MOUTHPIECE FOR INHALING AN AEROSOL WITH A FLAVOR ELEMENT

The present invention relates to a mouthpiece for inhaling an aerosol. The present invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the mouthpiece.

Aerosol-generating systems comprise either a cartridge including liquid aerosol-forming substrate or an aerosol-generating article including solid aerosol-forming substrate. These products can be consumed as heat-not-burn products, or as conventional aerosol-generating articles creating an aerosol upon combustion. A user often can only modify the perception of a puff including the volume of the aerosol produced and the nicotine delivery in these systems by inhaling with differing intensity. These aerosol-generating systems often contain flavorings which cannot be changed while the cartridge or the cigarette is in use. Similarly, a user may purchase a complete set of aerosol-generating articles, which all include the same flavor.

It would be desirable to provide a user with further options for customizing the volume of the aerosol produced. It furthermore would be desirable to provide a user with additional options for customizing the nicotine delivery. It would be desirable to provide a user with the possibility to change the flavor of an aerosol-generating system while being in use or between uses. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide the user with the possibility to change the flavoring from an aerosol generated from a complete set of aerosol-generating articles at the user's convenience. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide components for flavoring an aerosol which can provide further flavorings for aerosol-generating systems.

According to an embodiment of the present invention a mouthpiece for inhaling an aerosol is provided. The mouthpiece may comprise a housing, wherein the housing may include an airflow channel. The mouthpiece may comprise a flavor element for flavoring the aerosol. The flavor element may be in fluid communication with the airflow channel. The flavor element may be mounted on an outer surface of the housing.

According to another embodiment of the present invention a mouthpiece for inhaling an aerosol is provided. The mouthpiece comprises a housing, wherein the housing includes an airflow channel. The mouthpiece furthermore comprises a flavor element for flavoring the aerosol. The flavor element is in fluid communication with the airflow channel. The flavor element is mounted on an outer surface of the housing.

Such a mouthpiece may provide a user with the option to further customize the aerosol to be inhaled. Mounting the flavor element on an outer surface of the housing may provide a user with the opportunity to better recognize different flavor elements. This may also enable a better branding of the mouthpiece with the flavor elements. This may provide a better marketing opportunity for such a mouthpiece. Different flavors of the flavor element may be provided with different colors for easier recognition by a user. The mounting element may comprise an outer surface facing away from the mouthpiece. A user may be able to further visually customize the mouthpiece upon the user's convenience using this outer surface.

The mouthpiece of the present invention may be configured to further modify or customize an airflow or an aerosol from the cartridge or an aerosol-generating device upon a user's convenience. In particular, the at least one flavoring agent of flavor element of the mouthpiece may be employed in order to customize or modify an airflow or an aerosol entering the mouthpiece from an upstream direction.

As used herein, the terms “upstream”, and “downstream”, are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the mouthpiece, the cartridge, the aerosol-generating article or the aerosol-generating device in relation to the direction in which air flows through the aerosol-generating device during use thereof along the air flow path. Aerosol generating devices or mouthpieces according to the invention comprise a proximal end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the device. The proximal end of the aerosol generating device or the mouthpiece may also be referred to as the downstream end. The mouth end is downstream of the distal end. The distal end of the aerosol generating device or the mouthpiece may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the mouthpiece, the cartridge, the aerosol-generating article or the aerosol generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions with respect to the airflow path through the aerosol generating device or the mouthpiece.

The flavor element of the mouthpiece may be configured being replaceable. This may provide a user with the option to replace a consumed flavor element with a new flavor element. The flavor element may be easily replaceable since it is mounted on an outer surface of the housing. This might increase the accessibility of the flavor element for a user. This may provide better handling of the flavor element for a user.

Preferably, the flavor element may be mounted on an outer side surface of the housing. This may provide an easy option for a user to replace the flavor element. Such a flavor element may occupy the main outer surface of the housing of the mouthpiece, which is available for the flavor element.

The housing of the mouthpiece may comprise a recess configured for accommodating the flavor element. This may ease the mounting of the flavor element on the outer surface of the housing. This also may allow a reliable positioning of the flavor element on the outer surface of the housing. This may avoid the flavor element accidentally being disconnected or dislocated with respect to the housing of the mouthpiece.

