EP3692840A1

EP3692840A1 - Smoking substitute apparatus and smoking substitute kit

Info

Publication number: EP3692840A1
Application number: EP19155879.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
Original assignee: Nerudia Ltd
Current assignee: Nerudia Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-07
Filing date: 2019-02-07
Publication date: 2020-08-12
Also published as: WO2020161321A1

Abstract

A smoking substitute apparatus (502) has a flavourant-receiving portion (454) configured to receive a flavourant from a flavourant applicator (456/504). A smoking substitute kit (450/500) includes a smoking substitute apparatus (502) and a flavourant applicator (456/504) for applying a flavourant-containing element to the flavourant-receiving portion (454) of the smoking substitute apparatus (502).

Description

The present invention relates generally to smoking substitute apparatuses, and smoking substitute kits which are in some way configured to deliver a flavourant to a user without the need for flavoured e-liquid, for example using printed flavourants, flavoured or scented ink, and a kit including a smoking substitute apparatus and a flavourant applicator.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.
Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. There have been proposed various smoking substitute systems in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.
Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.
Smoking substitute systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a "vapour") that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or a flavourant without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.
In general, smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products.
The popularity and use of smoking substitute systems has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute systems as desirable lifestyle accessories. There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute systems, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach.
One approach is the so-called "vaping" approach, in which a vaporisable liquid, typically referred to (and referred to herein) as "e-liquid", is heated by a heating device (referred to herein as an electronic cigarette or "e-cigarette" device) to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user. The e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and/or a flavourant. The resulting vapour therefore also typically contains nicotine and/or a flavourant. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.
A typical e-cigarette device includes a mouthpiece, a power source (typically a battery), a tank for containing e-liquid, as well as a heating device. In use, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol (or "vapour") which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
E-cigarettes can be configured in a variety of ways. For example, there are "closed system" vaping smoking substitute systems, which typically have a sealed tank and heating element. The tank is pre-filled with e-liquid and is not intended to be refilled by an end user. One subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute systems include a main body which includes the power source, wherein the main body is configured to be physically and electrically coupled to a consumable including the tank and the heating element. In this way, when the tank of a consumable has been emptied, that consumable is disposed of. The main body can be reused by connecting it to a new, replacement, consumable. Another subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute systems are completely disposable, and intended for one-use only.
There are also "open system" vaping smoking substitute systems which typically have a tank that is configured to be refilled by a user. In this way the entire device can be used multiple times.
An example vaping smoking substitute system is the myblu™ e-cigarette. The myblu™ e-cigarette is a closed system which includes a main body and a consumable. The main body and consumable are physically and electrically coupled together by pushing the consumable into the main body. The main body includes a rechargeable battery. The consumable includes a mouthpiece, a sealed tank which contains e-liquid, as well as a heater, which for this device is a heating filament coiled around a portion of a wick. The wick is partially immersed in the e-liquid, and conveys e-liquid from the tank to the heating filament. The device is activated when a microprocessor on board the main body detects a user inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.
For a smoking substitute device it is desirable to deliver nicotine into the user's lungs, where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. As explained above, in the so-called "vaping" approach, e-liquid is heated by a heating device to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user. Many e-cigarettes also deliver flavour to the user to enhance the experience. In such e-cigarettes, flavour compounds are contained in the e-liquid that is heated. However, toxicology restrictions are placed on the amount of flavour that can be contained in the e-liquid, and this can result in some e-liquid flavours delivering a weak and underwhelming taste sensation to consumers in the pursuit of safety. Further, there is a view that providing a flavourant as part of the e-liquid, such that the flavourant is vaporised with the e-liquid, may be disadvantageous.
An alternative to the "vaping" approach is the so-called Heated Tobacco ("HT") approach in which tobacco (rather than an e-liquid) is heated or warmed to release vapour. HT is also known as "heat not burn" ("HNB"). The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. In the HT approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.
The heating, as opposed to burning, of the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HT approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.
A typical HT smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable. The consumable may include the tobacco material. The device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes components in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.
As the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporization to an outlet of the consumable (e.g. a mouthpiece), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The aerosol may contain nicotine and/or flavour compounds.
