Cartridge with spacing

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol-generating system (10) comprising a cartridge (16) and an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge (16) comprises aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge (16) comprises a cartridge outlet (30) for releasing the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device comprises a main body (12) comprising a cavity (22) for receiving the cartridge (16). The aerosol-generating device further comprises a mouthpiece (14). The aerosol-generating device further comprises a cavity (22) for receiving the cartridge (16). The cavity (22) is arranged between the main body (12) and the mouthpiece (14). The mouthpiece (14) comprises a mouthpiece inlet fluidly connected with the cartridge outlet (30), when the cartridge (16) is received in the cavity (22). When the cartridge (16) is received in the cavity (22), a proximal distance (46) is provided between the cartridge outlet (30) and the mouthpiece inlet. The invention further relates to a cartridge (16) for an aerosol-generating system (10).

Description

[0001] CARTRIDGE WITH SPACING

[0002] The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating system. The invention further relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating system.

[0003] It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such devices may heat aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosolforming substrate. Aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of a cartridge. The cartridge together with the aerosol-generating device may form an aerosol-generating system. The cartridge may be received in a cavity, such as a heating chamber, of the aerosolgenerating device. A heating element may be arranged in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosol-forming substrate once the cartridge is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a mouthpiece for closing the cavity once the cartridge has been inserted into the cavity. During operation, aerosol may condensate downstream of the cartridge. The condensed aerosol may travel between components of the aerosol-generating device by capillary action. This may result in unwanted contamination or leakage.

[0004] It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device with reduced contamination by aerosol-forming substrate. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating system with reduced leakage of aerosol-forming substrate.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the invention there may be provided an aerosolgenerating system comprising a cartridge and an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge may comprise aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may comprise a cartridge outlet for releasing the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a main body comprising a cavity for receiving the cartridge. The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a mouthpiece. The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a cavity for receiving the cartridge. The cavity may be arranged between the main body and the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may comprise a mouthpiece inlet fluidly connected with the cartridge outlet, when the cartridge may be received in the cavity. When the cartridge may be received in the cavity, a proximal distance may be provided between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising a cartridge and an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge comprises aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge comprises a cartridge outlet for releasing the aerosolforming substrate. The aerosol-generating device comprises a main body comprising a cavity for receiving the cartridge. The aerosol-generating device further comprises a mouthpiece. The aerosol-generating device further comprises a cavity for receiving the cartridge. The cavity is arranged between the main body and the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece comprises a mouthpiece inlet fluidly connected with the cartridge outlet, when the cartridge is received in the cavity. When the cartridge is received in the cavity, a proximal distance is provided between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet.

[0007] Providing the proximal distance between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet beneficially reduces or prevents a capillary action one or both of between the cartridge and the mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating device and between the cartridge and the main body of the aerosol-generating device. The reason for this is that the proximal distance is larger than a distance promoting capillary action between these components. Typically, capillary action is a problem between components manufactured within typical manufacturing tolerances. These distances may be, for example, smaller than 1 millimeter thereby enabling capillary transport of liquids between components being distanced in this way. The reason why this may be problematic in an aerosol-generating system comprising a cartridge that is inserted in between the main body and the mouthpiece is that the aerosol-forming substrate of the cartridge is heated by heating element of the aerosol-generating device. The heated aerosol-forming substrate is thus vaporized and exits the cartridge. This hot vaporized aerosol-forming substrate cools down after exiting the cartridge and forms an aerosol. This aerosol may condense downstream of the cartridge in an undesired way. This condensed aerosol may then be in liquid form again and transported, as mentioned above, by capillary action between components of the aerosol-generating system. This may ultimately lead to contamination of the aerosol-generating system, for example such that the liquid leakage may clog and pollute the device which may lead to an unpleasant smell and difficulty of insertion of a fresh cartridge due to solid deposition. Another issue may be leakage of condensed aerosol-forming substrate. All of this may be prevented or reduced by providing the proximal distance as described herein. The provisioning of the proximal distance may further reduce or prevent liquid phase from being drawn into the device or cartridge connections.

[0008] The cartridge may be configured as a replaceable cartridge. In other words, the cartridge may be provided as external to the aerosol-generating device so that the cartridge can be received by the aerosol-generating device, more particularly by the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. After the cartridge is spent, the spent cartridge can be removed from the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and a fresh cartridge can be inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The cartridge outlet for releasing the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more apertures. The apertures may be arranged in an outer wall of the cartridge. The cartridge outlet may fluidly connect the inside of the cartridge with the outside of the cartridge.

