Cartridge for use in an apparatus for heating a smoking material

Abstract

To provide a cartridge for use with an apparatus for heating a smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.SOLUTION: The cartridge comprises a housing 43 defining a chamber 44, a smokable material 420 located in the chamber 44, and a mass 430 of a thermal insulation material located between the smokable material 420 and the housing 43. Also disclosed is an apparatus for heating the smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus comprises an assembly having an interface, and the cartridge 40, where the cartridge 40 is for cooperating with the interface of the assembly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge for use in an apparatus for heating a smoking material and an apparatus for heating a smoking material.

Background Art

[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars burn tobacco during use to generate smoke. As alternatives to these articles, products that release compounds without combustion have been developed. Examples of such products include so-called "non-combustion heating" products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating materials without combustion. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge for use in an apparatus for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the cartridge comprising: a housing defining a chamber; a smoking material disposed within the chamber; and a mass of heat insulating material disposed between the smoking material and the housing.

[0004] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material surrounds the smoking material.

[0005] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material is in contact with the smoking material.

[0006] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material fills the space between the smoking material and the housing.

[0007] In a typical embodiment, the smoking material contains tobacco.

[0008] In a typical embodiment, the smoking material is solid.

[0009] In a typical embodiment, the smoking material is adhered to the heating element. In a typical embodiment, the smoking material is adhered to the heating element by an adhesive.

[0010] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material is in contact with the housing.

[0011] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of stuffing cotton, fleece, non-woven material, non-woven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, closed-cell foam, polystyrene, closed-cell polystyrene foam, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, and blends of polyester and polypropylene.

[0012] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material includes stuffing cotton or fleece and has a density of about 60 to about 140 gsm. In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material has a density of about 80 to about 120 gsm.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge has an asymmetric external cross-sectional shape.

[0014] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge for use in an apparatus for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the cartridge comprising a housing defining a chamber, a heating element disposed in the chamber, and a mass of heat insulating material located between the heating element and the housing.

[0015] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material surrounds the heating element.

[0016] In a typical embodiment, the heating element can be heated by passing an electric current through the heating element. In a typical embodiment, the cartridge includes two conductive terminals that can be touched from the outside of the cartridge, and the heating element is electrically connected to these conductive terminals.

[0017] In a typical embodiment, the smoking material is arranged on the heating element, and the heat insulating material is arranged between the smoking material and the housing.

[0018] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material is in contact with the smoking material.

[0019] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material fills the space between the smoking material and the housing.

[0020] In a typical embodiment, the smoking material contains tobacco.

[0021] In a typical embodiment, the smoking material is solid.

[0022] In a typical embodiment, the smoking material is adhered to the heating element. In a typical embodiment, the smoking material is adhered to the heating element by an adhesive.

[0023] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material is in contact with the housing.

[0024] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of packing cotton, fleece, non-woven material, non-woven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, closed-cell foam, polystyrene, closed-cell polystyrene foam, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, and blends of polyester and polypropylene.

[0025] In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material includes packing cotton or fleece and has a density of about 60 to about 140 gsm. In a typical embodiment, the heat insulating material has a density of about 80 to about 120 gsm.

[0026] In a typical embodiment, the cartridge has an asymmetric external cross-sectional shape.

[0027] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the apparatus including an assembly having a joint and a cartridge according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the cartridge being for cooperating with the joint of the assembly.

[0028] In a typical embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is configured to heat the smoking material and volatilize at least one component of the smoking material without burning the smoking material when the cartridge cooperates with the joint of the assembly.

[0029] In a typical embodiment, the assembly includes a controller for controlling the supply of power from a power source to a heating element when the cartridge cooperates with the joint of the assembly.

[0030] In a typical embodiment, the assembly includes a controller arranged to control the heating of a heating element that heats the smoking material and volatilizes at least one component of the smoking material without burning the smoking material when the cartridge cooperates with the assembly.

[0031] In a typical embodiment, the cartridge can cooperate with the joint only in one orientation with respect to the assembly.

[0032] In a typical embodiment, the assembly includes a recess for accommodating at least a part of the cartridge. In a typical embodiment, the recess has an internal cross-sectional shape corresponding to the external cross-sectional shape of the cartridge.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0034] As used herein, the term "smoking material" includes a material that, when heated, provides volatile components, typically in the form of an aerosol. The "smoking material" may be a non-tobacco-containing material or a tobacco-containing material. The "smoking material" may include, for example, one or more of tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extracts, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The smoking material may be in the form of ground tobacco, cut rag tobacco, extruded tobacco, a gel, or a mass. The "smoking material" may include other non-tobacco products that contain or do not contain nicotine depending on the product.

[0035] As used herein, "polysaccharide" encompasses high molecular weight carbohydrate molecules composed of long chains of monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds, and salts and derivatives of such compounds. Preferably, derivatives of such compounds may have ester, ether, acid, amine, amide, urea, thioether, thioester, thiocarboxylic acid, or thioamide side groups on the monosaccharide units. Examples of polysaccharides include cellulose and cellulose derivatives, and alginic acid and its salts. In some embodiments, the polysaccharide may be attached to the smoking material to a heating element. In other embodiments, the adhesive may include the polysaccharide as an adhesion promoter.

[0036] As used herein, "cellulose derivative" refers to a compound in which the hydroxyl groups of cellulose are partially or completely substituted with various groups. Cellulose derivatives include cellulose esters and ethers. In some embodiments, the cellulose derivative may include cellulose ethers including alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and carboxyalkyl ethers. In some embodiments, the cellulose derivative may be a hydroxyalkyl cellulose such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose. The cellulose derivative may, in some cases, be selected from hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose. The cellulose derivative may include hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose or consist essentially of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose.

[0037] As used herein, "polyimide" means any polymer containing or substantially formed of imide monomers, which may be saturated or unsaturated.

[0038] As used herein, "polyester" means a polymer containing an ester functional group in its main chain. These may be formed by the esterification condensation of a polyfunctional alcohol and an acid. In some cases, the ester functional group is present in about half of the repeating units, or in the majority or substantially all of the repeating units. The polyester may be saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic, semi-aromatic or aromatic, and may be a copolymer or a homopolymer. The polyester may be hydrophobic.

[0039] As used herein, the terms "flavor" and "flavoring agent" are permitted by local regulations and refer to materials that can be used to add desired tastes and scents to products for adult consumers. Such materials include extracts (e.g., eucalyptus, licorice, hydrangea, phoebe leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, kojic acid, cherry, berry, peach, apple, rum, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, perilla, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, etc.), seasonings, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, etc.), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plant-based deodorants, etc. These materials may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients, or blends thereof. These materials may be in any suitable form, such as oils, liquids, powders, etc.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of an apparatus 1 for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material are shown. The apparatus 1 is configured to heat the smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material to form an aerosol that can typically be inhaled without burning or igniting the smoking material. The apparatus 1 includes a first casing portion 10, a second casing portion 20, a mouthpiece 30, and a cartridge 40. The combination of the first and second casing portions 10, 20 constitutes the casing of the apparatus 1. The combination of the first and second casing portions 10, 20 and the mouthpiece 30 constitutes an assembly having a joint (described below) with which the cartridge 40 can cooperate. Each of these members will be described in turn below.

