U.S. patent application number 17/269380 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-21 for shisha cartridge with absorbent carrier.
The applicant listed for this patent is PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A.. Invention is credited to Robert Emmett, Ana Isabel Gonzalez Florez.
Application Number | 20210321662 17/269380 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005711355 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210321662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Emmett; Robert ; et
al. |
October 21, 2021 |
SHISHA CARTRIDGE WITH ABSORBENT CARRIER
Abstract
A shisha cartridge (200) comprises a body defining a cavity
(218). An aerosol-forming substrate (300) and an absorbent carrier
(310) forming a sheet impregnated with an aerosol former are
disposed in the cavity. The absorbent carrier may be disposed
adjacent or in contact with the internal cavity surface, the
aerosol-forming substrate, or both the internal cavity surface and
the aerosol-forming substrate. As the cartridge is heated, the
aerosol former impregnated in the absorbent carrier may improve
aerosol formation.
Inventors: |
Emmett; Robert; (Neuchatel,
CH) ; Gonzalez Florez; Ana Isabel; (St. Sulpice,
CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS S.A. |
Neuchatel |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005711355 |
Appl. No.: |
17/269380 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
August 21, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2019/057056 |
371 Date: |
February 18, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 1/14 20130101; A24F
40/10 20200101; A24B 15/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24D 1/14 20060101
A24D001/14; A24F 40/10 20060101 A24F040/10; A24B 15/14 20060101
A24B015/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 30, 2018 |
EP |
18191820.2 |
Claims
1. A shisha cartridge comprising: a body comprising a cavity and an
internal cavity surface; an aerosol-forming substrate disposed in
the cavity; an absorbent carrier disposed in the cavity; and an
aerosol former impregnated into the absorbent carrier.
2. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol
former comprises glycerine, propylene glycol, or a combination
thereof.
3. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier comprises from 0.1 g to 8 g of the aerosol former.
4. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier is adjacent the internal cavity surface, the
aerosol-forming substrate, or both the internal cavity surface and
the aerosol-forming substrate.
5. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier is in direct contact with the internal cavity surface.
6. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier comprises refined cellulosic material.
7. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier comprises paper.
8. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier sheet is pleated.
9. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 5 mm.
10. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier has a surface area of 2 cm.sup.2 to 50 cm.sup.2.
11. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier and the aerosol-forming substrate form a spiral of
alternating layers of absorbent carrier and aerosol-forming
substrate.
12. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier is lined with a thermally conductive or inductive
material.
13. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier forms a sheet.
14. A shisha cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent
carrier comprises a cylindrical portion disposed along an internal
side wall of the cavity.
15. A shisha system comprising: a shisha cartridge according to
claim 1; and a shisha device comprising: a receptacle for receiving
the cartridge; a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating
substrate when the cartridge is received in the receptacle of the
shisha device; a vessel having a liquid fill level and defining a
head space above the liquid fill level; an aerosol conduit for
conveying aerosol from the receptacle to below the liquid fill
level in the vessel; and an outlet in communication with the head
space.
Description
[0001] This disclosure relates to shisha devices and to cartridges
comprising an aerosol-forming substrate for use in shisha devices;
and more particularly, to an absorbent carrier impregnated with an
aerosol former for use in such cartridges.
[0002] Traditional shisha devices are used to smoke tobacco and are
configured such that vapor and smoke pass through a water basin
before inhalation by a consumer. Shisha devices may include one
outlet, or more than one outlet so that the device may be used by
more than one consumer at a time. Use of shisha devices is
considered by many to be a leisure activity and a social
experience.
[0003] The tobacco used in shisha devices may be mixed with other
ingredients to, for example, increase the volume of the vapor and
smoke produced, to alter flavor, or both. Charcoal pellets are
typically used to heat the tobacco in a traditional shisha device,
which may cause full or partial combustion of the tobacco or other
ingredients. Additionally, charcoal pellets may generate harmful or
potentially harmful products, such as carbon monoxide, which may
mix with the shisha vapor and pass through the water basin.
[0004] Some shisha devices have been proposed that use electric
heat sources to consume the tobacco to, for example, avoid
by-products of burning charcoal or to improve the consistency with
which the tobacco is heated. Other shisha devices have been
proposed that employ e-liquids rather than tobacco. Shisha devices
that employ e-liquids eliminate combustion by-products but deprive
shisha consumers of the traditional tobacco-based experience.
[0005] Other shisha devices have been proposed that employ electric
heaters to heat, but not combust, tobacco. Such heat-not-burn
shisha devices reduce or eliminate by-products associated with
combustion of tobacco. However, such devices may suffer a reduction
in aerosol production compared to traditional charcoal-based shisha
devices. A production of aerosol may refer to any of: visible
aerosol, aerosol mass aerosol volume, or any combination thereof.
Therefore, such devices may not meet a user's expectation of a
traditional shisha experience. The reduced production of aerosol
may be more pronounced during initial puffs. The reduced production
of aerosol may be due to inefficient heat conduction between the
heater and the tobacco-based substrate.
[0006] Some heat-not-burn shisha devices are used in combination
with a substrate that substantially departs from the traditional
tobacco-based molasses. For example, the substrate for electronic
shishas may include dry stones or e-liquid. These substrates
usually have a more homogenous morphology and a higher thermal
conductivity than molasses. Molasses tends to be relatively more
inhomogeneous and thus difficult to homogeneously heat. However,
users may perceive non-molasses substrates as deteriorating the
typical ritual and experience.
[0007] Inefficient heat conduction between an electric heater and
the substrate may result in an overall low amount of total aerosol
matter (TAM), particularly during the first .about.20 puffs.
[0008] It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating
system for electrically heated shisha devices that improves
aerosolization. It would also be desirable to provide an
aerosol-generating system for electrically heated shisha devices
that increases TAM. It would further be desirable to provide an
aerosol-generating system for electrically heated shisha devices
that reduces the time until a user may take a first puff (time to
first puff, also referred to as TT1P). It would further be
desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system that allows for
the use of traditional substrates (for example, molasses) while one
or more of improving aerosolization, increasing TAM, and decreasing
TT1P.
[0009] Various aspects of the invention relate to a shisha
cartridge comprising a body defining a cavity and an internal
cavity surface. The cartridge comprises an aerosol-forming
substrate disposed in the cavity. The cartridge comprises an
absorbent carrier disposed in the cavity. The absorbent carrier may
form a sheet. The absorbent carrier is impregnated with a volatile
aerosol former. The absorbent carrier may be placed adjacent the
internal cavity surface, adjacent the aerosol-forming substrate, or
adjacent both the internal cavity surface and the aerosol-forming
substrate (for example, between the internal cavity surface and the
aerosol-forming substrate). When the cartridge and the volatile
aerosol former in the absorbent carrier are heated during use, the
aerosol former evaporates to form aerosols.