The mouthpiece may have a cylindrical housing or a tubular shaped housing. The recess may at least partly be circumferentially located around the cylindrical housing of the mouthpiece. Preferably, the recess may be completely located around the circumference of the cylindrical housing. This may ease the mounting of the flavor element on the outer surface of the housing.

The flavor element may be ring-shaped. This may allow the flavor element to be easily mounted on an outer surface of the housing of the mouthpiece. Preferably, the ring-shaped flavor element is mounted on an outer surface of the housing having a cylindrical shape. A ring-shaped flavor element can particularly easily be mounted and—if necessary—replaced on a mouthpiece with a cylindrical housing.

The flavor element may comprise a flavoring portion including at least one flavoring agent. Furthermore, the flavor element may comprise a handling portion being configured for being handled by a user.

Separating the flavor element into the flavoring portion and the handling portion may ease the handling of the flavor element, in particular the replaceable flavor element by a user. A user may handle the flavor element by gripping its handling portion. This may allow a user to avoid contacting the flavoring portion. A user may avoid touching or gripping the flavoring portion. This may avoid adverse effects on the flavoring effect of the flavor element for the aerosol.

The flavoring portion of the flavor element may be located at an inner surface of the flavor element. This may ease the contact and the fluid communication of the flavoring portion with the mouthpiece when the ring-shaped flavor element is mounted on the outer surface of the housing of the mouthpiece. The handling portion may be located at an outer surface of the flavor element. This may ease the handling of the flavor element by a user. This may allow a user to handle the flavor element without getting in contact with flavoring portion located at an inner surface of the flavor element. Preferably, the flavor element having an inner surface and an outer surface is ring-shaped.

The flavor element may be elastic. This may allow the flavor element to be expanded and slid over the outer surface of the mouthpiece to be mounted on the mouthpiece. The elastic flavor element may be configured expandable to a diameter being larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the housing of the mouthpiece or larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the recess for accommodating the flavor element. This may allow the flavor element to be mounted on the mouthpiece, in particular in the recess of the mouthpiece in an easy way.

The housing of the mouthpiece may comprise a porous section including air inlets for allowing ambient air being drawn into the airflow channel.

This may ease the fluid communication between the flavor element and the airflow channel of the mouthpiece. The flavor element preferably may be in fluid contact with the airflow channel through the porous section. The flavor element may be located adjacent to the porous section.

The porous section in the housing of the mouthpiece may comprise an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface may be adjacent to the airflow channel of the housing of the mouthpiece. The outer surface may be located on the outer surface of the housing. The outer surface of the porous section may be in direct contact with the flavor element, when the flavor element is mounted on the outer surface of the mouthpiece. This may provide a particular reliable fluid communication between the flavor element and the airflow channel.

The porous section in the housing may be located in the recess configured for accommodating the flavor element. This may allow an easy fluid communication of the flavor element with the airflow channel without the risk of the flavor element being disconnected from the mouthpiece.

The porosity of the porous section may be from 30 percent to 90 percent, preferably from 60 percent to 80 percent. This may provide a particular reliable fluid communication of the flavor element with the airflow channel.

The porosity maybe calculated by the method of gas expansion (Boyle's law). There are also other techniques then can be applied for the porosity measurement, such as PALS measurements, neutron and X-ray scattering, mercury injection, density methods, petrographic methods. For the application of most of these methods the bulk volume of the sample should also be measured. The porosity ϕ that is defined as the fraction of the bulk volume V_bof a porous element that is not occupied by solid matter. The volume not occupied by solid matter is the pore volume V_p: ϕ=V_p/V_b. Examples for determining the porosity of different materials are disclosed in the publications “Porosity of polymer materials by various techniques”, J Porous Mater (2009) 16:691-698 and the “Formation Evaluation MSc Course Notes” by Dr. Paul Glover, Chapter 5: Porosity (downloaded at http://homepages.see.leeds.ac.uk/˜earpwig/PG_EN/CD%20Contents/Formation%20Evaluation%20English/Chapter%205.PDF), wherein both are incorporated by reference.

