towards the top of the projection 13. The second opening 15 is provided in the outer wall 18 of the cartridge 9 and in the side wall 49 of the projection 13.

[0038] In this embodiment, the second openings 15 in the upper third of the side wall 49 of the projection 13 have a total cross-sectional area of ​​50 to 201 square millimeters, and the second openings in the central portion of the outer wall 18 of the cartridge 9 have a total cross-sectional area of ​​50 to 201 square millimeters.

[0039] The claimed aerosol inhalation device is used as follows.

[0040] The claimed aerosol inhalation device is a fully automated device powered by an internal battery 21. The average operating time is 1.5 hours.

[0041] Before use, the container 1 is filled with water or other liquid that is harmless to humans.

[0042] Interaction with the user takes place via touch buttons 23 on the front panel of the aerosol inhaler, or via a special application running on a third-party device (a QR code for the download of the application is provided on the packaging of each cartridge 9 - not shown in the diagram). Current information is displayed on a display 22 integrated into the wall of the body of the aerosol inhaler (see Fig. 1).

[0043] The user inserts the dedicated cartridge 9 into the slot 8 and presses any sensor button 23 on the front panel of the aerosol inhaler. When the user activates the aerosol inhaler, the on-board electronics are activated.

[0044] The command wakes the evaporation module 2 from sleep mode and starts heating the heating elements 19, 20 according to the specified algorithm. Within 3-7 minutes (depending on the air temperature), the medium releasing the particles of the active substance is heated to the temperature specified in the program, and the front panel display 22 shows a heating icon, the current temperature and the specified power expressed as a percentage. Once in the working mode, the power of the heater 20 is automatically reduced to almost zero and the power of the heater 19 is reduced to the value specified in the settings. From this point on, the user can use the aerosol inhalation device.

[0045] Since different media releasing active substance particles, especially tobacco mixtures, require different temperature modes to bring out the flavor, the user can set the temperature mode manually or use a preset value. This function can be used in one of the following ways: 1. Select the "PRESETS" item in the heating element control menu on display 22. Then select the desired setting. 2. Select the "PRESETS" item in the application running on the user's third-party device, then select the desired settings. 3. If an original cartridge 9 is available, the QR code on the packaging is scanned using an application running on the user's third-party device, after which this cigarette configuration is automatically loaded into the application running on the user's third-party device and transferred to the evaporation module 2 via Bluetooth and / or other wireless connection.

[0046] Information about the loaded preset is shown on the display 22 and in the application running on the user's third-party device. To delete a preset, simply lower or raise the temperature using the touch button 23 on the front panel of the aerosol inhalation device or the application running on the user's third-party device, which will return the device to its original settings.

[0047] The process of filtering air containing particles of the active substance through a liquid is similar to a traditional hookah.

[0048] When air is drawn from the tip 7 through the hose 6, the slot 36 and the sector 30 of the tube 32, some suction is created in the "water-free" volume 39 of the container 1. In this case, the aerosol-laden air from the cartridge 7 and the slot 6 passes through the sector 33 through the slot 37, and the aerosol-laden air releases heat as it passes through the liquid in the container 1. The aerosol-laden air is then concentrated in the "water-free" volume 39 at the top of the container 1, already cooled. From there it passes through the slot 36, the sector 34 of the tube 32 and enters the tip 7 via a silicone, rubber or other plastic hose 6 with an internal cross-sectional diameter of 8 to 22 mm.

[0049] As it passes through the liquid-filled part of the container 1, some of the heavier substances in the aerosol are deposited on the surface of the liquid. Due to the sudden drop in temperature, some of the tarry substances are also retained by the liquid. This is how the aerosol is filtered. Organic and / or inorganic substances can be added to the liquid to improve its filtering properties. Also, the liquid can be enriched with substances for enhancing aesthetic effects, as well as additional organic and / or inorganic flavors.