[0041] The first casing portion 10 is located between the second casing portion 20 and the mouthpiece 30. Each of the first and second casing portions 10, 20 and the mouthpiece 30 defines a corresponding portion of the outer casing of the entire apparatus 1. Accordingly, the appearance of the apparatus 1 is defined by the combination of the first and second casing portions 10, 20 and the mouthpiece 30.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the first casing part 10 is substantially tubular and elongated, having first and second opposing longitudinal ends 11, 12 and defining a joint for cooperating with the cartridge 40. In this embodiment, the joint includes a recess 13 for receiving the cartridge 40. In other embodiments, the joint can take different shapes such as a shelf, a surface or a protrusion, and optionally needs to be mechanically paired with the cartridge 40 for cooperation. The second longitudinal end 12 of the first casing part 10 defines an opening 14 that opens into the recess 13. The opening 14 is shaped and sized such that the cartridge 40 can move through the opening, the user can insert the cartridge 40 into the recess 13 as will be described in detail below, and / or the user can remove the cartridge 40 from the recess 13. The first longitudinal end 11 of the first casing part 10 includes a first connector 15 that can be releasably engaged with a second connector 25 of the second casing part 20 as will be described in detail below.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 8, the second casing part 20 is substantially tubular and elongated, having first and second opposing longitudinal ends 21, 22 and defining a compartment 23. A plurality of first electrical components are included in the compartment 23. The first electrical components of this embodiment include a power source 24 in the form of a rechargeable battery, a printed circuit board (PCB) 26 and a universal serial bus (USB) charging interface 27. In other embodiments, the power source 24 may be a non-rechargeable battery or a capacitor other than a rechargeable battery. The charging interface 27 can be touched outside the appliance 1 at the first longitudinal end 21 of the second casing part 20. A charging circuit and a voltage regulator 26b are provided on the PCB 26. The combination of the charging circuit and the charging interface 27 constitutes the charging structure of the appliance 1. The charging circuit is electrically connected to the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the battery 24. The battery 24 can be charged by connecting the charging structure to an external power supply source (not shown) using the charging interface 27. The charging circuit includes an overcharger to prevent overcharging of the battery 24. In a variation of the illustrated embodiment, the charging interface 27 may take a form other than that determined by the USB standard and / or may be arranged anywhere on the second casing part 20 or other part of the appliance 1. In some embodiments, the charging structure may be omitted.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 7, the second longitudinal end 22 of the second casing portion 20 includes a second connector 25 that can engage with the first connector 15 of the first casing portion 10. In this embodiment, the first connector 15 can engage with the second connector 25 to connect the second casing portion 20 to the first casing portion 10. In other embodiments, the engagement of the first connector 15 and the second connector 25 does not connect the second casing portion 20 to the first casing portion 10, but rather serves to make it easier to partially separate or open the first and second casing portions 10 and 20. The first and second casing portions 10 and 20 may be permanently connected by a hinge or a flexible member. In this embodiment, the first connector 15 can be releasably engaged with the second connector 25 to removably connect the second casing portion 20 to the first casing portion 10. Thus, when the rechargeable battery 24 housed in the second casing portion 20 is depleted, the user can replace the second casing portion 20 with another second casing portion 20 that houses a non-depleted power source 24. The user can thus continue to use the instrument 1, for example, while the first depleted rechargeable battery 24 is being charged. In other embodiments, the first connector 15 may not be removable from the second connector 25 once the first and second connectors 15 and 25 are connected to each other. In such other embodiments, the second casing portion 20 is permanently connected to the first casing portion 10 by the engagement of the first and second connectors 15 and 25.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, in this embodiment, the first and second connectors 15 and 25 are male and female connectors 15 and 25, respectively, and include cooperating male and female threads 15a and 25a. In some embodiments, the first and second connectors 15 and 25 are male and female connectors 15 and 25, respectively, and include cooperating male and female threads. In yet another embodiment, the first and second connectors 15 and 25 may include cooperating structures other than threads, such as pins and slots that together define a plug-in coupling, protrusions and holes that together define a snap-fit connection, a plug and a socket.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first and second connectors 15, 25 are conductive, so that when the first and second connectors 15, 25 are engaged, current can be transmitted from the second connector 25 to the first connector 15 as will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, the first and second connectors 15, 25 are each made of a metal or metal alloy such as copper or stainless steel. In other embodiments, one or both of the first and second connectors 15, 25 may be made of a different conductive material.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 7, it can be seen that in this embodiment, the second thread 25a has four notches 25n spaced apart in the circumferential direction thereof. In other embodiments, the number of notches 25n passing through the second thread 25a may be more or less. In this embodiment, each of the notches 25n extends linearly and radially through the second thread 25a. In other embodiments, one or more of the notches 25n may extend non-linearly radially through the second thread 25a or linearly non-radially through the second thread 25a or non-linearly non-radially through the second thread 25a. In this embodiment, the notches 25n are provided only in the second thread 25a. In other embodiments, there may be one or more additional or separate notches in the first thread 15a. In some embodiments, the first and second connectors 15, 25 may be arranged such that when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, one or more notches provided in the second thread 25a are aligned with one or more notches provided in the first thread 15a.

[0048] As shown most clearly in FIG. 11, when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, the first and second connectors 15, 25 cooperate to define four inlets 60 between the first and second connectors 15, 25 for admitting air into the appliance 1, more specifically into the recess 13 of the first casing part 10 from outside the appliance 1. When the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, the inlets 60 are in fluid communication with the outside of the appliance 1 through an annular gap 62 remaining between the first and second connectors 15, 25 on the outer surface of the appliance 1. When the first connector 15 cannot be further engaged with the second connector 25, the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25. In this embodiment, this full engagement occurs when the first connector 15 cannot move further into the second connector 25. This may be because, for example, the leading edge of the first thread 15a of the first connector 15 reaches the end of the second thread 25a of the second connector 25, or because the respective stoppers of the first and second connectors 15, 25 contact each other when the first and second connectors 15, 25 are engaged. In other embodiments, other mechanisms may be provided for defining the point at which the first and second connectors 15, 25 are fully engaged. In this embodiment, the first and second connectors 15, 25 are relatively movable to change the cross-sectional area of each of the inlets 60 and adjust the air flow through the inlets 60 while maintaining the engagement of the first and second connectors 15, 25. In this embodiment, the degree of engagement of the first and second connectors 15, 25 can be changed by rotating one of the first and second connectors 15, 25 relative to the other. This has the effect of correspondingly changing the axial dimension of the inlet 60 between the first and second connectors 15, 25 to change the cross-sectional area of each of the inlets 60. In this embodiment, each of the inlets 60 is defined by a corresponding one of the notches 25n and a corresponding adjacent part of the first connector 15. In other embodiments where more or fewer notches are provided, correspondingly more or fewer inlets are provided for each.

[0049] In this embodiment, each of the compartment 23 provided in the second casing part 20 and thus the first electrical component therein is separated from each inlet 60 by the material of the second connector 25, a board including second and third conductors 282, 283 (described below and shown in FIGS. 9 and 10), and a plug 25b nested within the second connector 25 between the second connector 25 and the board. This prevents the first electrical component from coming into contact with dust or other foreign matter that may be drawn into the appliance 1 through one or more of the inlets 60 during operation of the appliance 1, which could negatively affect the performance of the first electrical component. However, in other embodiments, the compartment 23 and / or the power source 24 and / or the PCB 26 (if provided) and / or the charging interface 27 (if provided) may be in fluid connection with one or more or all of these inlets.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first and second casing parts 10, 20 each include an electrical connection for supplying power from a power source 24 for powering the cartridge 40, as described below, to the first casing part 10. More specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the second casing part 20 includes a first conductor 281 (shown most clearly in FIG. 8) extending from the negative terminal 24b of the battery 24 to the second thread 25a of the second connector 25 and bypassing the voltage regulator 26b, a second conductor 282 (shown most clearly in FIGS. 9 and 10) extending from the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24 to the voltage regulator 26b on the PCB 26, and a third conductor 283 (shown most clearly in FIGS. 9 and 10) extending from the voltage regulator 26b to the terminal 283a. The third conductor 283 is separated from the second conductor 282 by an electrical insulator 284 so as to be electrically insulated from the second conductor 282. The terminal 283a is disposed at the center of the longitudinal axis of the second casing part 20 at the second longitudinal end 22 of the second casing part 20. The terminal 283a is contactable through the hole 25c of the plug 25b. In this embodiment, the terminal 283a is the positive terminal of the second casing part 20, and the second thread 25a of the second connector 25 is the negative terminal of the second casing part 20.

[0051] A part of the second conductor 282 is in contact with the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24. A part of the third conductor 283 includes a terminal 283a. These portions of the second and third conductors 282, 283 are wrapped by an elastic member 29. The elastic member 29 biases the second conductor 282 in a first direction to contact the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24. This helps to maintain good electrical contact between the second conductor 282 and the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24. The elastic member 29 also biases the second and third conductors 282, 283 in a second direction to contact the plug 25b. This helps to seal between the second and third conductors 282, 283 and the plug 25b, thereby separating the compartment 23 from the inlet 60. The second conductor 282 extends from the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24 along most of the longitudinal length of the second casing portion 20 around the elastic member 29 to the PCB 26 in order to electrically connect the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24 to the charging circuit and the voltage regulator 26b of the PCB 26 as described above. The third conductor 283 extends from the voltage regulator 26b along most of the longitudinal length of the second casing portion 20 to the terminal 283a.

[0052] In this embodiment, each of the first, second, and third conductors 281, 282, 283 is made of a metal or metal alloy such as copper or stainless steel, but in other embodiments, one or more of the first, second, and third conductors 281, 282, 283 may be made of a different conductive material.

