EP2983534A1

EP2983534A1 - Electronic smoking substitutive device

Info

Publication number: EP2983534A1
Application number: EP14727914.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alessandro RIGHETTI
Original assignee: Sino Business Ltd
Current assignee: Sino Business Ltd
Priority date: 2013-04-10
Filing date: 2014-04-09
Publication date: 2016-02-17
Also published as: US20160050976A1; EA201591944A1; WO2014167515A1; KR20150139964A; JP2016515392A; CA2912835A1; CN105377065A

Abstract

The electronic smoking substitutive device comprises a tubular body (2) of rigid material, inside which a rechargeable electric battery and an atomizer suitable to be powered by said electric battery are arranged. Activation means (5) allow to operate the heating of said atomizer by the electric battery. A tank (10) containing an inhalable substance in aqueous solution is suitable to be placed in disposable manner in contact with said atomizer.

Description

ELECTRONIC SMOKING SUBSTITUTIVE DEVICE

Technical Field

[01 ] The present invention concerns an electronic smoking substitutive device, commonly known as electronic cigarette.

Background Art

[02] It has been known for a long time that electronic smoking substitutive devices are used, commonly known as electronic cigarettes, enabling the user to inhale a substance which emulates the flavour of the traditional secondary products of the tobacco, but which do not produce any flame or smoke. The inhalable substance, in the form of vapour, may contain nicotine or not, in addition to suitable flavorings. In practice, electronic cigarettes make the user feel a sensation similar to the one provided by traditional smoking products, such as cigars and cigarettes, but they are potentially less harmful to health as there is no combustion.

[03] The electronic cigarettes generally contain a rechargeable electric battery, an atomizer powered by a battery and a container for the liquid to be vaporized placed in contact with the smoke atomizer. In a known type of electronic cigarette, the battery, the atomizer and the liquid container are housed inside a casing of elongated shape which reproduces also visually the shape of a normal cigarette. For example, certain electronic cigarettes types are known, in which the liquid container is placed inside a portion of the tubular casing that simulates the filter of the cigarette and is inserted in the atomizer associated with the battery, which is placed inside a distal portion of the tubular casing simulating the cylindrical body of the cigarette.

[04] When the atomizer is activated, by means of the electric battery, the liquid solution in the container vaporizes and can be inhaled by the user. The dose of liquid solution contained in the container is such as to allow, once vaporized, a predetermined number of inhalations.

[05] An electronic smoking substitutive device of such type is described for example in patent application GB 2465247. Such device is made up of a tube containing a tank which contains a liquid comprising an inhalable substance, for example an aqueous solution of nicotine and other flavorings. The device also comprises a heating element which is in direct contact with the tank. The heating element is suitable to be powered by a rechargeable electric battery. In such device, the tank is not removable from the tube without breaking or destroying other parts of the same device. Therefore, the device is of disposable type, like a normal cigarette, that is, when the contents of the tank are exhausted, the whole device is trashed. [06] A different type of electronic smoking substitutive device, illustrated for example in patent application US2013/0081642, comprises a first tubular unit, inside which the electric battery is housed, and a second tubular unit, also known as cartomizer, which, in use, is axially coupled with the first unit and carries, inside, the tank for the liquid solution and the atomizer, positioned in contact with the tank. In this case, only the cartomizer is disposable, while the battery unit is reusable.

[07] Patent application WO2013/040193 discloses an electronic cigarette having a first portion, which is a tubular reusable element housing electric components, including a rechargeable battery and a heating element. A second portion is hermetically coupled with the tubular element and can be periodically replaced. Such replaceable portion contains a cartridge with the material to be vaporized, for example synthetic cotton fibre saturated with a mixture of polyethylene glycol, nicotine and other flavorings. The first portion allows the passage of hot air when the user draws air through a mouthpiece placed at the end of the cigarette. The hot air flows through the volatile material, providing the user with the vaporized nicotine or other substances to be inhaled. The cartridge allows to perform 150 to 200 inhalations. Since the atomizer is separated from the cartridge containing the volatile substance, the cost of the replaceable piece is reduced.

[08] The evolution of the industry has led to the production of electronic cigarettes with advanced features, which also in design do not remind normal cigarettes. Such electronic cigarettes provide for example an electronic circuit which controls their functions.

