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`US 20140318559Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Thorens et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0318559 Al
`Oct. 30, 2014
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) ELECTRICALLY HEATED SMOKING
`SYSTEM HAVING A LIQUID STORAGE
`PORTION
`
`(71) Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc., Richmond, VA
`(US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Michel Thorens, Moudon (CH);
`Jean-Marc Flick, Savagnier (CH);
`Olivier Yves Cochand, Neuchatel (CH)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/324,473
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 7, 2014
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(62) Division of application No. 12/432,215, filed on Apr.
`29, 2009, now Pat. No. 8,794,231.
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Apr. 30, 2008
`
`(EP) ..................................... 08251579
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A24F 47100
`A24D3/18
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ................ A24F 471008 (2013.01); A24D 3/18
`(2013.01)
`USPC .......................................................... 131/329
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An electrically heated smoking system includes a shell and a
`replaceable mouthpiece. The shell includes an electric power
`supply and electric circuitry. The mouthpiece includes a liq(cid:173)
`uid storage portion and a capillary wick having a first end and
`a second end. The first end of the wick extends into the liquid
`storage portion for contact with liquid therein. The mouth(cid:173)
`piece also includes a heating element for heating the second
`end of the capillary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming
`chamber between the second end of the capillary wick and the
`air outlet. When the shell and mouthpiece are engaged or
`connected, the heating element is in electrical connection
`with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath for air
`is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the
`aerosol forming chamber. In use, liquid is transferred from
`the liquid storage portion towards the heating element by
`capillary action in the wick. Liquid at the second end of the
`capillary wick is vaporized by the heating element. The super(cid:173)
`saturated vapor created, is mixed and carried in the air flow
`from the at least one air inlet to the aerosol forming chamber.
`In the aerosol forming chamber, the vapor condenses to form
`an aerosol, which is carried towards the air outlet.
`
`301
`
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`NJOY Exhibit 1016.001
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`101
`
`Fig. 2
`
`115
`
`107
`
`105
`
`Fig.1
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1016.002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 30, 2014 Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 2014/0318559 Al
`
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`NJOY Exhibit 1016.003
`
`

`

`US 2014/0318559 Al
`
`Oct. 30, 2014
`
`ELECTRICALLY HEATED SMOKING
`SYSTEM HAVING A LIQUID STORAGE
`PORTION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This application is a divisional application of appli(cid:173)
`cation Ser. No. 12/432,215, filed Apr. 29, 2009, entitled AN
`ELECTRICALLY HEATED SMOKING SYSTEM HAV(cid:173)
`ING A LIQUID STORAGE PORTION which corresponds to
`EuropeanApplication No. 08 251 579, filedApr. 30, 2008, the
`entire content of each is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to an electrically
`heated smoking system for receiving an aerosol-forming sub(cid:173)
`strate. In particular, the present invention relates to an elec(cid:173)
`trically heated smoking system for receiving an aerosol(cid:173)
`forming substrate, in which the aerosol-forming substrate is a
`liquid.
`[0003] A number of prior art documents, for example U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,060,671 (commonly assigned, the entire contents
`of which are incorporated herein by this reference thereto),
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 (commonly assigned, the entire con(cid:173)
`tents of which are incorporated herein by this reference
`thereto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,214 (commonly assigned, the
`entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this ref(cid:173)
`erence thereto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368 (commonly
`assigned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
`by this reference thereto), WO 2004/04317 5 ( commonly
`assigned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
`by this reference thereto), EP-A-0 358 002 and WO 2007 /
`131449, disclose electrically operated smoking systems, hav(cid:173)
`ing a number of advantages. One advantage is that they sig(cid:173)
`nificantly reduce sidestream smoke, while permitting the
`smoker to selectively suspend and reinitiate smoking.
