RU2791504C2 - Apparatus for generating an inhaled medium, tobacco container and cartridge for use in such an apparatus, set and application of a bpa and bps-free copolyester plastic as a contact surface - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking devices.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates, without limitation, to an apparatus for generating an inhaled medium, to a cartridge for use in the apparatus for generating an inhaled medium, to a tobacco container, and to a set. Apparatus for generating an inhaled medium comprises a container for retaining a first aerosol-forming material; a heater for vaporising the first aerosol-forming material retained in the container; a chamber for retaining a second aerosol-forming material, wherein the inner surfaces of the chamber contain a BPA and BPS-free copolyester plastic; and an outlet. The apparatus is made so as to generate an inhaled medium during use, wherein said medium passes through the outlet. The inhaled medium contains components of the first and second aerosol-forming materials in the form of vapour and/or aerosol.

EFFECT: reduction in the level of leaching of the plastic components into the tobacco and reduction in the losses of nicotine from the tobacco.

15 cl, 7 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The invention relates without limitation to a device for generating an inhalable medium, a cartridge for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, a container for tobacco and a kit.

State of the art

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like burn tobacco during use to generate tobacco smoke. Alternative products to these types of products release compounds without being burned to form an inhalable environment.

Examples of such articles are heating devices, which include non-burning heated hybrid electronic cigarette devices, also known as electronic tobacco hybrid devices. These hybrid devices contain a liquid that is heated to vaporize to produce an inhalable vapor or aerosol. The liquid may contain flavorings and/or aerosol generating substances such as glycerol and in some cases nicotine. The vapor or aerosol passes through the material in the device and entraps one or more constituents of the substrate material to produce an inhalable medium. The substrate material may be, for example, other non-tobacco products or a combination, such as a mixture, which may or may not contain nicotine.

US 2018255833 A1 discloses a cartridge comprising an outer shell defining an interior space comprising: a first reservoir containing a first component and having a first opening for releasing the first component; a second reservoir containing the second component and having a second opening for releasing the second component; a first release film, impervious to the first component of the mixture, sealing the first opening; and a second release film, impervious to the second component, sealing the second opening. Document US 2018255833 A1 can be considered as an analogue of the invention. US 2018255833 A1 does not disclose at least the features of the formula "the inner surfaces of the chamber contain a copolyester plastic that does not contain BPA and BPS" (see paragraphs 1, 12 and 14), or "the surface in contact with tobacco contains a copolyester plastic that free of BPA and BPS” (see point 6), or “use of a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS as the tobacco contact surface in the tobacco container to reduce loss of nicotine from tobacco” (see point 15). The technical effect can be considered as a reduction in the leaching of plastic components into tobacco and a reduction in the loss of nicotine from tobacco. Thus, the objective technical problem is to create a device for generating an inhalable environment, which reduces the leaching of plastic components into tobacco and reduces the loss of nicotine from tobacco. US 2018255833 A1 is silent on the claimed solution and does not provide a solution to the problem of leaching of plastic components into tobacco and loss of nicotine from tobacco. Therefore, the document US 2018255833 A1 does not encourage a person skilled in the art to come to the claimed solution.

Patent document EP 3076810 B1 relates to an aerosol generating article containing an aerosol generating substrate for generating an inhalable aerosol when heated by an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating article has a rigid, hollow, fireproof tip at the distal end of the article.

Patent document WO 2013159245 A discloses an electronic cigarette comprising a separate cartridge unit and a vaporizer unit. The cartridge assembly may have a cartridge tube containing liquid with a seal to seal the liquid within the cartridge tube. The vaping unit may have a piercing device and a heater, wherein the evaporating unit front side is movable in engagement with the cartridge assembly causing the piercing device to pierce the seal in preparation for use of the electronic cigarette.

Patent document WO 2013098405 A2 describes an aerosol generating article comprising: an aerosol generating substrate; a support member positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate; an aerosol-cooling element positioned after the support element; and an outer wrapper surrounding the aerosol-forming substrate, the support element, and the aerosol-cooling element.

Patent document RU 2620491 C2 refers to a smoking article containing a plurality of elements, including a front plug and an aerosol-forming substrate. The front plug forms an opening or slot through which the heating element can be inserted. In use, the heating element is inserted into the smoking article through a hole or slot and the aerosol-forming substrate is heated to form the aerosol. When the heating element is subsequently removed from the smoking article, the front plug acts to retain the aerosol-forming substrate within the smoking article.

Disclosure of invention

The first aspect of the present invention provides a device for generating an inhalable medium, comprising:

a container for holding the first aerosol-forming material;

a heater for evaporating the first aerosol-forming material held in the container;

a chamber for holding a second aerosol-forming material, the inner surfaces of the chamber comprising a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA (Bisphenol A) and BPS (Bisphenol S); And

release;

moreover, the device is designed in such a way that during use an inhalable medium is generated that passes through the outlet, and the inhalable medium contains components of the first and second aerosol-forming materials in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol.

The device described herein may be referred to as an electronic tobacco hybrid device. In some instances, the first aerosol-forming material may be a liquid or gel, preferably a liquid. In some cases, the second aerosol-forming material may be a solid or gel, preferably a solid containing nicotine, such as tobacco.

A second aspect of the invention provides a tobacco container for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, wherein the tobacco contact surface comprises a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS. The container may be adapted for use in the inhalable media generation device described herein.

A third aspect of the invention provides a cartridge for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, the cartridge comprising a first aerosol-forming material in a container and a second aerosol-forming material in a chamber, the inner surfaces of the chamber comprising a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS. The cartridge may be adapted for use in the inhalable media generation device described herein.

Another aspect of the invention provides a kit containing

(i) a liquid container containing an aerosol-forming liquid; And

(ii) a tobacco container according to the second aspect of the invention containing tobacco;

moreover, the liquid container and the tobacco container are configured for use in the device for use in generating an inhalable medium, and the device is designed in such a way that when used, an inhalable medium is generated, namely, a medium containing (i) liquid evaporating from the liquid container in the form of a vapor and/or aerosol, and (ii) one or more constituents of a tobacco formulation.

Another aspect of the invention involves the use of a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS as a tobacco contact surface in a tobacco chamber to reduce loss of nicotine from tobacco.

