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
  • 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
• • 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
  • A24F42/00—Simulated smoking devices other than electrically operated; Component parts thereof; Manufacture or testing thereof
  • A24F42/20—Devices without 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
  • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an aerosol delivery device and particularly, although not exclusively, to an aerosol delivery device in which first and second airflow branches provide inward airflow towards an aerosol generation portion.
• a smoking-substitute device is an electronic device that permits the user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol mist or vapour that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth and then exhaled.
• the inhaled aerosol mist or vapour typically bears nicotine and/or other flavourings without the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking and tobacco products.
• the user experiences a similar satisfaction and physical sensation to those experienced from a traditional smoking or tobacco product, and exhales an aerosol mist or vapour of similar appearance to the smoke exhaled when using such traditional smoking or tobacco products.
• a smoking substitute device is the so-called“vaping” approach, in which a vaporisable liquid, typically referred to (and referred to herein) as“e-liquid”, is heated by a heating device to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user.
• the e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and/or flavourings.
• the resulting vapour therefore also typically contains nicotine and/or flavourings.
• the base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.
• a typical vaping smoking substitute 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.
• Vaping smoking substitute devices can be configured in a variety of ways.
• there are“closed system” vaping smoking substitute devices which typically have a sealed tank and heating element. The tank is pre-filled with e liquid and is not intended to be refilled by an end user.
• One subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute devices 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.
• the consumable may also be referred to as a cartomizer. 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 devices are completely disposable, and intended for one-use only.
• vaping smoking substitute devices which typically have a tank that is configured to be refilled by a user. In this way the device can be used multiple times.
• An example vaping smoking substitute device is the mybluTM e-cigarette.
• the mybluTM e cigarette is a closed system device 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 heating device, 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.
• a smoking substitute device it is desirable to deliver nicotine into the user’s lungs, where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
• “vaping” approach “e-liquid” is heated by a heating device to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user.
• Many e-cigarettes also deliver flavour to the user, to enhance the experience.
• Flavour compounds are contained in the e-liquid that is heated. Heating of the flavour compounds may be undesirable as the flavour compounds are inhaled into the user’s lungs.
• Toxicology restrictions are placed on the amount of flavour that can be contained in the e-liquid. This can result in some e-liquid flavours delivering a weak and underwhelming taste sensation to consumers in the pursuit of safety.
• the present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.
• the present invention relates to an aerosol delivery device for passive aerosol generation, in which first and second airflow branches provide inward airflow towards an aerosol generation portion.
• an aerosol delivery device comprising: a member comprising an aerosol generator portion, wherein the member is configured to transfer a first aerosol precursor to the aerosol generator portion; and an air flow passage configured to direct air past the aerosol generator portion to pick up the first aerosol precursor from the aerosol generator portion to form a first aerosol, wherein the air flow passage comprises first and second airflow branches, the member located between the first and second airflow branches, wherein the first and second airflow branches are configured to provide inward airflow towards the aerosol generator portion
• the aerosol delivery device comprises a storage for storing the first aerosol precursor.
• the storage is located between the first and second aerosol branches.
• the storage comprises a reservoir, the reservoir formed of a first porous material.
• the aerosol delivery device further comprises a chamber, the reservoir located within the chamber, wherein the chamber comprises a chamber aperture, the chamber aperture configured to permit air to enter the chamber as the reservoir empties of first aerosol precursor.
• the aerosol delivery device may comprise two said chamber apertures.
• the chamber apertures are located on opposing sides of the aerosol generator portion.
• the chamber apertures provide fluid communication between the reservoir and the first and second airflow branches.
• the storage comprises a tank configured to store the first aerosol precursor as a free liquid.
• the member is formed of a second porous material, the member configured to wick the first aerosol precursor to the aerosol generator portion.
• the first aerosol is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration, and the first aerosol is transmissible within at least one of a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity.
• the aerosol delivery device is a consumable for a smoking substitute device.
• the aerosol delivery device comprises a second aerosol generator, the second aerosol generator configured to produce a second aerosol from a second aerosol precursor, wherein the second aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration.
• the second aerosol generator is configured to heat the second aerosol precursor to form the second aerosol.
• the second aerosol generator is located so as to be upstream of the first aerosol generator in use.
