SHISHA DEVICE WITH ACTIVE COOLING FOR ENHANCED AEROSOL CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

A shisha device comprises a cooling element (13) disposed along an airflow channel to cool an aerosol. The cooling re) element unit utilizes active cooling and may additionally utilize passive cooling. The cooling element may comprise a conduit (21) comprising a thermally conductive material. The cooling element may be integrally formed with an accelerating element (14) disposed along the airflow channel. Cooling may occur before or during acceleration of the aerosol by the accelerating element. The cooling may contribute to the condensation in the aerosol.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A shisha device comprising: a vessel defining an interior for housing a volume of liquid, the vessel comprising a head space outlet; an aerosol-generating element for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-generating element in fluid communication with the interior of the vessel via an airflow channel, the airflow channel extending into the interior of the vessel from the aerosol-generating element; a cooling element along the airflow channel between the aerosol-generating element and the vessel, the cooling element configured to cool aerosol in the airflow channel that flows through the cooling element and couplable to a power source to provide active cooling to transfer heat away from the airflow channel; and an accelerating element along the airflow channel between the aerosol-generating element and the vessel, the accelerating element configured to accelerate aerosol in the airflow channel that flows through the accelerating element.

18. A shisha device according to claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the cooling element and the accelerating element integrally form a nozzle.

19. A shisha device according to claim 17, wherein the shisha device defines a resistance to draw along the airflow channel of 45 mmWG or less.

20. A shisha device according to claim 17, further comprising a chamber along the airflow channel between the vessel and the accelerating element, the chamber configured to receive aerosol after being accelerated.

21. A shisha device according to claim 20, wherein the cooling element is at least partially or entirely disposed between the chamber and the aerosol-generating element.

22. A shisha device according to claim 17, wherein the cooling element is further configured to provide passive cooling.

23. A shisha device according to claim 22, wherein the cooling element comprises one or both of a thermally conductive material and a heat sink.

24. A shisha device according to claim 17, wherein the cooling element comprises at least one of: a conduit comprising a heat pump, a fan, a cooling receptacle having an interior volume for liquid disposed adjacent to the airflow channel, a water block, and a liquid pump.

25. A shisha device according to claim 17, wherein the cooling element comprises a conduit, wherein the conduit and the accelerating element comprise one or more materials having thermal diffusivities of 10.sup.6 m.sup.2/s or greater.

26. A shisha device according to claim 17, wherein the cooling element comprises a cooling receptacle, wherein the cooling receptacle is configured to evaporate liquid disposed in the interior volume and transfer the evaporated liquid outside of the vessel.

27. A shisha device according to claim 17, wherein the cooling element comprises: a cooling receptacle; and at least one of a heatsink and a water block, wherein one or both of the heatsink and the water block are in fluid communication with the interior volume of an cooling receptacle.

28. A shisha device according to claim 17, wherein the cooling element is configured to preheat air that flows into the aerosol-generating element.

29. A shisha device according to claim 20, wherein the chamber comprises a main chamber in fluid communication with the accelerating element, wherein the main chamber is sized and shaped to allow deceleration of the aerosol in the main chamber when the aerosol exits the accelerating element and enters the main chamber.

30. A shisha device according to claim 27, wherein the accelerating element comprises a first aperture proximal to the aerosol-generating element and a second aperture between the first aperture and the main chamber, wherein aerosol flows into the accelerating element through the first aperture and out of the second aperture into the main chamber, wherein the first aperture has a relatively larger diameter than the second aperture.

31. A shisha device according to claim 17, wherein the aerosol-generating element is configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate without combusting the aerosol-forming substrate.

Description

[0164] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a shisha device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0165] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the shisha device of FIG. 1 for generating aerosol;

[0166] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cooling element for a shisha device, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0167] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of cooling element for a shisha device according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0168] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a cooling element for a shisha device according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0169] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a cooling element for a shisha device according to still another embodiment of the invention.

[0170] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of part of the shisha device of FIG. 1.

