JP2020062030A - Smoking article - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a smoking article such as an electronic cigarette (called an "E-cigarette"), and an a fluid reservoir for being used together therewith or therein.SOLUTION: A smoking article includes: a housing; a heating element; a power source for at least the heating element; a fluid reservoir 12; and a wicking element for transferring a fluid to the heating element from the fluid reservoir 12. The fluid reservoir 12 comprises a tubular element 20 that has a plurality of two-component fibers and that is extended in a longitudinal direction, and also arbitrarily comprises the fluid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to smoking articles such as e-cigarettes (referred to herein as "ecigarettes") and fluid reservoirs for use with or in the same.

Electronic cigarettes or ecigarettes are well known types of mist generators that allow the user to imitate smoking. On inhalation, ecigarettes produce vapors that, when inhaled, can reproduce the sensation of cigarette smoke and often the flavor without the associated odor. Ecigarettes utilize heat and air flow to vaporize solutions, often containing nicotine and various flavors, for delivery to consumers.

Ecigarettes generally consist of three main parts: a battery, an atomizer, and a cartridge, and can be used as either a disposable or a reusable device. Ecigarettes can be supplied as one, two, or three part devices, for example, in a two part device, the atomizer and cartridge are combined in one unit (also as a cartomizer). Are known). In general, the battery compartment contains a flow sensor and an indicator light, while the atomizer typically consists of a porous body in close proximity to the heating element (which detects when the flow sensor has begun to inhale). Then, the liquid transferred from the reservoir can be supplied to a heating element which is converted into vapor which is supplied to the user. The cartridge is connected to an atomizer and comprises a reservoir containing water, various flavoring agents, and nicotine, along with a solvent such as glycerol or propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof, commonly known as e-liquid.
The atomizer is a porous body that comes into contact with the reservoir, and is designed to have a large surface area for the solution flow path. The heating element may be in direct contact with the atomizer or may be separated from the atomizer. When the device is inhaled, the flow sensor activates a heating element that heats the atomizer, or heated air passes over the atomizer, converting some liquid to vapor and transmitting it to the user.

Although the e-cigarette has rapidly become popular in recent years, it has various disadvantages with respect to customer satisfaction. In particular, electronic cigarettes are more variable in terms of controlling the intensity of the flavor transmitted to the user as compared to ordinary cigarettes. Various improvements have been proposed to address these issues, especially with regard to atomizer design, but in connection with such products,
The problem of inadequate transmission of mist remains. An additional issue in variability is the number of inhalations a consumer can get from an escharet before the device becomes inoperative (either due to a dead battery or depletion of the reservoir). The number of inhalations that can be obtained from the device is highly variable and frustrating to the consumer. The present invention addresses both of these problems by providing a more reproducible mist generator in terms of flavor transmission per inhalation and the total number of inhalations available from the device.

Current electronic cigarettes utilize a number of means to retain and release e-liquid, which typically contains 1-10% nicotine. Efficient transfer of nicotine to steam is one of the main metrics desired by consumers. Current products utilize one of two main types of reservoirs, tanks or fibrous reservoirs, to hold liquids. The present invention relates to improvements in fibrous reservoirs.

The fibrous reservoir can be either single or multiple configurations. Single-component reservoirs typically consist of a non-woven batt that has been calendered or needle punched to provide a liquid-retaining structure. The structure may be defined as a high loft with a thickness greater than 1 mm or a low loft with a thickness less than 1 mm. A unitary reservoir has either one layer (centered around the sleeve and a heating element located within the sleeve) or multiple layers constructed by winding material. The multi-layer structure has the advantage of increasing the liquid carrying capacity, but provides a high variability in the release of the nicotine solution. Moreover, the assembly is not suitable for automation because the material is spiraled by the winding process. Previous attempts to reduce variability in nicotine release and improve transmission efficiency include multi-component reservoirs with an internal reservoir of low loft material and an external component of high loft material. The high loft material acts as a liquid holding medium, while the low loft material rapidly releases the solution to the mist generator. However, this structure also does not provide optimum properties.

U.S. Pat.No. 5607766 U.S. Pat.No. 6103181

Has a reservoir that can be automatically manufactured and that can transfer nicotine and other components to the heating element in large and constant amounts, which can then be converted to a vapor state and delivered to the user. Is desirable.

