ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEM

Abstract

An electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) is disclosed, said electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) comprising a mouth piece (MP), an atomizer arrangement (AA), a power supply (PS), and a container arrangement (CA) containing nicotine, the atomizer arrangement (AA) comprising an inlet from the container arrangement (CA), the atomizer arrangement (AA) comprising at least one atomizer, the atomizer being electrically connected to the power supply (PS), the container arrangement (CA) further containing pH-controlling agent and the atomizer arrangement producing aerosols comprising pH-controlling agent and nicotine.

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. An electronic nicotine delivery system comprising a mouth piece, an atomizer arrangement, a power supply, and a container arrangement containing nicotine, the atomizer arrangement comprising an inlet from the container arrangement, the atomizer arrangement comprising at least one atomizer, the atomizer being electrically connected to the power supply, the container arrangement further containing pH-controlling agent and the atomizer arrangement producing aerosols comprising pH-controlling agent and nicotine.

29. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the pH-controlling agent is selected to optimize the nicotine uptake via the oral mucosa of a user when the pH-controlling agent comprised in an aerosol produced by the atomizer arrangement is delivered to the oral cavity of a user.

30. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the pH-controlling agent is selected to establish a pH of above 7 in the saliva in the oral cavity of a user.

31. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the pH-controlling agent is selected to establish a pH of from about 7.5 to about 10 in the saliva in the oral cavity of a user.

32. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the pH-controlling agent comprises an acidic pH-controlling agent.

33. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the container arrangement comprises a nicotine container comprising nicotine and an additive container comprising pH-controlling agent.

34. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the additive container comprises flavoring.

35. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the pH-controlling agent is a buffering agent.

36. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the atomizer comprises a heating element.

37. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the nicotine container and/or the additive container comprises a pH-controlling agent being a non-salt pH-controlling agent.

38. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein said pH-controlling agent comprises a Lewis acid and/or a Lewis base.

39. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the container arrangement comprises a nicotine container and an additive container.

40. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the first atomizer produces aerosols on basis of nicotine-solution received from the nicotine container and where the second atomizer produces aerosols on basis of additive solution received from the additive container.

41. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the nicotine solution and/or the additive solution comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers.

42. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 41, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers are chosen from the group consisting of water; terpenes; alcohols, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol; dimethylformamide; dimethylacetamide; wax; supercritical carbon dioxide; dry ice; and mixtures or combinations thereof.

43. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 41, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers comprise propylene glycol.

44. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 41, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers comprise glycerol.

45. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein said nicotine container comprises nicotine in an amount of 0.01-5% by weight of the nicotine solution.

46. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the solution in said additive container comprises 0.01-10% by weight of flavoring.

47. The electronic nicotine delivery system according to claim 28, wherein the electronic nicotine delivery system is handheld.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] The invention will be described in the following with reference to the figures in which:

[0077] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic nicotine delivery system according to an embodiment,

[0078] FIG. 2A illustrates a part of an electronic nicotine delivery system according to an embodiment,

[0079] FIG. 2B illustrates a part of an electronic nicotine delivery system according to an embodiment,

[0080] FIG. 3 illustrates an electronic nicotine delivery system according to an embodiment, and

[0081] FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic nicotine delivery system according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0082] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS is illustrated according to an embodiment of the invention. The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS comprises a casing CAS for covering the individual parts of the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS.

[0083] The casing CAS may be a single part, or may be assembled from two or more parts.

[0084] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS furthermore comprises a container arrangement CA and an atomizer arrangement AA.

[0085] In the present embodiments, the container arrangement CA comprises a nicotine container NC.

[0086] In some embodiments, the container arrangement CA may comprise further containers, such as an additive container AC.

[0087] The atomizer arrangement AA comprises a first atomizer FA. In some embodiments, the atomizer arrangement AA may comprise a second atomizer SA, and, optionally, even further atomizers.

[0088] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS furthermore comprises a mouth piece MP. The mouth piece MP is adapted for allowing a user of the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS to apply a mouth vacuum to the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS via suction at the mouth piece MP, i.e. when the user takes a drag or puff from the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS similar to that from a conventional cigarette.

[0089] The casing CAS may preferably comprise one or more air inlets AI for supplying air to the atomizers FA, SA. The one or more air inlets AI may be positioned between the power source PS and the atomizer arrangement AA, or at other positions.

[0090] The atomizer FA may preferably be positioned in an inner air passage IAP. The inner air passage IAP may preferably provide fluid communication from said one or more air inlets AI to said mouth piece MP through the inside of said electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS.

[0091] The mouth piece MP comprises an opening into the inner part of the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS, that opening being in fluid communication via the inside of said electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS to the air inlet AI, and, optionally, additional air inlets AAI (not shown) through said inner air passage IAP.