[0171] FIG. 8 is a sectional schematic view of t a chamber of the shisha device of FIG. 7.

[0172] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the chamber of FIG. 8 coupled to the shisha device of FIG. 7.

[0173] FIG. 10 is a graph showing temperature for a shisha device having a passive cooling element compared to a shisha device without a cooling element.

[0174] FIG. 11 is a graph showing total aerosol mass for a shisha device having a passive cooling element compared to a shisha device without a cooling element.

[0175] FIG. 12 is a graph showing temperature for a shisha device having a cooling element compared to a shisha device without a cooling element.

[0176] FIG. 13 is a graph showing total aerosol mass for a shisha device having a cooling element compared to a shisha device without a cooling element.

[0177] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a shisha device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The shisha device comprises an aerosol-generating element 11 configured to receive an aerosol-forming substrate 12. The aerosol-generating element 11 may heat the aerosol-forming substrate 12, for example by means of an electrical heater (not shown), to generate an aerosol. In use, the generated aerosol flows through a cooling element 13 and an accelerating element 14. The cooling element 13 is coupled to the accelerating element 14. Cooled and accelerated aerosol is then ejected into chamber 16, which enables the aerosol to decelerate.

[0178] The chamber 16 is in fluid communication with a vessel 17. Indeed, the aerosol-generating element 11 is in fluid communication with the chamber 16 and a vessel 17, by means of a main conduit 21, as illustrated in the example shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, an airflow channel is defined between the aerosol-generating element 11 and an interior of the vessel 17. The interior of the vessel 17 comprises an upper volume 18 for head space and a lower volume 19 for liquid. A hose 20 is in fluid communication with the upper volume 18 through a head space outlet 15 formed in a side of the vessel 17 above a liquid line.

[0179] Generated aerosol may flow through the aerosol-generating element 11, through the air flow channel via the cooling element 13, the accelerating element 14, the chamber 16 and the main conduit 21 into the lower volume 19. The aerosol may pass through liquid in the lower volume 19 and rise into the upper volume 18. Puffing by a user on a mouthpiece of the hose 20 may draw the aerosol in the upper volume 18 through the head space outlet 15, into the hose 20 for inhalation. The cooling element 13 is arranged to cool an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating element 11 as the aerosol flows through the airflow channel. The cooling element 13 is arranged to cool the aerosol as the aerosol flows through the cooling element 13 or through a portion of a main conduit 21 connected to or surrounded by the cooling element 13. The cooling element 13 may be coupled about the main conduit 21. The cooling element 13 may be integrally formed with the main conduit 21.

[0180] FIG. 2 shows a portion of the shisha device 10. The aerosol-generating element 11 comprises a heating element 60, which may comprise an electrical heating element (not shown), for heating the aerosol-forming substrate 12. The heating element 60 may also function to preheat air 22 before the air 22 flows through the aerosol-forming substrate 60. In some embodiments, for example, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the air 22 is preheated by passing the cooling element 13 before entering the aerosol-generating element 11 by the design of the shisha device 10. The air 22 may be a cooling airflow that has also already been used to cool the cooling element 13. This may promote power efficiency. The preheated air 22 flows into the aerosol-forming substrate 12 to facilitate generation of aerosol. The generated aerosol then flows through the cooling element 13, the accelerating element 14, and the chamber 16.

