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
  • A24F40/05—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
• • 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
  • A24F40/42—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
  • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
• • 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
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
  • C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
  • C04B38/00—Porous mortars, concrete, artificial stone or ceramic ware; Preparation thereof

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus for inhaling a substance, for example an apparatus for smoking.
• the electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette), sometimes called a vapoteuse or personal vaporizer, is an electromechanical or electronic device that generates an aerosol intended to be inhaled.
• This aerosol or “vapor” or even “artificial smoke” visually resembles the smoke produced by the combustion of tobacco.
• This vapor may or may not be flavored (tobacco, fruit aroma, etc.) and may or may not contain nicotine.
• the technology mainly marketed for electronic cigarettes is the technology of atomization or aerosolization consisting in the conversion of a substance in the form of particles small and light enough to be transported in the air, that is - that is to say in aerosol.
• atomization or aerosolization consists of the action of dispersing a liquid into fine droplets.
• the technology mainly marketed for electronic cigarettes is based on the use of a heating resistance to atomize or aerosolize a liquid. Concretely, the principle of such an electronic cigarette consists in producing an aerosol imitating tobacco smoke.
• the technique consists of heating a liquid (called liquid to be vaped) via a heating resistance: the user must activate the heating of the resistance, the liquid heats, vaporizes and condenses almost immediately in the form of fine droplets to produce an aerosol which the user can then inhale.
• the heating of the resistance can be activated either manually (for example by means of a switch) or automatic (for example by means of an electromechanical device detecting the aspiration of the user and then activating the resistance).
• a device for inhaling a substance for example an electronic cigarette, relying on the heating of a liquid generally consists of the following main elements: a battery (which powers the atomizer), an atomizer (which contains a resistance which will vaporize the liquid), a reservoir (the container of liquid) and a mouthpiece that allows you to inhale / inhale the vapor (aerosol) coming out of the atomizer.
• a battery which powers the atomizer
• an atomizer which contains a resistance which will vaporize the liquid
• a reservoir the container of liquid
• a mouthpiece that allows you to inhale / inhale the vapor (aerosol) coming out of the atomizer.
• an electronic power module a voltage variator, a temperature controller, a counter for the number of puffs
• means of communication with an electronic device such as for example a computer or a smartphone or any other device such as a charging device.
• the essential element of current devices for inhaling a substance, for example current electronic cigarettes, based on the heating of a liquid is the atomizer comprising a resistance which is the part having the function of heating to high temperatures of at least one. minus 190 ° C (generally between 188 and 290 ° C) the liquid in order to generate the aerosol.
• atomizers generally contain a resistive wire which surrounds a wick which may for example be made of silica fiber or of cotton and / or which is surrounded by a wad.
• the function of the wick or filler is to store the liquid and to bring it by capillary action to the resistance so that it is heated and vaporized.
• the atomizer and the cartridge are inseparable and form a single component, the latter is called “cartomizer” or cartridge with integrated atomizer.
• Cartomizers supply the atomizer with liquid through a wad.
• the power is supplied using a wick system, we speak of a “clearomizer”.
• the atomizers mainly used for heating are consumables whose lifespan varies enormously depending on the model, use and type of liquid.
• the liquid to be heated contains the following components: - a mixture based on propylene glycol (PG) and / or vegetable glycerin (also called glycerol, VG), optionally added to a combination of ethanol and / or water ( ⁇ 5%);
• PG propylene glycol
• VG vegetable glycerin
• liquids based on PG and / or VG are largely in the majority, a few alternatives do exist.
• propane-1, 3-diol or polyethylene glycol in its form of PEG400 are largely in the majority, a few alternatives do exist.
• devices for inhaling a substance, in particular electronic cigarettes, based on heating a liquid comprising aromatic substances are therefore not free from toxic products, in particular solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) nor potentially carcinogenic toxic compounds, such as formaldehydes-hemiketals, acrylonitrile, acrolein, propylene oxide and acrylamide.
• VOCs volatile organic compounds
• propylene glycol and glycerin almost systematically used to maintain in liquid form the products of devices for inhaling a substance, in particular electronic cigarettes, are considered to be safe at room temperature but, when heated, produce compounds. potentially carcinogenic toxicants inhaled / inhaled by the user.
• devices for inhaling a substance for example smoking devices and in particular electronic cigarettes, relying on heating a liquid in order to generate an aerosol, require the presence of a battery, essentially to power the heating element. in electricity (usually a resistance).
• a battery in electricity (usually a resistance).
• any battery has a limited autonomy, this all the more so when its size and weight are reduced in order to be able to be integrated into devices for inhaling a substance, for example in devices for smoking.
• devices for inhaling such a substance for example smoking devices
• devices for inhaling such a substance include an atomizer of the mist or nebulizer type and a compressed air cartridge. While such devices for inhaling a substance, for example smoking devices, are functional, they nevertheless have certain drawbacks, the main one of which is that once the compressed air cartridge is empty, the device for inhaling a substance no longer exists. 'is no longer operational until this cartridge is replaced.
