Patent Application
20230000143
This disclosure relates to piercing systems for piercing cartridges used in aerosol-generating devices. More particularly, this disclosure relates to piercing assemblies for use in shisha devices.
Traditional shisha devices are used to smoke tobacco and are configured such that vapor and smoke pass through a water basin before inhalation by a consumer. Shisha devices may include one outlet, or more than one outlet so that the device may be used by more than one consumer at a time. Use of shisha devices is considered by some to be a leisure activity and a social experience.
Typically, traditional shishas are used in combination with a substrate, sometimes referred to in the art as hookah tobacco, tobacco molasses, or simply as molasses. Traditional shisha substrates are relatively high in sugar (in some cases, up to ˜50% vs. the ˜20% typically found in conventional tobacco substrates, such as in combustible cigarettes). The tobacco used in shisha devices may be mixed with other ingredients to, for example, increase the volume of the vapor and smoke produced, to alter flavor, or both.
Traditional shisha devices employ charcoal, such as charcoal pellets to heat and sometimes combust the tobacco substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. Using charcoal to heat the tobacco may cause full or partial combustion of the tobacco or other ingredients. Additionally, charcoal may generate harmful or potentially harmful products, such as carbon monoxide, which may mix with the shisha vapor and pass through the water basin to the outlet.
One way to reduce the production of carbon monoxide and combustion by-products is to employ e-liquids rather than tobacco. Shisha devices that employ e-liquids eliminate combustion by-products but deprive shisha consumers of the traditional tobacco-based experience.
Other shisha devices have been proposed that employ electric heaters to heat, but not combust, tobacco. Such electrically heated heat-not-burn shisha devices heat the tobacco substrate to a temperature sufficient to produce an aerosol from the substrate without combusting the substrate, and therefore reduce or eliminate by-products associated with combustion of tobacco.
Shisha devices may employ a cartridge for housing an aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may be filled with such aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco, preferably shisha substrate, such as molasses—a mixture of tobacco, water, sugar, and other components, such as glycerine, flavors, etc. The heating system of the electrically heated shisha device heats the contents of the cartridge to generate aerosol, which is conveyed through an airflow path to a user.
In order to facilitate airflow through the cartridge and the flow of the aerosol from the cartridge, a shisha cartridge may have one or more holes through one or more walls. The cartridge may include one or more holes at the top, one or more holes at the bottom, or both one or more holes at the top and one or more holes at the bottom. Alternatively, the top may be open, that is, the top wall may be partially or completely absent.
Prior art cartridges typically have one or more openings on at least one of the walls of the cartridge, such as in one or both of the top and bottom walls. At least some of the holes or openings in the top and bottom walls may be closed by a removable (for example, peelable) sealing layer, such as a film, sticker, or liner, during storage. The removable layer may protect the contents (for example, the molasses) from exposure to air and oxygen. The removable layer may be removed (for example, pulled or peeled off) by a user prior to first use of the cartridge.
The holes or openings in the cartridge, if left unsealed, may lead to loss of freshness (for example, moisture content) or contamination of the substrate, as well as issues with leakage. For one or more reasons, such as in order to maintain freshness, to prevent leakage of the substrate, or to preserve the quality and integrity of the substrate during storage, it is desirable to form the openings or holes of the cartridge only immediately prior to use.
It would be desirable to provide a piercing assembly for piercing cartridges used in aerosol-generating devices. It would be desirable to provide a piercing assembly that can be incorporated as part of an aerosol-generating device. It would be desirable to provide a piercing assembly that does not require additional equipment in addition to the aerosol-generating device. It would be desirable to provide a piercing assembly that is convenient and easy to use. It would be desirable to provide a piercing assembly that can be used with a cartridge that does not have pre-formed air inlets or outlets. It would be desirable to provide a piercing assembly that reduces the chance of injury to the user when piercing a cartridge.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a piercing assembly is provided that can be used in aerosol-generating devices. For example, the piercing assembly may be used in shisha devices. The piercing assembly may be used to form one or more openings in a cartridge. For example, the piercing assembly may be used to form one or more openings in a shisha cartridge.
The piercing assembly may be mounted onto or may be integral with a stem pipe. The stem pipe may be incorporated as part of an aerosol-generating device. The stem pipe may be incorporated as part of a shisha 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 (for example, creating one or more holes in) a cartridge.
The piercing assembly may be operated by inserting a cartridge into a cap or into the piercing assembly disposed at the mouth of the aerosol-generating device vessel. The cap may be placed onto the piercing assembly, and the cap along with the cartridge may be pressed down toward the piercing assembly. The piercing elements of the piercing assembly may pierce (for example, create one or more holes in) the cartridge. The aerosol-generating device may be a shisha device and the cartridge may be a shish cartridge.
The piercing system of the present disclosure may provide various advantages to both the manufacturer and the user. Some of the advantages include that the piercing system is convenient, easy, and safe to use. The user of the shisha device does not need additional equipment to pierce a cartridge. Further, the user can pierce the cartridge without having to directly handle a piercing element, reducing the chance of injury from sharp objects. The piercing assembly may also allow the cartridge to be pierced without removing a sticker or film from the cartridge. The cartridge may be placed into the shisha device prior to opening of the cartridge. The piercing assembly thus reduces the chance of leaks and other messes. The piercing element enables the use of a cartridge without pre-formed perforations. This allows for cheaper, faster, and easier manufacturing of cartridges.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the piercing system may comprise a stem pipe comprising a hollow tube extending from an upstream end to a downstream end along a longitudinal axis; and a piercing assembly at the upstream end of the stem pipe. The piercing assembly may comprise a body with a through opening coaxial with the hollow tube, the body comprising an upstream body end. The piercing assembly may comprise a plurality of piercing elements at the upstream body end. The plurality of piercing elements may comprise a piercing edge or piercing point. The piercing edge or piercing point may be oriented upward in the upstream direction. The piercing edge or piercing point may be oriented radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis. The piercing edge may extend longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the piercing assembly may be part of the device and a user may pierce the cartridge without coming into contact with the piercing elements.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the piercing system comprises a stem pipe comprising a hollow tube extending from an upstream end to a downstream end along a longitudinal axis; and a piercing assembly at the upstream end of the stem pipe. The piercing assembly comprises a body with a through opening coaxial with the hollow tube. The body comprises an upstream body end. The piercing assembly comprises a plurality of piercing elements at the upstream body end. The plurality of piercing elements may comprise a piercing edge or piercing point. The piercing edge or piercing point may be oriented upward in the upstream direction. The piercing edge or piercing point may be oriented radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis. The piercing edge may extend longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the piercing assembly is part of the device and a user may pierce the cartridge without coming into contact with the piercing elements.
