EP3829367B1 - Dispositif de génération d'un milieu inhalable, son utilisation pour fournir une administration prolongée de nicotine, cartouche et dosette de composition de tabac adaptée à l'utilisation dans celui-ci - Google Patents

Dispositif de génération d'un milieu inhalable, son utilisation pour fournir une administration prolongée de nicotine, cartouche et dosette de composition de tabac adaptée à l'utilisation dans celui-ci Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3829367B1
EP3829367B1 EP19755532.9A EP19755532A EP3829367B1 EP 3829367 B1 EP3829367 B1 EP 3829367B1 EP 19755532 A EP19755532 A EP 19755532A EP 3829367 B1 EP3829367 B1 EP 3829367B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tobacco composition
liquid
tobacco
base
aerosol
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.)
Active
Application number
EP19755532.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3829367A1 (fr
Inventor
Dominic Woodcock
David Bishop
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.)
Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Original Assignee
Nicoventures Trading Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP3829367A1 publication Critical patent/EP3829367A1/fr
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Publication of EP3829367B1 publication Critical patent/EP3829367B1/fr
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/30—Devices using two or more structurally separated inhalable precursors, e.g. using two liquid precursors in two cartridges
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
    • A24B15/10—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
    • A24B15/12—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of reconstituted tobacco
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
    • A24B15/10—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
    • A24B15/16—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of tobacco substitutes
    • A24B15/167—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of tobacco substitutes in liquid or vaporisable form, e.g. liquid compositions for electronic cigarettes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
    • A24B15/18—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
    • A24B15/28—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances
    • A24B15/281—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances the action of the chemical substances being delayed
    • A24B15/283—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances the action of the chemical substances being delayed by encapsulation of the chemical substances
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
    • A24B15/18—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
    • A24B15/28—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances
    • A24B15/287—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by inorganic substances only
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
    • A24F40/485—Valves; Apertures
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F47/00—Smokers' requisites not otherwise provided for
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates, without limitation, to a device for generating an inhalable medium, a cartridge for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, a method of generating an inhalable medium, a kit and a tobacco composition pod.
  • Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke.
  • Alternatives to these types of articles include articles for generating an inhalable medium, as described, for example, in WO 2016/062777 , oral products, as described, for example, in WO 2012/134380 , and articles that release compounds without burning to form an inhalable medium.
  • heating devices include e-cigarette / heat-not-burn hybrid devices, also known as electronic tobacco hybrid devices. These hybrid devices contain a liquid which is vaporised by heating to produce an inhalable vapour or aerosol.
  • the liquid may contain flavourings and/or aerosol-generating substances, such as glycerol and in some instances, nicotine.
  • the vapour or aerosol passes through material in the device and entrains one or more constituents of a substrate material to produce the inhaled medium.
  • the substrate material may be, for example, tobacco, other non-tobacco products or a combination, such as a blended mix, which may or may not contain nicotine.
  • the disclosure relates to a device for generating an inhalable medium, the device comprising:
  • the device described herein may be referred to as an electronic tobacco hybrid device.
  • the disclosure also provides a cartridge for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, the cartridge comprising a volatilisable liquid in a first chamber and a tobacco composition in a second chamber, wherein the tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.
  • the cartridge may be adapted for use in the device for generating an inhalable medium described herein.
  • the disclosure also provides a method of generating an inhalable medium using a device comprising a container holding a liquid, a heater for volatilising the liquid, a chamber containing a tobacco composition and an outlet, the method comprising:
  • the disclosure also provides for the use of an encapsulated base in a tobacco composition to provide sustained nicotine delivery in use, wherein the tobacco composition is provided in a device, the device comprising;
  • the disclosure also provides a method of providing sustained release of nicotine from a device for generating an inhalable medium, the device comprising;
  • the disclosure also provides a kit comprising:
  • the disclosure also provides a tobacco composition pod, containing a tobacco composition that comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base; wherein the tobacco composition pod is configured for use in a device for use in generating an inhalable medium, the device being such that in use, an inhalable medium is generated, the medium comprising (i) volatilised liquid in the form of a vapour and/or an aerosol and (ii) one or more constituents of the tobacco composition.
  • the device, cartridge or tobacco composition pod is configured such that in use, liquid volatilised by the heater passes, in the form of at least one of a vapour and an aerosol, through the tobacco composition to thereby entrain one or more constituents from the tobacco composition to produce the inhalable medium which passes out of the outlet.
  • the base comprises one or more hydroxides or carbonates of sodium, potassium or calcium or other soluble bases.
  • the base is encapsulated by an encapsulating material that melts, decomposes, reacts, degrades, swells, dissolves or deforms to release the base at a temperature above room temperature but at or below the temperature reached during use.
  • the base is encapsulated by an encapsulating material selected from a polysaccharide or cellulosic barrier material, a gelatin, a gum, a gel, a wax or a mixture thereof.
  • the encapsulating material is selected from one or more of alginates, dextran, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, pectin, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose ethers, gum Arabic, gum ghatti, gum tragacanth, Karaya, locust bean, acacia gum, guar, quince seed, xanthan gums, agar gel, agarose gel, carrageenans, furoidan, furcellaran and carnauba wax.
  • only the base is encapsulated.
  • tobacco material is encapsulated with the base. In some cases, this may be the only tobacco material that is include in the tobacco composition. In other cases, the encapsulated tobacco material may be included alongside un-encapsulated tobacco material in the tobacco composition.
  • the methods of the disclosure comprise:
  • Tobacco can be treated with base and water in order to liberate nicotine from the tobacco. Nicotine in the tobacco reacts with the base; this reaction deprotonates the nicotine, increasing its volatility and releases it from its bound state within the tobacco.
  • the inventors have determined that if base-treated tobacco is used in known electronic tobacco hybrid devices, nicotine delivery per puff significantly drops during the use. The reaction between base and nicotine occurs quickly; the deprotonated nicotine is then is liberated quickly once heating commences and is therefore consumed rapidly.
  • the present disclosure provides improved consistency of nicotine delivery per puff through encapsulating the base.
  • the inventors have determined that through encapsulating the base, the rate of release of base can be controlled; this in turn provides control of the rate of pH treatment of the tobacco and therefore controls the rate of nicotine liberation by the pH treatment.
  • pH treatment of tobacco results in the liberation of ammonia.
  • Control of the rate of pH treatment controls the rate of release of ammonia, and this can improve the organoleptic properties of the tobacco (since the smell of ammonia is less strong).
  • the release of base from the encapsulation may be triggered by pressure, temperature or contact with the vapour or aerosol formed from the volatilised liquid.
  • the base may be encapsulated by an encapsulating material that melts, decomposes, reacts, degrades, swells, dissolves or deforms to release the base at a temperature above room temperature but at or below the temperature reached during use.
  • the disclosure provides a device for generating an inhalable medium or a cartridge for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, wherein the device or cartridge includes a tobacco composition.
  • the tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.
