Mouthpiece with condensation management feature

Abstract

The invention relates to a mouthpiece for an aerosol-generating system comprising an airflow path of the mouthpiece and a cone-shaped guiding member. The cone-shaped guiding member is arranged in the airflow path of the mouthpiece. The cone-shaped guiding member is configured to guide condensed liquid components in a direction towards an upstream end of the airflow path of the mouthpiece. The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system.

1 . A mouthpiece for an aerosol-generating system, comprising
 an airflow path of the mouthpiece and a cone-shaped guiding member;   wherein the cone-shaped guiding member is arranged in the airflow path of the mouthpiece,   wherein the cone-shaped guiding member is configured to guide condensed liquid components in a direction towards an upstream end of the airflow path of the mouthpiece, and   wherein a tip of the cone-shaped guiding member faces in a direction towards a distal end of the mouthpiece.   
     
     
         2 . The mouthpiece according to  claim 1 , wherein the cone-shaped guiding member is a hollow cone-shaped guiding member. 
     
     
         3 . The mouthpiece according to  claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the cone-shaped guiding member is arranged in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece, and wherein a base of the cone-shaped guiding member is directed towards a proximal end of the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         4 . The mouthpiece according to  claim 2 , wherein the cone-shaped guiding member is hollow and divides the airflow path of the mouthpiece into a downstream airflow chamber arranged within the hollow cone-shaped guiding member and an upstream airflow chamber surrounding the hollow cone-shaped guiding member. 
     
     
         5 . The mouthpiece according to  claim 4 , wherein a distal portion of the upstream airflow chamber comprises a bowl-shaped wall element. 
     
     
         6 . The mouthpiece according to  claim 4 , wherein the hollow cone-shaped guiding member comprises one or more apertures arranged to fluidly connect the upstream airflow chamber and the downstream airflow chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The mouthpiece according to  claim 6 , wherein the hollow cone-shaped guiding member comprises a plurality of apertures asymmetrically arranged at different axial and radial positions of the hollow cone-shaped guiding member. 
     
     
         8 . The mouthpiece according to  claim 2 , wherein a base of the hollow cone-shaped guiding member comprises an aperture configured as an airflow outlet port. 
     
     
         9 . The mouthpiece according to  claim 2 , comprising a high retention material arranged within the hollow cone-shaped guiding member. 
     
     
         10 . The mouthpiece according to  claim 9 , wherein the high retention material is arranged at a tip region of the hollow cone-shaped guiding member. 
     
     
         11 . The mouthpiece according to  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the cone-shaped guiding member comprises a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         12 . An aerosol-generating system, comprising
 a mouthpiece according to  claim 1 ;   a main unit comprising an atomizer; and   an airflow path of the system extending from an air inlet via the atomizer to the airflow path of the mouthpiece;   wherein the cone-shaped guiding member is configured to guide liquid components condensed from the airflow in a direction towards the atomizer.   
     
     
         13 . The aerosol-generating system according to  claim 12 , wherein the main unit comprises a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; wherein the atomizer is configured for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate; wherein the main unit comprises a main body and a replaceable cartridge,
 the main body comprising control electronics and a power supply; and   the cartridge comprising the atomizer and the liquid storage portion; and   wherein the mouthpiece is attached to the cartridge and wherein the cartridge is attached to the main body.   
     
     
         14 . The aerosol-generating system according to  claim 13 , wherein the mouthpiece and the cartridge of the main unit together form an integral replaceable portion which is releasably attachable to the main body.