A Cartridge for a Vapour Generating Device and a Vapour Generating Device

Abstract

A vapour generating device has a cartridge and a base part having a heat source, the cartridge having a liquid reservoir containing a vapour generating liquid, a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir, at least one air channel extending from an air inlet, through the vaporisation chamber to an air outlet and a fluid transfer medium extending from the reservoir to the chamber. The fluid transfer medium has a first woven or non-woven layer having a first, thin structured surface to form air channels and a second, thicker non-structured woven or non-woven layer. The structured surface faces the heat source.

1 . A cartridge for a vapour generating device, the cartridge being configured to thermically connect to a base part having at least one heat source, the cartridge comprising:
 a liquid store for containing a vapour generating liquid and having a liquid outlet;   a vaporization chamber in communication with the liquid store via the liquid outlet; and   a fluid transfer medium provided in the vaporization chamber for absorbing liquid transferred to the vaporization chamber via the liquid outlet, wherein at least part of a surface of the fluid transfer medium is structured to form at least one air flow channel within the fluid transfer medium.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an intended lower surface of the fluid transfer medium remote from the liquid store is provided with the structured surface, the structured surface comprising at least two adjacent portions of the fluid transfer medium being provided in different planes to create one of the at least one air flow channel therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer medium comprises at least one non-woven material, the structured surface being formed by at least one of press moulding, cutting, bending, folding, wet laying, lamination, melt blowing, spin bonding, embossing or partial weaving/stitching. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer medium comprises a first fluid transfer medium having the structured surface and a second transfer medium without a structured surface, the first fluid transfer medium being located furthest from the liquid store, materials of the first fluid transfer medium and the second fluid transfer medium, respectively, being the same or different. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the first fluid transfer medium is thinner than the second fluid transfer medium. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one support member is provided for at least partially supporting the fluid transfer medium to prevent or reduce its deformation. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one support member comprises at least one of a housing surrounding at least part of the fluid transfer medium, a pin, or a strut extending partially or fully through or under the fluid transfer medium. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one support member comprises a reinforcing porous scaffold provided below, above or through the fluid transfer medium. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the porous scaffold comprises a mesh. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the reinforcing porous scaffold and the fluid transfer medium are simultaneously pressed/formed to provide a reinforced structured fluid transfer medium. 
     
     
         11 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a thermal interface membrane that extends at least partially across the structured surface of the fluid transfer medium. 
     
     
         12 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a vapour flow channel that extends from an inlet, through the vaporisation chamber to an outlet. 
     
     
         13 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one air flow channel within the fluid transfer medium extends axially or parallel with the vapour flow channel of the cartridge. 
     
     
         14 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the surface that is structured to form the at least one air flow channel comprises a vaporization surface. 
     
     
         15 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer medium comprises a heater interface surface, and wherein one or more of the at least one air flow channel is formed in a surface that is spaced from the heater interface surface. 
     
     
         16 . A vapour generating device comprising: a base part having at least one heat source and a power supply and the cartridge according to  claim 1 , the cartridge being thermically connected to the base part, wherein the structured surface of the fluid transfer medium faces the at least one heat source. 
     
     
         17 . The vapour generating device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein a footprint area of the fluid transfer medium is substantially the same as a footprint area of the at least one heat source that is brought into contact therewith. 
     
     
         18 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one support member is provided for at least the structured surface of the fluid transfer medium. 
     
     
         19 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the mesh is at least one of stainless steel, Iconel™, titanium or nickel.