• a device for inhaling a substance for example a device for smoking “imitating” the smoke of a conventional cigarette obtained by combustion of tobacco, optimized at least partially solving the problems mentioned above, optionally and preferably by minimizing or even eliminating the problem relating to the presence of carcinogenic and toxic molecules generated inter alia by heating to high temperatures.
• an apparatus for inhaling a substance for example an apparatus for smoking, comprising: - an atomizer,
• an assembly comprising said atomizer and a first reservoir containing at least one substance to be inhaled, said atomizer being in fluid communication with said first reservoir, - a second reservoir arranged to contain a pressurized gas and being in fluid communication with said assembly,
• a trigger arranged to release a quantity of said gas out of said second reservoir and to said assembly
• a pump arranged to suck ambient air, inject it and compress it into said second reservoir.
• an apparatus for inhaling a substance for example an apparatus for smoking, comprising:
• an assembly comprising said atomizer and a first reservoir arranged to contain at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution, said atomizer being in fluid communication with said first reservoir,
• a mouthpiece in fluid communication with an outlet of said atomizer, - a trigger arranged to release a quantity of said gas out of said second reservoir and to said assembly, and
• a pump arranged to suck, inject and compress ambient air in said second reservoir.
• said first reservoir contains at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution, in particular when the device for inhaling a substance according to the invention is in use.
• said pressurized gas is pressurized air or oxygen, more particularly air taken (drawn in) from the ambient medium and then injected and compressed in a reservoir.
• cold liquid atomizer an atomizer not having to heat a liquid to obtain a fine dispersion of the latter, in particular to obtain an aerosol.
• it may, for example, be a fogger or a nebulizer, in particular a cold fogger or a cold nebulizer.
• an apparatus for inhaling a substance for example a device for smoking
• a pump arranged to suck ambient air, inject it and compress it into said second reservoir
• the The operator can at any time fill the second tank and compress the air taken from the surrounding environment (ambient air).
• an apparatus for inhaling a substance for example a smoking apparatus, according to the invention can be operational at any time and does not require a replacement compressed air cartridge.
• the device for inhaling a substance is battery-free.
• the absence of a battery makes it possible to reduce the weight of the device for inhaling a substance according to the invention but also makes it more environmentally friendly since the batteries pose serious pollution problems during their manufacture but also for their recycling.
• an inlet of said first reservoir is in fluid communication with said second reservoir, in particular in fluid communication with an outlet of said second reservoir.
• the first reservoir and the second reservoir can be placed in series or in parallel.
• said at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution contained in said first reservoir is not present there under pressure.
• the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution contained in the first reservoir is entrained by the gas released from the second reservoir.
• the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution is bubbled through the gas released from said second reservoir, the apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention then functioning as a bubbler.
• a first inlet of said cold liquid atomizer is in fluid communication with said second reservoir and a second inlet of said cold liquid atomizer is in fluid communication with said first reservoir.
• the pressurized gas from the second reservoir enters the cold liquid atomizer through a first inlet of the latter (gas inlet) and passes through the cold liquid atomizer, which allows , for example by Venturi effect, that a substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution contained in the first reservoir enters the cold liquid atomizer through a second inlet (inlet of substance to be inhaled) of the latter being in communication fluidic with the first reservoir containing the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution.
• said cold liquid atomizer is located at least partially in said first reservoir.
• said cold liquid atomizer and said first tank are connected in parallel.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention comprises a plurality of cold liquid atomizers, in particular a plurality of cold atomizers or cold nebulizers, each of said cold liquid atomizers atomizing the same substance at inhaling in liquid form or in solution or each of said atomizers atomizing a substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in particular solution.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance may comprise a first cold liquid atomizer atomizing a substance to be inhaled under liquid form or in solution corresponding to an aroma and a second cold liquid atomizer atomizing a substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution corresponding to nicotine, the aerosols from each of the cold liquid atomizers entering the mouthpiece .
• said second reservoir comprises a porous material, in particular a microporous material, for example a zeolite.
• a porous material or a microporous material optimizes the amount of air (gas) injected and / or compressed in the second reservoir.
• said pump is a manual pump.
• a manual pump makes it possible to dispense with a source of electrical energy such as a battery for example, which makes the device for inhaling a substance is operational at all times.
• a simple manual actuation of the pump makes it possible to suck in ambient air, to inject it and to compress it in the second reservoir arranged to contain a pressurized gas.
• said pump is a piston pump such as, for example, a bicycle pump.
• said manual pump is a two-way pump, that is to say a pump which sucks and which propels air into the second reservoir not only during the forward movement but also during the movement. return of the pump piston.
• a two-way pump that is to say a pump which sucks and which propels air into the second reservoir not only during the forward movement but also during the movement. return of the pump piston.
