An adapter

Abstract

An adapter to combine the aerosolised flow from at least two separate aerosol delivery devices into a single aerosolised flow for delivery to a user is disclosed. The adapter comprises a housing having recesses. Each recess is configured to receive an aerosol outlet of an aerosol delivery device. The adapter also comprises a flow path extending from each recess to a common outlet so that, when the aerosol delivery devices are activated simultaneously, aerosolised flow emitted from the aerosol outlet of each aerosol delivery device is combined in the flow path and delivered to a user through the common outlet.

Description

[0001] An Adapter

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an adapter to combine the aerosolised flow from the mouthpiece of at least two separate aerosol delivery devices into a single aerosolised flow for delivery to a user. An aerosol delivery system is also disclosed.

[0004] Background

[0005] Certain tobacco industry products produce an aerosol which is inhaled by a user during use. For example, tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol generating substrate such as tobacco to form an aerosol by heating, but not burning, the substrate. Such tobacco industry products commonly include mouthpieces through which the aerosol passes to reach the user’s mouth. Summary

[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an adapter to combine the aerosolised flow from at least two separate aerosol delivery devices into a single aerosolised flow for delivery to a user, the adapter comprising a housing having recesses, each recess being configured to receive an aerosol outlet of an aerosol delivery device, and a flow path extending from each recess to a common outlet so that, when the aerosol delivery devices are activated simultaneously, aerosolised flow emitted from the aerosol outlet of each aerosol delivery device is combined in said flow path and delivered to a user through said common outlet. Each recess may be configured to receive a mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery device, the mouthpiece may comprise the aerosol outlet of the aerosol delivery device.

[0007] The flow path may be configured to promote mixing of the aerosolised flow from each aerosol delivery device prior to delivery to a user through said common outlet.

[0008] The flow path may have a patterned profile to promote swirling of the aerosolised flow from each aerosol delive ly device prior to delivery to a user through said common outlet. The housing may comprise an insert and an outer portion, the insert being removably received within the outer portion. The flow path may be formed in the insert and the common outlet is formed in the outer portion. The flow path may be at least partially formed by the insert and the outer portion in combination and the common outlet is formed in the outer portion.

[0009] The common outlet may comprise a conduit in the housing. The adapter may comprise a mouthpiece element removably attachable to the conduit in the housing through which the combined aerosolised flow is delivered to a user.

[0010] The insert and the outer portion may be configured such that the insert is a friction fit in the outer portion.

[0011] The recesses in the housing may be adjacent such that when a mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery device is received in each recess, the aerosol delivery devices may extend from the housing in parallel side-by-side relation. The adapter may comprise a casing to receive the aerosol delivery devices received in the recesses of the housing.

[0012] The casing may be releasably attachable to the housing. The casing may be releasably attachable to the outer portion of the housing.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising an adapter according to the present disclosure and first and second aerosol delivery devices, each aerosol delivery device comprising a mouthpiece.

[0014] The recesses in the housing and the mouthpieces of the aerosol delivery devices may be shaped so that one mouthpiece will locate in each recess.

[0015] Each mouthpiece may be a friction fit in its corresponding recess. Each mouthpiece may be tapered towards its mouth end and each recess in the housing may comprise a correspondingly shaped taper to receive the mouthpiece.

[0016] The adapter may comprise a sensor for detecting when said first and second aerosol delivery devices are received in the adapter and for providing a signal to a controller of each aerosol delivery device to control each aerosol delivery device.

[0017] The controller may be configured to control the power supplied to the heater of each aerosol delivery device.

[0018] The sensor may comprise a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader on the adapter and the housing of each aerosol delivery device may comprise an RFID tag, the RFID reader and RFID tag may be configured to provide an indication that the aerosol delivery devices are received in the adapter.

[0019] Each aerosol delivery device may comprise a heater and the controller may be configured to reduce the power supplied to each heater when the aerosol delivery devices are received in said adapter. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figures 1A and 1B are an isometric view and exploded isometric view respectively of an aerosol delivery system according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0022] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Detailed Description As used herein, the term “delivery device” is intended to encompass devices that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes: non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials. According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0024] In some embodiments, the delivery device a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0025] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0026] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol- generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0027] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0028] Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosolgenerating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non- combustible aerosol provision device thp thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

[0029] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0030] In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0031] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.

[0032] As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang- ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They maybe imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

[0033] In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and / or peppermint.

[0034] In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and / or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.

[0035] In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucalyptol, WS-3.

