Filter for an electronic vaping device, electronic vaping device with a filter, and method of forming a filter

Abstract

A filter (104) for an electronic vaping device, an electronic vaping device with a filter, and a method of forming a filter are provided. The filter (104) includes a contained filter material (100). The contained filter material (100) comprises one or more portions of filter material (105). The one or more portions define a gap (101) through a longitudinal length of the contained filter material (100). The gap (101) allows airflow to pass through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material (100). Consumable substances are injected into the filter material (100). Consumable substances include nicotine, a perfume, a pre-vapor formulation, a sub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application with international application number PCT / EP2019 / 073881, Chinese application number 201980052985.3, application date September 6, 2019, and name “Filter for electronic steam cigarette device, electronic steam cigarette device with filter and method for forming filter”. Technical Field

[0002] Exemplary embodiments generally relate to a filter for an electronic vapor cigarette (e-steam) device, an e-steam cigarette device with a filter, and a method of forming a filter. Background Art

[0003] The electronic vaping device uses a heater to at least partially volatilize the pre-vapor formulation to produce vapor. The heating process does not involve combustion. Summary of the invention

[0004] At least one exemplary embodiment relates to a filter for an e-vapor cigarette.

[0005] In one embodiment, the filter comprises a contained filter material comprising,

[0006] One or more portions of a filter material, the one or more portions defining a gap extending through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material, the gap being configured to allow airflow through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material; and at least one first consumable substance injected into the filter material, the at least one first consumable substance comprising at least one of nicotine, at least one first flavorant, a pre-vapor formulation, a subcombination thereof, or a combination thereof.

[0007] In one embodiment, the one or more portions comprise at least one sheet of filter material which is crimped.

[0008] In one embodiment, the one or more portions include at least one sheet of filter material having a plurality of folds extending through a longitudinal length of the contained filter material, the gaps being defined by the plurality of folds of the at least one sheet of filter material.

[0009] In one embodiment, the contained filter material has a resistance to draw (RTD) of about 5 mm water to 40 mm water.

[0010] In one embodiment, the filter material is made of paper, wood pulp, or paper and wood pulp.

[0011] In one embodiment, the at least one first consumable substance includes at least one first flavorant, and the at least one first flavorant is a tobacco extract.

[0012] In one embodiment, the at least one first consumable substance includes at least one first flavorant, the at least one first flavorant being a non-tobacco flavorant.

[0013] In one embodiment, the at least one first consumable substance comprises between about 1 mg and 15 mg of nicotine by weight.

[0014] In one embodiment, the filter material includes one of non-tobacco plant-based cellulose, tobacco cellulose, or both non-tobacco plant-based cellulose and tobacco cellulose.

[0015] In one embodiment, the filter further comprises at least one first containment structure for containing one or more portions, the at least one first containment structure contacting at least a side surface of the contained filter material, wherein the at least one first containment structure defines a first opening and a second opening on respective ends of the contained filter material.

[0016] In one embodiment, the filter further comprises a flow restriction section having a first end and a second end, the first end of the flow restriction section being connected to the contained filter material; and a non-consumable filter connected to the second end of the flow restriction section, the non-consumable filter being free of consumable material.

[0017] In one embodiment, the filter further includes at least one first containment structure, which contacts at least the side surface of the contained filter material, the flow restriction section and the non-consumable filter to contain the contained filter material, the flow restriction section and the non-consumable filter together, and wherein the flow restriction section defines an internal void space, wherein the flow restrictor is in the internal void space, and the flow restrictor is spaced apart from the first end and the second end of the flow restriction section.

[0018] In one embodiment, the filter further comprises a reservoir containing at least one first consumable substance, the reservoir being in fluid communication with the contained filter material.

[0019] In one embodiment, the filter further comprises a reservoir configured to contain at least one first consumable substance; and a structural transport configured to maintain fluid communication between the reservoir and said contained filter material.

[0020] At least another exemplary embodiment relates to an apparatus.

[0021] In one embodiment, the device includes at least one first section, the first section including an airflow passage, a first reservoir configured to contain at least a first pre-steam formulation, a heater connected to the first reservoir and the airflow passage, the heater configured to at least partially vaporize the first pre-steam formulation, and a filter connected to the airflow passage, the filter is downstream of the heater, the filter includes a contained filter material, the contained filter material includes one or more portions of the filter material, the one or more portions define a gap extending through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material, the gap is configured to allow airflow through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material, and at least one first consumable substance injected into the filter material, the at least one first consumable substance including nicotine, at least one first flavorant, a pre-steam formulation, a subcombination thereof, or a combination thereof.

[0022] In one embodiment, the device further includes a control system electrically connected to the heater, the control system is configured to detect at least one first parameter, the at least one first parameter is at least one of the resistance of the heater, the temperature of the heater, the air intake in the airflow path, a combination thereof or a sub-combination thereof, and the control system is configured to send current to the heater based on the at least one first parameter.

[0023] In one embodiment, the one or more portions include at least one sheet of filter material having a plurality of folds extending through a longitudinal length of the contained filter material, the gaps being defined by the plurality of folds of the at least one sheet of filter material.

[0024] In one embodiment, the contained filter material has a resistance to draw (RTD) of about 5 mm water to 40 mm water.

[0025] In one embodiment, the at least one first consumable substance includes at least one first flavorant, the at least one first flavorant being at least one of a tobacco extract, a non-tobacco flavorant, or both a tobacco extract and a non-tobacco flavorant.

[0026] In one embodiment, the filter of the device further includes a flow-restricting section having a first end and a second end, the first end of the flow-restricting section being connected to a contained filter material, the flow-restricting section defining an internal void space, wherein a flow restrictor is in the internal void space, the flow restrictor is spaced apart from the first end and the second end of the flow-restricting section, a non-consumable filter is connected to the second end of the flow-restricting section, the non-consumable filter having no consumable material, and at least one first containing structure, the first containing structure contacting at least a side surface of the contained filter material, the flow-restricting section and the non-consumable filter to contain the contained filter material, the flow-restricting section and the non-consumable filter together to form a rod, and wherein the rod is configured to be inserted into the distal end of at least one first section so that the non-consumable filter extends from at least one first section.

[0027] At least another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of forming a filter for an e-vapor cigarette segment.

[0028] In one embodiment, the method includes forming a sheet of filter material; containing the sheet of filter material to form a contained filter material, the containing including: folding the sheet of filter material to produce a plurality of folds along the width of the sheet of filter material; gathering the sheet of filter material to form the contained filter material, the plurality of folds in the sheet of filter material forming a gap extending through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material, the gap being configured to allow airflow through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material; and injecting at least one first consumable substance into the sheet of filter material, the at least one first consumable substance being one of nicotine, at least one first flavorant, a pre-vapor formulation, a combination thereof, or a sub-combination thereof.

[0029] In one embodiment, the containment of the sheet of filter material ensures that the contained filter material has a resistance to draw (RTD) of about 5 mm water to 40 mm water.

[0030] In one embodiment, the infusion of the filter material sheet includes infusing the filter material sheet with at least one first flavorant, the at least one first flavorant being at least one of a tobacco extract, a non-tobacco flavorant, or both a tobacco extract and a non-tobacco flavorant.

