CN112512350A

CN112512350A - Smoking substitute device with flexible seal between battery and consumable

Info

Publication number: CN112512350A
Application number: CN201980041122.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 皮特·洛马斯; 克里斯·洛德; 爱德华·罗斯·申顿
Original assignee: Nerudia Ltd
Current assignee: Nerudia Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-01
Filing date: 2019-05-01
Publication date: 2021-03-16
Also published as: GB201807156D0; WO2019211330A1; EP3787425A1

Abstract

A smoking substitute device. The device comprises: a battery; and a connector operable to connect a consumable to the battery. Wherein the connector comprises one or more electrical connectors for connecting a heater in the consumable to the battery, and one or more physical connectors configured to releasably retain the consumable. The connector further includes a flexible seal disposed between the battery and the consumable when the consumable is held by the connector. The flexible seal includes one or more airway slots such that when a consumable is held by the connector, an airflow path is provided from an air inlet of the device, through the one or more airway slots, and into the consumable.

Description

Smoking substitute device with flexible seal between battery and consumable

The present application claims priority to GB 1807156.3 filed on 2018, 5/1, the contents and elements of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a smoking-substitute device and in particular, but not exclusively, to providing a smoking-substitute device having a flexible seal at the connection between the body of the smoking-substitute device and the consumable.

Background

Smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose the smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally believed that the heat caused by the incineration and/or combustion of tobacco, as well as the components of the incinerated tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself, produces a large amount of potentially harmful substances.

The combustion of organic materials such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful byproducts. To avoid smoking, various smoking substitute devices have been proposed.

Such smoking-substitute devices may form part of nicotine replacement therapy for persons who wish to stop smoking and overcome dependence on nicotine.

A smoking substitute device, which may also be referred to as an electronic nicotine delivery system, may include an electronic system that allows a user to simulate the behavior of smoking by generating an aerosol (also referred to as "vapor") that is inhaled (inhaled) into the lungs through the mouth, and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically carries nicotine and/or flavourings with no or less of the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

In general, smoking substitute devices are intended to provide a substitute for smoking etiquettes while providing users with experiences and satisfaction similar to those experienced with traditional smoking and tobacco products.

The popularity and use of smoking-substitute devices has grown rapidly over the past few years. Although initially sold as an aid to help habitual smokers who wish to quit smoking, consumers increasingly view smoking-replacement devices as a desirable lifestyle adjunct. Some smoking-substitute devices are designed to resemble a conventional cigarette and are cylindrical with a mouthpiece at one end. Other smoking-substitute devices are generally not like cigarettes (e.g., the smoking-substitute device may have a generally box-like form).

There are many different kinds of smoking substitute devices, each using a different smoking substitute method. The smoking substitution method corresponds to a way in which a user operates a substitution system.

One method for smoking replacement devices is the so-called "vaporization" method, in which a vaporizable liquid, commonly referred to (and herein as "e-liquid"), is heated by a heating device to produce an aerosol vapor that is inhaled by the user. The e-liquid typically comprises a base liquid and nicotine and/or a flavouring agent. Thus, the generated vapour typically contains nicotine and/or flavourings. The extrusion liquid may comprise propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin.

A typical vaping replacement device comprises a mouthpiece, a power source (usually a battery), a cartridge for containing an e-liquid, and a heating device. In use, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating means, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol (or "vapour") which is inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece.

The vaporization smoking substitute device can be configured in a variety of ways. For example, there are "closed system" vaporization smoking substitute devices, which typically have a sealed cartridge and a heating element that is pre-filled with e-liquid and is not intended to be refilled by the end user. One subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute devices includes a body comprising a power source, wherein the body is configured to be physically and electrically coupled to a consumable comprising a cartridge and a heating element. In this way, when the cartridge of consumable is emptied, the main body can be reused by connecting it to a new consumable. Another closed system vaporization smoking substitute device subset is completely disposable and is intended for only one use.

There are also "open system" vaping smoking substitute devices, which typically have a cartridge configured to be refilled by a user so the device can be used multiple times.

An exemplary vaping smoking substitute device is myblu^TMe-cigarette. myblu^TMAn e-cigarette is a closed system device that includes a body and a consumable. The body and the consumable are physically and electrically coupled together by pushing the consumable into the body. The main body includes a rechargeable battery. The consumable comprises a mouthpiece, a sealed cartridge containing an e-liquid, and a heating means which is a heating wire coiled around a portion of a wick which is partially immersed in the e-liquid. The device is activated when the microprocessor on the body detects that the user is inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats the e-liquid from the cartridge to produce a vapor that is inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece.

