Aerosol supply system

Abstract

The present invention provides an aerosol supply system, a method for supplying aerosols, a consumable unit for use in an aerosol supply system, a housing for an aerosol supply system, and an aerosol supply device. [Solution] The aerosol supply system 100 comprises a housing 110 having a mouthpiece 112 having an air outlet 113, and a consumable unit 120 housed within the housing, the consumable unit having a source for supplying an aerosol generating medium 122, and an airflow channel wall that forms an airflow channel that passes through the source for supplying the aerosol generating medium and terminates near the air outlet of the housing.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Aerosol generating devices are known. Electronic aerosol supply systems, such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), generally include a reservoir of a raw material liquid containing a formulation (usually including nicotine), from which an aerosol is generated, for example, by thermal vaporization. Thus, an aerosol supply source for an aerosol supply system may include a heater having a heating element arranged to receive the raw material liquid from the reservoir, for example, by a wicking / capillary action. While the user is puffing on the device, power is supplied to the heating element, and the raw material liquid evaporates in the vicinity of the heating element, generating an aerosol that is drawn by the user. Such devices typically have one or more air inlet holes located away from the mouthpiece end of the system. When the user sucks on the mouthpiece that is connected to the mouthpiece end of the system, air is drawn through this inlet hole and passes through the aerosol supply source. There is a flow path connecting between the aerosol supply source and the opening of the mouthpiece, whereby the air drawn in and passing through the aerosol supply source continues to flow along this flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying part of the aerosol exiting from the aerosol supply source together. The air carrying the aerosol exits the aerosol supply system through the mouthpiece opening and is drawn by the user.

[0003] Various techniques will now be described that are aimed at helping to address some of these problems.

Summary of the Invention

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

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

[0006] According to some embodiments described herein, consumable units for use in an aerosol supply system are provided.

[0007] According to some embodiments described herein, housings for aerosol supply systems are provided.

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

[0009] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply means is provided, comprising a housing having a mouthpiece having an air outlet means, and a consumable unit housed within the housing, the consumable unit comprising a source for aerosol generating means and an airflow channel means that passes through the source for aerosol generating means and terminates near the air outlet means of the housing.

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

[0011] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply device is provided which is configured to receive a consumable unit housed in a housing, the consumable unit comprising a source of an aerosol generating medium and an airflow channel wall forming an airflow channel through the source of the aerosol generating medium, the housing comprising a mouthpiece having an air outlet, the airflow channel terminating near the air outlet of the housing during use.

[0012] This instruction is explained here merely as an example, with reference to the following diagram. In the diagram, similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of an aerosol supply device as an example. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of an aerosol supply device as an example. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of an aerosol supply device as an example. [Figure 4] (i) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a consumable unit for use in an example aerosol supply device, and (ii) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing three consumable units for use in an example aerosol supply device. [Figure 5]This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of an aerosol supply device as an example. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of an aerosol supply device as an example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] While various modifications and alternative forms are possible with respect to the present invention, specific embodiments are shown in the drawings as examples and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed descriptions of specific embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to any particular form disclosed. On the contrary, the present invention encompasses all modifications, equivalents, and alternative forms that fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0015] Specific examples and embodiments, aspects, and features are discussed / described here. Some aspects and features of specific examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and will not be discussed / described in detail for the sake of brevity. Accordingly, aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented according to any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

[0016] This disclosure relates to an aerosol supply system, such as an e-cigarette, which may also be called an aerosol supply system. Throughout the following description, the terms “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may be used interchangeably, but it should be understood that these terms may be used interchangeably with “aerosol supply system / device” and “electronic aerosol supply system / device.” Furthermore, as is common in the art, the terms “aerosol” and “vapor,” as well as related terms such as “vaporize,” “volatilize,” and “aerosolize,” may be used interchangeably throughout.

[0017] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a portion of an aerosol supply system 100. The system 100 includes an aerosol supply device and a consumable unit 120 configured to be received by this device (however, for brevity, the system is sometimes referred to as the device in this specification). The device 100 is designed to mimic a cigarette and may therefore have a substantially cylindrical shape and be approximately the same size as a cigarette. The device 100 has a housing 110 having a mouthpiece 112. The mouthpiece 112 has an air outlet 113. The device 100 also has a consumable unit 120 housed within the housing 110. The consumable unit 120 has a source of aerosol generating medium 122 and an air passage wall 124 that forms an air passage 125, which passes through the source of aerosol generating medium 122 and terminates near the air outlet 113 of the housing 110. In this example of the device, the mouthpiece 112 is the air outlet 113. The air outlet 113 may be positioned on a protruding portion so that it can be more easily received by the user's mouth, or it may be an opening on the surface of the housing 110 that provides fluid communication between the inside and outside of the device 100.