  • the tobacco composition may be porous, such that an aerosol or vapour can pass through the tobacco composition.
  • an aerosol or vapour can pass through the tobacco composition.
  • tobacco material refers to any material comprising tobacco or derivatives therefore.
  • tobacco material may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes.
  • the tobacco material may comprise one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibre, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, reconstituted tobacco, agglomerated tobacco, spheronised tobacco and/or tobacco extract.
  • the tobacco used to produce tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco, such as single grades or blends, cut rag or whole leaf, including Virginia and/or Burley and/or Oriental. It may also be tobacco particle 'fines' or dust, expanded tobacco, stems, expanded stems, and other processed stem materials, such as cut rolled stems.
  • the tobacco material may be a ground tobacco or a reconstituted tobacco material.
  • the reconstituted tobacco material may comprise tobacco fibres, and may be formed by casting, a Fourdrinier-based paper making-type approach with back addition of tobacco extract, or by extrusion.
  • the tobacco composition may additionally comprise flavourings and/or aerosol generating agents.
  • the tobacco composition may additional comprise one or more casings, such as invert sugar, molasses, cane sugar, honey, cocoa, liquorice, polyols such as glycerol and propylene glycol and acids such as malic acid.
  • casings such as invert sugar, molasses, cane sugar, honey, cocoa, liquorice, polyols such as glycerol and propylene glycol and acids such as malic acid.
  • the tobacco composition comprises an encapsulated base.
  • Any suitable base may be used.
  • Suitable bases may be non-toxic and preferably tasteless or palatable. GRAS water-soluble bases are particularly suitable.
  • Other suitable bases may be oilsoluble.
  • suitable basic substances to be incorporated in the tobacco compositions according to the disclosure are ammonia, carbonates or hydroxides of sodium, potassium or calcium, suitably sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide.
  • release of base from the encapsulation may be triggered by pressure, temperature or contact with the vapour or aerosol formed from the volatilised liquid.
  • this may be effected by the user applying pressure directed to the capsule, or by activating an actuator.
  • the release is temperature triggered
  • the base may be encapsulated by an encapsulating material that melts, decomposes, reacts, degrades, swells, disintegrates or deforms to release the base at a temperature above room temperature but at or below the temperature reached during use.
  • the release may be effected by a chemical reaction between the vapour/aerosol and the encapsulating material.
  • the base is encapsulated by an encapsulating material selected from a polysaccharide or cellulosic barrier material, a gelatin, a gum, a gel, a wax or a mixture thereof.
  • the encapsulating material is selected from one or more of alginates, dextran, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, pectin, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose ethers, gum Arabic, gum ghatti, gum tragacanth, Karaya, locust bean, acacia gum, guar, quince seed, xanthan gums, agar gel, agarose gel, carrageenans, furoidan, furcellaran and carnauba wax.
  • the encapsulating material comprises a polysaccharide.
  • An alginate is particularly suitable due to its encapsulation properties.
  • the alginate may be, for instance, a salt of alginic acid, an esterified alginate or glyceryl alginate.
  • Salts of alginic acid include ammonium alginate, triethanolamine alginate, and group I or II metal ion alginates like sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium alginate.
  • Esterified alginates include propylene glycol alginate and glyceryl alginate.
  • the barrier material is sodium alginate and/or calcium alginate.
  • the release temperature of the encapsulated base may be, for example, above 50°C, suitably above 60°C, 70°C, 80°C or 90°C.
  • the release temperature of the encapsulated base may be suitably above room temperature or ambient temperature.
  • Release of the base may be staggered in use by, for example, dispersing the encapsulated base through the tobacco composition, so that different portions of the encapsulated base reach their release temperatures at different times.
  • release of the base may be staggered through encapsulating different portions of the encapsulated base differently; for instance, the thickness of the encapsulating material may differ between different portions of the encapsulated base, and/or the encapsulating material itself may differ between different portions of the encapsulated base.
  • Staggered release of the base further improves the consistency of nicotine delivery, since the rate of pH treatment of the nicotine is controlled. This also controls the rate of ammonia release, improving the organoleptic properties of the tobacco.
  • the encapsulated base may be encapsulated using two or more encapsulating materials, for example in separate layers.
  • the encapsulated base may be incorporated into the tobacco composition in a number of ways.
  • the encapsulated base may be applied to the tobacco material, and this may be achieved by spray-drying for example.
  • the encapsulated base may be provided as a film which is applied to a wrapper arranged around other components of the tobacco composition.
  • the encapsulated base may be provided in the form of granular capsules, which may be dispersed through other components of the tobacco composition.
  • the encapsulated base may be provided as part of a method of tobacco processing; for example, included in a method of producing extruded tobacco material or a method of producing a reconstituted tobacco material.
  • the encapsulated base may be provided in a combination of these ways.
  • the tobacco composition may additionally comprise un-encapsulated base.
  • other components of the tobacco composition may be encapsulated alongside the base.
  • some or all of the tobacco material may be encapsulated.
  • some or all of the flavouring and/or aerosol generating agent may be encapsulated.
  • tobacco material and base are co-encapsulated.
  • the tobacco composition may comprise further tobacco material that is not encapsulated.
  • all of the tobacco material in the tobacco composition may be co-encapsulated with the base.
  • the encapsulation only encapsulates base (and optionally, solvent).
  • the device comprises a container for holding a volatilisable liquid.
  • the device comprises a container which is holding a volatilisable liquid.
  • Suitable liquids include those conventionally used in e-cigarette devices.
  • the volatilisable liquid may comprise nicotine and/or a tobacco extract and/or flavourings and/or aerosol-generating agents, such as propylene glycol and/or glycerol.
  • the liquid is typically volatilised at around 150-250°C.
  • the device according to some examples of the disclosure may be configured such that in use, liquid volatilised by the heater passes, in the form of at least one of a vapour and an aerosol, through the tobacco composition to thereby entrain one or more constituents from the tobacco composition to produce the inhalable medium which passes out of the outlet.
  • the flow path from the liquid container may be combined with a separate flow path which runs from the tobacco composition so as to form the inhalable medium.
  • the volatilised liquid does not pass through the chamber retaining the tobacco composition.
  • the device comprises means for heating the tobacco composition to volatilise components of the tobacco and form a first aerosol and/or vapour.
  • the liquid may be volatilised to form a second vapour and/or aerosol, which may be combined with the first vapour and/or aerosol to form the inhalable medium.
  • one heater may heat both the liquid and the tobacco composition.
  • the device may be configured such that the heater only heats the liquid composition directly and the tobacco composition is heated by warmth carried in the vapour/aerosol formed from the volatilised liquid (thereby volatilising components of the tobacco composition which are then entrained in the vapour/aerosol flow).
  • the device comprises a cooler or cooling zone downstream of the heater and upstream of the chamber, the cooler or cooling zone being arranged to cool vaporised liquid to form an aerosol of liquid droplets which in use passes through the tobacco composition in the chamber.
