U.S. patent application number 17/594015 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-19 for aerosol provision device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nicoventures Trading Limited. Invention is credited to Patrick MOLONEY.
Application Number | 20220151288 17/594015 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220151288 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MOLONEY; Patrick |
May 19, 2022 |
AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE
Abstract
There is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: a
housing having a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece having an air outlet;
and, a consumable unit contained within the housing, the consumable
unit comprising: a source of aerosol generating medium; and, an
airflow channel wall forming an airflow channel that passes the
source of aerosol generating medium and terminates in the vicinity
of the air outlet of the housing.
Inventors: |
MOLONEY; Patrick; (London,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nicoventures Trading Limited |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/594015 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
March 18, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2020/050706 |
371 Date: |
September 30, 2021 |
International
Class: |
A24D 3/17 20060101
A24D003/17; A24D 3/08 20060101 A24D003/08; A24F 40/485 20060101
A24F040/485 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 5, 2019 |
GB |
1904846.1 |
Claims
1. An aerosol provision system comprising: a housing having a
mouthpiece, the mouthpiece having an air outlet; and, a consumable
unit contained within the housing, the consumable unit comprising:
a source of aerosol generating medium; and, an airflow channel wall
forming an airflow channel that passes the source of aerosol
generating medium and terminates in the vicinity of the air outlet
of the housing.
2. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1, wherein the
consumable unit comprises a filter material.
3. An aerosol provision system according to claim 2, wherein the
filter material is in the airflow channel.
4. An aerosol provision system according to claim 2, wherein the
filter material forms the airflow channel wall.
5. An aerosol provision system according to claim 2, wherein the
filter material is compressed by the housing when the consumable
unit is inserted into the housing.
6. An aerosol provision system according to claim 2, wherein the
filter material is one or more members selected from the group
consisting of: tobacco; cellulose acetate; and porous paper.
7. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1, comprising a
movement mechanism to rotate the consumable unit relative to the
housing.
8. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1, wherein an
outer portion of the consumable unit is of a conforming shape to
the housing near the air outlet.
9. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1, wherein a
portion of the consumable unit has a frustoconical shape.
10. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1, wherein the
source of aerosol generating medium terminates in the vicinity of
the air outlet.
11. A consumable unit for use in the aerosol provision system of
claim 1.
12. A housing for the aerosol provision system of claim 1.
13. A consumable unit for use with an aerosol provision system, the
unit comprising a projecting first portion and a recessed second
portion, wherein the projecting first portion is of a conforming
shape to the recessed second portion.
14. A consumable unit according to claim 13, wherein the unit
comprises aerosol generating medium arranged in the recessed second
portion.
15. A consumable unit according to claim 14, wherein the unit
comprises at least two portions of aerosol generating medium
arranged in the recessed second portion.
16. Aerosol provision means comprising: a housing having a
mouthpiece, the mouthpiece having air outlet means; and, a
consumable unit contained within the housing, the consumable unit
comprising: a source of aerosol generating means; and, an airflow
channel means forming an airflow channel that passes the source of
aerosol generating means and terminates in the vicinity of the air
outlet means of the housing.
17. A method of providing an aerosol, comprising: providing a
housing having a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece having an air outlet;
and, providing a consumable unit contained within the housing, the
consumable unit comprising: a source of aerosol generating medium;
and, an airflow channel wall forming an airflow channel that passes
the source of aerosol generating medium and terminates in the
vicinity of the air outlet of the housing, passing air through the
airflow channel within the airflow channel wall; passing air over
the source of aerosol generating medium; and, passing air through
the air outlet of the housing.
18. (canceled)
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT
Application No. PCT/GB2020/050706, filed Mar. 18, 2020, which
claims priority from Great Britain Application No. 1904846.1, filed
Apr. 5, 2019, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an aerosol provision
system, a method of providing an aerosol, a consumable unit for use
in an aerosol provision system, a housing for an aerosol provision
system and an aerosol provision device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Aerosol generating devices are known. Electronic aerosol
provision systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)
generally contain a reservoir of a source liquid containing a
formulation, typically including nicotine, from which an aerosol is
generated, e.g. through heat vaporization. An aerosol source for an
aerosol provision system may thus comprise a heater having a
heating element arranged to receive source liquid from the
reservoir, for example through wicking/capillary action. While a
user inhales on the device, electrical power is supplied to the
heating element to vaporize source liquid in the vicinity of the
heating element to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user.
