Symmetric cartridge for aerosol-generating device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge (16) for an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge (16) comprises a storage portion comprising aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge (16) further comprises a heating element (58) for heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge (16) further comprises a first contact (48) and a second contact (50). The first and second contacts (48, 50) are configured to electrically contact the heating element (58). The first and second contacts (48, 50) are arranged point symmetric with respect to a center of the cartridge. The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating system.

Description

[0001] SYMMETRIC CARTRIDGE FOR AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE

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

[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 aerosol-forming substrate. Aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of a cartridge. The cartridge may be received in a cavity, such as a heating chamber, of the aerosol-generating 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.

[0004] It would be desirable to have a cartridge with improved handling. It would be desirable to have a cartridge in which insertion of the cartridge into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device is made more user-friendly.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the invention there may be provided a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge may comprise a storage portion comprising aerosolforming substrate. The cartridge may further comprise a heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may further comprise a first contact and a second contact. The first and second contacts may be configured to electrically contact the heating element. The first and second contacts may be arranged point symmetric with respect to a center of the cartridge.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a cartridge for an aerosol-generating device. The cartridge comprises a storage portion comprising aerosolforming substrate. The cartridge further comprises a heating element for heating the aerosolforming substrate. The cartridge further comprises a first contact and a second contact. The first and second contacts are configured to electrically contact the heating element. The first and second contacts are arranged point symmetric with respect to a center of the cartridge.

[0007] Providing the contact point symmetric with respect to the center of the cartridge facilitates that the cartridge can be inserted into a cavity of the aerosol-generating device in any orientation. In other words, the cartridge can be one or both of rotated 180° around a longitudinal central axis of the cartridge and rotated 180° around a lateral central axis of the cartridge. In all of these orientations, the cartridge can be received in the cavity of the aerosolgenerating device in that the contacts of the cartridge can properly contact corresponding contacts of the aerosol-generating device for enabling power supply of electrical energy from the power supply of the aerosol-generating device to the heating element of the cartridge. In other words, independent of the orientation of the cartridge, the contacts of the cartridge will be in the same position after insertion of the cartridge into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. Hence, the point symmetric arrangement of the contacts improves the user-friendliness of the handling of the cartridge as a user does not have to be concerned with the specific orientation of the cartridge into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. Rather, the user can insert the cartridge into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device in any desired orientation. In any of these orientations, the cartridge will probably work, namely by establishing a proper electrical connection between the cartridge and aerosol generating device.

[0008] The contacts may lie on a line through the center of the cartridge. Each contact may have the same distance from the center.

[0009] The contacts may be arranged mirror symmetric with respect to a width plane lying in a width direction of the cartridge and through which the longitudinal central axis of the cartridge runs. The contacts may be arranged mirror symmetric with respect to a thickness plane lying in a thickness direction of the cartridge and through which the longitudinal central axis of the cartridge runs.

[0010] The cartridge may have a length. The length may be measured along the longitudinal central axis of the cartridge. The length may be made from a proximal end of the cartridge to a distal end of the cartridge.

[0011] The cartridge may have a width. The width of the cartridge may be measured perpendicular to the length of the cartridge.

[0012] The cartridge may have a thickness. The thickness of the cartridge may be measured perpendicular to the length of the cartridge and perpendicular to the width of the cartridge.

[0013] The width of the cartridge may be larger than the thickness of the cartridge.

[0014] The center of the cartridge may refer to a center point of the longitudinal central axis of the cartridge. The center point of the longitudinal central axis may have the same distance from the proximal end as well as from the distal end of the cartridge.

[0015] The center of the cartridge may be a geometric center of the cartridge.

[0016] The first contact may be arranged at a first side of a sidewall of the cartridge and the second contact may be arranged at an opposite second side of the sidewall of the cartridge.

[0017] The first and second sides of the sidewall of the cartridge may be arranged opposite each other in a width direction of the cartridge. Alternatively, the first and second sides of the sidewall of the cartridge may be arranged opposite each other in a thickness direction of the cartridge. The first contact may be equally distanced from a proximal end of the cartridge and from a distal end of the cartridge. This arrangement of the contacts is particularly preferred particularly due to the ease of manufacturing the contacts in this way.

