Consumable Article for a Vapour Generating Device

Abstract

A consumable article for a vapour generating device includes: a store of liquid for vaporisation in the vapour generating device; and a shape memory foam having a compressed temporary shape in which pores of the shape memory foam are closed so as to prevent passage of the liquid through and out of the shape memory foam, wherein the shape memory foam is responsive to a stimulus to change from the temporary shape to an expanded permanent shape in which the pores are open so as to allow passage of the liquid through and out of the shape memory foam for the vaporisation.

1 . A consumable article for a vapour generating device, comprising:
 a store of liquid for vaporisation in the vapour generating device; and   a shape memory foam having a compressed temporary shape in which pores of the shape memory foam are closed so as to prevent passage of the liquid through and out of the shape memory foam,   wherein the shape memory foam is responsive to a stimulus to change from the compressed temporary shape to an expanded permanent shape in which the pores are open so as to allow passage of the liquid through and out of the shape memory foam for said vaporisation.   
     
     
         2 . The consumable article according to  claim 1 , further comprising a container which stores at least a portion of the liquid, the shape memory foam being located at an outlet of the container so that:
 in the compressed temporary shape the shape memory foam prevents passage of the liquid from the container; and   in the expanded permanent shape the shape memory foam allows passage of the liquid from the container and through and out of the shape memory foam for said vaporisation.   
     
     
         3 . The consumable article according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 a first portion of the liquid is stored in the container; and   a second portion of the liquid is stored within the shape memory foam when the shape memory foam is in the compressed temporary shape.   
     
     
         4 . The consumable article according to  claim 2 , further comprising a wick arranged to receive the liquid from the shape memory foam-when the shape memory foam is in the expanded permanent shape. 
     
     
         5 . The consumable article according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the wick is spaced from the shape memory foam when the shape memory foam is in the compressed temporary shape; and   the shape memory foam is arranged to expand into direct contact with the wick when the shape memory foam is changed from the compressed temporary shape to the expanded permanent shape,   thereby to provide a path for the liquid from the container to the wick.   
     
     
         6 . The consumable article according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the wick is arranged to be in direct contact with the shape memory foam when the shape memory foam is in the compressed temporary shape; and   the shape memory foam is arranged to expand into the container when the shape memory foam is changed from the compressed temporary shape to the expanded permanent shape,   thereby to provide a path for the liquid from the container to the wick.   
     
     
         7 . The consumable article according to  claim 6 , wherein the shape memory foam is partially embedded in the wick. 
     
     
         8 . The consumable article according to  claim 4 , further comprising a heater for vaporising the liquid received by the wick, the heater being arranged to provide a heat stimulus for said change of the shape memory foam from the compressed temporary shape to the expanded permanent shape. 
     
     
         9 . The consumable article according to  claim 4 , wherein the wick is arranged to interface with a heater of the vapour generating device when the consumable article is coupled to the vapour generating device, in order to provide a heat stimulus to the shape memory foam for said change of the shape memory foam from the compressed temporary shape to the expanded permanent shape and to vaporise the liquid received by the wick. 
     
     
         10 . A The consumable article according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is stored within the shape memory foam when the shape memory foam is in the compressed temporary shape. 
     
     
         11 . A The consumable article according to  claim 10 , further comprising a wick arranged to receive the liquid from the shape memory foam when the shape memory foam is in the expanded permanent shape. 
     
     
         12 . A The consumable article according to  claim 11 , further comprising a heater arranged to provide a heat stimulus for said change of the shape memory foam from the compressed temporary shape to the expanded permanent shape. 
     
     
         13 . The consumable article according to  claim 11 , wherein the wick is arranged to interface with a heater of the vapour generating device-when the consumable article is coupled to the vapour generating device, in order to provide a heat stimulus to the shape memory foam for said change of the shape memory foam from the compressed temporary shape to the expanded permanent shape and to vaporise the liquid received by the wick. 
     
     
         14 . The consumable article according to  claim 10 , wherein the shape memory foam in the compressed temporary shape is configured to be insertable into the vapour generating device. 
     
     
         15 . A vapour generating device comprising the consumable article according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . The consumable article according to  claim 12 , wherein said heater is further arranged for vaporising the liquid received by the wick. 
     
     
         17 . The consumable article according to  claim 12 , wherein an additional heater is arranged for vaporising the liquid received by the wick. 
     
     
         18 . The consumable article according to  claim 14 , wherein the shape memory foam in the compressed temporary shape is contained in an expandable protective pouch, the pouch being openable so as to allow passage of the liquid to a wick of the vapour generating device when the consumable article is inserted into the vapour generating device and the shape memory foam is in the expanded permanent shape.