  • the cooler may be arranged in effect to act as a heat exchanger, allowing for recovery of heat from the vapour.
  • the recovered heat can be used for example to pre-heat the tobacco composition and/or to assist in heating the liquid.
  • the device comprises a second heater for heating the tobacco composition in the chamber. This enables the tobacco composition to be heated by the heater, which encourages release of compounds from the tobacco composition, and optionally allows a lower temperature to be used for the heated liquid.
  • the device is battery-operated.
  • the or each heater is an electrically resistive heater.
  • the liquid container is removable.
  • the liquid container may be in the form of a pot or the like (which in some embodiments may be annular for example), and/or an absorbent wadding or the like.
  • the whole liquid container containing the liquid may in effect be a disposable item which is replaced as a whole after use.
  • the arrangement may be such that the user removes the liquid container from the device, replaces used liquid or tops up liquid in the container, and then places the container back in the device.
  • the liquid container may be non-removable from the device.
  • the user may just replace used liquid or top up liquid in the container after use as necessary.
  • the liquid container and the chamber are an integral unit.
  • the integral unit is a cartridge that can be removed from the device.
  • the chamber is removable from the device.
  • the chamber may be, for example, in the form of a cartridge or the like which contains the tobacco composition before use.
  • the whole chamber containing the tobacco composition may in effect be a disposable item which is replaced as a whole after use.
  • the arrangement may be such that the user removes the chamber from the device, replaces used material in the chamber, and then places the chamber back in the device.
  • the disclosure provides a cartridge for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, the cartridge comprising a volatilisable liquid in a first chamber and a tobacco composition in a second chamber, wherein the tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.
  • the cartridge may be adapted for use in the device for generating an inhalable medium described herein.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown an example of a device 1 for generating an inhalable medium.
  • the device 1 volatilises a liquid to form a vapour or an aerosol which passes through a material so as to produce an inhalable medium that contains one or more constituents derived from the material.
  • a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that for example the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature.
  • an aerosol is a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas.
  • a "colloid” is a substance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles are suspended throughout another substance.
  • the device 1 of this example has a generally hollow cylindrical outer housing 2.
  • the housing 2 has an open end 3.
  • a tubular mouthpiece 4 is provided in the open end 3.
  • the mouthpiece 4 in this example is removable by a user from the housing 2.
  • An O-ring or other seal 5 assists in sealing the mouthpiece 4 in the housing 2.
  • a battery 7 for powering various components of the device 1, as will be discussed further below.
  • the battery 7 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.
  • a controller 8 is also provided in the housing 2 for controlling the operation of various components of the device 1, as will be discussed further below.
  • the housing 2 has a container 9 for holding or containing a liquid 10.
  • the container 9 is in the form of an annular chamber 9 provided in the housing 2 between the open end 3 and the other end 6.
  • the housing 2 is in two parts, a first part 2a being towards the open end 3 and a second part 2b towards the other end 6.
  • the first and second parts 2a,2b of the housing 2 may connect to each other via a screw thread, a bayonet fitting or the like.
  • a user can separate the first and second parts 2a,2b of the housing 2 to allow the liquid 10 to be replenished or replaced as necessary.
  • the mouthpiece 4 can be removed to provide access to the container 9.
  • the liquid 10 may be provided in a discrete annular pot-like container which can be removed as a whole from the housing 2.
  • a discrete container may be disposable so that the user replaces the liquid 10 by fitting a new container with liquid 10 in the housing 2.
  • such a container may be reusable. In such a case, the user may replenish or replace liquid 10 in the container whilst it has been removed from the housing 2 and then replace the refilled container in the housing 2.
  • the housing 2 need not be in two parts and that other arrangements enabling access for the user may be provided, for example, to enable refilling in situ.
  • a heater 11 is provided generally centrally of the housing 2, that is, centrally along the length and width of the housing 2 in this example.
  • the heater 11 is powered by the battery 7 and is therefore electrically connected to the battery 7.
  • the heater 11 may be an electrically resistive heater, including for example a nichrome resistive heater, a ceramic heater, etc.
  • the heater 11 may be for example a wire, which may for example be in the form of a coil, a plate (which may be a multi-layer plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive and one or more of which may be electrically non-conductive), a mesh (which may be woven or non-woven for example, and which again may be similarly multi-layer), a film heater, etc.
  • Other heating arrangements may be used, including non-electrical heating arrangements.
  • This heater 11 is provided for volatilising the liquid 10.
  • an annular wick 12 surrounds the heater 11 and is in (thermal) contact with the heater 11.
  • the outermost surface of the annular wick 12 is in contact with liquid 10 contained in the liquid container 9.
  • the wick 12 is generally absorbent and acts to draw in liquid 10 from the liquid container 9 by capillary action.
  • the wick 12 is preferably non-woven and may be for example a cotton or wool material or the like, or a synthetic material, including for example polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene or the like. Whilst this will be described more fully below, it may be noted here that in use, liquid 10 drawn into the wick 12 is heated by the heater 11.
  • the liquid 10 may be volatilised so as to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets or sufficiently heated to produce a vapour.
  • the aerosol or vapour so produced exits the wick 12 and passes towards the mouthpiece 4 as shown by the arrows A under the action of the user drawing on the mouthpiece 4.
  • the heater 11 and wick 12 may be provided as a single, effectively integral item, sometimes referred to as an "atomiser", such that the heating and wicking is effectively carried out by a single unit.
  • the housing 2 further contains a chamber 13 which holds or contains a tobacco composition 14 in the device 1.
  • the tobacco composition 14 comprises tobacco material and an encapsulated base.
  • a user can access the chamber 13 to replace or replenish the tobacco composition 14 through the open end 3 of the housing 2 by removing the mouthpiece 4 and/or by separating the two parts 2a,2b of the housing 2.
  • the chamber 13 may be a tube which is completely open at both ends and which contains the tobacco composition 14.
  • the chamber 13 may be a tube which has one or more end walls which have through holes through which a vapour or aerosol can pass. The chamber 13 may remain in situ within the housing 2 whilst the user removes and replaces the tobacco composition 14.
  • the chamber 13 containing the tobacco composition 14 may be a discrete item which in use is inserted into and removed from the housing 2 as a whole.
  • a removable chamber 13 of this type may be disposable so that the user replaces the tobacco composition 14 by fitting a new chamber 13 containing fresh tobacco composition 14 into the housing 2.
  • the chamber 13 may be reusable. In such a case, the user may replace the tobacco composition 14 in the chamber 13 whilst the chamber 13 has been removed from the housing 2 and then replace the refilled chamber 13 in the housing 2.
  • the chamber 13 may comprise clips or the like provided internally of the housing 2 and which retain the tobacco composition 14 in position. In some examples, the tobacco composition 14 could simply fit snugly within the chamber 13.
  • the container 9 for containing the liquid 10 may itself be arranged to support or carry the tobacco composition 14.
  • the container 9 may have one or more clips or a tube or the like for receiving and holding the tobacco composition 14 in position.
