Aerosol supply system

Abstract

An aerosol supply system is provided, which includes: a housing having a mouthpiece having an air outlet; and a consumable unit accommodated in the housing, the consumable unit including an aerosol generating medium source and an air flow channel wall, which forms an air flow channel passing through the aerosol generating medium source and terminating near the air outlet of the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol supply system, a method of supplying an aerosol, a consumable unit for use in an aerosol supply system, a housing for an aerosol supply system and an aerosol supply device. Background Art

[0002] Aerosol generating devices are known. Electronic aerosol supply systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) typically include a source liquid reservoir containing a formulation, which typically contains nicotine, and an aerosol is generated from the formulation by, for example, evaporation by heating. The aerosol source for an aerosol supply system can therefore include a heater having a heating element arranged to receive the source liquid from the reservoir, for example, by wicking / capillary action. When a user draws on the device, electrical energy is supplied to the heating element to evaporate the source liquid near the heating element, thereby generating an aerosol for the user to draw. Such devices are typically provided with one or more air inlet holes located away from the mouthpiece end of the system. When a user draws on a mouthpiece connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air is inhaled through the inlet hole and passes through the aerosol source. A flow path is connected between the aerosol source and the opening in the mouthpiece so that the inhaled air flows along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening through the aerosol source, while carrying some aerosol from the aerosol source. The aerosol-laden air exits the aerosol supply system through a mouthpiece opening for inhalation by a user.

[0003] This article describes a number of approaches that attempt to help address some of these issues. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims.

[0005] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol supply system comprising a housing having a mouthpiece having an air outlet and a consumable unit housed within the housing, the consumable unit comprising an aerosol generating medium source and an air flow channel wall forming an air flow channel passing through the aerosol generating medium source and terminating near the air outlet of the housing.

[0006] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a consumable unit for use in an aerosol supply system.

[0007] According to some embodiments described herein, a housing for an aerosol supply system is provided.

[0008] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a consumable unit for use with an aerosol supply system, the unit comprising a first protruding portion and a second recessed portion, wherein the first protruding portion has a shape confirming with the second recessed portion.

[0009] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol providing device comprising: a housing having a mouthpiece having an air outlet device; and a consumable unit housed within the housing, the consumable unit comprising an aerosol generating device source and an airflow channel device forming an airflow channel passing through the aerosol generating device source and terminating near the air outlet device of the housing.

[0010] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method for supplying an aerosol, the method comprising: providing a housing having a mouthpiece having an air outlet; and providing a consumable unit housed within the housing, the consumable unit comprising an aerosol generating medium source and an air flow channel wall forming an air flow channel passing through the aerosol generating medium source and terminating near the air outlet of the housing; passing air through the air flow channel within the air flow channel wall; passing air through the aerosol generating medium source; and passing air through the air outlet of the housing.

[0011] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol supply device configured to receive a consumable unit housed within a housing, the consumable unit comprising an aerosol generating medium source and an airflow channel wall forming an airflow channel through the aerosol generating medium source, the aerosol supply device comprising: a housing having a mouthpiece having an air outlet, wherein, in use, the airflow channel terminates near the air outlet of the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present teachings will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol supply device according to an embodiment;

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol supply device according to an embodiment;

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol supply device according to an embodiment;

[0016] Figure 4(i) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a consumable unit used in an aerosol supply device according to an embodiment;

[0017] Figure 4 (ii) is a schematic cross-sectional view of three consumable units used in an aerosol supply device according to an embodiment;

[0018] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol supply device according to an embodiment; and

[0019] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol supply device according to an embodiment.

[0020] While the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the detailed description of specific embodiments and the drawings are not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed. On the contrary, the invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Aspects and features of certain embodiments and implementations are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain embodiments and implementations may be implemented conventionally and, for the sake of brevity, will not be discussed / described in detail. It should therefore be appreciated that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented according to any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

[0022] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery system, which may also be referred to as an aerosol delivery system, such as an electronic cigarette. Throughout the following description, the term "electronic cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it should be understood that the term can be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery system / device and electronic aerosol delivery system / device. In addition, as is common in the art, the terms "aerosol" and "vapor," as well as related terms such as "evaporation," "volatilization," and "aerosolization," are often used interchangeably.