The flavor element may cover, preferably completely cover the porous section when it is mounted on the outer surface of the housing. The flavor element may be configured slidable over the porous section for regulating an airflow through the porous section.

This may provide a user with the additional option of not just regulating the flavor for flavoring the aerosol, but also the airflow for generating or customizing the aerosol to be inhaled.

Preferably, the flavor element being configured slidable over the porous section is ring-shaped. This may provide an easy method of sliding the flavor element with respect to the housing of the mouthpiece. Preferably, the mouthpiece has a cylindrical housing. A ring-shaped flavor element can easily be slid over a cylindrical mouthpiece.

The slidable flavor element in the mouthpiece may be configured to be incrementally slidable from a first position to a second position. The slidable flavor element may completely cover the porous section in the first position. The slidable flavor element may be completely retracted from the porous section in the second position. In the first position of the slidable flavor element no additional ambient air may be drawn into the airflow channel of the mouthpiece through the porous section. In the second position of the slidable flavor element the maximum amount of ambient air may be drawn into the airflow channel of the mouthpiece through the porous section.

In an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, the slidable flavor element may partially cover the porous section. This may allow an amount of air to be drawn into the airflow channel of the mouthpiece, wherein this amount of air may be smaller than the maximum amount of ambient air drawn into the airflow channel in the second position of the slidable flavor element.

This may provide various options to a user to further customize the aerosol upon the user's convenience.

The recess for accommodating the flavor element may have a width being larger than a width of the slidable flavor element. The slidable flavor element may be configured being slidable within this recess. This may allow the slidable flavor element to be configured slidable within the recess without the risk of getting disconnected from the mouthpiece.

The mouthpiece may further comprise a longitudinal axis. The slidable flavor element may be configured to be slidable along the longitudinal axis.

This may provide an easy translational movement along the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece for sliding. The longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece may be a central longitudinal axis. The mouthpiece may comprise a cylindrically shaped housing. Sliding the flavor element, in particular a ring-shaped flavor element along the longitudinal axis of a cylindrically shaped housing may provide an easy way of sliding the flavor element along the mouthpiece.

The slidable flavor element may at least partly surround a perimeter of the mouthpiece. Preferably the slidable flavor element may completely surround the perimeter of the mouthpiece. The slidable flavor element made preferably be ring-shaped.

The slidable flavor element may comprise an outer surface layer and an inner surface layer. The inner surface layer may be in fluid communication with the porous section. The inner surface layer may comprise the at least one flavoring agent. The inner surface layer may be located at an inner surface of a ring-shaped slidable flavor element. This inner layer may be adjacent to the above-mentioned porous section. This inner layer preferably may be the flavoring portion mentioned above. This may provide a particular reliable fluid communication of the at least one flavoring agent with the airflow channel of the mouthpiece.

The inner surface layer may comprise an absorbent layer. The at least one flavoring agent may be absorbed in the absorbent layer. The absorbent layer may comprise superabsorbent polymers. The superabsorbent polymers may for example be alkaline metal polyacrylates. Examples of superabsorbent polymers that can be used may be potassium polyacrylate [—CH₂—CH(CO₂K)—]_n, and sodium polyacrylate [—CH₂—CH(CO₂Na)—]_n. Absorbing the at least one flavoring agent in an absorbent layer may allow an easy storing of the flavor element. This may result in a long shelf-life of the flavor element without the risk of the at least one flavoring agent accidentally evaporating.

The outer surface layer may be located at an outer surface of the flavor element. The outer surface layer may comprise an elastomeric polymer for handling the flavor element by a user. The outer surface layer preferably may be the handling portion of the flavor element mentioned above.

Elastomeric polymers may allow a user to easily grip and handle the flavor element. The elastomeric polymeric compound may comprise silicon, polyurethane, rubber or thermoplastic elastomeric compounds. Commercial elastomeric polymers such as Cawiton, Thermoplast K, Thermoplast M, Arnitel, Hytrel, Dryflex, Mediprene, Kraton, Pibiflex, Sofprene, and Laprenemay be used. The thermoplastic materials should have an elastic modulus of about 1200 to 3800 mega pascals, preferably of about 1800 to 2500 mega pascals.

