Aerosol-generating device with reduced leakage
An aerosol-generating device includes a housing having a first end defining a mouthpiece, a second end, and a cavity defined between the first end and the second end. The device also includes a reservoir within the cavity. The reservoir is configured to store a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The device also includes an atomizer and a valve within the mouthpiece of the housing. The valve has a first side and an second side. The second side of the valve includes a hydrophilic coating, a hydrophobic coating, or both a hydrophilic coating and a hydrophobic coating.
1. An aerosol-generating device, comprising:
a housing including,
a first end defining a mouthpiece,
a second end, and
a cavity between the first end and the second end;
a reservoir within the cavity, the reservoir configured to store an aerosol-forming substrate;
an atomizer; and
a valve within the mouthpiece of the housing, the valve having a first side and a second side, the second side of the valve including a hydrophilic coating, a hydrophobic coating, or both a hydrophilic coating and a hydrophobic coating.
2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an air inlet in the housing; and
an airflow channel extending from the air inlet, through the cavity, to the mouthpiece, and the valve in the airflow channel.
3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the airflow channel passes the atomizer.
4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the valve is a one-way valve, and the valve is configured to reduce the aerosol-forming substrate passing from the second side of the valve to the first side of the valve.
5. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the valve includes a hydrophobic coating; and
the aerosol-generating device further comprises,
a storage tank configured to receive a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate repelled by the hydrophobic material of the coating.
6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the valve is a ball valve, a duckbill valve, a diaphragm, an umbrella valve, or a hinged flap.
7. The aerosol-generating device according claim 1 , wherein the valve is actuated via a draw on the mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating device.
8. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the valve is actuated via a button on the housing.
9. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the valve is at or near the first end of the housing and within the mouthpiece.
10. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the atomizer comprises a heater.
11. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 10 , wherein the heater comprises at least one heating element.
12. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11 , wherein the heater is in communication with a wick, and the wick is configured to direct the aerosol-forming substrate from the reservoir to the at least one heating element.
13. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a director configured to direct liquid resulting from condensation of aerosolized aerosol-forming substrate towards the at least one heating element.
14. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises an outer wall including a first face exposed to an airflow channel, the first face formed of hydrophobic material, and a second face, opposite the first face, the second face formed of a hydrophilic material.
15. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 14 , wherein the outer wall is in the airflow channel downstream of the atomizer.