Each of the plurality of piercing elements may have a piercing end extending from the body. One or more of the piercing ends may extend from the upstream body end to at least a first distance, and one or more of the piercing ends extend to a second distance. The first distance may be different from the second distance. In some embodiments, each of the piercing ends extends from the upstream body end to a distance different from each of the other piercing ends. Surprisingly, less force is required to pierce the cartridge, when the piercing ends are not all at the same height.
In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of piercing elements comprises a triangular shape in a cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of piercing elements comprises, in a cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis, a curved shape. In some embodiments, the curved shape may terminate at a piercing edge.
The plurality of piercing elements may be retractable. In some embodiments, the piercing elements are integrally formed with the body of the piercing assembly. The piercing assembly may be removably attachable to the stem pipe. The piercing assembly may be rotatable about the longitudinal center axis. In some embodiments, the piercing assembly is integrally formed with the stem pipe.
The body of the piercing assembly may comprise a sealing ring. The sealing ring may be configured to sealingly mate with a cartridge. The plurality of piercing elements may be disposed within the body. The plurality of piercing elements may be disposed downstream of the sealing ring.
The piercing system may comprise an absorption element housed within the body.
The piercing system may be used with an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a vessel comprising an interior volume and a mouth in fluid communication with the interior volume. The interior volume may be configured for housing a liquid. The piercing system may be at the mouth of the vessel. The piercing system may be adjacent the mouth of the vessel. The piercing system may be arranged such that the downstream end of the stem pipe extends into the interior volume of the vessel. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cap. The cap may be removably mountable at the mouth of the vessel or adjacent the piercing assembly. The cap may be configured to receive a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The piercing assembly of the piercing system may be configured to pierce a first wall of the cartridge. The cap may also comprise a cap piercing element configured to pierce a second wall of the cartridge.
The piercing system may be used with a shisha device. The shisha device comprises a vessel comprising an interior volume and a mouth in fluid communication with the interior volume. The interior volume may be configured for housing a liquid. The piercing system may be at the mouth of the vessel. The piercing system may be adjacent the mouth of the vessel. The piercing system may be arranged such that the downstream end of the stem pipe extends into the interior volume of the vessel. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cap. The cap may be removably mountable at the mouth of the vessel or adjacent the piercing assembly. The cap may be configured to receive a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The piercing assembly of the piercing system may be configured to pierce a first wall of the cartridge. The cap may also comprise a cap piercing element configured to pierce a second wall of the cartridge.
A method of using the aerosol-generating device may comprise inserting a cartridge either into the cap of the aerosol-generating device or into the body of the piercing assembly, and placing the cap at the mouth of the vessel such that the cartridge is received in a receptacle of the cap and is oriented toward the upstream end of the piercing stem pipe. The method may include pushing the cap against the piercing assembly, causing the piercing assembly to pierce a wall of the cartridge.
The term “aerosol” is used herein to refer to a suspension of solid particles or liquid droplets or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets in a gas. The gas may be air. The solid particles or liquid droplets may comprise one or more volatile flavor compounds. Aerosol may be visible or invisible. Aerosol may include vapors of substances that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature. Aerosol may include vapors of substances that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature, in combination with solid particles or in combination with liquid droplets or in combination with both solid particles and liquid droplets. In some embodiments, the aerosol comprises nicotine.
The term “aerosol-forming substrate” is used herein to refer to a material capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. In some embodiments, an aerosol-forming substrate may be heated to volatilize one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. As an alternative to heating or combustion, in some cases volatile compounds may be released by a chemical reaction or by a mechanical stimulus, such as ultrasound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed inside the cartridge. Aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid or may comprise both solid and liquid components. Aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant-based material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds, which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. Aerosol-forming substrate may alternatively comprise a non-tobacco-containing material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized plant-based material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized tobacco material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavorants.
The terms “integral” and “integrally formed” are used herein to describe elements that are formed in one piece (a single, unitary piece). Integral or integrally formed components may configured such that they cannot be separably removed from each other without causing structural damage to the piece.
The term “piercing edge” is used herein to describe an edge that is capable of piercing a cartridge. A piercing edge has a length. A piercing edge may terminate at a piercing end. An example of a piercing edge is a knife edge.
The term “piercing point” is used herein to describe a pointed end of an object that is capable of piercing a cartridge. An example of a piercing point is a needle tip.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, “or” is generally employed in its sense including “one or the other or both” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The term “about” is used herein in conjunction with numeric values to include normal variations in measurements as expected by persons skilled in the art and is understood to have the same meaning as “approximately.” The term “about” understood to cover a typical margin of error. A typical margin of error may be, for example, ±5% of the stated value.
As used herein, “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” “comprise,” “comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understood that “consisting essentially of,” “consisting of,” and the like are subsumed in “comprising,” and the like.
The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.
The term “substantially” as used herein can be understood to modify the term that follows by at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 98%. The term “not substantially” as used herein can be understood to have the inverse meaning of “substantially,” i.e., modifying the term that follows by not more than 10%, not more than 5%, or not more than 2%.
Any direction referred to herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions or orientations are described herein for clarity and brevity are not intended to be limiting of an actual device or system. Devices and systems described herein may be used in a number of directions and orientations.
An aerosol-generating device may comprise a vessel comprising an interior volume configured for housing a liquid. The vessel may comprise a mouth in fluid communication with the interior volume. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cap comprising a receptacle for receiving a cartridge. The aerosol-generating device may also comprise a stem pipe. The stem pipe may comprise a hollow tube that provides a part of the air flow path within the aerosol-generating device.