[0018] This may facilitate that a 180° rotation of the cartridge around the lateral central axis of the cartridge leads to the first contact being in the same spot as before. This in turn may lead to the cartridge being invariant to such a rotation with respect to the functionality of the cartridge when inserting the cartridge into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. In other words, electrical contact can be established between the cartridge and aerosol-generating device independent of a 180° rotation of the cartridge around the lateral central axis of the cartridge in this embodiment.

[0019] The second contact may be equally distanced from the proximal end of the cartridge and from the distal end of the cartridge.

[0020] This may facilitate that a 180° rotation of the cartridge around the lateral central axis of the cartridge leads to the second contact being in the same spot as before. This in turn may lead to the cartridge being invariant to such a rotation with respect to the functionality of the cartridge when inserting the cartridge into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. In other words, electrical contact can be established between the cartridge and aerosol-generating device independent of a 180° rotation of the cartridge around the lateral central axis of the cartridge in this embodiment. The same holds true for a 180° rotation around the longitudinal central axis of the cartridge.

[0021] The first contact may be closer to the proximal end of the cartridge than to the distal end of the cartridge.

[0022] The second contact may be closer to the distal end of the cartridge than to the proximal end of the cartridge.

[0023] Preferably, the first contact is distanced by a first distance from the proximal end of the cartridge and by a second distance from the distal end of the cartridge. The first distance is smaller than the second distance. The second contact is preferably distanced from the proximal end of the cartridge by the second distance and by the first distance from the distal end of the cartridge. In such a configuration, the cartridge is invariant to a 180° rotation of the cartridge around the lateral central axis of the cartridge in case the cavity of the aerosolgenerating device is provided with four contacts which will be described in more detail below with respect to the aerosol-generating device. The same invariance holds true for a 180° rotation around the longitudinal central axis of the cartridge.

[0024] The center of the cartridge may be a center point of the longitudinal central axis of the cartridge. The center point of the longitudinal central axis may have the same distance from the proximal end of the cartridge and from the distal end of the cartridge. The heating element may be point symmetric with respect to the center of the cartridge.

[0025] The heating element may lie in the width plane lying in the width direction of the cartridge and through which the longitudinal central axis of the cartridge runs.

[0026] The heating element may comprise heating tracks. The heating tracks may be arranged in a wound, coiled, zigzag or spiral pattern.

[0027] The cartridge may further comprise a proximal recess and a distal recess. The proximal and distal recesses may be arranged point symmetric with respect to the center of the cartridge.

[0028] In other words, the proximal recess may be shaped identical to the distal recess.

[0029] The cartridge may thus be invariant to a 180° rotation with respect to the lateral central axis.

[0030] One or both of the proximal recess may comprise proximal air openings and the distal recess may comprise distal air openings.

[0031] The distal air openings may be configured as an air inlet. The distal air openings may comprise one or more apertures to allow airflow into the cartridge. The proximal air openings may be configured as an air outlet. The distal air openings may comprise one or more apertures to allow outflow of air or aerosol out of the cartridge.

[0032] Due to the symmetric arrangement of the proximal air openings and the distal air openings, the distal air openings may alternatively be configured as the air outlet and the proximal air openings may be configured as the air inlet. Particularly preferred, the distal air openings are configured as both the air inlet and the air outlet and the proximal air openings are configured as both the air inlet and the air outlet. In other words, air may flow through the cartridge in both directions and the specific airflow may only depend upon the insertion orientation of the cartridge into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0033] One or both of the proximal air openings and the distal air openings may be arranged in an outer wall of the cartridge. One or both of the proximal air openings and the distal air openings may fluidly connect the inside of the cartridge with the outside of the cartridge.

[0034] The cartridge may comprise a cartridge housing which may be point symmetric with respect to the center of the cartridge.

[0035] All elements of the cartridge may be point symmetric with respect to the center of the cartridge.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The cartridge may comprise a substrate storage portion. The substrate storage portion may be fluidly connected with the cartridge outlet.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The electrical contacts of the cartridge may electrically contact 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 aerosol-generating device, preferably of a 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 aerosolgenerating 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.

