Aerosol Delivery System
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024539847
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-01-21
- Filing Date
- 2023-01-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-01-19
AI Technical Summary
The existing electronic atomization system has insufficient flexibility in controlling the aerosol delivered to the user, making it difficult to effectively adjust the type and taste of the aerosol, and the existing equipment is prone to instability of additives when temperature and environmental conditions change.
Using a dual storage tank design, the first and second aerosols are independently generated and delivered. Users can customize the mixing ratio as needed, and expand functions through modular design to support different types of aerosol-generating materials and additives.
Flexible control and personalized customization of aerosols are achieved, ensuring the stability and consistent taste of aerosols, and adapting to changes in different environmental conditions.
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems, such as, but not limited to, nicotine delivery systems (e.g., electronic cigarettes, etc.). [Background technology]
[0002] Electronic aerosol delivery systems often use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or more generally aerosol delivery devices. Such aerosol delivery systems typically contain an aerosolizable material (also called aerosol-generating material), such as a fluid or liquid reservoir containing a formulation that typically but not necessarily includes nicotine, or a solid material such as a tobacco-based product, from which a gas / vapor / aerosol is generated for inhalation by a user, for example by thermal vaporization. Thus, an aerosol delivery system typically includes a vaporizer (also called aerosol generator), for example a heating element, arranged to vaporize / aerosolize a portion of the aerosolizable material to generate a vapor / aerosol.
[0003] Once vapor is generated, it may be passed through a flavoring material to add flavor to the vapor (e.g., if the aerosolizable material itself was not flavored), and then the (flavored) vapor may in turn be delivered from the aerosol delivery system to the user via the mouthpiece.
[0004] A potential drawback of existing aerosol delivery systems and related aerosol delivery devices is that they are relatively inflexible for controlling the aerosol delivered to a user during use. A further drawback is that certain flavor materials, sensory elicitor materials and / or additives configured to be delivered to a user as an aerosol may be aerosolized more effectively in different environmental / temperature conditions than other flavor materials and / or additives that form part of the aerosol delivered to the user.
[0005] Accordingly, various approaches are described herein that seek to help address or alleviate some of these issues through embodiments of an aerosol delivery system in which first and second reservoirs of different aerosol-generating materials may be provided, allowing a first aerosol to be generated from a first aerosol-generating material from a first reservoir, and allowing a second aerosol to be generated from a second aerosol-generating material from a second reservoir, in some cases where the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol. In this manner, the first aerosol may be generated in a manner that allows the second aerosol to be added to, mixed with, and / or delivered with the first aerosol in a manner that effectively allows a user to customize to what extent the first aerosol is supplemented by the second aerosol as part of the final aerosol delivered to the user (e.g., via a mouthpiece provided as part of the aerosol delivery system).
[0006] In this regard, also described herein are modules that can store a second aerosol generating material and that can be retrofitted into an existing aerosol delivery system to allow a user to customize any delivered first aerosol from the existing aerosol delivery system by using the second aerosol generated from the second aerosol generating material in the module to supplement or mix this first aerosol. Thus, again in these embodiments, the first aerosol is generated independently of the second aerosol, such that the second aerosol is effectively an optional supplement to the existing aerosol generating characteristics of the aerosol delivery system.
[0007] Also described herein are modules that can be used to couple to a container of fluid (e.g., a drink bottle, a container with a shooter or shot, for example) to provide a vapor / aerosol along with or mixed with any fluid dispensed as part of the container.
[0008] Also described herein are aerosol delivery systems in which a variety of different upstream aerosol generating materials, including, for example, one or more acids, flavoring materials or other additives, may be aerosolized and delivered to a downstream first reservoir containing a different / first aerosol generating material, again allowing a user to further customize how the first aerosol from the first aerosol generating material is ultimately delivered to the user via the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery system.
[0009] Also described herein are aerosol delivery systems in which a variety of different downstream aerosol-generating materials, including, for example, different flavor materials or other additives, may be aerosolized and delivered (potentially independently / selectively from one another) downstream of a first reservoir containing different / first aerosol-generating materials, again allowing a user to further customize how the first aerosol from the first aerosol-generating material is ultimately delivered to the user along with one or more of the downstream aerosol-generating materials (or even both in some instances). Summary of the Invention
[0010] Thus, according to a first aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system comprising: The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; the aerosol delivery system comprising: a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material, the second reservoir being configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material; The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol.
[0011] According to a second aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the consumable comprising: The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; the aerosol delivery system comprising: a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material, the second reservoir being configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material; The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol.
[0012] According to a third aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the consumable comprising: The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material, the consumable being configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material; The consumable is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol.
[0013] According to a fourth aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising a consumable according to the second or third aspect and an aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising a consumable receiving section including an interface arranged to cooperatively engage with an interface from the consumable so as to releasably couple the consumable to the aerosol delivery device.
[0014] According to a fifth aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol delivery system, the method comprising: generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; generating a second aerosol using a second aerosol-generating material received from a second reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; The first aerosol is generated independently of the second aerosol.
[0015] According to a sixth aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a method of retrofitting an aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system, the method comprising: releasably coupling a module to the aerosol delivery system, the module comprising a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material; generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material; and generating a second aerosol inside the module using a second aerosol-generating material.
[0016] According to a seventh aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a module for use in an aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol generating material, the module being configured to be releasably coupled to the aerosol delivery system, the module comprising: a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material; and a mounting portion for releasably coupling the module to the aerosol delivery system; The module is configured to receive a first aerosol from the aerosol delivery system when the module is coupled to the aerosol delivery system using the mounting portion, and is configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material when the module receives the first aerosol.
[0017] According to an eighth aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided an assembly comprising the module as described above and an aerosol delivery system to which the module is configured to be releasably coupled.
[0018] Numerous other aspects of particular embodiments are defined in the claims and various clauses recited at the end of this specification.
[0019] It will be appreciated that the features and aspects of the invention described above in relation to its various aspects are equally applicable to and may be combined with embodiments of the invention according to other aspects of the invention, as appropriate, and not just in the specific combinations described herein.
[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]
[0021] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device (shown separately) according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of cartridge components of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3A] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of one of the housing portions of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3B] 2 shows another schematic cross-sectional view of the housing portion of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3C] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another housing portion of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 4A] 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a septum element of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 4B] 2 shows a schematic plan view of a septum element of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 5A]2 shows a schematic perspective view of one of the elastic plugs of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 5B] 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating another perspective view of the elastic plug of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 5C] 2 shows a schematic plan view of an elastic plug of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 6A] 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a bottom cap of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1. [Figure 6B] 2 shows a schematic plan view of the bottom cap of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 7] 1 illustrates generally one embodiment of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, which employs a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material such that the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol independently of any generation of a second aerosol using the second aerosol-generating material. [Figure 8A] 1 illustrates generally one embodiment of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, which employs a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material such that the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol independently of any generation of a second aerosol using the second aerosol-generating material. [Figure 8B] 1 illustrates generally one embodiment of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, which employs a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material such that the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol independently of any generation of a second aerosol using the second aerosol-generating material. [Figure 9]1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating embodiments of an aerosol delivery system (or assembly) according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, which employ a module comprising a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material, the second reservoir configured to releasably couple to the remainder of the aerosol delivery system, such as a consumable or mouthpiece from the aerosol delivery system. [Figure 10] 10A-10C illustrate schematic embodiments of an assembly in which a variation of a module similar to that of FIG. 9 may be fitted to a container of fluid, such as a drink bottle, to provide an aerosol to the fluid from the container, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 11 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, which uses multiple (primary / secondary) second reservoirs for storing multiple potentially different (primary / secondary) second aerosol-generating materials such that the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate an aerosol using a first aerosol with any of the primary / secondary second aerosol-generating materials. The same FIG. 11 also includes an optional third reservoir, which in some embodiments may be upstream of the first reservoir, for storing a third aerosol-generating material according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 13A-13C are schematic diagrams illustrating additional embodiments of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, each of which employs a patch-like consumable for use with the aerosol delivery system to generate a first aerosol, and a releasable engagement / attachment with the aerosol delivery system, the consumable comprising a reservoir for storing an active substance configured to be delivered to a user of the aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 13]1 illustrates, in schematic form, one embodiment of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, which employs a sleeve-shaped consumable for use, which may be made of, for example, cardboard or paper, releasably engaged / attached to the aerosol delivery system for generating a first aerosol, the consumable comprising a reservoir for storing an active substance configured to be delivered to a user of the aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 1 illustrates generally one embodiment of an aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, which employs a consumable for use with a mouthpiece from the aerosol delivery system to generate a first aerosol, and a releasable engagement / attachment with the mouthpiece, the consumable comprising a reservoir for storing an active substance configured to be delivered to a user of the aerosol delivery system according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are explained / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented in a conventional manner and are not explained / described in detail for the sake of brevity. Thus, it will be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods described herein that are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional technique for implementing such aspects and features.
[0023] The present disclosure relates to non-combustion aerosol delivery systems (such as e-cigarettes). According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustion" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosolizable materials (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system are not or are not burned to facilitate delivery to a user. Aerosolizable materials, which may also be referred to herein as aerosol-generating materials or aerosol precursor materials, are materials that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or energized in any other manner. Aerosolizable materials may also be flavored in some embodiments.
[0024] Throughout the following description, the term "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, with the understanding that this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery systems. Note that electronic cigarettes are sometimes also known as vaping devices or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDs), although the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not a requirement.
[0025] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system is a hybrid device configured to generate an aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials, one or more of which may be heated. In some embodiments, the hybrid device includes a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. The solid aerosolizable material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
[0026] Typically, a (non-combustion) aerosol delivery system may comprise a cartridge / consumable part and a body / reusable / aerosol delivery device part configured to releasably engage with the cartridge / consumable part.
[0027] The aerosol delivery system may be provided with means for powering a vaporizer therein, and may be provided with an aerosolizable material transport element for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized. The aerosol delivery system may also be provided with a reservoir for containing the aerosolizable material, and in some embodiments, a further reservoir for containing a flavoring material for flavoring the vapor generated from the aerosol delivery system.
[0028] In some embodiments, the vaporizer can be a heater / heating element that can interact with the aerosolizable material to release one or more volatile substances from the aerosolizable material to form a vapor / aerosol. In some embodiments, the vaporizer can generate an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without heating. For example, the vaporizer can be capable of generating a vapor / aerosol from the aerosolizable material without adding heat to the aerosolizable material, for example, via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurized, or electrostatic means. In a further example, the vaporizer can be capable of generating a vapor / aerosol from the aerosolizable material without adding heat to the aerosolizable material by reducing the pressure in the reservoir, for example, when air is drawn through the aerosol delivery system, a reduction in pressure can be observed across the second reservoir, lifting droplets or particles from a substrate (e.g., a porous substrate) contained within the second reservoir, thereby generating a vapor / aerosol.
[0029] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosolizable material that may include an active ingredient, a carrier component, and optionally one or more other functional ingredients.
[0030] The active ingredient may include one or more physiologically and / or olfactory active ingredients included in the aerosolizable material to achieve a physiological and / or olfactory response in the user. The active ingredient may be selected from, for example, dietary supplements and nootropics. The active ingredient may be naturally occurring or synthetically derived. The active ingredient may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or components, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active ingredient may include components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco or another botanical substance. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is a physiologically active ingredient and may be selected from nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g., nicotine ditartrate / nicotine bitartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.
[0031] The inventors have found that by protonating the nicotine present in the aerosol-generating material and / or the aerosol itself to various degrees, such that the aerosol-generating material and the aerosol contain nicotine in unprotonated and protonated forms, the final aerosol inhaled by the user provides the desired characteristics of flavor, impact, stimulation, smoothness and / or nicotine reward to the user. The inventors have found that a certain level of acid addition is particularly preferred, namely, the total content of acid present in the solution is 5.0 molar equivalents or less to nicotine, preferably 2.5 molar equivalents or less to nicotine, more preferably 1.0 molar equivalents or less to nicotine, and most preferably 0.6 molar equivalents or less to nicotine. With this level of acid addition, the aerosol-generating material can be provided to have the desired characteristics of flavor, impact, stimulation, smoothness and / or nicotine reward to the user, both when the nicotine content is relatively low, such as 1.8% by weight or less, and when the nicotine content is relatively high, such as more than 1.8% by weight.
[0032] As described herein, the aerosol-generating material and / or the aerosol itself may include unprotonated and protonated forms of nicotine. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the protonated form of nicotine is prepared by reacting unprotonated nicotine with an acid. The acid is one or more suitable acids selected from lauric acid, myristic acid, salicylic acid, malic acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, nicotinic acid, levulinic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, and / or a carbonic acid source, such as carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, a single acid is used to protonate nicotine. In some embodiments, two or more acids are used to protonate nicotine.
[0033] In some embodiments, the first aerosol-generating material comprises unprotonated nicotine and the second aerosol-generating material comprises one or more suitable acids selected from lauric acid, myristic acid, salicylic acid, malic acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, nicotinic acid, levulinic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, and / or a carbonate source, such as carbon dioxide. In one aspect of this embodiment, the unprotonated nicotine is protonated in the aerosol-generating material by the second aerosol generated from the second aerosol-generating material. In another aspect of this embodiment, the unprotonated nicotine is protonated in the first aerosol by the second aerosol generated from the second aerosol-generating material.
[0034] Nicotine may be provided in any suitable amount of aerosol generating materials, such as any combination of the first aerosol generating material, the second aerosol generating material, and / or any further aerosol generating materials (e.g., in a potential third reservoir), depending on the desired dose when inhaled by a user. In some embodiments, nicotine is present in an amount of 6% or less by weight, based on the total weight of the aerosol generating materials. In some embodiments, nicotine is present in an amount of 0.4-6% by weight, based on the total weight of the aerosol generating materials. In some embodiments, nicotine is present in an amount of 0.8-6% by weight, based on the total weight of the aerosol generating materials. In some embodiments, nicotine is present in an amount of 1-6% by weight, based on the total weight of the aerosol generating materials. In some embodiments, nicotine is present in an amount of 1.8-6% by weight, based on the total weight of the aerosol generating materials.
[0035] In some embodiments, the active ingredient is an olfactory active ingredient and, where local regulations permit, may be selected from "flavors" and / or "flavoring agents" that may be used to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatic sensation in products intended for adult consumers. In some examples, such ingredients may be referred to as flavors, flavorings, flavoring materials, cooling agents, warming agents, and / or sweetening agents.Such ingredients may be naturally occurring flavor materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically derived materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherries, berries, red berries, cranberries, peaches, apples, oranges, mangoes, clementines, lemons, rye, and the like). citrus fruits, tropical fruits, papaya, rhubarb, grapes, 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, eggplant, betel quid, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, isopropyl alcohol, sorbet, sorbet, sorbet juice ... Nile ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, bell pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, bay, yerba mate, orange peel, rose, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, shiso, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, black currant, valerian, pimento, mace, damiento, maize In some embodiments, the additives may include oleaginous compounds such as oleic acid, joram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, calvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), 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, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), as well as other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners.Such ingredients may be imitation, synthetic, or natural ingredients, or blends thereof. Such ingredients may be in any suitable form, for example, liquids such as oils, solids such as powders, or gases, extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, cloves, menthol, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherries, berries, peaches, apples, Drambuie, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, The ingredients may be one or more of the following: jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or peppermint oil from any species of the genus 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, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners. Such ingredients may be imitation, synthetic, or natural ingredients, or blends thereof. Such ingredients may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.
[0036] In some embodiments, the flavoring materials (flavors) may include menthol, spearmint, and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavors include cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and / or red berry flavor components. In some embodiments, the flavors include eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavors include flavor components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavors may include a sensory elicitor, which is intended to achieve somatic sensations that are usually chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or instead of the scent or taste nerves, and these may include agents that produce heating, cooling, tingling, and numbing effects. A suitable heat effecting agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable cooling agent may be, but is not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.
[0037] The carrier component may include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the carrier component may include one or more of water, glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, mesoerythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate. The carrier component (or more generally, the aerosol-generating material) according to some embodiments may include 80% or less glycerin, or 90% or less glycerin, and / or 10% or less water, and / or 20% or less water (respectively (% w / w)). For example, potential more specific embodiments include a carrier component (or more generally, the aerosol-generating material), which in some instances may be a liquid, and includes any of the following percentages (% w / w): [Table 1]
[0038] In potentially relevant embodiments, the carrier component (or more generally, the aerosol generating material) may comprise glycerol. In one embodiment, the carrier component (or more generally, the aerosol generating material) may comprise at least 10% w / w glycerol. In one embodiment, the carrier component (or more generally, the aerosol generating material) comprises at least 15% w / w glycerol. In one embodiment, the carrier component (or more generally, the aerosol generating material) comprises at least 20% w / w glycerol. In one embodiment, the carrier component (or more generally, the aerosol generating material) comprises at least 25% w / w glycerol. In one embodiment, the carrier component (or more generally, the aerosol generating material) comprises at least 30% w / w glycerol.
[0039] In one embodiment, glycerol and propylene glycol are present in any individual aerosol generating material described herein in the following amounts: 60-90% w / w propylene glycol; and 40-10% w / w glycerol, based on the total weight of glycerol and propylene glycol present in the material.
[0040] In one embodiment, glycerol and propylene glycol are present in any aerosol generating material described herein in the following amounts: 70-80% w / w propylene glycol; and 30-20% w / w glycerol, based on the total weight of glycerol and propylene glycol present in the material.
[0041] In one embodiment, any of the aerosol generating materials described herein may contain about 70% w / w propylene glycol and about 30% glycerol.
[0042] In one embodiment, any of the aerosol-forming materials described herein can be a liquid at about 25°C.
[0043] The one or more other functional ingredients may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a binder, a filler, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.
[0044] Cannabinoids For completeness, according to some embodiments, any combination of aerosol or aerosolizable / aerosol-generating materials described herein (e.g., any combination of the first aerosol-generating material; the second aerosol-generating material; and / or any further aerosol-generating materials (e.g., in a potential third reservoir, as further described in due course) may comprise one or more cannabinoids, and / or at least one cannabinoid compound / species, such as any of the compounds / species set forth below. In that regard, cannabinoids are a class of natural or synthetic chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors (i.e., CB1 and CB2) in cells that inhibit the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. Cannabinoids Cannabinoids are cyclic molecules that exhibit certain properties, such as the ability to easily cross the blood-brain barrier. Cannabinoids can be naturally occurring from plants such as cannabis (phytocannabinoids), from animals (endocannabinoids), or artificially produced (synthetic cannabinoids). Cannabis species express at least 85 different phytocannabinoids, which include cannabigerol, cannabichromene, cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinol and cannabinodiol, as well as other cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (an isomer of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Δ 6a,10a -Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 6a,10a -THC), Δ 6a(7) -Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 6a(7) -THC), Δ 8 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 8 -THC), Δ 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC), Δ 10 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ10 -THC), Δ 9,11 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9,11 -THC), cannabinol (CBN) and subclasses including cannabinodiol (CBDL), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabinerolic acid, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol propyl variant (CBNV), cannabiditriol (CBO), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), and tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCV A).
[0045] Although the legal status of specific cannabinoids varies by jurisdiction, certain cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBN), are being considered for use in a wide variety of applications, including formulations for use in aerosol delivery systems. However, the stability of cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBN) has been found to vary in response to certain environmental conditions, such as exposure to air or light, or fluctuations in temperature and pH. This can have unintended harmful consequences.
[0046] For example, CBD can oxidize and decompose upon exposure to light and / or air to form cannabidiol hydroxyquinone (CBDHQ or HU-331) and isomeric or functional derivatives of cannabidiol hydroxyquinone (CBDHQ or HU-331). Additionally, CBD can change Δ 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9-THC). As a result, the accuracy of the specific cannabinoid content and / or concentration may vary widely in the formulation, while regulated and restricted cannabinoids may be produced unintentionally, rendering the product illegal or unlicensed in certain jurisdictions. It is therefore desirable to provide a formulation containing one or more cannabinoids that maintains a high degree of purity during manufacture and storage, and then prevents the loss or degradation of one or more cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabinol (CBN), in the formulation.
[0047] In some embodiments, any of the aerosol delivery systems comprises an aerosol generating material comprising at least one carboxylated cannabinoid, and the system is configured to provide selective decarboxylation of the carboxylated cannabinoid.
[0048] Carboxylated forms of some cannabinoids may have different stability profiles compared to decarboxylated forms of cannabinoids. For example, the carboxylated form of cannabidiol, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), behaves differently in some solvent systems compared to the decarboxylated form (CBD). On the one hand, this difference in stability can be exploited, since it is possible to deploy a particular form of cannabinoid to achieve a desired stability profile. However, it is generally true that cannabinoids exert greater pharmacological effects in the decarboxylated form of the cannabinoid. Therefore, it may be less desirable to provide the cannabinoid in its carboxylated form. However, it is possible to convert the cannabinoid from the carboxylated form of the cannabinoid to the decarboxylated form of the cannabinoid.
[0049] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system provides selective decarboxylation of cannabinoids in the system. By "selective decarboxylation of carboxylated cannabinoids" is meant that the system can selectively increase the extent to which decarboxylation of carboxylated cannabinoids occurs. This is advantageous because it allows for the delivery of aerosols with decarboxylate amounts similar to those that can be derived from aerosol-generating materials that contain only decarboxylated forms of cannabinoids, while still being able to take advantage of the control of the stability profile of the cannabinoids.
[0050] In use, and the presence of a controller with variable power delivery to the aerosol generator (e.g., heating element), allows the user to operate the aerosol delivery system to control the degree of in situ conversion from carboxylated to decarboxylated form. Since the rate of in situ conversion of some cannabinoids is generally temperature dependent (see Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Volume 1.1, 2016, Decarboxylation Study of Acidic Cannabinoids: A Novel Approach Using Ultra-High-Performance Supercritical Fluid Chromatography / Photodiode Array-Mass Spectrometry), providing higher power to the aerosol generator, e.g., heater / heating element, generally results in a higher local temperature at the heater, which means that the conversion from carboxylated to decarboxylated form will generally be greater. Thus, the user can control the system to deliver various amounts of decarboxylated cannabinoids to the aerosol. For example, if the carboxylated cannabinoid is CBDA, the user can control the system to deliver various amounts of CBD to the aerosol.
[0051] An alternative way in which the system may provide for selective decarboxylation of carboxylated cannabinoids is for the aerosol delivery system to include either a first aerosol-generating material or a second aerosol-generating material, either of which includes at least one carboxylated cannabinoid. For the avoidance of doubt, the use of this alternative approach may be combined with other approaches described herein for selective decarboxylation of carboxylated cannabinoids.
[0052] Providing a carboxylated cannabinoid in either the first or second aerosol-generating material can be beneficial for several reasons. First, this allows either aerosol-generating material to be subjected to selective heating to a temperature lower than the temperature to which the other aerosol-generating material is heated. For example, the second aerosol-generating material may contain one or more carboxylated cannabinoids, which may be selectively heated (via power from a power source within the device or elsewhere) to facilitate decarboxylation of the carboxylated cannabinoids (e.g., CBD) contained therein. For the avoidance of doubt, the first aerosol-generating material may contain one or more carboxylated cannabinoids that may be selectively heated in the same manner. In some embodiments, one or more heating elements or heaters may be provided to heat the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the first or second reservoir may contain an internal heating element that would come into contact with the aerosol-generating material contained therein and / or an external heater that would not come into contact with the aerosol-generating material. This heater configuration is not limited to systems containing cannabinoids and can be used in conjunction with the other approaches described herein.
[0053] The extent to which the first or second reservoir is heated will affect the extent of decarboxylation that may occur. For example, a heating element (whether internal, external, or both) may be configured to heat the second aerosol-generating material to a temperature above ambient, but below the temperature at which significant vaporization of the second aerosol-generating material occurs. In this regard, the second aerosol-generating material may be heated to a temperature of greater than 50° C., greater than 60° C., greater than 70° C., greater than 80° C., greater than 90° C., greater than 100° C., greater than 110° C., greater than 120° C., greater than 130° C., greater than 140° C., or greater than 145° C., etc., using a suitable aerosol generator 40 from the aerosol delivery system 1 that may be configured to heat the second aerosol-generating material (e.g., using power from a power source provided to the aerosol generator 40 via the contact electrodes 46).