There may be a need for improved design of smoking substitute systems, in particular in regards to the delivery of flavour to a user. The present disclosure has been devised in the light of the above considerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

When there is no flavourant present in the e-liquid, or an amount of flavourant is present which delivers a weak and underwhelming taste sensation to consumers, it is desirable to supplement this with flavourant which is located elsewhere on or in the smoking substitute apparatus. Broadly speaking, the present application relates to smoking substitute apparatuses, which are configured in some way to receive a flavourant, so that the user is able to experience flavour at the same time as inhaling the flavourless e-liquid, or vapour from the heated tobacco consumable. This application also relates to kits of parts including components allowing a user to apply a flavourant of choice to the outside surface of their smoking substitute apparatus, in order to achieve the same effect.
A first aspect of the invention, accordingly, provides a smoking substitute apparatus having a flavourant-receiving portion which is configured to receive a flavourant from a flavourant applicator. Herein, the term "flavourant-receiving portion" should be understood to mean a part of the smoking substitute apparatus which is adapted in some way to receive flavourant from the applicator. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the specific features of the flavourant-receiving portion will differ depending on the type of flavourant-receiving portion. However, in preferred embodiments, the flavourant-receiving portion is located at a mouthpiece of the smoking substitute apparatus. In this way, when the flavourant is applied using a flavourant applicator, it will then be located on a part of the smoking substitute apparatus which is close to a user's nose and/or mouth, in use, allowing the most efficient delivery of the flavour. For the same reason, it is preferred that the flavourant-receiving portion is located on a top surface of the smoking substitute apparatus.
The flavourant-receiving portion may be configured to receive a liquid flavourant, such as a scented and/or flavoured ink. In preferred embodiments, the flavourant-receiving portion may include a porous material which is configured to absorb a liquid flavourant. The porous material may include one or more of a porous polymer, activated carbon, and wood. The porous material may include a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric. Use of a porous material in this manner improves the capacity of the flavourant-receiving portion, since the liquid flavourant may be absorbed into it, rather than merely resting on the surface of the smoking substitute apparatus. In some embodiments, the liquid flavourant may be in the form of a semi-solid, a gel, a suspension, or a solid-liquid colloid. In some embodiments, the flavourant-receiving portion may be configured to receive a first flavourant layer and a second flavourant layer, wherein the second flavourant layer is located above the first flavourant layer. Preferably, in such embodiments, the first flavourant layer is less viscous than the second flavourant layer. For example, the first flavourant layer may be a liquid, and the second flavourant layer may be in the form of a semi-solid, a gel, a suspension, or a solid-liquid colloid. In this way, the more viscous second flavourant layer is able to contain the less viscous first flavourant layer until the user inhales on the smoking substitute apparatus, releasing the first flavourant layer. The first flavourant layer may be a different flavour from the second flavourant layer.
In some embodiments, the flavourant-receiving portion may be configured to cause the liquid flavourant applied thereto to spread out. In other words, the flavourant-receiving portion may be configured to promote wetting of the surface of the smoking substitute apparatus, in order to ensure coverage over a larger area of the smoking substitute apparatus. In this way, the flavourant is better able to stick of the surface of the smoking substitute apparatus, rather than settling in a large drop. As well as by using a porous material, this spreading out effect may be achieved by the flavourant-receiving portion including a plurality of microchannels or a textured surface, e.g. sandpaper. Spreading out of flavourant also increases the surface area, for improved volatilization. The flavourant-receiving portion may include linear grooves, striations or a coarse membrane.
The flavourant-receiving portion may include a recess which is configured to receive a droplet of flavourant. In preferred such embodiments, the recess is configured to retain the droplet therein against gravity, i.e. the recess is shaped in a manner which prevents the droplet from falling out. This may be achieved by providing a recess which is configured to retain the droplet by means of the surface tension of the liquid flavourant. In some embodiments, in order to better retain the liquid flavourant in the recess, a portion of an inner surface of the recess may be porous or absorbent. The recess is preferably cylindrical or substantially cylindrical. Alternatively, the recess may be in the form of a groove or elongate slot. In some embodiments, smoking substitute apparatus may include a plurality of flavourant-receiving portions, for example a plurality of recesses, each configured to retain a droplet of flavourant. The plurality of recesses may be arranged substantially equidistantly, for example in a polka dot patter. The smoking substitute apparatus may include a first flavourant-receiving portion on a first surface of the smoking substitute apparatus, and a second flavourant-receiving portion on a second surface of the smoking substitute apparatus, wherein the first surface may be opposite to the second surface.
