Patent Grant
12059525
The present invention relates to a device, system and method for the delivery of aerosols. In particular, but not exclusively, one or more embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to the delivery of aerosols comprising different active components.
Nicotine replacement therapies are aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome their dependence on nicotine. One form of nicotine replacement therapy is an inhaler or inhalator. These generally have the appearance of a plastic cigarette and are used by people who crave the behaviour associated with consumption of combustible tobacco—the so-called hand-to-mouth aspect—of smoking tobacco. An inhalator comprises a replaceable nicotine cartridge. When a user inhales through the device, nicotine is atomised or aerosolised from the cartridge and is absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat, rather than travelling into the lungs. Nicotine replacement therapies are generally classified as medicinal products and are regulated under the Human Medicines Regulations in the United Kingdom.
In addition to passive nicotine delivery devices such as the Inhalator, active nicotine delivery devices exist in the form of electronic cigarettes. The inhaled aerosol mist or vapour typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings. In use, the user may experience a similar satisfaction and physical sensation to those experienced from combustible tobacco products, and exhales an aerosol mist or vapour of similar appearance to the smoke exhaled when using such combustible tobacco products.
A smoking-substitute device generally uses heat and/or ultrasonic agitation to vapourise/aerosolise a solution comprising nicotine and/or other flavouring, propylene glycol and/or glycerol formulation into an aerosol, mist, or vapour for inhalation. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the term “smoking-substitute device” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, vaping cigarettes, pipes, cigars, cigarillos, vapourisers and devices of a similar nature that function to produce an aerosol mist or vapour that is inhaled by a user. Some electronic cigarettes are disposable; others are reusable, with replaceable and refillable parts.
Smoking-substitute devices may resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end through which the user can draw the aerosol, mist or vapour for inhalation. These devices usually share several common components; a power source such as a battery, a reservoir for holding the liquid to be vapourised (often termed an e-liquid), a vapourisation component such as a heater for atomizing, aerosolising and/or vapourising the liquid and to thereby produce an aerosol, mist or vapour, and control circuitry operable to actuate the vapourisation component responsive to an actuation signal from a switch operative by a user or configured to detect when the user draws air through the mouthpiece by inhaling.
The popularity and use of smoking-substitute devices has grown rapidly in the past few years.
Aspects and embodiments of the invention were devised with the foregoing in mind.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an aerosol delivery device comprising: a first aerosol generator to generate a first aerosol from a first aerosol precursor and to introduce said first aerosol into a first fluid flow pathway, wherein said first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration; a second aerosol generator to generate a second aerosol from a second aerosol precursor and to introduce the second aerosol into a second fluid flow pathway, wherein the second aerosol is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration; the second aerosol is transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the second aerosol comprising an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity, a Venturi aperture to dispense and aerosolise the second aerosol precursor in the second aerosol generator, wherein the second aerosol precursor is a liquid.
Advantageously, said second aerosol generator comprises a porous member for containing the second aerosol precursor.
Conveniently, the porous member includes a porous wicking material.
Preferably, a portion of the porous member is located in a low pressure region, wherein in use, the Venturi aperture forms the low pressure region.
Advantageously, in use, the second aerosol is generated from a porous surface of the porous member into an airflow through the Venturi aperture.
Conveniently, the porous surface is located in the low pressure region.
Preferably, the Venturi aperture is located proximate to an outlet at a mouthpiece outlet of the aerosol delivery device.
Advantageously, the Venturi aperture is located substantially at a mouthpiece outlet of the consumable.
Advantageously, the second aerosol is at least one of: sized to inhibit penetration to the trachea; sized to inhibit penetration to the larynx; sized to inhibit penetration to the laryngopharynx; and sized to inhibit penetration to the oropharynx.
Advantageously, the second aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
Advantageously, the second aerosol has a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns.
Advantageously, said first aerosol precursor comprises components such that the first aerosol comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component.
Advantageously, the first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron.
Advantageously, said first aerosol generator is configured to heat said first aerosol precursor.
Advantageously, said first aerosol generator is configured to agitate said first aerosol precursor.
Advantageously, said first fluid flow pathway further receives said first aerosols from a first aerosol inlet of said device.
Advantageously, said first aerosol inlet is configured to inject said first aerosol into said first fluid flow pathway.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway further receives said second aerosol from a second aerosol inlet of said device.
Advantageously, said second aerosol inlet is configured to inject said second aerosols into said second fluid flow pathway.
Advantageously, said first fluid pathway and said second fluid flow pathway merge together.
Advantageously, said first fluid pathway and said second fluid flow pathway are contiguous.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway is disposed along a longitudinal axis of said first fluid flow pathway.
Advantageously, said first fluid flow pathway is disposed proximal to a gas inlet of said device and said second fluid flow pathway is disposed proximal to an aerosol outlet of said device.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway is disposed proximal to a gas inlet of said device and said first fluid flow pathway is disposed proximal to an aerosol outlet of said device.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway is disposed co-axially relative to said first fluid flow pathway.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway is disposed adjacent said first fluid flow pathway in a side by side relationship therewith.
Advantageously, said first fluid flow pathway is separated from said second fluid flow pathway by a wall member.
Advantageously, said first fluid flow pathway comprising a first housing to constrain said fluid flow and said second fluid flow pathway comprising a second housing to constrain said second fluid flow, said first housing to receive said first aerosol; and said second housing to receive said second aerosol.
Advantageously, said first housing comprising said first aerosol generator and/or said second housing comprising said second aerosol generator.
Advantageously, said first housing comprises a removable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said first housing comprises a replaceable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said first housing comprises a refillable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said second housing comprises a removable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said second housing comprises a replaceable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said second housing comprises a refillable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said first aerosol precursor comprises nicotine, or a nicotine derivative, or a nicotine analogue.
Advantageously, said first aerosol precursor comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component that is a free nicotine salt comprising at least one of: nicotine hydrochloride; nicotine dihydrochloride; nicotine monotartrate; nicotine bitartrate; nicotine bitartrate dihydrate; nicotine sulphate; nicotine zinc chloride monohydrate; and nicotine salicylate.
Advantageously, said second aerosol being transmissible to activate at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity; and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Advantageously, said first aerosol generator is configured to generate the first aerosol from a first aerosol precursor comprising at least one of: glycol; polyglycol; and water.
Advantageously, said second aerosol generator is configured to introduce said second aerosol into said fluid flow pathway at a pre-set period of time following an actuation of said first aerosol generator.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway comprises at least one baffle configured such that a portion of said second aerosol impinges on said baffle.
Advantageously, said aerosol inlet port is configured to introduce the second aerosol of a mass median aerodynamic diameter to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
Advantageously, said second aerosol generator comprises a piezoelectric element to dispense and aerosolise the second aerosol precursor in the second aerosol generator, wherein the second aerosol precursor is a liquid.
Advantageously, said second aerosol generator comprises a precursor substrate for the second aerosol precursor, wherein the precursor substrate comprises a hydrophobic surface.
Advantageously, said second aerosol generator comprises a plurality of capillary tubes configured to draw the second aerosol precursor from a reservoir of second aerosol precursor to a free end of the plurality of capillary tubes.
Advantageously, the free end of the plurality of capillary tubes is hydrophobic.
Advantageously, said first aerosol is of a size suitable for deep lung penetration.
Advantageously, said first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than 2 μm.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway terminates in a second fluid flow pathway mouthpiece.
Advantageously, said first fluid flow pathway terminates in a first fluid flow pathway mouthpiece.
Advantageously, said first and second fluid flow pathways terminate in a combination mouthpiece.
Advantageously, said combination mouthpiece comprises separate pathways corresponding to said first and second fluid flow pathways respectively.
Advantageously, said merged first and second fluid flow pathways terminate in a mouthpiece.
Advantageously, said active component comprises a physiologically active component.
According to another aspect, a first fluid pathway housing is provided, the first fluid pathway housing being for an aerosol delivery device according to the first aspect.
Advantageously, the first fluid pathway housing comprises said first aerosol precursor.
Advantageously, the first fluid pathway housing comprises said first aerosol generator.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a second fluid pathway housing is provided, the second fluid pathway housing being for an aerosol delivery device according to the first aspect.
Advantageously, the second fluid pathway housing comprises said second aerosol precursor.
Advantageously, the second fluid pathway housing comprises said second aerosol generator.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a kit of parts is provided, the kits of parts being for an aerosol delivery device according to an above aspect, the kit of parts including a first fluid pathway housing according to an above aspect and a second fluid flow pathway housing according to an above aspect.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a consumable for a substitute smoking device is provided, the consumable including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of the consumable and a downstream outlet of the consumable; a porous member for passive aerosol generation; wherein, the airflow passage is constricted by the porous member to form a narrowed portion of the airflow passage.
Advantageously, a wall of the narrowed portion is formed from a porous surface of the porous member, such that, in use, an airflow along the narrowed portion passes across a porous surface of the porous member.
Preferably, an inner wall of the narrowed portion is formed from the porous surface of the porous member.
Conveniently, the porous member is located within the airflow passage.
Advantageously, an outer wall of the narrowed portion is formed from the porous surface of the porous member.
Preferably, the porous member is an inner porous member located within the narrowed portion, and the consumable further including an outer porous member radially outward of the narrowed portion.
Conveniently, the outer porous member substantially surrounds the narrowed portion.
Advantageously, the consumable is a flavour pod.
Preferably, the consumable further including an active aerosol generator for generating a first aerosol.
Conveniently, the first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration and the aerosol from the porous member is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member is transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the aerosol from the porous member comprising an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Preferably, the aerosol from the porous member is at least one of: sized to inhibit penetration to the trachea; sized to inhibit penetration to the larynx; sized to inhibit penetration to the laryngopharynx; and sized to inhibit penetration to the oropharynx.
Conveniently, the aerosol from the porous member has a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member has a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns.