`[0004] Other prior art documents, such as EP-A-0 295 122,
`EP-A-1 618 803 and EP-A-1 736 065, disclose electrical
`smoking systems which use a liquid as the aerosol-forming
`substrate. The liquid may be contained in a cartridge which is
`receivable in a housing. A power supply, such as a battery, is
`provided, connected to a heater to heat the liquid substrate
`during a puff, to form the aerosol which is provided to the
`smoker.
`[0005] The electrically heated smoking systems of the prior
`art, including those described above, do have a number of
`advantages, but there is still room for improvement. It is
`therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved
`electrically heated smoking system.
`
`SUMMARY OF SELECTED ASPECTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
`provided an electrically heated smoking system comprising a
`shell and a replaceable mouthpiece, the shell comprising an
`electric power supply and electric circuitry; the mouthpiece
`comprising a liquid storage portion, a capillary wick having a
`first end and a second end, the first end extending into the
`liquid storage portion for contact with liquid therein, at least
`one heating element for heating the second end of the capil(cid:173)
`lary wick, an air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber
`between the second end of the capillary wick and the air
`outlet; wherein, when the shell and mouthpiece are engaged,
`
`the at least one heating element is in electrical connection
`with the power supply via the circuitry, and a flow route for air
`is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the
`aerosol forming chamber.
`[0007] The at least one air inlet may be provided in the shell
`or in the mouthpiece. In use, liquid is transferred from the
`liquid storage portion towards the heating element by capil(cid:173)
`lary action in the capillary wick. When the heating element is
`activated, the liquid at the second end of the capillary wick is
`vaporized by the heating element to form a supersaturated
`vapor. The supersaturated vapor is mixed and carried in the air
`flow from the at least one air inlet to the aerosol forming
`chamber. In the aerosol forming chamber, the vapor con(cid:173)
`denses to form an aerosol, which is carried towards the air
`outlet into the mouth of a user.
`[0008] The electrically heated smoking system according
`to the invention provides a number of advantages. Firstly,
`because the replaceable mouthpiece contains the at least one
`heating element, the liquid storage portion and the wick, all
`elements which are potentially in contact with the liquid are
`changed when the mouthpiece is replaced. There will be no
`cross-contamination in the shell between different mouth(cid:173)
`pieces, for example ones using different liquids. In addition,
`the liquid in the liquid storage portion is protected from
`oxygen (because oxygen cannot generally enter the liquid
`storage portion via the capillary wick) and, in some embodi(cid:173)
`ments light, so that the risk of degradation of the liquid is
`significantly reduced. Therefore, a high level of hygiene can
`be maintained. Secondly, the mouthpiece structure means
`that there is a low risk of leakage from the liquid storage
`portion, which is not the case for many of the electrically
`heated smoking systems of the prior art. This prevents waste
`of the liquid, but also makes it difficult for an unauthorized
`user to access the liquid by dismantling the mouthpiece. Also,
`if the mouthpiece is replaced at suitable intervals, there is
`little chance of the heating element becoming clogged with
`liquid. Finally, using a capillary wick extending between the
`liquid and the heating element allows the structure of the
`mouthpiece to be relatively simple. There is preferably only
`one capillary mechanism in the system.
`[0009] The at least one heating element may comprise a
`single heating element. Alternatively, the at least one heating
`element may comprise more than one heating element, for
`example two, three, four, five, six or more heating elements.
`The heating element or heating elements may be arranged
`appropriately so as to most effectively vaporize liquid at the
`second end of the capillary wick.
`[0010] The at least one heating element preferably com(cid:173)
`prises an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically
`resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconduc(cid:173)
`tors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceram(cid:173)
`ics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon,
`graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made
`of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite
`materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics.
`Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon
`carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zir(cid:173)
`conium, tantalum and metals from the platinum group.
`Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel,
`nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum- titanium- zirco(cid:173)
`nium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tung(cid:173)
`sten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- and iron-containing alloys,
`and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel,
`Timetal and iron-manganese-aluminum based alloys. In com-
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1016.004
`
`

`

`US 2014/0318559 Al
`
`Oct. 30, 2014
`
`2
`
`posite materials, the electrically res1st1ve material may
`optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an
`insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of
`energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties
`required. Examples of suitable composite heating elements
`are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,855 ( commonly assigned,
`the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this
`reference thereto), WO 03/095688 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,
`630.
