WO2007090594A1

WO2007090594A1 - Disposable nicotine sustained release depot and smoke-free cigarette with said disposable nicotine sustained release depot

Info

Publication number: WO2007090594A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/000965
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Kieslich
Original assignee: Bel Air International Corp.
Priority date: 2006-02-03
Filing date: 2007-02-05
Publication date: 2007-08-16
Also published as: DE202006001663U1; EP2003997A1; EP2003997B1; ATE529004T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a disposable nicotine sustained release depot for a smoke-free cigarette, comprising a depot support (26) for housing and defined release of a given amount of nicotine. The gas tight sealed depot support (26) contains at least one carrier substance for the nicotine which is at least partly present in the gas phase at ambient temperature, in particular, room temperature and is first opened to release the gaseous carrier substance charged with nicotine. The invention further relates to a smoke-free cigarette comprising such a disposable sustained release nicotine depot.

Description

Disposable nicotine depot for a smoke-free cigarette and a smoke-free cigarette with such a disposable nicotine depot

The invention relates to a disposable nicotine depot for a smoke-free cigarette, with a depot carrier for receiving and defined release of a predetermined amount of nicotine. Furthermore, the invention relates to a smoke-free cigarette according to the preamble of claim 12 with such a disposable nicotine depot.

Commercially available cigarettes usually consist of tobacco wrapped in paper or a tobacco leaf and a filter element attached to the mouthpiece. By igniting the front end of the cigarette, the tobacco burns out and releases nicotine, which is carried along by the smoke to be inhaled by the smoker. In the combustion of tobacco other substances are released or generated in addition to nicotine, which are often harmful to health, such as tar, arsenic and cadmium compounds and carcinogenic compounds such as hydrazine, chrysene, formaldehyde, Nietrosamine and the like.

For quite some time, attempts have been made to establish so-called smoke-free cigarettes on the market. These are products in which the tobacco is only heated without being burned, so that although the desired nicotine is released, the formation of harmful substances is avoided. Another approach for a smoke-free cigarette is described in DE 103 21 379 A1. In this smokeless cigarette is heated by means of an electric heater air and the heated air passed through a disposable nicotine depot, in which a predetermined amount of nicotine is added. The nicotine is released by the heated air and inhaled by the user.

Based on this prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a disposable nicotine depot for a smoke-free cigarette or a smoke-free cigarette with a disposable nicotine depot, in which or in the heating of a through the nicotine depot directed airflow to release the nicotine is no longer necessary.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a disposable nicotine depot having the features of claim 1 and in particular that the gas-tight sealed depot carrier at least one at ambient temperature, in particular room temperature, at least partially present in their gas phase carrier for the nicotine and only to release the with Add nicotine to open gaseous vehicle. Furthermore, this object is achieved by a smoke-free cigarette according to claim 12, which is equipped with such a disposable nicotine depot.

An essential idea on which the invention is based is to use at least one carrier substance, which, at least partly already at normal ambient temperature, ie at temperatures which are significantly below the usual combustion temperatures for example at temperatures of less than 50 ⁰ C as in its gas phase. It is advantageous if the carrier is already present at low temperatures, such as at room temperature, which is usually at 21 ⁰ C, in sufficient amount in its gas phase. Depending on the carrier used, the proportion of the gas phase at a temperature of 21 ⁰ C at up to 90%. Usually, the proportion is in a range of 10 to 80%, preferably 30 to 60%, particularly preferably at least 50%. The carrier substance must also be suitable in its gas phase to take up the nicotine in sufficient quantity so that the user can take the desired predetermined amount of nicotine when inhaling the gaseous carrier substance. Volatile substances are suitable as carrier substance. Furthermore, the carrier substance can be flavored at the same time by aromatic substances or can itself serve as a flavoring agent. In addition to the use of a carrier, the use of a mixture of several carriers and / or flavorings is possible. So that the user can enjoy the smoke-free cigarette, as in the conventional cigarettes, at any time without much effort, the depot carrier of the disposable nicotine depot according to the invention is again gas-tight, so that an undesirable escape of the gaseous carrier with nicotine from the depot carrier is prevented. As a depot carrier is a gas-tight container, for example, from laminated paper or an environmentally friendly plastic. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to produce the depot carrier from a carrier material, for example cellulose, which is provided with a gas-tight casing. For the desired enjoyment, the user only has to open the depot carrier and then inhale the escaping carrier substance which has been mixed with nicotine.

Further advantageous developments will become apparent from the description, the dependent claims and the drawings.

Thus, in a particularly preferred development of the disposable nicotine depot according to the invention, it is proposed to provide at least one section to be opened for release of nicotine at the depot carrier, which section is provided with a membrane sealing off the depot carrier gas-tight. As a membrane is, for example, a film of a non-compatible plastic, a suitable paint, a suitable paint system or protein. To release nicotine only the membrane must be at least partially torn or destroyed, so that the nicotine-added gaseous carrier substance can escape.

