Patent Application
20240373939
This application is the U.S. National Stage of PCT/EP2022/072447 filed on Aug. 10, 2022, which claims priority to German Patent Application 102021123746.7 filed on Sep. 14, 2021, the entire content of both are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The invention relates to a cartridge element for an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler, comprising a housing having a continuous airflow channel for forming a vent which extends inside the housing from an air intake opening to an air outlet opening, preferably in the area of a mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette or the portable inhaler.
Furthermore, the invention relates to an evaporator cartridge as a component of an electronic cigarette or of a portable inhaler, comprising at least one rigid storage tank for receiving and storing a fluid, and a cartridge element which comprises an evaporator unit and—for forming a closed receiving space for the fluid—is connected in a sealing manner to the storage tank, the cartridge element comprising a housing having a continuous airflow channel for forming a vent.
The invention also relates to an evaporator system, in particular an electronic cigarette or a portable inhaler, configured and adapted for inhalation of active ingredient-enriched aerosol, aerosol/vapour mixture, or the like, comprising a cartridge carrier that comprises at least one electronic control unit and an energy source, and an evaporator cartridge.
The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing an evaporator cartridge, in particular according to one or more of claims 17 to 21, comprising the steps of: providing a housing which comprises a continuous airflow channel for forming a vent having an air intake opening and an air outlet opening, providing a component that carries an evaporator unit, providing a rigid storage tank that forms a receiving space for receiving and storing a fluid, providing a pressure compensation element, in such a way that, in the mounted state of the housing, the component carrying the evaporator unit, and the storage tank, the pressure compensation element acts for pressure compensation between the airflow channel and the receiving space, and final mounting of the evaporator cartridge, in that the housing and the component carrying the evaporator unit are connected to the storage tank in a sealing manner, forming a closed receiving space for receiving the fluid.
Cartridge elements, evaporator cartridges and evaporator systems of this kind are used in various fields, in particular in the field of the drink and tobacco industry, in this case in particular in conjunction with an electronic cigarette, known as an E-cigarette (also referred to as ENDS=Electronic Nicotine Delivery System), and in the pharmaceutical/medical field, in order in particular to be able to inhale fluid tobacco and/or fluid pharmaceutical/medical products as mist, in vapour form, as an aerosol, or a vapour/aerosol mixture. The cartridge element is a central component of an evaporator cartridge, since the cartridge element forms the vent, with the airflow channel, which extends continuously from an air intake opening to an air outlet opening. In the mounted state, the cartridge element, together with the rigid storage tank of the evaporator cartridge, also forms the volume or the receiving space for the fluid. In other words, the fluid is stored in a reservoir/receiving space configured between the outside wall of the housing and the inside wall of the storage tank, the term “wall” also including floor and ceiling elements. The cartridge element is a modular, one-piece or multi-part component of the evaporator cartridge, the cartridge element comprising an evaporator unit, in the mounted state of the evaporator cartridge. The evaporator cartridge comprising the cartridge element with the evaporator unit is a central component of the evaporator system for forming a functional electronic cigarette (referred to in the following as E-cigarette) or a functional portable inhaler.
During consumption, a person typically sucks on a mouthpiece of the E-cigarette or of the portable inhaler, as a result of which a suction pressure results in the continuous airflow channel comprising an air intake opening and comprising an air outlet opening in the area of the mouthpiece, which produces an air stream through the airflow channel. The air stream can also be produced mechanically, however, e.g. by a pump. In the airflow channel, an inhalation medium, provided or produced by the evaporator unit, in the form of vapour, mist, aerosol, or mixtures thereof is added to the air stream, in order to deliver the aerosol or the aerosol/vapour mixture to the person consuming it. The evaporator unit synonymously represents all components which in particular provide an inhalable vapour and/or mist and/or an aerosol or mixtures thereof, from fluid inhalation medium. The evaporator unit can for example comprise a heating member and a wick member. The evaporator unit can, however, also comprise a laser light source or the like, as the evaporator member. In the context of the present invention, devices for generating mechanical driving forces, compressors or the like for producing inhalation mist, or the like, are also covered by the term “evaporator unit”.
It is known that the administration of active ingredients via the respiratory passages is an efficient and gentle method for supplying physiologically active substances to the human or animal body, in particular conventional inhalation methods, which can be performed using in part very simple means, having become firmly established both in mainstream medicine and among domestic remedies. In these simple methods, typically an active ingredient is heated in a pot or comparable vessel, and thereby caused to evaporate.
Due to the increasingly critical assessment, in many parts of the world, of smoking, i.e. the consumption of tobacco products by combustion thereof and inhalation of the resulting smoke, for example in the form of cigarettes or cigars, in recent years such inhalation methods in which the physiologically active substances, which are traditionally ingested via smoking tobacco, are instead applied via corresponding inhalation methods which function without combustion of tobacco, have increasingly become the focus of interest, this concept also being transferred to further active ingredients, which are otherwise frequently associated with smoking, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids.
In this case, advancing technological development has made it possible to design corresponding evaporator systems, for evaporating an active ingredient-containing composition, to be ever smaller, such that nowadays evaporator systems are available by means of which evaporation of an active ingredient-containing composition can take place in a portable handheld device, which can for example be of the size of a traditional cigar or a packet of cigarettes. The most prominent uses for corresponding evaporator systems are electronic cigarettes, and preferably portable inhalers for medical applications. The systems known today are usually based on a composition, which is stored in a storage tank and is generally referred to as a liquid/fluid, is evaporated by more or less controlled supply of thermal energy from a heating member, e.g. a coiled filament, such that the user can inhale the vapours that arise.
For this purpose, it is necessary that the fluid provided for the evaporation can be stored in the storage tank safely and for as long a time period as possible. For this purpose, the use of closed evaporator cartridges is known from the prior art. For practical handling, said evaporator cartridges generally comprise a rigid storage tank for receiving the fluid, which take is closed by a heating member comprising a wick member, at least to such an extent that the fluid cannot emerge from the storage tank, past the wick member, without external influence. Said storage tanks thus have available virtually a specified, closed volume for storing the fluid. In addition to the fluid, after filling and closing, said volume usually comprises a gas bubble, the volume of which increases as the evaporation of the fluid progresses, which can lead to pressure fluctuations/pressure changes within the storage tank.