[0031] In one embodiment, the method further includes connecting a first end of the flow restriction segment to a contained filter material; connecting a second end of the flow restriction segment to a non-consumable filter, the non-consumable filter having no consumable material, the flow restriction segment defining an internal void space, wherein a flow restrictor is in the internal void space, the flow restrictor being spaced apart from the first end and the second end of the flow restriction segment; and using at least one first containment structure to contain the contained filter material, the flow restriction segment, and the non-consumable filter together. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein will become more apparent upon review of the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Unless explicitly mentioned, the drawings should not be considered to be drawn to scale. The various dimensions of the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0033] Figure 1 is an illustration of a side view of a filter according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0034] Figure 2A is an illustration of a roll of filter material according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0035] Figure 2B is an illustration of a rolled sheet of filter material according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0036] Figure 2C is an illustration of a rolled sheet of filter material according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0037] Figure 2D is a cross-sectional view of a filter according to an exemplary embodiment ( Figure 1 AA) in the diagram;

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a device with a filter according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0039] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a device with a filter according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0040] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a device with a filter and a reservoir according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0041] Fig. 6A is an illustration of a side view of a filter in an insert according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0042] Figure 6B is an illustration of a side view of a filter in an insert according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0043] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a device having a filter in an insert according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0044] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a method of making a filter according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0045] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a method of making a device including a filter according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Some detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. However, for the purpose of describing the exemplary embodiments, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are only representative. However, the exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many alternative forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

[0047] Therefore, although the exemplary embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, the exemplary embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the exemplary embodiments will cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives. Throughout the description of the figures, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0048] It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," or "covering" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or covering another element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intermediate elements or layers. Throughout the specification, like numbers represent like elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations or subcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0049] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or portions, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These words are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or section.

[0050] For ease of description, spatially relative terms (e.g., "below," "below," "above," "upper," etc.) may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the figure. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings, the spatially relative terms are expected to cover different orientations of the device when in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, the elements described as being "below" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the term "below..." can include both "above..." and "below..." orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0051] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing various exemplary embodiments, and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are also intended to include plural forms. It will also be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "comprising" are used in this specification, they specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof.

[0052] When the word "about" or "substantially" is used in connection with a numerical value in the present specification, it means that the relevant numerical value includes a tolerance of ±10% around the numerical value unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0053] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0054] The hardware may use processing or control circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more processors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontrollers, one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more systems on a chip (SoCs), one or more programmable logic units (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other device or devices capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner.

[0055] Figure 1 1 is an illustration of a side view of a filter 104 according to an exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 104 includes a filter material 100 infused with a consumable substance. In an exemplary embodiment, the contained filter material 100 is formed by being curled and bonded together to form gaps 101 (see FIG. 1 ) extending through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material 100. Figures 2A-2D ) is formed by a filter material 105, wherein the gap 101 provides a path for airflow to travel through the length of the contained filter material 100.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the contained filter material 100 is held together by a containment structure 103. In an exemplary embodiment, the contained filter material 100 and the containment structure 103 are combined to form a filter 104 or a portion of a filter 104. The filter 104 can have a variety of shapes or sizes. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 104 is in the shape of a rod, which is sized to fit into the housing 6b of the device, or on one end of the housing 6b (e.g., Figure 3-5 In an exemplary embodiment, filter 104 is sized to include sufficient contained filter material 100, and a concentration of consumable substance within contained filter material 100 (as described below) to provide a determined number of puffs and / or a determined number of puffs within a desired duration.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the containment structure 103 completely surrounds the contained filter material 100. In another embodiment, the containment structure 103 does not cover all sides of the contained filter material 100, and may define openings for airflow entry and exit, for example, on the end 100a of the contained filter material 100. The containment structure 103 can be made of more than one material. In an exemplary embodiment, the containment structure 103 can include a soft and / or porous covering. In an exemplary embodiment, the containment structure 103 can include a covering made of cellulose, plant-based cellulose, fabric, cotton, fiber, thread, other suitable textiles, paper, plugging paper, or a combination or sub-combination of these materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the containment structure 103 can include a hard shell made of metal, metal alloy, one or more polymers, plastics, resins, etc., wherein the hard shell may or may not substantially surround the contained filter material 100. The hard shell of the containment structure 103 can be cylindrical. If the containment structure 103 is a hard shell covering the sides of the contained filter material 100, at least one or more openings and / or perforations in the shell may be included to allow airflow through the contained filter material 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the containment structure 103 on one or both ends 100a and / or sides 100b of the contained filter material 100 is made of a porous material and may include a mesh, such as a metal, plastic, resin and / or polymer mesh. In an exemplary embodiment, the ends 100A and / or sides 100B of the contained filter material 100 may also be covered by the containment structure 103, which includes a soft and / or porous covering made of cellulose, plant-based cellulose, fabric, cotton, fiber, thread, other suitable textiles, pulp, paper, tipping paper, or a combination or sub-combination of these materials.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 104 does not include a containment structure 103, and instead only the curled and contained filter material 100 constitutes the filter 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the ends 100a of the contained filter material 100 are open (e.g., the containment structure 103 defines an opening), thereby allowing airflow to freely enter and exit these ends 100a of the contained filter material 100, while the sides 100b of the contained filter material 100 may or may not include a containment structure 103 containing the contained filter material 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the containment structure 103 is made of a sheet or layer of filter material 105.

[0059] The containing structure 103 of some exemplary embodiments and / or the filter material 100 contained are suitable for allowing airflow to pass through the length of the filter 104, thereby allowing airflow to pass through the end 100a of the filter material 100 contained. In an exemplary embodiment, the containing structure 103 and / or the filter material 100 contained can be a shape other than a rod. For example, the filter material 100 contained can be in the shape of a rod, a disk, a flat surface, a square, a rectangle or any other desired shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter material 100 can be a cylindrical shape, and the containing structure 103 can be wrapped around the cylinder without covering the end 100a. Other shapes or cross-sectional configurations can be used.

[0060] Figure 2A 1 is an illustration of a roll 105A of filter material 105 according to an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the filter material 105 is pressed and formed into a flat sheet, wherein for convenience, the sheet can be handled and / or stored in the roll 105A. The roll 105A can optionally include a mandrel 105b that can support the roll 105a of filter material 105. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter material 105 is filter paper.

[0061] In other embodiments, the filter material 105 is a block of material, an extruded material, or a material in a shape other than a flat sheet. In this embodiment, the filter material 105 is porous and includes gaps within the filter material 105, wherein the filter material 105 can be formed or preformed into the desired shape of the contained filter material 100, while the filter material 105 is not even in a paper-like or sheet-like shape before forming the contained filter material 100.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, filter material 105 is made of pulp, and this pulp is bleached or unbleached 100% softwood pulp.In this embodiment, filter material 105 has the thickness of about 100 microns and the density of about 5 kilograms per cubic meter.In an exemplary embodiment, filter material 105 is the composite material made of wood pulp and / or paper.In another embodiment, filter material 105 is made of plant-based cellulose material.In this embodiment, filter material 105 is made of plant-based cellulose material derived from tobacco material or non-tobacco material.In an exemplary embodiment, filter material 105 has the tensile strength of at least 10 Newtons, to provide rigidity to the filter material 100 accommodated.In an exemplary embodiment, filter material 105 has the air permeability of about 4500cu, is less than 5% humidity and exceeds the ignition temperature of 150 degrees Celsius.In an exemplary embodiment, filter material 105 is porous, and wherein pore size is about 10-12 micron or about 11 microns.

[0063] As described in more detail below, in an exemplary embodiment, at some point during the processing of the filter material 105 into the contained filter material 100, the filter material 105 is infused with a consumable substance, wherein the consumable substance includes nicotine, one or more flavorants, and / or a pre-vapor formulation.

[0064] Figure 2B 1 is an illustration of a filter material 105 in the form of a sheet according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the filter material 105 is curled. The sheet of filter material 105 may remain attached to roll 105a during further processing of the filter material 105, or the sheet of filter material 105 may be cut from roll 105a. Optionally, the sheet of filter material 105 is formed and stored as a sheet such that the sheet of filter material 105 is not part of roll 105A. In an exemplary embodiment, during the curling process, the filter material 105 is folded and / or pressed to form a curled filter material 102 (e.g., Figure 2C In this embodiment, the crimped filter material 102 includes a "W" shaped profile. The crimping may be performed in any manner, including, for example, by using any known crimping device 107.