[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an
absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol former is placed
inside the cartridge to improve aerosolization and the release of
sensory active compounds from the aerosol-forming substrate. The
absorbent carrier may be impregnated with one or more aerosol
formers. Optionally, the absorbent carrier may also be impregnated
with one or more sensory active compounds or precursors thereof. An
aerosol former is a compound which, in use, facilitates formation
of an aerosol. Such compounds include, although are not limited to
glycerine and propylene glycol. A sensory active compound is a
compound that allows triggering of a sensory response, for example
a flavor.
[0011] According to some aspects, the absorbent carrier may be
placed adjacent the internal surface of the cavity. For example,
the absorbent carrier may be placed along the walls, such as side
walls, at the bottom, or along the top of the cartridge, or any
combination thereof, such that it comes in direct contact with a
heated surface when the cartridge is in use. In a preferred
embodiment, the absorbent carrier comes in direct contact with a
heated surface when the cartridge is in use.
[0012] The term "sheet" is used here to refer to a material that is
generally flat and has a width and height that are greater (for
example, orders of magnitude greater) than the thickness of the
material. An example of a sheet is a sheet of paper. It will be
understood that the term "sheet" may also encompasses materials
with a larger thickness than paper. A sheet of material may be
bent, folded, crimped, scrunched, etc.
[0013] The absorbent carrier may assume any form or shape. The
absorbent carrier may be flat, curved, rolled, folded, pleated,
crimped, scrunched, bent, etc., or may include a combination of
forms and shapes (for example, a flat portion and a pleated or bent
portion).
[0014] When the cartridge and the absorbent carrier inside the
cartridge are heated during use, the aerosol former impregnated
into (for example, absorbed into) the absorbent carrier partially
or entirely vaporize. The vaporized compounds contribute to the
formation of the aerosol. The aerosol former may improve
aerosolization by increasing the total aerosolized matter generated
by the shisha device, particularly during the first few puffs. As
such, aerosol production more similar to charcoal-based shisha
devices may be obtained with heat-not-burn shisha devices using the
traditional substrate (molasses) and employing the absorbent
carrier impregnated with an aerosol former. This helps to preserve
as much as possible of the flavors, aromas, and the rituals
associated with traditional shisha devices and substrates. Without
the absorbent carrier impregnated with a volatile aerosol former,
traditional molasses substrates may yield a relatively low amount
of total aerosol mass in heat-not-burn shisha devices, particularly
during the first few puffs, compared to a conventional, charcoal
heated shisha device.
[0015] The term "aerosol" is used here to refer to a suspension of
fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas, such as air,
which may contain volatile flavor compounds.
[0016] The absorbent carrier may act as a carrier for volatile
compounds such as the aerosol former. Use of the absorbent carrier
impregnated with a volatile aerosol former in the cartridge may
reduce the time to the first puff, increases the total aerosol
matter (TAM), or both reduce the time to first puff and increase
TAM. TAM is preferentially increased particularly during the first
few puffs because it is usually the first few puffs wherein TAM is
low with electrically heated shisha devices.
[0017] The cartridge may be of any suitable shape. For example, the
cartridge may have a shape configured to be received by a shisha
device. The shisha device is configured to heat the aerosol-forming
substrate and the absorbent carrier in the cartridge. The device
may be configured to heat the absorbent carrier and the
aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge by conduction. The
cartridge is preferably shaped and sized to allow contact with, or
minimize distance from, a heating element of shisha device to
provide efficient heat transfer from the heating element to the
aerosol-generating substrate in the cartridge. The heat may be
generated by any suitable mechanism, such as by resistive heating
or by induction. In order to facilitate inductive heating, the
cartridge may be provided with a susceptor. For example, the
cartridge body may be made from a material (for example, aluminum)
that is capable of acting as a susceptor, or a susceptor material
may be provided within the cavity of the cartridge. A susceptor
material may be provided within the cavity of the cartridge in any
form, for example a powder, a solid block, shreds, etc.
[0018] The cartridge may have a substantially cuboidal shape,
cylindrical shape, frustro-conical shape, or any other suitable
shape. Preferably, the cartridge has a generally cylindrical shape
or a frustro-conical shape.
[0019] The cartridge may comprise any suitable body defining a
cavity in which the aerosol-forming substrate is disposed. The body
is preferably formed from one or more heat resistant materials,
such as a heat resistant polymer or metal. Preferably, the body
comprises a thermally conductive material. For example, the body
may comprise any of: aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, any
alloys thereof, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the body
comprises aluminum.
[0020] The body may comprise a top, a bottom, and a sidewall. The
body may comprise one or more part. For example, the sidewall and
the bottom may be an integral single part. The sidewall and the
bottom may be two parts configured to engage one another in any
suitable manner. For example, the sidewall and the bottom may be
configured to engage one another by threaded engagement or
interference fit. The sidewall and the bottom may be two parts
joined together. For example, the sidewall and the bottom may be
joined together by welding or by an adhesive. The top and sidewall
may be a single integral part. The sidewall and the top may be two
parts configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For
example, sidewall and the top may be configured to engage one
another by threaded engagement or interference fit. The sidewall
and the top may be two parts joined together. For example, the
sidewall and the top may be joined together by welding or by an
adhesive. The top, sidewall and bottom may all be a single integral
part. The top, the sidewall, and the bottom may be three separate
parts configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For
example, the top, the sidewall, and the bottom may be configured to
engage by threaded engagement interference fit, welding, or an
adhesive.
[0021] The body defines a cavity in which the aerosol-forming
substrate and the absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol
former may be disposed. A portion of the body defining the cavity
may comprise a heatable wall or surface. As used herein, "heatable
wall" and "heatable surface" mean an area of a wall or a surface to
which heat may be applied, either directly or indirectly. The
heatable wall or surface may function as a heat transfer surface.
For example, the heatable wall or surface of the portion of the
body defining the cavity is a surface through which heat may be
transferred from outside of the cavity through the body to the
cavity or to an internal surface of the cavity.
[0022] The aerosol-forming substrate may occupy any suitable volume
of the cavity. The volume of the aerosol-forming substrate in the
cartridge may be varied by altering the amount, composition, shape,
packing density, or format of the aerosol-forming substrate placed
in the cartridge.
