JP7728956B2 - Aerosol Delivery System - Google Patents

Description

Field

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems, such as, but not limited to, nicotine delivery systems (e.g., electronic cigarettes).

background

Electronic aerosol delivery systems, such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), generally include an aerosolizable material, such as a fluid or liquid reservoir containing a formulation, typically but not necessarily containing nicotine, or a solid material, such as a tobacco-based product, from which a vapor/aerosol is generated, e.g., by thermal evaporation, for inhalation by a user. Thus, an aerosol delivery system typically includes a vaporizer, e.g., a heating element, arranged to vaporize a portion of the aerosolizable material to generate a vapor.

After the vapor is generated, it may, but need not, be passed through a scenting material to add a scent to the vapor, after which the (scented) vapor may be delivered from the aerosol delivery system to the user via a mouthpiece or outlet.

Aerosol delivery systems are typically constructed as modular assemblies, often having two primary functional components: a control unit/body and a cartridge/consumable component. Such a consumable component may, in some embodiments, resemble a cigarette.

Described herein are various approaches that attempt to improve existing aerosol delivery systems, such as those outlined above, in several different ways.

overview

According to a first aspect of a particular embodiment,
The housing and
an aerosolizable material transport element within the housing for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized,
a first portion; and
a second portion, the second portion having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
an aerosolizable material transport element having a first portion located between a first end portion and a second end portion, each end portion for receiving and delivering aerosolizable material to the first portion;
a fluid delivery tube located at least partially within the housing;
An aerosol delivery system is provided in which the aerosolizable material transport element is configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing and the fluid delivery tube by the housing and the fluid delivery tube to secure the aerosolizable material transport element within the housing.
According to a second aspect of certain embodiments,
The housing and
an aerosolizable material transport element within the housing for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized,
a first portion; and
a second portion, the second portion having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
an aerosolizable material transport element having a first portion located between a first end portion and a second end portion, each end portion for receiving and delivering aerosolizable material to the first portion;
a fluid delivery tube located at least partially within the housing;
An aerosol delivery cartridge is provided in which the aerosolizable material transport element is configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing and the fluid delivery tube by the housing and the fluid delivery tube to secure the aerosolizable material transport element within the housing.
According to a third aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a method of securing an aerosolizable material in an aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system comprising:
The housing and
an aerosolizable material transport element within the housing for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized;
a first portion; and
a second portion, the second portion having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
an aerosolizable material transport element having a first portion located between a first end portion and a second end portion, each end portion for receiving and delivering aerosolizable material to the first portion;
a fluid delivery tube located at least partially within the housing;
A method is provided that includes fixing an aerosolizable material transport element within a housing such that the aerosolizable material transport element is at least partially compressed by and between the housing and the fluid delivery tube.

It will be understood that the features and aspects of the invention described above in relation to various aspects of the invention are equally applicable to, and can be combined with, embodiments of the invention according to other aspects of the invention, as well as in the specific combinations described herein, where appropriate.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an aerosol delivery system in a first configuration according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 1B is a diagram illustrating a schematic representation of the aerosol delivery system from FIG. 1A in a second configuration according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 1A-1C are schematic representations of two perspective views of an aerosol delivery system movable between a first configuration and a second configuration in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first cross-sectional view of the aerosol delivery system from FIG. 2. FIG. 3B is a schematic representation of a second cross-sectional view of the aerosol delivery system from FIG. 2, orthogonal to the first cross-sectional view from FIG. 3A. FIG. 3B is a schematic representation of an enlarged portion of FIG. 3A in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3C is a schematic representation of an enlarged portion of FIG. 3B in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Aspects and features of particular examples and embodiments are discussed/described herein. Some aspects and features of particular examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and, for the sake of brevity, will not be discussed/described in detail. Accordingly, it will be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail can be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

The present disclosure relates to non-combustion aerosol delivery systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol delivery systems such as e-cigarettes. According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustion" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosolizable materials of the aerosol delivery system (or its components) are not burned or combusted to facilitate delivery to a user. Aerosolizable materials, which may be referred to herein as aerosol-generating materials or aerosol precursor materials, are materials capable of generating an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or energized in any other manner.

Throughout the following description, the terms "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may be used, with the understanding that these terms may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery systems/devices and electronic aerosol delivery systems/devices. Electronic cigarettes are also sometimes known as vaping devices or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDs), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials, one or more of which can be heated. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. The solid aerosolizable material can include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Similarly, in some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol delivery system can include a consumable portion/cartridge and a device/body configured to releasably engage the consumable portion/cartridge.

The aerosol delivery system may include means for powering a vaporizer within the aerosol delivery system and may include an aerosolizable material transport element for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized. The aerosol delivery system may also include a reservoir for containing the aerosolizable material, and in some embodiments, a further reservoir for containing a flavoring material for flavoring the vapor generated from the aerosol delivery system.