[0023] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a portion of an aerosol supply system 100 is shown. The system 100 includes an aerosol supply device and a consumable unit 120 configured to be received in the aerosol supply device (however, for the sake of brevity, the system may sometimes be referred to herein as a device). The device 100 is designed to simulate a cigarette and therefore may have a substantially cylindrical shape and may be approximately the same size as a cigarette. The device 100 has a housing 110 having a mouthpiece 112. The mouthpiece 112 has an air outlet 113. The device 100 also has a consumable unit 120 housed within the housing 110. The consumable unit 120 has an aerosol generating medium source 122 and an airflow channel wall 124 that forms an airflow channel 125 that passes through the aerosol generating medium source 122 and terminates near the air outlet 113 of the housing 110. In one embodiment of the device, the mouthpiece 112 is the air outlet 113. The air outlet 113 can be located on a protrusion so that the air outlet is more easily accommodated in the user's mouth, or the air outlet can be an opening located on the surface of the housing 110, thereby providing fluid communication between the interior of the device 100 and the exterior of the device 100.

[0024] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the airflow entering the consumable unit 120 is constrained within airflow channel walls 124, which enable air to flow through the consumable unit 120 and past the aerosol generating medium source 122 to the air outlet 113 of the mouthpiece 112. As the airflow passes through the aerosol generating medium source 122, components of the aerosol generating medium source 122 can be entrained in the airflow. This aerosol or aerosol mist is transported to the end of the airflow channel (near the air outlet 113 of the mouthpiece 112), and the aerosol can then exit the device 100 and be inhaled by the user. Thus, the device 100 significantly prevents condensed aerosol from being deposited on the interior of the housing 110 of the device 100. Such condensed aerosol may damage the components on which the aerosol condenses, and as such, the present arrangement extends the useful life of the device 100. In a similar manner, this arrangement allows for improved cleanliness of the device 100, since the consumable unit 120 can be removed after the aerosol-generating medium source 122 has been exhausted: removal of the consumable unit 120 simultaneously removes condensed aerosol on the airflow channel walls 124. The airflow channel walls 124 of the consumable unit 120 are made of a material that is impermeable to aerosols.

[0025] In embodiments, the shape and size of the airflow channel walls 124 of the consumable unit 120 can vary. The device 100 can reduce the likelihood of a "hot puff," a phenomenon in which the aerosol does not sufficiently cool before being puffed by the user. The airflow channel walls 124 can be formed relatively long to increase the time between the airflow entering the consumable unit 120 and exiting the air outlet 113. This allows heat to be better dissipated from the airflow before the user takes a puff, thereby reducing the likelihood of hot puff.

[0026] In one embodiment, a portion of the airflow channel wall 124 can be arranged along the side of the housing 110. Heat loss through the airflow channel wall 124 and then through the housing 110 to the environment outside the device 100 is generally more efficient than heat loss from the center of the device 100. As such, this arrangement of the airflow channel wall 124 can also help reduce the potential for heat extraction.

[0027] In one embodiment, the airflow channel wall 124 can be centrally located within the device 100 and not adjacent to the housing 110. While heat loss to the environment outside the device 100 is beneficial in reducing the likelihood of heat pumping, if a significant amount of heat energy passes through the housing 110 of the device 100, a user may injure themselves while holding the device 100. Thus, this arrangement of the airflow channel wall 124 can reduce the likelihood of a user injuring themselves due to an overheated housing 110 while holding the device 100.

[0028] The airflow channel wall 124 may be a wall or a plurality of walls in which an airflow channel may be formed.

