Shisha device with aerosol condensation

Abstract

A method includes generating an aerosol by heating, without combusting, an aerosol generating substrate (300) in a shisha device (100). The method further includes introducing at least one aerosol condensation particle to an airflow path (103) of the shisha device. The airflow path (103) carries the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate to an outlet (104) of the shisha device for delivery to a user.

Claims

1. A method comprising: generating an aerosol by heating, without combusting, an aerosol generating substrate in a shisha device; and introducing at least one aerosol condensation particle to an airflow path of the shisha device to increase visible aerosol or total aerosol mass, wherein the airflow path carries the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate to an outlet of the shisha device for delivery to a user.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aerosol condensation particle comprises a liquid droplet.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aerosol condensation particle comprises a solid particle.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aerosol condensation particle comprises at least one of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and carbon.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is carried out by the shisha device.

6. A shisha device configured to carry out the method of claim 1.

7. A shisha device comprising: a vessel defining an interior configured to contain a volume of liquid, the vessel comprising a headspace in communication with an outlet for delivering the aerosol to the user; an aerosol generating element in fluid connection with the vessel, wherein the aerosol generating element is configured to heat, without combusting, an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol; an airflow path arranged to carry the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate to an outlet of the shisha device for delivery to a user; and an aerosol condensation particle dispenser configured to dispense at least one aerosol condensation particle into or around the airflow path to increase visible aerosol or total aerosol mass.

8. A shisha device according to claim 7, further comprising a source of the at least one aerosol condensation particle, wherein the aerosol condensation particle source is operably coupled to the aerosol condensation particle dispenser for delivering the at least one aerosol condensation particle from the source into or around the airflow path.

9. A shisha device according to claim 8, wherein the aerosol condensation particle source comprises a liquid composition comprising the at least one aerosol generating particle.

10. A shisha device according to claim 7, wherein the aerosol condensation particle dispenser is positioned to deliver the at least one aerosol condensation particle to the airflow path downstream of the aerosol generating substrate.

11. A shisha device according to claim 7, wherein the aerosol condensation particle dispenser comprises a nebulizer.

12. A shisha device according to claim 7, further comprising a puff sensor in communication with the airflow path, wherein the puff sensor is operably coupled to the aerosol condensation particle dispenser to cause the dispenser to deliver the at least one aerosol condensation particle to the airflow path in response to detection of a puff.

13. A shisha device according to claim 7, wherein the aerosol generating element comprises an electric heating element.

14. A shisha device according to claim 13, further comprising a power supply configured to supply power to the electric heating element.

15. A system comprising: a container in which an aerosol generating substrate is disposed; and a shisha device according to claim 7, wherein the aerosol generating unit is configured to receive the container comprising the aerosol generating substrate.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises a solid aerosol generating substrate.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises tobacco.

18. The shisha device of claim 7, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises a solid aerosol generating substrate.

19. The shisha device of claim 7, wherein the aerosol generating substrate comprises tobacco.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components, steps and the like. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number. In addition, the use of different numbers to refer to components in different figures is not intended to indicate that the different numbered components cannot be the same or similar to other numbered components. The figures are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Schematic drawings presented in the figures are not necessarily to scale.

(2) FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a shisha system of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional diagram illustrating an embodiment of a shisha system of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional diagram illustrating a portion of a shisha device of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective diagram of a cartridge containing aerosol generating substrate for use in an embodiment of a shisha device of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a shisha system of the present invention.

(9) FIGS. 8A and 8B are images of shisha devices in use. The shisha device in FIG. 8A does not include a nebulizer, and the device in FIG. 8B includes a nebulizer that introduces aerosol generating particles into an airflow path for mixing with vapor generated from heating of an aerosol generating substrate.