Preferably, said first aerosol comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component.
Conveniently, the first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron.
Advantageously, the consumable is a cartomiser.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a substitute smoking system is provided, the system including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of a component of the system and a downstream outlet of the component; a porous member for passive aerosol generation; wherein, the airflow passage is constricted by the porous member to from a narrowed portion of the airflow passage.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a consumable for a substitute smoking device is provided, the consumable including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of the consumable and a downstream outlet of the consumable, and; an inner porous member for passive aerosol generation; wherein the airflow passage has an annular portion surrounding at least a portion of the porous member.
Preferably, an inner wall of the annular portion is formed by a porous surface of the porous member.
Conveniently, the annular portion has a transverse cross-sectional shape, wherein the transverse cross-sectional shape is one of circular, oval, rectangular, or triangular.
Advantageously, a distance between the porous member and an opposing wall is substantially constant around a circumferential surface of the porous member.
Preferably, the consumable is a flavour pod.
Conveniently, the consumable further including an active aerosol generator for generating a first aerosol.
Advantageously, the first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration and the aerosol from the porous member is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
Preferably, the aerosol from the porous member is transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the aerosol from the porous member comprising an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Conveniently, the aerosol from the porous member is at least one of: sized to inhibit penetration to the trachea; sized to inhibit penetration to the larynx; sized to inhibit penetration to the laryngopharynx; and sized to inhibit penetration to the oropharynx.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member has a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
Preferably, the aerosol from the porous member has a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns.
Conveniently, said first aerosol comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component.
Advantageously, the first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron.
Preferably, the consumable is a cartomiser.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a substitute smoking system is provided, including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of a component of the substitute smoking system and a downstream outlet of the component, and; an inner porous member for passive aerosol generation; wherein the airflow passage has an annular portion surrounding at least a portion of the porous member.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a consumable for a substitute smoking device is provided, the consumable including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of the consumable and a downstream outlet of the consumable; a porous member for passive aerosol generation; wherein at least a portion of the airflow passage is located between a porous surface of the porous member and an opposing airflow passage wall; and wherein a minimum distance between the porous surface of the porous member and the opposing airflow passage wall is substantially less than 1000 microns.
Conveniently, the opposing airflow passage wall is formed from a non-porous material.
Advantageously, the opposing airflow passage wall is formed from a housing of the consumable.
Preferably, in longitudinal cross section, the opposing airflow passage wall is pointed towards the porous surface.
Conveniently, the porous member is an inner porous member, and wherein the opposing airflow passage wall is formed from a surface of an outer porous member.
Advantageously, the minimum distance between the porous surface of the porous member and the opposing airflow passage wall is substantially constant around a circumferential surface of the porous member.
Preferably, in longitudinal cross section, the opposing airflow passage wall includes a substantially flat portion.
Conveniently, in longitudinal cross section, the opposing airflow passage wall includes a curved portion.
Advantageously, in longitudinal cross section, the porous surface includes a substantially flat portion.
Preferably, in longitudinal cross section, the porous surface includes a curved portion.
Conveniently, the direction of curvature of the porous surface is opposite to the direction of curvature of the opposing airflow passage wall.
Advantageously, the consumable is a flavour pod.
Preferably, the consumable further including an active aerosol generator for generating a first aerosol.
Conveniently, the first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration and the aerosol from the porous member is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member is transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the aerosol from the porous member comprising an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Preferably, the aerosol from the porous member is at least one of: sized to inhibit penetration to the trachea; sized to inhibit penetration to the larynx; sized to inhibit penetration to the laryngopharynx; and sized to inhibit penetration to the oropharynx.
Conveniently, the aerosol from the porous member has a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member has a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns.
Preferably, said first aerosol comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component.
Conveniently, the first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron.
Advantageously, the consumable is a cartomiser.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a substitute smoking system is provided, including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of a component of the substitute smoking system and a downstream outlet of the component; a porous member for passive aerosol generation; wherein at least a portion of the airflow passage is located between a porous surface of the porous member and an opposing airflow passage wall; and wherein a minimum distance between the porous surface of the porous member and the opposing airflow passage wall is substantially less than 1000 micrometres.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a consumable for a substitute smoking device, the consumable including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of the consumable and a downstream outlet of the consumable, and; a porous member for passive aerosol generation located within the airflow passage; wherein the porous member is tapered along a longitudinal axis of the consumable.
Conveniently, the airflow passage surrounds the porous member.
Conveniently, the airflow passage comprises an annular portion surrounding the porous member.
Preferably, an opposing wall of the airflow passage is tapered along a longitudinal axis of the consumable in a region adjacent to the porous member.
Conveniently, the opposing wall and a porous surface of the porous member are substantially parallel along at least a parallel portion of the porous member.
Advantageously, the opposing wall and a porous surface of the porous member are substantially nonparallel along at least a non-parallel portion of the porous member.
Preferably, the porous member is tapered to form a rounded downstream tip.
Conveniently, the porous member is tapered to form a pointed downstream tip.
Advantageously, the porous member is tapered to form a flat downstream tip.
Preferably, the porous member is tapered to have a conical downstream portion.
Conveniently, the consumable is a flavour pod.
Advantageously, the consumable further including an active aerosol generator for generating a first aerosol.
Preferably, the first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration and the aerosol from the porous member is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
Conveniently, the aerosol from the porous member is transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the aerosol from the porous member comprising an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member is at least one of: sized to inhibit penetration to the trachea; sized to inhibit penetration to the larynx; sized to inhibit penetration to the laryngopharynx; and sized to inhibit penetration to the oropharynx.
Preferably, the aerosol from the porous member has a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
Conveniently, the aerosol from the porous member has a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns.
Advantageously, said first aerosol comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component.
Preferably, the first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron.
Conveniently, the consumable is a cartomiser.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a substitute smoking system is provided, including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of a component of the system and a downstream outlet of the component, and; a porous member for passive aerosol generation located within the airflow passage; wherein the porous member is tapered along a longitudinal axis of the component.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a consumable for a substitute smoking device is provided, the consumable having a longitudinal axis, the consumable including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of the consumable and a downstream outlet of the consumable, and; a porous member for passive aerosol generation; wherein a longitudinal cross section of the airflow passage includes an inclined portion forming a passage angle with the longitudinal axis of the consumable, the passage angle being greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees, and; wherein a wall of the inclined portion is formed from a porous surface of the porous member.
Advantageously, in use, an airflow along the inclined portion passes across the porous surface of the porous member.
Preferably, the angled portion has a length of between 0.1 mm and 4 mm.
Conveniently, the passage angle is between 10 and 80 degrees.
Advantageously, the passage angle is between 20 and 70 degrees.
Preferably, the passage angle is between 30 and 60 degrees.
Conveniently, the passage angle is between 40 and 50 degrees.
Advantageously, the consumable is a flavour pod.
Preferably, the consumable further including an active aerosol generator for generating a first aerosol.
Conveniently, the first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration and the aerosol from the porous member is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member is transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the aerosol from the porous member comprising an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Preferably, the aerosol from the porous member is at least one of: sized to inhibit penetration to the trachea; sized to inhibit penetration to the larynx; sized to inhibit penetration to the laryngopharynx; and sized to inhibit penetration to the oropharynx.
Conveniently, the aerosol from the porous member has a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member has a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns.
Preferably, said first aerosol comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component.
Conveniently, the first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron.
Advantageously, the consumable is a cartomiser.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a substitute smoking system is provided, including a component having a longitudinal axis, the component including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of the component and a downstream outlet of the component, and; a porous member for passive aerosol generation; wherein a longitudinal cross section of the airflow passage includes an inclined portion forming a passage angle with the longitudinal axis of the component, the passage angle being greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees, and; wherein a wall of the inclined portion is formed from a porous surface of the porous member.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a consumable for a substitute smoking device is provided, the consumable including: an active aerosol generator for generating a first aerosol from a first aerosol precursor, and; a passive aerosol generator for generating a second aerosol from a second aerosol precursor.
Preferably, the consumable including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of the consumable and a downstream outlet of the consumable.
Conveniently, the passive aerosol generator is located downstream of the active aerosol generator.
Advantageously, the active aerosol generator is configured to deliver the first aerosol to a downstream outlet of the consumable, and; the passive aerosol generator is configured to deliver the second aerosol to the downstream outlet of the consumable.
Preferably, the active and passive aerosol generators are configured to deliver the respective first and second aerosols to the downstream outlet of the consumable simultaneously.
Conveniently, the active aerosol generator includes a heating device configured for heating the first aerosol precursor to generate the first aerosol.
Advantageously, the passive aerosol generator includes a porous member.
Preferably, the second aerosol precursor is stored within the pores of the porous member.
Advantageously, the consumable comprises a second aerosol precursor storage fluidly connected to the porous member, wherein second aerosol precursor from the second aerosol precursor storage is drawn into the porous member in use.
Conveniently, the passive aerosol generator is configured generate the second aerosol when an airflow is directed over a porous surface of the porous member.
Advantageously, the passive aerosol generator is configured to be electrically isolated from an electrical power source in the substitute smoking device when the consumable is engaged with the substitute smoking device.
Preferably, the active aerosol generator is configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power source in the substitute smoking device when the consumable is engaged with the substitute smoking device.
Conveniently, the first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration and the second aerosol is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
Advantageously, the second aerosol is transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the aerosol from the porous member comprising an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Preferably, the second aerosol is at least one of: sized to inhibit penetration to the trachea; sized to inhibit penetration to the larynx; sized to inhibit penetration to the laryngopharynx; and sized to inhibit penetration to the oropharynx.
Conveniently, the second aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
Advantageously, the second aerosol has a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns.
Preferably, the first aerosol comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component.
Conveniently, the first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron.