[09] The currently most widespread electronic cigarettes provide, as container of the inhalable liquid, a refillable tank associated with the tubular body, in which the electric battery and the atomizer are housed. This tank is suitable to contain a suitable amount of liquid. In particular, the tank has sufficient capacity to allow a continued use of the electronic cigarette, for example, for one or more days, depending of course on the individual habits, that is, on the frequency with which the user normally uses the device. Before its use, the tank is filled with the suitable amount of liquid; when the amount of liquid is exhausted, the user shall remove the tank from the body of the device and refill it by drawing from a suitable bottle.

[10] The frequent operation of tank refilling of the electronic cigarette is generally inconvenient, especially if the user needs to bring with himself the bottle with the filling liquid. For this reason, the manufacturers of electronic cigarettes often prefer to use tanks of larger size, to increase significantly the number of inhalations obtainable with each recharge. This implies, however, an undesirable increase in size and weight of the devices. The problem of the need for frequent refills substantially does not change also for those who smoke in a not moderate way. [1 1 ] Another drawback complained about the use of traditional electronic cigarettes is the lack of hygiene that can result from the use of the aforementioned liquid tanks, because of the cited manipulations.

Disclosure

[12] The task of the present invention is that of solving the aforementioned problems, by devising an electronic smoking substitutive device which does not require a frequent refilling of the tank for the liquid.

[13] Within such task, it is a further scope of the present invention that of providing an electronic smoking substitutive device of reduced weight and size.

[14] A further scope of the present invention is that of providing an electronic smoking substitutive device which ensures, in use, the best hygienic conditions.

[15] Another scope of the present invention is that of providing an electronic smoking substitutive device provided with an easy constructive and functional conception, a versatile use as well as relatively economic costs.

[16] The cited scopes are attained, according to the present invention, by the electronic smoking substitutive device according to claim 1 .

[17] According to the present invention, the electronic smoking substitutive device provides the use of a disposable mouthpiece of plastic material for the inhalation of an inhalable vaporized substance, which is suitable to be axially associated, in removable manner, with one end of a tubular body of the electronic device and has in its inside a chamber suitable to shape a tank for the inhalable substance in aqueous solution.

[18] Advantageously, said chamber is prefilled with a predetermined quantity of said inhalable substance in aqueous solution, suitable to allow a predetermined number of inhalations.

[19] The electronic smoking substitutive device according to the present invention, consequently, does not require the tank of the liquid to be refilled.

[20] Advantageously, said chamber is closed in hermetic manner, at one end suitable to be placed close to an atomizer, placed inside said tubular body of the electronic device, through means which can be opened for use.

[21 ] This ensures, in use, the best hygienic conditions, as the user is never in contact with the liquid contained in the disposable mouthpiece.

[22] According to an embodiment of the device, said means which can be opened for use comprise a tear-off removable peel, suitable to close a front opening of said tank.

[23] According to a different embodiment of the device, said means which can be opened for use comprise a lid for the front closure of said tank, suitable to be pierced by insertion means associated with an atomizer of the electronic smoking substitutive device.

[24] Preferably, the disposable mouthpiece is of hypoallergenic plastic material. [25] The present invention concerns as well a disposable tank of an inhalable substance to be used in an electronic smoking substitutive device, such tank being prefilled with a predetermined quantity of an inhalable substance in aqueous solution.

[26] The disposable tank is sold sealed inside a small bag.

[27] According to the present invention, the tank of the inhalable substance comprises a disposable casing of plastic material suitable to be axially associated with one end of a tubular body of the electronic smoking substitutive device and shaping a mouthpiece for the inhalation of a inhalable substance vaporized by said device, said casing having in its inside a chamber prefilled with a predetermined quantity of said inhalable substance in aqueous solution, suitable to allow a predetermined number of inhalations, and closed in hermetic manner, at one end turned in use towards the inside of said device, through means which can be opened for use.

[28] Advantageously, the chamber prefilled with a predetermined quantity of an inhalable substance in aqueous solution is shaped in a central portion of said casing and has a front opening closed in hermetic manner, before its use, by said opening means.

[29] Preferably, said means which can be opened for use comprise a lid for frontally closing said chamber, suitable to be pierced by insertion means associated with an atomizer of said smoking substitutive device.

