KR20210031986A - Devices for producing inhalable media, use of devices for providing sustained nicotine delivery, cartridges and tobacco composition pods suitable for use in devices for producing inhalable media - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a device 1 for producing an inhalable medium, the device comprising: a container 9 for holding a liquid 10; A heater 11 for volatilizing the liquid held in this container; A chamber 13 holding a tobacco composition 14; And an outlet (4), wherein the arrangement, when in use, is an inhalable medium, wherein the medium is (i) a volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol, and (ii) one or more components of the at least one tobacco composition. Including-is adapted to exit the outlet, and the tobacco composition includes a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.

Description

Devices for producing inhalable media, use of devices for providing sustained nicotine delivery, cartridges and tobacco composition pods suitable for use in devices for producing inhalable media

The present invention relates, without limitation, to a device for producing an inhalable medium, a cartridge for use in a device for producing an inhalable medium, a method for producing the inhalable medium, a kit and a tobacco composition pod. .

Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars, etc., burn cigarettes during use to produce tobacco smoke. An alternative to these types of articles is to release the compounds without burning to form an inhalable medium.

Examples of such products are heating devices including e-cigarette/heat-not-burn hybrid devices (also known as e-cigarette hybrid devices). These hybrid devices hold a liquid that is evaporated by heating to generate an inhalable vapor or aerosol. The liquid may retain flavorings and/or aerosol generating substances such as glycerol and, in some instances, nicotine. The vapor or aerosol passes through the material in the device and entrains one or more components of the substrate material to generate an inhaled medium. The base material may be a combination such as, for example, tobacco, other non-tobacco products or blended mixes, which may or may not contain nicotine.

In some embodiments described herein, the present invention provides a device for creating an inhalable medium, the device comprising:

A container for holding a liquid;

A heater for volatilizing the liquid held in the container;

A chamber holding the tobacco composition; And

Includes an outlet,

The arrangement is configured such that when in use, the inhalable medium exits the outlet, the inhalable medium comprising (i) a volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol, and (ii) one or more components of the tobacco composition;

The tobacco composition includes a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.

The devices described herein may be referred to as electronic cigarette hybrid devices.

In addition, the present invention provides a cartridge for use in a device for producing an inhalable medium, the cartridge comprising a volatile liquid in a first chamber and a tobacco composition in a second chamber, the tobacco composition comprising tobacco material and encapsulation. Includes an old bass.

Suitably, the cartridge may be configured for use in a device for producing the inhalable media described herein.

In addition, the present invention provides a method for producing an inhalable medium using a device comprising a container holding a liquid, a heater for volatilizing the liquid, a chamber holding the tobacco composition, and an outlet, the method comprising:

Volatilizing the liquid held in the container;

Forming an inhalable medium, wherein the inhalable medium comprises (i) a liquid volatilized in the form of a vapor and an aerosol, and (ii) one or more components of tobacco compositions; And

Passing the inhalable medium out of the outlet,

The tobacco composition includes a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.

In addition, the present invention provides the use of a base encapsulated in a tobacco composition to provide sustained nicotine delivery upon use, wherein the tobacco composition is provided in a device, the device comprising:

A container for holding the liquid;

A heater for volatilizing the liquid held in the container;

A chamber holding the tobacco composition; And

Includes an outlet,

The arrangement is configured such that when in use, the inhalable medium exits the outlet, the inhalable medium comprising (i) a volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol, and (ii) one or more components of the tobacco composition.

In addition, the present invention provides a method of providing a sustained release of nicotine from a device for producing an inhalable medium, the device comprising:

A container for holding the liquid;

A heater for volatilizing the liquid held in the container;

A chamber holding the tobacco composition; And

Includes an outlet,

The arrangement is configured such that when in use, the inhalable medium exits the outlet, the inhalable medium comprising (i) a volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol, and (ii) one or more components of the tobacco composition;

The tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base;

The method includes releasing the base from the encapsulation of the base upon use to liberate nicotine from the tobacco material.

In addition, the present invention provides a kit, the kit,

(i) a liquid pod holding a volatile liquid; And

(ii) a tobacco composition pod containing a tobacco composition comprising a tobacco material and an encapsulated base,

Liquid Pods and Tobacco Composition Pods are configured for use in a device for use in creating an inhalable medium, the device being adapted to create an inhalable medium upon use, wherein the inhalable medium is (i) in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol. A liquid volatilized from a liquid pod of, and (ii) one or more components of the tobacco composition.

The present invention also provides a tobacco composition pod holding a tobacco composition comprising a tobacco material and an encapsulated base; The tobacco composition pod is configured for use in a device for use in creating an inhalable medium, the device being adapted to create an inhalable medium upon use, and wherein the inhalable medium is (i) a volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol. , And (ii) one or more components of the tobacco composition.

In some cases, the device, cartridge, or pod of tobacco composition, in use, causes the liquid volatilized by the heater to pass through the tobacco compositions in the form of at least one of a vapor and an aerosol, thereby creating an inhalable medium that exits the outlet. Consists of entrained one or more components from the compositions.

In some cases, the base comprises one or more hydroxides or carbonates or other soluble bases of sodium, potassium or calcium.

In some cases, the base is encapsulated by an encapsulating material that melts, decomposes, reacts, decomposes, swells, or dissolves or deforms to release the base at a temperature above room temperature but below the temperature reached during use. .

In some cases, the base is encapsulated by an encapsulating material selected from a polysaccharide or cellulose barrier material, gelatin, gum, gel, wax, or mixtures thereof. In some cases, the encapsulating material is alginates, dextran, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, pectin, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose ethers, gum arabic, From one or more of gati gum, tragacanth gum, karaya, locust bean, acacia gum, guar, quince seed, xanthan gums, agar gel, agarose gel, carrageenans, furoidan, purcellaran and carnauba wax Is selected.

In some cases, only the base is encapsulated. In some cases, the tobacco material is encapsulated into the base. In some cases, the base may be the only tobacco material included in the tobacco composition. In other cases, the encapsulated tobacco material may be included with the non-encapsulated tobacco material in the tobacco composition.

In some cases, the methods of the present invention,

Volatilizing the liquid held in the container;

Entraining one or more components from the tobacco composition to at least one of the vapor and aerosol formed by the volatilized liquid by passing at least one of the vapor and aerosol through the tobacco composition to create an inhalable medium; And

Passing the inhalable medium out of the outlet.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, given by way of example only, made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Examples of devices for creating an inhalable medium according to the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a device for producing an inhalable medium.
2 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device for producing an inhalable medium.
3 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device for producing an inhalable medium.
4 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge having an integral container for a liquid container and a solid material.
5 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge having a liquid container and a detachable container for a solid material.

Tobacco can be treated with a base and water to free nicotine from the tobacco. The nicotine of tobacco reacts with the base; The reaction deprotonates nicotine, increasing the volatility of nicotine, and releasing nicotine from its binding state in cigarettes.

The inventors have determined that when the base treated cigarette is used in known electronic cigarette hybrid devices, the nicotine delivery per puff is significantly reduced during use. The reaction between base and nicotine occurs rapidly; The deprotonated nicotine is then rapidly released when heating is initiated and is thus consumed rapidly.