[0018] In the example shown in Figure 1, the airflow entering the consumable unit 120 is confined within the airflow channel wall 124, which allows the air to pass through the consumable unit 120, through the source of the aerosol generating medium 122, and towards the air outlet 113 of the mouthpiece 112. When the airflow passes the source of the aerosol generating medium 122, components of the source of the aerosol generating medium 122 may be carried into the airflow. This aerosol or aerosol is sent to the end of the airflow channel (near the air outlet 113 of the mouthpiece 112), and the aerosol then exits the device 100 and is inhaled by the user. Thus, the device 100 prevents, to a considerable extent, the adhesion of condensed aerosols to the inside of the housing 110 of the device 100. Such condensed aerosols can damage the components that have condensed, and therefore this arrangement extends the life of the device 100. Similarly, since the consumable unit 120 can be removed after the supply source of the aerosol generating medium 122 is depleted, this arrangement ultimately improves the cleanliness of the device 100. This is because removing the consumable unit 120 also removes the condensed aerosols on the air channel wall 124. The air channel wall 124 of the consumable unit 120 may be made of an aerosol-impermeable material.

[0019] In this example, the shape and size of the air passage wall 124 of the consumable unit 120 may vary. This device 100 can reduce the possibility of a phenomenon called "hot blowing," where the aerosol is not sufficiently cooled before being drawn in by the user. The air passage wall 124 may be formed to be relatively long in order to extend the time from when the airflow enters the consumable unit 120 until it exits the air outlet hole 113. This allows for greater heat dissipation from the airflow before it is drawn in by the user, and thus reduces the possibility of hot blowing.

[0020] In one example, a portion of the air flow path wall 124 may be disposed along the housing 110. Heat loss from the air flow path wall 124 and then from the housing 110 to the external environment of the device 100 is often more efficient than heat loss diverging from the center of the device 100. Therefore, this arrangement of the air flow path wall 124 can also contribute to reducing the possibility of hot blowing.

[0021] In one example, the air flow path wall 124 may be housed in the center of the device 100 rather than near the housing 110. Heat loss to the external environment of the device 100 is beneficial for reducing the possibility of hot blowing, but if a high level of thermal energy passes through the housing 110 of the device 100, there is a risk that the user holding the device 100 may be injured. Therefore, this arrangement of the air flow path wall 124 can reduce the possibility that the user is injured while holding the device 100 as a result of the housing 110 becoming overly hot.

[0022] The air flow path wall 124 may be one wall that forms an air flow path therein, or may be a plurality of walls.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aerosol supply device 100. FIG. 2 shows a configuration similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 1. The reference numerals indicating the same features as those shown in FIG. 1 are the same as the reference numerals used in FIG. 1. All of these same features will not be examined in detail here. The example of the device 100 shown in FIG. 2 has a different position of the source of the aerosol-generating medium 122 from that in FIG. 1. In the example shown, the source of the aerosol-generating medium 122 terminates near the air outlet 113. When the incoming air flow passes over the source of the aerosol-generating medium 122, an aerosol is created. Therefore, this aerosol is created substantially near the air outlet 113. Thereby, the area inside the device 100 where the aerosol can condense becomes smaller. Therefore, this arrangement improves the lifespan and cleanliness of the device 100 as described above.

[0024] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of the aerosol supply device 100. Reference numerals indicating the same features as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same as the reference numerals used in FIGS. 1 and 2. These same features are not examined in detail here. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the consumable unit 120 has a supply source of the aerosol generating medium 122 and the filter material 126. The filter material 126 is disposed toward the air outlet 113. The filter material 126 is disposed downstream of the supply source of the aerosol generating medium 122, so that the aerosol generated from the air flowing beyond the supply source of the aerosol generating medium 122 passes through the filter material 126 and then through the air outlet 113 of the mouthpiece 112. Thus, fine particles in the air flow can be removed before suction by the user.