Such devices are usually provided with one or more air inlet holes
located away from a mouthpiece end of the system. When a user sucks
on a mouthpiece connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air
is drawn in through the inlet holes and past the aerosol source.
There is a flow path connecting between the aerosol source and an
opening in the mouthpiece so that air drawn past the aerosol source
continues along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying
some of the aerosol from the aerosol source with it. The
aerosol-carrying air exits the aerosol provision system through the
mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user.
[0004] Various approaches are described which seek to help address
some of these issues.
SUMMARY
[0005] Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying
claims.
[0006] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: a housing
having a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece having an air outlet; and, a
consumable unit contained within the housing, the consumable unit
comprising: a source of aerosol generating medium; and, an airflow
channel wall forming an airflow channel that passes the source of
aerosol generating medium and terminates in the vicinity of the air
outlet of the housing.
[0007] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided a consumable unit for use in an aerosol provision
system.
[0008] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided a housing for an aerosol provision system.
[0009] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided a consumable unit for use with an aerosol provision
system, the unit comprising a projecting first portion and a
recessed second portion, wherein the projecting first portion is of
a conforming shape to the recessed second portion.
[0010] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided aerosol provision means comprising: a housing having a
mouthpiece, the mouthpiece having air outlet means; and, a
consumable unit contained within the housing, the consumable unit
comprising: a source of aerosol generating means; and, an airflow
channel means forming an airflow channel that passes the source of
aerosol generating means and terminates in the vicinity of the air
outlet means of the housing.
[0011] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided a method of providing an aerosol, comprising: providing
a housing having a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece having an air outlet;
and, providing a consumable unit contained within the housing, the
consumable unit comprising: a source of aerosol generating medium;
and, an airflow channel wall forming an airflow channel that passes
the source of aerosol generating medium and terminates in the
vicinity of the air outlet of the housing, passing air through the
airflow channel within the airflow channel wall; passing air over
the source of aerosol generating medium; and, passing air through
the air outlet of the housing.
[0012] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there
is provided an aerosol provision device configured to receive a
consumable unit contained within the housing, the consumable unit
comprising a source of aerosol generating medium and an airflow
channel wall forming an airflow channel that passes the source of
aerosol generating medium, the aerosol provision device comprising:
a housing having a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece having an air outlet,
wherein, in use, the airflow channel terminates in the vicinity of
the air outlet of the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present teachings will now be described by way of
example only with reference to the following figures in which like
parts are depicted by like reference numerals:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol provision device according to an example;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol provision device according to an example;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol provision device according to an example;
[0017] FIG. 4(i) is a schematic sectional view of a consumable unit
for use in an aerosol provision device according to an example;
[0018] FIG. 4(ii) is a schematic sectional view of three consumable
units for use in an aerosol provision device according to an
example;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol provision device according to an example; and,
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol provision device according to an example.
[0021] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of
example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It
should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed
description of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit
the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary,
the invention covers all modifications, equivalents and
alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as
defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are
discussed/described herein. Some aspects and features of certain
examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and
these are not discussed/described in detail in the interests of
brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of
apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in
detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional
techniques for implementing such aspects and features.
