Aerosol generation

Abstract

To provide an aerosol-generating article where, in use, a wetting agent is combined with a solid basic material and an aerosolizable material on actuation of a combining mechanism by a user.SOLUTION: An aerosol-generating article comprises: (i) an aerosolizable material 10 comprising nicotine; (ii) a solid basic material 14; and (iii) a wetting agent. In use, the wetting agent is combined with the solid basic material 14 and the aerosolizable material 10 on actuation of a combining mechanism by a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to, but is not limited to, aerosol-generating articles, aerosol-generating assemblies, kits and methods for generating inhalable media. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars burn tobacco to produce smoke during use. Alternatives to these types of smoking articles, sometimes called aerosol generators, release compounds without combustion to form an inhalable medium.

[0003] Examples of such products include non-combustion heating products, also known as tobacco heating products or tobacco heating devices. In such devices, a solid aerosolizable material, which may or may not contain tobacco, is heated without combustion to form an inhalable medium. Components of the solid aerosolizable material volatilize, forming a vapor or aerosol. The inhalable medium may optionally contain nicotine.

[0004] Further examples of such products include e-cigarette / non-combustion heating hybrid devices, also known as e-cigarette hybrid devices or simply hybrid devices. These hybrid devices contain a vapor or aerosol precursor (such as a liquid or gel) that is vaporized by heating to produce a vapor or aerosol. The vapor precursor may include flavorings and / or aerosol-generating substances, such as glycerin and, in some cases, nicotine. The vapor or aerosol passes through a base material within the device, entraining one or more components of the base material to produce an inhalable medium. The base material may be a combination, such as tobacco, other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine, or a blend mix. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In some embodiments described herein, the invention provides an aerosol-generating article comprising (i) an aerosolizable material comprising nicotine, (ii) a solid basic material, and (iii) a humectant, wherein, during use, the humectant is mixed with the solid basic material and the aerosolizable material upon activation of a mixing mechanism by a user.

[0006] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an aerosol-generating assembly that includes a heater and an aerosol-generating article according to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0007] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a kit comprising an aerosol-generating article according to other aspects of the present invention and a device used to generate an inhalable medium, the device including a heater.

[0008] The present invention also provides a method for generating an inhalable medium, comprising mixing an aerosolizable material containing nicotine with a humectant and a solid basic material to release nicotine from the aerosolizable material, and volatilizing components of the aerosolizable material to form the inhalable medium.

[0009] The present invention also provides a method for sustained release of nicotine from an aerosolizable material containing nicotine, comprising providing a composition comprising a humectant, a solid basic material, and an aerosolizable material, mixing the humectant and the composition to form a basic solution, and releasing the nicotine from the aerosolizable material.

[0010] The present invention also provides the use of a humectant release agent for sustained release of nicotine from an aerosolizable material containing nicotine, wherein the aerosolizable material is mixed with a solid basic material and the humectant is brought into contact with the solid basic material and the aerosolizable material, resulting in release of nicotine from the aerosolizable material and the components of the aerosolizable material being volatilized to form an inhalable medium.

[0011] The present invention also provides a cartridge for use in a device for containing an inhalable medium, the cartridge including an aerosolizable material including a solid basic material and nicotine, the cartridge configured for use in a device including a reservoir of a humectant.

[0012] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] An example of a device for generating a suction medium according to the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a device for generating a suction medium; [Figure 2] 10 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a suction medium generator; FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a suction medium generator; FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge having a liquid reservoir and an integrated reservoir for a solid material; [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge having a liquid reservoir and a removable reservoir for a solid material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Tobacco can be treated with base and water to facilitate the release of nicotine from the tobacco. Nicotine is released from the nicotine salt in the tobacco by reaction with the base. The nicotine is then vaporized at low temperature during use.

[0016] The inventors have discovered that when base-treated tobacco is used in a conventional e-cigarette hybrid device, the amount of nicotine delivered per puff is significantly reduced during use. The reaction between the base and nicotine occurs quickly, and the pH-treated nicotine is then quickly released, resulting in a reduced amount of nicotine delivered with each puff during consumption. The inventors have also observed that nicotine from base-pH-treated tobacco may be lost from the device prior to use due to its high volatility.

[0017] The present invention delays the pH treatment of aerosolizable material (such as tobacco material) containing nicotine to improve the consistency of nicotine delivery per puff. The present invention uses a humectant and a solid basic material together with the aerosolizable material, and during use, the humectant and solid basic material are mixed and contacted with the aerosolizable material to form a basic solution that releases nicotine. Optionally, the rate at which the humectant contacts the solid basic material is adjusted during use, thereby adjusting the amount of nicotine released by the pH treatment. The basic pH treatment of the nicotine is not performed prior to mixing of the humectant, solid basic material, and aerosolizable material.

[0018] Furthermore, basic pH treatment of tobacco results in the release of ammonia. Adjusting the amount of basic pH treatment can adjust the amount of ammonia released, thereby improving the organoleptic properties of the tobacco (by reducing the ammonia odor).

[0019] In some embodiments described herein, the present invention provides a method for producing an aerosolized nicotine-containing aerosol. and (ii) a solid basic material; and (iii) a wetting agent, wherein, in use, the wetting agent is mixed with the basic material and the aerosolizable material upon activation of a mixing mechanism by a user.

[0020] Aerosolizable materials are typically solid. In some cases, the aerosolizable material comprises tobacco material. As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material containing tobacco or its derivatives. The term "tobacco material" may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Tobacco material may include one or more of powdered tobacco, tobacco fiber, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, reconstituted tobacco, agglomerated tobacco, spheronized tobacco, and / or tobacco extract.

[0021] In some cases, the moisture content of the aerosolizable material, such as tobacco, is 15 wt% or less, preferably 10 wt% or less, which ensures minimal reaction between the moisture present in the aerosolizable material and the solid basic material.

[0022] The tobacco used to make the tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco, such as single grades or blends including Virginia and / or Burley and / or Oriental, shredded trash, or whole leaf. It may also be tobacco particle "fine powder" or dust, expanded tobacco, petioles, expanded petioles, and other processed petiole materials, such as cut and rolled petioles. The tobacco material may be powdered tobacco or reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material may be tobacco fiber, formed by casting, a Fourdrinier-based papermaking process with subsequent addition of tobacco extract, or extrusion.

[0023] The aerosolizable material may additionally include flavorings and / or aerosol generating agents.

[0024] The aerosolizable material may additionally include one or more casings such as invert sugar, molasses, cane sugar, honey, cocoa, licorice, polyols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and acids such as malic acid.

[0025] The aerosolizable material may additionally comprise one or more binders, such as alginates, celluloses or modified celluloses, starch or modified starch, or natural gum, hi some embodiments, the aerosolizable material comprises an alginate, such as sodium alginate, calcium alginate, potassium alginate, or ammonium alginate.