[0025] Figure 3 shows the incoming air as arrow C. This air may pass through or bypass the supply source of the aerosol generating medium 122. The air flow entrains components from the supply source of the aerosol generating medium 122 to create an aerosol. The device 100 may include a heater for heating the air flow and / or the supply source of the aerosol generating medium 122 to promote the release of components from the supply source of the aerosol generating medium 122.

[0026] In the example of FIG. 3, the filter material 126 is in the air flow path 125. Thus, the air flow through the consumable unit 120 will pass through the filter material 126. The filter material 126 may block a part of the air flow path 125 within the air flow path wall 124. The filter material may alternatively form the whole or a part of the air flow path wall 124.

[0027] Figure 3 shows two regions of the consumable unit 120, namely a first region A and a second region B. In the second region, the filter material 126 is connected to the first region A and may form the air flow path wall 124 in which the air flow path 125 is formed. The air flowing through this section is filtered to remove fine particles and the like before suction.

[0028] Before using device 100, the consumable unit 120 may be inserted into device 100. The consumable unit 120 may be compressed when inserted into the mouthpiece portion 112 of the housing 110. In an example where the filter material 126 forms the air passage wall 124, the filter material 126 may be compressed by the housing 110 when the consumable unit 120 is inserted into the housing 110. The filter material 126 may be made of an elastic material to reduce the likelihood of damage to the inside of the mouthpiece 112 as a result of unsuccessful insertion of the consumable unit 120 into the mouthpiece 112 by the user. This extends the lifespan of device 100 and the consumable unit 120.

[0029] In the example shown in Figure 3, the outer portion of the consumable unit 120 has a shape that fits into the housing 110 near the air outlet 113. This makes the insertion direction of the consumable unit 120 into the mouthpiece 112 clearer and helps to avoid incorrect insertion of the consumable 120. As used herein, "fit" may be understood to mean that the consumable unit 120 has a shape that is complementary to the housing 110. The consumable unit 120 may also be plastic to conform to the shape of the housing 110. The consumable unit 120 may have a shape that matches the shape of the housing 110. The consumable unit 120 may fit snugly inside the housing 110.

[0030] The filter material 126 may be any of tobacco, cellulose acetate, tow fiber, or nicotine-containing material. In other configurations, the fiber material 126 may include any suitable material capable of filtering airflow.

[0031] The consumable unit 120 may have multiple different sources of aerosol generating medium 122. To prevent the sources of aerosol generating medium 122 from being consumed at the same rate, the airflow through the consumable unit 120 may be controlled to pass through a selected source of aerosol generating medium 122. This may be controlled by the presence and arrangement of walls within the consumable unit 120 and by an air inlet to the consumable unit 120. The device 100 may have a movement mechanism for rotating the consumable unit 120 relative to the housing 110. This allows the user to selectively activate a source of aerosol generating medium 122 within the device 100. During use, the user contacts the mouthpiece 112 of the device 100. Therefore, the movement of the consumable unit 120 is not noticed by the user. This arrangement prevents an unpleasant user experience.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a consumable unit 120. A portion of the consumable unit 120 shown in example 4(i) has a frustoconical shape. The consumable unit 120 may have a protruding first portion and a recessed second portion. The protruding first portion may have a shape that conforms to the recessed second portion.

[0033] In the example shown in Figure 4(i), the consumable unit 120 has a protruding upper portion roughly indicated by section P and a recessed lower portion roughly indicated by section R. The airflow passing through the consumable unit 120 is indicated by arrow C'. The airflow entering the consumable unit passes through the supply source of the aerosol generating medium 122, carries components from the supply source, and exits the consumable unit 120 as an aerosol that is aspirated by the user. The presence of the recessed lower section R reduces the volume within the consumable unit 120 through which air can pass.

[0034] The shape of the consumable unit 120 may be selected to correspond to or be complementary to the shape of the mouthpiece 112 of the housing 110. As described above, this facilitates insertion into the mouthpiece 112. A frustoconical shape is a common shape for mouthpieces, and therefore the consumable unit 120 in Figure 4(i) may be advantageous. Other shapes may be used to obtain similar benefits. Similarly, after the supply source of the aerosol generating medium 122 is depleted, the consumable unit 120 may be removed from the device 100 and replaced. The device 100 may have a removable section (e.g., a lid or cover as part of the housing) from which the consumable unit 120 can be inserted and removed. Alternatively, the device 100 may be discarded after the supply source of the consumable unit 120 is depleted.