In embodiments in which the flavourant-receiving portion includes a recess, the recess may have a volume between 0 and 2 ml, more preferably between 0.1 and 1 ml, and more preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 ml.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a smoking substitute kit, including a smoking substitute apparatus of the third aspect of the invention, and a flavourant applicator for applying a flavourant-containing element to the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus. By providing a user with a kit including the smoking substitute apparatus and the flavourant applicator, the user is given more control of both what flavourant is used, and how much is used. So, if the flavourant is running low, a user is easily able to add some more, in order to intensify the taste or aroma.
In some embodiments, the flavourant applicator is configured to apply a liquid flavourant to the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus, to form the flavourant-containing element. In some embodiments, the liquid flavourant may be colourless, but in other embodiments, the liquid flavourant may include a flavoured or scented ink. As discussed earlier, the flavourant-containing element formed by the application of the liquid flavourant may be configured to indicate visually how much flavourant is remaining in the flavourant-containing element. In this way, a user of the smoking substitute apparatus is able to identify when the flavourant has run out, and needs, e.g. to be replaced. In one such embodiment, the flavourant-containing element may be configured to fade over time, wherein the extent to which the flavourant-containing element has faded provides the visual indication of the amount of flavourant is remaining in the flavourant-containing element.
In some embodiments, the flavourant applicator may be in the form of a felt-tip pen (such as a "dry wipe" marker, or a permanent marker), a rollerball pen, a gel pen, or a ball point pen. With such embodiments, the user may be able to prepare a smoking substitute apparatus such as is described with reference to the second aspect of the present invention.
In other embodiments, the flavourant applicator is configured to apply a droplet of liquid flavourant to the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus. In order to do so, the flavourant applicator may be in the form of a dropper or a pipette. The dropper or pipette is preferably configured to dispense droplets having a volume between 0 and 2 ml, more preferably between 0.1 and 1 ml, and more preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 ml.
Other embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may employ a "scratch and sniff" component. Specifically, the flavourant applicator may include flavourant which is encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules. The flavourant may be encapsulated in an encapsulation material comprising one or more of: ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, and sodium alginate. In order to deliver the flavourant to the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus, the microcapsules are preferably configured to rupture, disintegrate or break down under the application of pressure. For example, the microcapsules may be configured to burst when they are pressed against the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus, thus releasing the flavourant onto the flavourant-receiving portion. In other embodiments, the application of friction may be used to deliver the flavourant to the flavourant-receiving portion, specifically the microcapsules may be configured to rupture, disintegrate, or break down when the flavour applicator is rubbed against the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus thereby releasing the flavourant onto the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus.
The flavourant applicator may include a flavourant layer and a protective layer covering the flavourant layer, and the protective layer may be configured to rupture, disintegrate or break down when the flavourant applicator is pressed or rubbed against the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus, thereby releasing the flavourant onto the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus.
In other embodiments, the flavourant applicator may be configured to release the flavourant in response to the application of heat to its outer surface.
The flavourant applicator may come a wide variety of shapes, including spherical, substantially spherical, cylindrical, substantially cylindrical, cubic, substantially cubic, cuboidal, substantially cuboidal, prismatic, substantially prismatic, pyramidal, substantially pyramidal, conic, or substantially conic.
The following description relates to general features of e.g. smoking substitute apparatuses, which may relate to the first or the second aspect of the invention.
