CN112533497B

CN112533497B - Hookah with absorption carrier

Info

Publication number: CN112533497B
Application number: CN201980052250.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·埃米特; A·I·冈萨雷斯弗洛雷斯
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2018-08-30
Filing date: 2019-08-21
Publication date: 2024-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-21
Also published as: WO2020044179A1; US20210321662A1; JP2021536233A; EP3843564A1; IL280887B2; IL280887B1; CN112533497A; IL280887A

Abstract

The water pipe (200) includes a body defining a cavity (218). An aerosol-forming substrate (300) and a sheet-forming absorbent carrier (310) impregnated with an aerosol-forming agent are disposed in the cavity. The absorbent carrier may be disposed adjacent to or in contact with the interior cavity surface, the aerosol-forming substrate, or both the interior cavity surface and the aerosol-forming substrate. Aerosol formers impregnated in the absorbent carrier may improve aerosol formation when the cartridge is heated.

Description

Hookah with absorption carrier

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a hookah apparatus and to a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate for a hookah apparatus; and more particularly to an aerosol former impregnated absorbent carrier for use in such cartridges.

Background

Conventional hookah devices are used for smoking and are configured such that vapor and smoke pass through a sink before being inhaled by a consumer. The hookah apparatus may comprise one outlet or more than one outlet, such that the apparatus may be used by more than one consumer at a time. The use of a water vapor device is seen by many as a leisure activity and social experience.

Tobacco used in the hookah apparatus may be mixed with other ingredients, for example, to increase the volume of vapor and smoke produced, to change taste, or both. Charcoal particles are commonly used to heat tobacco in conventional hookah apparatus, which may cause complete or partial combustion of the tobacco or other components. In addition, charcoal particles may produce harmful or potentially harmful products, such as carbon monoxide, which may mix with the water vapor and pass through the water bath.

Some hookah devices have been proposed that use an electric heating source to consume tobacco, for example, to avoid byproducts of burning charcoal or to improve the consistency of heating the tobacco. Other hookah devices have been proposed that use electronic vaping solutions rather than tobacco. A hookah apparatus using e-valiquid would eliminate combustion byproducts, but would deprive the hookah user of a traditional tobacco-based experience.

Other hookah devices have been proposed that employ an electric heater to heat but not burn tobacco. Such a heated non-combustion hookah apparatus reduces or eliminates byproducts associated with tobacco combustion. However, such devices may reduce aerosol generation compared to conventional charcoal-based hookah devices. Aerosol generation may refer to any of the following: visible aerosol, aerosol mass, aerosol volume, or any combination thereof. Thus, such devices may not conform to the user's expectations of the traditional hookah experience. The reduced generation of aerosols may be more pronounced during initial pumping. The reduction in aerosol generation may be due to the inefficiency of heat transfer between the heater and the tobacco-based substrate.

Some heated non-combustible hookah devices are used in combination with a substrate that is substantially different from traditional tobacco-based molasses. For example, the substrate for the e-hookah may include dry stone or e-liquid. These matrices generally have a more homogeneous morphology and a higher thermal conductivity than molasses. Molasses tends to be relatively more heterogeneous and therefore difficult to heat uniformly. However, users may consider that non-molasses matrices would disrupt typical ceremony and experience.

Inefficient heat transfer between the electric heater and the substrate can result in a low Total Aerosol Mass (TAM), especially during the first 20 puffs.

Disclosure of Invention

It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system for an electrically heated hookah apparatus that improves aerosolization. It would also be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system for an electrically heated hookah apparatus that increases TAM. It would also be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system for an electrically heated hookah apparatus that shortens the time that a user can make a first puff (the time of the first puff is also referred to as TT 1P). It would also be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system that allows the use of traditional substrates (e.g., molasses) while improving one or more of aerosolization, increasing TAM, and decreasing TT 1P.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a water chimney including a body defining a cavity and an interior cavity surface. The cartridge includes an aerosol-forming substrate disposed in the cavity. The cartridge includes an absorbent carrier disposed in the cavity. The absorbent carrier may be formed into a sheet. The absorbent carrier is impregnated with a volatile aerosol former. The absorbent carrier may be disposed adjacent to the interior cavity surface, adjacent to the aerosol-forming substrate, or adjacent to both the interior cavity surface and the aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., between the interior cavity surface and the aerosol-forming substrate). As the volatile aerosol former in the cartridge and the absorbent carrier is heated during use, the aerosol former evaporates to form an aerosol.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol-forming agent is disposed within the cartridge to improve aerosolization and release of the organoleptically active compound from the aerosol-forming substrate. The absorbent carrier may be impregnated with one or more aerosol formers. Optionally, the absorbent carrier may also be impregnated with one or more organoleptically active compounds or precursors thereof. Aerosol formers are compounds that promote aerosol formation in use. These compounds include, but are not limited to, glycerol and propylene glycol. A sensorially active compound is a compound that allows triggering a sensorial response (e.g., fragrance).

According to some aspects, the absorbent carrier may be disposed adjacent to an inner surface of the cavity. For example, the absorbent carrier may be disposed along a wall (such as a side wall), at the bottom, or along the top of the cartridge, or any combination thereof, such that when the cartridge is in use, it is in direct contact with the heated surface. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent carrier is in direct contact with the heated surface when the cartridge is in use.

The term "sheet" is used herein to refer to a material that is substantially planar and has a width and height that are greater than the thickness of the material (e.g., several orders of magnitude greater). An example of a sheet is paper. It should be understood that the term "sheet" may also encompass materials that are thicker than paper. The sheet of material may be bent, folded, curled, crumpled, etc.

The absorbent carrier may take any form or shape. The absorbent carrier may be flat, curved, rolled, folded, pleated, curled, crumpled, curved, etc., or may comprise a combination of forms and shapes (e.g., flat portions and pleated or curved portions).