Changing ambient conditions, in particular pressure and temperature, means in particular a pressure and/or temperature change outside of the electronic cigarette or portable inhaler, both the fluid and the gas, in the storage tank, experience a volume or pressure change. In the range of pressures which is usually relevant in practice, of between 70 kPa and 108 kPa, and temperature between −20° C. and +60° C., the fluid can be assumed to be approximately incompressible, but is subject to a temperature-dependent volume expansion of up to approx. 5% .
The behaviour of the gas contained in the storage tank, usually air mixed with small amounts of the vapour located above the fluid, can be approximated using the ideal gas law, pure air being assumed, for simplicity: pV=m RS,L T, where p is the pressure in the storage tank, V is the gas volume in the storage tank, m is the mass of the gas in the storage tank, RS,L is the specific gas constant of air (RS,L=287 J/(kg*K)) and T is the temperature of the gas contained. Between the extreme cases of ambient conditions, to be realistically assumed in practice for electronic cigarettes and medical inhalers, of between 70 kPa pressure at 60° C. (e.g. on the Zugspitze mountain or in an aircraft with long-lasting direct solar radiation on the cartridge) and 108 kPa pressure at −20° C. (e.g. in a cold high-pressure area), a predetermined amount of air would change its volume by approximately the factor of two, without pressure change.
In a closed, rigid storage tank, i.e. in a constant volume, the change between these extreme cases can for example lead to a pressure change of almost 30 kPa. Even in less extreme situations, a change of pressure and/or temperature relative to the conditions prevailing at the time of filling can result in significant pressure differences between the interior of the evaporator cartridge and the ambient pressure.
Since there must at least be the possibility of the fluid being able to reach the evaporator unit, from the storage tank, since it can at this point be evaporated and e.g. converted into an aerosol, which reaches the person using it, in the otherwise closed, rigid storage tank there is only one possibility for pressure regulation, which consists in pushing fluid via the corresponding infeed, usually a wick member, in the direction of the heating member, or sucking fluid from the wick member back into the storage tank, i.e. away from the evaporator unit. Both these cases are disadvantageous, since a uniform infeed of fluid to the evaporator unit is a central requirement which is intended to ensure a constant vapour experience and/or a controlled and constant infeed of medical active ingredients.
When fluid is removed as intended from the storage tank, a vacuum pressure occurs in the closed volume of the storage tank. A vacuum pressure developing in the storage tank can for example impede the infeed of fluid to the evaporator unit and, in the worst case, even prevent this, such that too little aerosol or none at all is produced (known as “dry puff”). Since every evaporation process further reduces the amount of fluid in the storage tank, it may thus be the case that no more fluid is evaporated, although there is still sufficient fluid present in the storage tank.
In other cases, overpressure may occur in the closed volume of the storage tank. For example, entry into a tunnel, the take-off phase of an aircraft, or other external conditions can lead to expansion of air or gas bubbles in the storage tank. The overpressure can lead to the fluid being pushed out, in an undesired manner, in the direction of the heating member, such that too much aerosol is generated or that the aerosol carries with it undesirably large amounts of non-evaporated fluid. Thus, fluid can escape non-evaporated from the vent, and e.g. dirty the clothing of the user or also enter the user's oral cavity. Even without activation of the evaporator unit, fluid can get through the evaporator unit, in the direction of the airflow channel.
For this reason, the use of closed evaporator cartridges comprising rigid, closed storage tanks in evaporator systems generally leads to an impairment of the evaporation properties. In the prior art, there are hitherto no entirely satisfactory solutions available for solving this problem. In many systems, above all in more favourable ones, the disadvantages are usually accepted, since a sub-optimal vapour experience and the heating member running dry before the storage tank is completely empty are compensated by the price. In the case of such systems from the prior art, which address the problem, hitherto only a comparatively simple solution has been used. In this case, conventional evaporator cartridges are deliberately configured to be leaky, such that there are predetermined breaking points and/or leaks apart from the actual removal openings, through which fluid can escape in the event of an overpressure threshold, in the interior of the storage tank, being exceeded. However, this leakage from the storage tank is undesirable, particularly in the case of premium products, some cartridge designs from the prior art therefore still providing additional intermediate chambers for collecting the escaped fluid, which, however, do not solve the problem to begin with, but rather instead merely tackle the symptoms.
A known solution provides for the storage tank as a whole to be designed not rigidly, but rather completely as a type of bag, which consists of a flexible material and is reversibly deformable, in order to compensate the pressure fluctuations occurring in the interior of the bag. Although corresponding configurations solve the problem of pressure, they are frequently considered disadvantageous, for a number of reasons. In contrast to rigid storage tanks, which can also include thin-walled, bendable embodiments, these bags are frequently more difficult to install in typical evaporator systems and usually require a surrounding rigid carrier structure, as a result of which the number of required components, and the manufacturing outlay, increase. Furthermore, corresponding reversibly deformable bags are usually fragile and susceptible to damage, for example upon contact with objects or action by the user. Not least, in some cases a reduced acceptance by end customers for corresponding bag systems has been demonstrated, in particular the visual appearance and the feel of the bag reservoir having been perceived as disadvantageous.
In other solutions the evaporator cartridge comprises pressure compensation elements. The pressure compensation elements are arranged inside the evaporator cartridge and associated with a wall portion of the evaporator cartridge, and in particular the storage tank. For example, a flexible/movable airbag or the like is associated with a wall portion. However, it has been shown that the production and mounting of such airbags or the like, associated with the wall portions of the evaporator cartridge, is complex and technically demanding, which makes series production more expensive. A further disadvantage of known solutions is that the placement of such pressure compensation elements in the wall area is spatially limited, and furthermore there is a risk of covering other components of the evaporator cartridge, in particular also the evaporator unit, by the pressure compensation elements, as a result of which the functionality of the entire evaporator system is impaired.
The object of the invention is therefore that of proposing an evaporator cartridge which is simple and cost-effective to produce and mount, and which enables a consistent evaporation behaviour, irrespective of changing pressure rations within the evaporator cartridge. The object is furthermore that of proposing a corresponding evaporator system and a corresponding method.
