Capillary cartridge

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cartridge (10) for an aerosol generating device, the cartridge (10) comprising a liquid storage portion (12) containing a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, an atomization unit (20) in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion, and an airflow path (32) in fluid communication with the atomization unit and at least one capillary tube (24), the at least one capillary tube being configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary forces.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol generating device, the cartridge comprising an atomizing unit and a liquid storage portion having a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The present disclosure further relates to an aerosol generating system comprising the cartridge and the aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to provide a cartridge containing a liquid aerosol-forming substrate to generate an inhalable vapor. Such a system may heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which the substrate volatilizes without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. In an aerosol generation system device, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be delivered from a liquid storage portion to an atomization unit. Upon heating to a target temperature, the aerosol-generating substrate vaporizes to form an aerosol. The liquid storage portion may be formed as a replaceable or refillable cartridge containing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may be attached to an aerosol generation device to supply the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the device for aerosol generation. Liquid droplets of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may form within the aerosol generation device. These droplets may escape from the aerosol generation device and disrupt the user's experience. The droplets may reach the user's mouth and adversely affect the user's experience when consuming the aerosol vapor. These droplets may also reduce the overall amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate evaporated to form the aerosol. Any droplets formed in the aerosol-generating device within the airflow tube of the device may contaminate the device. The aerosol-generating device may also be unable to re-evaporate droplets of the aerosol-forming substrate that condense within the airflow tube.

[0003] It would be desirable to provide a cartridge that reduces leakage of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.It would be desirable to provide a cartridge that can reduce the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate that reaches the user's mouth.It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system that allows re-evaporation of droplets of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate that have condensed in the airstream.It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system that allows the user an easy way to avoid leakage of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge for an aerosol generating device. The cartridge may include a liquid storage portion containing a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may also include an atomization unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion. An airflow path in fluid communication with the atomization unit and at least one capillary tube may be present within the cartridge. The at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary force.

[0005] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge including at least one capillary tube. [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a capillary system for circulating a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. In the following, elements with the same functionality are denoted with the same reference numerals throughout all figures. [Figure 3] 3a) and 3b) show cross-sectional front and side views of a cartridge including at least one capillary tube for transporting a liquid aerosol-forming substrate along an airflow path. [Figure 4] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generation system including a cartridge and an aerosol generation device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge 10 including a liquid storage portion 12 containing a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge 10 also includes a porous body 14, an atomization unit 20 including a heating element contact 18, and a heating element 16 located on the heating surface 20A of the atomization unit. The electrical heating element contact is electrically connected to the heating element, thereby allowing heating of the resistive heating element. The porous body 14 of the atomization unit 20 is in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion (not shown in FIG. 1 ) and thus receives the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid storage portion 12. This liquid aerosol-forming substrate is evaporated on the heating surface 20A of the atomization unit via heating by the heating element 16. An airflow path, indicated by dashed arrows 32, extends through the cartridge 10 and provides air for evaporation of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. An upstream air inlet 28 is present within the cartridge, allowing air to enter the cartridge from the outside. Air passes along airflow path 32 from upstream airflow path portion 32B and may mix with the vaporized liquid aerosol-forming substrate for formation of an aerosol above heated surface 20A in downstream airflow path portion 32A. Baffle 30 surrounds upstream air inlet 28 and prevents liquid aerosol-forming substrate present in holding reservoir 26 from escaping the cartridge. The formed aerosol then passes through airflow tube 33 and is inhaled by the user.

[0008] During operation of the cartridge, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may leak from the porous body 14 of the atomization unit due to so-called "spitting." Furthermore, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may re-condense within the airflow path 32. The leaked liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be received in a holding reservoir 26 located in the upstream airflow path portion 32B of the cartridge 10. A plurality of capillary tubes 22 in the capillary transport portion are in fluid communication with the holding reservoir and are configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the holding reservoir 26 via capillary force in a direction 22A indicated by an arrow. The plurality of capillary tubes 22 in the capillary transport portion are in fluid communication with a single capillary tube 24 in the capillary output portion. The tube 24 in the capillary output portion transports the liquid aerosol-forming substrate received by the capillary transport portion to the downstream airflow path portion 32A above the heated surface 20A of the atomization unit in a direction indicated by an arrow 24A. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate carried by the capillary output portion can mix with air from the airflow path 32 and air additionally entering the cartridge through the downstream air inlet 34 to form an aerosol. Thus, the multiple capillaries in the capillary transport portion and the capillary in the capillary output portion allow for effective recirculation of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate that leaks from the cartridge.