[0065] In another embodiment, the filter material 105 is formed and processed into a block of material or another shape of the filter material 105 such that the filter material 105 is not in the form of a flat sheet.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, filter material 105 is a non-tobacco material. In an exemplary embodiment, non-tobacco material is non-tobacco cellulose. Specifically, non-tobacco cellulose is cast or made into filter material 105, wherein in an exemplary embodiment, filter material 105 is the form of flat sheet-like (paper-like) layer, which may or may not be roll 105a. In an exemplary embodiment, cellulose is a water-insoluble organic polymer material, which is made of vegetable material, plant-based material, plant cell wall, plant fiber, cotton, polysaccharide, glucose unit chain (monomer), cellulose acetate, the combination of these materials or sub-combination etc. In another embodiment, cellulose is partially water-soluble and by described material, or the combination of material or sub-combination etc. is made.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the filter material 105 is about 30% to 99% alpha-cellulose material made of plant material, about 0.01% to 2% ash, and the remainder is cysteine. In an exemplary embodiment, the cysteine ​​is a plant-based material that includes beta-cellulose, gamma-cellulose, biopolymers, or a combination or sub-combination thereof. In some examples, the main strength and water-insoluble properties of the filter material 105 can be derived from the content of alpha-cellulose in the filter material 105. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter material 105 is more than 98% alpha-cellulose material made of plant material, and about 0.01% to 2% ash, and the remainder is cysteine, wherein the filter material 105 embodiment is water-insoluble. The value ranges in these exemplary embodiments are not limiting and can be lower or higher than these ranges.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, filter material 105 is a plant-based cellulose derived from tobacco plants at least in part. Cellulose is cast or made into filter material 105, wherein in an exemplary embodiment, filter material 105 is in the form of a flat sheet-like (paper-like) layer, which may or may not be roll 105a. In an exemplary embodiment, filter material 105 is a plant-based cellulose, which may or may not include tobacco extract. In an exemplary embodiment, tobacco cellulose is a water-insoluble material, or may be a partially water-soluble material.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, the filter material 105 is about 30% to 99% tobacco cellulose, about 0.01% to 2% ash, and the remainder is cysteine. In another embodiment, the filter material 105 is more than 98% tobacco cellulose, about 0.01% to 2% ash, and the remainder is cysteine ​​fiber, wherein the filter material 105 embodiment is non-water-soluble. The value ranges in these exemplary embodiments are not limiting and can be lower or higher than these ranges.

[0070] Figure 2C FIG. 1 is a diagram of a rolled sheet 102 of a filter material 105 according to an exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the rolled sheet 102 has a "W"-shaped side profile, such as Figure 2D As seen in.

[0071] Figure 2D is a cross-sectional view of a filter 104 according to an exemplary embodiment ( Figure 1In this embodiment, curled filter materials 102 are contained, combined, collected, folded, pressed and / or merged together to form a contained filter material 100, wherein the curled filter materials 102 have a "W" shaped profile and gaps 101 are defined between the curled filter materials 102. The gaps 101 traverse the longitudinal length of the contained filter material 100, such that the gaps 101 exist between the ends 100a of the contained filter material 100 (see Figure 1 ).

[0072] Transversely to the length of the contained filter material 100, and formed parallel to the through means 60 (see Figure 3 ) of the airflow path in the direction of the airflow assists in allowing the filter 104 to provide filtering characteristics while maintaining a low suction resistance (RTD) through the filter 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the containment structure 103 and / or the contained filter material 100 are combined to form a filter 104 with a suction resistance (RTD) between about 5 mm of water and 40 mm of water. Other RTDs may be implemented, and in some embodiments, the RTD may be lower than 5 mm of water or higher than 40 mm of water. In an exemplary embodiment, the RTD of the filter 104 is about 18 mm of water to 25 mm of water. It should be understood that as the filter 104 is used in operation, the RTD of the filter 104 decreases over time.

[0073] In another embodiment, instead of curling a sheet of filter material 105 to form a curled filter material 102, and then bonding the curled filter material together to form a contained filter material 100 including interstices 101, the filter material 105 may instead be processed in a different manner. For example, a block of filter material 105 may be formed, wherein interstices 101 are included in the block of filter material 105. The block of filter material 105 may be formed, for example, by an extrusion process, wherein the extrusion process also forms interstices 101 through the block of filter material 105. Additionally, interstices 101 may be formed in the block of filter material 105 by cutting, punching, and / or perforating or slitting through the block of filter material 105.

[0074] As described herein, the contained filter material 100 and / or filter material block 105 may be considered a "functional filter material" in the sense that it may include flavorings, nicotine, and / or pre-vapor formulations.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, flavoring, spices or fragrance system are included in the filter material 105 that forms filter 104, so that release fragrance and / or fragrance during operation, including in some cases, when heating and / or airflow passes through filter 104. In an exemplary embodiment, flavoring comprises volatile tobacco aroma compounds. Flavoring can also include except tobacco, or the fragrance except tobacco flavoring. Flavoring can be the spices of natural spices or artificial spices. For example, at least one spice can comprise tobacco flavoring, tobacco extract, menthol, wintergreen, mint, vanilla flavoring, fruit flavoring, nut flavoring, wine flavoring, barbecue flavor, mint flavor, salty taste, cinnamon flavor, clove flavor and any other desired flavoring, and combination or sub-combination.

[0076] In an exemplary embodiment, the flavoring agent is added to the filter material 105 before or after the filter material 105 is processed into a sheet material, or before or after the filter material 105 is combined to form the contained filter material 100 of the filter 104. In some exemplary embodiments, this can be achieved by dipping the filter material 105 and / or the contained filter material 100 in the flavoring agent, dispersing the flavoring agent onto the filter material 105 and / or the contained filter material 100, or otherwise exposing the filter material 105 and / or the contained filter material 100 to the flavoring agent.

[0077] In an exemplary embodiment, the flavoring agent is infused into the filter material 105 during initial formation and / or processing of the filter material 105, and prior to being formed into a sheet and / or block of the filter material 105. In an exemplary embodiment, the flavoring agent may also or alternatively be infused into the filter material 105 after initial formation and / or processing of the filter material 105. In another embodiment, the filter material 105 and / or the contained filter material 100 is unflavored, such that the flavoring agent is not included in the contained filter material 100 of the filter 104.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, the flavoring system is included in a reservoir 106 adjacent to the contained filter material 100, wherein the reservoir 106 is in fluid communication with the contained filter material 100 (see Figure 5 ). Such a flavoring system may replace or supplement the flavoring system injected into the filter material 105 and / or contained within the filter material 100.

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, the flavoring / fragrance added to the filter material 105 and / or the contained filter material 100 may include a "tobacco flavoring" that is not tobacco. That is, this flavoring is not a tobacco extract, it is not from tobacco, and does not include any form of tobacco material, but this aromatic flavoring feels similar (smell and / or taste, etc.) to tobacco.

[0080] In an exemplary embodiment, nicotine is included in the filter material 105 and / or the contained filter material 100. In an exemplary embodiment, each filter 104 includes about 1-15 mg of nicotine, or about 1-10 mg of nicotine is included in each filter 104. Less or more nicotine may be used in other exemplary embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 104 contains enough nicotine so that the initial (first) five "puffs" of the filter 104 include about 100-500 micrograms of nicotine per puff. In other exemplary embodiments, less or more nicotine may be used in the filter 104 to obtain other results. A "puff" is defined as about 55 cm 3 The fluid flows in a period of between about 3-5 seconds.