[0036] Figures 1A and 1B illustrate an aerosol delivery system according to an embodiment of the invention. The aerosol delivery system comprises an adapter 1 and first and second aerosol delivery devices 4, 5. The adapter 1 is designed to combine the aerosolised flow from an aerosol outlet 2, 3 of at least two separate aerosol delivery devices 4, 5 into a single aerosolised flow for delivery to a user. In the depicted embodiment, the aerosol outlet 2, 3 is a mouthpiece of each aerosol delivery device 4, 5. The adapter 1 comprises a housing 6 having recesses 7 (shown in Figure 2) that are each configured to receive a mouthpiece 2, 3 of an aerosol delivery device 4, 5. Additionally, the housing 6 comprises a flow path 8 (shown in Figure 2) extending from each recess 7 to a common outlet 9. Therefore, when the aerosol delivery devices 4, 5 are activated simultaneously, aerosolised flow emitted from the mouthpiece 2, 3 of each aerosol delivery device 4, 5 is combined in the flow path 8 in the housing 6. The combined aerosolised flow is then delivered to a user through the common outlet 9. In this manner, the adapter 1 allows mixing of the aerosolised flows from the separate aerosol delivery devices 4, 5. For example, the adapter 1 is configured to allow mixing of aerosolised flows with different substances or flavours that are emitted from each aerosol delivery device 4, 5.

[0037] The housing 6 comprises an outer portion 10 and an insert 11 removably received within the outer portion 10. More specifically, the insert 11 is a friction fit in the outer portion 10. As seen in Figure 1B, the insert 11 comprises a plurality of protrusions 12, and the outer portion 10 comprises a plurality of apertures 13 configured to receive the plurality of protrusions 12 when the insert 11 is received in the outer portion 10. In this arrangement, the plurality of apertures 13 and protrusions 12 are configured to cooperate to ensure the correct orientation of the insert 11 with respect to the outer portion 10. Additionally, the plurality of apertures 13 and protrusions 12 may be configured to releasably lock the insert 11 within the outer portion 10. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the outer portion 10 and insert 11 are integrally formed with one another. Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the adapter 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the present embodiment, the flow path 8 is formed in the insert 11 and the common outlet 9 is formed in the outer portion 10. However, it is to be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the flow path 8 is at least partially formed by the insert 11 and the outer portion 10 in combination, the common outlet 9 still being formed in the outer portion 10.

[0038] As shown, the common outlet 9 comprises a conduit 14 in the housing 6. In the embodiment shown, the adapter 1 comprises a mouthpiece element 15 removably attachable to the conduit 14. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece element 15 may be integrally formed with the housing 6. In particular, the mouthpiece element may be integrally formed with the outer portion 10 of the housing 6. The combined aerosolised flow can be delivered to the user through the mouthpiece element 15 to improve comfort and familiarity of using the adapter 1. In some embodiments the flow path 8 is configured to promote mixing of the aerosolised flow from each aerosol generating device 4, 5 prior to delivery to a user through the common outlet 9. Creating a more turbulent flow within the air flow path 8 results in better mixing of the two aerosolised flows to be combined. In order to achieve this, the flow path 8 may have a patterned profile to promote swirling of the aerosolised flow from each aerosol delivery device 4, 5 prior to delivery to a user through the common outlet 9. For example, an inner surface of the flow path 8 may comprise a pattern, such as a spiral pattern. It is to be appreciated that alternative patterns, other than a spiral pattern, may be implemented to promote mixing of the aerosolised flows. The patterned profile of the flow path may be created by any suitable method such as injection moulding, embossing, stamping, or surface treatment.

[0039] As depicted in Figure 2, the recesses 7 in the housing 6 are adjacent to one another.

[0040] Therefore, when a mouthpiece 2, 3 of an aerosol delivery device 4, 5 is received in each recess 7, the aerosol delivery devices 4, 5 extend from the housing 6 in parallel side-by- side relation. Additionally, the recesses 7 in the housing 6 and the mouthpieces 2, 3 of the aerosol delivery devices 4, 5 are shaped so that one mouthpiece 2, 3 will locate in each recess 7. Each mouthpiece 2, 3 may be secured within each corresponding recess 7 via a friction fit. In the embodiment shown, each mouthpiece 2, 3 is tapered in shape towards its mouth end, and each recess 7 in the housing 6 comprises a correspondingly shaped taper to receive the mouthpiece 2, 3. It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, the mouthpieces and recesses may not taper and may have substantially the same shape as one another.