[0009] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative multiple capillary structure that may be used in cartridge 10 of Figure 1 instead of the capillary shown in Figure 1. This capillary structure also contains capillary 22 in the capillary transport section and a respective capillary 24 in the capillary output section. Additionally, there is capillary 36 in the capillary intake section. This capillary 36 is in fluid communication with the holding reservoir shown in Figure 1 and can transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the holding reservoir to the capillary in the capillary transport section in the direction indicated by arrow 36A.

[0010] 3a shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 10, which also includes cartridge electrical contacts 38. These cartridge electrical contacts 38 are configured to contact the aerosol generating device. The cartridge electrical contacts 38 are connected to electrical wires 40 that can electrically contact the heating element contacts 18 located on the heating surface 20A of the nebulization unit.

[0011] Figure 3b shows a cross-sectional side view of Figure 3a, where it can be clearly seen that the liquid reservoir 12 contacts the rear of the porous body 14 of the atomization unit, thereby allowing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to be transported from the liquid reservoir to the porous body 14 of the atomization unit.

[0012] 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol generation system including cartridge 10 and aerosol generator 42. Aerosol generator 42 includes device electrical contacts 44 that can contact cartridge electrical contacts 38 to provide an electrical connection. The aerosol generator typically includes a power source, such as a battery, that can power heating element contacts 18.

[0013] According to another embodiment, there is provided a cartridge for an aerosol generating device. The cartridge includes a liquid storage portion containing a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge also includes an atomization unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion. The cartridge further includes an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomization unit and at least one capillary tube. The at least one capillary tube is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary force.

[0014] The at least one capillary tube can transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path. This can ensure that the liquid aerosol-forming substrate can be transported in the direction of the airflow by the at least one capillary tube. This can provide another transport mode for the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. This can reduce leakage of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the cartridge. This can reduce leakage of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate re-condensed from the airflow path from the cartridge.

[0015] At least one capillary tube may be configured to carry a liquid aerosol-forming substrate containing an aerosol former. Suitable aerosol formers include, but are not limited to, polyhydric alcohols (e.g., triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, glycerin), esters of polyhydric alcohols (e.g., glycerol monoacetate, diacetate, or triacetate), and aliphatic esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic, or polycarboxylic acids (e.g., dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl tetradecanedioate). The aerosol former may be a polyhydric alcohol or a mixture thereof (e.g., triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, glycerin). The aerosol former may be propylene glycol. The aerosol former may preferably include both glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0016] At least one capillary tube may be configured to carry a liquid aerosol-forming substrate comprising 70 to 100 percent by weight of aerosol former, preferably up to 95 percent by weight of aerosol former. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise 30 to 5 percent by weight of an additional compound selected from the group consisting of flavorants, nicotine, and water.

[0017] The at least one capillary may have a circular cross-sectional area. The at least one capillary may have a diameter between 0.01 mm and 0.5 mm. The at least one capillary may have a length between 5 mm and 25 mm.

[0018] An atomization unit may be provided to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol that can then be inhaled by a user. The atomization unit may be configured as any device capable of atomizing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the atomization unit may include a nebulizer or atomizer nozzle based on the Venturi effect to atomize the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively, the atomization unit may include a heating element, in which case the atomization unit may be configured to vaporize the liquid-forming substrate. Preferably, the atomization unit includes a heating element, as described in more detail below.

[0019] The airflow path can provide a path for air to pass through the cartridge. The air passing through the cartridge via the airflow path can be used for aerosol formation. The air passing through the airflow path can be used for aerosol formation with a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0020] The airflow path may be disposed along the atomization unit. At least one capillary may be configured to transport the aerosol-forming substrate from the upstream airflow path portion to the downstream airflow path portion. The upstream airflow path portion may be located upstream of the atomization unit. The downstream airflow path portion may be located downstream of the atomization unit.