[30] Preferably, said lid is made of a material of the type of silicon, and centrally has a lightened zone for easing the piercing by means of said insertion means of the atomizer.

[31 ] Advantageously, said disposable casing shapes at one end, close to the bottom of said chamber prefilled with said inhalable substance in aqueous solution, a housing vane for a sealing element suitable to prevent losses of the vaporized substance.

[32] Preferably, said sealing element is fastened against the bottom of the chamber prefilled with said inhalable substance in aqueous solution by a closure element inserted on the end of said disposable casing.

[33] The sealing element and the closure element centrally have an aspiration hole for the vaporized inhalable substance.

[34] Advantageously, externally to said chamber prefilled with a predetermined quantity of inhalable substance in aqueous solution, inside said casing, at least one longitudinal channel is provided for the aspiration of said vaporized inhalable substance.

[35] Preferably, for the aspiration of said vaporized inhalable substance, a couple of longitudinal channels shaped in diametrically opposed positions externally to said chamber prefilled with said inhalable substance in aqueous solution is provided.

[36] Preferably, said longitudinal channels for the aspiration of the vaporized inhalable substance are made up of a couple of grooves shaped on the external surface of a container inserted inside said casing and shaping said chamber prefilled with said inhalable substance in aqueous solution.

[37] Preferably, said longitudinal channels for the aspiration of the vaporized inhalable substance end in said vane housing a sealing element suitable to prevent losses of the vaporized substance.

[38] Suitably, said casing has a portion having rounded section suitable to be inserted at least partially in the tubular body of said smoking substitutive device and joined to a portion of substantially flattened shape, suitable to shape said mouthpiece.

[39] Preferably, said inhalable substance in aqueous solution comprises a natural glycol made by 1 ,3-propandiole.

[40] Preferably, said 1 ,3-propandiole is obtained through a biologic process starting from corn sugars.

[41 ] Preferably, said 1 ,3-propandiole is present in a quantity comprised between 32% and 98% in weight.

Description of Drawings

[42] Details of the invention shall be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the electronic smoking substitutive device according to the invention, illustrated for indicative purposes in the attached drawings, wherein:

[43] figure 1 shows a perspective view of the electronic smoking substitutive device according to the invention;

[44] figure 2 shows a front view of a tank of inhalable liquid which can be used in the device according to the invention;

[45] figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 4a, 4b, 4c show a front view, respectively in closed and open configuration, of sales packages of said tank having different size;

[46] figures 5, 6 and 7 show perspective views, with enlarged details, of the successive steps of use of the tank of inhalable liquid;

[47] figure 8 shows a front view of a different embodiment of the electronic smoking substitutive device according to the invention;

[48] figures 9 and 10 show perspective views, with enlarged details, of the successive steps of use of the tank for inhalable liquid intended for use in the electronic smoking substitutive device of figure 8;

[49] figure 1 1 shows a perspective view of a sales package of said tank of inhalable liquid intended for use in the electronic smoking substitutive device of figure 8;

[50] figure 12 shows a front view, in assembly configuration and in exploded, of a further embodiment of the electronic smoking substitutive device according to the invention; [51 ] figures 13 and 14 show perspective views, with enlarged details, of successive steps of use of the tank of inhalable liquid intended for use in the electronic smoking substitutive device of figure 12;

[52] figure 15 shows a front and perspective view of a further embodiment of the tank of inhalable liquid;

[53] figures 16 and 17 respectively show a perspective view, from different angles, of a further embodiment of the tank of inhalable liquid;

[54] figure 18 shows an exploded perspective view of the tank of figure 16;

[55] figures 19 and 20 show in detail individual components of the same tank;

[56] figure 21 shows an axial cross-section view of one part of the tank in a further embodiment.

Best Mode

[57] With particular reference firstly to figures 1 - 7, the electronic smoking substitutive device according to the present invention, for more clarity called electronic cigarette in the following, has been indicated in its entirety with 1 .

[58] The electronic cigarette 1 comprises a tubular body 2 of rigid material, for example metal or plastic material. The tubular body 2 has, for example, circular or oval profile. In the illustrated case, the tubular body 2 has a distal portion 2a and a proximal portion 2b axially coupled. The distal portion 2a of the tubular body 2 is closed at the free end, while the proximal portion 2b has an open entrance, preferably circular. Obviously, it is possible to provide that the tubular body 2 has a different shape, according to the exigencies.