[0092] The nicotine container NC are positioned inside the casing CAS.

[0093] The nicotine container NC is connected to the first atomizer FA. Thereby, the content of the nicotine container NC is each allowed to move to the first atomizer FA to which it is connected.

[0094] Inside the casing CAS, a power source PS, such as a battery, is arranged. The power source PS is electrically connected to the first atomizer FA so as to power the first atomizer FA when it is activated. In this embodiment the first atomizer FA is shown comprising a transport element TE being a wick in fluid communication with the nicotine container NC and a heating element HE being a coil for heating and atomizing, when the first atomizer FA is activated. In alternative embodiments the first atomizer FA may comprise additional and/or alternative elements.

[0095] In embodiments where the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS comprises a further container, such as an additive container AC, the additive container AC may preferably be connected to a separate atomizer, e.g. a second atomizer SA. However, in some embodiments, the nicotine container NC and further containers may be connected to the same atomizer FA.

[0096] The heating element HE may in other embodiments be other than a coil.

[0097] The transport element TE may in other embodiments be other than a wick.

[0098] In this embodiment the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS comprises an activator button AB for activating the atomizer FA. However, in alternative embodiments, the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS may comprise other arrangements for activating the atomizer. For example, the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS may comprise an air flow sensor AFS for detecting when a user applied a mouth generated vacuum to the mouth piece MP. This is illustrated on FIG. 3.

[0099] Returning to FIG. 1, the mouth piece MP may in some embodiments be detachable from the rest of the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS, e.g. by means of threaded connections.

[0100] The nicotine container NC and/or further container(s), if any, may in some embodiments be removable and replaceable, preferably as a single cartridge, e.g. by removing the mouth piece MP and sliding the containers out by that end.

[0101] In some embodiments the one or more atomizers FA, SA is connected to the one or more containers NC, AC and thereby removed together with the containers NC, AC, e.g. as a single cartridge. However, in other embodiments, the containers NC, AC may be removed without the atomizers FA, SA, e.g. as a single cartridge.

[0102] In the following, electronic nicotine delivery systems ENDS according to various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. The electronic nicotine delivery systems ENDS of the following embodiments may comprise one or more elements similar to the elements described above. The electronic nicotine delivery systems ENDS of the following embodiments may comprise one or more elements additional or alternative to the elements described above.

[0103] Electrical connections are shown in the figures for illustrative purposes and may for practical purposes be arranged and positioned differently.

[0104] According to one embodiment of the invention, the nicotine container NC comprises a buffering agent for adjusting the pH-value. When the atomizer FA is activated, a part of the content of the nicotine container NC is atomized and the resulting aerosols are inhaled by the user of the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS. By including a buffering agent in the nicotine container, along with nicotine, the part of the nicotine being absorbed in the oral cavity would be buffered by the accompanying buffering agent, whereby the degree of uptake of nicotine from the oral cavity may be increased.

[0105] In some other embodiments, the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS may comprise one or more further containers, such as an additive container AC. In such embodiments, the nicotine container NC and/or the one or more further containers, such as the additive container AC, may comprise buffering agent for increasing the nicotine uptake through the oral mucosa.

[0106] Furthermore, in many embodiments of the invention, the electronic nicotine delivery system comprises an electrical control arrangement ECA. The electronic control arrangement ECA may comprise several co-operating different units, it may be comprised in one housing or it may even be integrated into other units, e.g. the power supply. The electronic control arrangement ECA is electrically connected to the atomizers and the activation arrangement, such as an activation button and/or an air flow sensor.

[0107] The electronic control arrangement ECA is arranged to controls the effective dose delivered by the atomizer on the basis of an automatic regulation of the electrical power supplied to the atomizer AT by the power supply PS and/or the activation time.

[0108] Furthermore, the electronic control arrangement ECA may in some embodiments with more than one atomizer be adapted to control the activation of the atomizers in a synchronized manner. In some embodiments, electronic control arrangement ECA may impose a delay of a predetermined period of time between the activation of the atomizers.

[0109] Furthermore, the electronic control arrangement ECA may in some embodiments control the dose supplied to the atomizer.

[0110] Furthermore, the electronic control arrangement ECA in some embodiments may control the aerosol particle size of the aerosols produced by the atomizer.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 2A and 2B, a part of an electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS is illustrated according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2A illustrates a partially cross-sectional side view, whereas FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional end view, as seen from the left towards the right on FIG. 2A.

[0112] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS of the present embodiment is an alternative to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0113] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS comprises a nicotine container NC as well as an additive container AC:

[0114] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS furthermore comprises a first atomizer FA and a second atomizer SA.

[0115] Preferably, as illustrated on FIG. 2, the first atomizer FA is connected to the nicotine container NC so as to produce nicotine-containing aerosols based on the content of the nicotine container NC.