[0009] The cartridge may comprise a substrate storage portion. The substrate storage portion may be fluidly connected with the cartridge outlet.

[0010] The main body of the aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply, preferably a battery, for powering a heating element of the aerosol-generating system.

[0011] The main body of the aerosol-generating device may comprise electric circuitry, preferably comprising a controller, for controlling the supply of electrical energy from the power supply to the heating element.

[0012] The heating element may be arranged in the cartridge. The heating element may be arranged in the cartridge in order to heat the aerosol-forming substrate also arranged in the cartridge.

[0013] The cartridge may comprise electrical contacts electrically contacting the heating element. The electrical contacts may be arranged on the housing of the cartridge. When the cartridge is received in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device, the electrical contacts of the cartridge may electrically contact corresponding electrical contacts of the aerosolgenerating device, preferably of the main body of the aerosol-generating device. The electrical contacts of the aerosol-generating device may be electrically contacted with the power supply of the aerosol-generating device. In this way, when the cartridge is received in the cavity, the power supply of the aerosol-generating device can power the heating element of the cartridge.

[0014] The heating element may be configured as a resistive heating element. The heating element may comprise heating tracks. The heating tracks may be arranged in the wound, coiled, zigzag or spiral pattern. The heating tracks may extend in a plane parallel to or along a longitudinal central axis of the cartridge.

[0015] Alternatively, the heating element may be configured as an inductive heating element. In case of being an inductive heating element, the heating element may comprise an induction coil. Potentially, the heating element may further comprise a susceptor element which may be heated by eddy currents induced by an alternating current running through the induction coil. The susceptor element in this case may be arranged inside of the induction coil. The susceptor element may be provided in the cartridge while the induction coil may be provided in the aerosol-generating device, particularly the main body of the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, both the susceptor element as well as the induction coil may be provided in the cartridge. The cavity may be arranged at a proximal end of the main body. The cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the cavity may have a rectangular or oval cross-section.

[0016] The main body may comprise an air inlet. The air inlet may be fluidly connected with the base of the cavity. When a user draws on the mouthpiece, ambient air may be drawn into an airflow channel of the aerosol-generating device through the air inlet. From the airflow channel running through the main body, the air may be drawn into the cavity at one or more apertures at the base of the cavity. This section of the cavity may be referred to as the main body outlet. When the cartridge is received in the cavity, the air may then be drawn into the cartridge through a cartridge inlet. The cartridge inlet may be arranged at a distal end of the cartridge. The air may then be drawn through the cartridge, particularly through the substrate storage of the cartridge and subsequently out of the cartridge through the cartridge outlet. The air then enters the mouthpiece, particularly through a mouthpiece inlet. The airflow channel may continue through the mouthpiece towards a mouthpiece outlet. The user may put his or her lips at the mouthpiece outlet to inhale the generated aerosol.

[0017] The mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating device may be arranged such that the mouthpiece may close the cavity. Closing the cavity may be performed after insertion of the cartridge into the cavity. One or more of the main body, the cartridge and the mouthpiece may be dimensioned such that the cartridge is held hermetically sealed between the main body and the mouthpiece so that air does not escape the cartridge. The cartridge may be sandwiched between the main body of the aerosol-generating device and the closed mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating device after insertion of the cartridge into the cavity.

[0018] The mouthpiece may be connected to the main body. The mouthpiece may be hingedly connected to the main body. The mouthpiece may be opened in order to allow insertion of the cartridge into the cavity. The mouthpiece may be closed to lock the cartridge in place.

[0019] The cartridge may comprise a proximal spacer arranged at a proximal end of the cartridge and configured to provide the proximal distance between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet.

[0020] The proximal spacer may be laterally distanced from the cartridge outlet.

[0021] The proximal spacer may be arranged around the cartridge outlet.

[0022] The proximal spacer may have an annular shape. The proximal spacer may have an oval shape. The proximal spacer may comprise an oval or annular opening which may be arranged surrounding the cartridge outlet.

[0023] The proximal spacer may be made from a material having a low capillarity.

[0024] The proximal spacer may be configured attachable to a proximal end of the cartridge. The proximal spacer may have an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the cartridge without the proximal spacer. The proximal spacer may be pushed over the proximal end of the cartridge. The proximal spacer may have a recess matching an outer shape of the proximal end of the cartridge such that the proximal spacer can be pushed over the cartridge. In this case, the cartridge, preferably the proximal end of the cartridge, is arranged within the recess of the proximal spacer. An inner diameter of the proximal spacer may correspond to or be slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the cartridge. The proximal spacer may be flexible in order to allow insertion of the cartridge into the proximal spacer or pushing the proximal spacer over the cartridge.