In some embodiments, the vaporizer can be a heater/heating element capable of interacting with the aerosolizable material to liberate one or more volatile substances from the aerosolizable material and form a vapor/aerosol. In some embodiments, the vaporizer can generate an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without heating. For example, the vaporizer may be capable of generating a vapor/aerosol from the aerosolizable material without applying heat to the aerosolizable material, e.g., by one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurized, or electrostatic means.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered can be an aerosolizable material, which can include an active ingredient, a carrier ingredient, and optionally one or more other functional ingredients.

The active ingredient may include one or more physiologically and/or olfactorily active ingredients that are included in the aerosolizable material to achieve a physiological and/or olfactory response in the user. The active ingredient may be selected from, for example, functional foods, nootropics, and psychotropic drugs. The active ingredient may be naturally occurring or synthetically derived. The active ingredient may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6, B12, or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or components, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active ingredient may include components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco or another botanical material. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is a physiologically active ingredient and may be selected from nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g., nicotine bitartrate/nicotine bitartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the active ingredient is an olfactory active ingredient and, where local regulations permit, can be selected from "flavors" and/or "flavorings" that can be used to produce a desired taste, aroma, or other somatic sensation in products intended for adult consumers. In some cases, such components can be referred to as flavors, flavorings, flavoring materials, cooling agents, heating agents, and/or sweetening agents. Flavorings can be naturally occurring flavoring materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruits, Papaya, rhubarb, grapes, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel nut, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang Orchid, sage, fennel, wasabi, pimento, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, bay leaf, yerba mate, orange peel, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, shiso, turmeric, cilantro, myrtle, black currant, valerian, bell pepper, mace, damia The flavorings may include other additives such as citric acid, citric acid, citric acid, citric acid (e.g. ... Flavoring agents may be in any suitable form, for example, liquids such as oils, solids such as powders, or gases, and may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, konjac, etc.) The flavoring agent may include one or more of the following: citric acid, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or mint oil from any species of Mentha; flavor enhancers; bitter taste receptor site blockers; sensory receptor site activators or stimulants; sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol); and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners. The flavoring agent may be an imitation, a synthetic, or natural ingredient, or a mixture thereof. The flavoring agent may be in any suitable form, such as an oil, liquid, or powder.

In some embodiments, the flavoring material (flavoring) can include menthol, spearmint, and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring includes cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruit, and/or red berry flavoring ingredients. In some embodiments, the flavoring includes eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring includes flavoring ingredients extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavoring can include sensates intended to achieve somatic sensations chemically induced and perceived, typically by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or instead of olfactory or gustatory nerves, and these can include agents that provide heating, cooling, tingling, or numbing effects. Suitable heating agents can be, but are not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and suitable cooling agents can be, but are not limited to, eucalyptol and WS-3.

The carrying component can include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the carrying component can include one or more of glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, mesoerythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

The one or more other functional ingredients may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, an adhesive, a filler, a stabilizer, and/or an antioxidant.

As noted above, aerosol delivery systems (e-cigarettes) often comprise modular assemblies that include both a reusable portion (body/device) and a replaceable consumable (cartridge) portion. Devices conforming to this type of two-part modular configuration are sometimes generally referred to as two-part devices. Electronic cigarettes also commonly have a generally elongated shape. To provide a concrete example, certain embodiments of the present disclosure described herein comprise this type of generally elongated two-part device that utilizes a consumable portion. However, it will be understood that the underlying principles described herein can equally be employed for other e-cigarette configurations, e.g., modular devices with three or more portions, as can devices conforming to other overall shapes, e.g., devices based on so-called box-mod high-performance devices that typically have a more box-like shape.

Thus, from the above and with reference to these figures, according to some embodiments provided herein, an aerosol delivery system 1 is provided, which in some embodiments may be provided as a body 10 that can releasably house and/or be releasably attached to a cartridge 100. The aerosol delivery system 1 comprises a reservoir 12 for containing aerosolizable material for evaporation and an aerosolizable material transport element 14 for receiving the aerosolizable material from the reservoir 12.

Also provided within the aerosol delivery system 1 is a vaporizer 16 for evaporating the aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element 14. In embodiments in which the aerosol delivery system 1 comprises a main body 10 and a cartridge 100, the cartridge 100 can comprise the reservoir 12, the aerosolizable material transport element 14, and the vaporizer 16. In this manner, when the main body 10 is releasably engaged with the cartridge 100, the vaporizer 16 can be configured to receive power via electrical contacts 18 on the main body 10, which are also electrically connected to a power source 20 from the main body 10. In this manner, power from the power source 20 can be used to power the vaporizer 16 for evaporating the aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element 14.