[59] Inside the tubular body 2 a rechargeable electric battery, known per se, is placed. The electric battery is for example of the type of lithium ions battery. For power recharging, the electric battery can be connected, in known way, to a socket through a conventional battery charger. As an alternative, the electric battery can be connected through a USB connection to a USB port, for example in a personal computer.

[60] Inside the tubular body 2 also an atomizer, known per se, is arranged, suitable to be powered by the electric battery. The atomizer is connected to the electric battery through a suitable connector.

[61 ] The electronic cigarette 1 provides the use of a non-refillable tank 10, prefilled with a predetermined quantity of an inhalable substance in aqueous solution. The tank 10 is therefore of disposable type.

[62] The inhalable substance in aqueous solution comprises a natural glycol in substitution of the propylene glycol of synthetic origin, and possibly glycerol, nicotine and other flavourings. In particular, the natural glycol being used is 1 ,3-propandiole. According to a preferred embodiment, the 1 ,3-propandiole is obtained starting from corn sugars. In particular, the 1 ,3-propandiole is obtained through the fermentation of the corn sugars. The quantity of 1 ,3-propandiole in the inhalable substance is comprised between 32% and 98% in weight. For example, the used 1 ,3-propandiole is of the type sold with name "Zemea" (DuPont Tate & Lyle Bioproducts brand).

The tank 10 is suitable to be placed in removable manner on the tubular body 2, close to the atomizer. More in particular, the tank 10 for the inhalable solution is shaped by a disposable mouthpiece of plastic material for the aspiration of the vaporized inhalable substance, suitable to be axially associated with one end of the tubular body 2, at the said open entrance. Such disposable mouthpiece shapes a casing containing in its inside a chamber 12 suitable to shape the tank 10 for the inhalable substance in aqueous solution. The chamber 12 is prefilled with a predetermined quantity of said inhalable substance, for allowing a predetermined number of inhalations or drags. Suitably, the mouthpiece is made of plastic hypoallergenic material.

In a preferred embodiment, the casing of the tank 10 has a central portion 1 1 of substantially cylindrical shape which is suitable to be inserted at least partially onto the tubular body 2 through the open inlet of the proximal portion 2b. Inside such central portion 1 1 a vane or chamber 12 is shaped, which is the container for the liquid. To the central portion 1 1 of the tank an external portion 13 is connected, for example having substantially flattened shape, suitable to be the mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette and provided in known way with a suitable aspiration hole.

At the opposite end, turned inwardly to the electronic cigarette in the use configuration, the tank 10 is suitably closed in hermetic manner through means which can be opened for use. Preferably, such means which can be opened for use comprise a tear-off removable peel 14, suitable to close a front opening connected with the chamber 12 of the tank. Preferably, such peel 14 is made of a material of the type of aluminium.

A lid 15, suitable to ensure the hermetic closure of the same tank, is as well suitably associated with the tank at said front opening, thus preventing incidental breaking or tearing-off of the peel 14 and the consequent leakage of the liquid.

Obviously, it is possible to provide that the tank for the liquid has a shape different with respect to the one described above. For example, it is possible to provide that the peel 14 for the hermetic closure is applied on the closure lid 15 of the tank, to make a seal on the peripheral rim of the front opening of the tank when the lid 15 is applied on the same tank. Alternatively, it is possible to provide then the peel 14 of hermetic closure can be opened through piercing when inserting in a suitable pin of the atomizer.

The predetermined quantity or dosage of liquid contained in the tank 10 is preferably not less than 0,5 ml and for example comprised in a range between 0,5 and 2,0 ml. It is anyway evident that such predetermined quantity can be different, according to different exigencies. Moreover, the electronic cigarette 1 is provided with activation means for the atomizer for heating it by means of the electric battery. Such activation means comprises for example a button 5 arranged in an intermediate position on the tubular body 2 of the electronic cigarette. By pressing the button 5, the user activates the heating of the atomizer which determines the vaporization of the liquid solution contained in the chamber 12 of the tank. The functioning of the electronic cigarette is easy to understand from the preceding description.

