AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM COMPRISING A NOVEL DELIVERY ENHANCING COMPOUND SOURCE

Abstract

An aerosol-generating system is provided, including a nicotine source; and a delivery enhancing compound source, which includes a reaction product of one or both of: (i) an alpha-keto carboxylic acid and a compound of formula (I)

##STR00001## where R.sup.1 is selected from alkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl, and (ii) an alpha-hydroxy acid and a compound of formula (II)

##STR00002## where X is a halogen and R.sup.2 is selected from H, alkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. An aerosol-generating system, comprising: a nicotine source; and a delivery enhancing compound source, wherein the delivery enhancing compound source comprises a reaction product of one or both of: (i) an alpha-keto carboxylic acid and a compound of formula (I) ##STR00023## where R.sup.1 is selected from alkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl; and (ii) an alpha-hydroxy acid and a compound of formula (II) ##STR00024## where X is a halogen and R.sup.2 is selected from H, alkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl.

17. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 16, wherein the delivery enhancing compound source comprises the reaction product of one or both of: (i) an alpha-keto carboxylic acid of formula (III) and a compound of formula (I) ##STR00025## where R.sup.3 is selected from C.sub.1-4 alkyl; and (ii) an alpha-hydroxy acid of formula (IV) and a compound of formula (II) ##STR00026## where R.sup.4 is selected from C.sub.1-4 alkyl.

18. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 16, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 4 inclusive and R.sup.1 is selected from C.sub.1-4 alkyl.

19. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 16, wherein X is Br and R.sup.2 is selected from H and C.sub.1-4 alkyl.

20. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 16, wherein the delivery enhancing compound comprises a reaction product of one or both of: (i) pyruvic acid and the compound of formula (I); and (ii) lactic acid and the compound of formula (II).

21. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 20, wherein the delivery enhancing compound comprises one or both of: (i) 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carboxylic acid; and (ii) 2-(allyloxy)propanoic acid.

22. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 16, further comprising: an aerosol-generating article comprising the nicotine source and the delivery enhancing compound source; and an aerosol-generating device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article.

23. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 22, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a heater configured to heat one or both of the nicotine source and the delivery enhancing compound source of the aerosol-generating article.

24. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 23, wherein the heater comprises a single heater configured to heat both the nicotine source and the delivery enhancing compound source of the aerosol-generating article.

25. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 22, wherein the aerosol-generating article further comprises a first compartment comprising the nicotine source and a second compartment comprising the delivery enhancing compound source.

26. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 25, wherein one or both of the first compartment and the second compartment are sealed by one or more frangible barriers, and the aerosol-generating device further comprises one or more piercing members configured to rupture the one or more frangible barriers.

27. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 25, wherein the aerosol-generating article further comprises a third compartment comprising an aerosol-modifying agent.

28. An aerosol-generating article for an aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a nicotine source and a delivery enhancing compound source, the aerosol-generating article being removably insertable into an aerosol-generating device, wherein the delivery enhancing compound source comprises a reaction product of one or both of: (i) an alpha-keto carboxylic acid and a compound of formula (I) ##STR00027## where R.sup.1 is selected from alkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl; and (ii) an alpha-hydroxy acid and a compound of formula (II) ##STR00028## where X is a halogen and R.sup.2 is selected from H, alkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl.

29. A method of generating an aerosol comprising nicotine salt particles, comprising: reacting nicotine with a reaction product of one or both of: (i) an alpha-keto carboxylic acid and a compound of formula (I) ##STR00029## where R.sup.1 is selected from alkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl; and (ii) an alpha-hydroxy acid and a compound of formula (II) ##STR00030## where X is a halogen and R.sup.2 is selected from H, alkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl.

30. An aerosol-generating system for generating an aerosol comprising nicotine salt particles, comprising: a nicotine source; and a delivery enhancing compound source comprising one or both of: (i) 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carboxylic acid; and (ii) 2-(allyloxy)propanoic acid.

Description

[0176] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0177] FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-section of an aerosol-generating system according to a first embodiment of the invention comprising: an aerosol-generating article comprising a nicotine source and a delivery enhancing compound source; and an aerosol-generating device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article; and

[0178] FIG. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-section of an aerosol-generating system according to a second embodiment of the invention comprising: an aerosol-generating article comprising a nicotine source and a delivery enhancing compound source; and an aerosol-generating device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article.