[0021] This may enable the at least one capillary tube to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate located upstream of the atomization unit to a downstream airflow path portion located downstream of the atomization unit. This may enable the at least one capillary tube to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a region of the airflow path where it can be atomized by the atomization unit, thereby forming an aerosol. This may enable the liquid aerosol-forming substrate re-condensed in the airflow path to be recycled for aerosol formation.

[0022] The cartridge may further comprise a holding reservoir for receiving the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the airflow path.

[0023] The holding reservoir may be configured to store liquid aerosol-forming substrate that leaks from the atomization unit. The holding reservoir may be configured to store recondensed liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the airflow path. The holding reservoir may be configured to temporarily receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate from one or both of the atomization unit and the airflow path. The holding reservoir may also be configured to temporarily receive liquid aerosol-forming substrate that leaks from the liquid storage portion.

[0024] The holding reservoir may preferably be disposed in the upstream airflow path portion, which may enable the holding reservoir to at least temporarily store the liquid aerosol-forming substrate upstream of the atomization unit.

[0025] The reservoir may comprise a holding material for storing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The holding material may comprise a sponge-like or foam-like material capable of storing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The structure of the holding material may form a plurality of small holes or tubes through which the liquid substrate can be transported and stored by capillary action. Examples of suitable materials are sponge or foam materials, ceramic or graphite-based materials in the form of fibers or sintered powders, foamed metal or plastic materials, and fibrous materials, such as those made of spun or extruded fibers (such as cellulose acetate, polyester, or bonded polyolefin, polyethylene, ethylene, or polypropylene fibers, nylon fibers, or ceramics).

[0026] The at least one capillary tube may be in fluid communication with the holding reservoir. The at least one capillary tube may be configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the holding reservoir to the downstream airflow path portion.

[0027] This may enable at least one capillary tube to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate stored in the holding reservoir to a downstream airflow path portion located downstream of the atomization unit.

[0028] The holding reservoir may be different from the liquid reservoir. The holding reservoir may be configured to store liquid aerosol-forming substrate that leaks from one or more of the atomization unit, the airflow path, and the liquid reservoir.

[0029] The cartridge may include an upstream air inlet. The retention reservoir may be disposed around the upstream air inlet.

[0030] The upstream air inlet may be configured to allow air to enter the cartridge. The upstream air inlet may be the upstream end of an airflow path through the cartridge.

[0031] This may allow the retention reservoir to be located adjacent the upstream end of the airflow path, which may allow the upstream air inlet to be located in the upstream airflow path portion of the airflow path.

[0032] The upstream air inlet may be surrounded by a baffle, which may allow a holding reservoir to be disposed around the upstream air inlet without the liquid aerosol-forming substrate leaking from the cartridge through the upstream air inlet.

[0033] The baffle may be disposed inside the cartridge. The cartridge may include a base. The baffle may protrude from the base toward the atomization unit of the cartridge. The baffle may be configured to direct air entering through the upstream air inlet toward the at least one capillary tube. The at least one capillary tube may be located downstream of the upstream air inlet. The baffle may protrude from the base toward the at least one capillary tube. The baffle may protrude from the base toward the at least one capillary tube and the atomization unit of the cartridge.

[0034] This may allow the baffle to direct air entering the cartridge through the upstream air inlet towards the atomizing unit for vaporization and towards the capillary tube.

[0035] The cartridge may include a housing. The base of the cartridge may be part of the housing. The housing may be made of one or more of plastic, metal, or wood. The housing may include or be made of a polymer, such as one or more of polypropylene, polycarbonate, or polyethylene. The baffle may be separate from the housing. The cartridge housing and baffle may form a monolithic part of the cartridge. The baffle may be made of the same material as the housing.

[0036] The cartridge housing may include a base and one or more walls extending from the base. As used herein, the term "wall" more generally refers to a surface of the housing, and the wall may be formed from a single panel, or the wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels. The base and the one or more walls may be integrally formed. The base and the one or more walls may be separate elements that are attached or fixed to each other. The housing may be a rigid housing. As used herein, the term "rigid housing" is used to mean a self-supporting housing. At least one capillary tube may be disposed within the cartridge, preferably within the cartridge housing.

