FLAVOURANT PROVIDER AND SMOKING SUBSTITUTE DEVICE

Abstract

Provided herein is a flavourant provider for a smoking substitute device wherein polysaccharide fibres are cross linked by a flavourant microcapsule and/or nano capsule. Also provided is use of the flavourant provider and a method of forming the flavourant provider.

Claims

1. A flavourant provider for a smoking substitute device comprising polysaccharide fibres that are cross-linked by a flavourant microcapsule and/or nanocapsule.

2. The flavourant provider according to claim 1, wherein the or each link between the polysaccharide fibres and the flavourant microcapsule and/or nanocapsule comprises a bridging group formed from an organic polyacid.

3. The flavourant provider according to claim 2, wherein the organic polyacid is a polycarboxylic acid.

4. The flavourant provider according to claim 1, wherein the polysaccharide fibres comprise or consist of cellulose, optionally wherein the polysaccharide fibres comprise or consist of cotton.

5. A smoking substitute device comprising a flavourant provider of claim 1, the smoking substitute device having a fluid inlet that is fluidly connected to a fluid outlet by a passageway in which an aerosol generator is positioned.

6. The smoking substitute device according to claim 5, wherein the flavourant provider is positioned in the passageway between the fluid outlet and the aerosol generator.

7. The smoking substitute device according to claim 6, wherein the flavourant provider is frictionally disposed in the passageway.

8. The smoking substitute device according to claim 5, wherein the flavourant provider is positioned between a reservoir for an aerosol precursor and a heating element, such that the flavourant provider acts as a wick for delivering aerosol precursor to the heating element.

9. The smoking substitute device according to claim 5, wherein there are a plurality of flavourant providers.

10. The smoking substitute device according to claim 5, comprising an aerosol precursor that is substantially free of flavourant.

11. (canceled)

12. A method of forming a flavourant provider for a smoking substitute device comprising a step of cross-linking polysaccharide fibres with a flavourant microcapsule and/or nano capsule.

13. The method of forming a flavourant provider according to claim 12, wherein the cross-linking step is performed under acidic conditions.

14. The method of forming a flavourant provider according to claim 12 wherein, before the step of cross-linking the polysaccharide fibres with the flavourant microcapsule and/or nano capsule, there is a step of functionalising the polysaccharide fibres with an organic polyacid such that at least one acid group of the organic polyacid remains available.

15. The method according to claim 12 wherein the flavourant provider comprises polysaccharide fibres that are cross-linked by a flavourant microcapsule and/or nano capsule is.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

[0070] So that the invention may be understood, and so that further aspects and features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0071] FIG. 1 is a front view of a smoking substitute device and a main body in an engaged position;

[0072] FIG. 2 is a front view of a smoking substitute device and a main body in a disengaged position;

[0073] FIG. 3 is a section view of a smoking substitute device having a flavourant provider as a porous wick;

[0074] FIG. 4 is a section view of a smoking substitute device having a flavourant provider as a porous wick;

[0075] FIG. 5 is a section view of a main body of a smoking substitute system comprising a fluid passage therethrough;

[0076] FIG. 6 is a section view of an exemplary smoking substitute device having a flavourant provider positioned in the passage therethrough;

[0077] FIG. 7 is a section view of an exemplary smoking substitute device having multiple flavourant providers positioned in the passage therethrough;

[0078] FIG. 8 is an end-on view of an exemplary passageway of a smoking substitute device having a flavourant provider that occupies the entire cross-section of the passageway for a portion of the length of the passageway;

[0079] FIG. 9 is an end-on view of an exemplary passageway of a smoking substitute device having a flavourant provider having a parallel inner passageway;

[0080] FIG. 10 is an end-on view of an exemplary passageway of a smoking substitute device having a flavourant provider with four parallel inner passageways;

[0081] FIG. 11 is a reaction scheme showing the addition of a polyacid to polysaccharide fibres and then subsequent cross-linking with capsules under heat and catalysis;