  • Such a dual function container 9/chamber or receptacle 13 for both containing the liquid 10 and receiving the tobacco composition 14 may be in the form of a cartridge or the like and may be a disposable item or may be re-useable, with the liquid 10 and tobacco composition 14 being replaced or topped up by the user as required. In some cases, it may be that the user only needs to top up or replace the tobacco composition 14 from time to time, with sufficient liquid 10 being provided for several uses.
  • the user disposes of the dual function container 9/receptacle 13 and uses a new one. Likewise, it may be that the user only needs to top up or replace the liquid 10 from time to time, with sufficient tobacco composition 14 being provided for several uses. Once the tobacco composition 14 has been consumed, the user disposes of the dual function container 9/receptacle 13 and uses a new one. Specific examples of dual function containers/receptacles are discussed further below.
  • the tobacco composition 14 is located in the housing 2 downstream of the location where the aerosol or vapour is produced from the liquid 10 and upstream of the open end 3 of the housing 2 and the mouthpiece 4.
  • the tobacco composition 14 is effectively provided in the same portion or chamber of the housing 2 as the wick 12.
  • the aerosol or vapour produced from the liquid 10 exits the wick 12 and passes as shown by the arrows A towards the tobacco composition 14 under the action of the user drawing on the mouthpiece 4.
  • the tobacco composition 14 is porous so that the aerosol or vapour passes through the tobacco composition 14 and then through the open end 3 of the housing 2 and the mouthpiece 4.
  • the heat carried by the aerosol or vapour releases the base from its encapsulation in the tobacco composition 14, suitably by melting or any other temperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above.
  • the base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readily entrained in the passing vapour/aerosol.
  • the tobacco composition 14 and/or its chamber 13 are arranged so that there is no air gap between the tobacco composition 14/chamber 13 and the interior of the housing 2 so that the aerosol or vapour flows entirely through the tobacco composition 14.
  • the liquid 10 is suitably a liquid that is volatilisable at reasonable temperatures, preferably in the range of 100-300°C or more particularly around 150-250°C, as that helps to keen down the power consumption of the device 1.
  • Suitable materials include those conventionally used in e-cigarette devices, including for example propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerine).
  • the tobacco composition 14 imparts a flavour to the aerosol or vapour produced from the liquid 10 as the aerosol or vapour passes through the tobacco composition 14.
  • the hot aerosol or vapour entrains organic and other compounds or constituents from the tobacco material 14 that lend tobacco its organoleptic properties, thus imparting the flavour to the aerosol or vapour as it passes to the mouthpiece 4.
  • the device 1 provides nicotine for the user.
  • the nicotine may be provided in the liquid 10, may be obtained from the tobacco composition 14, may be provided as a coating or the like on the tobacco composition 14, or any combination of these.
  • flavourings may be added to the tobacco composition 14 and/or to the liquid 10.
  • the only heat source for heating the tobacco composition 14 in the device 1, which is required so as to generate the organic and other compounds or constituents from the tobacco composition 14, is the hot aerosol or vapour produced from heating the liquid 10.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown another example of a device for generating an inhalable medium.
  • the device 201 of Figure 2 heats a liquid to form a vapour or an aerosol which passes through a tobacco composition 214 so as to produce an inhalable medium that contains one or more constituents derived from the tobacco composition 214.
  • the device 201 of this example has a generally hollow cylindrical outer housing 202 with an open end 203 and a tubular mouthpiece 204.
  • the mouthpiece 204 in this example is removable by a user from the housing 202 and an O-ring or other seal 205 assists in sealing the mouthpiece 204 in the housing 202.
  • a battery 207 for powering various components of the device 201 and a controller 208 are provided at or towards the other end 206 of the housing 202.
  • the housing 202 of this example is in two parts, a first part 202a being towards the open end 203 and a second part 202b towards the other end 206.
  • the housing 202 has a container 209 for holding or containing a liquid 210.
  • the container 209 may be of any of the types described above in relation to the example of Figure 1 .
  • a heater 211 is provided generally centrally (lengthwise and widthwise) of the housing 202 for volatilising the liquid 210.
  • the heater 211 is powered by the battery 207 and is therefore electrically connected to the battery 207.
  • the heater 211 may be an electrically resistive heater, a ceramic heater, etc.
  • the heater 211 may be for example a wire, which may for example be in the form of a coil, a plate (which may be a multi-layer plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive and one or more of which may be electrically non-conductive), a mesh (which may be woven or non-woven for example, and which again may be similarly multi-layer), a film heater, etc.
  • Other heating arrangements may be used, including inductive heating arrangements or non-electrical heating arrangements.
  • An annular wick 212 surrounds the heater 211 and is in (thermal) contact with the heater 211. The outermost surface of the annular wick 212 is in contact with liquid 210 contained in the liquid container 209.
  • the liquid 210 may be heated so as to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets or sufficiently heated to produce a vapour.
  • the aerosol or vapour so produced exits the wick 212 and passes towards the mouthpiece 204 as shown by the arrows A under the action of the user drawing on the mouthpiece 204.
  • the heater 211 and wick 212 may be provided as a single, effectively integral item such that the heating and wicking is effectively carried out by a single unit.
  • the housing 202 further contains a chamber 213 which holds or contains a tobacco composition 214 in the device 201.
  • the tobacco composition 214 comprises tobacco material and an encapsulated base.
  • the chamber 213 may be of any of the types described above in relation to the example of Figure 1 .
  • the tobacco composition 214 is located in the housing 202 downstream of the location where the aerosol or vapour is produced from the liquid 210 and upstream of the open end 203 of the housing 202 and the mouthpiece 204. In this particular example, the tobacco composition 214 is effectively provided in the same portion or chamber of the housing 202 as the wick 212.
  • the aerosol or vapour produced from the liquid 210 exits the wick 212 and passes as shown by the arrows A towards the tobacco composition 214 under the action of the user drawing on the mouthpiece 204.
  • the tobacco composition 214 is porous so that the aerosol or vapour passes through the tobacco composition 214 and then through the open end 203 of the housing 202 and the mouthpiece 204.
  • the heat carried by the aerosol or vapour releases the base from its encapsulation in the tobacco composition 14, suitably by melting or any other temperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above.
  • the base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readily entrained in the passing vapour/aerosol.
  • the tobacco composition 214 and/or its chamber 213 are arranged so that there is no air gap between the tobacco composition 214/chamber 213 and the interior of the housing 202 so that the aerosol or vapour flows entirely through the tobacco composition 214.
  • the hot aerosol or vapour entrains organic and other compounds or constituents from the tobacco composition 214 that lend tobacco its organoleptic properties, thus imparting the flavour to the aerosol or vapour as is passes to the mouthpiece 204.
  • the container 209 for containing the liquid 210 may itself be arranged to support or carry the tobacco composition 214.
  • the container 209 may have one or more clips or a tube or the like for receiving and holding the tobacco composition 214 in position.