[0181] FIG. 3 shows a cooling element 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. The cooling element 30 is coupled to an accelerating element 31. The accelerating element 31 comprises a nozzle. The cooling element 30 comprises a conduit 32 comprising a thermally conductive material, preferably having a relatively high thermal diffusivity, such as aluminium. A heatsink 33, such as fringed heatsink comprising a plurality of fins, is coupled to the conduit 32 to draw heat away from the conduit 32. The fins may be inverted and may be stacked around the air flow channel. Each fin may comprise a surface area of at least 225 mm.sup.2. Each fin may comprise a thickness of at least 0.5 mm. The conduit 32 and heatsink 33 therefore provide passive cooling of an aerosol flowing through the cooling element 30 or through a portion of the main conduit 21 to which the cooling element 30 is coupled. The cooling element 30 may additionally comprise one or more active cooling means, such as one or more heat pumps 34. In some embodiments, such as the example shown in FIG. 3, the one or more heat pumps 34 comprise Peltier elements. The one or more heat pumps 34 are coupled to the heatsink 33 (in the direction indicated by the arrows between the heatsink and each heat pump). In particular, a cooled side 35 of each heat pump 34 is coupled to the heatsink 33. A heated side 36 of each heat pump 34 may be cooled by a cooling airflow 22 from an ambient environment. This may be used to preheat ambient air entering the aerosol-generating element 11. Ambient air may be cooled by the cooled side 35 of the heat pump 34 and may subsequently pass through gaps between the fins, thereby providing more efficient heat dissipation.

[0182] The cooling element 30 comprises a height 37 suitable for use in a shisha device, such as about 100 mm. Each respective heated and cooled surface 35, 36 of the heat pump 34 comprises a height 38 and width 39 defining a surface area suitable for use in a shisha device. The height 38 and width 39 may each comprise about 30 mm.

[0183] A fan (not shown) may be placed proximal to the heated side 36 of the heat pump 34 in order to provide appropriate ventilation of the cooling element 30. The fan may be arranged to be activated when a temperature of the heated side 36 exceeds a pre-selected maximum value.

[0184] FIG. 4 shows a cooling element 40 according to another embodiment of the invention. The cooling element 40 is coupled to an accelerating element 41. The cooling element 40 comprises a conduit 42 comprising a thermally conductive material, preferably having a relatively high thermal diffusivity, such as aluminium. The cooling element 40 comprises a cooling receptacle 43. The cooling receptacle 43 is coupled to the conduit 42. In particular, the cooling receptacle 43 surrounds the conduit 42. A cooling liquid 44, such as water or ethylene glycol, is disposed inside the cooling receptacle 43. The cooling liquid 44 may comprise a volume of at least 250 ml.

[0185] A wall 46 of the cooling receptacle 43 comprises a porous material, such as a porous clay or foamed silica, to facilitate evaporation of the cooling liquid 44. The cooling liquid 44 is also in fluid communication with an external liquid source or cooling component, such as a water block, through one or more ports 45a, 45b. The one or more ports, such as an inlet port 45a and an outlet port 45b may channel the cooling liquid 44 into or out of the receptacle 43 by capillary action. A cooling airflow 22 may be used to facilitate evaporation of the liquid 44 through the porous wall 46 of the receptacle 43 to transfer heat away from the interior of the cooling receptacle 43 and therefore away from an aerosol flowing through the airflow channel past the cooling element 40. The cooling receptacle 43 is provided with a geometry which encourages such cooling airflow 22 to act as a natural fan. In such an embodiment, ambient air may ventilate a heated external surface of the cooling receptacle 43 with each puff of a user.

[0186] Optionally, a fan (not shown) may be placed in the proximity of the heated external surface of the cooling receptacle 43 in order to provide appropriate ventilation of the cooling element 40. The fan may be arranged to be activated when a temperature of the heated external surface exceeds a pre-selected maximum value.