During operation of the aerosol delivery system 1, incoming air from the air inlet 22 of the aerosol delivery system 1 can be configured to pass through at least one incoming air channel 24. The incoming air channel 24 can accordingly be configured to deliver air through the aerosolizable material transport element 14 and capture vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element 14. The vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element 146 can then pass through the fluid outlet tube 26 and be delivered to the outlet 28 of the aerosol delivery system 1. From there, the vaporized aerosolizable material from the vaporizer 16 can then pass through the outlet 28 to the user's mouth, where the user can inhale the vaporized aerosolizable material (e.g., via the mouthpiece 30).

With respect to the structure and composition of any provided aerosolizable material transport element 14 (wick), it will be understood that the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can be any element capable of suitably drawing aerosolizable material to a location where it can be vaporized by the vaporizer 16 during use of the aerosol delivery system 1. In this regard, therefore, according to some embodiments, the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can comprise a porous and/or fibrous material or a solid material. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can be made from cotton or a ceramic material. With the above in mind, it will be understood that, at a general level, the specific structure and composition of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can be varied in a number of different ways to best serve any intended application of the aerosol delivery system 1.

With respect to the vaporizer 16, as previously discussed, the vaporizer 16 may or may not include a heater/heating element for forming the vaporized aerosolized material. In embodiments in which the vaporizer 16 includes a heating element, according to some embodiments, the heating element may include a conductive material located on the exterior surface of the aerosolizable material transport element 14, such as a coil of wire wrapped around at least the first portion 42 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 (e.g., as shown with reference to the embodiments from FIGS. 3A-4B). However, it will be appreciated that the conductive material may also take other shapes on the surface of the aerosolizable material transport element 14, such as a spiral pattern, a raster pattern, or a zigzag pattern, to enable the heating element to efficiently vaporize the aerosolizable material within the aerosolizable material transport element 14. In such cases, it will be appreciated that the heating element (or the vaporizer 16 as a whole, if no heating element is used) may be connected to a power source 20 from the aerosol delivery system 1, and in some embodiments, the power source 20 may be a battery. In embodiments in which the aerosol delivery system 1 comprises a body 10 capable of releasably receiving and/or releasably engaging the cartridge 100, the power source 20 may, in some embodiments, be located in the body 10. Power from the power source 20 may then be provided to the vaporizer 16 via electrical contacts 18 and/or, obviously, in some embodiments, may be delivered to the vaporizer 16 wirelessly or by a contactless power transfer system between the power source 20 and the vaporizer 16.

Thus, with the above general disclosure of the aerosol delivery system 1 in mind, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided herein an aerosol delivery system 1 including an aerosolizable material transport element 14 for receiving aerosolizable material to be vaporized, the aerosol delivery system 1 being movable between a first configuration in which at least a second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is uncompressed or partially compressed, and a second configuration in which the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration so as to limit the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element 14 in the second configuration. Such an aerosol delivery system will now be described with reference to embodiments from FIGS. 1A-4B.

The purpose of aerosol delivery system 1 being movable between the first and second configurations is to better enable control over the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from aerosolizable material transport element 14. Specifically, this control is achieved by effectively throttling the amount of aerosolizable material that can be vaporized from aerosolizable material transport element 14 proximate vaporizer 16, such as by compressing second portion 31 of aerosolizable material transport element 14. As will be explained, it is contemplated that aerosol delivery system 1 can be configured to move between the first and second configurations in a number of different ways, which will now be described.

Briefly, with reference to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 configured to be compressed can comprise a first end portion 32 and a second end portion 34 opposite the first end portion 32 from the aerosolizable material transport element 14. In this manner, when the second portion 31 is compressed in the second configuration (or more compressed than the first configuration), this relative increase in compression of the second portion 31 better restricts the aerosolizable material from the reservoir 12 from being vaporized by the vaporizer 16 to form vaporized aerosolizable material.

With respect to such an amount of compression, it will be understood that the amount of compression in the second configuration can be configured to be greater than in the first configuration. In other words, the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 in the first configuration can be either not compressed at all or compressed by a first amount. In this manner, the aerosolizable material transport element 14 in the second configuration can be compressed by a second amount that is greater than the amount of compression in the first configuration.

Regarding how the compression of the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can be increased from the first configuration to the second configuration, it is envisioned that this can be accomplished in several different ways.

For example, in this regard, according to some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the aerosol delivery system 1 can include at least one compression member 38 configured to actuate to compress the second portion 31 (and/or each of the first end portion 32 and second end portion 34, if such end portions 32, 34 are used) in the second configuration. It will be appreciated that the exact structure of any such compression member 38 used may vary depending on the intended use of the aerosolizable material transport element 14. According to some embodiments, the compression member 38 can include a movable plunger for engaging the second portion 31 in the second configuration, or an adjustable-size collar configured to surround and squeeze the second portion 31 in the second configuration.

