Electrically heated smoking system having a liquid storage portion

Abstract

An electrically heated smoking system includes a shell and a replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liquid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouthpiece also includes a heating element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or connected, the heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capillary action in the wick. Liquid at the second end of the capillary wick is vaporized by the heating element. The supersaturated vapor created, is mixed and carried in the air flow from the at least one air inlet to the aerosol forming chamber. In the aerosol forming chamber, the vapor condenses to form an aerosol, which is carried towards the air outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mouthpiece for engaging with a shell to form an electrically heated smoking system having an electric power supply and electric circuitry, the mouthpiece comprising:
 a liquid storage portion;   a capillary wick extending into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein;   at least one heating element for heating the capillary wick;   an air outlet; and   an aerosol forming chamber between the capillary wick and the air outlet,   wherein, when the shell and mouthpiece are engaged, the at least one heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The mouthpiece of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one heating element comprises a coil of wire surrounding the capillary wick. 
     
     
         3 . A shell arranged to engage with the mouthpiece of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         4 . A shell for engaging with a mouthpiece to form an electrically heated smoking system, the mouthpiece having a liquid storage portion, a capillary wick extending into the liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein, at least one heating element for heating the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the capillary wick and the air outlet, the shell comprising:
 an electric power supply; and   electric circuitry,   wherein, when the shell and mouthpiece are engaged, the at least one heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flow route for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber.   
     
     
         5 . The shell of  claim 4 , wherein the electric circuitry comprises a sensor to detect air flow indicative of a user taking a puff. 
     
     
         6 . The shell of  claim 4 , further comprising the at least one air inlet. 
     
     
         7 . A mouthpiece arranged to engage with the shell of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         8 . The electrically heated smoking system of  claim 1 , wherein air passes along an exterior of the cartridge. 
     
     
         9 . An electrically heated smoking system comprising:
 a shell having an electric power supply and electric circuitry;   a liquid storage portion in the form of a cartridge which contains a liquid;   a capillary wick extending into the cartridge for contact with the liquid therein;   an air outlet;   a heating element for heating a portion of the capillary wick; and   an aerosol forming chamber between the capillary wick and the air outlet,   wherein the shell and a mouthpiece are engaged at a connection downstream of the liquid storage portion such that when the shell and the mouthpiece are engaged, the at least one heating element is in electrical connection with the power supply via the electric circuitry, and a flowpath for air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the aerosol forming chamber such that air is directed into the aerosol forming chamber.