(10) FIG. 9 is a graph showing total aerosol mass generated by a shisha device in which a nebulizer introduced aerosol generating particles in an airflow path for mixing with vapor (circles) and by a shisha device lacking a nebulizer (triangles).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(11) Referring now to FIG. 1, a method for increasing one or both of visible aerosol and total aerosol mass in a shisha device comprising an aerosol generating element that heats, but does not combust, an aerosol generating substrate is shown. The method includes generating a vapor by heating the aerosol generating substrate in the shisha device (2). The method further includes introducing aerosol condensation particles to the vapor in an airflow path of the shisha device for mixing with the vapor generated by heating the substrate (4). As the vapor cools, it condenses to form an aerosol. In this embodiment, the aerosol condensation particles are introduced in the airflow path downstream of the aerosol generating substrate. The introduction of the aerosol condensation particles may improve nucleation, with may increase one or both of visible aerosol and total aerosol mass. Accordingly, a shisha device that electrically heats the aerosol generating substrate, without combusting the substrate, may produce visible aerosol and total aerosol mass similar to or greater than devices that combust the substrate.

(12) Referring now to FIG. 2, a system 10 comprising a shisha device 100 and an aerosol generating substrate 300 is shown. The shisha device 100 comprises an inlet 102 and an outlet 104 and an airflow path 103 (shown by the arrow) that extends from the inlet 102 to the outlet 104. The device 100 includes an aerosol generating element 130 comprising an electric heating element for heating the aerosol generating substrate 300. The substrate 300 is in the airflow path 103 of the device 100. As the substrate 300 is heated, aerosol is generated, which may be entrained in air flowing through the airflow path 103. The aerosol may be delivered to a user through the outlet 104 when the user puffs on the device 100.

(13) The aerosol generating element 130 is operably coupled to power supply 35 and control electronics 30, which together control the temperature to which the heating element of the aerosol generating element 130 heats the substrate 300 so that the substrate 300 is sufficiently heated to produce an aerosol but is not combusted. Accordingly, combustion by-products are not delivered to the user for inhalation.

(14) The device includes a nebulizer 400 positioned to deliver an aerosol condensation particle to the airflow path. The nebulizer 400 is downstream of the substrate 300. As air carrying vapor generated by the heated substrate 300 travels in the airflow path towards the outlet 104 the vapor may mix with the aerosol condensation particles to promote nucleation of the aerosol, increasing visible aerosol and increasing total aerosol mass.

(15) The device 100 optionally includes a puff sensor 109 in communication with the airflow path 103. When a user puffs on the device 100 via the outlet 104 a drop in internal pressure may be detected by the puff sensor 109. The puff sensor 109 and the nebulizer 400 are operably coupled to the control electronics 30. Puff detection by the sensor 109 may cause the control electronics 30 to activate the nebulizer 400.

(16) Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic sectional drawing of an example of a shisha device 100 is shown. The device 100 includes a vessel 17 defining an interior volume configured to contain liquid 19 and defining a headspace outlet 15 above a fill level for the liquid 19. The liquid 19 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.

(17) The device 100 also includes an aerosol generating element 130. The aerosol generating element 130 includes a receptacle 140 configured to receive a cartridge 150 containing an aerosol generating substrate (or receive aerosol generating substrate that is not in a cartridge). The aerosol generating element 130 also includes a heating element 160 that 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 also includes a fresh air inlet channel 170 that draws fresh air into the device 100. A portion of the fresh air inlet channel 170 is formed by the heating element 160 to heat the air before the air enters the receptacle 140. The pre-heated air then enters the cartridge 150 (or substrate that is not in a cartridge), which is also heated by heating element 160, to carry vapor generated by heated aerosol generating substrate. The air and vapor exits an outlet of the aerosol generating element 130 and enters a chamber 200 through an air accelerating inlet (not shown). As the vapor cools it condenses to form an aerosol.

(18) A conduit 190 carries the air and aerosol from the chamber 200 into the vessel 17 below the level of the liquid 19. The air and aerosol may bubble through the liquid 19, into the headspace 18 of the vessel 17 and exit the headspace 18 via the headspace outlet 15 of the vessel 17. A hose 20 may be attached to the headspace outlet 15 to carry the aerosol to the mouth of a user. A mouthpiece 25 may be attached to, or form a part of, the hose 20.

(19) The airflow path 103 of the device, in use, is depicted by thick arrows in FIG. 3.