In accordance with the present invention, an element (eg, formed from a plurality of bicomponent fibers) (eg, porous) having a plurality of bicomponent fibers is provided, and optionally (eg, disposed on or within the element). ) Providing a fluid reservoir with fluid (eg, for smoking articles such as electronic cigarettes).

The elements are preferably longitudinally-extending (eg rod-shaped) elements. The longitudinally extending element preferably comprises a plurality of bicomponent fibers defining at least one channel extending longitudinally of the element. This channel (or each channel) preferably extends along the entire length of the element. The longitudinally extending element may comprise a plurality of bicomponent fibers that define two or more longitudinally extending channels of the element (eg, through the element).

The longitudinally extending element may be generally cylindrical (eg, having a circular cross section).
In one example, the longitudinally extending element is a tubular element (eg, having an annular cross section). The longitudinally extending elements preferably have a uniform cross section. The longitudinally extending element may be a longitudinally projecting element.

According to the invention, in a further aspect, a longitudinally extending (e.g. consisting of an annular cross section) having a plurality of bicomponent fibers (e.g. formed of a plurality of bicomponent fibers) (e.g.
Provide a fluid reservoir (eg, for smoking articles, such as eschalets) with a (porous) tubular element and optionally with a fluid (eg, located on or within the element). The bicomponent fibers forming the tubular element define a single hollow channel of circular cross-section extending longitudinally (eg, through the tubular element) of the tubular element. This hollow channel preferably extends along the entire length of the element (eg, through the entire length of the element).

The fluid reservoir [(eg, porous) element or (eg, porous) tubular element] of the present invention is 7
It can have an outer diameter of ˜8 mm (eg, 7.5 mm). Also, the fluid reservoir (tubular element) of the present invention can have an inner diameter of 3.0 to 5.0 mm (eg, 4.25 mm). The fluid reservoir (tubular element) of the present invention can have a wall thickness (i.e., half the difference between the inner diameter and the outer diameter) of 1.25 mm or greater. The fluid reservoir (tubular element) of the present invention may have a length of 28-38 mm, for example 33 mm. The fluid reservoir is sized to fit within the housing or body of the smoking article, and may enclose other components of the smoking article if located within the channel.

  The element (eg, tubular element) is preferably porous.

  The element (eg, tubular element) is preferably self-supporting.

The fluid reservoirs are joined together at (eg, spaced) contact points to form a plurality of bicomponent fibers (eg, sheaths) that form (eg, longitudinally extending, eg, tubular or porous) elements. Score type bicomponent fiber). The choice of materials that make up the bicomponent fiber is
It defines the thermal stability and chemical compatibility of the fibrous fluid reservoir with nicotine liquid. Fiber characteristics with respect to fiber size and shape define the element / reservoir porosity and capillarity, as well as the nicotine retention capacity and the rate at which nicotine is released (to the atomizer). It will be appreciated that the fluid reservoir can serve as a nicotine reservoir and delivery component for an electronic cigarette.

Bicomponent fibers are known, for example, from US Pat. As used herein, the term "bicomponent fiber" is a fiber that has a cross-section extending along the length of the fiber and comprises two components, the two components being divided into relatively distinct component regions. Means a fiber that has been. The term bicomponent fiber includes a fiber that comprises a core of one material (the first component), the core being surrounded by a sheath of the other material (the second component). Such sheath core type arrangements may include configurations in which monocomponent fibers (such as cellulose acetate) are coated with another component (eg, a plasticizer). The term bicomponent fiber is one in which the cross section extending along the length of the fiber comprises two components arranged side by side or in layers, the cross section extending along the length of the fiber is Those containing the first component arranged as discrete regions (islands) within the second component (sea) and cross-sections extending along the length of the fiber (eg consisting of different components Other arrangements are also included, such as those containing alternating components of wedge-shaped segments (which look like pies with alternating slices).

The bicomponent fiber preferably comprises a core (a first component) of one material, the core being surrounded by a sheath (a second component) of another material.

The bicomponent fiber is a core made of polypropylene or polybutylene terephthalate (first
Component) and the core is surrounded by a sheath (second component) made of polyethylene terephthalate or a copolymer thereof. In another embodiment, the core or sheath comprises polyamide, polyolefin, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene / acrylic acid copolymer and salts thereof, ethylene / methacrylic acid copolymer and salt thereof, ethylene-vinyl acetate, A polymer selected from the group consisting of plasticized cellulose acetate, polystyrene, polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyacetal, and block copolymers of polyethylene glycol, copolymers thereof, and polymers containing derivatives thereof. obtain.