Advantageously, the consumable is a cartomiser.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a substitute smoking system is provided, including: an active aerosol generator for generating a first aerosol from a first aerosol precursor, and; a passive aerosol generator for generating a second aerosol from a second aerosol precursor.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a consumable for a substitute smoking device is provided, the consumable including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of the consumable and a downstream outlet of the consumable, and; an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol; an external portion of the aerosol generator is located at the outlet of the consumable.
Preferably, the downstream outlet is located at a mouthpiece portion of the consumable.
Conveniently, the aerosol generator is a passive aerosol generator.
Advantageously, the aerosol generation includes a porous member.
Preferably, the external portion is visible to a user of the consumable.
Conveniently, the consumable includes a nozzle surrounding the outlet.
Advantageously, the consumable is a flavour pod.
Preferably, the consumable further including an active aerosol generator for generating a first aerosol.
Conveniently, the first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration and the aerosol from the porous member is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member is transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the aerosol from the porous member comprising an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Preferably, the aerosol from the porous member is at least one of: sized to inhibit penetration to the trachea; sized to inhibit penetration to the larynx; sized to inhibit penetration to the laryngopharynx; and sized to inhibit penetration to the oropharynx.
Conveniently, the aerosol from the porous member has a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member has a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns.
Preferably, said first aerosol comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component.
Conveniently, the first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron.
Advantageously, the consumable is a cartomiser.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a substitute smoking system is provided, including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of a component of the system and a downstream outlet of the component, and; an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol; an external portion of the aerosol generator is located at a downstream mouthpiece outlet of the component.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a consumable for a substitute smoking device is provided, the consumable including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of the consumable and a downstream outlet of the consumable; an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol at an aerosol generation location, and; wherein the aerosol generation location is substantially at the outlet located at a mouthpiece of the consumable.
Locating the aerosol generation location closer to the outlet of the mouthpiece reduces condensation of the aerosol in the consumable, due to the aerosol travelling a shorter distance within the consumable. This reduces leakage of liquid from the outlet (e.g. into a user's pocket).
Preferably, the aerosol generation location is less than 3 centimetres from the outlet of the consumable.
Conveniently, the aerosol generation location is less than 1.5 centimetres from the outlet of the consumable.
Advantageously, the aerosol generation location is less than 1 centimetre from the outlet of the consumable.
Preferably, the aerosol generation location is less than 0.5 centimetres from the outlet of the consumable.
Conveniently, the aerosol generation location is less than 0.1 centimetres from the outlet of the consumable.
Advantageously, the aerosol generator is a passive aerosol generator.
Preferably, the passive aerosol generator includes a porous member.
Conveniently, the aerosol generator is a passive aerosol generator, and the aerosol generation location is a passive aerosol generation location, and the consumable further including: an active aerosol generator for generating a first aerosol at an active aerosol generation location.
Advantageously, the active aerosol generation location is located upstream from the passive aerosol generation location.
Preferably, the active aerosol generation location is located greater than 2 cm from the outlet of the consumable.
Conveniently, the consumable further including an active aerosol generator for generating a first aerosol.
Advantageously, the first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration and the aerosol from the porous member is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
Preferably, the aerosol from the porous member is transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the aerosol from the porous member comprising an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Conveniently, the aerosol from the porous member is at least one of: sized to inhibit penetration to the trachea; sized to inhibit penetration to the larynx; sized to inhibit penetration to the laryngopharynx; and sized to inhibit penetration to the oropharynx.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member has a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
Preferably, wherein aerosol from the porous member has a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns.
Conveniently, said first aerosol comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component.
Advantageously, the first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a substitute smoking system is provided, including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of a component of the system and a downstream outlet of the component; an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol at an aerosol generation location; wherein the aerosol generation location is substantially at the outlet of the component.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a consumable for a substitute smoking device, the consumable including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of the consumable and a downstream outlet of the consumable; an aerosol generator; wherein the outlet is located at a mouthpiece portion of the consumable; the mouthpiece portion including a nozzle for control of an aerosol from the aerosol generator.
Preferably, the nozzle is a divergent nozzle.
Conveniently, a diameter of the nozzle increases in a direction downstream from the outlet.
Advantageously, the outlet is located within the nozzle, the outlet being located adjacent to a position at which the nozzle has the smallest diameter.
Preferably, the nozzle is located downstream of the outlet.
Conveniently, the nozzle has a conical profile.
Advantageously, the nozzle has a trumpet-shaped profile.
Preferably, the nozzle has a bell-shaped profile.
Conveniently, the nozzle is a portion of a housing of the consumable.
Advantageously, the nozzle has an opening angle of between 30 and 60 degrees.
Preferably, the nozzle includes a tapered internal wall and a peripheral rim.
Conveniently, the aerosol generator is a passive aerosol generator.
Advantageously, the passive aerosol generator includes a porous member.
Preferably, the consumable including an active aerosol generator for generating a first aerosol.
Conveniently, the first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration and the aerosol from the porous member is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member is transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the aerosol from the porous member comprising an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Preferably, the aerosol from the porous member is at least one of: sized to inhibit penetration to the trachea; sized to inhibit penetration to the larynx; sized to inhibit penetration to the laryngopharynx; and sized to inhibit penetration to the oropharynx.
Conveniently, the aerosol from the porous member has a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
Advantageously, the aerosol from the porous member has a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns.
Preferably, said first aerosol comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component.
Conveniently, the first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron.
Advantageously, the consumable is a cartomiser.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a substitute smoking system is provided, including: an airflow passage between an upstream inlet of a component of the system and a downstream outlet of the component; an aerosol generator; wherein the outlet is located at a mouthpiece portion of the component; the mouthpiece portion including a nozzle for control of an aerosol from the aerosol generator.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an aerosol delivery device comprising: a first aerosol generator to generate a first aerosol from a first aerosol precursor and to introduce said first aerosol into a first fluid flow pathway, wherein said first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration; a second aerosol generator to generate a second aerosol from a second aerosol precursor and to introduce the second aerosol into a second fluid flow pathway, wherein the second aerosol is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration; wherein the second aerosol is transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the second aerosol comprising an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Advantageously, the second aerosol is at least one of: sized to inhibit penetration to the trachea; sized to inhibit penetration to the larynx; sized to inhibit penetration to the laryngopharynx; and sized to inhibit penetration to the oropharynx.
Advantageously, the second aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns.
Advantageously, the second aerosol has a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns.
Advantageously, said first aerosol precursor comprises components such that the first aerosol comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component.
Advantageously, the first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 micron.
Advantageously, said first aerosol generator is configured to heat said first aerosol precursor.
Advantageously, said first aerosol generator is configured to agitate said first aerosol precursor.
Advantageously, said first fluid flow pathway further receives said first aerosols from a first aerosol inlet of said device.
Advantageously, said first aerosol inlet is configured to inject said first aerosol into said first fluid flow pathway.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway further receives said second aerosol from a second aerosol inlet of said device.
Advantageously, said second aerosol inlet is configured to inject said second aerosols into said second fluid flow pathway.
Advantageously, said first fluid pathway and said second fluid flow pathway merge together.
Advantageously, said first fluid pathway and said second fluid flow pathway are contiguous.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway is disposed along a longitudinal axis of said first fluid flow pathway.
Advantageously, said first fluid flow pathway is disposed proximal to a gas inlet of said device and said second fluid flow pathway is disposed proximal to an aerosol outlet of said device.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway is disposed proximal to a gas inlet of said device and said first fluid flow pathway is disposed proximal to an aerosol outlet of said device.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway is disposed co-axially relative to said first fluid flow pathway.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway is disposed adjacent said first fluid flow pathway in a side by side relationship therewith.
Advantageously, said first fluid flow pathway is separated from said second fluid flow pathway by a wall member.
Advantageously, said first fluid flow pathway comprising a first housing to constrain said fluid flow and said second fluid flow pathway comprising a second housing to constrain said second fluid flow, said first housing to receive said first aerosol; and said second housing to receive said second aerosol.
Advantageously, said first housing comprising said first aerosol generator and/or said second housing comprising said second aerosol generator.
Advantageously, said first housing comprises a removable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said first housing comprises a replaceable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said first housing comprises a refillable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said second housing comprises a removable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said second housing comprises a replaceable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said second housing comprises a refillable module of said delivery device.
Advantageously, said first aerosol precursor comprises nicotine, or a nicotine derivative, or a nicotine analogue.
Advantageously, said first aerosol precursor comprises a pulmonary deliverable active component that is a free nicotine salt comprising at least one of: nicotine hydrochloride; nicotine dihydrochloride; nicotine monotartrate; nicotine bitartrate; nicotine bitartrate dihydrate; nicotine sulphate; nicotine zinc chloride monohydrate; and nicotine salicylate.
Advantageously, said second aerosol being transmissible to activate at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity; and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
Advantageously, said first aerosol generator is configured to generate the first aerosol from a first aerosol precursor comprising at least one of: glycol; polyglycol; and water.
Advantageously, said second aerosol generator is configured to introduce said second aerosol into said fluid flow pathway at a pre-set period of time following an actuation of said first aerosol generator.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway comprises at least one baffle configured such that a portion of said second aerosol impinges on said baffle.
Advantageously, said aerosol inlet port is configured to introduce the second aerosol of a mass median aerodynamic diameter to inhibit pulmonary penetration.
Advantageously, said second aerosol generator comprises a Venturi aperture to dispense and aerosolise the second aerosol precursor in the second aerosol generator, wherein the second aerosol precursor is a liquid.
Advantageously, said second aerosol generator comprises a piezoelectric element to dispense and aerosolise the second aerosol precursor in the second aerosol generator, wherein the second aerosol precursor is a liquid.
Advantageously, said second aerosol generator comprises a precursor substrate for the second aerosol precursor, wherein the precursor substrate comprises a hydrophobic surface.
Advantageously, said second aerosol generator comprises a plurality of capillary tubes configured to draw the second aerosol precursor from a reservoir of second aerosol precursor to a free end of the plurality of capillary tubes.