[0054] Sensory Evoking Agents In some examples, the aerosol or any combination of aerosolizable / aerosol-generating materials described herein (e.g., any combination of the first aerosol-generating material; the second aerosol-generating material; and / or any additional aerosol-generating materials (e.g., in a potential third reservoir) may include a flavoring material that includes one or more sensation eliciting agents or sensation eliciting compounds (or combinations thereof). The terms "sensation eliciting compound" or "sensation eliciting agent," as used interchangeably herein, refer to a compound that elicits a sensation mediated by the trigeminal nerve of the user. The use of sensation eliciting compounds is well documented in the food and pharmaceutical industries, and the sensations evoked include a cooling sensation, a warming sensation, and a tingling sensation. When used in an aerosolizable material, such sensations should be experienced in the oral cavity, nasal cavity, and / or by the skin of the user. The present disclosure is not limited in this respect.
[0055] In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents are selected from a cooling agent, a warming agent, or a tingling agent. The terms "cooling," "warming," and "tingling" are well understood in the art.
[0056] Cooling agents, warming agents and tingling agents are typically small organic molecules that deliver a cooling, warming or tingling sensation to the user upon contact with the oral cavity, nasal cavity and / or skin. This sensation falls under the category of chemosensation and occurs because the organic small molecules activate specific receptors in the skin and / or mucous membranes. Thus, the experience of cooling, warming and / or tingling sensations depends on the user's chemesthesis. Chemesthesis is also referred to in the art as "general chemosensation" or trigeminal chemosensation, as it typically refers to a sense that is mediated by the trigeminal nerve, is an element of the somatosensory system and is distinct from olfaction (sense of smell) and taste.
[0057] In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents include a cooling agent. The cooling agent is typically not menthol. In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents include a cooling agent that is a compound of formula (I) or a salt and / or solvate thereof: [ka] (wherein X is hydrogen or OR′, and R′ is R 1 and an alkyl or alkenyl group which may be taken together with the group to form a 3- to 5-membered heterocyclyl group, the heterocyclyl group being OH, O-alkyl, alkyl-OH, alkyl-O-alkyl, NH 2 , NH-alkyl, N-(alkyl) 2 , NO 2 and CN; R 1 and R 2 are each independently hydrogen, OH, or OR a , C(O)NR b R c and C(O)OR b R c where R 1 is OH, the compound of formula (I) is not menthol, and when a double bond is present, R 2 does not exist, Ra is an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, C(O)R f group, or C(O)-alkyl-C(O)R f The alkyl and alkenyl groups are OH, O-alkyl, NH 2 , NH-alkyl, N-(alkyl) 2 , NO 2 and CN; R f is an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, OH, O-alkyl, NH 2 , NH-alkyl or N-(alkyl) 2 where the alkyl and alkenyl groups are OH, O-alkyl, NH 2 , NH-alkyl, N-(alkyl) 2 , NO 2 and CN, R b and R c are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, a heteroaryl group, or a heteroaralkyl group, and the alkyl group, the alkenyl group, the aryl group, and the heteroaryl group are each independently an OH, an O-alkyl, an NH 2 , NH-alkyl, N-(alkyl) 2 , NO 2 , CN and C(O)R f may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from
[0058] In one embodiment, X is hydrogen.
[0059] In one embodiment, X is OR′ and R′ is R 1 and R are alkyl or alkenyl groups which together form a 3- to 5-membered heterocyclyl group, the heterocyclyl group being optionally substituted with OH, O-alkyl or alkyl-OH. In one embodiment, X is OR′ and R′ is R 1and R' are alkyl groups taken together to form a 4- or 5-membered heterocyclyl group, which may be substituted with alkyl-OH. In one embodiment, X is OR' and R' is R 1 and R are alkyl groups which together form a 4- or 5-membered heterocyclyl group, the heterocyclyl group being optionally substituted with alkyl-OH; 1 OR a and R a is an alkyl group, R 2 is absent or is hydrogen.
[0060] In one embodiment, R 1 OH, OR a and C(O)NR b R c Selected from R 2 is absent or OH and OR a In one embodiment, R 1 is OH with the proviso that the compound of formula (I) is not menthol. 1 is OH and R 2 OH and OR a is selected from.
[0061] In one embodiment, X is hydrogen and R 1 OH, OR a and C(O)NR b R c where R 1 When R is OH, the compound of formula (I) is not menthol. 2 is absent or OH and OR a In one embodiment, X is hydrogen and R 1 OR a and C(O)NR b R c Selected from R 2 is absent or OH and OR a is selected from.
[0062] In one embodiment, R 1OR a and R a is an alkyl group substituted with one or more OH substituents. 2 may be hydrogen.
[0063] In one embodiment, R 1 OR a and R a is C(O)R f group, or C(O)-alkyl-C(O)R f R f is an alkyl group optionally substituted with one or more OH substituents, or R f is OH. 2 may be hydrogen.
[0064] In one embodiment, R 1 is C(O)NR b R c and R b and R c are each independently a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, a heteroaryl group, or a heteroaralkyl group. 1 is C(O)NR b R c and R b and R c At least one of R is hydrogen. 2 may be hydrogen.
[0065] In one embodiment, R 1 is C(O)NR b R c and R b is hydrogen and R c is selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups, aryl groups, aralkyl groups, and heteroaralkyl groups. 2 may be hydrogen.
[0066] As used herein, the term "alkyl" includes both saturated straight chain and branched alkyl groups, which may be substituted (mono- or polysubstituted) or unsubstituted. In one embodiment, the alkyl group is 1-10 In one embodiment, the alkyl group is 1-8 In one embodiment, the alkyl group is 1-6 In one embodiment, the alkyl group is 1-3 It is an alkyl group. In one embodiment, the alkyl group includes, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, and hexyl. In one embodiment, the alkyl group includes methyl, ethyl, propyl, or isopropyl.
[0067] As used herein, the term "alkenyl" includes both unsaturated straight chain and unsaturated branched alkenyl groups, which may be substituted (mono- or polysubstituted) or unsubstituted. In one embodiment, an alkenyl group is 2-10 In one embodiment, the alkenyl group is 2-8 In one embodiment, the alkenyl group is 2-6 In one embodiment, the alkenyl group is 2-3 It is an alkenyl group.
[0068] As used herein, the term "aryl" refers to a C 6-12 It refers to an aromatic group. Typical examples include phenyl and naphthyl, etc. In one embodiment, the aryl group is phenyl.
[0069] The term "aralkyl" is used as a combination of the above alkyl and aryl terms. For example, an aryl group can be formed by the diradical alkylene bridge (-CH 2 -) nwhere n is 1-10 and "aryl" is as defined above. Alternatively, the alkyl group may be attached to the compound of formula (I) via a diradical aryl bridge, such as phenyl, where "alkyl" is as defined above. In one embodiment, the term "aralkyl" refers to a phenylalkyl group, where the phenyl is attached to the compound of formula (I).
[0070] As used herein, the term "heteroaryl" refers to a monovalent aromatic group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms having one or more oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur heteroatoms in the ring. In one embodiment, there are 1 to 4 oxygen, nitrogen, and / or sulfur heteroatoms in the ring. In one embodiment, there are 1 to 3 oxygen, nitrogen, and / or sulfur heteroatoms in the ring. In one embodiment, there are 2 oxygen and / or nitrogen heteroatoms in the ring. In one embodiment, there is one oxygen or nitrogen heteroatom in the ring. The nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may be oxidized. Such heteroaryl groups can have a single ring (e.g., pyridyl or furyl) or multiple condensed rings, so long as the point of attachment is through a heteroaryl ring atom.
[0071] In one embodiment, the heteroaryl is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolylbenzofuranyl, and benzothiophenyl. The heteroaryl ring may be unsubstituted or substituted. In one embodiment, the heteroaryl is selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, and pyrrolyl. In one embodiment, the heteroaryl is pyridyl.
[0072] As used herein, the term "heterocyclyl" refers to a fully saturated or unsaturated monocyclic group having one or more oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen heteroatoms in the ring. In one embodiment, a heterocyclyl has 1-3 heteroatoms in the ring. In one embodiment, a heterocyclyl has 1-3 oxygen and / or nitrogen heteroatoms in the ring. In one embodiment, a heterocyclyl has 1-3 oxygen heteroatoms in the ring. The nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may be oxidized and the nitrogen heteroatom may be quaternized. The heterocyclic group may be unsubstituted or substituted.
[0073] Exemplary monocyclic heterocyclic groups include, but are not limited to, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, pyrazolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, oxazolyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolidinyl, isothiazolyl, isothiazolidinyl, furyl, tetrahydrofuryl, thienyl, oxadiazolyl, piperidinyl, piperazyl, aryl, aryloxy ... Examples of such radicals include aryl, 2-oxopiperazinyl, 2-oxopiperidinyl, 2-oxopyrrolodinyl, 2-oxoazepinyl, azepinyl, 4-piperidonyl, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, morpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl sulfoxide, thiamorpholinyl sulfone, 1,3-dioxolane and tetrahydro-1,1-dioxothienyl, triazolyl, and triazinyl.
[0074] In one embodiment, the heterocyclyl is selected from the group consisting of oxiranyl, oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuryl, tetrahydropyranyl, and 1,3-dioxolane. In one embodiment, the heterocyclyl is 1,3-dioxolane.
[0075] All embodiments include, where appropriate, all enantiomers, tautomers and geometric isomers of the compounds of formula (I). The skilled artisan will recognize compounds that have optical properties (one or more chiral carbon atoms) or tautomeric properties. The corresponding enantiomers and / or tautomers may be isolated / prepared by methods known in the art. Some of the compounds of formula (I) may also exist as stereoisomers and / or geometric isomers, e.g., some of the compounds of formula (I) may have one or more asymmetric centers and / or geometric centers and therefore may exist in two or more stereoisomeric and / or geometric forms. All embodiments include, where appropriate, the use of all individual stereoisomers and geometric isomers of the compounds, as well as mixtures thereof. The terms used in the claims encompass these forms.
[0076] Suitable salts of the compounds of formula (I) include suitable acid addition or base salts thereof. Such salts and solvates thereof will be known in the art. Suitable acid addition salts include carboxylates (e.g., formates, acetates, trifluoroacetates, propionates, isobutyrates, heptanoates, decanoates, caprates, caprylates, stearates, acrylates, caproates, propiolates, ascorbates, citrates, glucuronates, glutamates, glycolates, alpha-hydroxybutyrates, lactates, tartrates, phenylacetates, mandelates, phenylpropionates, phenylbutyrates, benzoates, chlorobenzoates, methylbenzoates, hydroxybenzoates, methoxybenzoates, dinitrobenzoates, o-acetoxybenzoates, salicylates, nicotinates, isonicotinates, cinnamates, oxalates, malonates, succinates, suberates, sebacates, fumarates, malates, maleates, hydroxymaleates, hippurates, phthalates or terephthalates), halides (e.g. chlorides, bromides or iodides), sulfonates (e.g. benzenesulfonates, methyl-, bromo- or chloro-benzenesulfonates, xylenesulfonates, methanesulfonates, ethanesulfonates, propanesulfonates, hydroxyethanesulfonates, 1- or 2-naphthalenesulfonates or 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonates) or sulfates, pyrosulfates, bisulfates, sulfites, bisulfites, phosphates, monohydrogenphosphates, dihydrogenphosphates, metaphosphates, pyrophosphates or nitrates.
[0077] In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents are N-ethyl-5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, Ethyl-2-(5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexanecarbonylamino)acetate, N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-p-menthanecarboxamide, N-2,3-trimethyl-2-propan-2-ylbutanamide, N-(2-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)menthylcarboxamide, Menthone-1,2-glycerol ketal, Menthyl lactate, Isopulegol, 3-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol, and Menthyl Succinate The cooling agent is selected from the group consisting of:
[0078] In one embodiment, the coolant is N-ethyl-5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, Ethyl-2-(5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexanecarbonylamino)acetate, N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-p-menthanecarboxamide, N-2,3-trimethyl-2-propan-2-ylbutanamide, N-(2-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)menthylcarboxamide, Menthone-1,2-glycerol ketal, Menthyl lactate, 3-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol, and Menthyl Succinate is selected from the group consisting of:
[0079] In one embodiment, the coolant is N-ethyl-5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, Ethyl-2-(5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexanecarbonylamino)acetate, N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(2-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)menthylcarboxamide, Menthone-1,2-glycerol ketal, Menthyl lactate, Isopulegol, 3-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol, and Menthyl Succinate A group consisting of or N-ethyl-5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, Ethyl-2-(5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexanecarbonylamino)acetate, N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-p-menthanecarboxamide, N-(2-pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)menthylcarboxamide, Menthone-1,2-glycerol ketal, Menthyl lactate, 3-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol, and Menthyl Succinate may be selected from the group consisting of:
[0080] In one embodiment, the coolant is [ka] [ka] [ka] [ka] [ka] [ka] [ka] [ka] [ka] [ka] [ka] is selected from the group consisting of:
[0081] In one embodiment, the coolant is not WS-23, i.e., N,2,3-trimethyl-2-propan-2-ylbutanamide.
[0082] In one embodiment, the coolant is WS-23, N,2-3-trimethyl-2-propan-2-ylbutanamide.
[0083] In one embodiment, the cooling agent is selected from the group consisting of (1S,2R,5S)-N-ethyl-5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, ethyl-2-[[(1R,2S,5R)-5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexanecarbonyl]amino]acetate, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(4-methoxyphenyl-p-menthanecarboxamide, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)menthylcarboxamide, (-)-menthone 1,2-glycerol ketal, (-)-menthyl lactate, (-)-isopulegol, 3-((-)-menthoxy)propane-1,2-diol, and (-)-menthyl succinate.
[0084] In one embodiment, the cooling agent is selected from the group consisting of (1S,2R,5S)-N-ethyl-5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, ethyl-2-[[(1R,2S,5R)-5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexanecarbonyl]amino]acetate, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(4-methoxyphenyl-p-menthanecarboxamide, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)menthylcarboxamide, (-)-menthone 1,2-glycerol ketal, (-)-menthyl lactate, 3-((-)-menthoxy)propane-1,2-diol, and (-)-menthyl succinate.
[0085] In one embodiment, the cooling agent is selected from the group consisting of (1S,2R,5S)-N-ethyl-5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, ethyl-2-[[(1R,2S,5R)-5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexanecarbonyl]amino]acetate, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(4-methoxyphenyl-p-menthanecarboxamide, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)menthylcarboxamide, (-)-menthone 1,2-glycerol ketal, (-)-menthyl lactate, (-)-isopulegol, and 3-((-)-menthoxy)propane-1,2-diol.
[0086] In one embodiment, the cooling agent is selected from the group consisting of (1S,2R,5S)-N-ethyl-5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, ethyl-2-[[(1R,2S,5R)-5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexanecarbonyl]amino]acetate, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)menthylcarboxamide, (-)-menthone 1,2-glycerol ketal, (-)-menthyl lactate, (-)-isopulegol, and 3-((-)-menthoxy)propane-1,2-diol.
[0087] In one embodiment, the cooling agent is selected from the group consisting of (1S,2R,5S)-N-ethyl-5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, ethyl-2-[[(1R,2S,5R)-5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexanecarbonyl]amino]acetate, (1R,2S,5R)-N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)menthylcarboxamide, (-)-menthone 1,2-glycerol ketal, (-)-menthyl lactate, and 3-((-)-menthoxy)propane-1,2-diol.
[0088] In one embodiment, the cooling agent is (1R,2S,5R)-N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)menthylcarboxamide.
[0089] In another embodiment, the cooling agent is (1S,2R,5S)-N-ethyl-5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexanecarboxamide.
[0090] As stated above, all embodiments include, where appropriate, all enantiomers and tautomers of the compounds. All embodiments include, where appropriate, the use of all individual stereoisomers and geometric isomers of the compounds, as well as mixtures thereof. The terms used in the claims encompass these forms.
[0091] In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents include a warming agent or a tingling agent. In one embodiment, the warming agent or the tingling agent is selected from the group consisting of vanilloids, sanshool, piperine, allyl isothiocyanate, cinnamyl phenylpropyl compounds, ethyl esters, and combinations thereof, or the warming agent or the tingling agent is an extract from at least one of horseradish oil, ginger oil, black pepper, long pepper, Chinese pepper, cayenne pepper, Uzazi, or mustard oil.
[0092] Vanilloids are compounds that have a vanillyl group, and some vanilloids bind to the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 or TRPV1 receptor, an ion channel that naturally responds to stimuli. Thus, TRPV1 is an element of the mammalian somatosensory system. Vanilloids include capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) and nonivamide, as well as 3-phenylpropyl homovanillate, the main component of SymHeat PV used in the examples herein. Other vanilloids include gingerol, zingerone and shogaol, as well as vanillyl ethyl ether, vanillyl propyl ether, vanillyl butyl ether and vanillyl butyl ether acetate.
[0093] Sanshool is exemplified by hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, the compound responsible for the numbing and tingling sensation caused by eating foods cooked with Szechuan peppercorn and Uzazi. The term "sanshool" comes from the Japanese word for sansho and the suffix "ol", meaning "alcohol". Sanshool is an agonist of TRPV1 and TRPA1, ion channels best known as sensors of pain, cold, and itch in humans and other mammals.
[0094] Cinnamyl phenylpropyl compounds have the common structural features of aryl-substituted primary alcohols / aldehydes / esters. Cinnamyl phenylpropyl compounds include 3-phenylpropyl cinnamate and 3-phenyl-1-propanol, each of which has a pungent taste and balsamic odor, and 3-phenylpropyl isobutyrate, each of which has a fruity taste and odor. In one embodiment, the cinnamyl phenylpropyl compound is selected from 3-phenylpropyl cinnamate, 3-phenyl-1-propanol, and combinations thereof.
[0095] In one embodiment, the warming or tingling agent is selected from the group consisting of vanilloids, sanshool, piperine, cinnamyl phenylpropyl compounds, ethyl esters, and combinations thereof, or the warming or tingling agent is an extract from at least one of ginger oil, black pepper, long pepper, Sichuan pepper, cayenne pepper, or Uzazi.
[0096] In one embodiment, the warming or tingling agent is selected from the group consisting of sanshool, allyl isothiocyanate, cinnamyl phenylpropyl compounds, ethyl esters, and combinations thereof, or the warming or tingling agent is an extract from at least one of horseradish oil, Sichuan pepper, cayenne pepper, Uzazi, or mustard oil.
[0097] In one embodiment, the warming or tingling agent is selected from the group consisting of vanilloids, piperine, cinnamyl phenylpropyl compounds, ethyl esters, and combinations thereof, or the warming or tingling agent is an extract from at least one of ginger oil, black pepper, long pepper, or cayenne pepper.
[0098] In one embodiment, the warming or tingling agent comprises a combination of a vanilloid and a cinnamyl phenylpropyl compound. In one embodiment, the warming or tingling agent comprises a combination of a vanilloid and 3-phenylpropyl cinnamate, 3-phenyl-1-propanol, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the warming or tingling agent comprises a combination of a vanilloid and 3-phenylpropan-1-ol, such as 3-phenylpropyl homovanillate and 3-phenylpropan-1-ol.
[0099] In one embodiment, the warming or stinging agent is a combination of vanilloid, ethyl ester and cinnamyl phenylpropyl compound. In one embodiment, the warming or stinging agent is a vanilloid, ethyl ester and 3-phenylpropyl cinnamate, 3-phenyl-1-propanol, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the warming or stinging agent comprises a combination of vanilloid, ethyl ester and 3-phenylpropan-1-ol, such as 3-phenylpropyl homovanillate and 3-phenylpropan-1-ol. The ethyl ester may be ethyl acetate in any of these embodiments.
[0100] In one embodiment, the warming or tingling agent is selected from the group consisting of vanillyl ethyl ether, vanillyl propyl ether, capsaicinoids, gingerols (e.g., [6], [8],
[10] and / or
[12] -gingerol), vanillyl butyl ether, vanillyl butyl ether acetate, sanshool, piperine, zingerone, shogaols (e.g., (6)-shogaol), allyl isothiocyanate, and combinations thereof, or the warming or tingling agent is an extract from at least one of horseradish oil, ginger oil, black pepper, long pepper, Sichuan pepper, cayenne pepper, Uzazi, or mustard oil.
[0101] In one embodiment, the warming or tingling agent is selected from the group consisting of vanillyl ethyl ether, vanillyl propyl ether, vanillyl butyl ether, vanillyl butyl ether acetate, and combinations thereof.
[0102] In one embodiment, the warming or tingling agent is selected from the group consisting of capsaicinoids, gingerols (e.g., [6], [8],
[10] and / or
[12] -gingerol), sanshool, piperine, zingerone, shogaols (e.g., (6)-shogaol), allyl isothiocyanate, and combinations thereof, or the warming or tingling agent is an extract from at least one of horseradish oil, ginger oil, black pepper, long pepper, Sichuan pepper, cayenne pepper, Uzazi, or mustard oil.
[0103] In one embodiment, the warming or tingling agent is selected from the group consisting of gingerols (e.g., [6], [8],
[10] and / or
[12] -gingerol), zingerone, shogaols (e.g., (6)-shogaol), and combinations thereof, or the warming or tingling agent is an extract from ginger oil.
[0104] In one embodiment, the warming or tingling agent is selected from the group consisting of vanillyl ethyl ether, capsaicinoids (e.g., capsaicin), gingerols, hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, piperine, zingerone, shogaol, allyl isothiocyanate, and combinations thereof, or the warming or tingling agent is an extract from at least one of horseradish oil, ginger oil, black pepper, long pepper, Sichuan pepper, cayenne pepper, Uzazi, or mustard oil.
[0105] As stated above, all embodiments include, where appropriate, all enantiomers and tautomers of the compounds. Those skilled in the art will recognize compounds that have optical properties (one or more chiral carbon atoms) or tautomeric properties. The corresponding enantiomers and / or tautomers may be isolated / prepared by methods known in the art.
[0106] Some of the compounds may also exist as stereoisomers and / or geometric isomers, e.g., some of the compounds may have one or more asymmetric centers and / or geometric centers and therefore may exist in two or more stereoisomeric and / or geometric forms. All embodiments include the use of all individual stereoisomers and geometric isomers of the compounds, as well as mixtures thereof, where appropriate. The terms used in the claims encompass these forms. Piperine has four geometric isomers, including, for example, chavicine, isochavicin, and isopiperine. The term "piperine" is used herein to refer to all individual geometric isomers, as well as mixtures thereof.
[0107] In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents comprise a cooling agent.
[0108] In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents comprise a warming agent.
[0109] In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents comprise a tingling agent.
[0110] In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents consist of a cooling agent and a warming agent.
[0111] In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents comprise a cooling agent and a tingling agent.
[0112] In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents comprise a warming agent and a tingling agent.
[0113] The above definitions of cooling agent, warming agent and tingling agent apply to each of these embodiments. For example, one or more of the warming agents may be composed of a cooling agent, and the cooling agent is a compound of formula (I) or its salt and / or solvate. In one embodiment, one or more of the warming agents are selected from the group consisting of a compound of formula (I) or its salt and / or solvate or N,2,3-trimethyl-2-propan-2-ylbutanamide. Alternatively, as an example, one or more of the warming agents may be composed of a warming agent or tingling agent as defined above. In one embodiment, one or more of the warming agents are selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-alpha sanshool, capsaicin, piperine, zingerone, gingerol, shogaol, allyl isothiocyanate and combinations thereof, or are horseradish oil, ginger oil, black pepper, long pepper, Chinese pepper, cayenne pepper, mustard oil or extract from Uzazi. In one embodiment, the one or more warming agents is a tingling agent that is a combination of a vanilloid, such as 3-phenylpropyl homovanilate, an ethyl ester, such as ethyl acetate, and 3-phenylpropan-1-ol.
[0114] The aerosolizable material includes one or more warming agents in an amount of 0.01-12% w / w. This concentration range and the concentrations defined below apply to the above definition of one or more warming agents. For example, the concentration range of 0.01-10% w / w applies to one or more warming agents including cooling agents, warming agents, tingling agents or combinations thereof. The concentration range of 0.01-10% w / w also applies to one or more warming agents having a narrower definition, such as consisting of cooling agents, warming agents or tingling agents. The range of 0.01-10% w / w is used herein as an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to this concentration range and combination of a particular warming agent.