• the first aerosol precursor comprises a flavour component.
• the second aerosol precursor comprises an active component.
• the active component is nicotine.
• the invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.
• Fig- 1 shows a schematic drawing of a smoking substitute system
• Fig. 2 shows a schematic drawing of a smoking substitute system
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic drawing of a smoking substitute system
• Fig. 4 shows a schematic drawing of a smoking substitute system
• Fig. 5 shows a cutaway view of a consumable
• Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a flavour pod portion of a consumable.
• a smoking substitute system comprising a smoking substitute device 100.
• the substitute smoking system comprises a cartomiser 101 and a flavour pod 102.
• the cartomiser 101 may engage with the smoking substitute device 100 via a push-fit engagement, a screw-thread engagement, or a bayonet fit, for example.
• a cartomiser may also be referred to as a“pod”.
• the smoking substitute system may be an aerosol delivery device according to the present invention.
• the flavour pod 102 is configured to engage with the cartomiser 101 and thus with the substitute smoking device 100.
• the flavour pod 102 may engage with the cartomiser 101 via a push-fit engagement, a screw- thread engagement, or a bayonet fit, for example.
• Fig. 2 illustrates the cartomiser 101 engaged with the substitute smoking device 100, and the flavour pod 102 engaged with the cartomiser 101.
• the cartomiser 101 and the flavour pod 102 are distinct elements.
• Each of the cartomiser 101 and the flavour pod may be an aerosol delivery device according to the present invention.
• the cartomiser 101 and the flavour pod 102 may alternatively be combined into a single component that implements the functionality of the cartomiser 101 10 and flavour pod 102.
• a single component may also be an aerosol delivery device according to the present invention.
• the cartomiser may be absent, with only a flavour pod 102 present.
• A“consumable” component may mean that the component is intended to be used once until exhausted, and then disposed of as waste or returned to a manufacturer for reprocessing.
• a smoking substitute system comprising a smoking substitute device 100 and a consumable 103.
• the consumable 103 combines the functionality of the cartomiser 101 and the flavour pod 102.
• the consumable 103 and the smoking substitute device 100 are shown separated from one another.
• the consumable 103 and the smoking substitute device 100 are engaged with each other.
• the consumable 103 may be considered to have two portions - a cartomiser portion 104 and a flavour pod portion 105, both of which are located within a single component (as in Figures 3 and 4).
• the consumable 103 includes an upstream airflow inlet 106 and a downstream airflow outlet 107. In other examples a plurality of inlets and/or outlets are included. Between and fluidly connecting the inlet 106 and the outlet 107 there is an airflow passage 108.
• the outlet 107 is located at the mouthpiece 109 of the consumable 103, and is formed by a mouthpiece aperture.
• the consumable 103 includes a flavour pod portion 105.
• the flavour pod portion 105 is configured to generate a first (flavour) aerosol for output from the outlet 107 of the mouthpiece 109 of the consumable 103.
• the flavour pod portion 105 of the consumable 103 includes a member 1 15.
• the member 1 15 acts as a passive aerosol generator (i.e. an aerosol generator which does not use heat to form the aerosol, also referred to as a“first aerosol generator” in this example), and is formed of a porous material.
• the member 1 15 comprises a supporting portion 1 17, which is located inside a housing, and an aerosol generator portion 1 18, which is located in the airflow passage 108.
• the aerosol generator portion 1 18 is a porous nib.
• a first storage 1 16 (in this example a tank) for storing a first aerosol precursor (i.e. a flavour liquid) is fluidly connected to the member 1 15.
• a first aerosol precursor i.e. a flavour liquid
• the porous nature of the member 1 15 means that flavour liquid from the first storage 1 16 is drawn into the member 1 15.
• the aerosol generator portion 1 18 is located within the airflow passage 108 through the consumable 103.
• the aerosol generator portion 1 18 therefore constricts or narrows the airflow passage 108.
• the aerosol generator portion 1 18 occupies some of the area of the airflow passage, resulting in constriction of the airflow passage 108.
• the airflow passage 108 is narrowest adjacent to the aerosol generator portion 1 18. Since the constriction results in increase air velocity and corresponding reduction in air pressure at the aerosol generator portion 1 18, the constriction is a Venturi aperture 1 19.
