Cartridge for an aerosol delivery system
Inventors
Selby, Robert Gordon Maurice • Collingwood, Clennell Douglas • Greenenko, Alon • Hoppe, Hans-Jürgen
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12370331-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system. The cartridge includes a fluid reservoir including a first reservoir portion, a second reservoir portion, and at least one liquid barrier configured to separate the first and second reservoir portions. The first and second reservoir portions have respective first and second openings at a first end of the cartridge. The cartridge further includes a perforate membrane located at the first end of the cartridge and over the first and second openings. The first and second openings are configured to supply first and second liquids to a first side of the perforate membrane during use and the perforate membrane includes a plurality of apertures configured to eject one or both of the first and second liquids from a second side of the perforate membrane in the form of liquid droplets when the perforate membrane is vibrated. An aerosol delivery system includes the cartridge.
Core Innovation
A problem addressed is the provision of an aerosol delivery system that ejects different liquids as liquid droplets from a perforate membrane during use while keeping different liquids separated to maintain consistent aerosol properties and shelf life. The disclosed cartridge includes a fluid reservoir with a first reservoir portion containing a first liquid and a second reservoir portion containing a second liquid different to the first liquid, and at least one liquid barrier separates the first and second reservoir portions.
The cartridge includes a perforate membrane located at the first end of the cartridge and extending over both of the first and second openings so that a first side of the perforate membrane is in fluid communication with the first and second openings. The first and second openings are configured to supply the first and second liquids to the perforate membrane during use, and the perforate membrane comprises a plurality of apertures configured to eject one or both of the first and second liquids from a second side of the perforate membrane in the form of liquid droplets when the perforate membrane is vibrated during use.
In examples described, the second reservoir portion is annular to define a ring shape that defines a cavity in which the first reservoir portion is disposed. The perforate membrane includes aperture configurations arranged as aperture arrays and/or discrete membrane regions, enabling different droplet size distributions through different aperture sizing and placement relative to vibration characteristics, and liquid barriers and optional resilient seals are used to prevent mixing and maintain consistent aerosol properties.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim coverage includes one independent claim defining a dual-liquid aerosol cartridge with a shared vibrating perforate membrane, and it further recites annular reservoir geometry. The inventive features are centered on separated reservoir portions feeding a common perforate membrane having apertures that eject droplets during vibration, including an annular second reservoir portion defining a cavity for the first reservoir portion.
Dual-liquid cartridge with separated reservoir portions and openings
A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system including a fluid reservoir with a first reservoir portion for containing a first liquid, a second reservoir portion for containing a second liquid different to the first liquid, and at least one liquid barrier configured to separate the first and second reservoir portions, wherein the first and second reservoir portions have respective first and second openings at a first end of the cartridge.
Shared vibrating perforate membrane for droplet ejection of one or both liquids
A perforate membrane located at the first end of the cartridge and extending over both of the first and second openings, such that a first side of the perforate membrane is in fluid communication with the first and second openings, the first and second openings being configured to supply the first and second liquids to the perforate membrane during use, and the perforate membrane comprising a plurality of apertures configured to eject one or both of the first and second liquids from a second side of the perforate membrane in the form of liquid droplets when the perforate membrane is vibrated during use.
Annular second reservoir portion defining a cavity for the first reservoir portion
The second reservoir portion is annular so as to define a ring shape that defines a cavity in which the first reservoir portion is disposed.
Overall, the claim set covers a dual-liquid cartridge in which separated first and second liquids are supplied via respective openings to a shared perforate membrane that ejects droplets during vibration, with the second reservoir portion formed as an annulus defining a cavity for the first reservoir portion.
Stated Advantages
Maintains shelf life and consistent aerosol properties by separating different liquids and preventing mixing, including via liquid barriers and optional resilient seals.
Documented Applications
Use in an aerosol delivery system where the perforate membrane is vibrated during use to eject one or both liquids as liquid droplets for aerosol delivery.
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