The bicomponent fibers are 2-50 microns, preferably 5-40 microns, more preferably 10 microns.
It can have an average diameter of -30 microns, more preferably 15-25 microns, such as 20 or 25 microns. The bicomponent fibers can have an average diameter of 5-30 microns, such as 10-20 microns, such as 15 microns.

The longitudinally extending elements are 0.05-0.50 g / cc, preferably 0.10-0.
44 g / cc, preferably 0.15 to 0.30 g / cc, preferably 0.17 to 0.26
It is possible to have a plurality of bicomponent fibers having an adhesive fiber density of g / cc, for example 0.21 g / cc.

According to the invention, in a further aspect there is provided a fluid reservoir comprising a porous element having a plurality of bicomponent fibers having an adhesive fiber density of 0.17 to 0.26 g / cc and optionally comprising a fluid. To do.

The main advantages of the reservoirs according to the invention are that they can be mass-produced with highly reproducible specifications and that they can be easily incorporated into the manufacture of esigalets.
The reservoir of the present invention can advantageously provide a better "extraction effect". That is, in use, more fluid can be transferred from the reservoir than with conventional reservoirs. Furthermore, advantageously, the reservoir of the present invention can be formed from virgin fibers and / or requires the use of any processing aids such as antistatic agents, lubricants, adhesives or surfactants. Nor. That is, the reservoir of the present invention is inert or does not interfere with the chemistry of the liquid it holds.

The element extending in the longitudinal direction can be formed by, for example, the melt blow method, similarly to the process described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2. U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,037 discloses the manufacture and use of meltblown bicomponent fibers, which typically comprise a core of polypropylene or polybutylene terephthalate surrounded by a sheath of polyethylene terephthalate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,058 discloses the manufacture and use of meltblown bimodal fibers composed of fibers of different properties extruded from the same mold (eg, different monocomponent fibers, different bicomponent fibers, or mixtures thereof). is doing. These references describe methods of forming webs or rovings of fibers using such meltblowing processes, and subsequently forming three-dimensional networks from them by thermoforming techniques. It is well known that such thermoforming techniques are suitable for producing three-dimensional tubular structures. In the present invention, a further advantage of utilizing the above-described meltblowing method is that it does not use a binder or plasticizer that can potentially be transferred from the reservoir wall into the vapor. The reservoir (bicomponent fiber) is preferably formed by a melt blow method.

It will be appreciated that the longitudinally extending elements for use in aspects of the present invention may be manufactured using techniques other than those based on meltblowing. For example,
As is well known in the art, the longitudinally extending elements may be cellulose acetate (or otherwise) plasticized with triacetin (or another plasticizer) to form coated (bicomponent) fibers. It is also possible to have a single component fiber). Another form of non-woven technique is used to produce webs or rovings of bicomponent fibers, which are then heat or chemical bonded, or desirably bonded, to three-dimensional longitudinally extending elements. It is also possible to form.

The fluid is preferably a liquid. The fluid can be any fluid known to be used in electronic cigarettes (eg, e-liquid). The fluid may include a solvent (eg, one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, or water). The fluid may include flavoring agents (eg, dissolved in a solvent) and / or nicotine. The fluid may include 1-10% by weight nicotine.

According to the invention, in a further aspect there is provided an element (eg formed of a plurality of bicomponent fibers) (eg porous) having a plurality of bicomponent fibers and optionally (eg on the element). Or a smoking article comprising a fluid reservoir comprising a fluid (disposed within the element).

According to the invention, in a further aspect, a housing, a heating element (eg arranged in the housing), and a power supply for at least the heating element (eg arranged in the housing). A smoking article is provided that includes a fluid reservoir (eg, disposed within the housing) and a wicking element that transfers fluid from the fluid reservoir to a heating element. The fluid reservoir comprises an element (eg, porous) having a plurality of bicomponent fibers (eg, formed from a plurality of bicomponent fibers) and optionally (eg, disposed on or in the element). ) Provide a fluid.

According to the invention, in a further aspect, a housing, a heating element (eg arranged in the housing), and a power supply for at least the heating element (eg arranged in the housing). A smoking article is provided that includes a fluid reservoir (eg, disposed within the housing) and a wicking element that transfers fluid from the fluid reservoir to a heating element. The fluid reservoir comprises a longitudinally extending (eg, porous) (eg, having an annular cross-section) tubular element having a plurality of bicomponent fibers (eg, formed of a plurality of bicomponent fibers). , And optionally with a fluid (eg, located on or within the element). In this aspect, the bicomponent fibers forming the tubular element can define a single hollow channel of circular cross section extending longitudinally of the tubular element (eg, through the tubular element).