[0037] The at least one capillary may include a capillary transport portion extending along the airflow path. The at least one capillary may further include a capillary output portion extending transversely to the capillary transport portion.

[0038] The capillary output portion may be configured to emit a liquid aerosol-forming substrate carried by the capillary transport portion into the airflow path of the cartridge. This may facilitate atomization of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate carried by at least one capillary in the airflow path. The capillary output portion may be in fluid communication with the capillary transport portion.

[0039] The capillary output portion may preferably be located downstream of the atomization unit, which may enable the capillary output portion to emit the liquid aerosol-forming substrate into the airflow path downstream of the atomization unit for vaporization.

[0040] The capillary output portion may be configured to deliver the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a portion of the airflow path downstream of the atomization unit. Preferably, the capillary output portion may be configured to deliver the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a downstream portion of the airflow path.

[0041] At least one capillary may include a capillary intake portion. The capillary intake portion may be configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the capillary transport portion. The capillary intake portion may be in fluid communication with the capillary transport portion. The capillary intake portion may be in fluid communication with a holding reservoir. Preferably, the capillary intake portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the holding reservoir to the capillary transport portion.

[0042] The capillary intake portion may extend transversely to the capillary transport portion.

[0043] The capillary intake portion may be located upstream of the atomization unit.

[0044] The capillary intake portion may extend parallel to the capillary output portion.

[0045] The capillary transport section may include a plurality of capillaries. The plurality of capillaries may extend parallel to one another. Preferably, the plurality of capillaries may include at least two capillaries, more preferably at least four capillaries. The plurality of capillaries may include 2 to 16 capillaries.

[0046] Multiple capillaries within the capillary transport section may allow for the storage and transport of larger portions of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate within the capillary transport section.

[0047] Multiple capillaries in the capillary transport section may be in fluid communication with one capillary in the capillary output section.

[0048] This ensures that multiple capillaries in the capillary transport portion can store and transport a large amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate, which can then be transported to a single capillary in the capillary output portion for release into the airflow path of the cartridge.

[0049] Multiple capillaries in the capillary transport portion may be in fluid communication with one capillary in the capillary intake portion, which may ensure that the capillary intake portion can transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the holding reservoir to the capillary transport portion.

[0050] The cross-sectional area of ​​the capillary in the capillary intake section may be equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the capillary in the capillary transport section. The cross-sectional area of ​​the capillary in the capillary transport section may be equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the capillary in the capillary output section. The cross-sectional area of ​​at least one capillary may have any shape. For example, the cross-sectional area may be rectangular, polygonal, circular, or elliptical. Preferably, the cross-sectional area is elliptical or circular, and more preferably circular.

[0051] This may ensure reliable transport of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate through the capillary intake portion, the capillary transport portion, and the capillary output portion. This may ensure reliable transport of the particular liquid aerosol-forming substrate described herein, which includes a polyhydric alcohol as an aerosol former. This may ensure reliable transport of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the capillary intake portion, through the capillary transport portion, to the capillary output portion. The diameter of the capillary in the intake portion may be smaller than the height of the baffle surrounding the upstream air inlet. This may ensure that the liquid aerosol-forming substrate does not leak out of the cartridge through the upstream air inlet.

[0052] The cross-sectional area of ​​at least one capillary may be circular. The diameter of the capillary in the capillary intake section may be between 0.01 mm and 0.5 mm. The diameter of the capillary in the capillary transport section may be between 0.01 mm and 0.5 mm. The diameter of the capillary in the capillary output section may be between 0.01 mm and 0.5 mm.

[0053] The cartridge may further include a downstream air inlet configured to direct air into a portion of the airflow path downstream of the atomization unit, the portion of the airflow path downstream of the atomization unit being the downstream airflow path portion.

[0054] The downstream air inlet can provide air to the downstream airflow path portion and can assist in vaporizing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate that is transported to the downstream airflow path portion by at least one capillary, preferably by a capillary output portion.

[0055] The downstream air inlet may be configured to direct air adjacent to the capillary output portion, which may facilitate generation of an aerosol from a liquid aerosol-forming substrate carried by the capillary output portion.