[0179] The aerosol-generating system according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 generally comprises an aerosol-generating article 4 and an aerosol-generating device 6, which are configured to engage and cooperate with one another to form the aerosol-generating system.

[0180] The aerosol-generating article 4 is configured as a one-piece consumable that is discarded after use. The aerosol-generating article 4 has an elongate cylindrical shape and comprises a housing comprising: a first compartment 8 comprising a nicotine source; a second compartment 10 comprising a delivery enhancing compound source, wherein the delivery enhancing compound source comprises 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carboxylic acid; a third compartment 12; and a mouthpiece 14.

[0181] The first compartment 8, the second compartment 10, the third compartment 12 and the mouthpiece 14 are arranged in series and in coaxial alignment within the aerosol-generating article 4. The first compartment 8 is located at the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 4. The second compartment 10 is located immediately downstream of the first compartment 8. The third compartment 12 is located immediately downstream of the second compartment 10. The mouthpiece 14 is located immediately downstream of the third compartment 12 at the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 4.

[0182] The nicotine source comprises a sorption element, such as a PTFE wick, with nicotine adsorbed thereon, which is inserted into the first compartment 8. The delivery enhancing compound source comprises a sorption element, such as a PTFE wick, with 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carboxylic acid adsorbed thereon, which is inserted into the second compartment 10.

[0183] The aerosol-generating device 6 comprises a housing comprising an elongate cylindrical cavity in which the aerosol-generating article 4 is received. As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the cavity is less than the length of the aerosol-generating article 4 so that when the aerosol-generating article 4 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 6 the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 4 protrudes from the cavity.

[0184] The aerosol-generating device 6 further comprises a power supply 16, a controller (not shown), a single heater 18 configured to heat both the nicotine source and the delivery enhancing compound source of the aerosol-generating article 4, and a piercing element 20. The power supply 16 is a battery and the controller comprises electronic circuitry and is connected to the power supply 16 and the single heater 18.

[0185] The single heater is an electric heating element positioned about the perimeter of a portion of the cavity, which extends fully around the circumference of the cavity. As shown in FIG. 1, the electric heating element is positioned so that it circumscribes the first compartment 8 and the second compartment 10 of the aerosol-generating article 4.

[0186] The piercing element 20 is positioned centrally within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device 6 and extends along the major axis of the cavity.

[0187] In use, as the aerosol-generating article 4 is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device 6 the piercing member 20 of the aerosol-generating device 6 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article 4 and pierces the first compartment 8 comprising the nicotine and the second compartment 10 comprising the delivery enhancing compound source. This allows a user to draw air into the housing of the aerosol-generating article 4 through the distal or upstream end thereof, downstream through the first compartment 8, the second compartment 10 and the third compartment 12 and out of the housing through the mouthpiece 14 at the proximal end thereof.

[0188] Once the aerosol-generating article 4 is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device 6, the electric heating element of the aerosol-generating device 6 heats the nicotine source in the first compartment 8 and the delivery enhancing compound source in the second compartment 10 of the aerosol-generating article 4 to substantially the same temperature.

[0189] In use, the user draws on the mouthpiece 14 at the proximal and of the aerosol-generating article 4 to draw air through the first compartment 8 comprising the nicotine source and the second compartment 10 comprising the delivery enhancing compound source. As the user draws air through the aerosol-generating article 4, nicotine vapour is released from the nicotine source in the first compartment 8 into the air stream drawn through the aerosol-generating article 4 and 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carboxylic acid vapour is released from the delivery enhancing compound source in the second compartment 10 into the air stream drawn through the aerosol-generating article 4. The nicotine vapour reacts with the 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carboxylic acid vapour in the gas phase in the second compartment 10 and the third compartment 12 to form an aerosol of nicotine 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carboxylate salt particles, which is delivered to the user through the mouthpiece 14 at the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 4.

[0190] The aerosol-generating system according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 generally comprises an aerosol-generating article 104 and an aerosol-generating device 106, which are configured to engage and cooperate with one another to form the aerosol-generating system.