The slidable flavor element may be configured being replaceable. The replaceable slidable flavor element may comprise a first and the second half. The first and the second half may be connectable to each other for being mounted on the outer surface of the housing. In particular, the slidable replaceable flavor element may be a ring shaped. The first and the second half may be connectable to form a ring-shaped flavor element.

The flavor element also may comprise a projecting flavor member. The projecting flavor member for example may be a flavor pin.

The housing of the mouthpiece may comprise a mounting hole for mounting the projecting flavor member on the housing. Such a projecting flavor member may easily be configured replaceable by mounting the projecting flavor member in the mounting hole and after use detaching the projecting flavor member from the mounting hole.

The mounting hole may comprise a screw thread. The projecting flavor member may comprise a thread for easily mounting in the screw thread of the mounting hole. This may allow an easy fastening and mounting of the projecting flavor member in the mounting hole. This also may ease detaching a projecting flavor member from the mounting hole after use.

The projecting flavor member of the mouthpiece may comprise a head and a shaft protruding from the head. The projecting flavor member may be configured mountable within the mounting hole of the mouthpiece so that the shaft protrudes into the airflow channel of the mouthpiece. The shaft may comprise the at least one flavoring agent. In particular, the shaft may form the flavoring portion already mentioned above.

This may allow the projecting flavor member to provide the flavor to the airflow channel of the mouthpiece in an easy way.

The head of the projecting flavor member may be the handling portion of the flavor element mentioned above. The head of the projecting flavor member may comprise an elastomeric polymer for handling by a user.

This may allow a user to easily handle the projecting flavor member by gripping the flavor member at its head.

The mouthpiece may further comprise a Venturi element located in the airflow channel. Preferably, the Venturi element is located downstream of the flavor element. In particular, the Venturi element may be located downstream of either one of the recess configured for accommodating the flavor element or the mounting hole for mounting the projecting flavor member.

This may allow the Venturi element to provide additional mixing of the aerosol with the at least one flavoring agent from the flavor element.

The Venturi element may comprise an inlet portion, a central portion and an outlet portion. The inlet portion may be configured converging towards the central portion and the outlet portion may be configured diverging from the central portion. This may provide a particular good mixing of the aerosol with the at least one flavoring agent.

The mouthpiece may comprise an inlet portion configured for receiving an airflow. The inlet portion may be configured to receive the airflow from one or more of a cartridge comprising aerosol-forming substrate, an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device.

The mouthpiece furthermore may comprise an outlet portion configured for outflow of the aerosol. The outlet portion may provide the aerosol to a user to be inhaled. The flavor element may be located between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the mouthpiece.

The mouthpiece may be configured reusable. The mouthpiece may be configured to be detachably connected to one or more of an aerosol-generating article, a cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate or an aerosol-generating device.

The inlet portion of the mouthpiece may comprise a connection element configured for being connectable to one or more of the aerosol-generating article, the cartridge or the aerosol-generating device. This may provide an easy way of detachably connecting the mouthpiece to other components of an aerosol-generating system.

The flavor element may comprise at least one volatile flavoring agent. The at least one flavoring agent may be a liquid or a gel. The at least one flavoring agent may be selected from a group consisting of: fruit, mint oil, menthol, lavender, bergamot, frankincense, cinnamon, isomenthone, menthyl acetate.

The housing of the mouthpiece may comprise or be made of polymeric compounds such as PMMA-based polymers which are resistant to alcohol and nicotine. These polymeric compounds may have a good impact resistance and also may be translucent. Examples of

PMMA-based polymers are CYROLITE®, marketed by Evonik, Tripartite, CYROLITE® Protect and CYROLITER® Protect 2, as well as Vu-Stat™ Y-20.