Advantageously, the free end of the plurality of capillary tubes is hydrophobic.
Advantageously, said first aerosol is of a size suitable for deep lung penetration.
Advantageously, said first aerosol has a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than 2 μm.
Advantageously, said second fluid flow pathway terminates in a second fluid flow pathway mouthpiece.
Advantageously, said first fluid flow pathway terminates in a first fluid flow pathway mouthpiece.
Advantageously, said first and second fluid flow pathways terminate in a combination mouthpiece.
Advantageously, said combination mouthpiece comprises separate pathways corresponding to said first and second fluid flow pathways respectively.
Advantageously, said merged first and second fluid flow pathways terminate in a mouthpiece.
Advantageously, said active component comprises a physiologically active component.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a first fluid pathway housing is provided, the first fluid pathway housing being for an aerosol delivery device according to the first aspect.
Advantageously, the first fluid pathway housing comprises said first aerosol precursor.
Advantageously, the first fluid pathway housing comprises said first aerosol generator.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a second fluid pathway housing is provided, the second fluid pathway housing being for an aerosol delivery device according to the first aspect.
Advantageously, the second fluid pathway housing comprises said second aerosol precursor.
Advantageously, the second fluid pathway housing comprises said second aerosol generator.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a kit of parts is provided, the kits of parts being for an aerosol delivery device according to an aspect of the invention, the kit of parts including a first fluid pathway housing according to another aspect and a second fluid flow pathway housing according to the another aspect.
The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.
One or more specific embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings in which:
By way of general overview,
Smoking substitute devices, such as an e-cigarette, may be refillable to replace consumed e-liquid. An example of the heating, e-liquid reservoir and mouthpiece regions of an e-cigarette 10, known as a clearomiser, is illustrated in
Flavour is experienced by a user through taste and/or olfactory receptors located in their oral and nasal cavities. The inventors have recognised that flavour aerosols may penetrate into the oral and nasal cavities to deliver the flavour component to the user without penetrating any further. However, physiologically active substances such as pharmaceutical compounds and nicotine may be more effectively delivered through the pulmonary system, in particular through deep lung penetration.
Turning now to
A user is to place the mouthpiece 30 into their mouth with side B protruding from their mouth and to draw air to side A from side B to cause an airflow from side B through the flavour element 38 and consequently to draw flavour aerosols into the user's mouth. The user may activate the vaping apparatus 34 to generate an aerosol mist from the e-liquid precursor in the vaping apparatus by drawing air on the A side of mouthpiece 30. By activating the vaping apparatus 34 while drawing air through mouthpiece 30 a user will take both aerosols from the vaping apparatus containing an active component and flavour aerosols from flavour element 38.
The aerosols generated in vaping apparatus 34 are formed by the heating of a vapour pre-cursor liquid such that they are typically of a size with a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 microns. Such sized aerosols tend to penetrate into a human user's pulmonary system. The smaller the aerosol the more likely it is to penetrate deeper into the pulmonary system and the more effective the transmission of the active component into the user's blood stream. Such deep lung penetration is something that is desirable for the active component but unnecessary for the flavour component. The flavour component may enter a user's oral and or nasal cavities in order to activate taste and or olfactory receptors and not penetrate the pulmonary system.
The flavour component is configured such that it is typically forms an aerosol with a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to 15 microns, in particular, greater than 30 microns, more particularly greater than 50 microns, yet more particularly greater than 60 microns, and even more particularly greater than 70 microns. Without being bound by any theory, such a size of aerosol may be formed by drawing liquid droplets from a substrate at the ambient temperature of a user's environment, e.g. room temperature, by an airflow over the substrate. The size of aerosol formed without heating is typically smaller than that formed by condensation of a vapour. The size of the aerosols formed without heating such as drawing air over a substrate supporting the liquid may be influenced by the ambient temperature, the viscosity and or density of the liquid. However, it is generally, and most likely to be the case, that aerosols formed without heating are of a considerably larger size than those formed through heating. The flavour aerosols may be formed with a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than 300 microns, in particular less than 200 microns, yet more particularly less than 100 microns. Such a range of mass median aerodynamic diameter will produce aerosols which are sufficiently small to be entrained in an airflow caused by a user drawing air through the flavour element 38 and to enter and extend through the oral and or nasal cavity to activate the taste and/or olfactory receptors.
As a brief aside, it will be appreciated that the mass median aerodynamic diameter is statistical measurement of the size of the particles/droplets in an aerosol. That is, the mass median aerodynamic diameter quantifies the size of the droplets that together form the aerosol. The mass median aerodynamic diameter may be defined as the diameter at which 50% of the particles/droplets by mass in the aerosol are larger than the mass median aerodynamic diameter and 50% of the particles/droplets by mass in the aerosol are smaller than the mass median aerodynamic diameter. The “size of the aerosol”, as may be used herein, refers to the size of the particles/droplets that are comprised in the particular aerosol. The size of the particles/droplets in the aerosol may be quantified by the mass median aerodynamic diameter, for example.
The size of the aerosol generated by an aerosol generator may depend on, for example, the temperature of the liquid precursor, the density of the liquid precursor, the viscosity of the liquid precursor, or a combination. The size of the aerosol generated by an aerosol generator may also depends on the particular parameters and configuration of the aerosol generating apparatus, which are described in more detail below.
Flavour element 38 may be formed of any suitable porous material for providing the substrate. For example, it may be formed of a material typically used as a filter for a cigarette or the substrate material for a Nicorette Inhalator™, i.e. a porous polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate. A liquid flavour component may then be dripped on to the flavour element 38. Flavour element 38 substrate may comprise a porous material where pores of the porous material hold, contain, carry, or bear a flavour compound. Optionally or additionally, the porous material may comprise a sintered material such as, for example, BioVyon™ (by Porvair Filtration Group Ltd).
In the embodiment illustrated in
Flavour element 54 is disposed in flavour pod 50 so as to rest on helical spring 56. A piezo-electric vibration unit 60 is disposed in contact with an end of flavour element 54 and is powered through electrical connection 62. Piezo-electric element 60 comprises a piezo-electric crystal electrically couplable to a power supply, such as an electrical battery, through connection 62. The piezo-electric element 60 includes a perforated membrane vibrated by a piezo-electric crystal or formed of the piezo-electric crystal itself. The perforations in the vibratable membrane form small droplets of liquid flavour component adsorbed in flavour element 54 when the membrane is vibrated. The vibration is typically in the range 100 kHz to 2.0 MHz, in particular between 108 kHz and 160 kHz, and more particularly at substantially 108 kHz, for example. Such vibration frequencies may be used to form aerosols of the liquid flavour component which may be drawn by airflow from the flavour element 54 to the terminal end of mouthpiece 50 and are of a size as set out in the ranges above.
Electrical connection 62 may be coupled to a power supply through a switch operative by a user or responsive to a pressure drop in the fluid pathway 42/cavity 58 as a user draws air from the mouthpiece 40. Optionally, electrical connection 62 may be coupled through a switch on the vape apparatus (SMP) so that the piezo-electric element 60 is actuated when a user actuates the vape apparatus.
Another configuration for apparatus which comprises separate flavour and nicotine aerosol delivery is illustrated in
For the avoidance of doubt, in the following description of
A cross-sectional side view of the apparatus 150 is schematically illustrated in
Vapouriser portion 164 of aerosol generation unit 162 comprises a reservoir 176 configured to contain a vapour precursor material, a vapourising arrangement 178 configured to vapourise the vapour precursor material and a fluid flow pathway passage 180 for delivery of aerosols formed from the vapour precursor material to the fluid flow pathway passage 170 of the aerosol outlet conduit 168.
The vapour precursor material may be in liquid form and may comprise one or more of glycol, polyglycol, propylene glycol and water.
The vapourising arrangement 178 comprises a chamber (not shown) for holding vapour precursor material received from the reservoir 176 and a heating element (not shown) for heating vapour precursor material in the chamber.
The vapourising arrangement 178 further comprises a conduit (not shown) in fluid communication with the chamber and configured to deliver aerosols formed from heated vapour precursor material in the chamber to the vapour passage 180.
The vapourising arrangement 178 further comprises control circuitry (not shown) operative by a user, or upon detection of air and/or aerosols being drawn though the aerosol outlet conduit 168, i.e. when the user sucks or inhales.
Battery portion 166 of the aerosol creation system 162 comprises a battery 182 and a coupling 184 for mechanically and electrically coupling the battery portion 166 to the vapouriser portion 164. When the battery portion 166 and vapouriser portion 164 are coupled as shown in
Responsive to activation of the control circuitry of vapourising arrangement 178, the heating element heats vapour precursor material in the chamber of the vapourising arrangement 178. Vapour formed as a result of the heating process forms an aerosol of liquid condensate which passes through the conduit into the fluid pathway passage 180 of the vapouriser portion 164. This aerosol comprising fluid then passes into an upstream region of aerosol fluid pathway 170 of the aerosol outlet conduit 168, through the flavour element 172, where flavour from the substrate 174 becomes entrained in the aerosol stream, and then onwards through the downstream region of aerosol fluid pathway 170 for delivery to the user.
This process is illustrated in
Flavour element 70 may also be disposed in apparatus 150 in place of the flavour element 172 illustrated in
The capillary filaments are of a diameter to form aerosol-sized droplets within the ranges set out above. Generally, an open-end aperture of a diameter around the desired median diameter of the aerosol to be generated produces an aerosol of such median diameter. The exact size of the particles/droplets comprised in the aerosol will depend on the surface tension and temperature of the liquid flavour component as well as the pressure exerted on it, amongst other things. In the described embodiment the capillary filaments, or at least there open-end, are of a hydrophobic material in order to generate release of droplets of liquid.
