EP3693291A1 - Verpackung für rauchersatzvorrichtung - Google Patents

Verpackung für rauchersatzvorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3693291A1
EP3693291A1 EP19155939.2A EP19155939A EP3693291A1 EP 3693291 A1 EP3693291 A1 EP 3693291A1 EP 19155939 A EP19155939 A EP 19155939A EP 3693291 A1 EP3693291 A1 EP 3693291A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
packaging
smoking substitute
consumable
user
flavourant
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19155939.2A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Samantha MURRAY
Ian Stuart
Tom Sudlow
Jonathan MARCHBANK
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nerudia Ltd
Original Assignee
Nerudia Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nerudia Ltd filed Critical Nerudia Ltd
Priority to EP19155939.2A priority Critical patent/EP3693291A1/de
Publication of EP3693291A1 publication Critical patent/EP3693291A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D65/00—Wrappers or flexible covers; Packaging materials of special type or form
    • B65D65/38—Packaging materials of special type or form
    • B65D65/46—Applications of disintegrable, dissolvable or edible materials
    • B65D65/463—Edible packaging materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/002—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers in shrink films
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F15/00—Receptacles or boxes specially adapted for cigars, cigarettes, simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor
    • A24F15/01—Receptacles or boxes specially adapted for cigars, cigarettes, simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor specially adapted for simulated smoking devices or cigarettes therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a packaging for a smoking substitute apparatus and, in particular, to packaging that is edible and contains a flavourant.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • vaping 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.
  • 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.
  • a power source typically a battery
  • a tank for containing e-liquid as well as a heating device.
  • 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.
  • there are "closed system" vaping smoking substitute systems which typically have a sealed tank and heating element. The tank is prefilled 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.
  • 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 mybluTM e-cigarette.
  • the mybluTM 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.
  • HT Heated Tobacco
  • HNB heat not burn
  • the tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vapourisation 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.
  • a smoking substitute device it is desirable to deliver nicotine into the user's lungs, where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
  • 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.
  • flavour compounds are contained in the e-liquid that is heated.
  • 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.
  • providing a flavourant as part of the e-liquid such that the flavourant is vaporised with the e-liquid, may be disadvantageous.
  • the present invention relates to packaging for a smoking substitute apparatus that is edible and includes a flavourant.
  • a user may put the packaging in their mouth to receive a flavour from the flavourant while using the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • This may provide a convenient mechanism for delivering flavour to the user.
  • flavour may be delivered to a user via the flavour delivery article, rather than through a flavourant contained in an aerosol-former (e.g. e-liquid or tobacco material) of the of the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • an aerosol-former e.g. e-liquid or tobacco material
  • packaging for a smoking substitute apparatus includes non-biodegradable materials (e.g. plastic), which may result in non-biodegradable waste material.
  • non-biodegradable materials e.g. plastic
  • the packaging of the invention addresses this issue, as the packaging may be consumed by the user when the use the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • waste material produced from packaging of smoking substitute apparatuses may be reduced.
  • packaging for a smoking substitute apparatus wherein the packaging is edible and includes a flavourant.
  • the packaging may be made of any suitable edible material.
  • the packaging may define a compartment for receiving the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • the packaging comprises a flavourant.
  • flavourant is used to describe a compound or combination of compounds that provide flavour and/or aroma.
  • 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 natural or synthetic.
  • 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 comprise the edible material itself, or be a constituent of the edible material. Additionally or alternatively, the flavourant may be a flavouring additive which is added to the edible material.
  • the flavourant may be provided in the form of a flavouring additive which is added to the edible material.
  • the flavouring additive may be integrated into the edible material (e.g. during making of the edible material), and/or provided as a coating on a surface of the edible material. Where the flavouring additive is provided as a coating, it may, for example be sprayed or painted onto a surface of the edible material during manufacture of the packaging.
  • the packaging may be dissolvable.
  • the packaging may be arranged to dissolve in a user's mouth. In this manner, when a user puts the packaging in their mouth, the packaging may dissolve and produce a flavour in the user's mouth. This may facilitate flavour delivery to the user, as it may avoid the user having to chew the packaging.
  • the packaging may be arranged to dissolve over a period of time, so that it releases flavour into the user's mouth for that time.
  • the packaging may be see-through. In this manner, a user may easily see the smoking substitute apparatus contained in the packaging. This may avoid the user inadvertently opening a wrong packaging.
  • the packaging may include edible shrink wrap. This may facilitate manufacture of the packaging, and packaging of a smoking substitute apparatus, as conventional packaging techniques may be used.