[0026] The aerosolizable material may additionally comprise one or more fillers. Preferably, the fillers include inorganic materials such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, and magnesium carbonate. In some cases, the filler includes chalk. Preferably, the filler includes organic fillers such as wood pulp, cellulose, and cellulose derivatives.

[0027] Optionally, the aerosolizable material and the solid basic material are provided as a mixture, preferably a homogeneous mixture. Optionally, the density of the solid basic material is within about 10% or 5% of the density of the aerosolizable material, thereby minimizing segregation of these components in the mixture.

[0028] In some cases, the weight ratio of solid basic material to aerosolizable material, calculated on a dry weight basis, may range from about 0.05:1 to about 0.15:1, preferably from 0.05:1 to 0.1:1.

[0029] In other cases, the solid basic material may be provided separately from the aerosolizable material, with the solid basic material provided upstream of the aerosolizable material (upstream in this case meaning in the direction of aerosol flow during use). In such cases, the solid basic material may be provided in a separate chamber from the aerosolizable material, or both components may be provided in the same chamber with the solid basic material provided at the upstream end.

[0030] As used herein, the term "solid basic material" refers to a material that forms a basic solution when dissolved in a wetting agent. The term "solid basic material" refers to any material that forms a basic solution having a pH greater than about 8. Preferably, the material forms a basic solution having a pH less than about 10. Preferably, the material forms a basic solution having a pH less than about 8. In some cases, the solid basic material comprises sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, calcium carbonate, or mixtures thereof.

[0031] In some cases, the humectant comprises an aerosol generating agent and / or water. In some cases, the humectant comprises at least one of water, glycerin, and propylene glycol.

[0032] In some cases, combining a humectant with an aerosolizable material containing a solid basic material and nicotine is puff-triggered, meaning that pH modification of the aerosolizable material occurs only during puffing, and nicotine release is minimized during puffing (reducing unintentional nicotine loss and providing a sustained release of nicotine during consumption). That is, in some cases, the aerosol-generating article is configured for use in an aerosol-generating device that includes a puff detector.

[0033] In some cases, the humectant is encapsulated, and the capsule is ruptured during use, releasing the humectant to mix with the solid base material. In some such cases, the capsule may be crushable, and the humectant is released by the user crushing the capsule during use. In some such cases, the capsule may be ruptured by a piercing element. In one example, the piercing element may be contacted with the capsule by the user; for example, such action may be button-activated. In another case, the piercing element may be provided as part of a device into which the article is inserted, in which case the piercing element ruptures the capsule upon insertion of the article. In yet another case, the humectant is encapsulated by an encapsulating material that melts, decomposes, reacts, deteriorates, swells, dissolves, or transforms to release the humectant at a temperature above room temperature but below the temperature reached during use. For example, the humectant may be encapsulated by an encapsulating material selected from polysaccharide or cellulosic barrier materials, gelatin, gums, gels, waxes, or mixtures thereof. In some cases, the encapsulating material is selected from one or more of alginates, dextran, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, pectin, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose ethers, gum arabic, gum ghatti, gum tragacanth, gum karaya, locust bean gum, acacia gum, guar gum, quince seed gum, xanthan gum, agar gel, agarose gel, carrageenan, fleudan, furcellaran, and carnauba wax.

[0034] In some cases, the humectant is heated during use to form a vapor and / or aerosol, and during use, the vapor and / or aerosol flows and contacts the solid basic material. For example, the article may be configured for use in an e-cigarette hybrid device, and the humectant may be provided as a component of a vapor or aerosol precursor (such as a liquid or gel) that is vaporized upon heating to produce the vapor and / or aerosol. The assembly is configured to flow the vapor and / or aerosol to contact the solid basic material and the aerosolizable material. The flowing vapor / aerosol containing the humectant dissolves the solid basic material, forming a basic solution. The aerosolizable material is formed, which pH-treats the aerosolizable material, thereby releasing nicotine. In some cases, volatilization of the wet material is triggered by the puff. This means that the aerosolizable material pH-treats only during the puff, and nicotine release is minimized during the puff (reducing unintentional nicotine loss and providing a sustained release of nicotine during consumption).

[0035] In some cases, the humectant is pumped into the pump by the user to contact the basic material upon actuation. The pump may be provided as part of the aerosol-generating product into which the aerosol-generating product is inserted. In some such cases, the pump may be activated, for example, by a button, allowing the user to control the rate of pH treatment of the aerosolizable material and thereby the amount of nicotine released. In some other cases, the pump may be activated by a puff, such that pH treatment of the aerosolizable material occurs only during the puff and nicotine release is minimized between puffs (reducing unintentional nicotine loss and providing a sustained release of nicotine during consumption).

[0036] The aerosol-generating article may be provided in one component, or in two or more components. For example, the humectant may be provided in a first component, such as a liquid pod for use in an e-cigarette hybrid device, and the aerosolizable material and solid base material may be provided together in a second component, such as a tobacco pod for use in an e-cigarette hybrid device. These components may optionally be clipped together for insertion into the device. In some cases, these separate components may be inserted into the device individually.

[0037] The present invention also provides an aerosol-generating assembly including a heater and an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] In some embodiments, the heater is battery powered. In some embodiments, the or each heater is an electrical resistance heater.

[0039] In some cases, the assembly may be a non-combustion heating assembly in which the aerosolizable material is heated during use to generate the inhalable medium.

[0040] In some cases, the assembly may be an e-cigarette hybrid assembly. In some such cases, the humectant may be provided as a component of a first volatile material. Heating this material volatilizes the volatile material, forming an aerosol and / or vapor containing the humectant. The aerosol and / or vapor flows through the assembly, contacting the aerosolizable material and the solid base material, releasing nicotine. In some other examples, the humectant may be included in the e-cigarette hybrid assembly in other ways described herein, such as in an encapsulated form.

[0041] In some specific cases, the present invention a container holding a first volatile material comprising a wetting agent; a heater for evaporating a first volatile material held in the container; a chamber containing an aerosolizable material comprising nicotine and a solid basic material; an outlet; In use, a first volatile material comprising a humectant is evaporated by a heater to form a vapor and / or aerosol, which passes through a chamber comprising the aerosolizable material and the solid base material, entraining one or more components of the aerosolizable material and thereby forming an inhalable medium which passes through an outlet.

[0042] In some cases, the first volatile material comprises a liquid or a gel. The first volatile material may alternatively be referred to as a vapor / aerosol precursor. Preferably, the first volatile material comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a liquid. Suitable liquids include components traditionally used in e-cigarette liquids.

[0043] The first volatile material may include an aerosol generating agent such as propylene glycol and / or glycerin. Additionally, it may optionally include a flavoring. The material typically evaporates at about 150-250°C.

[0044] In some cases, the aerosolizable material and / or the solid basic material may be porous to allow the aerosol or vapor to pass through the material, providing a large contact area for the material to come into contact with the aerosol and / or vapor.