  • Such a dual function container 209/chamber or receptacle 213 for both containing the liquid 210 and receiving the tobacco composition 214 may be in the form of a cartridge or the like and may be a disposable item or may be re-useable, with the liquid 210 and tobacco composition 214 being replaced or topped up by the user as required. In some cases, it may be that the user only needs to top up or replace the tobacco composition 214 from time to time, with sufficient liquid 210 being provided for several uses.
  • the user disposes of the dual function container 209/receptacle 213 and uses a new one. Likewise, it may be that the user only needs to top up or replace the liquid 210 from time to time, with sufficient tobacco composition 214 being provided for several uses. Once the tobacco composition 214 has been consumed, the user disposes of the dual function container 209/receptacle 213 and uses a new one.
  • a second heater 215, such as an oven heater, is provided in thermal contact with the tobacco composition 214 to pre-heat the tobacco composition 214 and/or provide additional heat to the tobacco composition 214 throughout use of the device 201. This encourages release of constituents from the tobacco composition 214 as the vapour or aerosol passes through the tobacco composition 214 in use.
  • the amount of heated liquid 210 to achieve desirable heating of the tobacco composition 214 may be reduced.
  • the second heater 215 may be an electrically resistive heater, a ceramic heater, etc., powered by for example the battery 207.
  • the second heater 215 may be for example a wire, which may for example be in the form of a coil, a plate (which may be a multi-layer plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive and one or more of which may be electrically non-conductive), a mesh (which may be woven or non-woven for example, and which again may be similarly multi-layer), a film heater, etc.
  • the second heater 215 may be an inductive heater powered by for example the battery 207.
  • Tobacco composition 214 may include materials susceptible to inductive heating. Other heating arrangements may be used for the second heater 215, including non-electrical heating arrangements.
  • the heater 215 may also effect release of the base from its encapsulation in the tobacco composition 214, suitably by melting or any other temperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above.
  • the base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readily entrained in the passing vapour/aerosol.
  • the heater 215 for heating the tobacco composition 214 is provided externally of the tobacco composition 214 and heats the tobacco composition 214 by heat conduction from the exterior of the tobacco composition 214.
  • the heater 215 in this example is generally cylindrical.
  • the heater 215 may in effect be an integral part of the device 201 and be provided as part of the housing 202.
  • the heater 215 may be provided integrally with the chamber 213 which holds or contains the tobacco composition 214.
  • the heater 215 will be replaced when a new chamber 213 with fresh tobacco is loaded into the device 201 by the user.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown another example of a device for generating an inhalable medium.
  • the device 301 of Figure 3 heats a liquid to form a vapour or an aerosol which passes through a tobacco composition 314 so as to produce an inhalable medium that contains one or more constituents derived from the tobacco composition 314.
  • the device 301 of this example again has a generally hollow cylindrical outer housing 302 with an open end 303 and a tubular mouthpiece 304, which is removable by a user from the housing 302. O-ring or other seal 305 assists in sealing the mouthpiece 304 in the housing 302.
  • a battery 307 for powering various components of the device 301 and a controller 308 are provided at or towards the other end 306 of the housing 302.
  • the housing 302 of this example is again in two parts, a first part 302a being towards the open end 303 and a second part 302b towards the other end 306.
  • the housing 302 has a container 309 for holding or containing a liquid 310.
  • the container 309 may be of any of the types described above in relation to the examples of Figures 1 and 2 .
  • a heater 311 is provided generally centrally of the housing 302 for heating the liquid 310.
  • the heater 311 may be any of the types described above. In this example, the heater 311 is powered by the battery 307 and is therefore electrically connected to the battery 307.
  • An annular wick 312 surrounds the heater 311 and is in (thermal) contact with the heater 311. The outermost surface of the annular wick 312 is in contact with liquid 310 contained in the liquid container 309.
  • the liquid 310 may be heated so as to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets or sufficiently heated to produce a vapour.
  • the aerosol or vapour so produced exits the wick 312 and passes towards the mouthpiece 304 as shown by the arrows A under the action of the user drawing on the mouthpiece 304.
  • the heater 311 and wick 312 may be provided as a single, effectively integral item such that the heating and wicking is effectively carried out by a single unit.
  • the housing 302 further contains a chamber 313 which holds or contains a tobacco composition 314 in the device 301.
  • the tobacco composition 314 comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.
  • the chamber 313 may be of any of the types described above in relation to the examples of Figures 1 and 2 . (In the example shown in Figure 3 , the chamber 313 is in the form of a tube which has end walls 316 which have through holes 317 through which a vapour or aerosol can pass, which was mentioned as an option above.)
  • the tobacco composition 314 is located in the housing 302 downstream of the location where the aerosol or vapour is produced from the liquid 310 and upstream of the open end 303 of the housing 302 and the mouthpiece 304.
  • the tobacco composition 314 is effectively provided in the same portion or chamber of the housing 302 as the wick 312.
  • the aerosol or vapour produced from the liquid 310 exits the wick 312 and passes as shown by the arrows A towards the tobacco composition 314 under the action of the user drawing on the mouthpiece 304.
  • the tobacco composition 314 is porous so that the aerosol or vapour passes through the tobacco composition 314 and then through the open end 303 of the housing 302 and the mouthpiece 304.
  • the heat carried by the aerosol or vapour releases the base from its encapsulation in the tobacco composition 314, suitably by melting or any other temperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above.
  • the base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readily entrained in the passing vapour/aerosol.
  • the tobacco composition 314 and/or its chamber 313 are arranged so that there is no air gap between the tobacco composition 314/chamber 313 and the interior of the housing 302 so that the aerosol or vapour flows entirely through the tobacco composition 314.
  • the hot aerosol or vapour entrains organic and other compounds or constituents from the tobacco composition 314, thus imparting tobacco flavour to the aerosol or vapour as is passes to the mouthpiece 304.
  • the container 309 for containing the liquid 310 may itself be arranged to support or carry the tobacco composition 314.
  • the container 309 may have one or more clips or a tube or the like for receiving and holding the tobacco composition 314 in position.
  • Such a dual function container 309/chamber or receptacle 313 for both containing the liquid 310 and receiving the tobacco composition 314 may be in the form of a cartridge or the like and may be a disposable item or may be re-useable, with the liquid 310 and tobacco composition 314 being replaced or topped up by the user as required. In some cases, it may be that the user only needs to top up or replace the tobacco composition 314 from time to time, with sufficient liquid 310 being provided for several uses. Once the liquid 310 has been consumed, the user disposes of the dual function container 309/receptacle 313 and uses a new one.
  • the user only needs to top up or replace the liquid 310 from time to time, with sufficient tobacco composition 314 being provided for several uses. Once the tobacco composition 314 has been consumed, the user disposes of the dual function container 309/receptacle 313 and uses a new one.
  • a second heater 318 is again provided in thermal contact with the tobacco composition 314 to heat the tobacco composition 314 to encourage release of constituents from the tobacco composition 314 as the vapour or aerosol passes through the tobacco composition 314 in use.