`[0011] The at least one heating element may take any suit(cid:173)
`able form. For example, the at least one heating element may
`take the form of a heating blade, such as those described in
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594, U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368 and U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,505,214. Alternatively, the at least one heating
`element may take the form of a casing or substrate having
`different electro-conductive portions, as described in EP-A-1
`128 7 41, or an electrically resistive metallic tube, as described
`in WO 2007/066374. Alternatively, the at least one heating
`element may be a disk ( end) heater or a combination of a disk
`heater with heating needles or rods. Alternatively, the at least
`one heating element may take the form of a metallic etched
`foil insulated between two layers of an inert material. In that
`case, the inert material may comprise Kapton, all-polyimide
`or mica foil. Alternatively, the at least one heating element
`may take the form of a sheet of material, which may be rolled
`around the second end of the capillary wick. The sheet may be
`made from any suitable material, for example an iron-alumi(cid:173)
`num based alloy, an iron-manganese-aluminum base alloy or
`Timetal.
`[0012] The sheet may be rectangular in shape, or may have
`a patterned shape which may form a coil-like structure when
`rolled around the second end of the capillary wick. Other
`alternatives include a heating wire or filament, for example a
`Ni----Cr, platinum, tungsten or alloy wire, such as those
`described in EP-A-1 736 065, or a heating plate.
`[0013]
`In a preferred embodiment, the at least one heating
`element comprises a coil of wire surrounding the second end
`of the capillary wick. In that embodiment, the wire is prefer(cid:173)
`ably a metal wire. Even more preferably, the wire is a metal
`alloy wire. The heating element may completely or partially
`encircle the second end of the capillary wick.
`[0014] The at least one heating element may heat the liquid
`at the second end of the capillary wick by means of conduc(cid:173)
`tion. The heating element may be at least partially in contact
`with the second end of the wick. Alternatively, heat from the
`heating element may be conducted to the liquid by means of
`a heat conductive element. Alternatively, the at least one
`heating element may transfer heat to the incoming ambient air
`that is drawn through the electrically heated smoking system
`during use, which in turn heats the liquid by convection. The
`ambient air may be heated before passing through the system.
`Alternatively, the ambient air may be first drawn through the
`second end of the wick and then heated, as described in WO
`2007 /078273.
`[0015] Preferably, the electric circuitry comprises a sensor
`to detect air flow indicative of a user taking a puff. The sensor
`may be an electro-mechanical device. Alternatively, the sen(cid:173)
`sor may be any of: a mechanical device, an optical device, an
`opto-mechanical device and a micro electro mechanical sys(cid:173)
`tems (MEMS) based sensor. In that case, preferably, the elec(cid:173)
`tric circuitry is arranged to provide an electric current pulse to
`the at least one heating element when the sensor senses a user
`taking a puff. Preferably, the time-period of the electric cur(cid:173)
`rent pulse is pre-set, depending on the amount of liquid
`
`desired to be vaporized. The electric circuitry is preferably
`programmable for this purpose.
`[0016] Alternatively, the electric circuitry may comprise a
`manually operable switch for a user to initiate a puff. In that
`case, preferably, the electric circuitry is arranged to provide
`an electric current pulse to the at least one heating element
`when the user initiates a puff. The time-period of the electric
`current pulse is preferably pre-set depending on the amount
`of liquid desired to be vaporized. The electric circuitry is
`preferably programmable for this purpose.
`[0017] Preferably, the at least one air inlet is in the shell.
`Alternatively, the at least one air inlet may be in the mouth(cid:173)
`piece. In one embodiment, the at least one air inlet comprises
`two air inlets. Alternatively, there may be three, four, five or
`more air inlets. Preferably, ifthere is more than one air inlet,
`the air inlets are spaced around the shell or around the mouth(cid:173)
`piece. In a preferred embodiment, the electric circuitry com(cid:173)
`prises a sensor to detect air flow indicative of a user taking a
`puff, and the at least one inlet is in the shell, upstream of the
`sensor.