[0025] As an alternative of providing the proximal spacer separate from the cartridge but attachable to the cartridge, the proximal spacer may be configured integrally formed with the cartridge.

[0026] The cartridge may comprise a cartridge inlet and the main body may comprise a main body outlet. The cartridge inlet may be fluidly connected with the main body outlet. When the cartridge may be received in the cavity, a distal distance may be provided between the cartridge inlet and the main body outlet.

[0027] The cartridge may comprise a distal spacer arranged at a distal end of the cartridge and configured to provide the distal distance between the cartridge inlet and the main body outlet.

[0028] The distal spacer may be formed as described herein with respect to the proximal spacer with the difference that the distal spacer may be arranged at the distal end of the cartridge.

[0029] Providing the distal spacer together with the proximal spacer may improve the reduction or the prevention of capillary flow of liquid between one or both the cartridge and the main body and the cartridge and the mouthpiece.

[0030] The distal spacer may be arranged around the cartridge inlet.

[0031] The distal spacer may have an annular shape.

[0032] The distal spacer may be made from a material having a low capillarity.

[0033] The distal spacer may be configured attachable to a distal end of the cartridge.

[0034] The distal spacer may be configured integrally formed with the cartridge.

[0035] The mouthpiece may comprise a mouthpiece recess. The mouthpiece recess may be arranged around the mouthpiece inlet. The mouthpiece recess may be configured to provide the proximal distance between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet.

[0036] The mouthpiece recess may be provided as an alternative to the proximal spacer of the cartridge. However, it should be appreciated that the mouthpiece recess may also be provided in addition to the proximal space of the cartridge. The mouthpiece recess may have an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the cartridge. Hence, when the mouthpiece is closed, the cartridge may not protrude into the mouthpiece recess. Instead, the cartridge may contact the mouthpiece laterally from the mouthpiece recess so as to be arranged abutting the mouthpiece recess but not protrude into the mouthpiece recess. In this way, the proximal distance between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet may be created by means of the depth of the mouthpiece recess. Further, a sidewall of the mouthpiece recess may be laterally distanced from the cartridge outlet in order to reduce or prevent condensation of aerosol on the sidewall of the mouthpiece recess.

[0037] The main body may comprise a main body recess. The main body recess may be arranged around the main body outlet. The main body recess may be configured to provide the distal distance between the cartridge inlet and the main body outlet.

[0038] The main body recess may have a similar or identical shape as the mouthpiece recess with the difference of being arranged at the main body, particularly the proximal end of the main body surrounding the main body outlet.

[0039] The proximal distance may be at least 1 mm, preferably at least 1.3 mm, more preferably at least 1.6 mm, most preferably at least 2 mm.

[0040] This distance may reduce or prevent condensation of aerosol on components of the aerosol-generating system near the cartridge outlet. Additionally or alternatively, this distance may reduce or prevent capillary flow between one or both of the cartridge and the main body and the cartridge and the mouthpiece.

[0041] The proximal distance may be configured to reduce or prevent capillary transport of condensed aerosol-forming substrate between the cartridge and one or both of the main body and the mouthpiece.

[0042] The distal distance may be at least 1 mm, preferably at least 1.3 mm, more preferably at least 1.6 mm, most preferably at least 2 mm.

[0043] The distal distance may be configured to reduce or prevent capillary transport of condensed aerosol-forming substrate between the cartridge and one or both of the main body and the mouthpiece.

[0044] The mouthpiece may be configured to be arranged covering the cavity to enclose the cartridge, when the cartridge may be received in the cavity.

[0045] The main body may comprise a radial recess arranged in a sidewall of the cavity. When the cartridge may be received in the cavity, a radial distance may be provided between the cartridge and the radial recess.

[0046] The radial recess may be arranged around the inside of the cavity. The radial recess may radially distance the sidewall of the cavity from the sidewall of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the cavity. Similar to the provisioning of one or both of the proximal distance and the distal distance, the provisioning of the radial distance may reduce or prevent capillary transport of condensed aerosol-forming substrate between the cartridge and one or both of the air main body and the mouthpiece.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally of providing the main body with the radial recess, the cartridge may be provided with a radial recess. In this case, the sidewall of the cartridge may be arranged with a surrounding radial recess. This radial recess may be arranged fully surrounding the periphery of the cartridge.