[0187] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a cooling element 50. The cooling element 50 is coupled to an accelerating element 51. The cooling element 50 comprises a conduit 52 comprising a thermally conductive material, preferably having a relatively high thermal diffusivity, such as aluminium. The cooling element 50 comprises a cooling receptacle 53. The cooling receptacle 53 is coupled to the conduit 52. In particular, the cooling receptacle 53 surrounds the conduit 52. A cooling liquid 54, such as water or ethylene glycol, is disposed inside the cooling receptacle 53. The cooling liquid 54 may comprise a volume of at least 250 ml. One or more heatsinks 55 are at least partially disposed in the receptacle 53. The one or more heatsinks 55 is coupled to the receptacle 53. The heatsink 55 draw heat away from the cooling liquid 54. The heatsink 55 may be in contact with the cooling liquid 54. The heatsink 55 may comprise a fringed heatsink comprising a plurality of fins. The fins may be inverted, and each fin may comprise a surface area of at least 225 mm.sup.2. Each fin may comprise a thickness of at least 0.5 mm. The conduit 52 and heatsink 55 therefore provide passive cooling of an aerosol flowing through the conduit 52. The cooling element 50 additionally comprises one or more active cooling means, as will now be described. One or more heat pumps 56, such as a thermoelectric cooling element, such as a Peltier element, is coupled to the cooling receptacle 53 or to the heatsinks 55 to draw heat away from the heatsinks 55. In particular, a cooled side of the heat pump 56 is in contact with the receptacle 53 or heatsink 55. A heated side of the heat pump 56 is exposed to a cooling airflow 22 flowing through a cooling airflow channel (not shown) to draw heat away from the heat pump 56. A fan 57 is provided adjacent to the heated side of the heat pump 56 to facilitate the cooling airflow 22. The fan 57 may be coupled to the heat pump 56. In use, aerosol 58 generated by the aerosol-generating element 11 flows through an airflow channel at least partially defined by the cooling element 50 and the accelerating element 51. The cooling element 50 is therefore arranged to cool the aerosol 58 as the aerosol 58 flows through the cooling element 50.

[0188] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a cooling element 60. The cooling element 60 is coupled to an accelerating element 61. The cooling element 60 comprises a conduit 62 comprising a thermally conductive material, preferably having a relatively high thermal diffusivity, such as aluminium. The cooling element 60 comprises a cooling receptacle 63. The cooling receptacle 63 is coupled to the conduit 62. In particular, the cooling receptacle 63 surrounds the conduit 62. A cooling liquid 64, such as water or ethylene glycol is disposed inside the cooling receptacle 63. The cooling liquid 64 may comprise a volume of at least about 100 ml, or even at least about 250 ml. The cooling liquid 64 is in fluid communication with a liquid volume of a water block 65. The water block 65 functions to draw heat away from the cooling liquid 64. The cooling liquid 64 is circulated by a liquid pump 66 from the cooling receptacle 63 to the water block 65 for cooling the cooling liquid 64. The liquid pump 66 returns the cooling liquid 64 to the cooling receptacle after cooling at the water block 65. A heat pump 67 is coupled to the water block 65. In particular, a cooled side of the heat pump 67 is in contact with the water block 65. A heated side of the heat pump 67 is exposed to a cooling airflow 22 flowing through a cooling airflow channel to draw heat away from the heat pump 67. A fan 68 is located adjacent to the heated side of the heat pump 67 to facilitate the cooling airflow 22. The fan 57 is coupled to the heat pump 67. This may be used to preheat ambient air entering the aerosol-generating element 11.

[0189] Referring now to FIG. 7, a schematic sectional drawing of an example of a shisha device 100 is shown. The device 100 comprises a vessel 117 defining an interior volume configured to contain liquid 119 and defining a headspace outlet 115 above a fill level for the liquid 119. The liquid 119 preferably comprises water, which may optionally be infused with one or more colorants, one or more flavourants, or one or more colorants and one or more flavourants. For example, the water may be infused with one or both of botanical infusions or herbal infusions.

[0190] The device 100 also comprises an aerosol-generating element 130. The aerosol-generating element 130 comprises a receptacle 140 configured to receive a cartridge 150 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate (or receive aerosol-forming substrate that is not in a cartridge). The aerosol-generating element 130 also comprises a heating element 160. The heating element 160 may be an electrical heating element. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 7, the heating element 160 forms at least one surface of the receptacle 140. In the depicted embodiment, the heating element 160 defines the top and side surfaces of the receptacle 140. The aerosol-generating element 130 comprises an air inlet channel 170 that draws ambient air into the device 100 via an air inlet 171. As illustrated, two air inlets 171 are shown, but any number of air inlets maybe used (one, three, four, or more). A portion of the air inlet channel 170 is defined by the heating element 160 to heat the air before the air enters the receptacle 140. The preheated air then enters the cartridge 150, which is also heated by heating element 160. The air becomes entrained with aerosol generated by the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol flows through an outlet of the aerosol-generating element 130 and enters a chamber 200.