[0053] In this embodiment, the electrical connections of the first and second casing parts 10 and 20 for supplying power from the power source 24 to the first casing part 10 are further illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13. The first thread 15a of the first connector 15 is the negative terminal of the first casing part 10 in this embodiment, and when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, it is electrically connected to the negative terminal, that is, the second thread of the second connector 25 of the second casing part 20. The plate 16 is attached to the first connector 15. The plate 16 is circular about a central axis that coincides with the longitudinal axis of the first casing part 10. The plate 16 is within the first casing part 10 between the first longitudinal end 11 of the first casing part 10 and the recess 13 of the first casing part 10. Five holes 16a to 16e are provided in the plate 16. The first hole 16a of these holes is centrally arranged on the longitudinal axis of the first casing part 10. Inside the first hole 16a, there is a first pin 17a that protrudes toward the first longitudinal end 11 of the first casing part 10 away from the plate 16. The first pin 17a is conductive and may be made of a metal or metal alloy such as copper or stainless steel. The first pin 17a is the positive terminal of the first casing part 10. When the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25 as most clearly shown in FIG. 11, the first pin 17a is positioned within the hole 25c of the plug 25b and makes surface contact with the positive terminal, that is, the terminal 283a of the second casing part 20.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 12, within the second and third holes 16b, 16c inside the hole passing through the plate 16, there are second and third pins 17b, 17c protruding into the recess 13 away from the plate 16 in a direction opposite to that of the pin 17a. Each of the second and third pins 17b, 17c is conductive and may be made of a metal or metal alloy such as copper or stainless steel. In this specification, the second pin 17b is referred to as the "first conductive terminal", and the third pin 17c is referred to as the "second conductive terminal". Further, the first pin 17a is referred to as the "third conductive terminal", the terminal 283a of the second casing part 20 is referred to as the "fourth conductive terminal", the first thread 15a of the first connector 15 is referred to as the "fifth conductive terminal", and the second thread 25a of the second connector 25 is referred to as the "sixth conductive terminal". When the contact surface cooperates with the cartridge 40 (i.e., when the cartridge 40 is completely disposed within the recess 13), the first and second conductive terminals 17b, 17c supply power to the cartridge 40 when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25.

[0055] In this embodiment, the second conductive terminal 17c is electrically connected to the fifth conductive terminal 15a via a controller 50 housed in the first casing part 10. Further, in this embodiment, the first conductive terminal 17b is electrically connected to the third conductive terminal 17a via the controller 50. In this embodiment, the controller 50 includes an integrated circuit (IC). In other embodiments, the controller 50 may take other forms. The controller 50 is for controlling the supply of power to the heating element 410 of the cartridge 40 when the cartridge 40 is completely disposed within the recess 13 as will be described in more detail below. When the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, the third conductive terminal 17a is in surface contact with the fourth conductive terminal 283a, and the fifth conductive terminal 15a is in surface contact with the sixth conductive terminal 25a. That is, the first casing part 10 is connected to the second casing part 20, and the third and fifth conductive terminals 17a, 15 are in surface contact with the fourth and sixth conductive terminals 283a, 25a, respectively.

[0056] As a result, when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, the positive terminal 24a of the power source 24 is electrically connected to the controller 50 via the voltage regulator 26b, and the negative terminal 24b of the power source 24 is electrically connected to the controller 50 by a conductive path without the voltage regulator 26b. Since the first and second threads 15a, 25a are each part of the casing of the appliance 1, the conductive path includes part of the casing.

[0057] In this embodiment, the controller 50 is disposed between the first casing part 10, more specifically, radially outward of the recess 13 and between the first and second longitudinal ends 11, 12 of the first casing part 10. The controller 50 is operated in this embodiment by the actuation of the user of the actuator 18. The actuator 18 is disposed outside the first casing part 10 radially outward of the controller 50 and the recess 13 and takes the form of a push button. In other embodiments, an actuator 18 of a different form such as a toggle switch, a dial, etc. may be provided. In this embodiment, the controller 50 is separated from each inlet 60 by the plate 16 and a part of the first casing part 10 that defines the recess. In other embodiments, additional or different electrical components located in the first casing part 10 are separated from the inlet 60. This prevents dust or other foreign matter that may be drawn into the appliance 1 through one or more of the inlets 60 during operation of the appliance 1 from coming into contact with the electrical components in the first casing part 10, which may negatively affect the performance of these electrical components. However, in other embodiments, the controller 50 and / or other electrical components of the first casing part 10 may be fluidly connected to one or more of the inlets 60.

[0058] In other embodiments, the controller 50 may be provided on the plate 16 of the first casing part 10 or the second casing part 20. The controller 50 may be provided on a PCB or other structure. In an embodiment where the controller 50 is included in the second casing part 20, one of the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the power source 24 may be electrically connected to the controller 50 via the voltage regulator 26b, and the other of the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the power source 24 is electrically connected to the controller 50 by a conductive path without a voltage regulator 26b.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first, third, and fourth conductive terminals 17b, 17a, 283a are electrically connected to the positive terminal 24a of the power source 24, and the second, fifth, and sixth conductive terminals 17c, 15a, 25a are electrically connected to the negative terminal 24b of the power source 24 when the first connector 15 engages with the second connector 25. In some embodiments, the polarities of the terminals 24a, 24b of the battery 24 may be reversed.

[0060] Having one of the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the power source 24 electrically connected to the controller via the voltage regulator 26b and the other of the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the power source 24 electrically connected to the controller 50 by a conductive path without a voltage regulator 26b helps simplify the manufacture of the appliance 1. There may be a need to reduce the connections to the voltage regulator 26b, and the conductive path can be provided regardless of the position of the voltage regulator 26b of the appliance 1. This also gives the designer a lot of design freedom when designing the appliance 1.

[0061] The mouthpiece 30 of the instrument 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail here with particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The mouthpiece 30 is substantially tubular and elongated, and has first and second opposing longitudinal ends 31, 32. The first longitudinal end 31 of the mouthpiece 30 is the first longitudinal end of the instrument 1, and the first longitudinal end 21 of the second casing part 20 is the second longitudinal end of the instrument 1. The second longitudinal end 32 of the mouthpiece 30 includes a connector 33 that can engage with the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10 at the second longitudinal end 12 of the first casing part 10.

[0062] In this embodiment, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 can engage with the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10 to connect the mouthpiece 30 to the first casing part 10. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 and the first casing part 10 may be permanently connected by a hinge or other flexible member or the like, so that the engagement of the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 with the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10 is not for connecting the mouthpiece 30 to the first casing part 10. In this embodiment, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 can be releasably engaged with the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10 to removably connect the mouthpiece 30 to the first casing part 10. In other embodiments, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 may become non-removable once it is connected to the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10. In such an embodiment, the mouthpiece 30 may be permanently connected to the first casing part when the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 engages with the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10.

[0063] In this embodiment, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 and the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10 each include two protrusions and two corresponding holes or recesses. These protrusions and recesses together define a fitting connection for connecting the mouthpiece 30 to the first casing part 10. In other embodiments, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 and the second connector 19 of the first casing part may include other forms of cooperating structures such as cooperating threads, bayonet couplings, plugs and sockets.

[0064] The mouthpiece 30 includes an inlet 34 at the second longitudinal end 32 of the mouthpiece 30, an outlet 35 at the first longitudinal end 31 of the mouthpiece 30, and a flow path 36 that fluidly connects the inlet 34 to the outlet 35. In this embodiment, the flow path 36 extends substantially linearly along the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece 30. In other embodiments, the flow path 36 may be located anywhere on the mouthpiece 30 and may have a shape other than a substantially linear shape. The mouthpiece 30 also includes a sealing portion 37 that surrounds the inlet 34. In this embodiment, the sealing portion 37 defines the inlet 34, but in other embodiments, the inlet 34 may be defined by another member and the sealing portion 37 may surround another member. In this embodiment, the sealing portion 37 is flexible and elastic, but in other embodiments, the sealing portion 37 may be hard, rigid, and non-flexible. Further, in this embodiment, the sealing portion 37 includes an O-ring that is attached to the rest of the mouthpiece 30, but in other embodiments, the sealing portion 37 may take other forms and may not even be circular. For example, in some embodiments, the sealing portion 37 may be co-molded with the rest of the mouthpiece 30. In some such embodiments, the sealing portion 37 is elastic, but other parts of the mouthpiece 30 have less elasticity or flexibility than it.

[0065] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 may include a flavorant or may be integrated with a flavorant. The flavorant may be arranged such that it is picked up by the hot aerosol as the aerosol passes through the flow path 36 of the mouthpiece 30 during use.

