BE1022113B1 - ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for smoking comprising a source of smoke without combustion and a duct allowing inhalation of the smoke generated, characterized in that a fragrance diffuser is arranged in said duct, downstream of said source of smoke.

Description

Electronic cigarette

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette, and to an aroma diffuser adapted to be integrated with such a cigarette.

STATE OF THE ART [0002] The present invention relates to a liquid vaporization device simulating the use of a cigarette. In this type of device, a liquid is vaporized to simulate the smoke of a cigarette, without the use of combustion. The vaporization of the liquid is generally obtained by electrically heating an element in contact with the liquid.

In order to regulate the amount of vaporized liquid, it is generally brought into contact with the heating device by capillarity through a porous element (wick) resistant to the temperature of the heating element.

[0004] The vaporized liquids generally comprise varying amounts of nicotine, which are entrained with the vaporized liquid upon activation of the heating element. Nicotine having a low saturation vapor pressure at room temperature (0.056 mbar at 20 ° C), it is essential to heat it with the rest of the vaporized liquid.

In order to improve the comfort of use, it has been proposed to aromatize the vaporized liquid. Initially, the added flavors sought to mimic the flavors perceived with the use of traditional cigarettes, in order to improve the acceptance of smoking cessation by smokers. Since then, many other flavors have been added, making the product more attractive.

The addition of such flavors nevertheless poses many problems. On the one hand, heating can degrade aromas, making the odor unattractive 2 (in the best case, but producing potentially toxic degradation products in the worst case.) One can then ask the question of utility of the substitution of the conventional cigarette by the electronic cigarette, if in the end the heating of the aromas produces new toxic substances, in particular potentially harmful substances resulting from a thermal degradation.

[0007] Generally, the liquid used to generate the smoke comprises large quantities of propylene glycol, the boiling point of which at atmospheric pressure is about 188 ° C. The liquid also frequently contains glycerine of vegetable origin.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention aims at providing a device of the electric (electronic) cigarette type in which aromas are diffused without being able to be thermally degraded. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention relates to a smoking device comprising a smoke source without combustion and a conduit for inhaling the generated smoke, characterized in that a fragrance diffuser is disposed in said duct downstream of said source of smoke.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the smoking device of the invention further comprises one or a suitable combination of at least two of the following characteristics: the fragrance diffuser comprises a porous or fibrous material impregnated with said fragrance; the fragrance diffuser comprises a dispersion of semi-permeable capsules encapsulating the fragrance and allowing controlled diffusion of said fragrance; - The fragrance diffuser is in the form of a tube whose outer diameter is adapted to be introduced into said conduit;

2C - the conduit includes a section restriction at its end to be put in the mouth, so as to prevent, in use, the fragrance diffuser to come into contact with the mouth of the user; the fragrance comprises at least one perfume or an essential oil; the combustion-free source of smoke comprises an electrical source of heat.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a fragrance diffuser adapted to be fixed inside the inhalation conduit of a smoking device without combustion.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the fragrance diffuser of the invention further comprises one or a suitable combination of at least two of the following characteristics: the fragrance diffuser comprises a tube adapted to be immobilized at the interior of said inhalation duct; - The fragrance diffuser comprises a finely divided material, porous or fibrous (having a high specific surface) impregnated with said fragrance; said porous or fibrous material comprises cellulosic fibers such as paper; - The fragrance diffuser comprises a dispersion of semi-permeable capsules a dispersion of semi-permeable capsules encapsulating the fragrance and allowing controlled diffusion of said fragrance.

Description of the Figures [0013] FIG. 1 represents a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0014] The present invention relates to a smoking device comprising a smoke source 6 without combustion and a conduit 3 for inhaling the generated smoke, characterized in that a fragrance diffuser ( perfume or flavorings) 1 is disposed in said duct, downstream of said source of smoke 6.

2C

The advantage of placing the fragrances in a diffuser downstream of the smoke generation device is to avoid the degradation of fragrances by heating the smoke generator. Indeed, the generator of smoke can produce in certain circumstances, as during very long puffs a rise of excessive temperature. The liquid (often referred to as "e-liquid") vaporized is mainly composed of propylene glycol having a boiling point greater than 180 ° C. The temperature of the heat source can be brought to reach values at which many molecules used in perfumes degrade, thereby denaturing the perceived odor by the user, possibly producing undesirable degradation products.