[0048] The radial distance may be at least 1 mm, preferably at least 1.3 mm, more preferably at least 1.6 mm, most preferably at least 2 mm.

[0049] The radial distance may be configured to reduce or prevent capillary transport of condensed aerosol-forming substrate between the cartridge and one or both of the main body and the mouthpiece.

[0050] The invention further relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating system. The cartridge may comprise aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may comprise a cartridge outlet through which the aerosol-forming substrate can exit the cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a proximal spacer arranged at a proximal end of the cartridge.

[0051] The invention further relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating system. The cartridge comprises aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge comprises a cartridge outlet through which the aerosol-forming substrate can exit the cartridge. The cartridge comprises a proximal spacer arranged at a proximal end of the cartridge.

[0052] The cartridge may be configured as described in one of WO2022154863, WO2022154869 and WO2021262266, which are incorporated herein by reference. Specifically, cartridge dimensions and internal volumes as described in one of WO2022154863, WO2022154869 and WO2021262266, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0053] The cartridge may be configured as a replaceable cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a substrate storage for holding the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0054] The aerosol-forming substrate may be as described in one of WO2022154863, WO2022154869 and WO2021262266, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco, preferably consist of tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain an aerosol former, preferably glycerin.

[0056] Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may be liquid or gel-like. Also in this case, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more of tobacco, nicotine and an aerosol former, preferably glycerin. The aerosol-forming substrate may be held in a matrix. The matrix may be arranged within the substrate storage. The matrix may comprise, preferably consists of, a capillary material.

[0057] As used herein, the terms ‘proximal’, ‘distal’, ‘downstream’ and ‘upstream’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosolgenerating device in relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating device during use thereof.

[0058] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a mouth end through which in use an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating device and is delivered to a user. The mouth end may also be referred to as the proximal end. In use, a user draws on the proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating device in order to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosolgenerating device. The mouth end may be part of the mouthpiece. The aerosol-generating device comprises a distal end opposed to the proximal or mouth end. The proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the downstream end and the distal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal, downstream or mouth end and the distal or upstream end of the aerosolgenerating device.

[0059] As used herein, an ‘aerosol-generating device’ relates to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of a cartridge. An aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of a cartridge to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs thorough the user's mouth. An aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, electric circuitry, a power supply and a heating chamber.

[0060] As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term ‘smoking’ with reference to a device, article, system, substrate, or otherwise does not refer to conventional smoking in which an aerosol-forming substrate is fully or at least partially combusted. The aerosol-generating device of the present invention is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature below a combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate, but at or above a temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0061] The aerosol-generating device may comprise electric circuitry. The electric circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of a controller. The electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components. The electric circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heating element. The heating element may be part of the cartridge. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current. The electric circuitry may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

[0062] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium- Iron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

[0063] The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may have an open end into which the cartridge is inserted. The open end may be a proximal end. The cavity may have a closed end opposite the open end. The closed end may be the base of the cavity. The closed end may be closed except for the provision of air apertures arranged in the base. The base of the cavity may be flat. The base of the cavity may be circular. The base of the cavity may be arranged upstream of the cavity. The open end may be arranged downstream of the cavity. The cavity may have an elongate extension. The cavity may have a longitudinal central axis. A longitudinal direction may be the direction extending between the open and closed ends along the longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.

[0064] The cavity may be configured as a heating chamber. The cavity may have a cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received in the cavity. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. The cavity may have an elliptical or rectangular crosssection. The cavity may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article. An airflow channel may run through the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn into the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity and towards the user through the airflow channel. Downstream of the cavity, the mouthpiece may be arranged. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece.

[0065] In any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titanium- zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, gold- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetai® and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required.