When the cartridge and the absorbent carrier within the cartridge are heated during use, the aerosol former impregnated into (e.g., absorbed into) the absorbent carrier is partially or fully vaporized. The vaporized compounds aid in aerosol formation. Aerosol formers may improve aerosol formation by increasing the total aerosol-forming material generated by the hookah apparatus, especially during the first few puffs. Thus, aerosol generation similar to charcoal-based hookah devices can be achieved using a conventional matrix (molasses) and employing a heated non-burning hookah device impregnated with an absorbent carrier for the aerosol former. This helps to preserve as much of the flavor, fragrance and instrumentation associated with conventional hookah devices and substrates as possible. Without the absorbent carrier impregnated with volatile aerosol former, conventional molasses matrices can produce relatively lower amounts of total aerosol mass in a heated non-burning hookah device than in a conventional charcoal heated hookah device.

The term "aerosol" as used herein refers to a suspension of fine solid particles or droplets in a gas (such as air), which may contain volatile flavour compounds.

The absorbing carrier may act as a carrier for volatile compounds (e.g., aerosol formers). The use of an absorbent carrier impregnated with a volatile aerosol former in the cartridge may reduce the time of the first puff, increase Total Aerosol Mass (TAM), or both. The TAM increases preferentially, especially during the first few puffs, because an electrically heated hookah device is typically used in the first few puffs where the TAM is lower.

The cartridge may be of any suitable shape. For example, the cartridge may have a shape configured to be received by a hookah apparatus. The hookah apparatus is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate and the absorbent carrier in the cartridge. The device may be configured to heat the absorbent carrier and aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge by conduction. The cartridge is preferably shaped and dimensioned to allow contact or to minimize the distance from the heating element of the hookah apparatus to provide efficient heat transfer from the heating element to the aerosol-generating substrate in the cartridge. The heat may be generated by any suitable mechanism, such as by resistive heating or by induction. To assist in induction heating, the cartridge may be provided with a susceptor. For example, the cylinder may be made of a material capable of acting as a susceptor (e.g., aluminum), or the susceptor material may be disposed within the cavity of the cylinder. The susceptor material may be provided in any form within the cavity of the cartridge, such as powder, solid pieces, chips, etc.

The cartridge may have a generally cuboid, cylindrical, frustoconical or any other suitable shape. Preferably, the cartridge has a generally cylindrical or frusto-conical shape.

The cartridge may comprise any suitable body defining a cavity in which the aerosol-forming substrate is disposed. The body is preferably formed of one or more heat resistant materials, such as heat resistant polymers or metals. Preferably, the body comprises a thermally conductive material. For example, the body may comprise any one of the following: aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, any alloys thereof, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the body comprises aluminum.

The body may include a top, a bottom, and sidewalls. The body may include one or more portions. For example, the side wall and bottom may be an integral single part. The side wall and bottom may be two portions configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For example, the side wall and the bottom may be configured to engage one another by a threaded engagement or an interference fit. The side wall and the bottom may be two parts joined together. For example, the side wall and bottom can be joined together by welding or adhesive. The top and side walls may be a single integral part. The side wall and top may be two portions configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For example, the side wall and the top may be configured to engage one another by a threaded engagement or an interference fit. The side wall and the top may be two parts joined together. For example, the side wall and top may be joined together by welding or adhesive. The top, sidewalls and bottom may all be a single integral part. The top, side walls and bottom may be three separate sections configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For example, the top, side walls, and bottom may be configured to be joined by a threaded engagement, an interference fit, welding, or an adhesive.

The body defines a cavity in which the aerosol-forming substrate and the absorbent carrier impregnated with the aerosol-forming agent may be disposed. A portion of the body defining the cavity may have a heatable wall or surface. As used herein, "heatable wall" and "heatable surface" means the area of the wall or surface that can directly or indirectly apply heat. The heatable wall or surface may act as a heat transfer surface. For example, a heatable wall or surface defining a portion of the body of the chamber is a surface that: through which heat can be transferred from the outside of the cavity through the body to the cavity or to the inner surface of the cavity.

The aerosol-forming substrate may occupy any suitable volume of the cavity. The volume of aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge may be varied by varying the amount, composition, shape, packing density or form of aerosol-forming substrate placed in the cartridge.

Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be provided in the cavity defined by the body of the cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds. The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of releasing a compound that can form an aerosol. Volatile compounds can be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid, or comprise solid and liquid components. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least a solid.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The nicotine-containing aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a nicotine salt substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises tobacco, and preferably the tobacco-containing material comprises a volatile tobacco flavour compound which is released from the aerosol-forming substrate when heated. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized tobacco material. The homogenized tobacco material may be formed by coagulating particulate tobacco. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-free material. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise homogenized plant-based material.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of the following: a powder, granule, pellet, chip, sliver, strip or sheet comprising one or more of the following: herb leaf, tobacco vein segment, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, and expanded tobacco.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. The aerosol former in the matrix may be the same or different from the aerosol former impregnated into the absorbent carrier. The aerosol-former may be any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol and is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the hookah apparatus. Suitable aerosol formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyols such as triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, and glycerol; esters of polyols, such as glycerol mono-, di-or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Particularly preferred aerosol formers are polyols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol and most preferably glycerol. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as fragrances. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises nicotine and at least one aerosol-former. In some embodiments, the aerosol former is glycerin or a mixture of glycerin with one or more other suitable aerosol formers, such as those listed above.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise any suitable amount of aerosol-forming agent. For example, the content of aerosol former may be equal to or greater than 5% by dry weight, and preferably greater than 30% by dry weight. The aerosol former content may be less than about 95% on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol former is present in an amount up to about 55%.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The term "thermally stable" as used herein refers to materials that do not substantially degrade at the temperatures to which the matrix is typically heated (e.g., about 150 ℃ to about 300 ℃). The thermally stable carrier may be separate and distinct from the absorbent carrier. The thermally stable carrier may be used to provide support for an aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., molasses). The aerosol-forming substrate and the thermally stable carrier may be disposed in the center of the cartridge. On the other hand, an absorption carrier may be used as a carrier for the aerosol former. The absorbent carrier and aerosol former may be disposed adjacent to the side wall, bottom or both of the cartridge. The absorbent carrier and the aerosol-forming agent may at least partially surround the aerosol-forming substrate and the thermally stable carrier.