[0045] Preferably, the aerosolizable material (prior to use) may have a pH of less than about 7 as measured according to the CORESTA protocol for measuring the pH of tobacco.

[0046] The first volatile material may include an aerosol generating agent such as propylene glycol and / or glycerin. Additionally, it may optionally include a flavoring. The material typically evaporates at about 150-250°C.

[0047] In some cases, the assembly heats the aerosolizable material during use to facilitate release of those components into the inhaled medium. In some cases, a single heater may heat both the first volatilizable material and the aerosolizable material. In some cases, a second heater may be provided to heat the aerosolizable material. In some cases, the device does not heat the aerosolizable material but relies on heat carried by the vapor / aerosol to warm the material (thereby volatilizing components of the material that are then entrained in the vapor / aerosol stream).

[0048] In some embodiments, the assembly includes a cooler or cooling region downstream of the heater and upstream of the chamber containing the aerosolizable material, which cools the vaporized material to form an aerosol of droplets that, in use, pass through the chamber of aerosolizable material. The cooler is configured to actually act as a heat exchanger, recovering heat from the vapor. The recovered heat can be used, for example, to preheat the aerosolizable material and / or to assist in heating the first volatile material.

[0049] In some embodiments, the heater is puff-activated. That is, the device of the present invention includes a puff detector and heats the first volatile material only upon detecting a puff. This means that vapor / aerosol is formed within the device only during puffing, thereby ensuring that pH processing of the tobacco material occurs only during puffing. This further slows pH processing of the tobacco, reducing unintended nicotine loss and sustaining nicotine delivery throughout the consumption period.

[0050] In some embodiments, the container holding the first volatile material is removable. The container may be in the form of a pot or the like (which in some embodiments may be, for example, a ring) and / or cotton wool. In fact, the container may be a disposable item that is replaced in its entirety after use. Alternatively, the device may be configured so that the user can remove the container from the device, replace or top up the used volatile material, and then replace the container back into the device.

[0051] In some cases, the container may not be removable from the device, and in such embodiments, the user simply replaces or refills the container with used material as needed after use.

[0052] In some cases, the container and chamber are an integral unit. In some cases, the integral unit is a cartridge that is removable from the device. Such a unit is an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] In some cases, the chamber is removable from the device. The chamber may be in the form of, for example, a cartridge containing the aerosolizable material (and optionally the solid base material) prior to use. The entire chamber containing the aerosolizable material (and optionally the solid base material) may actually be a disposable item that is replaced as a whole after use. Alternatively, the device may be configured so that a user can remove the chamber from the device, replace the used material in that chamber, and then replace the chamber back into the device.

[0054] The present invention also provides a cartridge for use in a device for containing an inhalable medium, the cartridge including an aerosolizable material including a solid basic material and nicotine, the cartridge configured for use in a device including a reservoir of humectant. Preferably, the cartridge is adapted for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium as described herein.

[0055] The present invention also provides kits comprising an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment of the present invention and a device for use in generating an inhalable medium, the device including a heater. Features described above with respect to the assembly are expressly disclosed in combination with the kit aspect of the present invention, and features described with respect to the assembly may also be features of the device. Thus, for example, the device may include one or more of a puff actuator, a cooling element or area, an actuation means such as a button, an additional heater, a pump for a wetting agent, etc.

[0056] Features described with respect to the aerosol-generating assembly of the present invention are expressly disclosed in combination with the aerosol-generating article and vice versa to the extent they are not inconsistent. Similarly, features described with respect to the aerosol-generating assembly or aerosol-generating article are expressly disclosed in combination with the cartridge embodiment of the present invention and vice versa.

[0057] Specifically, the features of the aerosolizable material, solid basic material, and wetting agent described herein are expressly disclosed in combination with each embodiment of the present invention (to the extent they are not inconsistent).

[0058] An example of an inhalable medium generator according to some embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to Figure 1, an example of an inhalable medium generator 1 is shown. In general, the device 1 volatilizes a liquid containing a humectant to form a vapor or aerosol, which is passed through a mixture of a solid basic material and tobacco material to produce an inhalable medium containing one or more components derived from the tobacco material.

[0059] In this regard, it is first worth noting that a vapor is generally a substance in the gas phase below its critical temperature, meaning that, for example, a vapor can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without decreasing its temperature. An aerosol, on the other hand, is generally a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas. A "colloid" is a substance in which microscopically dispersed, insoluble particles are suspended throughout another substance.

[0060] Referring again to FIG. 1 , device 1 in this example has a generally hollow, cylindrical outer housing 2. Housing 2 has an open end 3. A tubular mouthpiece 4 is provided at open end 3 in this example. Mouthpiece 4 in this example is removable from housing 2 by the user. An O-ring or other sealing member 5 helps seal mouthpiece 4 within housing 2. At or toward the other end 6 of housing 2 is a battery 7 for powering the various components of device 1, as described further below. Battery 7 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. A controller 8 is also provided in housing 2 for controlling the operation of the various components of device 1, as described further below.

[0061] The housing 2 has a reservoir 9 that holds or contains a volatile material, which in this example is a liquid 10. The volatile material includes a humectant such as water. A variety of different configurations may be used for the reservoir 9. In the example of FIG. 1, the reservoir 9 is in the form of an annular chamber 9 disposed in the housing 2 between the open end 3 and the other end 6. In this particular example, the housing 2 is comprised of two portions: a first portion 2a located toward the open end 3 and a second portion 2b located toward the other end 6. The first and second portions 2a, 2b of the housing 2 may be connected to one another by a thread, a bayonet fit, or the like. In use, the user can separate the first and second portions 2a, 2b of the housing 2 to refill or replace the liquid 10 as needed. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 4 may be removed to provide access to the reservoir. However, other configurations are of course possible. For example, the liquid 10 may be provided in a separate annular pot-like container that is entirely removable from the housing 2. Such a separate container may be disposable, allowing the user to replace the liquid 10 by inserting a new container containing the liquid 10 into the housing 2. Alternatively, such a container may be reusable. In such a case, the user may refill or replace the liquid 10 in the container while it is removed from the housing 2 and then return the refilled container to the housing. Of course, the housing 2 need not be made of two parts and may have other configurations that allow it to be accessed by the user, for example to allow for in-situ refilling.

[0062] Heater 11 is located approximately in the center of housing 2, i.e., in this example, centrally along the length and width of the housing. In this example, heater 11 is powered by battery 7 and is therefore electrically connected to battery 7. Heater 11 may be an electrical resistance heater, including, for example, a nichrome resistance heater, a ceramic heater, etc. Heater 11 may be, for example, a wire that may be in the form of a coil, a plate (which may be a multi-layer plate made of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be conductive and one or more of which may be non-conductive), a mesh (which may be woven or non-woven, or a similar multi-layer structure), a film heater, etc. Other heating devices, such as non-electrical heating devices, may also be used.