[0082] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of microcapsules in a high density emulsion synthesis;

[0083] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of microcapsules in a low density emulsion synthesis;

[0084] FIG. 14 is a front view of a smoking substitute device, main body, and flavour part in an engaged position; and

[0085] FIG. 15 is a front view of a smoking substitute device, main body and flavour part in a disengaged position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0086] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

[0087] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a smoking substitute system in the form of an e-cigarette system 101. The system 101 comprises an e-cigarette device defining a reusable main body 102 of the system 101, and a smoking substitute device in the form of an e-cigarette consumable (or pod) 103, which may also be referred to as a precursor part. In the illustrated embodiment the consumable 103 (smoking substitute device) is removable from the main body (e-cigarette device), so as to be a replaceable component of the system 101. In other words, the e-cigarette system 101 is a closed system.

[0088] As is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2, the consumable 103 is configured to engage the main body 102. FIG. 1 shows the main body 102 and the consumable 103 in an engaged state, whilst FIG. 2 shows the main body 102 and the consumable 103 in a disengaged state. When engaged, a portion of the consumable 103 is received in a cavity of the main body 102 and is retained in the engaged position by way of a snap-engagement mechanism. In other embodiments, the main body 102 and consumable 103 may be engaged by screwing one into (or onto) the other, through a bayonet fitting, or by way of an interference fit.

[0089] The system 101 is configured to vaporise an aerosol-former or aerosol precursor, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is in the form of a nicotine-based e-liquid 104. The e-liquid 104 comprises nicotine and a base liquid including propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine. In the present embodiment, the e-liquid 104 is flavourless (and does not include any added flavourant). That is, if the e-liquid 104 were to be inhaled (i.e. in aerosol form) by a user, it would not have a particularly perceptible flavour or taste. It is to be appreciated, however, that in other embodiments the e-liquid 104 may comprise an inherent flavourant. In the present specification, the term flavourant may be understood as referring to one or more substances effective to activate at least one of an olfactory receptor in a human nasal cavity; and a taste receptor in a human oral cavity.

[0090] As is more apparent from FIG. 3, the e-liquid 104 is stored within a precursor reservoir in the form of a tank 105 that forms part of the consumable 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the consumable 103 is a single-use consumable 103. That is, upon exhausting the e-liquid 104 in the tank 105, the intention is that the user disposes of the entire consumable 103. In other embodiments, the e-liquid (i.e. aerosol precursor 104) may be the only part of the system that is truly single-use. That is, the tank may be refillable with e-liquid or the e-liquid may be stored in a non-consumable component of the system. For example, the e-liquid may be stored in a tank located in the main body or stored in another component that is itself not single-use (e.g. a refillable cartomizer).

[0091] The tank 105 surrounds, and thus defines a portion of, a fluid flow passage 106b that extends between an inlet 107b and an outlet 108b at opposing ends of the consumable 103. In this respect, the passage 106b comprises an upstream end at the end of the consumable 103 that engages with the main body 102, and a downstream end at an opposing end of the consumable 103 that comprises a mouthpiece 109 of the system 101. The fluid flow passage 106b comprises an inlet 107b at its upstream end, and an outlet 108b at its downstream end, the outlet 108b thus forming part of, or being located at, the mouthpiece 109. When the consumable 103 is engaged with the main body 102, a user can inhale (i.e. take a puff) via the mouthpiece 109 so as to draw air through the passage 106b, and so as to form an airflow (indicated by arrows) in a direction from the inlet 107b to the outlet 108b of the passage 106b.

[0092] The passage 106b may be partially defined by a tube (e.g. a metal tube or a tube formed from plastic material) extending through the consumable 103. At its upstream inlet end, the passage 106b may be in fluid communication with a gap defined between the consumable 103 and the main body 102 when the consumable 103 and the main body 102 are interengaged such that when a user draws on the outlet 108b at the mouthpiece 109, ambient air from outside of the system 101 is drawn into the passage 106b via the inlet 107b.