[0023] The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems,
which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as
e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term
"e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but
it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with
aerosol provision system/device and electronic aerosol provision
system/device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical
field, the terms "aerosol" and "vapor", and related terms such as
"vaporize", "volatilize" and "aerosolize", may generally be used
interchangeably.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a portion of an
aerosol provision system 100. The system 100 includes an aerosol
provision device and a consumable unit 120 configured to be
received in the device (however the system may herein occasionally
be referred to as a device for brevity). The device 100 is designed
to simulate a cigarette and therefore may have a substantially
cylindrical shape and may be approximately the same size as a
cigarette. The device 100 has a housing 110 having a mouthpiece
112. The mouthpiece 112 has an air outlet 113. The device 100 also
has a consumable unit 120 contained within the housing 110. The
consumable unit 120 has a source of aerosol generating medium 122
and an airflow channel wall 124 forming an airflow channel 125 that
passes the source of aerosol generating medium 122 and terminates
in the vicinity of the air outlet 113 of the housing 110. In an
example of the present device, the mouthpiece 112 is an air outlet
113. The air outlet 113 may be located on a projection so that it
is more easily received in the mouth of a user, or it may be an
opening on a surface of the housing 110 providing fluid
communication between the inside of the device 100 and the outside
of the device 100.
[0025] In the example shown in FIG. 1, air flow entering the
consumable unit 120 is constrained within the airflow channel wall
124 which enables the air to flow through the consumable unit 120
and pass the source of aerosol generating medium 122 and along to
the air outlet 113 of the mouthpiece 112. As air flow passes over a
source of aerosol generating medium 122, components of the source
of aerosol generating medium 122 may be entrained in the air flow.
This aerosol or aerosol is transported to the end of the airflow
channel (near the air outlet 113 of the mouthpiece 112) and the
aerosol may then exit the device 100 and be inhaled by a user. This
device 100 therefore prevents significant levels of deposition of
condensing aerosol on the inside of the housing 110 of the device
100. Such condensing aerosol can damage components on which it
condenses, and as such the present arrangement extends the lifetime
of the device 100. In a similar manner, the arrangement results in
improved cleanliness of the device 100 as the consumable unit 120
may be removed after depletion of the source of aerosol generating
medium 122: removal of the consumable unit 120 simultaneously
removes the condensed aerosol on the airflow channel wall 124. The
air channel wall 124 of the consumable unit 120 may be made of a
material which is impermeable to aerosol.
[0026] In examples the shape and size airflow channel wall 124 of
the consumable unit 120 may vary. The likelihood of the phenomenon
"hot puff", wherein the aerosol has not cooled sufficiently prior
to inhalation by a user, arising can be reduced by the present
device 100. The airflow channel wall 124 may be formed to be
relatively long so as to increase the time between the air flow
entering the consumable unit 120 and exiting the air outlet 113.
This will allow greater dissipation of heat from the air flow prior
to inhalation by the user, and so reduce the likelihood of hot
puff.
[0027] In an example, a portion of the airflow channel wall 124 may
be arranged alongside the housing 110. Heat loss through the
airflow channel wall 124 and, subsequently, the housing 110 to the
environment external to the device 100, is often more efficient
than heat loss emanating from the center of the device 100. As
such, this arrangement of the airflow channel wall 124 may also
contribute to reduction of the likelihood of hot puff.
[0028] In an example, the airflow channel wall 124 may be contained
centrally in the device 100 and not near the housing 110. Although
heat loss to the outer environment of the device 100 is beneficial
to reduce the likelihood of hot puff, if high levels of thermal
energy are passed through the housing 110 of the device 100 a user
may injure themselves holding the device 100. As such, this
arrangement of the airflow channel wall 124 may reduce the
likelihood of a user injuring themselves while holding the device
100 as a result of an overly hot housing 110.
[0029] The airflow channel wall 124 may be one wall or may be a
number of walls in which an airflow channel may formed.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol provision device 100. FIG. 2 shows an arrangement similar
to that shown in FIG. 1. Reference numerals indicating the same
features as shown in FIG. 1 are the same as those numerals used in
FIG. 1. These same features will not all be discussed in detail
here. The example of the device 100 shown in FIG. 2 differs to that
of FIG. 1 in the position of the source of aerosol generating
medium 122. The source of aerosol generating medium 122, in the
example shown, terminates in the vicinity of the air outlet 113.
