RU2794459C2 - Aerosol delivery device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aerosol production.

SUBSTANCE: aerosol delivery device comprises a first section (200) for the placement of the aerosol-forming substance and a second section (400) for the placement of the tobacco material; the first and second sections are located side by side in the device, so that during use, the aerosol stream generated from the aerosol-forming substance in the first section flows through the material in the second sections before inhalation by the user.

EFFECT: expansion of the range of aerosol delivery devices.

1 cl, 6 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The invention relates to an aerosol supply device for generating an inhalable medium.

State of the art

In smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like, tobacco is burned during use to create tobacco smoke.

Attempts have been made to offer alternatives to such products by creating products in which substances are released without combustion.

Examples of such products are heating devices in which substances are released by heating, rather than burning, the material. Such material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco product, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Another example are devices called electronic cigarettes. These devices contain an aerosol-forming substance, usually a liquid, that is heated to vaporize and produce an inhalable vapor or aerosol. The liquid may contain nicotine and/or flavorings and/or aerosol generating substances such as glycerol. Such devices usually do not contain or use tobacco.

Another example is the so-called hybrid devices. These hybrid devices typically contain separately an aerosol-forming agent, typically a liquid, and a container for the material. In standard examples, the material may be tobacco or other aromatic material. The liquid is aerosolized to produce an inhalable vapor or aerosol that passes through the material container such that the material imparts a property, such as flavor, to the vapor or aerosol before it is inhaled by the user.

Typically, in a hybrid device, the material chamber and the fluid chamber are arranged such that the material chamber is downstream of the fluid chamber. In such devices, the liquid chamber and the material chamber are arranged in a single line, with the material chamber located closer to the user's mouth (at the proximal end or mouth end of the hybrid device). The chamber for the material and the chamber for the liquid in such devices are located, one might say, in a "stack". With this arrangement, the device has an elongated shape.

In such a linear hybrid device, during use, the aerosol from the liquid chamber travels in a substantially straight path through the material chamber and reaches the end of the mouthpiece of the device for inhalation by the user. In some cases, material, such as tobacco, may pass from the material chamber into the user's mouth because the material chamber is located in close proximity to the mouth end of the device.

In hybrid devices where one or both of the chambers, the tobacco chamber and the liquid chamber, are removable and/or interchangeable, the stacking arrangement can be problematic because the tobacco chamber may need to be removed to gain access to the liquid chamber, and vice versa.

The material, such as tobacco, in the material chamber typically requires heating to release the necessary compounds from the material and provide the desired effect on the aerosol. Such heating may be by heat transfer from the aerosol itself, or the tobacco may be heated directly by the heating means. It is desirable to provide optimal heating of the material with minimal energy consumption. In the case where the heating means directly heats the material, it is desirable that the material chamber and the heating means are in close proximity to each other in order to minimize the energy consumption to achieve the required heating. The geometry of hybrid devices in which the chambers are stacked often creates problems with regard to the heating efficiency of the material.

Disclosure of invention

The first object of the invention is an aerosol supply device, comprising a first section for accommodating an aerosol-forming substance from which an aerosol stream can be generated, and a second section for accommodating material; wherein the first section and the second section are arranged side by side in the device such that during use, the aerosol stream generated from the aerosol-forming agent in the first section flows through the material in the second section before being inhaled by the user.

The first section and the second section may be positioned such that the side of the first section is substantially aligned with the side of the second section and said sides are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device.

The first section may include a heater for generating an aerosol from the aerosol-forming agent, which is located adjacent to the second section, providing heating of the material in the second section during use.

The heater may include at least one first heating element and one second heating element.

The first and second heating elements may be located in a common plane at substantially the same distance from the second section.

The aerosol-forming agent may be a liquid and the first section may comprise a liquid reservoir, wherein the heater comprises a wick structure for transporting liquid from the reservoir to the first and second heating elements.

The wick structure may include a first wick for transporting liquid from the liquid reservoir to the first heating element and a second wick for transporting liquid from the liquid reservoir to the second heating element.

The first and second heating elements can be configured to be independently controlled.

One of the heating elements may be activated while the other of these heating elements is not activated.

The first section may be configured such that during use, air enters it in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, and aerosol exits it into the second section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.

The second section may be configured such that, during use, the aerosol flows from its distal end through the material to its proximal end in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device.

In the first side wall of the second section, an opening can be made, at which the first barrier is located, and the first barrier is porous, allowing the passage of the aerosol flow and preventing the exit of material from the second section through the specified opening, while the device is designed so that during use, the specified first the side wall is located adjacent to the first section, allowing the aerosol generated in the first section to enter the second section through this opening.