[0056] The atomization unit may include a heating element and a porous body. The porous body may be made of a ceramic material. The porous body may be configured to absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0057] The heating element may be disposed on the heated surface of the porous body. The heating element may be formed as a heating track configured to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element may be configured to evaporate the liquid aerosol-forming substrate absorbed by the porous body of the atomization unit for vaporization. The heating element of the atomization unit may be in electrical contact with an electric heating element contact. The electric heating element contact may also be disposed on the heated surface of the porous body. The electric heating element may be configured to enable electrical contact to the aerosol generation device when the cartridge is attached to the device.

[0058] The absorbent surface of the porous body of the atomizing unit may be in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion of the cartridge.

[0059] The absorption surface may be separated from the heating surface of the porous body.

[0060] The absorption surface may absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid reservoir of the cartridge, which may be further transported to a heated surface within the porous body of the atomization unit for evaporation.

[0061] The heated surface of the porous body of the atomization unit may be located within the downstream airflow path portion. At least one capillary, particularly the capillary output portion, may transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the downstream airflow path portion adjacent to the heated surface of the porous body. This may facilitate the formation of an aerosol from the liquid aerosol-forming substrate transported by the at least one capillary including the heated surface of the porous body.

[0062] The porous body may have a substantially cubic shape with six surfaces. The heating element may be substantially flat. The heating element may be disposed on one of the six surfaces of the porous body.

[0063] The distance between the base of the cartridge and the heating surface of the atomizing unit may be smaller than the distance between the base of the cartridge and the capillary of the capillary output portion, and in particular, the distance between the base of the cartridge and the heating surface of the atomizing unit may be 5 to 25 millimeters.

[0064] The present invention also provides an aerosol generation system. The aerosol generation system may include a cartridge as described herein. The aerosol generation system may include an aerosol generation device. The aerosol generation device may include a power supply and a controller. The power supply may be configured to provide power to the atomization unit. The controller may be configured to control the operation of the atomization unit.

[0065] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generation system comprising a cartridge as described herein and an aerosol generation device, the aerosol generation device including a power supply and a controller, the power supply configured to provide power to the atomization unit, and the controller configured to control operation of the atomization unit.

[0066] Such an aerosol generation system may be configured to generate an aerosol from a liquid aerosol-forming substrate contained within a cartridge. An aerosol generator of the aerosol generation system may be connected to the cartridge and may control the operation of the atomization unit. A power source of the aerosol generator may also provide power to the atomization unit, particularly its heating element.

[0067] The cartridge may comprise at least two electrical contacts, in particular the electrical heating element contacts already mentioned above. The electrical contacts may be configured to provide electrical contact with the heating element of the atomization unit. The at least two electrical contacts may be in electrical contact with the heating element of the atomization unit.

[0068] The cartridges described herein may be configured to be removably connectable to an aerosol generating device of an aerosol generating system, which may allow the cartridge to be replaced when the aerosol-forming substrate in the liquid reservoir is depleted.

[0069] The ceramic body of the atomization unit may include or be made of one or both of Ca2SiO4 and SiO2.

[0070] The heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, semiconductors such as doped ceramics, "conductive" ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, alloys, and composites made of ceramic and metallic materials. Such composites may include doped or undoped ceramics. An example of a suitable doped ceramic is doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold, and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-, titanium-, zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, gold-, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel-, iron-, cobalt-, and stainless steel-based superalloys, Timetal®, and iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloys. The heating element may preferably comprise or be made of a nickel-chromium alloy (NiCr). The heating element may also be made of an alloy of titanium or SUS stainless steel, or may be made of pure nickel, SUS stainless steel, or titanium.

[0071] The electrical contacts may include or be made of a conductive metal or alloy, such as one or more of Cu, Ag, Zn, or Au.

[0072] The heating element may include a susceptor heating element for heating the aerosol-generating substrate by induction. The susceptor may be part of the aerosol-generating device, as described above, or may be part of the aerosol-generating article. The susceptor may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate. A preferred susceptor may include or consist of a ferromagnetic material (e.g., a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron, or ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel). A suitable susceptor may be or include aluminum.