Aerosol will form when incoming air flow passes over the source of
aerosol generating medium 122. As such, the aerosol is formed
substantially in the vicinity of the air outlet 113. This reduces
the area inside the device 100 on which aerosol can condense. This
arrangement therefore increases the lifetime and cleanliness of the
device 100, as described above.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol provision device 100. Reference numerals indicating the
same features as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same as those
numerals used in FIGS. 1 and 2. These same features will not be
discussed in detail here. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the
consumable unit 120 has a source of aerosol generating medium 122
and a filter material 126. The filter material 126 is arranged
towards the air outlet 113. The filter material 126 is arranged
downstream of the source of aerosol generating medium 122 so that
aerosol produced from air flowing over the source of aerosol
generating medium 122 is passed through the filter material 126
prior to passing through the air outlet 113 of the mouthpiece 112.
In this way, particulates in the air flow may be removed prior to
inhalation by the user.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows incoming air as arrow C. This air may pass
through or over the source of aerosol generating medium 122. The
air flow will entrain components from the source of aerosol
generating medium 122 to form an aerosol. The device 100 may
comprise a heater for heating the air flow and/or the source of
aerosol generating medium 122 to encourage release of components
from the source of aerosol generating medium 122.
[0033] The filter material 126, in the example of FIG. 3, is in the
airflow channel 125. As such, air flow through the consumable unit
120 will pass through the filter material 126. The filter material
126 may fill a portion of the airflow channel 125 within the
airflow channel wall 124. The filter material may alternatively
form all, or a portion, of the airflow channel wall 124.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows two regions of the consumable unit 120, a first
region A and a second region B. In the second region B, the filter
material 126 is connected to the first region A and may form the
airflow channel wall 124 within which the airflow channel 125 is
formed. Air flowing through this section is filtered to remove
particulates and the like prior to inhalation.
[0035] Prior to use of the device 100, the consumable unit 120 may
be inserted into the device 100. Inserting the consumable unit 120
into the mouthpiece 112 portion of the housing 110 may compress the
consumable unit 120. In the example wherein the filter material 126
forms the airflow channel wall 124, the filter material 126 may be
compressed by the housing 110 when the consumable unit 120 is
inserted into the housing 110. The filter material 126 may be made
of a resilient material such that damage to the inside of the
mouthpiece 112 is less likely to occur as a result of clumsy user
insertion of the consumable unit 120 into the mouthpiece 112. This
increases the lifetime of the device 100 and the consumable unit
120.
[0036] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the outer portion of the
consumable unit 120 is of a conforming shape to the housing 110
near the air outlet 113. In this way, the direction of insertion of
the consumable unit 120 into the mouthpiece 112 is more obvious and
may avoid an incorrect insertion of the consumable 120.
"Conforming", as used here, may be taken to mean the consumable
unit 120 is of a complementary shape to the housing 110. The
consumable unit 120 may also be malleable to conform to the shape
of the housing 110. The consumable unit 120 may be of a shape that
matches to the shape of the housing 110. The consumable unit 120
may fit tightly within the housing 110.
[0037] The filter material 126 may be any of tobacco, cellulose
acetate, tow fibers or a nicotine-containing material. In other
implementations, the filter material 126 may comprise any suitable
material capable of filtering airflow.
[0038] The consumable unit 120 may have a number of different
sources of aerosol generating medium 122. To prevent the sources of
aerosol generating medium 122 depleting at the same rate, air flow
through the consumable unit 120 may be controlled to pass selected
sources of aerosol generating medium 122. This may be controlled by
the presence and arrangement of walls within the consumable unit
120 and air inlets to the consumable unit 120. The device 100 may
have a movement mechanism to rotate the consumable unit 120
relative to the housing 110. This may enable a user to selectively
activate sources of aerosol generating medium 122 within the device
100. In use, a user will contact the mouthpiece 112 of the device
100. As such, motion of the consumable unit 120 will not be
detected by the user. This arrangement prevents an uncomfortable
user experience.
[0039] FIG. 4 shows schematic sectional views of consumable units
120 according to an example. A portion of the consumable unit 120,
shown in the example of FIG. 4(i), has a frustoconical shape. The
consumable unit 120 may have a projecting first portion and a
recessed second portion. The projecting first portion may be of a
conforming shape to the recessed second portion.