The first barrier may be a mesh.

The second section may comprise a top, a material receiving bottom, and a second barrier, the second barrier being porous to allow aerosol flow and preventing material contained in the bottom from escaping from the bottom to the top.

The second barrier may be a mesh.

In the upper part at the proximal end of the second section, a second hole can be made, at which a third barrier is located, which is porous, allowing the passage of the aerosol flow and preventing the exit of material from the specified second hole.

The third barrier may be a mesh.

The first and second sections may be made as separate cartridges.

The device may include a mouthpiece integral with the second section.

The second section and the mouthpiece may define a socket for receiving the first section during use.

The aerosol supply device may also contain a main body, and the first and second sections are made with the possibility of independent detachable connection with the main body of the device.

The first section may include a first reservoir for containing a first aerosol-forming agent and a second reservoir for containing a second aerosol-forming agent.

The second object of the invention is the first cartridge for the aerosol providing device described above, containing the first section for receiving the aerosol-forming substance and made with the possibility of releasable connection with the aerosol providing device.

The first cartridge may be designed to contain an aerosol-forming agent.

The first cartridge may comprise any of the features described above with respect to the first section of the aerosol supply device.

A third aspect of the invention is a second cartridge for the aerosol delivery device described above, comprising a second material accommodating section and releasably connected to the aerosol delivery device.

The second cartridge may be designed to contain tobacco material.

The second cartridge may comprise any of the features described above with respect to the second section of the aerosol delivery device.

Below, by way of example, embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

In FIG. 1 schematically shows a hybrid device according to the invention;

in fig. 2 schematically shows a material cartridge for use in the hybrid device of FIG. 1, side view;

in fig. 3 schematically shows a liquid cartridge for use in the hybrid device of FIG. 1, side view;

in fig. 4a - material cartridge and mouthpiece, perspective view from the first side;

in fig. 4b shows the material cartridge and mouthpiece of FIG. 4a is a second side perspective view;

in fig. 5 schematically shows a liquid cartridge, a material cartridge and a mouthpiece;

in fig. 6 schematically shows a material cartridge and a liquid cartridge having two reservoirs, viewed from above.

Implementation of the invention

In FIG. 1 schematically shows an aerosol dispenser 100. The aerosol delivery device 100 is a portable inhalation device (ie, the user uses it to inhale the aerosol produced by the system 100). In this example, device 100 is an electronic device.

In general terms, the device 100 vaporizes the aerosol-forming material 20 located in the aerosol generation component 200. In this example, the aerosol-forming material 20 is a liquid, such as e-liquid, however, in other examples, the aerosol-forming material may be any other type, such as a gel. Device 100 in this example is a hybrid device in that the aerosol and/or vapor generated by component 200 passes through chamber 430 containing material 30 before being inhaled by the user (FIG. 2).

The material 30 may impart or modify a property, such as flavor, vapor and/or aerosol, before the vapor and/or aerosol passes through the inhalation device 100 by the user. Material 30 may be tobacco or contain tobacco. As the aerosol passes through the material 30, such as tobacco, the aerosol picks up organic and other compounds or components from that material 30 that impart organoleptic properties to the material 30, such as tobacco, thereby imparting the flavor of the material 30 to the aerosol as it passes through the chamber 430.

Suitable examples of material 30 may include tobacco itself, varieties of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, ground tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. In the case of tobacco, the material 30 may be in the form of a tobacco rod, a tobacco tablet or tobacco tile, loose tobacco, briquettes, and the like. and may be, for example, in a relatively dry or relatively wet form. Material 30 may be in a compressed tobacco rod that is cut to size and placed in chamber 430. Material 30 may contain other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product.

The material 30 may, for example, modify another property of the aerosol besides (or in addition to) flavor.

In some examples, material 30 may be or contain a substance that modifies one or more other organoleptic properties of the aerosol (eg, modifies its taste or smell or appearance).

In some examples, material 30 may be or contain a substance that modifies the pH of the aerosol by raising or increasing it (eg, modifies the acidity or alkalinity of the aerosol).

In some examples, material 30 may be or contain a substance that modifies (eg, reduces) the amount of aldehydes in the aerosol.

In some examples, material 30 may be or contain a substance that modifies various combinations of two or more properties, or in fact, other properties of the aerosol stream.

However, it should be appreciated that materials other than tobacco can be used to impart different flavors to the aerosol.