[0023] Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be provided in
the cavity defined by the body of the cartridge. The
aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of
releasing volatile compounds. The aerosol-forming substrate is
preferably a substrate capable of releasing compounds that may form
an aerosol. The volatile compounds may be released by heating the
aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be
solid or liquid or comprise both solid and liquid components.
Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least a
solid.
[0024] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The
nicotine containing aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a
nicotine salt matrix. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise
plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate preferably
comprises tobacco, and preferably the tobacco containing material
contains volatile tobacco flavor compounds, which are released from
the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming
substrate may comprise homogenized tobacco material. Homogenized
tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate
tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may alternatively or
additionally comprise a non-tobacco-containing material. The
aerosol-generating substrate may comprise homogenized plant-based
material.
[0025] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise, for example, one
or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips
or sheets containing one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf,
fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized
tobacco, extruded tobacco and expanded tobacco.
[0026] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one
aerosol former. The aerosol former in the substrate may be the same
or different from the aerosol former impregnated into the absorbent
carrier. The aerosol former may be any suitable known compound or
mixture of compounds which, in use, facilitates formation of a
dense and stable aerosol and which is substantially resistant to
thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the shisha
device. Suitable aerosol formers are well known in the art and
include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as
triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of
polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and
aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as
dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.
Particularly preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or
mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and,
most preferred, glycerine. The aerosol-forming substrate may
comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavorants. The
aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises nicotine and at
least one aerosol former. In some embodiments, the aerosol former
is glycerine or a mixture of glycerine and one or more other
suitable aerosol formers, such as those listed above.
[0027] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise any suitable
amount of an aerosol former. For example, the aerosol former
content may be equal to or greater than 5% on a dry weight basis,
and preferably between greater than 30% by weight on a dry weight
basis. The aerosol former content may be less than about 95% on a
dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol former content is up to
about 55%.
[0028] The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded
in a thermally stable carrier. The term "thermally stable" is used
here to indicate a material that does not substantially degrade at
temperatures to which the substrate is typically heated (for
example, about 150.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C.). The
thermally stable carrier may be separate and distinct from the
absorbent carrier. The thermally stable carrier may be used to
provide support for the aerosol-forming substrate (for example,
molasses). The aerosol-forming substrate and thermally stable
carrier may be disposed in the center of the cartridge. The
absorbent carrier, on the other hand, may be used as a carrier for
an aerosol former. The absorbent carrier and the aerosol former may
be placed adjacent the side walls, bottom, or both, of the
cartridge. The absorbent carrier and the aerosol former may at
least partially surround the aerosol-forming substrate and
thermally stable carrier.
[0029] The thermally stable carrier may comprise a thin layer on
which the substrate deposited on a first major surface, on a second
major surface, or on both the first and second major surfaces. The
thermally stable carrier may be formed of, for example, paper or
paper like material, a non-woven carbon fiber mat, a low mass open
mesh metallic screen, or a perforated metallic foil or any other
thermally stable polymer matrix. Alternatively, the thermally
stable carrier may take the form of powder, granules, pellets,
shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets. The carrier may be a
non-woven fabric or fiber bundle into which tobacco components have
been incorporated. The non-woven fabric or fiber bundle may
comprise, for example, carbon fibers, natural cellulose fibers, or
cellulose derivative fibers.
[0030] In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises
one or more sugars in any suitable amount. Preferably, the
aerosol-forming substrate comprises invert sugar, which is a
mixture of glucose and fructose obtained by splitting sucrose.
Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises from about 1%
to about 40% sugar, such as invert sugar, by weight. In some
example, one or more sugars may be mixed with a suitable carrier
such as cornstarch or maltodextrin.
[0031] In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises
one or more sensory-enhancing agents. Suitable sensory-enhancing
agents include flavorants and sensation agents, such as cooling
agents. Suitable flavorants include natural or synthetic menthol,
peppermint, spearmint, coffee, tea, spices (such as cinnamon,
clove, ginger, or combination thereof), cocoa, vanilla, fruit
flavors, chocolate, eucalyptus, geranium, eugenol, agave, juniper,
anethole, linalool, and any combination thereof.
[0032] In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate is in the
form of a suspension. For example, the aerosol generating substrate
may comprise molasses. As used herein, "molasses" means an
aerosol-forming substrate composition comprising about 20% or more
sugar. For example, the molasses may comprise at least about 25% by
weight sugar, such as at least about 35% by weight sugar.
Typically, the molasses will contain less than about 60% by weight
sugar, such as less than about 50% by weight sugar.
[0033] Aerosol-forming substrates for use with traditional shisha
devices are in the form of a molasses, which may be nonhomogeneous
and may contain lumps and cavities. Such cavities prevent direct
thermal contact between the substrate and a heated surface making
thermal conduction particularly inefficient. As a consequence,
electronic heated shisha devices tend to depart from traditional
molasses by using, for example, e-liquids or dry stones. Due to the
use of an absorbent carrier forming a sheet and impregnated with a
volatile aerosol former in the cartridge as described in the
present disclosure, more traditional aerosol-forming substrates,
such as molasses, may be used to preserve the typical ritual and
shisha experience while using electric heating.
[0034] Any suitable amount of aerosol-forming substrate (for
example, molasses or tobacco substrate) may be disposed in the
cavity. In some preferred embodiments, about 3 g to about 25 g of
the aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the cavity. The
cartridge may include at least 6 g, at least 7 g, at least 8 g, or
at least 9 g of aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may
include up to 15 g, up to 12 g; up to 11 g, or up to 10 g of
aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably, from about 7 g to about 13 g
of aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the cavity. More
preferably, about 10 g of aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in
the cavity. The aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed within a
space defined by the absorbent carrier.
[0035] Preferably, the body of the cartridge has a length of about
15 cm or less. The cartridge may have an inner diameter of about 1
cm or more. The cartridge may have a heatable surface area in the
cavity from about 25 cm.sup.2 to about 100 cm.sup.2, such as from
about 70 cm.sup.2 to about 100 cm.sup.2. The volume of the cavity
may be from about 10 cm.sup.3 to about 50 cm.sup.3; preferably from
about 25 cm.sup.3 to about 40 cm.sup.3. In one embodiment, the body
has a length of about 10 cm or less. The inner diameter of the body
may be about 1.75 cm or more. The body may have a heatable surface
area in the cavity from about 30 cm.sup.2 to about 100 cm.sup.2,
such as from about 70 cm.sup.2 to about 100 cm.sup.2. The volume of
the cavity may be from about 10 cm.sup.3 to about 50 cm.sup.3;
preferably from about 25 cm.sup.3 to about 40 cm.sup.3. In one
embodiment, the body has a length in a range from about 3.5 cm to
about 7 cm. The inner diameter of the body may be from about 1.5 cm
to about 4 cm. The body may have a heatable surface area in the
cavity from about 30 cm.sup.2 to about 100 cm.sup.2, such as from
about 70 cm.sup.2 to about 100 cm.sup.2. The volume of the cavity
may be from about 10 cm.sup.3 to about 50 cm.sup.3; preferably from
about 25 cm.sup.3 to about 40 cm.sup.3. Preferably, the body is
cylindrical or frustro-conical.