The smoking substitute apparatus may be in the form of a consumable. The consumable may be configured for engagement with a main body (i.e. so as to form a closed smoking substitute system). For example, the consumable may comprise components of the system that are disposable, and the main body may comprise non-disposable or non-consumable components (e.g. power supply, controller, sensor, etc.) that facilitate the delivery of aerosol by the consumable. In such an embodiment, the aerosol former (e.g. e-liquid) may be replenished by replacing a used consumable with an unused consumable. Alternatively, the smoking substitute apparatus may be a non-consumable apparatus (e.g. that is in the form of an open smoking substitute system). In such embodiments an aerosol former (e.g. e-liquid) of the system may be replenished by re-filling e.g. a reservoir of the smoking substitute apparatus with the aerosol former (rather than replacing a consumable component of the apparatus).
In light of this, it should be appreciated that some of the features described herein as being part of the smoking substitute apparatus may alternatively form part of a main body for engagement with the smoking substitute apparatus (i.e. when the smoking substitute apparatus is in the form of a consumable).
Throughout this application, the term "flavourant" is used to describe a compound or combination of compounds that provide flavour and/or aroma. For example, the flavourant may be configured to interact with a sensory receptor of a user (such as an olfactory or taste receptor). The flavourant may include one or more volatile substances. The flavourant may be provided in solid or liquid form. The flavourant may be natural or synthetic. For example, the flavourant may include menthol, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon) and tobacco flavour. The flavourant may be evenly dispersed or may be provided in isolated locations and/or varying concentrations. The flavourant may be configured to release aroma or flavour in response to one or more of heat, pressure, friction and moisture.
Where the smoking substitute apparatus is in the form of a consumable, the consumable may be configured for engagement with a main body (i.e. so as to form a closed smoking substitute system). For example, the consumable may comprise components of the system that are disposable, and the main body may comprise non-disposable or non-consumable components (e.g. power supply, controller, sensor, etc.) that facilitate the delivery of aerosol by the consumable. In such an embodiment, the aerosol former (e.g. e-liquid) may be replenished by replacing a used consumable with an unused consumable.
The smoking substitute apparatus may comprise a reservoir configured to store an aerosol former, such as an e-liquid. The e-liquid may, for example, comprise a base liquid and e.g. nicotine. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine. The e-liquid may be flavourless. That is, the e-liquid may not contain any flavourants and may consist solely of a base liquid of propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine and nicotine. The reservoir may be in the form of a tank. At least a portion of the tank may be translucent. For example, the tank may comprise a window to allow a user to visually assess the quantity of e-liquid in the tank. A housing of the smoking substitute apparatus may comprise a corresponding aperture (or slot) or window that may be aligned with a translucent portion (e.g. window) of the tank. The reservoir may be referred to as a "clearomizer" if it includes a window, or a "cartomizer" if it does not.
The smoking substitute apparatus may comprise a passage for fluid flow therethrough. The passage may extend through (at least a portion of) the smoking substitute apparatus, between openings that may define an inlet and an outlet of the passage. The outlet may be at a mouthpiece of the smoking substitute apparatus. In this respect, a user may draw fluid (e.g. air) into and through the passage by inhaling at the outlet (i.e. using the mouthpiece). The passage may be at least partially defined by the tank. The tank may substantially (or fully) define the passage. In this respect, the tank may surround the passage.
The smoking substitute apparatus may comprise an aerosol-generator. The aerosol generator may comprise a wick. The aerosol generator may further comprise a heater. The wick may comprise a porous material. A portion of the wick may be exposed to fluid flow in the passage. The wick may also comprise one or more portions in contact with liquid stored in the reservoir. For example, opposing ends of the wick may protrude into the reservoir and a central portion (between the ends) may extend across the passage so as to be exposed to fluid flow in the passage. Thus, fluid may be drawn (e.g. by capillary action) along the wick, from the reservoir to the exposed portion of the wick.
The heater may comprise a heating element, which may be in the form of a filament wound about the wick (e.g. the filament may extend helically about the wick). The filament may be wound about the exposed portion of the wick. The heating element may be electrically connected (or connectable) to a power source. Thus, in operation, the power source may supply electricity to (i.e. apply a voltage across) the heating element so as to heat the heating element. This may cause liquid stored in the wick (i.e. drawn from the tank) to be heated so as to form a vapour and become entrained in fluid flowing through the passage. This vapour may subsequently cool to form an aerosol in the passage.