In aspects of the invention, the fluid reservoir may be any reservoir described or disclosed herein. The wicking element (wick) draws fluid (eg, liquid) from the reservoir into contact with the heating coil. Ecigarette wicks are well known and are available from a variety of suppliers and can be made from a variety of materials such as cotton, fiberglass, silica, or stainless steel of various thicknesses.

The smoking article is preferably an electronic cigarette (Esig or Esigaret), a personal vaporizer (PV), or an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS).

According to the invention, in a further aspect, a method of using an (eg, porous) element having a plurality of bicomponent fibers (eg, formed from a plurality of bicomponent fibers), the element comprising a smoking article. Methods are provided for use as fluid reservoirs for [e.g., electronic cigarettes (Esig or Esigaret), personal vaporizers (PV), or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)].

According to the invention, in a further aspect, the resistance is between 2.20 and 2.5 Ω (eg 2.38).
Ω) resistance wire [eg electronic cigarette (Esig or Esigaret), personal vaporizer (PV), or electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS).
)] For heating element. The resistance wire is formed as a coil or stranded wire having 6 to 8 turns, preferably 7 turns. The heating element may be used in conjunction with smoking articles and other smoking articles according to all aspects of the invention.

  The present invention will be described with reference to the following examples and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a (non-scaled) reservoir according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a simplified development view of an escarlet according to an embodiment of the present invention (including a reservoir according to an embodiment of the present invention).

FIG. 1 shows a fluid reservoir 12 according to one embodiment of the invention. This reservoir 12 has an annular cross-section (outer diameter 7.5 mm and inner diameter 4.25 mm) and is formed from a plurality of bicomponent fibers and extends in the longitudinal direction of a length of 33 mm. It comprises a tubular element 20. The bicomponent fibers forming the tubular element define a (single) hollow cylindrical channel 21 of circular cross section (4.25 mm in diameter) running longitudinally through the element. It will be appreciated that since the element 20 has a uniform cross section, the (single) hollow cylindrical channel 21 of circular cross section extends over the entire length of the tubular element 20.

The tubular element 20 is formed using the process described in US Pat. A plurality of bicomponent fibers having a polypropylene core surrounded by a polyethylene terephthalate sheath were produced using the meltblown method. Tubular rods were subsequently formed from this web utilizing equipment similar to that known for producing cigarette filter elements consisting of plasticized cellulose acetate. The tubular rods thus produced are cut into individual product rods, each of which is subsequently cut into individual tubular elements 2 with a length of 33 mm.
Cut to 0.

The average weight of the tubular element 20 is 0.205 g. This provides a bonded fiber density of 0.21 g / cc in the longitudinally extending tubular element 20. Of course, it will be appreciated that it is possible to adjust the weight and density to meet the requirements, for example in the element with reduced pressure drop.

The tubular element 20 was filled with a fluid consisting of 1.2 g propylene glycol containing 2% nicotine (E-liquid).

FIG. 2 is a simplified exploded view of an electronic cigarette according to the present invention including a reservoir 12 according to the present invention. The structure of the single-use device shown is very general, and numerous examples of products with the same basic structure are known in the prior art.

The cigarette device is enclosed in a tubular body 1 which is a housing. As can be seen from FIG. 2, at one end (upstream end) of the tubular body 1, the flow sensor 3 (disposed immediately downstream of the end cap 2 in the annular silicone cap 4) allows the user to The LED end cap 2 that is turned on when it is detected that the downstream end (mouth end) is being inhaled. A 3.7V cylindrical lithium-ion battery 5 located downstream of the sensor 3 and the cap 4 powers the device and has a cylindrical battery seal 6 downstream of the battery 5. A heater (heating element) 8 is housed inside a tubular glass fiber sleeve 9 downstream of the battery seal 6, and
Protected. A wick (wicking element) 10, for example made of cotton, penetrates through a hole in the sleeve 9 and the tubular sleeve 9 and wick 10 are tubular according to the invention, the sleeve of which is described above with reference to FIG. It is surrounded by a reservoir 12. Reservoir 12 has a tubular shape with a wick extending through a hole in sleeve 9 such that the wick contacts both heater 8 (in sleeve 9) and the surrounding reservoir 12 when assembling the escarlet device. It will be appreciated that it encloses and houses the sleeve 9 and the heater 8 disposed therein. In particular, the inner and outer diameters of tubular reservoir 12 are such that tubular sleeve 9 and wick 10 (and sleeve 11 if present) fit snugly within the cavity of reservoir 12 and reservoir 12 is located within housing body 1. It will also be appreciated that they are dimensioned for a close match. The reservoir 12, which is porous, holds e-liquid. In some embodiments, an additional cotton sleeve 11 located between the reservoir 12 and the sleeve 9 can also be provided, but this is optional (FIG. 2).
reference). Further hygiene and convenience is provided downstream of the reservoir 12 / tubular sleeve 9 / heater 8 assembly with a further seal 7 with an end cap 13 at the mouth end.