  • the second heater 318 may be an electrically resistive heater, a ceramic heater, etc., powered by for example the battery 307.
  • Other heating arrangements may be used for the second heater 318, including non-electrical heating arrangements.
  • the heater 318 for heating the tobacco composition 314 is provided internally of the tobacco composition 314 and heats the tobacco composition 314 by heat conduction from the interior of the tobacco composition 314.
  • the heater 318 in this example is generally in the form of a cylindrical rod located along the central longitudinal axis of the tobacco composition 314.
  • the heater 318 may be a wire, which may for example be in the form of a coil, a plate (which may be a multi-layer plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive and one or more of which may be electrically non-conductive), a mesh (which may be woven or non-woven for example, and which again may be similarly multi-layer), a film heater, etc.
  • the tobacco composition 314 in this case is generally tubular or otherwise has an internal aperture for receiving the heater 318.
  • the heater 318 may in effect be an integral part of the device 301 and be provided as part of the housing 302. In this case, as the tobacco composition 314 is loaded into the device 301 (for example, as the chamber 313 containing the tobacco composition 314 is loaded into the device 301), the tobacco composition 314 surrounds the second heater 318.
  • the heater 318 may be provided integrally with the chamber 313 which holds or contains the tobacco composition 314. In this alternative, in the case that the chamber 313 is disposable, the heater 318 will be replaced when a new chamber 313 with fresh tobacco is loaded into the device 301 by the user.
  • plural internal heaters 318 may be provided, so as to provide for more efficient heating of the tobacco composition 314.
  • the tobacco composition 314 may be heated by both one or more external heaters (like the second heater 215 of the example of Figure 2 ) and by one or more internal heaters (like the second heater 318 of the example of Figure 3 ).
  • the one or more heaters 318 configured to heat the tobacco composition may effect the release of the base from its encapsulation in the tobacco composition 314, suitably by melting or any other temperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above.
  • the base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readily entrained in the passing vapour/aerosol.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge 600 having a liquid container 601 for containing liquid 602 and a receptacle or container 603 for tobacco composition 604.
  • the liquid container 601 and the tobacco composition container 603 are provided as one integral component, either by being formed integrally initially or being formed initially of two parts which are then assembled in a substantially permanent fashion.
  • the cartridge 600 is arranged so that as the liquid 602 is volatilised so as to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets or sufficiently heated to produce a vapour, at least some and preferably all or substantially all of the aerosol or vapour passes through the tobacco composition 604 to pick up flavour from the tobacco composition 604.
  • the liquid container 601 is provided generally centrally of the cartridge 600.
  • the liquid container 601 in the example shown is frustoconical in shape, but may have a different shape, such as conical, cylindrical, etc.
  • the liquid container 601 is surrounded by an outer shell 605 which defines an annular channel 606 around the outside of the length of the liquid container 601 and which extends from one end of the liquid container 601 to the other.
  • the outer shell 605 extends beyond a first end wall 607 of the liquid container 601 to define a chamber 608 beyond the first end wall 607 of the liquid container 601.
  • both the chamber 608 and the annular channel 606 contain the tobacco composition 604 and so can be regarded as together providing the container 603 for the tobacco composition 604.
  • the tobacco composition 604 may be provided only in the chamber 608, which therefore defines the container 603 for the tobacco composition 604, and the annular channel 606 is empty.
  • the chamber 608 is closed off by an end wall 609 which is spaced from the end wall 607 of the liquid container 601.
  • the end wall 609 may be part of the outer shell 605 or may be a separate plastics or rubber cap or the like.
  • the annular channel 606 contains the tobacco composition 604 and there is no material in the chamber 608, and indeed the chamber 608 may be omitted and the channel 606 effectively terminates at the end wall 609.
  • the channel 606 and/or chamber 608 may be entirely filled with tobacco composition 604 or may only contain a portion or plug of tobacco composition 604.
  • the end wall 609 is porous and/or has one or more through holes 610 to enable the aerosol or vapour to exit the cartridge 600 to be inhaled by a user.
  • the liquid container 601 and the solid container 603 may each be formed of rigid, watertight and airtight materials, such as metal, suitable plastics, etc.
  • the example cartridge 600 shown in Figure 4 is provided with a heater 611 and a wick 612 in (thermal) contact with the heater 611.
  • the heater 611 and the wick 612 are provided as a single unit, often referred to as an "atomiser”.
  • the cartridge 600 includes an atomiser, such a cartridge is often referred to as a "cartomiser”.
  • the orientation of the heater 611 is shown schematically and for example the heater 611 may be a coil having its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 600 rather than parallel as shown in Figure 4 .
  • the wick 612 is in contact with the liquid 602. This may be achieved by for example the wick 612 being inserted through a through hole (not shown) in the second end wall 613 of the liquid container 601.
  • the second end wall 613 may be a porous member (shown schematically in Figure 4 by dashed lines) which allows liquid to pass through from the liquid container 601, and the wick 612 may be in contact with the porous second end wall 613.
  • the second end wall 613 may be for example in the form of a porous ceramic disk.
  • a porous second end wall 613 of this type helps to regulate the flow of liquid onto the wick 612.
  • the wick 612 is generally absorbent and acts to draw in liquid 602 from the liquid container 601 by capillary action.
  • the wick 612 is preferably non-woven and may be for example a cotton or wool material or the like, or a synthetic material, including for example polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene or the like.
  • the cartridge 600 is connected by the user to a battery section of a device (not shown) to enable the heater 611 to be powered.
  • the heater 611 of the atomiser is powered (which may be instigated for example by the user operating a button of the overall device or by a puff detector of the overall device, as is known per se)
  • liquid 602 drawn in from the liquid container 601 by the wick 612 is heated by the heater 611 to volatilise or vaporise the liquid.
  • the vapour or aerosol passes into the annular channel 606 around the outside of the length of the liquid container 601 and into the chamber 608 as shown by the arrows A.
  • the vapour or aerosol picks up flavour from the tobacco composition 604.
  • the heat carried by the aerosol or vapour releases the base from its encapsulation in the tobacco composition 604, suitably by melting or any other temperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above.
  • the base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readily entrained in the passing vapour/aerosol.
  • the vapour or aerosol can then exit the cartridge 600 through the end wall 609 as shown by the arrow B.
  • a one way valve 614 may be provided inside the end wall 609 so that the vapour or aerosol can only exit the cartridge 600 and cannot back-flow to the heater 611 or the electronics of the device as a whole.
  • FIG. 5 there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a cartridge 700 having a liquid container 701 for containing liquid 702 and a container 703 which defines a chamber 708 for containing tobacco composition 704.
  • a liquid container 701 for containing liquid 702 and a container 703 which defines a chamber 708 for containing tobacco composition 704.
  • components and features that are the same as or similar to the corresponding components and features of the example described with reference to Figure 4 have the same reference numeral but increased by 100. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features will not be repeated in its entirety here.