[0115] Furthermore, the warming agent concentration may be combined with the above defined concentration of at least one cannabinoid.
[0116] In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.01% w / w to about 12% w / w. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.05% w / w to about 12% w / w. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.1% w / w to about 12% w / w.
[0117] In another embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 10% w / w or less. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.01% w / w to about 10% w / w. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.05% w / w to about 10% w / w. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.1% w / w to about 10% w / w.
[0118] In another embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 8% w / w or less. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.01% w / w to about 8% w / w. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.05% w / w to about 8% w / w. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.1% w / w to about 8% w / w.
[0119] In another embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 5% w / w or less. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.01% w / w to about 5% w / w. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.05% w / w to about 5% w / w. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.1% w / w to about 5% w / w.
[0120] In another embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in an amount of about 3% w / w or less, such as about 2.5% w / w or less. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.01% w / w to about 2.5% w / w. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.05% w / w to about 2.5% w / w. In one embodiment, one or more warming agents as defined herein are present in the material in an amount of about 0.1% w / w to about 2.5% w / w.
[0121] In some embodiments, the one or more warming agents and the concentration of the one or more warming agents are selected based on the solubility of the one or more warming agents in the propylene glycol / glycerol system.For example, the aerosolizable material may comprise an amount of one or more warming agents in a carrier component that comprises at least 50% propylene glycol and glycerol, and the carrier component is present at 70% w / w or more of the aerosolizable material, such that the aerosolizable material has a turbidity of ≦1.0 NTU.Turbidity and turbidity measurement are further described herein.
[0122] It will be understood that when any of the warming agents or warming compounds are used in any of the combinations of aerosols or aerosol-generating materials described herein, these warming agents or warming compounds may be used with or without flavoring materials as part of the same aerosol or aerosol-generating material and / or as part of different aerosols or aerosol-generating materials from the aerosol delivery system.
[0123] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material comprises a terpene. In some embodiments, the terpene is a terpene that can be derived from a phytocannabinoid-producing plant, such as a plant from a strain of the cannabis sativa species, such as hemp. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material comprises a cannabinoid isolate in combination with a terpene that can be derived from a phytocannabinoid-producing plant.
[0124] Suitable terpenes in this regard include the so-called "C10" terpenes, which are terpenes that contain 10 carbon atoms. In addition, suitable terpenes in this regard also include the so-called "C15" terpenes, which are terpenes that contain 15 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material comprises two or more terpenes. For example, the aerosolizable material may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more terpenes as defined herein.
[0125] In some embodiments, any given aerosol-generating material described herein (e.g., the first aerosol-generating material and / or the second aerosol-generating material) may include a combination of terpenes. In some embodiments, the combination of terpenes may include at least a combination of geraniol and linalool. In some embodiments, the combination of terpenes may include at least a combination of eucalyptol and menthone. In some embodiments, the combination of terpenes may include at least a combination of eucalyptol, carvone, piperitone, and menthone. In some embodiments, the combination of terpenes may include at least a combination of eucalyptol, carvone, beta-bourbonene, germacrene, piperitone, iso-menthone, and menthone.
[0126] Thus, for the sake of completeness, it will be understood that any given aerosol-generating material described herein may typically contain a variety of components to be delivered to a user, and depending on the mode of operation of the aerosol generator for a given aerosol-generating material from an aerosol delivery system, these components of the associated aerosol-generating material may be affected by the aerosol generator in different ways.
[0127] example As mentioned above, aerosol delivery systems (e-cigarettes) may often comprise modular assemblies including both reusable parts (main body or aerosol delivery device) and replaceable consumable (cartridge) parts. Devices conforming to this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-part devices. It is also common for electronic cigarettes to have a substantially elongated shape. To provide a concrete example, certain embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may comprise such a substantially elongated two-part device using consumable parts. However, it will be understood that the basic principles described herein may equally be employed in other electronic cigarette configurations, e.g., modular devices comprising three or more parts, as devices conforming to other overall shapes, e.g., based on so-called box mod smart devices, which typically have a more box-like shape.
[0128] Thus, with reference to the foregoing, and with reference to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic perspective view of an exemplary aerosol delivery system (e-cigarette) 1 according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Terms relating to the relative positions of various aspects of the electronic cigarette (e.g., terms such as upper, lower, above, below, top, bottom, etc.) are used herein with reference to the orientation of the electronic cigarette as shown in Figure 1 (unless the context indicates otherwise). However, it will be understood that this is merely for ease of explanation and is not intended to imply any required orientation of the electronic cigarette in use.
[0129] The e-cigarette 1 (aerosol delivery system 1) comprises two main components: a cartridge 2 and an aerosol delivery device 4. The aerosol delivery device 4 and the cartridge 2 are shown separated in Figure 1 but are coupled together in use.
[0130] The cartridge 2 and the aerosol delivery device 4 are coupled by establishing a mechanical and electrical connection between the cartridge 2 and the aerosol delivery device 4. The specific manner in which the mechanical and electrical connection is established is not primarily important to the principles described herein and may be established according to conventional techniques centered on, for example, thread, bayonet, latch-type or friction-fit mechanical fastening with appropriately positioned electrical contacts / electrodes to establish an electrical connection between the two parts as needed. For example, in the electronic cigarette 1 shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge includes a mouthpiece 33, a mouthpiece end 52, and an interface end 54, and is coupled to the aerosol delivery device by inserting an interface end portion 6 of the interface end of the cartridge into a corresponding receptacle 8 / receiving section of the aerosol delivery device. The interface end portion 6 of the cartridge includes a protrusion 56 that fits tightly into the receptacle 8 and engages with a corresponding detent in the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 that defines the receptacle 8 to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol delivery device. An electrical connection is established between the aerosol delivery device and the cartridge via a pair of electrical contacts on the bottom of the cartridge (not shown in FIG. 1) and corresponding spring-loaded contact pins in the base of the receptacle 8 (not shown in FIG. 1). As noted above, the particular manner in which the electrical connection is established is not important to the principles described herein, and in fact some embodiments may not have any electrical connection between the cartridge and the aerosol delivery device at all, for example because the transmission of power from the reusable part to the cartridge may be wireless (e.g., based on electromagnetic induction technology).
[0131] The electronic cigarette 1 (aerosol delivery system) has a substantially elongated shape extending along a longitudinal axis L. When the cartridge is coupled to the aerosol delivery device, the overall length (along the longitudinal axis) of the electronic cigarette in this example is about 12.5 cm. The overall length of the aerosol delivery device is about 9 cm, and the overall length of the cartridge is about 5 cm (i.e., there is about 1.5 cm of overlap between the interface end portion 6 of the cartridge and the receptacle 8 of the aerosol delivery device when they are coupled to each other). The electronic cigarette is generally oval in shape, with a cross section that is largest near the center of the electronic cigarette and curves and tapers toward the ends. The cross section near the center of the electronic cigarette has a width of about 2.5 cm and a thickness of about 1.7 cm. The end of the cartridge has a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 0.6 mm, while the other end of the electronic cigarette has a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 1.2 cm. The outer housing of the electronic cigarette is formed from plastic in this example. It will be understood that the particular size and shape of the electronic cigarette and the materials from which the electronic cigarette is made are not primarily critical to the principles described herein and may vary in different embodiments, i.e., the principles described herein may be equally employed in electronic cigarettes having different sizes, shapes, and / or materials.
[0132] The aerosol delivery device 4 may be broadly conventional in terms of function and general construction techniques of the aerosol delivery device, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 1, the aerosol delivery device 4 comprises a plastic outer housing 10 including a receptacle wall 12 that defines a receptacle 8 for receiving an end of a cartridge as described above. The outer housing 10 of the aerosol delivery device 4 in this example has a generally oval cross-section that fits the shape and size of the cartridge 2 at the interface of the two parts to provide a smooth transition between the two parts. The receptacle 8 and the end portion 6 of the cartridge 2 are symmetrical when rotated 180°, so that the cartridge can be inserted into the aerosol delivery device in two different orientations. The receptacle wall 12 includes two aerosol delivery device air inlet openings 14 (i.e., holes in the wall). These openings 14 are positioned to align with the air inlet 50 of the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the aerosol delivery device. Different ones of the openings 14 align with the air inlet 50 of the cartridge in different orientations. It will be understood that in some embodiments, the cartridge may not have rotational symmetry such that it can be coupled to the aerosol delivery device in only one orientation, while in other embodiments, the cartridge may have a greater degree of rotational symmetry such that it can be coupled to the aerosol delivery device in more orientations.
[0133] The aerosol delivery device further includes a battery 16 for providing operating power to the electronic cigarette, a control circuit 18 for controlling and monitoring operation of the electronic cigarette, a user input button 20, an indicator light 22, and a charging port 24.
[0134] The battery 16 in this example is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type, for example of the type typically used in e-cigarettes and other applications requiring the supply of relatively high currents for relatively short periods of time. The battery 16 may be recharged via a charging port 24, which may comprise, for example, a USB connector.
[0135] The input button 20 in this example is a conventional mechanical button with a spring-mounted component that can be pressed by a user to establish, for example, an electrical contact in an underlying circuit. In this regard, the input button can be considered an input device for detecting user input, for example to trigger aerosol generation, and the specific manner in which the button is implemented is not important. For example, in other implementations, other forms of mechanical buttons or touch-sensitive buttons (e.g., based on capacitive or light-sensing technology) may be used, or there may be no button, and the device may rely on a puff detector to trigger aerosol generation.
[0136] Indicator lights 22 are provided to give the user a visual indication of various characteristics associated with the electronic cigarette, such as an indication of an operating state (e.g., on / off / standby) and other characteristics such as battery life or fault conditions. Different characteristics may be indicated, for example, by different colors and / or different flashing sequences, in accordance with common prior art.
[0137] The control circuit 18 is suitably configured / programmed to control the operation of the electronic cigarette to provide conventional operating functions in line with established techniques for controlling electronic cigarettes. The control circuit (processor circuit) 18 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units / circuit elements associated with different aspects of the operation of the electronic cigarette. For example, depending on the functionality provided in different embodiments, the control circuit 18 may comprise a power control circuit for controlling the supply of power from a battery / power source to the cartridge in response to user input, a user programming circuit for establishing configuration settings (e.g., user-defined power settings) in response to user input, and other functional units / circuit-related functions in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects of electronic cigarettes, such as indicator light display driver circuitry and user input detection circuitry. It will be understood that the functionality of the control circuit 18 may be provided in a variety of different ways, for example, using one or more suitably programmed programmable computers and / or one or more suitably configured application specific integrated circuits / circuits / chips / chipsets configured to provide the desired functionality.
[0138] Figure 2 is an exploded schematic perspective view of cartridge 2 (exploded along longitudinal axis L). Cartridge 2 includes housing portion 32, air channel seal 34, septum element 36, outlet tube 38, vaporizer / heating element 40, aerosolizable material transport element 42, plug 44, and end cap 48 having contact electrode 46. Figures 3-6 show some of these components in schematic form in more detail.
[0139] Figure 3A is a schematic cutaway view of housing portion 32 through longitudinal axis L where housing portion 32 is at its thinnest. Figure 3B is a schematic cutaway view of housing portion 32 through longitudinal axis L where housing portion 32 is at its widest. Figure 3C is a schematic view of the housing portion along longitudinal axis L from interface end 54 (i.e., viewed from below in the orientation of Figures 3A and 3B).
[0140] Figure 4A is a schematic perspective view of the bulkhead element 36 as viewed from below, and Figure 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the bulkhead element 36 as viewed from below.
[0141] Figure 5A is a schematic perspective view of plug 44 from above, and Figure 5B is a schematic perspective view of plug 44 from below. Figure 5C is a schematic view of plug 44 along longitudinal axis L as viewed from mouth end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., as viewed from above relative to the orientation of Figures 1 and 2).
[0142] Figure 6A is a schematic top perspective view of end cap 48. Figure 6B is a schematic view of end cap 48 along longitudinal axis L as viewed from mouth end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., from above).
[0143] The housing portion 32 in this example includes an outer housing wall 64 and an inner housing tube 62 formed from a single molding of polypropylene in this example. The outer housing wall 64 defines the exterior of the cartridge 2 and the inner housing tube 62 defines a portion of the air channel through the cartridge. The housing portion is open at the interface end 54 of the cartridge and closed at the mouth end 52 of the cartridge except for a mouth opening / aerosol outlet 60 from the mouthpiece 33 which is in fluid communication with the inner housing tube 62. The housing portion 32 includes an opening in the side wall that provides an air inlet 50 for the cartridge. The air inlet 50 in this example is approximately 2 mm 22. The outer surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 includes the above-mentioned projection 56 which engages with a corresponding detent in the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 defining the receptacle 8 to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol delivery device. The inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion includes a further projection 66 which acts to provide an abutment stop for locating the septum element 36 along the longitudinal axis L when the cartridge is assembled. The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 further includes an aperture providing a latch recess 68 arranged to receive a corresponding latch projection 70 in the end cap to secure the end cap to the housing portion when the cartridge is assembled.
[0144] The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 includes a double-walled section 74 that defines a gap 76 that is in fluid communication with the air inlet 50. The gap 76 provides a portion of an air channel through the cartridge. In this example, the double-walled section 74 of the housing portion 32 is configured such that the gap defines an air channel through the housing outer wall 64 parallel to the longitudinal axis and has a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of approximately 3 mm. 2 The gap / portion of the air channel 76 defined by the double wall section of the housing portion extends down to the open end of the housing portion 32.
[0145] The air channel seal 34 is a silicone molding generally in the form of a tube having a through hole 80. The outer wall of the air channel seal 34 includes a circumferential ridge 84 and an upper collar 82. The inner wall of the air channel seal 34 also includes circumferential ridges, but these circumferential ridges are not visible in FIG. 2. When the cartridge is assembled, the air channel seal 34 is mounted on the inner housing tube 62 with the end of the inner housing tube 62 extending partially into the through hole 80 of the air channel seal 34. The through hole 80 of the air channel seal has a diameter of about 5.8 mm in the relaxed state of the air channel seal, while the end of the inner housing tube 62 has a diameter of about 6.2 mm, thereby forming a seal when the air channel seal 34 is stretched to receive the inner housing tube 62. This seal is facilitated by the ridges on the inner surface of the air channel seal 34.
[0146] The outlet tube 38 comprises a tubular section having an inside diameter of about 8.6 mm and a wall thickness of about 0.2 mm, made, for example, of ANSI 304 stainless steel or polypropylene. The bottom end of the outlet tube 38 includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots 88, the end of each slot having a semicircular recess 90. When the cartridge is assembled, the outlet tube 38 rides on the outer surface of the air channel seal 34. The outer diameter of the air channel seal is about 9.0 mm in the air channel seal's relaxed state, thereby forming a seal when the air channel seal 34 is compressed to fit inside the outlet tube 38. This seal is facilitated by a ridge 84 on the outer surface of the air channel seal 34. A collar 80 on the air channel seal 34 provides a stop for the outlet tube 38.
[0147] The aerosolizable material transport element 42 includes a capillary wick, and the vaporizer (aerosol generator) 40 includes a resistance wire heater wound around the capillary wick. In addition to the portion of resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, the vaporizer includes an electrical lead 41 that passes through a hole in the plug 44 to a contact electrode 46 attached to the end cap 54, allowing power to be provided to the vaporizer via an electrical interface established when the cartridge is connected to an aerosol delivery device. The vaporizer lead 41 may include the same material as the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, or may include a different material (e.g., a low resistance material) connected to the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick. In this example, the heater coil 40 includes nickel-iron alloy wire, and the wick 42 includes fiberglass bundles. The vaporizer and aerosolizable material transport elements may be provided according to any conventional technique and may include different forms and / or different materials. For example, in some embodiments, the wick may include a fibrous or solid ceramic material, and the heater may include a different alloy. In other examples, the heater and wick may be combined, for example in the form of a porous and resistive material. More generally, it will be understood that the particular nature of the aerosolizable material transport element and vaporizer are not of primary importance to the principles described herein.
[0148] When the cartridge is assembled, the wick 42 is received within a semicircular recess 90 in the outlet tube 38 so that a central portion of the wick with the heating coil wound therearound is inside the outlet tube, while an end portion of the wick is outside the outlet tube 38.
[0149] The plug 44 in this example comprises a unitary molding of silicone and may be resilient. The plug includes a base portion 100 with an outer wall 102 extending upwardly from the base portion 100 (i.e., toward the mouth end of the cartridge). The plug further includes an inner wall 104 extending upwardly from the base portion 100 and surrounding a through hole 106 through the base portion 100.
[0150] An outer wall 102 of the plug 44 fits against the inner surface of the housing portion 32 such that the plug 44 forms a seal with the housing portion 32 when the cartridge is assembled. An inner wall 104 of the plug 44 fits against the inner surface of the outlet tube 38 such that the plug 44 also forms a seal with the outlet tube 38 when the cartridge is assembled. The inner wall 104 includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots 108, the end of each slot having a semicircular recess 110. Extending outwardly (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge) from the bottom of each slot in the inner wall 104 is a cradle section 112 shaped to receive a section of the aerosolizable material transport element 42 when the cartridge is assembled. The slot 108 and semicircular recess 110 provided by the inner wall of the plug 44 and the slot 88 and semicircular recess 90 of the outlet tube 38 are aligned such that the slot 88 in the outlet tube 38 receives each of the cradles 112 and the respective semicircular recesses in the outlet tube and plug cooperate to define an aperture through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes. The size of the aperture provided by the semicircular recess through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes corresponds closely to the size and shape of the aerosolizable material transport element, but is slightly smaller, so that the elasticity of the plug 44 provides some compression. This allows the aerosolizable material to be transported along the aerosolizable material transport element by capillary action while limiting the extent to which aerosolizable material not transported by capillary action can pass through the opening. As mentioned above, the plug 44 includes a further opening 114 in the base portion 100 through which the vaporizer contact lead 41 passes when the cartridge is assembled. The bottom of the plug base includes spacers 116 that maintain the offset between the remaining surface of the bottom of the base and the end cap 48. These spacers 116 include openings 114 through which the vaporizer electrical contact leads 41 pass.
[0151] The end cap 48 comprises a polypropylene molding having a pair of gold plated copper electrode posts 46 mounted therein.
[0152] The end of the electrode post 44 on the bottom side of the end cap is generally flush with the interface end 54 of the cartridge provided by the end cap 48. The end of the electrode post is the portion of the electrode that a correspondingly aligned spring contact in the aerosol delivery device 4 connects with when the cartridge 2 is assembled and connected to the aerosol delivery device 4. The end of the electrode post inside the cartridge extends away from the end cap 48 into a hole 114 in the plug 44 through which the contact lead 41 passes. The electrode post is slightly oversized relative to the hole 114 and includes a chamfer at the top end of the electrode post to facilitate insertion into the hole 114 in the plug which maintains a pressure contact with the vaporizer contact lead.
[0153] The end cap has a base section 124 and an upstanding wall 120 that fits against the inner surface of the housing part 32. The upstanding wall 120 of the end cap 48 is inserted into the housing part 32 so that, when the cartridge is assembled, the latch projections 70 engage the latch recesses 68 in the housing part 32 to snap-fit the end cap 48 into the housing part. The top of the upstanding wall 120 of the end cap 48 abuts the periphery of the plug 44 and the lower surface of the spacer 116 on the plug also abuts the base section 124 of the plug, thereby compressing the resilient portion 44 and maintaining it in a slightly compressed state when the end cap 48 is installed in the housing part.
[0154] A base portion 124 of the end cap 48 includes a peripheral lip 126 beyond the base of the upstanding wall 112 having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the outer wall of the housing portion of the interface end of the cartridge. The end cap also includes an upstanding locating pin 122 which aligns with a corresponding locating hole 128 in the plug to help establish the relative position of the two during assembly.
[0155] The septum element 36 comprises a single moulding of polypropylene, with a septum 130 and a collar 132 formed by a protrusion in a direction from the septum 130 towards the interface end of the cartridge. The septum element 36 has a central opening 134 through which the outlet tube 38 passes (i.e. the septum is disposed around the outlet tube 38). In some embodiments the septum element 36 may be formed integrally with the outlet tube 38. When the cartridge is assembled the upper surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44 engages the lower surface of the septum 130 which in turn engages the protrusion 66 on the inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing part 32. The septum 130 thus prevents the plug from being pushed too far into the housing part 32, i.e. the septum 130 is fixedly positioned along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge by the protrusion 66 in the housing part, thus providing the plug with a fixed surface to press against. A collar 132 formed by a projection from the septum includes a first pair of opposing projections / tangs 134 that engage corresponding recesses on the inner surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44. The projections from the septum 130 further provide a pair of cradle sections 136 configured to engage corresponding ones of the cradle sections 112 in the part 44 when the cartridge is assembled to further define an opening through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes.
[0156] When the cartridge 2 is assembled, an air channel is formed that extends from the air inlet 50 through the cartridge to the aerosol outlet 60. Starting at the air inlet 50 in the side wall of the housing portion 32, a first section of the air channel is provided by a gap 76 formed by a double wall section 74 in the outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32, and extends from the air inlet 50 through the plug 44 towards the interface end 54 of the cartridge. A second portion of the air channel is provided by a gap between the base of the plug 44 and the end cap 48. A third portion of the air channel is provided by a hole 106 through the plug 44. A fourth portion of the air channel is provided by the area within the inner wall 104 of the plug and the outlet tube around the vaporizer 40. This fourth portion of the air channel may also be referred to as the aerosol / aerosol generation region, and is the primary region where aerosol is generated during use. The air channel from the air inlet 50 to the aerosol generation region may be referred to as the air inlet section of the air channel. A fifth portion of the air channel is provided by the remaining portion of the outlet tube 38. A sixth portion of the air channel is provided by an outer housing inner tube 62 that connects the air channel to an aerosol outlet 60 located at the end of the mouthpiece 33. The air channel leading from the aerosol-generation region to the aerosol outlet section of the air channel may be referred to as the aerosol outlet section of the air channel.
[0157] Also, when the cartridge is assembled, a reservoir 31 for the aerosolizable material is formed by the space outside the air channel and inside the housing portion 32. The aerosolizable material may be filled during manufacture, for example through a fill hole that is subsequently sealed, or by other means. The specific nature of the aerosolizable material, for example with respect to the composition of the aerosolizable material, is not primarily important to the principles described herein, and generally any conventional aerosolizable material of the kind typically used in electronic cigarettes may be used. The present disclosure may refer to a liquid as the aerosolizable material, which may be a conventional e-liquid as described above. However, the principles of the present disclosure apply to any aerosolizable material that has the ability to flow and may include a liquid, a gel, a gas, or a solid phase material, in which case a plurality of solid particles may be considered to have the ability to flow when considered as a bulk.
[0158] The reservoir is closed at the interface end of the cartridge by plug 44. The reservoir includes a first region above septum 130 and a second region below septum 130 in the space formed between the air channel and the outer wall of the plug. The aerosolizable material transport element (capillary wick) 42 passes through an opening in the wall of the air channel provided by semicircular recesses 108, 90 in plug 44 and outlet tube 38, which engage with each other as described above, and cradle sections 112, 136 in plug 44 and septum element 36. Thus, the end of the aerosolizable material transport element extends into the second region of the reservoir from which it draws aerosolizable material through the opening in the air channel and into vaporizer 40 for subsequent vaporization.
[0159] In standard use, the cartridge 2 is coupled to the aerosol delivery device 4, and the aerosol delivery device is activated to provide power to the cartridge via contact electrodes 46 in the end cap 48. Power then flows through connecting lead 41 to the vaporizer 40. The vaporizer is thus electrically heated, thereby vaporizing a portion of the aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element proximate the vaporizer. This generates an aerosol in the aerosol-generating region of the airway. The aerosolizable material vaporized from the aerosolizable material transport element is replaced by more aerosolizable material drawn from the reservoir by capillary action. While the vaporizer is operating, the user inhales on the mouth end 52 of the cartridge. This draws air through whichever aerosol delivery device air inlet 14 aligns with the cartridge air inlet 50 (which will depend on the orientation in which the cartridge was inserted into the aerosol delivery device receptacle 8). Air then enters the cartridge through air inlet 50, passes along gap 76 in double-walled section 74 of housing portion 32, passes between plug 44 and end cap 48, and then through hole 106 in base portion 100 of plug 44 into the aerosol-generating region surrounding vaporizer 40. The incoming air mixes with the aerosol generated from the vaporizer to form a condensed aerosol that is then drawn along exit tube 38 and housing portion interior 62 before exiting through mouthpiece outlet / aerosol outlet 60 for user inhalation.