[0029] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol supply device 100 is shown. Figure 2 Shown with Figure 1 The arrangement is similar to that of Figure 1 The same features are shown with reference numerals as Figure 1 These same features will not be discussed in detail here. Figure 2 The embodiment of the device 100 shown is similar to Figure 1 The embodiments of the device described differ in the location of the aerosol-generating medium source 122. In the embodiment shown, the aerosol-generating medium source 122 terminates near the air outlet 113. Aerosol is formed as the incoming airflow passes through the aerosol-generating medium source 122. As such, the aerosol is formed substantially near the air outlet 113. This reduces the area within the device 100 on which aerosol can condense. Consequently, as described above, this arrangement increases the lifespan and cleanliness of the device 100.

[0030] Figure 31 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aerosol supply device 100. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The same features are shown with reference numerals as Figure 1 and Figure 2 These same features will not be discussed in detail here. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the consumable unit 120 has an aerosol-generating medium source 122 and a filter material 126. The filter material 126 is disposed toward the air outlet 113. The filter material 126 is disposed downstream of the aerosol-generating medium source 122 such that aerosol generated by air flowing through the aerosol-generating medium source 122 passes through the filter material 126 before passing through the air outlet 113 of the mouthpiece 112. In this manner, particles can be removed from the airflow before being inhaled by the user.

[0031] Figure 3 Incoming air is shown by arrow C. This air can pass through or through the aerosol-generating medium source 122. The airflow will entrain components from the aerosol-generating medium source 122 to form an aerosol. The device 100 may include a heater for heating the airflow and / or the aerosol-generating medium source 122 to promote the release of components from the aerosol-generating medium source 122.

[0032] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the filter material 126 is in the air flow channel 125. As such, air flow through the consumable unit 120 will pass through the filter material 126. The filter material 126 can fill a portion of the air flow channel 125 within the air flow channel wall 124. The filter material can alternatively form all or a portion of the air flow channel wall 124.

[0033] Figure 3 Two regions of the consumable unit 120 are shown, a first region A and a second region B. In the second region B, filter material 126 is connected to the first region A and may form an airflow channel wall 124, within which an airflow channel 125 may be formed. Air flowing through this section is filtered to remove particles, etc. before being drawn.

[0034] Before using the device 100, the consumable unit 120 can be inserted into the device 100. Inserting the consumable unit 120 into the mouthpiece 112 portion of the housing 110 can compress the consumable unit 120. In embodiments where the filter material 126 forms the airflow channel wall 124, the filter material 126 can be compressed by the housing 110 when the consumable unit 120 is inserted into the housing 110. The filter material 126 can be made of an elastic material, making it less likely that damage to the interior of the mouthpiece 112 will occur due to the user improperly inserting the consumable unit 120 into the mouthpiece 112. This increases the service life of the device 100 and the consumable unit 120.

[0035] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, near the air outlet 113, the outer portion of the consumable unit 120 has a shape that conforms to the housing 110. This makes the direction of inserting the consumable unit 120 into the mouthpiece 112 more obvious and avoids incorrect insertion of the consumable unit 120. As used herein, "conforms" can be understood to mean that the shape of the consumable unit 120 is complementary to the housing 110. The consumable unit 120 can also be molded to conform to the shape of the housing 110. The consumable unit 120 can have a shape that matches the shape of the housing 110. The consumable unit 120 can fit tightly within the housing 110.

[0036] The filter material 126 can be any of the following materials: tobacco, cellulose acetate, tow fibers, or a nicotine-containing material. In other embodiments, the filter material 126 can include any suitable material capable of filtering an airflow.

[0037] The consumable unit 120 may have multiple different aerosol-generating medium sources 122. To prevent the aerosol-generating medium sources 122 from being depleted at the same rate, the airflow through the consumable unit 120 may be controlled to pass through selected aerosol-generating medium sources 122. This may be controlled by the presence of walls within the consumable unit 120 and the arrangement of air inlets to the consumable unit 120, as well as the arrangement of walls within the consumable unit and the air inlets to the consumable unit. The device 100 may have a movement mechanism to rotate the consumable unit 120 relative to the housing 110. This may enable a user to selectively activate an aerosol-generating medium source 122 located within the device 100. In use, the user will contact the mouthpiece 112 of the device 100. In this way, the user will not be aware of the movement of the consumable unit 120. This arrangement prevents an uncomfortable user experience.