Referring to the disclosure from Figures 2-4B, another mechanism by which the aerosol delivery system 1 is movable between the first and second configurations includes the aerosol delivery system 1 having a specially configured fluid outlet tube 26 for receiving vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element, the aerosol delivery system 1 being configured to move between the first and second configurations and compress the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 in the second configuration.

According to such embodiments, the fluid outlet tube 26, in some cases, can include at least one opening 50 for grasping the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14. In this manner, when the fluid outlet tube 26 is moved, the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can be configured to move with the fluid outlet tube 26. In this manner, by moving the fluid outlet tube 26 from the first configuration to the second configuration, the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can also move from the first configuration to the second configuration.

With regard to how the aerosol delivery system 1 can be movable between the first and second configurations, it will be appreciated that according to some embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 2-4B, the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can be configured to move between the first and second configurations. Such movement can be seen particularly in the embodiment from Figure 2, where rotation of the fluid outlet tube 26 moves the second portion 31 from the first configuration (see position 31A for the second portion 31 in the first configuration) to the second configuration (see position 31B for the position of the second portion 31 in the second configuration).

Continuing with reference to such embodiments in which the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration to limit the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element in the second configuration, according to some narrower embodiments, the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can be specifically configured to rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration. Such embodiments can be seen with reference to the embodiments from Figures 2-4B, in which the fluid outlet tube 26 is configured to move/rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration to compress the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 in the second configuration. In this manner, this movement of the fluid outlet tube 26 causes the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 to move/rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration.

When the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is configured to rotate between the first and second configurations, according to some embodiments, the second portion can be configured to rotate by an angle of 45 degrees or less, or according to some narrower embodiments, by an angle of 40 degrees or less, or according to some even narrower embodiments, by an angle of 35 degrees or less. Thus, providing these upper angle limits can help limit shear/disturbance of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 during movement of the aerosol delivery system between the first and second configurations.

To the extent that any second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is configured to move or rotate between the first and second configurations to limit the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element in the second configuration, according to some embodiments, the first portion 42 of the aerosolizable material transport element can be configured to remain stationary between the first and second configurations. In this manner, movement of the aerosol delivery system 1 from the first to the second configuration, to the extent that the second portion 31 is configured to move but the first portion 42 is configured to remain stationary, can apply shear/compression forces to the second portion 31 when the aerosol delivery system 1 is in the second configuration. Accordingly, such shear/compression forces can further assist in limiting the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element in the second configuration, because the compression forces limit the ability of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 to deliver aerosolizable material from the reservoir 12 to the vaporizer 16.

Regarding the precise positioning of such first portion 42, according to some embodiments, the first portion 42 can be located between any provided first and second end portions 32, 34 from the aerosolizable material transport element 14. Thus, according to some embodiments, the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can define a C-shape, or the first end portion 32 can be configured to project outward from one end of the first portion 42, and/or the second end portion 34 can be configured to project outward from the other end of the first portion 42 opposite the one end. Thus, in such embodiments, the first end portion 32 and/or the second end portion 34 can be located closer to the reservoir 12 and/or any provided outlet 28 or mouthpiece 30 than the first portion 42 is relative to the reservoir 12 and/or any provided outlet 28 or mouthpiece 30. Or, in other words, first end portion 32 and/or second end portion 34 can extend in a direction (substantially) perpendicular to the second direction in which first portion 42 is configured to extend. For completeness, it should be noted that providing a stationary first portion 42 from aerosolizable material transport element 14 is not explicitly required. Indeed, rather than moving second portion 31 relative to first portion 42 of aerosolizable material transport element 14, compression of aerosolizable material transport element 14 in the second configuration can also be achieved by moving the entire aerosolizable material transport element 14 between the first and second configurations.

For example, according to some particular embodiments, the second portion 31 can be configured to abut a structure from the aerosol delivery system 1, such as a wall or stop, when the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration; according to some embodiments, such structure can be fixed/immobile. In this manner, when the second portion 31 then reaches its position in the second configuration of the aerosol delivery system 1, the structure from the aerosol delivery system 1 can act to compress the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element to limit the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element in the second configuration. Similarly, when the aerosol delivery system is then moved from the second position back to the first position, the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 in the first position can be configured not to be compressed by the structure and/or can be separated from the structure.

In very specific embodiments where such a structure is used, the structure may constitute the housing 45 of the aerosol delivery system 1 (or the housing 45 of the cartridge 100 if a body 10/cartridge 100 configuration is used). According to some embodiments, such a housing 45 may be configured to cover and/or surround the aerosolizable material transport element 14 when the aerosol delivery system is in use.

With reference to the manner in which the aerosol delivery system 1 can be moved between the first and second configurations, according to some embodiments (such as those shown in Figures 2-4B), the aerosol delivery system 1 can be configured to be manually moved between the first and second configurations. Such manual movement can be seen, for example, in the embodiment from Figure 2, where the fluid outlet tube 26 can be configured to be manually moved or rotated between the first and second configurations of the aerosol delivery system 1.