The aerosol-generating device may be a shisha device. A shisha device may comprise a vessel comprising an interior volume configured for housing a liquid. The vessel may comprise a mouth in fluid communication with the interior volume. The shisha device may comprise a cap comprising a receptacle for receiving a cartridge. The shisha device may also comprise a stem pipe. The stem pipe may comprise a hollow tube that provides a part of the air flow path within the shisha device.
The stem pipe may be mounted at the mouth of the vessel. The stem pipe comprises a hollow tube with an upstream end and a downstream end and an airflow path extending through the hollow tube from the upstream end to the downstream end. The downstream end of the stem pipe extends into the interior volume of the vessel. In use, the downstream end of the stem pipe typically extends below a liquid level inside the vessel. The piercing assembly may be mounted onto the upstream end of the stem pipe. Alternatively, the piercing assembly may be integrally formed as a part of the stem pipe. As a cartridge is placed at the piercing assembly and pushed down, the piercing assembly engages one or more walls of the cartridge, piercing one or more openings into the wall. Advantageously, the user is able to pierce the cartridge without the need for additional equipment. Further, the user may pierce the cartridge without coming into contact with the piercing elements themselves, thus reducing the chance of injury from sharp objects. The piercing assembly may reduce the chance of leaks and other messes from a cartridge with openings because the openings are only formed after the cartridge is placed in the shisha device.
The piercing assembly comprises a body with an upstream end and a downstream end. The body may comprise a through opening extending from the upstream end to the downstream end. The through opening advantageously enables airflow down through the stem pipe. The body may have any suitable shape. The body may be generally tubular. In some embodiments, the body has an outer wall that is cylindrical or frustoconical. The body of the piercing assembly may have a longitudinal axis extending along the through opening. The longitudinal axis may be a center axis. The through opening of the body may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem pipe.
At the upstream end or adjacent the upstream end of the body, the piercing assembly comprises a plurality of piercing elements. The piercing elements may have a length extending parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. Each of the piercing elements has a piercing end configured for piercing a cartridge. The piercing end may be oriented upward. The piercing end may be oriented toward the center axis of the body.
The piercing element may have any suitable shape that is capable of piercing the cartridge. The piercing end may comprise a piercing point or a piercing edge, or both a piercing point and a piercing edge. In some embodiments, the piercing elements are needle-like extensions that terminate in a piercing point. In some embodiments, the piercing elements are knife-like extensions that have a piercing edge. The piercing edge may be oriented facing a direction toward the inside of the body. In some embodiments, the piercing edge is oriented toward the center axis. The piercing edge may be present at least at the upstream end of the piercing element. The piercing edge may extend from the upstream end to the downstream end along the length of the piercing element.
In some embodiments, the piercing element has a curved or cupped shape when viewed from above. The piercing element may include a center portion. The center portion may extend axially upward from the body of the piercing assembly. The center portion may define a piercing point. The center portion may also define at least a portion of a piercing edge. The center portion may be flanked by two side portions. The side portions may be bent or folded inward toward the center axis. The piercing element may further comprise a base. The base may connect (for example, attach) the piercing element to the body of the piercing assembly. The piercing element may be formed from a flat piece of material. For example, the piercing element may be formed by cutting a shape from a flat sheet of metal and bending or folding portions of the cut shape to form the center portion, side portions, and base. The side portions and base may be bent or folded toward one side of the center portion to form the cupped shape.
The piercing element may comprise a triangular shape in its cross section transverse to the length of the piercing element. The triangular shape may have straight sides or one or more curved sides. The piercing element may have a symmetrical shape (for example, symmetrical about a longitudinal axis). The piercing element may have an asymmetrical shape. The piercing edge may be oriented toward the center axis of the assembly body. That is, a bisector of the piercing edge in a transverse cross section may run through the center axis. Alternatively, the piercing edge may be oriented toward the inside of the body but not toward the center axis. In other words, the angle bisector of the piercing edge in a transverse cross section may not run through the center axis.
In some embodiments, where the piercing element has a piercing edge oriented toward the inside of the body, the piercing element may have a flat (for example, planar) or substantially flat triangular top.
In some embodiments, the piercing elements may comprise a piercing edge with a curved shape. For example, the piercing edge may be curved about a longitudinal axis parallel to the length of the piercing element. Piercing elements with a curved piercing edge may be combined with a piercing assembly body that is rotatably movable about the stem pipe.
The back side of the piercing element (for example, the side facing away from the body of the piercing assembly) may have any suitable shape. For example, the back side may be substantially flat or may be curved. In some embodiments, the back side may have a bottom portion tapered toward the body of the assembly.
The piercing elements may be mounted or formed on the body symmetrically about the perimeter. Alternatively, the piercing elements may be mounted asymmetrically. The piercing elements may be mounted at different heights. Surprisingly, less force is required to pierce the cartridge, when the piercing elements are not all at the same height. In such embodiments, force may be applied gradually, causing the piercing elements to pierce the wall of the cartridge one by one. In some embodiments, one or more of the piercing ends extends to a first distance from the upstream end of the body, and one or more of the other piercing ends extends to a second distance from the upstream end, where the first distance is different from the second distance. In one embodiment, a third piercing end and optionally further piercing ends extend to different distances. In one embodiment, each of the piercing ends extends to a distance different from other piercing ends.
In some embodiments, the piercing assembly comprises the piercing elements that are needle-like such that the piercing ends comprise a piercing point. The needle-like piercing elements comprising a piercing point may be attached directly to the body or alternatively may be attached to a disc. The disc may comprise a domed surface and an outer edge onto which the piercing elements are attached. The disc may be mounted in a horizontal orientation onto the upstream end of the stem pipe by space bars. The space bars may provide a gap between the disc and the upstream end of the stem pipe to allow for air flow.
The piercing assembly may comprise any suitable number of piercing elements. In some embodiments, the piercing assembly comprises 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, 8 or more, 10 or more, 12 of more, or 15 or more piercing elements. The piercing assembly may comprise 50 or fewer, 40 or fewer, 30 or fewer, 25 or fewer, 20 or fewer, or 15 or fewer piercing elements. In some embodiments, the piercing assembly comprises 4 to 10 piercing elements. In embodiments with small needle-shaped piercing elements, the number of piercing elements may be greater, such as for example from 20 to 40.