As is well known, at the time of use, the user sucks the product (the end cap 13 at the mouth) so that the sensor 3 operates the heater. Air flows into the device through the holes in the end cap 2 and tube 1. E-liquid is sucked up, or
It is transmitted from the reservoir 12 to the heater 8 through the wick (wicking element) 10,
It is vaporized in the heater 8 and transmitted to the consumer.

The prior art device used a non-woven batt packaged as a reservoir. As will be shown below, the present invention provides significant advantages with respect to vapor and nicotine delivery by using the reservoir 12 with bicomponent fibers.

(Example 1)
A market-leading disposable es cigarette (hereinafter referred to as "A") was purchased and compared to the esigalet of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "B"). Both products were of the same dimensions and used comparable parts (except for the reservoir) wherever possible. Also, the cotton sleeve 11 was pulled out from the device B. The reservoir of the escargot according to the present invention has an outer diameter of 7.5 mm and an inner diameter of 4 mm.
． 25 mm, 33 mm in length, and 0.205 g in weight (as mentioned above, this is .0.
It provides an adhesive fiber density of 21 g / cc). This reservoir contains 2% nicotine 1
． 2 g of propylene glycol (E-liquid) was charged. This e-liquid is equivalent to our analysis of e-liquid used in prior art device A, which features a reservoir consisting of a conventional rolled non-woven bat. These two products were subsequently analyzed using a standard smoking machine with a volume of 55 mL and a square wave inhalation of 3 seconds duration twice per minute. And 1-40, 41-80, 81-120, 121-1
Vapors were collected on the 60th, 161-200, 201-240th inhalation. Typically, 240 inhalations are considered to be the maximum number of inhalations a consumer can obtain from a disposable escharet before the device is exhausted. If the device does not have up to 240 inhalations, the consumer will be dissatisfied.

The table below shows the average total vapor and nicotine delivered in question at each inhalation frequency. Mean values are based on smoking with 20 devices of each type, and the coefficient of variation of these averages is also quoted. A lower coefficient of variation is clearly preferable as it gives the consumer a more consistent experience.

The device B of the present invention advantageously has more coefficient of vapor transfer (typically 13-14% reduction) and more vapor transfer (average 50% increase) than the market leading conventional device A. And provide more nicotine transmission (65% average increase).

Applicants may use the heating element 8 in the escarlet device shown in FIG.
We also developed an improved heater. A 3.7V lithium-ion battery 5 is used together with a nickel-chromium wire having a length of 35 mm and a thickness of 0.142 mm (resistance 68 Ω / m, total resistance value 2.38 Ω) to enhance vapor transmission, Improved the performance of. The nickel-chromium wire is wrapped around a 1.5 mm glass fiber silica material with a total of 7 turns to form a heating element. This combination of battery voltage, wire rated resistance, and coil system is combined with an optimized power output between maximum and minimum output voltage (4.2V to 3.4V) before the battery is depleted. , Providing improved surface contact between the wire and the wicking material. A power output between 7.41 watts and 4.86 watts, without combusting the liquid or being unable to supply sufficient power to produce steam,
It is known to provide optimal vapor production and nicotine transmission. Using this improved power supply, Device B had a power output of 5.75 Watts, which is within this optimal range, at a voltage of 3.7V. Applicants have found that seven turns results in higher surface contact area with the wick, resulting in more vapor generation (compared to device A, for example). Excessive heat generation was seen in earlier samples using the lower resistance wire, which caused the liquid to burn and the device housing to become untouchable.