In the embodiment schematically illustrated in
A further embodiment in accordance with the present invention is schematically illustrated in
In an optional embodiment, active component aerosol generator 106 may be disposed in a circumferential arrangement about the flavour aerosol generator 102/104.
In the embodiment schematically illustrated in
The flavour aerosol generators of any of the embodiments disclosed in
For clarification, the active component aerosol generators in the foregoing and subsequent described embodiments are configured to generate aerosols sized for pulmonary penetration, in particular deep lung penetration, and generally to generate active component aerosols sized to have a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns, preferably less than 8 microns, more preferably less than 5 microns, yet more preferably less than 1 microns. It is the case that aerosols formed from a vapour condensate, i.e. an aerosol mist, such as occurs in a typical E-cigarette or vaping apparatus are likely to fall within the defined size ranges, or at least a significant proportion of them will fall within the defined size ranges. For example, 50% of the active component aerosols falling within the defined size ranges may be reasonably expected. It is preferable if a greater percentage falls within the defined size range, for example 75% or even higher. However, it may be acceptable to have a lower percentage such as down to 25% of the active component aerosols within the defined size ranges.
Flavour component aerosols may be generated in a number of ways of which some have been described above. The creation of aerosols (sometimes referred to as “atomisation”) has been described in technical and scientific literature and such techniques may be applied, adapted to or modified for the flavour aerosol generators and elements the utilisation embodiments in accordance with the present invention. An overview of aerosolisation and techniques and methods for generating aerosols will now be provided. For the avoidance of doubt, references to droplet or particle are also references to aerosols may comprise a droplet such as a vapour condensate and/or a solid particle.
Aerosols are formed initially from atomisation or from the condensing of vapour. Atomisation is the process of breaking up bulk fluids into droplets or particles. The process of breaking up the bulk fluids into a spray or aerosol that carries particles is commonly achieved using a so-called atomizer. Common examples of atomizers include shower heads, perfume sprays, and hair or deodorant sprays.
An aerosol is a collection of moving particles that are the result of atomization; for most non-naturally occurring applications of atomization the aerosol moves the particles in a controlled fashion and direction. Typically, for most everyday applications the aerosol comprises a range of particle sizes depending upon various intrinsic and environmental parameters as discussed below.
A droplet or particle of fluid has a more or less spherical shape due to the surface tension of the fluid. The surface tension causes sheets or ligaments of fluid to be unstable; i.e. to break up into particles and/or atomize. As a general rule, as the temperature of the fluid increases its surface tension tends to correspondingly decrease.
A variety of properties and factors affect the size of the droplets or particles and how easily the fluid may be atomized after being ejected from an aperture; these include surface tension, viscosity, and density.
Surface Tension: surface tension tends to stabilize a fluid preventing it from separating into droplets of particles. Fluids with a higher surface tension tend to produce droplets or particles with a larger average droplet size or diameter upon atomization.
Viscosity: the viscosity of a fluid has a similar effect on the size or diameter of the droplet or particle formed during atomization as surface tension. The viscosity of fluid resists agitation preventing the bulk fluid from breaking into droplets or particles. Consequently, fluids with a higher viscosity tend to produce droplets or particles with a larger average droplet size or diameter upon atomization.
Density: density causes the fluid to resist acceleration. Consequently, once again fluids with a higher density tend to produce droplets or particles with a larger average droplet size or diameter upon atomization.
Atomization Processes
The process of atomisation, i.e. the process that may lead to the formation of aerosols, may take a number of different forms.
Pressure Atomization
Also known as airless, air-assisted airless, hydrostatic, and hydraulic atomization, the pressure atomization process involves forcing fluid through a small nozzle or orifice at high pressure so that the fluid is ejected at high speed as a solid stream or sheet. The friction between the fluid and air disrupts the stream, causing it to break into fragments initially and ultimately into droplets.
A number of factors affect the stream and droplet size including the diameter of the orifice, the external atmosphere (temperature and pressure), and the relative velocity of the fluid and air. As a general rule, the larger the diameter of the nozzle orifice, the larger the average droplet diameter in the spray.
The external atmosphere resists the spray and tends to break up the stream of fluid; this resistance tends to partially overcome the surface tension, viscosity and density of the fluid.
The relative velocity between the fluid and air has the greatest influence on the average diameter of the droplets in the aerosol. Since the velocity of the fluid ejected through the nozzle orifice is dependent upon pressure, as fluid pressure in the nozzle increases the average diameter of the droplets correspondingly decreases. Conversely, as fluid pressure decrease, the velocity is lower and the average diameter of the droplets increases.
Air Atomization
In air atomization, fluid is ejected from a nozzle orifice 210 at relatively low speed and low pressure and is surrounded by a high-velocity stream of air 212. Friction between the fluid and air accelerates and disrupts the fluid stream and causes atomization. As the principal energy source for atomization is air pressure, the fluid flow rate can be regulated independently of the energy source. Accordingly, air atomization has been adopted as the principal technology for atomization in medical inhalation and device technologies.
Centrifugal Atomization
At the same rotational speed, at slow fluid flow rates droplets form closer to the edge of the disk than with higher flow rates. The fluid is ejected from the edge of the disk and moves radially away from the disk in all directions (i.e. 360°). Accordingly, where the droplets may be entrained in a directional air flow or shaping bell to cause the aerosol to travel in an axial direction.
Both the flow rate of the fluid introduced onto the spinning disk or cone, and the disk speed can be controlled independently of each another.
Ultrasonic Atomization
Ultrasonic atomization relies on an electromechanical device that vibrates at high frequency. The high-frequency oscillation causes fluid passing over or through the vibrating surface to break into droplets.
There are a number of types of ultrasonic nebulisers including ultrasonic wave atomizers and vibrating mesh atomizers.
Ultrasonic Wave Atomizers
A thin layer of liquid is deposited on the surface of a resonator (typically a resonating surface connected to a piezo-electric element) which is then mechanically vibrated at high-frequency along direction A. The vibrations cause a pattern of standing capillary waves having a standing wavelength I when the vibration amplitude exceeds a threshold value. Upon increasing the vibration amplitude above the threshold ligament break-up of the liquid occurs and droplets are expelled from the crests/peaks of the capillary waves.
As schematically illustrated in
The nozzle is designed so that excitation of the piezo-electric crystal comprised in the transducer create a standing wave along the length of the nozzle. The ultrasonic energy from the crystals located in the large diameter of the nozzle body undergoes a step transition and amplification as the standing wave as it traverses the length of the nozzle.
Since the wavelength is dependent upon operating frequency, nozzle dimensions are governed by frequency. In general, high-frequency nozzles are smaller, create smaller droplets, and consequently have a smaller maximum flow capacity than nozzles that operate at lower frequencies.
The nozzle is preferably fabricated from titanium because of its good acoustical properties, high tensile strength, and excellent corrosion resistance. Liquid is introduced onto the atomizing surface through a feed tube running the length of the nozzle that absorbs some of the vibrational energy, setting up a wave motion in the liquid on the surface. For the liquid to atomize, the vibrational amplitude of the atomizing surface must be carefully controlled. Below the so called critical amplitude, the energy is insufficient to produce atomized droplets and if the amplitude is excessively high the liquid is ripped apart and ‘chunks’ of fluid are ejected (a condition known as “cavitation”).
Since the ultrasonic atomization relies only on liquid being introduced onto the atomizing surface, the rate at which liquid is atomized depends solely on the rate at which it is delivered to the surface.
Ultrasonic wave atomizers are particularly suited to low pressure/low velocity applications and provide an aerosol spray that is highly controllable. Accordingly, since the atomization process is not reliant upon fluid pressure the volume of liquid that is atomized can be controlled by the liquid delivery system and can range from a few microliters upwards. In addition the aerosol spray can be precisely controlled and shaped by entraining the low-velocity aerosol spray in an ancillary air stream to produce a spray pattern that is as small as around 1.8 mm wide.
Furthermore, droplets produced by ultrasonic vibration have a relatively narrow average diameter distribution. Median droplet sizes range from 18-68 microns, depending upon the operating frequency of the nozzle. For example, Sono-Tek claim that their ultrasonic spray nozzles can produce a median droplet diameter of around 40 microns with 99.9% of the droplets having a diameter falling in the range 5-200 microns.
Static Mesh Atomization
Static mesh atomizers apply a force to the liquid to force it through a static mesh as shown in
Vibrating Mesh Atomization
Vibrating mesh atomisers use mesh deformation or vibration to push liquid through the mesh as schematically shown in
The size of the droplet and aerosol produced is dependent on the size of the holes in the mesh and the physiochemical properties of the liquid. However, one of the drawbacks to vibrating mesh devices is the potential for the holes in the mesh to clog particularly with solutions that are too viscous to pass through the mesh.
More detail concerning the various techniques for generating aerosols via atomisation may be found in the following publications.
“Deposition of Inhaled Particles in the Lungs”, Ana Fernandez Tena, Pere Casan Clara; ARCHIVOS DE BRONCONEUMOLOGIA, 2012; 48(7) 240-246.
“The mesh nebuliser: a recent technical innovation for aerosol delivery”, L. Vecellio; breathe, March 2006, Volume 2, No. 3, pp 253-260.
“Ultrasonic Atomisation Technology for Precise Coatings”, Sono-Tek Corporation at http://www.sono-tek.com/ultrasonic-nozzle-technology/and downloaded 23 May 2017.
“High-Frequency Ultrasonic Atomisation with Pulsed Excitation”, A. Lozano, H. Amaveda, F. Barreras, X. Jorda, M. Lozano; Journal of Fluid Engineering, November 2003, Vol. 125, 941-945.
“Swirl, T-Jet and Vibrating-Mesh Atomisers”, M. Eslamian, Nasser Ashgriz; ResearchGate; http://www.researchgate.net/publications/251220009, December 2011.
As shown in
The flavour pod 302 is configured to engage with the cartomiser 301 and thus with the substitute smoking device 300. The flavour pod 302 may engage with the cartomiser 301 via a push-fit engagement, a screw-thread engagement, or a bayonet fit, for example.