The present invention provides improved consistency of nicotine delivery per puff by encapsulating the base. The inventors have determined that through base encapsulation, the rate of release of the base can be controlled; This in turn provides control of the rate of pH treatment of tobacco in the tobacco and thus controls the rate of nicotine release by pH treatment.

Moreover, the pH treatment of tobacco causes the release of ammonia. Controlling the rate of pH treatment controls the rate of ammonia release, which can improve the organoleptic properties of cigarettes (because the ammonia smell is less intense).

The release of the base from the encapsulation may be triggered by pressure, temperature, or contact with a vapor or aerosol formed from a volatilized liquid. For example, if the release is triggered by temperature, the base melts, decomposes, reacts, or degrades to release the base at a temperature above room temperature but below the temperature reached during use, It may be encapsulated by an encapsulating material that swells, dissolves or deforms.

In some cases, the present invention provides a device for producing an inhalable medium or a cartridge for use in a device for producing an inhalable medium, the device or cartridge comprising a tobacco composition. The tobacco composition includes a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.

In some cases, the tobacco composition may be porous such that an aerosol or vapor may pass through the tobacco composition. Accordingly, the components of the tobacco composition are efficiently entrained into the aerosol/vapor when passing through the tobacco composition.

As used herein, the term “tobacco material” refers to any material including tobacco or derivatives for tobacco. The term “tobacco material” may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, puffed tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may include one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibers, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stems, reconstituted tobacco, aggregated tobacco, spheronised tobacco and/or tobacco extract.

The tobacco used to produce the tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco such as single grades or blends, cut rag or whole leaf, including Virginia and/or Burley and/or Oriental. It may also be tobacco particles'fines' or dust, puffed tobacco, stems, puffed stems and other processed stem materials (such as cut rolled stems). The tobacco material may be ground tobacco or reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material may comprise tobacco fibers and may be formed by casting, a Fourdrinier-based paper making-type approach or extrusion of re-adding tobacco extract.

The tobacco composition may further comprise flavorings and/or aerosol generating agents.

The tobacco composition may further comprise one or more casings, such as inverse sugar, molasses, sugar cane sugar, honey, cocoa, licorice, polyols such as glycerol and propylene glycol, and acids, such as malic acid. .

The tobacco composition includes an encapsulated base. Any suitable base can be used. Suitable bases may be non-toxic and are preferably tasteless or palatable. GRAS water-soluble bases are particularly suitable. Other suitable bases may be oil-soluble. Examples of suitable base materials to be included in the tobacco compositions according to the invention are carbonates or hydroxides of ammonia, sodium, potassium or calcium, suitably sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide.

As mentioned above, the release of the base from the encapsulation can be triggered by contact with a vapor or aerosol formed from pressure, temperature or volatilized liquid. For example, if the release is triggered by pressure, this can be affected by the user applying pressure directed to the capsule or activating an actuator. When the release is triggered by temperature, the base melts, decomposes, reacts, degrades, or swells to release the base at a temperature above room temperature but below the temperature reached during use. It may be disassembled or encapsulated by an encapsulating material that is deformed. When the release is triggered through contact with a vapor or aerosol formed from a volatilized liquid, the release can be affected by a physical and/or chemical reaction between the vapor/aerosol and the encapsulating material.

In some cases, the base is encapsulated by an encapsulating material selected from a polysaccharide or cellulose barrier material, gelatin, gum, gel, wax, or mixtures thereof. In some cases, the encapsulating material is alginates, dextran, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, pectin, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose ethers, gum arabic, From one or more of gati gum, tragacanth gum, karaya, locust bean, acacia gum, guar, quince seed, xanthan gums, agar gel, agarose gel, carrageenans, furoidan, purcellaran and carnauba wax Is selected.

In some embodiments, the encapsulating material includes polysaccharides. Alginates are particularly suitable due to their encapsulation characteristics. The alginate can be, for example, a salt of alginic acid, an esterified alginate or a glyceryl alginate. Salts of alginic acid include ammonium alginate, triethanolamine alginate and Group I or Group II metal ion alginates such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium alginate. Esterified alginates include propylene glycol alginate and glyceryl alginate. In some cases, the barrier material is sodium alginate and/or calcium alginate.

The release temperature of the encapsulated base may be, for example, greater than 50°C, suitably greater than 60°C, 70°C, 80°C or 90°C. The release temperature of the encapsulated base may suitably be room temperature or above ambient temperature.

The release of the base can be staggered in use, for example by dispersing the encapsulated base through the tobacco composition, so that different portions of the encapsulated base reach their release temperatures at different times. Alternatively or additionally, the release of the base can be staggered by encapsulating different portions of the encapsulated base differently; For example, the thickness of the encapsulating material may differ between different portions of the encapsulated base and/or the encapsulation material itself may differ between different portions of the encapsulated base.

The staggered release of the base further improves the consistency of nicotine delivery, since the rate of pH processing of nicotine is controlled. In addition, it controls the rate of ammonia release and improves the sensory-receptive characteristics of cigarettes.

In some cases, the encapsulated base may be encapsulated, for example using two or more encapsulating materials in separate layers.

The encapsulated base can be included in the tobacco composition in a number of ways. In some cases, the encapsulated base can be applied to the tobacco material, and this can be achieved, for example, by spray-drying. In some cases, the encapsulated base may be provided as a film applied to a wrapper arranged around other components of the tobacco composition. In some cases, the encapsulated base may be provided in the form of granular capsules that may be dispersed through the other ingredients of the tobacco composition. In some cases, the encapsulated base may be provided as part of a tobacco treatment method; For example, it is included in a method of making extruded tobacco material or a method of making reconstituted tobacco material. In some cases, the encapsulated base can be provided in a combination of these ways.

The tobacco composition may further comprise an unencapsulated base.

In some cases, other components of the tobacco composition may be encapsulated with the base. For example, some or all of the tobacco material may be encapsulated. If present, some or all of the perfume and/or aerosol generating agent may be encapsulated.

In some examples, the tobacco material and base are co-encapsulated. Suitably, the tobacco composition may include additional non-encapsulated tobacco material. Alternatively, all tobacco materials of the tobacco composition can be co-encapsulated with the base.

In other examples, there is no tobacco material encapsulated with the base. In some cases, no tobacco material is encapsulated with the tobacco composition. Suitably, encapsulation only encapsulates the base (and optionally the solvent).

The device includes a container for holding a volatile liquid. In some cases, the device includes a container holding a volatile liquid. Suitable liquids include those commonly used in e-cigarette devices. In some cases, the volatile liquid may comprise nicotine and/or tobacco extract and/or flavors and/or aerosol generating agents, such as propylene glycol and/or glycerol. Liquids are typically volatilized at about 150° C. to 250° C.

A device according to some examples of the present invention comprises at least one from the tobacco composition such that, in use, the liquid volatilized by the heater passes through the tobacco composition in the form of at least one of a vapor and an aerosol, thereby generating an inhalable medium exiting the outlet. Constituents can be entrained.

In other examples, the flow path from the liquid container can be combined with a separate flow path leading from the tobacco composition to form an inhalable medium. In other words, in some example devices, the volatilized liquid does not pass through the chambers that hold the tobacco composition.