[0093] Alternatively, the main body 102 may additionally comprise a fluid passage 106a, extending from a main body inlet 107a to a main body outlet 108a as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5. In such an arrangement, the main body outlet 108a may be arranged such that when the main body 102 and consumable 103 are interengaged, a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed at the connection point between main body outlet 108a and fluid inlet 107b, meaning that main body fluid passage 106a and consumable passage 106b become interconnected to form a single passage 106 extending through the smoking substitute system 101 and fluidly connecting main body inlet 107a and consumable outlet 108b.

[0094] The configuration of the passage 106a illustrated in FIG. 5 is for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to be limiting. For example, the fluid inlet 107a might alternatively be located closer to or further away from the end of main body 102 which is configured to engage with the smoking substitute device 103 than illustrated, or may even be located on a different face of the main body 102. Other components of the main body 102 (e.g. the power source) are not illustrated in FIG. 5 for clarity, but may be arranged to be adjacent to or surround all or part of the fluid passage 106a.

[0095] The smoking substitute device 101 is configured to vaporise the e-liquid 104 for inhalation by a user. To provide this function, the consumable 103 is provided with an aerosol generator comprising a flavourant provider with polysaccharide fibres that are cross-linked by a flavourant microcapsule and/or nanocapsule as a porous wick 110 and a resistive heating element in the form of a heating filament 111 that is helically wound around a portion of the porous wick 110. The aerosol generator is arranged between the inlet 107a and the outlet 108b of the smoking substitute system 101, and is in fluid communication with both the inlet 107a and the outlet 108b. The porous wick 110 extends across the passage 106 (e.g. transverse to a longitudinal axis of the passage 106) and opposing ends of the wick 110 extend into the tank 105 so as to be submerged in the e-liquid 104 and thus to draw e-liquid from the tank 105 via wicking or capillary action). In this way, e-liquid 104 contained in the tank 105 is conveyed from the opposing ends of the porous wick 110 to a central portion of the porous wick 110 so as to be exposed to the airflow in the passage 106 caused by a user inhaling or drawing on the mouthpiece 109. The helical filament 111 is wound about the exposed central portion of the porous wick 110 and is electrically connected to an electrical interface in the form of electrical contacts 112 mounted at the end of the consumable that is proximate the main body 102 (when engaged).

[0096] When the consumable 103 is engaged with the main body 102, the electrical contacts 112 make contact with corresponding electrical contacts (not shown) of the main body 102. The main body electrical contacts are electrically connected to a power source (not shown) of the main body 102, such that the filament 111 is electrically connected to the power source when the consumable 103 and the main body 102 are interengaged. In this way, power can be supplied by the main body 102 to the filament 111 in order to heat the filament 111. This heat is transferred from the filament 111 to the porous wick 110 which causes e-liquid 104 conveyed by the porous wick 110 to increase in temperature to a point at which it vaporises. The vaporised e-liquid becomes entrained in the airflow past the wick 110 and, between the vaporisation point at the filament 111 and the outlet 108 of the passage 106, condenses to form an aerosol. Additionally, heat and/or e-liquid in the flavourant provider porous wick 110 causes a portion of the micro and/or nanocapsules to rupture thereby releasing the flavourant 130. The released flavourant 130 mixes with the aerosol that is formed and is also entrained in the airflow. This aerosol is then inhaled, via the mouthpiece 109, by a user of the system 101.

[0097] The power source of the main body 102 may be in the form of a battery (e.g. a rechargeable battery). The main body 102 may comprise a connector in the form of e.g. a USB port for recharging this battery. The main body 102 may also comprise a controller that controls the supply of power from the power source to the main body electrical contacts (and thus to the filament 111). That is, the controller may be configured to control a voltage applied across the main body electrical contacts, and thus the voltage applied across the filament 111. In this way, the filament 111 may only be heated under certain conditions (e.g. during a puff and/or only when the system is in an active state). In this respect, the main body 102 may include a puff sensor (not shown) that is configured to detect a puff (i.e. inhalation). The puff sensor may be operatively connected to the controller so as to be able to provide a signal, to the controller, which is indicative of a puff state (i.e. puffing or not puffing). The puff sensor may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor.