• This embodiment is particularly advantageous since an apparatus for inhaling a substance, for example a smoking apparatus, must be compact and the number of movements to be carried out manually to ensure pumping should be reduced so that the second tank quickly contains enough compressed gas (air) so that the user can inhale several puffs of the substance to be inhaled thanks to the volume of compressed air obtained in just a few pumpings (pumping movements), preferably in just three pumpings (movements of pumping).
• pump double direction faster and therefore more efficient filling of the second tank is ensured.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention comprises a two-way pump comprising several pistons, in particular several two-way pistons. This increases and optimizes the amount of gas (air) sucked into and injected into the second reservoir during a given pump movement.
• the device for inhaling a substance according to the invention further comprises an additional piston other than a piston of said pump when it is manual, said additional piston being activated by the pressurized gas contained in said second reservoir, the pressurized gas allowing the additional piston to perform a displacement movement accompanying a movement performed by the extensor muscles of the fingers of a user during manual pumping performed with said manual pump.
• This additional piston therefore facilitates pumping by the user by increasing the force that the latter applies when pumping with the extensor muscles of his fingers.
• said manual pump is provided with an actuating means, for example a handle, in particular a handle in the form of a ring.
• an adjustment of the distance of said actuating means of said manual pump (for example of said handle) relative to the body of said device for inhaling a substance (or adjustment of the opening of the handle) is possible, this which ensures an ergonomic adaptation to any hand size.
• the actuating means eg the handle
• the handle can be positioned in at least two positions, that is, at two distinct distances from the body of said device for inhaling a substance.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance may comprise a plurality of pumps, in order to ensure faster filling of the second reservoir.
• an apparatus for inhaling a substance further comprises a device arranged to transform into energy electrical mechanical energy, in particular a device arranged to transform mechanical energy supplied by a user into electrical energy in order to activate the pump when the latter is manual.
• this electrical energy possibly stored in a battery which would be present in the device for inhaling a substance, can be used to supply a heating element as described below.
• this electrical energy possibly stored in a battery which would be present in the device for inhaling a substance, can be used to power an electric pump, in particular an electric pump complementary to said manual pump.
• a device arranged to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy can be a dynamo such as that for example present in hand-cranked flashlights.
• an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention further comprises a mechanism for closing said second reservoir, for example a one-way valve, in particular a valve or pressure valve.
• a mechanism for closing said second reservoir is arranged to prevent an exit of gas (air) from the second reservoir when the pressure of this gas in the second reservoir is too low: according to the invention, the mechanism for closing said second reservoir, for example a one-way valve of the mechanical type (opposite force, mechanical rigidity, etc.), is triggered when the pressure within the second reservoir is below a predetermined threshold value such that gas is no longer able to exit from the second tank.
• the gas (air) present in the second reservoir must be sufficiently compressed so that the atomization gives rise to an adequate aerosol, in particular a mist or a nebulisate. adequate. If the gas pressure in the second tank is too low, the atomization will not be optimal: droplets of too large a size of the substance to be inhaled are obtained and reach the user's mouth in liquid form and not in the form of 'an aerosol (for example a mist or a nebulisate).
• said closing mechanism of said second reservoir is associated with a pressure sensor measuring the pressure prevailing in said second reservoir and making it possible to control said closing mechanism.
• an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention further comprises a mechanism for closing an inlet or optionally an outlet of said cold liquid atomizer.
• this mechanism for closing an inlet or possibly an outlet of said cold liquid atomizer also makes it possible to ensure that droplets of excessively large size of substance to inhaling does not reach the user's mouth in liquid form but in the form of an aerosol, for example in the form of a mist or a nebulisate.
• the device for inhaling a substance further comprises a valve or an overpressure safety valve connected to the second reservoir so that in the event of too high a pressure in the latter, any risk of explosion or of damage to the reservoir. apparatus for inhaling a substance is avoided.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance further comprises a compressed air cartridge connected to the second reservoir and / or to the atomizer.
• a compressed air cartridge connected to the second reservoir and / or to the atomizer.
• the presence of such an air cartridge compressed constitutes an additional compressed air (gas) supply acting alone or in parallel with the second reservoir and / or with the atomizer.
• the pump can be connected to the compressed air cartridge, in order to be able, when the pump is activated, to supply the cartridge with compressed air (gas).
• said cold liquid atomizer is a fogger or a nebulizer, in particular a cold fogger or a cold nebulizer.
• said first reservoir contains at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution and said second reservoir contains a pressurized gas.
• the cold liquid atomizer of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention is a fogger or a nebulizer, in particular a cold fogger or a cold nebulizer, no heating must be carried out in order to obtain an aerosol, a smoke or a phase simulating a smoke.
• the cold liquid atomizer is a fogger or a nebulizer, in particular a cold fogger or a cold nebulizer, and no heating is therefore operated
• the aerosol (for example mist or nebulisate) produced cold contains to a lesser extent or even does not contain toxic and potentially carcinogenic compounds generated by heating, as is the case with an atomizer of the heating resistance type encountered with current devices for inhaling a substance, in particular with current electronic cigarettes, relying on heating a liquid to obtain an aerosol.