`[0018] Preferably, the electric power supply comprises a
`cell contained in the shell. The electric power supply may be
`a lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example a
`lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the power supply
`may be a nickel-metal hydride battery or a nickel cadmium
`battery or a fuel cell. In that case, preferably, the electrically
`heated smoking system is usable by a smoker until the energy
`in the power cell is used up.
`[0019] Alternatively, the electric power supply may com(cid:173)
`prise circuitry chargeable by an external charging portion. In
`that case, preferably the circuitry, when charged, provides
`power for a pre-determined number of puffs, after which the
`circuitry must be re-connected to the external charging por(cid:173)
`tion. An example of suitable circuitry is one or more capaci(cid:173)
`tors or rechargeable batteries.
`[0020] Preferably, the shell further comprises a puff indi(cid:173)
`cator for indicating when the heating element is activated. In
`the embodiment in which the electric circuitry comprises a
`sensor to detect air flow indicative of a user taking a puff, the
`indicator may be activated when the sensor senses air flow
`indicative of the user taking a puff. In the embodiment in
`which the electric circuitry comprises a manually operable
`switch, the indicator may be activated by the switch.
`[0021] Preferably, the shell and mouthpiece are arranged to
`releasably lock together when engaged.
`[0022] Preferably, the liquid storage portion is not refill(cid:173)
`able. Thus, when the liquid in the liquid storage portion has
`been used up, the entire mouthpiece is replaced. Alternatively,
`the liquid storage portion may be refillable. In that case, the
`mouthpiece may be replaced after a certain number of refills
`of the liquid storage portion. Preferably, the liquid storage
`portion is arranged to hold liquid for a pre-determined num(cid:173)
`ber of puffs.
`[0023] The liquid has physical properties, including viscos(cid:173)
`ity, which allow the liquid to be transported through the
`capillary wick by capillary action. The liquid has a boiling
`point suitable for use in the electrically heated smoking sys(cid:173)
`tem: if the boiling point is too high, the heating element will
`not be able to vaporize liquid at the second end of the capillary
`wick, but, if the boiling point is too low, the liquid may
`vaporize even without the heating element being activated.
`The liquid preferably comprises a tobacco-containing mate(cid:173)
`rial comprising volatile tobacco flavour compounds which
`are released from the liquid upon heating. Alternatively, or in
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1016.005
`
`

`

`US 2014/0318559 Al
`
`Oct. 30, 2014
`
`3
`
`addition, the liquid may comprise a non-tobacco material.
`The liquid may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts
`and natural or artificial flavours. Preferably, the liquid further
`comprises an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol
`formers are glycerine and propylene glycol. Additional
`examples of potentially suitable aerosol formers are
`described in EP-A-0 277 519 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,911.
`[0024] The liquid storage portion is preferably a container.
`For example, the container may be a container such as that
`described in EP-A-0 893 071. Preferably, the liquid storage
`portion does not include any porous materials, so that there is
`only a single capillary mechanism (the capillary wick) in the
`electrically heated smoking system. This keeps the structure
`of the mouthpiece simple and the entire system low-mainte(cid:173)
`nance. Preferably, the container is opaque, thereby limiting
`degradation of the liquid by light.
`[0025] The electrically heated smoking system may further
`comprise an atomizer including the at least one heating ele(cid:173)
`ment. In addition to the heating element, the atomizer may
`include one or more electromechanical elements such as
`piezoelectric elements. Additionally or alternatively, the
`atomizer may also include elements that use electrostatic,
`electromagnetic or pneumatic effects.