This object is achieved by a cartridge element of the type mentioned at the outset, in that the housing is associated with a pressure compensation element. In a complete departure from the prior art, in which the or each pressure compensation element is associated with the wall of the storage tank of the evaporator cartridge, the association of the or each pressure compensation element with the housing of the separate cartridge element enables simple and cost-effective series production of the cartridge element carrying the or each pressure compensation element, since the housing of the cartridge element is easily accessible for attaching the pressure compensation element, and the individual housings, including the attachment of the pressure compensation element, can be manufactured for example in an endless strand. The configuration according to the invention of the cartridge element also enables a particularly simple and cost-effective (pre-) mounting of the evaporator cartridge, since ultimately only the two components of cartridge element and storage tank are connected to one another in a sealing manner. It is thus possible to omit complex mounting steps of pressure compensation element within the storage tank, on or in the walls thereof. The cartridge element according to the invention thus makes a fundamental contribution to the simplification of the production and mounting of cost-effective evaporator cartridges/evaporator systems. The association of the or each pressure compensation element with the housing, i.e. independently of and separately from the wall of the storage tank of the evaporator cartridge, still ensures—in combination with the rigid storage tank, which also includes thin-walled, bendable embodiments, of the evaporator cartridge—a reliable and efficient pressure compensation, since the or each pressure compensation element is arranged directly at the interface of the different pressure levels, specifically between the inner area—facing the airflow channel—and the outer area—facing the surroundings or, in the mounted state, the volume/receiving space of the storage tank—of the housing.
Advantageously, the or each pressure compensation element is configured on and in the housing. This ensures a particularly space-saving and simple construction of the cartridge element on the one hand, and of the evaporator cartridge on the other hand, the configuration according to the invention furthermore ensuring that further components of the cartridge element and of the evaporator cartridge are kept free, such that the risk of covering by components of the pressure compensation element protruding into the receiving space of the storage tank is reduced or prevented. A further advantage consists in the configuration and arrangement of the pressure compensation element on and in the housing enabling the production of the cartridge element and the mounting thereof to form an evaporator cartridge as a carry-over part for use in different evaporator cartridges, and independently of their outside shape.
A preferred embodiment is characterised in that the pressure compensation element is formed of a radially oriented compensation opening in the housing, and a flexible and/or movable cover that completely covers the compensation opening. The compensation opening is quasi a “hole” in the wall of the housing and enables or provides the necessary (compensation) volume for compensating potential pressure fluctuations. The cover creates a variable and reversibly deformable separation between the surroundings of the housing and the airflow channel in the housing, in that the “hole” is completely bridged by the cover. In the mounted state of the cartridge element, the cover separates the airflow channel from the fluid located in the storage tank.
Advantageously, the housing is electively configured in one piece or in multiple parts, in the case of a multiple-part configuration of the housing comprising at least one vent body for forming a first vent portion, and a top adapter which is preferably releasably connected to the vent body and is intended for forming a second vent portion. In the case of the one-piece configuration there is a single vent portion, which forms and defines the vent. In the case of the multi-part configuration, the vent is formed of a plurality of portions. The vent body, as the first vent portion, forms, together with the top adapter, as the second vent portion, the vent. The top adapter in addition also comprises a vent segment, which is configured separately from the vent body of the first vent portion and is connected thereto or integrally connected thereto, e.g. by spraying on. In this case, the air intake opening is preferably located in the area of the second vent portion, i.e. in the area of the vent segment of the top adapter. The air outlet opening is preferably located in the area of the first vent portion, i.e. in the area of the vent body.
Expediently, a radially oriented compensation opening is configured at least in the first vent portion, which compensation opening establishes a connection between the surroundings of the cartridge element and the airflow channel. The radial compensation opening is configured in the vent body, specifically preferably as an opening in a wall of the vent body.
Advantageously, the housing has, in the area of a wall that surrounds and defines the airflow channel, a radially oriented through-opening for forming a passage between the surroundings of the cartridge element and the airflow channel, for receiving an evaporator unit of the electronic cigarette or of the portable inhaler. The through-opening is particularly preferably configured in the area of the second vent portion. For this purpose, an aperture is configured in the wall of the vent segment, which is associated with the top adapter. Other positions and configurations of the through-openings are also possible, however.
Preferably, the radially oriented compensation opening is configured in the housing in the wall that surrounds the airflow channel, in the longitudinal direction of the housing, between the through-opening for the evaporator unit and the air outlet opening of the vent. This positioning and configuration ensures a particularly space-optimised and simple functional design. In the longitudinal direction of the airflow channel, the compensation opening extends over part of the length of the housing. The shape and/or size and/or positioning of the compensation opening can vary. It is also possible for a plurality of compensation openings to be provided, e.g. in the radial direction, on opposing sides of the airflow channel, the or each compensation opening being completely covered by the or each cover.
The cover is advantageously a flexible and/or movable diaphragm, foil or the like, which covers the compensation opening in a sealing manner. The diaphragm, foil or the like seals the or each compensation opening over the entire cross section, such that a preferably gas-tight and in any case fluid-tight decoupling exists between the airflow channel inside the housing and the surroundings of the housing, in the area of the or each compensation opening. Preferably, the diaphragm or the like is mounted on the housing in such a way that a bubble forms over or around the compensation opening. In other words, the diaphragm or the like is fixed in a manner bulged over or around the compensation opening. If the pressure increases (overpressure) in the outside surroundings (corresponds, in the mounted state of the cartridge element, to the space outside the receiving space of the storage tank of the evaporator cartridge, and thus outside of the electronic cigarette), then a pressure compensation can take place, via the access to the vent, to the outside surroundings, in that the diaphragm, foil or the like is pushed further away from the compensation opening, as a result of which the volume of the space within the receiving space of the evaporator cartridge reduces. In this case, the bulge or bubble is quasi inflated further. If the pressure decreases (vacuum pressure) in the outside surroundings, then a pressure compensation can take place via the access to the vent to the outside surroundings, in that the diaphragm, foil or the like is pulled in the direction of the compensation opening. In other words, the vacuum pressure in the outside surroundings leads to the bulge or bubble collapsing, as a result of which the volume of the space within the receiving space of the evaporator cartridge enlarges. In the mounted state, the volume of the storage tank can quasi “breathe” via the pressure compensation element, in order to quickly and precisely compensate pressure fluctuations of the outside surroundings within the storage tank, in that the diaphragm is pulled in the direction of the compensation opening or pushed away therefrom. Said “breathing” makes it possible to compensate pressure fluctuations which result due to pressure changes outside an evaporator cartridge that comprises such a cartridge element, or inside the evaporator cartridge.