[0116] Preferably, as illustrated on FIG. 2, the second atomizer SA is connected to the additive container NC so as to produce additive-containing aerosols based on the content of the additive container AC.

[0117] The nicotine container NC and/or the additive container AC may comprise the pH-controlling agent.

[0118] According to a preferred embodiment, the additive container AC comprises a pH-controlling agent for adjusting the pH-value on the oral cavity, whereby the nicotine uptake through the oral mucosa is increased.

[0119] The first and second atomizers FA, SA are longitudinally displaced inside the inner air passage IAP such that the diameter of the inner air passage IAP is different at each atomizer FA, SA. Thereby, since the total flow rate is constant over the inner air passage IAP, the flow velocity at the first atomizer FA is lower that the flow velocity at the second atomizer SA, due to the cross-sectional flow area being smaller at the second atomizer SA compared to at the first atomizer FA. Different air flow velocity at the respective atomizers FA, SA may, together with other result-effective parameters, determine the aerosol particle size of the aerosols from the respective atomizer FA, SA.

[0120] The first and second atomizers FA, SA are in this embodiment illustrated having a transport element TE being a wick and a heating element HE being a coil arranged around a part of the wick. When the coil is heated, it provides resistive heating by means of a power source PS. In alternative embodiments the atomizers FA, SA may comprise additional and/or alternative elements. In some alternative embodiments, the heating element HE may be e.g. a plate or a tube, heated e.g. by resistive heating. In some alternative embodiments, the transport element TE may comprise e.g. a tube, such as a capillary tube, and/or may comprise a pump, such as an electronic pump.

[0121] In some alternative embodiments, the atomizers may not comprise heating elements HE.

[0122] In some alternative embodiments, only one atomizer comprise a heating element HE. Preferable, the only one atomizer is the first atomizer FA producing nicotine-containing aerosols.

[0123] Moreover FIG. 2B illustrates that nicotine container NC and the additive container AC each are positioned about the inner air passage IAP in which the atomizers FA, SA are positioned.

[0124] Preferably, as illustrated, the wick of the first atomizer FA is in fluid communication with the nicotine container NC. Preferably, both ends of each wick are in fluid communication with their respective containers. This may be facilitated by the first atomizer FA comprising a distribution conduit DC providing fluid communication from the end of the wick disposed near the nicotine container NC to the opposite end. The second atomizer may be constructed in a similar way.

[0125] Each atomizer FA, SA may comprise a distribution conduit DC for transporting the content of the respective container NC, AC to the end of the wick facing away from the respective container NC, AC. Thereby, a more uniform wetting, or distribution of the container content over the length of the wick may be obtained. Also, a faster transport of container content to and throughout the wick after one activation of the respective atomizer FA, SA to the next activation may be obtained, i.e. a faster reload after the user activates one or both atomizers FA, SA.

[0126] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS may furthermore comprise a liquid coupling LC for coupling liquid from the nicotine container NC or the additive container AC to the first and second atomizers FA, SA, respectively. The liquid coupling may in some embodiments be arranged to pierce a part of the relevant container NC, AC to provide access and liquid communication from the inside of the respective container NC, AC to the outside of that container NC, AC.

[0127] In FIGS. 2A and 2B the wicks of the first and second atomizers FA, SA are shown as substantially parallel, which is why the second atomizer SA is hidden behind the first atomizer FA in FIG. 2B. However, in other embodiments, the two atomizers FA, SA may be oriented with an angle relative to each other, when seen from the end as in FIG. 2B, e.g. 90° (degrees).

[0128] Now, referring to FIG. 3 an electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS is illustrated according to a further embodiment of the invention. The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS comprises a casing CAS with a mouth piece MP, a power source PS, such as a battery, an air flow sensor AFS, an electronic control arrangement ECA, an atomizer arrangement AA, and a container arrangement CA. The casing CAS comprises an air inlet AI and an additional air inlet. Each air inlet AI, AAI is in fluid communication with mouth piece MP through the inside of the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS so as to provide air when a user applies a reduced pressure to the mouth piece MP.

[0129] The atomizer arrangement AA may be arranged according to any of the embodiments described in relation to FIG. 1 or 2. Specifically, the atomizer arrangement AA may in some embodiments, be only a first atomizer FA, whereas the atomizer arrangement AA in other embodiments may comprise both a first and a second atomizer FA, SA.

[0130] The container arrangement CA may be arranged according to any of the embodiments described in relation to FIG. 1 or 2. Specifically, the container arrangement may in some embodiments comprise only a nicotine container NC, whereas the container arrangement CA may in other embodiments comprise both a nicotine container NC and an additive container AC.