If the material 30 is or contains tobacco, the aerosol can pick up a sufficient amount of nicotine from the material 30. Alternatively or additionally, if the material 30 does not contain tobacco, it can be enriched in nicotine, such as by coating the material with nicotine. In fact, even if the material 30 is or contains tobacco, it may be coated or otherwise fortified with nicotine. As another example, regardless of whether the material 30 is or contains tobacco and/or contains nicotine, the nicotine may be contained in the aerosol-forming material, in this case the liquid 20. Accordingly, if the system 100 is to deliver nicotine to a user, the nicotine may be contained in the aerosol-forming material 20, may be obtained from the material 30 if the material is or contains tobacco, may be contained in a coating, or the like. on the material 30, if it is a non-tobacco material, may be contained in a coating or the like. on the material 30 if it is a tobacco material, or can be obtained using any combination of these methods. Similarly, flavors may be added to material 30 (regardless of whether the substance is or contains tobacco) or to the aerosol-forming material.

In at least some examples, vapor is produced that at least partially condenses and forms an aerosol before exiting the aerosol providing device through a user's respirable chamber (not shown).

It should be noted that, in general, steam is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical temperature. This means that, for example, vapor can be condensed into a liquid by increasing its pressure without decreasing its temperature. On the other hand, in general, an aerosol is a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or other gas. "Colloid" is a substance in which, dispersed microscopic insoluble particles are suspended in another substance.

For convenience, in the following description, the term "aerosol" means an aerosol, vapor, or a combination of aerosol and vapor.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hybrid device 100 comprises a first section 200, in this example an aerosol generating cartridge 200 (hereinafter referred to as a liquid cartridge), a main body 300 of the device, and a second material receiving section, in this example a material cartridge 400. In this example, the material cartridge 400 includes a mouthpiece 50 that may be integral with the material cartridge or may be detachably attached to its upper end 450 (or proximal or mouthpiece end, as this end is closest to the material cartridge during use). user's mouth).

The main body 300 of the device includes a bottom case 310 that houses a power source 320, typically a battery, for supplying power to the various components of the device 100. The battery 320 may be rechargeable or disposable. Also located in the lower case 310 is a controller 330, which may include a microchip included in the circuitry of the system for controlling the operation of various components of the device 100. Outside the lower case 310, user input means 340, for example, one or more control buttons, may be located to control the controller 330.

In this example, the device body 300 also includes an upper casing 350 that extends to the proximal end 150 of the device 100 and defines a cavity into which the fluid cartridge 200 and the material cartridge 400 are inserted. In other examples, the main body 300 of the device may not include a top case, and the fluid and material cartridges may be attached only to the lower case of the device, or the power supply and control electronics may be located in the fluid cartridge or the material cartridge, and in such cases, the device does not contain the main part.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the liquid cartridge 200 and the material cartridge 400 are arranged side by side. In the context of the present description, the side-by-side arrangement means that the side of the liquid section is substantially aligned with the side of the material section, and these sections are essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device. This arrangement differs from the arrangement of standard hybrid devices, in which the material and liquid cartridges are arranged end to end in a line.

The side-by-side arrangement according to the invention differs from linear hybrid devices and allows for a more compact device. In addition, the device according to the invention allows either the liquid cartridge or the material cartridge to be detached from the device separately, which is not possible in linear hybrid devices.

In this example, the top or proximal portion of the fluid cartridge 200 comprises a reservoir 220 containing the fluid 20, and the lower or distal portion of the cartridge 200 comprises means 260 for aerosolizing liquid 20 from reservoir 220. In this example, aerosolizing means 260 contains a heater.

Preferably, the aerosolizing means 260 may include at least one wick supplying liquid to the at least one heating element to aerosolize the liquid 20. The heater may contain several heating elements, each of which may be straight or in the form of a coil. Each wick can supply liquid to one heating element or to all or any number of heating elements.

In the heating element of this example, liquid 20 is supplied from reservoir 220 by first wick 240a (FIG. 3) and aerosolized by first heating coil 250a, and by second wick 240b (FIG. 3) and aerosolized by second heating coil. coil 250b. A detailed description of the operation of this dual coil system is given below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.

In other examples, the aerosolizing means 260 may not contain heating means or may not contain a wick and may include, for example, an ultrasonic atomizer.