[0038] Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of a consumable unit 120 is shown according to an embodiment. Figure 4In the embodiment (i), a portion of the consumable unit 120 has a truncated cone shape. The consumable unit 120 may have a first protruding portion and a second recessed portion. The first protruding portion may have a shape consistent with the second recessed portion.

[0039] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment of (i), the consumable unit 120 is shown having a protruding upper portion and a recessed bottom portion, wherein the upper portion is generally represented by segment P and the bottom portion is generally represented by segment R.

[0040] Airflow through the consumable unit 120 is indicated by arrow C'. The airflow entering the consumable unit passes through the aerosol-generating medium source 122 to entrain components therefrom and exit the consumable unit 120 as an aerosol for inhalation by the user. When the recessed bottom section R is present, the volume within the consumable unit 120 for air to pass through is reduced.

[0041] The shape of the consumable unit 120 may be selected to correspond to or complement the shape of the mouthpiece 112 of the housing 110. This facilitates insertion into the mouthpiece 112, as mentioned above. A common mouthpiece shape is a frusto-conical shape, such that Figure 4 The consumable unit 120 of (i) may be advantageous. Other shapes may be used to achieve similar benefits. Similarly, after the source of aerosol-generating medium 122 is exhausted, the consumable unit 120 can be removed from the device 100 and replaced. The device 100 may have a removable section (such as a door or cover as part of the housing) through which the consumable unit 120 can be inserted and removed. Alternatively, the device 100 can be discarded after the source of the consumable unit 120 is exhausted.

[0042] Figure 4 (ii) shows Figure 4 An embodiment of a plurality of consumable units of the shape shown in (i). Figure 4 The consumable units 120', 120", 120'" shown in (ii) are capable of being stacked or nested on top of each other. This can provide a space saving measure. In the embodiment shown, there are three consumable units 120', 120", 120'" stacked together. The lowermost consumable unit 120' is shown, which is arranged below the middle consumable unit 120", which itself is below the uppermost consumable unit 120'". In the stacked arrangement shown, the protruding upper part of the lowermost consumable unit 120' protrudes into the depression formed by the recessed bottom part of the middle consumable unit 120". Similarly, the protruding upper part of the middle consumable unit 120" protrudes into the depression formed by the recessed bottom part of the middle consumable unit 120'".

[0043] Figure 5 FIG1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol supply device 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 The same features are shown with reference numerals as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 The same reference numerals are used in conjunction with the consumable unit 100. These identical features will not be discussed in detail herein. The illustrated embodiment has an incoming airflow, indicated by arrow C, which enters the consumable unit 100. The airflow passes through the aerosol generating medium source 110 and entrains components to form an aerosol. The flow of the aerosol through the consumable unit 120 is indicated by arrow C'. The aerosol passes along an air passage arranged near the housing 102 and leaves the device 100 at an air outlet 113 of the mouthpiece 112. The consumable unit 120 has a shape that is consistent with the portion of the housing 110 in which the consumable unit 120 is arranged. The portion includes the mouthpiece 112 and the air outlet 113. In the illustrated embodiment, the consumable unit 120 has an air inlet for allowing airflow to enter the consumable unit 120. The consumable unit has an air outlet for allowing aerosol to flow out of the consumable unit 120.

[0044] Figure 6 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 5 The same features are shown with reference numerals as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 5 These same features will not be discussed in detail here. Figure 6 The consumable unit 120 shown in FIG. Figure 5 The consumable unit shown in differs in that it lacks a recessed bottom portion. Figure 6 The consumable unit 120 shown has a slightly different arrangement of air inlets and outlets.The air flow paths through the consumable unit 120, shown by arrows C and C', are also different.

[0045] The air flow path enters the consumable unit 120 near the aerosol-generating medium source 122 and flows through the aerosol-generating medium source 122 to form an aerosol. The aerosol continues along the base portion Q of the consumable unit 120. The aerosol then flows into the upper portion S of the consumable unit 120. The aerosol then passes through the upper portion S and exits the air outlet 113 of the device 100.