The smoking substitute apparatus (or main body engaged with the smoking substitute apparatus) may comprise a power source. The power source may be electrically connected (or connectable) to a heater of the smoking substitute apparatus (e.g. when engaged with the main body). The power source may be a battery (e.g. a rechargeable battery). A connector in the form of e.g. a USB port may be provided for recharging this battery.
When the smoking substitute apparatus is in the form of a consumable, the smoking substitute apparatus may comprise an electrical interface for interfacing with a corresponding electrical interface of the main body. One or both of the electrical interfaces may include one or more electrical contacts. Thus, when the main body is engaged with the consumable, the electrical interface may be configured to transfer electrical power from the power source to a heater of the consumable. The electrical interface may also be used to identify the smoking substitute apparatus (in the form of a consumable) from a list of known types. For example, the consumable may have a certain concentration of nicotine and the electrical interface may be used to identify this. The electrical interface may additionally or alternatively be used to identify when a consumable is connected to the main body.
Again, where the smoking substitute apparatus is in the form of a consumable, the main body may comprise an interface, which may, for example, be in the form of an RFID reader, a barcode or QR code reader. This interface may be able to identify a characteristic (e.g. a type) of a consumable engaged with the main body. In this respect, the consumable may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the interface.
The smoking substitute apparatus or main body may comprise a controller, which may include a microprocessor. The controller may be configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater of the smoking substitute apparatus (e.g. via the electrical contacts). A memory may be provided and may be operatively connected to the controller. The memory may include non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions which, when implemented, cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.
The main body or smoking substitute apparatus may comprise a wireless interface, which may be configured to communicate wirelessly with another device, for example a mobile device, e.g. via Bluetooth®. To this end, the wireless interface could include a Bluetooth® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi®, are also possible. The wireless interface may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote server. A puff sensor may be provided that is configured to detect a puff (i.e. inhalation from a user). The puff sensor may be operatively connected to the controller so as to be able to provide a signal to the controller that is indicative of a puff state (i.e. puffing or not puffing). The puff sensor may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor. That is, the controller may control power supply to the heater of the consumable in response to a puff detection by the sensor. The control may be in the form of activation of the heater in response to a detected puff. That is, the smoking substitute apparatus may be configured to be activated when a puff is detected by the puff sensor. When the smoking substitute apparatus is in the form of a consumable, the puff sensor may form part of the consumable or the main body.
The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1A to 1C show a general smoking substitute system configured to provide an e-liquid to a user.
Fig. 2A is a front view of a second embodiment of a smoking substitute system with a consumable of the system engaged with a device of the system.
Fig. 2B is a front view of the second embodiment of the smoking substitute system with the consumable of the system disengaged from the device.
Fig. 2C is a schematic of the consumable of the second embodiment of the substitute smoking system.
Fig. 3 shows a close-up view of a smoking substitute device having a recess at its mouthpiece end.
Fig. 4 shows a smoking substitute kit including a pen and a smoking substitute device.
Fig. 5 shows a smoking substitute kit including a flavourant applicator and a smoking substitute device.

Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1A and 1B illustrate a smoking substitute system in the form of an e-cigarette system 101. The system 101 comprises an e-cigarette device defining a main body 102 of the system 101, and an smoking substitute apparatus in the form of an e cigarette consumable (or "pod") 103. In the illustrated embodiment the consumable 103 (smoking substitute apparatus) is removable from the main body (e-cigarette device), so as to be a replaceable component of the system 101. In other words, the e-cigarette system 101 is a closed system.
As is apparent from Figures 1A and 1B, the consumable 103 is configured to engage the main body 102. Figure 1A shows the main body 102 and the consumable 103 in an engaged state, whilst Figure 1B shows the main body 102 and the consumable 103 in a disengaged state. When engaged, a portion of the consumable 103 is received in a cavity of the main body 102 and is retained in the engaged position by way of a snap-engagement mechanism. In other embodiments, the main body 102 and consumable 103 may be engaged by screwing one into (or onto) the other, through a bayonet fitting, or by way of an interference fit.