Furthermore, it is proposed to completely enclose the depot carrier with a gas-impermeable membrane. This has the particular advantage that particularly cost-effective materials can be used for the depot carrier, such as a sleeve of paper, which is coated accordingly.

It is particularly advantageous in the case of the two developments described above in which the depot carrier is provided with a diaphragm that produces the gas-tightness. is provided, if the depot carrier itself is already provided with a triggering device which cooperates with the membrane such that when the proper operation of the triggering device of the depot carrier, the membrane is opened or destroyed to release nicotine. As a triggering device, for example, an embedded in the membrane activation pen, which destroys the membrane for nicotine release by a movement relative to the depot carrier.

The depot carrier is preferably sleeve-shaped and is at least partially filled with a carrier material containing the nicotine and the carrier substance. In this way, a uniform distribution of the carrier substance and nicotine in the depot carrier is ensured. As a carrier material is for example Zellusloseacetat that is mixed with the carrier and nicotine. Alternatively, the depot carrier itself is made of a carrier material and correspondingly gas-tight encased by a membrane.

Instead of the mentioned membrane, which is to destroy nicotine release, it is alternatively proposed to provide the depot carrier with a gas-tight closing valve assembly which is open to release nicotine. The use of a valve arrangement has the advantage that the filling of the depot carrier with the carrier substance and the nicotine can be realized comparatively easily on a large scale with correspondingly large quantities.

For example, if a sleeve-shaped depot carrier is used, it is proposed to first close the two open ends of the sleeve-shaped depot carrier on one side, to fill the depot carrier and then to close the other open end of the depot carrier. The valves must then be moved to nicotine release only in their open positions.

For simplification and defined filling of the depot carrier is also proposed in the previously described embodiment with valves, in which of the Both valves limited portion of the depot carrier to use the previously described, containing the nicotine and the carrier carrier material.

In a particularly preferred development of the previously described embodiment, diaphragm valves which open in the same flow direction and open to release nicotine at a predetermined negative pressure acting in the direction of flow are used as valves. Thus, the diaphragm valves in a smokeless cigarette are inserted so that when the user first draws on the mouthpiece of the smokeless cigarette, the diaphragm valves open and remain in their open position during further use.

In an alternative development of this embodiment of the disposable nicotine depot according to the invention, it is proposed that each of the valves is provided with a sealing element, which for gas-tight sealing of the portion containing the carrier material to the section on both sides abende valve seats to the plant, the nicotine release from the Valve seats are wegzubewegen.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a smoke-free cigarette according to claim 12, which is equipped with a disposable nicotine depot according to the invention as defined in the opening paragraph and defined in claims 1 to 11. The above-described disposable nicotine depot can hereby be designed either as a separate insert which can be inserted in a receptacle designed for the disposable nicotine depot of a multiple-use smokeless cigarette. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to integrate the disposable nicotine depot into the smoke-free cigarette, so that the non-smoking cigarette can be disposed of after consumption together with the disposable nicotine depot.

If the disposable nicotine depot itself is not provided with a triggering device, it is proposed on the smoke-free cigarette to open the provide gas-tight nicotine depots designed activation device. This is particularly advantageous if the nicotine depot is integrated into the smoke-free cigarette.

Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the smoke-free cigarettes, in which the depot carrier of the nicotine depot has a section to be opened for nicotine, which is provided with a gas-tight membrane sealing the depot carrier, proposes to provide a sharp-edged separating element as activation device on the cigarette body during a relative movement between the membrane and the separating element, the membrane is at least partially destroyed to nicotine release. Such a separating element, for example in the form of a cutting edge or a sharp-edged toothing, on the one hand is easy to form and on the other hand enables a simple and trouble-free opening of the membrane on the other hand. The relative movement can be effected by axial penetration of the separating element into the membrane, optionally by a supporting rotational movement.

Thus, in a development of the embodiment with separating elements proposed to arrange the depot carrier between two sharp-edged separating elements, which is closed only at its the dividing elements facing portions each with a membrane. To release nicotine, the distance between the separating elements must be reduced so that the separating elements penetrate into the membranes and at least partially destroy them.

In a further embodiment of this development, the cigarette body is formed from two sleeves, which are to be connected to each other, preferably by nesting, releasably. In each sleeve one of the two separating elements is provided, so that when assembling the sleeves, the membranes of the disposable nicotine depot, which is arranged between the separating elements, be at least partially destroyed by the release elements for nicotine release.