For use, the user proceeds with inserting on the tubular body 2 of the electric cigarette the mouthpiece shaping the disposable tank of the liquid, prefilled with the provided liquid quantity. Suitably, the tank is sold sealed inside a bag 16, for example of transparent material, which ensures its integrity and preserves the flavourings contained in the inhalable liquid (see figure 2). The user then proceeds with opening the bag 16, with extracting the disposable tank from such bag 16 and, after removing the lid 15, with removing, from the front opening of the case, the peel 14 which ensures the hermetic closure thereof (see figures 5, 6 and 7). The opened tank 10 is inserted, as it was mentioned before, inside the proximal portion 2b of the tubular body 2 of the electronic cigarette.

The so prepared electronic cigarette is ready for allowing a predetermined number of inhalations. After consuming the whole liquid contained in the tank 10, this is extracted by the tubular body 2 of the cigarette and trashed. At its place, the user will proceed with inserting, in the same way, a new tank prefilled with the above mentioned dosage of liquid.

In figure 8, a second embodiment of the electronic cigarette is shown, in which the tubular body 2 is made in a single piece having a substantially oval cross-section. The disposable tank which can be used for such electronic cigarette, for more clarity indicated again with 10, has a cross-section suitably oval, in order to be able to be inserted for one portion in an inlet 2c of the tubular body 2 of the cigarette.

More precisely, the tank 10 has also in this case a portion 1 1 in which the chamber 12, which represents the container for the liquid, is shaped; the external portion 13 which acts as mouthpiece is connected to such portion 1 1 of the tank. The chamber 12 is connected with the outside through a front opening 17 which is closed, before the use, through the tear-off disposable peel 14. Moreover, the tank 10 is suitably closed frontally by the lid 15 suitable to ensure the hermetic closure and is sold sealed inside a bag 16.

Also in this case, in use the user opens the bag 16, extracts the tank 10 and removes from the front opening 17 the peel 14 which ensures the hermetic closure thereof, after the removal of the lid 15 (see figures 9 and 10). The tank 10 opened is inserted in the inlet 2c of the tubular body 2 of the electronic cigarette. In figure 12, a further embodiment of the electronic cigarette is shown, in which the tubular body 2 is associated with a lid 6 for closing the inlet 2c; the lid 6 is inserted in the tubular body 2 to cover the tank 10 when the electronic cigarette is not used.

In such case, the tank 10 suitably has a reduced axial extension. In practice, the tank 10 is made up only of the casing which shapes the chamber 12 containing the liquid.

In use, the user, as previously described, proceeds with opening the bag 16 in which the tank 10 is sealed, with extracting such tank 10 and removing from the front opening of it the peel 14 which ensures the hermetic closure thereof, after removing the relative lid 15

(see figures 13 and 14). The opened tank 10 is inserted in the inlet 2c of the tubular body

2 of the electronic cigarette, after removing the lid 6.

In figure 15, a different embodiment of the tank 10 is shown in which the lid 15 for front closure of the chamber 12 is fixed to the portion 1 1 in which the above mentioned chamber 12 is shaped. The lid 15 is made for example of a material of the type of silicon. The lid 15 is suitable to be pierced by insertion means associated with the atomizer. In particular, the lid 15 is suitable to be pierced by a pin of the atomizer which is axially inserted in the same lid. To such end, the lid 15 suitably has a central lightening 18 suitable to ease the piercing by the pin of the atomizer.