`[0026] The capillary wick may have a fibrous or spongy
`structure. For example, the capillary wick may comprise a
`plurality of fibers or threads, generally aligned in the longi(cid:173)
`tudinal direction of the smoking system, or sponge-like mate(cid:173)
`rial formed into a rod shape along the longitudinal direction of
`the smoking system. The structure of the wick forms a plu(cid:173)
`rality of small bores or tubes, through which the liquid can be
`transported from the liquid storage portion to the heating
`element, by capillary action. The capillary wick may com(cid:173)
`prise any suitable material or combination of materials.
`Examples of suitable materials are ceramic- or graphite(cid:173)
`based materials in the form of fibers or sintered powders. The
`capillary wick may have any suitable capillarity and porosity
`so as to be used with different liquid physical properties such
`as density, viscosity, surface tension and vapor pressure.
`[0027] The shell may comprise any suitable material or
`combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials
`include metals, alloys, plastics or composite materials con(cid:173)
`taining one or more of those materials. Preferably, the mate(cid:173)
`rial is light and non-brittle.
`[0028] The mouthpiece may comprise any suitable material
`or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials
`include thermoplastics that are suitable for food or pharma(cid:173)
`ceutical applications, for example polypropylene, poly(cid:173)
`etheretherketone (PEEK) and polyethylene.
`[0029] Preferably, the electrically heated smoking system
`is portable. The electrically heated smoking system may have
`a size comparable to a conventional cigar or cigarette.
`[0030] According to a second aspect of the invention, there
`is provided a mouthpiece for engaging with a shell to form an
`electrically heated smoking system, the shell having an elec(cid:173)
`tric power supply and electric circuitry, the mouthpiece com(cid:173)
`prising: a liquid storage portion; a capillary wick having a first
`end and a second end, the first end extending into the liquid
`storage portion for contact with liquid therein; at least one
`heating element for heating the second end of the capillary
`wick; an air outlet; and an aerosol forming chamber between
`the second end of the capillary wick and the air outlet,
`wherein, when the shell and mouthpiece are engaged, the at
`least one heating element is in electrical connection with the
`
`power supply via the circuitry, and a flowpath or flow route for
`air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the
`aerosol forming chamber.
`[0031]
`In a preferred embodiment, the at least one heating
`element comprises a coil of wire surrounding the second end
`of the capillary wick. In that embodiment, preferably the wire
`is a metal alloy wire.
`[0032] According to the invention, there is also provided a
`shell arranged to engage with the mouthpiece of the second
`aspect of the invention.
`[0033] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a shell for engaging with a mouthpiece to form an
`electrically heated smoking system, the mouthpiece having a
`liquid storage portion, a capillary wick having a first end and
`a second end, the first end extending into the liquid storage
`portion for contact with liquid therein, at least one heating
`element for heating the second end of the capillary wick, an
`air outlet, and an aerosol forming chamber between the sec(cid:173)
`ond end of the capillary wick and the air outlet, the shell
`comprising: an electric power supply; and electric circuitry,
`wherein, when the shell and mouthpiece are engaged, the at
`least one heating element is in electrical connection with the
`power supply via the circuitry, and a flow route or flowpath for
`air is defined from at least one air inlet to the air outlet via the
`aerosol forming chamber.
`[0034] Preferably, the electric circuitry comprises a sensor
`to detect air flow indicative of a user taking a puff.
`[0035] Preferably, the shell further comprises the at least
`one air inlet.
`[0036] According to the invention, there is also provided a
`mouthpiece arranged to engage with the shell of the third
`aspect of the invention.
`[0037] Features described in relation to one aspect of the
`invention may also be applicable to another aspect of the
`invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0038] Many objects and advantages of the invention will
`be further described, by way of example only, with reference
`to the accompanying drawings, and others will be apparent to
`those skilled in the art when the accompanying drawings are
`read in conjunction with this written description. In the
`accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are applied
`to like elements and:
`[0039] FIG. 1 shows a shell of an electrically heated smok(cid:173)
`ing system according to an embodiment of the invention;
`[0040] FIG. 2 shows a mouthpiece of an electrically heated
`smoking system according to an embodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion; and
`[0041] FIG. 3 shows a constructed electrically heated
`smoking system, comprising the shell of FIG. 1 and the
`mouthpiece of FIG. 2.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0042] FIG. 1 shows a shell of an electrically heated smok(cid:173)
`ing system according to one embodiment of the invention.