The body of the piercing assembly may be made of any suitable material. For example, the body may be made of metal, plastic, ceramic, glass, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the body is made from a heat resistant material. In some embodiments, the body is made from a thermally insulating material. The piercing elements may be made of any suitable material. For example, the piercing elements may be made of metal, plastic, ceramic, glass, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the piercing elements are made of metal. The piercing elements may be attached to the body in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the piercing elements are joined to the body by welding or by an adhesive. In some embodiments, the piercing elements are integrally formed with the body.
In some embodiments, the piercing elements are recessed into the body of the piercing assembly. Recessed piercing elements may be integrally formed with the body. The piercing elements may be disposed inside the body such that the recessed piercing ends of the piercing elements do not extend past the upstream end of the body. The piercing elements may comprise a piercing edge, a piercing point, or both a piercing edge and a piercing point.
The piercing assembly may comprise a sealing ring. The sealing ring may be disposed at or adjacent the upstream end of the body. The sealing ring may be made of a resilient or elastic material. The sealing ring may be configured to be compressed by the cartridge. The sealing ring may be configured to seal against the wall of the cartridge. A portion of the inside wall of the body may be angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. The angled portion may be collinear with the side wall of the cartridge. The sealing ring may be disposed below or downstream of the angled portion.
In embodiments where the piercing assembly comprises recessed piercing elements, the body may comprise a sealing ring upstream of the piercing elements. The cartridge may be pushed down past the sealing ring until the cartridge engages the piercing elements pointing inwardly below the sealing ring.
In some embodiments, the plurality of piercing elements are retractable. In some embodiments, the plurality of piercing elements are retractable within the body.
The body of the piercing assembly may be coupled with the stem pipe by any suitable mechanism. The body may be simply mounted (for example, placed) onto the upstream end of the stem pipe. The body may be removably attachable to the stem pipe. The body may be coupled with the stem pipe by a mechanical attachment, such as friction fit, snap fit, threaded connection, or a bayonet connection. The body may be joined to the stem pipe by welding or by an adhesive. The body may be movably (for example, rotatably) coupled with the stem pipe. In some embodiments, the body is integrally formed with the stem pipe.
The piercing assembly may be configured to move rotatably about the center axis when pushed down with the cartridge. To guide the rotational movement, the piercing system may include a track and corresponding pin on the stem pipe and the body of the assembly. The track may be on the stem pipe and the pin may be on the body. Alternatively, the track may be on the body and the pin may be on the stem pipe. The track and pin cooperate to guide the rotational motion of the body about the center axis when the body is moved downward. The piercing system may further include a compression spring. The compression spring may be configured to bias the body upward by applying a spring force to the body. For example, when a user presses the cartridge down to pierce the cartridge, the cartridge presses down on the body, causing the body to move down in a rotating motion. Once the user lets go of the cartridge, the spring may return the body to its original position. The stem pipe may include a flange that supports the spring. The body may include a ledge that rests or pushes down on the spring. In some embodiments, the rotatably movable body is combined with piercing elements comprising a piercing edge curved along the length of the piercing element.
In some embodiments, the piercing assembly comprises an absorption element. The absorption element may comprise a ring-shaped element. The ring- shaped absorption element may be configured to fit around the stem pipe. The absorption element may be disposed adjacent the upstream end of the stem pipe in a space between the stem pipe and the body of the piercing assembly. The absorption element may be made from a high retention material. The absorption element may be constructed to absorbed liquids, such as any leaked liquid or condensate.
The shisha device may further comprise a cap. The cap may be removably mountable to the shisha device. The cap may be removably mountable at the mouth of the vessel or adjacent the piercing assembly. For example, the cap may seal against the mouth of the vessel. In some embodiments, the cap may seal against the piercing assembly. The cap may be configured to receive a shisha cartridge in a receptacle. The user may use the cap to push down on the cartridge to pierce the cartridge using the piercing assembly. Alternatively, the user may press directly on the cartridge to pierce the cartridge, and then place the cap on afterwards.
A method of using the shisha device may comprise placing or inserting a cartridge on the body of the piercing assembly or in the cap; placing the cap at the mouth of the vessel with the bottom wall of the cartridge oriented toward the piercing assembly; and pushing the cap against the piercing assembly, causing the piercing assembly to pierce a wall of the cartridge.
In some embodiments, the cartridge is placed directly onto the body of the piercing assembly. The cap may be placed onto the piercing assembly and cartridge such that the cartridge is received in the receptacle inside the cap. In some embodiments, the cartridge is placed inside the receptacle of the cap, and the cap is used to place the cartridge onto the piercing assembly. The user may press on the cartridge or may use the cap to push the cartridge down against the piercing elements to pierce one or more walls of the cartridge.
Piercing one or more walls of the cartridge forms one or more air inlets or outlets in the cartridge and may establish an airflow path through the cartridge. Once the airflow path is formed, the aerosol-generating device (for example shisha device) may be used to generate aerosol that may be inhaled by the user.
The cartridge may comprise any suitable body defining a cavity. Aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed in the cavity of the cartridge. The body is preferably formed from one or more heat resistant materials, such as a heat resistant metal or polymer. The body may comprise a thermally conductive material. For example, the body may comprise any of aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, any alloys thereof, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the body comprises aluminum.
The cartridge may be of any suitable shape. For example, the cartridge may have a shape configured to be received by a shisha device. The cartridge may have a substantially cuboidal shape, cylindrical shape, frustoconical shape, or any other suitable shape. Preferably, the cartridge has a generally cylindrical shape or a frustoconical shape.
The shisha device is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge. The device may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge by conduction. The cartridge is preferably shaped and sized to allow contact with, or minimize distance from, a heating element of the shisha device to provide efficient heat transfer from the heating element to the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge. The heat may be generated by any suitable mechanism, such as by resistive heating or by induction. In order to facilitate inductive heating, the cartridge may be provided with a susceptor. For example, the cartridge body may be made from or include a material (for example, aluminum) that is capable of acting as a susceptor, or a susceptor material may be provided within the cavity of the cartridge. A susceptor material may be provided within the cavity of the cartridge in any form, for example a powder, a solid block, shreds, etc.
Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be provided in the cavity defined by the body of the cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds. The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of releasing compounds that may form an aerosol. The volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The volatile compounds may be released by a chemical reaction or by a mechanical stimulus, such as ultrasound. Aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid or may comprise both solid and liquid components. Aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support.
The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The nicotine containing aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a nicotine salt matrix. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises tobacco. The tobacco containing material preferably comprises volatile tobacco flavor compounds, which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized tobacco material. Homogenized tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may alternatively or additionally comprise a non-tobacco-containing material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized plant-based material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavorants. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is a shisha substrate. A shisha substrate is understood to mean a consumable material that is suitable for use in a shisha device. Shisha substrate may include molasses.
The aerosol-forming substrate may include, for example, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips, or sheets. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, and expanded tobacco.
The aerosol-forming substrate may include at least one aerosol former. Suitable aerosol formers include compounds or mixtures of compounds which, in use, facilitate formation of a dense and stable aerosol and which are substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the shisha device. Suitable aerosol formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Particularly preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and, most preferred, glycerine. The aerosol-forming substrate may include any suitable amount of an aerosol former. For example, the aerosol former content of the substrate may be equal to or greater than 5% on a dry weight basis, and preferably greater than 30% by weight on a dry weight basis. The aerosol former content may be less than about 95% on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol former content is up to about 55%.
The aerosol-forming substrate preferably includes nicotine and at least one aerosol former. In some embodiments, the aerosol former is glycerine or a mixture of glycerine and one or more other suitable aerosol formers, such as those listed above.
The aerosol-forming substrate may include other additives and ingredients, such as flavorants, sweeteners, etc. In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate includes one or more sugars in any suitable amount. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate includes invert sugar. Invert sugar is a mixture of glucose and fructose obtained by splitting sucrose. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate includes from about 1% to about 40% sugar, such as invert sugar, by weight. In some example, one or more sugars may be mixed with a suitable carrier such as cornstarch or maltodextrin.
In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate includes one or more sensory-enhancing agents. Suitable sensory-enhancing agents include flavorants and sensation agents, such as cooling agents. Suitable flavorants include natural or synthetic menthol, peppermint, spearmint, coffee, tea, spices (such as cinnamon, clove, ginger, or combination thereof), cocoa, vanilla, fruit flavors, chocolate, eucalyptus, geranium, eugenol, agave, juniper, anethole, linalool, and any combination thereof.
In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a suspension. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may include molasses. As used herein, “molasses” means an aerosol-forming substrate composition comprising about 20% or more sugar. For example, the molasses may include at least about 25% by weight sugar, such as at least about 35% by weight sugar. Typically, the molasses will contain less than about 60% by weight sugar, such as less than about 50% by weight sugar.
Any suitable amount of aerosol-forming substrate (for example, molasses or tobacco substrate) may be disposed in the cavity. In some preferred embodiments, about 3 g to about 25 g of the aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the cavity. The cartridge may include at least 6 g, at least 7 g, at least 8 g, or at least 9 g of aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may include up to 15 g, up to 12 g; up to 11 g, or up to 10 g of aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably, from about 7 g to about 13 g of aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the cavity.
The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The term “thermally stable” is used herein to indicate a material that does not substantially degrade at temperatures to which the substrate is typically heated (e.g., about 150° C. to about 300° C.). The carrier may comprise a thin layer on which the substrate deposited on a first major surface, on second major outer surface, or on both the first and second major surfaces. The carrier may be formed of, for example, a paper, or paper-like material, a non-woven carbon fiber mat, a low mass open mesh metallic screen, or a perforated metallic foil or any other thermally stable polymer matrix. Alternatively, the carrier may take the form of powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets. The carrier may be a non-woven fabric or fiber bundle into which tobacco components have been incorporated. The non-woven fabric or fiber bundle may comprise, for example, carbon fibers, natural cellulose fibers, or cellulose-derivative fibers.
The body of the cartridge may include one or more walls. In some embodiments, the body includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall. The sidewall may be cylindrical or frustoconical, extending from the bottom to the top. The body may include one or more parts. For example, the sidewall and the bottom wall may be an integral single part. The sidewall and the bottom wall may be two parts configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For example, the sidewall and the bottom wall may be configured to engage one another by threaded engagement or interference fit. The sidewall and the bottom wall may be two parts joined together. For example, the sidewall and the bottom wall may be joined together by welding or by an adhesive. The top wall and sidewall may be a single integral part. The sidewall and the top wall may be two parts configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For example, sidewall and the top wall may be configured to engage one another by threaded engagement or interference fit. The sidewall and the top wall may be two parts joined together. For example, the sidewall and the top wall may be joined together by welding or by an adhesive. The top wall, sidewall and bottom wall may all be a single integral part. The top wall, the sidewall, and the bottom wall may be three separate parts configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For example, the top wall, the sidewall, and the bottom wall may be configured to engage by threaded engagement interference fit, welding, or an adhesive.
One or more walls of the body may form a heatable wall or surface. As used herein, “heatable wall” and “heatable surface” mean an area of a wall or a surface to which heat may be applied, either directly or indirectly. The heatable wall or surface may function as a heat transfer surface through which heat may be transferred from outside of the body to the cavity or to an internal surface of the cavity.
Preferably, the body of the cartridge has a length (for example, an axial length along a vertical center axis) of about 15 cm or less. In some embodiments, the body has a length of about 10 cm or less. The body may have an inside diameter of about 1 cm or more. The inside diameter of the body may be about 1.75 cm or more. The cartridge may have a heatable surface area in the cavity from about 25 cm2 to about 100 cm2, such as from about 70 cm2 to about 100 cm2. The volume of the cavity may be from about 10 cm3 to about 50 cm3; preferably from about 25 cm3 to about 40 cm3. In some embodiments, the body has a length in a range from about 3.5 cm to about 7 cm. The inside diameter of the body may be from about 1.5 cm to about 4 cm. The body may have a heatable surface area in the cavity from about 30 cm2 to about 100 cm2, such as from about 70 cm2 to about 100 cm2. The volume of the cavity may be from about 10 cm3 to about 50 cm3; preferably from about 25 cm3 to about 40 cm3. Preferably, the body is cylindrical or frustoconical.