[0063] Heater 11 is provided to vaporize liquid 10. In the illustrated example, an annular wick 12 surrounds and is in thermal contact with heater 11. The outermost surface of annular wick 12 contacts liquid 10 contained in liquid container 9. Wick 12 is typically an absorbent material that acts to draw liquid 10 from liquid container 9 by capillary action. Wick 12 is preferably nonwoven and may be made of, for example, cotton or wool, or a synthetic material including, for example, polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene, etc. This will be explained in more detail below, but it should be noted here that in use, liquid 10 drawn by wick 12 is heated by heater 11. Liquid 10 may be vaporized to produce an aerosol of droplets, or heated sufficiently to produce a vapor. The resulting aerosol or vapor exits wick 12 and travels toward mouthpiece 4, as indicated by arrow A, by the user's drawing on mouthpiece 4. The heater 11 and wick 12 may be provided as a single, effectively integrated item, sometimes referred to as an "atomizer," so that heating and wicking are effectively accomplished in a single unit.

[0064] The housing 2 further includes a chamber 13 that holds or contains a solid substrate 14 within the device 1. The substrate 14 is a granular mixture containing tobacco and a solid basic material, such as calcium carbonate. During use, a user can access the chamber 13 to replace or replenish the solid substrate 14 through the open end 3 of the housing 2 by removing the mouthpiece 4 and / or separating the two sections 2a, 2b of the housing 2. A variety of different shapes may be used for the chamber 13. For example, the chamber 13 may be a tube that is completely open at both ends and contains the solid substrate 14. As another example, the chamber 13 may be a tube with one or more end walls, which may have perforations through which vapor or aerosol can pass. The chamber 13 remains within the housing 2, and the user removes and replaces the solid substrate 14. Alternatively, the chamber 13 containing the solid substrate 14 may be a separate item that is inserted and removed entirely into the housing 2 during use. This type of removable chamber may be disposable, allowing the user to replace the solid substrate 14 by inserting a new chamber 13 containing a fresh solid substrate 14 into the housing 2. Alternatively, chamber 13 may be reusable. In such a case, the user may remove chamber 13 from housing 2 and replace the solid substrate 14 therein, replacing the chamber 13 with a new one in housing 2. In yet another example, chamber 13 may include a clip disposed within housing 2 to hold the solid substrate 14 in place. In some examples, the solid substrate 14 may simply be a slip fit within chamber 13. As yet another example, the container 9 for containing liquid 10 may itself be configured to support or carry the solid substrate 14. For example, container 9 may have one or more clips, tubes, or the like for receiving and holding the solid substrate 14 in place. Such a dual-function container 9 / chamber or receptacle 13 for both containing liquid 10 and receiving solid substrate 14 may be in the form of a cartridge or the like, a disposable item, or a reusable item in which the liquid 10 and solid substrate 14 are replaced or replenished by the user as needed.In some cases, the user only needs to occasionally top off or replace the solid substrate 14 so that enough liquid 10 is provided for several uses. Once the liquid 10 is consumed, the user discards the dual-function container 9 / receptacle 13 and uses a new one. Similarly, it may be that enough solid substrate 14 is provided for several uses, so that the user only needs to occasionally top off or replace the liquid 10. Once the solid substrate 14 is consumed, the user discards the dual-function container 9 / receptacle 13 and uses a new one. Specific examples of dual-function containers 9 / receptacles 13 are described below.

[0065] Solid substrate 14 is located within housing 2 downstream of where aerosol or vapor is produced from liquid 10 and upstream of open end 3 of housing 2 and mouthpiece 4. In this particular example, solid substrate 14 is effectively located in the same portion or chamber of housing 2 as wick 12. The aerosol or vapor produced from liquid 10 exits wick 12 and travels toward solid substrate 14 by the user's drawing action on mouthpiece 4, as shown by arrow A. In certain embodiments, solid substrate 14 is porous, allowing the aerosol or vapor to pass through material 14 and then through open end 3 of housing 2 and mouthpiece 4. The humectant, in the form of an aerosol or vapor, contacts the solid basic material to form a basic solution. The base increases the pH of the tobacco, liberating nicotine so that it is more easily entrained by the passing vapor / aerosol.

[0066] In some embodiments, the solid substrate 14 and / or its chamber 13 are configured such that there is no gap between the solid substrate 14 / chamber 13 and the interior of the housing 2, allowing the aerosol or vapor to flow entirely through the solid substrate 14.

[0067] Preferably, the liquid 10 is one that is vaporizable at a reasonable temperature, preferably in the range of 100-300°C, more preferably about 150-250°C, to help reduce power consumption of the device 1. Suitable materials are conventionally used in e-cigarette devices, such as propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerin).

[0068] Solid substrate 14 imparts flavor to the aerosol or vapor produced from liquid 10 as the aerosol or vapor passes through solid substrate 14. As the aerosol or vapor passes through solid substrate 14, the hot aerosol or vapor entrains organic and other compounds or components from solid substrate 14 that give tobacco its organoleptic properties, imparting flavor to the aerosol or vapor as it passes through mouthpiece 4.

[0069] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the only heat source for heating solid substrate 14 in apparatus 1 required to generate organic and other compounds or components from solid substrate 14 is the hot aerosol or vapor produced from liquid 10.

[0070] Referring to Figure 2, another example of an apparatus for generating inhalable medium is shown. In the following description and in Figure 2, parts and features that are the same as or similar to corresponding parts and features in the example described with reference to Figure 1 have the same reference numerals but with the addition of 200. For the sake of brevity, the description of these parts and features will not be repeated here in their entirety. It will be appreciated that the configurations and alternatives discussed above with respect to the example of Figure 1 are also applicable to the example of Figure 2. Again, in general, the apparatus 201 of Figure 2 heats a liquid to form a vapor or aerosol that passes through a solid substrate 214 to produce an inhalable medium that includes one or more components derived from the solid substrate.

[0071] Device 201 in this example has a generally hollow, cylindrical outer housing 202 with an open end 203 and a tubular mouthpiece 204. Mouthpiece 204 in this example is user removable from housing 202, and an O-ring or other sealing member 205 helps seal mouthpiece 204 within housing 202. A battery 207 for powering the various components of device 201 and a controller 208 are located at or toward the other end 206 of housing 202. Housing 202 in this example is made up of two sections, a first section 202a at open end 203 and a second section 202b at the other end 206.