However, it will be apparent that, according to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to move between the first and second configurations in response to a signal from the controller 40 from the aerosol delivery system 1.

With respect to any controller 40 provided, it may be configured to receive power from the power source 20. With respect to the location of any such controller 40, it will be understood that in embodiments in which the aerosol delivery system 1 comprises a main body 10 and a cartridge 100, the controller may be located in the main body 10 or in the cartridge 100. Depending on the configuration of the aerosol delivery system 1, power from the power source 20 to the controller 40 may then be provided via a wired connection and/or obviously may be delivered wirelessly, such as by a contactless power transfer system between the power source 20 and the controller 40.

When such a signal is used, it will be appreciated that, with regard to the type of signal itself, according to some embodiments, the signal may be a wireless signal or may be transmitted by a wired connection 43 from the controller 40 to any compression member 38 provided by the aerosol delivery system 1 (as can be seen, for example, with reference to the wired connection 43 between the controller 40 and the compression member 38 from Figures 1A-1B).

Regarding how any such signal may be generated, the aerosol delivery system 1 according to some embodiments may further comprise a user interface 44 and/or an actuator 46 connected to the controller 40 and configured to control the generation of the signal. Obviously, with regard to any actuator 46 used, this may comprise, for example, a button or switch, and according to some embodiments, such a button or switch may be located on any main body 10 used from the aerosol delivery system 1.

By providing such a user interface 44 or actuator 46, each of the user interface 44 or actuator 46 can be used to control the generation of a signal, for example, in response to input by a user (e.g., by the user interacting with the user interface 44 and/or by the user actuating the actuator 46).

From the above, it will therefore be appreciated that several different configurations of the aerosol delivery system 1 are described herein that can be used to better control the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element 14 during use of the aerosol delivery system.

Based on the above disclosure, it can be seen that the present disclosure can also effectively provide an aerosol delivery system 1 including an aerosolizable material transport element 14 for receiving aerosolizable material to be vaporized, the aerosol delivery system 1 further including a rotatable component 21 including a recess 23 for accommodating a first portion 42 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14, the rotatable component 21 being configured to move between a first configuration of the aerosol delivery system and a second configuration of the aerosol delivery system 1. In this manner, in the second configuration of the aerosol delivery system 1, the rotatable component 21 is configured to limit the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element 14.

In this regard, the provision of recesses 23 in rotatable component 21 can collectively assist in better controlling the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material in the aerosol delivery system. Specifically, this can be achieved by moving or rotating rotatable component 21 between a second configuration (in which the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from aerosolizable material transport element 14 is limited) and a first configuration (in which the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from aerosolizable material transport element 14 is not as limited as in the second configuration).

To the extent that any such rotatable component 21 is used, it will be understood that the rotatable component 21 can be formed/implemented in a number of different ways. For example, according to some embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 2-4B, the rotatable component 21 can comprise a fluid outlet tube 26. In this manner, the fluid outlet tube 26 can then be configured to rotate between a first configuration and a second configuration, as can be seen with reference to the embodiment from Figure 2, for example.

However, it will likewise be understood that, according to some embodiments, the rotatable component 21 can be separate from the fluid outlet tube 26, and thus the fluid outlet tube 26 is not necessarily rotatable. Thus, in such latter embodiments, the rotatable component 21 can also comprise some other rotatable member configured to limit the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element 14 in the second configuration (such as a rotatable latch configured to impact/compress the aerosolizable material transport element 14 in the second configuration).

However, regardless of the exact configuration of the rotatable component 21, to help the rotatable component 21 better accommodate/grasp the aerosolizable material transport element 14 during use, as noted above, the rotatable component 21 in some embodiments can be provided with a recess 23 for accommodating at least a portion of the aerosolizable material transport element 14, such as (but not limited to) the first portion 42 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14. Such a recess 23 is best illustrated by the embodiment shown in Figures 4A-4B.

It can be seen that in embodiments in which a recess 23 is employed, the recess 23 can be located proximal to the vaporizer 16 so as to accommodate the aerosolizable material transport element 14 at a location proximal to the vaporizer 16. Similarly, with respect to this location in some embodiments in which the rotatable component 21 comprises a fluid outlet tube 26, it can be seen that in some embodiments the fluid outlet tube 26 can at least partially define the recess 23. This can be seen, for example, with reference to Figures 3A-4B, in which the recess is shown located at a first end 26A of the fluid outlet tube 26.

To the extent that such an optional first end 26A of the fluid outlet tube 26 is used, it can be seen that in some cases this first end 26A can be located closer to the vaporizer 16 than the first end 26A is relative to the outlet 28 or mouthpiece 30. In other words, the fluid outlet tube 26 can have a second end 26B that defines the outlet 28 or mouthpiece 30, with the second end 26B being located opposite the first end 26A. Or, in further words, the recess 23 in some embodiments can be located between the vaporizer 16 and any provided outlet 28/mouthpiece 30.