[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, nicotine is added to the filter material 105 before or after the filter material 105 is processed into a sheet material, or before or after the filter material 105 is combined to form the contained filter material 100 of the filter 104. In some exemplary embodiments, this can be achieved by soaking the filter material 105 and / or the contained filter material 100 in nicotine, dispersing the nicotine onto the filter material 105 and / or the contained filter material 100, or otherwise exposing the filter material 105 and / or the contained filter material 100 to nicotine.

[0082] In an exemplary embodiment, nicotine is infused into the filter material 105 during initial formation and / or processing of the filter material 105, and prior to being formed into a sheet and / or block of the filter material 105. In an exemplary embodiment, nicotine may also or alternatively be infused into the filter material 105 after initial formation and / or processing of the filter material 105. In another embodiment, the filter material 105 and / or the filter 104 do not include nicotine, such that nicotine is not included in the contained filter material 100 of the filter 104.

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment, nicotine may be included in a reservoir 106 adjacent to the contained filter material 100, wherein the reservoir 106 is in fluid communication with the contained filter material 100 (see Figure 5 Such nicotine may replace or supplement the nicotine injected into the filter material 105 and / or contained within the filter material 100.

[0084] In an exemplary embodiment, flavorings and / or nicotine are included in the pre-steam formulation, and the pre-steam formulation containing flavorings and / or nicotine is then injected into the filter material 105. In another embodiment, the pre-steam formulation is injected into the filter material 105 separately from the flavorings and / or nicotine. The pre-steam formulation is a material or combination of materials that can be converted into steam. Steam, aerosol and dispersion are interchangeable terms, and are intended to cover any substance produced or output by the claimed device and its equivalents. The pre-steam formulation can also be an aerosol pre-formulation or a dispersion pre-formulation.

[0085] In an exemplary embodiment, the pre-steam formulation may be a liquid, solid, or gel formulation including, but not limited to, water, beads, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural or artificial flavorings, and / or at least one steam former, such as glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0086] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one steam forming agent of the pre-steam formulation includes a glycol (such as propylene glycol and / or 1,3-propylene glycol), glycerol, and a combination or sub-combination thereof. Various amounts of steam forming agents can be used. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the amount of at least one steam forming agent included is in the range of about 20% by weight based on the weight of the pre-steam formulation to about 90% by weight based on the weight of the pre-steam formulation (for example, the steam forming agent is in the range of about 50% to about 80%, or in the range of about 55% to 75%, or in the range of about 60% to 70%), and so on. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the pre-steam formulation includes a glycol and glycerol in a weight ratio in the range of about 1:4 to 4:1, wherein the glycol is propylene glycol or 1,3-propylene glycol or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, this ratio is about 3:2. Other amounts or ranges can be used.

[0087] In an exemplary embodiment, the pre-steam formulation also includes water. The water of various amounts can be used. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the amount of water included can range from about 5 % by weight based on the weight of the pre-steam formulation to about 40 % by weight based on the weight of the pre-steam formulation, or the amount of water ranges from about 10 % by weight based on the weight of the pre-steam formulation to about 15 % by weight based on the weight of the pre-steam formulation. Other amounts or percentages can be used. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the remainder of the pre-steam formulation that is not water (and nicotine and / or flavoring compounds) is a steam-forming agent (described above), wherein the steam-forming agent is 30 % by weight to 70 % by weight of propylene glycol, and the remainder of the steam-forming agent is glycerol. Other amounts or percentages can be used.

[0088] In an exemplary embodiment, the pre-steam formulation includes at least one flavoring agent in a range of about 0.2% by weight to about 15% by weight (e.g., the flavoring agent may be in a range of about 1% to about 12%, or about 2% to about 10%, or about 5% to about 8%). In an exemplary embodiment, the pre-steam formulation includes nicotine in an amount in a range of about 1% to about 10% by weight (e.g., nicotine in a range of about 2% to 9%, or about 2% to 8%, or about 2% to 6%). In an exemplary embodiment, the portion of the pre-steam formulation that is not nicotine and / or flavoring agent includes 10-15% by weight of water, wherein the remainder of the non-nicotine and non-flavoring portion of the formulation is a mixture of propylene glycol and a steam forming agent, wherein the weight ratio of the mixture ranges from about 60:40 to 40:60. Other combinations, amounts or ranges may be used.

[0089] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a device 60 with a filter 104 according to an exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the device 60 is an electronic vapor cigarette device. In an exemplary embodiment, the device 60 includes a first section 70 that is a cartridge. In an exemplary embodiment, the first section 70 includes a reservoir 20 containing a pre-steam formulation 22 (such as the pre-steam formulation described above). In an exemplary embodiment, the reservoir 20 is in fluid communication with the heater 14 in the first section 70. Specifically, the structural transport member 18 can allow the pre-steam formulation 22 to travel from the reservoir 20 to the heater 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the structural transport member 18 includes a physical structure that at least partially utilizes capillary action, gravity, piezoelectric power, solar energy, absorption, osmosis, pressure gradients, applied pressure, other modes of fluid transmission, or combinations / sub-combinations thereof to allow, cause and / or force the pre-steam formulation 22 to travel from the reservoir 20 to the heater 14.

[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, the device 60 includes a second section 72. In an exemplary embodiment, the second section 72 is a power section. The second section 72 can be connected to the first section 70. In an exemplary embodiment, the second section 72 includes a control system 1. In an exemplary embodiment, the control system 1 includes a controller 90 operably connected to a power source 94 and at least one sensor 92 (such as a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor). The at least one sensor 92 can be located in the first section 70 or the second section 72. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one sensor 92 is operably configured to measure one or more of the following: the resistance of the heater 14, the temperature of the heater 14, and / or the airflow draw through the device 60. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 90 of the control system 1 receives one or more input signals from the at least one sensor 92, and the controller 90 controls the operation of the device 60, including supplying current from the power source 94 to the heater 14 to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation based at least in part on the signal from the at least one sensor 92. In an exemplary embodiment, the control system 1 is operably and electrically connected to the heater 14 via the electrical lead 26 to allow the control system 1 to selectively send current to the heater 14. Both sections 70 / 72 may include respective housings 6b / 6a, wherein the sections may be connected by a connecting structure 75. The steam thus formed is drawn out of the device 60 via the mouth end insert 8. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more air inlets 40 are included in the housing 6a and / or the housing 6b (in either the first section 70 or the second section 72 of the device 60). Figure 3 The housings 6a / 6b in the device 60 may be of the same or different shapes, such as cylindrical, square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, curvilinear, irregular, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more air inlets 40 are used to establish an airflow path through the device 60 that may exit the mouth end insert 8, wherein the heater 14 and the filter 104 are in the airflow path or otherwise exposed to the airflow path. In an exemplary embodiment, the control system 1 is in fluid communication with the airflow path.

[0091] In an exemplary embodiment, the first section 70 includes a filter 104. In the first section 70, the filter 104 is positioned to cause the contained filter material 100 to reside in the path of the steam flow 124 defined by the device 60. The steam 124 leaving the heater 14 passes through the contained filter material 100. As described in more detail below, in this case, the filter 104 can physically filter the steam 124 while also forming a downstream steam 124a, which includes entrained flavorings, nicotine and / or steam pre-formulations from the filter 104. Steam, aerosol and dispersion are used interchangeably and are intended to cover any substance produced or output by the claimed device and / or device elements and their equivalents.