[0066] The mouthpiece 30 can be arranged relative to the first casing part 10 to cover the opening 14 into the recess 13. More specifically, in this embodiment, the mouthpiece 30 can be arranged relative to the first casing part 10 to cover the opening 14 in a reservoir that is sealed at the outside of the appliance 1 at the outlet 35 and the sealing part 37 facing the recess 13. When the mouthpiece 30 is arranged in this way relative to the first casing part 10, the sealing part 37 is for contacting the cartridge 40 when the cartridge 40 is in the recess and seals the inlet 31 of the mouthpiece 30 against the cartridge 40 during use. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 30 is arranged in this way relative to the first casing part 10, and when the cartridge 40 is in the recess 13, the sealing part 37 is compressed between the flow path 36 and the cartridge 40. This presses the cartridge 40 into the recess 13, and then the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b (described below) of the cartridge 40 are reliably in surface contact with the first and second conductive terminals 17b, 17c respectively.

[0067] The cartridge 40 of this embodiment of the appliance 1 will now be described in detail with particular reference to FIGS. 14, 15 and 17. In this embodiment, the cartridge 40 includes a housing 43 that defines a chamber 44. A heating device 400 is arranged in the chamber 44. In other embodiments, the housing 43 may be omitted, or may take a shape different from that shown. In some embodiments, the heating device may be included in an appliance that does not include a cartridge. As will be described in more detail below, in this embodiment, the heating device 400 includes a heating element 410, which has a smoking material 420 arranged thereon. The heating element 410 is for heating the smoking material 420 and is a support on which the smoking material is arranged. The heating device is arranged to heat the smoking material 420 to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material 420 to create a volatilized material. Typically, this volatilization forms an aerosol. The aerosol can be inhaled by a user of the appliance 1 via the flow path 36 of the mouthpiece 30. The operation of the appliance 1 will be described in more detail below.

[0068] In this embodiment, the housing 43 includes first and second housing parts 43a, 43b that cooperate to define a chamber 44. The heating device 400 extends from the first housing part 43a into the chamber 44 and towards the second housing part 43 and extends therethrough. The first and second housings 43a, 43b respectively define the first and second longitudinal ends 41, 42 of the cartridge 40. In other embodiments, the first and second longitudinal ends 41, 42 of the cartridge 40 may both be defined by a single housing part, i.e., a single member. In this embodiment, the first housing part 43a does not form a single structure with the second housing part 43b and is attached to the second housing part 43b. In this embodiment, this attachment is effected by a snap-fit connection between the first and second housing parts 43a, 43b, but in other embodiments, the attachment may be effected via other mechanisms. In this embodiment, all of the housing 43 is made of a non-porous material. Accordingly, air cannot pass through the material of the housing 43 itself. However, the first and second housing parts 43a, 43b, when attached in such a manner, cooperate such that the first and second housing parts 43a, 43b define an air flow path 45 in the shape of a hole 45 between the first and second housing parts 43a, 43b. The air flow path 45 extends through the housing 43 and is for introducing air from outside the housing 43 into the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40.

[0069] In other embodiments, the air flow path 45 may be differently defined, such as by holes formed through parts of the housing 43. In some embodiments, the housing 43 may consist of more or fewer housing parts that define the chamber 44 and / or define the air flow path 45. In embodiments other than those shown in the figures, part or all of the housing 43 may be made of a porous material to allow air to enter the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 from outside the housing 43. That is, the air may be able to pass through the housing 43 material itself without the need for holes through the housing material or gaps between the first and second housing parts 43a, 43b. Thus, the porous material itself provides one or more air flow paths that extend through the housing 43 to allow air to enter the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 from outside the housing 43. In some embodiments, the first portion of the housing 43 may be made of a porous material to allow air to enter the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 from outside the housing 43, and the second portion of the housing 43 may be made of a non-porous material. In some embodiments, the first portion and / or the second portion of the housing 43 may have one or more holes that extend through the housing 43 to allow air to enter the chamber 44 from outside the housing 43.

[0070] In this embodiment, since the entire housing 43 is made of a non-porous material, the aerosol or the volatilized material generated within the housing 43 cannot pass through the material of the housing 43 itself. However, the housing 43 has a plurality of flow paths for the volatilized material that extend therethrough and allow the volatilized material to pass from the chamber 44 out of the housing 43. In this embodiment, the flow paths for the volatilized material include a plurality of openings 46 that extend through the housing. In this embodiment, the openings 46 extend through the second housing portion 43b. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 16, in this embodiment, when the mouthpiece 30 is disposed relative to the first casing portion 10 to cover the opening 14, the sealing portion 37 surrounds the opening 46 outside the housing 43, and the opening 46 is fluidly connected to the flow path 36 via the inlet 34 of the mouthpiece 30. In this embodiment, the openings 46 are at the second longitudinal end 42 of the cartridge 40. The second longitudinal end 42 is closer to the mouthpiece than the first longitudinal end 41 of the cartridge 40 in the assembled appliance 1. In some embodiments, the housing 43 may have only one flow path for the volatilized material that extends therethrough and allows the volatilized material to pass from the chamber 44 out of the housing 43. For example, in some embodiments, only a single opening may be provided instead of the plurality of openings 46.

[0071] In embodiments other than those shown in the figures, some or all of the housing 43 may be made of a porous material to allow an aerosol or a vaporized material to pass from the chamber 44 out of the housing 43. That is, the aerosol or vaporized material may be able to pass through the material of the housing 43 itself without the need to provide one or more openings through the material of the housing. Thus, the porous material itself extends through the housing 43 and provides a path for one or more vaporized material flows to allow the vaporized material to pass from the chamber 44 out of the housing 43. In some embodiments, the first portion of the housing 43 is made of a non-porous material and the second portion of the housing 43 is made of a porous material to allow a vaporized material to pass from the chamber 44 out of the housing 43. The second portion of the housing 43 may include, for example, a plate co-molded with the first portion of the housing 43. In some such embodiments, the first portion and / or the second portion of the housing 43 may have one or more openings 46 that extend through the housing 43 and further allow a vaporized material to pass from the chamber 44 out of the housing 43. In some embodiments, the inlet portion of the housing 43 may be made of a porous material to allow air to enter the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 from outside the housing 43, and the outlet portion of the housing 43 may be made of a porous material to allow a vaporized material to pass from the chamber 44 to the outside of the housing 43. The inlet and outlet may have the same or different porosity or void fraction.

[0072] When used, the porous material of the housing 43 may include, for example, polyethylene or nylon. Different grades of polyethylene provide different levels of porosity. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure to use polyethylene to provide a suitable housing or portion of a housing to allow an aerosol or vaporized material to pass from the chamber 44 to the outside of the housing 43. In some embodiments, a portion of a cartridge such as the housing may include or may be integrated with a flavorant. The flavorant may be arranged to be picked up by the hot aerosol generated in the chamber 44 during use.

[0073] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the heating element 410 includes a sandwich or laminated structure including three layers. These three layers are a first material layer 411, a conductive material layer 412, and a second material layer 413. The conductive material layer 412 is located in contact with the first and second material layers 411, 413 therebetween. The first material layer 411 is a first support layer 411, and the second material layer 413 is a second support layer 413. However, in other embodiments, this sandwich or laminated structure may include more or fewer layers. In some embodiments such as this embodiment, the heating element 410 includes a conductive material layer 412 that is on the first material layer 411 and the surface of the first material layer 411 and defines one or more conductive tracks. In some embodiments, the heating element 410 may not include a sandwich or laminated structure. For example, in some embodiments, one or both of the first and second support layers 411, 413 may be omitted. In some embodiments, one or more additional layers may be provided between the conductive material layer 412 and the first support layer 411 and / or between the conductive material layer 412 and the second support layer 413.

[0074] The conductive material layer 412 is held with respect to the first and second support layers 411 and 413, respectively. This can be done in many different ways. For example, as in this embodiment, the materials of the first and second support layers 411 and 413 may wrap or surround the conductive material layer 412 to hold the conductive material layer 412 with respect to each of the first and second support layers 411 and 413. Alternatively or in addition to this, some or several portions of the materials of the first and second support layers 411 and 413 may be positioned in holes formed through the conductive material layer 412 so as to lock the first and second support layers 411 and 413 to the conductive material layer 412. Alternatively or in addition to this, depending on the materials used, the materials of the first and second support layers 411 and 413 may naturally bond to the material of layer 412 so as to lock the first and second support layers 411 and 413 to the conductive material layer 412. Alternatively or in addition to this, the first and second support layers 411 and 413 may be bonded to the conductive material layer 412 with an adhesive. When using an adhesive, the adhesive may form an additional distinguishable adhesive layer between the conductive material layer 412 and each of the first and second support layers 411 and 413.