(20) The mouthpiece 25 may include an activation element 27. The activation element 27 may be a switch, button or the like, or may be a puff sensor or the like. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the activation element 27 may be placed at any other suitable location on the device 100. The activation element 27 may be in wireless communication with the control electronics 30 to place the device 100 in condition for use or to cause control electronics 30 to activate the heating element 160; for example, by causing power supply 35 to energize the heating element 160.

(21) The control electronics 30 and power supply 35 may be located in any suitable position of the aerosol generating element 130 other than the bottom portion of the element 130 as depicted in FIG. 3.

(22) FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of an example of a shisha device 100. Some components of the device 100 are not shown because the components are not required to understand the embodiment. The device includes an aerosol generating element 130 configured to electronically heat an aerosol generating substrate 300. The aerosol generating element 130 includes inlets 133 for fresh air to flow from outside of the aerosol generating element 130 through the aerosol generating substrate 300 and into conduit 190 for delivery to the vessel. The device 100 includes a nebulizer 400 operably coupled to a reservoir 407 containing a liquid composition. The nebulizer 400 nebulizes the liquid composition to form a plurality of aerosol condensation particles 405 that are introduced into the airflow path downstream of the substrate 300 and upstream of the conduit 190.

(23) In this embodiment, the nebulizer 400 is positioned to introduce aerosol condensation particles into the airflow path between the heating element 160 and the chamber 200. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the nebulizer 400 may be positioned to introduce the aerosol condensation particles to different locations in the airflow path. For example, the nebulizer 400 may be positioned to introduce aerosol condensation particles to the airflow path upstream of the heating element 160 or downstream of the aerosol generating element 130, such as to the chamber 200 or to the conduit 190.

(24) Referring now to FIG. 5, a schematic perspective view of an example of a cartridge 150 that may be used with a shisha device described herein is shown. The cartridge 150 includes a housing 151 and a plurality of apertures 153 formed in the top surface of the housing to allow air flow through the cartridge 150 and aerosol generating substrate contained in the housing. The bottom of the cartridge 150 may also contain one or more apertures to allow air flow through the cartridge 150.

(25) Referring now to FIG. 6, another method for increasing one or both of visible aerosol and total aerosol mass in a shisha device comprising an aerosol generating element that heats, but does not combust, an aerosol generating substrate is shown. The method comprises similar steps to the method of FIG. 1, and like numbers used in to refer to steps of the method of FIG. 6 correspond to like numbers used to refer to like steps of the method of FIG. 1. The method includes introducing aerosol condensation particles to an airflow path of the shisha device (4′). The method further includes generating a vapor in the airflow path by heating the aerosol generating substrate in the shisha device (2′). The vapor mixes with the aerosol condensation particles in the airflow path, which promote nucleation of the vapor as the vapor cools to form an aerosol. In this embodiment, the aerosol condensation particles are introduced in the airflow path upstream of the aerosol generating substrate. The introduction of the aerosol condensation particles may improve nucleation, with may increase one or both of visible aerosol and total aerosol mass.

(26) Referring now to FIG. 7, a system 10′ comprising a shisha device 100′ and an aerosol generating substrate 300′ is shown. The system 10′ comprises similar features to the system 10 of FIG. 2, and like numbers used to refer to features of the system of FIG. 7 correspond to like numbers used to refer to features of the system of FIG. 2. The shisha device 100′ comprises an inlet 102′ and an outlet 104′ and an airflow path 103′ (shown by the arrow) that extends from the inlet 102′ to the outlet 104′. The device 100′ includes an aerosol generating element 130′ comprising an electric heating element for heating the aerosol generating substrate 300′. The substrate 300′ is in the airflow path 103′ of the device 100′. As the substrate 300′ is heated, aerosol is generated, which may be entrained in air flowing through the airflow path 103′. The aerosol may be delivered to a user through the outlet 104′ when the user puffs on the device 100′.

(27) The aerosol generating element 130′ is operably coupled to power supply 35′ and control electronics 30′, which together control the temperature to which the heating element of the aerosol generating element 130′ heats the substrate 300′ so that the substrate 300′ is sufficiently heated to produce an aerosol but is not combusted.