(Example 1A)
The extraction effect of the reservoir of the present invention was compared to a comparable reservoir without a porous element having multiple bicomponent fibers. As in Example 1, the reservoir of the escargot according to the present invention has an outer diameter of 7.5 mm, an inner diameter of 4.25 mm, a length of 33 mm, and a weight of 0.205 g (this is 0% as described above). Providing a bicomponent fiber having an adhesive fiber density of 0.21 g / cc). The reservoir of the present invention and two competitors were filled with E-liquid (identical to Example 1) in the volumes listed in Table 2 below. Then, the product has a volume of 55 mL and a duration of 3
Analysis was performed using a standard smoking machine, which inhaled a square wave for 2 seconds twice a minute.

The liquid retention rate after the test is shown in Table 2 below. The reservoir of the present invention has (i) higher TPM transmission (160 mg vs 83 mg vs 52 mg) over the first 40 inhalations, and (ii) 55.28% and 66.92% of the competitor. In contrast, the average "retention rate after vaporization" of 22.24% is provided. This indicates that the reservoir of the present invention has a high extraction effect.

Claims (23)

  A fluid reservoir comprising an element having a plurality of bicomponent fibers and optionally a fluid.   The fluid reservoir of claim 1, wherein the element is porous. 3. The fluid reservoir according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the element is a longitudinally extending (eg rod-shaped) element. 4. A fluid reservoir according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the bicomponent fiber defines at least one channel longitudinally extending through the element. A fluid reservoir according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the element is a longitudinally extending tubular element. A fluid reservoir comprising a longitudinally extending tubular element having a plurality of bicomponent fibers and optionally comprising a fluid (eg, disposed on or within said element).   7. The fluid reservoir according to claim 6, wherein the element is porous. 8. The bicomponent fiber according to claim 1, wherein the bicomponent fiber includes a core (first component) made of a material, and the core is surrounded by a sheath (second component) made of another material. A fluid reservoir according to claim 1. The bicomponent fibers are cores made of polypropylene or polybutylene terephthalate (
Fluid reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first component), the core being surrounded by a sheath (second component) consisting of polyethylene terephthalate or a copolymer thereof. A fluid reservoir according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bicomponent fibers have an average diameter of 10 to 30 microns, preferably 20 microns. The longitudinally extending element is from 0.05 to 0.50 g / cc, preferably 0.10 to
0.44 g / cc, preferably 0.15 to 0.30 g / cc, preferably 0.17 to 0.
A fluid reservoir according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a plurality of bicomponent fibers having an adhesive fiber density of 26 g / cc, for example 0.21 g / cc. A fluid reservoir comprising a porous element having a plurality of bicomponent fibers having an adhesive fiber density of 0.17 to 0.26 g / cc and optionally a fluid. 13. A fluid reservoir according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising a fluid containing one or more solvents and flavoring agents and / or nicotine.   A fluid reservoir substantially as described herein with reference to accompanying Figure 1.   A smoking article comprising a fluid reservoir according to any one of claims 1-14.   A smoking article substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying Figure 2. A smoking article comprising an element having a plurality of bicomponent fibers and also comprising a fluid reservoir optionally comprising a fluid. Housing,
Heating element,
A power supply for at least the heating element,
A fluid reservoir,
A wicking element for transferring fluid from the fluid reservoir to the heating element;
A smoking article comprising:
A smoking article wherein the fluid reservoir comprises an element having a plurality of bicomponent fibers and optionally a fluid. Housing,
Heating element,
A power supply for at least the heating element,
A fluid reservoir,
A wicking element for transferring fluid from the fluid reservoir to the heating element;
A smoking article comprising:
The fluid reservoir comprises a longitudinally extending tubular element having a plurality of bicomponent fibers,
Also, a smoking article optionally comprising a fluid. Electronic cigarette (Esig or Esigaretto), personal vaporizer (PV),
The smoking article according to any one of claims 15 to 19, which is also an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS). The heating element includes a resistance wire having a resistance of 2.20 to 2.5Ω (for example, 2.38Ω), and the resistance wire is formed as a coil or a string winding having 6 to 8 turns, preferably 7 turns. 20. A smoking article according to claim 18 or 19, wherein: Smoking article, comprising a resistance wire having a resistance of 2.20 to 2.5 Ω (eg 2.38 Ω), said resistance wire being formed as a coil or string winding with 6 to 8 turns, preferably 7 turns. Heating element. A method of using an element comprising a plurality of bicomponent fibers, the element being used as a fluid reservoir for a smoking article.