• the cold liquid atomizer is a fogger or a nebulizer, in particular a cold fogger or a cold nebulizer, to produce an aerosol or smoke or to simulate smoke which would for example be obtained with a conventional cigarette (smoke essentially produced by the combustion of tobacco)
• the aerosol is not generated by heating but rather cold by means of a fogger or a nebulizer, in particular a cold sprayer or a cold nebulizer constituting a cold liquid atomizer to give rise to an aerosol in the form for example of a mist or a nebulisate.
• the aerosol emerging from the cold liquid atomizer preferably from a cold fogger or from a cold nebulizer
• the quantity of substance to be inhaled contained in the aerosol coming out of the cold liquid atomizer is substantially identical to one inhalation to another.
• the cold liquid atomizer (for example a cold atomizer or a cold nebulizer) gives rise, by atomization, to an aerosol (for example a mist or a nebulizer) having droplets having a droplet size between 0.05 and 100 ⁇ m, preferably between 0.1 and 20 ⁇ m, preferably between 0.25 and 10 ⁇ m, preferably between 0.5 and 5 ⁇ m.
• said aerosol has droplets having a droplet size distribution D50 equal to 3 ⁇ m, preferably equal to 2.5 ⁇ m.
• an “aerosol” is a set of fine particles, solid or liquid, of a substance or of a mixture of substances, in suspension / dispersion in a gaseous medium (in suspension / dispersion in a gas).
• an “atomizer” is an apparatus or device used to finely disperse (reduce to fine particles) liquids, solutions or suspensions.
• the function of an atomizer is to change a substance from a first state to a second state which is neither liquid nor solid.
• an atomizer makes it possible to obtain an aerosol as defined above.
• an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the present invention comprises a cold atomizer, in particular a cold atomizer or a cold nebulizer.
• a “fogger” is a device for carrying out, when cold, the division of a pressurized liquid into very fine droplets to give rise to a mist. Misting can for example be carried out by spraying (reduction into fine particles) of the liquid using an ultrasonic system or a nozzle through which the liquid is supplied.
• a “nebulizer” allows liquids to be transformed into a cloud of extremely fine particles (mist) when cold. Nebulization can for example be carried out by using ultrasound, by simultaneously supplying a liquid and a gas (concentric nebulizer or Venturi nebulizer) or by pressurizing a liquid and passing the latter through a head of nebulization (for example a hydraulic nebulizer).
• a gas, a liquid or a gas-liquid mixture gaining an input of said cold liquid atomizer for example an input of a cold fogger or of a cold nebulizer, has a velocity ( speed) between 0.0025 and 50 m / s, preferably between 0.005 and 25 m / s, preferably between 0.01 and 5 m / s.
• a gas gaining an inlet of said cold liquid atomizer for example an inlet of a cold fogger or of a cold nebulizer, has a flow rate of between 5 and 50 Nml / s ( mass flow).
• a liquid gaining an inlet of said cold liquid atomizer for example an inlet of a cold fogger or of a cold nebulizer, has a flow rate of between 0.001 and 1 ml / s, preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 ml / s.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention comprises a second reservoir comprising a pressurized gas, preferably air or oxygen or a mixture of air and pressurized oxygen.
• said second reservoir comprising a pressurized gas may be a reservoir in the form of a removable and / or rechargeable gas cartridge.
• the trigger comprises a valve or a valve.
• valve or valve of said trigger is placed between said second reservoir and said first reservoir or between said first reservoir and said cold liquid atomizer (for example a cold atomizer or a cold nebulizer) or between said cold liquid atomizer (for example a cold fogger or a cold nebulizer) and said mouthpiece.
• said cold liquid atomizer for example a cold atomizer or a cold nebulizer
• said cold liquid atomizer for example a cold fogger or a cold nebulizer
• the trigger is preferably mounted between said second reservoir arranged to contain a pressurized gas and said cold liquid atomizer.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance further comprises a device or a chamber for mixing said substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution and said gas under pressure.
• said device or said mixing chamber is upstream of said cold liquid atomizer (for example upstream of a cold atomizer or of a cold nebulizer) and is in fluid communication with an inlet of said liquid atomizer Cold.
• Such a device or mixing chamber further enables a homogeneous aerosol comprising the expected amount of substance to be inhaled to be formed and for the size of the droplets (particles) present in the aerosol to be adequate.
• said mouthpiece is rotatable and makes it possible to close the reservoir containing the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution so that the latter cannot flow outside the device in order to inhale. a substance.
• the mouthpiece closes the reservoir containing the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution.
• a rotational movement of said mouthpiece can make it possible to release an actuating means, for example a handle, from a piston of a manual pump when an appliance for inhaling a substance according to the invention comprises a manual pump for sucking, injecting and compressing ambient air in the second reservoir arranged to contain a pressurized gas.
• an actuating means for example a handle
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance further comprises a compartment comprising an aroma or an aromatic substance or nicotine.