[0035] Figure 4(ii) shows an example of multiple consumable units having the shape shown in Figure 4(i). The consumable units 120', 120'', and 120''' shown in Figure 4(ii) can be stacked or nested with each other. This results in space-saving dimensions. In the example shown, there are three consumable units 120', 120'', and 120''' that are stacked with each other. The bottommost consumable unit 120' is positioned below the middle consumable unit 120'', which in turn is positioned below the topmost consumable unit 120''''. In the stacked arrangement shown, the protruding upper portion of the bottommost consumable unit 120' protrudes into the recess formed by the recessed lower portion of the middle consumable unit 120''. Similarly, the protruding upper portion of the middle consumable unit 120'' protrudes into the recess formed by the recessed lower portion of the middle consumable unit 120''''.

[0036] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an example aerosol supply device 100. Reference numerals indicating the same features as those shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 are the same as those used in Figures 1, 2, and 3. These same features will not be discussed in detail here. The example shown has an inflow airflow (indicated by arrow C) entering the consumable unit 100. The airflow passes through the supply source of the aerosol generating medium 110, carrying the components and creating an aerosol. The aerosol flow through the consumable unit 120 is indicated by arrow C'. The aerosol travels along an airflow channel located near the housing 102 and exits the device 100 at the air outlet 113 of the mouthpiece 112. The consumable unit 120 has a shape that fits into a portion of the housing 110 in which the consumable unit 120 is located. This portion includes the mouthpiece 112 and the air outlet 113. In the example shown, the consumable unit 120 has an air inlet to allow airflow into the consumable unit 120. The consumable unit also has an air outlet to allow aerosol to flow out of the consumable unit 120.

[0037] Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an example aerosol supply device 100. The same reference numerals indicating the same features as those shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5 are the same as those used in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5. These same features will not be discussed in detail here. The consumable unit 120 shown in Figure 6 differs from the consumable unit shown in Figure 5 in that it lacks a recessed lower portion. The consumable unit 120 shown in Figure 6 has a slightly different arrangement of air inlets and outlets. The airflow paths through the consumable unit 120, indicated by arrows C and C', are also different.

[0038] The airflow path enters the consumable unit 120 near the source of the aerosol generating medium 122, flows beyond the source of the aerosol generating medium 122 to produce an aerosol. The aerosol continues along the base portion Q of the consumable unit 120. The aerosol then enters the upper portion S of the consumable unit 120. The aerosol then passes through the upper portion S and exits from the air outlet 113 of the device 100.

[0039] The base portion Q may be a flat, disc-shaped element, and this disc-shaped element may be multilayered. The layers of the base portion Q may support multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 122. The base portion Q may be rotated by a moving mechanism within the device 100 to control which particular source of the aerosol generating medium 122 is used during a usage session.

[0040] The upper portion S may be attached to the base portion Q. The upper portion S may be a hollow structure that allows airflow to pass through the device 100 and exit through the air outlet 113 of the device 100. The upper portion S may be a substantially conical element 128 and may be blocked with filter material or the like. The upper portion S may be formed from paper or card or the like. The upper portion S may be made from filter material to reduce aerosol condensation inside the device 100. The upper portion S may have a size and shape that fits the inner surface of the mouthpiece 112.

[0041] The supply source of the aerosol generating medium 122 within the consumable unit 120 may have multiple doses of the aerosol generating medium. In another example, the base portion Q of the consumable unit 120 may have multiple sources of the aerosol generating medium 122. In some examples, the consumable unit 120 may have doses of the aerosol generating medium arranged in separate doses. In another example, the doses may be in the form of discs, which may be continuous or discontinuous, arranged on one or more surfaces of the multilayer consumable unit 120. In yet another example, the doses may be in the form of an annular, ring, or any other shape. The doses or sources of the aerosol generating medium 122 may or may not be distributed rotationally symmetrically on any surface of the consumable unit 120. When arranged accordingly, the symmetrical distribution of the aerosol generating medium 122 sources allows the evenly distributed aerosol generating medium 122 sources (within the range of rotationally symmetric distribution) to receive a uniform heating profile from the heaters within the device 100 as they rotate around the central axis.