[0041] Although the depicted aerosol delivery system comprises two aerosol generating articles, and the depicted adapter is configured to receive the mouthpieces of two aerosol delivery devices, it is to be appreciated that the adapter may be configured to receive more than two aerosol generating devices. For example, the adapter may comprise any number of recesses to receive any number of mouthpieces of aerosol delivery devices, such as three, four, five, or six separate aerosol delivery devices. Referring back to Figures 1A and 1B, the adapter 1 may comprise a casing 16 configured to receive the aerosol delivery devices 4, 5 that are received in the recesses 7 of the housing 6. In some embodiments, the casing 16 is releasably attachable to the housing 6. In particular, the casing 16 may be releasably attachable to the outer portion 10 of the housing 6. It is to be appreciated that the casing 16 maybe releasably attachable to the housing 6 in any suitable manner by fasteners such as clips or magnets. Additionally, the casing 16 may be a friction fit with the housing 6. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the housing 6 may be utilised alone to combine the aerosolised flow from at least two aerosol generating devices. In other words, it is to be appreciated that the adapter i can be utilised even without the casing 16. In some embodiments, the adapter i comprises a sensor for detecting when the first and second aerosol delivery devices 4, 5 are received in the adapter 1, and for providing a signal to a controller of each aerosol delivery device 4, 5 to control each aerosol delivery device 4, 5. Specifically, each aerosol delivery device 4, 5 comprises a heater and the controller of each aerosol delivery device is configured to control the power supplied to the heater of each aerosol delivery device 4, 5. For example, the controller maybe configured to reduce the power provided to the heater of each aerosol delivery device 4, 5 when both aerosol delivery devices 4, 5 are received within the adapter 1 simultaneously. This ensures that certain parameters such as vapour delivery, nicotine levels etc. can be maintained within a desired range even when the user is using both aerosol delivery devices simultaneously.

[0042] The housing of each aerosol delivery device 4, 5 may comprise a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag and the sensor may comprise an RFID reader on the adapter 1. The RFID reader and RFID tag are configured to provide an indication that the aerosol delivery devices 4, 5 are received in the adapter 1.

[0043] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

Claims1. An adapter to combine the aerosolised flow from at least two separate aerosol delivery devices into a single aerosolised flow for delivery to a user, the adapter comprising a housing having recesses, each recess being configured to receive an aerosol outlet of an aerosol delivery device, and a flow path extending from each recess to a common outlet so that, when the aerosol delivery devices are activated simultaneously, aerosolised flow emitted from the aerosol outlet of each aerosol delivery device is combined in said flow path and delivered to a user through said common outlet.

2. An adapter according to claim i, wherein each recess is configured to receive a mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery device, the mouthpiece comprising the aerosol outlet of the aerosol delivery device.

3. An adapter according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the flow path is configured to promote mixing of the aerosolised flow from each aerosol delivery device prior to delivery to a user through said common outlet.

4. An adapter according to claim 3, wherein the flow path has a patterned profile to promote swirling of the aerosolised flow from each aerosol delivery device prior to delivery to a user through said common outlet.

5. An adapter according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises an insert and an outer portion, the insert being removably received within the outer portion.

6. An adapter according to claim 5, wherein the flow path is formed in the insert and the common outlet is formed in the outer portion.

7. An adapter according to claim 6, wherein the flow path is at least partially formed by the insert and the outer portion in combination and the common outlet is formed in the outer portion.

8. An adapter according to any of claims 5 to 6, wherein the common outlet comprises a conduit in the housing.

9. An adapter according to claim 8, comprising a mouthpiece element removably attachable to the conduit in the housing through which the combined aerosolised flow is delivered to a user.

10. An adapter according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the insert and the outer portion are configured such that the insert is a friction fit in the outer portion.

11. An adapter according to preceding claim, wherein the recesses in the housing are adjacent such that when a mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery device is received in each recess, the aerosol delivery devices extend from the housing in parallel side-by- side relation.

12. An adapter according to any preceding claim, comprising a casing to receive the aerosol delivery devices received in the recesses of the housing.

13. An adapter according to claim 12, wherein the casing is releasably attachable to the housing.

14. An adapter according to claim 13, when dependent on any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the casing is releasably attachable to the outer portion of the housing.

15. An aerosol delivery system comprising an adapter according to any preceding claim and first and second aerosol delivery devices, each aerosol delivery device comprising a mouthpiece.

16. An aerosol delivery system according to claim 15, wherein the recesses in the housing and the mouthpieces of the aerosol delivery devices are shaped so that one mouthpiece will locate in each recess.

17. An aerosol delivery system according to claim 16, wherein each mouthpiece is a friction fit in its corresponding recess.

18. An aerosol delivery system according to claim 17, wherein each mouthpiece is tapered towards its mouth end and each recess in the housing comprises a correspondingly shaped taper to receive the mouthpiece.19- An aerosol delivery system according to any of claims 15 to 18, comprising a sensor for detecting when said first and second aerosol delivery devices are received in the adapter and for providing a signal to a controller of each aerosol delivery device to control each aerosol delivery device.

20. An aerosol delivery system according to claim 19, wherein the controller is configured to control the power supplied to the heater of each aerosol delivery device.

21. An aerosol delivery system according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the sensor comprises a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader on the adapter and the housing of each aerosol delivery device comprises an RFID tag, the RFID reader and RFID tag being configured to provide an indication that the aerosol delivery devices are received in the adapter.

22. An aerosol delivery system according to claim 20 or 21, wherein each aerosol delivery device comprises a heater and the controller is configured to reduce the power supplied to each heater when the aerosol delivery devices are received in said adapter.

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