GB2468512A

GB2468512A - Volatilization device

Info

Publication number: GB2468512A
Application number: GB0904241A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl Kaljura
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2009-03-12
Filing date: 2009-03-12
Publication date: 2010-09-15
Also published as: GB0904241D0

Abstract

A device for delivering volatilized material to a user comprises a heat source mounted in a housing 112 having a housing exterior surface; and a volatilization component comprising a core including a source of volatilizable material. The source of volatilizable material is in detachable heat transfer communication with the heat source. The volatilization component comprises a sleeve 126 circumscribing the0 core, wherein the sleeve is attached to the core and extends along a first portion of the core, being only a part of the length of the core. An exterior surface of the sleeve is substantially flush with an adjacent part of the housing exterior surface when the source of volatilizable material is in heat transfer communication with the heat source. The sleeve may be formed by one or more layers of sheet material such as paper, or by tipping paper or comprise filter material wrapped in a paper wrap or be a tube of solid material. The core may comprise a filter 124. The heat source may comprise a heat sink 114 and a heat transfer device.

Description

Volatilization Device The present invention relates to a volatili2ation device. A volatili2ation device uses a heat source to heat an aerosol generating substance, the resultant volatilized flavourable aerosol is then delivered to a user where it is inhaled. The aerosol generating substance is not combusted.

Devices for delivering volatili2ed material to users have several uses, in particular as smoking simulation devices or for the delivery of flavourants or therapeutic substances to the user.

A smoking simulation device may provide a tobacco smoke taste, without the combustion of tobacco. WO 2008/015441 teaches delivering a volatili2ed material to a user in the form of a simulated cigarette. A heat sink provides heat to a volatili2ation component, particular tobacco, through a heat pipe. In order to obtain improved user acceptance of a smoking simulation device, it is advantageous to closely replicate the look and feel of a conventional cigarette.

The present invention provides in a first aspect, a device for delivering volatili2ed material to a user, comprising: a heat source mounted in a housing having a housing exterior surface; a volatili2ation component comprising a core including a source of volatili2able material, wherein the source of volatili2able material is in detachable heat transfer communication with the heat source; the volatili2ation component comprises a sleeve circumscribing the core, wherein the sleeve is attached to the core and extends along a first portion of the core, being only a part of the length of the core, wherein an exterior surface of the sleeve is substantially flush with an adjacent part of the housing exterior surface when the source of volatili2able material is in heat transfer communication with the heat source.

Preferably, the sleeve is formed by a plurality of layers of sheet material.

Preferably, the plurality of layers of sheet material is a plurality of layers of paper.

The present invention provides, in a second aspect, a volatili2ation component for connection to a heat source to deliver volatili2ed material to a user, the volatili2ation component comprising: a core including a source of volatili2able material, and a sleeve circumscribing the core, wherein the sleeve is attached to the core and extends along a first portion of the core, being only a part of the length of the core, wherein an exterior surface of the sleeve is substantially flush with an adjacent part of the housing exterior surface when the source of volatili2able material is in heat transfer communication with the heat source.

The present invention provides, in a third aspect, a method of manufacturing the volatili2ation component described above, comprising: providing a core including a source of volatili2able material, and attaching a sleeve around a first portion of the core.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device known from

the prior art;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the prior art device of Figure 1 in an assembled condition; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the prior art device of Figures 1 and 2 in a disassembled condition; Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a

device known from the prior art;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in a disassembled condition; Figure 6 is a perspective view of part of the device of Figure 5 in accordance with the present invention during manufacture; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a volatilisation component in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a volatilisation component in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a first embodiment of a prior art device 10 known from WO 2008/015441 for delivering volatili2ed material to a user in the form of a simulated cigarette, which includes a reusable heat delivery component 11, and a volatili2ation component 20 which is intended to be disposed of after use. The heat delivery component 11 includes a cylindrical housing 12 which is a thermally insulating tube. The housing 12 has an end 34 arranged to detachably receive the volatili2ation component 20. A heat transfer device, in the form of a heat pipe 16, is disposed within the housing 12, and is surrounded by a supporting and insulating material 26, for example ceramic mat or ceramic fibres. The heat pipe 16 extends longitudinally into a heat sink 14 at an end distal from the user's mouth, and at an opposed end 32 proximal to the user's mouth extends into the volatili2ation component 20. A plurality of perforations 18 are formed in the housing 12, which allow airflow into the supporting and insulating material 26.

