Integrated Piercing Assembly for Sealed Shisha Cartridges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional shisha devices using charcoal for heating tobacco produce harmful combustion by-products and lack a convenient and safe method to form openings in cartridges without pre-formed air inlets or outlets, leading to issues like contamination and leakage.

Innovation Solution

A piercing assembly integrated with the shisha device that forms openings in cartridges using retractable piercing elements, allowing users to pierce the cartridge without additional equipment, reducing the risk of injury and leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pre-formed openings are made in cartridges, then airflow is facilitated, but contamination and leakage occur during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow facilitationVSAvoidcontamination prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The piercing elements are pre-installed in the aerosol-generating device, ready to create openings in the cartridge only when needed. This preliminary preparation allows the cartridge to remain sealed during storage, preventing contamination while enabling easy airflow creation during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The function of creating openings is extracted from the cartridge manufacturing process and transferred to the aerosol-generating device. Instead of having openings pre-formed in the cartridge, the device itself performs the piercing action, separating the sealing function (cartridge) from the opening creation function (device).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If additional piercing equipment is provided, then openings can be formed in cartridges, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecartridge piercing capabilityVSAvoidequipment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The piercing function is merged with the existing aerosol-generating device structure. The piercing elements are integrated into the device body or cap, combining the opening creation function with the existing device components rather than requiring separate piercing tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The aerosol-generating device is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates aerosol and also creates openings in the cartridge. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate piercing equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4069008B1Aerosol-generating device with piercing assembly
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP4069008B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4069008B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP4069008B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A piercing system for use in aerosol-generating devices may be used to form one or more openings in a shisha cartridge. The piercing system includes a piercing assembly and stem pipe. The stem pipe may be incorporated as part of an aerosol-generating device. The piercing assembly comprises a body with a through opening. The opening may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem pipe. The piercing assembly comprises a plurality of piercing elements at its upstream end. The piercing elements are configured for piercing a cartridge. The piercing assembly may be operated by placing a cartridge onto the piercing assembly and pressing down on the cartridge.