[0191] Not all components (such as a cooling element) are shown for purposes of brevity and clarity. However, a cooling element is included or disposed between any of the components downstream of the cartridge 150 and upstream of the outlet 195. In some embodiments, the cooling element may at least partially include, or be disposed proximate or adjacent to, the chamber 200.

[0192] The aerosol flows from the chamber 200 through a conduit 190 into the vessel 117 via an outlet 195 of the conduit 190 below the level of the liquid 119. An airflow channel is therefore defined between the aerosol-generating element 130 and the vessel 117 and is defined by at least the chamber 200 and the conduit 190. The aerosol bubbles through the liquid 119, rises up into a headspace in the vessel above the liquid 119 and exits the vessel 117 through the headspace outlet 115 of the vessel 117. A hose 120 is coupled to the headspace outlet 115 to carry the aerosol to the mouth of a user. The hose 120 comprises a mouthpiece 125. The mouthpiece 125 may be coupled to the hose 120 or may form an integral part of the hose 120.

[0193] An air flow path of the device, in use, as above described, is depicted by thick arrows in FIG. 7.

[0194] In some embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 7, the mouthpiece 125 comprises an activation element 127. The activation element 127 may be a switch, button or the like, or may be a puff sensor or the like. The activation element 127 may be placed at any other suitable location of the device 100. The activation element 27 may be in wireless communication with control electronics 131. The user may therefore interact with the activation element 127 to place the device 100 in condition for use or to cause control electronics to activate the heating element 160; for example, by causing power supply 132 to energize the heating element 140.

[0195] The control electronics 131 and a power supply 132 may be located in any suitable position relative to the aerosol generating element 130. In some embodiments, the control electronics 131 and the power supply 132 may be provided in a lower portion of the element 130 as depicted in FIG. 7. However, it will be appreciated that the control electronics 131 and power supply 132 may be provided in any of a variety of other locations in the device 100.

[0196] FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional view of an example of a chamber 200. The chamber 200 comprises a housing 210 defining a main chamber 230. The chamber 200 comprises an inlet 220 extending or protruding into the main chamber 230. An inlet 220 to the chamber 200 comprises a first aperture 223 and a second aperture 227. Aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating element enters the inlet 220 through the first aperture 223 and enters the main chamber 230 through the second aperture 227. The first aperture 223 has a diameter greater than the second aperture 227 so that air, or indeed the aerosol flowing through the inlet 220 from the first aperture 223 to the second aperture 227 is accelerated. The accelerated air exits the second aperture 227 to enter the main chamber 230. The air or aerosol is decelerated as it exits the second aperture 227 and enters the main chamber 230. The decelerated air or aerosol passes through the main chamber 230 before then exiting the main chamber 230 through an outlet 240. The outlet 240 is in fluid communication with a conduit (such as the conduit 190 depicted in FIG. 1) to convey the aerosol to the vessel 117. Although two apertures 223, 227 are depicted, it will be appreciated that any form of air flow restriction may be provided at the inlet 220.

[0197] Not all components (such as a cooling element) are shown for purposes of brevity and clarity. However, a cooling element is included upstream of the chamber 230. In some embodiments, the cooling element may at least partially include, or be disposed proximate or adjacent to, the inlet 220.