The heat sink 14 collects and retains heat that is supplied from an outside source. Heat sink 14 is preferably a metal or ceramic material, such as a honeycomb ceramic, aluminium, or may utilise an encapsulated or closed cell structure containing a phase change material. A suitable phase change material is a eutectic of tin (91 wt%) and 2inc (9 wt%). Preferably, the heat sink 14 is between 15mm to 30mm in length and is approximately the circumference of a standard cigarette, which is around 25mm. The heat sink 14 is of a material which can be heated to between around 90°C to about 315°C, and may be jacketed by a thin insulating material (not shown). A thermo-chromatic indicator 40 may provide an indication to the user when the heat sink 14 is sufficiently heated to the functional heat range for use.

The heat pipe 16 is preferably a hollow metal tube, for example a titanium, aluminium or copper tube sealed at both ends and filled with a heat transfer material 36. The heat pipe 16 is arranged to transfer heat from the heat sink 14 to a volatili2ation section 22 of the volatili2ation component 20. Preferably, the heat transfer material 36 comprises a capillary wicking material that is saturated with liquid such as, for example, water. The heat pipe 16 is preferably around 2mm to 6mm in diameter and around Scm to 9cm in length.

The volatili2ation section 22 comprises a source of volatili2able material, preferably a composition containing tobacco. The source of volatili2able material may comprise tobacco and/or flavouring, and may comprise tobacco particles, processed tobacco sheet or extruded tobacco. The source of volatili2able material functions as a heat, but not burn, substrate to carry flavours, aerosol generating substances and/or other sensorially active substances and stimulants, e.g. nicotine.

The volatili2ation section 22 is shown as having a recess 28 having an inside diameter approximately the same as the outside diameter of the end 32 of the heat pipe 16. The volatili2ation section 22 is complimentary in shape and adapted to receive the heat pipe end 32.

Alternatively, the volatili2ation section may not have a recess 28, and comprise a solid cylinder of volatili2able material. The heat pipe end 32 may be shaped to penetrate into the tobacco in the volatili2ation section 22, to improve contact and heat conduction, and the channel section (recess) 28 may not be required. The heat pipe end 32 may take the form of a screw, a single penetration needle, a cone with flat fins or a plurality of penetration needles.

The volatili2ation component 20 further comprises a filter section 24 axially aligned with the volatili2ation section 22. The filter section defines a mouthpiece end. The filter section 24 preferably comprises a cross-linked polypropylene web, or a high denier per filament cellulose acetate, or a shaped cellulose acetate tube.

The filter section 24 is attached to the volatili2ation section 22 by an outer paper wrap 38.

In use, the volatili2ation component 20 is inserted into the end 34 of the heat delivery component 11, with the heat pipe 16 being received in volatili2ation section 22 in contact with the source of volatili2able material (e.g. tobacco and/or flavouring). The heat sink 14 is heated from an outside heat source, for example a cigarette lighter, to an optimum temperature which may be indicated by a colour change of the thermo-chromatic indicator 40. When the heat sink 14 reaches a desired temperature, the user ceases heating, and draws on the filter section 24 end of the volatili2ation components 20. Air passes through the supporting and insulating material 26 of the heat delivery component 11 through air holes 18, and is heated by the heat transfer pipe 16. The heated air then passes through the tobacco and/or flavouring of the volatili2ation section 22, which has also been heated by contact with the heat pipes 16. The hot air and heat from the heat pipe volatili2es the low temperature volatiles and the aerosol generating substance and/or flavouring, which is then drawn into the mouth of the consumer.

A second embodiment of the prior art is shown in Figure 4. Reference numbers refer to the same parts as described as for Figures 1 to 3. The heat sink 14 is formed as a spigot 14a, and a layer of insulating material 36 is positioned between the housing 12 and the spigot 14a. The heat sink 14 projects from the housing 12 and is shaped to provide on its external surface a heat transfer region 14b which preferably carries a series of concentric ribs 37. The ribs increase the surface area of the heat sink 14.