Another exemplary vaping substitute device is blu PRO^TMe-cigarette. blu PRO^TMe-cigarettes being open system packsIt comprises a body, a (refillable) cartridge and a mouthpiece. The body and barrel are physically and electrically coupled together by screwing one onto the other. The mouthpiece and the refillable cartridge are physically coupled together by screwing one into the other, and removing the mouthpiece from the refillable cartridge allows the cartridge to be refilled with e-liquid. The device is activated by a button on the body. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats the e-liquid from the cartridge to produce a vapor that is inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece.

Another approach for a smoking substitute device is the so-called "hot non-incinerating" ("HNB") method, in which tobacco (rather than e-liquid) is heated or warmed to release steam. The tobacco may be tobacco leaf or reconstituted tobacco. The vapour may contain nicotine and/or flavourings. In the HNB method, the aim is to heat the tobacco but not burn, i.e. not burn.

A typical HNB smoking substitute device may include a body and a consumable. The consumable may comprise a tobacco material. The body and the consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating device, typically located within the body, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be released as a vapour. The vapor may be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (such a carrier may, for example, comprise propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin) and volatile compounds otherwise released from the tobacco. The released steam may be entrained in the air flow drawn through the tobacco.

As the vapor passes from the inlet through the smoking-substitute device (entrained in the airflow) to the mouthpiece (outlet), the vapor cools and condenses to form an aerosol (also referred to as vapor) for inhalation by the user. Aerosols generally contain volatile compounds.

In HNB smoking substitute devices, heating as opposed to burning tobacco material is believed to result in smaller or lesser amounts of harmful compounds that are generally more generated during smoking. Thus, the HNB method may reduce odor and/or health risks that may result from incineration, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.

An example of an HNB approach is from Philip Morris Ltd

A smoking substitute device.

Smoking-substitute devices use consumables, including reconstituted tobacco, in a wrapper. The consumable includes a holder incorporating a mouthpiece. The consumable may be inserted into a body comprising the heating device. The heating device has a thermally conductive heating blade that penetrates reconstituted tobacco of the consumable when the consumable is inserted into the heating device. Activation of the heating device heats the heating element (in this case a heating knife), which in turn heats the tobacco in the consumable. The heating of the tobacco causes it to release nicotine vapour and flavourings, which can be drawn through the mouthpiece by the user by inhalation.

A second example of an HNB method is that from Nicotiana inflata p.l.c. called

The apparatus of (1).

Including relatively thin consumables. The consumable comprises tobacco leaves heated by a heating device located within the body. When the consumable is placed in the body, the tobacco is surrounded by the heating elements of the heating device. Activation of the heating device heats the heating element, which in turn heats the tobacco in the consumable. The heating of the tobacco causes it to release nicotine vapour and flavourings, which can be drawn into the consumable by the user by inhalation. The tobacco, when heated by the heating means, is configured to generate steam when heated, rather than when incinerated (as in a smoking device, such as a cigarette). Tobacco can contain high levels of aerosol formers (carriers), such as vegetable glycerin ("VG") or propylene glycol ("PG").

The present inventors have observed that inconsistencies in the manufacture of consumables and devices result in variable performance of smoking-substitute devices.

The present invention was devised in light of the above considerations.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the broadest aspect of the present invention relates to a flexible lip seal between a consumable and a body of an alternative smoking device.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a smoking-substitute device comprising: a battery; and a connector operable to connect the consumable to the battery; wherein the connectors comprise one or more electrical connectors for connecting a heater in a consumable to a battery and one or more physical connectors configured to releasably retain the consumable; wherein the connector further comprises a flexible seal disposed between the battery and the consumable when the consumable is held by the connector, and wherein the flexible seal comprises one or more airway slots such that an airflow path is provided from the air inlet of the device, through the one or more airway slots and into the consumable when the consumable is held by the connector.

Advantageously, such a flexible connector may ensure that effects due to variations in consumable size are eliminated. For example, the flexible seal may ensure that the rate of gas flow through the device into the consumable is consistent for any given consumable.

Optional features of the invention will now be set forth.

The battery may be disposed within a main housing of the device, and the connector may be disposed at one end of the main housing. Alternatively, the battery may be disposed within a main housing of the device, and the connector may be formed by one end of the main housing. In both arrangements, a flexible seal may be provided between the main housing and the connector.

The flexible seal may comprise an aperture through which an electrical connector of the consumable may connect with an electrical connector of the connector when the consumable is held by the connector.