[0075] In this embodiment, the material of the first support layer 411 is the same material as the material of the second support layer 413. This can facilitate the manufacture of a sandwich or laminated structure. During manufacture, the conductive material layer 412 may be immersed in the materials of the fluid first and second support layers 411 and 413 to coat part or all of the conductive material layer 412. Then the materials of the first and second support layers 411 and 413 are cured or solidified to harden and hold the obtained first and second support layers 411 and 413 with respect to the conductive material layer 412.

[0076] In this embodiment, the conductive material layer 412 is a layer 412 of stainless steel. However, in other embodiments, the conductive material layer may be a different alloy or metal, etc. The conductive material is one or more of or includes steel, stainless steel, copper, and nickel chrome. In this embodiment, the conductive material is in the form of a foil such that the conductive material layer 412 is a layer of foil. In embodiments where the conductive material layer is other than stainless steel, the conductive material layer 412 may still be a layer of foil 412.

[0077] In this embodiment, the conductive material layer may be etched to provide conductive tracks and be patterned to increase the surface area of the conductive material. For example, patterning may roughen, provide irregularities, make wavy, or delaminate the surface of the conductive material. In other embodiments, the conductive material layer may be printed to be patterned, or patterned by some other method. In yet another embodiment, the conductive material layer may not be patterned. For example, in some embodiments, the conductive material layer 412 may be a simple rectangular strip of the conductive material.

[0078] The conductive material of the heating element 410 can be heated by passing an electric current therethrough. By suitably patterning the conductive material, the surface area of the conductive material can be increased to provide a larger area for heat conduction to the smoking material 420 disposed on the heating element 410. The first and second support layers 411, 413 may be made thin enough not to completely cover the roughened or patterned surface of the conductive material. The smoking material 420 may cover the roughened or patterned surface of the heating element 410 such that, for example, the smoking material 420 has a high volume-to-surface area ratio. In some embodiments, patterning of the conductive material can also serve to set the cross-sectional area and length of the current flow path of the conductive material such that heating of the heating element 410 can be effected by passing a predetermined electric current through the conductive material. Further, by suitably patterning the conductive material, the conductive material can be formed to be maintained in the region of the heating element 410 where heating of the conductive material is concentrated. Accordingly, heating of the smoking material 420 during use can be made uniform by the pattern provided.

[0079] In this embodiment, each of the first and second support layers 411 and 413 is made of a heat-resistant material. In this embodiment, each of the first and second support layers 411 and 413 is an electrical insulator. More specifically, each of these layers is heat-resistant over at least the expected range of temperatures of the heating element 410 that occurs during operation, for example, from 180 to 220 °C. Polyimide is an example of a material that is heat-resistant over at least this temperature range. In this embodiment, each of the first and second support layers 411 and 413 is a layer of polyimide. As described elsewhere in this specification, a controller 50 is provided in some embodiments such that the heating element 410 is reliably heated to a temperature within this range. Therefore, polyimide can withstand the heating of the conductive material during the use of the device. In other embodiments, the material of the first support layer 411 may be other than polyimide, and / or the material of the second support layer 413 may be other than polyimide. In some embodiments, the first and second support layers 411 and 413 are layers of different materials, respectively. However, either or both of the materials used for the first and second support layers 411 and 413, preferably both materials, are heat-resistant over at least the above-described temperature range. In this embodiment, each of the first and second support layers 411 and 413 is a moisture-impermeable layer that prevents moisture present in the smoking material 420 from contacting the conductive material layer 412.

[0080] In this embodiment, the heating element 410 is flat or at least substantially flat. A flat heating element 410 is likely to be easier to manufacture. However, in other embodiments, the heating element 410 may be non-planar. For example, in some embodiments, the heating element 410 may be folded, wrinkled, corrugated, or cross-sectional. A substantially cylindrical heater format is also envisioned. The non-planar heating element 410 can have an outer surface suitable for holding the smoking material 420 thereon. For example, when using a corrugated or similar heating element 410, the smoking material 420 can be easily adhered or joined by the troughs of the outer surface of the heating element 410 formed by its corrugations. Further, the non-planar heating element 410 provides a larger surface area for heat conduction to the smoking material 420. Also, it can support more smoking material 420 with a layer of a given thickness. Smoking materials such as tobacco may in some cases be poorly thermally conductive, and thus it may be desirable to provide the smoking material 420 in a relatively thin layer in order to reduce power consumption or increase the heating rate of the smoking material 420.

[0081] In this embodiment, the smoking material 420 includes tobacco and is arranged in two parts 421 and 422 on the heating element 410 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17. In this embodiment, the smoking material 420 is in a solid state and contains particles of the smoking material. The first and second parts 421 and 422 of the smoking material 420 are adhered to the heating element 410 by an adhesive as will be described in detail herein. More specifically, the first part 421 of the smoking material 420 is adhered to the first support layer 411 such that the first support layer 411 is positioned between the conductive material layer 412 and the first part 421 of the smoking material 420. The second part 422 of the smoking material 420 is adhered to the second support layer 413 such that the second support layer 413 is positioned between the conductive material layer 412 and the second part 422 of the smoking material 420. Accordingly, the first and second parts 421 and 422 of the smoking material 420 are arranged on the respective surfaces of the first and second parts of the heating element 410, that is, the first and second support layers 411 and 413. In this embodiment, each surface is the first and second sides of the heating element 410 respectively. Further, in this embodiment, the first and second sides are the opposing sides of the heating element 410 respectively. In other embodiments, the first and second sides may be non-opposing sides of the heating element 410, such as adjacent sides of the heating element 410.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 17, in this embodiment, the adhesive forms additional distinguishable adhesive layers 310 and 320 between the heating element 410 and the first and second parts 421 and 422 of the smoking material 420 respectively. However, in some embodiments, the smoking material 420 may be dispersed in the adhesive such that the first and second parts 421 and 422 of the smoking material 420 contain the adhesive and no additional distinguishable adhesive layer exists. In some embodiments, the adhesive may be omitted and the smoking material 420 may be adhered to the heating element 410, or may be arranged on the heating element 410 by some other mechanism.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first portion 421 of the smoking material 420 has a shape that is heated faster by the heating element 410 than the second portion 422 of the smoking material 420. More specifically, in this embodiment, for example, the first portion 421 of the smoking material 420 is disposed on the heating element 410 with a first thickness, and the second portion 422 of the smoking material 420 is disposed on the heating element 410 with a second thickness. Accordingly, the first portion 421 of the smoking material 420 has the first thickness, and the second portion 422 of the smoking material 420 has the second thickness. The second thickness is thicker than the first thickness. In the context herein, "thickness" means the depth of the relevant portions 421, 422 of the smoking material 420 measured in the normal direction of the surface of the heating element 410 on which the smoking material 420 is disposed from that surface.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smoking material 420 may be disposed on the first and second portions of the heating element 410 that are the first and second portions on one side of the heating element 410. That is, the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smoking material 420 may be on the same side of the heating element 410.

[0085] For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 18, the smoking material 420 has a first portion 421 of the smoking material 420 on the first side 410a of the heating element 410 having a first thickness, and a second portion of the smoking material 420 on the first side 410a of the heating element 410 having a second thickness. The second thickness is thicker than the first thickness. The same configuration of the smoking material 420 is provided on the second side 410b of the heating element 410 opposite from the first side 410a.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 18, the thickness of the smoking material 420 on the first side 410a of the heating element 410 tapers from the first portion 421 of the smoking material 420 to the second portion 422 of the smoking material 420. In this embodiment, the taper is linear or substantially linear. In other embodiments, the taper may be non-linear, for example, the outer surface of the smoking material 420 may be concave or convex. In yet other embodiments, the smoking material 420 may be arranged with a thickness that increases stepwise from the first portion 421 of the smoking material 420 to the second portion 422 of the smoking material 420 on the first side 410a of the heating element 410. In one such embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the thickness of the smoking material 420 disposed on the first side 410a of the heating element 410 has only one step. This one step is the point where the first portion 421 of the smoking material 420 meets the second portion 422 of the smoking material 420. In another such embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, there are a plurality of steps in the thickness of the smoking material 420 between the first and second portions of the smoking material 420 disposed on the first side 410a of the heating element 410. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smoking material 420 are at the corresponding opposite ends of the smoking material 420. However, in other embodiments, this is not the case.