[0036] Preferably, the cartridge comprises an amount of
aerosol-forming substrate that will provide a sufficient amount of
aerosol for a shisha experience lasting from about 10 minutes to
about 60 minutes; preferably from about 20 minutes to about 50
minutes; and more preferably from about 30 minutes to about 40
minutes.
[0037] The cartridge may comprise one or more ventilation holes.
The ventilation holes may be inlets, outlets, or both. The
ventilation holes may be disposed at the bottom, top, sides, or a
combination thereof, of the cartridge. In some embodiments, the
cartridge comprises one or more inlets and one or more outlets to
allow air to flow through the aerosol-forming substrate when the
cartridge is used with a shisha device. In some embodiments, the
top of the cartridge may define one or more apertures to form the
one or more inlets of the cartridge. The bottom of the cartridge
may define one or more apertures to form the one or more outlets of
the cartridge. Preferably, the one or more inlets and outlets are
sized and shaped to provide a suitable resistance to draw (RTD)
through the cartridge. In some examples, the RTD through the
cartridge, from the inlet or inlets to the outlet or outlets, may
be from about 10 mm H.sub.2O to about 50 mm H.sub.2O, preferably
from about 20 mm H.sub.2O to about 40 mm H.sub.2O. The RTD of a
specimen refers to the static pressure difference between the two
ends of the specimen when it is traversed by an air flow under
steady conditions in which the volumetric flow is 17.5 milliliters
per second at the output end. The RTD of a specimen may be measured
using the method set out in ISO Standard 6565:2002 with any
ventilation blocked.
[0038] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the
cartridge includes an absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol
former, disposed inside the cartridge. The absorbent carrier may
form a sheet. The absorbent carrier material may be selected to
absorb, adsorb, or both absorb and adsorb the volatile compound.
The absorbent carrier material may be selected to act as a support
that may hold the volatile compound in close proximity of or in
contact with the heated surface of the cartridge. Preferably
absorbent carrier material is capable of holding the volatile
compound in direct, homogenous contact with the heated surface of
the cartridge. The absorbent carrier may at least partially
surround the aerosol-forming substrate (for example, molasses).
[0039] According to an embodiment, the absorbent carrier is
impregnated with one or more aerosol formers that may aid in
forming aerosols as the absorbent carrier is heated. Suitable
aerosol formers include, but are not limited to, polyols, glycol
ethers, polyol ester, esters, and fatty acids. The aerosol former
may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, erythritol,
1,3-butylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, triethylene glycol,
triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, triacetin,
meso-Erythritol, a diacetin mixture, diethyl suberate, triethyl
citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, ethyl vanillate,
tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, and myristic acid.
Preferably, the aerosol former comprises compounds that are
relatively highly volatile and exhibit relatively high hygroscopy.
In some embodiments, the aerosol former comprises glycerol (for
example, vegetable glycerine (VG)), propylene glycol, or a
combination thereof.
[0040] The absorbent carrier may comprise any suitable amount of
the one or more aerosol formers. For example, the absorbent carrier
may include 0.3 g or greater, 0.5 g or greater, 0.8 g or greater, 1
g or greater, 1.2 g or greater, or 1.5 or greater of aerosol
former. The absorbent carrier may include up to 8 g, up to 7 g, up
to 6 g, up to 5.5 g, up to 5 g, up to 4.5 g, or up to 4 g of
aerosol former. In one embodiment, the absorbent carrier includes
between 0.5 and 5 g of aerosol former.
[0041] The one or more aerosol formers impregnated into (for
example, absorbed into) the absorbent carrier may increase the
number of condensation nuclei available at the beginning of the
smoking experience. An increase in the number of condensation
nuclei available at the beginning of the smoking experience may
cause aerosol generation to start faster, and for more aerosol to
be generated, particularly during the first few puffs. For example,
the absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol former may
increase the amount of aerosol to be generated during the first 5,
first 10, first 15, first 20, or first 30 puffs.
[0042] The use of the aerosol formers impregnated into the
absorbent carrier may also reduce the time it takes for the shisha
device to be ready for the first puff (i.e., the time to first
puff, or TT1P) that includes a suitable or desired TAM (usually
about 15 mg/puff). For example, the TT1P may be approximately 17
minutes (including a 4 minute preheat time) when using cartridges
employing a molasses without an absorbent carrier impregnated with
an aerosol former. However, by using aerosol formers impregnated
into the absorbent carrier to increase the amount of aerosols
available during the first few puffs, the TT1P may be reduced by
about 1 minute to about 15 minutes. In some embodiments, the
(reduced) TT1P is about 5 minutes or greater, about 8 minutes or
greater, or about 10 minutes or greater. The (reduced) TT1P may be
to about 15 minutes, up to about 12 minutes, or up to about 10
minutes.
[0043] The absorbent carrier may be placed in direct contact with a
surface of the cartridge directly heated by the shisha device. For
example, the absorbent carrier may be placed in direct contact with
an inside surface of the cartridge. The inside surface of the
cartridge may be a bottom, a side wall, a top, or a combination
thereof. The absorbent carrier may be placed around the periphery
of the aerosol-forming substrate. Placement around the periphery of
the aerosol-forming substrate allows for the effect of the aerosol
former in the absorbent carrier to be targeted towards the first
few puffs taken from the cartridge during use in a shisha device.
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the absorbent carrier
surrounds the substrate within the cartridge.
[0044] The absorbent carrier may have any suitable form or shape.
For example, the absorbent carrier may include a cylindrical
portion that at least partially lines the inside surface of the
cylindrical cartridge wall, at least partially surrounds the
aerosol-forming substrate, or both. The absorbent carrier may
further include a portion that covers the bottom of the cartridge.
The absorbent carrier may include portions that are flat (for
example, planar), curved, rolled, folded, pleated, crimped,
scrunched, bent, etc., or may include a combination of forms and
shapes (for example, a flat portion and a pleated or bent portion).