[0092] In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 104 is sized so that the side of the containment structure 103 is press-fit into the external air passage 9a, or the second (enlarged) external air passage 9b (note that Figure 3 104 is shown in the second external air passage 9b), or in both (where the device 60 includes more than one filter 104). In an exemplary embodiment where the filter 104 does not have a receiving structure 103, the filter 104 can be sized so that the filter material 100 is press-fit into the external passages 9a, 9b, or both. The filter 104 is positioned downstream of the heater 14 and can be located near the mouth end insert 8 of the device 60. Instead of a press fit, the filter 104 can instead be held in place via an adhesive, a set screw, a snap-fit ​​connection structure, or any other structure required to hold the filter 104 in position within the first section 70.

[0093] exist Figure 3 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the containment structure 103 can be located on one or both ends 100a of the contained filter material 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the containment structure 103 includes a screen and / or porous material as described above to allow steam 124 to flow freely through the contained filter material 100. At the same time, as described above, the side 100b of the contained filter material 100 includes a containment structure 103, which can be a soft, hard or solid material, so as to allow the filter 104 to firmly grasp and / or adhere to and / or press fit to the internal passage 10 of the housing 6b and / or the first section 70, and remain in place. In another embodiment, as described above, the contained filter material 100 can constitute the entire filter 104, so that the containment structure 103 does not exist. Alternatively, the filter 104 can only have a containment structure 103 on the side 100b of the contained filter material 100, so that one or both ends 100a of the contained filter material 100 are open (for example, the containment structure 103 may not exist on the end 100a).

[0094] In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 104 is fixed in the first section 70. In this embodiment, the first section 70 can be disposable. In another embodiment, the filter 104 is temporarily retained in the first section 70, so that the filter 104 is removable and replaceable before the useful service life of the first section 70, allowing the first section 70 to be non-disposable and / or reused with a replacement filter 104. In this embodiment, the filter 104 can allow the flavoring system, nicotine and / or pre-vapor formulation to be added or refilled in the filter 104, so that the filter 104 can then be reinstalled in the first section 70. In another embodiment, the filter 104 is removable and can be replaced with a new filter 104, wherein the filter 104 can be disposable. Alternatively, the containment structure 103 of the filter 104 can be removable, or remain fixed in the first section 70, wherein only the contained filter material 100 can be removed and replaced from the containment structure 103, so that the containment structure 103 is reusable, and the contained filter material 100 is replaceable. In yet another embodiment, the filter 104 is not removable and replaceable, or in addition to the filter 104 being removable and replaceable, the first section 70 may allow access to the contained filter material 100 and / or filter 104 to allow the flavoring system, nicotine and / or pre-vapor formulation to be added or refilled within the contained filter material 100 and / or filter 104.

[0095] In an exemplary embodiment, the reservoir 20 contains a supply of a pre-steam formulation 22 that is heated by the heater 14 to generate steam, wherein the pre-steam formulation 22 supply is separate from the pre-steam formulation injected into the filter material 105 of the contained filter material 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the pre-steam formulation 22 includes the same flavoring and / or nicotine as the flavoring and / or nicotine described above, or alternatively is different from the flavoring and / or nicotine described above, or alternatively, the pre-steam formulation 22 can be modified to contain no other flavoring and / or nicotine. In an exemplary embodiment, because the steam generated by the heater 14 flows through the contained filter material 100, the flavoring and / or nicotine can be provided by the flavoring and / or nicotine in the contained filter material 100.

[0096] In the exemplary embodiment, the heater 14 is in communication with the internal passage 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the internal passage 10 is cylindrical, but the internal passage 10 may be of different shapes and may have a cross-sectional profile such as square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, irregular, etc. In the exemplary embodiment, the heater 14 is made of iron aluminide (e.g., FeAl or Fe3Al).

[0097] As described above, the heater 14 is located upstream of the filter 104. The heater 14 heats the pre-steam formulation 22 to produce the vapor 124, wherein the vapor 124 is heated to a degree such that the hot vapor 124 can at least partially extract (e.g., vaporize, elute, etc.) the flavoring, nicotine, and / or components of the pre-steam formulation in the contained filter material 100 as the vapor 124 flows through the contained filter material 100 to produce downstream vapor 124a that exits the filter 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 14 is separated from the contained filter material 100 and / or the filter 104 by a distance such that convection also indirectly heats the contained filter material 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 14 is located in a channel for airflow (e.g., the internal passage 10) having a smaller diameter and / or a smaller cross-sectional area relative to the channel (air passage 9b) containing the filter 104. In other exemplary embodiments, the channels containing the heater 14 and the filter 104 are channels having the same diameter and / or the same cross-sectional area for airflow.

[0098] In an embodiment, the heater 14 is in the form of a coil, a planar body, a ceramic body, a single wire, a resistive wire cage, or any other suitable form configured to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation 22. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the heater 14 is formed of any one or more suitable resistive materials. In another exemplary embodiment, the heater 14 is a ceramic heater having a resistive layer on its outer surface.

[0099] In an exemplary embodiment, the mouth end insert 8 of the first section 70 may be permanently fixed to the end of the first section 70, or alternatively, the mouth end insert 8 is removable. In an exemplary embodiment where the mouth end insert 8 is removable, this may allow the filter 104 to also be replaced and / or refilled from the open ends of the housing 6b that are provided when the mouth end insert 8 is removed.

[0100] The position of the heater 14 is not limited to Figure 3 The position of the filter 104 is not limited to Figure 3The position shown. For example, the heater 14 can be located at the downstream end of the external air passage 9a so that the heater 14 can be closer to the contained filter material 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 14 can protrude from the external air passage 9a and protrude into the second external air passage 9b. At the same time, the filter 104 can be arranged to be closer to the mouth end insert 8, or closer to the external air passage 9a. In addition, instead of the filter 104 being positioned in the second external air passage 9b, or in addition to the filter 104 being also positioned in the second air passage 9b, the filter 104 can be positioned in the narrower external air passage 9a. In an exemplary embodiment, more than one filter 104 is included in the first section 70. In some embodiments, an external air passage 9b without an air passage 9a may be included, wherein the heater 14 and the filter 104 are fluidically connected via the air passage 9b.

[0101] In some exemplary embodiments, the heater 14 heats the contained filter material 100, but the heater 14 does not burn and / or combust the filter 104 and / or the contained filter material 100. Therefore, in some exemplary embodiments, the contained filter material 100 is non-flammable. Since the first section 70 includes the heater 14 that vaporizes the pre-vapor formulation 22, but the device 60 does not burn any material anyway, the first section 70 and / or the device 60 can be referred to as a "non-flammable device."

[0102] In an exemplary embodiment, the power source 94 is a battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. The battery may be a lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example, a lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the battery may be a nickel metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a lithium manganese battery, a lithium cobalt battery, a fuel cell, or a solar cell. Any other power source or battery technology may be used. In an exemplary embodiment, the second section 72 may be available until the energy in the power source 94 of the control system 1 is exhausted and / or below a certain threshold. Alternatively, the power source 94 of the control system 1 may be rechargeable and reusable, and may include a circuit that allows the battery to be charged by an external charging device, or may be recharged via solar energy. In some exemplary embodiments, the circuit of the control system 1, when charged, may provide power for the desired (or alternatively, determined) number of puffs until the energy in the power source 94 is exhausted and / or until the energy in the power source 94 is reduced to below a certain threshold, after which the circuit must be reconnected to the external charging device.

[0103] In an exemplary embodiment, the first section 70 is connectable to the second section 72 via a connecting structure 75. In an embodiment, the connecting structure 75 may include a threaded connection. A friction fit, a snap fit, an adhesive, a removable and / or insertable pin, a magnetic connection or other suitable structure may be used to connect the sections 70 / 72 to each other. Optionally, the second section 72 is permanently connected to the first section 70 so that the second section 72 can be an integrated section of the first section 70. In an exemplary embodiment, the device 60 does not have a separate section 70 / 72, so that the device 60 is a single section. Alternatively, the device 60 may include more than two sections. In an exemplary embodiment, the section 70 or the section 70 / 72 collectively defines an airflow path for the device 60, wherein the heater 14 and the filter 104 are connected to this airflow path.