[0040] 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 a wound, coiled, zigzag or spiral pattern.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating device that may comprise a cavity for receiving the cartridge as described herein. The device may further comprise a third contact and a fourth contact. The third contact may be arranged at a first side of a side wall of the cavity and the fourth contact may be arranged at a second opposite side of the sidewall of the cavity. The device may further comprise a power supply electrically connected with the third contact and the fourth contact. The power supply may be configured to supply electrical energy to the heating element of the cartridge, when the cartridge may be received in the cavity. The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating device, comprising a cavity for receiving the cartridge as described herein. The device further comprises a third contact and a fourth contact. The third contact is arranged at a first side of a side wall of the cavity and the fourth contact is arranged at a second opposite side of the sidewall of the cavity. The device further comprises a power supply electrically connected with the third contact and the fourth contact. The power supply is configured to supply electrical energy to the heating element of the cartridge, when the cartridge may be received in the cavity.

[0043] Providing the aerosol-generating device with the third and fourth contacts at opposite sides of the sidewall of the cavity enables a contacting of the contacts of the aerosol-generating device with the contacts of the cartridge independent of the insertion orientation of the cartridge into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0044] One or both of the third contact and the fourth contact may comprise spring-biased connectors, preferably with rounded terminations.

[0045] One or both of the third contact and the fourth contact may be mounted at the sidewall of the cavity or embedded within the sidewall of the cavity.

[0046] One or both of the third contact and the fourth contact may be arranged at opposite first and second sides of the sidewall of the cavity in a width direction of the cavity. The width direction of the cavity may be identical to the width direction of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity. Alternatively, one or both of the third contact and the fourth contact may be arranged at opposite first and second sides of the sidewall of the cavity in a thickness direction of the cavity. The thickness direction of the cavity may be identical to the thickness direction of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity.

[0047] The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a fifth contact and a sixth contact. The fifth contact may be arranged at the first side of a side wall of the cavity and the fourth contact may be arranged at the second opposite side of the sidewall of the cavity.

[0048] Providing a fifth and sixth contact may be beneficial if the first and second contacts of the cartridge are arranged with the first distance towards the proximal end of the cartridge and the second distance towards the distal end of the cartridge as described herein, respectively. This embodiment, the third contact may be arranged with the second distance towards the base of the cavity and the fifth contact of the aerosol-generating device may be arranged with the first distance towards the base of the cavity, the fourth contact may be arranged with the second distance towards the base of the cavity and the sixth contact of the aerosol-generating device may be arranged with the first distance towards the base of the cavity. In this embodiment, when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device, the first contact of the cartridge will contact the third contact of the aerosol-generating device and the second contact of the cartridge will contact the sixth contact of the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, if the cartridge is rotated by 180° around the lateral central axis of the cartridge, the first contact of the cartridge will contact the fifth contact of the aerosol-generating device and the second contact of the cartridge will contact the fourth contact of the aerosolgenerating device. Alternatively, if the cartridge is rotated by 180° around the longitudinal central axis of the cartridge, the first contact of the cartridge will contact the fourth contact of the aerosol-generating device and the second contact of the cartridge will contact the fifth contact of the aerosol-generating device. In other words, the third to sixth contacts of the aerosol-generating device are provided such that the cartridge is invariant to one or both a 180° rotation around the longitudinal central axis of the cartridge and a 180° rotation around the longitudinal central axis of the cartridge before insertion of the cartridge into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0049] The third contact may be arranged proximal of the fifth contact and the fourth contact may be arranged proximal of the sixth contact.

[0050] The third contact may be arranged at the same side of the sidewall of the cavity as the fifth contact. The fourth contact may be arranged on the same opposite side of the sidewall of the cavity as the sixth contact.

[0051] A distance between the third contact and a proximal end of the aerosol-generating device may be the same as a distance between the fourth contact and the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device.

[0052] A distance between the fifth contact and a proximal end of the aerosol-generating device may be the same as a distance between the sixth contact and the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device.