[0087] In some embodiments, the smoking material 420 may be disposed on only one side of the heating element 410. For example, in each alternative embodiment to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18 - 20, the smoking material 420 on the first side 410a or the second side 410b of the heating element 410 may be omitted.

[0088] By arranging different amounts of the smoking material 420 with different thicknesses on the heating element 410, progressive heating of the smoking material 420 and thus progressive generation of aerosol can be achieved. More specifically, during use, the heating element 410 only needs to perform slight heating to heat the first thin portion 421 of the smoking material 420, thereby starting the vaporization of at least one component of the smoking material 420 in the first portion 421 of the smoking material 420 and the formation of aerosol in the first portion 421 of the smoking material 420. When the heating element becomes hotter, the second thick portion 422 of the smoking material 420 is sufficiently heated, starting the vaporization of at least one component of the smoking material 420 in the second portion 422 of the smoking material 420 and the formation of aerosol in the second portion 422 of the smoking material 420. The aerosol is discharged from the respective outer surfaces of the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smoking material 420. Therefore, the aerosol can be formed relatively quickly for user inhalation, and the heating device 400 is arranged to continue forming aerosol for subsequent user inhalation even after the first thin portion 421 of the smoking material 420 stops generating aerosol. The first portion 421 of the smoking material 420 may stop generating aerosol when it has used up the volatile components of the smoking material 420.

[0089] In other embodiments, in addition to or alternatively to the variations in the thickness of the smoking material 420 in any of the above-described embodiments, the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smoking material 420 may have different average particle sizes. That is, the first portion 421 of the smoking material 420 may include particles of the smoking material 420 having a first average particle size, and the second portion 422 of the smoking material 420 may include particles of the smoking material 420 having a second average particle size. The second average particle size is larger than the first average particle size. Typically, particles of the smoking material 420 having a small average particle size can be heated faster than particles of the smoking material 420 having a large average particle size by a given heat source. Progressive heating of the smoking material 420 and thus progressive generation of aerosol can be achieved substantially as described above by providing different amounts of the smoking material 420 having different average particle sizes.

[0090] In some embodiments, a smoking material 420 with an average particle size of 0.6 - 0.9 mm or 0.7 - 0.8 mm may be provided. However, the average particle size may vary throughout the smoking material. In some embodiments, the smoking material is prepared using mesh separation (or sieving) such that most or substantially all of the smoking material has a particle size within the above range. In some embodiments, a 6 cm² heater area coated with such a granular smoking material 420 provides a consumer-acceptable nominal three-minute sensation. This duration may, of course, be adjusted to a longer or shorter sensation as needed. In some embodiments, the smoking material 420 may be in gel form. The gel may or may not contain particles of the smoking material.

[0091] In each of the above embodiments, the smoking material 420 includes a first portion 421 which has a shape that can be heated faster by the heating element 410 than the second portion 422 of the smoking material 420. In other embodiments, this feature may be omitted.

[0092] The adhesive used to adhere the smoking material 420 to the heating element 410 includes polysaccharides such as cellulose, cellulose derivatives, alginic acid or alginates, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate or calcium alginate. In one embodiment, the adhesive includes a cellulose derivative, preferably hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). In other embodiments, the adhesive used to adhere the smoking material 420 to the heating element 410 includes alginic acid or alginates, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate or calcium alginate. Such polysaccharides exhibit good wettability, which helps to adhere the smoking material 420 to the heating element 410. This is particularly true when the adhesive adheres the smoking material 420 to a hydrophobic surface, a polyimide hydrophobic surface. The adhesive is food-acceptable and desirably is optionally a food-grade material.

[0093] In one embodiment, the distinguishable adhesive layers 310, 320 between the heating element 410 and the smoking material 420 contain polysaccharides. The adhesive layers 310, 320 are disposed on the support layers 411, 413 and substantially completely cover them. The adhesive may at least partially cover the heating element 410. In other embodiments, the adhesive may be disposed directly on the conductive material 12. In any case, the adhesive and the smoking material 420 are coated on the outermost layer of the heating element 410.

[0094] In this embodiment, the distinguishable adhesive layers 310, 320 are disposed on the support layers 411, 413 that themselves surround the conductive material 412. The portions 421, 422 of the smoking material are the layers disposed on top of the adhesive layers 310, 320. In other embodiments, the individual layers of the adhesive and the smoking material 420 are not distinguishable. The layer containing the adhesive and the smoking material may be disposed on the support layers 411, 413. The smoking material 420 may be at least partially or completely dispersed within the adhesive.

[0095] In some embodiments, the cartridge 40 includes a mass of heat insulating material between the heating device 400 and the housing 43. By "mass of heat insulating material" it is meant that the heat insulating material is not gaseous or not simply gaseous.

[0096] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, the cartridge 40 is the same as the cartridge 40 shown in FIG. 15 except that the cartridge of FIG. 21 includes a mass of heat insulating material between the heating device 400 and the housing 43. In this embodiment, the heat insulating material 430 surrounds the heating device 400, fills the space between the heating device 400 and the housing 43, and is in contact with the smoking material 420 of the housing 43 and the heating device 400. In other embodiments, the heat insulating material 430 may surround the heating element 400 without completely surrounding the heating device 400. In some embodiments, the heat insulating material 430 may be in contact with only one of the housing 43 and the heating device 400 and may not fill the space therebetween.

[0097] In the embodiment of FIG. 21, the thermal insulation material 430 includes stuffing cotton. However, in other embodiments, the thermal insulation material 430 may include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of stuffing cotton, fleece, non-woven material, non-woven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, closed-cell foam, polystyrene, closed-cell polystyrene foam, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, and blends of polyester and polypropylene. Other types of thermal insulation materials are also suitable.

[0098] In the cartridge shown in FIG. 21, the thermal insulation material 430 has a density of about 100 grams per square meter (gsm) and a thickness of about 1.2 millimeters per square meter. In other embodiments, one or both of the thickness and density of the thermal insulation material 430 may be different. However, if the density is too high, the thermal insulation material 430 will act as a filter and weaken the aerosol output from the heating device 400. Separately, if the density is too low, the thermal insulation material 430 may not provide sufficient heat insulation. In particular, a suitable density when the thermal insulation material 430 includes stuffing cotton or fleece may be about 60 to about 140 gsm or 80 to 120 gsm. When the thermal insulation material 430 includes materials other than stuffing cotton or fleece, the density of the thermal insulation material 430 may be selected to provide characteristics similar to the thermal characteristics achieved when the thermal insulation material 430 includes stuffing cotton or fleece of the above density. In some embodiments, the mass 430 of the thermal insulation material is heat resistant over at least the predicted range of temperatures of the heating element 410 that occurs during operation, for example, 180 to 220 °C as described above, and does not deteriorate when exposed to such operating temperatures.

[0099] In some embodiments, the cartridge 40 includes a thermal insulation material in the form of a laminate or sandwich structure having multiple layers of materials. In some such embodiments, the outer layer of these material layers forms the housing 43 or a part of the housing 43 of the cartridge 40, and one or more other layers of the sandwich structure form the mass 430 of the thermal insulation material. Thus, in some embodiments, the housing 43 or a part of the housing 43 may be integrally formed with the mass 430 of the thermal insulation material.

[0100] In some embodiments, the heat insulating material helps delay heat loss from the heating device 400 during use. In some embodiments, the heat insulating material helps ensure that the volatilized materials generated within the chamber 44 during use do not condense on the inner surface of the housing 43. In some embodiments, providing a mass of the heat insulating material helps increase the surface area on which the aerosol generated within the cartridge 40 during use forms. In some embodiments, a headspace remains between the mass of the heat insulating material and the housing 43, which further helps increase the surface area on which the aerosol generated within the cartridge 40 during use forms. In some embodiments, such a mass of the heat insulating material helps increase the amount of aerosol generated within the cartridge 40 during use, and thus improves the consumer experience.

[0101] The cartridge 40 shown in FIG. 21 is a variant similar to a variant corresponding to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18 - 20 of the cartridge 40 shown in FIG. 15, and the cartridge 40 may include a mass of heat insulating material between the heating device 400 and the housing 43. Naturally, in each variant of the embodiments of the cartridge 40 described herein, the cartridge 40 may include a mass of heat insulating material between the heating device 400 or the heating element 410 and the housing 43.