[0073] The preferred susceptor is a metal susceptor (e.g., stainless steel), however, the susceptor material may also include or be made of any one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, aluminum, niobium, Inconel alloy (austenitic nickel-chromium based superalloy), metal-deposited film, ceramic (e.g., zirconia, etc.), transition metal (e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel, etc.), or semi-metallic components (e.g., boron, carbon, silicon, phosphorus, aluminum, etc.), or combinations or alloys of materials.

[0074] The susceptor may be heated by an induction coil, which may provide an alternating magnetic field. The induction coil may be part of the aerosol generator or may be contained within a cartridge. When placed in an alternating electromagnetic field, eddy currents are typically induced in the susceptor, and hysteresis losses occur, causing the susceptor to heat up.

[0075] The heating element is preferably a resistive heating element as described above.

[0076] The aerosol generating device of the aerosol generating system may comprise an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of the controller. The electrical circuit may comprise further electronic components. The electrical circuit may be configured to regulate the supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol generating device, or may be supplied intermittently, such as with each puff. Power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of current pulses. The electrical circuit may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and may be configured to control the supply of power to the heating element, preferably depending on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

[0077] The aerosol generating device of the aerosol generating system may include a power source (typically a battery) within the main body of the aerosol generating device. In one embodiment, the power source is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power source may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery (e.g., a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, a lithium titanate battery, or a lithium polymer battery). Alternatively, the power source may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power source may, for example, provide power to an induction coil provided within the aerosol-generating article. Alternatively, the power source may provide power via an electrical connection to a resistive heating element provided within the cartridge.

[0078] As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used to describe the relative location of components or portions of components of an aerosol generating device with respect to the direction in which air flows through the aerosol generating device along an airflow path during use of the aerosol generating device. An aerosol generating device according to the present invention has a proximal end through which aerosol exits the device during use. The proximal end of an aerosol generating device may also be referred to as the oral end or downstream end. The oral end is downstream of the distal end. The oral end may comprise a mouthpiece. The distal end of an aerosol generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components or portions of components of an aerosol generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of each other based on their relative location with respect to the airflow path through the aerosol generating device. [Example]

[0079] The following provides a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples, any one or more of the features of which may be combined with any one or more features of any other example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0080] Example 1: 1. A cartridge for an aerosol generating device, comprising: a liquid storage portion including a liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an atomization unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion; an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomization unit and the at least one capillary tube; A cartridge, wherein at least one capillary tube is configured to transport a liquid aerosol-forming substrate along an airflow path via capillary forces. Example 2: A cartridge as described in Example 1, wherein the airflow path is arranged along the atomization unit, and at least one capillary tube is configured to transport the aerosol-forming substrate from an upstream airflow path portion located upstream of the atomization unit to a downstream airflow path portion located downstream of the atomization unit. Example 3: The cartridge according to any one of Examples 1 to 2, further comprising a holding reservoir for receiving the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the airflow path, preferably as described in Example 2, wherein the holding reservoir is disposed within the upstream airflow path portion, more preferably wherein at least one capillary is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the holding reservoir to the downstream airflow path portion. Example 4: 4. The cartridge of example 3, further comprising an upstream air inlet, the retention reservoir disposed around the upstream air inlet, preferably the upstream air inlet being surrounded by a baffle. Example 5: A cartridge according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein at least one capillary includes a capillary transport portion extending along the airflow path and a capillary output portion extending transversely to the capillary transport portion, and preferably the capillary output portion is located downstream of the atomization unit. Example 6: The cartridge of Example 5, wherein the capillary output portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a portion of the airflow path downstream of the atomization unit, preferably as described in Example 3, and wherein the capillary output portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a downstream airflow path portion. Example 7: 7. The cartridge of any one of Examples 5 or 6, wherein the at least one capillary includes a capillary intake portion, the capillary intake portion configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the capillary transport portion, preferably as described in Example 3, and wherein the capillary intake portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the holding reservoir to the capillary transport portion. Example 8: 8. The cartridge of example 7, wherein the capillary intake portion extends transversely to the capillary transport portion. Example 9: The cartridge according to any one of Examples 5 to 8, wherein the capillary transport portion includes a plurality of capillaries extending parallel to each other, and preferably the plurality of capillaries includes at least two, more preferably at least four capillaries. Example 10: A cartridge as described in Example 9, wherein multiple capillaries are in fluid communication with one capillary output portion, preferably as described in either Example 7 or 8, and wherein multiple capillaries are in fluid communication with one capillary intake portion. Example 11: A cartridge as described in any one of Examples 1 to 10, further comprising a downstream air intake configured to direct air into a portion of the airflow path located downstream of the atomization unit, preferably as described in any one of Examples 3 or 4, wherein the downstream air intake is configured to direct air into the downstream airflow path portion. Example 12: Example 11, further dependent from Examples 5-10, is the cartridge of Example 11, wherein the downstream air inlet is configured to direct air adjacent to the capillary output portion. Example 13: A cartridge according to any one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the atomization unit comprises a heating element and a porous body, preferably the porous body is made of a ceramic material, more preferably the porous body is configured to absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Example 14: 14. The cartridge of Example 13, wherein a heating element is disposed on the heating surface of the porous body, preferably the heating element being formed as a heating track configured to heat the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Example 15: 15. A cartridge according to any one of Examples 13 and 14, wherein the absorbent surface of the porous body is in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion. Example 16: An aerosol generating system comprising a cartridge according to any one of Examples 1 to 15 and an aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating device includes a power supply and a controller, the power supply is configured to supply power to the atomization unit, and the controller is configured to control the operation of the atomization unit. Example 17: 17. The aerosol generation system of Example 16, wherein the cartridge is configured to be removably connectable to an aerosol generation device.