In a particularly preferred development, the cover is preferably configured to be tubular, and completely surrounds the housing, at least in the area of the compensation opening, the tubular cover being connected fully, in a rigid and sealing manner, to the peripheral surface of the wall of the housing, in the longitudinal direction of the housing-proceeding from the compensation opening-in front thereof in the direction of the through-opening and in front thereof in the direction of the air outlet opening. The tubular configuration is in particular also suitable for embodiments comprising a plurality of compensation openings. Furthermore, this embodiment also simplifies series manufacture, since the individual housings, including the attachment of the pressure compensation elements, can be manufactured on an endless strand. Instead of a tubular configuration of the cover, this can for example also be configured to be flat, specifically for example pocket-like. The cover can be configured rotationally symmetrically around the compensation opening, or asymmetrically.
Advantageously, the cover is connected to the housing by means of welding and/or soldering and/or adhesive bonding and/or by means of any other connection technique for rigid and sealed connection. A mechanical connection of the cover to the housing is also possible.
Expediently, the housing is preferably configured to be tube-like and cylindrical, at least in portions. This configuration promotes simple series manufacture of the endless strand. The housing or the vent body and/or the vent segment can also have different cross sections, entirely or in part. For example, the cross sections can also be configured to be elliptical or diamond-shaped.
A particularly preferred development is characterised in that the housing is associated with a base plate on the side opposite the air outlet opening, the base plate being configured and adapted for fixing the cartridge element in a sealed manner to a rigid storage tank of the electronic cigarette or of the portable inhaler, for receiving and storing a fluid. The base plate can be a simple plate. Preferably, however, the base plate is the top adapter comprising the vent segment. The base plate or the top adapter can inter alia comprise the air intake opening into the airflow channel. The base plate or the top adapter preferably forms the lid for the storage tank of the evaporator cartridge of the evaporator system, or closes the end face of the storage tank of the evaporator cartridge. The base plate or the top adapter can be configured in one piece with the vent body of the housing. However, it is preferably rigidly but detachably connected to the vent body of the housing, as a separate component, for forming the continuous vent. The base plate or the top adapter is configured and adapted for sealing connection to the storage tank, in order to enable a fluid-tight connection to the wall of the storage tank.
In a corresponding manner, the housing is preferably configured and adapted, at the end facing the air outlet opening, for fixing the cartridge element in a sealed manner to a rigid storage tank of the electronic cigarette or of the portable inhaler, for receiving and storing a fluid, in order to enable a fluid-tight connection to the wall of the storage tank.
In preferred embodiments, the reversibly deformable cover optionally consists of a rubber-elastic synthetic, which comprises one or more elastomers which were produced from rubbers selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber, preferably selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and silicone rubber, or preferably consists of a thermoplastic synthetic, preferably from the group of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or the like. Other fluid-tight and preferably also gas-tight materials or material combinations can also be used. In particularly preferred developments, thin thermoplastic synthetic films can be used, e.g. in the form of already stretched, limp bags which can be easily deformed by creasing.
In a preferred and ready-to-mount embodiment of the cartridge element, a fluid-permeable evaporator unit is arranged in the through-opening of the housing, which evaporator unit extends over the entire through-opening, the evaporator unit has a wick member that faces the surroundings, and a heating member that faces the airflow channel. Particularly preferably, the evaporator unit is associated with the top adapter or the vent segment thereof.
The object is also achieved by an evaporator cartridge of the type mentioned at the outset, in that the housing of the cartridge element is associated with a pressure compensation element which is configured and adapted for pressure compensation between the surroundings of the cartridge element and the airflow channel. The advantages resulting therefrom have already been described in conjunction with the cartridge element. The association of the or each pressure compensation element with the housing, i.e. so as to be spaced apart and detached from the storage tank and in particular from the wall thereof, significantly simplifies the mounting of the evaporator cartridge. On account of the space-optimised arrangement of the or each pressure compensation element, and the simple functional design, the evaporator cartridges according to the invention are also constructed more compactly. Furthermore, covering in particular of the evaporator unit by the pressure compensation element or parts thereof can be effectively prevented.
In the mounted state of the evaporator cartridge, the receiving space of the storage tank forms the surroundings for the cartridge element. The housing is thus located inside the storage tank. Evaporator cartridges according to the invention are suitable in particular for use in electronic cigarettes or portable inhalers, and therefore comprise a rigid storage tank in which the fluid to be evaporated can be stored. A person skilled in the art is capable, on the basis of his general knowledge in the art, of assessing whether a storage tank can be described as rigid. In this case, within the context of the present invention, the term “rigid” in particular denotes those storage tanks which, in the case of areal application of a pressure of 200 kPa, experience a deformation of 10% or less, preferably 1% to 0.1% or less. Examples for rigid storage tanks are known to a person skilled in the art, and for example include those which are manufactured from glass, metal or a synthetic that is not rubber-elastic. Explicitly, storage tanks which are configured to be thin-walled and bendable are also to be referred to as rigid.
The pressure compensation element associated with the housing separates the airflow channel within the housing from the fluid located in the storage tank, which fluid can enter the airflow channel, as vapour or the like, exclusively via the evaporator unit. If the pressure in the outside surroundings changes, i.e. in particular outside of the evaporator cartridge or by use of the evaporator cartridge, the arising pressure differences can be reliably and directly compensated by the pressure compensation element. The pressure compensation element makes it possible to achieve a volume increase or volume decrease within the receiving space, in order to compensate the pressure difference between the outside surroundings U′ outside of the evaporator cartridge and the surroundings U within the evaporator cartridge.
For this purpose, the pressure compensation element preferably covers the airflow channel at least in a fluid-tight and optionally also gas-tight manner with respect to the receiving space of the storage tank that contains the fluid. Expediently, the pressure compensation element of the cartridge element is configured and adapted for changing the volume of the area of the receiving space that receives the fluid. The pressure compensation element is preferably configured to be movable, and particularly preferably flexible, such that it can be moved and/or stretched for the purpose of increasing the volume and decreasing the volume.
Very particularly advantageously, the cartridge element of the evaporator cartridge according to the invention is configured and adapted according to one or more of claims 1 to 16.
The object is furthermore achieved by an evaporator system of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterised in that the evaporator cartridge is configured and adapted according to one or more of claims 17 to 21. To avoid repetitions, regarding the advantages reference is made to the comments with regard to the cartridge element and the evaporator cartridge.