[0102] In some embodiments where the heating element 410 or the smoking material 420 is omitted from the cartridge 40, a mass of heat insulating material may be provided in the cartridge 40 between the housing 43 and the smoking material 420 or the heating element 410 respectively. In some such embodiments, the mass of heat insulating material surrounds and / or contacts the smoking material 420 or the heating element 410 respectively. In some such embodiments, the mass of heat insulating material contacts the housing 43 and / or fills the space between the housing 43 and the smoking material 420 or the heating element 410 respectively.

[0103] Generally speaking, the heating device 400 may be manufactured by disposing a conductive material layer 412 between a first material layer 411 and a second material layer 413 to form a heating element 410, and disposing a smoking material 420 on the heating element 410. In an embodiment of this method, the smoking material 420 is disposed on the heating element 410 after disposing the conductive material layer 412 in contact with and between the first and second support layers 411, 413.

[0104] In this embodiment of the method of the present invention, the method of the present invention includes patterning a conductive material to form the conductive material layer 412, such as by etching or printing the conductive material. In some embodiments, the conductive material is disposed on one of the first and second support layers 411, 413, then patterned, and then the other of the first and second support layers 411, 413 is attached to dispose the conductive material layer 412 between the first and second support layers 411, 413. In other embodiments, the conductive material is patterned and then disposed between the first and second support layers 411, 413. In some embodiments, the conductive material may be disposed between the first and second support layers 411, 413 and then patterned. In yet another embodiment, the method of the present invention may not include patterning of the conductive material.

[0105] When manufacturing the heating device, the conductive material layer 412 is stainless steel. However, in other embodiments, the conductive material may be a different alloy or metal as described above.

[0106] In this embodiment of the manufacturing method, each of the first and second material layers 411, 413 is polyimide. However, as described above, in other embodiments, the material of the first support layer 411 may be other than polyimide, and / or the material of the second support layer 413 may be other than polyimide. In some embodiments, the first and second support layers 411, 413 are layers of different materials.

[0107] In an embodiment of this manufacturing method, the smoking material 420 includes tobacco, and the method of the present invention includes adhering the smoking material 420 to the heating element 410. More specifically and as described above, the first portion 421 of the smoking material 420 is adhered to the first support layer 411, and the second portion 422 of the smoking material 420 is adhered to the second support layer 413. As described above, in other embodiments, the smoking material 420 may be arranged on the heating element 410 in a plurality of different ways, such as only on one side of the heating element 410. However, for the sake of brevity, various possible configurations will not be described in detail again here. In this embodiment, the adhesion includes adhering the smoking material 420 to the heating element 410 by an adhesive as described in detail herein. In some other embodiments, the adhesive may be omitted, and the method of the present invention may include adhering the smoking material 420 to the heating element 410 or arranging the smoking material on the heating element 410 by some other mechanism.

[0108] In this embodiment, after placing the conductive material between the support layers 411 and 413, the heating element 410 is annealed at 200 °C and surface-treated using oxygen plasma, preferably by corona treatment. The treated heating element is immersed in an aqueous solution of a polysaccharide (such as an aqueous solution containing hydroxypropylmethylcellulose or alginic acid or a salt thereof) to coat part or all of the support layers 411 and 413. The heating element 410 is then removed from the aqueous solution and immersed in a smoking article to coat part or all of the adhesive. The heating element 410 is then removed from the smoking article and hardened by allowing the adhesive to become hard, or by curing, drying and / or solidifying it. In other embodiments, separate adhesive and smoking article layers are applied by a continuous spraying process or other methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, the adhesive may be applied using spray coating, transfer coating, slot die extrusion, and the smoking article may be applied using spray coating, fluidized bed, electrostatic coating. In these embodiments, the adhesive layers 310 and 320 are disposed on the support layers 411 and 413. The portions 421 and 422 of the smoking article 420 are adhered to the support layers 411 and 413 by the adhesive layers. The portions 421 and 422 of the smoking article 420 are disposed substantially separately from the adhesive layers 310 and 320.

[0109] The solution concentration of the aqueous solution is selected to have a suitable viscosity that is low enough for it to be easily applied to the heating element and high enough for it to be retained on the surface of the heating element before it hardens. The polysaccharide concentration in the aqueous solution may be from about 2% w / w, 4% w / w or 5% w / w solution to about 7% w / w, 8% w / w or 10% w / w solution (preferably a 2 - 10% w / w solution or a 5 - 7% w / w solution).

[0110] In other embodiments, the smoking material 420 and the adhesive may not be separate distinguishable layers. By way of example, the smoking material may first be dispersed in a polysaccharide solution. The heating element 410 may then be immersed in this dispersion, or this dispersion may be sprayed onto the heating element 410 to form a single layer on the surfaces of the support layers 411, 413, and this single layer contains both the adhesive and the smoking material 420.

[0111] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the cartridge 40 includes two conductive terminals 47a, 47b, which are herein referred to as the "seventh conductive terminal" 47a and the "eighth conductive terminal" 47b, respectively. The heating element 410 is electrically connected to the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b, and can be heated by passing an electric current through the heating element 410 via these seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b. The seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b are disposed in corresponding recesses, but can be touched from outside the cartridge 40. In this embodiment, when the cartridge 40 is completely received in the recess 13, the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b are in surface contact with the first and second conductive terminals 17b, 17c, respectively. Accordingly, the heating element 410 can be heated to generate heat by applying power to the first and second conductive terminals 17b, 17c.

[0112] In some embodiments, the cartridge 40 can be completely received in the recess 13 only in one orientation with respect to the first casing part 10. In this embodiment, this is due to the cartridge 40, and more specifically, due to the housing 43 having an asymmetric outer cross-sectional shape corresponding to the asymmetric inner cross-sectional shape of the recess 13. In other embodiments, the cartridge 40 can be received in the recess 13 only in one orientation with respect to the first casing part 10 or can cooperate with the contact surface by providing one or more other mechanisms. For example, in some embodiments, the housing 43 of the cartridge 40 is rotationally symmetric and thus has a symmetric outer cross-sectional shape, and the cartridge 40 may have a wedge that protrudes from the housing 43 and gives the entire cartridge 40 an asymmetric outer cross-sectional shape corresponding to the asymmetric inner cross-sectional shape of the recess 13. Enabling the cartridge 40 to cooperate with the contact surface in one orientation with respect to the first casing part 10 helps ensure that the cartridge 40 is properly and securely assembled with the remaining part of the appliance 1 having the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b that make surface contact with the corresponding first and second conductive terminals 17b, 17c. However, in some embodiments, the cartridge may be completely received in the recess 13 in two or more orientations with respect to the first casing part 10.

[0113] In this embodiment, as described above, the controller 50 is for controlling the supply of power from the power source 24 to the heating element 410 when the contact surface 13 cooperates with the cartridge 40. When the first connector 15 of the appliance 1 is fully engaged with the second connector 25 and the cartridge 40 is fully and correctly received in the recess 13 and fully assembled, the controller 50 is caused to apply a current to the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b, and thus to the heating element 410, by the operation of the actuator 18 by the user. Such operation of the actuator 18 completes the electrical circuit of the controller 50. When the current is thus applied to the heating element 410, the heating element 410 becomes hot and heats the smoking material 420. In this embodiment, the electrical resistance of the heating element 410 changes as the temperature of the heating element 410 rises. The controller 50 monitors the electrical resistance of the heated heating element 410 to ensure that the temperature of the heating element 410 remains within the above-mentioned temperature range of about 180 °C to about 220 °C, and then adjusts the degree of current applied to the heating element 410 based on the monitored electrical resistance as necessary. Within this temperature range, the smoking material 420 is heated sufficiently to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material 420 without burning the smoking material 420. Thus, the controller 50 and the appliance 1 as a whole are configured to heat the smoking material 420 to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material 420 without burning the smoking material 420. In other embodiments, the temperature range may be other temperature ranges.

[0114] As described above, the plate 16 has five holes 16a to 16e therethrough, and the first to third pins 17a, 17b, 17c are provided in the first to third holes 16a, 16b, 16c of these holes. The fourth and fifth holes 16d, 16e of the five holes 16a to 16e remain open and fluidly connect the entrance 60 and the recess 13 defined by the cooperation of the first and second connectors 15, 25. Further, when the cartridge 40 is completely received in the recess 13, an air flow path 45 defined by the cooperation of the first and second housing portions 43a, 43b of the cartridge 40 is fluidly connected to the recess 13. Therefore, in the completely assembled instrument 1 as shown in FIG. 16, through any one of the entrances 60 defined by the cooperation of the first and second connectors 15, 25 from the outside of the instrument 1, then through any one of the fourth and fifth holes 16d, 16e of the plate 16, then through the recess 13, then through the air flow path 45 defined by the cooperation of the first and second housing portions 43a, 43b of the cartridge 40, then through the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40, through any one of the openings 46 extending through the housing 43 of the cartridge 40, and then through the flow path 36 of the mouthpiece 30, an overall flow path extending to the outside of the instrument 1 is defined. The sealing portion 37 of the mouthpiece 30 prevents air from bypassing the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 when moving from the recess 13 to the flow path 36 of the mouthpiece 30.