In some instances, the tobacco device, cartridge, or container is configured such that, during use, the first aerosol-forming material is vaporized by the heater and passes in the form of at least a vapor or aerosol through the second aerosol-forming material to capture one or more constituents from the second aerosol-forming material and production of the inhaled medium that exits the outlet.

To the extent that they are compatible, the features described with respect to an aspect of the invention are expressly disclosed in combination with each and all of the following aspects. For example, the features described with respect to a device, a cartridge, a set of tobacco containers are explicitly disclosed in combination with each of the other components, which include a device, a cartridge, a tobacco container, and a set. In particular, features of the aerosol forming materials described herein and the BPA and BPS free copolyester plastic material are explicitly disclosed in combination with device, cartridge, container and kit embodiments of the invention. Likewise, the features described in relation to the device are explicitly disclosed in combination with the method and aspects of using the invention and vice versa.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Examples of tobacco devices, cartridges and containers for generating an inhalable medium according to the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an example of an apparatus for generating an inhalable medium;

fig. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of another example of an apparatus for generating an inhalable medium;

fig. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of another example of an apparatus for generating an inhalable medium;

fig. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an example of a cartridge having a liquid container and integral solid material container therewith; And

fig. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an example of a cartridge having a liquid container and a detachable solid material container;

fig. 6 - loss of nicotine from tobacco material stored in the container according to the embodiment of the invention and in the comparative container;

fig. 7 shows the supply of nicotine from tobacco material stored in a container according to an embodiment of the invention and in a comparative container.

Implementation of the invention

The tobacco can be processed with a base and water to easily release the nicotine from the tobacco. Nicotine is released from nicotine salts in tobacco by reaction with a base. The nicotine then evaporates at a low temperature during use.

The present invention relates to an improvement in the delivery of nicotine from a hybrid device. The inventors have found that in known devices, the loss of nicotine from tobacco prior to use is significant; without being limited by theory, it is believed that the volatile nicotine is absorbed into the walls of the container holding the tobacco. In particular, base-treated nicotine can be incorporated into known devices (wherein the pH treatment releases the nicotine from the salt form); Free nicotine is more volatile, so it is more easily taken up by the aerosol during use, but this increase in volatility has been seen to lead to increased loss of nicotine prior to use.

The inventors have also found that the plastic components used in prior art tobacco containers can leach the components into tobacco.

The present invention relates to the use of a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS in a tobacco contact surface. This has been found to minimize the leaching of plastic components into the tobacco. It has also been found that such plastics minimize the loss of nicotine from tobacco, in particular base-treated tobacco.

As stated above, the first aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for generating an inhalable medium; device contains:

a container for holding the first aerosol-forming material;

a heater for evaporating the first aerosol-forming material held in the container;

a chamber for holding the second aerosol-forming material, and the inner surfaces of the chamber contain copolyester plastic, which does not contain BPA and BPS; And

release;

wherein the device is configured such that, in use, an inhalable medium is generated and passes through the outlet, the inhalable medium comprising components of the first and second aerosol forming materials in the form of a vapor and/or an aerosol.

The device described herein may be referred to as an electronic tobacco hybrid device. In some instances, the first aerosol-forming material may be a solid or gel, preferably a nicotine-containing solid such as tobacco.

In some cases, the inner surfaces of the chamber are formed (ie, essentially consist or consist of) copolyester plastic, which does not contain BPA and BPS. In some cases, the chamber is formed from walls made of copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS.

In some cases, the copolyester plastic contains monomers selected from:

(i) dimethyl terephthalate (DMT);

(ii) 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM); And

(iii) 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCD).

In some cases, the copolyester plastic contains each of the following monomers:

(i) dimethyl terephthalate (DMT);

(ii) 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM); And

(iii) 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCD).

In some cases, the copolyester plastic is formed (i.e. essentially consists or consists of) of the following monomers:

(i) dimethyl terephthalate (DMT);

(ii) 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM); And

(iii) 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCD).

In some cases, the device includes a first aerosol-forming material in a container and a second aerosol-forming material in a chamber.

In some cases, the first aerosol-forming material contains a liquid or gel. In some particular cases, the first aerosol-forming material does not contain nicotine. The first aerosol-forming material may be a liquid that contains an aerosol-generating agent such as glycerol or propylene glycol. It may thus additionally contain flavor and/or water. In general, suitable liquids include substances commonly used in electronic cigarette devices. The liquid usually evaporates at approximately 150 - 250°C.

In some instances, the second aerosol-forming material contains nicotine. In some instances, the second aerosol-forming material comprises tobacco material. In some particular instances, the second aerosol-forming material comprises tobacco material having a pH greater than 7, suitably greater than 8, and suitably in the range of 8-10. The pH of tobacco can be raised by treatment with any suitable base, including, for example, hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates. sodium, potassium and calcium; and mixtures thereof. In some cases, the tobacco material may be porous so that an aerosol or vapor can pass through the tobacco material. Thus, the components of the tobacco material are effectively captured by the aerosol/vapour as it passes through the tobacco material.

As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material containing tobacco or its derivatives. The term "tobacco material" may include one or more of tobaccos, which include ground tobacco, tobacco fiber, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, reconstituted tobacco, agglomerated tobacco, rolled tobacco and/or tobacco extract.

The tobacco used to manufacture the tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco such as single varieties or mixtures of types and varieties, cut tobacco or whole leaf, including Virginia tobacco and/or Burley tobacco and/or Oriental tobacco. It can also be in the form of "fines" of tobacco or tobacco dust, exploded tobacco, stems, exploded stems, and other processed stem materials such as cut rolled stems. The tobacco material may be ground tobacco or reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material may contain tobacco fibers and may be formed by casting using a long wire machine approach followed by the addition of tobacco extract, or by extrusion.

The second aerosol-forming material may further comprise flavors and/or aerosol-generating substances and/or ingredients. Suitable ingredients include inert sugar, molasses, cane sugar, honey, cocoa, licorice, polyols such as glycerol and propylene glycol, and acids such as malic acid.

The device of several examples of the invention may be configured such that, during use, the first aerosol-forming material is vaporized by the heater and passes in the form of at least a vapor or aerosol through the second aerosol-forming material and captures one or more constituents from the second aerosol-forming material to obtain the inhaled medium that exits the outlet.