Furthermore, the separation of the fragrances of the e-liquid has the advantage of reducing the number of separate compositions to produce. Indeed, for example for a choice of 10 fragrances and 10 nicotine concentrations, according to the prior art, it is necessary to offer for sale no less than 100 different combinations. In the present invention, on the contrary, only 10 e-liquid compositions and 10 fragrance compositions will be required, which has a significant logistical and economic advantage.

Advantageously, the fragrance diffuser comprises a porous material such as cellulosic fibers, paper or a porous ceramic in which a perfume composition is introduced by capillarity. To do this, the porous material has a hydrophilicity compatible with the type of scented solution (alcohol and perfume, essential oils, ...). The porous material advantageously comprises paper, such as those used in perfumery to evaluate the fragrances of perfumes. Alternatively, the porous material comprises porous powders, such as calcined diatoms, zeolites or sepiolites allowing the sequestration of the flavors in solid form.

In the absence of use of the electronic cigarette, the evaporation of perfumes is limited by the low diffusion in the absence of gas flow along the surface of the diffuser. In order to lengthen the period of fragrance release, the fragrance diffuser advantageously comprises a reservoir zone in contact with the porous material, the perfumed solution rising by capillarity in the diffusion zone in contact with the flow of air sucked by the user.

2C

Preferably, the fragrance diffuser comprises means for controlling the diffusion of the aromas, such as a dispersion of capsules or microcapsules encapsulating the aroma or aromas, the diffusion of the aromas being controlled by the nature of the capsule , and its possible porosity.

Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a preferred example of an electric smoking device according to the invention. In use, the user inhales the smoke charged with perfume through the duct 3 formed in the nozzle 2. The air is admitted through orifices then passes through an intake duct 7 in which it is brought into contact a steam generator 6 supplied with the liquid to be vaporized by capillarity through wicks 9. In this example, the steam generator 6 consists of a heating filament fed by a battery comprising a first electrode 10, and whose second electrode is connected via a switch (not shown) to the wall 11 of the intake duct 7. The switch is either manual (the steam being generated "on demand" or controlled by a flow detector, the heating being induced by the aspiration of the user.

The liquid to be vaporized is contained in a reservoir 4 communicating with the steam generator through the wicks 7. The reservoir is delimited by the outer wall 11 of the intake duct, the wall of the body 8 of the device and is closed by the tip 2. Preferably, a seal of elastic material such as silicone or rubber seals between the nozzle 2 and the inlet duct 7. Similarly, seals seal between the nozzle and the body 8 of the device, and between the outer walls 11 of the intake duct and the body 8 of the device.

Advantageously, the fragrance diffuser 1 is housed in a cavity in the nozzle 2, a section restriction in the latter preventing the diffuser to move. Preferably, the diffuser is prevented from descending towards the steam generator by the walls of the conduit 7, the inner diameter thereof being smaller than the external diameter of the diffuser 1.

Claims (14)

A smoking device comprising a non-combustion smoke source and a conduit for inhaling the generated smoke, characterized in that a fragrance diffuser is disposed in said conduit, downstream of said smoke source. 2. Device according to claim 1 wherein said fragrance diffuser comprises a porous or fibrous material impregnated with said fragrance, 3. Device according to claims 1 or 2 wherein said fragrance diffuser comprises means for controlling the diffusion of said fragrance. 4. Device according to claim 3 wherein said control means comprises a dispersion of semi-permeable capsules encapsulating the fragrance. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said fragrance diffuser comprises a tube whose outer diameter is adapted to be introduced into said conduit. 6. Device according to claim 5 wherein said conduit comprises a section restriction at its end to be put in the mouth, so as to prevent, in use, the fragrance diffuser to come into contact with the mouth of the user . 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said fragrance comprises at least one perfume or essential oil. 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the source of smoke without combustion comprises an electrical source of heat. 9. A fragrance diffuser adapted to be attached to the interior of the inhalation conduit of a smoking device without combustion. 10. Fragrance diffuser according to claim 9 comprising a tube adapted to be immobilized inside said inhalation duct. 11. Fragrance diffuser according to any one of claims 9 to 10 comprising a porous or fibrous material impregnated with said fragrance The fragrance diffuser of claim 11 wherein said porous or fibrous material comprises cellulosic fibers such as paper. 13. Fragrance diffuser according to any one of claims 9 to 12 comprising means for controlling the diffusion of fragrance, a The fragrance diffuser of claim 13 wherein said diffusion control means comprises a dispersion of semi-permeable capsules encapsulating the fragrance.