Preferably, the liquid 20 is capable of being vaporized at acceptable temperatures, preferably 100-300°C, or more preferably about 150-250°C, to contain the power consumption of the system 100. Suitable materials are materials conventionally used in electronic cigarette devices, including, for example, propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerin). Preferably, the first and second heating coils 250a, 250b are positioned such that they also heat the material 30 in the chamber 430, thereby increasing the influence of the material 30 on the aerosol flowing through the material.

In this example, the bottom or distal end 270 of the fluid cartridge has electrical contact points (not shown) to form an electrical connection with the bottom housing 310 of the main body of the device. As such, the first and second heating coils 250a and 250b are powered by battery 320 and controlled by controller 330.

During use, the user puffs through the mouthpiece 50 and air is drawn in through one or more holes 411 (airflow shown in FIG. 1 by arrow 10) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device 100. The heating coils 250a, 250b are powered by being driven by the user. control button 340 is actuated (or alternatively by a known puff sensor) and liquid 20 is drawn from reservoir 220 by first wick 240a and second wick 240b and heated by coils to vaporize liquid 20 and generate an aerosol.

The aerosolizing means 260, containing the heating coils 250a, 250b, includes an open section 290 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1). This open section 290 is a window (shown in FIG. 3) which allows air drawn in through opening 411 to reach coils 250a, 250b where the air mixes with the generated aerosol. Subsequently, the stream 10 leaves the liquid cartridge 200 as an aerosol entrained air stream (hereinafter simply referred to as the aerosol stream) and enters the material cartridge 400.

The material cartridge 400 includes a chamber 430 in which the material 30 is placed. wall of the first casing that faces the liquid cartridge 200.

As described above, during use, the liquid cartridge 200 and the material cartridge 400 are positioned side by side. The open section 290 of the fluid cartridge 200 is aligned with the porous section 490 of the material cartridge 400. Around the open section 290 is the first seal 280 (FIG. 3), and around the porous section 490 is the second seal 480 (FIG. 2). The first seal 280 and the second seal 480 abut against each other (as shown in FIG. 5) to form a sealed passage for the aerosol passing from the open section 290 of the liquid chamber through the porous section 490 of the material cartridge into the chamber 430 for material.

When the user takes a puff using this device, the aerosol stream 10 is drawn from the aerosolization means 260 into the material chamber 430 through the porous section 490. The aerosol stream 10 is drawn through the material chamber 430 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device 100 towards the mouthpiece 50 passing through material 30, in this example tobacco material. As the aerosol stream 10 passes through the material 30, one or more components of the material 30 are entrained in the aerosol stream, which can change or add properties to the aerosol, such as flavor.

It can be seen (for example, in FIGS. 1 and 5) that since the fluid cartridge 200 and the material cartridge 400 are side by side during use, the material chamber 430 is located near the bottom of the fluid cartridge 200, which contains the first a heating coil 250a; and a second heating coil 250b. As such, the material 30, in this case the tobacco material, is located in close proximity to the first heating coil 250a and the second heating coil 250b, and the tobacco 30 may be directly heated by the heating coils 250a, 250b.

An additional advantage of the side-by-side arrangement is that the material chamber 430 has a large surface area facing the heating coils 250a, 250b. Compared with the standard linear hybrid device, more efficient uniform heating of tobacco can be achieved. The aerosol passing through the material is enriched as a result of more efficient heating.

The side-by-side arrangement also allows the use of a relatively large porous section 490, which in some examples is substantially rectangular in shape, as shown in FIG. 2. The porous section 490 has a large surface area to transfer the aerosol stream 10 from the liquid cartridge 200 to the material chamber 430. Another advantage of the side-by-side arrangement is that it provides a shorter path for the aerosol stream 10, whereby the aerosol stream loses less heat and warmer vapor can be transferred to the material and user. These features contribute to a more effective change in the properties of the aerosol, since, compared with a linear device, a warmer aerosol is supplied to a larger surface area of the material 30.

During use, particularly if the material is tobacco, it is preferred that the tobacco, or at least its surface, be heated to a temperature of about 100-210°C, and most preferably to about 200°C, so that the tobacco releases the proper or the corresponding number of connections. The amount of tobacco available may be, for example, 50-300 mg or so. The most suitable amount of tobacco may be, for example, 50-150 mg. The amount of 130 mg is currently found to be the most suitable in some applications. In a typical example, the amount of tobacco heated per action of the system (ie, per puff) may be approximately 8-50 mg.