In some cases, the device includes means for heating the tobacco composition to volatilize the components of the tobacco and form a first aerosol and/or vapor. The liquid may be volatilized to form a second vapor and/or aerosol, which may be combined with the first vapor and/or aerosol to form an inhalable medium. In some cases, one heater can heat both the liquid and tobacco composition. In some cases, the device is heated by heating (and then the steam/aerosol flow) by means of the heater directly heating the liquid composition only and the warmth carried in the vapor/aerosol formed from the volatilized liquid. It can be configured to volatilize the components of the tobacco composition entrained).

In one embodiment, the device comprises a cooler or cooling zone downstream of the heater and upstream of the chamber, wherein the cooler or cooling zone cools the vaporized liquid so that liquid droplets pass through the tobacco composition in the chamber in use. Are arranged to form an aerosol of. The cooler can in fact be arranged to act as a heat exchanger allowing the recovery of heat from the steam. The recovered heat can be used, for example, to help preheat the tobacco composition and/or heat the liquid.

In one embodiment, the device includes a second heater for heating the tobacco composition in the chamber. This allows the tobacco composition to be heated by means of a heater, which promotes the release of compounds from the tobacco composition, and, optionally, allows a lower temperature to be used for the heated liquid.

In one embodiment, the device is battery-operated.

In one embodiment, the or each heater is an electrically resistive heater.

In one embodiment, the liquid container is removable. The liquid container may be in the form of a pot or the like (which in some embodiments may be, for example, annular) and/or an absorbent wadding or the like. The entire liquid container holding the liquid may in fact be a disposable item that is replaced entirely after use. Alternatively, the arrangement may be adapted for the user to remove the liquid container from the device, replace the used liquid, or fill the container with liquid, and then place the container back into the device.

In some cases, the liquid container may be non-removable from the device. In this embodiment, the user can immediately replace the used liquid or fill the container with liquid after use as needed.

In some cases, the liquid container and chamber are an integral unit. In some cases, the integral unit is a cartridge that can be removed from the device.

In some cases, the chamber is removable from the device. The chamber can be, for example, in the form of a cartridge or the like that holds the tobacco composition prior to use. The entire chamber holding the tobacco composition may in fact be a disposable item that is completely replaced after use. Alternatively, the arrangement may be adapted for the user to remove the chamber from the device, replace the material used in the chamber, and then place the chamber back into the device.

In some embodiments described herein, the present invention provides a cartridge for use in a device for producing an inhalable medium, the cartridge comprising a volatile liquid in a first chamber and a tobacco composition in a second chamber, , The tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base. Suitably, the cartridge may be configured for use in a device for producing the inhalable media described herein.

As far as the features are compatible, features described in connection with the device are explicitly disclosed in combination with the cartridge, and vice versa. Specifically, the features of the tobacco composition or volatile liquid described herein are explicitly disclosed in combination with the device and cartridge embodiments of the present invention.

Examples of devices for creating an inhalable medium according to some embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring now to Fig. 1, an example of a device 1 for producing an inhalable medium is shown. In a broader overview, device 1 volatilizes a liquid to form a vapor or aerosol that passes through the material, resulting in an inhalable medium that holds one or more components derived from the material.

In this respect, first, in general, vapor is a substance that exists in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical temperature, which is for example condensed into a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature of the vapor. It can be noted that it means that it can be. On the other hand, in general, an aerosol is a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or other gas. A "colloid" is a substance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles are suspended throughout another substance.

Returning to FIG. 1, the device 1 of this example generally has a hollow cylindrical outer housing 2. The housing 2 has an open end 3. In this example, a tubular mouthpiece 4 is provided at the open end 3. In this example the mouthpiece 4 is removable from the housing 2 by the user. An O-ring or other seal 5 helps to seal the mouthpiece 4 in the housing 2. At or towards the other end 6 of the housing 2, there is a battery 7 for supplying power to the various components of the device 1, as discussed further below. The battery 7 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. In addition, a controller 8 is provided in the housing 2 to control the operation of the various components of the device 1 as discussed further below.

The housing 2 has a container 9 for holding or holding a liquid 10. A variety of different forms for the container 9 can be used. In the example of FIG. 1, the container 9 is in the form of an annular chamber 9 provided in the housing 2 between the open end 3 and the other end 6. In this particular example, the housing 2 consists of two parts, a first part 2a facing the open end 3 and a second part 2b facing the other end 6. The first and second portions 2a and 2b of the housing 2 may be connected to each other through a screw thread, a bayonet fitting, or the like. In use, the user can separate the first and second parts 2a, 2b of the housing 2 to allow the liquid 10 to be replenished or replaced as needed. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 4 can be removed to provide access to the container 9. However, it will be appreciated that other arrangements are possible. For example, the liquid 10 may be provided in a separate annular pot-like container from which the housing 2 can be entirely removed. This separate container may be disposable so that the user replaces the liquid 10 by fitting a new container with the liquid 10 into the housing 2. Alternatively, such containers may be reusable. In this case, the user can replenish or replace the liquid 10 in the container, while replacing the container removed from the housing 2 and then refilled in the housing 2. It will be appreciated that the housing 2 need not be two parts, and other arrangements may be provided which allow access to the user, for example to be able to recharge in situ.

The heater 11 is generally provided in the center of the housing 2, ie in this example along the length and width of the housing 2. In this example, the heater 11 is powered by the battery 7 and is thus electrically connected to the battery 7. The heater 11 may be, for example, an electric resistance heater including a nichrome resistive heater, a ceramic heater, or the like. The heater 11 can be a wire, a plate, which can be in the form of a coil, for example, which can be a multilayer plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which is electrically conductive. And one or more of which may be electrically non-conductive), mesh (which may be, for example, woven or non-woven, and which Again, similarly, it may be multilayered), a film heater, and the like. Other heating arrangements may be used, including non-electric heating arrangements.

This heater 11 is provided to volatilize the liquid 10. In the illustrated example, an annular wick 12 surrounds the heater 11 and makes contact (thermal) with the heater 11. The outermost surface of the annular wick 12 contacts the liquid 10 contained in the liquid container 9. Wick 12 is generally absorbent and acts to draw liquid 10 from liquid container 9 by capillary action. The wick 12 is preferably non-woven, and may be, for example, a cotton or wool material, or, for example, polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene, and the like. It may be a containing synthetic material (synthetic material). This will be explained in more detail below, but it will be noted here that the liquid 10 sucked into the wick 12 when in use is heated by the heater 11. Liquid 10 may be volatilized to generate an aerosol of liquid droplets or heated sufficiently to generate vapor. The aerosol or vapor thus generated passes toward the mouthpiece 4 as shown by arrows A under the action of the user exiting the wick 12 and aspirating onto the mouthpiece 4. The heater 11 and wick 12 may be provided as a single effectively integrated item (sometimes referred to as an “atomizer”) such that heating and wicking is effectively performed by a single unit.