The thermally stable carrier may include a thin layer on which the matrix is deposited on the first major surface, the second major surface, or both the first and second major surfaces. The heat stable carrier may be formed of, for example, paper or paper-like material, a non-woven carbon fiber mat, a lightweight open cell metal screen, or a perforated metal foil or any other heat stable polymer matrix. Alternatively, the heat stable carrier may be in the form of a powder, granule, pellet, chip, strand, ribbon, or sheet. The carrier may be a nonwoven fabric or tow having the tobacco component contained therein. The nonwoven fabric or tows may include, for example, carbon fibers, natural cellulosic fibers, or cellulose-derived fibers.

In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises any suitable amount of one or more sugars. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises invert sugar, which is a mixture of glucose and fructose obtained by splitting sucrose. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises from about 1% to about 40% by weight of a sugar, such as a invert sugar. In some examples, one or more sugars may be mixed with a suitable carrier such as corn starch or maltodextrin.

In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises one or more sensory enhancers. Suitable sensory enhancers include flavoring agents and sensates, such as cooling agents. Suitable flavoring agents include natural or synthetic menthol, peppermint, spearmint, coffee, tea, spices (such as cinnamon, clove, ginger or combinations thereof), cocoa, vanilla, fruit spices, chocolate, eucalyptus, geranium, eugenol, agave, juniper, anethole, linalool, and any combinations thereof.

In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a suspension. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise molasses. As used herein, "molasses" refers to an aerosol-forming substrate composition comprising about 20% or more sugar. For example, the molasses may contain at least about 25 wt% sugar, such as at least about 35 wt% sugar. Typically, molasses will contain less than about 60% by weight of sugar, such as less than about 50% by weight of sugar.

The aerosol-forming substrate used with conventional hookah apparatus is in the form of molasses, which may be heterogeneous and may contain agglomerates and cavities. Such cavities prevent direct thermal contact between the substrate and the heated surface, making thermal conduction particularly inefficient. Thus, by using e.g. e-liquid or dry stone, the electrically heated hookah apparatus tends to deviate from conventional molasses. Because of the use of sheet-forming and volatile aerosol former impregnated absorbent carriers in the cartridges described in this disclosure, a more traditional aerosol-forming substrate (such as molasses) may be used to maintain the typical ceremony and hookah experience when using electrical heating.

Any suitable amount of aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., molasses or tobacco substrate) may be disposed in the cavity. In some preferred embodiments, from about 3g (grams) to about 25g of aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the cavity. The cartridge may comprise at least 6g, at least 7g, at least 8g or at least 9g of aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may contain up to 15g, up to 12g; up to 11g, or up to 10g of aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably, from about 7g to about 13g of aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the cavity. More preferably, about 10g of the aerosol-forming substrate is placed in the cavity. The aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed within a space defined by the absorbent carrier.

Preferably, the body length of the cartridge is about 15cm or less. The cartridge may have an inner diameter of about 1cm or greater. The cartridge may have a heatable surface area in the cavity of about 25cm ² to about 100cm ², such as about 70cm ² to about 100cm ². The volume of the cavity may be about 10cm ³ to about 50cm ³; preferably from about 25cm ³ to about 40cm ³. In one embodiment, the length of the body is about 10cm or less. The inner diameter of the body may be about 1.75cm or greater. The body may have a heatable surface area in the cavity of about 30cm ² to about 100cm ², such as about 70cm ² to about 100cm ². The volume of the cavity may be about 10cm ³ to about 50cm ³; preferably from about 25cm ³ to about 40cm ³. in one embodiment, the length of the body is in the range of about 3.5cm to about 7 cm. The inner diameter of the body may be about 1.5cm to about 4cm. The body may have a heatable surface area in the cavity of about 30cm ² to about 100cm ², such as about 70cm ² to about 100cm ². The volume of the cavity may be about 10cm ³ to about 50cm ³; preferably from about 25cm ³ to about 40cm ³. Preferably, the body is cylindrical or frustoconical.

Preferably, the cartridge comprises an amount of aerosol-forming substrate that will provide a sufficient amount of aerosol for a hookah experience lasting from about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes; preferably from about 20 minutes to about 50 minutes; more preferably from about 30 minutes to about 40 minutes.

The cartridge may include one or more vents. The vent may be an inlet, an outlet, or both an inlet and an outlet. The vent holes may be provided at the bottom, top, sides, or a combination thereof, of the cartridge. In some embodiments, the cartridge includes one or more inlets and one or more outlets to allow air to flow through the aerosol-forming substrate when the cartridge is used with a hookah apparatus. In some embodiments, the top of the cartridge may define one or more apertures to form one or more inlets of the cartridge. The bottom of the cartridge may define one or more apertures to form one or more outlets of the cartridge. Preferably, the one or more inlets and outlets are sized and shaped to provide a suitable Resistance To Draw (RTD) through the cartridge. In some examples, the RTD through the cartridge from the one or more inlets to the one or more outlets may be about 10mm H ₂ O to about 50mm H ₂ O, preferably about 20mm H ₂ O to about 40mm H ₂ O. The RTD of a sample refers to the difference in static pressure between the two ends of the sample as the gas flow traverses the sample under steady conditions at which the volumetric flow at the output is 17.5 ml/s. The RTD of the sample can be measured using the method specified in ISO standard 6565:2002 and any ventilation is prevented.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the cartridge includes an absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol-forming agent disposed inside the cartridge. The absorbent carrier may be formed into a sheet. The absorbent support material may be selected to absorb, adsorb, or both absorb and adsorb volatile compounds. The absorbent carrier material may be selected to act as a support that can hold the volatile compounds in close proximity or contact with the heated surface of the cartridge. Preferably, the absorbent carrier material is capable of maintaining the volatile compounds in direct, uniform contact with the heated surface of the cartridge. The absorbent carrier may at least partially surround the aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., molasses).