Advantageously, the evaporator cartridge forms a first part, in particular a disposable part, and the cartridge carrier forms a second part, in particular a reusable part, the first part and the second part being interconnected in a manner that is reversible and non-destructively releasable, such that there is electrical contact between the electrical energy source of the cartridge carrier and an electrical heating element of the evaporator cartridge, as well as fluid-conducting contact between the storage tank and the electrical heating element.
The object is also achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, where the method is characterised by the following steps, that the pressure compensation element is pre-mounted directly on the housing, before the final mounting of the evaporator cartridge. The housing is easily accessible and in particular also suitable for series manufacture, e.g. of an endless strand, such that the or each pressure compensation element can be (pre-) mounted on the housing with little effort and quickly, reliably and in a space-saving manner, before the housing is connected in a sealing manner to the storage tank and/or other components, for final mounting.
Expediently, the fluid is filled into the storage tank before the final mounting of the evaporator cartridge. The fluid can for example be filled quickly and reliably into the still open storage tank, before said tank is closed in a sealing manner by the cartridge element and/or other components, forming the closed receiving space.
Advantageously, a (pre-assembled) housing is provided, which, in addition to the air inlet and air outlet openings, has a compensation opening as a component of the pressure compensation element. Thus, quick and space-saving production or pre-assembly of the cartridge element or the housing, for simplified production or mounting of the evaporator cartridge, is ensured.
A preferred development is characterised in that, for pre-mounting of the pressure compensation element, each compensation opening is closed in a sealing manner by a flexible and/or movable cover. The final completion or attachment of the pressure compensation element is thus significantly simplified and particularly space-saving. The connection can be achieved for example by welding, soldering, adhesive bonding, or other conventional connection techniques.
A particularly advantageous embodiment is characterised in that the closing of each compensation opening with the cover has the following sequence of steps: a fluid-tight diaphragm is pulled over each compensation opening as the cover, fluid-tight connection of the diaphragm to the housing in the area of a first connection point, fluid-tight connection of the diaphragm to the housing in the area of a second connection point. This sequence of steps enables the series manufacture of the production of the cartridge element or of the housing carrying the pressure compensation element, in a particularly efficient and precise manner, which ultimately enables quick and cost-optimised production/mounting of the evaporator cartridge.
Advantageously, a continuous tube, as the fluid-tight diaphragm, is inflated by air and/or gas and, for covering each compensation opening, is pulled over the housing and deposited thereon, before the diaphragm is connected to the housing, the end of the continuous tube that is not connected to the housing being cut off when the second connection point is created, or thereafter. As a result, the advantages explained above are further promoted.
Optionally, after connection to the housing, the cover is processed radially towards the outside by deep-drawing in order to reduce the material thickness of the cover and/or to increase the volume of a bubble arising from the cover. The deep-drawing can take place for example using a heated die, by means of a vacuum. A thinner material or wall thickness reacts more sensitively to pressure fluctuations, such that even small pressure changes can be effectively compensated thereby.
Further expedient and/or advantageous features and developments of the apparatus and of the method follow from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments are explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
a) to d) show a sequence of steps for producing a further preferred embodiment of the cartridge element, specifically of the cartridge element according to
The cartridge element shown in the drawings is configured and adapted for use in an evaporator cartridge of an evaporator system to be used as an E-cigarette. In a corresponding manner, the cartridge element, the evaporator cartridge, and the evaporator system are suitable, and accordingly configured and adapted, as a portable inhaler, for inhaling other active ingredients, in particular those for pharmaceutical and/or medical purposes.
A cartridge element 10 for an electronic cigarette 11 is shown in
According to the invention, said cartridge element 10 is characterised in that a pressure compensation element 21 is associated with the housing 12. In the embodiment shown, a single pressure compensation element 21 is shown. However, in other developments two or more pressure compensation elements 21 can also be provided.
The features and developments described in the following, considered alone or in combination with one another, constitute preferred embodiments of the cartridge element 10 (see in particular
The or each pressure compensation element 21 is configured on and in the housing 12. In this case, individual components of the pressure compensation element 21 protrude beyond the housing 12, while other components of the pressure compensation element 21 protrude into the housing 12 or are set into said housing. The pressure compensation element 21 can be configured in one piece or in multiple parts. Preferably, the pressure compensation element 21 is formed of a radially oriented compensation opening 23 in the housing 12—in this case the compensation opening 23 forms the component of the pressure compensation element 21 that protrudes into the housing 12—and a flexible and/or movable cover 24 that completely covers the compensation opening 23—the cover 24 forms the component that protrudes beyond the housing 12. The compensation opening 23 can vary in shape, contour and size. The compensation opening 23 is preferably configured in the form of a slot and extends in the longitudinal direction of the central axis MH of the housing 12. The number of compensation openings 23 can also vary.
The housing 12 can electively be configured in one piece or in multiple parts, in the case of a multiple-part configuration of the housing 12 comprising at least one vent body 42 for forming a first vent portion, and a top adapter 43 which is preferably releasably connected to the vent body 42 and is intended for forming a second vent portion. In the case of the one-piece configuration there is a single vent portion, which forms and defines the vent 14. The housing 12 then comprises just one vent body 42, as shown for example in
A radially oriented compensation opening 23 is configured at least in the first vent portion, i.e. in the vent body 42, which compensation opening establishes a connection between the surroundings U of the cartridge element 10 and the airflow channel 13. Further compensation openings 23 can be configured in the vent body 42 and/or in the vent segment 44.
The housing 12 comprises, in the area of a wall 18 that surrounds and defines the airflow channel 13, a radially oriented through-opening 19 for forming a passage between the surroundings U of the cartridge element 10 and the airflow channel 13, for receiving an evaporator unit 20 of the electronic cigarette 11 or of the portable inhaler. Various options exist for configuring and/or positioning the or each through-opening 19. The through-opening 19 is particularly preferably configured in the area of the second vent portion, i.e. along the vent segment 44 of the top adapter 43.