[0115] The typical operation of the instrument 1 of this embodiment will be described here. The user confirms that the cartridge 40 is in a position movable with respect to the first casing part 10 through the opening 14. The user then pushes the cartridge 40 into the recess 13 through the opening 14, bringing the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b of the cartridge 40 into surface contact with the first and second conductive terminals 17b, 17c, respectively. Then the user moves the mouthpiece 30 with respect to the first casing part 10 to a position where the mouthpiece 30 covers the opening 14, with the outlet 35 of the mouthpiece 30 located outside the instrument 1 and the sealing part 37 contacting and pressing the cartridge 40, surrounding the opening 46. The mouthpiece 30 stays in this position through the engagement of the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 and the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10.

[0116] Before, during or after moving the cartridge 40 and the mouthpiece 30 with respect to the first casing part 10 in this way, the user ensures that the first connector 15 of the first casing part 10 is fully engaged with the second connector 25 of the second casing part 20. When the first and second connectors 15, 25 are fully engaged as described above, the third conductive terminal 17a comes into surface contact with the fourth conductive terminal 283a, and the fifth conductive terminal 15a comes into surface contact with the sixth conductive terminal 25a.

[0117] When the actuator 18 is subsequently activated by activation by the user, the controller 50 operates so that current is applied to the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b and thus to the heating element 410. By applying this current, the heating element 410 is heated as described above, heating the smoking material 420 to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material 420 without burning the smoking material 420. Typically, this volatilization forms an aerosol within the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40. The user sucks in the aerosol by sucking at the outlet 35 of the mouthpiece 30. Thereby, the aerosol is drawn from the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 into the user's mouth through the opening 46 of the cartridge 40 and the flow path 36 of the mouthpiece 30. The drawing in of the aerosol from the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 reduces the pressure within the chamber 44. Due to this pressure reduction, air is drawn in sequentially through the annular gap 62 within the chamber 44, the inlet defined between the first and second connectors 15, 25, the fourth and / or fifth holes 16d, 16e of the plate 16, the recess 13, and the air flow path 45 defined by the cooperation of the first and second housing portions 43a, 43b of the cartridge 40. The user can continue such suction to draw in subsequent amounts of the aerosol.

[0118] When the smoking material 420 is consumed, or when substantially all of the smoking material 420 is consumed, the user may move the mouthpiece 30 to a position where the cartridge 40 is movable relative to the first casing portion 10 via the opening 14. The user may then remove the cartridge 40 from the recess 13 through the opening 14. Subsequently, the user may insert another unconsumed cartridge 40 into the recess 13 and repeat the above steps. The heating element 410 may be soiled by the material that has volatilized during use or the consumed smoking material 420. By disposing the heating element 410 in the cartridge 40 rather than in the first casing portion 10, a new heating element 410 is provided to the user each time a new unconsumed cartridge 40 is used. Therefore, the user does not need to worry about cleaning the heating element 410.

[0119] In some embodiments, the instrument 1 is provided fully assembled. In the fully assembled state, the first connector 15 of the first casing part 10 engages with the second connector 25 of the second casing part 20, and the connector 33 of the mouthpiece engages with the second connector 19 of the first casing part. In some such embodiments, the cartridge 40 is disposed within the recess 13. In other such embodiments, the cartridge 40 is not disposed within the recess 13. In other embodiments, the instrument 1 may be in a kit form in which the first connector 15 of the first casing part 10 is disengaged from the second connector 25 of the second casing part 20 but is engageable, and / or the connector 33 of the mouthpiece is disengaged from the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10 but is engageable. In some such kit-form instruments, the cartridge 40 may be disposed within the recess 13. In other such kit-form instruments, one or more examples of the cartridge 40 may be provided outside the recess 13 although it is part of the instrument.

[0120] In this embodiment, the appliance 1 has only one heating element. In other embodiments, the appliance 1 may have two or more heating elements. In this embodiment, the cartridge 40 is used and then replaced with another cartridge as described above. However, in other embodiments, the cartridge 40 may not be replaceable and the appliance 1 may be disposable. In some embodiments, the appliance 1 may not include the cartridge 40. In some embodiments, the heating element 410 or the heating device 400 may be integral with the first casing portion 10 and may not be removable from the first casing portion 10. In some embodiments, the power source 24 may be integral with the second casing portion 20 and may not be removable from the second casing portion 20. In some embodiments, the first casing portion 10 may be integral with the second casing portion 20, or may be a single part therewith, and may be permanently fixed to the second casing portion 20. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the casing of the appliance 1 may be an integral casing and may not have the first and second connectors 15, 25 described above. In some embodiments, the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the power source 24 may be electrically permanently connected to the controller 50. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 may not be movable relative to the first casing portion 10. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 may be integral with the first casing portion 10 or may be a single member therewith.

[0121] In each of the above-described embodiments, the smoking material 420 is disposed on a support that is the heating element 410. However, in some embodiments, the support may be other than the heating element 410. In some embodiments where the support is other than the heating element 410, the support may have any of the features of the heating element 410 described herein. In some embodiments where the support is other than the heating element 410, the smoking material 420 may have any of the features of the smoking material 420 described herein and may thus be disposed on the support by any of the methods described herein for disposing the smoking material 420 on the heating element 410. In some embodiments where the support is other than the heating element 410, the smoking material 420 and the support may be configured within the device rather than being a heating device.

[0122] To address various problems and for the development of technologies, the present disclosure exemplarily shows various embodiments, in which the claimed invention can be practiced and an apparatus for heating a smoking article to volatilize at least one component of an excellent smoking article can be provided. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative specific examples of the embodiments, neither comprehensive nor exclusive. They are provided merely as an aid to the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. Of course, the advantages, embodiments, specific examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be considered to limit the present disclosure to what is defined in the claims or to the equivalents of the claims, but other embodiments may be utilized and modified without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the present disclosure. The various embodiments may appropriately include, be composed of, or basically be composed of the disclosed components, elements, features, parts, steps, means, and other combinations. The present disclosure also includes other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A cartridge for use in an apparatus for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the cartridge comprising: a housing; a smoking material disposed within the housing; a heating element including a conductive material; a mass of heat insulating material disposed between the smoking material and the housing; and the cartridge.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating material surrounds the smoking material.

3. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat insulating material is in contact with the smoking material.

4. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating material fills a space between the smoking material and the housing.

5. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is heatable by passing an electric current through the heating element.

6. The cartridge according to claim 5, including two conductive terminals that can be touched from outside the cartridge, and the heating element is electrically connected to these conductive terminals.

7. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the smoking material is disposed on the heating element.

8. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the smoking material includes tobacco.

9. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the smoking material is solid.

10. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the smoking material is adhered to the heating element.

11. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the smoking material is adhered to the heating element by an adhesive.

12. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating material is in contact with the housing.

13. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of packing cotton, fleece, non-woven material, non-woven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, closed-cell foam, polystyrene, closed-cell polystyrene foam, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, and a blend of polyester and polypropylene.

14. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating material includes packing cotton or fleece and has a density of about 60 to about 140 gsm.

15. The cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the heat insulating material has a density of about 80 to about 120 gsm.

16. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge has an asymmetric external cross-sectional shape.

17. An apparatus for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the apparatus including an assembly having a joint and the cartridge according to claim 1, the cartridge being for cooperating with the joint of the assembly.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein when the cartridge cooperates with the joint of the assembly, the smoking material is heated to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material without burning the smoking material.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the assembly includes a controller for controlling the supply of power from a power source to the heating element when the cartridge cooperates with the joint of the assembly.

20. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the assembly includes a controller arranged to control the heating of the heating element so as to heat the smoking material and volatilize at least one component of the smoking material without burning the smoking material when the cartridge cooperates with the joint of the assembly.

21. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the cartridge can cooperate with the joint only in one orientation with respect to the assembly.

22. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the assembly includes a recess for accommodating at least a part of the cartridge.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the recess has an internal cross-sectional shape corresponding to an external cross-sectional shape of the cartridge.

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