[0040] In the example of FIG. 4(i), the consumable unit 120 shown
has a projecting upper portion, indicated broadly by section P, and
a recessed bottom portion, indicated broadly by section R. Air flow
through the consumable unit 120 is indicated by arrow C'. Air flow
entering the consumable unit passes a source of aerosol generating
medium 122 to entrain components from it and exits the consumable
unit 120 as an aerosol for inhalation by a user. When a recessed
bottom section R is present, the volume within the consumable unit
120 for air to pass is reduced.
[0041] The shape of the consumable unit 120 may be selected to
correspond or complement the shape of the mouthpiece 112 of the
housing 110. In this way, as mentioned above, insertion into the
mouthpiece 112 is facilitated. A frustoconical shape is a common
mouthpiece shape and, as such, the consumable unit 120 of FIG. 4(i)
may be advantageous. Other shapes may be used to have similar
benefits. Similarly, after depletion of the source of aerosol
generating medium 122 the consumable unit 120 may be removed from
the device 100 and replaced. The device 100 may have a removable
section (such as a door or cover as part of the housing) through
which the consumable unit 120 may be inserted and removed.
Alternatively, the device 100 may be discarded after depletion of
the sources of the consumable unit 120.
[0042] FIG. 4(ii) shows an example of a plurality of consumable
units of the shape shown in FIG. 4(i). The consumable units 120',
120'', 120''' shown in FIG. 4(ii) are able to stack or nest on top
of one another. This may provide a space saving measure. In the
example shown, there are three consumable units 120', 120'', 120'''
stacked together. There are shown a lowermost consumable unit 120',
arranged beneath a middle consumable unit 120'' which itself is
beneath an uppermost consumable unit 120'''. In the stacked
arrangement shown, the projecting upper portion of the lowermost
consumable unit 120' projects into the recess formed by the
recessed bottom portion of the middle consumable unit 120''.
Similarly, the projecting upper portion of the middle consumable
unit 120'' projects into the recess formed by the recessed bottom
portion of the middle consumable unit 120'''.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol provision device 100 according to an example. Reference
numerals indicating the same features as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3
are the same as those numerals used in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. These same
features will not be discussed in detail here. The example shown
has incoming air flow, shown by arrow C, which enters the
consumable unit 100. The air flow passes over sources of aerosol
generating medium 110 and entrains components to form an aerosol.
The flow of aerosol through the consumable unit 120 is shown by
arrow C'. The aerosol passes along an air channel arranged near the
housing 102 and exits the device 100 at the air outlet 113 of the
mouthpiece 112. The consumable unit 120 has a conforming shape to
the portion of the housing 110 in which the consumable unit 120 is
arranged. This portion includes the mouthpiece 112 and the air
outlet 113. In the example shown, the consumable unit 120 has air
inlets for allowing air flow to enter the consumable unit 120. The
consumable unit has an air outlet for allowing aerosol to flow out
of the consumable unit 120.
[0044] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a portion of an
aerosol provision device 100 according to an example. Reference
numerals indicating the same features as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and
5 are the same as those numerals used in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5. These
same features will not be discussed in detail here. The consumable
unit 120 shown in FIG. 6 differs from the consumable unit shown in
FIG. 5 by the lack of a recessed bottom portion. The consumable
unit 120 shown in FIG. 6 has a slightly different array of air
inlets and outlets. The air flow path through the consumable unit
120, shown by arrows C and C', also differs.
[0045] The air flow path enters the consumable unit 120 in the
vicinity of the sources of aerosol generating medium 122 and flows
over the sources of aerosol generating medium 122 to form an
aerosol. The aerosol continues along a base portion Q of the
consumable unit 120. The aerosol then passes into an upper portion
S of the consumable unit 120. The aerosol then passes through the
upper portion S and out of the air outlet 113 of the device
100.
[0046] The base portion Q may be flat disc-like element, which may
be multi-layered. The layers of base portion Q may carry a
plurality of sources of aerosol generating medium 122. The base
portion Q may be rotated by a movement mechanism within the device
100 to control which specific source of aerosol generating medium
122 is used during a use session.