In one embodiment, the absorbent carrier has a rolled shape. For
example, the absorbent carrier may be layered with aerosol-forming
substrate and rolled into a spiral cylinder shape that includes a
plurality of alternating layers of absorbent carrier and
aerosol-forming substrate. The rolled-up cylindrical shape may be
placed inside the cartridge.
[0045] The absorbent carrier may be made from a porous material. In
some embodiments, the absorbent carrier comprises fibers. For
example, the absorbent carrier may be made from a refined
cellulosic material. The term "refined cellulosic material" is used
here to refer to a material that is cellulose-based (for example,
derived from a plant) but has been processed (for example, refined)
to remove compounds, to alter the chemical structure of the
material, or both. The removed compounds may be compounds other
than water such that the refining process includes steps other than
or in addition to drying. Examples of suitable refined cellulosic
materials for use in the absorbent carrier include paper, filter
paper, paperboard, cardboard, rayon (for example, lyocell, viscose,
modal), and the like. According to some embodiments, the absorbent
carrier may include other fibrous materials, such as silk, wool,
cotton, linen, etc.
[0046] The absorbent carrier may have any suitable thickness. For
example, the absorbent carrier may have a thickness of about 0.1 mm
or greater, about 0.2 mm or greater, about 0.5 mm or greater, or
about 1 mm or greater. The absorbent carrier may have a thickness
of up to about 5 mm, up to about 4 mm, up to about 3.5 mm, up to
about 3 mm, up to about 2.5 mm, or up to about 2 mm. In one
embodiment, the absorbent carrier has a thickness from about 0.1 mm
to about 3 mm.
[0047] The absorbent carrier may have any suitable surface area.
For example, the absorbent carrier may have a surface area of about
2 cm.sup.2 or greater, about 3 cm.sup.2 or greater, about 3.5
cm.sup.2 or greater, about 4 cm.sup.2 or greater, about 5 cm.sup.2
or greater, about 6 cm.sup.2 or greater, or about 8 cm.sup.2 or
greater. The absorbent carrier may have a surface area of up to
about 50 cm.sup.2, up to about 40 cm.sup.2, up to about 30
cm.sup.2, up to about 25 cm.sup.2, up to about 20 cm.sup.2, up to
about 18 cm.sup.2, up to about 15 cm.sup.2, or up to about 10
cm.sup.2. In one embodiment, the absorbent carrier has a surface
area from about 4 cm.sup.2 to about 20 cm.sup.2.
[0048] The absorbent carrier may also include a layer of thermally
conductive or inductive material. For example, the absorbent
carrier may be coated or laminated with a thermally conductive or
inductive material. Examples of suitable thermally conductive or
inductive materials include various metals, such as aluminum,
copper, zinc, nickel, silver, stainless steel, or a combination
thereof. Susceptor materials may also comprise or be made of
graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, INCONEL.RTM. alloys
(austenitic nickel-chromium-based superalloys), metallized films,
ceramics such as for example zirconia, transition metals such as
for example Fe, Co, Ni, or metalloids components such as for
example B, C, Si, P, Al. Such thermally conductive or inductive
materials may act as a thermal bridge and provide more uniform
temperature profile. Use of a thermally conductive or inductive
material layer is preferred if the absorbent carrier is provided in
a rolled-up form.
[0049] According to one embodiment, the cartridge comprises a body
defining a cavity and an internal surface, and the cartridge
contains the substrate and the absorbent carrier impregnated with
the aerosol former within the cavity. The absorbent carrier may
form a sheet. The absorbent carrier may be disposed at the bottom,
top, sidewalls, or a combination thereof, of the cartridge. The
cartridge may include at least 6 g, at least 7 g, at least 8 g, or
at least 9 g; or up to 15 g, up to 12 g; up to 11 g, or up to 10 g
of aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may include 0.3 g or
greater, 0.5 g or greater, 0.8 g or greater, 1 g or greater, 1.2 g
or greater, or 1.5 or greater; or up to 8 g, up to 7 g, up to 6 g,
up to 5.5 g, up to 5 g, up to 4.5 g, or up to 4 g of one or more
aerosol formers impregnated into the absorbent carrier. The
absorbent carrier may be disposed below the substrate or
surrounding (for example, at least partially surrounding) the
substrate, or both. For example, the absorbent carrier may form a
cup or pouch shape with the substrate disposed inside. In one
embodiment, the absorbent carrier is disposed as alternating layers
(for example, is rolled up) with the substrate. The absorbent
carrier forming a sheet may be flat, curved, rolled, folded,
pleated, crimped, scrunched, bent, etc., or may include a
combination of forms and shapes (for example, a flat portion and a
pleated or bent portion).
[0050] The cartridge may include a first removable seal covering
the one or more inlets and a second removable seal covering the one
or more outlets. The first and second seals are preferably
sufficient to prevent air flow through the inlets and outlets to
prevent leakage of the contents of the cartridge and to extend
shelf life. The seal may comprise a peelable label of sticker,
foil, or the like. The label, sticker, or foil may be affixed to
the cartridge in any suitable manner, such as with an adhesive,
crimping, welding, or otherwise being joined to the container. The
seal may comprise a tab that may be grasped to peel or remove the
label, sticker, or foil from the cartridge.
[0051] A shisha cartridge according to the present invention may be
used with any suitable shisha device. Preferably, the shisha device
is configured to sufficiently heat the aerosol-generating substrate
in the cartridge to form an aerosol from the aerosol-forming
substrate but not to combust the aerosol-forming substrate. For
example, the shisha device may be configured to heat the
aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature in a range from about
150.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C.; more preferably from about
180.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. or from about 200.degree. C.
to about 230.degree. C.
[0052] The shisha device may comprise a receptacle for receiving
the cartridge. The shisha device comprises a heating element
configured to contact or to be in proximity to the body of the
cartridge when the cartridge is received in the receptacle. The
heating element may form at least part of the receptacle. For
example, the heating element may form at least a portion of the
surface of the receptacle. The shisha cartridge may be configured
to transfer heat from the heating element to the aerosol-forming
substrate in the cavity by conduction. In some embodiments, the
heating element comprises an electric heating element. In some
embodiments, the heating element comprises a resistive heating
component. For example, the heating element may comprise one or
more resistive wires or other resistive elements. The resistive
wires may be in contact with a thermally conductive material to
distribute heat produced over a broader area. Examples of suitable
conductive materials include aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel,
silver, and combinations thereof. The heating element may form at
least a portion of the surface of the receptacle.