The flexible seal may be formed from a polymer. More specifically, the flexible seal may be formed of an elastomer. The flexible seal may be resiliently deformable. In some embodiments, the flexible seal may be formed of silicone.

The flexible seal may form a seal with a lower surface of the consumable when the consumable is held by the connector, the lower surface including one or more air inlets for the consumable.

The flexible seal may be oval in shape.

The flexible seal may include a generally planar base portion positioned adjacent the battery or main housing, and a protruding portion protruding from the planar base portion and adjacent the consumable when the consumable is held by the connector.

The protruding portion may be configured to compress toward the planar base portion when the consumable is held by the connector.

One or more airway slots may be provided in the protruding portion of the flexible seal.

The protruding portion may protrude from the planar base portion at an oblique angle to provide a lip seal. Obliquely, this means that the projecting part projects from the base part at an angle which is not equal to 90 °. The protrusion of the protruding portion may be such that it has an assembly parallel to the surface of the flat base portion.

The projections may have a maximum width, measured from one point to an opposite point, that is less than the maximum width of the planar base portion. In other words, the protruding portion may not be as wide as the flat base portion. Thus, the protruding portion may be completely contained within the footprint (footprint) of the flat base portion, as viewed from above.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1(a) shows an exemplary smoking-substitute device;

figure 1(b) shows the body of the smoking-substitute device of figure 1(a) without the consumable;

figure 1(c) shows the consumable of the smoking-substitute device of figure 1(a) without the body;

figure 2(a) is a schematic view of the body of the smoking-substitute device of figure 1 (a);

figure 2(b) is a schematic diagram of a consumable of the smoking-substitute device of figure 1 (b);

figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a smoking-substitute device including a consumable; and

fig. 4 is an isometric view of a flexible seal.

Detailed description and other optional features

Aspects and embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the figures. Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Fig. 1(a) shows an exemplary smoking-substitute device 110. In such an example, the smoking-substitute device 110 includes a body 120 and a consumable 150. The consumable 150 may alternatively be referred to as a "cartridge".

In such an example, the smoking-substitute device 110 is a closed-system vaporizing device in which the consumable 150 includes a sealed cartridge 156 and is intended for single use only.

Figure 1(a) shows the smoking-substitute device 110 with the body 120 physically coupled to the consumable 150.

Figure 1(b) shows the body 120 of the smoking-substitute device 110 without the consumable 150.

Figure 1(c) shows the consumable 150 of the smoking-substitute device 110 without the body 120.

The body 120 and the consumable 150 are configured to be physically coupled together by pushing the consumable 150 into a hole in the top end 122 of the body 120. In other examples, the body 120 and the consumable may be physically coupled together by, for example, threading one to the other, or by a bayonet fitting. An optional light 126 (e.g., an LED located behind a small translucent cover) is located at the bottom end 124 of the main body 120. The light 126 may be configured to emit light when the smoking-substitute device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at the tip 152 of the consumable 150, and one or more air inlets (not shown in figure 2) so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, air can be drawn into the smoking-substitute device 110. At the bottom end 154 of the consumable 150, a cartridge 156 containing e-liquid is provided. The barrel 156 may be, for example, a translucent body.

The barrel 156 preferably includes a window 158 so that the amount of e-liquid in the barrel 156 can be visually assessed. The body 120 includes a slot 128 so that when the consumable 150 is inserted into the hole in the top end 122 of the body 120, the window 158 of the consumable 150 is visible, while the rest of the barrel 156 is not visible.

The cylinder 156 may be referred to as a "transparent atomizer" if it includes the window 158, or a "cartomizer" if the cylinder 156 does not include the window 158.

Consumable 150 may identify itself to principal 120 via an electrical interface, RFID chip, or bar code.

Figure 2(a) is a schematic view of the body 120 of the smoking-substitute device 110.

Figure 2(b) is a schematic diagram of a consumable 150 of a smoking-substitute device 110.

As shown in fig. 2(a), the main body 120 includes a power source 140, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and optionally one or more additional components 138.

The power source 140 is preferably a battery, more preferably a rechargeable battery.

The control unit 130 may comprise, for example, a microprocessor.

The memory 132 preferably comprises a non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions that, when executed, cause the control unit 130 to perform certain tasks or steps of the method.

The wireless interface 134 is preferably configured, for example, via

Wireless communication is performed with the mobile device 2. To this end, the wireless interface 134 may include

An antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces (e.g. for example)

) Also is prepared fromEnergy. As discussed above, the wireless interface 134 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the remote server 2.