[0066] As described, in any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may be part of a cartridge. The cartridge may comprise an internal heating element or an external heating element, or both internal and external heating elements, where "internal" and "external" refer to the aerosol-forming substrate. An internal heating element may take any suitable form. For example, an internal heating element may take the form of a heating blade. Alternatively, the internal heater may take the form of a casing or substrate having different electro-conductive portions, or an electrically resistive metallic tube. Alternatively, the internal heating element may be one or more heating needles or rods that run through the center of the aerosol-forming substrate. Other alternatives include a heating wire or filament, for example a Ni-Cr (Nickel-Chromium), platinum, tungsten or alloy wire or a heating plate. Optionally, the internal heating element may be deposited in or on a rigid carrier material. In one such embodiment, the electrically resistive heating element may be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track on a suitable insulating material, such as ceramic material, and then sandwiched in another insulating material, such as a glass. Heaters formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the heating elements during operation. An external heating element, which is particularly preferred, may take any suitable form. For example, an external heating element may take the form of one or more flexible heating foils or tracks on a dielectric substrate, such as polyimide. The flexible heating foils or tracks can be shaped to conform to the perimeter of the substrate receiving cavity. Alternatively, an external heating element may take the form of a metallic grid or grids, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded interconnect device (MID), ceramic heater, flexible carbon fibre heater or may be formed using a coating technique, such as plasma vapour deposition, on a suitable shaped substrate. An external heating element may also be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitable insulating materials. An external heating element formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the external heating element during operation.

[0067] As an alternative to an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element may be configured as an induction heating element. The induction heating element may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor. In general, a susceptor is a material that is capable of generating heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. When located in an alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor is conductive, then typically eddy currents are induced by the alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor is magnetic, then typically another effect that contributes to the heating is commonly referred to hysteresis losses. Hysteresis losses occur mainly due to the movement of the magnetic domain blocks within the susceptor, because the magnetic orientation of these will align with the magnetic induction field, which alternates. Another effect contributing to the hysteresis loss is when the magnetic domains will grow or shrink within the susceptor. Commonly all these changes in the susceptor that happen on a nano-scale or below are referred to as “hysteresis losses”, because they produce heat in the susceptor. Hence, if the susceptor is both magnetic and electrically conductive, both hysteresis losses and the generation of eddy currents will contribute to the heating of the susceptor. If the susceptor is magnetic, but not conductive, then hysteresis losses will be the only means by which the susceptor will heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. According to the invention, the susceptor may be electrically conductive or magnetic or both electrically conductive and magnetic. An alternating magnetic field generated by one or several induction coils heat the susceptor, which then transfers the heat to the aerosol-forming substrate, such that an aerosol is formed. The heat transfer may be mainly by conduction of heat. Such a transfer of heat is best, if the susceptor is in close thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0068] As used herein, the term ‘cartridge’ refers to an element comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, a cartridge may be a smoking cartridge that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs through the user's mouth. A cartridge may be disposable.

[0069] As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or smoking article.

[0070] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosolforming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aerosol former that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol.

[0071] The aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises homogenised tobacco material, an aerosol-former and water. Providing homogenised tobacco material may improve aerosol generation, the nicotine content and the flavour profile of the aerosol generated during heating of the aerosol-generating article. Specifically, the process of making homogenised tobacco involves grinding tobacco leaf, which more effectively enables the release of nicotine and flavours upon heating.

[0072] Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0073] Example 1. An aerosol-generating system comprising: a cartridge comprising aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge outlet for releasing the aerosol-forming substrate, and an aerosol-generating device, comprising: a main body comprising a cavity for receiving the cartridge, a mouthpiece, and a cavity for receiving the cartridge, wherein the cavity is arranged between the main body and the mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a mouthpiece inlet fluidly connected with the cartridge outlet, when the cartridge is received in the cavity, wherein, when the cartridge is received in the cavity, a proximal distance is provided between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet.

[0074] Example 2. The aerosol-generating system according to example 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises a proximal spacer arranged at a proximal end of the cartridge and configured to provide the proximal distance between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet.

[0075] Example 3. The aerosol-generating system according to example 2, wherein the proximal spacer is arranged around the cartridge outlet.

[0076] Example 4. The aerosol-generating system according to example 2 or 3, wherein the proximal spacer has an annular shape.

[0077] Example 5. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples 2 to 4, wherein the proximal spacer is made from a material having a low capillarity.

[0078] Example 6. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples 2 to 5, wherein the proximal spacer is configured attachable to a proximal end of the cartridge.

[0079] Example 7. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples 2 to 5, wherein the proximal spacer is configured integrally formed with the cartridge.

[0080] Example 8. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge inlet and the main body comprises a main body outlet, wherein the cartridge inlet is fluidly connected with the main body outlet, and wherein, when the cartridge is received in the cavity, a distal distance is provided between the cartridge inlet and the main body outlet.

[0081] Example 9. The aerosol-generating system according to example 8, wherein the cartridge comprises a distal spacer arranged at a distal end of the cartridge and configured to provide the distal distance between the cartridge inlet and the main body outlet.