In an alternative embodiment of this development, two inserts are introduced into the sleeve-shaped cigarette body, on each of which one of the separating elements is provided, while the disposable nicotine depot is positioned between the two inserts in the cigarette body. To release nicotine, only one of the two inserts in the cigarette body has to be displaceable in such a way that the insert for activating the nicotine release merely has to be introduced further into the cigarette body. This described solution is characterized on the one hand by a very simple production, while at the same time it is very easy for the user to use. With appropriate training of the cigarette body and the inserts, for example, a plastic or metal, the smoke-free cigarette is reusable and the disposable nicotine depot can be easily removed from the cigarette and replaced by a new disposable nicotine depot.

If the smoke-free cigarette is not provided with an independent activation device, disposable nicotine deposits are used, which are equipped with a triggering device, as already explained above. The cigarette body, which is preferably used repeatedly, has a radially inwardly projecting collar for the use of this type of disposable nicotine depot, against which the disposable nicotine depot comes to rest after being introduced into the cigarette body. The triggering device of the nicotine depot still protrudes sufficiently far to activate the nicotine release from the cigarette body. Suitable triggering device is an activating pin protruding from the depot carrier, which protrudes after insertion into the cigarette body from the side of the cigarette body facing away from the mouthpiece or also from the mouthpiece of the cigarette body. Alternatively, it is proposed to integrate equipped with the triggering device disposable nicotine depot in the cigarette body of the smoke-free cigarette and provide the mouthpiece directly on or at most slightly spaced from the nicotine depot on the cigarette body. In this way, a particularly handy disposable version of a smoke-free cigarette.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the smoke-free cigarette according to the invention, the disposable nicotine depot is integrated into the cigarette body, wherein the disposable nicotine depot has two valves which close off the arranged between the two valves portion of the cigarette body gas-tight, in which of the Valves limited section is included a nicotine and the carrier containing carrier material. This embodiment has the particular advantage that unintentional triggering, for example by accidental compression, as may occur in the embodiments with membranes, is avoided.

As valves are, for example, two in the flow direction to the mouthpiece to be activated diaphragm valves which open at a sufficient suction on the mouthpiece for nicotine release.

Alternatively, it is proposed to store in the cigarette body an activation piston as an activation device displaceable, which extends in the longitudinal direction through the cigarette body and the disposable nicotine depot and are provided on the two sealing surfaces, which provided with provided on the inside of the cigarette body valve seats as valves of the nicotine depot so cooperates, that when moving the activating piston relative to the nicotine depot the two open the nicotine depot with the valve seats gas-sealing sealing surfaces. This variant is characterized by a particularly good sealing effect on the valves. In a further development of this smoke-free cigarette with activation piston of the cigarette body and the activation piston are each formed in two parts. In an alternative development of the cigarette body is formed of two detachably connected to each other shells, in which the activation piston is used together with the disposable nicotine depot.

In order to give the user the feeling that he is smoking a conventional cigarette, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the smoke-free cigarette according to the invention, a filter insert with a predetermined draw resistance is held in the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece itself, which surrounds the filter insert, can in turn be provided with additional ventilation openings in order to predetermine the draw resistance in a targeted manner. Suitable filter material is conventional cellulose acetate.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to eight exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a smoke-free cigarette according to the invention with two inserts for opening a sealed with a membrane disposable nicotine depot before nicotine release.

2 shows a longitudinal section through the first embodiment of Figure 1 in the release of nicotine ..;

3 shows a longitudinal section through a second exemplary embodiment of a smoke-free cigarette according to the invention, in which the cigarette body is formed from two sleeves provided with toothed rings as separating elements, when a disposable nicotine depot is inserted prior to the nicotine release;

4 shows a longitudinal section through the second embodiment of Figure 3 in the release of nicotine ..; 5 shows a longitudinal section through a third embodiment of a smoke-free cigarette according to the invention, in the cigarette body of which a disposable nicotine depot with activation pin is integrated;

6 shows a longitudinal section through a fourth exemplary embodiment of a smoke-free cigarette according to the invention, which can be reused several times and in which a disposable nicotine depot with activation pin is used as insert;

7 shows a longitudinal section through the fourth embodiment of Figure 6 after the actuation of the activation pin ..;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section through a fifth embodiment of a smoke-free cigarette according to the invention, which is reusable and in which a disposable nicotine depot is used with activation pin as an insert in the cigarette body.

9 shows a longitudinal section through the fifth exemplary embodiment from FIG. 8 directly upon actuation of the activation pin;

10 shows a longitudinal section through the fifth embodiment of Figures 8 and 9 in the removal of the disposable nicotine depot.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section through a sixth embodiment of a smoke-free cigarette according to the invention, is integrated in the disposable nicotine depot in the cigarette body and the depot carrier is closed by two diaphragm valves.