The end of the housing 12 receiving the volatili2ation component 20 defines a socket 38, which is shaped to receive a spigot 39 of complementary shape formed on the volatili2ation component 20. The volatili2ation component 20 comprises a filter section 24 and a volatili2ation section 22 contained within a cylindrical housing 40. The housing 40 extends the whole length of the volatilization component 20, wherein part of its external surface has the same external diameter as the housing 12 of the heat delivery component 11, and part forms the reduced diameter spigot 39. The housing 40 has perforations l8a allowing airflow through part of the volatili2ation section 22. Additional details of a volatili2ation device are described in WO 2008/015441.

Figure 5 shows a disassembled volatili2ation device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The volatili2ation device 100 is formed and operates substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, with modifications as will be described. All features mentioned above and described in WO 2008/015441 are therefore part of the device 100 of the present invention unless otherwise described. Analogous to Figures 1 to 4, the volatili2ation device has a heat delivery component 111 attachable to and detachable from a volatilisation component 120. A housing 112 has a heat sink 114 and an end 138 defining a socket to receive the volatilisation section 120. The end 138 may be formed by a ceramic or plastic collar. The housing 112 is preferably a cylinder with a constant diameter along its length. The housing 112 may have a plurality of perforations (not shown), analogous to perforations 18 in Figures 1 to 3.

Alternatively, a single perforation, for example in the form of a slot, may allow airflow into the housing 112.

A heat pipe (not shown) extends axially through the housing 112 from the heat sink 114 to the socket. The heat pipe end is preferably shaped to penetrate into the tobacco in the volatili2ation section 122 to improve contact and heat conduction. The heat pipe end 32 (shown in Figure 3) preferably takes the form of a screw.

The volatili2ation component 120 has a volatili2ation section 122 containing tobacco and/or flavouring, and preferably a filter section 124 axially aligned with the volatili2ation section 122, generally as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The volatili2ation section 122 is preferably a cylinder of volatili2able material, and without a recess for receiving the heat pipe.

The volatili2ation section 122 is preferably a cylinder of tobacco and/or flavouring wrapped in an outer sheet material, preferably paper wrap, to form a tobacco rod. The filter section 124 is preferably formed as a cylinder of filter material wrapped in paper, generally known as plugwrap. The volatili2ation section 122 and filter section 124 are axially aligned, and preferably have the same diameter.

Preferably, the volatili2ation section (tobacco rod) has a length of 10 to 40mm and the filter section has a length of 5 to 2 5mm.

The volatili2ation section 122 and filter section 124 will together be referred to as a core of the volatili2ation component 120. The term "core" may also be applied to the volatili2ation section without a filter section.

In the device 100, the volatilization component 120 further comprises a sleeve attached to the core. The sleeve is formed of one or more layers of sheet material 126 circumscribing a first portion of the core. Preferably, the sleeve is a plurality of layers of sheet material 126. The first portion of the core extends along only part of the length of the volatilization component 120. The sheet material 126 is preferably paper. In particular, the sheet material 126 is preferably tipping paper.

The layers of paper 126 circumscribe the filter section 124 and an adjacent part of the volatilization section In. The layers of paper 126 form a portion of larger rUsmeter adjacent the mouthpiece end. The layers of paper increase the rUsmeter of part of the volatilization component 120 by between 1mm and 4mm, and approrimately 2mm, to be flush with the heat delivery component 111. The volatilization section 122 and filter section 124 forming the core have the same or substantially the same akmeter, and so the layers of paper 126 solely provide an increased exterior surface, with a rUsmeter of approrimstely 2mm more than the second, smaller rUsmeter, portion of the detachable volatilization component which is not wound with paper 126.

The volatilization component 120 has a stepped rUsmeter. The second, smaller rU2meter, portion forms a spigot and is insertable into the socket of the delivery component III. The larger dismeter portion is not insertable into the socket, and abuts against the end 138 of the housing 112 when the volatilization component 120 is fully inserted. The overall length of the device, comprising the heat delivery component III fitted with the volatilization component 120 is preferably 100mm. The overall length is the sum of the length of the heat delivery component III and the length of the sleeve 126.