[0046] The base portion Q may be a flat, disc-shaped element that may be multi-layered. The layers of the base portion Q may carry multiple aerosol-generating medium sources 122. The base portion Q may be rotated by a movement mechanism within the device 100 to control which specific aerosol-generating medium source 122 is used during a usage session.

[0047] The upper portion S can be attached to the base portion Q. The upper portion S can be a hollow structure to allow airflow to pass through and exit the air outlet 113 of the device 100. The upper portion S can be a substantially conical element 128 and can be filled with a filter material, etc. The upper portion S can be made of paper or card, etc. The upper portion S can be made of a filter material to reduce condensation of aerosols inside the device 100. The upper portion S can have a size and shape that conforms to the inner surface of the mouthpiece 112.

[0048] The aerosol generating medium source 122 in the consumable unit 120 can have multiple doses of aerosol generating medium. In other embodiments, the base portion Q of the consumable unit 120 can have multiple aerosol generating medium sources 122. In some embodiments, the consumable unit 120 can have the doses of aerosol generating medium arranged in discrete doses. In other embodiments, the doses can be in the form of continuous or discontinuous disks and disposed on one or more surfaces of the multi-layer consumable unit 120. In still other embodiments, the doses can be in the form of rings, annuities, or any other shape. The consumable unit 120 may or may not have rotationally symmetrically distributed doses or aerosol generating medium sources 122 on any surface of the consumable unit 120. If arranged accordingly, the symmetrical distribution of the aerosol generating medium sources 122 can enable the aerosol generating medium sources 122 (within the rotationally symmetrical distribution) to be positioned equidistantly to receive equal heating profiles from the heater within the device 100 while rotating about the central axis.

[0049] The device 100 may have multiple chambers or areas that may or may not be separated from each other. The device 100 may have a power supply chamber (not shown) that includes an energy storage unit for supplying electrical energy to the heater and / or the moving mechanism. The heater may be a resistive heater. The heater may be a chemically activated heater that may or may not operate through an exothermic reaction, etc. The heater provides thermal energy, heat, to the environment surrounding the heater. The heater may heat the aerosol generating medium source 122 or heat the airflow before entering the consumable unit 120. The heater may be part of an induction heating system, in which the heater is an induction heater and the consumable unit 120 may be or may include a susceptor, etc. The susceptor may be, for example, a sheet of aluminum foil, etc.

[0050] The shape of the device 100 can be cigarette-shaped (longer in one dimension than the other two dimensions) or can be other shapes. In an embodiment, the device 100 can have a shape that is longer in two dimensions than the other dimension, for example, similar to a compact disc player, etc. Alternatively, the shape can be any shape suitable for accommodating the consumable unit 120.

[0051] The aerosol-generating medium source of the consumable unit 120 may include at least one of tobacco and ethylene glycol, and may include extracts such as licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white magnolia leaves, chamomile, fenugreek, cloves, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, vanilla, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Dolina, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, bittersweet, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, , orange oil, cinnamon, caraway, brandy, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, cumin, allspice, ginger, aniseed, coriander, coffee or any kind of mint oil from the genus Menthol), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, sodium cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals or breath fresheners. They can be imitations, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They can be in any suitable form, such as oil, liquid or powder. The aerosol generating medium sources 110 can be separate, adjacent or overlapping.

[0052] The aerosol-forming layer described herein comprises an "amorphous solid," which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous) or as a "xerogel." An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid (such as a liquid) within it. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer comprises from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% amorphous solid. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer consists of an amorphous solid.

[0053] In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain 1-50 wt% gelling agent, where these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.

[0054] Suitably, the amorphous solid can comprise from about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt% or 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, 45 wt%, 40 wt%, 35 wt%, 30 wt% or 27 wt% gelling agent (all calculated based on dry weight). For example, the amorphous solid can comprise 5-40 wt%, 10-30 wt% or 15-27 wt% gelling agent.