[0104] In some examples, airflow through the device 60 may be caused by air drawn into one or more air inlets 40 and passing through the first section 70. In the external air passage 9a, the airflow may become entrained (eluted) by steam, which may be generated by the heater 14 heating the pre-steam formulation 22. In the second external air passage 9B, the heated steam 124 may pass through the contained filter material 100 of the filter 104 so as to allow the steam to be entrained by the flavoring and / or nicotine added in the contained filter material 100 before the downstream steam 124a exits the device 60. As noted, in some embodiments, there is only one air passage 9B and the steam generated by the heater 14 will be directly transferred to the air passage 9b, wherein the steam 124 may pass through the contained filter material 100 of the filter 104 so as to allow the steam to be entrained by the flavoring and / or nicotine added in the contained filter material 100 before the downstream steam 124a exits the device 60.

[0105] In an exemplary embodiment, airflow through the device 60 activates the device 60. The at least one sensor 92 may be configured to generate an output indicative of airflow, magnitude of airflow, and / or direction of airflow, wherein the controller 90 may receive an output from the at least one sensor 92 output and determine whether the following internal conditions exist: (1) the direction of airflow indicates airflow suction through the device 60 (as opposed to air blowing through the device 60), and / or (2) the magnitude of the airflow exceeds a threshold. In some exemplary embodiments, only one condition may be sufficient to activate the heater, while in other instances, both conditions or all conditions may have to be met before the heater is activated. If these internal conditions of the device 60 are met, the controller 90 may electrically connect the power supply 94 to the heater 14, thereby activating the heater 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one sensor 92 generates a variable output signal that is at least partially related to the magnitude of the pressure drop sensed by the at least one sensor 92. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 90 may send a variable current to the heater 14 based on the variable output signal from the at least one sensor 92. At least one sensor 92 may include a sensor as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 793,453, “Electronic Smoke Apparatus,” filed on July 7, 2015, or a sensor as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,072,321, “Electronic Smoke,” issued on July 7, 2015, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other types of sensors may be used to detect airflow.

[0106] Figure 4 FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another device 62 having a filter 104 according to an exemplary embodiment. For the sake of brevity, the filter 104 is not described here. Figure 3Same reference numerals. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 104 includes a second filter 1220, which is a non-consumable filter (does not include consumable substances), which may be, for example, a cellulose acetate (CA) filter. The containment structure 103 and / or a portion of the filter 104 may be connected to the second filter 1220 via any known means and / or structure, including but not limited to an adhesive, a covering or containment structure 103 (e.g., a tipping paper covering the filter 1220 and the filter 104, or the containment structure 103 extends to cover both the filter 104 and the filter 1220, etc.), pins, pins, etc. The second filter 1220 is at least partially surrounded by a covering 1255, wherein the covering 1255 may be a foil, a tipping paper, or other material that allows downstream steam 124a to pass through the second filter 1220 through at least the upstream end and the downstream end of the filter. As noted, in some examples, the cover 1255 can cover the filter 1220, the containment structure 103 can contain the filter material 100, and both can be covered by an additional cover connecting the two, or the cover 1255 and the containment structure 103 can form part of the same cover that covers both the filter 1220 and the contained filter material 100. In another example, the containment structure 103 can cover the contained filter material 100, and a separate cover can cover the filter 1220 and the containment structure 103. Other variations of connecting the filter 1220 and the contained filter material 100 can be used. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 104 and the second filter 1220 can be removed from the first section 74 of the device 62 as one element, and a replacement filter 104 with the filter 1220 can be inserted into the device 62. In another embodiment, the filter 104 is not connected to the second filter 1220, and the filter 104 is instead located at the end of the device 62, where the filter 104 can be removed from the end of the device 62. In an exemplary embodiment, filter 1220 replaces a mouth end insert (eg, Figure 3 The mouth end insert 8) is provided so that there is no separate mouth end insert.

[0107] In the exemplary embodiment, dilution air (not shown) is introduced into the flow of downstream steam 124A before steam 124a exits device 62. This may be accomplished, for example, by perforating the sides of cover 1255 of second filter 1220.

[0108] Figure 5It is a schematic diagram of another device 60a with a filter 104a including a reservoir 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. For the sake of brevity, the same reference numerals as the aforementioned embodiments are no longer described here. In an exemplary embodiment, the reservoir 106 holds nicotine, spices and / or pre-steam preparations. The reservoir 106 is in fluid communication with the filter material 100 held by the filter 104a. Specifically, the core system 132 (such as core, capillary, narrow channel or other structures that can transmit nicotine, spices and / or pre-steam preparations from the reservoir 106 to the filter material 100 held) is used to provide nicotine, spices and / or pre-steam preparations to the filter material 100 held during the operation of the device 60a, and / or for supplementing the nicotine, spices and / or pre-steam preparations in the filter material 100 held during the operation of the device 60a.

[0109] In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 104a and the reservoir 106 are removable to allow the reservoir 106 to be refilled after exhaustion. In another embodiment, the reservoir 106 is refillable without the filter 104a and / or the reservoir 106 being removed from the first section 70. In another embodiment, the filter 104a, the reservoir 106, and / or the first section 70 are disposable, such that any or all of these elements can be disposed of after the contained filter material 100 and / or the reservoir 106 are exhausted.

[0110] In another embodiment, the reservoir 20 within the first section 70 is in fluid communication with the contained filter material 100, rather than a separate dedicated reservoir 106 being in fluid communication with the contained filter material 100 of the filter 104a. That is, in this embodiment, the reservoir 20 is in fluid communication with the contained filter material 100 and the heater 14.

[0111] Fig. 6A4 is an illustration of a side view of a filter 404 in an insert (insertable rod) 406 according to an exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the insert 406 includes at least three sections: a proximal section as the filter 404, a middle section 408, and a distal section as the filter 410. In some exemplary embodiments, the filter 410 is a non-consumable filter that does not include consumable substances (e.g., 410 has no consumable substances). From the perspective that the middle section 408 is a section of mainly open (void) space (e.g., wrapped by a plugging paper that can also wrap other parts), the insert 406 has a "rod-space-rod" configuration. In some examples, the middle section 408 can include a flow restrictor 412. The flow restrictor 412 can be in the form of a tube with a thick wall 412a, wherein the inner surface 412b of the tube wall forms a restricted flow channel with a restricted diameter 422. In this embodiment, as described above, the filter 404 includes a contained filter material 100 formed by the filter material 105. In an exemplary embodiment, the middle section 408 defines an open space 414 / 416 surrounding the restrictor 412 so that the restrictor 412 does not reach the end of the middle section 408. In some instances, the restrictor 412 can reach both ends of the middle section 408, or can reach one end of the middle section 408 instead of both ends. The reduced inner diameter 422 of the restrictor 412 reduces the cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow through the middle section 408 to control the RTD and the air flow through the rod 406. The non-consumable filter 410 is a filter such as a cellulose acetate (CA) filter. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 410 (or other filters described in various embodiments) can also include nicotine, spices, etc. In some embodiments, spices beads and / or pressure beads can be included in one or more sections. In an exemplary embodiment, before passing through the middle section 408 and the non-consumable filter 410, the air flow through the insert 406 flows in the direction of causing the air flow to enter and flow through the filter material 100 accommodated. In some examples, insert 406 may include less than three sections or more than two sections. For example, one example may include a filter section and filter 104 as already described, or another example may include a section such as middle section 408 and filter 104, and in other examples, three sections with additional space may be included, such as middle section 408, filter section, and / or filter 104 section.