[0191] The aerosol-generating article 104 is configured as a one-piece consumable that is discarded after use. The aerosol-generating article 104 comprises a cartridge comprising a first compartment 108 comprising a nicotine source, a second compartment 110 comprising a delivery enhancing compound source, wherein the delivery enhancing compound source comprises 2-(allyloxy)propanoic acid, and a mouthpiece 114.

[0192] The first compartment 108 comprising the nicotine source and the second compartment 110 comprising the delivery enhancing compound source are arranged in parallel within the cartridge at the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 104. The mouthpiece 114 is located downstream of the first compartment 108 comprising the nicotine source and the second compartment 110 comprising the delivery enhancing compound source at the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 104.

[0193] The cartridge of the aerosol-generating article 104 comprises a cavity 122, for example configured as a slot. As shown in FIG. 2, the cavity 122 extends along the major axis of the cartridge between the first compartment 108 comprising the nicotine source and the second compartment 110 comprising the delivery enhancing compound source.

[0194] The nicotine source comprises a sorption element, such as a PTFE wick, with nicotine adsorbed thereon, which is inserted into the first compartment 108. The delivery enhancing compound source comprises a sorption element, such as a PTFE wick, with 2-(allyloxy)propanoic acid adsorbed thereon, which is inserted into the second compartment 110.

[0195] The aerosol-generating device 106 comprises a housing comprising a cylindrical cavity in which the cartridge of the aerosol-generating article 104 is received. As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the cavity is less than the length of the aerosol-generating article 104 so that when the cartridge of the aerosol-generating article 104 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 4 at least the mouthpiece 114 at the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 104 projects from the cavity.

[0196] The aerosol-generating device 106 comprises a single heater 118 configured to heat both the nicotine source and the delivery enhancing compound source of the aerosol-generating article 104. As shown in FIG. 2, the single heater is positioned centrally within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device 104 and extends along the major axis of the cavity. The single heater is an elongate electric heating element in the form of a heater blade. In the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the single heater 118 projects from the housing of the aerosol-generating device 106. However, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the length of the single heater 118 may be less than the length of the cavity so that the single heater does not project from the housing of the aerosol-generating device 106. The aerosol-generating device 106 further comprises a power supply 116 in the form of a battery and a controller (not shown) comprising electronic circuitry, which is connected to the power supply 116 and the single heater.

[0197] The opposed substantially planar end faces of the cartridge may be sealed by removable barriers, such as peel-off seals (not shown), which may be removed before the cartridge of the aerosol-generating article 104 is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device 106 to allow a user to draw air though the first compartment 108 comprising the nicotine source and the second compartment 110 comprising the delivery enhancing source and out of the aerosol-generating article 104 through the mouthpiece 114 at the proximal end thereof.

[0198] Alternatively, the opposed substantially planar end faces of the cartridge may be sealed by frangible barriers (not shown). In use, as the cartridge of the aerosol-generating article 104 is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device 106 one or more piercing members provided in the aerosol-generating device 106 may pierce the frangible barriers to allow a user to draw air though the first compartment 108 comprising the nicotine source and the second compartment 110 comprising the delivery enhancing source and out of the aerosol-generating article 104 through the mouthpiece 114 at the proximal end thereof.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 2, the single heater 118 of the aerosol-generating device 106 is received in the cavity 122 of the cartridge of the aerosol-generating article 104 when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device 106. The elongate electrical heating element of the single heater 118 of the aerosol-generating device 106 is thus configured as an internal heater that in use is positioned internally to the aerosol-generating article 104.

[0200] Once the cartridge of the aerosol-generating article 104 is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 106, the elongate electric heating element of the aerosol-generating device 106 heats the nicotine source in the first compartment 108 and the delivery enhancing compound source in the second compartment 110 to substantially the same temperature.

[0201] In use, the user draws on the mouthpiece 114 at the proximal and of the aerosol-generating article 104 to draw air through the first compartment 108 comprising the nicotine source and the second compartment 110 comprising the delivery enhancing compound source. As the drawn air passes through the cartridge, nicotine vapour is released from the nicotine source in the first compartment 108 and 2-(allyloxy)propanoic acid vapour is released from the delivery enhancing compound source in the second compartment 110. The nicotine vapour reacts with the 2-(allyloxy)propanoic acid vapour in the gas phase to form an aerosol of nicotine 2-(allyloxy)propanoate salt particles, which is delivered to the user through the mouthpiece 114 at the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 104.