[0055] In some embodiments, gel comprises hydrocolloid.In some embodiments, gel comprises one or more compounds, and these compounds are selected from the group comprising alginate, pectin, starch (and derivative), cellulose (and derivative), gum, silica gel or silicon compound, clay, polyvinyl alcohol and combination thereof.For example, in some embodiments, gel comprises one or more in alginate, pectin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, pullulan, xanthan gum, guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, gum arabic, aerosil, PDMS, sodium silicate, kaolin and polyvinyl alcohol.In some cases, gel comprises alginate and / or pectin, and can be combined with hardener (such as calcium source) during formation amorphous solid.In some cases, amorphous solid can comprise the alginate of calcium cross-linking and / or the pectin of calcium cross-linking.

[0056] Suitably, the amorphous solid can include from about 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt% or 20wt% to about 80wt%, 70wt%, 60wt%, 55wt%, 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt% or 35wt% aerosol generator (all calculated based on dry weight). The aerosol generator can serve as a plasticizer. For example, the amorphous solid can include 10-60wt%, 15-50wt% or 20-40wt% aerosol generator. In some cases, the aerosol generator includes one or more compounds selected from erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol and xylitol. In some cases, the aerosol generator includes glycerol or is essentially composed of glycerol or is composed of glycerol. The inventors have determined that if the content of plasticizer is too high, the amorphous solid may absorb water, thereby causing the material to be unable to produce a comfortable consumer experience in use. The inventors have also determined that if the plasticizer content is too low, the amorphous solid may be brittle and easily break. The plasticizer content specified herein provides the amorphous solid with flexibility that allows the amorphous solid sheet to be wound onto a spool, which is useful in manufacturing aerosol-generating formulations.

[0057] In some cases, amorphous solid can comprise flavoring.Suitably, amorphous solid can comprise the flavoring up to about 60wt%, 50wt%, 40wt%, 30wt%, 20wt%, 10wt% or 5wt%.In some cases, amorphous solid can comprise the flavoring (all based on dry weight calculation) of at least about 0.5wt%, 1wt%, 2wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 20wt% or 30wt%.For example, amorphous solid can comprise the flavoring of 10-60wt%, 20-50wt% or 30-40wt%.In some cases, (if present) flavoring comprises menthol or is basically made up of menthol or is made up of menthol.In some cases, amorphous solid does not comprise flavoring.

[0058] In some cases, amorphous solid comprises tobacco material and / or nicotine in addition.For example, amorphous solid can comprise powdered tobacco and / or nicotine and / or tobacco extract in addition.In some cases, amorphous solid can comprise tobacco material and / or nicotine from about 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt%, 45wt% or 40wt% (calculating based on dry weight) and / or nicotine.

[0059] In some cases, amorphous solid comprises tobacco extract.In some cases, amorphous solid can comprise the tobacco extract of 5-60wt% (calculated based on dry weight).In some cases, amorphous solid can comprise the tobacco extract from about 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 55wt%, 50wt%, 45wt% or 40wt% (calculated based on dry weight).For example, amorphous solid can comprise the tobacco extract of 5-60wt%, 10-55wt% or 25-55wt%.Tobacco extract can comprise the nicotine of certain concentration, makes amorphous solid comprise the nicotine of 1wt%, 1.5wt%, 2wt% or 2.5wt% to about 6wt%, 5wt%, 4.5wt% or 4wt% (calculated based on dry weight).In some cases, except the nicotine produced by tobacco extract, can not have nicotine in the amorphous solid.

[0060] In some embodiments, amorphous solid does not comprise tobacco material but comprises nicotine.In some cases, amorphous solid can comprise from about 1wt%, 2wt%, 3wt% or 4wt% to about 20wt%, 15wt%, 10wt% or 5wt% (calculated based on dry weight) nicotine.For example, amorphous solid can comprise 1-20wt% or 2-5wt% nicotine.

[0061] In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine and flavoring can be at least about 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 20wt%, 25wt% or 30wt%.In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine and flavoring can be less than about 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt% or 40wt% (all based on dry weight calculating).