The exterior surface of the layers of paper 126 has substantially the same rUsmeter as the exterior surface of the housing 112 at end 138 of the heat delivery component III. The exterior surfaces of the housing 112 of the heat delivery component III and volatilization component 120 are therefore substantialiy flush where they meet. The device 100 simulates the look of a conventional cigarette since the assembled device has a smooth, preferably constant, vlismeter across the join between the two attachable sections. The device 100 simulates the feel of a cigarette to a user since the paper 126 provides the resilient feel of a conventional cigarette to a user. The layers of paper 126 preferably further provide the function of joining the filter section 124 and volatili2ation section 122 together.

Alternatively, the sleeve formed by the plurality of layers of paper 126 may not extend over the volatili2ation section 122 The plurality of layers of paper 126 is preferably a single continuous piece of paper wound a plurality of times around the volatili2ation component 120. The filter section 124 and volatili2ation section 122 may be held together by the plurality of layers of paper 126. The layers of paper 126 may extend over the whole axial length of the filter section 124 and part of the axial length of the volatili2ation section 122, adjacent the filter section 124. The volatili2ation section 122 comprises a separate surrounding paper wrapped around the source of volatili2able material.

Alternatively, the sleeve formed by the plurality of layers of paper 126 may not extend over the volatili2ation section 122. The volatilization section 122 and filter section 124 are joined by a separate paper extending over both the volatili2ation section 122 and filter section 124. The separate paper wrap may be made of tipping paper, and is a separate piece of tipping paper than the layers of paper 126.

The paper 126 is preferably tipping paper substantially as used in conventional cigarettes. The paper 126 is held in place using an adhesive as is known for tipping paper. The paper 126 may be non-porous or porous, for example, naturally porous or perforated.

The present invention provides for an improved method of manufacture and apparatus for manufacturing a volatili2ation device. A method for applying tipping paper to join a filter and tobacco rod is well known for conventional cigarettes. The layers of paper 126 of the volatili2ation device 100 can be manufactured using a Jo modified method and apparatus for applying tipping paper. The method and apparatus are modified to wind additional layers of tipping paper, to increase the diameter of the volatili2ation component 120 at the mouth piece end.

Analogously to known cigarette manufacture, a source of volatili2able material is joined to each end of a filter section, and a continuous piece of the sheet material 126 wound around the filter section and part of each source of volatili2able material such that the filter section and the two sources of volatili2able material are joined together by the sheet material. The filter section is cut in half into two parts to form two volatili2ation components each having a filter and a source of volatili2able material.

Figure 6 shows winding a single piece of paper 126 around the volatili2ation component 120 until the diameter of the exterior surface of the paper 126 matches the housing 112. The number of layers of paper will be determined by the thickness of paper, and the depth required to match the diameter of the heat delivery component 111. The number of layers required would be reduced by increasing the thickness of the paper 126, or by embossing the paper 126.

The layer(s) of paper 126 may comprise one or more layers of paper.

Preferably, there are between 2 and 8 layers of paper, and more preferably between 2 and 4 layers of paper. Alternatively, there may be only one layer of paper 126.

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of a volatili2ation component 220 according to the present invention. The volatili2ation component 220 is arranged to be used with the heat delivery component as described with respect to Figures 1 to 5. The core of the volatili2ation component 220 is formed as described with reference to the first embodiment, including the relevant aspects of Figures 1 to 4. In particular, a filter section 224 comprises filter material wrapped in a paper wrap (e.g. plugwrap).

With reference to Figure 7, a volatili2atlOn section 222 is axially aligned with the filter section 224, the volatili2ation section 222 and filter section 224 preferably being cylinders of the same diameter. The filter section 224 may comprise filter material circumscribed by plugwrap. The volatili2ation section 222 and filter section 224 are Jo preferably joined together by a paper wrap, preferably tipping paper. A sleeve 226 is formed of filter material 226a wrapped in a wrap 226b. The sleeve 226 replaces the sleeve 126 made of layers of paper described in the first embodiment of the invention. The sleeve 226 extends over only part of the length of the core.

-10 -The filter material 226a of the sleeve is preferably cellulose acetate. The core filter 224 may be formed from the same type of material as the sleeve filter material 226a (e.g. cellulose acetate), or may be formed from a different material. The wrap 226b is preferably a paper wrap, preferably made of plugwrap. The wrap 226a is preferably of the same material as used in the filter section 224, or alternatively may be a different material. The sleeve of filter material 226a wrapped in paper 226b may be formed in a similar manner to the filter section 224 of the core. The volatili2ation component 220 therefore comprises concentric layers of wrap, surrounding separate layers of filter material.