[0082] Example 10. The aerosol-generating system according to example 9, wherein the distal spacer is arranged around the cartridge inlet.

[0083] Example 11. The aerosol-generating system according to example 9 or 10, wherein the distal spacer has an annular shape.

[0084] Example 12. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples 9 to 11 , wherein the distal spacer is made from a material having a low capillarity.

[0085] Example 13. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples 9 to 12, wherein the distal spacer is configured attachable to a distal end of the cartridge.

[0086] Example 14. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples 9 to 12, wherein the distal spacer is configured integrally formed with the cartridge.

[0087] Example 15. The aerosol-generating system according to example 1 , wherein the mouthpiece comprises a mouthpiece recess, wherein the mouthpiece recess is arranged around the mouthpiece inlet, and wherein the mouthpiece recess is configured to provide the proximal distance between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet.

[0088] Example 16. The aerosol-generating system according to example 8, wherein the main body comprises a main body recess, wherein the main body recess is arranged around the main body outlet, and wherein the main body recess is configured to provide the distal distance between the cartridge inlet and the main body outlet.

[0089] Example 17. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the proximal distance is at least 1 mm, preferably at least 1.3 mm, more preferably at least 1.6 mm, most preferably at least 2 mm.

[0090] Example 18. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the proximal distance is configured to reduce or prevent capillary transport of condensed aerosol-forming substrate between the cartridge and one or both of the main body and the mouthpiece.

[0091] Example 19. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples 8 to 18, wherein the distal distance is at least 1 mm, preferably at least 1.3 mm, more preferably at least 1 .6 mm, most preferably at least 2 mm.

[0092] Example 20. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples 8 to 19, wherein the distal distance is configured to reduce or prevent capillary transport of condensed aerosol-forming substrate between the cartridge and one or both of the main body and the mouthpiece.

[0093] Example 21. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the mouthpiece is configured to be arranged covering the cavity to enclose the cartridge, when the cartridge is received in the cavity.

[0094] Example 22. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the main body comprises a radial recess arranged in a sidewall of the cavity, and wherein, when the cartridge is received in the cavity, a radial distance is provided between the cartridge and the radial recess.

[0095] Example 23. The aerosol-generating system according to example 22, wherein the radial distance is at least 1 mm, preferably at least 1.3 mm, more preferably at least 1.6 mm, most preferably at least 2 mm.

[0096] Example 24. The aerosol-generating system according to example 22 or 23, wherein the radial distance is configured to reduce or prevent capillary transport of condensed aerosolforming substrate between the cartridge and one or both of the main body and the mouthpiece.

[0097] Example 25. A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system, wherein the cartridge comprises aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge outlet through which the aerosol-forming substrate can exit the cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises a proximal spacer arranged at a proximal end of the cartridge.

[0098] Example 26. The cartridge according to example 25, wherein the proximal spacer is arranged around the cartridge outlet. Example 27. The cartridge according to example 25 or 26, wherein the proximal spacer has an annular shape.

[0099] Example 28. The cartridge according to any of examples 25 to 27, wherein the proximal spacer is made from a material having a low capillarity.

[0100] Example 29. The cartridge according to any of examples 25 to 28, wherein the proximal spacer is configured attachable to a proximal end of the cartridge.

[0101] Example 30. The cartridge according to any of examples 25 to 28, wherein the proximal spacer is configured integrally formed with the cartridge.

[0102] Example 31. The cartridge according to any of examples 25 to 30, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge inlet through which air can enter the cartridge, wherein the cartridge further comprises a distal spacer arranged at a distal end of the cartridge.

[0103] Example 32. The cartridge according to example 31, wherein the distal spacer is arranged around the cartridge inlet.

[0104] Example 33. The cartridge according to example 31 or 32, wherein the distal spacer has an annular shape.

[0105] Example 34. The cartridge according to any of examples 31 to 33, wherein the distal spacer is made from a material having a low capillarity.

[0106] Example 35. The cartridge according to any of examples 31 to 34, wherein the distal spacer is configured attachable to a distal end of the cartridge.

[0107] Example 36. The cartridge according to any of examples 31 to 34, wherein the distal spacer is configured integrally formed with the cartridge.