The radially oriented compensation opening 23 is configured in the housing 12 in the wall 18 that surrounds the airflow channel 13, in the longitudinal direction of the housing 12, between the through-opening 19 for the evaporator unit 20 and the air outlet opening 16 of the vent 14. The compensation opening 23 thus extends on the one hand in a longitudinal direction of the housing 12, and on the other hand radially inwards, transversely to the longitudinal extension. Various options are possible with respect to the length of the compensation opening 23 in the longitudinal direction. In the embodiment shown, the compensation opening 23 is arranged approximately centrally between the through-opening 19 and the air outlet opening 16, and extends approximately over a third of the overall length of the stretch between the through-opening 19 and the air outlet opening 16. Of course, the compensation opening 23 can also be configured to be shorter or longer. Optionally, small, round holes are also possible as compensation openings 23.
The cover 24 can preferably be an actively actuated, movable, mechanical element. The cover 24 is preferably a flexible and/or movable diaphragm 25, foil or the like, which covers the compensation opening 23 or each compensation opening 23 completely and in a sealing manner. The diaphragm 25 is preferably configured in one piece. A multi-part diaphragm 25 or a plurality of individual diaphragms 25 can also be used. Particularly preferably, the cover 24, in the embodiment shown the diaphragm 25, is configured to be tubular, and completely surrounds the housing 12, at least in the area of the compensation opening 23, the tubular cover 24 being connected fully, in a rigid and sealing manner, to the peripheral surface 26 of the wall 18 of the housing 12, in the longitudinal direction of the housing 12, in front thereof in the direction of the through-opening 19 and in front thereof in the direction of the air outlet opening 16. Instead of the tubular configuration of the cover 24/diaphragm 25, a pocket-like configuration is also possible. Other configurations and shapes of the cover 24 can also be used. The cover 24/diaphragm 25 is configured and adapted for performing a compensation movement/elongation, in the case of a tubular configuration, according to the arrow 27. The compensation movement/elongation exists in all directions, over the entire periphery of the housing 12, and is thus quasi rotationally symmetrical. In other embodiments, which are not explicitly shown, in which the compensation opening 23 is differently positioned and/or configured, and/or the cover 24 is configured other than in a tubular manner, the cover 24/diaphragm 25 can be elongated/spread in directions other than shown in the figure, in particular also not rotationally symmetrically.
The cover 24 is connected to the housing 12 by means of welding and/or soldering and/or adhesive bonding and/or by means of any other connection technique for rigid and sealed connection. The connection points 28, 29 are preferably in each case configured in the edge area of the tubular diaphragm 25. For example, the diaphragm 25, the surface of which is heated, can be crimped to the peripheral surface 26 of the housing 12. The manner of the connection can be freely selected, as long as the connection points 28, 29 are sealed. The diaphragm 25 itself is configured to be fluid-tight and preferably also gas-tight.
The housing 12 itself is optionally configured to be tube-like and cylindrical, at least in portions. Particularly preferably, the cross section of the housing 12 is configured to be elliptical or diamond-shaped, at least in the area of the connection points 28, 29, which, indeed, form the sealing surfaces between the cover 24/diaphragm 25 on the one hand and the housing 12 on the other hand. In the embodiment shown, the housing 12 is produced in one piece from a solid material, for example a metal, synthetic, a composite, or the like. The airflow channel 13 can extend linearly within the housing 12, specifically in parallel with the central axis MH. The course of the airflow channel 13 can vary, however.
Preferably, the housing 12 is associated with a base plate 30 or the like on the side opposite the air outlet opening 16, i.e. preferably in the area of the air intake opening 15, which, however, can also be configured at a different position, the base plate 30 being configured and adapted for fixing the cartridge element 10 in a sealed manner to a rigid storage tank 31 of the electronic cigarette 11 or of the evaporator cartridge 22 or of the portable inhaler, for receiving and storing a fluid. The base plate 30 can be a simple plate. Preferably, however, the base plate 30 is the top adapter 43 comprising the vent segment 44. The base plate 30 or the top adapter 43 closes the storage tank 31 in a sealing manner at the end face.
With or without the base plate 30 or top adapter 43, a sealed connection of the housing 12 to the storage tank 31 is ensured. For this purpose, the housing 12 is adapted and configured at both opposing ends, to establish a sealed connection, selectively to the storage tank 31 and/or the mouthpiece 17 of the E-cigarette 11. On the side facing the air intake opening 15, the sealing is preferably achieved by means of the base plate 30 or the top adapter 43. The housing 12 is configured and adapted, at the end thereof facing the air outlet opening 16, for fixing the cartridge element 10 in a sealed manner to the rigid storage tank 31 of the electronic cigarette 11 or of the portable inhaler or the corresponding mouthpiece 17.
The reversibly deformable cover 24, in the example shown, the diaphragm 25, optionally consists of a rubber-elastic synthetic, which comprises one or more elastomers which were produced from rubbers selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber, preferably selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and silicone rubber, or preferably consists of a thermoplastic synthetic, preferably from the group of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or the like. Other materials or material combinations can also be used. Very particularly preferably, thin thermoplastic synthetic films can be used, e.g. in the form of already stretched, limp bags which can be easily deformed by creasing.
As a modular spare or replacement part, the cartridge element 10 is usable in various ways and virtually universally, as a carry-over part, in particular also irrespective of the outer shape. For use in an evaporator cartridge 22, a fluid-permeable evaporator unit 20 is arranged in the through-opening 19 of the housing 12, which evaporator unit extends over the entire through-opening 19, the evaporator unit 20 comprising a wick member 32 that faces the surroundings, and a heating member (not explicitly shown) that faces the airflow channel 13. The evaporator unit 20 is configured to supply fluid to the heating member by means of the wick member 32, which heating member outputs the evaporated fluid into the airflow channel 13.