[0160] From Figures 1-6B above, one can see the configuration of a possible embodiment of an aerosol delivery system 1 configured to generate an aerosol suitable for use in the context of the present disclosure (potentially together with other forms of aerosol delivery systems).
[0161] 7-11, the present disclosure also provides other uses and embodiments of the aerosol delivery system 1 that may complement the embodiments of the aerosol delivery system illustrated and described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6B.
[0162] Thus, with initial reference to Figures 7-9, according to some embodiments, there is provided an aerosol delivery system 1 for generating an aerosol. The aerosol delivery system comprises a first reservoir 31 for storing a first aerosol generating material, and the aerosol delivery system 1 is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol generating material. This is therefore in accordance with some of the earlier embodiments, such as those shown in any of Figures 1-6B. However, in these latter embodiments, the aerosol delivery system 1 also comprises a second reservoir 101 for storing a second aerosol generating material, and the aerosol delivery system 1 is configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material. Thus, on a general level, the aerosol delivery system for these embodiments may be configured to generate a first aerosol independently of the second aerosol, and in some embodiments simultaneously with the second aerosol.
[0163] The term independently here can be understood to mean that the first aerosol can be generated in a manner that allows the second aerosol to then be added to, mixed with, and / or delivered with the first aerosol. In other words, the term independently therefore can also mean that the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the second aerosol downstream of the first aerosol such that any formation of the second aerosol does not affect any initial generation of the first aerosol by the aerosol delivery system. Thus, the presence of this second reservoir effectively allows the user to customize to what extent this first aerosol is supplemented by the second aerosol as part of the final aerosol delivered to the user. However, the term independently here can also cover the case where the first aerosol is still generated regardless of how the second aerosol is generated, but still the case where the second aerosol is delivered to the first reservoir. In this way, the first aerosol can still generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol. In these examples, any secondary aerosol generated would then be provided to the primary reservoir as part of the primary aerosol generation.
[0164] With the above in mind and starting with the first aerosol, it will be appreciated that according to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system may include an aerosol generator 40, such as a heating element or some other type of aerosol generator (e.g., using vibrational, mechanical, pressurized, or electrostatic means) for generating the first aerosol.
[0165] According to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to generate a first aerosol at a first temperature and may be configured to generate a second aerosol at a second temperature, the first temperature being higher than the second temperature. In this regard, and as mentioned above, it is recognized that some flavoring materials and / or additives configured to be delivered to a user as an aerosol are more effectively aerosolized at lower temperatures than other flavoring materials and / or additives that form part of the aerosol delivered to the user. Thus, in this way, to reduce any disturbance of these more sensitive flavoring materials and / or additives, these flavoring materials and / or additives may be aerosolized as part of a second, lower temperature aerosol, rather than being aerosolized as part of the first aerosol.
[0166] It will be appreciated that, according to some of these embodiments, the temperature at which either the first and / or second aerosol is configured to be generated may vary depending on the intended composition of each of the first and second aerosol-generating materials. However, according to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to generate the second aerosol at a temperature of 50° C. or less, preferably 40° C. or less, to allow this second aerosol to better accommodate more delicate flavor materials and / or additives configured to be delivered as an aerosol to a user.
[0167] In keeping with the above, according to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to generate a second aerosol (in most cases simultaneously with the first aerosol) without actively heating the second aerosol-generating material. This may be accomplished by using an aerosol generator for generating the second aerosol that is not a heating element, such as by using vibration or means.
[0168] Similarly, however, the second reservoir may be configured to be at least partially heated by the first aerosol and / or at least passively heated to provide a moderate amount of heat sufficient to generate a second aerosol (e.g., as shown in the embodiments of Figures 7 and 9 (Variation C)). However, in some embodiments, the second reservoir may have its own aerosol generator 40, which may be separate from the aerosol generator 40 associated with the first reservoir and may be explicitly powered using power from the power source 16 (potentially supplied to this one or more aerosol generators 40 via contact electrodes 46).
[0169] To help ensure that the first aerosol is sufficiently hot and has a sufficient temperature (for potentially use in passively heating the second reservoir if passive heating is used), according to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system may be configured to generate the first aerosol at a temperature of at least 15°C, or more narrowly at least 20°C, or more narrowly at least 25°C, or more narrowly at least 30°C, such as by using a heating element as part of the aerosol generator 40.
[0170] However, whether or not any active / passive heating is used in the aerosol delivery system 1, for example with respect to any of the reservoirs 31;101 therefrom, in at least some embodiments of the aerosol delivery system 1, the second reservoir 101 may be downstream of the first reservoir 31. In this way, the second aerosol may be configured to be applied at a location downstream of where the first aerosol is generated, and potentially at a location where the second aerosol is delivered to the first aerosol. Such an embodiment is shown in the embodiments of Figures 7, 8A-8B, and some of the embodiments of Figure 9, where the second aerosol is effectively applied to the first aerosol at a location downstream of where the first aerosol is generated.
[0171] In accordance with at least some of the embodiments, an aerosol supply system according to some embodiments (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7) may be configured to supply the first aerosol through the second reservoir 101 in order to more effectively transfer any residual heat to the second reservoir and also to enable better mixing of the second aerosol into the first aerosol.
[0172] However, whatever the configuration / location of any provided second reservoir 101, the aerosol delivery system 1 may be provided with an aerosol outlet channel 38;62 for receiving the first aerosol from the aerosol generator 40. Although not necessarily so, the aerosol outlet channel 38;62 according to some embodiments may comprise an aerosol outlet tube to help contain the first aerosol passing through this channel and to help provide a more uniform flow therethrough.
[0173] By providing an aerosol outlet channel 38;62 to better guide the second aerosol to an end user of the aerosol delivery system 1, in some embodiments (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of Figures 8A and 8B), the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to deliver the second aerosol into the aerosol outlet channel 38;62. Doing so may also allow for improved mixing of the second aerosol with the first aerosol to allow for a more uninformed mixed aerosol to be delivered to the user.
[0174] In some examples, the aerosol supply system 1 may be configured to supply the second aerosol into the aerosol outlet channel 38;62 via at least one opening 39 in the aerosol outlet channel 38;62. In some examples, to allow for a more improved flow of the second aerosol into the aerosol outlet channel 38;62, the at least one opening may, according to some embodiments, include multiple openings 39A;39B, as shown, for example, in the embodiment of FIG. 9 (variant A). According to some very specific embodiments, the multiple openings may be positioned around different circumferential positions around the aerosol outlet channel 38;62. In this regard, too, to better ensure that the second aerosol is more uniformly applied into the aerosol outlet channel 38;62, the multiple openings according to some embodiments may all be positioned at the same distance along the length of the aerosol outlet channel 38;62. Expressing this in another way, according to some embodiments, the aerosol supply system 1 in some of these embodiments may be configured to supply the second aerosol around the aerosol outlet channel.
[0175] Continuing with regard to the plurality of openings, when a plurality of openings is used, according to some embodiments the plurality of openings may include at least four openings, at least six openings, at least eight openings, and / or at least ten openings. Thus, increasing the number of openings may allow for a more uniform flow of the second aerosol into the aerosol outlet channel 38;62, and may provide improved reliability of the aerosol delivery system in the event that one of the plurality of openings is inadvertently blocked.
[0176] It will be appreciated that if any openings 39 are used, the size of each opening may be configured depending on the exact intended use of the opening for a given first and / or second aerosol. However, at a general level, a 25 mm 2 Less than or more specifically 15mm 2Less than or equal to 10 mm 2 Each opening including the following cross-sectional areas has been found to be particularly suitable in the context of several aerosol delivery systems 1 of the types / sizes described herein that may be used, for example, as part of a system including a consumable 2 and an aerosol delivery device 4 configured to receive the consumable 2.
[0177] Whatever the internal structure of the aerosol delivery system 1 associated with any used aerosol outlet channel 38;62, the aerosol outlet channel 38 at a general level may be configured to deliver a first aerosol from the aerosol delivery system 1 to a (first) aerosol outlet 60 around which the first aerosol can then be inhaled by a user. Thus, in this way, in some embodiments, the optional provided opening 39 may be positioned upstream of the (first) aerosol outlet 60, in some examples, to allow the first aerosol and the second aerosol to be inhaled by a user around this aerosol outlet 60;60A. In such embodiments, in order to better direct the flow of the second aerosol toward this outlet and to improve the uniformity of the aerosol near the aerosol outlet 60;60A, in some of these embodiments (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 8B), the aerosol supply system 1 may be configured to supply the second aerosol into the aerosol outlet channel 38;62 in a direction D1 extending toward the aerosol outlet 60 and / or in a direction D2 extending away from the aerosol generator 40.
[0178] However, clearly, according to some embodiments (such as shown in Variant B of FIG. 9 ), the aerosol supply system may be configured to keep the second aerosol separated from the first aerosol for a longer period of time, such that according to some embodiments, the aerosol supply system 1 may be configured to supply the second aerosol to a second aerosol outlet 60B (which may be separated from the first aerosol outlet 60A). Related to this feature, and potentially also to other embodiments, the aerosol supply system 1 in some of these embodiments may be configured to supply the second aerosol around the aerosol outlet channel 38;62 as part of a concentric arrangement, such that in some very narrow embodiments, the second aerosol may be configured to flow around (or at least partially around) the outside of the aerosol outlet channel 38;62 or to flow concentrically around the aerosol outlet channel 38;62. Such a particular embodiment is shown, for example, in Variant B of FIG. 9 . This arrangement allows the second aerosol to remain isolated from the first aerosol for longer periods of time, which may be preferred in embodiments in which the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the second aerosol (potentially through the second aerosol outlet 60B) at a rate different (faster or slower) than the rate at which the first aerosol is configured to be delivered (potentially through the aerosol outlet 60A). Thus, in connection with these embodiments, in some examples where the second aerosol outlet 60B is used, it will be appreciated that any such second aerosol outlet may be annular in some examples.
[0179] However, it will be apparent that, so long as an optional second aerosol outlet is used, in some examples where the second aerosol is configured together with the first aerosol, for example through at least one opening 39 of the aerosol outlet channel 38;62, in such embodiments the first aerosol outlet 60;60A may be effectively downstream of the second aerosol outlet 60B and / or the second aerosol outlet 60B may include at least one opening 39 of the aerosol outlet channel 38;62.
[0180] It will be appreciated that for each of the generated first and second aerosols, an air inlet may be provided for supplying air to each of the first and second reservoirs 31 and 101 in order to generate the respective first and second aerosols. Thus, on a general level, the aerosol supply system 1 may be configured to generate the first aerosol using air supplied from a first air inlet 50 from the aerosol supply system 1 (e.g., air inlet 50 as previously described with respect to some of the aerosol supply systems shown in Figures 1-6B). The aerosol supply system 1 may then be configured to generate the second aerosol using air supplied from a second air inlet 50B from the aerosol supply system 1, and / or may be configured to generate the second aerosol using air supplied from the first inlet 50 (as shown in the embodiment of Figure 7, where air from the (first) air inlet 50 passes through the second reservoir 101). It will be apparent that if the optional second air inlet 50B is used, in some embodiments the first air inlet 50 may be separate from the second air inlet 50B. Keeping the two air inlets separate may help provide a source of fresh air to the second reservoir and may also allow for different flow rates of air to be delivered to each of the first reservoir 31 for generating the first aerosol and the second reservoir 101 for generating the second aerosol.
[0181] To help enable the aerosol delivery system 1 to be used with a user's lips to provide a good seal around any provided aerosol outlet 60; 60B (which in some embodiments may also correspond to the mouthpiece outlet 60; 60B), the aerosol delivery system may be provided with a mouthpiece 33 (again as in some of the embodiments of Figures 1-6B).
[0182] To the extent that the second air inlet 50B can be used to help provide a shorter flow path for the air / second aerosol, the second air inlet in some embodiments may be positioned closer to the mouthpiece 33 (and / or the first mouthpiece outlet 60 or the second mouthpiece outlet 60B) than the first air inlet 50 is positioned to the mouthpiece 33 (and / or the first mouthpiece outlet 60 or the second mouthpiece outlet 60B).
[0183] In this regard, it should also be noted that the second aerosol may be configured for use with more delicate flavor materials and / or additives, and in some embodiments the minimum length L1 of the flow path between the second reservoir and the second (mouthpiece) aerosol outlet 60B, or to the first aerosol outlet 60 where the first aerosol is configured to mix with the second aerosol, may be 50 mm or less, preferably 40 mm or less, more preferably 30 mm or less, or even more preferably 25 mm or less. The phrase "minimum length" here may be understood to mean the shortest distance that the aerosol may need to travel from the second reservoir 101 to reach the associated outlet of the aerosol delivery system, for example as shown by the associated distances L1;L1A;L1B in the figures (note that if more than two second reservoirs 101 are used, one of these (e.g., primary) second reservoirs may have a different minimum length than another (e.g., second) of these second reservoirs, for example as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11, to accommodate the specific different aerosol-generating material properties associated with each of these different second reservoirs). Keeping this distance relatively short may therefore help prevent the second aerosol from condensing / decomposing before it reaches the associated outlet (where the user's mouth is) from the aerosol delivery system, so as to ensure that the second aerosol is best preserved for the end user as possible.
[0184] With respect to the respective compositions of the first and second aerosols, it should be noted that these compositions may be tailored, as necessary, to a particular application of the aerosol delivery system 1. For example, the first aerosol may include any of the aerosols described above with respect to the embodiments of Figures 1-6B, such as, for example, the first aerosol and / or the first aerosol-generating material may include flavoring materials, such as menthol, tobacco, and / or nicotine, in some examples.
[0185] As previously described with respect to the embodiments of Figures 1-6B, the same can be said for the second aerosol, insofar as the second aerosol can conceptually include any aerosol. For example, the second aerosol and / or the second aerosol-generating material can, in some examples, include flavoring materials such as menthol, tobacco, and / or nicotine. In this regard, a potential first application of the second aerosol-generating material is to use the second aerosol to serve as a supplement (or potentially, an optional or controllable supplement, as described below) to modify or enhance the first aerosol with additional / different flavoring materials or additives. For example, in very specific embodiments, the second aerosol-generating material and / or the second aerosol may be configured to include flavoring materials including menthol or mint, or some other flavoring material including nicotine. Thus, in this way, the second aerosol may enable the user to deliver these additional flavoring materials or additives as part of the final aerosol delivered to the user. This may be particularly beneficial from a retrofit perspective, as described below, where the first aerosol and / or the first reservoir may not be configured to deliver these flavoring materials that are delivered as part of the second aerosol. Thus, the provision of a second aerosol in these examples has been found to significantly increase the versatility of the aerosol delivery system. An additional benefit of this second aerosol is the potential use of the second aerosol to allow the user to modify the properties of the aerosol delivered to the user. Indeed, at the most basic level, the second aerosol may not contain any flavoring materials, but instead serve as a tool to better control the flow or thermal properties of the aerosol delivered to the user (e.g., by using a cooler / faster aerosol to cool / modify the properties of the aerosol that would otherwise be delivered to the user, forming a hotter / slower first aerosol).
[0186] With respect to some of the above embodiments, the aerosol delivery system may be configured to selectively prevent the generation of the second aerosol from the second aerosol-generating material, or may be configured to vary the rate at which the second aerosol is generated from the second aerosol-generating material. In this manner, as described above, the second aerosol may thus be used as a refining means to selectively control the properties (or flavor) of the final aerosol delivered to the user. Two specific examples of this may include: i) a second aerosol comprising a flavoring material, including a menthol or mint flavoring material (or some other flavoring material), and an aerosol delivery system configured to selectively prevent the generation of the second aerosol from the second aerosol-generating material. In this manner, the user may then be able to control when the second aerosol is generated, for example, when the user needs a menthol / mint flavoring and / or when the user needs a temporary boost of nicotine; and / or ii) a second aerosol comprising one or more of a flavoring material, nicotine, a cannabinoid, or some other drug. In this manner, the user may be configured to vary the rate at which the second aerosol is generated from the second aerosol-generating material to allow the user to selectively control how much of this flavoring material or agent is delivered to the user (e.g., to control the flavor intensity of the aerosol).
[0187] It should be noted that, as noted above, the second aerosol and / or the second aerosol-generating material may include a drug in some instances. This may therefore be suitable to allow the aerosol delivery system to be retrofitted as a drug dispenser, which in some embodiments may dispense a drug as part of the second aerosol in a controlled manner compared to attempting to dispense a drug as part of the first aerosol, which may not be possible if the system is intended to be retrofitted to an existing aerosol delivery system 1 with a first reservoir 31 that is not otherwise configured for use with a particular drug.
[0188] Thus, in some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to selectively prevent the generation of the second aerosol from the second aerosol-generating material or to vary the rate at which the second aerosol is generated from the second aerosol-generating material. With respect to how this is accomplished, this may obviously be accomplished by mechanical and / or electrical means as required. For example, a particular embodiment for varying the rate at which the second aerosol is generated from the second aerosol-generating material may be via an aerosol delivery system comprising a throttling portion 105 for varying at least one of the rate of generation of the second aerosol and / or the rate at which the second aerosol is configured to exit the aerosol delivery system. Thus, with respect to this throttling portion 105, depending on the position of the throttling portion 105, the throttling portion may be configured to control the flow of air into the second reservoir 101 and / or the flow of the second aerosol from the second reservoir 101 towards the user / second (breath) outlet 60B and / or the first breath outlet 60A. If such a throttling portion is provided, it may clearly include a mechanical throttling portion, such as a movable member, in the air / aerosol flow path relative to the second reservoir 101, such as positioned immediately downstream of the second air inlet 50B as shown in FIG. 8A, and / or may be positioned upstream of at least one opening 39 in which an opening 39 is provided and / or between the at least one opening 39 and the second reservoir 101 (to avoid the throttling portion 105 affecting the flow of the first aerosol from the first reservoir 31).
[0189] With respect to any throttle portion 105 used, this may also be accomplished via the second air inlet 50B including an adjustable size, and the throttle portion 105 including the second air inlet 50B such that the throttle portion is effectively configured to control the flow rate of air delivered to the second reservoir 101. Other embodiments of the throttle portion may also include a throttle portion 105 including a variable sized orifice / second air inlet 50B from the aerosol delivery system, and the throttle portion 105 may in some instances be user adjustable (e.g., in the form of a simple latch / slider that the user can adjust to control the size of the orifice or second air inlet 50B).
[0190] However, it will be apparent that the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to selectively prevent generation of the second aerosol from the second aerosol-generating material or to vary the rate at which the second aerosol is generated from the second aerosol-generating material, without necessarily using the throttling portion 105. For example, where a second aerosol generator 40 is provided to generate the second aerosol, the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to vary the power delivered to the second aerosol generator 40, as needed, to control the delivery / generation of the second aerosol.
[0191] At a general level, a pressure drop is conventionally observed within the aerosol delivery system 1 as a user draws on the system, whereby air passes through one or more air inlets, through one or more reservoirs, and then exits the system via one or more outlet channels, i.e., air / aerosol flow paths within the system. Such a pressure drop may allow sufficient aerosol / vapor, including desirable actives, such as flavor compounds, to be inhaled by the consumer. It may also be appropriate to configure or design the air / aerosol flow paths present within the aerosol delivery system 1 with specific characteristics, particularly when considering the form / nature of the aerosol generating materials and / or actives contained within the reservoirs. For example, with respect to any throttling techniques, such as those outlined above, valves / or orifices / throttling portions may be used to vary the ratio of aerosol generating materials and / or actives delivered to the user based on the contents of each respective reservoir, e.g., different nicotine concentrations, flavoring materials and / or sensation elicitors. Such an embodiment may be coordinated by a control circuit 18 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette based, for example, on environmental conditions or user manipulation (e.g., the number or length of puffs on the aerosol delivery system 1). A further example of such an embodiment may be active control by the user during use, for example by using a user input button such as user input button 20, to increase / decrease / alter the concentration of aerosol generating material and / or active substance delivered to the user by the system.
[0192] With the above in mind, according to some embodiments, the total pressure difference between the reservoirs is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 200 mm water gauge (mmWG). In some embodiments, the total pressure difference between the reservoirs is about 50 to about 175 mmWG. In some embodiments, the total pressure difference between the reservoirs is about 60 to about 160 mmWG. In some embodiments, the total pressure difference between the reservoirs is about 70 to about 150 mmWG. In some embodiments, the total pressure difference between the reservoirs is about 80 to about 140 mmWG. In some embodiments, the total pressure difference between the first reservoir and the second reservoir is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 200 mmWG. In some embodiments, the total pressure difference between the first reservoir and the second reservoir is about 50 to about 175 mmWG. In some embodiments, the total pressure difference between the first reservoir and the second reservoir is about 60 to about 160 mmWG. In some embodiments, the total pressure differential between the first reservoir and the second reservoir is about 70 to about 150 mmWG. In some embodiments, the total pressure differential between the first reservoir and the second reservoir is about 80 to about 140 mmWG.
[0193] Turning away from the possible formation / use of the second aerosol and any associated pressure drop with respect to any associated reservoirs, such as the first and second reservoirs, and towards the structure of any potentially used aerosol supply system 1 using such a second aerosol, a particularly space-saving arrangement may be through the second reservoir 101 at least partially surrounding the aerosol outlet channel 38;62 and / or such that the second reservoir 101 is annular (e.g. as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7, or in variants A and B of FIG. 9), or such that the second reservoir 101 is configured to be removably fitted / positioned in a recess of the aerosol supply system 1. This may be further preferred in allowing the second reservoir 101 to be more conveniently retrofitted to an existing aerosol supply system as part of a module 200, as described below, but in the meantime as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10). In some space-saving embodiments, one of the first and second reservoirs may at least partially surround the other of the first and second reservoirs, again as shown in the embodiment from the figures.
[0194] With regard to the size of each first and second reservoir provided, these may obviously vary depending on the intended use of the aerosol delivery system 1. However, insofar as the aerosol delivery system may be intended to be relatively portable and to be carried in a pocket when not in use, the first reservoir 31 and / or the second reservoir 101 may comprise a volume of 50 ml or less, 40 ml or less, 30 ml or less, 25 ml or less, 20 ml or less, or in the most space-saving / portable terminals, 15 ml or less. Conceptually, in embodiments where the second reservoir is intended to be used as more of a top-up or booster to replenish the contents of the first aerosol with other flavorants, additives, or even medicaments, in some embodiments the volume of the second reservoir may be smaller than the volume of the first reservoir (e.g., such that the first reservoir may include a volume of 40 ml or less or 50 ml or less and the second reservoir may include a volume of 25 ml or less or 20 ml or less), such that consumption of the second aerosol generating material in the second reservoir may typically be less than consumption of the first aerosol generating material in the first reservoir over time.
[0195] It will be appreciated that, although not necessarily, the aerosol delivery system 1 described herein may be provided as part of a system comprising the aforementioned consumable 2 and aerosol delivery device 4 (e.g., as shown in the embodiments of Figures 1-6B), where the consumable 2 is configured to releasably couple to the aerosol delivery device, for example, via a consumable receiving section / receptacle 8 from the aerosol delivery device 4. It will thus be appreciated that in such an embodiment, the consumable (at least as shown in some of the embodiments of Figures 7-8B) may include at least a portion of the aerosol outlet channel 38;62, the first reservoir 31, the second reservoir 101, the mouthpiece 33, and / or the aerosol / mouthpiece outlet 60 for outputting at least the first aerosol (and, in some examples, for outputting a mixture of the first aerosol and the second aerosol (these two aerosols being configured to mix inside the consumable before reaching the aerosol / mouthpiece outlet 60).
