Aerosol-generating device with cartridge release system

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device includes an aerosol-generating element comprising a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate; a vessel having a liquid fill level and defining a head space outlet above the liquid fill level; a conduit for conveying airflow from the receptacle to the vessel; and a cap engageable with the body. The cap includes a frame comprising a cavity and having a center axis, wherein the cavity is arranged for receiving the cartridge; and a grip member configured to releasably grip the cartridge received in the receptacle. The cartridge may be released from the grip member using a release mechanism. The release mechanism may be part of a cartridge disposal system.

1 . An aerosol-generating device comprising:
 an aerosol-generating element comprising a body and a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate;   a vessel having a liquid fill level and defining a head space outlet above the liquid fill level;   a conduit for conveying airflow from the receptacle to the vessel; and   a cap engageable with the body, the cap comprising:
 a frame comprising a cavity and having a center axis, wherein the cavity is arranged for receiving the cartridge; and 
 a grip member configured to releasably grip the cartridge received in the receptacle. 
   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the grip member comprises one or more spring fingers. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the grip member comprises a ring member and one or more spring fingers extending from the ring member, and
 optionally wherein the one or more spring fingers extend axially toward a closed end of the cavity, and   optionally wherein the one or more spring fingers extend radially inward from the ring member.   
     
     
         4 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , the cap further comprising an outer shroud and an inner shroud disposed within the outer shroud, with the inner shroud forming the cavity and the grip member at least partially disposed within the cavity of the inner shroud. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 4 , wherein the inner shroud is axially movable within the outer shroud. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 4 , the cap further comprising a spring element biasing the inner shroud axially away from the outer shroud. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 4 , wherein the inner shroud comprises one or more guide tracks and the outer shroud comprises one or more track pins configured to cooperate with the one or more guide tracks. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises a piercing element configured to pierce the cartridge. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol-generating device according to  claim 1 , wherein the grip member comprises one or more spring fingers having a bias toward a default position, and wherein the cap comprises a release mechanism configured to counteract the bias, thereby moving the fingers away from the default position to release a cartridge received in the cavity. 
     
     
         10 . An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device of  claim 1  and a cartridge disposal device comprising:
 a disposal vessel with an opening; and 
 a cartridge release member constructed to mate with the grip member of the cap to actuate release of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol-generating system of  claim 10 , wherein the grip member comprises a ring member and one or more spring fingers extending from the ring member, and wherein the cartridge release member comprises a pressure ring at the opening of the disposal vessel, the pressure ring being constructed to flex the one or more spring fingers. 
     
     
         12 . The aerosol-generating system of  claim 10 , wherein the grip member comprises a ring member and one or more spring fingers extending from the ring member, and wherein the cartridge release member comprises a rim of the disposal vessel, wherein the rim has a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the ring member of the grip member, but larger than a diameter of the cartridge. 
     
     
         13 . A method of using the aerosol-generating device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 inserting a cartridge in the receptacle of the aerosol-generating element;   placing the cap on the aerosol-generating element such that the cartridge is gripped by the grip member;   pushing the cap toward the receptacle to release the cap from the aerosol-generating element;   removing the cap from the aerosol-generating element; and   contacting the grip member with a cartridge release member, causing the cartridge to be released from the grip member.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the grip member comprises a ring member and one or more spring fingers extending from the ring member; and the cartridge release member comprises a rim of the disposal vessel, wherein the rim has a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the ring member of the grip member, but larger than a diameter of the cartridge; and   wherein contacting the grip member with the cartridge release member comprises engaging the rim of the cartridge disposal device between the cartridge and the ring member of the grip member to flex the one or more spring fingers, releasing the cartridge from the grip member.   
     
     
         15 . A method of using the aerosol-generating device of  claim 9 , the method comprising:
 causing a cartridge to be gripped by the grip member, wherein the one or more spring fingers exhibit a bias toward the cartridge; and   actuating the release mechanism to counteract the bias, thereby releasing the cartridge.