[0081] Features described with respect to one embodiment may be equally applied to other embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A cartridge for an aerosol generating device, comprising: a liquid storage portion including a liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an atomization unit in fluid communication with the liquid storage portion; an airflow path in fluid communication with the atomizing unit and at least one capillary tube; the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport a liquid aerosol-forming substrate along the airflow path via capillary force, and the cartridge further comprises a holding reservoir for receiving the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the airflow path.

2. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the airflow path is disposed along the atomization unit, and the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport the aerosol-forming substrate from an upstream airflow path portion located upstream of the atomization unit to a downstream airflow path portion located downstream of the atomization unit.

3. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the holding reservoir is disposed within the upstream airflow path portion, and preferably the at least one capillary tube is configured to transport liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the holding reservoir to the downstream airflow path portion.

4. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising an upstream air inlet, the retention reservoir disposed around the upstream air inlet, preferably the upstream air inlet being surrounded by a baffle.

5. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least one capillary includes a capillary transport portion extending along the airflow path and a capillary output portion extending transversely to the capillary transport portion, and preferably the capillary output portion is located downstream of the atomization unit.

6. The cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the capillary output portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to a portion of the airflow path downstream of the atomization unit, preferably as described in claim 3, and the capillary output portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the downstream airflow path portion.

7. The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the at least one capillary includes a capillary intake portion configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to the capillary transport portion, and the cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the capillary intake portion is configured to transport the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the holding reservoir to the capillary transport portion.

8. The cartridge of claim 7 , wherein the capillary intake portion extends transversely to the capillary transport portion.

9. 6. A cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the capillary transport portion comprises a plurality of capillaries extending parallel to one another, preferably the plurality of capillaries comprising at least two, more preferably at least four capillaries.

10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the plurality of capillaries are in fluid communication with one capillary output portion, preferably as described in claim 7, and the cartridge of claim 9, wherein the plurality of capillaries are in fluid communication with one capillary intake portion.

11. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a downstream air intake configured to direct air into a portion of the airflow path located downstream of the atomization unit, preferably as described in either claim 3 or 4, wherein the downstream air intake is configured to direct air into the downstream airflow path portion.

12. The cartridge of claim 11 , wherein the downstream air inlet is configured to direct air adjacent the capillary output portion.

13. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the atomization unit includes a heating element and a porous body, preferably the porous body being made of a ceramic material, and more preferably the porous body being configured to absorb a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

14. An aerosol generation system comprising the cartridge of claim 1 and an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device including a power supply and a controller, the power supply configured to supply power to the atomization unit, and the controller configured to control the operation of the atomization unit.

15. 15. The aerosol generation system of claim 14, wherein the cartridge is configured to be removably connectable to the aerosol generation device.

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