[0196] However, with the above in mind, potential applications of the second reservoir 101 described herein, as alluded to above, include the use of this second reservoir 101 as part of a retrofit arrangement, whereby the second reservoir 101 may be used as a bolt-on to an existing aerosol delivery system, such as those shown in Figures 1-6B. Thus, in accordance with these embodiments / applications, a module 200 may be provided that includes the second reservoir 101 and is configured to receive a first aerosol from an existing aerosol delivery system 1. Such a module 200 will now be described with reference to several of the embodiments and exemplary variations A-C shown in Figure 9.
[0197] At a general level, the module 200 is configured to be releasably coupled to the aerosol delivery system, such as a portion thereof (e.g., the consumable 2 [if used] or the mouthpiece 31 of the aerosol delivery system 1), to allow the module to receive a first aerosol from an upstream portion of the aerosol delivery system 1. In this manner, for example, the module 200 may be configured to receive a first aerosol from the aerosol outlet channel 38;62 and pass the first aerosol to the aerosol outlet channel 107 (which may thus effectively be a continuation of the aerosol outlet channel 38;62) to allow the first aerosol to pass through the module 200 towards the aerosol / mouthpiece outlet from the module 200.
[0198] The module 200 may be configured to be releasably coupled to the aerosol delivery system 1 by providing a mounting portion 109 from the module 200. With respect to what this mounting portion 109 may be, it will be understood that this mounting portion 109 may be appropriately configured depending on the intended use of the module 200. For example, in a particular embodiment from the variation shown in FIG. 9, the mounting portion 109 may be elastic and may include a protrusion configured to engage with a corresponding recess from the aerosol delivery system 1 to releasably couple the module 200 to the aerosol delivery system 1. However, obviously, the mounting portion 109 may equally include a recess configured to engage with a corresponding protrusion or part from the aerosol delivery system 1 to releasably couple the module 200 to the aerosol delivery system 1, or may further include a magnetic portion for engaging with a magnetic portion from the aerosol delivery system 1. Yet another potential embodiment regarding the mounting portion 109 may be where the mounting portion 109 alternatively / additionally includes a thread arrangement configured to engage with a corresponding thread arrangement from an aerosol delivery system 1 with which they are used, such as the mouthpiece 33 or consumable 2, to releasably couple the module 200 to the aerosol delivery system 1 with which they are used.
[0199] To help provide a tight and sealed coupling between the module and the portion of the aerosol delivery system to which it is attached (e.g., tip 33), in some embodiments, the module may define a recess 111 for receiving a portion of the aerosol delivery system, such as the tip portion of the aerosol delivery system, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9. In some embodiments, the recess may be shaped to match a surface profile of tip 33 of the aerosol delivery system 1, again as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9. In this manner, the module may be configured to function as a cap configured to be coupled / positioned over or coupled / positioned to tip 33 from the aerosol delivery system 1.
[0200] As alluded to above, any used module 200 may be configured to include a second reservoir 101 and any second aerosol generating material therein, such as the flavoring material or medicament described above. With this and the potential uses of the module in mind, it is envisioned that in some embodiments the module may be disposable and / or may be configured to be consumable, or even intended for single use (i.e., the second reservoir is small enough that it is intended to deliver only a single small amount of aerosol before the second aerosol generating material is depleted). However, in some embodiments the second reservoir may be configured to be refillable to allow the module 200 (or, more generally, the aerosol delivery system 1 where the module is not being used) to be reused / refilled.
[0201] To the extent that the module 200 can be configured to be positioned over the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery system for coupling purposes, in some embodiments the module may then be provided with its own / second mouthpiece 33A to provide a user with a suitable surface for placing their lips on the module when the module is coupled over the other / existing mouthpiece 33 of the aerosol delivery system 1.
[0202] Thus, having appreciated the provision of such potential module 200, it can be seen that what is provided herein may therefore also effectively be a corresponding method of using the module, as well as various retrofitting methods for retrofitting such methods to an existing aerosol delivery system 1. For example, one such method may include a method of retrofitting an aerosol delivery system 1 configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir 31 of the aerosol delivery system 1, the method including the steps of releasably coupling a module 200 comprising a second reservoir 101 for storing a second aerosol-generating material to the aerosol delivery system 1, generating the first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, and generating a second aerosol inside the module 200 using the second aerosol-generating material.
[0203] Thus, in such a method, the first aerosol can then pass through the module and then be fed together with the second aerosol to at least one outlet from the module 200 (including potentially separate outlets for each aerosol according to variant B of FIG. 9). In some variants of the method, the method may also include mixing the first and second aerosols inside the module (e.g., as shown in variants A and C of FIG. 9), or feeding the first aerosol through a second reservoir (e.g., as shown in variant C of FIG. 9). Thus, it will be clearly understood that the devices and systems described herein may equally be used as part of corresponding methods using these same devices and systems, for example according to any of the method operations described in the final claims / clause of this specification.
[0204] Thus, in appreciation of the above, there is described at least an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system comprising: The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; the aerosol delivery system comprising: a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material, the second reservoir being configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material; The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol.
[0205] An aerosol delivery system as described above is also described, further comprising a consumable and an aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising a consumable receiving section including an interface arranged to cooperatively engage with an interface from the consumable to releasably couple the consumable to the aerosol delivery device.
[0206] Also described is a consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the consumable comprising: The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; the aerosol delivery system comprising: a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material, the second reservoir being configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material; The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol.
[0207] Also described is a consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the consumable comprising: The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material, the consumable being configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material; The consumable is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol.
[0208] Also described is a method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol delivery system, the method comprising: generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; generating a second aerosol using a second aerosol-generating material received from a second reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; The first aerosol is generated independently of the second aerosol.
[0209] Also described is a method of retrofitting an aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system, the method comprising: releasably coupling a module to the aerosol delivery system, the module comprising a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material; generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material; and generating a second aerosol inside the module using a second aerosol-generating material.
[0210] Also described is a module for use in an aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol generating material, the module being configured to be releasably coupled to the aerosol delivery system, the module comprising: a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material; a mounting portion for releasably coupling the module to the aerosol delivery system; The module is configured to receive a first aerosol from the aerosol delivery system when the module is coupled to the aerosol delivery system using the mounting portion, and is configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material when the module receives the first aerosol.
[0211] Also described is an assembly comprising the above and an aerosol delivery system to which the module is configured to be releasably coupled.
[0212] All of the broad range of contemplated embodiments are described as set forth in the various clauses and claims recited at the end of this specification.
[0213] An aerosol delivery system 1 for generating an aerosol is also described. The aerosol delivery system comprises a first reservoir 31 for storing a first aerosol generating material, the aerosol delivery system 1 being configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol generating material. The aerosol delivery system 1 also comprises a second reservoir 101 for storing a second aerosol generating material, the aerosol delivery system 1 being configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material. In this manner, the first aerosol may be generated in a manner that allows the second aerosol to then be added to, mixed with, and / or delivered with the first aerosol in a manner that allows the user to effectively customize to what extent the first aerosol is supplemented by the second aerosol as part of the final aerosol delivered to the user.
[0214] To address various problems and advance the art, this disclosure illustrates by way of example various embodiments in which the claimed invention may be practiced. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely a representative sample of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented only to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed invention. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described in this disclosure should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. It will be appreciated that the various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or essentially consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein, and thus the features of the dependent claims (or any dependent clauses recited herein) may be combined with the features of the independent claims (or independent clauses) in combinations other than those expressly recited in the claims or clauses. The present disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future. Thus, any permutation of features from the claims may be combined as appropriate and / or may be combined with any permutation of features from the recited clauses of this specification at the end of this specification.
[0215] For example, although some of the aerosol delivery systems described herein are described as using a consumable 2 and aerosol delivery device 4 type arrangement, where one part is configured to be releasably coupled to the other, it will be understood that some variations of the aerosol delivery system 1 may not use such a two-part structure, such that all components of the consumable 2 and the aerosol delivery device 4 may be positioned as part of a single component.
[0216] Similarly, although some aerosol delivery systems described herein are described as using both a first reservoir (for a first aerosol generating material to generate a first aerosol) and a second reservoir (for a second aerosol generating material to generate a second aerosol), it will be understood that the systems and methods described herein may also be used in other systems and methods in which there is an additional third / fourth / fifth reservoir (containing a third / fourth / fifth aerosol generating material to generate a third / fourth / fifth aerosol, respectively). In this way, the system / method may be configured to potentially allow for providing more / different combinations of aerosols, such as a combination of the first aerosol with any of these second / third / fourth / fifth / nth aerosols. In this way, it is also envisioned that the first aerosol may be mixed with any of these other aerosols in any required different manner / time or may be delivered separately / independently from or together with any of these other aerosols.
[0217] For example, in one example, a system having three reservoirs may be provided, whereby the aerosol delivery system is configured to allow a user to select between delivering a first aerosol together with a second aerosol (e.g., containing a particular flavorant, additive, sensation enhancer, or acid, and / or containing, for example, a cannabinoid) via a second aerosol-generating material from the second reservoir 101, or delivering the first aerosol together with a third / different aerosol (e.g., containing a different flavorant (e.g., menthol), additive, sensation enhancer, or acid, and / or containing, for example, nicotine) via a third / different aerosol-generating material from a third / different reservoir that is separate from the second reservoir.
[0218] Or in another example, a system having three reservoirs may be provided, whereby the aerosol delivery system is configured to allow a user to mix a first aerosol with a second aerosol, but then also provide an optional / switchable / customizable third reservoir into which one or more acids are provided, and the user can use the aerosol delivery system to control how much acid is ultimately provided as part of the final aerosol delivered to the user (e.g., using the throttle portion 105 as part of the third reservoir 113 and optional inlet 50C therefor). An example of this arrangement is shown, for example, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. In any such embodiment, and potentially in other embodiments, multiple (e.g., primary and secondary) second reservoirs 101A; 101B may be provided, each containing its own [different] aerosol-generating material within each second reservoir (e.g., one second reservoir 101A containing a flavor material including menthol, and another second reservoir 101B containing a different flavor material, such as mango). In this manner, the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to allow a user to switch between the two second reservoirs 101A; 101B to select which type of second aerosol to form. The aerosol delivery system 1 may then be further configured to allow a user to customize the aerosol delivered from the third reservoir 113 [to the first reservoir 101] to control the amount of acid [from a third aerosol generating material comprising one or more such acids] delivered to the end user, it being noted that the amount of acid delivered will affect the user's perception of the flavor material delivered to the user (e.g., at the mouthpiece outlet 60) as part of this same final aerosol.
[0219] It can thus be seen that the techniques described herein can be used with any number of reservoirs 31; 101; 101A; 101B; 113, each to generate an aerosol that can be individually mixed with aerosol from any number of other reservoirs, or combinations of other reservoirs, from the aerosol supply system 1, and in a variety of different orders / positions as required, to better provide a user with flexibility as to what should be located in their final aerosol configured to be inhaled from the aerosol supply system 1 via any final / end outlet 60.
[0220] Similarly, it is also envisaged that the module 200 described herein may have utility for retrofitting to any form of existing aerosol delivery system 1, and may further have utility for adding aerosol to any form of existing first aerosol or other fluid (e.g., for application in, for example, delivering aerosol to an inhaler), or for adding aerosol from the module 200 to a fluid source from a container / bottle, for example, for adding or mixing aerosol to a fluid 301 located in a fluid outlet channel 302 or fluid outlet tube 302 from a container 300, such as a drink container 300A, as shown in FIG. 10.
[0221] 10, for example, when a user of container 300 draws up fluid through fluid outlet channel 302 of container 300, module 200 (which may be coupled to container lid 304 using mounting portion 109 of module 200) may be configured to provide an aerosol (e.g., an aerosol including a flavorant (such as menthol or tobacco)) or even a medicament to the user at the same time that fluid is delivered to the user. Thus, in this manner, module 200 may function as a very useful module for supplying a flavorant and / or additive, or even a medicament, as an aerosol to a user of container 300 along with any fluid dispensed from container 300.
[0222] For completeness, it should be noted that while the aerosol delivery system 1 described herein is described as potentially heating at least one of the first and / or second reservoirs, any of these reservoirs may be configured to be equally cooled and / or not heated to generate the respective aerosol associated with that reservoir through the use of suitable aerosol generators and / or aerosol generating materials configured to generate suitable aerosols within those reservoirs without the use of heat (e.g., by using a vibrating, mechanical, pressurized or electrostatic aerosol generator 40, or physical means, as described above).
[0223] With respect to generating each of the aerosols described herein, whether this involves the use of a first aerosol-generating material from a first reservoir, a second aerosol-generating material from a second reservoir, and / or any provided third / fourth / fifth / nth aerosol-generating material from a third / fourth / fifth / nth reservoir, the formation of the aerosol therein may be aided by adding an appropriately sized headspace H1;H2;H3 to each of these reservoirs. As shown, for example, in the embodiment of FIG. 11, the term "headspace" may be understood to mean the space inside a reservoir 31;101;113 that is otherwise empty / not occupied (e.g., only air-occupied space) by other components from the reservoir (e.g., with respect to the aerosol-generating material associated with that reservoir, and / or any aerosolizable material transport element or substrate from the reservoir that is otherwise used to receive, for example, the aerosol-generating material associated with that reservoir). Thus, by providing this "empty" head space within the reservoir, this space may allow for improved aerosol generation inside the reservoir by providing the aerosol with more ample space to form. With regard to this range of potential headspace, if used, it is envisioned that in some particularly useful embodiments, any combination (or each) of the reservoirs described herein may include a headspace H1;H2;H3 that is 5% or more of the total reservoir volume, or more narrowly, 10% or more of the total reservoir volume, or more narrowly, 15% or more of the total reservoir volume, and / or more narrowly, 20% or more of the total reservoir volume, or more narrowly, 25% or more of the total reservoir volume, or more narrowly, 30% or more of the total reservoir volume, or more narrowly, 40% or more of the total reservoir volume, or more narrowly, 50% or more of the total reservoir volume, or more narrowly, 60% or more of the total reservoir volume, or more narrowly, 70% or more of the total reservoir volume, or more narrowly, 80% or more of the total reservoir volume, or more narrowly, 90% or more of the total reservoir volume.It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the headspace of one reservoir may be different from the headspace of a different reservoir to better match the intended aerosol being generated for that particular reservoir.
[0224] For completeness, it will also be appreciated that any used second reservoir 101 may have a particular use, at a very general level, containing an active substance configured to be delivered to a user of the aerosol delivery system as part of any first aerosol delivered to the user using the first aerosol generating material. In this manner, the active substance may effectively serve to enhance, extend or otherwise change the properties, characteristics, flavor, and / or effect of the first aerosol, depending on the particular active substance used, and may more fundamentally help to assist in providing one or more physiological effects to a user of the aerosol delivery system as part of the first aerosol delivery.
[0225] The term active substance herein is intended to encompass any substance (or combination of substances) that can impart a physiological effect to the user of the aerosol delivery system. Thus, referring to some of the terms used herein, any active substance used may include, for example, any combination of flavoring materials; nicotine; one or more cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol and / or cannabidiol; one or more sensation elicitors, such as cooling agents; warming agents; and / or tingling agents.
[0226] It will be appreciated that where the active comprises a flavouring material, the active enhances the flavour imparted to the user via the first aerosol.
[0227] Whatever the active agent used, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments the active agent may be configured to be delivered to a user during use of the aerosol delivery system 1 and / or during generation of the first aerosol. This delivery may be by delivering a portion of the active agent to at least one outlet from the aerosol delivery system, such as an outlet on the mouthpiece 33 that is in fluid communication with the second reservoir 101.
[0228] Although not necessarily so, in some embodiments, the active agent may be configured to be delivered to the outlet as part of a second aerosol or vapor, for example according to at least some of the methodologies described above with respect to any of Figures 7-11.
[0229] If such at least one outlet is used, each such outlet in some embodiments may be located on an exterior surface of the mouthpiece 33 and / or may be an exterior surface configured to be contacted or covered by a user's mouth when the mouthpiece 33 is in use. The at least one outlet may be in fluid communication with the aerosol outlet 60 and / or may be separate from the aerosol outlet 60, potentially located proximate to the aerosol outlet 60, or positioned around or at least partially surrounding the aerosol outlet 60.
[0230] Thus, in accordance with the above, at a general level, the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to deliver an active substance to at least one outlet of the mouthpiece 33, potentially (though not necessarily) as an aerosol / vapor during use of the aerosol delivery system and / or during generation of the first aerosol of the aerosol while the user's mouth is positioned over the mouthpiece 33. This may thus enable a user to receive the active substance in the user's mouth, such as at least one lip or tongue of the user's mouth, such that the active substance may act to provide a physiological effect to a user of the aerosol delivery system and / or to enhance the properties, characteristics, flavor, and / or effect of the first aerosol, for example to enhance the flavor (and any associated sensations) imparted to the user as part of the first aerosol, in some examples.
[0231] It will be understood that if any such active is used, the active may, in some embodiments, comprise either a solid phase active, a liquid or gel phase active, or a gas phase active. In some embodiments, the flavoring material may equally comprise a gel phase active, or may comprise a grainy texture (e.g., from a combination of a liquid / gel phase active and at least one solid phase active within the liquid / gel phase active). In some embodiments, the gas phase active is derivable from a liquid phase active contained within the reservoir.
[0232] To the extent any active substance is used in the second reservoir 101, in some embodiments at least one one-way mechanism 191, such as a one-way valve, may be provided to allow the active substance to pass from the second reservoir 101 to the at least one outlet 60A, but not from the at least one outlet back to the second reservoir 101.
[0233] With regard to how any active substance may be delivered to at least one outlet during use, it will be appreciated that this may be performed either automatically by the aerosol delivery system 1 during use, such as via an actuator (such as a piston) which may be configured to force / direct a portion of the active substance, and / or in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event.
[0234] However, it is also envisioned that in some embodiments, the active substance may be delivered to the at least one outlet in response to a predetermined event configured to be performed by the user's mouth from the aerosol delivery system while the mouth is positioned over the mouthpiece 33. In this manner, the user may then be able to determine when they wish to receive a portion of the active substance by performing an action with the user's mouth, such as via the lips or tongue of the mouth. An example of this may be when the active substance includes a flavoring material, such as menthol, and / or a sensation agent, including a cooling agent and / or a tingling agent. In this manner, the user may be able to perform an appropriate action with the user's mouth on the mouthpiece to allow the active substance to be delivered to the user's mouth via the at least one outlet, thus providing the user's mouth with a minty / cool / icy sensation, for example as part of the aerosol, that the user may find pleasant.
[0235] With respect to what such a predetermined event may include, it is envisioned that in some embodiments this may include the second reservoir 101 being at least partially compressed by the user's mouth (e.g., using the user's teeth or lips) to force a portion of the active substance towards at least one outlet (e.g., via an exposed compressible surface from the second reservoir 101 positioned flush with the exterior surface of the mouthpiece 33, the exposed compressible surface against which the user's mouth may compress in use). This may then function as a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 8, where the second reservoir then comprises a resilient / compressible surface that may be flush with the exterior surface of the mouthpiece 33 and that the user may then compress with the user's mouth to force a portion of the active substance towards at least one outlet 60B. In such an embodiment, the second reservoir 101 as described above may be at least partially compressible and / or may be positioned in a cavity or recess from the mouthpiece 33 to receive the second reservoir 101. In some of these embodiments, to enable the second reservoir to be subsequently changed, the aerosol delivery system 1 may include a consumable 400 (such as the type of consumable 400 shown in the embodiments of Figures 12-14) that includes a second reservoir 101, the consumable 400 being removable from the mouthpiece 33 and / or the consumable 400 being configured to be received from the mouthpiece 33 into any such cavity to be used.
[0236] Thus, in view of the above comments, it is understood that the present disclosure may also provide embodiments relating to the numbered non-limiting clauses set forth as follows:
[0237] 1. The aerosol delivery system a mouthpiece having at least one outlet; The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate an aerosol using the aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including: a first reservoir for storing an aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir containing an active material, which may optionally include a flavoring material; An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver an active substance to at least one outlet of the mouthpiece in response to a predetermined event configured to be executed by a user's mouth from the aerosol delivery system while the mouth is positioned over the mouthpiece.
[0238] 2. The aerosol delivery system of item 1, wherein the predetermined event is configured to be performed by the lips or tongue of the user's mouth.
[0239] 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined event is configured to be executed by actuation of an actuator from the aerosol delivery system using the user's mouth.
[0240] 4. The aerosol delivery system of claim 3, wherein the mouthpiece is equipped with an actuator.
[0241] 5. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined event includes the second reservoir being at least partially compressed by the user's mouth to force a portion of the active substance toward at least one outlet.
[0242] 6. The aerosol delivery system of any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the second reservoir is at least partially compressible.
[0243] 7. The aerosol delivery system of any one of paragraphs 1 to 6, wherein the second reservoir comprises an active agent transport element for storing an active agent within the second reservoir.
[0244] 8. The aerosol delivery system of any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, further comprising a one-way valve for allowing the active agent to pass from the second reservoir to the at least one outlet, but not from the at least one outlet to the second reservoir.
[0245] 9. The aerosol delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the aerosol delivery system includes a consumable that includes a second reservoir, the consumable being removable from the mouthpiece.
[0246] 10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 9, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a cavity for receiving a consumable.
[0247] 11. The aerosol delivery system of any one of paragraphs 1 to 10, wherein the active substance optionally includes a flavoring material, such as menthol.
[0248] 12. The aerosol delivery system of any one of paragraphs 1 to 11, wherein the active substance comprises nicotine.
[0249] 13. The aerosol delivery system of any one of paragraphs 1 to 12, wherein the active agent comprises (or is) a solid phase active agent.
[0250] 14. The aerosol delivery system of any one of paragraphs 1 to 13, wherein the active agent comprises (or is) a liquid phase active agent.
[0251] 15. The aerosol delivery system of any one of paragraphs 1 to 14, wherein the active agent comprises (or is) a gas phase active agent.
[0252] 16. The aerosol delivery system of any one of paragraphs 1 to 15, wherein the active agent comprises (or is) a gel-phase active agent.
[0253] 17. The cartridge is a mouthpiece having at least one outlet; The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate an aerosol using the aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including: a first reservoir for storing an aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir containing an active agent; A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, wherein the cartridge is configured to deliver an active substance to at least one outlet of the mouthpiece in response to a predetermined event configured to be executed by a user's mouth from the aerosol delivery system while the mouth is positioned over the mouthpiece.
[0254] 18. The mouthpiece is At least one exit; The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate an aerosol using the aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including: a first reservoir for storing an aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir containing an active agent; A mouthpiece for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, wherein the mouthpiece is configured to deliver an active substance to at least one outlet in response to a predetermined event configured to be executed by a user's mouth from the aerosol delivery system while the mouth is positioned over the mouthpiece.
[0255] 19. The mouth is located over a tip from an aerosol delivery system, and the method comprises: generating an aerosol using an aerosol-generating material from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; delivering an aerosol to the user's mouth while the mouth is positioned over the mouthpiece; delivering an active substance to the user's mouth from a second reservoir of the aerosol delivery system, the second reservoir being separate from the first reservoir, while the mouth is positioned over the mouthpiece and while the aerosol is being delivered to the user's mouth; 16. A method for enhancing an aerosol delivered to a user's mouth from an aerosol delivery system, comprising:
[0256] 20. Executing a predetermined event with the user's mouth from the aerosol delivery system while the mouth is positioned over the mouthpiece; delivering an active substance to the user's mouth in response to a predetermined event being performed by the user's mouth; 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
[0257] Apart from the above disclosure, the present disclosure also provides the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-14, relating to the use of a consumable 400 for use with an aerosol delivery system 1. As shown in FIG.
[0258] In these embodiments, therefore, at a very general level, there is provided a consumable 400 for use in an aerosol delivery system 1 for generating a first aerosol, where the consumable comprises a reservoir 101 for storing an active substance, and the consumable 400 comprises an outlet for delivering the active substance from a second reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system.