The housing 2 further holds a chamber 13 that holds or holds the tobacco composition 14 in the device 1. The tobacco composition 14 comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base. In use, the user is to use the tobacco composition 14 through the open end 3 of the housing 2 by removing the mouthpiece 4 and/or separating the two parts 2a, 2b of the housing 2. The chamber 13 can be accessed to replace or replenish. A variety of different configurations for the chamber 13 can be used. For example, the chamber 13 may be a tube that is fully open at both ends and holds the tobacco composition 14. As another example, the chamber 13 may be a tube having one or more end walls with through holes through which vapor or aerosol can pass. The chamber 13 can be held in place within the housing 2 while the user removes and replaces the tobacco composition 14. Alternatively, the chamber 13 holding the tobacco composition 14 may be a separate item that, in use, is inserted into and removed from the housing 2 as a whole. This type of removable chamber 13 may be disposable so that the user replaces the tobacco composition 14 by fitting a new chamber 13 holding the fresh tobacco composition 14 into the housing 2. Alternatively, the chamber 13 may be reusable. In this case, the user can replace the tobacco composition 14 in the chamber 13 while the chamber 13 is removed from the housing 2 and then the refilled chamber 13 is replaced in the housing 2. have. In another example, the chamber 13 is provided inside the housing 2 and may include clips or the like that retain the tobacco composition 14 in place. In some examples, the tobacco composition 14 simply fits snugly within the chamber 13. As another alternative, the container 9 for holding the liquid 10 may itself be arranged to support or carry the tobacco composition 14. For example, the container 9 may have one or more clips or tubes or the like for holding and holding the tobacco composition 14 in place. Such a dual function container 9/chamber or receptacle 13 for both holding the liquid 10 and containing the tobacco composition 14 may be in the form of a cartridge or the like, and may be a disposable item. Or it may be reusable, and the liquid 10 and tobacco composition 14 are replaced or topped up by the user as needed. In some cases, the user may only need to replenish or replace the tobacco composition 14 from time to time, and sufficient liquid 10 is provided for several uses. Once the liquid 10 is consumed, the user discards the dual function container 9/receptacle 13 and uses a new one. Likewise, the user may only need to replenish or replace the liquid 10 from time to time, and sufficient tobacco composition 14 is provided for several uses. Once the tobacco composition 14 is consumed, the user discards the dual function container 9/receptacle 13 and uses a new one. Specific examples of dual function containers/receptacles are discussed further below.

The tobacco composition 14 is located in the housing 2 downstream of the location where the aerosol or vapor is generated from the liquid 10 and upstream of the mouthpiece 4 and the open end 3 of the housing 2. In this particular example, the tobacco composition 14 is effectively provided in the same part or chamber of the housing 2 as the wick 12. The aerosol or vapor generated from the liquid 10 passes as shown by arrows A towards the tobacco composition 14 under the action of the user exiting the wick 12 and aspirating onto the mouthpiece 4 . In certain embodiments, the tobacco composition 14 is porous such that the aerosol or vapor passes through the tobacco composition 14 and then through the open end 3 of the housing 2 and the mouthpiece 4 . The heat carried by the aerosol or vapor releases the base from the encapsulation of the base in the tobacco composition 14, suitably by melting or any other temperature dependent release mechanism discussed above. The base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine, which is then more easily entrained by passing vapors/aerosols.

In some embodiments, the tobacco composition 14 and/or chamber 13 thereof are configured such that the aerosol or vapor completely flows through the tobacco composition 14 and the tobacco composition 14/chamber 13 and housing 2 It is arranged so that there is no air gap between the inside of it.

The liquid 10 is suitably volatile at suitable temperatures, preferably in the range of 100° C. to 300° C. or more particularly in the range of approximately 150° C. to 250° C., such as helping to suppress the power consumption of the device 1. It is a phosphorus liquid. Suitable materials include materials commonly used in e-cigarette devices, including, for example, propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerin).

The tobacco composition 14 imparts flavor to the aerosol or vapor generated from the liquid 10 as the aerosol or vapor passes through the tobacco composition 14. When an aerosol or vapor passes through and through the tobacco composition 14, the hot aerosol or vapor gives the cigarette its organoleptic properties, organic and other compounds or compositions from the tobacco composition 14 The ingredients are entrained, thereby imparting flavor as the aerosol or vapor passes through the mouthpiece 4.

Device 1 provides nicotine to the user. Nicotine may be provided as a liquid 10, may be obtained from the tobacco composition 14, may be provided as a coating on the tobacco composition 14, or the like, or may be provided in any combination thereof. Likewise, flavors may be added to the tobacco composition 14 and/or liquid 10.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the only heat source for heating the tobacco composition 14 of the device 1 required to produce organic and other compounds or components from the tobacco composition 14 is It is a high temperature aerosol or vapor generated from heating the liquid 10.

Referring now to Fig. 2, another example of a device for creating an inhalable medium is shown. In the following description and FIG. 2, components and features that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and features of the example described with reference to FIG. 1 have the same reference numerals, but are incremented by 200. For brevity, descriptions of these components and features will not be repeated herein in their entirety. It will also be appreciated that the arrangements and alternatives, etc. described above in connection with the example of FIG. 1 are applicable to the example of FIG. 2. Further, in a broader overview, the device 201 of FIG. 2 heats a liquid to form a vapor or aerosol, which vapor or aerosol contains an inhalable medium containing one or more components derived from the tobacco composition 214. Pass through the tobacco composition 214 to generate.

The device 201 of this example has a generally hollow cylindrical outer housing 202 with an open end 203 and a tubular mouthpiece 204. In this example the mouthpiece 204 is removable by the user from the housing 202 and an O-ring or other seal 205 helps to seal the mouthpiece 204 to the housing 202. A battery 207 and a controller 208 for supplying power to the various components of the device 201 are provided at or towards the other end 206 of the housing 202. The housing 202 in this example has two parts, a first part 202a facing the open end 203 and a second part 202b facing the other end 206.

The housing 202 has a container 209 for holding or holding a liquid 210. The container 209 may be of any of the types described above with respect to the example of FIG. 1. The heater 211 is generally provided in the center of the housing 202 (lengthwise and widthwise) to volatilize the liquid 210. In this example, heater 211 is powered by battery 207 and is thus electrically connected to battery 207. The heater 211 may be an electric resistance heater, a ceramic heater, or the like. The heater 211 can be, for example, a wire, a plate, which can be in the form of a coil (which can be a multilayer plate of two or more different materials, at least one of which is electrically conductive). And one or more of which may be electrically non-conductive), mesh (which may be, for example, woven or non-woven, which again is similar It may be multi-layered), a film heater, or the like. Other heating arrangements may be used, including induction heating arrangements or non-electric heating arrangements. The annular wick 212 surrounds the heater 211 and (thermal) contacts the heater 211. The outermost surface of the annular wick 212 contacts the liquid 210 contained in the liquid container 209. Liquid 210 may be heated to generate an aerosol of liquid droplets or may be heated sufficiently to generate vapor. The aerosol or vapor thus generated passes toward the mouthpiece 204 as shown by arrows A under the action of the user exiting the wick 212 and aspirating onto the mouthpiece 204. The heater 211 and wick 212 may be provided as a single effectively integrated item such that heating and wicking are effectively performed by a single unit.