[0047] The upper portion S may be attached to the base portion Q.
The upper portion S may be a hollow structure to enable air flow to
pass through and out the air outlet 113 of the device 100. The
upper portion S may be a substantially cone-shape element 128 and
may be filled with a filter material or the like. The upper portion
S may be formed of paper or card or the like. The upper portion S
may be made of filter material to reduce condensation of aerosol on
the inside of the device 100. The upper portion S may be of
conforming size and shape to the inner surface of the mouthpiece
112.
[0048] The source of aerosol generating medium 122 in the
consumable unit 120 may have a number of doses of aerosol
generating medium. In other examples, the base portion Q of the
consumable unit 120 may have a number of sources of aerosol
generating medium 122. In some examples, the consumable unit 120
may have the doses of aerosol generating medium arranged in
discrete doses. In other examples, the doses may be in the form of
a disc, which may be continuous or discontinuous, disposed on one
or more surfaces of a multi-layered consumable unit 120. In still
other examples, the doses may be in the form of an annulus, a ring
or any other shape. The consumable unit 120 may or may not have a
rotationally symmetrical distribution of doses or sources of
aerosol generating medium 122 on any of the surfaces of the
consumable unit 120. A symmetrical distribution of sources of
aerosol generating medium 122 could enable equivalently positioned
sources of aerosol generating medium 122 (within a rotationally
symmetrical distribution) to receive an equivalent heating profile
from a heater within the device 100 upon rotation about the central
axis, if arranged accordingly.
[0049] The device 100 may have a plurality of chambers or regions
that may or may not be separate from one another. The device 100
may have a power chamber (not shown) comprising energy stores for
supplying power to a heater and/or a movement mechanism. The heater
may be an electrically resistive heater. The heater may be a
chemically activated heater which may or may not operate via
exothermic reactions or the like. The heater provides thermal
energy, heat, to the surrounding environment of the heater. The
heater may heat the sources of aerosol generating medium 122 or may
heat air flow prior to the air flow entering the consumable unit
120. The heater may be part of an inductive heating system, wherein
the heater is an inductive heater and the consumable unit 120 may
be or may contain a susceptor or the like. The susceptor may for
example be a sheet of aluminum foil or the like.
[0050] The shape of the device 100 may be cigarette-shape (longer
in one dimension than the other two) or may be other shapes. In an
example, the device 100 may have a shape that is longer in two
dimensions than the other one, for example like a compact-disc
player or the like. Alternatively, the shape may be any shape that
can suitably house the consumable unit 120.
[0051] The source of aerosol generating medium of the consumable
unit 120 may comprise at least one of tobacco and glycol and may
include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark
magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint,
aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple,
Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint,
lavender, cardamon, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood,
bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil,
orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage,
fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil
from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitterness
receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or
stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose,
acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose,
sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other
additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or
breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or
natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable
form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder. Sources of aerosol
generating medium 110 may be separated, adjacent or
overlapping.
[0052] The aerosol-forming layer described herein comprises an
"amorphous solid", which may alternatively be referred to as a
"monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous), or as a "dried gel". The
amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid,
such as liquid, within it. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer
comprises from about 50 wt %, 60 wt % or 70 wt % of amorphous
solid, to about 90 wt %, 95 wt % or 100 wt % of amorphous solid. In
some cases, the aerosol-forming layer consists of amorphous
solid.
[0053] In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise 1-50 wt % of
a gelling agent wherein these weights are calculated on a dry
weight basis.
[0054] Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 1 wt
%, 5 wt %, 10 wt %, 15 wt %, 20 wt % or 25 wt % to about 50 wt %,
45 wt %, 40 wt %, 35 wt %, 30 wt % or 27 wt % of a gelling agent
(all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous
solid may comprise 5-40 wt %, 10-30 wt % or 15-27 wt % of a gelling
agent.