The sleeve 226 performs the function of providing an increased, stepped, diameter to only part of the volatili2ation component 220, so that the exterior surface of the sleeve 226 is flush with the exterior surface of the adjacent part of the heat delivery component 111.

The advantage of a sleeve 226 comprising filter material is that the compressibility, or "feel", of the sleeve is similar to a conventional cigarette filter which is also comprised of filter material. This may improve user acceptance of the volatili2ation component.

Figure 8 shows a third embodiment of a volatili2ation component 320 according to the present invention. The volatili2ation component 320 is arranged to be used with the heat delivery component as described with respect to Figures 1 to 5. The core of the volatili2ation component 320 is formed as described with reference to the first embodiment, including the relevant aspects of Figures 1 to 4.

With reference to Figure 8, a volatili2ation section 322 is axially aligned with a filter section 324, the volatili2ation section 322 and filter section 324, preferably being cylinders of the same diameter. The volatili2ation section 322 and filter section 324 are preferably joined together by a paper wrap, preferably tipping paper. A sleeve 326 is formed of a tube of solid material, instead of the sleeve 126 being made of layers of sheet material as described in the first aspect of the invention. The sleeve 326 is preferably a plastic tube, attached to the core 322,324 and circumscribing the core.

The sleeve 326 extends over only part of the length of the core.

The sleeve 326 is preferably attached to the core with an adhesive. This method of affiring the sleeve may also be applied to any of the above embodiments.

The sleeve 326 performs the function of providing an increased, stepped, rUsnieter to only part of the volatilization component 320, so that the exterior surface of the sleeve 326 is flush with the exterior surface of the adjacent part of the heat delivery component 111.

The sleeve of any of the embodiments is located at a mouth end of the core, extending over the filter section if present. Preferably, the sleeve may have a length which is less than the length of the filter section, or may have a length which is substantially the same as the filter section. Alternatively, the sleeve may have a length which is greater than the filter section, and so also extends over part of the source of volatilizable material.

The volatilization component is preferably inserted into a cylinder having a heat sink and heat pipe. Alternatively, the volatilization component may be inserted into a device of any shape. The heat for volatilbing the tobacco and/flavourants may come from any suitable heat source, an example of a heat source being the heat sink and heat pipe. Alternatively, any known heat source may be used. The volatilization component is independent of the heat delivery component. Any of the features described for the volatilization component as part of the device are also applicable to the volatilization component on its own. The source of volatilizable material is configured for detachable heat transfer communication with the heat source. The volatilization component may be releasably attached to a heat delivery component in any way such that the source of volatilizable material is in detachable heat transfer communication with the heat source.

The filter section of any of the above embodiments preferably comprises a substantialiy solid cylinder of filter material wrapped in plugwrap. Alternatively, the -12 -filter section may comprise filter material having a hollow bore extending through the filter material. The bore is preferably open at the mouth end of the filter section. The bore is preferably cylindrical and centrally aligned in the filter section, and extends longitudinally. The bore may extend the whole length of the filter section, or may alternatively only extend over part of the length of the filter section.

The bore allows increased flow through the filter section thereby reducing the amount of aerosol removed by filtration. The filter material surrounding the bore is preferably cellulose acetate, as this maintains the feel of a filter in the mouth of the consumer.

Ventilation in the form of one or more holes to allow the ingress of air may be applied to the filter section. The ventilation air would cool the stream of volatilised substances, thereby promoting the condensation and growth of aerosol particles resulting in an aerosol with improved sensory properties.

A filter section having a bore extending through its whole length is manufactured by producing a filter having a first portion having a bore surrounded by filter material and a second portion of filter material without a bore. The first portion is attached to the volatili2ation section. The second portion is then removed in the "cutting down" process, leaving the exposed bore at the mouth end of the volatili2ation component.

In any of the embodiments described, the sleeve preferably extends over all or only part of the filter section, and does not extend over any of the volatili2ation section. Alternatively, the sleeve may extend over the whole length of the filter section and an adjacent part of the volatili2ation section.

