EP-4192275-B1 - A CARTRIDGE FOR A VAPOUR GENERATING SYSTEM

Inventors

• TAN, Hee Khiem

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20210809

Claims (12)

1. A cartridge (10) for a vapour generating system, the cartridge (10) comprising: an air inlet (56); a vaporization chamber (30); an air outlet (32); an airflow path extending from the air inlet (56) through the vaporization chamber (30) to the air outlet (32); and a mesh (50) disposed across the airflow path between the air inlet (56) and the vaporization chamber (30); wherein at least the surface of the mesh (50) comprises a water-repellent material; characterised in that the cartridge further comprises a cartridge closure assembly (11), which comprises the air inlet (56) and the mesh (50), wherein the cartridge closure assembly (11) comprises: a cartridge cover (52) comprising the air inlet (56); a gasket (54); and a layer of the mesh (50) mounted between the cartridge cover (52) and the gasket (54), the layer of the mesh being operable to obstruct the flow of liquid from the vaporization chamber towards the air inlet.
2. A cartridge (10) according to claim 1, wherein the water-repellent material is a ceramic coating.
3. A cartridge (10) according to claim 2, wherein the ceramic coating comprises silicon dioxide.
4. A cartridge (10) according to claim 1, wherein the water-repellent material is a fluoropolymer coating.
5. A cartridge (10) according to claim 4, wherein the water-repellent material is PTFE.
6. A cartridge (10) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a heater (42) in the vaporization chamber (30), wherein the mesh (50) is disposed such that the temperature of the mesh (50) remains low enough to avoid thermal degradation of the water-repellent material when the heater (42) is in operation.
7. A cartridge (10) according to claim 6, wherein the temperature of the mesh (50) remains below 270°C when the heater (42) is in operation.
8. A cartridge (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the mesh (50) has an average pore size less than 50µm.
9. A cartridge (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the gasket (54) forms a seal around the vaporization chamber (30).
10. A cartridge (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the cartridge cover (52) comprises integrated electrodes (67).
11. A cartridge (10) according to any preceding claim, which is a three-part cartridge comprising: the cartridge closure assembly (11) as a first part; a second part (12) to which the cartridge closure assembly (11) is attached, the second part (12) comprising the vaporization chamber (30); and a third part (13) to which the second part (12) is attached, the third part (13) comprising a reservoir (24) for a vapour generating liquid.
12. A vapour generating system comprising a cartridge (10) according to any preceding claim and a vapour generating device (22) comprising a power source (80); wherein a distal end of the cartridge (10) is releasably connected to the vapour generating device (22); and wherein electrodes (67) couple the power source (80), via a control circuit (82), to a heater (42) in the cartridge (10).

Description

Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to a cartridge for a vapour generating system configured to heat a liquid to generate a vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the system. The present disclosure also relates to a vapour generating system that comprises a vapour generating device and a cartridge configured to be used with the vapour generating device. Background The term vapour generating system (or more commonly electronic cigarette or e-cigarette) refers to handheld electronic apparatus that is intended to simulate the feeling or experience of smoking tobacco in a traditional cigarette. Electronic cigarettes work by heating a vapour generating liquid to generate a vapour that cools and condenses to form an aerosol which is then inhaled by the user. Accordingly, using e-cigarettes is also sometimes referred to as "vaping". The vapour generating liquid may, for example, comprise polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol. The vapour generating liquid may contain nicotine. In general terms, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should, however, be noted that the terms 'aerosol' and 'vapour' may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user. Typical e-cigarette vaporizing units, i.e. systems or sub-systems for vaporizing the vapour generating liquid, utilize a heating element to produce vapour from liquid stored in a capsule, tank or reservoir. When a user operates the e-cigarette, liquid from the reservoir is transported through a liquid transfer element, e.g. a cotton wick or a porous ceramic block, and is heated by the heating element to produce a vapour, which cools and condenses to form an aerosol that can be inhaled. To facilitate the ease of use of e cigarettes, removable cartridges are often employed. These cartridges are often configured as "cartomizers", which means an integrated component comprising a liquid store, a liquid transfer element and a heater. Electrical connectors may also be provided to establish an electrical connection between the heating element and a power source. Such cartridges may be disposable, i.e. not intended to be capable of reuse after the supply of liquid in the reservoir has been exhausted. Alternatively, they may be reusable, being provided with means allowing the reservoir to be refilled with a new supply of vapour generating liquid. Particularly in the case of disposable cartridges, it is desirable to reduce the number and complexity of their components, thereby reducing waste and making the manufacturing process simpler and cheaper. A cartridge for an e-cigarette typically comprises an air inlet at a first end and an air outlet at a second, opposite end. (Considered from the viewpoint of a user of the system, the first end of the cartridge may also be termed the distal end and the second end of the cartridge may also be termed the proximal end or mouth end.) The first end of the cartridge is configured to be releasably connected to the vapour generating device, which may, for example, contain a power source and control electronics. A user inhales through a mouthpiece at the second end of the cartridge to draw air along an airflow path from the air inlet to the air outlet. The airflow path passes through a vaporization chamber, where liquid vaporized by the heating element mixes with the air. The vapour cools as it passes from the vaporization chamber towards the air outlet and at least partly condenses into small droplets that form an aerosol in the stream of inhaled air. Droplets from the aerosol may impact and adhere to the walls of the vaporization chamber or other parts of the airflow path. Some vaporized liquid may also re-condense directly on the cooler walls. As the droplets accumulate on the walls, they may coalesce to form a mobile liquid that can flow under the influence of gravity or the moving air towards the air inlet or air outlet. Further, some liquid in the vaporization chamber may fail to vaporize and instead accumulate in the chamber, from where it can flow in a similar way towards the air inlet or air outlet. It is undesirable that such liquid should be permitted to leak from the air inlet or air outlet to the exterior of the vapour generating system, where it may be unsightly, risk causing stains or otherwise be unacceptable to the user. Additionally or alternatively, the leaked liquid may find its way into the power source or the control electronics of the vapour generating device and cause damage. US2019274359 describes a device for controlling electrical power supply i