Multi-channel and reversed airflow mouthpiece for an aerosol-generating article comprising activatable element

Abstract

The mouthpiece (10) for an aerosol-generating article is formed from at least two main parts (30, 40) that can be axially inserted into each other to define an aerosol flow path (20). The two main parts are axially moveable relative to each other between a first assembled position and a second assembled position. The mouthpiece further comprises an activatable element (28) for modifying upon activation a characteristic of an aerosol. Upon movement of the two main parts from the first assembled position into the second assembled position, the activatable element is activated. The invention is also directed to an aerosol generating system comprising the mouthpiece and a method for assembling the mouthpiece.

1 . A mouthpiece for an aerosol-generating article, the mouthpiece being formed from at least two main parts that can be axially inserted into each other to define an aerosol flow path,
 wherein the two main parts are axially moveable relative to each other between a first assembled position and a second assembled position,   the mouthpiece further comprising an activatable element for modifying upon activation a characteristic of an aerosol,   wherein upon movement of the two main parts from the first assembled position into the second assembled position, the activatable element is activated,   wherein the mouthpiece further comprises
 an inlet end, configured to allow an aerosol to flow into the mouthpiece, and 
 an outlet end, configured to allow the aerosol to flow out of the mouthpiece, 
   wherein the aerosol flow path extends between the inlet and the outlet end,   wherein the mouthpiece is formed such that the flow direction of the aerosol is reversed at least once between the inlet and the outlet end, and   wherein the activatable element is held in position by being clamped within the mouthpiece.   
     
     
         2 . A mouthpiece according to  claim 1 , wherein the activatable element comprises a substrate and an encapsulated liquid and, wherein the substrate is held in position by being clamped within the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         3 . A mouthpiece according to  claim 2 , wherein upon activation of the activatable element the encapsulated liquid is at least partly released to the substrate. 
     
     
         4 . A mouthpiece according to  claim 2 , wherein the substrate is a low-density material and wherein the activatable element is provided such as to extend at least partly over the cross section of the aerosol flow path when the main parts are in the second assembled position. 
     
     
         5 . A mouthpiece according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the main parts comprises a piercing element that pierces the activatable element to activate the activatable element. 
     
     
         6 . A mouthpiece according to  claim 5 , wherein the piercing element is an elongated element that extends in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         7 . A mouthpiece according to  claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece is formed from an outer part and an inner part, wherein the outer part forms a central inner channel and a tubular outer wall of the mouthpiece, and wherein the inner part has a hollow cylindrical shape with a side wall, one open end and one closed end, wherein the inner part is axially inserted into the outer part in such a way that the side wall of the inner part is located between the central channel and the outer wall of the outer part. 
     
     
         8 . A mouthpiece according to  claim 7 , wherein a piercing element is provided at the closed end of the inner part and wherein the apex of the piercing element extends into an area upstream from the activatable element, when the inner part and the outer of the mouthpiece are assembled in the second position. 
     
     
         9 . A mouthpiece according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two main parts of the mouthpiece have corresponding interlocking structures that engage with each other such that a mouthpiece with predetermined dimensions is obtained. 
     
     
         10 . A mouthpiece according  claim 9 , wherein the interlocking structures comprise one or more protrusions and one or more one or more locking cavities that are provided at opposing surfaces of the main parts of the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         11 . A mouthpiece according to  claim 9 , wherein the interlocking structures comprise one or more sets of interlocking structure such that the two main parts may be assembled in two or more different axial positions with respect to each other. 
     
     
         12 . Aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and a mouthpiece according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . Aerosol-generating system according to  claim 12 , wherein the aerosol-generating device and the mouthpiece comprise corresponding connection portions, such that the mouthpiece is removably attachable to the aerosol-generating device. 
     
     
         14 . A method for assembling a mouthpiece, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an outer part, wherein the outer part forms a central inner channel and a tubular outer wall of the mouthpiece,   (b) providing an inner part, wherein the inner part has a hollow cylindrical shape with a side wall, one open end and one closed end,   (c) providing an activatable element,   (d) assembling the outer part, the inner part and the activatable element, by inserting the activatable element into the inner part and inserting the inner part in an axial direction into the outer part such that the side wall of the inner part is located between the central channel and the outer wall of the outer part,   wherein the mouthpiece further comprises
 an inlet end, configured to allow an aerosol to flow into the mouthpiece, and 
 an outlet end, configured to allow the aerosol to flow out of the mouthpiece, 
   wherein the aerosol flow path extends between the inlet and the outlet end,   wherein the mouthpiece is formed such that the flow direction of the aerosol is reversed at least once between the inlet and the outlet end, and   wherein the activatable element is held in position by being clamped within the mouthpiece.