  • the liquid container 701 and the tobacco composition container 703 of the cartridge 700 are provided as separate components, which are detachably connected to each other in use.
  • the liquid container 701 and the tobacco composition container 703 may for example be clipped or otherwise detachably fixed to each other, or for example the tobacco composition container 703 may simply rest on or be a tight friction fit on the liquid container 701.
  • the cartridge 700 is arranged so that as the liquid 702 is volatilised so as to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets or sufficiently heated to produce a vapour, at least some and preferably all or substantially all of the aerosol or vapour passes through the tobacco composition 704 to pick up flavour from the tobacco composition 704.
  • the liquid container 701 is surrounded by an outer shell 705 which defines an annular channel 706 around the outside of the length of the liquid container 701 and which extends from one end of the liquid container 701 to the other.
  • the outer shell 705 extends beyond a first end wall 707 of the liquid container 601 and terminates in an end wall 709.
  • the end wall 709 may be a separate plastics or rubber cap or the like.
  • the end wall 709 is porous and/or has one or more through holes 710 to enable the aerosol or vapour to exit the annular channel 706.
  • a one way valve 714 may be provided inside the end wall 709 so that the vapour or aerosol can only exit the annular channel 706 at the end remote from the heater 711 and wick 712 and cannot back-flow to the heater 711 or the electronics of the device as a whole.
  • the tobacco composition container 703 is located in use over the end wall 709 so that vapour or aerosol exiting through the end wall 709 passed into the tobacco composition container 703.
  • the tobacco composition container 703 has an exit aperture and/or or a porous end wall 715 to enable the aerosol or vapour to exit the cartridge 700 to be inhaled by a user.
  • the cartridge 700 is connected by the user to a battery section of a device (not shown) to enable the heater 711 to be powered.
  • the heater 711 of the atomiser is powered (which may be instigated for example by the user operating a button of the overall device or by a puff detector of the overall device as is known per se)
  • liquid 702 drawn in from the liquid container 701 through the end wall 713 by the wick 712 is heated by the heater 711 to volatilise or vaporise the liquid.
  • the vapour or aerosol passes into the annular channel 706 around the outside of the length of the liquid container 701 towards the end wall 709 of the outer shell 705 as shown by the arrows A.
  • the vapour or aerosol then passes through the end wall 709 (via the one-way valve 714 if present) and into the tobacco composition container 703 where it picks up flavour from the tobacco composition 704 contained in the container 703.
  • Heat carried by the aerosol or vapour releases the base from its encapsulation in the tobacco composition 704, suitably by melting or any other temperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above.
  • the base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readily entrained in the passing vapour/aerosol.
  • the vapour or aerosol can then exit the cartridge 700 through the end wall 715 of the tobacco composition container 703 as shown by the arrow B.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 are particularly suitable for use with so-called modular or "e-go" products, in which the cartomiser is fitted to a battery section (not shown), typically by a screw thread, a bayonet fitting or the like.
  • the cartomiser as a whole is typically discarded after use and a new, replacement cartomiser used.
  • FIG. 4 and 5 may easily be adapted for use with other types of an electronic tobacco hybrid device, which are known per se.
  • the liquid container typically includes some wadding material, of for example cotton or the like, for holding the liquid.
  • the cartridge or cartomiser in such known devices is typically disposable as a whole, but it may be possible to refill the liquid and/or replace the sold material in examples that use an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • tank devices or personal vaporisers which generally have large liquid containers for holding relatively large volumes of liquid and also provide for advanced functions that allow users to control a number of aspects of the device.
  • the atomiser i.e. the heater and the wick
  • the atomiser may be provided separately of the liquid and material containers.
  • the atomiser may for example be provided as part of the battery section of the overall device to which the cartridge is detachably fitted by the user in use.
  • a heater for the tobacco composition so as to "pre-heat” it.
  • This heater may be provided as part of the cartridge or as part of the battery section of the device to which the cartridge is fitted in use.
  • This heater for the tobacco composition effect release of the base from its encapsulation in the tobacco composition, suitably by melting or any other temperature-dependent release mechanism discussed above.
  • the base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine which is then more readily entrained in the passing vapour/aerosol.
  • aerosol generating agent refers to a compound or mixture that promotes the generation of an aerosol.
  • An aerosol generating agent may promote the generation of an aerosol by promoting an initial vaporisation and/or the condensation of a gas to an inhalable solid and/or liquid aerosol.
  • any suitable aerosol generating agent or agents may be included in the aerosol generating material of the disclosure.
  • Suitable aerosol generating agents include, but are not limited to: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, high boiling point hydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate or myristates including ethyl myristate and isopropyl myristate and aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.
  • flavour refers to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They may include extracts (e.g., liquorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour

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Claims (15)

  1. Dispositif de génération d'un milieu inhalable, le dispositif comprenant :
    un contenant pour contenir un liquide ;
    un élément chauffant pour volatiliser le liquide contenu dans le contenant ;
    une chambre contenant une composition de tabac ; et
    une sortie ;
    l'agencement étant tel qu'en cours d'utilisation, un milieu inhalable sorte par la sortie, le milieu comprenant (i) un liquide volatilisé sous forme de vapeur et/ou d'aérosol et (ii) un ou plusieurs constituants de la composition de tabac ;
    dans lequel la composition de tabac comprend un matériau de tabac et une base encapsulée.
  2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif est configuré de telle sorte qu'en cours d'utilisation, le liquide volatilisé par l'élément chauffant passe, sous la forme d'au moins l'un parmi la vapeur ou l'aérosol, à travers la composition de tabac afin d'entraîner ainsi un ou plusieurs constituants de la composition de tabac et de produire le milieu inhalable qui sort par la sortie.
  3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel la base comprend un ou plusieurs hydroxydes ou carbonates de sodium, potassium ou calcium ou d'autres bases solubles.
  4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la base est encapsulée par un matériau d'encapsulation qui fond, se décompose, réagit, se dégrade, gonfle, se dissout ou se déforme pour libérer la base à une température supérieure à la température ambiante mais égale ou inférieure à la température atteinte pendant l'utilisation.
  5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la base est encapsulée par un matériau d'encapsulation choisi parmi un polysaccharide ou un matériau barrière cellulosique, une gélatine, une gomme, un gel, une cire ou un mélange de ceux-ci, facultativement dans lequel le matériau d'encapsulation est choisi parmi un ou plusieurs parmi les alginates, dextrane, maltodextrine, cyclodextrine, pectine, méthylcellulose, éthylcellulose, hydroxyéthylcellulose, hydroxypropyle cellulose, carboxyméthylcellulose, éthers de cellulose, gomme arabique, gomme ghatti, gomme adragante, Karaya, caroube, gomme d'acacia, guar, graines de coing, gommes de xanthane, gel d'agar, gel d'agarose, carraghénanes, furoïdane, furcellaran et cire de carnauba.
