Cartomizer for an Aerosol Generating Device with Leakage Prevention

Abstract

A cartomizer for an aerosol generating device includes a container for holding at least one reservoir configured to containing a vaporizable material; a vaporizing chamber fluidly connected to a mouth end by a vapor passage; a liquid transport element, in particular a porous capillary member, extending from inside the at least one reservoir to inside the vaporizing chamber to convey the vaporizable material from the at least one reservoir to the inside of the vaporizing chamber; and an air inlet arranged to supply the vaporizing chamber with air in use; wherein a leakage collecting chamber is arranged between the vaporizing chamber and the air inlet to collect vaporizable material from the vaporizing chamber and the leakage collecting chamber includes at least one liquid stopping or barrier wall arranged between the leakage collecting chamber and the air inlet, in particular at least one through-hole of the air inlet, forming an overflow.

1 . A cartomizer ( 1 ) for an aerosol generating device, the cartomizer comprising:
 a container for holding at least one reservoir configured to contain a vaporizable material;   a vaporizing chamber fluidly connected to a mouth end by a vapor passage;   a liquid transport element extending from inside the at least one reservoir to inside the vaporizing chamber in order to convey the vaporizable material from the at least one reservoir to the inside of the vaporizing chamber;   an air inlet arranged to supply the vaporizing chamber with air in use;   wherein a leakage collecting chamber is arranged between the vaporizing chamber and the air inlet to collect vaporizable material from the vaporizing chamber, and the leakage collecting chamber comprises at least one liquid stopping or barrier wall, arranged between the leakage collecting chamber and the air inlet, in particular at least one through-hole of the air inlet, forming an overflow, and   wherein the cartomizer further comprises a center leakage collecting chamber provided between the air inlet and the leakage collecting chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The cartomizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the air inlet comprises an air conduit or chimney at the bottom of the container and upstream the at least one through-hole, forming a second liquid stopping or barrier wall arranged between the first liquid stopping or barrier wall and the at least one through-hole. 
     
     
         3 . The cartomizer according to  claim 2 , wherein the air conduit or chimney protrudes inside the leakage collecting chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The cartomizer according to  claim 2 , wherein the center leakage collecting chamber is defined or formed by the air conduit or chimney and the first liquid stopping or barrier wall. 
     
     
         5 . The cartomizer according to  claim 4 , wherein the center leakage collecting chamber and the leakage collecting chamber are at least partially separated from each other by the first liquid stopping or barrier wall including at least one connecting hole or groove fluidly connecting the center leakage collecting chamber with the leakage collecting chamber, wherein the connecting hole or groove is preferably arranged with a predetermined axial distance to the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         6 . The cartomizer according to  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined axial distance from the at least one connecting hole or groove to the bottom of the container is smaller than an axial distance of the at least one through-hole to the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         7 . The cartomizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the leakage collecting chamber further comprises at least one air outlet arranged at an axial distance relative to the at least one through-hole of the air inlet, wherein the at least one air outlet of the leakage collecting chamber is arranged axially closer to the bottom of the container than the at least one through-hole of the air inlet. 
     
     
         8 . The cartomizer according to  claim 7 , wherein the air outlet of the leakage collecting chamber is transversally distant from the air inlet. 
     
     
         9 . The cartomizer according to  claim 7 , wherein the air outlet of the leakage collecting chamber protrudes by a conduit inside the leakage collecting chamber and/or inside the vaporizing chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The cartomizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the leakage collecting chamber comprises two air outlets communicating with the vaporizing chamber and arranged on each side of the air inlet, wherein the air outlets are aligned in a plane of extension of the liquid transport element. 
     
     
         11 . The cartomizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the leakage collecting chamber is arranged between a first seal arranged for holding the liquid transport element and a bottom holder of the container arranged for holding electrical connectors. 
     
     
         12 . The cartomizer according to  claim 11 , wherein the liquid transport element is held by the first seal and a second seal, wherein the second seal preferably at least partially, in particular completely, separates the at least one reservoir from the vaporizing chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The cartomizer according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one air outlet is formed inside the first seal. 
     
     
         14 . The cartomizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the leakage collecting chamber has a larger transversal cross section than a transversal cross-section of the vaporizing chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The cartomizer according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the liquid transport element is held by the first seal and a second seal, wherein the second seal at least partially separates the at least one reservoir from the vaporizing chamber, and   wherein the first seal includes air channels that fluidly connect the center leakage collecting chamber with the leakage collecting chamber or the leakage collecting chambers.   
     
     
         16 . The cartomizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid transport element comprises a porous capillary member.