The system 101 is configured to vaporise an aerosol-former, which in the illustrated embodiment, is in the form of a nicotine-based e-liquid 104. The e-liquid 104 comprises nicotine and a base liquid including propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine. In the present embodiment, the e-liquid 104 is flavourless (and does not include any added flavourant). That is, if the e-liquid 104 were to be inhaled (i.e. in aerosol form) by a user, it would not have a particularly perceptible flavour or taste.
As is more apparent from Figure 1C, this e-liquid 104 is stored within a reservoir in the form of a tank 105 that forms part of the consumable 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the consumable 103 is a "single-use" consumable 103. That is, upon exhausting the e-liquid 104 in the tank 105, the intention is that the user disposes of the entire consumable 103. In other embodiments, the e-liquid (i.e. aerosol former) may be the only part of the system that is truly "single-use". That is, the tank may be refillable with e-liquid or the e-liquid may be stored in a non-consumable component of the system. For example, the e-liquid may be stored in a tank located in the main body or stored in another component that is itself not single-use (e.g. a refillable cartomizer).
The tank 105 surrounds, and thus defines a portion of, a passage 106 that extends between an inlet 107 and an outlet 108 at opposing ends of the consumable 103. In this respect, the passage comprises an upstream end at the end of the consumable 103 that engages with the main body 102, and a downstream end at an opposing end of the consumable 103 that comprises a mouthpiece 109 of the system 101. When the consumable 103 is engaged with the main body 102, a user can inhale (i.e. take a puff) via the mouthpiece 109 so as to draw air through the passage 106, and so as to form an airflow (indicated by arrows) in a direction from the inlet 107 to the outlet 108 of the passage 106. Although not illustrated, the passage 106 may be partially defined by a tube (e.g. a metal tube) extending through the consumable 103. The passage 106 is in fluid communication with a gap defined between the consumable 103 and the main body 102 (when engaged) such that air outside of the system 101 is drawn into the passage 106 (during an inhale).
The smoking substitute system 101 is configured to vaporise the e-liquid 104 for inhalation by a user. To provide this, the consumable 103 comprises a heater having of a porous wick 110 and a resistive heating element in the form of a heating filament 111 that is helically wound around a portion of the porous wick 110. The porous wick 110 extends across the passage 106 (i.e. transverse to a longitudinal axis of the passage106) and opposing ends of the wick 110 extend into the tank 105 (so as to be submerged in the e liquid 104). In this way, e-liquid 104 contained in the tank 105 is conveyed from the opposing ends of the porous wick 110 to a central portion of the porous wick 110 so as to be exposed to the airflow in the passage 106 (i.e. caused by a user inhaling).
The helical filament 111 is wound about this exposed central portion of the porous wick 110 and is electrically connected to an electrical interface in the form of electrical contacts 112 mounted at the end of the consumable that is proximate the main body 102 (when engaged). When the consumable 103 is engaged with the main body 102, the electrical contacts 112 contact corresponding electrical contacts (not shown) of the main body 102. The main body electrical contacts are electrically connected to a power source (not shown) of the main body 102, such that (in the engaged position) the filament 111 is electrically connected to the power source. In this way, power can be supplied by the main body 102 to the filament 111 in order to heat the filament 111. This heat is transferred from the filament 111 to the porous wick 110 which causes e-liquid 104 conveyed by the porous wick 110 to increase in temperature to a point at which it vaporises. The vaporised e-liquid becomes entrained in the airflow and, between the vaporisation point at the filament 111 and the outlet 108 of the passage 106, condenses to form an aerosol. This aerosol is then inhaled, via the mouthpiece 109, by a user of the system 101.
The power source of the main body 102 may be in the form of a battery (e.g. a rechargeable battery). The main body 102 may comprise a connector in the form of e.g. a USB port for recharging this battery. The main body 102 may also comprise a controller that controls the supply of power from the power source to the main body electrical contacts (and thus to the filament 111). That, is the controller may be configured to control a voltage applied across the main body electrical contacts, and thus the voltage applied across the filament 111. In this way, the filament 111 may only be heated under certain conditions (e.g. during a puff and/or only when the system is in an active state). In this respect, the main body 102 may include a puff sensor (not shown) that is configured to detect a puff (i.e. inhalation). The puff sensor may be operatively connected to the controller so as to be able to provide a signal, to the controller, which is indicative of a puff state (i.e. puffing or not puffing). The puff sensor may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor.