Regarding the exact shape and/or geometry of any recesses 23 provided, this can obviously depend on the shape of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 that the recesses 23 are configured to accommodate. In this regard, for example, recesses 23 according to some embodiments can be elongated and/or configured to have a semicircular cross-section (as shown in the embodiments from Figures 4A-4B) to accommodate or grip a cylindrical aerosolizable material transport element 14.

For completeness' sake, it will be appreciated that, where such a rotatable component 21 is used, the rotatable component 21 according to some embodiments may be used in embodiments such as those shown generally with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, whereby the rotatable component 21 may be configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration in response to a signal from a controller 40, and according to some even narrower embodiments, may be used in conjunction with a user interface 44 and/or actuator 46 connected to the controller 40 to control the generation of the signal as described above.

Based on the above disclosure and with reference to the disclosure from the figures, it will be appreciated that effective mechanisms for better securing aerosolizable material within the aerosol delivery system 1 (or aerosol delivery cartridge 100) are also described herein. In this regard, therefore, provided herein is an aerosol delivery system 1 comprising a housing 45 and an aerosolizable material transport element 14 within the housing 45 for receiving aerosolizable material to be vaporized. The aerosolizable material transport element 14 further comprises a first portion 42 and a second portion 31, the second portion 31 comprising a first end portion 32 and a second end portion 34 opposite the first end portion 32. The first portion 42 is located between the first end portion 32 and the second end portion 34, and each end portion 32, 34 is for receiving and delivering aerosolizable material from a reservoir 12 or the like to the first portion 42. The aerosol delivery system 1 also has fluid delivery tubes 24, 26 located at least partially within the housing 45. In this manner, the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing 45 and the fluid delivery tubes 24, 26 by the housing 45 and the fluid delivery tubes 24, 26 to secure the aerosolizable material transport element 14 within the housing 45.

Thus, according to the above embodiment, the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is substantially at least partially sandwiched between the housing 45 and the fluid delivery conduits 24, 26 (which in some examples may be fluid outlet conduits 26 or, in some cases, one or more of the inlet air channels 24 for delivering air to the aerosolizable material transport element 14), thereby better securing the aerosolizable material transport element 14 in its correct location within the housing 45 during use.

To the extent that the above-described embodiments in which the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing 45 and the fluid delivery tubes 24, 26 can be used, according to some narrower embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 4A-4B , the first portion 42 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can be configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing 45 and the fluid delivery tube by the housing 45 and the fluid delivery tube to secure the aerosolizable material transport element 14 within the housing 45. Similarly, according to some embodiments, however, the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can be configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing 45 and the fluid delivery tube by the housing 45 and the fluid delivery tube to secure the aerosolizable material transport element 14 within the housing 45. This can be achieved, for example, by (possibly, but not necessarily) permanently securing the second portion 31 of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 in the second configuration of the aerosol delivery system 1, possibly apart from any movement or rotation of the aerosol delivery system between the first and second configurations. Thus, in this manner, according to some embodiments, the mechanism for securing the aerosolizable material within the aerosol delivery system 1 may also be for clamping/compressing the second portion (possibly permanently) between the housing 45 and the fluid delivery tubes 24, 26.

With respect to the housing 45, with reference to the embodiments disclosed in the figures, it can be seen that the housing 45 can act to enclose/surround aspects of the aerosol delivery system 1, such as any provided reservoir 12 and/or vaporizer 16. In this manner, the housing 45 can be configured to define an exterior shell for the aerosol delivery system 1, which obviously can be formed as a unitary and/or single molded component, according to some embodiments. Obviously, the housing 45 can be made from any suitable material, such as plastic.

According to some embodiments, when the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is configured to be at least partially compressed between or against the housing 45 to secure the aerosolizable material transport element 14 within the housing, the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can be configured to be at least partially compressed between or against a portion of the housing, such as a portion that is part of the outermost or exterior wall of the housing, and/or a portion that defines a first end wall 47 for the housing, which can be the first end wall 47 from the aerosol delivery cartridge 100 configured to abut the body 10 from the aerosol delivery system 1 when a body 10/cartridge 100 configuration is used. Similarly, according to some embodiments (shown in FIGS. 4A-4B ), that portion of the housing 45 can be a flat portion 48 that better ensures that the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is compressed more uniformly against the housing 45.

However, aside from the geometry of the housing 45, further examples of how the aerosolizable material transport element 14 can be better secured within the aerosol delivery system 1 include positioning the aerosolizable material transport element 14 at the first end of the fluid delivery tubes 24, 26, as can be seen with reference to the embodiment from the figure in which the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is located at the end 24A of each air inlet channel 24 and the first end 26A of the fluid outlet tube 26. Thus, according to such an embodiment, the fluid delivery tubes 24, 26 can then have a second open end located opposite the first end. For each air inlet channel 24, this second open end 24B can be located next to or at the air inlet 22. Similarly, if the fluid delivery tube comprises a fluid outlet tube 26, the second open end 26B can define the outlet 28 or the mouthpiece 30.

