Encapsulated Base for Consistent Nicotine Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic tobacco hybrid devices experience a significant drop in nicotine delivery per puff when using base-treated tobacco, as the rapid reaction between the base and nicotine leads to rapid consumption of deprotonated nicotine, resulting in inconsistent nicotine release and unpleasant ammonia flavors.
Innovation Solution
Encapsulating the base in a material that melts, decomposes, or reacts at temperatures above room temperature but below the device's operational temperature, allowing controlled release of nicotine and ammonia, thereby maintaining consistent nicotine delivery and improving organoleptic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If base-treated tobacco is used in electronic tobacco hybrid devices, then nicotine delivery is initially enhanced, but nicotine delivery consistency deteriorates due to rapid consumption of deprotonated nicotine
Solution Approach 1:
The base is encapsulated in an encapsulating material before being combined with tobacco material. This preliminary encapsulation prevents premature reaction between the base and nicotine, allowing controlled release during device operation. The encapsulating material is designed to break down or release the base at specific temperatures or conditions, ensuring consistent nicotine delivery over time.
Solution Approach 2:
An encapsulating material acts as an intermediary between the base and the tobacco material. This intermediary layer controls the interaction between the base and nicotine, preventing direct and rapid reaction. The encapsulating material regulates the release rate, maintaining stable nicotine delivery while still enabling the beneficial effects of base treatment.
2Quantity of substance
If base is rapidly released to enhance nicotine delivery, then nicotine availability increases, but ammonia flavor intensity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The base is pre-encapsulated to control its release timing and rate. This preliminary preparation ensures that the base is released gradually rather than all at once, maintaining nicotine availability while controlling ammonia generation. The encapsulating material is designed to release the base at controlled rates during device operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The release rate and temperature profile of the base are modified through encapsulation. By changing the physical and chemical parameters of base release (rate, temperature, timing), the system achieves optimal nicotine delivery while minimizing unpleasant ammonia flavors. The encapsulating material parameters are selected to achieve the desired release characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The controlled release of the base ensures consistent nicotine delivery per puff and reduces the strength of ammonia flavors, enhancing the user experience by stabilizing nicotine liberation and ammonia release.
Implementation Method 1
Encapsulating the base in a material that melts, decomposes, or reacts at temperatures above room temperature but below the device's operational temperature
Implementation Method 2
Encapsulating the base in a material that melts, decomposes, or reacts at temperatures above room temperature but below the device's operational temperature
Implementation Method 3
a heater for volatilising liquid held in the container
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a device (1) for generating an inhalable medium, the device comprising: a container (9) for holding a liquid (10); a heater (11) for volatilising liquid held in the container; a chamber (13) containing a tobacco composition (14); and an outlet (4); the arrangement being such that in use, an inhalable medium passes out of the outlet, the medium comprising (i) volatilised liquid in the form of a vapour and/or an aerosol and (ii) one or more constituents of the tobacco composition; wherein the tobacco composition comprises a tobacco material and an encapsulated base.