Although not shown, the main body 102 and consumable 103 may comprise a further interface which may, for example, be in the form of an RFID reader, a barcode or QR code reader. This interface may be able to identify a characteristic (e.g. a type) of a consumable 103 engaged with the main body 102. In this respect, the consumable 103 may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the interface.
Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a smoking substitute system the form of a heated tobacco (HT) system 201. The system 201 comprises an HT device 202 and an aerosol-forming article in the form of a HT consumable 203.
The consumable 203 is configured to engage the device 202 by way of an interference fit. Figure 2A shows the device 202 and the consumable 203 in an engaged state, and Figure 2B shows the device 202 and the consumable 203 in a disengaged state.
The consumable 203 generally resembles a cigarette. In this respect, the consumable 202 has a generally cylindrical form with a diameter of approximately 7 mm and an axial length of approximately 70 mm. The consumable 203 comprises an outer wrapping layer 213 defining a passage 206 extending between openings at opposing ends of the consumable 203.
Thus, the passage comprises an upstream end (and opening) 207 at the end of the consumable 203 that engages with the device 202, and a downstream end (and opening) 208 at an opposing end of the consumable 203 that projects from the device 202 (when engaged) and defines a mouth end 209 of the system 201. When the consumable 203 is engaged with the device 202, a user can inhale (i.e. take a puff) via the mouth end 209 so as to draw air through the passage 206, and so as to form an airstream in a direction from the upstream end 207 to the downstream end 208 of the passage 206.
The consumable 203 comprises an aerosol former in the form of an aerosol-forming substrate 204 that is disposed at the upstream end 207 of the passage 206. The consumable 203 further comprises an upstream filter 214 adjacent the aerosol-forming substrate 204, a terminal filter 215 at the downstream end 208, and a spacer 216 interposed between the terminal 215 and upstream 214 filters.
The aerosol forming substrate 204 comprises tobacco material that may, for example, include any suitable parts of the tobacco plant (e.g. leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers). In order to generate an aerosol, the aerosol forming substrate 204 comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. The aerosol-forming substrate 204 may further comprise one or more additives. For example, such additives may be in the form of humectants (e.g. propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine), flavourants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and/or binders.
The device comprises a heating element 211 that projects into the aerosol-forming substrate 204 when the consumable 203 is engaged with the device 202. This heating element 211 is electrically connected to a power supply (not shown) of the device 202 and, when activated, heats the aerosol-forming substrate 204 such that vapour is released from the aerosol-forming substrate 204. When a user inhales via the mouth end 209, air is drawn through the heated aerosol-forming substrate 204 and the vapour becomes entrained in the resultant airflow. As the vapour flows from the aerosol-forming substrate 204 to the downstream end 208 of the passage 206 (through the filters 214, 215 and the spacer 216), it condenses into an aerosol and the aerosol is inhaled by the user.
As is apparent from Figure 2C, when engaged, the consumable 203 is received in a cavity 217 formed in a housing 218 of the device 202. Whilst not shown in the figures, the housing 218 accommodates (in addition to the abovementioned power supply) a controller for controlling power supply to the heating element 211. Control of the heating element 211 may be performed in response to a user input (e.g. via a button 219 disposed on the housing 218) and/or a signal received from a puff sensor (configured to indicate a puff state).
Fig. 3 shows an end of an e-cigarette system 301, which may be as shown in Figs. 1A to 1C. E-cigarette system 301 includes a recess 305 which is located on the top surface 307 of the mouthpiece end 309 of the portion of the consumable 311 which is visible when the consumable is engaged with the main body 313. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the recess 305 which is shaped as a shallow cylinder, and is configured to retain liquid flavourant which is stored therein against gravity, e.g. by exploiting the surface tension of the liquid flavourant (not shown). In this embodiment, and others, the geometry of the recess 305 may be such that it is small enough so as only to hold enough liquid flavourant for a limited amount of vaping, e.g. 3 three-second inhalations, before the liquid flavourant is completely volatilized. By having such a small volume recess 305, a user is able to switch flavourants at leisure, because each individual portion supplied to the recess 305 does not last long before fully evaporating.