[0042] Device 100 may have multiple chambers or regions, which may or may not be separated from each other. Device 100 may have a power chamber (not shown) equipped with an energy storage unit for supplying power to a heater and / or a moving mechanism. The heater may be an electrical resistance heater. The heater may be a chemically activated heater, which may or may not be operated by an exothermic reaction. The heater provides thermal energy, i.e., heat, to the environment surrounding the heater. The heater may heat the source of the aerosol generating medium 122, or heat the airflow before it enters the consumable unit 120. The heater may be part of an induction heating system, where the heater is an induction heater, and the consumable unit 120 may be a susceptor or the like, or may include a susceptor or the like. The susceptor may be, for example, a sheet of aluminum foil.

[0043] The shape of device 100 may be that of a cigarette (one dimension is longer than the other two dimensions) or it may be any other shape. For example, device 100 may have a shape such as a compact disc player, where two dimensions are longer than the other one. Alternatively, the shape may be any shape that can adequately accommodate the consumable unit 120.

[0044] The aerosol generating medium source of the consumable unit 120 may contain at least one of tobacco and glycol, and extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, Dutch mint, European mint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange It may also contain other additives such as peppermint oil (from cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, bell 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., sucrose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plant substances, or breath fresheners. These may be mimics, synthetics, or natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, e.g., oily, liquid, or powdery. The sources of the aerosol-generating medium 110 may be separate, adjacent, or overlapping.

[0045] The aerosol-forming layers described herein include an "amorphous solid," which may alternatively be called a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous) or a "dry gel." An amorphous solid is a solid material that may hold some fluid, such as a liquid, within itself. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer contains about 50%, 60% or 70% by weight of amorphous solid, or up to about 90%, 95% or 100% by weight of amorphous solid. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer is composed of amorphous solid.

[0046] In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain 1 to 50% by weight of a gelling agent, where these weights are calculated based on dry weight.

[0047] Amorphous solids may contain gelling agents ranging from approximately 1% by weight, 5% by weight, 10% by weight, 15% by weight, 20% by weight, or 25% by weight, to approximately 50% by weight, 45% by weight, 40% by weight, 35% by weight, 30% by weight, or 27% by weight (all calculated based on dry weight). For example, amorphous solids may contain gelling agents in amounts of 5-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, or 15-27% by weight.

[0048] In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises a hydrophilic colloid. In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more compounds selected from the group comprising alginic acid, pectin, starch (and derivatives), cellulose (and derivatives), gum, silica or silicone compounds, clay, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more of alginic acid, pectin, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, pullulan, xanthan gum, guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, acacia gum, fumed silica, PDMS, sodium silicate, kaolin, and polyvinyl alcohol. In some cases, the gelling agent comprises alginic acid and / or pectin, which may be bound with a curing agent (such as a calcium source) during the formation of an amorphous solid. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise calcium-crosslinked alginic acid and / or calcium-crosslinked pectin.

[0049] The amorphous solid may contain an aerosol-generating agent in amounts ranging from approximately 5% by weight, 10% by weight, 15% by weight, or 20% by weight to approximately 80% by weight, 70% by weight, 60% by weight, 55% by weight, 50% by weight, 45% by weight, 40% by weight, or 35% by weight (all calculated based on dry weight). The aerosol-generating agent may also act as a plasticizer. For example, the amorphous solid may contain 10–60% by weight, 15–50% by weight, or 20–40% by weight of the aerosol-generating agent. In some cases, the aerosol-generating agent comprises one or more compounds selected from erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol, and xylitol. In some cases, the aerosol-generating agent contains glycerol, is essentially composed of glycerol, or is composed of glycerol. The inventors have demonstrated that if the plasticizer content is too high, the amorphous solid may absorb moisture, resulting in a material that does not create a suitable consumption experience during use. They have also demonstrated that if the plasticizer content is too low, the amorphous solid may become brittle and easily break. The plasticizer content specified herein provides flexibility to the amorphous solid, which allows the amorphous solid sheet to be wound onto a bobbin, a useful property for the production of aerosol products.

[0050] In some cases, amorphous solids may contain fragrances. It is appropriate for amorphous solids to contain up to approximately 60% by weight, 50% by weight, 40% by weight, 30% by weight, 20% by weight, 10% by weight, or 5% by weight of fragrances. In some cases, amorphous solids may contain at least approximately 0.5% by weight, 1% by weight, 2% by weight, 5% by weight, 10% by weight, 20% by weight, or 30% by weight of fragrances (all calculated based on dry weight). For example, amorphous solids may contain 10–60% by weight, 20–50% by weight, or 30–40% by weight of fragrances. In some cases, the fragrances (if present) may contain menthol, consist essentially of menthol, or consist of menthol. In some cases, amorphous solids do not contain fragrances.