(28) The device includes a nebulizer 400′ positioned to deliver an aerosol condensation particle to the airflow path. The nebulizer 400′ is upstream of the substrate 300′. As air carrying aerosol condensation particles travels in the airflow path towards the outlet 104′ over or through the substrate 300′ the aerosol condensation particles are in the airflow path at the location at which the vapor is generated by the substrate 300′. As such, the vapor may mix with the aerosol condensation particles as soon as it is generated to promote nucleation of the aerosol, increasing visible aerosol and increasing total aerosol mass.

(29) The device 100′ optionally includes a puff sensor 109′ in communication with the airflow path 103′. When a user puffs on the device 100′ via the outlet 104′ a drop in internal pressure may be detected by the puff sensor 109′. The puff sensor 109′ and the nebulizer 400′ are operably coupled to the control electronics 30′. Puff detection by the sensor 109′ may cause the control electronics 30′ to activate the nebulizer 400′.

(30) The features described above in relation to one aspect of the invention may also be applicable to another aspect of the invention.

EXAMPLE

(31) In the following non-limiting example, the ability of an aerosol condensation particle to increase the visible amount of aerosol and to increase the total aerosol mass deliverable to a user is described.

(32) A shisha device with a nebulizer was assembled, and a shisha device without the nebulizer was assembled. The two shisha devices were essentially the same except for the presence or absence of the nebulizer.

(33) An aerosol generating element containing a cartridge receptacle and a wound-wire heating element was coupled to a conduit that extended below a liquid level in a vessel. A cartridge filled with 10 g of commercially available Al-Fakher tobacco molasses was placed in contact with the wound-wire heating element in both devices. The wound-wire was set at a constant temperature of 230° C.

(34) 35 grams of NaCl was dissolved in 1 liter of distilled water. The resulting solution was sprayed into an aerosol phase of shisha device using the nebulizer having a pressure of 30 bar. The nebulized NaCl and water was sprayed into an aerosol path of the shisha device 2 centimeters above the cartridge.

(35) Aerosol was collected via a headspace outlet of the vessel above the liquid level. The aerosol was collected using a total of 10 Cambridge pads whose weight was recorded before and after the smoking experience. The total duration of the experience corresponds to 105 puffs. To achieve the desired puffing experience, four Programmable Dual Syringe Pumps (PDSP) were used simultaneously to create the following puffing regime: Puff volume: 530 mL Puff duration: 2600 ms Duration between puffs: 17 s

(36) A comparison of the amount of visible aerosol present in the headspace of the vessel of a shisha device without a nebulizer and a shisha device comprising a nebulizer according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 8A shows the shisha device without the nebulizer. FIG. 8B show the shisha device with the nebulizer.

(37) The amount of visible aerosol in the headspace of the vessel of the shisha device comprising the nebulizer was drastically increased compared to the shisha device without the nebulizer, as shown in FIGS. 8A-B. In addition, the total amount of collected aerosol increased from 1202 mg (without nebulizer) to 1773 mg (with nebulizer).

(38) The experimental setup was arranged such that only two of the ten Cambridge pads collect the generated aerosol at a given moment. Every 20 puffs, a check valve ensured that the aerosol was diverted to the correct pair of Cambridge pads. Thus, the production of aerosol could be monitored as a function of time.

(39) In FIG. 9, the average total aerosol mass (TAM) per puff is shown for puffs 20, 40, 60, 80, and 105 for the two different configurations of shisha device. The average TAM per puff obtained by the electric shisha without the nebulizer is depicted using triangles. The TAM obtained using the same device with the addition of the nebulizer is displayed using circles.

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

(40) All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein.

(41) As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

(42) As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

(43) 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.

(44) 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.

(45) Any direction referred to herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions or orientations are described herein for clarity and brevity are not intended to be limiting of an actual device or system. Devices and systems described herein may be used in a number of directions and orientations.

(46) The embodiments exemplified above are not limiting. Other embodiments consistent with the embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art.