[0062] In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is a hydrogel and comprises less than about 20 wt% water (wet weight basis). In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise less than about 15 wt%, 12 wt%, or 10 wt% water (wet weight basis (WWB)). In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise at least about 2 wt% or at least about 5 wt% water (WWB).

[0063] The amorphous solid may be made from a gel, and the gel may further contain a solvent, the solvent being present in an amount of 0.1-50 wt%. However, the present inventors have determined that the inclusion of a solvent in which the flavoring agent is soluble may reduce the stability of the gel and the flavoring agent may crystallize out of the gel. Thus, in some cases, the gel does not contain a solvent in which the flavoring agent is soluble.

[0064] The amorphous solid contains less than 20 wt %, suitably less than 10 wt % or less than 5 wt % filler. The filler can include one or more inorganic filler materials such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, silica gel, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium carbonate and suitable inorganic sorbents such as molecular sieves. The filler can include one or more organic filler materials such as wood pulp, cellulose and cellulose derivatives. In some cases, the amorphous solid contains less than 1 wt % filler, and in some cases, the amorphous solid does not contain filler. Specifically, in some cases, the amorphous solid does not contain calcium carbonate such as chalk.

[0065] In some cases, the amorphous solid may consist essentially of, or consist of, the gelling agent, the aerosol generating agent, the tobacco material and / or nicotine source, water, and optionally, a flavoring agent.

[0066] Thus, an aerosol supply device has been described, comprising: a housing having a mouthpiece having an air outlet; and a consumable unit housed within the housing, the consumable unit comprising an aerosol generating medium source and airflow channel walls forming an airflow channel, the airflow channel passing through the aerosol generating medium source and terminating near the air outlet of the housing.

[0067] The aerosol delivery system may be used in tobacco industry products, such as non-combustible aerosol delivery systems.

[0068] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product includes one or more components of a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, such as a heater or an aerosolizable substrate.

[0069] In one embodiment, the aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a smoking device.

[0070] In one embodiment, an electronic cigarette comprises a heater, a power source capable of supplying electrical energy to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate (such as a liquid or gel), a housing, and an optional mouthpiece.

[0071] In one embodiment, the aerosolizable substrate is contained in or on a substrate container.In one embodiment, the substrate container is associated with or includes a heater.

[0072] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heating product that releases one or more compounds by heating, rather than burning, a substrate material. The substrate material can be an aerosolizable material, such as tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating product.

[0073] In one embodiment, the heated product is an electronic device.

[0074] In one embodiment, the tobacco heating product comprises a heater, a power source capable of supplying electrical energy to the heater, and an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material.

[0075] In one embodiment, the heating product is a non-electronic device.

[0076] In one embodiment, the heating product comprises an aerosolizable substrate, such as a solid or gel material, and a heat source capable of supplying thermal energy to the aerosolizable substrate without any electronic devices, such as by burning a combustible material such as charcoal.

[0077] In one embodiment, the heating product further comprises a filter capable of filtering aerosol generated by heating the aerosolizable substrate.

[0078] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable base material may include an aerosol or aerosol generating agent or a humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

[0079] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol by heating rather than burning a combination of substrate materials. The substrate material can, for example, include a solid, liquid, or gel that may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate can, for example, be tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.

[0080] In order to solve various problems and advance the technology, the entire disclosure shows by way of illustration a plurality of embodiments in which the claimed invention can be practiced and provides an excellent electronic aerosol supply system. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are only representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. These examples are provided only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be regarded as limitations on the present disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may appropriately include, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc. In addition, the present disclosure includes other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A consumable unit for use with an aerosol supply system, the consumable unit being configured to be housed within a housing, the consumable unit comprising: aerosol-generating medium; an airflow channel wall, the airflow channel wall forming an airflow channel through the aerosol generating medium source; as well as A first protruding portion and a second recessed portion, wherein the first protruding portion has a shape consistent with the second recessed portion.

2. The consumable unit of claim 1, wherein: The aerosol generating medium is disposed in the second recessed portion.

3. The consumable unit of claim 2, wherein: The consumable unit comprises at least two portions of the aerosol generating medium arranged in the second recessed portion.

Images