• this compartment is in fluid communication with said cold liquid atomizer (for example in fluid communication with a cold atomizer or a cold nebulizer).
• this compartment is located downstream of the cold liquid atomizer, the aerosol formed taking on aroma or aromatic substance by passing through the compartment.
• the compartment may comprise an absorbent material which can be impregnated with an aroma or an aromatic substance or may have walls coated (coating) with an aroma or an aromatic substance.
• This compartment can be a removable and / or rechargeable part of the device for inhaling a substance according to the invention.
• This compartment may consist of an outside air intake (outside air intake) into which an aroma or an aromatic substance can be introduced whether or not it is present on a support. According to an embodiment according to the invention, this compartment is located at the level of the mouthpiece.
• said first reservoir and said second reservoir are concentric.
• the device for inhaling a substance further comprises a heating element, for example a resistance or a heating wall.
• a heating element for example a resistance or a heating wall.
• the presence of such a heating element can make it possible to heat / temper the mixture [pressurized gas + substance to be inhaled] and / or the aerosol coming out of the cold liquid atomizer (for example coming out of a cold atomizer or a cold nebulizer) so that the user inhales an aerosol, the temperature of which may for example be close to that of a puff obtained with a conventional cigarette (combustion of tobacco).
• Such a heating element can advantageously be present at the outlet of the second reservoir comprising a pressurized gas to compensate for the cooling due to the expansion of the gas when it leaves said second reservoir.
• such a heating element does not excessively heat the substance. to inhale in order to avoid or even prevent any generation of toxic and / or carcinogenic molecules by heating at high temperatures.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention further comprises at least one air intake or an external air intake.
• at least one air intake is in fluid communication with the cold liquid atomizer (eg, in fluid communication with a cold fogger or a cold nebulizer).
• an aromatic or aroma substance can be introduced into an air intake, for example by means of an element soaked in an aroma and inserted into the air intake.
• said at least one air intake or one outside air intake is located at the mouthpiece, in order to increase the volume of air inhaled when using a device for inhaling. a substance according to the invention.
• the device for inhaling a substance according to the invention further comprises at least one exhaust or a safety valve or a safety valve, that is to say an opening on / towards the outside ensuring the outlet of 'a fluid leaving the device to inhale a substance.
• This exhaust prevents any overpressure in the device for smoking and / or any explosion of the device for inhaling a substance.
• said at least one air intake and / or said at least one exhaust comprises a valve or a valve.
• the second reservoir comprising pressurized gas is removable and / or rechargeable.
• the first reservoir comprising at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution is removable and / or rechargeable.
• the cold liquid atomizer for example a cold atomizer or a cold nebulizer, is removable.
• the first reservoir comprising at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution further comprises at least one additional substance chosen from the group consisting of non-toxic smoke oils, nicotine, propylene glycol , propane-1, 3-diol, glycerin, ethanol, water and their mixtures. He is of course that many other additional substances could be envisaged within the framework of the present invention.
• the cold liquid atomizer is a spray fogger, for example an ultrasonic system spray fogger or a nozzle atomizer sprayer.
• the cold liquid atomizer is an ultrasonic nebulizer, a concentric nebulizer or a Venturi nebulizer.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance further comprises an additional cold liquid atomizer, for example a cold nebulizer or an additional cold fogger.
• an additional cold liquid atomizer for example a cold nebulizer or an additional cold fogger.
• said at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution is an aromatic or aroma substance in liquid form, in the form of an ionized liquid, or in a powder in solution in a solvent.
• Any other suitable form of said at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution is also the subject of the present invention.
• said substance to be inhaled in liquid form can simply be water, optionally distilled water.
• the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution is not in an oily or viscous or semi-viscous phase but only in an aqueous phase or in a non-oily, non-viscous or non-semi-viscous solvent.
• the device for inhaling a substance according to the invention further comprises at least one additional element chosen from the group consisting of valves and / or valves, a battery, a detector of. suction or pressure sensor, an electronic power module, a voltage variator, a temperature controller, a counter for the number of puffs, means of communication with an electronic device such as a computer or a smartphone, a switch controlling said trigger, a mixer, for example a Venturi type mixer.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance can also comprise an electronic module for programming the quantity of substance to be inhaled with each puff and / or the volume of gas released with each puff and / or the temperature of the heating element.
• the trip unit is a mechanical trip unit, for example a non-return valve, or an electromechanical trip unit, for example a solenoid valve.
• the trigger for example a trigger in the form of an (electro-) valve, can be located either between the first reservoir comprising at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution and the second reservoir comprising a gas. under pressure, either between the second reservoir comprising a pressurized gas and the cold liquid atomizer (for example a cold atomizer or a cold nebulizer), or between the cold liquid atomizer and the mouthpiece.
• the trip unit can be a mechanical trip unit of the non-return valve type.
• the non-return valve constituting the trigger and comprising a return spring passes from a rest position where it is in abutment against a stop to a working position (the non-return valve is no longer held against the stopper).