Similarly, according to some embodiments, to better secure the aerosolizable material transport element 14 within the aerosol delivery system 1, the fluid delivery tube can include a recess (e.g., recess 23 within rotatable component 21/fluid outlet tube 26, as in the embodiment from FIGS. 2-4B) for accommodating the first portion 42 of the aerosolizable material transport element. Thus, providing recess 23 within the aerosol delivery system 1 as described above allows for better accommodation/grasping of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 during use.

As noted above, with reference to the above embodiments relating to better securing the aerosolizable material transport element 14 within the aerosol delivery system 1, it will be understood that these embodiments may, but need not, be used with embodiments of the aerosol delivery system 1 including any form of rotatable component 21 and/or one configured to move between a second configuration (in which the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is limited) and a first configuration (in which the formation of vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is not as limited as in the second configuration).

Similarly, according to the above-described embodiments relating to better securing aerosolizable material transport element 14 within aerosol delivery system 1, it will be understood that these embodiments can be used with any combination of the other feature(s) described herein with reference to the embodiments from Figures 1A-4B. For example, in this regard, according to some embodiments, the above-described embodiments relating to better securing aerosolizable material transport element 14 within aerosol delivery system 1 can be configured such that the aerosolizable material transport element is configured to move or rotate (possibly in response to a signal from a controller from the aerosol delivery system) between any first and second configurations described herein for aerosol delivery system 1. Similarly, according to some embodiments, the aerosolizable material transport element for such embodiments can have a C-shape and/or a more specific geometric shape than shown with reference to the illustrated embodiments. Similarly, such embodiments can be used with any form of aerosol delivery system 1, such as a one-part system or a two-part system, such as the aerosol delivery cartridge 100 described above, which is configured to be releasably housed in and/or releasably attached to the main body 10 from the aerosol delivery system 1.
Therefore, with the above in mind,
The housing and
an aerosolizable material transport element within the housing for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized,
a first portion; and
a second portion, the second portion having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
an aerosolizable material transport element having a first portion located between a first end portion and a second end portion, each end portion for receiving and delivering aerosolizable material to the first portion;
a fluid delivery tube located at least partially within the housing;
It can be seen that at least an aerosol supply system is described in which the aerosolizable material transport element is configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing and the fluid delivery tube by the housing and the fluid delivery tube to secure the aerosolizable material transport element within the housing.
The housing and
an aerosolizable material transport element within the housing for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized,
a first portion; and
a second portion, the second portion having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
an aerosolizable material transport element having a first portion located between a first end portion and a second end portion, each end portion for receiving and delivering aerosolizable material to the first portion;
a fluid delivery tube located at least partially within the housing;
Also described is an aerosol delivery cartridge in which the aerosolizable material transport element is configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing and the fluid delivery tube by the housing and the fluid delivery tube to secure the aerosolizable material transport element within the housing.
1. A method of securing an aerosolizable material in an aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system comprising:
The housing and
an aerosolizable material transport element within the housing for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized;
a first portion; and
a second portion, the second portion having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
an aerosolizable material transport element having a first portion located between a first end portion and a second end portion, each end portion for receiving and delivering aerosolizable material to the first portion;
a fluid delivery tube located at least partially within the housing;
Also described herein is a method, the method including a step of fixing an aerosolizable material transport element within a housing such that the aerosolizable material transport element is at least partially compressed by and between the housing and the fluid delivery tube.

Also described is an aerosol delivery system 1 comprising a housing 45 and an aerosolizable material transport element 14 within the housing 45 for receiving aerosolizable material to be vaporized. The aerosolizable material transport element 14 further comprises a first portion 42 and a second portion 31, the second portion 31 comprising a first end portion 32 and a second end portion 34 opposite the first end portion 32. The first portion 42 is located between the first end portion 32 and the second end portion 34, each end portion 32, 34 for receiving and delivering aerosolizable material to the first portion 42. The aerosol delivery system 1 also includes fluid delivery tubes 24, 26 located at least partially within the housing 45. In this manner, the aerosolizable material transport element 14 is configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing 45 and the fluid delivery tubes 24, 26 by the housing 45 and the fluid delivery tubes 24, 26 to secure the aerosolizable material transport element 14 within the housing 45.

To address various problems and advance the art, this disclosure illustrates, by way of example, various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely a representative sample of embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive and/or exclusive. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are presented solely to aid in understanding and teach the claimed invention(s). It is understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or on the equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. It is understood that various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than as specifically described herein, and thus features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims in combinations other than those expressly set forth in the claims. This disclosure may also include other inventions not claimed herein but which may be claimed in the future.