[0053] The third contact and the fifth contact may be directly electrically connected with each other.

[0054] The fourth contact and the sixth contact may be directly electrically connected with each other.

[0055] The aerosol-generating device may comprise the main body and a mouthpiece.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The cavity of the aerosol-generating device 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. 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.

[0059] 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. In other words, 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the cartridge as described herein and the aerosol-generating device as described herein.

[0062] 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. The cartridge inlet may be formed by one or both of the proximal air openings and the distal air openings.

[0063] The cartridge may comprise a cartridge outlet and the mouthpiece may comprise a mouthpiece inlet. The cartridge outlet may be fluidly connected with the mouthpiece inlet. The cartridge outlet may be formed by one or both of the proximal air openings and the distal air openings.

[0064] 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 the 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 the 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] The cartridge may be configured as a replaceable cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a substrate storage for holding the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0067] The aerosol-forming substrate may be as described in one of WO2022154863, WO2022154869 and WO2021262266, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] Example 1. A cartridge for an aerosol-generating device, wherein the cartridge comprises: a storage portion comprising aerosol-forming substrate, a heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate, and a first contact and a second contact, wherein the first and second contacts are configured to electrically contact the heating element, and wherein the first and second contacts are arranged point symmetric with respect to a center of the cartridge.

[0090] Example 2. The cartridge according to example 1 , wherein the first contact is arranged at a first side of a sidewall of the cartridge and the second contact is arranged at an opposite second side of the sidewall of the cartridge.

[0091] Example 3. The cartridge according to example 2, wherein the first contact is equally distanced from a proximal end of the cartridge and from a distal end of the cartridge.

[0092] Example 4. The cartridge according to example 2 or 3, wherein the second contact is equally distanced from the proximal end of the cartridge and from the distal end of the cartridge.

[0093] Example 5. The cartridge according to example 2, wherein the first contact is closer to the proximal end of the cartridge than to the distal end of the cartridge.

[0094] Example 6. The cartridge according to example 2 or 5, wherein the second contact is closer to the distal end of the cartridge than to the proximal end of the cartridge.

[0095] Example 7. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the center of the cartridge is a center point of a longitudinal central axis of the cartridge, wherein the center point of the longitudinal central axis has the same distance from the proximal end of the cartridge and from the distal end of the cartridge.

[0096] Example 8. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the heating element is point symmetric with respect to the center of the cartridge.

[0097] Example 9. The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the cartridge further comprises a proximal recess and a distal recess, and wherein the proximal and distal recesses are arranged point symmetric with respect to the center of the cartridge. Example 10. The cartridge according to example 9, wherein one or both of the proximal recess comprises proximal air openings and the distal recess comprises distal air openings.

[0098] Example 11 . The cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge housing which is point symmetric with respect to the center of the cartridge.

[0099] Example 12. An aerosol-generating device, comprising: a cavity for receiving the cartridge according to any of the preceding examples, a third contact and a fourth contact, wherein the third contact is arranged at a first side of a side wall of the cavity and the fourth contact is arranged at a second opposite side of the sidewall of the cavity, a power supply electrically connected with the third contact and the fourth contact, wherein the power supply is configured to supply electrical energy to the heating element of the cartridge, when the cartridge is received in the cavity.

[0100] Example 13. The aerosol-generating device of example 12, wherein one or both of the third contact and the fourth contact comprise spring-biased connectors, preferably with rounded terminations.

[0101] Example 14. The aerosol-generating device of example 12 or 13, wherein one or both of the third contact and the fourth contact are mounted at the sidewall of the cavity or embedded within the sidewall of the cavity.

[0102] Example 15. The aerosol-generating device of any of examples 12 to 14, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a fifth contact and a sixth contact, wherein the fifth contact is arranged at the first side of a side wall of the cavity and the fourth contact is arranged at the second opposite side of the sidewall of the cavity.

[0103] Example 16. The aerosol-generating device of example 15, wherein the third contact is arranged proximal of the fifth contact and the fourth contact is arranged proximal of the sixth contact.