In other examples, the flow path from the container holding the first aerosol-forming material may be combined with a separate flow path that extends from the second aerosol-forming material to form a respirable medium. In other words, in several exemplary devices, the aerosol/vapour generated by the evaporation of the first aerosol-forming material does not pass through the chamber holding the second aerosol-forming material.

In some examples, the device includes means for heating the second aerosol forming material to vaporize the tobacco components and form the first aerosol and/or vapor. The first aerosol-forming material may be vaporized to form a second vapor and/or aerosol, which may be combined with the first vapor and/or aerosol to form a respirable medium. In some cases, one heater may heat both aerosol forming materials. In some cases, the device may be configured such that the heater only heats the first aerosol-forming material directly, and the second aerosol-forming material is heated by heat transferred in the vapor/aerosol generated from the vaporized first material (and, as a consequence, the vaporized components of the second material, which are then entrained in the vapor/aerosol stream).

In an embodiment, the device comprises a cooler or cooling zone after the heater and in front of the chamber, wherein the cooler or cooling zone is arranged to cool the evaporating components of the first aerosol-forming material to form an aerosol of liquid droplets that, during use, passes through the second aerosol-forming material in the chamber. The cooler may be located, in fact, with the ability to function as a heat exchanger, with the possibility of recovering heat from the steam. The recovered heat may be used, for example, to preheat the second aerosol forming material and/or to assist in heating the first material.

In an embodiment, the device includes a second heater for heating the second aerosol-forming material in the chamber. This allows the second aerosol-forming material to be heated by the heater, which aids in the release of compounds from the material, and, if desired, allows a lower temperature to be used for the first material to be heated.

In an embodiment, the device is battery operated.

In an embodiment, a particular or each heater is an electrical resistance heater.

In an embodiment, the container for the first aerosolizing material is removable. The container may be in the form of a container or the like. (and may be in some embodiments, for example, annular) and / or absorbent padding or the like. The entire container containing the first aerosol-forming material may, in fact, be a disposable item that is generally replaced after use. Alternatively, the arrangement may be such that the user removes the container from the device, replaces the used material, or adds material to the container, and then places the container back into the device.

In some cases, the container for the first aerosol forming material in the device may be non-removable. In such an embodiment, the user can simply replace the used material or, if necessary, add material to the container after use.

In some cases, the container for the first aerosol-forming material and the chamber for the second aerosol-forming material are an integral unit. In some cases, the inseparable unit is a cartridge that can be removed from the device. As stated above, an aspect of the invention provides such a cartridge.

In some cases, the camera can be removed from the device. The chamber may, for example, be in the form of a container or container or the like, which contains the second aerosol-forming material prior to use. The chamber containing the second aerosol forming material may, in fact, be a disposable item that is generally replaced after use. Alternatively, the arrangement may be such that the user removes the camera from the device, replaces the used material, and then places the camera back into the device. A detachable chamber of this type may be referred to as a tobacco chamber and is another aspect of the invention.

The following is a description of examples of cartridges, tobacco containers and devices for generating an inhalable environment according to several embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings.

In FIG. 1 shows an example of a device 1 for generating an inhalable medium. In general terms, the device 1 vaporizes a liquid to form a vapor or aerosol that passes through a material to provide an inhalable medium that contains one or more constituents derived from the material.

In this regard, first of all, it should be noted that, in general, steam is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below the critical temperature; this means that, for example, vapor can be condensed into a liquid by increasing its pressure without lowering its temperature. On the other hand, in general, an aerosol is a colloidal solution of small solid particles or liquid droplets in air or other gas. A "colloidal solution" is a substance in which microscopic dispersed insoluble particles are suspended in the entire volume of another substance.

Returning to FIG. 1, the device 1 of this example has a generally hollow cylindrical outer body 2. The body 2 has an open end 3. In this example, a tubular mouthpiece 4 is mounted at the open end 3. The mouthpiece 4 in this example can be removed from the body 2 by the user. or another seal 5 contributes to the sealing of the mouthpiece 5 in the body 2. A battery 7 is installed at or towards the other end 6 of the body 2 for supplying power to the various components of the device 1 as will be described below. The battery 7 may be a rechargeable battery or disposable batteries. The housing 2 also houses a controller 8 for controlling the operation of the various components of the device 1, as will be described below.

The body 2 has a container 9 for holding or containing liquid 10. Various shapes of the container 9 may be used. In the example of FIG. 1, the container 9 is in the form of an annular chamber 9 provided in the body 2 between the open end 3 and the other end 6. In this particular example, the body 2 has two parts, a first part 2a towards the open end 3 and a second part 2b towards the other end 6. The first and second parts 2a, 2b of the body 2 may be connected to each other by a fastening thread, a bayonet connection, or the like. During use, the user can separate the first and second parts 2a, 2b of the body 2 to add or, if necessary, replace the liquid 10. Alternatively, the mouthpiece can be removed to provide access to the container 9. However, it should be appreciated that other arrangements are possible. For example, fluid 10 may be contained in a separate annular container in the form of a container that can be removed as a whole from housing 2. Such a separate container may be disposable such that the user replaces fluid 10 by inserting a new container of liquid 10 into housing 2. As option, such a container can be reusable. In such a case, the user may add liquid to container 10 or replace it after removing the container from the body, and then reinstall the filled container in body 2. It should be noted that body 2 does not have to be in two parts, and other arrangements can be proposed to provide user access, for example, to add liquid on site.

In general, a heater 11 is installed in the center of the housing 2, i. e. in this example, at the center along the length and width of the body 2. In this example, the heater 11 is powered by the battery 7 and is thus electrically connected to the battery 7. The heater 11 may be an electrical resistance heater, including, for example, a nichrome resistance heater, a ceramic heater etc. The heater 11 may be, for example, a wire, which may be, for example, in the form of a spiral, a plate (which may be a laminated plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive, and one or more of which may be non-conductive), mesh (which may be, for example, woven or non-woven, and which again may be similarly multi-layered), film heater, etc. Other heating devices may be provided, including non-electric heating devices.