[0072] The housing 202 has a container 209 that holds or contains a first volatilizable material, in this case a liquid 210. The volatilizable material includes a humectant such as water. The container 209 may be of any of the types described in connection with the example of FIG. 1. A heater 211 is provided approximately in the center (longitudinal and transverse directions) of the housing 202 to volatilize the liquid 210. In this example, the heater 211 is powered by the battery 207 and is therefore electrically connected to the battery 207. The heater 211 may be an electrical resistance heater, a ceramic heater, or the like. The heater 211 may be, for example, a coiled wire, a plate (which may be a multi-layer plate made of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be conductive and one or more of which may be non-conductive), a mesh (which may be woven or non-woven and have a similar multi-layer structure), a film heater, or the like. Other heating devices, such as induction or non-electrical heating devices, may also be used. An annular wick 212 surrounds and is in thermal contact with the heater 211. The outermost surface of the annular wick 212 is in contact with the liquid 210 in the liquid reservoir 209. The liquid 210 is heated and may be heated sufficiently to form an aerosol of droplets or to form a vapor. The aerosol or vapor so formed exits the wick 212 and travels toward the mouthpiece 204 as indicated by arrow A due to the user's inhalation on the mouthpiece 204. The heater 211 and wick 212 may be provided as a single, effectively integrated item, such that heating and wicking are effectively accomplished in a single unit.

[0073] Housing 202 further includes a chamber 213 that holds or contains a solid substrate 214 of device 201. Substrate 214 is a granular mixture including tobacco material and a solid basic material, such as calcium carbonate. Chamber 213 can be any of the types described in connection with FIG. 1. Solid substrate 214 is disposed within housing 202 downstream of the location where aerosol or vapor is produced from liquid 210 and downstream of open end 203 and mouthpiece 204 of housing 202. In this particular example, solid substrate 214 is effectively located in the same portion or chamber of housing 202 as wick 212. Aerosol or vapor produced from liquid 210 exits wick 212 and travels toward solid substrate 214 by the drawing action of the user's mouthpiece 204, as indicated by arrow A. In certain embodiments, solid substrate 214 is porous, allowing the aerosol or vapor to pass through solid substrate 214 and then through open end 203 and mouthpiece 204 of housing 202. The humectant, in aerosol or vapor form, contacts the solid basic material to form a basic solution. The base increases the pH of the tobacco, liberating nicotine and making it more susceptible to entrainment by the passing vapor / aerosol.

[0074] In some embodiments, the solid substrate 214 and / or its chamber 213 are configured such that there is no air gap between the solid substrate 214 / chamber 213 and the interior of the housing 202, allowing the aerosol or vapor to flow entirely through the solid substrate 214. As the aerosol or vapor passes through the solid substrate 214, the hot aerosol or vapor entrains organic and other compounds or components from the solid substrate 214 that give the tobacco its organoleptic properties and impart flavor to the aerosol or vapor as it passes through the mouthpiece 204.

[0075] The container 209 containing the liquid 210 may itself be configured to support or carry the solid substrate 214. For example, the container 209 may have one or more clips, tubes, or the like for receiving and holding the solid substrate 214 in place. Such a dual-function container 209 / chamber or receptacle 213 for both containing the liquid 210 and receiving the solid substrate 214 may be in the form of a cartridge or the like, a disposable item, or a reusable item in which the liquid 210 and solid substrate 214 are replaced or replenished by the user as needed. In some cases, the user only needs to occasionally replenish or replace enough solid substrate 214 for enough liquid 210 to serve several uses. Once the liquid 210 is consumed, the user discards the dual-function container 209 / receptacle 213 and uses a new one. Similarly, it may be the case that enough solid substrate 214 is provided for several uses, requiring the user to occasionally replenish or replace the liquid 210. Once the solid substrate 214 is consumed, the user discards the dual-purpose container 209 / receptacle 213 and uses a new one.

[0076] In the example apparatus 201 of FIG. 2 , a second heater 215, such as an oven heater, is provided in thermal contact with the solid substrate 214 to preheat the solid substrate 214 and / or to provide additional heating to the solid substrate 214 during use of the apparatus 201. This facilitates release of components from the solid substrate 214 as vapor or aerosol passes through the solid substrate 214 during use. This may reduce the amount of heated liquid 210 required to achieve desired heating of the solid substrate 214. The second heater 215 may be, for example, an electric resistance heater powered by a battery 207, a ceramic heater, or the like. The heater 215 may be, for example, a wire that may be coiled, a plate (which may be a multi-layer plate made of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be conductive and one or more of which may be non-conductive), a mesh (which may be woven or non-woven and have a similar multi-layer structure), a film heater, or the like. The second heater 215 may be, for example, an induction heater powered by a battery 207. The solid substrate 214 may comprise a material susceptible to induction heating. Other heating devices may also be used for the second heater 215, such as non-electrical heating devices.

[0077] 2, heater 215 for heating solid substrate 214 is located outside solid substrate 214 and heats solid substrate 214 by thermal conduction from outside solid substrate 214. In this example, heater 215 is generally cylindrical. Heater 215 may actually be an integral part of device 201 and may be located as part of housing 202. Alternatively, heater 215 may be integrated into chamber 213 that holds or contains solid substrate 214. In this alternative, if chamber 213 is disposable, heater 215 is replaced when a new chamber 213 with a fresh solid substrate is loaded into device 201 by the user.

[0078] Referring now to Figure 3, another example of an apparatus for generating inhalable medium is shown. In the following description and in Figure 3, parts and features that are the same as or similar to corresponding parts and features in the example described with reference to Figure 1 have the same reference numerals but with the addition of 300. For the sake of brevity, the description of these parts and features will not be repeated here in their entirety. It will be appreciated that the configurations and alternatives discussed above with respect to the examples of Figures 1 and 2 are also applicable to the example of Figure 3. Again, in general, the apparatus 301 of Figure 3 heats a liquid to form a vapor or aerosol that passes through a solid substrate 314 to produce an inhalable medium that includes one or more components derived from the solid substrate 314.

[0079] Device 301 in this example also has a generally hollow, cylindrical outer housing 302 with an open end 303 and a tubular mouthpiece 304. An O-ring or other sealing member 305 helps seal mouthpiece 304 within housing 302. A battery 307 for powering the various components of device 301 and a controller 308 are located at or toward the other end 306 of housing 302. Housing 302 in this example is made up of two sections, a first section 302a at open end 303 and a second section 302b at the other end 306.

[0080] The housing 302 has a reservoir 309 for holding or containing a volatile material, in this case a liquid 310. The volatile material includes a humectant such as water. The reservoir 309 may be of any of the types described above with respect to the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2. A heater 311 is provided approximately in the center of the housing 302 for volatilizing the liquid 310. The heater 311 may be of any of the types described above. In this example, the heater 311 is powered by and is therefore electrically connected to the battery 307. An annular wick 312 surrounds and is in thermal contact with the heater 311. The outermost surface of the annular wick 312 is in contact with the liquid 310 in the liquid reservoir 309. The liquid 310 is heated and may be heated sufficiently to form an aerosol of droplets or to form a vapor. The aerosol or vapor thus formed exits the wick 312 and travels toward the mouthpiece 304, as indicated by arrow A, by the user's drawing on the mouthpiece 304. The heater 311 and wick 312 may be provided as a single, effectively integrated item, so that heating and wicking are effectively accomplished in a single unit.