[0053] The shisha device may comprise control electronics operably
coupled to the heating element. The control electronics may be
configured to control heating of the heating element. The control
electronics may be configured to control the temperature to which
the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge is heated. The
control electronics may be provided in any suitable form and may,
for example, include a controller or a memory and a controller. The
controller may include one or more of an Application Specific
Integrated Circuit (ASIC) state machine, a digital signal
processor, a gate array, a microprocessor, or equivalent discrete
or integrated logic circuitry. Control electronics may include
memory that contains instructions that cause one or more components
of the circuitry to carry out a function or aspect of the control
electronics. Functions attributable to control electronics in this
disclosure may be embodied as one or more of software, firmware,
and hardware.
[0054] The electronic circuitry may comprise a microprocessor,
which may be a programmable microprocessor. The electronic
circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power. The
power may be supplied to the heater element in the form of pulses
of electrical current.
[0055] In some examples, the control electronics may be configured
to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and to
control the supply of power to the heating element depending on the
electrical resistance of the heating element. In this manner, the
control electronics may regulate the temperature of the resistive
element.
[0056] The shisha device may comprise a temperature sensor, such as
a thermocouple. The temperature sensor may be operably coupled to
the control electronics to control the temperature of the heating
element. The temperature sensor may be positioned in any suitable
location. For example, the temperature sensor may be configured to
insert into the cartridge when received within the receptacle to
monitor the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate being
heated. In addition or alternatively, the temperature sensor may be
in contact with the heating element. In addition or alternatively,
the temperature sensor may be positioned to detect temperature at
an aerosol outlet of the shisha device or a portion thereof. The
sensor may transmit signals regarding the sensed temperature to the
control electronics. The control electronics may adjust heating of
the heating elements in response to the signal to achieve a
suitable temperature at the sensor.
[0057] The control electronics may be operably coupled to a power
supply. The shisha device may comprise any suitable power supply.
For example, a power supply of a shisha device may be a battery or
set of batteries. The batteries of the power supply may be
rechargeable, removable and replaceable, or rechargeable and
removable and replaceable. Any suitable battery may be used. For
example, heavy duty type or standard batteries existing in the
market, such as used for industrial heavy duty electrical
power-tools. Alternatively, the power supply may be any type of
electric power supply including a super or hyper-capacitor.
Alternatively, the assembly may be connected to an external
electrical power source, and electrically and electronically
designed for such purpose. Regardless of the type of power supply
employed, the power supply preferably provides sufficient energy
for the normal functioning of the assembly for at least one shisha
session until aerosol is depleted from the aerosol-forming
substrate in the cartridge before being recharged or needing to
connect to an external electrical power source. Preferably, the
power supply provides sufficient energy for the normal functioning
of the assembly for at least about 70 minutes of continuous
operation of the device, before being recharged or needing to
connect to an external electrical power source.
[0058] In one example, a shisha device includes an
aerosol-generating element that comprises a cartridge receptacle, a
heating element, an aerosol outlet, and a fresh air inlet. The
cartridge receptacle is configured to receive a cartridge
containing the aerosol-forming substrate and the absorbent carrier
impregnated with an aerosol former. The cartridge may be as above
described. The heating element may define at least part of a
surface of the receptacle.
[0059] The shisha device comprises a fresh air inlet channel in
fluid connection with the receptacle. In use, when the absorbent
carrier inside the cartridge is heated, the impregnated aerosol
formers in the absorbent carrier vaporize. Air flowing from the
fresh air inlet channel through the cartridge becomes entrained
with aerosol generated from the aerosol former components and
aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge.
[0060] Some electrically heated shisha devices employ pre-heated
air and typically employ an airflow path such that the air travels
in the vicinity of the heat source upon puffing. Further, some
electrically heated shisha devices employ elements that increase
radiation heat transfer by increasing the heated surface area.
[0061] The fresh air inlet channel may comprise one or more
apertures through the cartridge receptacle such that fresh air from
outside the shisha device may flow through the channel and into the
cartridge receptacle through the one or more apertures. If a
channel comprises more than one aperture, the channel may comprise
a manifold to direct air flowing through the channel to each
aperture. Preferably, the shisha device comprises two or more fresh
air inlet channels.
[0062] As described above, the cartridge comprises one or more
inlets formed in the housing to allow air flow through the chambers
of the cartridge when in use. If the receptacle comprises one or
more inlet apertures, at least some of the inlets in the cartridge
may align with the apertures in the top of the receptacle. The
cartridge may comprise an alignment feature configured to mate with
a complementary alignment feature of the receptacle to align the
inlets of the cartridge with the apertures of the receptacle when
the cartridge is inserted into the receptacle.
[0063] Air that enters the cartridge may flow across or through, or
both across and through the absorbent carrier impregnated with an
aerosol former. Air that enters the cartridge may flow across or
through the aerosol-forming substrate, entraining aerosol, and
exiting the cartridge and receptacle via an aerosol outlet. From
the aerosol outlet, the air carrying the aerosol enters a vessel of
the shisha device.
[0064] The shisha device may comprise any suitable vessel defining
an interior volume configured to contain a liquid and defining an
outlet in the head-space above a liquid fill level. The vessel may
comprise an optically transparent or opaque housing to allow a
consumer to observe contents contained in the vessel. The vessel
may comprise a liquid fill demarcation, such as a liquid fill line.
The vessel housing may be formed of any suitable material. For
example, the vessel housing may comprise glass or suitable rigid
plastic material. Preferably, the vessel is removable from a
portion of the shisha assembly comprising the aerosol-generation
element to allow a consumer to fill, empty or clean the vessel.
[0065] The vessel may be filled to a liquid fill level by a
consumer. The liquid preferably comprises water, which may
optionally be infused with one or more colorants, flavorants, or
colorants and flavorants. For example, the water may be infused
with one or both of botanical or herbal infusions.
[0066] Aerosol entrained in air exiting the aerosol outlet of the
receptacle may travel through a conduit positioned in the vessel.
The conduit may be coupled to the aerosol outlet of the aerosol
generating element of the shisha assembly and may have an opening
below the liquid fill level of the vessel, such that aerosol
flowing through the vessel flows through the opening of the
conduit, then through the liquid, into headspace of the vessel and
exits through a headspace outlet, for delivery to a consumer.