The housing 202 further holds a chamber 213 that holds or holds the tobacco composition 214 in the device 201. Tobacco composition 214 includes a tobacco material and an encapsulated base. Chamber 213 may be of any of the types described above with respect to the example of FIG. 1. The tobacco composition 214 is located in the housing 202 downstream of the location where the aerosol or vapor is generated from the liquid 210 and upstream of the mouthpiece 204 and the open end 203 of the housing 202. In this particular example, the tobacco composition 214 is effectively provided in the same portion or chamber of the housing 202 as the wick 212. The aerosol or vapor generated from the liquid 210 passes as shown by arrows (A) towards the tobacco composition 214 under the action of the user exiting the wick 212 and aspirating onto the mouthpiece 204 . In certain embodiments, the tobacco composition 214 is porous such that the aerosol or vapor passes through the tobacco composition 214 and then through the open end 203 and the mouthpiece 204 of the housing 202. . The heat carried by the aerosol or vapor releases the base from the encapsulation of the base in the tobacco composition 214, suitably by melting or any other temperature dependent release mechanism discussed above. The base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine, which is then more easily entrained by passing vapors/aerosols.

In some embodiments, the tobacco composition 214 and/or chamber 213 thereof is configured such that the aerosol or vapor completely flows through the tobacco composition 214 and the tobacco composition 214/chamber 213 and the housing 202 It is arranged so that there is no air gap between the inside of it. When the aerosol or vapor passes through and through the tobacco composition 214, the hot aerosol or vapor gives the cigarette its organoleptic properties, organic and other compounds or compositions from the tobacco composition 214 The ingredients are entrained, thus imparting flavor as the aerosol or vapor passes through the mouthpiece 204.

The container 209 for holding the liquid 210 may itself be arranged to support or support the tobacco composition 214. For example, the container 209 may have one or more clips or tubes or the like for holding and holding the tobacco composition 214 in place. Such a dual function container 209/chamber or receptacle 213 for both holding the liquid 210 and containing the tobacco compositions 214 may be in the form of a cartridge or the like, and be a disposable item. It may or may be reusable, and the liquid 210 and tobacco composition 214 are replaced or topped up by the user as needed. In some cases, the user may only need to replenish or replace the tobacco composition 214 from time to time, and sufficient liquid 210 is provided for several uses. Once the liquid 210 is consumed, the user discards the dual function container 209/receptacle 213 and uses a new one. Likewise, a user may only need to replenish or replace liquid 210 from time to time, and sufficient tobacco composition 214 is provided for multiple uses. Once the tobacco composition 214 is consumed, the user discards the dual function container 209/receptacle 213 and uses a new one.

In the exemplary device 201 of FIG. 2, a second heater 215, such as an oven heater, is provided with a tobacco composition 214 in thermal contact to preheat the tobacco composition 214 and/or use of the device 201. Provides additional heat to the tobacco composition 214 throughout. This promotes the release of components from the tobacco composition 214 as the vapor or aerosol passes through the tobacco composition 214 in use. The amount of heated liquid 210 to achieve the desired heating of the tobacco composition 214 can be reduced. The second heater 215 may be, for example, an electric resistance heater or a ceramic heater supplied with power by the battery 207. The second heater 215 may be, for example, a wire (which may be in the form of a coil, for example), a plate (which may be a multilayer plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive). And one or more of which may be electrically non-conductive), mesh (which may be, for example, woven or non-woven, which again may be similarly multilayered), film heaters, and the like. The second heater 215 may be, for example, an induction heater supplied with power by the battery 207. Tobacco composition 214 may include materials sensitive to induction heating. Other heating arrangements may be used in the second heater 215 including non-electric heating arrangements.

The heater 215 may also influence the release of the base from the encapsulation of the base in the tobacco composition 214, as appropriate, by melting or any other temperature dependent release mechanism discussed above. The base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine, which is then more easily entrained by passing vapors/aerosols.

In the exemplary device 201 of FIG. 2, a heater 215 for heating the tobacco composition 214 is provided outside the tobacco composition 214 and by heat conduction from the outside of the tobacco composition 214 Heat 214. Heater 215 in this example is generally cylindrical. The heater 215 may in fact be an integral part of the device 201 and may be provided as part of the housing 202. As an alternative, the heater 215 may be provided integrally with a chamber 213 holding or holding the tobacco composition 214. In this alternative, if the chamber 213 is disposable, the heater 215 will be replaced when a new chamber 213 with fresh cigarettes is loaded into the device 201 by the user.

Referring now to Fig. 3, another example of a device for creating an inhalable medium is shown. In the following description and FIG. 3, components and features that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and features of the example described with reference to FIG. 1 have the same reference numerals, but are incremented by 300. For brevity, descriptions of these components and features will not be repeated herein in their entirety. In addition, it will be understood that the arrangements and alternatives, etc. described above with respect to the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2 are applicable to the examples of FIG. 3. Further, in a broader overview, the device 301 of FIG. 3 heats a liquid to form a vapor or aerosol, which vapor or aerosol contains an inhalable medium containing one or more components derived from the tobacco composition 314. Pass through the tobacco composition 314 to generate.

The device 301 of this example again has a generally hollow cylindrical outer housing 302 having an open end 303 and a tubular mouthpiece 304 (which is removable from the housing 302 by the user). An O-ring or other seal 305 helps to seal the mouthpiece 304 in the housing 302. A battery 307 and a controller 308 for supplying power to the various components of the device 301 are provided at or towards the other end 306 of the housing 302. The housing 302 of this example again consists of two parts, a first part 302a facing the open end 303 and a second part 302b facing the other end 306.

The housing 302 has a container 309 for holding or holding a liquid 310. The container 309 may be of any of the types described above with respect to the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2. The heater 311 is generally provided in the center of the housing 302 to heat the liquid 310. The heater 311 may be of any of the types described above. In this example, heater 311 is powered by battery 307 and is thus electrically connected to battery 307. The annular wick 312 surrounds the heater 311 and (thermal) contacts the heater 311. The outermost surface of the annular wick 312 contacts the liquid 310 contained in the liquid container 309. Liquid 310 may be heated to generate an aerosol of liquid droplets or may be heated sufficiently to generate vapor. The aerosol or vapor thus generated passes toward the mouthpiece 304 as shown by arrows (A) under the action of the user exiting the wick 312 and aspirating onto the mouthpiece 304. The heater 311 and wick 312 may be provided as a single effectively integrated item such that heating and wicking are effectively performed by a single unit.

The housing 302 further holds a chamber 313 that holds or holds the tobacco composition 314 in the device 301. The tobacco composition 314 includes a tobacco material and an encapsulated base. Chamber 313 may be of any of the types described above with respect to the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2. (In the example shown in FIG. 3, the chamber 313 is in the form of a tube with end walls 316 having through holes 317 through which the vapor or aerosol mentioned as an option above can pass.) Tobacco composition ( 314 is located in the housing 302 downstream of the location where the aerosol or vapor is generated from the liquid 310 and upstream of the mouthpiece 304 and the open end 303 of the housing 302. In this particular example, again, the tobacco composition 314 is effectively provided in the same portion or chamber of the housing 302 as the wick 312. The aerosol or vapor generated from the liquid 310 passes as shown by arrows (A) towards the tobacco composition 314 under the action of the user exiting the wick 312 and aspirating onto the mouthpiece 304 . In certain embodiments, the tobacco composition 314 is porous such that the aerosol or vapor passes through the tobacco composition 314 and then through the open end 303 and the mouthpiece 304 of the housing 302. . The heat carried by the aerosol or vapor releases the base from the encapsulation of the base in the tobacco composition 314, suitably by melting or any other temperature dependent release mechanism discussed above. The base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine, which is then more easily entrained by passing vapors/aerosols.