An evaporator cartridge 22 of this kind is described in the following with reference to
An evaporator cartridge 22 of this kind is characterised, according to the invention, in that a pressure compensation element 21 is associated with the housing 12 of the cartridge element 10, which pressure compensation element is configured and adapted for pressure compensation between the surroundings U, i.e. the receiving space 33, of the cartridge element 10, and the airflow channel 13. The receiving space 33 of the storage tank 31 forms the surroundings U for the cartridge element 10 and the reservoir for the fluid, it also being possible for air/gas bubbles to arise within the receiving space 33. The emergence and/or enlargement of the air/gas bubbles, e.g. due to the use of the evaporator cartridge 22 as intended, and/or external influences, i.e. pressure changes in the surroundings U′ outside of the evaporator cartridge 22, leads to changing pressure conditions, which are compensated by means of the pressure compensation element 21. The pressure compensation element 21 covers the airflow channel 13 in a fluid-tight and preferably also gas-tight manner with respect to the receiving space 33 of the storage tank 31 that contains the fluid. In the embodiment shown, the pressure compensation element 21 of the cartridge element 10 is configured and adapted for changing the volume of the area of the receiving space 33 that receives the fluid. If the pressure increases (overpressure) in the outside surroundings U′, i.e. outside of the receiving space 33 of the storage tank 31 of the evaporator cartridge 22, then a pressure compensation can take place via the access to the vent 14 to the outside surroundings U′, i.e. especially via the or each compensation opening 23, in that the diaphragm 25, foil or the like is pushed further away from the compensation opening 23, as a result of which the volume of the space within the receiving space 33 of the evaporator cartridge 22 reduces. In this case, the bulge or bubble is quasi inflated further. If the pressure decreases (vacuum pressure) in the outside surroundings U′, then a pressure compensation can take place via the access to the vent to the outside surroundings U′, in that the diaphragm 25, foil or the like is pulled in the direction of the compensation opening 23. In other words, the vacuum pressure in the outside surroundings U′ leads to the bulge or bubble collapsing, as a result of which the volume of the space within the receiving space 33 of the evaporator cartridge 22 enlarges.
The reversibly elongatable diaphragm 25, as the cover 24, can be pulled in the direction of the compensation opening 23 (see arrow 27) when there is an existing or occurring vacuum pressure in the surroundings U′, and leads to a volume increase of the receiving space 33. When there is an existing or occurring overpressure in the surroundings U′, the diaphragm 25 can be pushed away from the compensation opening 23 (see arrow 27) and leads to the reduction in volume of the receiving space 33, as a result of which ultimately constant pressure conditions can be achieved “online”, inside the receiving space 33. The configuration according to the invention makes it possible for even small pressure differences to be compensated. In other words, even small pressure differences lead to a deformation of the pressure compensation element 21 and a volume change within the receiving space 33. The cover 24 or diaphragm 25 is configured and adapted to be so “sensitive” that even small pressure fluctuations, i.e. the occurrence of overpressure or vacuum pressure outside of the evaporator cartridge 22, in particular in the surroundings U′, of preferably less than 15 hPa and particularly preferably less than 5 hPa, can be compensated by means of the pressure compensation element 21.
In the case of the preferred evaporator cartridge 22 shown, according to
The evaporator cartridge 22 is an independent module, but preferably a component of an evaporator system 34, in particular of an electronic cigarette 11 or of a portable inhaler. The evaporator system 34, i.e. in the drawings the electronic cigarette 11, is configured and adapted for inhalation of active ingredient-enriched aerosol, aerosol/vapour mixture, or the like, and comprises a cartridge carrier 37 that comprises at least one electronic control unit 35 and an energy source 36, and the evaporator cartridge 22. Said evaporator system 34 is characterised, according to the invention, in that the evaporator cartridge 22 is configured and adapted according to one or more of claims 13 to 17. The evaporator system 34 can be configured in one piece or in multiple parts. It can be configured overall as a disposable or reusable part, comprising one or more storage tanks 31. In the embodiment shown, the evaporator cartridge 22 forms a first part, in particular a disposable part, and the cartridge carrier 37 forms a second part, in particular a reusable part, the first part and the second part being interconnected in a manner that is reversible and non-destructively releasable, such that there is electrical contact between the electrical energy source 36 of the cartridge carrier 37 and the electrical heating element of the evaporator cartridge 22, as well as fluid-conducting contact between the storage tank 31 or the receiving space 33 and the electrical heating element.
When the E-cigarette 11 is used as intended, the person using it sucks on the mouthpiece 17, as a result of which fluid from the storage tank 31 or receiving space 33 gradually reaches the flow channel 13, via the evaporator unit 20, as aerosol, aerosol/vapour mixture, or the like, and is inhaled by the person using it. The decreasing amount of fluid in the receiving space 33, and/or external influences, i.e. a change in the pressure conditions outside of the E-cigarette in the surroundings U′, results in a change in the pressure ratios between the outside surroundings U′ and the receiving space 33, i.e. the inside surroundings U. In particular, when the E-cigarette 11 is used properly a vacuum pressure occurs in the receiving space 33, which pressure is compensated by the mobility or flexibility of the diaphragm 25, in that the diaphragm 25 is pulled radially outwards, for reducing the volume of the receiving space 33, as a result of which the vacuum pressure is compensated. Since the diaphragm 25 may not be configured to be sufficiently stretchy to ensure pressure compensation until the storage tank 31 is completely empty, optionally a ventilation valve (not explicitly shown) can be provided, by means of which the pressure compensation can be carried out.
If for example the ambient pressure of the E-cigarette 11, and thus also of the evaporator cartridge 22, changes, the pressure conditions within the storage tank 31 also change. If for example the ambient pressure of the E-cigarette 11 drops, air/gas bubbles, located inside the receiving space 33, in addition to the fluid, expand. This results in a volume increase of the air/gas bubbles within the receiving space 33, which is compensated by the mobility or flexibility of the diaphragm 25. Specifically, the diaphragm 25 is pushed in a manner directed radially inwards, and optionally also pushed into the compensation opening 23. The compensation of the overpressure effectively prevents fluid being “pushed out” or escaping through the evaporator unit 20 into the airflow channel 13.
The method for producing an evaporator cartridge 22 will be explained in greater detail in the following. The term “producing” explicitly also comprises the pre-assembly and mounting of pre-assembled components of the evaporator cartridge 22.
The method is configured and suitable in particular for producing an evaporator cartridge 22 according to one or more of claims 17 to 21, and comprises the following steps: A housing 12 is provided, which comprises a continuous airflow channel 13 for forming a vent 14 having an air intake opening 15 and an air outlet opening 16. Furthermore, a component that carries an evaporator unit 20 is provided. Moreover, a rigid storage tank 31 that forms a receiving space 33 for receiving and storing a fluid is provided. In addition, a pressure compensation element 21 is provided, and in such a way that, in the mounted state of the housing 12, the component carrying the evaporator unit 20, and the storage tank 31, the pressure compensation element 21 acts for pressure compensation between the airflow channel 13 and the receiving space 33. These components, which are provided and optionally pre-mounted, are then mounted finally to form the finished evaporator cartridge 22, in that the housing 12 and the component carrying the evaporator unit 20 are connected to the storage tank 31 in a sealing manner, forming a closed receiving space 33 for receiving the fluid. In the finally mounted evaporator cartridge 22, the pressure compensation element 21 is positioned inside the receiving space 33, in order to compensate the pressure fluctuations that occur therein and are due to use, and/or that occur due to outside influences.