A “consumable” component may mean that the component is intended to be used once until exhausted, and then disposed of as waste or returned to a manufacturer for reprocessing.
Each of the substitute smoking device 300, cartomiser 301, and flavour pod 302 are generally elongate elements. Each has a longitudinal axis that is parallel with the longest axis of the respective element.
As will be appreciated from the following description, the cartomiser 301 and the flavour pod 302 may alternatively be combined into a single component that implements the functionality of the cartomiser 301 and flavour pod 302. Such a single component may also be a consumable according to the present invention.
Each of the substitute smoking device 300 and the consumable 303 are generally elongate elements. Each has a longitudinal axis that is parallel with the longest axis of the respective element.
In
The consumable 303 includes an upstream inlet 306 and a downstream outlet 307. A particular consumable may include a plurality of inlets and/or or a plurality of outlets. Between the inlet 306 and the outlet 307 there is an airflow passage 308. The outlet 307 is located at the mouthpiece end 309 of the consumable 303. A user draws (or “sucks”, or “pulls”) on the mouthpiece end 309 of the consumable 303. When a user draws on the mouthpiece end 309, the drop in air pressure at the outlet 307 causes an airflow into the inlet 306, along the airflow passage 308, and out from the outlet 307. The airflow flows out from the outlet 307 located at the mouthpiece end 309 and into the user's mouth.
The cartomiser portion 304 of the consumable 303 includes an e-liquid storage tank 310. The e-liquid storage tank 310 contains a supply of e-liquid (“vapour precursor material”), which corresponds to a first aerosol precursor. Extending into the e-liquid storage tank 310 is a wick 311. The wick 311 is formed from a porous wicking material (e.g. a polymer) that draws e-liquid from the e-liquid storage tank 310 into a central region of the wick 311 that is located outside the e-liquid storage tank 310.
A heater 312 is a configured to heat the central region of the wick 311. The heater 312 includes a resistive heating filament that is coiled around the central region of the wick 311. The wick 311, the heater 312 and the e-liquid storage tank 310 may correspond to an active aerosol generator (or “first aerosol generator”).
When the heater 312 is activated (by passing an electric current through the heating filament) the e-liquid located in the wick 311 adjacent to the heating filament is heated and vapourised to form a vapour. The vapour may condense to form the first aerosol. The first vapour/aerosol is generated within the airflow passage 308. Accordingly, the first aerosol is entrained in an airflow along the airflow flow passage 308 to the outlet 307 and ultimately out from the mouthpiece end 309 for inhalation by the user when the user draws on the mouthpiece end 309.
So that the consumable 303 may be supplied with electrical power for activation of the heater 312, the consumable 303 includes a pair of consumable electrical contacts 313. The consumable electrical contacts 313 are configured for electrical connection to a corresponding pair of electrical supply contacts 314 in the substitute smoking device 300. The consumable electrical contacts 313 are electrically connected to the electrical supply contacts 314 when the consumable 303 is engaged with the substitute smoking device 300. The substitute smoking device 300 includes an electrical power source (not shown), for example a battery. The substitute smoking device 300 supplies electrical current to the consumable electrical contacts 313. This causes an electric current flow through the heating filament of the heater 312 and the heating filament heats up. As described, the heating of the heating filament causes vapourisation of the e-liquid in the wick 311 to form the first aerosol.
As above, the consumable 303 includes a flavour pod portion 305. The flavour pod portion 305 is configured to generate a second (flavour) aerosol for output from the outlet 307 of the mouthpiece end 309 of the consumable 303. The flavour pod portion 305 of the consumable 303 includes a porous nib 315. The porous nib 315 may correspond to a passive aerosol generator (“second aerosol generator”). The porous nib 315 is an example of a porous member.
A flavour liquid storage tank 316 is fluidly connected to the porous nib 315. The porous nature of the porous nib 315 means that flavour liquid from the flavour liquid storage tank 316 is drawn into the porous nib 315. As the flavour liquid in the porous nib 315 is depleted, further flavour liquid is drawn from the flavour liquid storage tank 316 into the porous nib 315 via a wicking action.
The porous nib 315 is located within the airflow passage 308 through the consumable 303. The porous nib 315 constricts or narrows the airflow passage 308. The airflow passage 308 may be narrowest adjacent to the porous surface 318 of the porous nib 305. The constriction may correspond to a Venturi aperture 319. The constriction of the airflow passage 308 causes a decrease in air pressure in the airflow in the vicinity of the porous surface 318 of the porous nib 315. The corresponding low pressure region causes the generation of the second (flavour) aerosol from the porous surface 318 of the porous member 315.
It will be appreciated that the flavour storage tank 316 may be omitted. The porous nib 315 may act as the store of the flavour liquid. For example, the porous nib 315 may be soaked in flavour liquid (“second aerosol precursor”). As the flavour liquid is depleted at the porous surface 318, wicking action may replace that depleted liquid from a storage region of the porous nib 315.
The porous nib 315 is located within the airflow passage 308 of the consumable 303. In
The active aerosol generator (corresponding to a first aerosol generator) and the passive aerosol generator (corresponding to a second aerosol generator) may both be located within the airflow passage 308. The passive aerosol generator may be located downstream of the active aerosol generator. In use, the airflow that flows across the porous surface 318 of the porous member 315 may have the first aerosol entrained within it.
As above, the active aerosol generator corresponds to a first aerosol generator to generate a first aerosol from a first aerosol precursor (e.g. e-liquid). The first aerosol may be sized for pulmonary penetration, as described above. The description above in respect of the properties of the first aerosol is applicable to the aerosol generated by the active aerosol generator. The active aerosol generator is a powered aerosol generator. That is, the active aerosol generator generates vapour/aerosol in response to a supply of electrical power.
The passive aerosol generator corresponds to a second aerosol generator to generate a second aerosol from a second aerosol precursor (e.g. flavour liquid). The second aerosol may be sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration, as described above. The description above in respect of the properties of the second aerosol is applicable to the aerosol generated by the passive aerosol generator. The passive aerosol generator does not require a supply of electrical energy to produce the second aerosol. In a consumable including both active and passive aerosol generator, the passive aerosol generator may be configured to be electrically isolated from the electrical energy supply that supplies the active (first) aerosol generator. The passive aerosol generator is configured to generate vapour/aerosol in the absence of a supply of electrical power.
As above, the second aerosol may be transmissible within at least one of: a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity, and the second aerosol may comprise an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in said oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in said nasal cavity.
As shown in
Because the second (flavour) aerosol is generated passively (i.e. without heating) the temperature of the airflow is not increased by the porous nib 315. Accordingly, it is possible for the porous nib 315 (the passive aerosol generator) can be located at or near the mouthpiece end 309. Conversely, an active aerosol generator may produce hotter vapour/aerosol which may be of an inappropriately high temperature for delivery to a user's mouth from an active generation location at or near the mouthpiece end 309.
The second (flavour) aerosol is generated as an airflow passes across a porous surface 318 of the porous nib 315. The second aerosol is generated at an aerosol generation location on the porous surface 318 of the porous nib 315. The aerosol generation location may be close to the outlet 307 of the mouthpiece end 309 of the consumable 303.
For example, the distance between the aerosol generation location and the outlet 307 may be less than 4.0 centimetres, preferably less than 3.5 centimetres, more preferably less than 3.0 centimetres, more preferably less than 2.5 centimetres, more preferably less than 2.0 centimetres, more preferably less than 1.5 centimetres, more preferably less than 1.0 centimetres, more preferably less than 0.5 centimetres.
The distance between the aerosol generation location and the outlet 307 may be greater than 3.5 centimetres, preferably greater than 3.0 centimetres, more preferably greater than 2.5 centimetres, more preferably greater than 2.0 centimetres, more preferably greater than 1.5 centimetres, more preferably greater than 1.0 centimetres, more preferably greater than 0.5 centimetres.
The distance between the aerosol generation location and the outlet 307 may be selected independently from the above values. For example, the distance between the aerosol generation location and the outlet 307 may be between 0.5 cm and 2.5 cm; or between 1.5 cm and 3.5 cm.
A distance between the aerosol generation location of the passive aerosol generator and the active aerosol generator (e.g. the location of the wick and heater) may be greater than 1.0 centimetre, preferably greater than 1.5 centimetres, more preferably greater than 2.0 centimetres, more preferably greater than 2.5 centimetres, more preferably greater than 3.0 centimetres more preferably greater than 4.0 centimetres.
The distance between the aerosol generation location of the passive aerosol generator and the active aerosol generator (e.g. the location of the wick and heater) may be less than 8.0 centimetres, preferably less than 5.0 centimetres, more preferably less than 4.0 centimetres, more preferably less than 2.0 centimetres.
The distance between the aerosol generation location of the passive aerosol generator and the active aerosol generator (e.g. the location of the wick and heater) may be selected independently from the above values. For example, the distance between the aerosol generation location of the passive aerosol generator and the active aerosol generator (e.g. the location of the wick and heater) may be between 2.0 cm and 8.0 cm; or between 1.5 cm and 4.0 cm.
As shown in
A longitudinal axis 324 of the consumable is indicated in
The opening angle 326 is greater than 0 degrees; preferably greater than 5 degrees; more preferably greater than 10 degrees; more preferably greater than 15 degrees; more preferably greater than 20 degrees; more preferably greater than 25 degrees; more preferably greater than 30 degrees; more preferably greater than 35 degrees; more preferably greater than 40 degrees; more preferably greater than 45 degrees; more preferably greater than 50 degrees; more preferably greater than 55 degrees; more preferably greater than 60 degrees; more preferably greater than 65 degrees; more preferably greater than 70 degrees; more preferably greater than 75 degrees; more preferably greater than 80 degrees; more preferably greater than 85 degrees.