12 shows a longitudinal section through the sixth embodiment with opened diaphragm valves in the nicotine release. 13 shows a longitudinal section through a seventh exemplary embodiment of a smoke-free cigarette with integrated nicotine insert according to the invention, in which the cigarette body is formed from two sleeves with two activating pistons supplemented by valves, before assembling the sleeves;

Figure 14 is a longitudinal section through the seventh embodiment of Figure 13 immediately after the assembly of the sleeves and before the nicotine release.

FIG. 15 shows a longitudinal section through the seventh embodiment according to FIGS. 13 and 14 immediately after the nicotine release; FIG.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of an eighth embodiment of a smoke-free cigarette according to the invention, wherein the cigarette body is formed of two half-shells;

17 is a plan view of an activating piston with two sealing surfaces, which is to be inserted in the half-shells. and

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken along section A-A in Fig. 16, showing the half-shells before assembly.

1 and 2 show in longitudinal section a first embodiment of a smoke-free cigarette 10 according to the invention. The cigarette 10 has a sleeve-shaped cigarette body 12 made of cardboard, which is open at its two ends. The cigarette body 12 may also be made of plastic or metal.

Into the end of the cigarette body 12 shown on the left in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first insert 14 made of cardboard is inserted and firmly connected thereto. The first insert 14 is provided at its pointing into the cigarette body 12 end with an annular cutting edge 16 which is slightly inclined to the longitudinal axis of Insert 14 runs. In the first insert 14, a filter cartridge 18 is further held from cellulose acetate.

Into the other open end, a cardboard insert 20 corresponding to the first insert 14 is inserted, which is likewise provided with a separating blade 22 but in which no filter element is held. The insert 20 is held slightly displaceable in the cigarette body 12.

Between the two inserts 14 and 20, a disposable nicotine depot 24 is received in the cigarette body. The nicotine depot 24 is formed from a depot carrier 26, which has a tube 28 made of a paper material and a carrier material 30 received therein. The carrier material 30 is wetted with a volatile carrier substance, which is already partially gaseous at room temperature and serves as a carrier substance for a likewise introduced into the carrier material 30, predetermined amount of nicotine. In order to prevent unintentional evaporation of the carrier substance and the nicotine, the depot carrier 26 is additionally lent coated with a lamination designed as a gas-tight membrane 32, which closes in particular the sleeve-shaped tube 28 at its two open ends.

To activate and release the nicotine, the user now merely has to press the displaceable insert 20 into the cigarette body 12, whereby the nicotine depot 24 is pressed against the separating blade 16 of the first insert 14. With a corresponding reduction in the distance between the two separating blades 16 and 22, the two separating blades 16 and 22 finally penetrate into the membrane 32 of the nicotine depot 24 and open the nicotine depot 24, which has hitherto been sealed gas-tight. The user can now use the mouthpiece end of the nicotine depot Introduce cigarette body 12 in the mouth and take the nicotine dose. In the illustrated embodiment, the components dr cigarette 10 are made of cardboard or paper. However, the components, such as cigarette body 12 or the inserts 14 and 20 may also be made of plastic or Be made of metal. In this case, the disposable nicotine depot 24 is removed from the cigarette body 12 after consumption and replaced with a new disposable nicotine depot 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a second embodiment of a reusable non-smoking cigarette 40 for use with a disposable nicotine depot 42. The disposable nicotine depot 42 corresponds in construction and mode of action to the previously described disposable nicotine depot 24, so that a detailed description of the disposable nicotine depot 42 will be omitted below.

The smoke-free cigarette 40 has two sleeves 44 and 46 detachably connectable to each other, which are made in the present case of a plastic material. The sleeve 46 shown on the right in FIGS. 3 and 4 has a connection end 48 of smaller outer diameter, which ends in a toothed ring 50 serving as a separating element.

For assembly, only the second sleeve 46 with its connection end 48 has to be inserted into the open insertion end 52 of the first sleeve 44 designed for this purpose. The outer diameter of the connecting end 48 and the inner diameter of the open insertion end 52 of the first sleeve 44 are dimensioned so that they form an easily releasable press fit after mating.

At a distance from the insertion end 52, a circumferential further toothed ring 54 is also formed on the inner wall of the first sleeve 44, the tooth tips pointing in the direction of insertion end 52. To use now only the disposable nicotine depot 42 must be introduced into the insertion end 52 in the smoke-free cigarette 40. Subsequently, the two sleeves 44 and 46 are axially plugged together and made a slight rotational movement, as indicated by the arrows. The two sprockets 50 and 54 come into engagement with the membranes of the disposable nicotine depot 42 and open the disposable nicotine depot 42. After consumption, the two sleeves 44 and 46 again only need to be detached from one another and the used-up disposable nicotine depot 42 disposed of.