The heater 11 serves to evaporate the liquid 10. In the example shown, the annular wick 12 surrounds the heater 11 and is in (thermal) contact with the heater 11. The outermost surface of the annular wick 12 is in contact with the liquid 10 contained in the liquid container 9. The wick 12 is generally made of an absorbent material and serves to draw the liquid 10 from the liquid container 9 by capillary action. The wick 12 is preferably made of a non-woven material and may be, for example, made of cotton or wadding or the like, or a synthetic material including polyester, nylon, rayon, and the like. Alternatively, the wick may be made of a ceramic or metallic material. Although this will be described in detail below, it may be noted that during use the liquid 10 sucked into the wick 12 is heated by the heater 11. The liquid 10 may be vaporized to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets or heated enough to produce vapor. The resulting aerosol or vapor exits the wick 12 and flows towards the mouthpiece 4, as indicated by arrows A, when the user puffs through the mouthpiece 4. The heater 11 and the wick 12 can be made as a separate virtually integral unit, sometimes referred to as an "atomizer", so, so that heating and soaking are actually performed in one unit.

The housing 2 also includes a chamber 13 which retains or contains the tobacco composition 14 in the device 1. The surfaces of the chamber 13 in contact with tobacco are made of the copolyester plastic described herein.

During use, the user may have access to the chamber 13 to replace or add tobacco formulation 14 through the open end 3 of the body 2 by removing the mouthpiece 4 and/or separating the two parts 2a, 2b of the body 2. Various shapes of the chamber 13 may be used. 13 may be a tube that is fully open at both ends and contains tobacco composition 14. As another example, chamber 13 may be a tube that has one or more end walls having through holes through which vapor or aerosol can pass. The chamber 13 may remain in place in the body 2 when the user removes or replaces the tobacco composition 14. Alternatively, the chamber 13 containing the tobacco composition 14 may be a separate component that is fully inserted and removed from the body 2 during use. Removable chambers 13 of this type can be disposable, so that the user replaces the tobacco composition 14 by inserting a new chamber 13 containing fresh tobacco composition into the housing 2. Alternatively, the chamber 13 may be reusable. In this case, the user may replace the tobacco composition 14 in the chamber 13 after removing the chamber from the body 2 and then install the filled chamber 13 into the body 2. In yet another example, the chamber 13 may include clips or the like provided within the body 2 that hold tobacco composition in place. In some instances, the tobacco composition is simply fitted tightly within the chamber 13. Alternatively, the container 9 itself for containing the liquid 10 may be positioned to support the tobacco composition 14a, 14b. For example, the container 9 may have one or more clamps or a tube or the like. for receiving and holding tobacco formulation 14 in place. Such a dual purpose container 9/chamber or receptacle 13 component for holding liquid 10 and receiving tobacco formulation 14 may be in the form of a cartridge or the like. and may be a disposable or reusable product in which liquid 10 and tobacco composition 14 are replaced or added as needed. In some cases, the user only needs to add or replace the tobacco composition 14 from time to time, while the amount of liquid 10 is sufficient for several uses. After the liquid 10 has been used up, the user removes the dual purpose container 9/receptacle component 13a, 13b and replaces it with a new one. Likewise, in some cases, the user only needs to add or replace the liquid 10, while the amount of tobacco composition is sufficient for several uses. After the tobacco composition has been used up, the user removes the dual purpose container 9/receptacle component 13a, 13b and replaces it with a new one. Specific examples of dual purpose container/receiver components are described below.

The tobacco composition 14 is located in the body 2 after the point where the liquid 10 is aerosolized or vaporized and in front of the open end 3 of the body 2 and the mouthpiece 4. In this particular example, the tobacco composition 14 is actually located in the same area of the chamber of the body 2 as the wick 12 . The aerosol or vapor produced from the liquid 10 exits the wick 12 and passes as shown by arrows A towards the tobacco composition 14 when the user puffs through the mouthpiece 4. In particular embodiments, the tobacco composition is porous such that the aerosol or vapor passes through the tobacco formulation and then through the open end 3 of the body 2 and the mouthpiece 4. The heat carried by the aerosol or vapor increases the evaporation of nicotine and other volatiles from the tobacco formulation, which are then trapped in the passing vapor/aerosol.

In some embodiments, the tobacco formulation 14 and/or chamber 13 are positioned to eliminate any gaps between the tobacco formulation/chamber and the inside of the housing 2 so that the aerosol or vapor passes completely through the tobacco formulation.

The liquid 10 vaporizes at acceptable temperatures, preferably 100-300°C, or more preferably about 150-250°C, so as to help maintain the power consumption of the device 1. Suitable materials include materials commonly used in electronic cigarette devices, including, for example, propylene glycol or glycerol (also known as glycerin).

The tobacco formulation 14 imparts flavor to the aerosol or vapor produced from liquid 10 as the aerosol or vapor passes through or through the liquid. As the aerosol or vapor passes through or through the tobacco composition 14, the hot aerosol or vapor entraps the organic and other compounds or material constituents that give the tobacco its organoleptic properties, thereby flavoring the aerosol or vapor as it passes to the mouthpiece 4.

The device 1 delivers nicotine to the user. The nicotine may be in a liquid formulation, may be derived from a tobacco formulation, may be provided in a coating, or the like. on a tobacco formulation or may be provided in any combination thereof. In some cases, the liquid does not contain nicotine. Likewise, flavors can be added to the tobacco formulation and/or liquid.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the only source of heat for heating the tobacco composition 14 in the device 1 that is required to generate organic and other compounds or leave from the tobacco composition is the hot aerosol or vapor produced by heating the liquid 10.

In FIG. 2 shows another example of a device for generating an inhalable medium. In the description below and in FIG. 2 components and elements that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and elements of the example described with reference to FIG. 1 have the same reference numbers but increased by 200. For the sake of brevity, the description of these components and elements will not be repeated in full. It will be understood that the arrangements and variations etc. described above with respect to the example of FIG. 1 are also applicable for the example of FIG. 2. In general terms, the device 201 in FIG. 2 heats the liquid to form a vapor or aerosol that passes through the tobacco formulation 214 to produce an inhalable medium that contains one or more constituents derived from the tobacco formulation.

The device 201 of this example has a generally hollow cylindrical outer body 202 with an open end 203 and a tubular mouthpiece 204. The mouthpiece 204 in this example can be removed from the body 202 by the user and an o-ring or other seal 205 assists in sealing the mouthpiece 204 in the body 202. Positioned at or towards the other end 206 of the housing 202 is a battery 207 for supplying power to the various components of the device 201 and a controller 208. The housing 202 of this example comprises two parts, a first part 202a towards the open end 203 and a second part 202b towards the other end 206 .