[0067] The headspace outlet may be coupled to a hose comprising a
mouthpiece for delivering the aerosol to a consumer. The mouthpiece
may comprise an activation element, such as a switch activatable by
a user, a puff sensor arranged to detect a user puffing on the
mouthpiece, or both a switch activatable by the user and a puff
sensor. The activation element is operably coupled to the control
electronics of the shisha device. The activation element may be
wirelessly coupled to the control electronics. Activation of the
activation element may cause the control electronics to activate
the heating element, rather than constantly supplying energy to the
heating element. Activation of an activation element may cause the
control electronics to activate the heating element, rather than
constantly supplying energy to the heating element. Accordingly,
the use of an activation element may serve to save energy relative
to devices not employing such elements to provide on-demand heating
rather than constant heating.
[0068] For purposes of example, one method for using a shisha
device as described herein is provided below in chronological
order. The vessel may be detached from other components of the
shisha device and filled with water. One or more of natural fruit
juices, botanicals, and herbal infusions may be added to the water
for flavoring. The amount of liquid added should cover a portion of
the conduit but should not exceed a fill level mark that may
optionally exist on the vessel. The vessel is then reassembled to
the shisha device. A portion of the aerosol generating element may
be removed or opened to allow the cartridge to be inserted into the
receptacle. The aerosol generating element is then reassembled or
closed. The device may then be turned on. Turning on the device may
initiate a heating profile of a heating element, to heat the
absorbent carrier and the aerosol-forming substrate to a
temperature at or above a vaporization temperature of the aerosol
former impregnated in the absorbent carrier and the aerosol-forming
substrate, but below a combustion temperature of the absorbent
carrier and the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol former
compounds impregnated in the absorbent carrier vaporize, generating
an aerosol. The user may puff on the mouth piece as desired. The
user may continue using the device until no more aerosol is visible
or being delivered. In some embodiments, the device may be arranged
to automatically shut off when the cartridge is depleted of usable
aerosol-generating substrate. In some embodiments, the consumer may
refill the device with a fresh cartridge after, for example,
receiving the cue from the device that the aerosol-forming
substrate in the cartridge is depleted or nearly depleted. If
refilled with a fresh cartridge, the device may continue to be
used. Preferably, the shisha device may be turned off at any time
by a consumer by, for example, switching off the device.
[0069] The shisha device may have any suitable air management. In
one example, puffing action from the user will create a suction
effect causing a low pressure inside the device which will cause
external air to flow through an air inlet of the device, into the
fresh air inlet channel, and into the receptacle. The air may then
flow through the cartridge in the receptacle to carry aerosol
produced from the aerosol-forming substrate. The air with entrained
aerosol then exits the aerosol outlet of the receptacle, flows
through the conduit to the liquid inside the vessel. The aerosol
will then bubble out of the liquid and into head space in the
vessel above the level of the liquid, out the headspace outlet, and
through the hose and mouthpiece for delivery to the consumer. The
flow of external air and the flow of the aerosol inside the shisha
device may be driven by the action of puffing from the user.
[0070] Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one
or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be
understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall
within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Like numbers used
in the figures refer to like components. However, it will be
understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a
given figure is not intended to limit the component in another
figure labeled with the same number. In addition, the use of
different numbers to refer to components in different figures is
not intended to indicate that the different numbered components
cannot be the same or similar to other numbered components. The
figures are presented for purposes of illustration and not
limitation. Schematic drawings presented in the figures are not
necessarily to scale.
[0071] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a shisha device.
[0072] FIG. 2A is a cross sectional side view of a cartridge with
aerosol-forming substrate and an absorbent carrier forming a sheet
and impregnated with an aerosol former.
[0073] FIG. 2B is a cross sectional top view of a cartridge with
aerosol-forming substrate and an absorbent carrier forming a sheet
and impregnated with an aerosol former.
[0074] FIG. 2C is a cross sectional top view of a cartridge with
aerosol-forming substrate and an absorbent carrier forming a sheet
in a rolled configuration, and impregnated with an aerosol
former.
[0075] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic bottom and top views of a
cartridge.
[0076] FIG. 4 is schematic perspective view of a cartridge.
[0077] FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of test data from
Example 1.
[0078] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a
shisha device 100. The device 100 includes a vessel 17 defining an
interior volume configured to contain liquid 19 and defining a
headspace outlet 15 above a fill level for the liquid 19. The
liquid 19 preferably comprises water, which may optionally be
infused with one or more colorants, one or more flavorants, or one
or more colorants and one or more flavorants. For example, the
water may be infused with one or both of botanical infusions or
herbal infusions.
[0079] The device 100 also includes an aerosol-generating element
130. The aerosol-generating element 130 includes a receptacle 140
configured to receive a cartridge 200 containing an
aerosol-generating substrate and an absorbent carrier forming a
sheet and impregnated with an aerosol former. The
aerosol-generating element 130 also includes a heating element 160
that forms at least one surface of the receptacle 140. In the
depicted embodiment, the heating element 160 defines the top and
side surfaces of the receptacle 140. The aerosol-generating element
130 also includes a fresh air inlet channel 170 that draws fresh
air into the device 100. In some embodiments, portion of the fresh
air inlet channel 170 is formed by the heating element 160 to heat
the air before the air enters the receptacle 140. The pre-heated
air then enters the cartridge 200, which is also heated by heating
element 160, to carry aerosol generated by the aerosol former and
the aerosol-generating substrate. The air exits an outlet of the
aerosol-generating element 130 and enters a conduit 190.
[0080] The conduit 190 carries the air and aerosol into the vessel
17 below the level of the liquid 19. The air and aerosol may bubble
through the liquid 19 and exit the headspace outlet 15 of the
vessel 17. A hose 20 may be attached to the headspace outlet 15 to
carry the aerosol to the mouth of a user. A mouthpiece 25 may be
attached to, or form a part of, the hose 20.
[0081] An exemplary air flow path of the device, in use, is
depicted by thick arrows in FIG. 1.
[0082] The mouthpiece 25 may include an activation element 27. The
activation element 27 may be a switch, button or the like, or may
be a puff sensor or the like. The activation element 27 may be
placed at any other suitable location of the device 100. The
activation element 27 may be in wireless communication with the
control electronics 30 to place the device 100 in condition for use
or to cause control electronics to activate the heating element
160; for example, by causing power supply 35 to energize the
heating element 140.
[0083] The control electronics 30 and power supply 35 may be
located in any suitable position of the aerosol generating element
130 other than the bottom portion of the element 130 as depicted in
FIG. 1.