Another aspect of the invention provides an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system comprises a mouthpiece as described herein. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating system may comprise one or more of: a cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate, an aerosol-generating device or an aerosol-generating article. The mouthpiece may be configured to be detachably connectable to one of the cartridge, the aerosol-generating device or the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a substrate section. The substrate section may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may generate an aerosol by lighting the article and heating the aerosol-forming substrate above a combustion temperature. The mouthpiece of the present invention may serve to add a flavoring to the aerosol created by combusting the aerosol-generating article.

Alternatively, the aerosol-generating article may be configured to provide an aerosol or airflow by being heated to a temperature below the combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The mouthpiece of the present invention may be configured connectable to a cartridge. preferably the mouthpiece may be configured detachably connectable to the cartridge. The cartridge may contain a reservoir including aerosol-forming substrate, preferably liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The reservoir of the cartridge may at least partly surround a central hollow portion. The central hollow portion of the cartridge may be configured to be a cartridge airflow channel. The cartridge may comprise a heating element for evaporating the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element may for example comprise a wick in fluid communication with the reservoir of the cartridge. The wick may be surrounded by a resistive wire for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate contained in the wick. The cartridge may comprise electrical connections configured for being electrically connected to an aerosol-generating device. The heating element may be configured for heating the aerosol-forming substrate below a combustion temperature of an aerosol-forming substrate, but at or above a temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released to form an inhalable aerosol or airflow for inhalation by a user.

The liquid aerosol-forming substrate in the reservoir of the cartridge may comprise at least one aerosol-former. An aerosol-former is any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense and stable aerosol and that is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the temperature of operation of the system. 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. Aerosol formers may be polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerine. The aerosol-former may be propylene glycol. The aerosol former may comprise both glycerine and propylene glycol.

The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavourants. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts and natural or artificial flavours. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may have a nicotine concentration of between about 0.5% and about 10%, for example about 2%.

The cartridge may be configured connectable to an aerosol-generating device. Preferably, the cartridge may be configured being detachably connectable to the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise electrical connections for providing power to the heating element included in the cartridge.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within the casing of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-Iron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise electric circuitry. The electric circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of a control unit. The electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components. The electric circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current. The electric circuitry may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example A: Mouthpiece for inhaling an aerosol, comprising

- a housing, the housing including an airflow channel,
- a flavor element for flavoring the aerosol, the flavor element being in fluid communication with the airflow channel,
- wherein the flavor element is mounted on an outer surface of the housing.

Example B: Mouthpiece according to the preceding example, wherein the flavor element is configured being replaceable, preferably wherein the flavor element is mounted on an outer side surface of the housing.

Example C: Mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the housing comprises a recess configured for accommodating the flavor element.

Example D: Mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the flavor element comprises

- a flavoring portion including at least one flavoring agent, and
- a handling portion being configured for being handled by a user.

Example E: Mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the housing comprises a porous section including air inlets for allowing ambient air being drawn into the airflow channel, preferably wherein the flavor element is in fluid contact with the airflow channel though the porous section, more preferably wherein the flavor element is located adjacent to the porous section.

Example F: Mouthpiece according to the preceding example, wherein the flavor element covers the porous section, preferably wherein the flavor element is configured being slidable over the porous section for regulating an airflow through the porous section.

Example G: Mouthpiece according to the preceding example, wherein the slidable flavor element is configured to be incrementally slidable from a first position to a second position, wherein the slidable flavor element completely covers the porous section in the first position and wherein the slidable flavor element is completely retracted from the porous section in the second position.

Example H: Mouthpiece according to the preceding examples F or G, further comprising a longitudinal axis, wherein the slidable flavor element is configured to be slidable along the longitudinal axis.

Example I: Mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the housing of the mouthpiece has a tubular shape, and wherein the slidable flavor element is ring shaped.

Example J: Mouthpiece according to the preceding example, wherein the slidable flavor element surrounds at least partly a perimeter of the mouthpiece, preferably wherein the slidable flavor element completely surrounds the perimeter of the mouthpiece.

Example K: Mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples F to J, wherein the slidable flavor element comprises an outer surface layer and an inner surface layer, wherein the inner surface layer is in fluid communication with the porous section and wherein the inner surface layer comprises the at least one flavoring agent, preferably wherein the inner layer is adjacent to the porous section, more preferably wherein the inner surface layer is the flavoring portion according to example D.