[0104] Example 17. The aerosol-generating device of example 15 or 16, wherein a distance between the third contact and a proximal end of the aerosol-generating device is the same as a distance between the fourth contact and the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device.

[0105] Example 18. The aerosol-generating device of any of examples 15 to 17, wherein a distance between the fifth contact and a proximal end of the aerosol-generating device is the same as a distance between the sixth contact and the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device.

[0106] Example 19. The aerosol-generating device of any of examples 15 to 18, wherein the third contact and the fifth contact are directly electrically connected with each other. Example 20. The aerosol-generating device of any of examples 15 to 19, wherein the fourth contact and the sixth contact are directly electrically connected with each other.

[0107] Example 21 . An aerosol-generating system comprising the cartridge according to any of examples 1 to 11 and the aerosol-generating device according to any of examples 12 to 20.

[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 side view of the cartridge to be inserted into the aerosol-generating device, wherein the cartridge comprises optimized contacts;

[0113] Fig. 4 shows the heating element of the cartridge;

[0114] Fig. 5 shows the insertion of the cartridge into a cavity of the aerosol-generating device;

[0115] Fig. 6 shows an alternative arrangement of the contacts of the cartridge;

[0116] Fig. 7 shows the heating element and the contacting of the heating element with the contacts is shown in Figure 6;

[0117] Fig. 8 shows the insertion of the cartridge of Figures 6 and 7 into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device, wherein the cavity has four contacts; and

[0118] Figs. 9A-D show the invariant of the cartridge concerning multiple rotations.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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 in Figure 1) of the cartridge 16.

[0121] 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. 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] The cartridge 16 comprises aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate is arranged in a substrate storage (not shown) of the cartridge 16.

[0126] 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.

[0127] The cartridge 16 further comprises a heating element (in Figure 2) for heating the aerosol-forming substrate of the cartridge 16 so that the aerosol-forming substrate can be vaporized.

[0128] The vaporized aerosol-forming substrate is entrained in the airflow flowing through the cartridge 16.

[0129] 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.

[0130] Figure 3 shows a cartridge 16 according to the present invention. At a proximal end of the cartridge 16, proximal air openings 40 are provided while at a distal end 42 of the cartridge 16, distal air openings (not shown in Figure 3) are provided. The air openings enable airflow into the cartridge 16 and out of the cartridge 16. Due to the invariance of the cartridge 16 with respect to one or both of a 180° rotation around a lateral central axis 44 of the cartridge 16 and a 180° rotation around a longitudinal central axis 46 of the cartridge 16, the proximal air openings 40 may also function as the distal air openings 64 and the distal air openings 64 may also function as the proximal air openings 40 depending upon the insertion orientation of the cartridge 16 into the cavity 22 of the aerosol-generating device. Figure 3 further shows a first electrical contact 48 and a second electrical contact 50 of the cartridge 16. The first electrical contact 48 is arranged at a first side 52 of a side wall of the cartridge 16 and the second electrical contact 50 is arranged at a opposite second side 54 of the sidewall of the cartridge 16. The first side 52 and the second side 54 are arranged opposite each other with respect to a width direction of the cartridge 16. The width direction is measured along the lateral central axis 44. A proximal distance between the first electrical contact 48 and the proximal end 38 of the cartridge 16 is equal to a distal distance between the first electrical contact 48 and the distal end 42 of the cartridge 16. In other words, the first electrical contact 48 is arranged centrally at the first side 52 of the sidewall of the cartridge 16. Similarly, the second contact is arranged centrally at the second side 54 of the sidewall of the cartridge 16. At the same time, both the first contact as well as the second contact are arranged centrally around the lateral central axis 44 of the cartridge 16. This leads to an invariance of the cartridge 16 with respect to one or both of a 180° rotation around the lateral central axis 44 of the cartridge 16 and a 180° rotation around the longitudinal central axis 46 of the cartridge 16.

[0131] The first electrical contact 48 of the cartridge 16 as well as the second electrical contact 50 of the cartridge 16 is arranged point symmetric with respect to a center 56 of the cartridge 16. The center 56 of the cartridge 16 is the geometric center 56 of the cartridge 16.