The housing 202 has a container 209 for holding or containing liquid 210. The container 209 may be any of the types described above with respect to the example of FIG. 1. In general, a heater 211 is mounted centrally (in the length direction and width direction) of the housing 202 to vaporize liquid 210. In this example, heater 211 is powered by battery 207 and is therefore electrically connected to battery 207. Heater 211 may be an electrical resistance heater. , ceramic heater, etc. The heater 211 may be, for example, a wire, which may be, for example, in the form of a spiral, a plate (which may be a laminated plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive, and one or more of which may be non-conductive), mesh (which may be, for example, woven or non-woven, and which again may be similarly multi-layered), film heater, etc. Other heating devices may be provided, including inductive heating devices or non-electric heating devices. The annular wick 212 surrounds the heater 211 and is in (thermal) contact with the heater 211. The outermost surface of the annular wick 212 is in contact with the liquid 210 contained in the liquid container 209. Liquid 210 may be heated to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets, or heated enough to produce vapor. The resulting aerosol or vapor exits the wick 212 and travels towards the mouthpiece 204, as indicated by arrows A, when the user puffs through the mouthpiece 204. The heater 211 and the wick 212 can be formed as a separate virtually integral unit, so that heating and soaking are actually performed by one block.

The housing 202 also includes a chamber 213 that holds or contains the tobacco composition 214 in the device 201. The surfaces of the chamber 213 in contact with tobacco are made of the copolyester plastic described herein.

Chamber 213 may be of any type described above with respect to the example of FIG. 1. Tobacco formulation 214 is located in housing 202 after the point where liquid 210 is aerosolized or vaporized and in front of open end 203 of housing 202 and mouthpiece 204. In this particular example, tobacco formulation 214 is actually located in the same chamber portion of housing 202 as and wick 212. The aerosol or vapor produced from liquid 210 exits wick 212 and travels, as shown by arrows A, towards the tobacco formulation as the user puffs through mouthpiece 204. In particular embodiments, tobacco formulation 214 is porous such that the aerosol or the vapor passes through the tobacco formulation and then through the open end 203 of the body 202 and the mouthpiece 204. The heat carried by the aerosol or vapor vaporizes the nicotine and other volatiles from the tobacco formulation, which are then trapped in the passing vapor/aerosol.

In some embodiments, the tobacco formulation 214 and/or chamber 213 are positioned to eliminate any gaps between the tobacco formulation/chamber and the interior of housing 202 so that the aerosol or vapor passes completely through the tobacco formulation. As the aerosol or vapor passes through or through the tobacco composition 214, the hot aerosol or vapor entraps organic and other compounds or constituents from the tobacco composition that give the tobacco its organoleptic properties, thereby flavoring the aerosol or vapor as it passes to the mouthpiece 204.

In the example device 201 in FIG. 2, a second heater 215, such as an additional heater, is in thermal contact with the tobacco composition and/or provides additional heat to the tobacco composition throughout use of the device 201. This facilitates the release of compounds from the tobacco composition as the vapor or aerosol passes through the tobacco composition or on it during use. The amount of liquid 210 heated to achieve the desired heating of the tobacco composition can be reduced. The second heater 215 may be an electrical resistance heater, a ceramic heater, etc. powered by a battery 207, for example. be a laminated plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive and one or more of which may be non- electrically conductive), a mesh (which may be, for example, woven or non-woven, and which again may be similarly multilayer), film heater, etc. Second heater 215 may be an inductive heater powered by, for example, battery 207. Tobacco composition 214 may contain inductive heat sensitive materials. Other heating devices may be provided for the second heater 215, including non-electrical heating devices.

Heater 215 may also influence the evaporation of nicotine or other volatiles from tobacco formulation 214.

In the example device 201 in FIG. 2, the heater 215 for heating the tobacco composition is located outside the tobacco composition and heats the tobacco composition by heat transfer from the outside of the tobacco composition. Heater 215 in this example is generally cylindrical. The heater 215 may be, in fact, an integral part of the device 201 and may be part of the housing 202. Alternatively, the heater 215 may be integral with the chamber 213 that holds or contains the tobacco composition 214. In this embodiment, when the chamber 213 is disposable, the heater 215 is replaced when the user installs a new chamber of fresh tobacco into the device 201.

In FIG. 3 shows another example of a device for generating an inhalable medium. In the description below and in FIG. 3 components and elements that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and elements of the example described with reference to FIG. 1 have the same reference numbers but increased by 300. For the sake of brevity, the description of these components and elements will not be repeated in full. It will be appreciated that the arrangements and variations etc. described above with respect to the examples of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are also applicable for the example of FIG. 3. In general terms, the device 301 in FIG. 3 heats the liquid to form a vapor or aerosol that passes through the tobacco composition 314 to produce an inhalable medium that contains one or more constituents derived from the tobacco composition.

The device 301 of this example and in this case has a generally hollow cylindrical outer body 302 with an open end 303 and a tubular mouthpiece 304, which in this example can be removed from the body 302 by the user. 302. At the other end 306 of the housing 302 or in its direction are a battery 307 for supplying power to various components of the device 301 and the controller 308. The housing 302 of this example and in this case contains two parts, the first part 302a towards the open end 303 and the second part 302b towards the other end 306.

The housing 302 has a container 309 for holding or containing liquid 310. The container 309 may be any of the types described above with respect to the examples in FIG. 1 and 2. In general, a heater 311 is mounted centrally in the housing 302 to vaporize the liquid 310. The heater 311 may be of any of the types described above. In this example, heater 311 is powered by battery 307 and is therefore electrically connected to battery 307. An annular wick 312 surrounds heater 311 and is in (thermal) contact with heater 311. The outermost surface of annular wick 312 is in contact with liquid 310 contained in container 309 for liquid. Liquid 310 may be heated to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets, or heated enough to produce vapor. The resulting aerosol or vapor exits the wick 312 and travels towards the mouthpiece 304, as indicated by arrows A, when the user puffs through the mouthpiece 304. The heater 311 and the wick 312 can be made as a separate virtually integral unit, so that heating and soaking are actually performed one block.