Fig. 5 shows a smoke-free cigarette 60, which is designed as a disposable cigarette. The smoke-free cigarette 60 has a cigarette body 62 made of cardboard, on whose one end shown in Fig. 5 left a filter insert 64 is used with the draw resistance of the smoke-free cigarette 60 is specified. The end shown in Fig. 5 right is closed, but provided with not shown axially extending flow channels.

In the cigarette body 62, a disposable nicotine depot 66 is inserted and fixedly connected to the cigarette body 62. The disposable nicotine depot 66 has a depot carrier 68 made of a paper roll 70, which is encased by a membrane 72 and closed at the open end faces. An activation pin 74, which is embedded in the membrane 72 shown on the right in FIG. 5, projects centrally into the depot carrier 68. Concentrically around the activation pin 74, a carrier material 76 of cellulose acetate is arranged, which is wetted with a predetermined amount of nicotine and a carrier substance which is partly present in the gaseous phase at room temperature. The activation pin 74 protrudes from an opening 78 provided at the closed end of the cigarette body 62.

To activate the disposable nicotine depot 66, the user merely has to push the activation pin 74 inward, as indicated by the arrow, thereby opening the membranes 72 at the open end faces of the depot carrier 68 and releasing the nicotine together with the carrier substance and releasing the nicotine User can be absorbed by the filter cartridge 64. After use, the smoke-free cigarette 60 is disposed of in a conventional manner.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a reusable smokeless cigarette 80 according to the invention, in each case in longitudinal section. The smoke-free cigarette 80 has a cigarette body 82, which at its in Figs. 6 and 7 shown on the right one end, which serves as a mouthpiece, with a filter insert 84 is provided. Starting from the other end, the cigarette body 82 has a larger diameter receiving portion 86 corresponding to approximately its length, which merges into a portion 90 of smaller inside diameter to form a collar 88. The receptacle section 86 serves to receive a disposable nicotine depot 92 with activation pen 94. The structure of this disposable nicotine depot 92 corresponds to the structure of the previously described disposable nicotine depot 66, so that a detailed description is dispensed with.

In use, the user inserts the disposable nicotine depot 92 into the receiving section 86 until the disposable nicotine depot 92 engages collar 88. He then activates the disposable nicotine depot 92 by pressing in the activation pin 94. The membrane 96 provided at the two end faces of the disposable nicotine depot 90 is thereby destroyed, whereby the nicotine and the carrier substance can be released and inhaled by the user through the filter insert 84 , After use, the used disposable nicotine depot 92 may be removed and replaced with a new disposable nicotine depot 92.

Referring now to Figures 8 through 10, there is shown a fifth embodiment of a reusable smokeless cigarette 100 which substantially corresponds to the fifth embodiment described above and which also utilizes a disposable nicotine depot 102 which is to be activated with a nicotine release activating stick 104 ,

The essential difference is that the receiving section 106 for receiving the disposable nicotine depot 102 corresponds to approximately 7/8 of the length of the cigarette body 108 and that the disposable nicotine depot 102 projects with its activation pin 104 out of the mouthpiece 110 after being set through an opening, as shown in Fig. 9. For insertion serves a punch 112, with which the disposable nicotine depot 106 inserted into the receiving portion 102 (see Fig. 8) and after use through the mouthpiece 110 is pushed out (see Fig. 11).

The three further embodiments described below, which are shown in FIGS. 12 to 18, relate to smoke-free cigarettes in which the disposable nicotine depot is integrated into the cigarette body.

Thus, FIGS. 11 and 12 each show a longitudinal section through a smoke-free cigarette 120, in which the cigarette body 122 is provided at its one end with a mouthpiece 124, while the other end is closed by an air-permeable insert 126. In the cigarette body 122 itself is provided as a disposable nicotine depot 128 a wetted with nicotine and a volatile carrier body support body 130 which is protected on both sides by two diaphragm valves 132 from air inlet. In this condition we offered the smoke-free cigarette 120.

For use, the user only needs to remove a protective package (not shown) and then suck on the mouthpiece 124. By acting on the diaphragm valves 132 vacuum these open and the nicotine is released together with the carrier.

FIGS. 13 to 15 show a longitudinal section of a seventh exemplary embodiment of a smokeless cigarette 140, in which the disposable nicotine depot 142 is a component of the cigarette 140. The cigarette body 144 is formed of two sleeves 146 and 148. The sleeve 146 shown on the left in FIGS. 13 to 15 has approximately in its center an inwardly extending, circumferential collar 150, which serves as a valve seat for a sealing element 152. The sealing element 152 is provided on a first activating piston 154, which in the sleeve 146 is recorded. At one end of the activation piston 154, an actuating element 156 is provided, which, as will be understood later, is permeable to air. The other end of the activating piston 154 arranged downstream of the sealing element 152 projects into a section of the first sleeve 146, which on the one hand serves as a chamber for the carrier material 158 of the disposable nicotine depot 142, on which the carrier nicotine is applied, and on the other hand as an insertion end for the second sleeve 148 serves. The carrier material 158 is deformed into a hollow cylinder and pushed onto the plunger 160 of the activation piston 154.