The cartridge body may include one or more openings or ventilation holes through one or more walls of the body. The ventilation holes may be inlets, outlets, or both. The ventilation holes may be disposed at the bottom wall, top wall, sides, or a combination thereof, of the cartridge. In some embodiments, the cartridge does not include any preformed openings or ventilation holes. In some embodiments, the cartridge includes preformed openings or ventilation holes only in one wall. For example, the cartridge may include openings or ventilation holes in the top wall only. In some embodiments, one or more inlets or one or more outlets are formed in the cartridge walls by the piercing assembly to allow air to flow through the aerosol-forming substrate when the cartridge is used with a shisha device. In some embodiments, one or more inlets and outlets are formed in the cartridge walls by the piercing assembly to allow air to flow through the aerosol-forming substrate when the cartridge is used with a shisha device. In some embodiments, the top wall of the cartridge may be absent or may define one or more openings to form the one or more inlets of the cartridge. One or more openings may be formed in the bottom wall of the cartridge to form the one or more outlets of the cartridge. Preferably, the one or more inlets and outlets are sized and shaped to provide a suitable resistance to draw (RTD) through the cartridge. In some examples, the RTD through the cartridge, from the inlet or inlets to the outlet or outlets, may be from about 10 mm H2O to about 50 mm H2O, preferably from about 20 mm H2O to about 40 mm H2O. The RTD of a specimen refers to the static pressure difference between the two ends of the specimen when it is traversed by an air flow under steady conditions in which the volumetric flow is 17.5 milliliters per second at the output end. The RTD of a specimen may be measured using the method set out in ISO Standard 6565:2002.
The one or more openings, once formed, on the body may cover 5% or greater, 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, or 25% or greater of the area of the wall the openings are on. For example, if the openings are on the top wall, the openings may cover at least 5% of the area of the top wall. The one or more openings on the body may cover 75% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, or 30% or less of the area of the wall the openings are on.
The cartridge may further include a seal or layer covering one or more preformed openings prior to use. The cartridge may include a first removable seal covering the one or more inlets and a second removable seal covering the one or more outlets. The first and second seals are preferably sufficient to prevent air flow through the inlets and outlets to prevent leakage of the contents of the cartridge and to extend shelf life. The seal may comprise a peelable label of sticker, foil, or the like. The seal may comprise a pierceable label of sticker, foil, or the like. The label, sticker, or foil may be affixed to the cartridge in any suitable manner, such as with an adhesive, crimping, welding, or otherwise being joined to the container. The seal may comprise a tab that may be grasped to peel or remove the label, sticker, or foil from the cartridge.
In some embodiments the cartridge is a shisha cartridge that may be used with any suitable shisha device. Preferably, the shisha device is configured to sufficiently heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge to form an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate but not to combust the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the shisha device may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature in a range from about 150° C. to about 300° C.; more preferably from about 180° C. to about 250° C. or from about 200° C. to about 230° C.
The shisha device may include a receptacle for receiving the cartridge. The shisha device may comprise a heating element. The heating element may be configured to contact or to be in proximity to the body of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the receptacle. The heating element may form at least part of the receptacle. For example, the heating element may form at least a portion of the surface of the receptacle. The shisha cartridge may be configured to transfer heat from the heating element to the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity by conduction. In some embodiments, the heating element includes an electric heating element. In some embodiments, the heating element includes a resistive heating component. For example, the heating element may include one or more resistive wires or other resistive elements. The resistive wires may be in contact with a thermally conductive material to distribute heat produced over a broader area. Examples of suitable conductive materials include aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, and combinations thereof. The heating element may form at least a portion of the surface of the receptacle.
The shisha device may include control electronics operably coupled to the heating element. The control electronics may be configured to control heating of the heating element. The control electronics may be configured to control the temperature to which the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge is heated. The control electronics may be provided in any suitable form and may, for example, include a controller or a memory and a controller. The controller may include one or more of an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) state machine, a digital signal processor, a gate array, a microprocessor, or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. Control electronics may include memory that contains instructions that cause one or more components of the circuitry to carry out a function or aspect of the control electronics. Functions attributable to control electronics in this disclosure may be embodied as one or more of software, firmware, and hardware.
The electronic circuitry may include a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The electronic circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power. The power may be supplied to the heater element in the form of pulses of electrical current.
In some examples, the control electronics may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and to control the supply of power to the heating element depending on the electrical resistance of the heating element. In this manner, the control electronics may regulate the temperature of the resistive element.
The shisha device may include a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple. The temperature sensor may be operably coupled to the control electronics to control the temperature of the heating element. The temperature sensor may be positioned in any suitable location. For example, the temperature sensor may be configured to insert into the cartridge when received within the receptacle to monitor the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate being heated. In addition or alternatively, the temperature sensor may be in contact with the heating element. In addition or alternatively, the temperature sensor may be positioned to detect temperature at an aerosol outlet of the shisha device or a portion thereof. The sensor may transmit signals regarding the sensed temperature to the control electronics. The control electronics may adjust heating of the heating elements in response to the signal to achieve a suitable temperature at the sensor.
The control electronics may be operably coupled to a power supply. The shisha device may include any suitable power supply. For example, a power supply of a shisha device may be a battery or set of batteries. The batteries of the power supply may be rechargeable, removable and replaceable, or rechargeable and removable and replaceable. Any suitable battery may be used. For example, heavy duty type or standard batteries existing in the market, such as used for industrial heavy-duty electrical power-tools. Alternatively, the power supply may be any type of electric power supply including a super or hyper-capacitor. Alternatively, the assembly may be connected to an external electrical power source, and electrically and electronically designed for such purpose. Regardless of the type of power supply employed, the power supply preferably provides sufficient energy for the normal functioning of the assembly for at least one shisha session until aerosol is depleted from the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge before being recharged or needing to connect to an external electrical power source. Preferably, the power supply provides sufficient energy for the normal functioning of the assembly for at least about 70 minutes of continuous operation of the device, before being recharged or needing to connect to an external electrical power source.