[0112] In an exemplary embodiment, the insert 406 includes a containment structure 103 that spans the length of the rod 406 by covering the outer surface of the filter 404, the middle section 408, and the non-consumable filter 410 and / or any other section that may form a part of the insert 406. In an exemplary embodiment, the only packaging material surrounding the substrate 100, the middle section 408, the filter section 410, and / or any other section that may form a part of the insert 406 is the containment structure 103, and there is no other packaging material around each section that forms a part of the insert 406 (that is, these sections are only wrapped and connected by a single packaging material, such as the containment structure 103). In an exemplary embodiment, the containment structure 103 is made of tipping paper. In another embodiment, the end 406a of the insert 406 is made of any material used for the containment structure 103 of the exemplary embodiments described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the end 406a of the insert 406 is open (e.g., the containment structure 103 only wraps the insert 406 in the longitudinal direction, so that the containment structure 103 does not exist on the end 406a of the rod 406). In another embodiment, there is a containment structure 103 on the end 406a of the rod 406, which is made of any material described in conjunction with the containment structure 103 included in the embodiments herein. It should be understood that the insert 406 with the filter 404, the intermediate section 408, and the non-consumable filter section 410 can be collectively referred to as a filter. One or more sections can also have their own cover, and then the sections can be connected together by another cover or other structure.

[0113] In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter 420 of insert 406 is about 7-10 mm, or about 8.6 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner (limited) diameter 422 of restrictor 412 is about 4-8 mm, or about 5 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal length of filter 404 is about 5-16 mm, or about 6 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal length of middle section (restriction section) 408 is about 12-25 mm, or about 12 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the space 414 / 416 of middle section 408 can each have a longitudinal length of about 4 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal length of non-consumable filter 410 is about 6-9 mm or about 6 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the RTD of insert 406 is about 30 mm water or less, or about 26 mm water or less. In an exemplary embodiment, insert 406 has the following dimensions: filter 404 has a longitudinal length of about 6 mm, intermediate section 408 has a longitudinal length of about 12 mm, wherein spaces 414 / 416 are each about 4 mm long, and non-consumable filter 410 has a longitudinal length of about 6 mm, wherein the RTD of insert 406 is about 26 mm of water or less. It should be appreciated that the presence of the void space within intermediate section 408 and the size of the inner diameter 422 of restrictor 412 help control the airflow rate and RTD of insert 406, wherein a lower RTD generally allows a greater amount of flavorant and / or nicotine to be imparted to the downstream vapor 124a (see FIG. 1 ) exiting insert 406. Figure 7 ). The value ranges in these exemplary embodiments are not limiting and may be lower or higher than these ranges.

[0114] In an exemplary embodiment, the insert 406 is disposable such that after the consumable substance within the contained filter material 100 of the filter 404 is exhausted, the insert 406 can be discarded.

[0115] Figure 6B FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of a filter 404 in an insert (insertable rod) 406b according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 6A Same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the restrictor 411 is a "hat-style" restrictor. In this embodiment, the restrictor 411 relies on the brim 411a of the restrictor 411 to provide a reduced cross-sectional airflow through the restrictor 411, wherein the inner surface 411b of the restrictor 411 defines a passage having a restricted diameter 422. In the exemplary embodiment, the airflow through the insert 406b flows in a direction that causes the airflow to enter and flow through the contained filter material 100 before passing through the intermediate section 408 and the non-consumable filter 410.

[0116] Figure 7FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a device 64 having a filter 404 in an insert (insertable rod) 406 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, insert 406B replaces insert 406 in the device 64. For the sake of brevity, the components related to the filter 404 are not described here. Figure 3 and 6A Same reference numerals. In an exemplary embodiment, the insert 406 can be inserted into the distal (downstream) end of the first section 74 of the device 64. In an example, the device 64 includes multiple sections, such as the first section 74 and the second section 72, and the insert can be inserted into the distal (downstream) end of the first section 74. For example, the insert 406 (or 406B) can be friction fit at the end of the device 64. In an exemplary embodiment, the insert at least partially extends from the distal end of the device 64, so that at least a portion of the insert remains exposed and extends outside the device 64 as soon as the insert is fully inserted into the device 64. In an exemplary embodiment where at least a portion of the filter section 410 of the insert remains outside the device 64 when the insert is inserted into the device, the filter 410 can serve as a mouthpiece for the device 64. As described above, the insert 406 (or 406b) can be disposable, while the device 64 and / or one or more sections thereof (if the device includes multiple sections) do not have to be disposable. The arrangement of the sections of the insert 406 (or 406b) may be different from the arrangement of the sections of the insert 406 (or 406b). Fig. 6A and 6B The order shown is different, and depending on the arrangement, one or more sections other than the filter section may remain outside of the device 64 when the insert is inserted, and may function as a mouthpiece.

[0117] Figure 8 1 is a flow chart of a method of making a filter 104 according to an exemplary embodiment. In step S400, a filter material 105 is formed. As described above, the filter material 105 can be formed from pulp and / or plant-based cellulose materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter material 105 is pressed and formed into a flat sheet. In an exemplary embodiment, in step S402, the filter material 105 is further processed before being contained in the filter material 105. In this embodiment, the sheet of filter material 105 can be curled to form a curled filter material 102 (see Figure 2B and 2C ). In another embodiment, the filter material 105 is a block of material including gaps 101 formed by extruding, cutting, drilling and / or perforating or slitting the block of filter material 105, as described above.

[0118] In step S402, the contained filter material 100 is contained, combined, collected, folded, pressed and / or combined together to form the contained filter material 100 of the filter 104 (as described above). In an exemplary embodiment, the contained filter material 100 is at least partially held together using a containment structure 103. The containment structure 103 can be made of metal, metal alloy, polymer, plastic, resin, mesh, cellulose, plant-based cellulose, fabric, cotton, fiber, thread, other textiles, pulp, paper, plugging paper, other suitable materials capable of containing the contained filter material 100, or a combination or sub-combination of these materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the containment structure 103 is made of a sheet or layer of the filter material 105. In an exemplary embodiment, the contained filter material 100 is included in the containment structure 103 of the insert 406 / 406b. In an exemplary embodiment, the containment structure 103 wraps around the longitudinal direction of the contained filter material 100 without covering the upstream and downstream ends of the contained filter material 100.

[0119] In step S404, the filter material 105 is injected with consumable substances. As described above, in an exemplary embodiment, the consumable substances include spices, nicotine and / or steam pre-formulations. In an exemplary embodiment, when the filter material 105 is formed, or after the filter material 105 is formed, the injection of spices, nicotine and / or steam pre-formulations occurs. In another embodiment, when the filter material 105 is processed into the filter material 100 accommodated or after the filter material 100 accommodated is formed, the injection of spices, nicotine and / or steam pre-formulations occurs. In another embodiment, the filter material 100 accommodated is injected with spices, nicotine and / or steam pre-formulations by connecting the reservoir 106 and / or the reservoir 20 to the filter material 100 accommodated, wherein the reservoir 106 / 20 can accommodate spices, nicotine and / or steam pre-formulations.

[0120] Fig. 9 1 is a flow chart of a method of making a device 60 (or any device disclosed in this exemplary embodiment) including a filter 104 according to an exemplary embodiment. In step S500, the filter 104 and / or the contained filter material 100 are inserted into the housing 6b of the device 60. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 104 and / or the contained filter material 100 are fitted into the housing 6b of the device 60 in step S500 so that there is no gap between the sides of the containment structure 103, the filter 104 and / or the contained filter material 100. This causes the steam 124 in the device 60 to pass through the filter 104 and / or the contained filter material 100 without being able to avoid and / or bypass the filter 104 and / or the contained filter material 100.