The second sleeve 148 is provided at its one end with a mouthpiece 162. The other end has a smaller outer diameter connecting portion 164, with which the sleeve 148 can be inserted into the insertion end of the first sleeve 146 to form a press fit. Furthermore, the inner wall of the connection section 164 serves as a sealing surface for a second sealing element 166 of a second activation piston 168, which is slidably received in the second sleeve 148 and is guided with its free end in a channel 170 formed on the mouthpiece 162.

After the carrier material 158 of the disposable nicotine deposit 142 has been pushed onto the plunger 160 of the first activation piston 154, the two sleeves 146 and 148 are put together, as shown in FIG. 14, the carrier material 158 being protected and gas-tight in the section between the two sealing sealing elements 152 and 166 is received. The assembly takes place during production. The cigarette 140 is then ready for use.

To activate, the user now only has to press the actuating element 156 in the direction of the mouthpiece 162, wherein the first activating piston 154 shifts the second activating piston 168 in the direction of the mouthpiece 162 and the two sealing elements 152 and 166 open the section in which the carrier material 158 is received. The first activation piston 154 is pressed into the first sleeve 146 so far that the actuating element 156 is flush with the end face of the first sleeve 146, wherein the actuation in the element 156 formed channels allow suction of air through the first sleeve 146.

FIGS. 16 to 18 show an eighth exemplary embodiment of a smoke-free cigarette 180 according to the invention. 16 shows the cigarette body 182 of the cigarette 180 formed from two plastic half shells in the unfolded state, while FIG. 18 shows a sectional view through the cigarette body 182 along the section A-A in FIG. 16.

In principle, the eighth embodiment corresponds to the seventh embodiment described above. Here, too, two valve seats 184 and 186 are provided in the cigarette body 182, at which two sealing elements 188 and 190 come to bear for sealing. However, the sealing members 188 and 190 are provided on a common activating piston 192, which is shown in plan view in FIG. Again, the activating piston is provided at its one end with an actuator 194

Characterized in that the sealing elements 188 and 190 are provided on the common activation piston 192, since the carrier material 196 of the disposable nicotine depot 198 is disposed between the valve seats 184 and 186, the cigarette body 182 must be formed of two halves, so that the activation piston 192 and the Carrier material 196 can be inserted into the cigarette body 182.

For this reason, the carrier material 196 is formed in the form of two half-shells. The half-shells are inserted into the halves of the cigarette body 182, as indicated in FIG. 17. After installation of the half shells of the carrier material 196, which have been mixed with nicotine and the carrier substance, into the halves of the cigarette body 182, the activating piston 192 is inserted into one of the open half shells of the cigarette body 182 and the cigarettes are replaced. closed by 182. In this position, the half-shells are firmly connected to each other by suitable methods, for example by gluing.

After assembly, the activation piston 192 protrudes with its actuating element 194 from the cigarette body 182, while the two sealing elements 188 and 190 abut against the valve seats 184 and 186 and close the portion in which the carrier body 196 is arranged gas-tight. In this state, the cigarette 180 is delivered.

To activate only the activation piston 192 must then be printed in the cigarette body 182 and the user can then take the mouthpiece 200 to the nicotine.

The described embodiments are but a few ways in which the disposable nicotine depot can be used. For example, solutions are also conceivable in which the valves are provided directly on the depot carrier. Furthermore, solutions are also conceivable in which only one opening is provided on the depot carrier, which is to be opened to activate the release of nicotine, and through which the air flow is led into and out of the depot carrier.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 smoke-free cigarette