  • the packaging may include a seaweed material.
  • seaweed-based packaging materials such as those manufactured by Ooho (http://www.oohowater.com/) or Evoware (http://www.evoware.id/) may be used.
  • the packaging may include the rice paper.
  • the packaging may include sheets of rice paper which are assembled to form a compartment for receiving the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • the packaging may include wheat bran.
  • the flavourant may be encapsulated within a plurality of microcapsules, the microcapsules being arranged to disintegrate in the presence of the aerosol generated by the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • the microcapsules encapsulating the flavourant may be disposed on or in an edible material forming the packaging.
  • the microcapsules When the user puts the packaging in their mouth, the microcapsules may enter the user's mouth. Then, when the user inhales an aerosol from the smoking substitute apparatus, aerosol may come into contact with the microcapsules, causing them to disintegrate and release flavourant into the user's mouth.
  • release of the flavourant may be activated by the aerosol, such that flavourant may only be released when the user uses the smoking substitute.
  • the flavourant may be in solid and/or liquid form inside the microcapsules.
  • the microcapsules may include a membrane made of a hydrogel material containing Chitosan.
  • Chitosan is substantially stable around pH 7.5.
  • the Chitosan, and hence the microcapsule's membrane may be stable and retain its integrity for a period of time.
  • an aerosol having a more alkaline pH e.g. an aerosol produced from an e-liquid having a pH around 7.8
  • the change in pH in the user's mouth may cause the Chitosan, and hence microcapsule's membrane, to rapidly break down and release the flavourant contained within.
  • the flavourant carried by the packaging may be a freeze-dried flavourant.
  • the flavourant may be activated by moisture in the user's mouth.
  • the flavourant may not produce a flavour until it reaches the user's mouth.
  • a smoking substitute product comprising: packaging according to the first aspect of the invention; and a smoking substitute apparatus disposed in the packaging.
  • a user of the smoking substitute apparatus may obtain flavour by placing the packaging in their mouth, either before or during use of the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • the smoking substitute apparatus may be in the form of a consumable for a smoking substitute system.
  • a flavour may be delivered to the user each time the user uses a new consumable.
  • the consumable may be a cartridge (or "pod") for a substitute smoking system.
  • the consumable may be configured for engagement with a main body (i.e. so as to form a closed smoking substitute system).
  • 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.
  • the aerosol former e.g. e-liquid
  • the aerosol former may be replenished by replacing a used consumable with an unused consumable.
  • the smoking substitute apparatus may be a non-consumable apparatus (e.g. that is in the form of an open smoking substitute system).
  • an aerosol former e.g. e-liquid
  • the smoking substitute apparatus 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).
  • 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).
  • the main body and the consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together.
  • the consumable may be at least partially received in a recess of the main body, such that there is an interference fit between the main body and the consumable.
  • the main body and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting.
  • the smoking substitute apparatus may comprise one or more engagement portions for engaging with a main body.
  • one end of the smoking substitute apparatus may be coupled with the main body, whilst an opposing end of the smoking substitute apparatus may define a mouthpiece of the smoking substitute system.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the smoking substitute apparatus 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.
  • the electrical interface 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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®.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • a method of delivering flavour to a user of a smoking substitute apparatus comprising: providing a smoking substitute apparatus in packaging, the packaging being edible and including a flavourant; opening the packaging to retrieve the smoking substitute apparatus; placing the packaging in the user's mouth; and using, by the user, the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • flavourant in the packaging may produce a flavour for the user when they put the packaging in their mouth, so that they experience flavour during use of the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • Using the smoking substitute apparatus may include inhaling an aerosol generated by the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • the packaging may be consumed by the user prior to using the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • the packaging may be consumed by the user during use of the smoking substitute apparatus.
  • the method of the third aspect of the invention may be used with packaging of the first aspect of the invention, and/or with a smoking substitute produce according to the second aspect of the invention.
  • the invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.
  • Fig. 1A shows a perspective view of a smoking substitute product 100 that is an embodiment of the invention.
  • the product 100 includes a smoking substitute apparatus in the form of an e-cigarette consumable (or "pod") 103, which is contained within packaging 120.
  • the packaging is made of an edible material, and includes a flavourant.
  • the packaging 120 on its own may be considered as an embodiment of the invention.
  • a user may open the packaging 120 to retrieve the consumable 103 inside.
  • the user may then place the packaging 100 in their mouth to so that the flavourant produces a flavour in their mouth.
  • the consumable 103 may be engaged with a main body to form a smoking substitute system (described below in relation to Figs. 1B-1D ), so that the user may inhale an aerosol from the smoking substitute system. In this manner, flavour may be delivered to the user during use of the consumable 103.
