TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an inhalation device with at least one liquid jet device.

In recent years, inhalation devices such as e-cigarettes have become popular as a replacement for conventional smoking articles. In this context, a certain amount of liquid must be stored in the inhalation device, preferably in a replaceable cartridge, and must be delivered appropriately to a heater so as to form an aerosol.

PRIOR ART

US 10,172,388 B2 discloses an aerosol delivery device comprising a microfluidic vaporizer. The microfluidic vaporizer comprises a substrate that is substantially chip shaped and a heater is defined by the substrate and may be positioned on the substrate. Further, the microfluidic vaporizer can be detachable and replaceable.

US 2017/0280771 A1 discloses an electronic aerosol-generating device comprising a surface acoustic wave-atomizer (SAW- atomizer) chip. The SAW-atomizer chip may comprise a pointed tip portion supporting a piercing of a pierceable membrane or foil of the cartridge. A capillary is arranged to extend between the inside of the cartridge and the atomization region of the SAW-atomizer chip. The capillary may, for example, be a microchannel. Thus, it seems that the SAW- atomizer is analogous to at least one liquid jet device, such as a micro heater or resistor, to produce liquid drops on demand. Further, the SAW-atomizer may be disposable. The SAW- atomizer may be a separate element. US 2020/0008473 A1 discloses an inhaler comprising a vaporiser head which is further formed of a heating element- wick structure assembly formed as a layered assembly. The vaporiser head can also be referred to as a removable vaporiser and can be swapped.

Further examples of the prior art can be seen in documents EP 3 838 31 5 Al, US 2018/11 6281 A1 and US 2010/206307 A1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, there remains a need for an improved inhalation device, which can allow the easy replacement of the liquid jet device in case of malfunction.

This is achieved by means of the inhalation device in accordance with claim 1, in which the liquid jet device is removable in a direction essentially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the inhalation device.

Indeed, the damaged liquid jet device is accessible from the lateral side of the inhalation device and it can be removed from the device with a simple and short movement. In addition, there is no need to disassemble other components of the device to have access to the liquid jet device.

According to the invention, the liquid jet device is mounted on a daughterboard extending essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inhalation device.

This allows to provide the inhalation device with a liquid jet device easy to be installed, in addition, the liquid jet device can be reduced in dimension.

Preferred embodiments are described in the further claims.

As regards the liquid jet device, providing same as a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) has proven efficient, as such technology is well established for drop on demand technology .

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the daughterboard is replaceable.

Thus, the liquid jet device can be easily extracted and inserted. Replacement of a damaged liquid jet device is therefore easy and quick.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the daughterboard is connected to a motherboard by a pin and socket connection.

Due to this feature, the connection between the daughterboard and the motherboard is easily reversible and reliable. The replacement of the liquid jet device can be performed quickly without compromising the functionality of the inhalation device.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the liquid jet device is movable or made accessible by a pin or tool insertable form outside the inhalation device or adapted to open a door.

This allows the liquid jet device to be easily replaced by the user itself without any need of a specific technic skill.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the inhalation device further comprises storage means for storing information regarding the liquid jet device.

Thus, the inhalation device can store, for example, information about the functionality of the liquid jet device. Such information is useful for informing the client about the necessity of replacing a damaged liquid jet device. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the inhalation device further comprises display means for displaying information regarding the liquid jet device.

This allows the user to be promptly informed about the necessity of replacing the liquid jet device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Hereinafter, the invention is further described with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an inhalation device in accordance with the invention in a first operating condition;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the inhalation device of Figure 1 in a second operating condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As can be taken from Figures 1 and 2, the inhalation device 10 as described herein comprises a case 18 which is essentially elongated extending along a longitudinal axis. For example, the case 18 can be of cylindrical shape. The longitudinal axis of the case 18 defines the longitudinal axis of the inhalation device 10.

In addition, the inhalation device 10 comprises a mouthpiece 12 arranged at one end of the case 18. Further, the inhalation device 10 comprises charging contacts 14 arranged at the other end of the case 18.

Any aerosol delivered to the mouthpiece 12 is produced from liquid contained in a reservoir 16, which is essentially accommodated in that half of the case 18, which is closer to the mouthpiece 12.