The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located at, and preferably is located at, the bottom of the bore in the top end 122 of the body 120. When the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to transfer power from the power source 140 to the consumable 150 (e.g., a heating device) when the smoking-substitute device 110 is activated, such as via an electrical interface 160 (discussed below) of the consumable 150. When the body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6. The electrical interface 136 may also be used to identify the consumable 150 from a list of known consumables. For example, the consumable may be a specific flavor and/or have a concentration of nicotine. This may be recognized to the control unit 130 of the main body 120 when the consumable is connected to the main body. Additionally, or alternatively, there may be a separate communication interface provided in the body 120 and a corresponding communication interface in the consumable 150, such that when connected, the consumable may identify itself to the body 120.

The additional components 138 of the body 120 may include the optional lights 126 discussed above.

If power source 140 is a rechargeable battery, additional components 138 of body 120 may include a charging port configured to receive power from charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured to function as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6, thereby eliminating the need for a separate charging port.

If the power source 140 is a rechargeable battery, the additional components 138 of the body 120 may include battery charge control circuitry for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, the battery charge control circuit may also be located in the charging station 6 (if present).

The additional components 138 of the body 120 may include an airflow sensor for detecting airflow in the smoking-substitute device 110, such as caused by a user inhaling through a mouthpiece 166 (discussed below) of the smoking-substitute device 110. The smoking-substitute device 110 can be configured to be activated when the airflow sensor detects airflow. Alternatively, such an optional sensor may be included in the consumable 150 (although this is less preferred where the consumable 150 is intended to be discarded after use, as in such an example). The airflow sensor may be used to determine, for example, how much a user draws on the mouthpiece or how many times the user draws on the mouthpiece over a particular time period.

Additional components 138 of the body 120 may include an actuator, such as a button. The smoking-substitute device 110 can be configured to activate when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to an airflow sensor as a mechanism for activating the smoking-substitute device 110.

As shown in fig. 2(b), the consumable 150 comprises a cartridge 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a mouthpiece 166, and optionally one or more additional components 168.

The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface 136 of the body 120 and the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are preferably configured to contact each other and thus electrically couple the body 120 to the consumable 150 when the body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150. In this way, electrical energy (e.g., in the form of electrical current) can be supplied from the power source 140 in the body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat the e-liquid contained in the barrel 156, for example, using electrical energy supplied from the power source 140. In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heater wire and a wick, wherein a first portion of the wick extends into the barrel 156 for withdrawing the e-liquid from the barrel 156, and wherein the heater wire is wound around a second portion of the wick located outside of the barrel 156. In such an example, the heating wire is configured to heat the e-liquid drawn from the cartridge 156 through the wick to generate the aerosol vapor.

The one or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking-substitute device 110 as a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

In use, a user actuates the smoking-substitute device 110, for example, by actuating an actuator included in the body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 as described above. Upon activation, the control unit 130 may supply electrical energy from the power source 140 to the heating device 162 (via the electrical interfaces 136, 166), which may cause the heating device 162 to heat the e-liquid withdrawn from the cartridge 156 to generate steam that is inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 166.

As an example in one or more additional components 168, an interface for obtaining an identifier of a consumable may be provided. As discussed above, such an interface may be, for example, an RFID reader, a bar code or QR code reader, or an electronic interface capable of identifying the consumable of the subject. Thus, the consumable may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or a QR code, or a memory within which is an identifier and which may be interrogated via an electrical interface in the body.

Of course, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the smoking-substitute device 110 shown in fig. 2 and 3 is merely one exemplary embodiment of a smoking-substitute device, and that other forms of smoking-substitute devices may be used.

As an example, an HNB smoking substitute device comprising a body and a consumable may be used in place of smoking substitute device 110. One such HNB smoking substitute device is discussed above

A smoking substitute device.

As another example, an open system vaporizing device comprising a body, a refillable cartridge, and a mouthpiece may be used in place of the smoking-substitute device 110. One such open system vaporization device is the blu PRO discussed above^TMe-tobacco.

As another example, a fully disposable (single use) smoking-substitute device may be used as a smoking-substitute device.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a smoking-substitute device 110 including a seal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Broadly, the device comprises a body or housing 120 having a housing 210, the body comprising a connector 300 for releasably holding a consumable 150 and electrically connecting with the consumable 150. The electrical connector 136 in the connector 300 connects with a corresponding contact 160 in the consumable, allowing power from the battery 128 in the main body to be transferred to the heater in the consumable. Physical connectors 302 in connector 300 interact with corresponding mounts 402 of consumable 150. In such an example, the physical connector 302 is one or more protrusions that grip corresponding grooves 402 in the consumable.