In figures 16 - 20, a further embodiment of the tank is shown, obtained through the assembly of a plurality of components. Such tank 10 comprises in substance a shell 23 of tubular shape, for example having oval cross-section slightly tapered, making up the external casing of the tank; in particular such external shell 23 is progressively more tapered starting from the distal part, for insertion in the tubular body of the device, towards the proximal part which shapes the mouthpiece. Inside the shell 23, a container 24 is inserted having a shape complementary to the internal shape of the same shell 23 and an axial extension suitably smaller. The internal container 24 is closed at the bottom and shapes the chamber 12 for containing the inhalable substance in aqueous solution. At the closed bottom, the internal container 24 is brought against a diaphragm 25 transversally shaped inside the external shell 23, in a position close to the above mentioned proximal part. The container 24 externally shapes, at the ends of the major axis of the oval cross- section, a couple of longitudinal grooves 26 extended along the whole length of the internal container. The grooves 26 ends in respective slots 27 made in the diaphragm 25. The diaphragm 25 shapes, on the side opposite to the side for the insertion of the internal container 24, a vane 28 in which a seal element 33 is inserted, suitable to prevent losses of the atomized substance, as it is better described in the following. The seal element 33 is made up in substance of a plate having a profile complementary to the internal shape of the shell 23 and provided with a perimetral rim which is brought in contact with the diaphragm 25. The seal element 33 is fixed against the diaphragm 25, in assembly position, by a closure element 34 which is inserted in the opening of the external shell 23 of the tank 10 and is peripherally supported on the peripheral border of the same shell 23. The seal element 33 and the closure element 34 centrally have a hole 35, 36 for the aspiration of the vaporized inhalable substance.

At the open end of the container 24, a correspondent closure element 37 is inserted, substantially made of a plate shaping on one side a crown 38 having a profile complementary with the internal shape of the same container and on the other side an axial sleeve 39 turned outwards; the sleeve 39 is closed by a lid 15, for example of a material of the type of silicon. The plate 37 as an external profile which copies the internal surface of the shell 23.

In use, when the tank 10 shaping the mouthpiece is inserted in the tubular body of the electronic cigarette, the lid 15 which frontally closes the chamber 12 for containment of the inhalable substance in aqueous solution is pierced by the suitable insertion means associated with the atomizer. Suitably, for such purpose, the lid 15 centrally has a lightened zone. The activation of the atomizer produces the vaporization of the liquid substance contained inside the chamber 12. The vaporized inhalable substance is inhaled by the user through the lateral channels shaped, inside the casing, by the longitudinal grooves 26 of the internal container 24.

It is to be noted that the seal element 33 arranged inside the vane 28 of the external shell 23, substantially at the portion of the tank shaping the mouthpiece, is suitable to prevent losses of the atomized substance, possibly reverted to the condensation state. Such condensed substance is in fact not able to outflow through the aspiration hole 35 of the seal element 33 but it remains bounded inside it.

In figure 21 , an embodiment of the casing is shown conceptually similar to the one previously described, in which the external shell and the internal container, for more clarity indicated again with 23 and 24, are made up of a single piece. The casing has at one end, close to the diaphragm 25 which shapes the bottom of the container 24, the housing vane 28 for housing the suitable seal element fastened by the closure element, both not represented; at the opposite end the relative the closure element is inserted, carrying the lid of the atomizer which can be pierced.

The electronic cigarette according to the present invention attains the scope of not requiring a frequent refill of the tank of the liquid. In fact the tank for the liquid is not refillable but is provided prefilled with a dosage of liquid and must be trashed at the end of its use, that is when the smoker has inhaled the whole liquid of the tank.

It is to be noted that the invention overcomes the technical prejudice according to which the current electronic cigarettes use a refillable tank which must periodically be refilled with a liquid separately provided. This makes easier the use of the electronic cigarette, since it prevents the user to bring with himself the tank for the inhalable liquid and to be forced to perform the refilling operation.

Another advantage of the electronic cigarette according to the present invention is the fact that it has reduced size and weight, since the tank is inserted only in use and can have itself reduced weight and size, since it must not be used for a long period.

A further advantage of the electronic cigarette according to the present invention is that of ensuring its use in the best hygienic conditions.

In particular, as it was previously said, it is possible to provide the single tank 10, prefilled with the predetermined dosage of liquid, inside a sealed bag 16, for example of transparent material. The user will open the bag only at the moment of its use, ensuring the maximal hygiene, as well as the perfect preservation of the flavouring of the inhalable substance. Obviously, the use of a new container contributes in considerable manner to the perfect hygiene of the electronic cigarette.

The tank 10 sealed inside the bag 16 can be sold in single or multiple packages 20, as it is possible to see in figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 4a, 4b, 4c.

For example, such packages 20 can realize a pocket 21 for housing one or more tanks placed side by side. A foldable tab 22 suitably closes the packaging, preventing the dispersion of the tanks. Obviously, the number of tanks contained in one single packaging 20 can be different from the one illustrated as an example.

Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the tanks are sold in a box package 30 of rigid or semi-rigid material, for example cardboard, as it is possible to see in figures 9, 1 1 and 13. Such box package 30 is suitably provided with a closure element 31 articulated at its top part. Obviously, the size of the packaging 30 will be different according to the number of tanks 10 contained inside it.

In practice, the embodiment of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions, may vary depending on the requirements.

Should the technical characteristics mentioned in each claim be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing the understanding the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any manner whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes by such reference signs.

Claims

1 . Electronic smoking substitutive device, comprising

a tubular body (2) of rigid material;

a rechargeable electric battery arranged inside said tubular body (2);

an atomizer associated with said tubular body (2) and suitable to be powered by said electric battery;

a tank (10) for an inhalable substance in aqueous solution, suitable to be placed in removable manner in contact with said atomizer;

activation means (5) for said atomizer, associated with said tubular body (2) and suitable to be operated for activating the heating of said atomizer by means of said electric battery; characterized in that it comprises a disposable mouthpiece of plastic material for inhaling the atomized inhalable substance, suitable to be axially associated with one end of said tubular body (2) and shaping in its inside a chamber (12) suitable to define said tank (10) of the inhalable substance in aqueous solution, said chamber (12) being pre-filled with a predetermined quantity of said inhalable substance, suitable to allow a predetermined number of inhalations, and closed in hermetic manner, at one end suitable to be placed close to said atomizer, through means (14, 15) which can be opened on use.

2. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said activation means (5) comprise a push button arranged in an intermediate position on said tubular body (2) and suitable to be operated by pressure for activating the heating of said atomizer.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said means which can be opened on use comprise a tear-off removable peel (14) suitable to close a front opening (17) of said chamber (12) of the tank (10).

4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said means which can be opened on use comprise a lid (15) for frontally closing said chamber (12) of said tank (10), suitable to be pierced by insertion means associated with said atomizer.

5. Tank of inhalable solution for an electronic smoking substitutive device characterized in that it comprises a disposable container of plastic material suitable to be axially associated with one end of a tubular body of a said device and shaping a mouthpiece for inhaling an inhalable substance vaporized by said device, said container comprising in its inside a chamber (12) pre-filled with a predetermined quantity of said inhalable substance in aqueous solution, suitable to allow a predetermined number of inhalations, and closed in hermetic manner, at one end turned in use towards the inside of said device, through means (14, 15) which can be open on use.

6. Disposable tank according to claim 5, characterized in that said chamber (12) pre-filled with a predetermined quantity of inhalable substance in aqueous solution is shaped in a central portion (1 1 ) of said container and has a front opening (17) closed in hermetic manner, before the use, by said means (14, 15) which can be open on use.

7. Disposable tank according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that externally to said chamber (12) prefilled with a predetermined quantity of inhalable substance in aqueous solution, inside said casing, is provided at least one longitudinal channel (26) for the aspiration of said inhalable vaporized substance.

8. Disposable tank according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said means which can be open on use comprise a tear-off removable peel (14) suitable to close said front opening (17) of said chamber (12).

9. Disposable tank according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said means which can be open on use comprise a lid (15) for the front closure of said chamber (12), suitable to be pierced by insertion means associated with an atomizer of the said device.

10. Disposable tank according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said casing shapes at one end, close to the bottom of said chamber (12) prefilled with said inhalable substance in aqueous solution, a vane (28) for housing a seal element (33), suitable to prevent leakages of the vaporized substance.

1 1 . Disposable tank according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a closure element (34) which is suitable to be inserted in the entrance of said casing shaping said mouthpiece and centrally has a hole (36) for the aspiration of the vaporized inhalable substance.

12. Disposable tank, according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said inhalable substance in aqueous solution comprises natural glycol constituted by 1 ,3- propandiole.

13. Disposable tank according to claim 12, characterized in that said 1 ,3-propandiole is obtained through a biologic process starting from corn sugars.

14. Disposable tank according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said 1 ,3-propandiole is present in a quantity comprised between 32% and 98% in weight.

15. Disposable tank according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that it is sold inside a sealed small bag (16).

16. Use of a disposable tank pre-filled with a predetermined quantity of inhalable substance in aqueous solution combined with an electronic smoking substitutive device according to one of the previous claims.