[0055] In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises a
hydrocolloid. In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one
or more compounds selected from the group comprising alginates,
pectins, starches (and derivatives), celluloses (and derivatives),
gums, silica or silicones compounds, clays, polyvinyl alcohol and
combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the gelling
agent comprises one or more of alginates, pectins, hydroxyethyl
cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose,
pullulan, xanthan gum guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, acacia gum,
fumed silica, PDMS, sodium silicate, kaolin and polyvinyl alcohol.
In some cases, the gelling agent comprises alginate and/or pectin,
and may be combined with a setting agent (such as a calcium source)
during formation of the amorphous solid. In some cases, the
amorphous solid may comprise a calcium-crosslinked alginate and/or
a calcium-crosslinked pectin.
[0056] Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 5 wt
%, 10 wt %, 15 wt %, or 20 wt % to about 80 wt %, 70 wt %, 60 wt %,
55 wt %, 50 wt %, 45 wt % 40 wt %, or 35 wt % of an aerosol
generating agent (all calculated on a dry weight basis). The
aerosol generating agent may act as a plasticizer. For example, the
amorphous solid may comprise 10-60 wt %, 15-50 wt % or 20-40 wt %
of an aerosol generating agent. In some cases, the aerosol
generating agent comprises one or more compound selected from
erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol and
xylitol. In some cases, the aerosol generating agent comprises,
consists essentially of or consists of glycerol. The inventors have
established that if the content of the plasticizer is too high, the
amorphous solid may absorb water resulting in a material that does
not create an appropriate consumption experience in use. The
inventors have established that if the plasticizer content is too
low, the amorphous solid may be brittle and easily broken. The
plasticizer content specified herein provides an amorphous solid
flexibility which allows the amorphous solid sheet to be wound onto
a bobbin, which is useful in manufacture of aerosol generating
articles.
[0057] In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise a flavor.
Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise up to about 60 wt %, 50
wt %, 40 wt %, 30 wt %, 20 wt %, 10 wt % or 5 wt % of a flavor. In
some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise at least about 0.5 wt
%, 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 5 wt % 10 wt %, 20 wt % or 30 wt % of a flavor
(all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous
solid may comprise 10-60 wt %, 20-50 wt % or 30-40 wt % of a
flavor. In some cases, the flavor (if present) comprises, consists
essentially of or consists of menthol. In some cases, the amorphous
solid does not comprise a flavor.
[0058] In some cases, the amorphous solid additionally comprises a
tobacco material and/or nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid
may additionally comprise powdered tobacco and/or nicotine and/or a
tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise
from about 1 wt %, 5 wt %, 10 wt %, 15 wt %, 20 wt % or 25 wt % to
about 70 wt %, 60 wt %, 50 wt %, 45 wt % or 40 wt % (calculated on
a dry weight basis) of a tobacco material and/or nicotine.
[0059] In some cases, the amorphous solid comprises a tobacco
extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise 5-60 wt %
(calculated on a dry weight basis) of tobacco extract. In some
cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 5 wt %, 10 wt %,
15 wt %, 20 wt % or 25 wt % to about 55 wt %, 50 wt %, 45 wt % or
40 wt % (calculated on a dry weight basis) tobacco extract. For
example, the amorphous solid may comprise 5-60 wt %, 10-55 wt % or
25-55 wt % of tobacco extract. The tobacco extract may contain
nicotine at a concentration such that the amorphous solid comprises
1 wt % 1.5 wt %, 2 wt % or 2.5 wt % to about 6 wt %, 5 wt %, 4.5 wt
% or 4 wt % (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine. In some
cases, there may be no nicotine in the amorphous solid other than
that which results from the tobacco extract.
[0060] In some embodiments the amorphous solid comprises no tobacco
material but does comprise nicotine. In some such cases, the
amorphous solid may comprise from about 1 wt %, 2 wt %, 3 wt % or 4
wt % to about 20 wt %, 15 wt %, 10 wt % or 5 wt % (calculated on a
dry weight basis) of nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid may
comprise 1-20 wt % or 2-5 wt % of nicotine.