According to one embodiment, the absorbent carrier is impregnated with one or more aerosol-forming agents that may assist in forming an aerosol upon heating the absorbent carrier. Suitable aerosol formers include, but are not limited to, polyols, glycol ethers, polyol esters, and fatty acids. The aerosol former may comprise one or more of the following: glycerol, propylene glycol, butyl tetraol, 1, 3-butanediol, tetraethyl glycol, triethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl dodecanoate, triacetin, erythritol, a diacetin mixture, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, ethyl vanillic acid, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, and myristic acid. Preferably, the aerosol former comprises a compound that is relatively highly volatile and exhibits relatively high hygroscopicity. In some embodiments, the aerosol former comprises glycerin (e.g., vegetable Glycerin (VG)), propylene glycol, or a combination thereof.

The absorbent carrier may comprise any suitable amount of one or more aerosol formers. For example, the absorbent carrier may contain 0.3g or greater, 0.5g or greater, 0.8g or greater, 1g or greater, 1.2g or greater, or 1.5 or greater aerosol former. The absorbent carrier may comprise at most 8g, at most 7g, at most 6g, at most 5.5g, at most 5g, at most 4.5g or at most 4g of aerosol former. In one embodiment, the absorbent carrier comprises 0.5 to 5g of aerosol former.

One or more aerosol formers impregnated (e.g., absorbed) into the absorbent carrier may increase the number of condensation nuclei available at the beginning of the smoking experience. The increased number of condensation nuclei available at the beginning of the pumping experience may allow aerosol generation to begin faster and more aerosol to be generated, especially during the first few puffs. For example, the absorbent carrier impregnated with the aerosol-forming agent may increase the amount of aerosol generated during the first 5, first 10, first 15, first 20, or first 30 puffs.

The use of an aerosol former impregnated into the absorbent carrier may also reduce the time for the hookah apparatus to be ready for a first puff (i.e., the time to first puff or TT 1P) comprising a suitable or desired TAM (typically about 15 mg/puff). For example, when using a cartridge employing molasses (without an absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol former), TT1P may be about 17 minutes (including a4 minute warm-up time). However, TT1P can be reduced by about 1 minute to about 15 minutes by using an aerosol former impregnated into the absorbent carrier to increase the amount of aerosol available during the first few puffs. In some embodiments, the (reduced) TT1P is about 5 minutes or greater, about 8 minutes or greater, or about 10 minutes or greater. The (reduced) TT1P may be about 15 minutes, up to about 12 minutes, or up to about 10 minutes.

The absorbent carrier may be arranged to directly contact the surface of the cartridge directly heated by the hookah apparatus. For example, the absorbent carrier may be arranged in direct contact with the inner surface of the cartridge. The interior surface of the cartridge may be a bottom, side walls, top, or a combination thereof. The absorbent carrier may be arranged around the periphery of the aerosol-forming substrate. The arrangement around the perimeter of the aerosol-forming substrate allows the effect of absorbing aerosol-forming agent in the carrier to be directed to the first few puffs drawn from the cartridge during use in the hookah apparatus. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the absorbent carrier surrounds the matrix within the cartridge.

The absorbent carrier may have any suitable form or shape. For example, the absorbent carrier may comprise a cylindrical portion lining at least partially the inner surface of the cylindrical cartridge wall, surrounding at least partially the aerosol-forming substrate, or both. The absorbent carrier may also include a portion that covers the bottom of the cartridge. The absorbent carrier may include portions that are flat (e.g., planar), curved, rolled, folded, pleated, curled, crumpled, curved, etc., or may include a combination of forms and shapes (e.g., flat portions and pleated or curved portions). In one embodiment, the absorbent carrier has a rolled shape. For example, the absorbent carrier may be layered with the aerosol-forming substrate and rolled into a spiral cylindrical shape comprising a plurality of alternating layers of absorbent carrier and aerosol-forming substrate. The rolled cylindrical shape may be disposed within a barrel.

The absorbent carrier may be made of a porous material. In some embodiments, the absorbent carrier comprises fibers. For example, the absorbent carrier may be made of a refined cellulosic material. The term "refined cellulosic material" is used herein to refer to a cellulosic-based material (e.g., derived from plants), but has been treated (e.g., refined) to remove compounds, alter the chemical structure of the material, or both. The compounds removed may be compounds other than water such that the refining process includes steps other than or in addition to the drying process. Examples of suitable refined cellulosic materials for the absorbent carrier include paper, filter paper, cardboard, rayon (e.g., lyocell, viscose, modal), and the like. According to some embodiments, the absorbent carrier may comprise other fibrous materials, such as silk, wool, cotton, flax, and the like.

The absorbent carrier may have any suitable thickness. For example, the thickness of the absorbent carrier may be about 0.1mm or greater, about 0.2mm or greater, about 0.5mm or greater, or about 1mm or greater. The absorbent carrier may have a thickness of at most about 5mm, at most about 4mm, at most about 3.5mm, at most about 3mm, at most about 2.5mm, or at most about 2 mm. In one embodiment, the absorbent carrier has a thickness of about 0.1mm to about 3 mm.