• the return spring is arranged such that it exerts sufficient force to maintain the non-return valve in its rest position when the apparatus for inhaling a substance is not in use.
• the suction exerted by the user at the level of the mouthpiece has the effect of shifting the non-return valve towards the user, creating a vacuum in the device to inhale a substance and, therefore, to allow a certain quantity of gas contained in the second reservoir to reach the first reservoir comprising the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution in order to convey (push) it to the cold liquid atomizer (for example a cold fogger or a cold nebulizer).
• the cold liquid atomizer for example a cold fogger or a cold nebulizer.
• the passage of the substance to be inhaled through the cold liquid atomizer gives rise to the formation of an aerosol comprising the substance to be inhaled in the form of fine droplets, for example simulating the smoke which would be obtained with a conventional cigarette (smoke essentially produced by burning tobacco).
• the device for inhaling a substance according to the invention comprises a turbine for increasing the air flow during suction performed by the user.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance comprises a battery, which can power a compressor and / or a pump for compressing a gas in said second reservoir.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance comprises a shut-off valve located upstream of said cold liquid atomizer, said shut-off valve comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, the second inlet being connected by a first fluidic connection to an outlet of said second reservoir arranged to contain a pressurized gas and the second outlet being connected by a second fluidic connection to a first inlet of said cold liquid atomizer, said shut-off valve being configured to be closed as long as a pressure Pi of said pressurized gas at said second inlet is less than a minimum reference pressure Pmin and being configured to open when and as long as said pressure Pi of said pressurized gas at said second inlet is greater than or equal to the pressure Pmin.
• said pressure Pmin is between 0.1 and 1 bar, more preferably between 0.2 and 0.7 bar, more preferably still between 0.3 and 0.4 bar.
• shut-off valve The function of the shut-off valve is therefore to ensure that the atomizer of cold liquid always works. with sufficient inlet pressure. Indeed, if the inlet pressure of the cold liquid atomizer is too low, the cold liquid atomizer is no longer able to ensure the obtaining of an aerosol simulating smoke but gives rise to to particles of too large a size (particles having a diameter greater than 100 ⁇ m, for example) and to “sputtering”, that is to say to obtaining a “sputum”.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance further comprises a safety valve comprising an inlet fluidically connected to the second reservoir arranged to contain a pressurized gas and an outlet in fluid communication with a medium. surrounding environment, said safety valve being configured to be and to remain closed as long as a pressure Pin at its inlet is less than a predetermined safety pressure Psafety and being configured to open when and as long as said pressure Pin at its inlet is greater than the safety pressure Predetermined safety.
• a safety valve comprising an inlet fluidically connected to the second reservoir arranged to contain a pressurized gas and an outlet in fluid communication with a medium. surrounding environment, said safety valve being configured to be and to remain closed as long as a pressure Pin at its inlet is less than a predetermined safety pressure Psafety and being configured to open when and as long as said pressure Pin at its inlet is greater than the safety pressure Predetermined safety.
• the inlet of the safety valve is fluidly connected directly to a wall or to an outlet of said second reservoir arranged to contain a pressurized gas.
• said predetermined safety pressure Psafety is between 5 and 20 bar, more preferably between 10 and 12 bar.
• said predetermined safety pressure Psafety is not greater than 20 bar.
• the apparatus for inhaling a substance further comprises a pressure regulator located between said second reservoir arranged to contain a pressurized gas and said cold liquid atomizer.
• a pressure regulator as such is known from the state of the art and is a device which limits the pressure at its outlet to a maximum reference pressure Pmax.
• said predetermined maximum reference pressure Pmax is between 0.3 and 2 bar, preferably between 0.5 and 1 bar, more preferably between 0.6 and 0.7 bar.
• the minimum reference pressure Pmin is less than the maximum reference pressure Pmax.
• said pressure regulator when the device for inhaling a substance comprises a shut-off valve, said pressure regulator is located upstream of the shut-off valve.
• said pressure regulator has for example a third inlet connected by a third fluidic connection to an outlet of said second reservoir arranged to contain a pressurized gas and a third outlet connected by a fourth fluidic connection to the second inlet. of said stop valve.
• shut-off valve and / or said pressure regulator and / or said safety valve are located in said second tank arranged to contain a pressurized gas.
• the present invention also relates to an assembly comprising an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention and a recharging station (docking station) for said second gas reservoir, in particular air, and / or for recharging the electric energy of the gas tank. device for inhaling a substance.
• the present invention also relates to a use of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention for atomizing (for example for misting or nebulizing) at least one substance to be inhaled.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention.
• FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of an assembly E according to the invention comprising a cold liquid atomizer and a first reservoir containing at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution.
• Figures 2B and C illustrate another embodiment of an assembly E according to the invention comprising a cold liquid atomizer and a first reservoir containing at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution.
• Figure 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention comprising a shut-off valve.
• Figure 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention comprising a pressure regulator.