  • the packaging may be made of any suitable edible material, e.g. edible shrink wrap, a seaweed material, rice bread, wheat bran, etc.
  • the flavourant may be a flavouring additive that is added to the edible material to produce a flavour.
  • the edible material is see-through, so that the user may see the consumable 103 inside the packaging 120.
  • the flavourant may be contained within a plurality of microcapsules in the edible material.
  • the microcapsules may be arranged to release the flavourant in the presence of aerosol from the smoking substitute system, so that flavour delivery may be triggered by use of the smoking substitute system.
  • Such microcapsules are described in more detail below in relation to Fig. 2 .
  • FIGs 1B and 1C illustrate a smoking substitute system in the form of an e-cigarette system 101, of which the consumable 103 may be a part.
  • the consumable 103 is illustrated in more detail in Fig. 1D , which shows a cross-sectional view of the consumable 103.
  • 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.
  • the consumable 103 is removable from the main body (e-cigarette device), so as to be a replaceable component of the system 101.
  • the e-cigarette system 101 is a closed system.
  • the consumable 103 is configured to engage the main body 102.
  • Figure 1B shows the main body 102 and the consumable 103 in an engaged state
  • Figure 1C shows the main body 102 and the consumable 103 in a disengaged state.
  • 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.
  • 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 packaging 120 contains only the consumable 103, such that the product 100 corresponds to an individually wrapped consumable.
  • Providing an individually packaged (wrapped) consumable in this manner may be beneficial, as it may enable the delivery of flavour (via the flavourant in the packaging 120) for each consumable.
  • other components of the smoking substitute system 101 may be contained within the packaging 120, e.g. the main body 102, or even a whole smoking substitute system 101.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • this e-liquid 104 is stored within a reservoir in the form of a tank 105 that forms part of the consumable 103.
  • 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.
  • the e-liquid i.e. aerosol former
  • the tank may be refillable with e-liquid or the e-liquid may be stored in a non-consumable component of the system.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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).
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a microcapsule 202 containing a flavourant 204.
  • the microcapsule 202 is arranged to disintegrate in the presence of an aerosol generated by a smoking substitute system (e.g. system 101), to release the flavourant 204 contained therein.
  • a plurality of such microcapsules 202 containing flavourant may disposed in and/or on the edible material forming packaging that is an embodiment of the invention (e.g. packaging 120).
  • the microcapsule 202 includes an outer membrane 206 made of a hydrogel composite which contains Chitosan. Chitosan is substantially stable around pH 7.5. Thus, when the microcapsule 202 is placed in a user's mouth, the Chitosan, and hence the outer membrane 206, may be stable and retain its integrity for a period of time. In this manner, the flavourant 204 contained in the microcapsule 202 is not released and so does not produce a flavour in the user's mouth.
  • a nicotine-containing e-liquid may produce an aerosol which has a pH around 7.8.
  • a pH in the user's mouth may increase above pH 7.5, which may cause rapid breakdown of the Chitosan in the outer membrane 206, resulting in disintegration of the microcapsule's outer membrane 206 and release of the flavourant 204.
  • the flavourant 204 in the microcapsule 202 may be in solid or liquid form.
  • the flavourant 204 may be a freeze-dried flavourant.
  • the flavourant 204 may have been freeze-dried to remove moisture from the flavourant 204. This may reduce the risk of flavourant 204 escaping from the microcapsule 202 prior to use.
  • the flavourant 204 may be activated by moisture in the user's mouth (e.g. the flavourant 204 may dissolve in the user's saliva), to produce a flavour in the user's mouth.
  • the outer membrane 206 may include Chitosan having a Deacetylation (DDT) of 75% - 99%.
  • the hydrogel composite forming the outer membrane may, for example, include 0.1% w/w up to 20% w/w of Chitosan.
  • the hydrogel composite may further include excipients such as Xanthan Gum, water, propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.
  • any of the following compounds may also break down upon contacting the aerosol, and so may be included in the hydrogel composite (instead of, or in addition to, Chitosan): Hyaluronic Acid, Dextran, Poly-Acrylamide, Polyacrylic Acid, Guar Gum Succinate, Kappa-Carrageenan, Poly(vinyl Alcohol).
  • the microcapsule 202 may be manufactured by first freeze-drying a flavourant to remove any moisture from the flavourant and produce a flavourant cake.
  • the flavourant cake may be moulded into a desired shape (e.g. a ball) using a mould.
  • Chitosan, together with excipients forming the hydrogel may be then be mixed together to produce the hydrogel composite.
  • the hydrogel composite may be layered in a mould, into which the flavourant cake is inserted.
  • the hydrogel composite may then be rolled to form an outer membrane around the flavourant cake.
  • Packaging according to the invention may contain a plurality of microcapsules 202. After opening the packaging to retrieve a smoking substitute apparatus inside, a user may place the packaging in their mouth, so that the microcapsules 202 are located in the user's mouth. Then, when the user inhales an aerosol from the smoking substitute apparatus, the outer membrane 206 of the microcapsules 202 may disintegrate due to the change in pH caused by the aerosol. This may cause release the flavourant 204 into the user's mouth.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
EP19155939.2A 2019-02-07 2019-02-07 Verpackung für rauchersatzvorrichtung Withdrawn EP3693291A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19155939.2A EP3693291A1 (de) 2019-02-07 2019-02-07 Verpackung für rauchersatzvorrichtung