The absorbent carrier may have any suitable surface area. For example, the surface area of the absorbent carrier may be about 2cm ² or more, about 3cm ² or more, about 3.5cm ² or more, about 4cm ² or more, about 5cm ² or more, about 6cm ² or more, or about 8cm ² or more. The surface area of the absorbent carrier may be up to about 50cm ², up to about 40cm ², up to about 30cm ², up to about 25cm ², up to about 20cm ², up to about 18cm ², up to about 15cm ², or up to about 10cm ². In one embodiment, the surface area of the absorbent support is about 4cm ² to 20cm ².

The absorbent carrier may also comprise a layer of heat conductive or inductive material. For example, the absorbent carrier may be coated or laminated with a thermally conductive or inductive material. Examples of suitable thermally conductive or inductive materials include various metals, such as aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, stainless steel, and combinations thereof. The susceptor material may also include or be made of various of: graphite; molybdenum; silicon carbide; aluminum; niobium; yikang nickel alloyAlloy) (austenitic nickel-chromium based superalloys); a metallized film; ceramics such as zirconia; transition metals such as Fe, co, ni, or metalloid components such as B, C, si, P, al. Such thermally conductive or inductive materials may act as thermal bridges and provide a more uniform temperature distribution. If the absorbent carrier is provided in rolled form, a layer of heat-conducting or inductive material is preferably used.

According to one embodiment, the cartridge comprises a body defining a cavity and an inner surface, and the cartridge comprises a matrix and an absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol-forming agent within the cavity. The absorbent carrier may be formed into a sheet. The absorbent carrier may be disposed at the bottom, top, side walls, or a combination thereof, of the cartridge. The cartridge may comprise at least 6g, at least 7g, at least 8g or at least 9g or at most 15g, at most 12g, at most 11g or at most 10g of aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may include 0.3g or more, 0.5g or more, 0.8g or more, 1g or more, 1.2g or more, or 1.5g or more, or up to 8g, up to 7g, up to 6g, up to 5.5g, up to 5g, up to 4.5g, or up to 4g of one or more aerosol formers impregnated into the absorbent carrier. The absorbent carrier may be disposed under the substrate or around (e.g., at least partially around) the substrate, or both. For example, the absorbent carrier may form a cup or pouch shape with the matrix disposed inside. In one embodiment, the absorbent carrier is provided as alternating layers (e.g., rolled) with the substrate. The absorbent carrier forming the sheet may be flat, curved, rolled, folded, pleated, curled, crumpled, bent, etc., or may comprise a combination of forms and shapes (e.g., flat portions and pleated or bent portions).

The cartridge may include a first removable seal covering the one or more inlets and a second removable seal covering the one or more outlets. The first and second seals are preferably sufficient to prevent air from flowing through the inlet and outlet to prevent leakage of the contents of the cartridge and to extend shelf life. The seal may comprise a peelable label, decal, foil, or the like. The label, decal, or foil may be affixed to the cartridge in any suitable manner, such as by adhesive, crimping, welding, or otherwise engaging to the container. The seal may comprise a tab that can be grasped to peel or remove the label, decal or foil from the cartridge.

A hookah in accordance with the present invention may be used with any suitable hookah apparatus. Preferably, the hookah apparatus is configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate in the cartridge sufficiently to form an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate, but not burn the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the hookah apparatus may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to within a range of about 150 ℃ to about 300 ℃; more preferably from about 180 ℃ to about 250 ℃ or from about 200 ℃ to about 230 ℃.

The hookah apparatus may comprise a receptacle for receiving the cartridge. The hookah apparatus includes a heating element configured to contact or be proximate to the body of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the receptacle. The heating element may form at least a portion of the receptacle. For example, the heating element may form at least a portion of a surface of the receptacle. The water chimney may be configured to transfer heat from the heating element to the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity by conduction. In some embodiments, the heating element comprises an electrical heating element. In some embodiments, the heating element comprises a resistive heating component. For example, the heating element may include one or more resistive wires or other resistive elements. The resistive wire may be in contact with the thermally conductive material to distribute the generated heat over a wider area. Examples of suitable conductive materials include aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, and combinations thereof. The heating element may form at least a portion of a surface of the receptacle.

The hookah apparatus may include control electronics operatively coupled to the heating element. The control electronics may be configured to control heating of the heating element. The control electronics may be configured to control the temperature to which the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge is heated. The control electronics may be provided in any suitable form and may, for example, comprise a controller or memory and a controller. The controller may include one or more of the following: an Application SPECIFIC INTEGRATED Circuit (ASIC) state machine, a digital signal processor, a gate array, a microprocessor, or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuits. The control electronics may include a memory containing instructions that cause one or more components of the circuit to implement the functions or aspects of the control electronics. The functions attributable to the control electronics in the present disclosure may be embodied as one or more of software, firmware, and hardware.

The electronic circuit may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The electronic circuit may be configured to regulate the power supply. The power may be supplied to the heater element in the form of current pulses.

In some examples, the control electronics may be configured to monitor the resistance of the heating element and control the supply of power to the heating element in dependence on the resistance of the heating element. In this way, the control electronics can adjust the temperature of the resistive element.

The hookah apparatus may include a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple. The temperature sensor may be operably coupled to the control electronics to control the temperature of the heating element. The temperature sensor may be positioned at any suitable location. For example, a temperature sensor may be configured to be inserted into a cartridge received within the receptacle to monitor the temperature of the heated aerosol-forming substrate. Additionally or alternatively, a temperature sensor may be in contact with the heating element. Additionally or alternatively, a temperature sensor may be positioned to detect the temperature at the aerosol outlet of the hookah apparatus or part thereof. The sensor may transmit a signal regarding the sensed temperature to the control electronics. The control electronics may adjust the heating of the heating element in response to a signal at the sensor that achieves the appropriate temperature.