[0132] Figure 4 shows the heating element 58 of the cartridge 16. The first electrical contact 48 of the cartridge 16 is electrically connected with the heating element 58. The second electrical contact 50 of the cartridge 16 is electrically connected with the heating element 58. The heating element 58 comprises heating tracks. The heating element 58 is arranged point symmetric with respect to the center 56 of the cartridge 16. The first electrical contact 48 of the cartridge 16 may be electrically connected with the heating element 58 via a first connection portion 60. The second electrical contact 50 of the cartridge 16 may be electrically contacted with the heating element 58 via a second connection portion 62.

[0133] Figure 4 further shows the distal air openings 64 enabling airflow into the cartridge 16 or out of the cartridge 16 depending upon the orientation of the cartridge 16 when inserting the cartridge 16 into the cavity 22 of the aerosol-generating device.

[0134] Figure 5 shows the insertion of the cartridge 16 of Figure 4 into the cavity 22 of the aerosol-generating device. Further, Figure 5 shows the respective electrical contacts of the aerosol-generating device. More specifically, the aerosol-generating device comprises a third electrical contact 66 at a first side 68 of a sidewall 74 of the cavity 22 and a fourth electrical contact 70 at an opposite second side 72 of the sidewall 74 of the cavity 22.

[0135] Figure 5 further shows a first electrical connection 76 between the third electrical contact 66 and the power supply 18 of the aerosol-generating device and a second electrical connection 78 between the fourth electrical contact 70 and the power supply 18 of the aerosolgenerating device.

[0136] As shown in Figure 5, the first electrical contact 48 of the cartridge 16 comes into contact with the third electrical contact 66 of the aerosol-generating device and the second electrical contact 50 of the cartridge 16 comes into contact with the fourth electrical contact 70 of the aerosol-generating device independent from the orientation of the insertion of the cartridge 16 into the cavity 22 of the aerosol-generating device. More generally, one of the first and second electrical contact 50 of the cartridge 16 comes into contact with the third or fourth electrical contact 70 of the aerosol-generating device and the other of the first and second electrical contact 50 of the cartridge 16 comes into contact with the other of the third and fourth electrical contact 70 of the aerosol-generating device when the cartridge 16 is inserted into the cavity 22 of the aerosol-generating device independent of the orientation of the insertion of the cartridge 16 into the cavity 22.

[0137] Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the arrangement of the first electrical contact 48 and the second electrical contact 50 of the cartridge 16. In more detail, the first electrical contact 48 is offset in a proximal direction and the second electrical contact 50 is offset with respect to a distal direction of the cartridge 16. In other words, a first distance 80 is provided between the first electrical contact 48 and the proximal end 38 of the cartridge 16 and a second distance 82 is provided between the first electrical contact 48 and the distal end 42 of the cartridge 16. The first distance 80 is larger than the second distance 82. Contrary, the first distance 80 is provided between the second electrical contact 50 and the distal end 42 of the cartridge 16 and the second distance 82 is provided between the second electrical contact 50 at the proximal end 38 of the cartridge 16. Of course, this arrangement is only illustrative. Alternatively, the first electrical contact 48 may be arranged closer to the proximal end 38 of the cartridge 16 and the second electrical contact 50 may be arranged closer to the distal end 42 of the cartridge 16, respectively.

[0138] Figure 7 shows the electrical connection between the heating element 58 and the first electrical contact 48 and the second electrical contact 50 of the cartridge 16 in the embodiment of the electrical contacts from Figure 6.

[0139] Figure 8 shows the configuration of the aerosol-generating device configured to work with the cartridge 16 of Figures 6 and 7. In this case, the aerosol-generating device is provided with two additional contacts, namely a fifth electrical contact 84 and a sixth electrical contact 86. The third and the fifth electrical contact 66, 84 are arranged on the first side 68 of the sidewall 74 of the cavity 22. The fourth and the sixth electrical contact 70, 86 are arranged on the second side of the sidewall 74 of the cavity 22. Due to the provisioning of four contacts in the cavity 22 of the aerosol-generating device, the cartridge 16 can be inserted into the cavity 22 of the aerosol-generating device in any orientation. The third electrical contact 66 and the fifth electrical contact 84 or both connected with the first electrical connection 76 to enable the supply of electrical energy from the power supply 18 to any of these contacts. Similarly, the fourth electrical contact 70 and the sixth electrical contact 86 are both electrically connected to the power supply 18 of the aerosol-generating device. Both the third electrical contact 66 and the fourth electrical contact 70 are arranged, from the base 24 of the cavity 22, by the first distance 80. Consequently, the fifth electrical contact 84 and the sixth electrical contact 86 arranged, from the base 24 of the cavity 22, by the second distance 82.

