| abstract |
There is provided a cartridge assembly (10) for use in an aerosol-generating system, the cartridge assembly comprising: a cartridge (12) comprising at least a first compartment (18) extending along a longitudinal axis, the first compartment comprising an aerosol-generating compound and being sealed at a first end by a first frangible barrier (22) extending in respective planes transverse to the longitudinal axis; and at least a first piercing member (38) configured to rupture the first frangible barrier (22). The first piercing member (38) comprises: a first piercing body (40) having a cross-sectional surface area at least about 40 percent of a cross-sectional area of the at least one compartment (19); and a first channel (381, 382) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge through the first piercing body (40), the first channel (381, 382) having an inlet and an outlet. The first piercing member (38) is movable along the longitudinal axis from a first position to a second position, wherein, when the first piercing member (38) is in the first position, the first piercing body (40) is retracted from the plane of the first frangible barrier (22); and wherein, when the first piercing member (38) is in the second position, the first piercing body (40) extends into the at least one compartment (18) through the plane of the first frangible barrier (22), and the at least one compartment (18) is in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet of the first channel (281, 382). The at least one compartment (18) is sealed at an end opposite the first end by a second frangible barrier (26), the cartridge assembly (10) further comprising a second piercing member (44) configured to rupture the second frangible barrier (26). |