[0081] Housing 302 further includes a chamber 313 that holds or contains a solid substrate 314 within device 301. Substrate 314 is a particulate mixture including tobacco material and a solid basic material, such as calcium carbonate. Chamber 313 can be of any of the types described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. (In the example of FIG. 3, chamber 313 is in the shape of a tube having an end wall 316 that has perforations 317 through which vapor or aerosol can pass, as mentioned above as an option.) Solid substrate 314 is located within housing 302 downstream of the location where aerosol or vapor is produced from liquid 310 and downstream of open end 303 and mouthpiece 304 of housing 302. In this particular example, solid substrate 314 is effectively located in the same portion or chamber of housing 302 as wick 312. The aerosol or vapor produced from liquid 310 exits wick 312 and travels toward solid substrate 314 by the action of the user's drawing on mouthpiece 304, as shown by arrow A. In certain embodiments, the solid substrate 314 is porous, allowing the aerosol or vapor to pass through the material 314 and then through the open end 303 of the housing 302 and the mouthpiece 304. The humectant in the form of an aerosol or vapor contacts the solid basic material to form a basic solution. The base increases the pH of the tobacco, liberating nicotine so that it is more easily entrained by the passing vapor / aerosol.

[0082] In some embodiments, the solid substrate 314 and / or its chamber 313 are configured such that there is no gap between the solid substrate 314 / chamber 313 and the interior of the housing 2, allowing the aerosol or vapor to flow entirely through the solid substrate 314. As the aerosol or vapor passes through the solid substrate 314, the hot aerosol or vapor entrains organic and other compounds or components from the solid substrate 314 that give the tobacco its organoleptic properties and impart flavor to the aerosol or vapor as it passes through the mouthpiece 304. The container 309 containing the liquid 310 may itself be positioned to support or carry the solid substrate 314. For example, the container 309 may have one or more clips, tubes, or the like to receive and hold the solid substrate 314 in place. Such dual-function container 309 / chamber or receptacle 313 for both containing liquid 310 and receiving solid substrate 314 may be in the form of a cartridge or the like, and may be a disposable item, or may be reusable, with the liquid 310 and solid substrate 314 replaced or replenished by the user as needed. In some cases, the user only needs to occasionally replenish or replace the solid substrate 314 so that enough liquid 310 is provided for several uses. Once the liquid 310 is consumed, the user discards the dual-function container 309 / receptacle 313 and uses a new one. Similarly, it may be the case that enough solid substrate 314 is provided for several uses, requiring the user to occasionally replenish or replace the liquid 310. Once the solid substrate 314 is consumed, the user discards the dual-function container 309 / receptacle 313 and uses a new one.

[0083] 3 also includes a second heater 318 in thermal contact with the solid substrate 314 for heating the solid substrate 314 to promote release of components from the solid substrate 314 as the vapor or aerosol passes through the solid substrate 314 during use. The second heater 318 may be, for example, an electric resistance heater powered by a battery 307, a ceramic heater, or the like. Other heating devices, such as non-electrical heating devices, may also be used for the second heater 318.

[0084] In the example apparatus 301 of FIG. 3 , a heater 318 for heating the solid substrate 314 is provided inside the solid substrate 314, and heats the solid substrate by thermal conduction from within the solid substrate. In this example, the heater 318 is generally in the form of a cylindrical rod located along the central longitudinal axis of the solid substrate 314. In other configurations, the heater 318 may be a wire, which may be coiled, a plate (which may be a multi-layer plate made of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be conductive and one or more of which may be non-conductive), a mesh (which may be woven or non-woven or a similar multi-layer structure), a film heater, or the like. In this case, the solid substrate 314 is generally tubular or has an internal opening for receiving the heater 318. The heater 318 may actually be an integral part of the apparatus 301 or may be provided as part of the housing 302. In this example, when the solid substrate 314 is loaded into the apparatus 301 (e.g., when the chamber 313 containing the solid substrate 314 is loaded into the apparatus 301), the solid substrate 314 surrounds the second heater 318. Alternatively, heater 318 may be integral with chamber 313 that holds or contains solid substrate 314. In this alternative, if chamber 313 is disposable, heater 318 is replaced when a new chamber 313 with fresh material is loaded into device 301 by the user.

[0085] In another example, multiple internal heaters 318 may be provided to more efficiently heat the solid substrate 314. In another example, the solid substrate 314 may be heated by one or more external heaters (such as second heater 215 in the example of FIG. 2) and one or more internal heaters (such as second heater 318 in the example of FIG. 3).

[0086] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a simplified longitudinal cross-section of an example cartridge 600 having a first container 601 holding a first volatile material, in this case a liquid 602 containing a humectant such as water, and a receptacle or container 603 for a solid substrate 604. The substrate 604 is a granular mixture including tobacco material and a solid basic material such as calcium carbonate. In this example, the first container 601 and the solid substrate container 603 are provided as a single, integral member, either by being initially formed integrally or by being initially formed of two or three pieces that are subsequently substantially permanently assembled. The cartridge 600 is configured so that when the liquid 602 is vaporized to form an aerosol of droplets or heated sufficiently to form a vapor, at least a portion, and preferably all or substantially all, of the aerosol or vapor passes through the solid substrate 604 to (i) contact the solid substrate and dissolve it, forming a basic solution that raises the pH of the tobacco and releases nicotine, and (ii) capture flavor and nicotine from the tobacco material.

[0087] In the example of Figure 4, the first container 601 is located approximately in the center of the cartridge 600. In the illustrated example, the first container 601 is frusto-conical in shape, but it may be a different shape, such as conical or cylindrical. The first container 601 is surrounded by an outer shell 605, which defines an annular channel 606 around the length of the first container 601 and extends from one end of the first container 601 to the other. The outer shell 605 extends beyond a first end wall 607 of the first container 601 and defines a chamber 608 beyond the first end wall 607 of the first container 601. In the illustrated example, the chamber 608 and the annular channel 606 both contain a solid substrate 604 and thus together can be considered to provide a container 603 for the solid substrate 604. In another example, the solid substrate 604 may be located only in the chamber 608, thus defining a reservoir 603 for the solid substrate 604, and the annular channel 606 may be empty. The chamber 608 is closed by an end wall 609 located away from the end wall 607 of the first reservoir 601. The end wall 609 may be part of the outer shell 605 or may be a separate plastic or rubber cap, or the like. In yet another example, the annular channel 606 contains the solid substrate 604 and no material is present in the chamber 608; however, it should be understood that the chamber 608 may be omitted, with the channel 606 effectively terminating at the end wall 609. The channel 606 and / or the chamber 608 may be completely filled with the solid substrate 604 or may contain only a portion or block of the solid substrate 604. The end wall 609 may be porous and / or have one or more through-holes 610 that allow the aerosol or vapor to exit the cartridge 600 for inhalation by a user. The liquid container 601 and the solid substrate container 603 may each be formed from a rigid, watertight and airtight material, such as metal, a suitable plastic, or the like.