[0140] Figure 9 shows the invariance of the cartridge 16 when the cartridge 16 is rotated. In more detail, Figure 9A shows a first orientation of the cartridge 16. From Figure 9A to Figure 9B, the cartridge 16 is rotated by 180° around the lateral central axis 44 of the cartridge 16. From Figure 9B to Figure 9C, the cartridge 16 is rotated around the longitudinal central axis 46 of the cavity 22 and by 180° again. Finally, Figure 9D shows a rotation of 180° both around the lateral central axis 44 of the cartridge 16 and around the longitudinal central axis 46 of the cartridge 16. In all of these orientations the cartridge 16 can be inserted into the cavity 22 of the heating chamber as shown in Figure 8 and a proper contact between the electrical contacts of the cartridge 16 with the electrical contacts of the aerosol-generating device can be established such that electrical energy can be transferred from the power supply 18 of the aerosol-forming device to the heating element 58 of the cartridge 16.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cartridge for an aerosol-generating device, wherein the cartridge comprises: a storage portion comprising aerosol-forming substrate, a heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate, and a first contact and a second contact, wherein the first and second contacts are configured to electrically contact the heating element, and wherein the first and second contacts are arranged point symmetric with respect to a center of the cartridge, wherein the center of the cartridge is a center point of a longitudinal central axis of the cartridge, wherein the center point of the longitudinal central axis has the same distance from the proximal end of the cartridge and from the distal end of the cartridge.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the first contact is arranged at a first side of a sidewall of the cartridge and the second contact is arranged at an opposite second side of the sidewall of the cartridge.

3. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the first contact is equally distanced from a proximal end of the cartridge and from a distal end of the cartridge.

4. The cartridge according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second contact is equally distanced from the proximal end of the cartridge and from the distal end of the cartridge.

5. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the first contact is closer to the proximal end of the cartridge than to the distal end of the cartridge.

6. The cartridge according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the second contact is closer to the distal end of the cartridge than to the proximal end of the cartridge.

7. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge further comprises a proximal recess and a distal recess, and wherein the proximal and distal recesses are arranged point symmetric with respect to the center of the cartridge.

8. The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein one or both of the proximal recess comprises proximal air openings and the distal recess comprises distal air openings.

9. An aerosol-generating device, comprising: a cavity for receiving the cartridge according to any of the preceding claims,a third contact and a fourth contact, wherein the third contact is arranged at a first side of a side wall of the cavity and the fourth contact is arranged at a second opposite side of the sidewall of the cavity, a power supply electrically connected with the third contact and the fourth contact, wherein the power supply is configured to supply electrical energy to the heating element of the cartridge, when the cartridge is received in the cavity.

10. The aerosol-generating device of claim 9, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a fifth contact and a sixth contact, wherein the fifth contact is arranged at the first side of a side wall of the cavity and the sixth contact is arranged at the second opposite side of the sidewall of the cavity.

11. The aerosol-generating device of claim 10, wherein the third contact is arranged proximal of the fifth contact and the fourth contact is arranged proximal of the sixth contact.

12. The aerosol-generating device of claim 10 or 11 , wherein a distance between the third contact and a proximal end of the aerosol-generating device is the same as a distance between the fourth contact and the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device.

13. The aerosol-generating device of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein a distance between the fifth contact and a proximal end of the aerosol-generating device is the same as a distance between the sixth contact and the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device.

14. An aerosol-generating system comprising the cartridge according to any of claims 1 to 8 and the aerosol-generating device according to any of claims 9 to 13.

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