The control electronics may be operably coupled to a power source. The hookah apparatus may comprise any suitable power source. For example, the power source of the hookah apparatus may be a battery or battery pack. The battery of the power supply may be rechargeable, removable and replaceable, or rechargeable and removable and replaceable. Any suitable battery may be used. For example, heavy duty or standard batteries exist on the market, such as batteries for industrial heavy duty power tools. Alternatively, the power source may be any type of power source, including super (super/super) capacitors. Alternatively, the components may be connected to an external power source, and designed electrically and electronically for such purposes. Regardless of the type of power source employed, the power source preferably provides sufficient energy to cause the assembly to function properly during at least one hookah period until the aerosol is depleted from the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge, before the device is recharged or needs to be connected to an external power source. Preferably, the power supply preferably provides sufficient energy to allow the assembly to function properly for continuous operation of the device for at least about 70 minutes before the device is recharged or needs to be connected to an external power source.

In one example, a hookah apparatus includes an aerosol-generating element comprising a cartridge holder, a heating element, an aerosol outlet, and a fresh air inlet. The cartridge holder is configured to receive a cartridge that holds an aerosol-forming substrate and an absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol-forming agent. The cartridge may be as described above. The heating element may define at least a portion of a surface of the receptacle.

The hookah apparatus includes a fresh air inlet passage in fluid connection with the receptacle. In use, when the absorbent carrier inside the cartridge is heated, the aerosol former impregnated in the absorbent carrier vaporises. The air flowing through the cartridge from the fresh air inlet passage entrains aerosol generated from the aerosol-former component and aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge.

Some electrically heated hookah devices employ preheated air and typically employ an airflow path such that the air propagates in the vicinity of the heat source when drawn. In addition, some electrically heated hookahs employ elements that increase radiant heat transfer by increasing the surface area being heated.

The fresh air inlet passage may include one or more holes through the cartridge holder such that fresh air may flow through the passage from outside the hookah apparatus and into the cartridge holder through the one or more holes. If the channel includes more than one aperture, the channel may include a manifold to direct air flowing through the channel to each aperture. Preferably, the hookah apparatus comprises two or more fresh air inlet passages.

As described above, the cartridge includes one or more inlets formed in the housing to allow air to flow through the chamber of the cartridge in use. If the receptacle includes one or more inlet apertures, at least some of the inlets in the cartridge may be aligned with apertures in the top of the receptacle. The cartridge may include an alignment feature configured to mate with a complementary alignment feature of the receptacle to align the inlet of the cartridge with the aperture of the receptacle upon insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle.

The air entering the cartridge may span or pass through or both across and through the absorbent carrier impregnated with the aerosol-former. Air entering the cartridge may span or pass through the aerosol-forming substrate, entraining aerosol, exiting the cartridge and the receptacle through the aerosol outlet. Air carrying aerosol enters the container of the hookah apparatus from the aerosol outlet.

The hookah apparatus may include any suitable container defining an interior volume configured to contain liquid and defining an outlet in the headspace above the liquid fill level. The container may include an optically transparent or optically opaque housing to allow a consumer to view the contents contained in the container. The container may include a liquid fill limit, such as a liquid fill line. The container housing may be formed of any suitable material. For example, the container housing may comprise glass or a suitable rigid plastic material. Preferably, the container is removable from the portion of the hookah assembly comprising the aerosol-generating element to allow a consumer to fill, purge or clean the container.

The consumer may fill the container to a liquid fill level. The liquid preferably comprises water, which may optionally be injected with one or more colorants, fragrances or both. For example, water may be injected with one or both of a botanical granule or herbal granule.

Aerosol entrained in air exiting the aerosol outlet of the container may travel through a conduit positioned in the container. The conduit may be coupled to an aerosol outlet of an aerosol-generating element of the hookah assembly and may have an opening that is below a liquid fill level of the container such that aerosol flowing through the container flows through the opening of the conduit and then through the liquid into a headspace of the container and out of the headspace outlet for delivery to a consumer.

The headspace outlet may be coupled to a hose that includes a mouthpiece for delivering the aerosol to a consumer. The mouthpiece may comprise an actuation element, such as a switch that is actuatable by a user, a puff sensor arranged to detect a user's puff on the mouthpiece, or both a switch that is actuatable by a user and a puff sensor. The activation element is operably coupled to control electronics of the hookah apparatus. The activation element may be wirelessly coupled to the control electronics. Actuation of the actuation element may cause the control electronics to actuate the heating element rather than constantly supplying energy to the heating element. Actuation of the actuation element may cause the control electronics to actuate the heating element rather than constantly supplying energy to the heating element. Thus, the use of an activation element may serve as an energy saving effect relative to devices that do not employ such elements to provide on-demand heating rather than constant heating.

For purposes of illustration, a method of using a hookah apparatus as described herein is provided in chronological order below. The container may be separated from the other components of the hookah apparatus and filled with water. One or more of natural fruit juice, botanicals, and herbal granules may be added to the water for flavoring. The amount of liquid added should cover a portion of the conduit but should not exceed a fill level indicator that may optionally be present on the container. The container is then reassembled to the hookah apparatus. A portion of the aerosol-generating element may be removed or opened to allow insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle. The aerosol-generating element is then assembled or closed. The device may then be turned on. The opening means may activate a heating profile of the heating element to heat the absorbent carrier and the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature equal to or higher than the vaporisation temperature of the aerosol-former and the aerosol-forming substrate impregnated in the absorbent carrier but lower than the combustion temperature of the absorbent carrier and the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol former compound impregnated in the absorbent carrier is vaporised to produce an aerosol. The user may aspirate the mouthpiece as desired. The user may continue to use the device until no more aerosol is visible or delivered. In some embodiments, the device may be arranged to automatically close when the available aerosol-generating substrate in the cartridge is exhausted. In some embodiments, the consumer may refill the device with fresh cartridge after receiving a cue from the device that the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge is depleted or nearly depleted, for example. If refilled with fresh cartridges, the device may continue to be used. Preferably, the user may switch off the hookah apparatus at any time, for example by switching off the apparatus.