[0050] As mentioned above, when air is drawn from the tip 7 through the hose 6, the air containing the aerosol is drawn from the cartridge 9 and enters through the upper heating element 19 as follows: The cool air is drawn through at least one opening 24 (in this example, two openings 24 are shown in Figure 8, but in reality there are multiple openings, which are arranged in a circle) in the upper ceramic plate 25 and passes through the tunnel 26 formed by the plates 25 and 27. The air mass is preheated due to the proximity of the intermediate ceramic plate 27 to the thermoelectric element 28. The curvature of the lower ceramic plate 29 increases the length of the air path and expands the preheating area. The thermoelectric element 28 is located in the camera 30 formed by the plates 25 and 29, and as it passes through it the temperature of the air increases from 10 to 400 degrees Celsius, and the heated air passes through the channel 31 and enters the slot 8 directly below the upper heating element 19. The precise adjustment of the face of the plate 29 and the slot 8 ensures that no gaps are formed between these elements, eliminating the ingress of air that bypasses this system.

[0051] As described, the cartridge 9 for the medium 11 releasing particles of active substance (one of the examples (Fig. 16)) has a bottom 12 with a hollow projection 13 in the center, which forms a first opening 14 for connection with the tube 10 and a number of second openings 15 for the passage of heated air. The cartridge 9 is provided with an unbroken cover 16. The slot 8 for the cartridge has a wall 17 that surrounds the cartridge 9 from the sides and from the bottom, forming a gap between the wall and the bottom of the cartridge 9. The upper heating element 19 fits tightly against the edge of the wall of the slot 8, but does not come into contact with the cover 16 of the cartridge, since there is a gap between them. Therefore, the air heated to 400 degrees Celsius does not directly affect the medium 11 in the cartridge 9 from the top, but travels along the outer wall 18 through the gap between the wall of the slot 8 and the wall of the cartridge 9 to the bottom 12, uniformly heating the medium 11 of the cartridge 9 from the sides. The heated air then enters the gap between the bottom of the slot 8 and the bottom 12 of the cartridge 9. The base 12 of the cartridge 9 has a number of second openings 15 which allow the heated air to penetrate the medium 11 throughout the cartridge 9, uniformly raising the temperature throughout the medium 11 while releasing particles of the active material without combustion. The heated air then collects under the cover 16 of the cartridge 9, trapping the particles of the active material from which it is drawn into the tube 10 and passes through the liquid filter, hose 6 and tip 7 to the user as previously described.

[0052] The claimed evaporation module design therefore embodies an effective and safe way of heating the medium that releases the active substance, ensuring the production of a mixture of air, steam and particles of the active substance without combustion.

[0053] The total cross-sectional area of ​​the gap between the walls and bottom of the slot 8 and the walls and bottom of the cartridge 9 is not smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction hose 6, so that the aerosol formed of air, steam and particles of the active substance can be inhaled easily and unhindered.

[0054] When using the claimed cartridge embodiment (FIGS. 5-7), the cartridge 9 and slot 8 also form a gap through which heated air (not shown in FIG. 7) passes from the heating element to a second opening 15 in the outer wall 18 of the cartridge 9.

[0055] The air flow 50 passes through a second opening 15 in the outer wall 18 (having a diameter capable of providing a total cross-sectional area of ​​50 to 201 square millimeters to provide a light draft) and enters the internal volume of the cartridge 9 containing the medium 11 releasing the particles of active substance, and is restricted at the bottom by the unbroken bottom 12 and at the top by the cover 16 (made of foil, heat-resistant plastic, aluminum or other suitable material), the side wall 49 of the protrusion 13 and the outer wall 18 of the cartridge 9.

[0056] In this case, air flow 50 passes through medium 11 (e.g. tobacco or a non-tobacco mixture) which releases particles of active substance, heating the medium and releasing an aerosol. The aerosol travels with air flow 50 to second opening 15 in side wall 49 of protrusion 13 and into the interior of protrusion 13. As protrusion 13 is closed at the top, the aerosol then travels only to opening 11, from where it is sucked into tube 10 and, as previously explained, through liquid filter, hose 6 and tip 7 to the user.

[0057] Such an arrangement of the second openings 15 and the path of the air flow 50 allows a maximum temperature to be achieved in zone 51 of the medium 11 releasing particles of active substance, with a decrease in temperature away from the main air flow (see FIG. 7). This allows the temperature of the medium 11 in zone 52 to be lower than in zone 51, without drying out the entire medium 11 releasing particles of active substance. Aerosol is released first in zone 51, and in zone 52 as the medium 11 warms up, more aerosol is released. This improvement allows a more rational use of the medium 11 releasing particles of active substance, reduces the initial aromatic shock, extends the use time of the medium, and reduces the amount of harmful impurities released per hour.