`The shell 101 comprises an electric power supply in the form
`of battery 103, electric circuitry in the form of circuitry 105
`and puff detection system 107, a puff indicator 109, electrical
`connections 111, electrical contacts 113, air inlets 115 and a
`lock mechanism 117. The shell 101 is designed to engage
`with the mouthpiece 201 of FIG. 2.
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1016.006
`
`

`

`US 2014/0318559 Al
`
`Oct. 30, 2014
`
`4
`
`[0043] FIG. 2 shows a mouthpiece of an electrically heated
`smoking system according to one embodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion. The mouthpiece 201 comprises a liquid storage portion
`in the form of cartridge 203 containing liquid 205, a capillary
`wick 207, a heating element in the form ofheating coil 209, an
`air outlet 211 and an aerosol forming chamber 213. The first
`end 207a of the capillary wick 207 extends into the cartridge
`203 and the second end 207b of the capillary wick 207 is
`surrounded by the heating coil 209. The mouthpiece also
`includes a cap 215 to protect the second end 207b of the
`capillary wick 207 and an insulation ring 217. The mouth(cid:173)
`piece 201 is designed to engage with the shell 101 of FIG. 1.
`[0044] FIG. 3 shows the shell 101 of FIG. 1 engaged with
`the mouthpiece 201 of FIG. 2 to form an electrically heated
`smoking system 301 arranged to supply aerosol to a user on
`demand. The shell 101 and mouthpiece 201 are releasably
`locked together by lock mechanism 117. Ends of the heating
`coil 209 are in contact with the electrical contacts 113 on the
`shell. Operation of the system 301 is as follows.
`[0045] Liquid 205 is transferred from the cartridge 203
`from the first end 207 a of the wick 207 to the second end 207 b
`of the wick by capillary action. When the user draws on the
`device at the air outlet 211, ambient air is drawn through air
`inlets 115. In this embodiment, the puff detection system 107
`senses the puff and activates the heating coil 209 and switches
`on the puff indicator 109. The battery 103 supplies a pulse of
`energy to the heating coil 209 to heat the second end 207 b of
`the wick 207. The liquid in the second end 207b of the wick
`207 is vaporized by the heating coil 209 to create a supersatu(cid:173)
`rated vapor. At the same time, the liquid being vaporized is
`replaced by further liquid moving towards the second end
`207b of wick by capillary action. (This is sometimes referred
`to as "pumping action".) The supersaturated vapor created is
`mixed with and carried in the air flow from the air inlets 115
`towards the aerosol forming chamber 213. In the aerosol
`forming chamber 213, the vapor condenses to form an inhal(cid:173)
`able aerosol, which is carried towards the outlet 211 and into
`the mouth of a user.
`[0046]
`In this embodiment, the circuitry 105 and the puff
`detection system 107 are programmable. The circuitry 105
`and puff detection system 107 can be used to manage the
`device operation. In this embodiment, when the puff detec(cid:173)
`tion system 107 senses the user taking a puff, the battery
`supplies a current pulse of a pre-determined time to the heat(cid:173)
`ing coil 209. The pre-determined time for the current pulse
`will depend on the amount ofliquid required for a single puff,
`and the time taken for that amount of liquid to be vaporized.
`That will, in tum, depend on the properties of the liquid, the
`heating coil and the capillary wick. The pre-determined time
`may be between about 0.5 and about 3 seconds.