[0198] FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional view of an example of a chamber 200 operably coupled to an aerosol-generating element 130 and a conduit 190. In the illustrated embodiment, air enters through air inlets 171 in an upper part 131 of the aerosol-generating element 130, then passes through a heat shield 165, then follows the outside surface of the heating element 160 and arrives to the top of the heating element 160. The heated air then goes through a top surface of a housing of the cartridge 150, through the aerosol-forming substrate 155, and through a void in a bottom part 133, down to the aerosol outlet 180. The aerosolized air then enters the inlet 220 of the chamber 200, as the aerosolized air travels through the inlet 220, it is accelerated. The accelerated air exits the inlet 220 via the second aperture 227 and enters the main chamber 230, where the accelerated air is expanded. The decelerated air exits the chamber 200 via outlet 240 and enters conduit 190 for travel into the vessel.

[0199] Not all components (such as a cooling element) are shown for purposes of brevity and clarity. However, a cooling element is included upstream of the chamber 230. In some embodiments, the cooling element may at least partially include, or be disposed proximate or adjacent to, the lower part 133 or the inlet 220.

[0200] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, the air travels along the outer surface of the heating element 160 and then through the heating element 160. In other embodiments (not depicted), the air may travel along an inner surface of the heating element 160.

[0201] In the example depicted in FIG. 9, the upper part 131 of the aerosol-generating element 130 may be removed from the lower part 133 to allow the cartridge 150 (or aerosol-forming substrate that is not in a cartridge) to be inserted or removed from the receptacle formed by the heating element 160 and the top surface of the bottom part 131. The bodies of the upper part 131 and the lower part 133 may be formed from thermally insulating material.

[0202] Examples of the shisha device were made and tested for aerosol production and compared to a shisha device without a cooling element. In order to test the aerosol production using TAM, the following measurement was performed. A cartridge including an aluminium housing coupled to a wound-wire heating element was provided. The wound-wire element included a ceramic cylinder having an internal diameter of 27.990.01 mm, a length of 41.5 mm, and a thickness of ceramic of 3 mm. The ceramic was obtained from Corning GmbH, Wiesbaden, Germany, under the trade designation MACOR. The cartridge was filled with 10 g of commercially available Al-Fakher molasses (aerosol-forming substrate) was heated using the wound-wire heating element (aerosol-generating element) set at a constant temperature of 180 C. (Example 2) or 200 C. (Example 1). The generated aerosol was passed through a nozzle (accelerating element). The generated aerosol was collected using a total of 10 Cambridge pads whose weight was recorded before and after the experience. Only two of the ten Cambridge pads collected the generated aerosol at a given moment. The total duration of the experiment was designed to correspond to 105 puffs. Every 20 puffs, a check valve ensured that the aerosol was diverted to the correct pair of Cambridge pads. In order to simulate the desired puffing experience, four programmable dual syringe pumps (PDSP) manufactured by Mechatronic AG, Darmstadt, Germany, were used simultaneously to create the following puffing regime: [0203] Puff volume: 530 ml [0204] Puff duration: 2600 ms [0205] Duration between puffs: 17 s

[0206] In order to measure temperature, the wound-wire heating element was operated at a temperature of 200 C. A thermocouple (temperature sensor) was placed on the nozzle near the cooling element to approximate the temperature inside the cavity of the nozzle. The thermocouple was a K-type thermocouple. Temperatures were measured as a function of time over a span of about 38 minutes. During the first 4 minutes, described as the preheat time, the temperature of the heating element rose, and the puffing was not yet activated. It was observed that, the temperature inside the cavity increased rapidly once the puffing was activated and aerosol passed through the nozzle and decreased once the aerosol was no longer present. Due to the inherent lack of reliability to measure the temperature of an aerosol, the curves of the temperature versus time graphs were corrected to display only the temperature readings obtained when no aerosol was being puffed.

[0207] In Example 1, the role of diffusion was tested. Two nozzles were made of different materials, one made of epoxy resin and the other made of aluminium (cooling element having a conduit comprising a thermally conductive material). The epoxy resin was a high temperature epoxy resin obtained from Formlabs, Berlin, Germany. The aluminium has a relatively higher thermal diffusivity than the epoxy resin. The thermal diffusivities are 10.sup.7 m.sup.2/S for epoxy resin and 9.7*10.sup.5 m.sup.2/s for aluminium. The most restrictive cross-sectional diameter of each nozzle was about 1.6 mm, which resulted in an RTD of about 46 mmWG for each nozzle. No active cooling was used.