In FIG. 2 shows a material cartridge 400 for the device of FIG. 1. The material 30 is contained in the bottom 430 of the material cartridge 400. In the wall facing the liquid cartridge 200 is a porous membrane 490. In this example, the porous membrane 490 contains a soft fine mesh, but in other examples, the porous membrane can be any porous barrier suitable for containing material 30 in the chamber 430, such as solid tobacco material, and ensure that the aerosol enters this chamber. The porous membrane 490 allows the aerosol stream 10 from the liquid cartridge 200 to pass into the tobacco material 30 as described above with reference to FIG. 1. The porous membrane 490 may comprise a plastic material such as polypropylene or a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum and may include, for example, aluminum foil. The porous membrane 490 may have a thickness of about 0.1 to 1.2 mm. For example, the porous membrane may be about 1.2 mm thick when it contains plastic material and about 0.1 mm thick when it contains metal. Advantageously, the porous membrane 490 is a mesh with a maximum aperture size less than the diameter of the material 30 contained in the chamber. For example, if the material 30 is tobacco, the maximum opening size of the mesh may be approximately 0.2 to 0.7 mm. The maximum size of mesh openings is selected depending on the type of tobacco used.

The porous membrane holds the material 30 in place allowing the user to touch the material 30 within the material cartridge 400 prior to attaching the cartridge to the device 100. tobacco. In this example, at least a portion of the material chamber 430 is transparent, allowing the user to see the tobacco and further enhancing the user's sensory experience. The second seal 480 extends around the porous section 490 and holds the porous membrane in place preventing material 30 from exiting the material cartridge 400. The porous membrane 490 is heat resistant and can withstand the heat generated by the heating coils 250a, 250b.

In FIG. 4a shows a material cartridge 400 with a mouthpiece 50 as viewed from the first outer side. The lower part of the cartridge is shown in partial section. In FIG. 4b shows a second view of the same material cartridge from a second inner side. The upper part of the mouthpiece 50 of the cartridge is shown in partial section.

In FIG. 4a shows the outside of the cartridge 400, i. the side that does not adjoin the liquid cartridge 200 during use. Across the top of the material chamber 430 of the tobacco cartridge 400, a first barrier 40 extends substantially horizontally to retain the tobacco 30 in the chamber 430. The first barrier 40 is porous and allows the aerosol stream 10 (FIG. 1) to pass but prevents material 30 from exiting the chamber 430 into the top 420 of the material cartridge. In this example, the first barrier 40 is a mesh. if the first barrier 40 is a mesh, the mesh may comprise any of the materials described above for porous membrane 490. Preferably, the first barrier material is heat resistant, capable of withstanding temperatures up to about 180°C.

In this example, the mouthpiece 50 is attached to the tobacco cartridge 400. In other examples, the mouthpiece 50 may be releasably connected to a tobacco cartridge. In other examples, the mouthpiece 50 may be integrally formed with the material cartridge 400. Extending substantially horizontally over top 420 of tobacco cartridge 400 is a second barrier 60. Second barrier 60 provides additional protection against accidental inhalation of material 30 from chamber 430 by a user. the distance allows for a mouthpiece chamber 580 that helps reduce leakage of material 30 into the user's mouth. As the aerosol passes through the material 30, such as tobacco, some of the aerosol may condense to form a condensate. In devices where the material is placed too close to the user's mouth, condensation may exit the device and enter the user's mouth. The vertical distance between the material 30 and the mouthpiece 50 provided by the second barrier 60 prevents condensate from entering the user's mouth. The tobacco cartridge 400 in this example can also be seen in FIG. 5, where the top 420 of the tobacco chamber and the mouthpiece chamber are shown in a schematic section.

From FIG. 4b and 5, it can be seen that the width of the material chamber 430 is less than the width of the top of the upper portion 420 of the material cartridge. In this example, the mouthpiece 50 is attached to the top of the material cartridge 400, which increases in width towards its upper end. The material cartridge 400 has an inner side that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device 100 at the chamber 430, but which curves so that the width of the material cartridge 400 increases towards the top of the material cartridge top 420. Thus, the inside of the material cartridge 400 is shaped to accommodate the liquid cartridge 200 as shown in FIG. 5 when both cartridges are placed side by side.

In FIG. 3 schematically shows the fluid cartridge 200 of the device of FIG. 1. The liquid cartridge includes a reservoir 220 in which the liquid 20 is located. The aerosolizing means 260 includes a first wick 240a for supplying liquid 20 from reservoir 220 to first heating coil 250a and a second wick 240b for supplying liquid 20 from reservoir 220 to second heating coil 250b. The reservoir 220 in this example extends to both sides of the aerosolizer 260 of the cartridge 200, and the first and second wicks 240a, 240b extend from both sides of the bottom of the reservoir 220.