Example L: Mouthpiece according to the preceding example, wherein the inner surface layer comprises an absorbent layer, wherein the least one flavoring agent is absorbed in the absorbent layer, preferably wherein the absorbent layer comprises superabsorbent polymers such as alkaline metal polyacrylates.

Example M: Mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples K or L, wherein the outer surface layer comprises an elastomeric polymer for handling of the flavor element by a user, preferably wherein the outer surface layer is the handling portion of the flavor element according to example D.

Example N: Mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples F to M, wherein the slidable flavor element is configured being replaceable, preferably wherein the replaceable slidable flavor element comprises a first and a second half, wherein the first and second half are connectable to each other for being mounted on the outer surface of the housing.

Example O: Mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples A to N, wherein the flavor element comprises a projecting flavor member and wherein the housing comprises a mounting hole for mounting the projecting flavor member on the housing.

Example P: Mouthpiece according to the preceding example, wherein the projecting flavor member comprises a head and a shaft protruding from the head, preferably wherein the projecting flavor member is mounted in the mounting hole so that the shaft protrudes into the airflow channel, more preferably wherein the shaft comprises at least one flavoring agent, more preferably wherein the shaft forms the flavoring portion according to example D.

Example Q: Mouthpiece according to the preceding example, wherein the head comprises an elastomeric polymer for handling by a user, preferably wherein the head is the handling portion of the flavor element according to example D.

Example R: Mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a Venturi element located in the airflow channel, preferably wherein the Venturi element is located downstream of the flavor element.

Example S: Mouthpiece according to the preceding example, wherein the Venturi element comprises an inlet portion, a central portion and an outlet portion, wherein the inlet portion is configured converging towards the central portion and the outlet portion is configured diverging from the central portion.

Example T: Mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples, comprising:

- an inlet portion configured for receiving an airflow and
  - an outlet portion configured for outflow of the aerosol, wherein the airflow channel is arranged between the inlet portion and the outlet portion, and wherein the flavor element is located between the inlet portion and the outlet portion.

Example U: Reusable mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the mouthpiece is being configured to be detachably connected to one or more of an aerosol-generating article, a cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate or an aerosol-generating device, preferably wherein the inlet portion of the mouthpiece comprises a connection element configured for being connectable to one or more of an aerosol-generating article, a cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate or an aerosol-generating device.

Example V: Mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the flavor element comprises at least one flavoring agent, preferably wherein the at least one flavoring agent is volatile, preferably wherein the at least one flavoring agent is a liquid or a gel, more preferably wherein the at least one flavoring agent is selected from a group consisting of: fruit, mint oil, menthol, lavender, bergamot, frankincense, cinnamon, isomenthone, menthyl acetate.

Example W: Aerosol-generating system, comprising

- a mouthpiece according to any of the preceding examples, and one or more of:
- a cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate, an aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article, wherein
- the mouthpiece is configured to be detachably connectable to one of the cartridge, the aerosol-generating device or the aerosol-generating article.

Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows in the upper half a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece 10 and in the lower half the respective perspective view of the mouthpiece including the flavor element 14;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system, including the mouthpiece 10, the cartridge 22 and the aerosol-generating device 42;

FIG. 3 shows in the upper half a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece 10 including a slidable flavor element 14 and in the lower half the perspective view of the respective mouthpiece;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece 10 shown in FIG. 3 wherein the slidable flavor element 14 has been slid over the mouthpiece in order to let ambient air being drawn into the mouthpiece and in the lower half the perspective view of the respective mouthpiece shows in the upper half;

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece explaining in further detail the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the mouthpiece;

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 5 without the flavoring element 14;

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the mouthpiece shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 depicts in the upper half a perspective view of a ring-shaped flavor element to be used with the mouthpiece as shown in the FIGS. 5 to 7 and in the lower half a first half of the ring-shaped flavor element;

FIG. 9 shows in the upper half a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece 10 with a connection element and in the lower half a cartridge 22 configured to be connectable to the mouthpiece;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece 10 and the cartridge 22 shown in FIG. 9 after both have been connected;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the connected mouthpiece 10 and cartridge 22 shown in FIG. 10, additionally indicating the generation of the aerosol 24;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating system, including the mouthpiece 10, the cartridge 22 and the aerosol-generating device 42;

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a mouthpiece 10 being connected to a cartridge, wherein the mouthpiece includes a protruding flavor element in the form of a flavor pin;

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a mouthpiece 10 including the flavor pin 14;

FIG. 15 depicts a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece including a mounting hole 58 four mounting a flavor pin;

FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of a flavor pin configured to be mounted into the mouthpiece is shown in FIG. 15.