12 cigarette bodies

14 first use

16 cutting edge

18 filter element

20 second use

22 cutting edge

24 disposable nicotine depot

26 depository carrier

28 pipe

30 carrier material

32 membrane

40 smoke-free cigarette

42 disposable nicotine depot

44 sleeve

46 sleeve

48 connection end

50 sprocket

52 introductory

54 sprocket

60 smoke-free cigarette

62 cigarettes body

64 filter element

66 disposable nicotine depot

68 depository carrier

70 paper roll

72 membrane 74 activation pen

76 carrier material

78 opening

80 smoke-free cigarette 82 cigarette body

84 filter element

86 receiving section

88 fret

90 Section 92 Disposable Nicotine Depot

94 activation pen

96 membrane

100 smoke-free cigarette

102 Disposable Nicotine Depot 104 Activation Pen

106 receiving section

108 cigarette bodies

110 mouthpiece

112 stamp

120 smoke-free cigarette

122 cigarette bodies

124 mouthpiece

126 use

128 disposable nicotine depot 130 carrier material

132 diaphragm valves 140 smoke-free cigarette

142 disposable nicotine depot

144 cigarette bodies

146 first sleeve 148 second sleeve

150 fret

152 sealing element

154 first activation piston

156 actuating element 158 carrier material

160 pestles

162 mouthpiece

164 connection section

166 sealing element 168 second activation piston

170 channel

180 smoke-free cigarette

182 cigarette bodies

184 valve seat 186 valve seat

188 sealing element

190 sealing element

192 activation pistons

194 actuator 196 carrier body

198 disposable nicotine depot

200 mouthpiece

Claims

claims

1. A disposable nicotine depot for a smoke-free cigarette, comprising a depot carrier (26; 68) for receiving and defined release of a predetermined amount of nicotine, characterized in that the gas-tight sealed depot carrier (26; 68) at least one at ambient temperature, in particular room temperature, at least contains partially present in their gas phase carrier for the nicotine and only to release the nicotine gaseous carrier substance to open.

2. nicotine depot according to claim 1, characterized in that the depot carrier (26; 68) has at least one nicotine release section which is provided with a depot carrier (26; 68) gastight final membrane (32; 72; 96), which is at least partially destroyed to release nicotine.

3. Nicotine depot according to claim 2, characterized in that the depot carrier (26; 68) is completely enclosed by the membrane (32; 72).

4. nicotine depot according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that on the depot carrier (68) cooperating with the membrane (72) triggering means (74; 94; 104) is provided, preferably from the depot carrier (68) protruding, in the membrane (72) embedded activating pin (74; 94; 104) which, by movement relative to the depot carrier (68), destroys the nicotine releasing membrane (72).

5. nicotine depot according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the depot carrier (68) is sleeve-shaped and is at least partially filled with a carrier material (76) containing the nicotine and the carrier substance.

6. nicotine depot according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the depot carrier is formed from a carrier material containing the nicotine and the carrier and completely encased by a gas-tight membrane.

7. nicotine depot according to claim 1, characterized in that the depot carrier with a depot carrier gastight occlusive valve assembly (132; 152, 166; 188, 190) is provided, which is to be opened for nicotine release.

8. nicotine depot according to claim 7, characterized in that the depot carrier is sleeve-shaped and at its two open ends in each case by a valve (132, 152, 166, 188, 190) gas-tightly closed and the valves (132, 152, 166, 188, 190) are movable to release nicotine in an open position.

9. nicotine depot according to claim 8, characterized in that the sleeve-shaped depot carrier has a section delimited by the two valves (132, 152, 166, 188, 190) in which a carrier material (130, 158) contains the nicotine and the carrier substance ; 196).

10. nicotine depot according to claim 9, characterized in that the two valves are designed as opening in the same direction of flow diaphragm valves (132) which open to release nicotine at a predetermined, acting in the flow direction of negative pressure.

11. The nicotine depot according to claim 9, characterized in that the two valves have two sealing elements (132, 152, 166, 188, 190) which are seated for gas-tight sealing of the section containing the carrier material (158, 196) against the portion of both sides delimiting valves ( 150, 164, 184, 186) and for nicotine release from the valve seats (150, 164, 184, 186) are to be moved away.

12. A smoke-free cigarette having a sleeve-shaped cigarette body (12; 62; 82; 108; 122; 144; 182), a disposable nicotine depot (24; 24; 82; 108; 122; 144; 182) provided in the cigarette body (12; 42; 66; 92; 102; 128; 142) and a mouthpiece (110; 124; 162; 200) arranged downstream of the nicotine depot (24; 42; 66; 92; 102; 128; 142), characterized in that the A disposable nicotine depot (24; 42; 66; 92; 102; 128; 142) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Smoke-free cigarette according to claim 12, characterized by an activation device (16, 22, 50, 54, 74, 94, 104, 132, 154, 168, 192) for opening the gastight nicotine deposit (24, 42, 66, 92; 102, 128, 142) for nicotine release.

14. Smoke-free cigarette according to claim 13, characterized in that the depot carrier (26) of the nicotine depot (24, 42) has a section which can be opened for the release of nicotine and which has a membrane (32) closing off the depot carrier (26, 68) in a gastight manner. A sharp-edged separating element (16, 22; 50, 54) is provided in the cigarette body (12; 62; 82; 108) as activating device, which in the case of a relative movement between the membrane (32) and the separating element (16, 22 ; 50, 54) at least partially destroys the nicotine release membrane (32).

15. Smoke-free cigarette according to claim 14, characterized in that the depot carrier (26) is arranged between two sharp-edged separating elements (16, 22; 50, 54) and at its portions (16, 22; 50, 54) facing portions only with a membrane (32) is sealed, and that, for nicotine release by the movement of at least one of the separating elements (16, 22, 50, 54), the distance between the separating elements (16, 22, 50, 54) is to be reduced in such a way that the separating elements (16 , 22, 50, 54) penetrate into the membranes (32) and at least partially destroy them.