The first and second wicks 240a, 240b are in fluid contact with the liquid contained in reservoir 220. The wicks 240a, 240b are generally absorbent wicks and draw liquid 20 from reservoir 220 by capillary action. The wicks 240a, 240b are preferably made from a non-woven fabric and can be made from, for example, cotton or wool or the like, or from a synthetic material including, for example, polyester, nylon, rayon, polypropylene or the like, or from ceramic material.

As mentioned above with reference to FIG. 1, the aerosolizing means 260 includes an open section 290 that allows airflow to move out of the aerosol trapping holes 411 produced on the first spool 240a and the second spool 240b. A second seal 280 extends around the open section 290. The aerosolizer 260 includes a top bar 230a that is continuous across the width of the open section 290 at the proximal end of the aerosolizer 260. There is also a bottom bar 230b, which is also solid, extending across the width of the liquid cartridge 200 at the distal end 270 of the cartridge. The bottom plate 230b contains electrical contacts for connecting the heating coils 250a, 250b to the main body 300 of the device.

The heating of the material 30 is an important factor in providing a satisfactory sensory experience to the user. For example, if the material 30 contains tobacco, heating the tobacco enhances the user's sense of taste of tobacco and may help the aerosol stream capture more constituents, such as nicotine, in the aerosol stream.

The use of a heater that includes a first heating element and a second heating element arranged to heat the material 30 provides efficient heat transfer to the material 30 and allows a relatively large surface area of the material 30 to be heated. energy that would be required for a heating device with only one element.

The first heating element 250a and the second heating element 250b are disposed adjacent to the chamber 430 when the liquid cartridge 200 and the material cartridge 400 are positioned side by side. Accordingly, the first heating element 250a and the second heating element 250b are located sufficiently close to the chamber 430 that they can heat the substance 30 and raise its temperature when the first and second heating elements 250a and 250b are activated.

The first and second heating elements 250a and 250b in this example are located in a common plane that is substantially parallel to the porous section 490 of the material chamber 430. This arrangement promotes uniform heating of substance 30 in chamber 430.

The first and second heating elements 250a and 250b may be elongate and substantially parallel to provide uniform heating of material 30 in chamber 430.

Each of the heating elements 250a and 250b may be an electric resistance heater, such as a nichrome resistance heater, a ceramic heater, and so on. In the example shown, the first and second heating elements 250a and 250b are made of coil-shaped wire. Each of the heating elements may be a straight coil, a curved coil, a vertical coil, or a helical coil.

In other examples, each of the heating elements may be in the form of a plate (which may be a laminated plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive and one or more of which may be non-conductive), mesh (which may be, for example, woven or non-woven and which may similarly be multi-layered), film heater, etc.

The first and second heating elements 250a and 250b can also use other heaters, such as non-electric heaters or other electric heaters, and each of the heating elements 250a and 250b can be induction.

In the example shown in the figures, the first and second heating elements 250a and 250b are essentially linear (i.e., rectilinear) resistance heating elements, each of which surrounds a respective wick 240a, 240b in (thermal) contact with the respective heating element. 250a or 250b. Wicks 240a, 240b are also in fluid contact with liquid 20 in reservoir 220. Wicks 240a, 240b are generally absorbent wicks and draw liquid 20 from fluid reservoir 220 by capillary action.

Preferably, the wicks 240a, 240b are made from a non-woven fabric and can be made from, for example, cotton or wool or the like, or from a synthetic material including, for example, polyester, nylon, rayon, polypropylene, or the like, or from ceramic material.

In some examples, the controller 330 is configured to independently actuate the first and second heating elements 250a and 250b.

In such examples, controller 330 is configured to actuate one of the heating elements 250a or 250b while the other of these heating elements is not actuated.

During use, in particular if the material 30 is tobacco, it is preferred that the tobacco, or at least its surface, be heated to a temperature of about 190-210°C, most preferably to about 200°C, so that proper or appropriate number of connections.

The amount of tobacco available may be 50-300 mg or so. The most suitable amount of tobacco may be 50-150 mg, with an amount of 130 mg currently found to be most suitable in some applications. In a typical example, the amount of tobacco heated per action of the system (ie, per puff) may be approximately 8-50 mg.