[0058] The absence of a second opening in the bottom 12 of the cartridge 9 significantly reduces infiltration of liquid components of the media 11 onto the surfaces of the slot 8, thereby reducing the need for cleaning of the slot 8. The absence of a second opening in the cover 16 of the cartridge 9 reduces the likelihood of vapors from the media 11 adhering to the top heating element 19 (not shown in FIG. 7).

[0059] The thermoelectric elements 28 are controlled using commands from the programmable controller 4 .

[0060] The controller 4 controls all processes occurring in the heating elements 19 and 20. In the event of an emergency, for example if the inhalation device falls over, a command is sent to disconnect the heating elements 19 and 20 from the power supply unit 3. Coupled with the valve system described above, this makes it possible to make the device for inhaling aerosols as safe as possible.

[0061] The claimed aerosol inhalation device may be equipped with an air exhaust sensor (not shown in the drawings), which allows for a rapid increase in the output of the thermoelectric element 28. The temperature of the air passing through the camera 30 increases rapidly, which allows for a thermal shock to the environment within the cartridge 9.

[0062] If no signal is received from the exhaust sensor, the thermoelectric element 28 switches to temperature balance maintenance mode. This reduces the energy costs of the device and, as a result, extends the battery life. Also, the absence of combustion of the medium reduces the consumption of the medium releasing the particles of the active substance, improving the taste of the aerosol. The maximum temperature of the thermoelectric element 24 is selected to match the type of medium specified, aiming at a better release of the flavor and a reduction of harmful substances in the aerosol generated.

[0063] Thus, a new and original evaporation unit has been developed and a new method of effectively and safely heating a medium that releases an active substance has been realized, which makes it possible to generate a mixture of air, steam and particles of an active substance without combustion, and also provides a new, effective and safe device for inhaling a mixture of air, steam and particles of an active substance without combustion, using this evaporation unit.

Claims

1. A method for heating a medium releasing an active substance in a device for inhaling a mixture of air, steam and particles of an active substance using a cartridge containing the medium, the method being characterized in that it has the following characteristics: - the air entering the device is heated up to 400 degrees Celsius; - Heated air passes around the cartridge and over the media.

2. An evaporation module for a device for inhaling a mixture of air, steam and particles of an active substance through an intake hose with a container containing a liquid, comprising a cartridge for a medium releasing particles of an active substance, a heating unit and a slot for the cartridge releasing the medium, a tube between said slot and said container, characterized in that the cartridge is composed of a bottom with a hollow projection in the center, has a first opening for connection with said tube and a number of second openings for the passage of heated air, and is provided with an unbroken cover, characterized in that the slot for the cartridge has walls surrounding the cartridge from the sides and from the bottom, forming a gap for the passage of heated air between the walls and the bottom of the cartridge, the total cross-sectional area of ​​said gap being not smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the intake hose, and characterized in that the heating unit comprises an upper heating element through which external air can pass and be heated, and is arranged with a gap above the cartridge cover.

3. 3. The module according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a lower heating element arranged below the slot for the cartridge.

4. 3. The module according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper and lower heating elements are adjustable.

5. A cartridge for a medium releasing particles of an active substance, comprising an outer wall, a cover, and a bottom having a hollow protrusion formed in the center, comprising side walls extending toward the top of the protrusion, and having a plurality of second openings for the passage of heated air arranged to contact slots for the cartridge, the second openings being arranged in the outer wall of the cartridge and in the side walls of the protrusion, the top of the protrusion being closed, and the cover and bottom of the cartridge being undamaged.

6. 6. The cartridge of claim 5, wherein the second opening in the upper third of the side wall of the projection has a total cross-sectional area of ​​50 to 201 square millimeters, and the second opening in the central portion of the outer wall of the cartridge has a total cross-sectional area of ​​50 to 201 square millimeters.

7. A device for inhaling a mixture of air, vapor and particles containing particles of an active substance, comprising a container filled with liquid, said container being provided with an opening for a hose, a cartridge for a medium releasing particles of an active substance, an evaporation module including a heating unit and a slot for a cartridge releasing medium, a tube being included between said slot for the cartridge and said container, and an electronic unit including a power supply and a programmable controller, characterized in that the evaporation module is made according to one of claims 2 to 4 and the cartridge for a medium releasing particles of an active substance is made according to one of claims 5 to 6.

8. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the controller is designed to control the power supply of the heating unit.

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