  6. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le matériau de tabac est encapsulé avec la base.
  7. Cartouche destinée à être utilisée dans un dispositif pour générer un milieu inhalable, la cartouche comprenant un liquide volatilisable dans une première chambre et une composition de tabac dans une seconde chambre, dans laquelle la composition de tabac comprend un matériau de tabac et une base encapsulée, facultativement dans laquelle la base comprend un ou plusieurs hydroxydes ou carbonates de sodium, potassium ou calcium ou d'autres bases solubles.
  8. Cartouche selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle la base est encapsulée par un matériau d'encapsulation qui fond, se décompose, réagit, se dégrade, gonfle, se dissout ou se déforme pour libérer la base à une température supérieure à la température ambiante mais égale ou inférieure à la température atteinte pendant l'utilisation.
  9. Cartouche selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 ou 8, dans laquelle la base est encapsulée par un matériau d'encapsulation choisi parmi un polysaccharide ou un matériau barrière cellulosique, une gélatine, une gomme, un gel, une cire ou un mélange de ceux-ci, facultativement dans laquelle le matériau d'encapsulation est choisi parmi un ou plusieurs alginates, dextrane, maltodextrine, cyclodextrine, pectine, méthylcellulose, éthylcellulose, hydroxyéthylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxyméthylcellulose, éthers de cellulose, gomme arabique, gomme ghatti, gomme adragante, Karaya, caroube, gomme d'acacia, guar, graines de coing, gommes de xanthane, gel d'agar, gel d'agarose, carraghénanes, furoïdane, furcellaran et cire de carnauba.
  10. Cartouche selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 9, dans laquelle le matériau de tabac est encapsulé avec la base.
  11. Procédé de génération d'un milieu inhalable à l'aide d'un dispositif comprenant un contenant contenant un liquide, un élément chauffant pour volatiliser le liquide, une chambre contenant une composition de tabac et une sortie, le procédé comprenant :
    la volatilisation du liquide contenu dans le contenant ;
    la formation d'un milieu inhalable, le milieu inhalable comprenant (i) le liquide volatilisé sous forme de vapeur et/ou d'aérosol et (ii) un ou plusieurs constituants de la composition de tabac ; et
    la sortie du milieu inhalable par la sortie ;
    dans lequel la composition de tabac comprend un matériau de tabac et une base encapsulée,
    facultativement dans lequel le procédé comprend l'entraînement d'un ou plusieurs constituants de la composition de tabac dans au moins un de vapeur et d'aérosol formé par le liquide volatilisé en faisant passer l'au moins un de vapeur et d'aérosol à travers la composition de tabac pour générer le milieu inhalable.
  12. Utilisation d'une base encapsulée dans une composition de tabac pour fournir une administration prolongée de nicotine lors de l'utilisation, dans lequel la composition de tabac est fournie dans un dispositif, le dispositif comprenant :
    un contenant pour contenir un liquide ;
    un élément chauffant pour volatiliser le liquide contenu dans le contenant ;
    une chambre contenant la composition de tabac ; et
    une sortie ;
    l'agencement étant tel qu'en cours d'utilisation, un milieu inhalable sorte par la sortie, le milieu comprenant (i) un liquide volatilisé sous forme de vapeur et/ou d'aérosol et (ii) un ou plusieurs constituants de la composition de tabac.
  13. Procédé de fourniture d'une libération prolongée de nicotine à partir d'un dispositif de génération d'un milieu inhalable, le dispositif comprenant :
    un contenant pour contenir un liquide ;
    un élément chauffant pour volatiliser le liquide contenu dans le contenant ;
    une chambre contenant une composition de tabac ; et
    une sortie ;
    l'agencement étant tel qu'en cours d'utilisation, un milieu inhalable sorte par la sortie, le milieu comprenant (i) un liquide volatilisé sous forme de vapeur et/ou d'aérosol et (ii) un ou plusieurs constituants de la composition de tabac ;
    dans lequel la composition de tabac comprend un matériau de tabac et une base encapsulée ;
    le procédé comprenant la libération de la base de son encapsulation lors de l'utilisation afin de libérer de la nicotine à partir du matériau de tabac.
  14. Kit comprenant
    (i) une dosette liquide contenant un liquide volatilisable ; et
    (ii) une dosette de composition de tabac, contenant une composition de tabac comprenant un matériau de tabac et une base encapsulée ;
    dans lequel le liquide et la dosette de composition de tabac sont configurés pour être utilisés dans un dispositif destiné à être utilisé pour générer un milieu inhalable, le dispositif étant tel qu'en cours d'utilisation, un milieu inhalable soit généré, le milieu comprenant (i) un liquide volatilisé à partir de la dosette liquide sous forme de vapeur et/ou d'aérosol et (ii) un ou plusieurs constituants de la composition de tabac.
  15. Dosette de composition de tabac, contenant une composition de tabac qui comprend un matériau de tabac et une base encapsulée ; dans laquelle la dosette de composition de tabac est configurée pour être utilisée dans un dispositif destiné à être utilisé pour générer un milieu inhalable, le dispositif étant tel qu'en cours d'utilisation, un milieu inhalable soit généré, le milieu comprenant (i) un liquide volatilisé sous la forme de vapeur et/ ou d'aérosol et (ii) un ou plusieurs constituants de la composition de tabac.
EP19755532.9A 2018-07-30 2019-07-25 Dispositif de génération d'un milieu inhalable, son utilisation pour fournir une administration prolongée de nicotine, cartouche et dosette de composition de tabac adaptée à l'utilisation dans celui-ci Active EP3829367B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1812372.9A GB201812372D0 (en) 2018-07-30 2018-07-30 Tobacco blend
PCT/EP2019/070009 WO2020025433A1 (fr) 2018-07-30 2019-07-25 Dispositif de génération d'un milieu inhalable, son utilisation pour fournir une administration prolongée de nicotine, cartouche et dosette de composition de tabac adaptée à l'utilisation dans celui-ci

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EP3829367B1 true EP3829367B1 (fr) 2024-05-01

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AR (1) AR116247A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA3106420C (fr)
GB (1) GB201812372D0 (fr)
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GB202014921D0 (en) * 2020-09-22 2020-11-04 Nicoventures Trading Ltd Tobacco compositions and preparation thereof
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AR116247A1 (es) 2021-04-14
JP7264987B2 (ja) 2023-04-25
JP2023040232A (ja) 2023-03-22
KR20210031986A (ko) 2021-03-23
WO2020025433A1 (fr) 2020-02-06
GB201812372D0 (en) 2018-09-12
RU2765178C1 (ru) 2022-01-26
CA3106420C (fr) 2023-08-01
EP3829367A1 (fr) 2021-06-09
TW202019299A (zh) 2020-06-01
CA3106420A1 (fr) 2020-02-06
JP2021531811A (ja) 2021-11-25
US20210307387A1 (en) 2021-10-07
KR102653413B1 (ko) 2024-03-29

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