The longitudinal axis of the case 18 corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the reservoir 16. The reservoir 16 can comprise a cartridge, preferably a replaceable cartridge.

In the present case, aerosol is produced by at least a liquid jet device 24 which is functionally and structurally arranged between the reservoir 16 and the mouthpiece 12. The liquid jet device 24 is configured to produce liquid drops on demand.

Preferably, the liquid jet device 24 and the reservoir 16 are structurally distinct.

A supply tube 26 is connected between the reservoir 16 and the liquid jet device 24 to supply the liquid to be vaporized to the liquid jet device 24.

The reservoir 16 comprises a filter 28 arranged directly downstream of the supply tube 26. Preferably, the filter 28 is arranged close to the liquid jet device 24. More preferably, the filter 28 is arranged in contact with the liquid jet device 24.

The inhalation device 10 further comprises a motherboard (or printed circuit board or PCB) 30 which is arranged in the case 18 and is connected to the liquid jet device 24.

Further, the inhalation device 10 comprises a rechargeable battery 32 which is connected to the motherboard 30 to provide power to the liquid jet device 24. The battery 32 is further connected to the charging contacts 14.

The liquid jet device 24 may comprise a micro heater or a resistor . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid jet device 24 comprises a MEMS die. The MEMS die is connected to the motherboard 30. Preferably, the MEMS die is rigidly and directly connected to the motherboard 30.

The liquid jet device 24 comprises at least a nozzle to dispense the vaporized liquid in the mouthpiece 12.

In other embodiments which are not represented, the inhalation device 10 may comprise a plurality of liquid jet devices 24, each connected to the motherboard 30 and each comprising a respective nozzle.

According to the invention, the liquid jet device 24 is removable in a direction essentially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the inhalation device 10.

In other words, a damaged liquid jet device 24 can be removed from the inhalation device 10 and replaced with a new and fully functional liquid jet device 24.

In this regard, the liquid jet device 24 is mounted on a daughterboard 22 extending essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inhalation device 10.

The daughterboard 22 is connected to the motherboard 30 by a pin and socket connection. This allows the inhalation device 10 to be provided with a stable, reversible and reliable connection between the motherboard 30 and the daughterboard 22.

Due to this kind of connection, the daughterboard 22 comprising the liquid jet device 24 is replaceable.

In other words, a damaged liquid jet device 24 can be removed by removing the daughterboard 22 carrying the liquid jet device 24. The new and fully functional liquid jet device 24 is then introduced in the inhalation device 10 together with a new daughterboard 22.

More in detail, when the inhalation device 10 is in use, the daughterboard 22 comprising the liquid jet device 24 is housed in a seat provided inside the case 18. Preferably, the seat is provided at the end of the case 18 adjacent to the mouthpiece 12.

The seat is accessible from the outside through a window (not shown) arranged on a side of the case 18.

The liquid jet device 24 can be removed and introduced in the inhalation device 10 through the window.

A door 34 can be provided for covering the window when the liquid jet device 24 is inserted in the seat. In this regard, a pin or tool P can be used for opening the door 34 and accessing the seat.

Alternatively, the daughterboard 22 together with the liquid jet device 24 can be inserted in a holder (not shown) and introduced in and/or extracted from the seat. In this case, the pin or tool P can be used for moving the holder.

The pin or tool P and the holder can be similar to those used for the extraction of a SIM card from a mobile phone.

In addition, the inhalation device 10 may comprise storage means (not shown) for storing information regarding the liquid jet device. Further, the inhalation device 10 may comprise displaying means for displaying the information.

More in detail, the information stored is representative of the functionality of the liquid jet device 24. For example, the information that can be stored in the storage means can be the number of liquid jet devices 24 correctly firing and the number of droplets fired from each nozzle.

For example, the storage means can be an EPROM chip arranged on the motherboard 30.

The information stored in the storage means can be analysed in an analysing unit of the motherboards 30 configured to receive the information to evaluate the functionality of the liquid jet device 24.

When the functionality of the liquid jet device 24 is below a predetermined threshold, the liquid jet device 24 must be replaced and the motherboard 30 communicates this information through the display means.

The display means can comprise an LCD screen.

Although detailed embodiments have been described, these only serve to provide a better understanding of the invention defined by the independent claims and are not to be seen as limiting .