• the cartomiser portion 104 of the consumable 103 includes a second storage 1 10 (in this example a tank) for storing a second aerosol precursor (i.e. e-liquid, which may contain nicotine). Extending into the second storage 1 10 is a wick 1 1 1 .
• the wick 1 1 1 is formed from a porous wicking material (e.g. a polymer) that draws second aerosol precursor from the second storage 1 10 into a central region of the wick 1 1 1 that is located outside the e-liquid storage tank 1 10.
• a heater 1 12 is a configured to heat the central region of the wick 1 1 1 .
• the heater 1 12 includes a resistive heating filament that is coiled around the central region of the wick 1 1 1.
• the wick 1 1 1 , the heater 1 12 and the e-liquid storage tank 1 10 together act as an active aerosol generator (i.e. an aerosol generator which uses heat to form the aerosol, referred to as a“second aerosol generator” in this example).
• the first and second aerosol generators are both at least partially located within the airflow passage 108, with the first aerosol generator downstream (with respect to air flow in use) of the second aerosol generator.
• the consumable 103 may be supplied with electrical power for activation of the heater 1 12, the consumable 103 includes a pair of consumable electrical contacts 1 13.
• the consumable electrical contacts 1 13 are configured for electrical connection to a corresponding pair of electrical supply contacts 1 14 in the smoking substitute device 100.
• the consumable electrical contacts 1 13 are electrically connected to the electrical supply contacts 1 14 when the consumable 103 is engaged with the smoking substitute device 100.
• the smoking substitute device 100 includes an electrical power source (not shown), for example a battery.
• a user draws (or“sucks”, or“pulls”) on the mouthpiece 109 of the consumable 103, which causes a drop in air pressure at the outlet 107, thereby generating air flow through the inlet 106, along the airflow passage 108, out of the outlet 107 and into the user’s mouth.
• the heater 1 12 When the heater 1 12 is activated (by passing an electric current through the heating filament in response to the user drawing on the mouthpiece 109) the e-liquid located in the wick 1 11 adjacent to the heating filament is heated and vaporised to form a vapour.
• the vapour condenses to form the second aerosol within the airflow passage 108. Accordingly, the second aerosol is entrained in an airflow along the airflow flow passage 108 to the outlet 107 and ultimately out from the mouthpiece 109 for inhalation by the user when the user 10 draws on the mouthpiece 109.
• the substitute smoking device 100 supplies electrical current to the consumable electrical contacts 1 13. This causes an electric current flow through the heating filament of the heater 1 12 and the heating filament heats up. As described, the heating of the heating filament causes vaporisation of the e-liquid in the wick 1 1 1 to form the second aerosol.
• the airflow passage 108 As the air flows up through the airflow passage 108, it encounters the aerosol generator portion 1 18.
• the constriction of the airflow passage 108 caused by the aerosol generator portion 1 18 results in an increase in air velocity and corresponding decrease in air pressure in the airflow in the vicinity of the porous surface of the aerosol generator portion 1 18.
• the corresponding low pressure region causes the generation of the first (flavour) aerosol from the porous surface of the aerosol generator portion 1 18.
• the first (flavour) aerosol is entrained into the airflow and ultimately is output from the outlet 107 of the consumable 103 and thus from the mouthpiece 109 into the user’s mouth.
• the first aerosol is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
• the first aerosol is formed of particles with a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular, greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
• the first aerosol is sized for transmission within at least one of a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity.
• the first aerosol is formed by particles having a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns. Such a range of mass median aerodynamic diameter will produce aerosols which are sufficiently small to be entrained in an airflow caused by a user drawing air through the flavour element and to enter and extend through the oral and or nasal cavity to activate the taste and/or olfactory receptors.
• the second aerosol generated is sized for pulmonary penetration (i.e. to deliver an active ingredient such as nicotine to the user’s lungs).
• the second aerosol is formed of particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron. Such sized aerosols tend to penetrate into a human user’s pulmonary system, with smaller aerosols generally penetrating the lungs more easily.
• the second aerosol may also be referred to as a vapour.
• the size of aerosol formed without heating is typically smaller than that formed by condensation of a vapour.
• the mass median aerodynamic diameter is a statistical measurement of the size of the particles/droplets in an aerosol. That is, the mass median aerodynamic diameter quantifies the size of the droplets that together form the aerosol.