In the following the same elements are marked with the same reference numerals throughout all the figures.

FIG. 1 depicts in the upper half a schematic cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece 10 according to the present invention. The mouthpiece 10 includes a housing 12 and an airflow channel 16. At an outer surface of the housing a recess 18 is present which is configured for accommodating a flavor element (flavor element not shown in the upper half of FIG. 1). In the recess 18, a porous section 20 can be found in the housing 12 of the mouthpiece. The porous section 20 includes air inlets which allow ambient air to be drawn from the outside into the airflow channel 16 of the mouthpiece. In the lower half of FIG. 1 a perspective view of the mouthpiece 10 is shown. In the lower half of FIG. 1 a ring-shaped flavor element 14 is present in the recess 18, so that the porous section 20 is not visible anymore. The flavor element 14 is mounted in the recess 18 and is adjacent to the porous section 20, which allows the flavor element to be in fluid communication with the airflow channel of the mouthpiece 10. The mouthpiece 10 has a tubular or cylindrical shape.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an aerosol-generating system including the mouthpiece 10, the cartridge 22 and the aerosol-generating device 42. The flavor element 14, which is mounted on an outer surface of the housing is clearly visible.

FIG. 3 shows in the upper half a schematic cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece 10, further detailing the generation of an aerosol 24 to be inhaled by a user. The flavor element 14 is in fluid communication with the airflow channel 16 through the porous section 20 which allows the flavoring agent to be entrained in the airflow or aerosol being drawn into the mouthpiece from its upstream end, as indicated by the dashed lines 56. The at least one flavoring agent is mixed with the existing airflow or aerosol present in the mouthpiece in order to create the modified aerosol 24 including the flavoring agent. The flavor element 14 in this embodiment of the invention is configured to be slidable over the porous section for regulating an airflow through the porous section. In the upper and the lower half of FIG. 3 the flavor element is completely covering the porous section. This blocks any ambient air from being drawn into the mouthpiece 10 through the porous section.

The upper half of FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece 10, which similar to the mouthpiece shown in FIG. 3 includes a slidable ring-shaped flavor element 14. In this case, the flavor element 14 has been slid away at least partly from the porous section 20 as indicated by the arrow 26. This allows ambient air being drawn into the mouthpiece through the porous section, as indicated by the arrow 28. This results in an aerosol 30 to be inhaled by a user, which in contrast to the aerosol 24 of FIG. 3 additionally includes the ambient air 28. Therefore, sliding the flavor element 14 to different positions over the porous section and enables a user to customize the aerosol generation upon the user's convenience. The lower half of FIG. 4 depicts the mouthpiece in a perspective view with the ring-shaped flavor element being at least partly moved away from the porous section 20, so that ambient air 28 can be drawn into the mouthpiece.

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece 10 in greater detail. The housing 12 of the mouthpiece includes an inlet portion 32, which is configured to be connectable to one or more of a cartridge or an aerosol-generating device. The inlet portion 32 includes a mouthpiece connection element 36, for example a rim. This mouthpiece connection element 36 is being configured to be connectable to another connection element of one or both of the cartridge or the aerosol-generating device. In particular the mouthpiece connection element 36 can be connected to the connection element having a complementary shape. This enables the mouthpiece connection element to properly engage with the other connection element for providing a connection. The mouthpiece 10 furthermore includes the porous section 20 which at least partly surrounds a perimeter of the tubular or cylindrical mouthpiece housing. This porous section is adjacent to the ring-shaped flavor element 14 for providing a fluid connection to the airflow channel of the mouthpiece. At the downstream end of the housing 12 of the mouthpiece an outlet portion 34 is present for providing an aerosol to a user.