16. Smoke-free cigarette according to claim 15, characterized in that the cigarette body of two sleeves (44, 46) is formed, which, preferably by nesting, are releasably connected to each other, that in each sleeve (44, 46) one of the two separating elements (50, 54) is provided, and that between the sleeves (44, 46) the disposable nicotine depot (42) is positioned such that when releasably connecting the two sleeves (44, 46), the separating elements (50, 54) At least partially destroy membranes of the nicotine depot (42) for nicotine release.

17. Smoke-free cigarette according to claim 15, characterized in that in the sleeve-shaped cigarette body (12) two inserts (14, 20) are introduced, on each of which one of the separating elements (16, 22) is provided that the disposable nicotine depot (24 ) is positioned between the two inserts (16, 20) in the cigarette body (12), and that at least one of the inserts (20) in the cigarette body (12) is slidably held so that the insert (20) for activating the nicotine release only further in Introduce the cigarette body (12).

18. Smoke-free cigarette according to claim 12, characterized in that the sleeve-shaped, preferably multi-use cigarette body (82; 108) has a radially inwardly projecting collar (88), and that the trained according to claim 4 disposable nicotine depot (92; ) is inserted into the cigarette body (82, 108) such that the triggering device (94, 104) of the nicotine depot (92, 102) still protrudes sufficiently far to activate the release of nicotine from the cigarette body (82, 108).

19. A smoke-free cigarette according to claim 18, characterized in that the triggering device is an activating pin (94, 104) projecting from the depot carrier which, after insertion into the cigarette body (82, 108), faces away from the mouthpiece (84) of the cigarette body (82) or protruding from the mouthpiece (110) of the cigarette body (108).

20. A smoke-free cigarette according to claim 12, characterized in that the disposable nicotine depot (66) equipped with the triggering device is integrated into the cigarette body (62) of the smokeless cigarette (60) and the mouthpiece (64) is located directly at or slightly spaced from the nicotine depot (66). 66) is provided on the cigarette body (62).

21. A smoke-free cigarette according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the disposable nicotine depot (128; 142; 198) is integrated in the cigarette body (122; 144; 182) and two valves (132; 152,166; 188,190 ), which seal the portion of the cigarette body (122, 144, 182) between the two valves (132, 152, 166, 188, 190) in a gastight manner, and in that of the valves (132, 152, 166, 188, 190), a portion containing the nicotine and the carrier substance (130; 158; 196) is accommodated.

22. Smoke-free cigarette according to claim 21, characterized in that the two valves as in the flow direction to the mouthpiece (124) towards to be activated diaphragm valves (132) are formed, which open at a sufficient suction on the mouthpiece (125) for nicotine release.

23. Smoke-free cigarette according to claim 21, characterized in that the cigarette body has at least one activation piston (154, 168, 192) as activation device which extends longitudinally through the cigarette body (144, 182) and the disposable nicotine depot (142; 198), that two sealing surfaces (152, 166, 188, 190) are provided on the activating piston (154, 168, 192), which seats are provided with valves (150, 164, 184, 16) provided on the inside of the cigarette body (144, 182). 186) as valves of the nicotine deposit (142, 198) cooperates in such a way that, when the activation piston (154, 168, 192) is displaced relative to the nicotine depot (142, 198), the two are the nicotine depot (142, 198) with the valve seats (150, 164, 184, 186) gas-tight sealing sealing surfaces (152, 166, 188, 190) open.

24. Smoke-free cigarette according to claim 23, characterized in that the cigarette body (144) and the activation piston are each formed in two parts, wherein one of the sealing surfaces (152) provided on a part (154) of the activation piston and with the on the one section ( 146) of the cigarette body (144) provided valve seat (150) and the other of the sealing surfaces (166) on the other part (168) of the activation piston and with the in the other portion (148) of the cigarette body (144) provided valve seat ( 164) cooperates such that the two sections (146, 148) of the cigarette body (144) are releasably connectable to each other, that the disposable nicotine depot (142) between the two sections (146, 148) of the cigarette body (144) is held, and in that the two parts (154, 168) of the activation piston cooperate with one another in such a way that, upon a movement in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette body (144), they seal the sealing surfaces (14). 152, 166) move away from the valve seats (150, 164) and the nicotine depot is open for nicotine release.

25. Smoke-free cigarette according to claim 23, characterized in that the cigarette body (182) is formed from two shells to be connected to one another in which the activating piston (192) with the disposable nicotine depot (198) can be inserted.

26. Smoke-free cigarette according to one of claims 12 to 25, characterized in that in the mouthpiece (110; 124; 162; 200) a filter insert (18; 84) with predetermined draw resistance is held.