According to the invention, prior to final mounting of the evaporator cartridge 22 the pressure compensation element 21 is pre-mounted directly on the housing 12. The pressure compensation element 21 which is formed in one piece or multiple parts, or consists of a plurality of components, is configured and manufactured/mounted separately and independently of the storage tank 31, exclusively on the housing 12.
Providing and/or pre-mounting of the components “housing 12”, preferably as a vent body 42, “component carrying the evaporator unit 20”, preferably as a top adapter 43 comprising a vent segment 44, “storage tank 31”, and “pressure compensation element 21” can be performed in a different manner and/or at least in part in a different sequence.
In a first variant, the housing 12 can be provided as an individual component, e.g. as an injection-moulded part. The pressure compensation element 21 is attached to said housing 12 or the vent body 42. This can take place for example by pulling a tubular diaphragm 25 onto the housing 12 and subsequently connecting it thereto. Subsequently, the storage tank 31 is sprayed onto the housing 12. Thereafter, the component carrying the evaporator unit 20, or the top adapter 43 carrying the evaporator unit 20 in a vent segment 44, is placed and fastened, quasi as a lid, on the unit formed of the housing 12 with the pressure compensation element 21 and storage tank 31.
In a second variant, the housing 12 is also provided as an individual component, e.g. as an injection-moulded part. The pressure compensation element 21 is attached to said housing 12 or vent body 42. This can take place for example by pulling a tubular diaphragm 25 onto the housing 12 and subsequently connecting it thereto, or in another manner. In addition, a separately produced storage tank 31 is provided. This can likewise be produced for example in an injection-moulding process. The housing 12, provided with the pressure compensation element 21, is then inserted into the storage tank 31 and connected thereto, rigidly and in a sealing manner, by its end that faces into the storage tank 31. Finally, the component carrying the evaporator unit 20, or the top adapter 43 carrying the evaporator unit 20 in a vent segment 44, is placed and fastened, quasi as a lid, on the unit formed of the housing 12 with the pressure compensation element 21 and storage tank 31.
In a third variant, a housing 12, i.e. the vent body 42, together with the component carrying the evaporator unit 20, i.e. the top adapter 43 comprising a vent segment 44, is produced in an injection-moulding process and provided with the evaporator unit 20. Thereafter, the pressure compensation element 21 is attached to the housing 12. This can take place for example by pulling a tubular diaphragm 25 onto the housing 12 and subsequently connecting it thereto, or in another manner. In addition, a separately produced storage tank 31 is provided. This can be produced for example in an injection-moulding process. Finally, the housing 12, produced and pre-mounted in this way and carrying the pressure compensation element 21, together with the component carrying the evaporator unit 20, is placed into or on the storage tank 31, quasi as a lid, and fixed.
Further variants of the production and pre-and final mounting are of course possible. The diaphragm 25 can be inflated yet further for forming an airbag or for forming the bubble 21. The inflation preferably takes place via the airflow channel 13 of the housing 12, and can already take place on the pre-mounted housing 12. The inflation can alternatively also take place after final mounting of the evaporator cartridge 22.
Finally, the evaporator cartridge 22 can also be sealed, in order to close possible leaks, in particular in the area of the mounting gaps.
For a ready-to-use evaporator cartridge 22, optionally a fluid is filled into the storage tank 31 before the final mounting of the evaporator cartridge 22. The filling can take place for example directly into the still open storage tank 31. However, filling can also take place retrospectively, e.g. via a filling needle or a filling valve or the like, when the evaporator cartridge 22 is already finally mounted.
Preferably a housing 12 is provided, which, in addition to the air inlet and air outlet openings 15, 16, comprises a compensation opening 23 as a component of the pressure compensation element 21. For pre-mounting of the or each pressure compensation element 21, this or each compensation opening 23 is closed in a sealing manner by a flexible and/or movable cover 24. The components or parts of compensation opening 23 and cover 24 form, in operative connection with one another, the pressure compensation element 21, and are both associated with the housing 12.
The closing of each compensation opening 23 with the cover 24 optionally comprises the following sequence of steps: Firstly, a fluid-tight diaphragm 25 is pulled over each compensation opening 23, as the cover 24. Said diaphragm 25 then preferably rests tightly on the housing 12 and can then be inflated. The diaphragm 25 is pulled onto the housing 12 to such an extent until the or each compensation opening 23 is completely covered and other components remain free, i.e. uncovered. The diaphragm 25 is then connected to the housing 12 in a fluid-tight manner, in the area of a first connection point 28. The connection can take place by means of a connection tool 38, 39. For example, the diaphragm 25 can be fused, welded, soldered, adhesively bonded, or connected otherwise, in a fluid-tight and optionally also gas-tight manner, to the surface of the housing 12. Subsequently, the diaphragm 25 is connected to the housing 12 in a fluid-tight manner, in the area of a second connection point 29. The connection takes place in a corresponding manner, by means of a connection tool 38, 39. The connection of the diaphragm 25 can optionally also take place simultaneously at both connection points 28, 29, or in the reverse order. It is also possible for a single connection tool 38 or 39 to be used for producing both connection points 28, 29.
In the sequence of steps described in
Optionally, after—complete and final—connection to the housing 12, the cover 24, in the example shown the tubular diaphragm 25, can be processed radially towards the outside by deep-drawing in order to reduce the material thickness of the cover 24 and/or to increase the volume of a bubble 41 arising from the cover 24. The diaphragm 25 can, however, also be stretched and resiliently and/or plastically deformed in another manner.
Particularly preferably, by means of the described method, the cartridge element 10 according to the invention is produced and pre-assembled, which cartridge element is then mounted with the storage tank 31 to form the evaporator cartridge 22 according to the invention. The evaporator cartridge 22, manufactured and mounted in this way, can then be mounted easily and quickly, e.g. by means of a plug or quick-release connector, with the cartridge carrier 37, to form the E-cigarette 11 according to the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102021123746.7 | Sep 2021 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/072447 | 8/10/2022 | WO |