• Figure 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention comprising a shut-off valve and a pressure regulator.
• Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a shut-off valve.
• Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a safety valve.
• Figure 8 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a pressure regulator.
• Figure 9 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a trigger.
• Figure 10 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a combination of a pressure regulator and a shut-off valve.
• Figure 11 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a combination of a pressure regulator, a shut-off valve and a safety valve.
• Figure 12 is a schematic sectional view of an example of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention.
• Fig. 13 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention.
• Fig. 14 is an exploded schematic view of another embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention.
• Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention.
• the device for inhaling a substance 1 comprises:
• a cold liquid atomizer for example a cold fogger or a cold nebulizer
• an assembly E comprising said cold liquid atomizer and a first reservoir containing at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution, said atomizer being in fluid communication with said first reservoir,
• a second reservoir 4 comprising a pressurized gas and being in fluid communication with said assembly E,
• a trigger 6 arranged to release a quantity of said gas out of said second reservoir 4 and to said assembly E, and
• a pump P arranged to suck ambient air, inject it and compress it into said second reservoir 4.
• said first reservoir comprises a fluid inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of said second reservoir 4 comprising a pressurized gas.
• the device for inhaling a substance 1 comprises a trigger 6.
• the trigger 6 can be a valve openable by a push button or any other equivalent means and accessible by the user.
• the trigger 6 can be a solenoid valve and comprise a suction detector or pressure sensor (not illustrated), a control unit (not illustrated) connected to the pressure sensor and an electrical source (for example a battery ) (not shown).
• the control unit when the user exerts a suction at the level of the mouthpiece 5, the control unit will measure a vacuum in the device 1 via the pressure sensor and then allow the passage of a current to the solenoid valve (which constitutes the trigger 6) so that the latter passes from a rest position in which it is closed to a position that it is open.
• the second reservoir 4 comprises a pressurized gas and that it is in fluid communication with said first reservoir which is itself in fluid communication with an inlet of the cold liquid atomizer which is itself in fluid communication with mouthpiece 5, the opening of the solenoid valve creating a vacuum in the device 1 will give rise to a release of gas from the second reservoir 4, the gas then entraining the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution contained in the first reservoir to an inlet of the cold liquid atomizer.
• Such entrainment of the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution by a gas facilitates the passage of the latter in the atomizer but also the exit of the aerosol obtained by the mouthpiece 5, which makes the use of this embodiment according to the invention all the more comfortable for the user.
• FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of an assembly E according to the invention comprising a cold liquid atomizer 2 and a first reservoir 3 containing at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution, said atomizer 2 being in communication fluidics with said first reservoir 3.
• FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate another embodiment of an assembly E according to the invention comprising a cold liquid atomizer 2 and a first reservoir 3 containing at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution.
• the cold liquid atomizer 2 is partially present in the first reservoir 3. More particularly, according to this embodiment, a first inlet e1 (gas inlet) of the atomizer cold liquid 2 is in fluid communication with an outlet of the second reservoir 4 and a second inlet e2 (inlet of substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution) of the cold liquid atomizer 2 is in fluid communication with the first reservoir 3 containing the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution.
• the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution gains the cold liquid atomizer 2 by the Venturi effect, which is due to the passage of the pressurized gas through the liquid atomizer to cold 2, which implies that the substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution is “sucked” and reaches the cold liquid atomizer 2 through the inlet e2.
• FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance 1 according to the invention.
• This embodiment comprises the same components as those illustrated in FIG. 1 and a shut-off valve 11 located upstream of the assembly E comprising a cold liquid atomizer and a first reservoir containing at least one substance to be inhaled in the form liquid or in solution, said cold liquid atomizer being in fluid communication with said first reservoir, said shut-off valve 11 comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, the second inlet being connected by a first fluidic connection to an outlet of said second tank 4 arranged to contain a pressurized gas and the second outlet being connected by a second fluid connection to a first inlet of said cold liquid atomizer, said stop valve 11 being configured to be and to remain closed as long as a pressure Pi of said pressurized gas at said second inlet is less than a minimum reference pressure Pmin and being configured to open when and as long as said pressure Pi of said pressurized gas at said second inlet is greater than or equal to the pressure Pmin.
• FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance 1 according to the invention.
• This embodiment comprises the same components as those illustrated in FIG. 1 and a pressure regulator 10 located between said second reservoir 4 arranged to contain a pressurized gas and the assembly E comprising a cold liquid atomizer and a first reservoir. containing at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution, said atomizer being in fluid communication with said first reservoir.
• FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance 1 according to the invention.
• This embodiment comprises the same components as those illustrated in FIG. 1 and simultaneously a pressure regulator 10 and a stop valve 11, said pressure regulator 10 and said stop valve 11 being located upstream of the assembly.
• E comprising a cold liquid atomizer and a first reservoir containing at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution, said atomizer being in fluid communication with said first reservoir.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a stop valve 11.