In some embodiments, the tobacco composition 314 and/or chamber 313 thereof is configured such that the aerosol or vapor completely flows through the tobacco composition 314 and the tobacco composition 314/chamber 313 and the housing 302. It is arranged so that there is no air gap between the inside of it. When an aerosol or vapor passes through and through the tobacco composition 314, the hot aerosol or vapor entrains organic and other compounds or components from the tobacco composition 314, so that the aerosol or vapor passes through the mouthpiece 304. When passing through, it gives the flavor of tobacco. The container 309 for holding the liquid 310 may itself be arranged to support or support the tobacco composition 314. For example, the container 309 may have one or more clips or tubes or the like for holding and holding the tobacco composition 314 in place. Such a dual function container 309/chamber or receptacle 313 for both holding the liquid 310 and for containing the tobacco compositions 314 may be in the form of a cartridge or the like, and be a disposable item. It may or may be reusable, and the liquid 310 and tobacco composition 314 are replaced or topped up by the user as needed. In some cases, the user may only need to replenish or replace the tobacco composition 314 from time to time, and sufficient liquid 310 is provided for multiple uses. Once the liquid 310 is consumed, the user discards the dual function container 309/receptacle 313 and uses a new one. Likewise, a user may only need to replenish or replace liquid 310 from time to time, and sufficient tobacco composition 314 is provided for multiple uses. Once the tobacco composition 314 is consumed, the user discards the dual function container 309/receptacle 313 and uses a new one.

In the exemplary device 301 of FIG. 3, the second heater 318 includes a tobacco composition 314 to facilitate the release of components from the tobacco composition 314 when vapor or aerosol passes through the tobacco composition 314 in use. The tobacco composition 314 is again provided in thermal contact to heat). The second heater 318 may be, for example, an electric resistance heater or a ceramic heater supplied with power by the battery 307. Other heating arrangements may be used in the second heater 318 including non-electric heating arrangements.

In the exemplary device 301 of FIG. 3, a heater 318 for heating the tobacco composition 314 is provided inside the tobacco composition 314 and by heat conduction from the inside of the tobacco composition 314 Heat 314. The heater 318 of this example is generally in the form of a cylindrical rod located along the longitudinal central axis of the tobacco composition 314. In other arrangements, the heater 318 may be, for example, a wire (which may be in the form of a coil, for example), a plate (which may be a multilayer plate of two or more different materials, one or more of them). Can be electrically conductive and one or more of which can be electrically non-conductive), mesh (which can be, for example, woven or non-woven, and again can be similarly multilayered), film heaters, etc. have. In this case the tobacco composition 314 is generally tubular or alternatively has an interior clearance for receiving the heater 318. The heater 318 may in fact be an integral part of the device 301 and may be provided as part of the housing 302. In this case, as the tobacco composition 314 is loaded into the device 301 (e.g., as the chamber 313 holding the tobacco composition 314 is loaded into the device 301), the tobacco composition 314 Surrounds the second heater 318. Alternatively, the heater 318 may be provided integrally with a chamber 313 holding or holding the tobacco composition 314. In this alternative, if the chamber 313 is disposable, the heater 318 will be replaced when a new chamber 313 with fresh cigarettes is loaded into the device 301 by the user.

In another example, a plurality of internal heaters 318 may be provided to provide more efficient heating of the tobacco composition 314. In another example, the tobacco composition 314 may contain two or more external heaters (such as the second heater 215 of the example of FIG. 2) and one or more internal heaters (such as the second heater 318 of the example of FIG. 3 ). Can be heated by everyone.

One or more heaters 318 configured to heat the tobacco composition may also suitably affect the release of the base from the encapsulation of the base in the tobacco composition 314 by melting or any other temperature dependent release mechanism discussed above. I can go crazy. The base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine, which is then more easily entrained by passing vapors/aerosols.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge 600 having a liquid container 601 for holding a liquid 602 and a receptacle or container 603 for a tobacco composition 604 is shown. Has been. In this example, the liquid container 601 and the tobacco composition container 603 are initially formed integrally, or are initially formed in two parts (which are then assembled in a substantially permanent manner), thereby forming a single integral. It is provided as a component. When the cartridge 600 is volatilized to generate an aerosol of liquid droplets or heated sufficiently to generate a vapor, at least a portion of the aerosol or vapor and preferably all or substantially all of the tobacco composition 604 ) To pick up flavor from the tobacco composition 604.

In the example of FIG. 4, the liquid container 601 is generally provided in the center of the cartridge 600. In this illustrated example, the liquid container 601 is a truncated cone in shape, but may have a different shape such as a conical shape, a cylinder shape, or the like. The liquid container 601 is surrounded by an outer shell 605, the outer shell 605 defining an annular channel 606 around the outer side of the length of the liquid container 601 and It extends from the end to the other end. The outer shell 605 extends beyond the first end wall 607 of the liquid container 601 to define the chamber 608 beyond the first end wall 607 of the liquid container 601. In the illustrated example, both chamber 608 and annular channel 606 contain a tobacco composition 604 and, thus, can be considered to provide a container 603 for the tobacco composition 604 together. In other examples, the tobacco composition 604 may be provided only to the chamber 608, which thus defines a container 603 for the tobacco composition 604, and the annular channel 606 is empty. The chambers 608 are closed by an end wall 609 spaced from the end wall 607 of the liquid container 601. The end wall 609 may be part of the outer shell 605 or may be separate plastics or rubber caps or the like. In still other examples, the annular channel 606 holds the tobacco composition 604 and there is no material in the chamber 608, in fact, the chamber 608 can be omitted and the channel 606 is the end wall 609. ) Effectively ends. Channel 606 and/or chamber 608 may be completely filled with tobacco composition 604 or may only hold a portion or plug of tobacco composition 604. The end wall 609 is porous and/or has one or more through holes 610 that allow the aerosol or vapor to exit the cartridge 600 and be inhaled by the user. Each of the liquid container 601 and the solid container 603 may be formed of rigid, watertight and airtight materials such as metal, suitable plastics, and the like.

The exemplary cartridge 600 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a heater 611 and a wick 612 in contact with (heat) the heater 611. In this example, heater 611 and wick 612 are provided as a single unit, often referred to as an “atomizer”. In this case, if the cartridge 600 includes an atomizer, such cartridge is often referred to as a “cartomizer”. The orientation of the heater 611 is schematically shown, and for example, the heater 611 is a coil having its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 600 rather than parallel as shown in FIG. 4. I can.