The opening angle 326 is less than 90 degrees; preferably less than 85 degrees; more preferably less than 80 degrees; more preferably less than 75 degrees; more preferably less than 70 degrees; more preferably less than 65 degrees; more preferably less than 60 degrees; more preferably less than 55 degrees; more preferably less than 50 degrees; more preferably less than 45 degrees; more preferably less than 40 degrees; more preferably less than 35 degrees; more preferably less than 30 degrees; more preferably less than 25 degrees; more preferably less than 20 degrees; more preferably less than 15 degrees; more preferably less than 10 degrees; more preferably less than 5 degrees.
The opening angle 326 of the nozzle 321 may be selected independently from the above values. For example, the opening angle 326 of the nozzle 321 may be between 30 degrees and 60 degrees; or between 40 degrees and 50 degrees.
The nozzle 321 may disperse the aerosol from the outlet effectively into the user's mouth. The nozzle 321 may produce an aerosol spray with a suitable opening angle for dispersal into and within the user's mouth.
The porous nib 315 has a circular transverse cross section, however other transverse cross sectional shapes are possible. For example, oval, rectangular, square or triangular.
The contact distance 327 may be less than 1000 micrometres (microns), preferably less than 900 microns, more preferably less than 800 microns, more preferably less than 700 microns, more preferably less than 600 microns, more preferably less than 500 microns, more preferably less than 400 microns, more preferably less than 300 microns, more preferably less than 250 microns, more preferably less than 200 microns, more preferably less than 150 microns, more preferably less than 100 microns, more preferably less than 50 microns, more preferably less than 30 microns, more preferably less than 15 microns.
The contact distance 327 may be greater than 5 micrometres (microns), preferably greater than 15 microns, more preferably greater than 30 microns, more preferably greater than 50 microns, more preferably greater than 100 microns, more preferably greater than 150 microns, more preferably greater than 200 microns, more preferably greater than 250 microns, more preferably greater than 300 microns, more preferably greater than 400 microns, more preferably greater than 600 microns, more preferably greater than 700 microns, more preferably greater than 800 microns, more preferably greater than 900 microns.
The contact distance 327 may be selected independently from the above values. For example, the contact distance 327 may between 30 microns and a 150 microns; or 300 microns and 900 microns.
As shown in
The passage angle 330 is less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 85 degrees, more preferably less than 80 degrees, more preferably less than 75 degrees, more preferably less than 70 degrees, more preferably less than 65 degrees, more preferably less than 60 degrees, more preferably less than 55 degrees, more preferably less than 50 degrees, more preferably less than 45 degrees, more preferably less than 40 degrees, more preferably less than 35 degrees, more preferably less than 30 degrees, more preferably less than 25 degrees, more preferably less than 20 degrees, more preferably less than 15 degrees, more preferably less than 10 degrees, more preferably less than 5 degrees.
The passage angle 330 is greater than 0 degrees, preferably greater than 5 degrees, more preferably greater than 10 degrees, more preferably greater than 15 degrees, more preferably greater than 20 degrees, more preferably greater than 25 degrees, more preferably greater than 30 degrees, more preferably greater than 35 degrees, more preferably greater than 40 degrees, more preferably greater than 45 degrees, more preferably greater than 50 degrees, more preferably greater than 55 degrees, more preferably greater than 60 degrees, more preferably greater than 65 degrees, more preferably greater than 70 degrees, more preferably greater than 75 degrees, more preferably greater than 80 degrees, more preferably greater than 85 degrees.
The passage angle 330 may be selected independently from the above values. For example, the passage angle 330 may between 15 degrees and 45 degrees; or between 55 degrees and 80 degrees.
By having an angled airflow portion 328 the length of airflow across the porous surface of 318 of the porous nib 315 can be increased per longitudinal unit length of the consumable 303. Thus, by including angled airflow portion 328, the effective porous surface area 318 of the porous nib 315 can be increased without necessarily increasing the longitudinal length of the consumable 303. This may improve the efficiency of the generation of the second (flavour) aerosol.
The length of angled airflow portion 328 along a direction of airflow along the angled airflow portion 328 may be less than 4 millimetres (mm); preferably less than 3.5 mm; more preferably less than 3.0 mm; more preferably less than 2.5 mm; more preferably less than 2.0 mm; more preferably less than 1.5 mm; more preferably less than 1.0 mm; more preferably less than 0.5 mm.
The length of angled airflow portion 328 along a direction of airflow along the angled airflow portion 328 may be greater than 0.1 millimetres (mm); preferably greater than 0.5 mm; more preferably greater than 1.0 mm; more preferably greater than 1.5 mm; more preferably greater than 2.0 mm; more preferably greater than 2.5 mm; more preferably greater than 3.0 mm; more preferably greater than 3.5 mm.
The length of angled airflow portion 328 along a direction of airflow along the angled airflow portion 328 may be selected independently from the above values. For example, the length of angled airflow portion 328 along a direction of airflow along the angled airflow portion 328 may between 1.0 mm and 2.5 mm; or between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm.
In the embodiment shown in
Alternatively, a cross section of the housing surface opposite the porous surface 318 of the porous nib 315 may also include a substantially pointed profile, the point of the profile being directed towards the porous surface 318 of the porous member 315. In other words, the contact distance is formed between the point of the housing 320 and the adjacent porous surface of the porous member 315.
The techniques, methods and processes for atomising liquids to generate aerosols described above may be adapted or modified for use in one or more embodiments in accordance with the present invention.
In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the helical spring of
The terms “fluid”, “fluid flow”, “air” and “airflow” refer to any suitable fluid composition, including but not limited to a gas or a gas mixed with an atomized, volatilized, nebulized, discharged, or otherwise gaseous phase or aerosol form of an active component.
The term “active component” includes “physiologically active” or “biologically active” and to comprise any single chemical species or combination of chemical species having desirable properties for enhancing an inhaled aerosol that is suitable for adsorption upon or absorption into media suitable for use in the present invention. Furthermore, a functional component in non-liquid form, which may for example be crystalline, powdered or otherwise solid, may be substituted for a functional component without departing from the scope of the invention.
As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or the phrase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed therein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigate against any or all of the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features during prosecution of this application or of any such further application derived therefrom. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specific combinations enumerated in the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1803101 | Feb 2018 | GB | national |
| 1803104 | Feb 2018 | GB | national |
| 1803106 | Feb 2018 | GB | national |
| 1803107 | Feb 2018 | GB | national |
| 1803110 | Feb 2018 | GB | national |
| 1803111 | Feb 2018 | GB | national |
| 1803113 | Feb 2018 | GB | national |
| 1803116 | Feb 2018 | GB | national |
| 1803120 | Feb 2018 | GB | national |
| 1803122 | Feb 2018 | GB | national |
This application is a continuation of International Patent Application Numbers: PCT/EP2019/054288, filed Feb. 21, 2019, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 1803122.9, filed Feb. 26, 2018; PCT/EP2019/054290, filed Feb. 21, 2019, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 1803120.3, filed Feb. 26, 2018; PCT/EP2019/054291, filed Feb. 21, 2019, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 1803116.1, filed Feb. 26, 2018; PCT/EP2019/054292, filed Feb. 21, 2019, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 1803113.8, filed Feb. 26, 2018; PCT/EP2019/054297, filed Feb. 21, 2019, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 1803111.2, filed Feb. 26, 2018; PCT/EP2019/054298, filed Feb. 21, 2019, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 1803110.4, filed Feb. 26, 2018; PCT/EP2019/054304, filed Feb. 21, 2019, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 1803107.0, filed Feb. 26, 2018; PCT/EP2019/054307, filed Feb. 21, 2019, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 1803106.2, filed Feb. 26, 2018; PCT/EP2019/054309, filed Feb. 21, 2019, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 1803104.7, filed Feb. 26, 2018; and PCT/EP2019/054311, filed Feb. 21, 2019, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 1803101.3, filed Feb. 26, 2018; all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3014844 | Thiel et al. | Dec 1961 | A |
| 4184496 | Adair | Jan 1980 | A |
| 4284089 | Ray | Aug 1981 | A |
| 4765347 | Sensabaugh, Jr. et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
| 4774971 | Vieten | Oct 1988 | A |
| 4945929 | Egilmex | Aug 1990 | A |
| 5101838 | Schwartz | Apr 1992 | A |
| 5137034 | Perfetti et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
| 6216705 | Ossepian | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6234167 | Cox | May 2001 | B1 |