The hookah apparatus may have any suitable air management. In one example, the user's suction action will create an inhalation effect, causing a low pressure inside the device, which will cause outside air to flow through the air inlet of the device, into the fresh air inlet channel and into the receptacle. Air may then flow into the cartridge in the receptacle to carry the aerosol generated by the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-entrained air then exits the aerosol outlet of the container, flows through the conduit into the liquid inside the container. The aerosol will then pour out of the liquid and into the headspace above the liquid level in the container, out of the headspace outlet and through the hose and mouthpiece to the consumer. The flow of outside air and the flow of aerosol inside the hookah apparatus may be driven by the user's suction action.

Drawings

Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one or more aspects described in the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like elements. It will be appreciated, however, that the use of a number in a given figure to refer to one component is not intended to limit the component labeled with the same number in another figure. In addition, the use of different numbers to refer to components in different figures is not intended to indicate that the differently numbered components cannot be the same or similar to other numbered components. The drawings are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The schematic drawings presented in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hookah apparatus.

Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of a cartridge having an aerosol-forming substrate and an absorbent carrier formed into a sheet and impregnated with an aerosol-forming agent.

Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of a cartridge having an aerosol-forming substrate and an absorbent carrier formed into a sheet and impregnated with an aerosol-forming agent.

Fig. 2C is a cross-sectional top view of a cartridge having an aerosol-forming substrate and an absorbent carrier formed into a rolled sheet and impregnated with an aerosol-forming agent.

Fig. 3A and 3B are schematic bottom and top views of the cartridge.

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the cartridge.

Fig. 5 is a graphical representation of test data from example 1.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a hookah apparatus 100. The device 100 comprises a container 17 defining an interior volume configured to contain the liquid 19 and defining a headspace outlet 15 above a fill level of the liquid 19. The liquid 19 preferably comprises water, which may optionally be injected with one or more colorants, one or more fragrances, or one or more colorants and one or more fragrances. For example, water may be injected with one or both of the botanical or herbal granule.

The device 100 further comprises an aerosol-generating element 130. The aerosol-generating element 130 comprises a receptacle 140 configured to receive a cartridge 200 comprising an aerosol-generating substrate and an absorbent carrier forming a sheet and impregnated with an aerosol-forming agent. The aerosol-generating element 130 further comprises a heating element 160 forming at least one surface of the receptacle 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating element 160 defines a top surface and side surfaces of the receptacle 140. The aerosol-generating element 130 further comprises a fresh air inlet channel 170 which draws fresh air into the device 100. In some embodiments, a portion of the fresh air inlet passage 170 is formed by the heating element 160 to heat the air prior to entering the receptacle 140. The preheated air then enters the cartridge 200 (which is also heated by the heating element 160) to carry the aerosol generated by the aerosol-former and aerosol-generating substrate. The air exits the outlet of the aerosol-generating element 130 and enters the conduit 190.

A conduit 190 carries air and aerosol below the level of the liquid 19 in the container 17. The air and aerosol may bubble through the liquid 19 and then exit the headspace outlet 15 of the container 17. A hose 20 may be attached to the headspace outlet 15 to carry the aerosol into the mouth of the user. The mouthpiece 25 may be attached to the hose 20 or formed as part of the hose.

In use, an exemplary air flow path of the device is indicated by the bold arrow in fig. 1.

The mouthpiece 25 may comprise an activation element 27. The activation element 27 may be a switch, a button or the like, or may be a suction sensor or the like. The activation element 27 may be placed in any other suitable location of the device 100. The activation element 27 may be in wireless communication with the control electronics 30 to place the apparatus 100 in use or to cause the control electronics to activate the heating element 160; for example, by having the power source 35 supply power to the heating element 140.

The control electronics 30 and power supply 35 may be located at any suitable location of the aerosol-generating element 130, rather than at the bottom of the element 130 as shown in fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 2A-2C, a cartridge 200 has a body 210 defining a cavity 218 in which an aerosol-forming substrate 300 and an absorbent carrier 310 may be disposed, the absorbent carrier forming a sheet impregnated with an aerosol-former. The body 210 includes a top 215, a bottom 213, and sidewalls 212. The body 210 may be formed of one or more parts. For example, the top 215 or bottom 213 may be removably attached from the sidewall 212 to allow the aerosol-forming substrate 300 and the absorbent carrier 310 to be disposed in the cavity 218.

The absorbent carrier 310 may be disposed along the sidewalls 212 and bottom 213 of the cavity 218. The absorbent carrier 310 may also be disposed along the top 215, or any combination of the bottom 213, top 215, or side walls 212, and/or may partially cover any of these surfaces. In the example shown in fig. 2B, the absorbent carrier 310 has a pleated side around the perimeter of the aerosol-forming substrate 300. Fig. 2C shows an arrangement in which the aerosol-forming substrate 300 and the absorbent carrier 310 form a helical cylindrical shape, comprising a plurality of alternating layers of the absorbent carrier 310 and the aerosol-forming substrate 300. A rolled cylindrical shape is disposed within the body 210 of the cartridge 200.

The cartridge 200 has a heatable surface area inside the cavity 218, which is the surface of the absorbent carrier 310 and aerosol-forming substrate 300 that is capable of transferring heat applied to the exterior of the body, for example by a heating element of a hookah apparatus, into the cavity 218.

Referring now to fig. 3A and 3B, the top 215 and bottom 213 of the body may have a plurality of apertures 217, 216 to allow air to flow through the cartridge when the cartridge is in use. The openings 216, 217 of the top 215 and bottom 213 may be aligned. The cartridge 200 may also or alternatively include openings along the side walls 212. The absorbent carrier 310 may be disposed along the bottom 213, top 215, side walls 212, or a combination thereof, covering some or all of the apertures. The apertures 217, 216 may be further closed by a peelable seal or lid when the cartridge is stored prior to use.

