Manual Microfluidic Wiper for a Thermal Bubble Jet Technology Aerosol Smoking System

Abstract

An aerosol smoking system includes a mouthpiece and a thermal bubble jet technology aerosol generation apparatus, wherein the aerosol generation apparatus is configured with a die located on its outer periphery, the mouthpiece is configured to be removably mountable on the outer periphery of the aerosol generation apparatus, by sliding the mouthpiece over the die on the outer periphery to an operating position. The mouthpiece further includes a wiper that protrudes from the mouthpiece on a side facing the die when the mouthpiece in mounted on the outer periphery, and the wiper is configured to wipe fluid from the die during the sliding of the mouthpiece before the mouthpiece reaches the operating position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a thermal bubble jet technology aerosol smoking system, more specifically to a manual microfluidic wiper for this system.

BACKGROUND ART

Aerosol smoking systems are configured to generate aerosol as a result of heat generated by electrical power sources, and to deliver aerosol that is intended to be drawn into the mouth of a user. Aerosol smoking systems may provide components of tobacco in an aerosol form. Aerosol smoking systems as used by smokers are commonly referred to as electronic cigarettes. As used herein, the term “aerosol” is meant to include vapors, gases and aerosols of a form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible, and whether or not of a form that might be considered to be “smoke-like.”

US publication U.S. Ser. No. 10/548,351B2 discloses an example of an aerosol delivery system which makes use of bubble jet technology, more specifically bubble jet heads. A bubble jet head is a component configured to heat a fluid, e.g., an aerosol precursor composition, to produce a bubble of vapor that applies pressure to the fluid and ejects one or more droplets of the fluid therefrom. Bubble jet heads may be defined as including an inlet, e.g., a precursor inlet, an ejection heating element, and a nozzle, e.g., a precursor nozzle, which may be housed within, or defined by, a wafer, substrate, or housing. The aerosol delivery device may include a reservoir at least partially filled with the aerosol precursor composition. Further, the aerosol delivery device may include a bubble jet head in fluid communication with the reservoir. The bubble jet head may be configured to dispense the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir. Additionally, the aerosol delivery device may include an atomizer configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition dispensed by the bubble jet head to produce an aerosol. The bubble jet head and the atomizer may be fixedly coupled to one another. A typical aerosol delivery system comprises a control body which may be reusable, and a cartridge with the reservoir for the aerosol precursor composition, whereby the cartridge may be disposable. In this regard, whereas certain components within the cartridge may degrade or be depleted, other components such as the bubble jet head within the control body may maintain full functionality despite repeated use.

The aerosol generating system, including the bubble jet head and all related technology is comparatively costly and may under circumstances be used to consume a plurality of cartridges. It is therefore reasonable to integrate the bubble jet head in the reusable part of the aerosol smoking system, i.e., the aerosol generation apparatus, rather than including it in a disposable cartridge. This may pose technical design challenges as a die from the bubble jet head may be exposed “in the open” on an outer periphery surface of the aerosol smoking apparatus and become soiled with time as the plurality of cartridges are successively consumed. Indeed, smoking liquid can deposit on the die and build up. The smoking liquid attracts other particles and can clog nozzles or create a layer of semi-evaporated fluid with certain components permanently residing on the dies

International publication WO2019019309A1 concerns a heat-no-burn tobacco smoking device configured to use a water tank, whereby evaporated water is generated by heating of the tobacco. In this context, the publication makes mention of a mouthpiece that is provided with a special absorption device for absorbing the splitting water and evaporated water. However, it does not mention any use of bubble jet technology, and entirely fails to disclose any wiping and sliding movement of the mouthpiece that would activate the wiper to clean a die.

The invention aims at providing an alternative aerosol smoking system utilizing the bubble jet technology in a design where it is attached to the reusable part of the aerosol smoking system, which provides improved hygiene and sustainability of use.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides an aerosol smoking system, comprising a mouthpiece and a thermal bubble jet technology aerosol generation apparatus, wherein the aerosol generation apparatus is configured with a die located on its outer periphery, the mouthpiece is configured to be removably mountable on the outer periphery of the aerosol generation apparatus, by sliding the mouthpiece over the die on the outer periphery to an operating position. The mouthpiece further comprises a wiper that protrudes from the mouthpiece on a side facing the die when the mouthpiece in mounted on the outer periphery, and the wiper is configured to wipe fluid from the die during the sliding of the mouthpiece before the mouthpiece reaches the operating position.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol smoking system further comprises a piece of foam positioned in fluidic contact with the wiper and configured to absorb fluid from the wiper.

In a further preferred embodiment, the piece of foam is mounted on the outer periphery of the aerosol generation system.

In a further preferred embodiment, the piece of foam is mounted on the mouthpiece.