• This stop valve 11 comprises a chamber C having a gas inlet E ga z, a gas outlet S ga z, an orifice O and a PIST piston to which is connected a needle p designed to cooperate with the orifice O.
• the needle p is held in abutment against the orifice O and thus closes this orifice O thanks to the force exerted on the PIST piston by a spring R pre-tensioned in extension .
• This closed position is maintained as long as a gas pressure at the gas E gas inlet is less than a minimum reference pressure Pmin.
• FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a safety valve Sséc.
• This Ssec safety valve comprises a chamber C having an inlet of gas E gas , an exhaust towards the atmosphere E a tm adoptedan orifice O and a needle p designed to cooperate with the orifice O.
• the chamber C includes a spring R pre-tensioned in extension to which the needle p is connected.
• the needle p In the absence of pressure at the gas E gas inlet, the needle p is held in abutment against the orifice O and thus closes this orifice O thanks to the force exerted by the spring R pretensioned in extension. This closed position is maintained as long as a pressure at the gas E gas inlet is less than a predetermined safety pressure Psecurity.
• the shut-off valve will switch to the open position as soon as the pressure at the gas inlet E gas is greater than the safety pressure Psafety predetermined, the safety valve Sséc. being thus open and allowing the gas to pass from its inlet E gas to the exhaust to the atmosphere Eatm.
• FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a pressure regulator 10.
• This pressure regulator 10 comprises a chamber C having a gas E gas inlet, a gas S gas outlet, an orifice O and a PIST piston to which is connected a needle p designed to cooperate with the orifice O.
• the needle p In the absence of pressure at the gas E gas inlet, the needle p is kept away from the orifice O and thus leaves this orifice O open, thanks to the force exerted on the PIST piston by a spring R pre-tensioned in extension. This open position is maintained as long as a gas pressure at the gas inlet E gas is less than or equal to a maximum reference pressure P ax.
• FIG 9 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a trigger 6.
• This trigger 6 comprises a chamber C having a gas E gas inlet, a gas S gas outlet, a seat S and a PIST piston which is connected to a needle p designed to cooperate with the seat S.
• the needle p extends outwards from the chamber to end with a button B. In the absence of any action on button B, the needle p is maintained in stop against the seat S and thus closes the passage to the gas, thanks to the force exerted on the PIST piston by a spring R pre-tensioned in extension.
• FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a combination of a pressure regulator 10 and a shut-off valve 11 as described above.
• the pressure regulator 10 is positioned upstream of the stop valve 11 and in series with the stop valve.
• FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a combination of a pressure regulator, a shut-off valve and a safety valve as described above.
• the safety valve is positioned upstream of the pressure regulator, preferably between the second reservoir 4 and an outlet of the pump P.
• the safety valve is mounted directly on or even in the second. tank 4.
• FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of an example of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention.
• a pump P is fluidly connected to a second reservoir 4 arranged to contain a pressurized gas and being positioned upstream of a pressure regulator 10 to which it is fluidly connected.
• a Ssec safety valve. is positioned upstream of the pressure regulator 10 which is itself positioned upstream of a shut-off valve 11 to which it is fluidly connected.
• An outlet of the stop valve 11 is fluidly connected to an assembly E comprising a cold liquid atomizer and a first reservoir containing at least one substance to be inhaled in liquid form or in solution, said atomizer being in fluid communication with said first tank.
• a trigger 6 is positioned between the assembly E and said stop valve 11.
• chamber C has an opening (not shown in the figures) on the spring side of the PIST piston in order to allow ambient air to enter chamber C on this side of the PIST piston.
• Fig. 13 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention.
• Figure 14 is an exploded schematic view of another embodiment of an apparatus for inhaling a substance according to the invention.

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=76250330

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (14)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2021
  • 2021-05-27 IL IL298531A patent/IL298531A/en unknown
  • 2021-05-27 MX MX2022014536A patent/MX2022014536A/es unknown
  • 2021-05-27 BE BE20215425A patent/BE1028285B1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 2021-05-27 CN CN202180037753.8A patent/CN115666284A/zh active Pending
  • 2021-05-27 EP EP21729478.4A patent/EP4156984A1/de active Pending
  • 2021-05-27 US US17/999,819 patent/US20230210168A1/en active Pending
  • 2021-05-27 BR BR112022023791A patent/BR112022023791A2/pt unknown
  • 2021-05-27 WO PCT/EP2021/064176 patent/WO2021239868A1/fr unknown
  • 2021-05-27 AU AU2021279200A patent/AU2021279200A1/en active Pending
  • 2021-05-27 KR KR1020227045651A patent/KR20230016004A/ko unknown
  • 2021-05-27 CA CA3179885A patent/CA3179885A1/fr active Pending
• 2022
  • 2022-11-22 CL CL2022003279A patent/CL2022003279A1/es unknown
  • 2022-12-20 ZA ZA2022/13759A patent/ZA202213759B/en unknown
  • 2022-12-20 CO CONC2022/0018503A patent/CO2022018503A2/es unknown

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events