[0084] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, a cartridge 200 has body 210
defining a cavity 218 in which an aerosol-forming substrate 300 and
an absorbent carrier 310 forming a sheet impregnated with an
aerosol former may be disposed. The body 210 includes a top 215,
bottom 213, and a sidewall 212. The body 210 may be formed from one
or more parts. For example, the top 215 or bottom 213 may be
removably attached from the sidewall 212 to allow the
aerosol-forming substrate 300 and absorbent carrier 310 to be
disposed in the cavity 218.
[0085] The absorbent carrier 310 may be disposed along the side
wall 212 and the bottom 213 of the cavity 218. The absorbent
carrier 310 may also be disposed along the top 215, or along any
combination of the bottom 213, the top 215, or the side wall 212,
or may cover any of these surfaces in part. In the example shown in
FIG. 2B, the absorbent carrier 310 has pleated sides that surround
the perimeter of the aerosol-forming substrate 300. FIG. 2C shows
an arrangement where the aerosol-forming substrate 300 and
absorbent carrier 310 form a spiral cylinder shape that includes a
plurality of alternating layers of absorbent carrier 310 and
aerosol-forming substrate 300. The rolled-up cylindrical shape is
disposed inside the body 210 of the cartridge 200.
[0086] The cartridge 200 has a heatable surface area inside the
cavity 218, which is a surface capable of transferring heat applied
to the exterior of the body, for example, by a heating element of a
shisha device, to the absorbent carrier 310 and the aerosol-forming
substrate 300 in the cavity 218.
[0087] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the top 215 and bottom 213
of the body may have a plurality of apertures 217, 216 to allow air
flow through the cartridge, when the cartridge is in use. The
apertures 216, 217 of the top 215 and bottom 213 may be aligned.
The cartridge 200 may also or alternatively include apertures along
the sidewall 212. The absorbent carrier 310 may be disposed along
the bottom 213, the top 215, the side wall 212, or a combination
thereof, covering some or all of the apertures. The apertures 217,
216 may further be blocked by a peelable seal or cover when the
cartridge is stored prior to use.
[0088] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary
cartridge 200. The sidewall 212 defines a frustroconical shape. The
bottom 213 defines a plurality of apertures. The top comprises a
flange 219 that extends from the sidewall 212. The flange 219 may
rest on shoulder of a receptacle of a shisha device so that
cartridge 300 may be readily removed from the receptacle after use
by grasping the flange.
[0089] The specific embodiments described above are intended to
illustrate the invention. However, other embodiments may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
claims, and it is to be understood that the specific embodiments
described above are not intended to be limiting.
[0090] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content
clearly dictates otherwise.
[0091] As used herein, "or" is generally employed in its sense
including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The term "and/or" means one or all the listed elements or a
combination of any two or more of the listed elements.
[0092] As used herein, "have," "having," "include," "including,"
"comprise," "comprising" or the like are used in their open-ended
sense, and generally mean "including, but not limited to". It will
be understood that "consisting essentially of," "consisting of,"
and the like are subsumed in "comprising," and the like.
[0093] The words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments
of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain
circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred,
under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation
of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other
embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other
embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the
claims.
[0094] The term "substantially" as used here has the same meaning
as "significantly," and can be understood to modify the term that
follows by at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least
about 98%. The term "not substantially" as used here has the same
meaning as "not significantly," and can be understood to have the
inverse meaning of "substantially," i.e., modifying the term that
follows by not more than 10%, not more than 5%, or not more than
2%.
[0095] Any direction referred to herein, such as "top," "bottom,"
"left," "right," "upper," "lower," and other directions or
orientations are described herein for clarity and brevity are not
intended to be limiting of an actual device or system. Devices and
systems described herein may be used in a number of directions and
orientations.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0096] The effect of the absorbent carrier impregnated with an
aerosol former on aerosol formation was evaluated. An absorbent
carrier forming a sheet (cellulosic paper) with a surface area of
40 cm.sup.2, impregnated with about 1.5 g of a 1:1 mixture of
vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol was disposed inside a
cartridge. The absorbent carrier had a cylindrical shape that was
positioned adjacent the inside walls of the cartridge. The
cartridge was then filled with 10 g of commercially available
molasses (Al-Fakher) inside the cylinder of porous material. A
control sample was prepared without the absorbent carrier
impregnated with the aerosol former.
[0097] The cartridge was inserted into a testing shisha device,
where the cartridge was heated using a ceramic resistive heating
element with a set point temperature of 200.degree. C. The set
point temperature of the heater is selected to bring the molasses
(between puffs) to a similar temperature as a charcoal operated
shisha.
[0098] In order to improve the aerosolization process, a finned
nozzle made of aluminum with an exit orifice of about 3 mm in
diameter is placed at about 55 mm from the heating engine.
[0099] The generated aerosol is collected using a total of five
Cambridge pads, and the weight of the pads is recorded before and
after testing. At any given moment during the testing, only one of
the pads collects the generated aerosol.
[0100] The total duration of the smoking test corresponds to 105
puffs. In order to achieve the desired puffing experience, four
programmable dual syringe pumps (PDSP, available from Pomac B.V. in
Tolbers, Netherlands) were used simultaneously to create the
puffing regime. The puffing regime was as follows: the sample and
the control are tested for 105 puffs. The number of puffs is
divided into five consecutive parts of 21 puffs each, where the
aerosol from each part is collected in a separate Cambridge pad.
After every 21 puffs, a valve ensures that the aerosol is diverted
to the correct Cambridge pad. As a consequence, the production of
aerosol may be monitored as a function of time.
[0101] The results of total aerosol mass (TAM) collected over the
first 21 puffs, and the total 105 puffs for the control and the
sample are shown in TABLE 1 below and in FIG. 5. The results for
the first 21 puffs are calculated as mg/per puff, and the results
for the total duration of the test (15 puffs) are given as an
accumulated total mass in mg.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 TAM Results. Control (no absorbent Sample
(with absorbent carrier impregnated carrier impregnated with an
aerosol with an former) aerosol former) TAM (mg/puff), 9.6 mg/puff
23.8 mg/puff first 21 puffs TAM (mg), 105 puffs 1980 mg 2670 mg
[0102] It was observed that a significant increase in aerosol
generation was achieved during the first 21 puffs as well as
throughout the experiment by the use of the absorbent carrier
impregnated with an aerosol former. The total accumulated TAM
during the test was also greater with the absorbent carrier
impregnated with an aerosol former.
[0103] Thus, cartridges for shisha devices are described. Various
modifications and variations of the invention will be apparent to
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described
in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be
understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly
limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications
of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are
apparent to those skilled in the mechanical arts, chemical arts,
and aerosol generating article manufacturing or related fields are
intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
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