In a further preferred embodiment, the aerosol smoking system further comprises a further piece of foam mounted on the outer periphery in proximity to the die and configured to absorb fluid displaced by the wiper during the sliding of the mouthpiece when the mouthpiece is mounted on the outer periphery.

By creating a mechanical wiper for the aerosol smoking system, the die can be cleaned at certain intervals, minimizing the long-term build-up.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood through the description of example embodiments, and in reference to the figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an aerosol smoking system according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate how a mouthpiece may be mounted on an aerosol smoking apparatus according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view from above toward an outer periphery of the aerosol generation apparatus, and a mouthpiece, according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration similar to that of FIG. 3, in which the mouthpiece engages a sliding motion towards an operating position;

FIG. 5 illustrates example views of a printed circuit board with a die;

FIG. 6 shows the printed circuit board of FIG. 5 in conjunction with a smoking liquid cartridge, according to an example embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow of air and a flow of smoking liquid through an assembly of a smoking liquid cartridge and a die, on the way to be nebulized into an aerosol, according to an example embodiment of the invention.

Same references will be used to designate same or similar features throughout all the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the term “smoking liquid” includes materials that provide vaporized components upon heating, typically in the form of an aerosol. “Smoking liquid” includes any tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. “Smoking liquid” also may include other, non-tobacco, products.

“Smoking liquid” may for example be in the form of a liquid. “Smoking liquid” may for example also be a combination or a blend of liquids.

A “smoking liquid cartridge” is an article or component that includes or contains in use the smoking liquid which in use is heated to volatilize.

“Bubble jet technology” is used herein to designate all components necessary in conjunction with a bubble jet head or die required as a part of an aerosol generation apparatus to produce the aerosol from the smoking liquid. One example of bubble jet technology use is discussed in the above referenced US publication U.S. Ser. No. 10/548,351 B2, but this is merely one embodiment of prior art, and many variations and different embodiment may be known from prior art or future developments in the field of bubble jet technology for use in aerosol smoking systems.

There is a need for new easy, more hygienic, and more sustainable aerosol smoking system utilizing the bubble jet technology cartridges of smoking liquid.

FIG. 1 contains a schematic illustration of an example embodiment of an aerosol smoking system 100 according to the invention. The system 100 comprises an aerosol generation apparatus 101, which because of its specificity may also be denominated as a thermal bubble jet technology aerosol generation apparatus. The system 100 further comprises a mouthpiece 102 mounted on the aerosol generation apparatus 101. The system further comprises a compartment 103 closed by a door 104 that opens and closes the compartment 103. In this particular example the compartment 103 is integral with or inside the aerosol generation apparatus 101. The system 100 is illustrated in transparency, i.e., the illustration allows to see through an outer periphery 106 of a casing 107 of the aerosol generating apparatus 101. Hence various components of the inside may be seen, such as for example an electrical power source or battery 108 and a smoking liquid cartridge 109 located inside the compartment 103. The example illustrated here is one possible embodiment, but many further embodiments may be conceived for the aerosol smoking system, knowing that a person skilled in the art will be knowledgeable about manners of assembling key components of such an aerosol smoking system and its cartridge. One feature specific to the present invention is the mouthpiece 102 for which a more detailed description is given hereinunder, particularly in respect of the manner in which it is mounted on the aerosol generation apparatus 101, and a number of features that it is equipped with. Another specific feature of the present invention is a die of the bubble jet technology (not illustrated in FIG. 1, but located between the aerosol generation apparatus 101 and the mouthpiece 102, and more particularly the specific manner in which the die is located in the aerosol generation apparatus 101.

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate how the mouthpiece 102 may be mounted on the aerosol smoking apparatus 101.

In FIG. 2A the aerosol smoking apparatus 101 already illustrated in FIG. 1, is shown from an elevated view towards the side on which the mouthpiece 102 is removably mounted. In fact, in FIG. 2A the mouthpiece 102 is dismounted from the aerosol smoking apparatus after having been slid off from its operating position in which it was illustrated in FIG. 1. The mouthpiece 102 comprises a hollow part 200 configured to allow a flow of aerosol (aerosol not illustrated) from the aerosol generation apparatus 101 towards the user (user not illustrated) for inhalation of the aerosol. Further in FIG. 2A, the sliding away of the mouthpiece 102 uncovers the die 201 of the bubble jet technology, which is mounted on the outer periphery 106 of the casing 107

FIG. 2B illustrates a view from above the opening 200 of the mouthpiece 102 as this is removably mounted on the outer periphery 106, to be positioned in operating position. The die 201 is visible at the bottom of the opening 200. The die 201 ultimately enables a nebulization of smoking liquid into the aerosol for inhalation, when the mouthpiece 102 is in operation position. FIG. 2B also illustrates an optional piece of foam 202 that covers a lateral border and a part of an upper surface 204 of the mouthpiece 102. As previously explained, smoking liquid (not illustrated) can deposit on the die 201 and build up. The foam 202 is configured to absorb such smoking liquid, after the smoking liquid is wiped from the die 201 by a wiper of the mouthpiece 102, which will be discussed with reference to FIG. 3 below.