[0121] In an exemplary embodiment, prior to step S500, the filter 104 and / or the contained filter material 100 are arranged to allow airflow across the contained filter material 100. As described above, this can be achieved by providing openings in the containment structure 103, wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening allow airflow to pass through the contained filter material 100. In another embodiment, the containment structure 103 is porous, so that airflow freely penetrates the containment structure 103 and flows through the contained filter material 100. In another embodiment, the filter 104 does not include a containment structure 103, or the filter 104 only includes the containment structure 103 of the side 100b of the contained filter material 100, while the end 100a of the contained filter material 100 is open and does not have the containment structure 103, thereby allowing airflow to freely enter and pass through the contained filter material 100.

[0122] In step S502, an airflow path is established within the device 60. This can be accomplished by adding one or more air inlets 40 and mouth end inserts 8 to the device 60 on either side of the filter 104 and / or contained filter material 100, and arranging the internal structure of the device 60 to establish the airflow path. In step S504, the heater 14 is positioned in the airflow path of the device 60, upstream of the filter 104 and / or contained filter material 100. It should be understood that the steps of this method are equally applicable to methods of making a device 60 / 62 / 64 having a filter 104a or insert 406 / 406b.

[0123] Although several exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, it will be understood that other variations are possible. Such variations should not be regarded as departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A filter for an electronic steam cigarette, comprising: A contained filter material, the contained filter material comprising, one or more portions of filter material, the one or more portions defining gaps extending through a longitudinal length of the contained filter material, the gaps configured to allow airflow through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material, and At least one first consumable substance is injected into the filter material, and the at least one first consumable substance includes at least one of nicotine, at least one first flavor, a pre-steam formulation, a sub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof.

2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the one or more portions comprise at least one sheet of the filter material that is curled.

3. A filter according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the one or more portions include at least one sheet of the filter material having multiple folds, the multiple folds extending through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material, and the gap is defined by the multiple folds of the at least one sheet of the filter material.

4. The filter of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the contained filter material has a resistance to draw (RTD) of about 5 mm water to 40 mm water.

5. A filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter material is made from paper, wood pulp, or paper and wood pulp.

6. The filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one first consumable substance comprises the at least one first flavorant, the at least one first flavorant being a tobacco extract.

7. The filter of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one first consumable substance comprises the at least one first flavorant, the at least one first flavorant being a non-tobacco flavorant.

8. The filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one first consumable substance comprises nicotine by weight between about 1 mg and 15 mg.

9. A filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter material comprises one of non-tobacco plant-based cellulose, tobacco cellulose, or both non-tobacco plant-based cellulose and tobacco cellulose.

10. A filter according to any preceding claim, further comprising: At least one first containment structure contains the one or more portions, the at least one first containment structure contacts at least a side surface of the contained filter material, wherein the at least one first containment structure defines a first opening and a second opening on respective ends of the contained filter material.

11. A filter according to any preceding claim, further comprising: a flow restriction section having a first end and a second end, the first end of the flow restriction section being connected to the contained filter material; as well as A non-consumable filter is connected to the second end of the restricted flow section, the non-consumable filter being free of a consumable substance.

12. The filter according to claim 11, further comprising: at least one first containment structure, the at least one first containment structure contacts at least a side surface of the contained filter material, the flow restriction section and the non-consumable filter to contain the contained filter material, the flow restriction section and the non-consumable filter together, and The flow restriction section defines an internal void space, wherein a flow restrictor is in the internal void space, the flow restrictor being spaced apart from a first end and a second end of the flow restriction section.

13. A filter according to any preceding claim, further comprising: A reservoir containing the at least one first consumable substance, the reservoir being in fluid communication with the contained filter material.

14. A filter according to any preceding claim, further comprising: a reservoir configured to contain the at least one first consumable substance; as well as A structural transport member is configured to maintain fluid communication between the reservoir and the contained filter material.

15. An apparatus comprising: at least one first section, the at least one first section comprising, Airflow path, a first reservoir configured to contain at least a first pre-steam formulation, a heater in communication with the first reservoir and the airflow passage, the heater being configured to at least partially vaporize the first pre-steam formulation, and a filter in communication with the airflow passage, the filter being downstream of the heater, the filter comprising: a contained filter material comprising one or more portions of filter material defining gaps extending through a longitudinal length of the contained filter material, the gaps being configured to allow airflow through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material, and At least one first consumable substance is injected into the filter material, and the at least one first consumable substance includes at least one of nicotine, at least one first flavor, a pre-steam formulation, a sub-combination thereof, or a combination thereof.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: a control system in electrical communication with the heater, The control system is configured to detect at least one first parameter, the at least one first parameter being at least one of a resistance of the heater, a temperature of the heater, air intake in the airflow path, a combination thereof, or a subcombination thereof, and The control system is configured to send current to the heater based on the at least one first parameter.

17. A device according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the one or more portions include at least one sheet of the filter material having a plurality of folds, the plurality of folds extending through the longitudinal length of the contained filter material, the gap being defined by the plurality of folds of the at least one sheet of the filter material.

18. The device of claim 15, claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the contained filter material has a resistance to draw (RTD) of about 5 mm water to 40 mm water.

19. The device according to any one of claims 15 to claim 18, wherein the at least one first consumable substance includes the at least one first flavorant, and the at least one first flavorant is a tobacco extract, a non-tobacco flavorant, or at least one of the tobacco extract and the non-tobacco flavorant.

20. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the filter further comprises, a flow restriction section having a first end and a second end, the first end of the flow restriction section being connected to the contained filter material, the flow restriction section defining an interior void space, wherein a flow restrictor is in the interior void space, the flow restrictor being spaced apart from the first end and the second end of the flow restriction section, a non-consumable filter connected to the second end of the restricted flow section, the non-consumable filter being free of consumable material, and at least one first containment structure, the at least one first containment structure contacting at least a side surface of the contained filter material, the flow restriction section and the non-consumable filter to contain the contained filter material, the flow restriction section and the non-consumable filter together to form a rod, Wherein the rod is configured to be inserted into the distal end of the at least one first section such that the non-consumable filter extends from the at least one first section.

21. A method of forming a filter for an electronic cigarette segment, comprising: forming a sheet of filter material; The filter material sheet is accommodated to form an accommodated filter material, wherein the accommodation comprises: folding the sheet of filter material to form a plurality of folds along the width of the sheet of filter material, gathering the sheets of filter material to form the contained filter material, a plurality of folds in the sheets of filter material forming gaps extending through a longitudinal length of the contained filter material, The gap is configured to allow airflow through a longitudinal length of the contained filter material; and The sheet of filter material is infused with at least one first consumable substance, the at least one first consumable substance being one of nicotine, at least one first flavorant, a pre-steam formulation, a combination thereof, or a sub-combination thereof.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the containing of the sheet of filter material comprises ensuring that the contained filter material has a resistance to draw (RTD) of about 5 mm water to 40 mm water.

23. The method of claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the injecting of the filter material sheet comprises injecting the at least one first flavor into the filter material sheet, the at least one first flavor being a tobacco extract, a non-tobacco flavor, or at least one of the tobacco extract and the non-tobacco flavor.

24. The method of claim 21, claim 22 or claim 23, further comprising: connecting a first end of the flow restriction section to the contained filter material; connecting the second end of the flow restriction segment to a non-consumable filter, the non-consumable filter being free of consumable material, the flow restriction segment defining an interior void space, wherein a flow restrictor is in the interior void space, the flow restrictor being spaced apart from the first and second ends of the flow restriction segment; as well as The contained filter material, the restricted flow section, and the non-consumable filter are contained together using at least one first containment structure.

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