• the mass median aerodynamic diameter may be defined as the diameter at which 50% of the particles/droplets by mass in the aerosol are larger than the mass median aerodynamic diameter and 50% of the particles/droplets by mass in the aerosol are smaller than the mass median aerodynamic diameter.
• size of the aerosol refers to the size of the particles/droplets that are comprised in the particular aerosol.
• a flavour pod portion 202 of a consumable the consumable providing an aerosol delivery device in accordance with the invention.
• the consumable further comprises a cartomiser portion (not shown in Fig. 6) having all of the features of the cartomiser portion 104 described above with respect to Fig. 5.
• the consumable does not comprise the cartomiser portion, and provides only flavour to the user.
• the flavour pod portion 202 comprises an upstream (i.e. upstream with respect to flow of air in use) inlet 204 and a downstream (i.e. downstream with respect to flow of air in use) outlet 206. Between and fluidly connecting the inlet 204 and the outlet 206 the flavour pod portion 204 comprises an airflow passage 208.
• the airflow passage 208 comprises a first airflow branch 210 and a second airflow branch 212, each of the first airflow branch 210 and the second airflow branch 212 fluidly connecting the inlet 204 and the outlet 206.
• the outlet 206 is located at the mouthpiece 209 of the consumable 103, and is also referred to as a mouthpiece aperture 206.
• the flavour pod portion 202 comprises a storage 214, which stores a first aerosol precursor.
• the storage 214 comprises a reservoir 216 located within a chamber 218.
• the reservoir 216 is formed of a first porous material.
• the flavour pod portion 202 comprises a member 220, which comprises an aerosol generator portion 222 and a supporting portion 223.
• the aerosol generator portion 222 is located at a downstream end (an upper end in Fig. 6) of the member 220, while the supporting portion 223 makes up the rest of the member 220.
• the supporting portion 223 is elongate and substantially cylindrical.
• the aerosol generator portion 222 is bulb-shaped, and comprises a portion which is wider than the supporting portion 223.
• the aerosol generator portion 222 tapers to a tip at a downstream end of the aerosol generator portion 222.
• the member 220 extends into and through the storage 214.
• the member 220 is in contact with the reservoir 216.
• the supporting portion 223 extends into and through the storage 204 and is in contact with the reservoir 216.
• the member 220 is located in a substantially central position within the reservoir 216 and is substantially parallel to a central axis of the consumable.
• the member 220 is formed of a second porous material.
• the first and second airflow branches 210, 212 are located on opposite sides of the member 220. Additionally, the first and second airflow branches 210, 212 are located on opposite sides of the reservoir 216. The first and second airflow branches 210, 212 branch in a radial outward direction (with respect to the central axis of the consumable 200) downstream of the inlet 204 to reach the opposite sides of the reservoir 216.
• the aerosol generator portion 222 is located in the airflow passage 208 downstream of the first and second airflow branches 210, 212.
• the first and second airflow branches 210, 212 turn in a radially inward direction to merge at the member 220, at a point upstream of the aerosol generator portion 222.
• the aerosol generator portion 222 is located in a narrowing section 224 of the airflow passage 208.
• the narrowing section 224 is downstream of the point at which the first and second airflow branches 210 212 merge, but upstream of the mouthpiece aperture 207.
• the mouthpiece aperture 207 flares outwardly in the downstream direction, such that a width of the mouthpiece aperture 207 increases in the downstream direction.
• Air (comprising the second aerosol from the cartomiser portion as explained above with respect to Fig. 5) flows through the inlet 204 before the air flow splits to flow through the first and second airflow branches 210, 212. Further downstream, the first and second airflow branches 210, 212 provide inward airflow towards the member 220 and the aerosol generator portion 222.
• the first aerosol has the particle size and other properties described above with respect to Fig. 5.
• the member 220 transfers further first aerosol precursor from the storage 214 to the aerosol generator portion 222. More specifically, the member 220 wicks the first aerosol precursor from the storage 214 to the aerosol generator portion 222.
• the storage 214 comprises a tank containing the first aerosol precursor as free liquid, rather than the reservoir 216 and the chamber 218.
• the member 220 still extends into the tank to transfer first aerosol precursor from the tank to the aerosol generator portion 222.

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