[0051] In some cases, the amorphous solid further comprises tobacco material and / or nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid may further comprise powdered tobacco and / or nicotine and / or tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain tobacco material and / or nicotine in amounts ranging from about 1% by weight, 5% by weight, 10% by weight, 15% by weight, 20% by weight, or 25% by weight to about 70% by weight, 60% by weight, 50% by weight, 45% by weight, or 40% by weight (calculated based on dry weight).

[0052] In some cases, the amorphous solid contains tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain 5 to 60% by weight of tobacco extract (calculated on a dry weight basis). In some cases, the amorphous solid may contain tobacco extract in amounts ranging from approximately 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or 25% by weight to approximately 55%, 50%, 45%, or 40% by weight (calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may contain 5 to 60% by weight, 10 to 55%, or 25 to 55% by weight of tobacco extract. The tobacco extract may contain nicotine at concentrations such that the amorphous solid contains nicotine in amounts ranging from 1% by weight, 1.5%, 2%, or 2.5% by weight to approximately 6%, 5%, 4.5%, or 4% by weight (calculated on a dry weight basis). In some cases, nicotine other than that obtained from tobacco extract may not be present in the amorphous solid.

[0053] In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may contain nicotine instead of tobacco material. In such cases, the amorphous solid may contain nicotine in amounts ranging from about 1% by weight, 2% by weight, 3% by weight, or 4% by weight to about 20% by weight, 15% by weight, 10% by weight, or 5% by weight (calculated based on dry weight). For example, the amorphous solid may contain 1 to 20% by weight or 2 to 5% by weight of nicotine.

[0054] In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine, and flavoring may be at least about 1% by weight, 5% by weight, 10% by weight, 20% by weight, 25% by weight, or 30% by weight. In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine, and flavoring may be less than about 70% by weight, less than 60% by weight, less than 50% by weight, or less than 40% by weight (all calculated on a dry weight basis).

[0055] In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is a hydrogel containing less than about 20% by weight of water, calculated based on wet weight. In some cases, the hydrogel may contain less than about 15% by weight, less than 12% by weight, or less than 10% by weight of water, calculated based on wet weight (WWB). In some cases, the hydrogel may contain at least about 2% by weight of water (WWB), or at least about 5% by weight.

[0056] The amorphous solid may be made from a gel, which may further contain a solvent in an amount of 0.1 to 50% by weight. However, the inventors have shown that including a solvent capable of dissolving the fragrance reduces the stability of the gel and can cause the fragrance to crystallize from the gel. Therefore, in some cases, the gel does not contain a solvent capable of dissolving the fragrance.

[0057] Amorphous solids may contain less than 20% by weight of filler, preferably less than 10% by weight or less than 5% by weight. The filler may include one or more inorganic filler materials, such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, and magnesium carbonate, along with a suitable inorganic adsorbent, such as a molecular sieve. The filler may also include one or more organic filler materials, such as wood pulp, cellulose, and cellulose derivatives. In some cases, amorphous solids may contain less than 1% by weight of filler, and in some cases, they may contain no filler. In particular, in some cases, amorphous solids may not contain calcium carbonate such as chalk.

[0058] In some cases, the amorphous solid may essentially consist of, or be composed of, a gelling agent, an aerosol-forming agent, tobacco material and / or a nicotine source, water, and optionally a flavoring.

[0059] Thus, an aerosol supply device has been described comprising a housing having a mouthpiece with an air outlet, and a consumable unit housed within the housing, the consumable unit comprising a source for supplying an aerosol generating medium, and an air channel wall that forms an air channel passing through the source for supplying the aerosol generating medium and terminating near the air outlet of the housing.

[0060] The aerosol supply system may be used in tobacco industry products, such as non-flammable aerosol supply systems.

[0061] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product comprises one or more components of a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as a heater and an aerosolizable substrate.

[0062] In one embodiment, the aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device.

[0063] In one embodiment, the electronic cigarette comprises a heater, a power source capable of supplying power to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing, and optionally a mouthpiece.

[0064] In one embodiment, the aerosolizable substrate is contained in or on a substrate container. In one embodiment, the substrate container is combined with or includes a heater.

