METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE NICOTINE CONTENT IN AN E-CIGARETTE AEROSOL

Abstract

A method for adjusting nicotine content of aerosol in an inhaler comprises: a feeding step in which at least one liquid having a first nicotine content is fed from a vaporizer tank to an electric vaporizer; a vaporizing step in which the at least one liquid is vaporized producing an aerosol; and a dispensing step in which a final aerosol consisting of a combination of all aerosols formed in the inhaler from the at least one liquid is dispensed from the inhaler to a user, wherein: at least one of the at least one liquid comprises a precursor substance capable of being converted into nicotine by a chemical reaction; and the method further comprises a nicotine generation step in which said precursor substance is converted into nicotine by the chemical reaction so that the final aerosol comprises a second nicotine content higher than the first nicotine content.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A method for adjusting nicotine content of aerosol in an inhaler, the method comprising the following steps: a feeding step in which at least one liquid having a first nicotine content is fed from a vaporizer tank to an electric vaporizer; a vaporizing step in which the at least one liquid is vaporized producing an aerosol; and a dispensing step in which a final aerosol consisting of a combination of all aerosols formed in the inhaler from the at least one liquid is dispensed from the inhaler to a user, wherein: at least one of the at least one liquid comprises a precursor substance capable of being converted into nicotine by a chemical reaction; and the method further comprises a nicotine generation step in which said precursor substance is converted into nicotine by the chemical reaction so that the final aerosol comprises a second nicotine content higher than the first nicotine content.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the chemical reaction is an oxidation reaction.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the chemical reaction is a reduction reaction.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the nicotine generation step takes place before the vaporizing step, after the vaporizing step, or simultaneously with the vaporizing step.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the precursor substance comprises cotinine or nicotine N-oxide.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the precursor substance comprises nicotine glucoronide or nornicotine.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein: the method is carried out in the inhaler; the inhaler comprises the vaporizer tank with at least two vaporizer tank chambers; and each vaporizer tank chamber is configured to be assigned to a respective vaporizer.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein a first liquid of the at least one liquids contains nicotine and wherein the precursor substance is contained either in the first liquid or in a second liquid of the at least one liquids.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein at least two liquids are used, the at least two liquids comprising a first liquid containing nicotine and a further liquid containing a reactant, wherein the reactant causes the conversion of the precursor substance into nicotine.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the reactant is provided in a contact element and wherein, in the nicotine production step, the precursor substance is brought into contact with the reactant in the contact element.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the conversion of the precursor substance into nicotine is carried out using a catalyst.

23. The method of claim 12, wherein the conversion of the precursor substance into nicotine is carried out using an enzyme.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Further useful and/or advantageous features and embodiments of the method for adjusting the nicotine content of an aerosol in an inhaler are apparent from the description. Particularly preferred embodiments will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation illustrating the steps of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation illustrating the steps of a second embodiment of the method according to the invention;

[0040] FIGS. 3a and 3b are a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of a pad with reactant for carrying out the present invention; and

[0041] FIGS. 4a and 4b are a schematic illustration of the arrangement of a grid for absorbing reactant for carrying out the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a first vaporizer 1 in communication with a first tank 2a and a second tank 2b. The first tank 2a contains a conventional liquid for an e-cigarette with a first nicotine content corresponding to the permissible nicotine content of 20 mg/ml, and with a certain content of cotinine. In the second tank 2b there is a second liquid containing a reducing agent in addition to a carrier. The two liquids are vaporized forming an aerosol. A first aerosol 3a with conventional e-liquid and cotinine and a second aerosol 3b with carrier and reducing agent are formed. Both aerosols 3a, 3b are used in contact with each other, whereby the reducing agent reduces the cotinine to nicotine, so that the content of nicotine in the aerosol increases. The final aerosol 4 is formed, which has a second nicotine content that is higher than the first nicotine content.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment with three different tanks 2a, 2b, 2c, each of which is associated with a vaporizer 1a, 1b, 1c. The first tank 2a contains a conventional liquid with the basic nicotine content corresponding to the maximum permissible nicotine content of a liquid. A second tank 2b contains a second liquid containing cotinine. Finally, the third tank 2c contains a third liquid containing the reducing agent and PG as a carrier substance.

[0044] In a first step, the aerosol formation of the different liquids takes place. A first aerosol 3a containing nicotine and aroma, a second aerosol 3b containing cotinine, and a third aerosol 3c containing the reducing agent and PG are formed.

[0045] In a second step, second aerosol 3b and third aerosol 3c are mixed, and the cotinine contained in the second aerosol 3b is reduced to nicotine with the reducing agent contained in third aerosol 3c. During this process, the second and third aerosols 3b, 3c are still separated from the first aerosol 3a. This prevents other components of the liquid, such as flavors, which are contained in the first aerosol 3a together with the nicotine, from reacting uncontrollably with the reaction agent and also being reduced in an undesirable side reaction.

[0046] In a third step, the aerosols are then mixed together to produce the final aerosol 4 with increased nicotine content, which is ultimately inhaled by the consumer.

[0047] FIG. 3a shows an embodiment of an air duct 5 of an inhaler for carrying out the process according to the invention in side view, FIG. 3b shows the same air duct 5 in top view. A filter 6 containing the nanoparticulate reducing agent is arranged in the air duct 5. The aerosol 3b containing cotinine passes through the filter 6 and thereby comes into contact with the reducing agent, so that the cotinine contained in the aerosol 3b is reduced to nicotine.

[0048] FIG. 4a shows a further embodiment of an air duct 5 of an inhaler for carrying out the method according to the invention in side view, FIG. 4b shows the same air duct 5 in top view. A sieve or grid 7 is arranged in the air duct, in which the liquid reducing agent is accommodated. This sieve 7 is penetrated by the aerosol 3b, whereby the contained cotinine to be reduced can extensively be reduced due to the increased surface area and, still contained in the aerosol 3b, reaches the consumer as nicotine.