[0131] In some embodiments the air inlet AI is the primary air inlet, providing e.g. at least 70% of the air, such as at least 80%, such as at least 90%, such as at least 95%.

[0132] The air flow sensor AFS may be positioned near the additional air inlet AAI so as to detect air flow through the additional air inlet AAI, which is indicative of a user applying a reduced pressure to the mouth piece MP. Alternatively, the air flow sensor AFS may be positioned air inlet AI, whereby the additional air inlet AAI in some cases may be disposed of

[0133] When the air flow sensor AFS detects air flow, it sends a signal to the electronic control arrangement ECA which activates the atomizer arrangement AA, e.g. by activating the power to the atomizer arrangement AA.

[0134] Thereby, when the user applies a reduced pressure to the mouth piece MP, the atomizer arrangement AA may be automatically activated.

[0135] In some embodiments, the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS may further to the air flow sensor AFS comprise an activator button (not shown). In such cases, the activator button AB may be used to determine the dose delivered from the nicotine container NC and/or the additive container AC, e.g. determined from the temporal length of the button activation. Alternatively, the strength of the reduced pressure applied to the mouth piece MP and detected by the air flow sensor AFS may determine the dose delivered from the nicotine and/or the additive container.

[0136] In a further embodiment, only one atomizer FA, SA is activated automatically by means of the air flow sensor AFS, whereas the other atomizer FA, SA must be activated by the activator button AB. Preferably, it may be the first atomizer FA connected to the nicotine container NC that must be activated via the activator button AB.

[0137] The present embodiment may be employed on connection with container and atomizer designs illustrated on FIGS. 1-2.

[0138] Now referring to FIG. 4, an electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS according to a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

[0139] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS comprises a power supply PS, such as a battery. Typically, the power supply PS may take up a substantial part of the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS.

[0140] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS furthermore comprises an atomizer arrangement AA.

[0141] The atomizer arrangement AA may preferably, as illustrated, comprise a first atomizer FA and a second atomizer SA. Alternatively, the atomizer arrangement AA may comprise only a first atomizer FA, similar to the embodiments illustrated in relation to FIG. 1.

[0142] The atomizers FA, SA are electrically connected to the power supply PS. The atomizers FA, SA may be constructed similar to the aforementioned embodiments illustrated on FIGS. 1-3. The first second atomizer FA may preferably be constructed in substantially the same way as the second atomizer SA.

[0143] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS furthermore comprises a container arrangement CA.

[0144] The container arrangement CA may preferably, as illustrated, comprise a nicotine container NC and an additive container AC. Alternatively, the container arrangement CA comprises only a nicotine container NC, similar to the embodiment illustrated in relation to FIG. 1.

[0145] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS furthermore comprises a mouth piece MP for a user to apply an orally generated reduced pressure to and for the user to received aerosolized content of the nicotine container NC and/or the additive container AC. The mouth piece MP is in fluid communication with the atomizers FA, SA inside said electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS for facilitating transport of aerosols from the atomizers FA, SA.

[0146] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS may furthermore comprise one or more air inlets AI. The air inlet AI is in fluid communication with the atomizer arrangement AA inside the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS, thereby facilitating transport of air from the air inlet AI to the atomizer arrangement AA.

[0147] The electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS may furthermore comprise an electronic control arrangement ECA.

[0148] The electronic control arrangement may preferably be powered by the power supply PS.

[0149] The electronic control arrangement ECA may control the activation of the atomizers FA, SA based on inputs from a user of the electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS. Such user inputs may comprise a signal from an activation button (not shown) activated by the user and/or detection of user application of orally generated reduced pressure to the mouth piece MP, e.g. by means of an air flow sensor AFS (not shown).

[0150] The electronic control arrangement ECA may activate the first and second atomizer FA, SA simultaneously, or delay the activation of the first or second atomizer FA, SA relative to the other atomizer FA, SA with a predetermined period of time.

[0151] The electronic control arrangement ECA may activate the first and second atomizer FA, SA for approximately the same period of time, or extend the activation of the first or second atomizer FA, SA if needed.

LIST OF FIGURE REFERENCES

[0152] ENDS. Electronic nicotine delivery system

[0153] MP. Mouth piece

[0154] AA. Atomizer arrangement

[0155] PS. Power supply

[0156] NC. Nicotine container

[0157] AC. Additive container

[0158] FA. First atomizer

[0159] SA. Second atomizer

[0160] TE. Transport element

[0161] HE. Heating element

[0162] CAS. Casing

[0163] AB. Activator button

[0164] AI. Air inlet

[0165] AAI. Additional air inlet

[0166] AFS. Air flow sensor

[0167] ECA. Electronic control arrangement

[0168] DC. Distribution conduit

[0169] IAP. Inner air passage

[0170] LC. Liquid coupling

[0171] CA. Container arrangement