[0065] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heating product that releases one or more compounds by heating a base material but not burning it. The base material is an aerosolizable material which can be, for example, a tobacco product or another non-tobacco product, and this material may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating product.

[0066] In one embodiment, the heating product is an electronic device.

[0067] In one embodiment, the tobacco heating product comprises a heater, a power source capable of supplying power to the heater, and an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid material or a gel material.

[0068] In one embodiment, the heated product is a non-electronic article.

[0069] In one embodiment, the heating product comprises an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid material or a gel material, and a heat source capable of supplying thermal energy to the aerosolizable substrate without electronic means, such as by burning a combustible material such as charcoal.

[0070] In one embodiment, the heated product also includes a filter capable of filtering out the aerosol generated by heating the aerosolizable substrate.

[0071] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable substrate material may contain an aerosol, or an aerosol-generating agent, or a humectant such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

[0072] In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system for generating an aerosol by heating but not burning a combination of base materials. The base materials may include, for example, solids, liquids, or gels, and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel base and a solid base. The solid base may be, for example, a tobacco product or another non-tobacco product, and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel base and tobacco.

[0073] To address various issues and advance technology, this entire disclosure illustrates various embodiments that provide an excellent electronic aerosol delivery system capable of carrying out the claimed invention. The advantages and features of this disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages and features of this disclosure are provided solely to facilitate and teach an understanding of the claimed features. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of this disclosure should not be considered limitations to this disclosure as defined by the claims, or to equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be used and modified without departing from the scope and / or spirit of this disclosure. The various embodiments may comprise, consist of, or essentially consist of, various combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. Furthermore, this disclosure includes other inventions that are not expressly claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A housing having a mouthpiece with an air outlet, A consumable unit housed within the aforementioned housing, Source of aerosol generating medium, and An airflow channel wall that passes through the aerosol generating medium supply source and forms an airflow channel that terminates near the air outlet of the housing. A consumables unit equipped with An aerosol supply system equipped with the following features.

2. The aerosol supply system according to claim 1, wherein the consumable unit comprises a filter material.

3. The aerosol supply system according to claim 2, wherein the filter material is located in the air channel.

4. The aerosol supply system according to claim 2, wherein the filter material forms the air channel wall.

5. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the filter material is compressed by the housing when the consumable unit is inserted into the housing.

6. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the filter material is at least one of tobacco, cellulose acetate, and porous paper.

7. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a moving mechanism for rotating the consumable unit relative to the housing.

8. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outer portion of the consumable unit has a shape that fits the housing near the air outlet.

9. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a portion of the consumable unit has a frustoconical shape.

10. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the supply source of the aerosol generating medium terminates near the air outlet.

11. A consumable unit for use in an aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A housing for an aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. A consumable unit for use with an aerosol supply system, comprising a protruding first portion and a recessed second portion, wherein the protruding first portion has a shape that conforms to the recessed second portion.

14. The consumable unit according to claim 13, comprising an aerosol generating medium disposed in the recessed second portion.

15. The consumable unit according to claim 14, comprising at least two portions of an aerosol generating medium disposed in the recessed second portion.

16. A housing having a mouthpiece with an air outlet means, A consumable unit housed within the aforementioned housing, Source of aerosol generation means, and Airflow channel means that pass through the supply source of the aerosol generating means and form an airflow channel that terminates near the air outlet means of the housing. A consumables unit equipped with an aerosol supply means comprising the following:

17. The steps include: preparing a housing having a mouthpiece with an air outlet, A consumable unit housed within the aforementioned housing, Source of aerosol generating medium, and An airflow channel wall that passes through the aerosol generating medium supply source and forms an airflow channel that terminates near the air outlet of the housing. The steps include: preparing a consumable unit equipped with the following features; The steps include passing air through the air passage within the wall of the air passage, The steps include passing air beyond the supply source of the aerosol generating medium, A step of passing air through the air outlet of the housing, A method for supplying an aerosol, including the aerosol.

18. A consumable unit housed within a housing, which serves as a source for supplying the aerosol generating medium, An air channel wall forming an air channel through the aerosol generating medium supply source and an aerosol supply device configured to receive a consumable unit comprising, It has a housing with a mouthpiece that has an air outlet, An aerosol supply device in which, when in use, the air passage terminates near the air outlet of the housing.

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