Aerosol source for a vapor provision system

Abstract

An aerosol source for a vapor provision system includes a vapor generating element; a reservoir for holding source liquid, the reservoir being bounded by a wall having an opening therein; and a liquid transport element for delivering liquid from the reservoir to the vapor generating element, the liquid transport element having at least one end part inserted into the opening, the end part having a flared portion arranged in contact with the wall of the reservoir to provide a seal for the opening.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An aerosol source for a vapor provision system comprising:
 a vapor generating element;   a reservoir for holding source liquid, the reservoir being bounded by a wall having an opening therein;   a liquid transport element for delivering the source liquid from the reservoir to the vapor generating element, the liquid transport element having at least one end part inserted into the opening; and   a plugging element penetrating the at least one end part of the liquid transport element along an axis substantially parallel to a bore of the opening so as to press the at least one end part against a surface of the wall of the reservoir that forms the bore, to provide a seal for the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol source according to  claim 1 , wherein the plugging element comprises a tube through which the source liquid in the reservoir can pass for absorption by the liquid transport element. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol source according to  claim 2 , wherein the plugging element is formed from a rigid material. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol source according to  claim 1 , wherein the plugging element comprises a solid plug. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol source according  claim 1 , wherein the plugging element has sloped sides such that the plugging element has a smaller width at an end which is inserted into the at least one end part of the liquid transport element. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol source according to  claim 5 , wherein the sloped sides are straight. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol source according to  claim 5 , wherein the sloped sides are curved. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol source according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid transport element does not extend into an interior of the reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol source according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid transport element reaches into the reservoir. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol source according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening has a non-uniform bore size. 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol source according to  claim 10 , wherein the bore is defined by side walls that are sloped. 
     
     
         12 . The aerosol source according to  claim 11 , wherein the bore tapers inwardly in a direction of liquid flow from the reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The aerosol source according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid transport element is formed of fibers. 
     
     
         14 . The aerosol source according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid transport element is formed of a pliable material. 
     
     
         15 . The aerosol source according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid transport element and the at least one end part are formed by molding or machining of a material into an intended shape. 
     
     
         16 . The aerosol source according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir has two openings, and the liquid transport element has two end parts, each end part being inserted into one of the two openings, and two plugging elements, each plugging element penetrating one of the two end parts. 
     
     
         17 . A cartomizer for a vapour provision system comprising the aerosol source according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A vapour provision system comprising the aerosol source according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A vapour provision system comprising the cartomizer according to  claim 17 .