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19155939.2A EP3693291A1 (de) 2019-02-07 2019-02-07 Verpackung für rauchersatzvorrichtung

Publications (1)

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EP3693291A1 true EP3693291A1 (de) 2020-08-12

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993006013A2 (en) * 1991-09-19 1993-04-01 David Aung Biodegradable packaging film
US6117464A (en) * 1995-12-22 2000-09-12 Cryovac, Inc. Cook-in food package with peelable laminate
US20090214721A1 (en) * 2008-02-22 2009-08-27 Bruce Sack Food products
WO2016044766A1 (en) * 2014-09-18 2016-03-24 1 Mighty Mogul, Inc. Edible and biodegradable package materials
WO2018057049A1 (en) * 2016-09-22 2018-03-29 Empire Technology Development Llc Edible pouches and methods for manufacturing and using the same

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993006013A2 (en) * 1991-09-19 1993-04-01 David Aung Biodegradable packaging film
US6117464A (en) * 1995-12-22 2000-09-12 Cryovac, Inc. Cook-in food package with peelable laminate
US20090214721A1 (en) * 2008-02-22 2009-08-27 Bruce Sack Food products
WO2016044766A1 (en) * 2014-09-18 2016-03-24 1 Mighty Mogul, Inc. Edible and biodegradable package materials
WO2018057049A1 (en) * 2016-09-22 2018-03-29 Empire Technology Development Llc Edible pouches and methods for manufacturing and using the same

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