[0259] Thus, at a general level, it will be understood that the consumable 400 may be effectively retrofitted to an existing aerosol delivery system 1, for example, in some narrower embodiments, by releasably engaging or attaching to a portion of the aerosol delivery system 1. As to what such a portion may be, it can be inferred that this portion may be any suitable part of the aerosol delivery system 1 that may enable an active agent from the consumable 400 to be delivered to a user of the aerosol delivery system 1. In this manner, the consumable 400 may enable a user to be exposed to both a first aerosol from the aerosol delivery system 1 and also to an active agent from the reservoir 101 of the consumable 400.
[0260] Thus, it can be seen that in some embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 12-14, the consumable 400 may be configured to releasably attach / engage the mouthpiece 33 from the aerosol delivery system 1 and / or any used cartridge 2 of the aerosol delivery system 1. Any consumable 400 may equally be releasably attached / engageable to an outer surface of the aerosol delivery system 1 (as shown in the embodiments of Figures 12-14, this outer surface may be, for example, a surface of the mouthpiece 33). Furthermore, in some embodiments, as shown for example in Figure 14, the consumable 400 may be releasably attached / engageable to an inner surface 63 of the aerosol delivery system 1, for example, by being releasably attached / engageable to an aerosol outlet tube 38;62 from the mouthpiece 33, which is configured to receive the first aerosol. This latter attachment / engagement has been found to be particularly beneficial inasmuch as it has been found to reduce the degree of recondensation of the first aerosol that may otherwise form on the outer surface of the mouthpiece 33 / aerosol delivery system 1.
[0261] It will be appreciated that as long as any consumable product 400 may be used, the consumable product 400 may include a reservoir 101 for storing an active agent.
[0262] In some examples, the reservoir 101 may contain an active agent and potentially also contain a carrier component for the active agent. This may be particularly the case, for example, when the active agent comprises a solid-phase active agent or a non-flowable material. Thus, in these examples, the carrier component may assist in delivering the active agent from the reservoir 101 towards the user. If such a carrier component is used, this carrier component may obviously include a liquid component preferably selected from water, glycerin, propylene glycol and combinations thereof (e.g., according to some of the compositions described above, for example, for example, from Table 1).
[0263] With regard to the nature of any reservoir 101 used, it is clear that this can be provided in a number of different ways, such as through a second reservoir 101 that includes a porous material 121 for storing the active substance. Such a porous material 121 may then be configured to hold the active substance or to be soaked with the active substance. It is clear that this porous material nature can be of any number of types, such as through a porous material 121 that includes paper, cardboard, foam, etc. To the extent that paper may be used, in some embodiments the paper may include rice paper to allow for a reduction in the overall thickness of the porous material 121, thus allowing for a relatively high surface area / volume ratio of the second reservoir 101 as a whole. An example of such an embodiment can be seen in FIG. 12 (see the example consumable in the top left) and also in the embodiment of FIG. 13, each of which shows that a consumable 400 is provided that includes cardboard (or potentially paper), with the second reservoir 101 of the consumable 400 being a portion of the cardboard (or paper) itself that is porous and soaked with the active substance. In this manner, as shown by the diffusion region "Dx" in Figures 12 and 13, the active substance may be delivered / atomized / vaporized from the cardboard to generate a second aerosol or vapor which may then be diffused towards the user and then mixed with the first aerosol exiting the outlet 60 of the aerosol delivery system 1.
[0264] With reference to any such porous material 121, it is seen that this porous material 121 may also be used more broadly to provide a permeable portion from the aerosol delivery system (or consumable 400 / second reservoir 101) configured to allow the active substance to be selectively released from the second reservoir 101 when air is supplied to the active substance from an air inlet from the aerosol delivery system. Such an air inlet may be, for example, an air inlet from the consumable, or may be used in some other embodiments such as shown in FIG. 8A where a second air inlet 50B is used. In this way, the permeable portion may include, for example, a porous material 121 in the second reservoir 101, which may allow any active substance located in this second reservoir 101 to be selectively released from the porous material 121 when air is supplied to the active substance from the second air inlet 50B.
[0265] Thus, an exemplary application of the above embodiment may be to have the active from the consumable 400 as including a flavoring material such as menthol. In this manner, to the extent the user may then desire menthol flavoring and / or additional amounts of nicotine during use of the first aerosol / aerosol delivery system 1, the user may then selectively attach the consumable 400 to the aerosol delivery system 1 to allow the user to then enhance / augment the first aerosol with an active including this additional flavoring material. In this manner, the functionality of the original aerosol delivery system 1 may be enhanced / modified, as needed, by appropriate use of any necessary consumables 400 and the constituent actives of the consumables 400, which in some embodiments may themselves be aerosol-generating / vapor-generating materials, as will be appreciated.
[0266] In some embodiments, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 12 (see the example of the consumable on the top right), any used consumable 400 may also be provided as part of a consumable pod 401 or capsule 401. When such a consumable is used 400, the reservoir 101 therefrom may comprise an elastic outer shell 123 for storing the active substance. The elastic outer shell may then be partially deformable even when filled with the active substance, in an arrangement conceptually similar to that of a cleaning agent pod / capsule. In this regard, and in some embodiments, the elastic outer shell 123 may comprise a polymeric material and / or may be transparent or translucent (or more generally, the second reservoir 101 may be transparent or translucent). In this way, the user may then be able to identify the remaining amount of active substance in the reservoir via this transparent or translucent part.
[0267] It will be appreciated that when such a consumable is used, the elastic outer shell 123 may be made of a porous or breathable material that may be sufficiently permeable to vapor emission to allow the aerosol / vapor to be released / diffused from the consumable 400. In this regard, greater release / diffusion of the second aerosol may be possible when a relatively thin elastic outer shell 123 is used, such as through an elastic outer shell that includes a maximum thickness of 1 mm or less. Here, the term "maximum thickness" may be understood to mean that no part of the elastic outer shell 123 has a thickness greater than 1 mm. However, to provide an element of strength to the elastic outer shell 123, the elastic outer shell 123 may have a thickness greater than 0.075 μm. However, similarly, the consumable 400 may instead, additionally / alternatively comprise at least one outlet 60B in communication with the reservoir 101 to allow the active substance to be released from the consumable 400.
[0268] To allow any used consumable 400 to be more easily engaged / attached to the aerosol delivery system 1, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 12-13, in some embodiments the consumable 400 may include attachment means 131 for releasably attaching the consumable 400 to a portion of the aerosol delivery system 1, such as the exterior surface and / or mouthpiece 33. It can be inferred that any such attachment means 131 may include any number of things, such as (but not limited to) an adhesive, an adhesive patch, an elastic portion (e.g., along the lines of the attachment portion 109 shown in the embodiment of Figure 9), a releasable latch (e.g., that may engage a recess shown in the embodiment of Figure 9 on the exterior surface of the cartridge 2 / aerosol delivery system 1), and / or a fastener. The use of an adhesive patch 133 is shown in the embodiment of Figure 12 (see the example consumables at the top left and top right), which may include an adhesive patch 133 for allowing the consumable 400 to be releasably attached to the exterior surface of the aerosol delivery system 1, such as the mouthpiece 33.
[0269] In connection with the above features, it will be appreciated that in some instances the consumable 400 may be provided with a removable (potentially peelable) portion 135A, such as a portion defining a coating or film overlying the attachment means 131. In this manner, the removable portion 135A may be retained on the attachment means 131 until immediately prior to use of the consumable 400, at which point the removable portion 135A may be removed to expose the attachment means 131 of the consumable 400. In this manner, the removable portion 135A may help preserve the integrity (and / or any adhesiveness) of the attachment means 131.
[0270] Any provided consumable 400 may equally be provided with a removable (potentially peelable) portion 135B in some embodiments as shown in the embodiment of Figure 12 (see the top left and top right consumable examples) to inhibit any release of active substances from the consumable 400. In this way, insofar as the removable portion 135B in this example may be sufficiently impermeable to vapor flow, this removable portion 135B may help prevent any release / diffusion of vapors from the consumable 400 until the consumable 400 is intended to be used.
[0271] However, providing such an impermeable removable portion 135B may not be necessary insofar as, for example, the consumable 400 can alternatively be held in a sealed blister pack prior to use, which may help prevent any premature release of the active agent from the consumable by not allowing any flow of air over or through it, which may otherwise help the active agent leak out of the consumable 400 during use.
[0272] It is envisioned that where any consumable 400, such as those described above, is used, the consumable 400 may be configured to deliver the active substance of the consumable 400 without heating the active substance or using a propellant, such as compressed gas for a gaseous propellant. In this manner, the action of a user imparting air flow through / over the consumable 400 (e.g., via any air inlet from the consumable as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14, or via any porous portion of the consumable 400 as in the cardboard consumable embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, or via the porous elastomeric outer shell 123 as in the second example of FIG. 12) may be sufficient to allow the active substance to be dispensed in a direction toward the user during use, e.g., possibly as part of an aerosol / vapor. However, to the extent that any provided consumable 400 includes an air inlet, in some of these embodiments, at least one one-way mechanism 191, such as a one-way valve, may also be provided to allow air to enter the second reservoir 101 but not allow active agent to enter the air inlet from the second reservoir 101, as shown, for example, in the embodiment of FIG.
[0273] Any used consumable 400 may also include the aforementioned throttling technology in some embodiments to control the flow of material into and out of the consumable 400. Thus, in other words, the consumable 400 may be configured to selectively prevent delivery / leakage of the active substance from the reservoir or to vary the rate at which the active substance is delivered from the reservoir. As to how this is accomplished, this may obviously be achieved by mechanical and / or electrical means as required. For example, a particular embodiment for varying the rate at which the active substance may be delivered from the reservoir 101 towards the user may be via the consumable 400 including a throttling portion 105 (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14). Thus, with regard to this throttling portion 105, depending on the position of the throttling portion 105, the throttling portion 105 may be configured to control the flow of air into the second reservoir 101 and / or to control the flow of the active substance from the second reservoir 101 towards the user and any provided outlet from the consumable 400. Where such a constriction portion 105 is provided, it may obviously comprise a mechanical constriction portion, such as a moveable member in the air / material flow path with respect to the second reservoir 101, such as positioned immediately downstream of any provided air inlet of the consumable 400 and / or between the reservoir 101 and any provided outlet 60B from the consumable 400 (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14). The constriction portion 105 in some embodiments may also comprise a sharp bend or part of the consumable 400 that causes a change of direction inside the consumable 400, or even a vortex in some cases.
[0274] From the above disclosure, it will be appreciated that several different possibilities are described for enhancing an aerosol delivery system that generates a first aerosol using a first aerosol generating material from a first reservoir in a manner that improves the properties or capabilities of the aerosol delivery system as a whole. These possibilities may include the introduction of some of the second aerosol technologies described herein, and / or may be through some of the throttling technologies described herein, or through some of the headspace technologies described, or even through the introduction of one or more active substances described herein from a second reservoir (which in some narrower examples may be provided as part of a consumable) that may be additionally delivered to a user of the aerosol delivery system 1 during use.
[0275] For clarity, if an optional second reservoir 101 is provided, it will be understood that, notwithstanding any other features of the second reservoir 101 that may be used, the second reservoir 101 in any of these embodiments may be configured to not include any combination (or all) of a vaporizer, a heater / heating element, and / or a propellant, if desired. In other words, according to some embodiments, the second reservoir: a) a carburetor; b) Carburetors or propellants; c) Heaters / heating elements, and / or d) Heaters / heating elements or propellants It does not have to include.
[0276] With regard to any subsequent use of the second reservoir 101, the second reservoir in some embodiments may not be maintained under reduced pressure.
[0277] It will also be appreciated that any second reservoir 101 used herein may not include a spring-loaded syringe in some embodiments (such as that shown in the illustrated embodiment).
[0278] It will also be appreciated that according to some embodiments (e.g., by way of example only, relating to any of the consumables 400 used described herein), any active substance in some of these embodiments may not be delivered to a user of the aerosol delivery system 1 from the second reservoir 101 via an atomizing spray nozzle.
[0279] With respect to the first reservoir, for completeness, it is noted that in some embodiments, any such first reservoir may be configured not to include a vaporizer and / or a heater / heating element, and additionally / alternatively, in some embodiments, the first reservoir may not include a propellant.
[0280] In some embodiments, and in some instances, the following are also contemplated, as appropriate: a) the first reservoir contains a vaporizer that is a heater / heating element and the second reservoir does not contain a vaporizer; b) the first reservoir contains a vaporizer that is a heater / heating element and the second reservoir does not contain a vaporizer or propellant; c) the first reservoir includes a vaporizer that is a heater / heating element and the second reservoir does not include a heater / heating element; and / or d) The first reservoir contains a vaporizer that is a heater / heating element, and the second reservoir does not contain a heater / heating element or a propellant.
[0281] It is understood that in so far as both the first reservoir and the second reservoir (which for completeness is understood to include any reservoir from any used consumable 400) are used to deliver nicotine to a user of the aerosol delivery system 1, in some embodiments the first reservoir may contain nicotine while the second reservoir may not contain nicotine. This may have an advantage in some cases to prevent a user from increasing the nicotine content deliverable from an existing aerosol delivery system to an undesirable level via an additional second reservoir containing even more nicotine. However, there may be other embodiments in which nicotine is used as part of any provided second reservoir 101 (or reservoir from any used consumable 400) in some amount (which may not be the same as any nicotine amount, if any, present in the first reservoir).
[0282] However, it is clear that according to some embodiments, any of the first and second reservoirs used may contain nicotine, with the concentration of nicotine contained in the second reservoir being higher than the concentration of nicotine contained in the first reservoir. Similarly, in some embodiments, any of the first and second reservoirs used may contain nicotine, with the concentration of nicotine contained in the first reservoir being higher than the concentration of nicotine contained in the second reservoir 101.
[0283] When any combination of flavor materials and warming agents is used, according to some specific embodiments, the first reservoir may contain one or more flavor materials and then any second reservoir 101 used may contain one or more warming agents. In some other cases, it may instead be the case that the first reservoir contains one or more warming agents and any second reservoir 101 used contains one or more flavor materials.
[0284] In this regard, in some embodiments, the first and second reservoirs may include one or more flavor materials, and the concentration of the one or more flavor materials included in the second reservoir 101 may be greater than the concentration of the one or more flavor materials included in the first reservoir. Similarly, in some embodiments, the first and second reservoirs may include one or more flavor materials, and the concentration of the one or more flavor materials included in the first reservoir may be greater than the concentration of the one or more flavor materials included in the second reservoir 101.
[0285] Thus, from the above, it can be seen that there are numerous different combinations with respect to what is contained in the first reservoir together with what is contained in any used second reservoir 101 (or any reservoir from any used consumable 400 that may be construed to operate in a manner related to such second reservoir). This therefore provides a great degree of flexibility in the design / configuration of the aerosol delivery system as a whole, as exemplified at least by the various possibilities of features as outlined in the various sets of clauses at the end of this specification. For the avoidance of any doubt, it should be noted that any features from these clauses may be combined in any combination as desired beyond those explicitly set out in these clauses, with great flexibility and interchangeability in the use of such features clearly provided by the present disclosure.
[0286] A set of provisions of the Consistency 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir for storing an active substance; An aerosol delivery system comprising:
[0287] 2. The aerosol delivery system of clause 1, wherein the aerosol delivery system comprises an outlet for delivering active substance from the second reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system.
[0288] 3. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-2, wherein the active substance comprises a second aerosol generating material, and the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material.
[0289] 4. The aerosol delivery system of clause 3, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol.
[0290] 5. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 4, further comprising an aerosol generator for generating the first aerosol.
[0291] 6. The aerosol delivery system of clause 5, wherein the aerosol generator comprises a heating element.
[0292] 7. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, further subject to at least clause 3, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol at a first temperature and to generate a second aerosol at a second temperature, the first temperature being higher than the second temperature.
[0293] 8. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 7, when further dependent on at least clause 3, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the second aerosol at a temperature of 50°C or less.
[0294] 9. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 8, when further dependent on at least clause 3, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the second aerosol at a temperature of 40°C or less.
[0295] 10. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 9, when further dependent on at least clause 3, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the second aerosol without actively heating the second aerosol generating material.
[0296] 11. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-10, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the active agent without actively heating the active agent.
[0297] 12. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the second reservoir is configured to be at least partially heated and / or at least passively heated by the first aerosol.
[0298] 13. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the second reservoir is configured to be heated during delivery of the active substance.
[0299] 14. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the second reservoir is configured such that it is not heated during delivery of the active substance.
[0300] 15. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the second reservoir is configured to be cooled during delivery of the active substance.
[0301] 16. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the first reservoir is configured not to be heated during generation of the first aerosol.
[0302] 17. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the first reservoir is configured to be cooled during generation of the first aerosol.
[0303] 18. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 17, wherein the first reservoir is configured to be heated during generation of the first aerosol.
[0304] 19. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol at a temperature of at least 15°C.
[0305] 20. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-19, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver an active substance downstream of the first aerosol.
[0306] 21. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 20, wherein the second reservoir is downstream of the first reservoir.
[0307] 22. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 21, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the active substance upstream of the first aerosol.
[0308] 23. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 22, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver an active agent into the first reservoir.
[0309] 24. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 23, wherein the second reservoir is upstream of the first reservoir.
[0310] 25. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 24, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the first aerosol through the second reservoir.
[0311] 26. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-25, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the active substance through the first reservoir.
[0312] 27. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 26, further comprising an aerosol outlet channel for receiving the first aerosol.
[0313] 28. The aerosol delivery system of claim 27, wherein the aerosol outlet channel comprises an aerosol outlet tube.
[0314] 29. The aerosol delivery system of clause 27 or 28, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver an active substance into the aerosol outlet channel.
[0315] 30. The aerosol delivery system according to clause 29, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the active substance into the aerosol outlet channel via at least one opening in the aerosol outlet channel.
[0316] 31. The aerosol delivery system of clause 30, wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings.
[0317] 32. Each opening is 25mm 2 32. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 30 or 31, comprising a cross-sectional area of:
[0318] 33. Each opening is 15mm 2 33. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 30 to 32, comprising the following cross-sectional areas:
[0319] 34. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 27 to 33, wherein the aerosol outlet channel is configured to deliver the first aerosol to a first aerosol outlet from the aerosol delivery system.
[0320] 35. The aerosol delivery system of clause 34, when further dependent on at least clause 30, wherein each opening is positioned upstream of the first aerosol outlet.
[0321] 36. An aerosol delivery system according to clause 34 or 35, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the active substance into the aerosol outlet channel in a direction extending towards the first aerosol outlet.
[0322] 37. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 27 to 36, when further dependent on at least clause 5, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the active substance into the aerosol outlet channel in a direction extending away from the aerosol generator.
[0323] 38. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 37, when subordinate to at least clause 27, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the active substance around the aerosol outlet channel.
[0324] 39. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 38, further depending on at least clauses 2 and 34, wherein the outlet is separate from the first aerosol outlet.
[0325] 40. The aerosol delivery system of claim 39, wherein the outlet at least partially surrounds the first aerosol outlet.
[0326] 41. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 40, further depending on at least clause 2, wherein the outlet is annular.
[0327] 42. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 41, further depending on at least clauses 2 and 34, wherein the first aerosol outlet is downstream of the outlet.
[0328] 43. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 42, further depending on at least clauses 2 and 30, wherein the outlet comprises at least one opening within the aerosol outlet channel.
[0329] 44. An aerosol supply system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 43, wherein the aerosol supply system is configured to generate the first aerosol using air supplied from a first air inlet from the aerosol supply system.
[0330] 45. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 44, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the active substance using air supplied from a second air inlet from the aerosol delivery system.
[0331] 46. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 45, provided that it further depends on clause 44, wherein the first air inlet is separate from the second air inlet.
[0332] 47. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 46, further comprising a mouthpiece.
[0333] 48. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 47, when further dependent on clause 46, wherein the second air inlet is positioned closer to the mouthpiece than the first air inlet is positioned to the mouthpiece.
[0334] 49. The aerosol delivery system of clause 47 or 48, wherein the second reservoir is configured to engage with the mouthpiece.
[0335] 50. The aerosol delivery system of clause 49, wherein the second reservoir is configured to engage an outer surface of the mouthpiece.
[0336] 51. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 47 to 50, wherein the second reservoir is configured to act as a sleeve that can be engaged around the mouthpiece.
[0337] 52. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 47 to 51, wherein the second reservoir is configured to be positioned within a recess in the mouthpiece, the recess being shaped to receive at least a portion of the second reservoir.
[0338] 53. The aerosol delivery system of clause 52, wherein the recess is shaped to receive the entire second reservoir.
[0339] 54. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 53, wherein the second reservoir comprises a compressible portion, the compressible portion being configured such that compression of the compressible portion enables the active substance to be released from the second reservoir.
[0340] 55. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 54, wherein the second reservoir is a consumable item.
[0341] 56. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 55, wherein the second reservoir comprises attachment means for releasably attaching the second reservoir to a portion of the aerosol delivery system.
[0342] 57. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 56, further dependent on at least clause 47, wherein a portion comprises a mouthpiece.
[0343] 58. The aerosol delivery system of clause 56 or 57, wherein a portion comprises an aerosol exit tube from the mouthpiece configured to receive the first aerosol.
[0344] 59. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 56 to 58, wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive.
[0345] 60. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 56 to 59, wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive patch.
[0346] 61. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 56 to 50, wherein the attachment means comprises an elastic portion.
[0347] 62. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 56 to 61, wherein the attachment means comprises a releasable latch.
[0348] 63. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 56 to 62, wherein the attachment means comprises a fastener.
[0349] 64. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-63, further comprising a first aerosol-generating material in the first reservoir.
[0350] 65. The aerosol delivery system of claim 64, wherein the first aerosol-generating material comprises a flavoring material.
[0351] 66. The aerosol delivery system of clause 65, wherein the flavoring material includes at least one of menthol and tobacco.
[0352] 67. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 66, wherein the first aerosol-generating material comprises a medicinal agent.
[0353] 68. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 67, further comprising an active substance in the second reservoir.
[0354] 69. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 68, wherein the active agent comprises a solid phase active agent.
[0355] 68. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 67, wherein the active agent comprises a liquid phase active agent.
[0356] 69. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1-68, wherein the active agent comprises a gel-phase active agent.
[0357] 70. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 69, wherein the active agent comprises a gas phase active agent.
[0358] 71. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 70, wherein the active substance comprises nicotine, a flavouring material, a sensory elicitor material, or a combination thereof.
[0359] 72. The aerosol delivery system of claim 71, wherein the flavoring material comprises at least one of menthol, and / or tobacco.
[0360] 73. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 72, wherein the active substance comprises a drug.
[0361] 74. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 73, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol simultaneously with delivering the active substance.
[0362] 75. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 74, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to mix the active substance with the first aerosol.
[0363] 76. The aerosol delivery system of clause 75, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the mixed first aerosol and the active substance to a first aerosol outlet from the aerosol delivery system.
[0364] 77. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 76, further depending on at least clause 27, wherein the second reservoir at least partially surrounds the aerosol outlet channel.
[0365] 78. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 77, when further dependent on clause 28, wherein the second reservoir is configured to surround the aerosol outlet tube.
[0366] 79. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 78, wherein the second reservoir is annular.
[0367] 80. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1-79, wherein the second reservoir at least partially surrounds the first reservoir.
[0368] 81. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 80, wherein the first reservoir at least partially surrounds the second reservoir.
[0369] 82. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 81, wherein the first reservoir has a volume of 50 ml or less.
[0370] 83. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 82, wherein the first reservoir has a volume of 25 ml or less.
[0371] 84. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 83, wherein the second reservoir has a volume of 50 ml or less.
[0372] 85. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 84, wherein the second reservoir has a volume of 25 ml or less.
[0373] 86. An aerosol supply system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 85, when further dependent on at least clause 3, wherein the aerosol supply system is configured to enable the rate of production of the second aerosol to be varied.
[0374] 87. An aerosol supply system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 86, when further dependent on at least clause 3, wherein the aerosol supply system further includes a throttling portion for varying at least one of the rate of production of the second aerosol and the rate at which the second aerosol is configured to exit the aerosol supply system.
[0375] 88. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 87, wherein the throttling portion comprises a mechanical throttling portion.
[0376] 89. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 87 or 88, when further dependent on clause 27, wherein the constriction portion is positioned outside the aerosol outlet channel.
[0377] 90. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 87 to 89, when further dependent on clause 30, wherein the throttling portion is positioned upstream of at least one opening.