Wick 612 is in contact with liquid 602. This can be achieved, for example, by a wick 612 inserted through a through hole (not shown) in the second end wall 613 of the liquid container 601. Alternatively or additionally, the second end wall 613 may be a porous member (shown schematically in dashed line in FIG. 4) allowing liquid to pass from the liquid container 601, and the wick 612 is porous. It can contact the second end wall 613. The second end wall 613 may be in the form of a porous ceramic disk, for example. This type of porous second end wall 613 helps to regulate the flow of liquid to the wick 612. Wick 612 is generally absorbent and acts to draw liquid 602 from liquid container 601 by capillary action. The wick 612 is preferably non-woven, and may be, for example, a cotton or wool material, or, for example, polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene, or the like. It may be a containing synthetic material (synthetic material).

In use, the cartridge 600 is connected by the user to the battery section of the device (not shown) to be able to supply power to the heater 611. When the atomizer's heater 611 is powered (which can be triggered by the user manipulating a button on the entire device or by a puff detector on the entire device, for example, as known per se), the wick 612 The liquid 602 introduced from the liquid container 601 by) is heated by the heater 611 to volatilize or vaporize the liquid. When the user aspirates over the mouthpiece of the entire device, the vapor or aerosol flows into the annular channel 606 or chamber 608 around the outer side of the length of the liquid container 601 as shown by arrows (A). Pass by. The vapor or aerosol picks up flavor from the tobacco compositions 604. The heat carried by the aerosol or vapor releases the base from the encapsulation of the base in the tobacco composition 604, suitably by melting or any other temperature dependent release mechanism discussed above. The base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine, which is then more easily entrained by passing vapors/aerosols. The vapor or aerosol can then exit the cartridge 600 through the end wall 609 as shown by arrow B. Optionally, a one-way valve 614 can be provided inside the end wall 609 such that vapor or aerosol can only exit the cartridge 600 and cannot flow back to the heater 611 or the electronics of the device as a whole. have.

Referring now to Figure 5, another example of a cartridge 700 having a container 703 defining a liquid container 701 for holding a liquid 702 and a chamber 708 for holding a tobacco composition 704. A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example is shown. In the following description and FIG. 5, components and features that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and features of the example described with reference to FIG. 4 have the same reference numerals, but are incremented by 100. For brevity, descriptions of these components and features will not be repeated herein in their entirety.

In this example, the liquid container 701 and the tobacco composition container 703 of the cartridge 700 are provided as separate components that are detachably connected to each other in use. The liquid container 701 and the tobacco composition container 703 may, for example, be clip-coupled or otherwise detachably fixed to each other, or, for example, the tobacco composition container 703 may be a liquid container 701 ) Can simply be placed on top or can be friction fit tightly. When the cartridge 700 is volatilized to generate an aerosol of liquid droplets or heated sufficiently to generate vapor, at least a portion of the aerosol or vapor and preferably all or substantially all of the tobacco composition 704 ) To pick up flavor from the tobacco composition 704.

In this example, the liquid container 701 is surrounded by an outer shell 705, the outer shell 705 defining an annular channel 706 around the outer side of the length of the liquid container 701 and 701) from one end to the other. The outer shell 705 extends beyond the first end wall 707 of the liquid container 601 and ends at the end wall 709. The end wall 709 may be separate plastics or rubber caps or the like. The end wall 709 is porous and/or has one or more through holes 710 that allow an aerosol or vapor to exit the annular channel 706. One-way valve 714 such that steam or aerosol can only exit annular channel 706 at the end remote from heater 711 and wick 712 and cannot flow back to heater 711 or all of the electronics of the device. ) May be provided inside the end wall 709. The tobacco composition container 703 is positioned above the end wall 709 in use so that vapors or aerosols exiting through the end wall 709 pass to the tobacco composition container 703. The tobacco composition container 703 has an exhaust aperture and/or a porous end wall 715 to allow the aerosol or vapor to exit the cartridge 700 for inhalation by a user.

In use, the cartridge 700 is connected by a user to the battery section of a device (not shown) to be able to supply power to the heater 711. When the atomizer's heater 711 is powered (which can be triggered by a user manipulating a button on the entire device, or triggered by a puff detector on the entire device, for example, as known per se), the wick 712 The liquid 702 introduced through the end wall 713 from the liquid container 701 by) is heated by the heater 711 to volatilize or vaporize the liquid. When the user aspirates over the mouthpiece of the entire device, the vapor or aerosol is directed to the outer side of the length of the liquid container 701 towards the end wall 709 of the outer shell 705 as shown by arrows (A). Through the surrounding annular channel 706. The vapor or aerosol then passes through the end wall 709 (via one-way valve 714, if present) and enters the tobacco composition container 703, where the vapor or aerosol is retained in the container 703. The flavor is picked up from (704). The heat carried by the aerosol or vapor releases the base from the encapsulation of the base in the tobacco composition 704, suitably by melting or any other temperature dependent release mechanism discussed above. The base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine, which is then more easily entrained by passing vapors/aerosols. The vapor or aerosol can then exit the cartridge 700 through the end wall 715 of the tobacco composition container 703 as shown by arrow B.

The examples shown in Figures 4 and 5 are particularly suitable for use with so-called modular or "e-go" products, wherein the cartomizer is typically a battery section (shown by screw thread, bayonet fitting, etc.) Omitted). The entire cartomizer is usually discarded after use and a new replacement cartomizer is used. As an alternative, it may be possible for the user to reuse the cartridge by refilling the liquid and/or replacing the solid material from time to time as needed.

The examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be easily configured for use with other types of e-cigarette hybrid devices, known per se. For example, there are so-called “look alike e-cigarette” or “cig-alike” devices that are generally small and have a shape and appearance similar to a conventional cigarette. In such devices, the liquid container typically includes some wadding material, such as cotton, for holding the liquid. The cartridge or cartomizer of these known devices is typically entirely disposable, but in examples using embodiments of the invention it may be possible to refill liquid and/or replace solid material. As another example, so-called tank devices or personal vaporizers may be present, which generally have large liquid containers for holding a relatively large amount of liquid, and also an advanced device that allows users to control multiple aspects of the device. Provides functions.

As an alternative to any of the cartomizer arrangements discussed above, an atomizer for liquid (ie, heater and wick) may be provided separately from the liquid and material containers. The atomizer can be provided, for example, as part of the battery section of the entire device in which the cartridge is removably fitted by the user in use.

In any of the examples described above in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5, a heater for the tobacco composition may also be provided to “preheat” the tobacco composition. This heater may be provided as part of the cartridge or as part of the battery section of the device to which the cartridge fits in use. The heater for the tobacco composition suitably causes the release of the base from the encapsulation of the base in the tobacco composition by melting or any other temperature dependent release mechanism discussed above. The base increases the tobacco pH, liberating nicotine, which is then more easily entrained by passing vapors/aerosols.

As used herein, “aerosol generating agent” refers to a compound or mixture that promotes the generation of an aerosol. Aerosol-generating agents may promote the formation of aerosols by promoting initial vaporization and/or condensation of gases into inhalable solid and/or liquid aerosols.

In general, any suitable aerosol generating agent or generating agents may be included in the aerosol generating material of the present invention. Suitable aerosol generating agents include, but are not limited to: sorbitol, glycerol and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; Non-polyols, such as monohydric alcohols, high boiling point hydrocarbons, acids, such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters, such as diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, or Myristates, including ethyl myristate and isopropyl myristate, and aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

As used herein, the terms “flavour” and “flavouring” refer to the taste or aroma desired in the product for adult buyers, if local regulations permit. Refers to materials that can be used to create These are extracts (e.g. licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint. mint), aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, drambuie, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood oil (sandalwood), bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia cassia), caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, bell pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or men Mint oil from any species of genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulants ( stimulators), sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g. sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose) lactos e), sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol) and charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals or bad breath removers other additives such as breath freshening agents. These can be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They can be in any suitable form, for example oil, liquid or powder.