FIG. 6 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 5 without the flavor element 14. This cross-sectional view clearly shows the recess 18 for accommodating the flavor element 14.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mouthpiece shown in FIG. 6 in cross-sectional view. The recess 18 and the porous section 20 surrounding the perimeter of the mouthpiece are clearly visible.

The upper half of FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a ring-shaped flavor element 14. The lower half of FIG. 8 depicts a first half of the ring-shaped flavor element 14, which can be connected to the second half in order to form the ring-shaped flavor element. The lower half of FIG. 8 shows the inner surface 38 of the flavor element. The inner surface 38 of the flavor element includes the flavoring agent being absorbed thereto. The outer surface layer 40 of the flavor element includes durable polymers, for example elastomeric polymers which ease the handling of the ring-shaped flavor element by a user. The outer surface layer 40 is therefore configured as a handling portion of the flavor element. In contrast to that, the inner surface layer 38 of the flavor element is configured to be the flavoring portion of the flavor element. Clearly separating the flavor element into a handling portion and a flavoring portion allows a user to properly handle the flavor element without impacting the flavoring portion.

FIG. 9 depicts in the upper half a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece 10 with the flavor element 14. The inlet portion of the mouthpiece 10 includes the mouthpiece connection element 36. This mouthpiece connection element 36 can be connected to cartridge connection element 44 having a complementary shape as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 9. The cartridge 22 includes a reservoir 46 housing liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The reservoir 46 surrounds a central hollow portion, which is the cartridge airflow channel 23. Additionally, the cartridge 22 includes a heating element 48, which comprises a wick surrounded by a wire for evaporating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge 22 also includes electrical connections 50 which are configured for being connectable to an aerosol-generating device.

FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece 10 connected to the cartridge 22.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece 10 connected to the cartridge 22 further detailing the formation of an aerosol 24 to be inhaled by a user. Ambient air 52 is drawn either from the outside or from the aerosol-generating device into the cartridge and mixes in the cartridge airflow channel with the aerosol-forming substrate evaporated by the heating element 48 as indicated by the dashed lines with the reference sign 54. This airflow 54 or aerosol 54 is further drawn downstream into the mouthpiece 10 where additionally the flavoring agent 56 is entrained in the aerosol in order to provide the flavor-modified aerosol 24 to a user.

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of the aerosol-generating system including the mouthpiece 10, the cartridge 22 and the aerosol-generating device 42.

FIG. 13 depicts a cross-sectional view of another mouthpiece 10 including a protruding flavor element in the form of a flavor pin 14 mounted on an outer surface of the housing, wherein the mouthpiece 10 is connected to a cartridge. The flavor pin includes a shaft which protrudes into the airflow channel of the mouthpiece for releasing the at least one flavoring agent. A aerosol or an air flow 54 is formed through evaporating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the cartridge. This airflow or aerosol 54 is drawn further downstream into the mouthpiece where additionally the flavoring agent 56 becomes entrained in the airflow or aerosol. Finally, the flavor-modified aerosol 24 can be inhaled by a user.

FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of the mouthpiece 10 including the outlet portion 34 in the housing 12, which was shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 13. The flavor element 14 is seen to be mounted on an outer surface of the housing. In particular, the head 60 of the flavor pin is visible.

FIG. 15 depicts a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece 10 shown in FIG. 13 without the flavor pin 14. A recess 18 is visible including a mounting hole 58 which is configured for mounting the flavor pin to the outer surface of the mouthpiece 10.

FIG. 16 depict a perspective view of the flavor element 14 being flavor pin. It includes the head 60, which forms a handling portion of the flavor pin, configured to be handled by a user. The shaft 62 includes absorbed flavoring agent and therefore serves as a flavoring portion. This clearly separation of the flavor pin into the head, forming the handling portion and the shaft forming the flavoring portion allows for an easy handling by a user.

MOUTHPIECE FOR INHALING AN AEROSOL WITH A FLAVOR ELEMENT

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