The volatili2ation component of any of the embodiments preferably includes a filter section. Alternatively there may be no filter section, or the filter may be Jo integrated with the volatili2ation section. In this case, the sleeve surrounds only the mouth piece end of the volatili2ation section. -13-

The volatilization device of any of the embodiments can be used to deliver other volatilized materials to the user, such as therapeutic materials, for example, medicinal drugs. These embodiments of the invention win be siniilsr in ali respects to the devices shown in the accompanying drawings, except that the volatilization component 12%220;320 will include a volatilizable therapeutic material in section 122222;322 rather than a flavonring or tobacco.

Any of the features described in any of the embodiments or in the described prior art embodiments may also be applied to any other of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for delivering volatilized material to a user, comprising a heat source mounted in a housing having a housing exterior surface; a volatilization component comprising a core including a source of volatilizable material, wherein the source of volatilizable material is in detachable heat transfer communication with the heat source; the volatilization component comprises a sleeve circumscribing the core, wherein the sleeve is attached to the core and extends along a first portion of the core,beingonlyapartofthelengthofthecore, wherein an exterior surface of the sleeve is substantially flush with an adjacent part of the housing exterior surface when the source of volatilizable material is in heat transfer communication with the heat source.
2. A device as r]sinied in any one of the preceding r]sinis wherein the sleeve is formed by one or more layers of sheet material, and preferably, by a plurality of layers of sheet material.
3. A device as r]sinied in ckini 2 wherein the sheet material is a paper.
4. A device as r]sinied in dsini I wherein the sheet material is tipping paper.
5. A device as r]sinied in clsini I wherein the sleeve comprises filter material.
6. A device as r]sinied in rlsini 5 wherein the filter material of the sleeve is wrapped in a paper wrap.
7. A device as r]sinied in rlsini 5 or ckini 6 wherein the core comprises a filter, and the filter material of the sleeve is the same type of material as the core filter material.
8. A device as r]sinied in any one of rkinis 5 to 7 wherein the filter material of the sleeve and/or the filter material of the core filter is cellulose acetate.
9. A device as rhimed in chini 1 wherein the sleeve is a tube of solid material.
10. A device as rhimed in any one of the preceding chims wherein the heat source comprises: a heat sink; a heat transfer device in heat transfer relation with the heat sink, wherein the heat transfer device is in detachable heat transfer communication with the source of volatilizable material.
11. A device as risimed in any one of the preceding chims wherein the volatilization component is releasably held in relation to the heat source through a second portion of the core.
12. A device as chimed in risim 11 wherein the heat source is mounted in a housing, and the second portion of the core is configured to attach to the housing.
13. A device as risimed in any one of the preceding chims wherein the core comprises a filter section through which volatilized material passes.
14. A device as chimed in chim 13 wherein the core filter section defines a bore.
15. A device as rhimed in any one of the preceding rhims wherein the filter section and source of volatilizable materiti are joined together by tipping paper.
16. A device as rhimed in any one of the preceding cl2ims wherein the source of volatilizable material comprises tobacco.
17. A volatilization component for connection to a heat source to deliver volatilized material to a user, the volatilization component comprising a core including a source of volatilizable material, and -16 -a sleeve circumscribing the core, wherein the sleeve is attached to the core and extends along a first portion of the core, being only a part of the length of the core, wherein an exterior surface of the sleeve is substantially flush with an adjacent part of the housing exterior surface when the source of volatili2able material is in heat transfer communication with the heat source.
18. A volatili2ation component as claimed in claim 16 wherein the core or sleeve are as defined in any one of claims 2 to 16.
19. A method of manufacturing the volatili2ation component as claimed in claim 17, comprising: providing a core including a source of volatili2able material, and attaching a sleeve around a first portion of the core.
20. A method of manufacturing as claimed in claim 19 wherein the sleeve comprises a one or more layers of sheet material, filter material or a tube of solid material.
21. A method of manufacturing as claimed in claim 19 or 20 wherein a source of volatili2able material is joined to each end of a filter rod, the filter rod being cut into two parts to form two volatili2ation components each having a filter section and a source of volatili2 able material, a sleeve then being attached to each volatili2ation component.
22. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in any one of figures 5 to 8.