The side-by-side arrangement of the aerosol supply cartridge 200 and the material cartridge 400 allows the cartridge 200 to accommodate two reservoirs for aerosol-forming substances, for example containing liquids with different odors. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge 200 comprises a first fluid reservoir 220' and a second fluid reservoir 220'', the cartridge 200 being vertically divided into two sections such that the first fluid reservoir 220' occupies the first section of the cartridge and the reservoir 220'' for the second liquid occupies the second section of the cartridge.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may also include a hygienic lid (not shown) for covering at least a portion of the device 100 and keeping that portion of the device 100 clean when placed in a user's bag or pocket, for example. The sanitary lid may provide aesthetic benefits and may have, for example, metallic finishes, surface patterns or different colors, etc. The device 100 may be inserted into the hygienic lid either from the proximal end or from the distal end. In some examples, the hygienic lid may have contacts on the inside that can contact the user input means 340 and allow the user to actuate the device 100 while the lid is still on the device.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavor" refer to materials that, if permitted by government regulations, can be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, white Japanese magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, drumbuie, bourbon, Scotch Whiskey, Whiskey, Spearmint, Peppermint, Lavender, Cardamom, Celery, Cascarillo, Nutmeg, Sandalwood, Bergamot, Geranium, Honey Extract, Rose Oil, Vanilla, Lemon Oil, Orange Oil, Cassia, Cumin, Cognac, Jasmine , kananga, sage, fennel, cloves, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee or peppermint oil of any kind), flavor enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, olfactory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugar, and/or sugar substitutes (eg. , sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol) and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals or mouth fresheners. They may be imitation, artificial or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, such as oil, liquid or powder.

The invention is aimed at eliminating existing problems and improving known devices and is fully disclosed in the description of variants of its implementation, illustrated as an example and practical use of the invention, which proposes an improved system capable of generating an inhalable medium. The advantages and features of the invention are only a representative selection of the embodiments of the invention and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. Embodiments of the invention are described only to facilitate its understanding. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, design features and/or other aspects of the invention should not be considered as limiting the invention as defined by its claims, and that other embodiments of the invention are possible and changes are allowed without going beyond the scope and /or essence of the invention. Various embodiments of the invention, of course, may contain, consist of, or essentially consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, and so on.

Claims (52)