[0088] The example cartridge 600 shown in Figure 4 includes a heater 611 and a wick 612 in thermal contact with the heater 611. In this example, the heater 611 and wick 612 are provided as a single unit, sometimes referred to as an "atomizer." In this case, if the cartridge 600 includes an atomizer, such a cartridge may be referred to as an "atomizer." The orientation of the heater 611 is shown in a simplified manner; for example, the heater 622 may have a coil with a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 600, rather than parallel to it as shown in Figure 4.

[0089] The wick 612 is in contact with the liquid 602. This may be done, for example, by inserting the wick 612 into a through-hole (not shown) in the second end wall 613 of the first container 601. Alternatively or additionally, the second end wall 613 may be a porous member (simply indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 4 ) that allows liquid to pass from the first container 601, and the wick 612 may be in contact with this porous second end wall 613. The second end wall 613 may be in the form of, for example, a porous ceramic disc. Such a porous second end wall 613 serves to control the flow of liquid into the wick 612. The wick 612 is typically an absorbent material that acts to draw the liquid 602 from the first container 601 by capillary action. The wick 612 is preferably non-woven and may be made of, for example, cotton or wool, or a synthetic material including, for example, polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene, etc.

[0090] In use, the cartridge 600 is connected by a user to the battery section of the device (not shown) to power the heater 611. When the atomizer heater 611 is powered (e.g., by operating a button on the device or by a known puff detector on the device), the liquid 602 drawn from the first container 601 by the wick 612 is heated by the heater 611, volatilizing or vaporizing the liquid. When the user draws on the mouthpiece of the device, vapor or aerosol travels through the annular channel 606 around the outside of the length of the liquid container 601 and into the chamber 608, as indicated by arrow A. The vapor or aerosol captures flavor and nicotine from the tobacco material in the solid substrate 604. The humectant, in the form of aerosol or vapor, contacts the solid basic material to form a basic solution. The base increases the pH of the tobacco, liberating nicotine and making it more easily entrained by the passing vapor / aerosol. The vapor or aerosol can then exit the cartridge 600 through the end wall 609, as indicated by arrow B. Optionally, a one-way valve 614 may be provided to allow vapor or aerosol to only exit the cartridge and not backflow into the heater 611 or the electronics of the device as a whole.

[0091] Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a cartridge 700 having a first container 701 for holding a first volatile material, in this case a liquid 702 including a humectant such as water, and a container 703 defining a chamber 708 for containing a solid substrate 704. The substrate 704 is a granular mixture including tobacco material and a solid basic material such as calcium carbonate. In the following description and in Figure 5, parts and features that are the same as or similar to corresponding parts and features in the example described with reference to Figure 4 have the same reference numerals but increased by 100. For the sake of brevity, the description of these parts and features as a whole will not be repeated here.

[0092] In this example, the first container 701 and the solid substrate container 703 of the cartridge 700 are provided as separate components that are removably connected to one another during use. The first container 701 and the solid substrate 703 may be, for example, clipped or removably secured to one another, or, for example, the tobacco composition container 703 may simply rest on or have a tight friction fit with the first container 701. The cartridge 700 is configured so that when the liquid 702 is volatilized to form an aerosol of droplets or heated sufficiently to form a vapor, at least a portion, and preferably all or substantially all, of the aerosol or vapor passes through the solid substrate 704 to (i) contact the solid substrate and dissolve the solid substrate, forming a basic solution that raises the pH of the tobacco and releases nicotine, and (ii) capture flavor and nicotine from the tobacco material.

[0093] In this example, first container 701 is surrounded by an outer shell 705, which defines an annular passage 706 around the length of first container 701 and extends from one end of first container 701 to the other. Outer shell 705 extends beyond a first end wall 707 of first container 701 and terminates in end wall 709, which may be a separate plastic or rubber cap or the like. End wall 709 may be porous and / or have one or more through holes 710 to allow the aerosol or vapor to exit annular passage 706. A one-way valve 714 may be provided inside end wall 709 to allow the vapor or aerosol to only exit annular passage 706 at the end remote from heater 711 and wick 712 and prevent backflow into heater 711 or the electronics of the device as a whole. In use, the solid substrate container 703 is positioned across the end wall 709 so that vapor or aerosol exiting the end wall 709 travels into the solid substrate container 703. The solid substrate container 703 has an exit opening and / or porous end wall 715 to allow the aerosol or vapor to exit the cartridge for inhalation by the user.

[0094] In use, the cartridge 700 is connected by a user to the battery section of the device (not shown) to power the heater 711. When the atomizer heater 711 is powered (e.g., by operating a button on the device or by a known puff detector on the device), the liquid 702 drawn from the first container 701 through the end wall 713 by the wick 712 is heated by the heater 711, causing the liquid to volatilize or vaporize. When the user draws on the mouthpiece of the device, the vapor or aerosol travels, as indicated by arrow A, into the annular passage 706 around the outside of the length of the first container 701 toward the end wall 709 of the outer shell 705. The vapor or aerosol then travels through the end wall 709 (or through a one-way valve, if present) to the solid substrate container 703, where it captures flavor and nicotine from the tobacco material of the solid substrate 704 contained in the container 703. The humectant in aerosol or vapor form contacts the solid basic material to form a basic solution. The base increases the pH of the tobacco, liberating nicotine and making it more susceptible to entrainment by the passing vapor / aerosol. The vapor or aerosol can then exit cartridge 700 through end wall 715 of the solid substrate container, as shown by arrow B.

[0095] The examples shown in Figures 4 and 5 are particularly suitable for use in so-called modular or "electronically operated (e-go)" products where the cartomizer is fitted to the battery section (not shown), typically by a thread, bayonet fit, etc. The cartomizer as a whole is typically discarded after use and a new replacement cartomizer is used. Alternatively, the user can occasionally refill the liquid and / or replace the solid material as needed.

[0096] The examples shown in Figures 4 and 5 are themselves easily adapted for use with other types of e-cigarette hybrid devices known in the art. For example, so-called "e-cigarette look-alike" or "cigarette-like" devices are generally small and have a shape and appearance similar to a conventional cigarette. In such devices, the first container typically includes some sort of filler material, such as cotton, to hold the liquid. While the cartridges or cartomizers of such conventional devices are typically entirely disposable, in some instances using embodiments of the present invention, they can be refilled with liquid and / or have a replaceable solid substrate. Another example is so-called tank devices or personal vaporizers, which typically have a large liquid reservoir for holding a relatively large amount of liquid and offer advanced user-adjustable features in many aspects of the device.

[0097] As an alternative to any of the above cartomizer devices, the atomizer for the liquid may be provided separately from the liquid and tobacco container, or the atomizer may be provided as part of the battery section of the overall device, for example a cartridge into which the cartridge is removably fitted by the user during use.