The housing 302 also includes a chamber 313 that holds or contains the tobacco composition 314 in the device 301. The tobacco contact surfaces of the chamber 313 are made of the copolyester plastic described herein.

Chamber 313 may be of any type described above with respect to the examples of FIG. 1 and 2. The tobacco formulation 314 is located in the housing 302 after the location where the liquid 310 is aerosolized or vaporized and in front of the open end 303 of the housing 302 and the mouthpiece 304. In this particular example, the tobacco formulation is again effectively located in the same portion of the housing chamber. 302 as does wick 312. The aerosol or vapor produced from liquid 310 exits wick 312 and travels, as shown by arrows A, towards the tobacco formulation as the user puffs through mouthpiece 304. In particular embodiments, tobacco formulation 314 is porous, so that the aerosol or vapor passes through the tobacco formulation and then through the open end 303 of body 202 and mouthpiece 304. The heat carried by the aerosol or vapor vaporizes nicotine and other volatiles from the tobacco formulation, which are then trapped in the passing vapor/aerosol.

In some embodiments, the tobacco formulation and/or chamber is positioned to eliminate any gaps between the tobacco formulation/chamber and the inside of housing 302 so that the aerosol or vapor passes completely through the tobacco formulation. As the aerosol or vapor passes through or along the tobacco composition, the hot aerosol or vapor entraps organic and other compounds or constituents from the tobacco composition that impart the tobacco aerosol or vapor as it passes to the mouthpiece 304. The liquid container 309 itself 310 may be positioned to support the tobacco composition.

In the example device 301 in FIG. 3 again, a second heater 318 is provided that is in thermal contact with the tobacco composition 314 to heat the tobacco composition, thereby facilitating the release of compounds from the tobacco composition as the vapor or aerosol passes through the tobacco composition during use. The second heater 318 may be an electrical resistance heater, a ceramic heater, etc. powered by, for example, a battery 307. Other heating devices may be provided for the second heater 318, including non-electrical heating devices.

In the example device 301 in FIG. 3, a heater 318 for heating the tobacco composition 314 is located within the tobacco composition and heats the tobacco composition by transferring heat from the inside of the tobacco composition. Heater 318 in this example is generally in the form of a cylindrical rod located along the central longitudinal axis of the tobacco composition. In other arrangements, heater 318 may be a wire, which may be, for example, in the form of a spiral, a plate (which may be a laminated plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive, and one or more of which may be non-conductive), mesh (which may be, for example, woven or non-woven, and which again may be similarly multi-layered), film heater, etc. The tobacco formulation in this case is generally tubular or otherwise has an internal opening to accommodate the heater 318. The heater 318 may actually be an integral part of the device 301 and may be provided as part of the housing 302. In this case, when the tobacco formulation 314 placed in the device 301 (for example, when the chamber 313 containing the tobacco composition is placed in the device 301), the tobacco composition surrounds the second heater 318. Alternatively, the heater 318 may be integral with the chamber 313. In this embodiment, in the case where the chamber is disposable, the heater 318 is replaced when the user places a new chamber of fresh tobacco into the device 301.

In another example, a plurality of internal heaters 318 may be provided to provide more efficient heating of the tobacco formulation. In another example, the tobacco formulation may be heated by one or more external heaters (eg, the second heater 215 of the FIG. 2 example) and one or more internal heaters (similar to the second heater 318 of the FIG. 3 example).

One or more heaters 318 configured to heat the tobacco formulation may vaporize nicotine or other volatiles from the tobacco formulation.

With reference to FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an example of a cartridge 600 having a container 601 for holding a liquid 602 and a container 603 for a tobacco composition 604. whole originally or made originally from two parts, which are then assembled in a substantially one-piece manner. Cartridge 600 is positioned such that when liquid 602 is vaporized to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets, or heated enough to produce vapor, at least some and preferably all or substantially all of the aerosol or vapor passes through the tobacco composition 604 to capture flavor from tobacco composition.

In the example from FIG. 4, the fluid container 601 is positioned generally centrally on the cartridge 600. The fluid container 601 in the example shown is truncated in shape, but may be in other shapes such as conical, cylindrical, etc. The liquid container 601 is surrounded by an outer casing 605 which defines an annular passage 606 around the outside along the length of the liquid container 601 and extends from one end of the liquid container 601 to the other. The outer casing 605 extends beyond the first end wall 607 of the liquid container 601 and defines a chamber 608 behind the first end wall 607 of the liquid container 601 . The annular channel 606 and the chamber 608 form a container 603 containing the tobacco composition 604. In other examples, the tobacco composition can only be in the chamber 608, and the annular chamber 606 remains empty. The chamber 608 is closed by an end wall 609 which is located at some distance from the end wall 607 of the liquid container 601 . The end wall 609 may be part of the outer casing 605 or may be a separate plastic or rubber cover or the like. In other examples, the tobacco composition is in the channel 606 and there is no material in the chamber 608 and, in fact, the chamber 608 may be lowered and the channel 606 substantially ends at the end wall 609. The channel 606 and/or the chamber 608 may be completely filled with tobacco composition or may contain only a portion of the material. The end wall 609 is porous and/or has one or more through holes 610 to allow aerosol or vapor to exit the cartridge 600 for inhalation by the user. The liquid container 601 and the solid material chamber 603 may be formed from rigid waterproof and airtight materials such as metal, suitable plastic, etc. At least a portion of the tobacco-contacting surfaces of chamber 603 (including, as appropriate, surfaces in channel 606 and/or chamber 608) may comprise or consist of the copolyester plastic described herein.

Cartridge 600, shown as an example in FIG. 4 includes a heater 611 and a wick 612 in (thermal) contact with the heater 611. In this example, the heater 611 and wick 612 are formed as a single unit, referred to as an "atomizer". In this case, when the cartridge 600 contains an atomizer, such a cartridge is often referred to as a "cartomizer". The orientation of heater 611 is shown schematically and, for example, heater 611 may be a coil having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of cartridge 600 rather than parallel as shown in FIG. 4.