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary cartridge 200. The sidewall 212 defines a frustoconical shape. The bottom 213 defines a plurality of apertures. The top portion includes a flange 219 extending from the side wall 212. The flange 219 may rest on a shoulder of the holder of the hookah apparatus so that the cartridge 300 may be easily removed from the holder after use by grasping the flange.

The specific embodiments described above are intended to be illustrative of the invention. However, other embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims, and it is to be understood that the specific embodiments described above are not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "or" is generally employed in its sense of "comprising" and/or "unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and/or" means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

As used herein, "having," "including," "comprising," and the like are used in their open sense and generally mean "including (but not limited to)". It is to be understood that "consisting essentially of … …", "consisting of … …", and the like fall under "comprising" and the like.

The words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits in certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may be preferred under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure including the claims.

The term "substantially" as used herein has the same meaning as "substantially" and is understood to be the term prior to modifying at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 98%. The term "non-substantially" as used herein has the same meaning as "not significantly" and is understood to have the opposite meaning as "substantially", i.e., the term before no more than 10%, no more than 5% or no more than 2% modified.

Any reference herein to directions such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," and other directions or orientations described herein for clarity and brevity are not intended to limit the actual device or system. The devices and systems described herein may be used in a variety of directions and orientations.

Description of the embodiments

Embodiment 1:

The effect of an absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol former on aerosol formation was evaluated. Inside the cartridge an absorbent carrier is placed which forms a sheet (cellulose paper) having a surface area of 40cm ² impregnated with about 1.5g of a 1:1 mixture of vegetable glycerol and propylene glycol. The absorbent carrier has a cylindrical shape positioned adjacent to the inner wall of the cartridge. The cartridge was then filled with 10g of commercially available molasses (Al-Fakher) in a column of porous material. A control sample was prepared without an absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol former.

The cartridge was inserted into a test hookah apparatus where the cartridge was heated at a set point temperature of 200 ℃ using ceramic heating elements. The heater set point temperature is selected to bring the molasses (between puffs) to a temperature similar to that of charcoal operated hookahs.

To improve the aerosolization process, a fin nozzle made of aluminum was placed about 55mm from the heating engine with an exit orifice of about 3mm.

The generated aerosols were collected using a total of five Cambridge pads and the weights of these pads were recorded before and after testing. At any given time during the test, only one pad collects the aerosol generated.

The total duration of the aspiration test corresponds to 105 puffs. To achieve the desired aspiration experience, four programmable dual syringe pumps (PDSP, available from Pomac b.v. of the netherlands Tolbers) are used simultaneously to create an aspiration protocol. The pumping scheme is as follows: 105 aspiration tests were performed on the samples and controls. The number of puffs was divided into five consecutive portions, 21 puffs each, and the aerosols from each portion were collected in separate Cambridge pads. After every 21 puffs, the valve will ensure that the aerosol is transferred to the correct Cambridge pad. Thus, aerosol generation can be monitored as a function of time.

The results of Total Aerosol Mass (TAM) collected at the first 21 puffs and the results of all 105 puffs of the control and sample are shown in table 1 below and in fig. 5. The results of the first 21 puffs are calculated in milligrams per puff and the results of the total duration of the test (15 puffs) are given as cumulative total mass in mg.

Table 1.Tam results.

It was observed that a significant increase in aerosol generation was achieved by using an absorbent carrier impregnated with an aerosol former during the first 21 puffs and throughout the experiment. The total cumulative TAM during the test is also greater for the aerosol former impregnated absorbent carrier.

Accordingly, a cartridge for a hookah apparatus is described. Various modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in mechanical, chemical and aerosol-generating article manufacturing or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A hookah, comprising:

A body comprising a cavity and an interior cavity surface;

an aerosol-forming substrate disposed in the cavity, the aerosol-forming substrate comprising at least a solid component;

An absorbent carrier disposed in the cavity; and

An aerosol-forming agent impregnated into the absorbent carrier, wherein the absorbent carrier and the aerosol-forming agent at least partially surround the aerosol-forming substrate.

2. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein the aerosol former comprises glycerin, propylene glycol, or a combination thereof.

3. A water pipe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent carrier comprises 0.1 to 8 grams of aerosol former.

4. The water pipe of claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent carrier is adjacent to the interior cavity surface, the aerosol-forming substrate, or both the interior cavity surface and the aerosol-forming substrate.

5. A hookah as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent carrier is in direct contact with the inner cavity surface.

6. A hookah as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent carrier comprises refined cellulosic material.

7. A hookah as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent carrier comprises paper.

8. A hookah as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet of absorbent carrier is pleated.

9. A hookah as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent carrier has a thickness of 0.1mm to 5 mm.

10. The hookah of claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent carrier has a surface area of 2cm ² to 50cm ².

11. A water chimney according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the absorbent carrier and the aerosol-forming substrate form a spiral of alternating layers of absorbent carrier and aerosol-forming substrate.

12. A hookah according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent carrier is lined with a thermally conductive or inductive material.

13. A hookah as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent carrier forms a sheet.

14. A hookah as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent carrier comprises a cylindrical portion disposed along an interior side wall of the chamber.

15. A hookah system, comprising:

A water chimney according to any one of claims 1 to 14; and

A hookah apparatus, the hookah apparatus comprising:

a receptacle for receiving the hookah;

A heating element for heating the aerosol-generating substrate when the water pipe is received in the receptacle of the water pipe device;

A container having a liquid fill level and defining a headspace above the liquid fill level;

an aerosol conduit for delivering aerosol from the container to below the liquid fill level in the container; and

An outlet in communication with the headspace.