In one example, a shisha device includes an aerosol-generating element that includes a cartridge receptacle, a heating element, an aerosol outlet, and an air inlet. The cartridge receptacle is configured to receive a cartridge according to the present disclosure containing the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element may define at least part of a surface of the receptacle.
The shisha device includes an air inlet channel in fluid connection with the receptacle. In use, when the substrate inside the cartridge is heated, aerosol former components in the substrate vaporize. Air flowing from the air inlet channel through the cartridge becomes entrained with aerosol generated from the aerosol former components in the cartridge.
Some electrically heated shisha devices employ pre-heated air and typically employ an airflow path such that the air travels in the vicinity of the heat source upon puffing. Further, some electrically heated shisha devices employ elements that increase radiation heat transfer by increasing the heated surface area.
The air inlet channel may include one or more apertures through the cartridge receptacle such that air from outside the shisha device may flow through the channel and into the cartridge receptacle through the one or more apertures. If a channel includes more than one aperture, the channel may include a manifold to direct air flowing through the channel to each aperture. Preferably, the shisha device includes two or more air inlet channels.
As described above, the cartridge may include one or more openings (such as inlets or outlets) formed in the cartridge body, allowing air to flow through the cartridge (for example, after having been pierced by the piercing assembly). If the receptacle includes one or more inlet apertures, at least some of the inlets in the cartridge may align with the apertures in the top of the receptacle. The cartridge may include an alignment feature configured to mate with a complementary alignment feature of the receptacle to align the inlets of the cartridge with the apertures of the receptacle when the cartridge is inserted into the receptacle.
Air that enters the cartridge may flow across or through, or both across and through the aerosol-forming substrate, entraining aerosol, and exiting the cartridge and receptacle via an aerosol outlet. From the aerosol outlet, the air carrying the aerosol enters a vessel of the shisha device via the stem pipe.
The shisha device may include any suitable vessel defining an interior volume configured to contain a liquid and defining an outlet in the headspace above a liquid fill level. The vessel may include an optically transparent or opaque housing to allow a consumer to observe contents contained in the vessel. The vessel may include a liquid fill demarcation, such as a liquid fill line. The vessel housing may be formed of any suitable material. For example, the vessel housing may include glass or suitable rigid plastic material. Preferably, the vessel is removable from a portion of the shisha assembly comprising the aerosol-generation element to allow a consumer to fill, empty or clean the vessel.
The vessel may be filled to a liquid fill level by a consumer. The liquid preferably includes water, which may optionally be infused with one or more colorants, flavorants, or colorants and flavorants. For example, the water may be infused with one or both of botanical and herbal infusions.
Aerosol entrained in air exiting the aerosol outlet of the receptacle may travel through a conduit positioned in the vessel. The conduit may be coupled to the aerosol outlet of the aerosol-generating element and may have an opening below the liquid fill level of the vessel, such that aerosol flowing through the vessel flows through the opening of the conduit, then through the liquid, into headspace of the vessel and exits through a headspace outlet, for delivery to a consumer.
The headspace outlet may be coupled to a hose comprising a mouthpiece for delivering the aerosol to a consumer. The mouthpiece may include an activation element, such as a switch activatable by a user, a puff sensor arranged to detect a user puffing on the mouthpiece, or both a switch activatable by the user and a puff sensor. The activation element is operably coupled to the control electronics of the shisha device. The activation element may be wirelessly coupled to the control electronics. Activation of the activation element may cause the control electronics to activate the heating element, rather than constantly supplying energy to the heating element. Accordingly, the use of an activation element may serve to save energy relative to devices not employing such elements to provide on-demand heating rather than constant heating.
For purposes of example, one method for using a shisha device as described herein is provided below in chronological order. The vessel may be detached from other components of the shisha device and filled with water. One or more of natural fruit juices, botanicals, and herbal infusions may be added to the water for flavoring. The amount of liquid added should cover a portion of the conduit but should not exceed a fill level mark that may optionally exist on the vessel. The vessel is then reassembled to the shisha device. The cartridge may be placed directly onto the body of the piercing assembly. The cap may be placed onto the piercing assembly and cartridge such that the cartridge is received in the receptacle inside the cap. In some embodiments, the cartridge is placed inside the receptacle of the cap, and the cap is used to place the cartridge onto the piercing assembly. The user may press on the cartridge or may use the cap to push the cartridge down against the piercing elements to pierce one or more walls of the cartridge. The device may then be turned on. Turning on the device may initiate a heating profile of a heating element, to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at or above a vaporization temperature but below a combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol forming compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate vaporize, generating an aerosol. The user may puff on the mouthpiece as desired. The user may continue using the device as long as desired or until no more aerosol is visible or being delivered. In some embodiments, the device may be arranged to automatically shut off when the cartridge or a compartment of the cartridge is depleted of usable aerosol-forming substrate. In some embodiments, the consumer may refill the device with a fresh cartridge after, for example, receiving the cue from the device that the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge is depleted or nearly depleted. The shisha device may be turned off at any time by a consumer by, for example, switching off the device.
The shisha device may have any suitable air management. In one example, puffing action from the user will create a suction effect causing a low pressure inside the device which will cause external air to flow through an air inlet of the device, into the air inlet channel, and into the receptacle. The air may then flow through the cartridge in the receptacle and become entrained with aerosol produced from the aerosol-forming substrate. The air with entrained aerosol then exits the aerosol outlet of the receptacle, flows through the conduit to the liquid inside the vessel. The aerosol will then bubble out of the liquid and into head space in the vessel above the level of the liquid, out the headspace outlet, and through the hose and mouthpiece for delivery to the consumer. The flow of external air and the flow of the aerosol inside the shisha device may be driven by the action of puffing from the user.
Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one or more embodiments described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other embodiments not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. The use of different numbers to refer to components in different figures is not intended to indicate that the different numbered components cannot be the same or similar to other numbered components. The figures are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Schematic drawings presented in the figures are not necessarily to scale.