The wick 612 is in contact with the liquid 602. This can be achieved, for example, with the wick 612 inserted through a through hole (not shown) into the second end wall 613 of the liquid container 601. Alternatively or additionally, the second end wall 613 may be a porous element (shown schematically in FIG. 4 in dotted lines) that allows liquid to pass through from the liquid container 601 and the wick 612 may be in contact with the porous second end wall 613. The second end wall 613 may be, for example, in the form of a porous ceramic disk. A porous second end wall 613 of this type helps control the flow of liquid to the wick 612. The wick 612 is generally made of an absorbent material and serves to suck liquid 602 from the liquid container 601 by capillary action. The wick 612 is preferably made of a non-woven material and may be, for example, made of cotton or wadding or the like. or synthetic material, including, for example, polyester, nylon, viscose, and the like.

During use, the user connects the cartridge 600 to the battery section of the device (not shown) to energize the heater 611. device as a whole, which is well known), the liquid 602 sucked from the liquid container 601 by the wick 612 is heated by the heater 611 to vaporize the liquid. When the user puffs through the mouthpiece of the device as a whole, the vapor or aerosol passes into the annular channel 606 around the outside along the length of the liquid container 601 and into the chamber 608, as indicated by arrows A. The vapor or aerosol traps flavor from the tobacco formulation 604.

The heat carried by the aerosol or vapor vaporizes the nicotine and other volatiles from the tobacco formulation and they are subsequently captured by the passing vapor/aerosol. Vapor or aerosol can then exit cartridge 600 through end wall 609 as shown by arrow B. Optionally, a check valve can be provided within wall 609 so that vapor or aerosol can only exit cartridge 600 and cannot flow back into heater 611 or the electronic part of the device as a whole.

In FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of another example of a cartridge 700 having a container 701 for containing liquid 702 and container 703 in chamber 708. This container holds tobacco composition 704. In the description below and in FIG. 5 components and elements that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and elements of the example described with reference to FIG. 4 have the same reference numbers but increased by 100. For the sake of brevity, the description of these components and elements will not be repeated in full.

In this example, the liquid container 701 and the tobacco formulation container 703 of the cartridge 700 are configured as separate components that are releasably connected to each other during use. The liquid container 701 and the tobacco composition container 703, for example, may be attached to each other by clips or otherwise disassembly, or, for example, the tobacco composition container may simply rest on the liquid container 701, or may be tightly connected to it by a friction fit. Cartridge 700 is positioned such that when liquid 702 is vaporized to produce vapor, at least some and preferably all or substantially all of the aerosol or vapor passes through the tobacco composition 704 to capture flavor from the tobacco composition.

In this example, the fluid container 701 is surrounded by an outer casing 705 that defines an annular passage 706 around the outside along the length of the fluid container 701 and extends from one end of the fluid container 701 to the other. The outer casing 705 extends beyond the first end wall 707 of the liquid container 701 and terminates in the end wall 709. The end wall 709 may be a separate plastic or rubber cap or the like. The end wall 709 is porous and/or has one or more through holes 710 that allows aerosol or vapor to exit the annular channel 706. A check valve 714 may be provided within the end wall 709 so that the vapor or aerosol can only exit the annular channel 706 at the end remote from heater 711 and wick 712 and cannot flow back into heater 711 or the electronics of the device as a whole. The tobacco formulation container 703 is positioned over the end wall 709 during use so that vapor or aerosol escaping through the end wall 709 passes into the tobacco formulation container. The tobacco formulation container has an outlet and/or a porous end wall 715 to allow aerosol or vapor to exit the cartridge 700 for inhalation by the user.

During use, the user connects the cartridge 700 to the battery section of the device (not shown) to energize the heater 711. device as a whole, which is well known), the liquid 702 sucked from the liquid container 701 through the end wall 713 by the wick 712 is heated by the heater 711 to vaporize the liquid. When the user puffs through the mouthpiece of the device as a whole, the vapor or aerosol passes into the annular channel 706 around the outside along the length of the liquid container 701 towards the end wall 709 of the outer casing 705, as indicated by arrows A. The vapor or aerosol further passes through the end wall 70 (through the check valve 714, if any) and into the tobacco formulation container 703 where it captures the flavor from the tobacco formulation 704. passing vapor/aerosol. The vapor or aerosol can then exit the cartridge 700 through the end wall 715 of the tobacco formulation container, as indicated by arrow B.

The examples shown in FIG. 4 and 5 are particularly suitable for use with so-called modular or "e-go" products, in which the cartomizer is attached to a battery section (not shown) by a mounting thread, bayonet connection, or the like. The cartomizer is generally removed after use and a new cartomizer is installed. Alternatively, the user may reuse the cartridge by adding liquid and/or replacing solid material from time to time as needed.

The examples shown in FIG. 4 and 5 can be readily adapted for use with other types of electronic tobacco hybrid device that are known per se. There are, for example, so-called "electronic cigarette-like" or "cigarette-like" devices, which are generally small in size and have a shape and appearance similar to a conventional cigarette. In such devices, the liquid container includes some kind of padding material such as wadding or the like. to hold liquid. The cartridge or cartomizer in such known devices is generally disposable, but it is possible to refill the liquid and/or replace the solid material in examples where an embodiment of the present invention is used. As another example, there are so-called reservoir devices or personal vaporizers, which generally have large liquid containers to hold relatively large volumes of liquid, as well as advanced features that allow users to adjust a number of aspects of the device.

As an alternative to any of the cartomizer arrangements described above, the liquid atomizer (ie, heater and wick) may be located separate from the liquid and material containers. The atomizer, for example, may be provided as part of the battery section of the overall device to which the user detachably attaches the cartridge during use.

In any of the examples described above with reference to FIG. 4 and 5, a heater may also be provided for the tobacco formulation to "preheat" it. This heater may be provided as part of the cartridge or as part of the battery section of the device to which the cartridge will attach during use. This tobacco formulation heater vaporizes the nicotine and other volatiles present in the tobacco formulation, which are then captured in the passing vapor/aerosol.

Example

According to an example, a mixture of different types and grades of tobacco was placed in a tobacco container made of TX1501 (tritan polymer commercially available from Eastan Chemical Company). TX1501 is an example of a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS and is formed from dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCD).

The container was stored at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity for 12 weeks (conditions chosen as an accelerated aging process to evaluate the stability of the article over time).

A comparative test was performed using a polypropylene container known from the prior art (using the same mixture of different types and grades of tobacco under the same conditions).

Losses of nicotine from a mixture of different types and grades of tobacco were measured at various points during the aging process, as shown in FIG. 6. As can be seen, the total loss from tobacco stored in a Tritan container was less than that from tobacco stored in a polypropylene container for 12 weeks.