[0378] 91. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 87 to 90, if further dependent on clause 45, wherein the second air inlet includes an adjustable size and the restrictor portion includes the second air inlet.
[0379] 92. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 87 to 91, wherein the throttling portion is configured to control the flow rate of air delivered to the second reservoir.
[0380] 93. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 87 to 92, wherein the restrictor portion comprises an orifice of variable size from the aerosol delivery system.
[0381] 94. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 87 to 93, wherein the throttling portion is user-adjustable.
[0382] 95. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 94, further comprising a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising a cartridge receiving section including an interface arranged to cooperatively engage with an interface from the cartridge to releasably couple the cartridge to the aerosol delivery device.
[0383] 96. An aerosol delivery system as described in Clause 95, when further dependent on at least Clause 5, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a power source and a control circuit configured to selectively supply power from the power source to the first aerosol generator from the cartridge.
[0384] 97. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 95-96, wherein the cartridge comprises a first reservoir.
[0385] 98. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 95 to 97, wherein the cartridge comprises a second reservoir.
[0386] 99. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 95 to 98, when further dependent on clause 5, wherein the cartridge comprises a first aerosol generator.
[0387] 100. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 95 to 99, further dependent on clause 27, wherein the cartridge comprises an aerosol outlet channel.
[0388] 101. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 100, wherein the aerosol delivery system further comprises at least one of a module or a consumable comprising a second reservoir.
[0389] 102. The aerosol delivery system of clause 101, wherein the module / consumable is configured to be separable from the first reservoir.
[0390] 103. The aerosol delivery system of clause 101 or 102, wherein the module / consumable is configured to receive the first aerosol.
[0391] 104. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 101-103, configured such that the active substance is positioned inside the module / consumable.
[0392] 105. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 101-104, wherein the active substance is configured to mix with the first aerosol inside the module / consumable.
[0393] 106. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 101-105, wherein the active substance is configured to mix with the first aerosol outside the module / consumable.
[0394] 107. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 101 to 106, wherein the module / consumable comprises a mouthpiece.
[0395] 108. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 101 to 107, further dependent on clause 95, wherein the module / consumable is configured to releasably couple to the cartridge.
[0396] 109. The aerosol delivery system of clause 108, wherein the cartridge comprises a mouthpiece and the module / consumable comprises a second cartridge.
[0397] 110. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 108 or 109, wherein the module / consumable is configured to releasably couple onto or to a mouthpiece from the cartridge for releasably coupling the module / consumable to the cartridge.
[0398] 111. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 110, wherein the first aerosol-generating material comprises one or more sensation-eliciting agents.
[0399] 112. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-111, wherein the first aerosol comprises one or more sensation-inducing agents.
[0400] 113. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 112, wherein the active substance comprises one or more sensation-inducing agents.
[0401] 114. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 113, further subject to at least clause 3, wherein the second aerosol comprises one or more sensation-inducing agents.
[0402] 115. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 111 to 114, wherein the one or more warming agents are in an amount of 0.01 to 12% w / w.
[0403] 116. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 112 to 115, wherein the one or more sensation eliciting agents include one or more cooling agents, one or more warming agents, and / or one or more tingling agents.
[0404] 117. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-116, wherein the first aerosol-generating material comprises one or more acids.
[0405] 118. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 117, wherein the first aerosol comprises one or more acids.
[0406] 119. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 118, wherein the active substance comprises one or more acids.
[0407] 120. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 119, further subject to at least clause 3, wherein the second aerosol comprises one or more acids.
[0408] 121. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-120, wherein the first aerosol-generating material comprises one or more flavor materials.
[0409] 122. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-121, wherein the first aerosol comprises one or more flavor materials.
[0410] 123. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 122, wherein the active substance comprises one or more flavouring materials.
[0411] 124. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 123, when further dependent on at least clause 3, further comprising a third reservoir for storing a third aerosol generating material, and the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a third aerosol using the second aerosol generating material.
[0412] 125. The aerosol delivery system of clause 124, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a third aerosol independently of the first aerosol.
[0413] 126. The aerosol delivery system of clause 124 or 125, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a third aerosol independently of the second aerosol.
[0414] 127. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 124 to 126, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured not to generate a third aerosol simultaneously with the second aerosol.
[0415] 128. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 124 to 127, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to prevent the second aerosol from being generated simultaneously with the third aerosol being generated.
[0416] 129. An aerosol delivery system is a first mode of operation in which the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol and a second aerosol; and a second operating mode in which the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol and the third aerosol. 129. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 124 to 128, configured to operate in
[0417] 130. The aerosol delivery system of clause 129, wherein in the first operating mode, the aerosol delivery system is configured not to generate the third aerosol.
[0418] 131. The aerosol delivery system of clause 129 or 130, wherein in the second mode of operation, the aerosol delivery system is configured not to generate the second aerosol.
[0419] 132. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 131, wherein the first reservoir includes at least one head space that is 10% or more of the total volume of the first reservoir.
[0420] 133. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 132, wherein the second reservoir includes at least one head space that is 10% or more of the total volume of the second reservoir.
[0421] 134. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 133, further depending on at least clause 124, wherein the third reservoir includes at least one head space that is 10% or more of the total volume of the second reservoir.
[0422] 135. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 134, wherein the first reservoir contains at least 10% carbon dioxide by volume.
[0423] 136. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 135, wherein the second reservoir contains at least 10% carbon dioxide by volume.
[0424] 137. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 136, further depending on at least clause 124, wherein the third reservoir contains at least 10% carbon dioxide by volume.
[0425] 138. Either the first reservoir or the second reservoir contains at least 9% carbon dioxide by volume, or either the first reservoir or the second reservoir contains at least 8% carbon dioxide by volume, or either the first reservoir or the second reservoir contains at least 7% carbon dioxide by volume, or either the first reservoir or the second reservoir contains at least 6% carbon dioxide by volume, or either the first reservoir or the second reservoir contains at least 5% by volume. or either the first reservoir or the second reservoir contains at least 4% carbon dioxide by volume, or either the first reservoir or the second reservoir contains at least 3% carbon dioxide by volume, or either the first reservoir or the second reservoir contains at least 2% carbon dioxide by volume, or either the first reservoir or the second reservoir contains at least 1% carbon dioxide by volume.
[0426] 139. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 138, wherein the first aerosol and / or the first aerosol-generating material comprises one or more cannabinoids.
[0427] 140. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 139, wherein the active substance comprises one or more cannabinoids.
[0428] 141. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 140, further subject to at least clause 124, wherein the third aerosol and / or the third aerosol-generating material comprises one or more cannabinoids.
[0429] 142. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 139 to 141, wherein one or more cannabinoids are configured to be heated.
[0430] 143. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-142, wherein the first aerosol and / or the first aerosol-generating material are customizable.
[0431] 144. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 143, wherein the active substance, or the second aerosol and / or the second aerosol-generating material, is customizable, if further subject to clause 3.
[0432] 145. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 144, further depending on at least clause 124, wherein the third aerosol and / or the third aerosol-generating material are customizable.
[0433] 146. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 145, wherein the active substance, or the second aerosol and / or the second aerosol-generating material, if further subject to clause 3, is configured to be customizable using the aerosol delivery system.
[0434] 147. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 146, when further dependent on at least clause 124, wherein the third aerosol and / or the third aerosol-generating material are configured to be customizable using the aerosol delivery system.
[0435] 148. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 147, configured such that the composition of at least one of the aerosols is customizable using the aerosol delivery system.
[0436] 149. The aerosol delivery system of clause 148, configured such that a flow rate of at least one of the aerosols is customizable using the aerosol delivery system.
[0437] 150. An aerosol supply system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 149, configured such that a flow rate of air operable to be delivered to at least one of the aerosol generating materials is customizable using the aerosol supply system.
[0438] 151. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 150, configured such that a flow rate of air operable to be delivered to at least one of the aerosol generating materials is customizable using the aerosol delivery system.
[0439] 152. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 151, wherein the first aerosol-generating material or active substance, or the second aerosol-generating material, further subject to at least clause 3, comprises water.
[0440] 153. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 152, wherein the first aerosol-generating material or active substance, or the second aerosol-generating material, further subject to at least clause 3, contains no more than 20% w / w water.
[0441] 154. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 153, wherein the first aerosol-generating material or active substance, or the second aerosol-generating material, further subject to at least clause 3, comprises 80% w / w or less glycerin.
[0442] 155. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 154, wherein the first aerosol-generating material or active substance, or the second aerosol-generating material, further subject to at least clause 3, comprises 75% w / w or less propylene glycol.
[0443] 156. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 155, wherein the first aerosol-generating material or active substance, or the second aerosol-generating material, further depends on at least clause 3, comprises propylene glycol.
[0444] 157. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 156, wherein the first aerosol-generating material or active substance, or the second aerosol-generating material, further subject to at least clause 3, contains 75% or less propylene glycol.
[0445] 158. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 157, wherein the second reservoir comprises paper, the paper being configured to store the active substance.
[0446] 159. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 158, wherein the paper comprises rice paper.
[0447] 160. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 159, wherein the second reservoir comprises cardboard, the cardboard being configured to store the active substance.
[0448] 161. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 160, in which the cardboard has a maximum thickness of 10 mm or less.
[0449] 162. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 160 or 161, wherein the cardboard comprises a sheet of cardboard.
[0450] 163. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 162, further subject to at least clause 47, if the second reservoir is molded to conform to an outer surface of the mouthpiece.
[0451] 164. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 163, wherein the second reservoir comprises an elastic outer shell for storing the active substance.
[0452] 165. The aerosol delivery system of clause 164, wherein the elastic outer shell comprises a polymeric material.
[0453] 166. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 164 or 165, wherein the elastic outer shell has a maximum thickness of 1 mm or less.
[0454] 167. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 164 to 167, further depending on at least clause 54, wherein the attachment means is attached to the resilient outer shell.
[0455] 168. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 167, wherein the second reservoir comprises a porous material for storing the active substance.
[0456] 169. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 168, wherein the porous material is configured to hold an active substance or to be immersed in an active substance.
[0457] 170. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 168 or 169, wherein the porous material comprises paper, cardboard, or foam.
[0458] 171 The second reservoir is inability to deliver the active substance to the outlet; and / or The active substance cannot leave the second reservoir An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 170, configured to be moved from a first position.
[0459] 172 A second reservoir, cannot generate a second aerosol; and / or The second aerosol-generating material is unable to exit the second reservoir. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 171, when further dependent on at least clause 3, configured to be moved from a first position.
[0460] 173. The second reservoir is an active substance can be delivered to the outlet; and / or The active substance can exit the second reservoir. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 172, configured to be moved to a second position.
[0461] 174 The second reservoir is and / or A second aerosol-generating material can exit the second reservoir. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 173, when further dependent on at least clause 3, configured to be moved from the second position.
[0462] 175. The aerosol delivery system of clause 173 or 174, when further dependent on clause 171 or 172, wherein the second reservoir is configured to be moved between the first position and the second position.
[0463] 176. The aerosol delivery system of clause 175, wherein the second reservoir is configured to rotate between the first position and the second position.
[0464] 177. The aerosol delivery system of clause 175, wherein the second reservoir is configured to twist between a first position and a second position.
[0465] 178. The aerosol delivery system of clause 175, wherein the second reservoir is configured to translate between the first position and the second position.
[0466] 179. The aerosol delivery system of clause 175, wherein the second reservoir is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
[0467] 180. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 179, wherein the second reservoir is annular.
[0468] 181. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 180, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the active substance from the second reservoir without heating the second reservoir.
[0469] 182. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 181, when further dependent on at least clause 3, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a second aerosol using a second aerosol generating material without heating the second reservoir.
[0470] 183. A consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir for storing an active substance; Equipped with, consumables.
[0471] 184. A consumable as described in clause 183, wherein the consumable comprises an outlet for delivering active substance from the second reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system.
[0472] 185. The consumable of clause 183 or 184, wherein the active substance comprises a second aerosol-generating material, and the consumable is configured to generate the second aerosol using the second aerosol-generating material.
[0473] 186. The consumable product of clause 185, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol.
[0474] 187. An aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including: a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material, the consumable being configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material; 1. A consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising:
[0475] 188. The consumable of clause 187, wherein the consumable is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol.
[0476] 189. A consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating a first aerosol, the aerosol delivery system comprising a reservoir for storing an active substance.
[0477] 190. A consumable as described in clause 189, wherein the consumable comprises an outlet for delivering the active substance from the reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system.
[0478] 191. The consumable of clause 189 or 190, wherein the active substance comprises a second aerosol-generating material, and the consumable is configured to generate the second aerosol using the second aerosol-generating material.
[0479] 192. The consumable of clause 191, wherein the consumable is configured to generate the second aerosol without heating the second aerosol-generating material.
[0480] 193. A consumable according to any one of clauses 189 to 192, wherein the consumable is configured to deliver an active substance from the reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system without heating the active substance.
[0481] 194. A consumable according to any one of claims 189 to 193, wherein the consumable is configured to allow the active substance to be released from the reservoir through at least one outlet of the consumable.
[0482] 195. A consumable product as described in any one of clauses 189 to 194, wherein the reservoir comprises a compressible portion, the compressible portion being configured such that compression of the compressible portion enables an active substance to be released from the reservoir.
[0483] 196. A consumable as described in any one of clauses 189 to 195, wherein the consumable comprises attachment means for releasably attaching the consumable to a portion of the aerosol delivery system.
[0484] 197. A consumable according to clause 196, wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive.
[0485] 198. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 196-197, wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive patch.
[0486] 199. A consumable according to any one of clauses 196-198, wherein the attachment means comprises a resilient portion.
[0487] 200. A consumable item according to any one of clauses 196-199, wherein the attachment means includes a releasable latch.
[0488] 201. A consumable item according to any one of clauses 196-200, wherein the attachment means includes a fastener.
[0489] 202. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 189 to 201, wherein the reservoir comprises paper, the paper being configured to store an active substance.
[0490] 203. Consumables as described in clause 202, including rice paper.
[0491] 204. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 189 to 203, wherein the reservoir comprises cardboard, the cardboard being configured to store the active substance.
[0492] 205. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 204, the cardboard having a maximum thickness of 10 mm or less.
[0493] 206. A consumable item according to any one of clauses 204-205, wherein the cardboard comprises a sheet of cardboard.
[0494] 207. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 189 to 206, wherein the reservoir comprises an elastic outer shell for storing the active substance.
[0495] 208. The consumable according to clause 207, wherein the elastic outer shell comprises a polymeric material.
[0496] 209. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 207-208, wherein the elastic outer shell has a maximum thickness of 1 mm or less.
[0497] 210. A consumable according to any one of clauses 207 to 209, further depending on at least clause 196, wherein the attachment means is attached to the resilient outer shell.
[0498] 211. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 189 to 210, wherein the reservoir comprises a porous material for storing the active substance.
[0499] 212. The consumable according to clause 211, wherein the active substance is configured to hold or be immersed in the porous material.
[0500] 213. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 211-212, wherein the porous material comprises paper, cardboard, or foam.
[0501] 214. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 189 to 213, further comprising an active substance in the reservoir.
[0502] 215. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 189 to 214, wherein the active substance comprises a solid phase active substance.
[0503] 216. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 189 to 215, wherein the active agent comprises a liquid phase and / or a gel phase active agent.
[0504] 217. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 189 to 216, wherein the active substance comprises a gas phase active substance.
[0505] 218. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 189 to 217, wherein the active substance comprises nicotine and / or a flavouring material.
[0506] 219. The consumable product according to clause 218, wherein the flavouring material comprises at least one of menthol and / or tobacco.
[0507] 220. A consumable product according to any one of clauses 189 to 219, wherein the active substance comprises a drug.
[0508] 221. An assembly comprising a consumable item described in any one of clauses 187 to 220 and an aerosol delivery system.
[0509] 222. An aerosol delivery system is A cartridge; an aerosol delivery device comprising a cartridge receiving section including an interface arranged to cooperatively engage an interface from the cartridge to releasably couple the cartridge to the aerosol delivery device; The assembly of claim 221, further comprising:
[0510] 223. A method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol delivery system, comprising: generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; generating a second aerosol using a second aerosol-generating material received from a second reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; A method comprising:
[0511] 224. The method of claim 223, wherein the first aerosol is generated independently of the second aerosol.
[0512] 225. The method of clause 223 or 224, further comprising generating a second aerosol using a second aerosol-generating material without heating the second reservoir.
[0513] 226. A method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol delivery system, comprising: generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; delivering an active agent from the second reservoir to an outlet of the aerosol delivery system to deliver the active agent to a user of the aerosol delivery system; A method comprising:
[0514] 227. The method of clause 226, further comprising the step of delivering the active substance to the outlet without heating the second reservoir.
[0515] 228. Attaching a consumable comprising a second reservoir to the aerosol delivery system prior to generating the first aerosol. 228. The method of any one of clauses 223 to 227, comprising at least one of:
[0516] 229. The method of clause 228, further comprising attaching a consumable to an exterior surface of the aerosol delivery system.
[0517] 230. The method of clause 228 or 229, further comprising attaching a consumable to the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery system.
[0518] 231. The method of any one of clauses 228-230, further comprising attaching the consumable to a cartridge of the aerosol delivery system.
[0519] 232. A method of retrofitting an aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system, comprising: releasably coupling a module / consumable comprising a second reservoir for storing an active substance to the aerosol delivery system; generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material; delivering an active agent from inside the module / consumable to a user of the aerosol delivery system; A method comprising:
[0520] 233. A method of retrofitting an aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system, comprising: releasably coupling a consumable product to the aerosol delivery system, the consumable product comprising a second reservoir for storing an active agent; generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material; delivering an active agent from inside the module / consumable to a user of the aerosol delivery system; A method comprising:
[0521] 234. Providing a first aerosol to a module / consumable; Passing the first aerosol through a module / consumable; providing a first aerosol and an active agent to at least one outlet; The method of claim 233, further comprising:
[0522] 235. The method of any one of clauses 226 to 234, further comprising mixing the first aerosol with an active substance.
[0523] 236. The method of any one of clauses 226-235, wherein the active substance comprises a flavouring material.
[0524] 237. The method of any one of clauses 226 to 236, wherein the active substance comprises a drug.
[0525] 238. The method of any one of clauses 226-229, further comprising the step of delivering an active substance downstream of the first aerosol.
[0526] 239. The method of any one of clauses 224-230, wherein the second reservoir is downstream of the first reservoir.
[0527] 240. The method of any one of clauses 224-231, further comprising generating a second aerosol in parallel with the first aerosol.
[0528] 241. The method of any one of clauses 223-232, further comprising the step of supplying the first aerosol through a second reservoir.
[0529] 242. A module / consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material, comprising: The module / consumable is configured to be releasably coupled to the aerosol delivery system, the module / consumable comprising: a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material; a mounting portion for releasably coupling the module / consumable to the aerosol delivery system; the module / consumable is configured to receive a first aerosol from the aerosol delivery system when the module / consumable is coupled to the aerosol delivery system using the attachment portion, and configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol-generating material when the module / consumable receives the first aerosol; Modules / Consumables.
[0530] 243. A module / consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material, comprising: The module / consumable is configured to be releasably coupled to the aerosol delivery system, the module / consumable comprising: a second reservoir for storing an active substance; a mounting portion for releasably coupling the module / consumable to the aerosol delivery system; the module / consumable is configured to receive a first aerosol from the aerosol delivery system when the module / consumable is coupled to the aerosol delivery system using the attachment portion, and configured to deliver an active agent from the module / consumable to a user of the aerosol delivery system; Modules / Consumables.
[0531] 244. The module / consumable of clause 242 or 243, wherein the second aerosol-generating material or active substance comprises a flavoring material.
[0532] 245. The module / consumable of any one of clauses 242-244, wherein the second reservoir is annular.
[0533] 246. A module / consumable described in any one of clauses 242 to 245, wherein the module further comprises an outlet tube for receiving the first aerosol, and the second reservoir at least partially surrounds the outlet tube.
[0534] 247. A module / consumable according to any one of clauses 242-246, wherein the second reservoir has a volume of 50ml or less.
[0535] 248. A module / consumable according to any one of clauses 242-247, wherein the second reservoir has a volume of 25ml or less.
[0536] 249. A module / consumable item according to any one of clauses 242 to 248, wherein the module is disposable.
[0537] 250. The module of any one of clauses 242-249, wherein the module is configured to be consumable.
[0538] 251. An assembly comprising a module / consumable described in any one of clauses 242 to 250 and an aerosol delivery system configured to releasably couple to the module / consumable.
[0539] 252. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: The aerosol delivery system The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir for storing an active substance; Equipped with an aerosol delivery system comprising an outlet for delivering the active agent from the second reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system; An aerosol delivery system wherein the second reservoir does not include a vaporizer or a propellant.
[0540] 253. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: The aerosol delivery system The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir for storing an active substance; Equipped with an aerosol delivery system comprising an outlet for delivering the active agent from the second reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system; the second reservoir does not contain a vaporizer or a propellant; a first aerosol-forming material comprising nicotine and a carrier component selected from a combination of glycerin and propylene glycol; An aerosol delivery system in which the active material comprises one or more flavor materials and / or one or more sensory agents.
[0541] 254. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: The aerosol delivery system The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir for storing an active substance; Equipped with the aerosol delivery system comprising an outlet for delivering the active agent from the second reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system as a gas phase active agent; An aerosol delivery system wherein the second reservoir does not include a vaporizer or a propellant.
[0542] 255. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: The aerosol delivery system The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir for storing an active substance; Equipped with the aerosol delivery system comprising an outlet for delivering the active agent from the second reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system as a gas phase active agent; the second reservoir does not contain a vaporizer or a propellant; a first aerosol-forming material comprising nicotine and a carrier component selected from a combination of glycerin and propylene glycol; An aerosol delivery system in which the active material comprises one or more flavor materials and / or one or more sensory agents.
[0543] 256. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: The aerosol delivery system The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir comprising a porous material for storing an active substance; Equipped with the aerosol delivery system comprising an outlet for delivering the active agent as a gas phase active agent from the second reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system; An aerosol delivery system wherein the second reservoir does not include a vaporizer or a propellant.
[0544] 257. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: The aerosol delivery system The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir comprising a porous material for storing an active substance; Equipped with the aerosol delivery system comprising an outlet for delivering the active agent as a gas phase active agent from the second reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system; the second reservoir does not contain a vaporizer or a propellant; a first aerosol-forming material comprising nicotine and a carrier component selected from a combination of glycerin and propylene glycol; An aerosol delivery system in which the active material comprises one or more flavor materials and / or one or more sensory agents.
[0545] First set of provisions 1. A module for use with an aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material, comprising: The module is configured to be releasably coupled to the aerosol delivery system, the module comprising: a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material; and a mounting portion for releasably coupling the module to the aerosol delivery system; the module is configured to receive a first aerosol from the aerosol delivery system when the module is coupled to the aerosol delivery system using the mounting portion, and configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol-generating material when the module receives the first aerosol; Module.
[0546] 2. The module of clause 1, wherein the module further comprises an outlet tube for receiving the first aerosol, the second reservoir at least partially surrounding the outlet tube.
[0547] 3. The module of any one of clauses 1 to 2, wherein the second reservoir is annular.
[0548] 4. The module of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the module is configured to selectively prevent generation of a second aerosol from a second aerosol-generating material.
[0549] 5. The module of any one of clauses 1-4, wherein the module is configured to vary the rate at which the second aerosol is generated from the second aerosol-generating material.
[0550] 6. The module i) the rate at which air is supplied to the second reservoir; ii) the rate of production of the second aerosol; and iii) the rate at which the second aerosol is configured to flow through or exit the module; The module of any one of clauses 1 to 5, further comprising a throttle portion for varying at least one of the above.
[0551] 7. The module of claim 6, wherein the throttling portion comprises a mechanical throttling portion.
[0552] 8. The module according to clause 6 or 7, wherein the throttling portion comprises a mechanical throttling portion.
[0553] 9. The module of any one of clauses 6 to 8, wherein the aperture portion is user adjustable.
[0554] 10. The module of any one of clauses 6-9, wherein the restrictor portion includes an orifice of variable size.