`[0047]
`In this embodiment, the cartridge 203 in the mouth(cid:173)
`piece is sized so as to contain sufficient liquid for a pre(cid:173)
`determined number of puffs. After that pre- determined num(cid:173)
`ber of puffs, the cartridge could be refilled, but preferably the
`entire mouthpiece is replaced. The pre-determined number of
`puffs is ideally between about 200 and about 2000 puffs and
`this will depend on the desired size of the cartridge, mouth(cid:173)
`piece and entire device, and the properties of the liquid being
`used. The cartridge 203 can be made from any suitable mate(cid:173)
`rial. Examples include glass and plastic polymers such as
`PET or others used in the pharmaceutical or food industries.
`The material should be chosen so as to avoid leakage, break(cid:173)
`age or abuse, as far as possible.
`
`In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, when the
`[0048]
`shell and mouthpiece are engaged, the cartridge 203 is posi(cid:173)
`tioned upstream of the second end 207b of the wick and the
`heating coil 209. Thus, ambient air is drawn through air inlets
`115 and passes around the cartridge 203 before reaching the
`second end 207b of the wick and the heating coil 209. How(cid:173)
`ever, in an alternative embodiment, the mouthpiece may be
`structured such that, when the shell and mouthpiece are
`engaged, the cartridge is positioned downstream of the sec(cid:173)
`ond end of the wick and the heating coil. In that embodiment,
`the ambient air will be drawn through the air inlets, then the
`vapor or aerosol will pass around the cartridge on the way to
`the air outlet.
`[0049] The capillary wick can be made from a variety of
`porous or capillary materials and preferably has a known,
`pre-defined capillarity. Examples include ceramic- or graph(cid:173)
`ite-based materials in the form of fibers or sintered powders.
`Wicks of different porosities can be used to accommodate
`different liquid physical properties such as density, viscosity,
`surface tension and vapor pressure. The wick must be suitable
`so that the required amount of liquid can be delivered to the
`heating coil.
`[0050] The mouthpiece and shell are sized and shaped so as
`to engage with one another, so as to produce a suitably sized
`electrically heated smoking system which can be used by a
`smoker. The components of the mouthpiece and shell, includ(cid:173)
`ing the power supply, circuitry, liquid storage portion, wick,
`heating element and aerosol forming chamber are appropri(cid:173)
`ately sized and shaped for the system design. The system is
`preferably portable and may have a size similar to that of a
`conventional cigar or cigarette.
`[0051] The system of the invention allows the control of
`particle concentration (milligrams per liter, mg/I or milli(cid:173)
`grams per puff volume, mg/puff volume) in the aerosol, the
`average particle size in the aerosol and the distribution
`(range) of particle sizes in the aerosol. These may be con(cid:173)
`trolled by varying one or more of: the aerosol former formu(cid:173)
`lation in the liquid, the energy transfer (thermal power per
`unit of surface area) at the heating element, the design of the
`aerosol forming chamber and the operating temperature. The
`energy transfer will depend on a number of factors including
`the materials used for the heating element and the wick, the
`diameter of the wick, the design of the heating element
`including, if the heating element is a coil, the length, diameter
`and pitch ( distance between spirals) of the coil, and the power
`applied to the heating element.
`[0052] The operating temperature should be controlled to
`ensure that, as far as possible, no undesirable degradations of
`the aerosol former or formers and the flavouring material
`occur. This can be achieved, for example, by controlling the
`temperature of the heater if the heater is made from a suitable
`metal or alloy, using the variation in conductivity, or by con(cid:173)
`trolling the amount of energy delivered to the heater. A pre(cid:173)
`ferred operating temperature at the heating element is in the
`range of about 100° to about 300° Celsius. The arrangement
`shown in the Figures can operate within this temperature
`range, and may also provide a rapid response time (time
`between the user puffing on the system and the aerosol enter(cid:173)
`ing the user's mouth from the air outlet-this may be referred
`to as "time to puff') of between about 10 and about 500
`milliseconds, ms.
`[0053] The word "about" is sometimes used in connection
`with numerical values to avoid an interpretation of those
`numerical values based on mathematical precision. Accord-
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1016.007
`
`

`

`US 2014/0318559 Al
`
`Oct. 30, 2014
`
`5
`
`ingly, when the word "about" is used wi