During the aging process, the delivery of nicotine to the aerosol at various points was also evaluated. The tobacco containers were inserted into the device as shown in FIG. 1, and the total nicotine content of the aerosol delivered in the first twenty puffs was measured (in a simulated puff mode of puffing for 3 seconds every thirty seconds at an air flow rate of 1.10 L/min (i.e., with a puff volume of 55 ml ), starting with the device that has reached operating temperature). The results are shown in FIG. 7 where it can be seen that the nicotine supply from the tritan container was greater than from the polypropylene container for 12 weeks.

Definitions

In the context of the present invention, "pull resistance" refers to the pressure required to push air through the entire length of an object when tested at a speed of 17.5 millimeters per second at 22 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 101 kilopascals (760 Torr). Tightening resistance is measured according to ISO 6565:201-1.

In the context of the present invention, the pH of tobacco is measured according to CORESTA protocol number 69.

In the context of the present invention, "aerosol-generating substance" refers to a compound or mixture that contributes to the generation of an aerosol. The aerosol-generating substance may assist in the generation of the aerosol by facilitating the initial evaporation and/or condensation of the gas into a respirable solid and/or liquid aerosol.

In general, any suitable aerosol generating material or aerosol generating materials may be included in the aerosol generating material of the invention. Suitable aerosol generating substances include, without limitation: high molecular weight alcohol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol, low molecular weight alcohol such as monohydric alcohol, high boiling point hydrocarbons, acids such as lactic acid, derivatives glycerol, esters such as diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate or myristates including ethyl myristate and isopropyl myristate, and esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyltetracandioate.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavor" refer to materials that, if permitted by government regulations, can be used to create a desired flavor or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, white Japanese magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, drumbuie, bourbon, Scotch Whiskey, Whiskey, Spearmint, Peppermint, Lavender, Cardamom, Celery, Cascarillo, Nutmeg, Sandalwood, Bergamot, Geranium, Honey Extract, Rose Oil, Vanilla, Lemon Oil, Orange Oil, Cassia, Cumin, Cognac, Jasmine , kananga, sage, fennel, cloves, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee or peppermint oil from any type of mint), flavor enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, olfactory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugar, and/or sugar substitutes (eg. , sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol) and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or polo fresheners. mouth. They may be imitation, artificial or natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, such as oil, liquid or powder.

For the avoidance of doubt, where the term "comprises" is used in defining the invention or features of the invention, embodiments are also described in which the invention or feature can be defined using the terms "consists essentially of" or "consists of" instead of "contains".

For the avoidance of doubt, in those places in the description where the terms "first" and "second" are used to refer to materials/container/chambers, there is no implied disclosure of the order of use. "First" and "second" are simply used as a tool to refer to different squads or chambers. Features described in relation to one chamber or composition are disclosed explicitly in relation to each chamber or composition, if necessary.

The above embodiments are provided as illustrative examples of the invention. Other embodiments may be envisaged. It should be understood that any feature described with respect to any embodiment may be used alone or in conjunction with other described features, and may also be used in conjunction with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other embodiments. In addition, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be used without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The various embodiments described herein serve only to facilitate the understanding and study of the claimed features. These embodiments serve only as representative examples of embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive and/or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations of the equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may contain, consist of, or consist essentially of appropriate combinations of the described elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., different from those specifically described herein. In addition, this description may include other inventions that are not claimed herein, but may be claimed hereinafter.

Claims (33)

1. A device for generating an inhalable medium, comprising: a container for holding the first aerosol-forming material; a heater for evaporating the first aerosol-forming material held in the container; a chamber for holding the second aerosol-forming material, and the inner surfaces of the chamber contain copolyester plastic, which does not contain BPA and BPS; And release; wherein the device is configured such that during use an inhalable medium is generated which passes through the outlet, the inhalable medium comprising components of the first and second aerosol-forming materials in the form of a vapor and/or an aerosol. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner surfaces of the chamber are formed from a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, during use, the first aerosol-forming material is vaporized by a heater to form a vapor and/or aerosol that passes through a chamber containing the second aerosol-forming material and captures one or more constituents. from the second aerosol-forming material, thereby forming an inhalable medium that passes through the outlet. 4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the copolyester plastic is formed from the following monomers: (i) dimethyl terephthalate (DMT); (ii) 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM); And (iii) 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCD). 5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a first aerosol-forming material in a container and a second aerosol-forming material in a chamber, wherein the first aerosol-forming material comprises a liquid or gel; and/or wherein the first aerosol-forming material does not contain nicotine; and/or wherein the second aerosol-forming material contains nicotine; and/or wherein the second aerosolizing material comprises tobacco having a pH greater than 7. 6. A tobacco container for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, in which the tobacco contact surface contains a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS. 7. The tobacco container of claim 6, wherein the inner surfaces of the chamber are formed from a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS. 8. Tobacco container according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the copolyester plastic is formed from the following monomers: (i) dimethyl terephthalate (DMT); (ii) 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM); And (iii) 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCD). 9. Tobacco container according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the container is formed from a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS. 10. Tobacco container according to any one of claims 6 to 9, in which tobacco is placed in the container. 11. The tobacco container of claim 10, wherein the tobacco has a pH greater than 7. 12. A cartridge for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, wherein the cartridge comprises a first aerosol-forming material in a container and a second aerosol-forming material in a chamber, the inner surfaces of the chamber comprising a copolyester plastic that is free of BPA and BPS. 13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the cartridge is configured such that, during use, vapor and/or aerosol generated by the evaporation of the first aerosol-forming material passes through a chamber to capture one or more constituents from the second aerosol-forming material to produce a respirable medium. 14. Set containing (i) a liquid container containing an aerosol-forming liquid; And (ii) a tobacco container according to claim 10 or 11; wherein the liquid container and the tobacco container are configured to be used in a device for use in generating an inhalable medium, the device being configured such that upon use, an inhalable medium is generated, namely a medium containing (i) a liquid evaporating from the liquid container into vapor and/or aerosol form, and (ii) one or more tobacco formulation constituents. 15. The use of copolyester plastic, which does not contain BPA and BPS, as a tobacco contact surface in a tobacco container to reduce the loss of nicotine from tobacco.

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