The device 100 also includes an aerosol-generating element 130. The aerosol-generating element 130 includes a receptacle 140 configured to receive a cartridge 200 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating element 130 may also include a heating element 160. The heating element 160 may form at least one surface of the receptacle 140. In the depicted embodiment, the heating element 160 defines the side surfaces of the receptacle 140. The aerosol-generating element 130 also includes an air inlet channel 170 that draws air into the device 100. In some embodiments, portion of the air inlet channel 170 is formed by the heating element 160 to heat the air before the air enters the receptacle 140. The pre-heated air then enters the cartridge 200, which is also heated by heating element 160, to carry aerosol generated by the aerosol former and the aerosol-forming substrate. The air exits an outlet of the aerosol-generating element 130 and enters a conduit 190. The conduit 190 may be a stem pipe.
The conduit (for example, stem pipe) 190 carries the air and aerosol into the vessel 17 below the level of the liquid 19. The air and aerosol may bubble through the liquid 19 and exit the headspace outlet 15 of the vessel 17. A hose 20 may be attached to the headspace outlet 15 to carry the aerosol to the mouth of a user. A mouthpiece 25 may be attached to, or form a part of, the hose 20.
An exemplary air flow path of the device, in use, is depicted by thick arrows in
The mouthpiece 25 may include an activation element 27. The activation element 27 may be a switch, button or the like, or may be a puff sensor or the like. The activation element 27 may be placed at any other suitable location of the device 100. The activation element 27 may be in wireless communication with the control electronics 30 to place the device 100 in condition for use or to cause control electronics to activate the heating element 160; for example, by causing power supply 35 to energize the heating element 160.
The control electronics 30 and power supply 35 may be located in any suitable position of the aerosol-generating element 130, including locations other than the bottom portion of the element 130 as depicted in
Referring now to
The apertures 216, 217 of the top 215 and bottom 213 may be aligned with each other. The cartridge 200 may also or alternatively include apertures along the sidewall 212.
The piercing assembly 301 comprises a body 310 with an upstream end 311 and a downstream end 312. The body 310 comprises a through opening 313 extending from the upstream end 311 to the downstream end 312 along a center axis A. The opening 313 may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem pipe 190. The piercing assembly 301 comprises a plurality of piercing elements 330 at its upstream end 311. The piercing elements 330 are configured for piercing (for example, creating one or more holes in) the cartridge 200.
The piercing element 330 may have any suitable shape that is capable of piercing the cartridge 200. The piercing element 330 has an upstream end 331 and a downstream end 332. The upstream end 331 is the piercing end. In some embodiments, the piercing element 330 has a piercing edge 333, as shown in
In one embodiment shown in
The piercing system 300 may be operated by placing a cartridge 200 onto the piercing assembly 301 disposed at the mouth of the shisha device vessel. The cartridge may be pressed down toward the piercing assembly 301, causing the piercing elements 330 to pierce a wall (for example, the bottom wall 213 or the side wall 212) of the cartridge 200. If a cap 400 is used, the cartridge 200 may be pressed down by pressing on the cap 400. Cap 400 will be described below with reference to
The piercing elements 330 of the piercing assembly 301 may pierce the cartridge 200 to create one or more inlets or outlets in the cartridge 200.
An embodiment of the piercing assembly 301 is shown in
The piercing elements 330 are disposed at the upstream end 311 of the body 310. The piercing elements 330 are oriented such that the piercing end (upstream end 331) of the piercing element 330 is oriented upward when the upstream end 311 of the body 310 is oriented upward. If the piercing element 330 has a piercing edge 333, the piercing edge 333 may be oriented toward the through opening 313 of the body 310. The piercing elements 330 are located on the body 310 such that they may come into contact with the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is moved axially toward the body 310.
In some embodiments, the piercing elements 330 are symmetrical or symmetrically placed such that the piercing edge 333 is oriented toward the center axis A of the piercing assembly body 310, as shown in
An exemplary embodiment of a piercing element 330 is shown in
In another embodiment, the piercing edge 333 is disposed at the top (at the upstream or piercing end 331) of the piercing element 330, as shown in
In some embodiments, the piercing elements 330 are asymmetrical or are asymmetrically placed along the edge of the body 310 such that the piercing edge 333 is not oriented toward the center axis A of the piercing assembly body 310, as shown in
An exemplary embodiment of an asymmetrical piercing element 330 is shown in
The piercing edge 333 may have a curved shape, as shown in
The curved piercing edge 333 may be combined with a piercing assembly 301 configured to move rotatably about the center axis A when pushed down with the cartridge 200. The piercing system 300, shown in
In some embodiments, the piercing elements are integrally formed with the body 310 of the piercing assembly. Further, in some embodiments, the piercing elements 330 may be recessed into the body 310 of the piercing assembly, as shown in
The body 310 may further comprise a sealing ring 315 configured to seal against the wall of the cartridge 200. A portion 316A of the inside wall 316 of the body 310 may be angled relative to a vertical line parallel to the center axis A. The sealing ring 315 may be disposed below or downstream of the angled portion 316A. The angled portion 316A may have an angle a as shown in
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the piercing elements 330 are needle-like such that the piercing ends 333 of the piercing elements 330 comprise a piercing point 334 as shown in
In some embodiments, shown in
A partial schematic view of a shisha device with the cap 400 and piercing assembly 401 is shown in
An example of a cap 400 and piercing assembly 401 is shown in
The cap outer frame 410, shown in
The cap 400 may include a grip element 450, shown in
The outer frame 410 may optionally include screw holes 462 configured for fastening a support plate 460 (
The outer shroud 420, shown in
The inner shroud 430, shown in
The outer and inner shrouds 420, 430 may include a track and pin system to guide the movement of the outer shroud 420. The outer shroud 420 may comprise one or more pins 425 extending radially inwardly from its cylindrical outer wall 423. The inner shroud 430 may include one or more tracks 436 corresponding to the one or more pins 425. An exemplary track 436 and the path guided by the track 436 are shown in
Thus, piercing systems for shisha devices are described. Various modifications and variations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are apparent to those skilled in the mechanical arts, chemical arts, and aerosol-generating article manufacturing or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19213010.2 | Dec 2019 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2020/061337 | 12/2/2020 | WO |