For example, while the present disclosure has been described with reference to a "liquid" or "fluid" in reservoir 12, it will be understood that the liquid or fluid can be replaced with any aerosolizable material. Similarly, when an aerosolizable material is used, it will be understood that in some embodiments, the aerosolizable material can include a liquid or fluid.

With respect to the vaporizer 16, while in some embodiments the vaporizer 16 has been described as comprising a heater/heating element such as a coil of wire wrapped around at least a portion of the aerosolizable material transport element 14 (e.g., as shown with reference to the embodiments from Figures 3A-4B), it will be appreciated that in some other embodiments the vaporizer 16 may be capable of generating a vapor/aerosol from the aerosolizable material in the aerosolizable material transport element 14 without applying heat to the aerosolizable material, for example, by one or more of the vibrational, mechanical, pressurized, or electrostatic means described above.

Finally, while several features described herein have been described with reference to embodiments of an aerosol delivery system 1 provided as part of a body 10 that can releasably receive and/or be releasably attached to a cartridge 100, it will be understood that in some embodiments, any of the features described herein from the cartridge 100 and/or body 10 can also be integrated into an aerosol delivery system 1 that does not include such a cartridge/body configuration.

Claims (23)

The housing and
an aerosolizable material transport element within the housing for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized,
a first portion; and
a second portion, the second portion having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
an aerosolizable material transport element, the first portion being located between the first end portion and the second end portion, each end portion for receiving and delivering the aerosolizable material to the first portion;
a fluid delivery tube located at least partially within the housing;
the aerosolizable material transport element is configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing and the fluid delivery tube by the housing and the fluid delivery tube to secure the aerosolizable material transport element within the housing;
Aerosol delivery system. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the aerosolizable material transport element is configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing and the fluid delivery tube by the housing and the fluid delivery tube to secure the aerosolizable material transport element within the housing. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery conduit comprises a fluid outlet conduit for receiving vaporized aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery tube includes an inlet air channel for delivering air to the aerosolizable material transport element. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to move between a first configuration in which the second portion is not compressed or partially compressed, and a second configuration in which the second portion is compressed by an amount greater than in the first configuration. The aerosol delivery system of claim 5, wherein the housing is configured to be separated from the second portion of the aerosolizable material transport element in the first configuration and configured to abut and compress the second portion of the aerosolizable material transport element in the second configuration. The aerosol delivery system of claim 5, wherein the fluid delivery tube is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration. The aerosol delivery system of claim 5, wherein the fluid delivery tube is configured to rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration. The aerosol delivery system of claim 5, wherein the aerosolizable material transport element is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration. 6. The aerosol delivery system of claim 5, wherein the aerosolizable material transport element is configured to rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration. The aerosol delivery system of claim 5, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration in response to a signal from a controller from the aerosol delivery system. The aerosol delivery system of claim 11, further comprising at least one of a user interface and/or an actuator connected to the controller for controlling generation of the signal. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the aerosolizable material transport element is C-shaped. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery tube includes a recess for accommodating the first portion of the aerosolizable material transport element. The aerosol delivery system of claim 14, wherein the recess is located at a first end of the fluid delivery tube. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the aerosolizable material transport element is located at a first end of the fluid delivery tube. The aerosol delivery system of claim 15, wherein the fluid delivery tube has a second open end, the second end being located opposite the first end. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the aerosolizable material transport element is configured to be at least partially compressed between a portion of the housing and the fluid delivery tube by a portion of the housing and the fluid delivery tube to secure the aerosolizable material transport element within the housing. The aerosol delivery system of claim 18, wherein the portion is a part of the outermost or exterior wall of the housing. The aerosol delivery system of claim 18, wherein the portion is a part of an end wall of the housing. The aerosol delivery system of claim 18, wherein the portion of the housing is flat. The housing and
an aerosolizable material transport element within the housing for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized,
a first portion; and
a second portion, the second portion having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
an aerosolizable material transport element, the first portion being located between the first end portion and the second end portion, each end portion for receiving and delivering the aerosolizable material to the first portion;
a fluid delivery tube located at least partially within the housing;
the aerosolizable material transport element is configured to be at least partially compressed between the housing and the fluid delivery tube by the housing and the fluid delivery tube to secure the aerosolizable material transport element within the housing;
Aerosol delivery cartridge. 1. A method of securing an aerosolizable material transport element within an aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system comprising:
The housing and
an aerosolizable material transport element within the housing for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized;
a first portion; and
a second portion, the second portion having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
an aerosolizable material transport element, the first portion being located between the first end portion and the second end portion, each end portion for receiving and delivering the aerosolizable material to the first portion;
a fluid delivery tube located at least partially within the housing;
The method includes fixing the aerosolizable material transport element within the housing such that the aerosolizable material transport element is at least partially compressed by and between the housing and the fluid delivery tube.