| 9888719 | Cadieux | Feb 2018 | B2 |
| 10368581 | Rostami et al. | Aug 2019 | B2 |
| 10426197 | Thorens | Oct 2019 | B2 |
| 10645970 | Borkovec et al. | May 2020 | B2 |
| 10932492 | Zinovik | Mar 2021 | B2 |
| 10952471 | Batista et al. | Mar 2021 | B2 |
| 11090450 | Li et al. | Aug 2021 | B2 |
| 11116919 | Buchberger | Sep 2021 | B2 |
| 11559085 | Fujinaga | Jan 2023 | B2 |
| 11633556 | Jones et al. | Apr 2023 | B2 |
| 20020170566 | Farr | Nov 2002 | A1 |
| 20020179102 | Farr | Dec 2002 | A1 |
| 20030234297 | Bloom | Dec 2003 | A1 |
| 20060207596 | Lane | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20070248548 | Blondino et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
| 20070267032 | Shan | Nov 2007 | A1 |
| 20080092912 | Robinson | Apr 2008 | A1 |
| 20100124535 | Loxley et al. | May 2010 | A1 |
| 20110094523 | Thorens | Apr 2011 | A1 |
| 20120111346 | Rinker | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120318882 | Abehasera | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20130192615 | Tucker | Aug 2013 | A1 |
| 20140209105 | Sears | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140261488 | Tucker | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140332014 | Penrose | Nov 2014 | A1 |
| 20150122276 | Johnson | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150257447 | Sullivan | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20150283070 | Stenzler et al. | Oct 2015 | A1 |
| 20150374938 | Scheiber | Dec 2015 | A1 |
| 20160044966 | Li et al. | Feb 2016 | A1 |
| 20160058959 | Hearn | Mar 2016 | A1 |
| 20160081394 | Alarcon | Mar 2016 | A1 |
| 20160089508 | Smith | Mar 2016 | A1 |
| 20160106936 | Kimmel | Apr 2016 | A1 |
| 20160135506 | Sanchez | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20160213065 | Wensley | Jul 2016 | A1 |
| 20160213866 | Tan | Jul 2016 | A1 |
| 20160228658 | Minskoff | Aug 2016 | A1 |
| 20160262456 | Borkovec et al. | Sep 2016 | A1 |
| 20160262457 | Borkovec | Sep 2016 | A1 |
| 20160324216 | Li | Nov 2016 | A1 |
| 20160330999 | Cameron | Nov 2016 | A1 |
| 20170071249 | Ampolini et al. | Mar 2017 | A1 |
| 20170157341 | Pandya et al. | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170251722 | Kobal | Sep 2017 | A1 |
| 20170251723 | Kobal | Sep 2017 | A1 |
| 20170304563 | Adelson | Oct 2017 | A1 |
| 20170354184 | Mironov | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| 20170360093 | Fernando | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| 20180007966 | Li | Jan 2018 | A1 |
| 20180007967 | Davis | Jan 2018 | A1 |
| 20180027875 | Rostami et al. | Feb 2018 | A1 |
| 20180027882 | Hepworth | Feb 2018 | A1 |
| 20180029782 | Zuber | Feb 2018 | A1 |
| 20180170566 | Paolini et al. | Jun 2018 | A1 |
| 20180304283 | Kazuaki | Oct 2018 | A1 |
| 20200230333 | Jones et al. | Jul 2020 | A1 |
| 20210235769 | Marubashi | Aug 2021 | A1 |
| 20220287361 | Kim | Sep 2022 | A1 |
| 20230030615 | Jang | Feb 2023 | A1 |
| 20230292839 | Kim | Sep 2023 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 203168036 | Sep 2013 | CN |
| 106235420 | Dec 2016 | CN |
| 205987968 | Mar 2017 | CN |
| 295122 | Dec 1988 | EP |
| 3097803 | Nov 2016 | EP |
| 3135136 | Mar 2017 | EP |
| 3135138 | Mar 2017 | EP |
| 3158883 | Apr 2017 | EP |
| 2032244 | May 1980 | GB |
| 2115676 | Sep 1983 | GB |
| 2529727 | Mar 2016 | GB |
| 2536306 | Sep 2016 | GB |
| 2536307 | Sep 2016 | GB |
| 2542404 | Mar 2017 | GB |
| 2553136 | Feb 2018 | GB |
| 2556331 | May 2018 | GB |
| 1990-171174 | Jul 1990 | JP |
| 2007-511437 | May 2007 | JP |
| 2015-506182 | Mar 2015 | JP |
| 2016-215134 | Dec 2016 | JP |
| 20-2014-0002296 | Apr 2014 | KR |
| 2446895 | Apr 2012 | RU |
| 2551311 | May 2015 | RU |
| 2613785 | Mar 2017 | RU |
| 2015146869 | Jun 2017 | RU |
| 2005049449 | Jun 2005 | WO |
| 2013000967 | Jan 2013 | WO |
| 2013083638 | Jun 2013 | WO |
| WO2013133903 | Sep 2013 | WO |
| 2013178769 | Dec 2013 | WO |
| 2014012907 | Jan 2014 | WO |
| 2014150131 | Sep 2014 | WO |
| WO2014140273 | Sep 2014 | WO |
| 2015013109 | Jan 2015 | WO |
| 2015112750 | Jul 2015 | WO |
| 2015179388 | Nov 2015 | WO |
| 2016050244 | Apr 2016 | WO |
| 2016062777 | Apr 2016 | WO |
| WO2016050245 | Apr 2016 | WO |
| 2016096497 | Jun 2016 | WO |
| 2016124740 | Aug 2016 | WO |
| 2016135331 | Sep 2016 | WO |
| 2016135342 | Sep 2016 | WO |
| WO2017015303 | Jan 2017 | WO |
| WO2017032695 | Mar 2017 | WO |
| 2017068101 | Apr 2017 | WO |
| 2017093357 | Jun 2017 | WO |
| 2017149152 | Sep 2017 | WO |
| 2017149534 | Sep 2017 | WO |
| 2017180151 | Oct 2017 | WO |
| 2017185051 | Oct 2017 | WO |
| 2017202953 | Nov 2017 | WO |
| 2018007633 | Jan 2018 | WO |
| 2018050720 | Mar 2018 | WO |
| 2018083037 | May 2018 | WO |
| 2019057857 | Mar 2019 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| EPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion, Application No. PCT/EP19/54288, dated Jun. 3, 2019. |
| EPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion, Application No. PCT/EP19/54290, dated Jun. 4, 2019. |
| EPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion, Application No. PCT/EP19/54291, dated Jun. 6, 2019. |
| EPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion, Application No. PCT/EP19/54292, dated Jun. 4, 2019. |
| EPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion, Application No. PCT/EP19/54297, dated Jun. 6, 2019. |
| EPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion, Application No. PCT/EP19/54298, dated Jun. 6, 2019. |
| EPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion, Application No. PCT/EP19/54304, dated Jun. 5, 2019. |
| EPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion, Application No. PCT/EP19/54307, dated Jun. 4, 2019. |
| EPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion, Application No. PCT/EP19/54309, dated May 31, 2019. |
| EPO, International Search Report and Written Opinion, Application No. PCT/EP19/54311, dated Jun. 5, 2019. |
| IP Office UK, Combined Search and Examination Report, Application No. GB1803101.3, dated Aug. 7, 2018. |
| IP Office UK, Combined Search and Examination Report, Application No. GB1803104.7, dated May 23, 2018. |
| IP Office UK, Combined Search and Examination Report, Application No. GB1803106.2, dated Jun. 12, 2018. |
| IP Office UK, Combined Search and Examination Report, Application No. GB1803107.0, dated Jun. 15, 2018. |
| IP Office UK, Combined Search and Examination Report, Application No. GB1803110.4, dated Jul. 5, 2018. |
| IP Office UK, Combined Search and Examination Report, Application No. GB1803111.2, dated Aug. 1, 2018. |
| IP Office UK, Combined Search and Examination Report, Application No. GB1803113.8, dated Aug. 17, 2018. |
| IP Office UK, Combined Search and Examination Report, Application No. GB1803116.1, dated Aug. 20, 2018. |
| IP Office UK, Combined Search and Examination Report, Application No. GB1803120.3, dated Jun. 29, 2018. |
| IP Office UK, Combined Search and Examination Report, Application No. GB1803122.9, dated Aug. 10, 2018. |
| USPTO, Nonfinal Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 18/191,820, dated Nov. 14, 2023. |
| Eslamian, M. et al., Handbook of Atomization and Sprays, Chapter 33—“Swirl, T-Jet and Vibrating-Mesh Atomizers”; Springer Science + Business Media, LLC, 2011, 755-773. |
| Fernandez Tena, Ana et al.; “Deposition of Inhaled Particles in the Lungs”, Archovos De Bronconeumolgia, 2012; 48(7) 240-246. |
| Lozano, A. et al.; “High-Frequency Ultrasonic Atomisation with Pulsed Excitation”; Journal of Fluid Engineering, Nov. 2003, vol. 125, 941-945. |
| Sono-Tek Corporation; “Ultrasonic Atomisation Technology for Precise Coatings”, at www.sono-tek.com/ultrasonic-nozzle-technology/ and downloaded May 23, 2017. |
| Vecellio L; “The mesh nebuliser: a recent technical innovation for aerosol delivery”, Breathe, Mar. 2006, vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 253-260. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/075697; dated Dec. 7, 2018; 13 pages. |
| Combined Search and Examination Report for U.K. Appl. No. GB1715386.7; dated Mar. 22, 2018; 7 pages. |
| EPO, Exam Report for European Application No. 18779325.2, dated Oct. 31, 2022. |
| IP Office Japan, Reasons for Refusal of Japanese Application No. 2020-516899, dated May 27, 2022, English machine translation. |
| IP Office Japan, Reasons for Refusal of Japanese Application No. 2020-516899, dated Jan. 17, 2023, with English translation. |
| IP Office Japan, Reasons for Refusal of Japanese Application No. 2020-568031, dated Jan. 4, 2023, with English translation. |
| Ip Office Japan, Reasons for Refusal of Japanese Application No. 2020-568032, dated Jan. 17, 2023, with English translation. |
| IP Office Japan, Reasons for Refusal of Japanese Application No. 2020-568033, dated Jan. 17, 2023, with English translation. |
| IP Office Japan, Reasons for Refusal of Japanese Application No. 2020-568034, dated Jan. 17, 2023, with English translation. |
| USPTO, Nonfinal Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/648,483, dated Mar. 14, 2022. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210068455 A1 | Mar 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2019/054292 | Feb 2019 | WO |
| Child | 17002248 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/EP2019/054290 | Feb 2019 | WO |
| Child | 17002248 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/EP2019/054307 | Feb 2019 | WO |
| Child | 17002248 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/EP2019/054298 | Feb 2019 | WO |
| Child | 17002248 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/EP2019/054288 | Feb 2019 | WO |
| Child | 17002248 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/EP2019/054309 | Feb 2019 | WO |
| Child | 17002248 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/EP2019/054311 | Feb 2019 | WO |
| Child | 17002248 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/EP2019/054304 | Feb 2019 | WO |
| Child | 17002248 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/EP2019/054291 | Feb 2019 | WO |
| Child | 17002248 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/EP2019/054297 | Feb 2019 | WO |
| Child | 17002248 | US |