Between the consumable 150 and the body or housing 120 is a flexible seal 304 within the connector 300. The flexible seal in this example is located between the lowermost surface of the consumable 150 and the surface of the main housing that includes the one or more electrical connectors 136. It will be appreciated that the consumable is introduced into the connector by pushing it into the top end of the main housing as previously discussed. Thus, when inserted, the lowermost surface of the consumable compresses the flexible seal in a direction toward the battery 128.

Fig. 4 shows the flexible seal 304 in more detail. As can be seen, the flexible seal broadly includes a generally planar base portion 308 having an oval cross-section in plan view, a projection 310, an aperture 306, and one or more airway channels 312. When installed in the smoking-substitute device, the generally planar base portion of the flexible seal is adjacent to the surface of the body containing the electrical connector 136. The protruding portion 310 protrudes in a direction generally away from the electrical connector 136. In such an example, the protruding portion forms a lip seal. Thus, when the consumable 150 is introduced into the body, its lowest surface compresses the protruding portion. The projection in such an example extends at an angle from the generally planar base portion to provide a lip. The protruding portion may have a narrower width than the substantially flat base portion. This can be seen most clearly in fig. 3, where the generally flat base portion extends further than the protruding portion.

Advantageously, such a flexible seal may help ensure that the effects of any minor variations in the manufacture of the consumable 150 or the body 120 are eliminated. It is worth noting that the air flow rate through the device, defined at least in part by the spatial separation of the consumable and the body upon installation, can be made more constant by implementing a flexible seal.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Feature list

110 smoking substitute device

120 main body

122 top end of the main body

124 bottom end of the main body

126 lamp

128 groove

130 control unit

132 memory

134 radio interface

136 electrical interface

138 additional Components

140 power supply

150 consumable

152 tip of consumable

154 bottom end of consumable

156 barrel

158 window

160 electrical interface

162 heating device

164 air inlet

166 mouth parts

168 additional Components

210 main body

300 connector

302 physical connector in the body

304 flexible seal

306 hole in flexible seal

308 flat base portion

310 projection

312 air flue groove

402 groove

Claims

1. A smoking-substitute device (110), comprising:

a battery (128); and

a connector (300) operable to connect a consumable (150) to the battery;

wherein the connectors comprise one or more electrical connectors (136) for connecting a heater in the consumable to the battery, and one or more physical connectors (302) configured to releasably retain the consumable;

wherein the connector further comprises a flexible seal (304), the flexible seal (304) being disposed between the battery and the consumable when the consumable is held by the connector, and wherein the flexible seal comprises one or more airway slots (312) such that when a consumable (150) is held by the connector, an airflow path is provided from an air inlet of the device through the one or more airway slots and into the consumable.

2. The smoking-substitute device of claim 1, wherein said battery is disposed within a main housing (120) of said device, and said connector is disposed at one end (122) of said main housing (120).

3. The smoking-substitute device of claim 1, wherein said battery is disposed within a main housing (120) of said device, and said connector is formed by one end (122) of said main housing (120).

4. The smoking-substitute device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible seal (304) comprises an aperture (306), through which aperture (306) an electrical connector of the consumable is connectable with the electrical connector of the connector when the consumable is held by the connector.

5. The smoking-substitute device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible seal (304) is formed of a polymer.

6. The smoking-substitute device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible seal (304) forms a seal with a lower surface (154) of the consumable when the consumable is held by the connector, the lower surface comprising one or more air inlets (164) for the consumable.

7. The smoking-substitute device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible seal (304) is ovoid in shape.

8. The smoking-substitute device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible seal (304) comprises a substantially planar base portion (308) positioned adjacent said battery, and a protruding portion (310), said protruding portion (310) protruding from said planar base portion, and said protruding portion (310) being adjacent said consumable when said consumable is held by said connector.

9. The smoking-substitute device of claim 8, wherein the projection portion (310) is configured to be compressed toward the planar base portion (308) when the consumable is held by the connector.

10. The smoking-substitute device of claim 8 or 9, wherein said one or more airway channels (312) are disposed within said protruding portion (310) of said flexible seal (304).

11. The smoking-substitute device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said protruding portion protrudes at an oblique angle from said planar base portion, thereby providing a lip seal.

12. The smoking-substitute device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein said projection has a maximum width, measured from one point to an opposite point, which is less than the maximum width of said planar base portion.