[0061] In some cases, the total content of tobacco material,
nicotine and flavor may be at least about 1 wt %, 5 wt %, 10 wt %,
20 wt %, 25 wt % or 30 wt %. In some cases, the total content of
tobacco material, nicotine and flavor may be less than about 70 wt
%, 60 wt %, 50 wt % or 40 wt % (all calculated on a dry weight
basis).
[0062] In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is a hydrogel and
comprises less than about 20 wt % of water calculated on a wet
weight basis. In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise less than
about 15 wt %, 12 wt % or 10 wt % of water calculated on a wet
weight basis (WWB). In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise at
least about 2 wt % or at least about 5 wt % of water (WWB).
[0063] The amorphous solid may be made from a gel, and this gel may
additionally comprise a solvent, included at 0.1-50 wt %. However,
the inventors have established that the inclusion of a solvent in
which the flavor is soluble may reduce the gel stability and the
flavor may crystalize out of the gel. As such, in some cases, the
gel does not include a solvent in which the flavor is soluble.
[0064] The amorphous solid comprises less than 20 wt %, suitably
less than 10 wt % or less than 5 wt % of a filler. The filler may
comprise one or more inorganic filler materials, such as calcium
carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal
silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulphate, magnesium carbonate,
and suitable inorganic sorbents, such as molecular sieves. The
filler may comprise one or more organic filler materials such as
wood pulp, cellulose and cellulose derivatives. In some cases, the
amorphous solid comprises less than 1 wt % of a filler, and in some
cases, comprises no filler. In particular, in some cases, the
amorphous solid comprises no calcium carbonate such as chalk.
[0065] In some cases, the amorphous solid may consist essentially
of, or consist of a gelling agent, an aerosol generating agent, a
tobacco material and/or a nicotine source, water, and optionally a
flavor.
[0066] Thus there has been described an aerosol provision device
comprising: a housing having a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece having an
air outlet; and, a consumable unit contained within the housing,
the consumable unit comprising: a source of aerosol generating
medium; and, an airflow channel wall forming an airflow channel
that passes the source of aerosol generating medium and terminates
in the vicinity of the air outlet of the housing.
[0067] The aerosol provision system may be used in a tobacco
industry product, for example a non-combustible aerosol provision
system.
[0068] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product comprises
one or more components of a non-combustible aerosol provision
system, such as a heater and an aerosolizable substrate.
[0069] In one embodiment, the aerosol provision system is an
electronic cigarette also known as a vaping device.
[0070] In one embodiment the electronic cigarette comprises a
heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an
aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing and
optionally a mouthpiece.
[0071] In one embodiment the aerosolizable substrate is contained
in or on a substrate container. In one embodiment the substrate
container is combined with or comprises the heater.
[0072] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heating
product which releases one or more compounds by heating, but not
burning, a substrate material. The substrate material is an
aerosolizable material which may be for example tobacco or other
non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one
embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating
product.
[0073] In one embodiment, the heating product is an electronic
device.
[0074] In one embodiment, the tobacco heating product comprises a
heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an
aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material.
[0075] In one embodiment the heating product is a non-electronic
article.
[0076] In one embodiment the heating product comprises an
aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material, and a heat
source which is capable of supplying heat energy to the
aerosolizable substrate without any electronic means, such as by
burning a combustion material, such as charcoal.
[0077] In one embodiment the heating product also comprises a
filter capable of filtering the aerosol generated by heating the
aerosolizable substrate.
[0078] In some embodiments the aerosolizable substrate material may
comprise an aerosol or aerosol generating agent or a humectant,
such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin or diethylene
glycol.
[0079] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid
system to generate aerosol by heating, but not burning, a
combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials may
comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not
contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a
liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate
may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may
or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system
comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.
[0080] In order to address various issues and advance the art, the
entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various
embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and
provide for a superior electronic aerosol provision system. The
advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative
sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or
exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and
teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages,
embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or
other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered
limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or
limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other
embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without
departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various
embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist
essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements,
components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the
disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but
which may be claimed in future.
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