[0098] Although not shown, the main body 102 and consumable 103 may comprise a further interface which may, for example, be in the form of an RFID reader, a barcode or QR code reader. This interface may be able to identify a characteristic (e.g. a type) of a consumable 103 engaged with the main body 102. In this respect, the consumable 103 may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the interface.

[0099] In embodiments in which the e-liquid 104 contains an inherent flavourant, it will be appreciated that the release of flavourant 130 from the flavourant provider in the manner noted above will serve to supplement, and optionally blend with, the flavourant of the e-liquid 104 in use. For example, the flavourant 130 of the provider may have the same flavour as that in the e-liquid 104 in order to supplement the flavour provided within the e-liquid and thereby provide the user with an intensified flavour sensation. Alternatively, the flavourant 130 of the provider may be complementary to that in the e-liquid 104 (i.e. the flavours/aromas of the two flavourants, when mixed, provide a pleasing sensory combination to a user). Providing the flavourant 130 separately from the aerosol precursor 104 affords the user an opportunity to select from or change between different flavourants 130 without necessitating a change of e-liquid, for example during a vaping session.

[0100] Various arrangements within the smoking substitute device 101, and specific configurations of the flavourant provider are possible, some examples of which are described below.

[0101] For example, the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4. Here the tank 105 comprising the e-liquid 104 is positioned further towards the end having the outlet 108 leaving more space at the end of the device having the inlet 107 for other components.

[0102] The main body 102 may have a fluid passage 106a therethrough. Such a fluid passage is illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 5. A flavourant provider is not typically provided in the fluid passage 106a of the main body 102.

[0103] The position and configuration of the flavourant provider may vary. For instance, the flavourant provider 135 may be independently positioned in the passageway (see, e.g., FIGS. 6 and 7) rather than simultaneously functioning as the porous wick 110 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0104] Alternatively, with reference to FIG. 6, it is envisaged that the flavourant provider 135 may be positioned in the passageway 106b. Such a flavourant provider 135 may be received within the fluid flow passage 106, which may be shaped to provide a recess, receptacle, or chamber 120 within which the flavoured article 135 may be located.

[0105] It may be the case as in FIG. 7 that there are two flavourant providers 135a and 135b located in the passageway 106b. They may contain the same or complimentary flavours and be independently configured to fully or partially eclipse the cross section of the passageway 106b at any point. In another embodiment, the porous wick 110 is also a flavourant provider so that there are a total of three flavourant providers 135 and 110.

[0106] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment where a flavourant provider 135 is positioned and configured to eclipse the entire cross section of the passageway 106b along a portion of its length. In this case the vapour must pass through the flavourant provider to reach the outlet 108b for inhalation.

[0107] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment where a flavourant provider 135 is positioned in the passageway 106b and configured as a hollow cylinder with an outer diameter similar to the inner diameter of the passageway 106b. An inner passageway 106c of the flavourant provider 135 is fluidly connected at each end to the passageway 106b of the smoking substitute device, thereby forming a continuous passageway without full obstruction of the cross section at any point. In this case the vapour can pass through or over the flavourant provider 135 to reach the outlet 108b for inhalation.

[0108] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment where a flavourant provider 135 is positioned in the passageway 106b and configured to have four equal sized and equally spaced inner passageways 106c. The flavourant provider 135 is configured to have an outer diameter similar to the inner diameter of the passageway 106b. The four inner passageways 106c of the flavourant provider 135 are fluidly connected at each end to the passageway 106b of the smoking substitute device, thereby forming a continuous passageway without full obstruction of the cross section at any point. In this case, the vapour can pass through or over the flavourant provider 135 to reach the outlet 108b for inhalation. By providing four smaller inner passageway 106c (as opposed to a single large inner passageway 106c in FIG. 9) the amount of vapour passing through, rather than over, the flavourant provider 135 can be increased.