[0108] Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

[0109] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0110] Fig. 1 shows a sectional side view of an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and a removable cartridge;

[0111] Fig. 2 shows a proximal section of the aerosol-generating device with a closed mouthpiece;

[0112] Fig. 3 shows a formation of liquid droplets at a proximal end of the cartridge;

[0113] Fig. 4 shows an unmodified cartridge;

[0114] Fig. 5 shows a cartridge having a proximal spacer and having a distal spacer;

[0115] Fig. 6 shows the cartridge received between a main body and a mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating device; and Fig. 7 shows an alternative to the proximal and distal spacers in the provisioning of a mouthpiece recess and a main body recess;

[0116] Figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating system 10 comprising the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol generating device comprises a main body 12 and the mouthpiece 14. The aerosol-generating system 10 further comprises a cartridge 16.

[0117] The main body 12 of the aerosol-generating device comprises a power supply 18 in the form of a battery and a controller 20 for controlling the supply of electrical energy from the power supply 18 to the cartridge 16. More specifically, the power supplied from the power supply 18 to the heating element (not shown) of the cartridge 16.

[0118] The cartridge 16 can be inserted into a cavity 22 of the main body 12 of the aerosolgenerating device. The cavity 22 is arranged at a proximal end of the main body 12.

[0119] The mouthpiece 14 is hingedly connected with the main body 12. When the cartridge 16 is inserted into the cavity 22 of the main body 12, the mouthpiece 14 may be closed so that the cartridge 16 is sandwiched between the main body 12 and the mouthpiece 14.

[0120] The closed configuration of the mouthpiece 14 is shown in Figure 2. The cartridge 16 is received in the cavity 22 of the main body 12. Further, the mouthpiece 14 closes of the proximal end of the cartridge 16.

[0121] At a base 24 of the cavity 22, a main body outlet 26 is arranged. The main body outlet 26 allows airflow into the cavity 22. The main body outlet 26 is fluidly connected with an airflow channel (not shown) of the main body 12 which, in turn, is fluidly connected with an air inlet (not shown) of the main body 12 allowing ambient air to be drawn into the main body 12 and into the cavity 22.

[0122] The main body outlet 26 is fluidly connected with a cartridge inlet 28. Hence, ambient air can be drawn into the cartridge 16 via the cartridge inlet 28. The cartridge inlet 28 is arranged at a distal end of the cartridge 16.

[0123] The cartridge 16 comprises aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate is arranged in a substrate storage (not shown) of the cartridge 16.

[0124] After traveling through the cartridge 16, the vaporized aerosol-forming substrate entrained in the airflow exits the cartridge 16 via a cartridge outlet 30. The cartridge outlet 30 is arranged at a proximal end of the cartridge 16.

[0125] The cartridge 16 further comprises a heating element (not shown) for heating the aerosol-forming substrate of the cartridge 16 so that the aerosol-forming substrate can be vaporized. The cartridge 16 may comprise electrical contacts at the proximal end for establishing an electrical contact with the power supply 18 of the main body 12 when the cartridge 16 is received in the cavity 22. The vaporized aerosol-forming substrate is entrained in the airflow flowing through the cartridge 16.

[0126] Downstream of the cartridge outlet 30, the air 32 enters a mouthpiece outlet 26 and travels through the mouthpiece 14. At a proximal end 36 of the mouthpiece 14, the aerosol exits the mouthpiece 14 for inhalation by a user.

[0127] Figure 3 shows a problem with a device as shown in Figures 1 to 3. Particularly, at the cartridge outlet 30, aerosol can condensate so that liquid droplets 42 of condensate of aerosolforming substrate accumulate near the cartridge outlet 30. Due to manufacturing tolerances, small gaps 44 may be present between the cartridge 16 and one or both of the mouthpiece 14 and the main body 12. The liquid droplets 42 of condensed aerosol-forming substrate can travel into the small gaps 44 via capillary action. This may lead to unwanted contamination of the aerosol-generating system 10. Further, this may lead to unwanted leakage of liquid droplets 42 of aerosol-forming substrate.

[0128] In order to solve this issue, the present application provides improvements to a cartridge 16 as shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 shows the cartridge 16 body without any modifications.

[0129] Figure 5 shows a modification of the cartridge 16 in that a proximal spacer 38 is provided. In addition, an optional distal spacer 40 is provided. The proximal spacer 38 creates a proximal distance 46 between the cartridge outlet 30 and the mouthpiece 14 and other elements of the main body 12 and the mouthpiece 14. This proximal distance 46 prevents or reduces condensation of aerosol. Additionally, and crucially, due to the proximal distance 46, no capillary action takes place of potential condensed aerosol-forming substrate and therefore no transport of condensed aerosol due to capillary action. In other words, no contamination of the aerosol-generating system 10 occurs and no leakage of liquid aerosol forming substrate occurs due to the absence of capillary action acting upon potential condensed aerosol-forming substrate droplets.