[0555] 11. The module of any one of clauses 1 to 10, further comprising an air inlet for supplying air to the second reservoir.
[0556] 12. A module as claimed in any one of clauses 11 when further dependent on clause 10, wherein the variable size orifice comprises an air inlet.
[0557] 13. The module of any one of clauses 1-12, wherein the second aerosol-generating material comprises a flavoring material.
[0558] 14. The module of any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the second aerosol-generating material comprises a medicinal agent.
[0559] 15. A module described in any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the second reservoir has a volume of 50 ml or less.
[0560] 16. The module of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the second reservoir has a volume of 25 ml or less.
[0561] 17. A module according to any one of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the module defines a recess for receiving an aerosol delivery system.
[0562] 18. A module according to any one of clauses 1-17, wherein the module defines a recess for releasably receiving a mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery system.
[0563] 19. A module as described in any one of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the mounting portion is elastic.
[0564] 20. A module described in any one of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the mounting portion includes a protrusion configured to engage with the aerosol supply system or a recess configured to be engaged by the aerosol supply system to releasably couple the module to the aerosol supply system.
[0565] 21. A module described in any one of clauses 1 to 20, wherein the mounting portion includes a threaded arrangement configured to engage with a corresponding threaded arrangement from the aerosol delivery system to releasably couple the module to the aerosol delivery system.
[0566] 22. The module of any one of clauses 1 to 21, wherein the module is disposable.
[0567] 23. The module of any one of clauses 1 to 22, wherein the module is configured to be consumable.
[0568] 24. An assembly comprising a module described in any one of clauses 1 to 23 and an aerosol supply system to which the module is configured to be releasably coupled.
[0569] 25. The assembly of clause 24, wherein the aerosol delivery system further comprises a consumable and an aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising a consumable receiving section including an interface arranged to cooperatively engage with an interface from the consumable to releasably couple the consumable to the aerosol delivery device.
[0570] 26. The assembly of clause 25, wherein the module is configured to releasably couple to a consumable from the aerosol delivery system.
[0571] 27. An assembly as described in clause 25 or 26, wherein the module is configured to releasably couple onto or to a tip from the consumable to releasably couple the module to the aerosol delivery system.
[0572] 28. A method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol delivery system, comprising: The method is generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; generating a second aerosol using a second aerosol-generating material received from a second reservoir from a module releasably coupled to the aerosol delivery system; A method wherein the first aerosol is generated independently of the second aerosol.
[0573] 29. A method of retrofitting an aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system, comprising: releasably coupling a module to the aerosol delivery system, the module comprising a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material; generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material; generating a second aerosol inside the module using a second aerosol-generating material; A method comprising:
[0574] 30. The method of claim 28 or 29, further comprising the step of releasably coupling the module to a consumable from the aerosol delivery system.
[0575] 31. The method of any one of clauses 28-30, further comprising the step of releasably coupling the module to a mouthpiece from the aerosol delivery system.
[0576] 32. Providing a first aerosol to a module; passing a first aerosol through a module; providing a first aerosol and a second aerosol to at least one outlet from the module; 32. The method of any one of clauses 28 to 31, further comprising:
[0577] 33. The method of any one of clauses 28-32, further comprising mixing the first aerosol and the second aerosol inside the module.
[0578] 34. The method of any one of clauses 28-33, wherein the second aerosol-generating material comprises a flavoring material.
[0579] 35. The method of any one of clauses 28 to 34, further comprising generating a second aerosol downstream of the first aerosol.
[0580] 36. The method of any one of clauses 28-35, wherein the second reservoir is downstream of the first reservoir.
[0581] 37. The method of any one of clauses 28-36, further comprising the step of supplying the first aerosol through a second reservoir.
[0582] 38. The method of any one of clauses 28-37, further comprising the step of supplying one or more acids to the first reservoir while the first aerosol is being generated.
[0583] Second set of provisions 1. A module for use with a container configured to deliver a fluid through a fluid outlet channel of the container, comprising: A module is configured to be releasably coupled to the container, the module comprising: a reservoir for storing an aerosol-generating material; a mounting portion for releasably coupling the module to the container; the module is configured to receive fluid from the container when the module is coupled to the container using the mounting portion, and configured to generate an aerosol using the aerosol-generating material when the module receives the fluid; Module.
[0584] 2. The module of claim 1, wherein the module further comprises an outlet tube for receiving fluid from the fluid outlet channel of the container, the reservoir at least partially surrounding the outlet tube.
[0585] 3. A module described in any one of clauses 1 to 2, wherein the reservoir is annular.
[0586] 4. The module of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the module is configured to selectively prevent generation of an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material.
[0587] 5. The module of any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the module is configured to vary the rate at which aerosol is generated from the aerosol-generating material.
[0588] 6. The module i) the rate at which air is supplied to the reservoir; ii) the rate of aerosol generation, and iii) the rate at which the aerosol is configured to flow through or exit the module; The module of any one of clauses 1 to 5, further comprising a throttle portion for varying at least one of the above.
[0589] 7. The module of claim 6, wherein the throttling portion comprises a mechanical throttling portion.
[0590] 8. The module of any one of clauses 6-7, wherein the aperture portion is user adjustable.
[0591] 9. The module of any one of clauses 6 to 8, wherein the restrictor portion includes an orifice of variable size.
[0592] 10. A module described in any one of clauses 1 to 9, further comprising a mouthpiece.
[0593] 11. A module described in any one of clauses 1 to 10, further comprising an air inlet for supplying air to the reservoir.
[0594] 12. A module as claimed in any one of clauses 11 when further dependent on clause 9, wherein the variable size orifice comprises an air inlet.
[0595] 13. The module of any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a flavoring material.
[0596] 14. A module described in any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a medicinal agent.
[0597] 15. A module described in any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the reservoir has a volume of 50 ml or less.
[0598] 16. A module described in any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the reservoir has a volume of 25 ml or less.
[0599] 17. The module of any one of clauses 1-16, wherein the module defines a recess for receiving at least a portion of the container.
[0600] 18. The module of any one of clauses 1-17, wherein the module defines a recess for releasably receiving a lid of the container.
[0601] 19. A module as described in any one of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the mounting portion is elastic.
[0602] 20. A module described in any one of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the mounting portion includes a protrusion configured to engage with an aerosol delivery system or a recess configured to be engaged by an aerosol delivery system to releasably couple the module to the container.
[0603] 21. A module as described in any one of clauses 1-20, wherein the mounting portion includes a thread arrangement configured to engage with a corresponding thread arrangement from the container to releasably couple the module to the container.
[0604] 22. The module of any one of clauses 1 to 21, wherein the module is disposable.
[0605] 23. The module of any one of clauses 1 to 22, wherein the module is configured to be consumable.
[0606] 24. An assembly comprising a module according to any one of clauses 1 to 23 and a container to which the module is configured to be releasably coupled.
[0607] 25. The assembly of clause 24, wherein the module is configured to releasably couple to a lid from a container.
[0608] 26. An assembly as described in clause 24 or 25, wherein the module is configured to releasably couple onto or to a tip from the container to releasably couple the module to the container.
[0609] 27. An assembly according to any one of clauses 24 to 26, wherein the container comprises a drink bottle.
[0610] 28. A method of delivering an aerosol to a fluid received from a container, comprising: The method is Passing the fluid from a container into a module; generating an aerosol using an aerosol-generating material received from a reservoir from a module releasably coupled to the container; Including, A method wherein the aerosol is generated simultaneously with the fluid passing from the container into the module.
[0611] 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of releasably coupling the module to the container.
[0612] 30. The method of claim 28 or 29, further comprising the step of releasably coupling the module to a lid from the container.
[0613] 31. The method of any one of clauses 28-30, further comprising the step of supplying fluid and aerosol to at least one outlet from the module.
[0614] 32. The method of any one of clauses 28-31, further comprising mixing the fluid and the aerosol inside the module.
[0615] 33. The method of any one of clauses 28 to 32, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a flavoring material.
[0616] 34. The method of any one of clauses 28-33, further comprising the step of passing fluid from a fluid outlet channel of the container into the module, wherein a reservoir is downstream of the fluid outlet channel.
[0617] 35. The method of any one of clauses 28-34, further comprising the step of supplying fluid through the reservoir.
[0618] Third set of provisions 1. An aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including: a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a second aerosol using the primary second aerosol-generating material, the second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material; 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising:
[0619] 2. the second reservoir comprises a primary secondary reservoir, the second aerosol-generating material comprises a primary secondary aerosol-generating material, and the second aerosol comprises a primary secondary aerosol; The aerosol supply system of clause 1, further comprising a secondary second reservoir for storing a secondary second aerosol generating material, the aerosol supply system being configured to generate a secondary second aerosol using the secondary second aerosol generating material.
[0620] 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 2, wherein the composition of the primary second aerosol-generating material is different from the composition of the secondary second aerosol-generating material.
[0621] 4. The aerosol delivery system of clause 2 or 3, wherein the primary second aerosol-generating material includes a flavor material that is not present in the secondary second aerosol-generating material.
[0622] 5. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 2 to 4, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to selectively switch between generating a primary second aerosol-generating material and generating a secondary second aerosol-generating material.
[0623] 6. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 2 to 5, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to selectively prevent one of the primary and secondary second aerosols from being generated simultaneously with the other of the primary and secondary second aerosols.
[0624] 7. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 6, further comprising a third reservoir for storing a third aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a third aerosol using the third aerosol generating material.
[0625] 8. The aerosol delivery system of clause 7, wherein the third aerosol-generating material comprises one or more acids.
[0626] 9. The aerosol delivery system of clause 7 or 8, wherein the third aerosol is configured to be delivered to the first reservoir.
[0627] 10. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-9, wherein the second aerosol-generating material comprises one or more acids.
[0628] 11. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 10, configured to deliver a second aerosol to the first reservoir.
[0629] 12. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 10, configured such that the first aerosol is delivered to a second reservoir.
[0630] 13. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 12, further comprising an aerosol generator for generating the first aerosol.
[0631] 14. The aerosol delivery system of claim 13, wherein the aerosol generator comprises a heating element.
[0632] 15. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-14, wherein each second reservoir comprises a substrate for receiving an aerosol-generating material within the second reservoir.
[0633] 16. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-15, further comprising a second aerosol-generating material, the second reservoir comprising a head space.
[0634] 17. The aerosol delivery system of claim 16, wherein the headspace is 10% or more of the total volume of the second reservoir.
[0635] 18. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 17, wherein the first reservoir has a volume of 50 ml or less.
[0636] 19. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the second reservoir has a volume of 50 ml or less.
[0637] 20. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a second aerosol downstream of the first aerosol.
[0638] 21. An aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including: a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a second aerosol using the primary second aerosol-generating material, the second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material; 1. A consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising:
[0639] 22. An aerosol delivery system comprising a consumable as described in clause 21 and an aerosol delivery device, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a consumable receiving section including an interface arranged to cooperatively engage with an interface from the consumable to releasably couple the consumable to the aerosol delivery device.
[0640] 23. A method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol delivery system, comprising: generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; generating a second aerosol using a second aerosol-generating material received from a second reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; A method comprising:
[0641] 24. Supplying one or more acids to the first reservoir while the first aerosol is being generated. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:
[0642] 25. Delivering the first aerosol and the second aerosol to at least one outlet from the aerosol delivery system. 25. The method of claim 23 or 24, further comprising:
[0643] 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one outlet from the aerosol delivery system includes at least one mouthpiece outlet from the aerosol delivery system.
[0644] 27. The second reservoir comprises a primary secondary reservoir, the second aerosol-generating material comprises a primary secondary aerosol-generating material, and the second aerosol comprises a primary secondary aerosol; The method is ceasing the generation of the primary secondary aerosol; 27. The method of any one of clauses 23-26, further comprising the step of generating a secondary second aerosol using a secondary second aerosol generating material received from a secondary second reservoir of the aerosol delivery system, the secondary second reservoir being separated from the primary second reservoir.
[0645] 28. The method of clause 27, wherein the composition of the primary second aerosol-generating material is different from the composition of the secondary second aerosol-generating material.
[0646] 29. The method of clause 27 or 28, wherein the primary second aerosol-generating material includes a flavor material that is not present in the secondary second aerosol-generating material.
[0647] Fourth Set of Provisions 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: The aerosol delivery system The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system being configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol-generating material; Equipped with The aerosol delivery system, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol independently of a second aerosol.
[0648] 2. The aerosol delivery system of clause 1, further comprising an aerosol generator for generating the first aerosol.
[0649] 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 2, wherein the aerosol generator comprises a heating element.
[0650] 4. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a second aerosol downstream of the first aerosol.
[0651] 5. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the first aerosol through a second reservoir.
[0652] 6. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 5, further comprising an aerosol outlet channel for receiving the first aerosol.
[0653] 7. The aerosol delivery system of clause 6, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver a second aerosol into the aerosol outlet channel.
[0654] 8. The aerosol supply system of clause 7, wherein the aerosol supply system is configured to supply a second aerosol into the aerosol outlet channel through at least one opening in the aerosol outlet channel, the at least one opening comprising a plurality of openings.
[0655] 9. An aerosol supply system according to any one of clauses 6 to 8, wherein the aerosol outlet channel is configured to supply a first aerosol to a first aerosol outlet from the aerosol supply system, and the aerosol supply system is configured to supply a second aerosol into the aerosol outlet channel in a direction extending towards the first aerosol outlet.
[0656] 10. An aerosol supply system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the aerosol supply system is configured to generate the first aerosol using air supplied from a first air inlet from the aerosol supply system.
[0657] 11. The aerosol supply system of clause 10, wherein the aerosol supply system is configured to generate a second aerosol using air supplied from a second air inlet from the aerosol supply system, and the first air inlet is separated from the second air inlet.
[0658] 12. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-11, wherein the second aerosol-generating material comprises nicotine and / or a flavoring material.
[0659] 13. The aerosol delivery system of claim 12, wherein the flavoring material comprises at least one of menthol, and / or tobacco.
[0660] 14. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol simultaneously with generating the second aerosol.
[0661] 15. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to mix the second aerosol with the first aerosol.
[0662] 16. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the second reservoir has a volume of 50 ml or less.
[0663] 17. The aerosol delivery system is i) selectively preventing generation of a second aerosol from a second aerosol-forming material; and / or ii) Varying the rate at which the second aerosol is generated from the second aerosol-generating material. 17. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 16, configured as follows:
[0664] 18. The aerosol delivery system is i) the rate at which air is supplied to the second reservoir; ii) the rate of production of the second aerosol; and / or iii) the rate at which the second aerosol is configured to exit the aerosol delivery system. 18. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a throttling portion for varying at least one of the above.
[0665] 19. The aerosol delivery system of clause 18, wherein the throttling portion is configured to control the flow rate of air delivered to the second reservoir.
[0666] 20. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 18-19, wherein the throttling portion is user-adjustable.
[0667] 21. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 20, further comprising a consumable and an aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising a consumable receiving section including an interface arranged to cooperatively engage with an interface from the consumable to releasably couple the consumable to the aerosol delivery device, the consumable comprising a first reservoir.
[0668] 22. Consumables, The aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery system including a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material; the aerosol delivery system comprising: a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol generating material, the second reservoir being configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material; the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol; A consumable item for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol.
[0669] 23. An aerosol delivery system comprising a consumable as described in clause 22 and an aerosol delivery device, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a consumable receiving section including an interface arranged to cooperatively engage with an interface from the consumable to releasably couple the consumable to the aerosol delivery device.
[0670] 24. A method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol delivery system, comprising: The method is generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; generating a second aerosol using a second aerosol-generating material received from a second reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; Including, A method wherein the first aerosol is generated independently of the second aerosol.
[0671] 25. Providing a first aerosol into an aerosol outlet channel; providing a second aerosol to an aerosol outlet channel; providing a first aerosol and a second aerosol to at least one outlet from an aerosol delivery system; 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:
[0672] 26. Providing a first aerosol into a second reservoir; passing the first aerosol through a second reservoir; providing a first aerosol and a second aerosol to at least one outlet from an aerosol delivery system; 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:
[0673] 27. The method of any one of clauses 24 to 26, further comprising the step of mixing the first aerosol and the second aerosol.
[0674] 28. The method of any one of clauses 24-27, wherein the second aerosol-generating material comprises a flavoring material.
[0675] 29. The method of any one of clauses 24 to 28, further comprising generating a second aerosol downstream of the first aerosol.
[0676] 30. Supplying one or more acids to the first reservoir while the first aerosol is being generated. 30. The method of any one of clauses 24 to 29, further comprising:
Claims
1. 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol generating material, the aerosol delivery system being configured to generate a first aerosol using the first aerosol generating material; a second reservoir for storing an active agent, the aerosol delivery system comprising an outlet for delivering the active agent from the second reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system; An aerosol delivery system comprising:
2. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the first reservoir is separate from the second reservoir.
3. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the active substance comprises a second aerosol generating material, and the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate a second aerosol using the second aerosol generating material.
4. The aerosol delivery system of claim 3 , wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the first aerosol independently of the second aerosol.
5. The aerosol delivery system of claim 3 , wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to generate the second aerosol without actively heating the second aerosol-generating material.
6. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver the active agent downstream of the first aerosol.
7. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the second reservoir is downstream of the first reservoir.
8. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, further comprising an aerosol outlet channel for receiving the first aerosol, the aerosol delivery system being configured to deliver the active substance into the aerosol outlet channel.
9. the aerosol supply system is configured to generate the first aerosol using air supplied from a first air inlet from the aerosol supply system; the aerosol delivery system is configured to deliver air to the active material using air delivered from a second air inlet from the aerosol delivery system; 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first air inlet is separate from the second air inlet.
10. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece, the second reservoir configured to engage the mouthpiece.
11. The aerosol delivery system of claim 10 , wherein the second reservoir is configured to engage an exterior surface of the mouthpiece.
12. 11. The aerosol delivery system of claim 10, wherein the second reservoir is configured to operate as a sleeve that can be engaged around the mouthpiece.
13. 11. The aerosol delivery system of claim 10, wherein the second reservoir is configured to be positioned within a recess in the mouthpiece, the recess being shaped to receive at least a portion of the second reservoir.
14. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second reservoir comprises a compressible, permeable and / or penetrable portion.
15. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second reservoir comprises a compressible and / or penetrable portion, the compressible and / or penetrable portion being configured such that compression and / or penetration of the compressible and / or penetrable portion is configured to enable the active substance to be released from the second reservoir.
16. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second reservoir comprises a permeable portion, the permeable portion being configured to allow the active substance to be selectively released from the second reservoir when air is supplied to the active substance from a second air inlet from the aerosol delivery system.
17. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second reservoir comprises attachment means for releasably attaching the second reservoir to a portion of the aerosol delivery system.
18. The device further comprises a mouthpiece, the second reservoir being configured to engage with the mouthpiece; 18. The aerosol delivery system of claim 17, wherein the portion comprises the mouthpiece.
19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a mouthpiece; and the second reservoir is configured to engage with the mouthpiece.
18. The aerosol delivery system of claim 17, wherein the portion comprises an aerosol exit tube from the mouthpiece configured to receive the first aerosol.
20. 20. The aerosol delivery system of claim 17, wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive.
21. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising the active agent in the second reservoir.
22. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the active agent comprises a liquid phase and / or a gel phase active agent.
23. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the active agent comprises a gas phase active agent.
24. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the active agent comprises a solid phase active agent.
25. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the active material comprises one or more flavoring materials.
26. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the active substance comprises nicotine.
27. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the active substance comprises one or more cannabinoids.
28. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the active substance comprises tetrahydrocannabinol and / or cannabidiol.
29. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the active agent comprises one or more sensation-inducing agents.
30. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the active substance comprises one or more cooling and / or warming agents.
31. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second reservoir further comprises a carrier component for the active substance, the carrier component optionally comprising a liquid, preferably the liquid being selected from water, glycerin, propylene glycol, and combinations thereof.
32. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second reservoir is annular.
33. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the second reservoir has a volume of 25 ml or less.
34. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a consumable comprising the second reservoir.
35. The method according to claim 35, further comprising a mouthpiece, the second reservoir being configured to engage with the mouthpiece; 35. The aerosol delivery system of claim 34, wherein the consumable is configured to releasably couple onto or to the mouthpiece from the aerosol delivery system.
36. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second reservoir comprises paper, the paper configured to store the active substance.
37. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second reservoir comprises cardboard, the cardboard configured to store the active substance.
38. 1. A consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating a first aerosol, the consumable comprising a reservoir for storing an active substance, the consumable comprising an outlet for delivering the active substance from the reservoir to a user of the aerosol delivery system.
39. 40. The consumable of claim 38, wherein the consumable is configured to deliver the active agent from the reservoir through the outlet without heating the active agent.
40. 40. A consumable product as claimed in claim 38 or 39, wherein the reservoir comprises a compressible and / or penetrable portion, the compressible and / or penetrable portion being configured such that compression and / or penetration of the compressible and / or penetrable portion is configured to allow the active substance to be released from the reservoir to the outlet.
41. 40. A consumable product as described in claim 38 or 39, wherein the reservoir comprises a permeable portion, the permeable portion configured to allow the active substance to be selectively released from the reservoir when air is supplied to the active substance from a second air inlet from the aerosol delivery system.
42. 40. The consumable of claim 38 or 39, wherein the consumable comprises attachment means for releasably attaching the consumable to a portion of the aerosol delivery system.
43. 43. The consumable of claim 42, wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive.
44. 40. A consumable product according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the reservoir comprises a resilient outer shell for storing the active substance.
45. 40. The consumable product of claim 38 or 39, further comprising the active agent in the reservoir.
46. The active agent is i) flavoring material; ii) nicotine, iii) one or more cannabinoids, preferably tetrahydrocannabinol and / or cannabidiol; iv) Sensation agents, preferably cooling and / or warming agents 40. The consumable product of claim 38 or 39, comprising any combination of:
47. 40. The consumable product of claim 38 or 39, wherein the reservoir further comprises a carrier component for the active substance, the carrier component optionally comprising a liquid, preferably the liquid is selected from water, glycerin, propylene glycol, and combinations thereof.
48. 40. An assembly comprising the consumable product of claim 38 or 39 and the aerosol delivery system.
49. The aerosol delivery system comprises: A cartridge; the aerosol delivery device comprising a cartridge receiving section including an interface arranged to cooperatively engage an interface from the cartridge to releasably couple the cartridge to the aerosol delivery device; 49. The assembly of claim 48, further comprising:
50. 1. A method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol delivery system, comprising: generating a first aerosol using a first aerosol-forming material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system; delivering an active agent from a second reservoir to an outlet of the aerosol delivery system for delivery of the active agent to a user of the aerosol delivery system; A method comprising:
51. 51. The method of claim 50, further comprising the step of delivering the active agent to the outlet without heating the second reservoir.
52. prior to generating the first aerosol, attaching a consumable comprising the second reservoir to the aerosol delivery system.
52. The method of any one of claims 50 to 51, comprising initially:
53. Attaching the consumable to an exterior surface of the aerosol delivery system.
53. The method of claim 52, further comprising:
54. Attaching the consumable to the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery system.
53. The method of claim 52, further comprising:
55. Attaching the consumable to a cartridge of the aerosol delivery system.
53. The method of claim 52, further comprising:
56. 1. A method for retrofitting an aerosol delivery system configured to generate a first aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material received from a first reservoir of the aerosol delivery system, comprising: releasably coupling a consumable product to the aerosol delivery system, the consumable product comprising a second reservoir for storing an active agent; generating a first aerosol using the first aerosol-forming material; delivering the active agent from the second reservoir to the consumable or to an outlet of the aerosol delivery system for delivery of the active agent to a user of the aerosol delivery system; A method comprising:
57. The active agent is i) flavoring material; ii) nicotine, iii) one or more cannabinoids, preferably tetrahydrocannabinol and / or cannabidiol; iv) Sensation agents, preferably cooling and / or warming agents 57. The method of claim 50 or 56, comprising any combination of:
58. 57. The method of claim 50 or 56, further comprising the step of delivering the active agent downstream of the first aerosol.
59. 57. The method of claim 50 or 56, further comprising the step of delivering the active agent concurrently with the first aerosol.