Fig. 4 shows an example of a smoking substitute kit 450 according to the fourth aspect of the invention. The smoking substitute kit 450 includes a consumable 452 having a flavourant-receiving portion 454 at its upper end, and a flavourant applicator in the form of pen 456. As discussed, and as is shown in Fig. 4, a user is able to apply liquid flavourant in the form of flavoured or scented ink by using the pen 456. In order to achieve this, the flavourant-receiving portion 454 is adapted so that the ink from the pen 456 is able to stick to the surface of the consumable 452.
Fig. 5 shows another example of a smoking substitute kit 500 according to the fourth aspect of the invention. The smoking substitute kit 500 includes smoking substitute apparatus 502 and flavourant applicator 504. The flavourant applicator 504 in Fig. 5 is spherical and includes liquid flavourant which is encapsulated in microcapsules which are configured to rupture and deposit the flavourant onto the surface of the smoking substitute apparatus 502 when the flavourant applicator 504 is rubbed or scratched, or under the application of heat. This works using the same mechanism as "scratch and sniff".
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described 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 limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.
Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.
Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "have", "comprise", and "include", and variations such as "having", "comprises", "comprising", and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.
The words "preferred" and "preferably" are used herein refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits under some circumstances. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. The recitation of one or more preferred embodiments therefore does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.

Claims

A smoking substitute apparatus having:
a flavourant-receiving portion configured to receive a flavourant from a flavourant applicator.
A smoking substitute apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
the flavourant-receiving portion is located at or near a mouthpiece of the smoking substitute apparatus.
A smoking substitute apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein:
the flavourant-receiving portion is configured to receive a liquid flavourant.
A smoking substitute apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
the flavourant-receiving portion includes a porous material configured to absorb liquid flavourant.
A smoking substitute apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:
the porous material includes one or more of:
a porous polymer,

activated carbon, and

wood.
A smoking substitute apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:
the flavourant-receiving portion includes a plurality of microchannels.
A smoking substitute apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:
the flavourant-receiving portion includes a textured surface.
A smoking substitute apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:
the flavourant-receiving portion includes a recess configured to receive a droplet of liquid flavourant.
A smoking substitute apparatus according to claim 8, wherein:
the flavourant-receiving portion is configured to retain the droplet therein against gravity.
A smoking substitute apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:
the recess is shaped such that the droplet is retained therein by surface tension of the liquid flavourant.
A smoking substitute apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:
the recess has a volume of 0.2 to 0.5 ml.
A smoking substitute kit including:
a smoking substitute apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and

a flavourant applicator for applying a flavourant-containing element to the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus.
A smoking substitute kit according to claim 12, wherein:
the flavourant applicator is configured to apply a liquid flavourant to the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus, to form the flavourant-containing element.
A smoking substitute kit according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein:
the flavourant applicator is in the form of a pen.
A smoking substitute kit according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein:
the flavourant applicator is in the form of a dropper or a pipette.
A smoking substitute kit according to claim 15, wherein:
the dropper or pipette is configured to supply a droplet having a volume of 0.2 to 0.5 ml.
A smoking substitute kit according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein:
the flavourant applicator includes flavourant encapsulated in plurality of microcapsules.
A smoking substitute kit according to claim 17, wherein:
the microcapsules are configured to rupture, disintegrate, or break down when the flavour applicator is rubbed or pressed against the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus, thereby releasing the flavourant onto the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus.
A smoking substitute kit according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein:
the flavourant applicator includes a flavourant layer and a protective layer covering the flavourant layer.
A smoking substitute kit according to claim 19, wherein:
the protective layer is configured to rupture, break down, or disintegrate when the flavourant applicator is pressed or rubbed against the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus, thereby releasing the flavourant onto the flavourant-receiving portion of the smoking substitute apparatus.