For clarity, when the term "comprising" is used in this specification to define the present invention or a feature of the invention, the present invention or feature is "consists essentially of, instead of the term "comprising". Also disclosed are embodiments that may be defined using the term "consisting of" or "consist of".

The above embodiments should be understood as illustrative examples of the present invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. Any feature described in connection with any one embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features described, and can also be used with one or more features of any other embodiments or any of any other embodiments. It should be understood that they can be used in combination with combinations. Moreover, equivalents and modifications not described above may be used without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The various embodiments described herein are presented merely to aid understanding and to teach the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are equivalents to the claims or limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. It is to be understood that no limitations are considered, and other embodiments may be utilized, and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the present invention include, suitably, suitable combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., in addition to those described in detail herein, and constitute or essential components. It can be included (consists essentially of). Moreover, the present disclosure may cover other inventions that are not currently claimed but will be claimed in the future.

Claims (19)

A device for producing an inhalable medium, comprising:
The device,
A container for holding a liquid;
A heater for volatilizing the liquid held in the container;
A chamber holding the tobacco composition; And
Includes an outlet,
The arrangement is configured such that when in use, the inhalable medium exits the outlet, the inhalable medium comprising (i) a volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol, and (ii) one or more components of the tobacco composition. Including;
The tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base,
A device for creating an inhalable medium. The method of claim 1,
The device comprises at least one component from the tobacco composition such that, in use, a liquid volatilized by the heater passes through the tobacco composition in the form of at least one of a vapor and an aerosol, thereby generating an inhalable medium exiting the outlet. Consisting of entraining them,
A device for creating an inhalable medium. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The base comprises one or more hydroxides or carbonates or other soluble bases of sodium, potassium or calcium,
A device for creating an inhalable medium. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The base is to an encapsulating material that melts, decomposes, reacts, degrades, swells or dissolves or deforms to release the base at a temperature above room temperature but below the temperature reached during use. Encapsulated by,
A device for creating an inhalable medium. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The base is encapsulated by an encapsulating material selected from polysaccharide or cellulose barrier material, gelatin, gum, gel, wax or mixtures thereof,
A device for creating an inhalable medium. The method of claim 5,
The encapsulating material is alginates, dextran, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, pectin, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose ethers, gum arabic, gum gati, tra Selected from one or more of gakans gum, karaya, locust bean, acacia gum, guar, quince seed, xanthan gums, agar gel, agarose gel, carrageenans, furoidan, purcellarane and carnauba wax,
A device for creating an inhalable medium. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The tobacco material is encapsulated with the base,
A device for creating an inhalable medium. A cartridge for use in a device for producing an inhalable medium, comprising:
The cartridge comprises a volatile liquid in a first chamber and a tobacco composition in a second chamber, the tobacco composition comprising a tobacco material and an encapsulated base,
Cartridge for use in a device for producing an inhalable medium. The method of claim 8,
The base comprises one or more hydroxides or carbonates or other soluble bases of sodium, potassium or calcium,
Cartridge for use in a device for producing an inhalable medium. The method according to claim 8 or 9,
The base is encapsulated by an encapsulating material that melts, decomposes, reacts, decomposes, swells or dissolves or deforms to release the base at a temperature above room temperature but below the temperature reached during use,
Cartridge for use in a device for producing an inhalable medium. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
The base is encapsulated by an encapsulating material selected from polysaccharide or cellulose barrier material, gelatin, gum, gel, wax or mixtures thereof,
Cartridge for use in a device for producing an inhalable medium. The method of claim 11,
The encapsulating material is alginates, dextran, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, pectin, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose ethers, gum arabic, gum gati, tra Selected from one or more of gakans gum, karaya, locust bean, acacia gum, guar, quince seed, xanthan gums, agar gel, agarose gel, carrageenans, furoidan, purcellarane and carnauba wax,
Cartridge for use in a device for producing an inhalable medium. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12,
The tobacco material is encapsulated with the base,
Cartridge for use in a device for producing an inhalable medium. A method of creating an inhalable medium using a device, comprising:
The device comprises a container for holding a liquid, a heater for volatilizing the liquid, a chamber for holding the tobacco composition and an outlet, the method comprising:
Volatilizing the liquid held in the container;
Forming an inhalable medium, the inhalable medium comprising (i) a liquid volatilized in the form of a vapor and an aerosol, and (ii) one or more components of tobacco compositions; And
Passing the inhalable medium out of the outlet,
The tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base,
A method of creating an inhalable medium using a device. The method of claim 14,
Volatilizing the liquid held in the container;
Entraining one or more constituents from the tobacco composition with at least one of a vapor and aerosol formed by a liquid volatilized by passing at least one of a vapor and aerosol through the tobacco composition to create an inhalable medium; And
Including the step of passing the inhalable medium out of the outlet,
A method of creating an inhalable medium using a device. As the use of an encapsulated base in tobacco compositions to provide sustained nicotine delivery upon use,
The tobacco composition is provided to a device, the device comprising:
A container for holding a liquid;
A heater for volatilizing the liquid held in the container;
A chamber holding the tobacco composition; And
Includes an outlet,
The arrangement is configured such that when in use, the inhalable medium exits the outlet, the inhalable medium comprising (i) a volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol, and (ii) one or more components of the tobacco composition. doing,
Use of an encapsulated base in a tobacco composition. A method of providing a sustained release of nicotine from a device for producing an inhalable medium, comprising:
The device,
A container for holding a liquid;
A heater for volatilizing the liquid held in the container;
A chamber holding the tobacco composition; And
Includes an outlet,
The arrangement is configured such that when in use, the inhalable medium exits the outlet, the inhalable medium comprising (i) a volatilized liquid in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol, and (ii) one or more components of the tobacco composition. and;
The tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base;
The method comprises releasing the base from the encapsulation of the base when used to liberate nicotine from the tobacco material,
A method of providing sustained release of nicotine from a device for producing an inhalable medium. (i) a liquid pod holding a volatile liquid; And
(ii) a tobacco composition pod containing a tobacco composition comprising a tobacco material and an encapsulated base,
The liquid pod and the tobacco composition pod are configured for use in a device for use in creating an inhalable medium, the device being adapted to produce an inhalable medium upon use, the inhalable medium comprising (i) vapor and / Or a liquid volatilized from a liquid pod in the form of an aerosol, and (ii) one or more components of the tobacco composition,
Kit. A tobacco composition pod holding a tobacco composition comprising a tobacco material and an encapsulated base,
The tobacco composition pod is configured for use in a device for use in creating an inhalable medium, the device being adapted to create an inhalable medium upon use, the inhalable medium being (i) in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol. Comprising a volatilized liquid, and (ii) one or more components of the tobacco composition,
A tobacco composition pod containing a tobacco composition comprising a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.

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