[0109] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary process of forming a flavourant provider 135 including the steps of (i) preparing flavourant micro and/or nanocapsules and (ii) crosslinking the fibres using those capsules. In a first step, the flavourant is added to deionised water/ethanol (one or more solvents) and polysorbate (a non-ionic surfactant). The resulting flavourant solution is stirred with the pH being monitored and adjusted accordingly. Chitosan (a capsule material) is then added to the stirred solution. A polymerisation reaction subsequently occurs and is kept at 25? C. while pH is monitored and kept constant. The obtained fragranced micro/nano capsule emulsion, such as shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13, is stored at 25? C.

[0110] In a second step, the cotton fibres for cross-linking are immersed in the chosen aroma/flavour emulsion prepared in step 1 above with citric acid as the cross-linker. In the case where an inorganic acid is used, for example hydrochloric acid, the cross-linking occurs without an organic polyacid bridging group being present in the final flavourant provider 135. The emulsified solution is then stirred at a temperature range of 40? C. for 120 mins. The cotton fibres are then washed in warm water and dried under vacuum at 70? C. for 24 h.

[0111] The flavourant provider 135 may be a removable, replaceable, and/or consumable flavour part 140 of the smoking substitute system 101. The flavourant provider 135 may be releasably attached to the consumable 103, for example anywhere in the passageway 106b of the smoking substitute device. Various means of attachment between the flavourant provider 135 and the consumable 103 may be possible, including, but not limited to, an interference fit, a snap fit comprising one or more raised bumps and corresponding recesses on the interfacial surface between the two components, or through physically coupling together by screwing one onto the other, through a bayonet fitting, through a latching mechanism, or through a clip or clasp. If the flavourant provider 135 is attached via a latching mechanism, this may further include a button by which the latch may be released. A clip or clasp may be fixed in position relative to the consumable 103, or hingedly, rotatably, or slidably attached to the consumable so as to be movable to allow the flavourant provider 135 to be fitted and released.

[0112] The flavourant provider 135 may alternatively be comprised within a flavour part 140 of the smoking system, in the manner illustrated schematically in FIGS. 14 and 15. Said flavour part 140 may be located between the consumable 103 and main body 102, such that each engages with an opposing end or side of the flavour part 140, but not directly with each other. The flavour part 140 in such an embodiment may further comprise an electrical contact 112b and connection therethrough, so that power may be conveyed from the contacts of the main body 102 to the contacts 112 of the consumable 103 via the flavour part 140. The interface between the consumable 103 and flavour part 140 may be configured to be the same as the interface between the flavour part 140 and main body 102, such that the user is afforded the option of choosing to use the smoking substitute device 101 either with or without the flavour part 140.

[0113] A flavourant provider 135 may therefore be provided as a stand-alone consumable, independent of the consumable 103 comprising the aerosol generator. One or more flavourant providers 135 may be provided in a retail pack. Each flavourant provider 135 within a pack may comprise the same flavourant 130. Alternatively, the pack may comprise flavourant providers 135 containing different flavourants 130, in order to provide a user with a selection of possible flavourants 130.

[0114] Alternatively, in embodiments where the flavourant provider 135 is comprised within a consumable 103b, one or more consumables 103b may be provided in a retail pack. Each consumable 103b within a pack may comprise the same flavourant 130. Alternatively, the pack may comprise consumables 103b containing different flavourants 130 in order to provide a user with a selection of possible flavourants 130.

[0115] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0116] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0117] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0118] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0119] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words have, comprise, and include, and variations such as having, comprises, comprising, and including will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0120] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term about in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/?10%.

[0121] The words preferred and preferably are used herein refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits under some circumstances. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. The recitation of one or more preferred embodiments therefore does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.