[0130] The same is true for the distal spacer 40. In addition or alternatively, the distal spacer 40 provides a secure holding action of the cartridge 16 in the cavity 22.

[0131] Figure 6 shows the cartridge 16 from Figure 5 received in the cavity 22. The proximal distance 46 is provided between the cartridge outlet 30 and the mouthpiece 14. Similarly, a distal distance 48 is provided between the cartridge inlet 28 and the base 24 of the cavity 22. The mouthpiece 14 may comprise a shoulder 62 or stopper to abut lateral ends of the proximal spacer 38 in order to limit the insertion of the cartridge 16 into the mouthpiece 14.

[0132] Figure 6 further shows a coupling terminal 50 enabling transfer of electrical energy between the power supply 18 of the main body 12 and the heating element of the cartridge 16. The coupling terminal 50 is arranged at the base 24 of the cavity 22. The coupling terminal 50 comprises electrical contacts.

[0133] Figure 7 shows an alternative to the provisioning of the proximal spacer 38 and the provisioning of the distal spacer 40. In this embodiment, a mouthpiece recess 54 is provided to generate the proximal distance 46 between the cartridge outlet 30 and the mouthpiece outlet 26. The mouthpiece recess 54 is arranged in the mouthpiece 14 to distance the mouthpiece 14 from a proximal end 56 of the cartridge 16. This mouthpiece recess 54 also prevents transport of condensed aerosol-forming substrate by means of capillary action between the cartridge 16 and one or both of the main body 12 and the mouthpiece 14. Similarly, Figure 7 shows the optional provisioning of a main body recess 58 creating the distal distance 48 between a distal end 60 of the cartridge 16 and the main body 12.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol-generating system comprising: a cartridge comprising aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge outlet for releasing the aerosol-forming substrate, and an aerosol-generating device, comprising: a main body comprising a cavity for receiving the cartridge, a mouthpiece, and a cavity for receiving the cartridge, wherein the cavity is arranged between the main body and the mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a mouthpiece inlet fluidly connected with the cartridge outlet, when the cartridge is received in the cavity, wherein, when the cartridge is received in the cavity, a proximal distance is provided between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet, wherein the proximal distance is at least 1 mm.

2. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises a proximal spacer arranged at a proximal end of the cartridge and configured to provide the proximal distance between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet.

3. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 2, wherein the proximal spacer is arranged around the cartridge outlet.

4. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the proximal spacer has an annular shape.

5. The aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the proximal spacer is configured attachable to a proximal end of the cartridge.

6. The aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the proximal spacer is configured integrally formed with the cartridge.

7. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge inlet and the main body comprises a main body outlet, wherein the cartridge inlet is fluidly connected with the main body outlet, and wherein, when the cartridge is received in the cavity, a distal distance is provided between the cartridge inlet and the main body outlet.

8. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge comprises a distal spacer arranged at a distal end of the cartridge and configured to provide the distal distance between the cartridge inlet and the main body outlet.

9. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 8, wherein the distal spacer is arranged around the cartridge inlet.

10. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece comprises a mouthpiece recess, wherein the mouthpiece recess is arranged around the mouthpiece inlet, and wherein the mouthpiece recess is configured to provide the proximal distance between the cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece inlet.

11. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 7, wherein the main body comprises a main body recess, wherein the main body recess is arranged around the main body outlet, and wherein the main body recess is configured to provide the distal distance between the cartridge inlet and the main body outlet.

12. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the proximal distance is at least 1.3 mm, preferably at least 1.6 mm, most preferably at least 2 mm.

13. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the proximal distance is configured to reduce or prevent capillary transport of condensed aerosol-forming substrate between the cartridge and one or both of the main body and the mouthpiece.

14. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises a radial recess arranged in a sidewall of the cavity, and wherein, when the cartridge is received in the cavity, a radial distance is provided between the cartridge and the radial recess.

15. A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system, wherein the cartridge comprises aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge outlet through which the aerosol-forming substrate can exit the cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises a proximal spacer arranged at a proximal end of the cartridge, wherein the proximal spacer is configured to provide a proximal distance between the cartridge outlet and a mouthpiece inlet of a mouthpiece of an aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system when thecartridge is received in a cavity of the aerosol-generating device, wherein the proximal distance is at least 1 mm.

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