FIG. 2C illustrates a view from oblique above towards the side indicated with an arrow 203 in FIG. 2B. The view shows the mouthpiece 102 slightly retracted by motion of sliding from the operating position in which it was in FIG. 2B, uncovering the outer periphery 106 and a part of the die 201.

FIG. 2D illustrates a further view similar to that of FIG. 2C, in which the mouthpiece 102 is retracted a bit more from the operating position than in FIG. 2C, by motion of sliding. FIG. 2D also illustrates an example of holding means comprising a hollow rail 205 mounted on the outer periphery 106, which cooperates with corresponding sliding sides 206 of the mouthpiece 102, thereby enabling the sliding motion by which the mouthpiece 102 may be removably mounted into operating position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further view from oblique above toward the outer periphery 106 of the aerosol generation apparatus 101, which is configured with the die 201. FIG. 3 further illustrate the mouthpiece 102 with one of its sliding sides 206 and the wiper 300 that protrudes from the mouthpiece 102 on a side facing the die 201 when the mouthpiece 102 is mounted on the outer periphery 106. Note that the foam 202 is not illustrated in FIG. 3, but in actual operation the foam may be optionally included and in fluidic contact with the wiper 300. The wiper 300 is configured to wipe fluid from the die 201 during the sliding of the mouthpiece 102 and before the mouthpiece 102 reaches the operating position.

Concerning the foam 202, this may optionally the mounted onto the outer periphery 106 of the aerosol generation system 101.

A further piece of foam may be mounted on the outer periphery 106 in proximity to the die 201 and configured to absorb fluid displaced by the wiper 300 during the sliding of the mouthpiece 102 when the mouthpiece 102 is mounted on the outer periphery 106.

In FIG. 4, the mouthpiece 102 is shown at the beginning of the engagement of the sliding sides 206 into the hollow rails 205 when the mouthpiece 102 is being slid towards operating position.

The shapes of the wiper 300, foam 202, hollow rails 205, and sliding sides 206 as illustrated through the figures are given by way of example only, and may differ in different embodiments not presented in the present description.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate further details of the example aerosol generation apparatus 100.

FIG. 5 contains 2 views 5A and 5B of respectively a lower side 5A and upper side 5B of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 500 that is configured to carry parts of the bubble jet technology 501, including the die 201. The PCB 500 may be mounted on the outer periphery 106 (not illustrated in FIG. 5) such that the die 106 presents itself at the outer periphery as illustrated in FIG. 2-4. On the lower side illustrated in view 5A are 2 hollow needles 502 that are configured to conduct smoking fluid to the die 201 (smoking fluid not illustrated in FIG. 5).

FIG. 6 shows the PCB 500 with its hollow needles 502 inserted into the smoking liquid cartridge 109. In this configuration smoking liquid from the cartridge 109 may flow to the die 201 through the hollow needles 502. An optional filter 600 located between the hollow needles 502 and the die 201 may be used to filter the smoking liquid before it reaches the die 201.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a flow of air 700 and a flow of smoking liquid 701 through the assembly of smoking liquid cartridge 109 and die 201, with the aim of producing an aerosol 703. The flow of air 700 enter the smoking liquid cartridge 109 and exerts pressure on a surface of the smoking liquid 704 present in the cartridge 109. The smoking liquid 704 is then forced to flow through a central channel 705 of the smoking liquid cartridge 109, and through the hollow needle 502 to reach the die 201 where the smoking liquid is nebulized into the aerosol 703.

Claims

1. An aerosol smoking system, comprising a mouthpiece and a thermal bubble jet technology aerosol generation apparatus, wherein the aerosol generation apparatus comprises a die located on-its an outer periphery of the apparatus,the mouthpiece is configured to be removably mountable on the outer periphery of the aerosol generation apparatus, by sliding the mouthpiece over the die on the outer periphery to an operating position, andthe mouthpiece further comprises a wiper that protrudes from the mouthpiece on a side facing the die when the mouthpiece in mounted on the outer periphery, and the wiper is configured to wipe fluid from the die during the sliding of the mouthpiece before the mouthpiece reaches the operating position.

2. The aerosol smoking system of claim 1, further comprising a piece of foam positioned in fluidic contact with the wiper and configured to absorb fluid from the wiper.

3. The aerosol smoking system of claim 2, wherein the piece of foam is mounted on the outer periphery of the aerosol generation system.

4. The aerosol smoking system of claim 2, wherein the piece of foam is mounted on the mouthpiece.

5. The aerosol smoking system of claim 4, further comprising a second piece of foam mounted on the outer periphery in proximity to the die and configured to absorb fluid displaced by the wiper during the sliding of the mouthpiece when the mouthpiece is mounted on the outer periphery.