1. An aerosol delivery device comprising a first section for accommodating an aerosol-forming substance from which an aerosol stream can be generated; And a second section for placing material; wherein the first section and the second section are arranged side by side in the device such that during use, the aerosol stream generated from the aerosol-forming agent in the first section flows through the material in the second section before being inhaled by the user, the first section being a cartridge capable of being releasably connection to the aerosol delivery device. 2. The device according to claim. 1, in which the first and second sections are located in such a way that the side of the first section fits snugly against the side of the second section, and these sides are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device. 3. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, in which the first section includes a heater for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming agent, which is located adjacent to the second section, providing heating of the material in the second section during use. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the heater comprises at least one first heating element and one second heating element. 5. The device according to claim. 4, in which the first and second heating elements are located in a common plane at the same distance from the second section. 6. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 4 or 5, in which the first and second heating elements are in the form of resistive heating coils. 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first and second heating elements are in the form of linear resistive heating coils. 8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first and second heating elements are in the form of vertical coils or helical coils. 9. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, wherein the aerosol-forming agent is a liquid and the first section comprises a liquid reservoir, wherein the heater comprises a wick structure for transporting liquid from the reservoir to the first and second heating elements. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the wick structure comprises a first wick for transporting liquid from the liquid reservoir to the first heating element and a second wick for transporting liquid from the liquid reservoir to the second heating element. 11. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 4-10, in which the first and second heating elements are configured to be independently controlled from each other. 12. The apparatus of claim. 11 wherein one of the heating elements is configured to be actuated while the other of these heating elements is not actuated. 13. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, in which the first section is configured such that, in use, air enters the device into the first section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, and the aerosol exits the first section into the second section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device. 14. The device of claim. 1, wherein the second section is configured such that during use the aerosol flows from its distal end through the material to its proximal end in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device. 15. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-14, in which an opening is made in the first side wall of the second section, at which the first barrier is located, and the first barrier is porous, allowing the passage of the aerosol flow and preventing the exit of material from the second section through the specified opening, while the device is designed so that during during use, said first side wall is located adjacent to the first section, allowing the aerosol generated in the first section to enter the second section through this opening. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first barrier is a mesh. 17. Device for supplying an aerosol according to any one of paragraphs. 15 or 16, wherein the second section comprises a top, a material receiving bottom, and a second barrier, the second barrier being porous to allow aerosol flow and preventing material contained in the bottom from escaping from the bottom to the top. 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the second barrier is a mesh. 19. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 17 or 18, in which in the upper part at the proximal end of the second section a second opening is provided, at which a third barrier is located, which is porous, allowing the passage of the aerosol flow and preventing material from exiting the said second opening. 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the third barrier is a mesh. 21. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-20, in which the first and second sections are made in the form of separate cartridges. 22. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-21, additionally containing a mouthpiece made in one piece with the second section. 23. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a mouthpiece integral with the second section, wherein the second section and the mouthpiece define a receptacle for receiving the first section during use. 24. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 21-23, containing the main part, and the first and second sections are made with the possibility of independent detachable connection with the main part of the device. 25. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-24, wherein the first section is a liquid cartridge and the second section is a tobacco cartridge for receiving tobacco containing material. 26. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-25, wherein the first section comprises a first reservoir for accommodating a first aerosol-forming agent and a second reservoir for accommodating a second aerosol-forming agent. 27. The first section for the device providing an aerosol according to any one of paragraphs. 1-26, designed to accommodate an aerosol-forming substance and made in the form of a cartridge with the possibility of a detachable connection with an aerosol providing device. 28. The first section of claim 27, comprising a reservoir for the aerosol-forming agent and a heater for generating an aerosol from the aerosol-forming agent, wherein during use in the aerosol providing device, the heater is located adjacent the second section with the possibility of heating material in the second section. 29. The first section of claim 28, wherein the heater comprises at least one first heating element and one second heating element. 30. The first section according to claim 29, in which the first heating element and the second heating element are located in a common plane so that they are at the same distance from the second section. 31. The first section according to any one of paragraphs. 29 or 30, in which the first and second heating elements are in the form of resistive heating coils. 32. The first section according to claim 30, in which the first and second heating elements are made in the form of linear resistive heating coils. 33. The first section according to claim 31, in which the first and second heating elements are made in the form of vertical coils or spiral coils. 34. The first section according to any one of paragraphs. 27-33, wherein the aerosol-forming agent is a liquid and the first section comprises a liquid reservoir, wherein the heater comprises a wick structure for transporting liquid from the reservoir to the first and second heating elements. 35. The first section of claim 34, wherein the wick structure comprises a first wick for transporting liquid from the liquid reservoir to the first heating element and a second wick for transporting liquid from the liquid reservoir to the second heating element. 36. The first section according to any one of paragraphs. 29-35, in which the first and second heating elements are configured to be independently controlled from each other. 37. The first section of claim 36 wherein one of the heating elements is configured to be actuated while the other of these heating elements is not actuated. 38. The first section according to any one of paragraphs. 27-37, configured such that during use, air enters the aerosol supply device through the first section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, and aerosol exits from the first section into the second section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device. 39. The second section for the device for providing an aerosol according to any one of paragraphs. 1-26, designed to accommodate the material and made in the form of a cartridge with the possibility of detachable connection with the device for providing aerosol. 40. The second section according to claim 39, configured such that during use the aerosol flows from its distal end through the material to its proximal end in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device. 41. The second section according to any one of paragraphs. 39 or 40, in the first side wall of which an opening is made, at which the first barrier is located, and the first barrier is porous, allowing the passage of the aerosol flow and preventing the exit of material from the second section through the specified opening, and the device is designed so that during use, the specified first the side wall is located adjacent to the first section, allowing the aerosol generated in the first section to enter the second section through this opening. 42. The second section of claim 41, wherein the first barrier is a mesh. 43. The second section according to any one of paragraphs. 41 or 42, comprising a top, a material receiving bottom, and a second barrier, the second barrier being porous to allow aerosol flow and preventing material contained in the bottom from escaping from the bottom to the top. 44. The second section of claim 43, wherein the second barrier is a mesh. 45. The second section according to any one of paragraphs. 43 or 44, in which a second opening is formed in the upper part at the proximal end of the second section, at which a third barrier is located, which is porous, allowing the passage of the aerosol flow and preventing the exit of material from the specified second opening. 46. The second section of claim 39, wherein the third barrier is a mesh. 47. The second section according to any one of paragraphs. 39-46, additionally containing a mouthpiece made in one piece with the second section. 48. The second section according to claim 47, in which the second section and the mouthpiece limit the socket for receiving the first section according to any one of paragraphs. 27-38 during use. 49. The second section according to any one of paragraphs. 39-46, designed to accommodate tobacco material.

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