[0098] In any of the examples described in connection with Figures 4 and 5, a solid substrate heater may be provided to "preheat" the solid substrate. This heater may be provided as part of the cartridge or as part of the battery section of the device into which the cartridge is fitted during use.

[0099] As used herein, an "aerosol generating agent" is a compound or mixture that facilitates the generation of an aerosol. An aerosol generating agent may facilitate the generation of an aerosol by promoting the initial evaporation and / or condensation of a gas into an inhalable solid and / or liquid aerosol.

[0100] Generally, one or more suitable aerosol-generating agents may be included in the aerosol-generating articles of the present invention. Suitable aerosol-generating agents include, but are not limited to, polyols such as sorbitol, glycerin, and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol, non-polyols such as monohydric alcohols, high-boiling hydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, glycerin derivatives, diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, esters such as triethyl citrate or myristates including ethyl myristate and isopropyl myristate, and aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate, and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

[0101] As used herein, the terms "flavor" and "flavoring" refer to ingredients permitted by local regulations that can be used to impart a taste or aroma desired by adult consumers to a product. Such ingredients include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine). These additives include, but are not limited to, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, and peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha (e.g., ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, and peppermint oil from any species of Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, and the like), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, and breath fresheners. These materials may be imitation, synthetic, or natural ingredients, or blends thereof. These materials may be in any suitable form, such as, for example, oils, liquids, or powders.

[0102] For the avoidance of doubt, when used herein, "comprises" means the invention or a feature of the invention. When used in the definition of "comprises," the invention or feature may be replaced by "comprises." Also disclosed are embodiments that can be defined using "consists essentially of" or "consists of."

[0103] The above-described embodiments should be understood as illustrative examples of the present invention. Further embodiments of the present invention are contemplated. It should be understood that any feature described with respect to any one embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features described, and may be used in combination with one or more features of any of the other embodiments or in any combination with any of the other embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

[0104] The various embodiments described herein are provided merely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are merely representative examples and are not intended to be comprehensive or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to the exact scope of the claims or to the equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized or modified without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, or other combinations. The present disclosure also encompasses other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. (i) an aerosolizable material comprising nicotine; and (ii) a solid basic material, wherein the weight ratio of the solid basic material to the aerosolizable material, calculated on a dry weight basis, is in the range of about 0.05:1 to about 0.15:1; (iii) a wetting agent; and An aerosol-generating article comprising: An aerosol generating article in which, during use, the wetting agent is mixed with the solid base material and the aerosolizable material upon activation of a mixing mechanism by the user.

2. 2. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the aerosolizable material comprises tobacco material, the tobacco material comprising one or more of powdered tobacco, tobacco fiber, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, reconstituted tobacco, agglomerated tobacco, spheronized tobacco and / or tobacco extract.

3. An aerosol-generating product as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aerosolizable material has a moisture content of 15 wt % or less, or 10 wt % or less, before the humectant is mixed with the aerosolizable material.

4. An aerosol-generating product as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the aerosolizable material includes one or more casings containing invert sugar, molasses, cane sugar, honey, cocoa, licorice, polyols or acids.

5. 5. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the aerosolizable material and the solid basic material are provided as a mixture.

6. The aerosol-generating product described in claim 5, characterized in that the density of the solid basic material is within about 10% or about 5% of the density of the aerosolizable material.

7. An aerosol-generating product described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the weight ratio calculated on a dry weight basis of the solid basic material to the aerosolizable material is in the range of 0.05:1 to 0.1:

1.

8. 8. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the solid basic material comprises sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, calcium carbonate, or a mixture thereof.

9. 9. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the humectant comprises water, glycerin, propylene glycol or mixtures thereof.

10. An aerosol generating product as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the humectant is encapsulated, the capsule is crushable, and the humectant is released by the user crushing the capsule when in use.

11. An aerosol-generating product described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the humectant is encapsulated by an encapsulating material selected from a polysaccharide or cellulose-based barrier material, gelatin, a gum, a gel, a wax or a mixture thereof.

12. 12. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the wetting agent is heated in use to form a vapor and / or aerosol, and the vapor and / or aerosol flows in contact with the solid basic material in use.

13. 13. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the wetting agent is pumped into contact with the solid basic material by activation of a pump by a user.

14. 14. An aerosol-generating assembly comprising an aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and a heater.

15. a container for holding a first volatile material comprising a wetting agent; a heater for evaporating a first volatile material held in the container; a chamber containing a mixture of an aerosolizable material including nicotine and a solid basic material; an exit, 15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein in use a first volatile material comprising a wetting agent is evaporated by a heater to form a vapor and / or aerosol, which vapor and / or aerosol passes through a chamber comprising the aerosolizable material and the solid base material, entraining one or more components of the aerosolizable material, thereby forming an inhalable medium which passes through an outlet.

16. 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the first volatile material comprises an aerosol generating agent.

17. 17. The assembly of claim 15 or 16, wherein the first volatile material comprises a liquid or a gel.

18. 14. A kit comprising an aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and a device for use in generating an inhalable medium, the device including a heater.

19. mixing the humectant into a composition comprising a solid basic material and an aerosolizable material comprising nicotine, the solid basic material having a weight ratio calculated on a dry weight basis of the solid basic material to the aerosolizable material ranging from about 0.05:1 to about 0.15:1 to release nicotine from the aerosolizable material; A method of generating a respirable medium comprising volatilizing a component of an aerosolizable material to form the respirable medium.

20. volatilizing a first material including a wetting agent to form a vapor and / or an aerosol; 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising contacting the vapor and / or aerosol with an aerosolizable material comprising a solid basic material and nicotine, thereby releasing nicotine from the aerosolizable material and causing the vapor and / or aerosol to entrain one or more components of the aerosolizable material.

21. providing a composition comprising a wetting agent, a solid basic material, and an aerosolizable material, the solid basic material having a weight ratio calculated on a dry weight basis of the solid basic material to the aerosolizable material ranging from about 0.05:1 to about 0.15:1; mixing the composition with a wetting agent to form a basic solution; and releasing the nicotine from the aerosolizable material.

22. 1. Use of a humectant for sustained delivery of nicotine from an aerosolizable material containing nicotine, comprising mixing the aerosolizable material with a solid basic material, the weight ratio of the solid basic material to the aerosolizable material being in the range of about 0.05:1 to about 0.15:1, calculated on a dry weight basis; The use of a humectant in contact with a solid basic material and an aerosolizable material, resulting in the release of nicotine from the aerosolizable material and the volatilization of components of the aerosolizable material to form an inhalable medium.

23. 1. A cartridge configured for use with a device containing a reservoir of a humectant, the cartridge comprising a solid basic material and an aerosolizable material comprising nicotine, the solid basic material having a weight ratio, calculated on a dry weight basis, of the solid basic material to the aerosolizable material ranging from about 0.05:1 to about 0.15:1.

Images