[0208] FIG. 10 shows a graph 70 of temperature as a function of time for a shisha device having a passive cooling element compared to a shisha device without a cooling element. The heater was operated at a temperature of 200 C. For the nozzle made of aluminium, during the preheat time, the temperature 71 inside the cavity was about 23 C. Once the puffing was activated, the temperature 71 inside the cavity was stable at about 36 C. For the nozzle made of epoxy resin, during the preheat time, the temperature 72 inside the cavity was about 20 C. Between puffs, the temperature 72 inside the cavity was stable at about 40 C. The temperature difference between the two nozzles was about 4 C. cooler for the aluminium nozzle compared to the epoxy resin nozzle, particularly after puffing was activated.

[0209] FIG. 11 shows a graph 74 of average TAM per puff as a function of sequential puffs for a shisha device having a passive cooling element compared to a shisha device without a cooling element. The heater was operated at a temperature of 200 C. The aluminium nozzle produced a higher average TAM per puff 75 of 1240 mg compared to the average TAM per puff 76 of 1120 mg for the epoxy resin, over the first 40 puffs. The aluminium nozzle also resulted in a substantial improvement of average TAM per puff 75 during the first 60 puffs of the experience. After puff 60, the average TAM per puff 75 of the aluminium nozzle increased less than the average TAM per puff 76 of the epoxy resin nozzle. Presumably, after puff 60, the amount of molasses over the volatilization temperature is believed to be large enough for the effect of the diffusivity of the material to not be determinant any longer.

[0210] In Example 2, a nozzle (accelerating element) of epoxy resin was made as described in Example 1. Around the nozzle, a cooling jacket (cooling receptacle) was placed with a diameter of 30 mm and a height of 30 mm filled with dry ice (temperature of about 80 C.). One thermocouple was placed on the nozzle below the cooling jacket.

[0211] FIG. 12 shows a graph 78 of temperature as a function of time for a shisha device having an active cooling element compared to a shisha device without a cooling element. The temperature 79 of air inside the cooled conduit was lower than the temperature 80 of the air inside the conduit that was not cooled.

[0212] The wound-wire heating element was operated at a temperature of 200 C. Temperatures were recorded with and without cooling jacket as a function of time. For the nozzle with cooling, during the preheat time, the temperature 79 inside the cavity was about 40 C. Once the puffing is activated, the temperature 79 was stable at about 10 C. For the nozzle without cooling, during the preheat time, the temperature 80 inside the cavity was about 20 C. It was observed that during the 17 seconds available between puffs, the temperature 80 inside the nozzle cavity was stable at about 40 C. The temperature difference between the nozzles was about 30 C. cooler for the nozzle with cooling compared to the nozzle without cooling.

[0213] FIG. 13 shows a graph 82 of average TAM per puff as a function of sequential puffs for a shisha device having an active cooling element compared to a shisha device without a cooling element. The heater was operated at a temperature of 180 C. The nozzle with cooling produced an average TAM per puff 83 of 850 mg, over the first 40 puffs. The nozzle without cooling produced an average TAM per puff 84 of 400 mg, over the first 40 puffs. In general, the nozzle with cooling provided the higher average TAM per puff 83 for puffs from 20 to 105 compared to the average TAM per puff 84 for the nozzle without cooling.

[0214] The specific embodiments described above are intended to illustrate the invention. However, other embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims, and it is to be understood that the specific embodiments described above are not intended to be limiting.

[0215] As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0216] As used herein, or is generally employed in its sense including and/or unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term and/or means one or all the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

[0217] As used herein, have, having, include, including, comprise, comprising or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean including, but not limited to. It will be understood that consisting essentially of, consisting of, and the like are subsumed in comprising, and the like.

[0218] The words preferred and preferably refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.